The Irish premier has expressed 'deep concern' at an upsurge in Covid-19 cases in the country.

Taoiseach Micheal Martins comments come after Ireland recorded 200 new cases on Saturday  the highest daily rise since the start of May.

Mr Martin, deputy premier Leo Varadkar, Green Party leader and Government minister Eamon Ryan, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and acting chief medical officer Ronan Glynn met on Sunday morning to discuss the situation.

Taoiseach Micheal Martins comments come after Ireland recorded 200 new cases on Saturday  the highest daily rise since the start of May

'Yesterdays #COVID19 numbers were deeply concerning and this morning I discussed the evolving situation with the Tanaiste, Green Party Leader, Health Minister and acting CMO,' Mr Martin tweeted.

He said the Government and the National Public Health Emergency Team would continue to monitor the situation closely.

He added: 'Its essential that we adhere to the public health guidance and maintain social distancing to suppress this virus #HoldFirm.'

The total number of Covid-19 cases in Ireland since the outbreak began now stands at 27,191.

There were no further deaths reported on Saturday, with Irelands toll remaining at 1,774.

Stephen Donnelly (left), Leo Varadkar (second to left), Michael Martin (second to right), Dr Ronan Glynn (right) and Eamon Ryan (not pictured) met this morning to discuss the situation. Pictured during the post cabinet press briefing at the beginning of this month

Of the new cases reported, 68% are people below the age of 45.

Sixty-eight of the cases are associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case, while 25 cases have been identified as having been contracted through community transmission.

Kildare, which is one of three counties currently subjected to localised lockdowns, saw the highest number of new infections at 81. Dublin had 56.

After Sundays meeting, a Government spokesman said: 'The Taoiseach, Tanaiste, Green Party leader, Health Minister and acting CMO met this morning to discuss the evolving Covid-19 situation and to examine the recent spike in cases.

'They expressed deep concern at yesterdays figures. There will be a further analysis of the situation ahead of the Cabinet Committee on Covid, which will meet again on Tuesday.'
Biden criticised Turkish presidents policy towards the Kurds and advocated supporting the Turkish opposition.

Turkey has condemned remarks made by US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden criticising President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and calling for support for the Turkish leaders opponents.

Biden made the comments in an interview filmed by the New York Times in December, but a video of the remarks only appeared on Saturday before going viral on social media.

Asked about Erdogan, Biden described the Turkish president as an autocrat, criticised his policy towards the Kurds, and advocated supporting the Turkish opposition.

What I think we should be doing is taking a very different approach to him now, making it clear that we support opposition leadership, Biden said.

He has to pay a price, Biden said at the time, adding that Washington should embolden Turkish opposition leaders to be able to take on and defeat Erdogan. Not by a coup, not by a coup, but by the electoral process.

The comments did not provoke much reaction when they were published in January, but the video of the interview triggered an angry response from Turkey.

The analysis of Turkey by @JoeBiden is based on pure ignorance, arrogance and hypocrisy, Erdogans spokesman Ibrahim Kalin tweeted.

The analysis of Turkey by @JoeBiden is based on pure ignorance, arrogance and hypocrisy. The days of ordering Turkey around are over. But if you still think you can try, be our guest. You will pay the price.  Ibrahim Kalin (@ikalin1) August 16, 2020

The days of ordering Turkey around are over. But if you still think you can try, be our guest. You will pay the price.

Erdogans communications director Fahrettin Altun said the comments reflect games and an interventionist approach towards Turkey and are inconsistent with current diplomatic relations.

Nobody can attack our nations will and democracy or question the legitimacy of our President, who was elected by popular vote, Altun said on Twitter.

We believe that these unbecoming statements which have no place in diplomacy by a presidential candidate from our NATO ally, the United States, are unacceptable to the current administration too, he added.

Bidens statements also embarrassed Erdogans opponents, who the Turkish government regularly accuses of being in the pay of foreign powers.

Several officials of the main opposition CHP party quickly distanced themselves from Bidens remarks, calling for respect for the sovereignty of Turkey.

Erdogan has worked to cultivate a personal relationship with current US President Donald Trump  who is running for re-election in November this year  and often lashes out at Trumps predecessor, Barack Obama.

Biden  who is expected to be Trumps opponent in the upcoming election  was Obamas vice president.

Relations between Ankara and Washington were strained during Obamas second term, particularly because of disagreements over Syria and growing international criticism over freedoms and rights in Turkey.

While Trump and Erdogan speak regularly, diplomatic relations have been strained over Ankaras purchase of Russian air defences, policy in Syria and over US charges against a Turkish state bank for allegedly helping Iran evade sanctions.
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

Navajo Nation government offices and private businesses will begin a gradual reopening Monday, the first major change to the reservations public health orders since the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in March.

The reservation has moved from a red status of high restrictions to an orange phase of moderate-high restrictions based on three criteria: the number of COVID-19 cases, testing accessibility and hospital capacity.

Case numbers are really steady at this point, said Dr. Jill Jim, director of the Navajo Department of Health. But residents and visitors should continue to wash their hands, wear masks and practice social distancing.

People still have to get food; people still have to go to school, Jim said during a video update Thursday. We still have to move around in the Nation, but it has to be done safely and gradually.

The Navajo Nation reported its highest case numbers in May, with several days exceeding 150 new cases. At that time, the Navajo Nation had the countrys highest reported case rate. Overwhelmed tribal hospitals transferred critical COVID-19 patients to facilities in Albuquerque and Phoenix.

Navajo officials will monitor contact tracing and new cases by region to decide when to relax more restrictions.

Assisting with contact tracing on the reservation are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the New Mexico Department of Health and the nonprofit COPE.

Navajo government offices will conduct temperature screenings for employees.

Most Navajo businesses will be allowed to reopen at 25% of maximum occupancy. Restaurants and banks will be drive-thru only. Barbershops and hair salons will be appointment-only.

Businesses not allowed to operate in the orange phase include casinos, youth programs, museums, flea markets, roadside markets, gyms, recreation facilities and movie theaters.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez has encouraged schools to implement online learning.

We recognize that there are challenges including the lack of adequate telecommunications infrastructure to support online learning for all students, and we are advocating to use CARES Act funds to help address that issue, Nez said in a statement released Thursday.

The Navajo Nation reported 38 new COVID-19 cases and one death Thursday, for a total of 9,394 cases and 478 deaths. More than 6,900 people have recovered from the disease.

The reservation has a nightly curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., and a weekend lockdown from 9 p.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Monday.
Two senior officials of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention resigned from their positions amid the global pandemic and as the country continues to experience the devastation of COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is playing a significant role in the country amid the global pandemic. The agency regularly updates and issues guidelines to ensure that everyone is updated about the latest discoveries regarding the virus.

However, two senior officials in the agency resigned from their positions on Friday. They are CDC chief of staff Kyle McGowan and deputy chief of staff Amanda Campbell. President Donald Trump appointed them to become part of the CDC.

A spokesperson of the agency said, "I can confirm Kyle McGowan and Amanda Campbell are no longer with the agency. Effective Monday, August 17, Nina Witkofsky will serve as acting CDC chief of staff, and Trey Moeller will serve as acting deputy chief of staff."

Meanwhile, McGowan and Campbell clarified that they were not terminated or someone forced them to leave their posts. In a recently published article in the news outlet POLITICO, they said they are going to start a consulting business.

McGowan added that he had planned to leave the agency before the global pandemic to start the business. However, he was stuck in the agency because of the need to help the CDC as the country faced the worst pandemic in the century.

Moreover, in a recently published article in The Hill, McGowan said, "We picked this day on the calendar and left to start our own business. No one has asked us to leave. No one has forced us to leave. We're to a point where I feel comfortable leaving."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been instrumental to at least control the spread of the virus in the country. At the same time, the agency has also received mountainous criticisms because of its effort to combat the global pandemic.

Many lawmakers and health experts in the country criticized the agency and somehow questioned the leadership of CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield. The critics claimed that the agency has struggled to present a strategy that will flatten the curve effectively.

However, it cannot also be denied that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has regular updates and issues new guidelines about the virus. In fact, the CDC recently updated the guidelines on the quarantine period for those who are in the recovery period.

As of today, the United States still leads the world with the highest number of infections and deaths. According to the official tallied data of Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, the United States has recorded more than 5.5 million infections and with a death toll of over 172,000.

Additionally, CDC Director Robert Redfield warned early this week that the country could experience the worst fall in history as the virus continues to devastate the country and with the flu season approaching. This means that more people will experience flu, which is a COVID-19 symptom.

Check these out!
NEW YORK, Aug. 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (Deutsche Bank or the Bank) (NYSE: DB) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and indexed under 20-cv-08978, is on behalf of all investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Deutsche Bank securities between November 7, 2017, and July 6, 2020, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Bank and certain of its top officials.



If you are a shareholder who purchased Deutsche Bank securities during the Class Period, you have until September 14, 2020, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com . To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

Deutsche Bank was founded in 1870 and is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The Bank provides investment, financial, and related products and services to private individuals, corporate entities, and institutional clients worldwide.

Deutsche Bank has been the subject of scandal, investigation and regulatory enforcement for years because of anti-money laundering (AML) compliance failures and deficiencies in its disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, causing it to have one of the lowest gradings offered by the U.S. Federal Reserve (Federal Reserve).

The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Companys business. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Deutsche Bank had failed to remediate deficiencies related to AML, its disclosure controls, procedures, and internal control over financial reporting, and its U.S. operations troubled condition; (ii) as a result, the Bank failed to properly monitor customers that the Bank itself deemed to be high risk, including, among others, the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein (Epstein) and two correspondent banks, Danske Estonia and FBME Bank, which were both the subjects of prior scandals involving financial misconduct; (iii) the foregoing, once revealed, was foreseeably likely to have a material negative impact on the Banks financial results and reputation; and (iv) as a result, the Banks public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On May 13, 2020, media outlets reported that the Federal Reserve had sharply criticized Deutsche Banks U.S. operations in an internal audit. The audit reportedly found that Deutsche Bank had failed to address multiple concerns identified years earlier, including concerns related to the Banks AML and other control procedures.

On this news, the value of Deutsche Banks ordinary shares fell $0.31 per share, or 4.49%, to close at $6.60 per share on May 13, 2020.

Then, on July 7, 2020, the Federal Reserves criticism of Deutsche Banks failure to address its AML and other issues was reaffirmed when the New York State Department of Financial Services fined the Bank $150 million for neglecting to flag numerous questionable transactions from accounts associated with Epstein and with two correspondent banks, Danske Estonia and FBME Bank, both of which were the subjects of prior scandals involving financial misconduct.

On this news, the value of Deutsche Banks ordinary shares fell $0.13 per share, or 1.31%, to close at $9.82 per share on July 7, 2020.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

rswilloughby@pomlaw.com
Workers pick out gravel from coal at a coal port in Hanoi. Photo by Reuters/Kham.

Vietnam has spent around $2.6 billion on importing 36.5 million tons of coal in the first seven months of this year, up 50 percent in volume year-on-year.

In July alone, the country imported five million tons of the product worth $294 million, mostly from Indonesia, Russia and China, according to Vietnam Customs.

Vietnam also exported more than 410,800 tons of coal worth $57 million between January and July.

The country has been importing increasing amounts of coal in recent years as demand from thermal power plants increases and domestic production is mired in difficulties, requiring deeper pits to reach the mineral. It became a coal importer from being a net exporter just five years ago.

Though the government has been trying to reduce its reliance on coal, encouraging solar and wind power plants, thermal power plants accounted for 36.1 percent of the electricity generated last year, according to the Vietnam Energy Association.

Vietnam is expected to import 12 million tons of coal this year, 30 million tons in 2025 and 50 million tons in 2030 to fuel its thermal power plants, senior officials of the state-owned coal mining group Vinacomin said earlier this year.
Good rainfall in catchment areas of



various dams in western have prompted authorities to release water from them, Irrigation department officials have said.

Water from the Koyna dam in Satara district is being released at the rate of 52,146 cusecs in the downstream Koyna river, a district official said on Sunday.

The dam is currently filled to 86 per cent of its total capacity of 86.08 TMC (one thousand million cubic feet).

Apart from the Koyna dam, water is also being releasedat the rate of 14,486 cusecs from the Chandoli dam on the Warna river, which separates Sangli and Kolhapur districts.

In Kolhapur district, the catchment area of the Radhanagari dam has been receiving intermittentshowers.

"Four gates of the Radhanagari dam are opened and water is being currently discharged at the rate of 7,112 cusecs," a Kolhapur district official said.

The water level of the Panchganga river at the Rajaram weir outside Kolhapur is currently at 34 feet, which is below the warning level of 39 feet, he said.

Kolhapur and Sangli districts had witnessed massive floods last year.

Meanwhile, due to heavy rains, some villages in Kolhapur district remained cut off from rest of the district due to flood in the Kasari river, a major tributary of the Panchganga river, he said.

The official said the rate of the water discharge from the Almatti dam in north Karnataka has been increased by 20,000 cusecs to 2 lakh cusecs, after minister Rajendra Patil-Yadravkar spoke with Karnataka's water resources minister Ramesh Jarkiholi.

It was alleged that backwater of the Almatti dam caused flooding in Kolhapur and Sangli districts last year as water was not released in time by neighbouring Karnataka.

Meanwhile, an "orange alert" has been issued by the Met department for ghat areas in Pune district for Monday.

"Isolated heavy rainfallto very heavy rainfallin ghat areas of Pune district is likely to occur for all four days from August 17 onwards," the IMD said.

An orange alert has been given in the flat areas of Pune district as there are chances of low visibility, slippery road and chances of landslide adjacent to the hilly region, a Met department official 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.)
SHANGHAI, China, Aug. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Boyet Diamond, a business with a complete industrial chain ranging from raw ore mining, cutting, import and export to sales, is today listed on the Shanghai Diamond Exchange and has received a AAA credit rating in China. Boyet Diamond is accelerating its Asia-Pacific expansion to occupy the Chinese market.



Diamonds, every girl's best friend, are symbols of a solid, lasting relationship and the start of a happy marriage... But has someone ever wondered who told you all this?

More than one hundred years ago, diamonds could only be found along a few Indian rivers and in the jungles of Brazil, and their scarcity - only a few kilograms made their way onto the market every year - made them both very expensive and the preserve of the aristocracy. However, the discovery of huge diamond reserves - promising tonnes of output - in South Africa in 1870 caused panic among mine investors: the flood of so many diamonds onto the market would surely devalue their diamonds!

In response, the most famous diamond investor of the time, Cecil Rhodes, founded De Beers in 1888 and bought up almost all of the world's major diamond mines. At the height of its power, De Beers would control 90% of the world's diamonds for nearly a century. New diamond discoveries and mining at the end of the twentieth century brought De Beers' market share down to 40%, but the diamond market remained dominated by other well-known players, which is why diamond still commanded sky-high prices.

Through the integration of the industry chain, Boyet Diamond has shattered the diamond industry's traditional monopoly marketing model, significantly reducing the exploitation of profits at all levels of the supply chain, and sharing these profits with all customers. The company's profit-sharing model attracts customers to share directly in and rapidly expand market access, establishing a perfect O2O virtuous circle business model and achieving the ultimate concept of diamonds for everyone. Steeled with the new sales model, it has gained consumers' confidence by creating a profit of 120% to 150% higher than its competitors, making Boyet Jewelry emerged among many high end jewelry brands.

Story continues

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost every industry in the world, including the diamond shipping and processing sector. Therefore, Boyet Diamond has accelerated its move into the Asia Pacific region by actively integrating all the Group's resources within China to establish a jewellery processing factory in Guangzhou. The company has also brought together a team of top jewellery artisans from around the Asia Pacific to provide direct services to customers in the region, and completed negotiations with The Peninsular Hotel Group to host a high-end flagship store. This diversified and innovative model has helped Boyet accelerate its capture of the Asia Pacific diamond market and earned Boyet Diamond its reputation as a new-generation diamond giant.

According to diamond industry analyst Paul Zimnisky, China accounts for 15% of global diamond jewellery consumption, and in the face of the ravages of COVID-19, most Chinese manufacturers in the middle and lower reaches of the diamond industry chain are seeking to strengthen their position through innovative and diversified approaches. Issac Othniel, Chief Executive Officer of Boyet Diamonds, quoted that: "In addition to the advantages of our complete industrial chain, Boyet Diamond has established further powerful competitive protection with its clear-focused, effective new business model." Even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Boyet Diamond remains entirely unaffected, opening up another new era of unparalleled wealth and prosperity for its business.

Media contact

Company: Boyet Diamond

Contact: KK Chan, Marketing Director

E-Mail: kkchan@boyetdiamonds.com

Telephone: +862150916352

Website: https://www.boyetdiamonds.com/




KYODO NEWS - Aug 15, 2020 - 20:00 | All, Japan

TOKYO - Four members of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet visited the Yasukuni shrine, seen by Japan's neighbors as a symbol of its past militarism, as the country marked the anniversary of its surrender in World War II on Saturday, while Abe himself sent a ritual offering.

Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi was the first Cabinet member to visit the shrine on Aug. 15 since 2016. He was followed by education minister Koichi Hagiuda, Seiichi Eto, minister in charge of territorial issues, and internal affairs minister Sanae Takaichi.

Abe refrained from visiting the Shinto shrine in central Tokyo, which honors convicted war criminals along with millions of war dead, for the eighth year in a row, choosing to lay flowers at the nearby Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery.

Past visits by prime ministers to Yasukuni have drawn a strong backlash from the international community. Abe's only outing while in office, in December 2013, dealt a blow to already strained ties with China and South Korea, which suffered at the hands of Japan in the lead-up to and during the war.

It also prompted key ally the United States to voice its disappointment, with media reports at the time saying Abe ignored a request by then-Vice President Joe Biden, now the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate, to forgo a visit.

Abe's offering, made in his capacity as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party with money out of his own pocket, was delivered Saturday morning by his aide and LDP lawmaker Shuichi Takatori. Takatori told reporters Abe made the donation with "respect and gratitude for the war dead who laid the groundwork for peace."

The four Cabinet members who visited on Saturday represented the most since Abe returned to power in December 2012. Three went on the war anniversary from 2013 to 2015, two in 2016, and none from 2017 to 2019.

South Korea's Foreign Ministry issued a statement voicing "deep disappointment and concern" over their visits and calling on Japanese leaders to show sincere remorse for the past.

Members of the public also paid their respects at Yasukuni on the 75th anniversary of Japan's surrender, braving the sweltering heat and forming long lines with extra space between people as a precaution against spreading the novel coronavirus.

A cross-party group of conservative lawmakers who usually pay their respects together on key dates said they will not do so on Saturday because of the pandemic, which has seen a resurgence in the capital in recent weeks.

Established in 1869 to commemorate those that gave their lives for Japan, Yasukuni in 1978 added wartime Prime Minister Gen. Hideki Tojo and other convicted war criminals to the more than 2.4 million war dead enshrined there.

By not visiting the shrine, Abe likely sought to avoid another flare-up between Japan and China at a time when the recent improvement in bilateral ties is being tested by Beijing's sending of ships into Japanese territorial waters in the East China Sea and its introduction of a widely criticized national security law in Hong Kong.

Japan's relations with South Korea, meanwhile, remain at the lowest point in years amid a feud over compensation for wartime labor and tightened export controls.

South Korea's top court in October 2018 ordered a Japanese steelmaker to pay four Korean men 100 million won ($84,000) each for forced labor under Japanese colonial rule between 1910 and 1945. Similar rulings have since followed.

Japan argues the rulings violate an agreement reached when the countries normalized ties in 1965, under which it provided South Korea with $500 million in grants and low-interest loans with the understanding that the issue of wartime compensation would be resolved "completely and finally."

Tensions between the countries further escalated after Japan in July 2019 tightened controls on exports of three materials crucial to South Korean manufacturers of semiconductors and display panels. Seoul says the move was politically motivated and has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization.

Related coverage:

Graffiti targeting Wuhan residents over virus found at Yasukuni shrine

Abe sends ritual tree offering to war-linked Yasukuni shrine

Chinese man found guilty of throwing ink on drape at Yasukuni shrine
A top police officer has expressed his disbelief over an illegal street party which saw police pelted with missiles as they tried to break up the event.

Deputy Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Ian Pilling said the "outrageous" behaviour, which is said to have involved hundreds of people, was the worst he had seen in 30 years of policing.

Officers were forced to call for significant back-up as they dealt with the large gatherings, which took place in the Gorton area of Manchester, for the second night running.

DCC Pilling said objects were thrown at officers as they attempted to intervene to stop a party in Harlow Drive, Gorton. The disorder followed large gatherings in the Wilmslow Road area of the city on Friday.

He said: Despite having significant number of GMP officers on duty, supported by officers from North Wales and Cheshire, we were extremely stretched again yesterday with unprecedented demand.

The last thing we need is large gatherings such as this, as well as unacceptable attacks on officers attending the scene.

Quite frankly, it is beyond comprehension and I am incredibly disappointed that people feel they can gather in this way  blatantly flouting the rules.

I can honestly say that in 30 years of policing I have never seen anything quite as outrageous as this behaviour. It is appalling.

Snapchat videos show hundreds of people at the event, partying to loud music, according to the Manchester Evening News.

Greater Manchester Police are reviewing footage of the gathering, which appeared to take place in a giant gazebo.

The senior officer added: We are still in the midst of a global pandemic and over 40,000 people have lost their lives.

Greater Manchester is specifically affected to the extent we have a local lockdown and many places still have a rising infection rate. People behaving in this way are contributing to an already difficult situation.

GMP owes it to our communities to not tolerate this kind of behaviour, Mr Pilling said.

Fridays street gatherings on Pakistan Independence Day were condemned by Manchester Gorton MP Afzal Khan, who said he was disappointed, frustrated and angry at the appalling behaviour of those present.

The MP tweeted: Not only is antisocial behaviour of this kind deeply disrespectful to Rusholme residents, ignoring the Covid-19 regulations puts us all at risk.
The Telangana unit of the Congress will wage a legal battle and hold state-wide protests against the alleged demolition of places of worship on the Secretariat premises here, a senior party leader said on Sunday.

The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president and MP of Nalgonda N Uttam Kumar Reddy accused the Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao of hurting the religious sentiments by allegedly ordering the demolition of the religious structures.

The TPCC chief further accused Rao of lying to the people on the issue by claiming that some damage was caused to the places of worship when some debris of other structures in the Secretariat fell on them during the demolition of the old Secretariat.

According to Uttam Kumar Reddy, the state government is not empowered to demolish religious structures as they are protected under various laws.

"The Congress party will file a criminal complaint against those involved and responsible for the demolition. All other legal steps will be taken to pursue the case at a higher level. A state-wide agitation will be organised against the demolition," he said in a statement.

Uttam Kumar Reddy also condemned AIMIM leaders Asaduddin Owaisi, MP from Hyderabad, and Akbaruddin Owaisi, an MLA, for their silence on the issue.

He slammed Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy too for his silence and alleged that the incident has exposed that Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were allies.

Speaking on the next elections for Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Uttam Kumar Reddy asked the party MPs, MLAs and all contested candidates to take up revamping the party structure in Greater Hyderabad, Warangal and Khammam.

Earlier, Chandrasekhar Rao expressed regret over the damage caused to places of worship on the Secretariat premises during demolition work and said new ones would be built in a more spacious area.

The Chief Minister had said a new temple and mosque would be built over a more spacious area even if it meant spending crores of rupees.

The ruling TRS government began the demolition of the Secretariat complex on July 7 to pave the way for construction of a new Secretariat.

On August 5, the Telangana cabinet approved the construction and the designs of the new Secretariat complex.
Its not just adults who miss their friends during this pandemic. For young children, it has uprooted the world of social interaction they receive from day cares, schools and scheduled play dates, socialization thats important for their development and emotional health.

Elena Nicole Britton 42, has a 7-year-old and a 1-year-old. While her younger one hasnt noticed that much has changed, her older child, Blythe, has found staying at home difficult. Some days shes in high spirits, but other days she cant help but miss her friends.

Shes very sensitive. It was hard for her to articulate whats happened, said Britton. To help her, Britton has decided to let Blythe go on play dates with a few local families. They make sure to wear masks. Britton trusts the other families, who keep their kids at home if they feel sick and try not to leave the house.

The meetings always take place outside, with regular summer activities like running through sprinklers and playing with water balloons. Britton came to the decision to have play dates because she knew how important it was for Blythe to be social. Shes a very social person. Our weekends used to be filled with social interactions and birthday parties, said Britton.

Safety recommendations over play dates are mixed. Scott Goldstein, a pediatrician at Northwestern Childrens Practice and instructor of clinical pediatrics at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine, said its up to a parents comfort level, but small get-togethers with proper precautions should be fine.

According to Dr. Amanda Moreno, an associate professor at the Erikson Institute in downtown Chicago and director of their child development program, children get the majority of their social skills from each other, not adults. Pretend play that adults might consider silly can teach kids about sharing and interaction in what Moreno said is a low-stakes environment.

We call it socio-dramatic play. There are rules that kids imitate with what they see in adults and with their own rules, said Moreno.

Keewa Nurullah, 37, had to put her children in day care because she works full-time. At the start of the pandemic, her 2-year-old and 4-year-old played together, but over time, they lost interest in each other. Nurullahs 4-year-old, Faraz, began to miss his friends. Although there arent many other kids in day care because of the pandemic, Nurullah sees her son is excited again. Since hes gone back, I can tell he was so thirsty for friend time, said Nurullah.

With her child already interacting with other kids daily, Nurullah said she wouldnt consider play dates. She wants to keep Farazs exposure to others to a minimum and knows other parents are scared as well. She says interacting with children from different homes could be a health risk, and she hasnt heard of other parents who are doing it. I dont really see play dates happening. I see people who maybe live in the same apartment building, or know another familys patterns, or maybe cousins or relatives, Nurullah.

Lack of peer-to-peer interaction can cause kids to miss out on social skills theyd otherwise learn in day care or school. However, Moreno said its important to remember that kids arent completely cut off from the world, even if they cant see their friends. Its not 1920. Its not complete isolation, said Moreno.

Online interaction is also helpful. Moreno said that although its not an exact substitute, watching YouTube videos for kids or video chatting can still teach children some of the skills they may be missing. All of the second bets are good bets, said Moreno.

Britton wants Blythe to get as much social interaction as she can because she doesnt know what will happen in the winter. If theres not a vaccine until 2021, she cant be kept from friends for that long, said Britton.

Whatever kids cant gain now, theyll gain whenever they return to school or day care said Moreno. Moreno added that your kids wont be the only ones who have a gap in social skills. Whats different is this is happening all over. Its not just the worry of kids getting left behind, because its all of them, said Moreno.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will on Monday, August 17, 2020 commission and hand over the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat Building to the African Union Commission (AUC) in Accra.

It will be recalled that at the 12th African Union (AU) Extraordinary Summit held in Niamey, Niger in July 2019, Ghana was selected to host the Secretariat of AfCFTA by Member States of the African Union.



As part of the obligations and commitments under the Host Country Agreement, Ghana is required to provide a fully furnished office complex as the Headquarters for the AfCFTA Secretariat and an official residence for the Secretary-General.



The AfCFTA Secretariat will administer the free trade agreement creating a Single Market for 55 countries with a combined population of 1.2 billion and a total Gross Domestic Product of about US $2.5 trillion. So far, 54 countries have signed the Agreement with 28 countries ratifying same.



The hosting of AfCFTA Secretariat in Ghana will promote Ghana as an attractive regional and investment hub in Africa, boost economic activities, and provide job opportunities for Ghanaians.



The handing over ceremony will be attended by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the newly elected Secretary-General of AfCFTA, the Speaker of Parliament, Chairman of the Council of State, Senior Government Officials and members of the Diplomatic Corps.



Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a limited number of other guests from the Private Sector and other Public Sector Organisations have been invited to witness the ceremony.



The ceremony will be broadcast live through local and international television networks and social media platforms to a global audience.







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.

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The government rejects the assertion it didnt have a plan. Rozens statement stands in direct contradiction to federal Health Minister Greg Hunt's assurance in July that aged care around the country has been immensely prepared. At the same press conference, Hunt was explicitly asked: Do you think loved ones should have confidence that their family members will be safe in these facilities? Yes, came the emphatic answer. The royal commission has heard otherwise. It has heard that the de-skilling of the aged care labour force was a longstanding problem that bit hard when the pandemic struck. The sector was blind-sided and initially treated the virus like a flu. Illustration: Reg Lynch Credit: COVID-afflicted residents at aged care facilities in NSW were not moved to hospitals, despite medical advice they should be. But aged care facilities were not able to provide hospital-level care. NSW Health wrote to aged care provider Anglicare to seek assurances that it was not using personal protective equipment too widely. It should be kept for use for confirmed and suspected COVID cases only, the authority said. Loved ones were unable to get information about whether their relatives were dead or alive. Months later, the same problems that had occurred in NSW, happened in Victoria.

Expert witness Professor Joseph Ibrahim said there was a failure to provide the same health response to residential aged care that was delivered to the rest of Australia. On Friday Scott Morrison apologised for the "days the system falls short". On Monday he had spoken of his outrage at the idea that somehow our elderly should in some way have been offered up in relation to the virus. It was an "absolutely amoral, hideous thought", he said, one he wouldn't countenance. Another boiling frog moment  when the Prime Minister feels the need to specifically reject the idea that elderly people are somehow expendable in our disaster response. Thank the gods for the royal commission, though, because despite Morrisons moral outrage, there would have been no other mechanism to discover the poor preparedness and conditions of the sector, for which his government has responsibility. This week we were reminded of the Morrison governments great pre-pandemic problem with transparency when the Prime Minister dodged questions about why two Border Force officials have refused to appear before the inquiry into the Ruby Princess debacle, which led to over 20 deaths.

On March 15, Morrison said cruise ships would be put directly under the command of the Australian Border Force. Four days later, the Ruby Princess docked. We now know (because of reporting by the ABC's Andrew Probyn) that Virgin Australia called the ABF and asked it for a list of the ships passengers booked to take a Virgin flight  the airline wanted to avoid spreading COVID throughout the country. Loading The ABF refused the request, citing privacy concerns. On Friday Morrison defended the decision on privacy grounds  which seems odd, given how many other civil liberties the government has abandoned in the course of the COVID response, most notably our freedom of movement. The report of the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Ruby Princess released on Friday said the ABF "do not bear any responsibility for the Ruby Princess mishap". It is a peculiar irony of the pandemic that just as public trust in government reached all-time lows, we have been forced to depend upon it more heavily than ever before. Ditto, our politicians.


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PRINCE GEORGE, Va. - Rolls-Royce will close its aircraft parts factory in central Virginia by the middle of next year, throwing 280 people out of work, the company confirmed on Saturday.

The closing is the result of the decline in global travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported. There had already been 120 layoffs at the plant in June.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a historic collapse in civil aviation which will take several years to recover. As a result, weve had to make difficult, but necessary, decisions to protect the future of our business, Rolls-Royce North America spokesman Don Campbell said in a statement. British-based Rolls-Royce has its North American headquarters in northern Virginia.

The factory opened in 2011 in an office park in Prince George County, about 40 miles (64 kilometres) southeast of Richmond. The plant makes precision aircraft components such as rotative discs and turbine blades, the newspaper said.

Workers were told about the plant closing on Friday, which could have a ripple effect on the central Virginia economy as factory suppliers lose business.

The plants construction was announced in 2007. The state provided an incentives package worth $57 million, most of it linked to employment and investment targets that the company would have to meet over 16 years.

The plant initially was supposed to test and assemble components for corporate jets, but the Great Recession led Rolls-Royce to change its plans.

Then-President Barack Obama visited the plant in 2012 to talk up his proposal of a network of U.S. research centres to foster manufacturing competitiveness.
Texas-based soldiers were training in Poland last year when leaders at U.S. Army Europe spotted some alarming social media posts.

A member of 1st Armored Division had allegedly killed a Polish soldier, stolen a car and was on the run. The posts referenced the soldier's unit, which actually was in the country at the time, and used his real photos.

"The first thing we think when we see it is, 'Yeah, right -- this is bull,'" said Col. Joe Scrocca, director of public affairs at Army Europe. "But then we start searching, and it's like, 'Oh wow. The soldier really is in that unit, and these pictures are not fake."

Read Next: In Test, Army Defense System Destroys Cruise Missiles While Under Jam Attack

The unit was in the field, so it took time to track it down. Once they did, Scrocca said they confirmed their initial instinct: The posts were fake news. The soldier was with his unit doing what he was supposed to be doing, but the social media posts -- part fact, part fiction -- show how bad actors' efforts to sow discord about U.S. troops' presence in Europe and elsewhere are getting more sophisticated.

The fake story about the 1st Armored Division soldier followed several others like it in recent years.

In 2018, a story appearing to be from a top Lithuanian news site claimed that a U.S. Army armored vehicle hit a local boy riding his bike, killing him. Raimundas Karoblis, Lithuania's defense minister, told Reuters it was a textbook example of deceitful news meant to discredit a NATO exercise in the Baltics.

A year before that, a top NATO general said Russia was behind an email sent to the speaker of the Lithuanian parliament, claiming German troops operating in that country cornered a teenage orphan near their barracks and raped her.

Czech Army Gen. Petr Pavel, then NATO's top military officer, told Reuters that NATO troops and civilians in Europe should expect more fake news from Russia.

"It will get stronger," Pavel said. "... But we will be transparent, consistent."

Now, Russian disinformation efforts are a massive problem in the U.S. and other democracies. Fake news stories that originate in Russia -- often on highly divisive and partisan topics -- have made their way into Americans' social media feeds.

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And it's not just fake news about political candidates, gun control, race relations or other hot-button items meant to divide Americans. Earlier this year, top military leaders warned that Russia and China were both spreading lies about the global coronavirus pandemic. Now, the U.S. is struggling to control widespread outbreaks of COVID-19, the sometimes-fatal illness caused by the new virus, after issues such as mask-wearing and whether to trust leading infectious disease experts have divided swaths of the country.

Those pushing fake news campaigns in Europe and elsewhere often have different goals when it comes to influencing the way people feel about U.S. forces and their NATO allies. Those efforts frequently center around vilifying the powerful, decades-old alliance that serves as a major counterbalance to Russia in Europe and elsewhere.

And rank-and-file troops, like that soldier with 1st Armored Division, are getting caught up in it.

New Counter-Missions

U.S. military leaders are taking significant steps to prepare their forces for possible conflict with far more sophisticated enemies than those they faced off against in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The 2018 National Defense Strategy warned that troops face an "ever more lethal and disruptive battlefield" that will pose challenges across domains -- information warfare included.

Each of the services has created new positions or units to deal with renewed information warfare threats. The Navy has added shipboard information warfare commanders to aircraft carrier strike groups. A new information warfare-focused Air Force unit was activated earlier this year. The Army is in the process of standing up a new cyberwarfare battalion that will have a dozen teams capable of being dispatched to support operational forces.

The Marine Corps in 2017 established a three-star billet to oversee the service's information-warfare efforts -- a new deputy commandant of information position. Its efforts also include three new Marine expeditionary force information groups, known as MIGs, each of which has about 4,000 personnel organized to spot and respond to a host of threats.

"If you [wonder] how important a concern ... this disinformation, this information environment is, I think the creation of a MIG is a signal that the Marine Corps takes it very seriously," said Col. Brian Russell, commanding officer of II MEF's information group in North Carolina.

One of the top challenges troops face in combating disinformation campaigns is determining who exactly is behind the flood of false posts, he added.

Marine Corps Col. Brian E. Russell, commanding officer of II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, gives remarks during a change of command ceremony at Camp Lejeune, N.C., on June 10. (Caleb T. Maher/Marine Corps)

"That is something we have to stay vigilant about and continue to work to really understand what the threat is and who the threat is," Russell said. "I think that's the challenge of the modern information environment. There's so much information out there, and so many people [with] malicious intent are trying to hide the fact that it's them contributing."

Scrocca, with Army Europe, agrees. While some misinformation comes from known sources, such as state-run Russian media, it can be a lot tougher to tell who's behind something like social media disinformation campaigns or the hacking of a news outlet.

In May, for example, ahead of another big exercise in Poland called Defender Europe, hackers cracked into real European news outlets' websites. They posted a fake interview in which Army Europe's new German chief of staff disparaged his Polish allies.

"We must be doing something right!" Army Europe tweeted about the interview, calling it #FakeNews. The command directed followers to the exercise's official webpage, adding that the comments in the fake interview were "totally fabricated by those who seek to tear apart our great Alliance."

The fake story is believed to have originated in Cyprus, Scrocca said, but it wasn't immediately clear whether there were ties to a specific government.

"That's much harder," he said. "We know who it benefits and who doesn't, but that's about as far as we go."

That matches what Emerson Brooking, a resident fellow at the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab, sees in his studies of disinformation campaigns targeting NATO allies. It would be easy to blame the Russian government for executing or directing the fake news efforts, since the campaigns often match the Kremlin's strategic goals, Brooking said, but the reality is much more complex.

"Within any of these Baltic nations, there are segments of the population who are quite disenchanted with NATO and the West, and who are in fact much more sympathetic toward Russia," he said. "... It may well be people ... who may wish that they were part of Russia who are independently spreading this sort of disinformation."

Combating Disinformation

Troops won't only face misinformation in the Europe theater, military leaders and experts say. Spreading misinformation is cheap, fast and sometimes effective, making it an attractive option for adversaries worldwide.

In the Middle East, Scrocca said misinformation often comes in the form of false reports of civilian casualties. The best way to combat the efforts, he added, is by being proactive, transparent and truthful.

Army Europe not only has personnel dedicated to monitoring the information environment to quickly spot fake posts and alert NATO allies, it's also posting information ahead of time about upcoming exercises and other events to try to prevent any confusion about what U.S. troops are doing on the continent.

Putting out materials to illustrate the real narrative can help prevent the spread of misinformation, Brooking said.

"That information lets inhabitants of these countries understand the important work that NATO is doing," he said.

A member of Russell's command, who spoke to Military.com on the condition of anonymity, citing operational security concerns, said that was an important part of what II MIG did during Exercise Trident Juncture in Norway last year. They knew they'd be operating in an information-contested environment, he said, and fake news stories began hitting about the exercise.

"Both during and before the exercise, we actually saw several news stories and social media narratives claiming that the exercise was a facet of NATO and Western expansionism or aggression," he said.

Capt. Ronald Ellsworth Jr., a cyber officer who participated in that exercise, said they saw evidence of "several Russian trolls, activists and synthetic online users and extremist groups dedicate a lot of time to pushing an anti-Western, anti-NATO narrative in the form of blatant [propaganda]."

Members of II MIG worked with communication strategy and operations Marines, cyber defense units and NATO allies to combat that narrative, the Marines said.

At Army Europe, Scrocca said the challenges posed by fake news have bolstered partnership between U.S. troops and their NATO allies.

"That's one of the silver linings of this, is just the network and the tight coordination that goes on now, on a daily basis, between us and our allies and partners is amazing," he said.

Troops also have a role to play in keeping their information safe. Russell said they're encouraging Marines to apply some of the same tactics they used to spot improvised explosive devices in Iraq or Afghanistan to disinformation efforts.

"You kind of have to have a natural suspicion about what might appear to be normal things," he said. "... When the computer is acting a little bit slow, that might not just be a network issue -- you need to tell someone that the computer is acting up or working slow because that might be the first indication that you have a cyberattack going on."

Scrocca said they're also constantly reminding troops to keep their social media accounts on lockdown, using the example of the soldier whose unit and photos were riffed from his Facebook page to spread fake news that he was on the run after supposedly killing a Polish ally.

But Brooking offered a different take when it comes to social media, saying it could prove an important tool in helping get the word out about the real work U.S. troops are doing on different continents. There are ways to protect operational security while still offering people a transparent look about what troops in their country are doing, he said.

"The fact is that people engage much more with authentic content, so content that comes from young people who are part of these exercises sort of candidly sharing their experiences and thoughts," he said. "I've always seen that [as] really a valuable and underutilized asset. ... We do have to start thinking about these sorts of social media presences as a tool."

-- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins.

Related: 3-Star: We Must Combat Russian Attempts to Influence Troops Online
The Indian Government will make available to Ghana and the rest of the world, three vaccines for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that are currently under trial.



The Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Sugandh Rajaram who made this known to the Daily Graphic in an interview on Saturday said India's relationship with Ghana which spans several decades, would be further strengthened when the vaccine is ready.



"India is the pharmaceutical centre of the world and as at now our scientists are in the process of producing not just one or two vaccines but three which when are ready will be available to not only Indians but millions of people including Ghanaians", he said.



Mr. Rajaram was speaking to the Daily Graphic after he hosted a virtual anniversary of India's independence from the British at his residence in Accra.



The ceremony which was organised under strict COVID-19 protocols, was attended by members of the India community in Ghana and staff of the Indian High Commission.



There were musical and poetry performances by school children.



Almost ready

Mr Rajaram said the 'groundbreaking' vaccines on clinical trial were almost ready and could be available in a few weeks.



He explained that India would be able to get the vaccines ready within a short period because the country had the experience of discovering and producing drugs including vaccines.



"Already we produce about 70 percent of all the vaccines in the world which makes India the global pharmaceutical centre so I am sure our scientists will be ready with the vaccines within some few weeks," he said.



World peace

Earlier in an address to celebrants, Mr Rajaram said the activities of his compatriots must promote tolerance and peace.



He said as a peaceful and prosperous nation, the celebration of independence day must remind all Indian citizens of the vision of the founders of the nation which was hinged on peaceful coexistence among themselves and their neighbours.



Mr Rajaram said if the world worked together, there was the possibility for everyone to live in peace.



Pakistan conflict

Touching on the long standing boarder dispute between India and Pakistan, Mr Rajaram said India was committed to a non-violent approach to resolving to dispute.



However, he said, Pakistan would have to discontinue its violence and engage in negotiations to help bring lasting peace between the two countries.



"Negotiations is what is needed and India has been emphasising this approach because there is no other way than peace to resolve the issue", Mr Rajaram added.





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.

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The Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party have both attacked the BJP government over the incident of a 13 year old's alleged gangrape in Isanagar, and said that harassment and crimes against women is at its peak during BJP rule.

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav attacked the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over the incident in which a 13-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered in Isanagar in Lakhimpur Kheri and said that the harassment of girls and women is at its peak during the Bharatiya Janata Partys rule.



The ruthless killing after raping a teenage girl in Lakhimpur Kheri, UP is a shocking incident to humanity. During the BJPs rule, harassment of girls and women of Uttar Pradesh is at its peak. Why is the BJP government offering protection to accused in cases of rape, kidnapping, crime and killings? #NoMoreBJP, Yadav tweeted on Sunday. Earlier, the police stated that the National Security Act (NSA) will be invoked against two men accused of the gangrape of the 13-year-old girl.



The girl was allegedly raped and murdered in Isanagar in Lakhimpur Kheri on Friday. Later, the police recovered her body from a sugarcane field in Isanagar.



Also Read: Maharashtra govt will abide by SC order: Anil Deshmukh on Sushant Singh Rajput death probe

Also Read: Whose cowardice allowed China to take our land: Rahul Gandhi takes jibe at PM Modi

Satyendra Kumar, Superintendent of Police (SP), Lakhimpur Kheri said two men have been booked under offences of murder and gangrape, adding that action will also be taken against them under the NSA.

Reacting to the gangrrape, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) national spokesperson Sudhindra Bhadoria on Sunday said that the law and order situation in the state is worsening and claimed that state government has been unable to contain crime.



Bhadoria added the public is upset and wants such incidents to stop. See, from some time, the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh has been worsening. Rape incidents, murders of Dalits, law and order have become a question in the state. The public is upset and wants such incidents to stop, he said. BSP chief Mayawati is repeatedly raising the issue of deteriorating law and order as it is felt that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been unable to contain crime in the state, he told ANI.
Margaret Thatchers alma mater is set to become the first Oxford University college to introduce compulsory bias training for students, staff and tutors.

Somerville College will require them to complete a course on implicit biases as part of a diversity drive to tackle racism on campus.

In an email sent to students last month, Somervilles principal, Baroness Royall, a former Labour leader of the House of Lords, wrote: All staff are receiving unconscious bias training and there will be online training for all students before the start of term.

Somerville College is the first Oxford University college to introduce compulsory anti-bias training as part of a diversity drive to tackle racism on campus

The Iron Lady: Margaret Thatcher studied chemistry at Somerville in the 1940s and later battled to preserve the colleges all-women status from equality laws

It is part of a raft of inclusive measures planned by the college that include mentoring for all of its black freshers and the creation of an Equalities and Diversity Working Group.

Among other anti-racist actions are the addition of new books to make our collection more diverse and inclusive and backing an Alternative Curricula to the official academic programme.

In a subsequent email to students, Somervilles Junior Common Room President said that the training will be a first step to ensuring we all understand what is bias, the impact of our bias and how to acknowledge and overcome biases.

The course will be run by Oxfords university-wide Equality and Diversity Unit and will take the form of a two-hour workshop, which will consider how implicit bias plays out at the university and will include a discussion about steps that individuals and teams can take to reduce its influence on their decisions and actions.

The 'unconscious' bias training is part of a raft of inclusive measures planned by the college that include mentoring for all of its black freshers

Last month Labour leader Keir Starmer said he will sign up for unconscious bias training following criticism of his response to Black Lives Matter protests.

The League of European Research Universities  which represents 23 institutions including Imperial College London, University College London, Oxford and Cambridge  recommended in a report published last year that all staff involved in hiring and promotion decisions receive training about bias.

But critics have raised fears over its impact on freedom of thought and, in March 2018, research by the Equality and Human Rights Commission on the effectiveness of unconscious bias training found little evidence to suggest it can alter behaviour.

Founded in 1879, Somerville was one of Oxfords first two womens colleges.

Oriel college, Oxford voted in June to remove a statue of colonialist Cecil Rhodes, pictured, though it will stay in place until next year

It boasts the late president of India, Indira Gandhi, and Testament Of Youth author Vera Brittain among its alumnae.

The college, which has a reputation for its open and inclusive ethos, started admitting men in 1994.

A spokesman for the college said: In offering this training we are simply updating our founders commitment to include the excluded, by acknowledging the potential damage inflicted on those around us through unconscious bias.

Lady Thatcher read chemistry at Somerville in the 1940s. She later battled to preserve the colleges all-women status from European Community equality laws in the 1980s.

The introduction of bias training courses at Somerville follows the vote by the governing body at another Oxford college, Oriel, in June to remove a statue of colonialist Cecil Rhodes, though it will stay in place until next year.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 11:13:57|Editor: huaxia

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LIMA, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Peruvians are expressing their support for the measures announced by President Martin Vizcarra to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, including a return to Sunday curfews and an adoption of social restrictions.

"I give my full support to the social quarantine, which is for the good of the whole country because it is the only way to mitigate this disease that is killing thousands of Peruvians," Pedro Rosales, a teacher, told Xinhua.

"The hospitals are full. A neighbor of mine went to the Dos de Mayo Hospital on Monday and did not find a bed because there is a lot of demand and he had to return home, where a private doctor is treating him," Rosales explained.

Cesar Gameros, another citizen, supports the measures adopted by the government, saying they will help control the crisis.

"I believe in not going out in an uncontrolled way, ... you go out only for necessary things and avoid secret meetings," he said.

Health Minister Pilar Mazzetti said the latest spike in cases is due to people failing to social distance when visiting family and friends.

The president on Wednesday announced a partial return to stay-at-home measures starting on Sunday throughout the country, after the health authorities detected a new spike in COVID-19 infections.

"As of Sunday, we are going to go back to mandatory staying at home on Sundays," said Vizcarra, adding that he believes it is better to go back one step "because we always put poeple's lives and health ahead of everything."

Gilda Trigoso Diaz, another Peruvian, said that her countrymen are not respecting the measures established by health authorities.

The buses, for example, "are very full" and preventive measures are not being taken, she said.

According to the Ministry of Health, Peru has reported a total of 516,296 cases of COVID-19, which have overtaxed the public health system and caused a shortage of medical supplies. Enditem
Panusayas words, under Thai law, could land her in jail for up to 15 years. Thailand has among the strictest lese-majeste laws in the world, which has protected the monarchy from open, outright criticism. Even in coffee shops and conversations at home, Thais often use nicknames to refer to the king or use pop culture references  like Harry Potter or The Hunger Games  to subtly signal dissatisfaction with the system.
Phuket Poll: Is Phuket ready to open for travel bubbles?

PHUKET: Officials have announced that a travel bubble trial run is to begin to determine whether Phuket is ready to receive tourists again, but in a contained environment. The announcement received a flood of comments, ranging from clear support to sheer derision, claiming that Phuket  and Thailand  is simply not ready.

tourismCOVID-19healthopinion

By The Phuket News

Sunday 16 August 2020, 04:14PM

A woman receives hand sanitiser at Phuket International Airport. Photo: AoT Phuket

Readers raised many valid points, including whether Phuket should receive direct international flights or whether tourists should be cleared in Bangkok first then come to Phuket, as made clear by Royal Thai Army Deputy Commander-in-Chief Gen Natthapol Nakpanit during his visit on Thursday (Aug 13).

However, Gen Natthapol also pointed out that the final decision as to whether travel bubbles to Phuket would be approved would be down to Phuket officials and residents to prove that the island is ready.

To help provide some insight as to whether people believe Phuket is ready to receive its first international tourists since the COVID-19 lockdown began, The Phuket News asks readers the simple question, Is Phuket ready to open for travel bubbles?

Responses available in the poll are:

Yes  Get started, we cant hide from COVID-19 forever.

Yes  But only if the checking procedures, hotels and tour venues are properly vetted and approved

No  Phuket is not ready, more needs to be done to ensure Phuket is safe from international visitors.

No  The risk for anywhere to reopen to tourists right now is too great.

To vote in the poll, click here
New Delhi: Miheek Bajaj, wife of actor Rana Daggubati, has shared some wonderful pictures from their wedding and we can't thank her enough. Rana and Miheeka got married in a lavish wedding ceremony on August 8 in Hyderabad. Her post features the five important people of her life - Rana, her parents, her brother and his wife. The album has photos of Miheeka with each of them and she shared it with some beautiful captions.

For Rana, his wife wrote, "My love, my life, my heart, my soul! Thank you for being everything Ive ever dreamt of and so much more!! You make me a better person in life. I love you!"

Take a look:

Here are the other photos she shared:

Rana and Miheeka's wedding was a very private ceremony with just family members and close friends in attendance due to the coronavirus regulations.

On the guest list were top Telugu stars such as Allu Arjun, Ram Charan and his wife Upasana, besides Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya, who is Rana's cousin.

See some more pictures from their wedding here:

Miheeka is an entrepreneur. She hails from a business family of Hyderabad. She is the founder of an interior design label and event management company named Dew Drop Design Studio.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha Secretariat has been working overtime for the last two weeks to ensure a smooth functioning of the Parliament for the upcoming monsoon session in the third week of August.

To comply with the directions issued by Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, officials concerned have expedited their work to make sure the additional installations are done in the prescribed time,

New additions

Some of these include four large display screen in the chamber of the House, six smaller screens in the four galleries along with audio consoles, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, special cables connecting the two Houses for transmission of audio video signals, polycarbonate sheet separating the official gallery from the chamber of the house.

"All these arrangements mark the first of its kind session which will be held in compliance with the social distancing norms as necessiated by the coronavirus pandemic. Among these, using the chambers and galleries of both the Houses for holding the session will the first ever major change in the history of the Indian Parliament since 1952, an official of the RS Secretariat told The New Indian Express.

After a detailed examination of multiple options discussed at a meeting last month, both Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla decided on using the chambers and galleries of both the Houses for enabling the monsoon session under the prevailing restrictions.

Subsequently, senior officials of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat held detailed discussions with all the agencies concerned and firmed up the special arrangements to be made.

"We were directed to ensure all arrangements are made by the third week of this month for testing, rehearsal and final inspection. Chambers and galleries of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha chamber will be used for seating the members of the House during the monsoon session," the official added.

This includes, 60 members in the chamber and 51 in the galleries of Rajya Sabha (leaving out the first row) as per the social distancing norm and the remaining 132 (including bye-polls for two seats) in the chamber of Lok Sabha.

Seating arrangements

Various parties will be allotted seats in the chamber and galleries of Rajya Sabha based on respective strength and the remaining will be seated in the chamber of Lok Sabha in two blocks meant for ruling parties and the others.



In the Rajya Sabha chamber, seats will be earmarked for the Prime Minister, Leader of the House, Leader of the Opposition and leaders of other parties.

Former Prime Ministers and former Leaders of the House Dr.Manmohan Singh and H.D.Deve Gowda besides Ramvilas Paswan and Ramdas Athawale, being Ministers and members of the House will also have allotted seats in the chamber of the House. Other ministers will be seated in the seats meant for the ruling party.



"Four large display screens of 85 size each in the chamber and another six of 40 size each in the four galleries of the House are being installed so that the members can watch the proceedings conveniently. All the seats in the galleries are being fitted with consoles to enable participation of members in the proceedings of the House from their seats. Placards will indicate the parties accommodated in each gallery of the Rajya Sabha," it said further.

Special cables are being laid connecting the two Houses of Parliament for transmitting audio-visual signals of the proceedings both ways without any time lag to enable real time participation of members.

Polycarbonate sheets will separate the Officials Gallery of Rajya Sabha from the chamber as both are in close proximity. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation system in the air conditioning system of Rajya Sabha for killing the bacteria and virus in air supply is also under consideration.

Seating in the Officials Gallery and Press Gallery will also be in conformity with social distancing norm, each accommodating 15. Only limited number of secretariat officials will be seated at the Table of the House. Media personnel, for taking verbatim note of proceedings of the House, will be accommodated in the special box meant for foreign dignitaries.

The three interpretation booths of Rajya Sabha will be integrated with audio systems for simultaneous interpretation for the benefit of the members seated in both the Houses.

Telecast

RSTV and LSTV, through their existing arrangements in both the Houses will enable live telecast of the proceedings of the two Houses besides displaying the proceedings of each of the Houses on the screens in the other House.

Rajya Sabha Chairman also directed the secretariat officials to minimize the need for the members to physically handle various papers by ensuring necessary arrangements.
Iran-Backed Afghan Militants Vow To Fight For Annihilation Of Israel

Radio Farda August 15, 2020

An Iran-backed Afghan militant group called the Fatemiyoun Brigade vowed on August 14 to carry out its fight until the "annihilation of Israel" and creating the "new Islamic civilization.

The Fatemiyoun is made up of Afghans deployed in Syria by Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps' (IRGC) extraterritorial military and intelligence arm, the Qods Force. They have been on the frontlines of Tehran's military operations in support of Bashar al-Assad, supplying manpower Iran does not want to commit to foreign battles.

The militant group held its first "international conference" in Mashhad on August 13, in collaboration with Astan Qods Razavi, an ultra-rich shrine and a bastion for Iran's hardliner clerics. The event was attended by members of the group and their families with Fatimid flags identical to those of the Lebanese Hezbollah's.

Sayyid Elias, known as the "Senior Commander of the Fatimids", was the keynote speaker at the gathering.

While expressing his loyalty to the Islamic Republic Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the senior Afghan commander vowed that in addition to the liberation of Quds (Jerusalem), the Fatemiyoun will carry out "jihad" toward creating the "new Islamic civilization."

The new Islamic civilization is the fifth stage of a vague plan proposed by Khamenei.

"Two stages of the plan, namely the Islamic Revolution and the establishment of the Islamic government, have been completed so far," Khamenei has maintained, adding, "In the third and fourth stages an [international] Islamic State and society should be founded to pave the way for the emergence of the Shi'ites' Hidden Imam."

At the end of the conference in Mashhad, special messages were read to the participants from the leader of the Bahraini Shiites Sheikh Issa Qassem, the cultural attache of the Lebanese Hezbollah, Sheikh Akram Barakat, as well as several commanders of the Fatemiyoun.

The Iranian government has never officially published a report on the number and status of Fatemiyoun forces.

One of the brigade's commanders, Samad Rezaei said in an interview on September 1, 2018, that under the Fatemiyoun, a total of 80,000 Afghans were sent to fight in the Syrian civil war. The militant group's cultural director, Zuhair Mohajer, also announced in December 2017 that more than 2,000 Afghans had been killed in the Syrian civil war.

In return for sending these Afghans to Syria, the Islamic Republic government pays them a few hundred dollars a month and legal residence permits in Iran. Millions of Afghan refugees live in Iran often without documentation and subject to discrimination by the state. To earn legal status some are recruited to fight for the Islamic Republic.

Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-backed -afghan-militants-vow-to-fight-for- annihilation-of-israel-/30785090.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.

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When Sons of Anarchy ended its seven-season run on FX back in 2014, series creator Kurt Sutter still had more stories from the SOA universe that he wanted to tell. Over the years, there have been reports of possible spin offs, prequels, and sequels; but, so far, only Mayans M.C. has made it to air. A recent headline teased that an SOA reboot was in the works  much to Drakes delight. But, its not happening, and Sutter had to let the rapper down easy.

Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter with Charlie Hunnam | Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Kurt Sutter says the future of the Sons of Anarchy prequel is not looking great

Kurt Sutter has been active on social media while in quarantine with his family, and he routinely answers fan questions on his Instagram Stories. In April, a fan asked Sutter about the long-talked about prequel The First Nine, but he wasnt optimistic about the shows future.

At this time, the prospects are not looking great. I dont own the Sons of Anarchy IP, Fox/Disney does. But I never say never, wrote Sutter.

This statement echoed what he told Deadline in October 2019. Sutter explained that the possibility of doing The First Nine didnt look hopeful because it was a Fox/Disney-owned property after the merger, and they werent going to let him take the show elsewhere.

Sutter also revealed some of his plans for The First Nine, including the fact that he wanted it to be a limited series. He also loved the idea of four two-hour episodes because it would be ideal for the way he writes.

Kurt Sutter originally wanted both a prequel and a sequel

Sutter said that the relationship with Fox/Disney was in flux, and only time and a shift in attitude could possibly result in the prequel getting made. When the original series ended  before he turned his attention to Mayans MC  Sutter says he actually envisioned a bigger SOA universe.

I had this realization between SOA and Mayans that the SOA mythology would be four shows, Sutter said during a Q&A session on Instagram. Sons of Anarchy, Mayans MC, First Nine, and Sam Crow.

RELATED: Sons of Anarchy: Creator Kurt Sutter Reveals The 1 Moment That Sealed Jax Tellers Fate

First Nine would focus on the original members of the motorcycle club after they came home from Vietnam. The timeline would run up to the beginning of the original series, without ruining the mythology. The focus for Sam Crow would be the fate of Wendi, Nero, Abel, and Thomas.

After signing a multi-year deal with Fox, Sutter parted ways with the studio last year. According to Nerd Core Movement, Sutter didnt get along with the new ownership at Disney after the merger.

Drake shared a headline about Sons of Anarchy that turned out to be fake news

Drake is apparently a big fan of Sons of Anarchy and is ready for more of the story. The Nice For What rapper posted a screenshot of a headline that declared FX had renewed SOA for two more seasons.

The Motorcycle Gang is Back: Sons of Anarchy Renewed for Two More Seasons, claimed the Indian website Dkoding.

According to Pop Culture, the false story was based on past reports about Sutters unmade sequel and prequel. The showrunner had to let Drake know that the news wasnt true, but he did make it clear that he appreciated the excitement.

Dear [Drake], as much as I wish this was true it alas, is not, Sutter wrote in an Instagram caption. And although you knew that, I cant help thinking Though this be madness, yet there is method int. Thanks for the love.

The Sons of Anarchy spin-off Mayans MC is scheduled to return to FX for season 3 later this year.
Mumbai, Aug 16 : Contending that Russia has given the first lesson in 'Atmanirbharta' (self-reliance) by making a vaccine against coronavirus, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday said India is still busy hawking "wacky remedies like 'Bhabhiji Papads'".

"Russia had boldly gone ahead and brought the world's first Covid-19 vaccine. Russian President Vladimir Putin even administered it to his corona-hit daughter to win the country's confidence over its efficacy," he said.

On the contrary, in India, Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries Arjun Ram Meghwal, who publicly claimed that consuming 'Bhabhiji Papads' will boost immunity against Covid, stands exposed as he himself is now infected," Raut said in in his anecdotal column 'Rokthok' in the Shiv Sena's 'Saamana Group'.

Attacking the AYUSH Ministry, he said it had claimed that ayurvedic medicines would be effective against corona, but now AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik has also been infected.

"More than half a dozen ministers in the Centre are down with Corona, former President Pranab Mukherjee is affected, even (Home Minister) Amit Shah recently came out unscathed by the virus. Only Russia went ahead and brought the vaccine and did not even bother to ask the World Health Organisation (WHO). That's called a superpower," the Sena MP said.

Now, he said, three days ago, it came to light that the Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust Chairman Mahant Nritya Gopal Das has been infected.

"Mahant Das had shared the stage at the Ram Temple foundation stone ceremony on August 5, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and was not even seen wearing a mask. He had come in contact with Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, the PM even shook hands with the Mahant. The question is - will the PM be quarantined now," Raut wondered.

Like Mumbai, even New Delhi is in the grip of the corona scourge with Union ministers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats and officials getting infected and the national capital which runs the country, is practically "idle", he said.

"There are no political interactions, even the I-Day celebrations were muted, there are no protests... the situation was not so bad during riots or wars. There was a fear of Modi and Shah, but the corona scare is greater," the Sena leader asserted.

Lauding Russia's achievement, Raut said that our politicians are "in love with America more", and if the US had successfully developed the first vaccine, the Indian leaders would have sung paeans to US President Donald Trump.

He also expressed suspicion "whether our VVIPs and officials who have been infected had acquired the Russian corona vaccine secretly, though there's nobody to bother about the ordinary Indian masses suffering from Covid-19".

Raut said that as per official figures, there are 14 crore people unemployed now, but the government has no work and Delhi has never been seen to be so lazy ever before.

"When Mumtaz Begum died, Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan had built the Taj Mahal in her memory. It took 20 years and was completed in 1652. But it gave jobs to thousands of people then. Lethargy will not help. Everybody is demanding 'We Want Work'... Without work, there will be no government or administration, nothing can be achieved," he cautioned.
If we were previewed a snapshot of masked-up Irish society now back in January, we would have been intrigued, perturbed and probably frightened.

How quickly perceptions can change. Masks are now seen as protective rather than threatening; badges of civic responsibility rather than the dystopian disguise of the villain. Covid-19 has given masks a new respectability - now royalty, rock stars, celebrities and politicians are endorsing the wearing of masks as an act of communal solidarity.

In the West, generally, we have been squeamish about medical masks, unlike in Asia where masks have enjoyed popularity as both streetwear and personal protection since the Sars outbreak two decades ago.

The acceptance of masks in Asia can be traced back to 1910 when Chinese authorities adopted masks to prevent the spread of pneumonic plague.

Eight years later, they were again adopted widely during the Spanish flu outbreak. So when Sars broke out in 2002, the resurgence of medical masks had both deep cultural and historic precedents that were rooted in health awareness and civic duty.

In Asian society, it is simply considered polite to wear a mask and keep your germs to yourself. Masks became so ubiquitous that they were adopted as an accessory that could be customised and commercialised - in South Korea they have been worn widely by K-Pop boy bands such as BTS, who have branded versions as part of their merchandise offering.

Bestselling fashion author Dana Thomas predicted recently: "Masks are going to become fashion items. We'll wear them like glasses, or T-shirts, or even handbags, and we'll choose them to make statements."

Certainly, wearing a mask can have a radically liberating effect, as the alter ego indulges in behaviour that the unmasked would never indulge. In ancient history, both the Greek Bacchanalia and the Dionysus Cult allowed mask wearers to behave outside the norms of society without retribution.

Fashion designers have understood this transformative power of masks and have deployed them regularly to add a mystery to their creations: Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Thierry Mugler and Karl Lagerfeld have all used masks as striking and subversive accessories.

McQueen had a particular love of masks, relishing their potential to disturb and provoke; notable examples of his use of masks include the infamous crucifix mask from the Dante collection of 1996 and a red lace mask that enclosed the model's entire face and head, from his Joan collection of 1998.

Video of the Day

UK designer Richard Quinn recently featured a latex mask with his beautiful floral dresses, while French designer Marine Serre has featured anti-pollution masks since 2019.

Thomas has explained: "A mask creates a barrier between you and the world. It protects you, but it also means that you can't get close to someone."

That masks have this dual quality, both shielding us yet blocking intimacy, seems a fitting contradiction for our fractured world. Serre's use of masks was originally inspired by concerns around air pollution and environmental degradation - smog couture - but has now pivoted to include anxieties about Covid-19.

The pollution that millions of disposable masks may create in our oceans and landfills is another environmental concern - the long after-life of medical masks that will take years to degrade is an unfortunate legacy of the pandemic.

Society's relationship with masks, however, predates pandemics and fashion trends - it has been a central element of diverse cultures for millennia. The earliest use of masks was for rituals and ceremonies, with the oldest found dating from 7,000BC. Ancient civilisations understood that the act of putting on a mask can be protective, defiant or threatening, but always transformative.

Disguise or disfigure

From masks worn to conceal identity to those adopted to assume another identity, masks can symbolise different elements of the human psyche. They have been worn in many diverse contexts: wars, rituals, ceremonies, fashion, the arts, theatre, sports, in death and as now, for protective medical purposes.

They can confer mystery, allure or power. They can disguise or disfigure but have been an integral and enduring element of man's exploration of ideas around identity and the self.

In African and Native American culture, masks are intrinsic to ancient rituals - they are used to communicate with ancestral spirits, animal spirits, or in healing and coming-of-age rites. In both the East and West, theatre masks are a staple of dramatic events: the ancient Roman Twin Masks of tragedy and comedy; Shakespeare's use of disguises and masks in his plays, and traditional Japanese Noh plays performed entirely in stylised masks.

The mask also has associations with popular celebrations and festivals such as the Venice Carnival (which dates back to 1268), Halloween masks and the ornate masks worn by Mexican wrestlers to symbolise their professional personas.

In Ancient Rome, the word 'persona' literally meant a mask. Alternatively, masks can be punitive - examples of this include The Man in the Iron Mask, the scold's bridle (an iron muzzle which was an instrument of punishment and public humiliation used on nagging women) and the gimp mask associated with BDSM.

Due to their visual impact and narrative possibilities, masks have starred frequently in films: concealed super-heroes including Batman, Spider-Man and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; or heroes such as Zorro, Maximus Decimus Meridius in Gladiator and the Lone Ranger; and villains including Hannibal Lecter and Darth Vader, have all hidden their faces for dramatic effect. The mask can be either a tool to transform man to superman, or a literal shield to conceal evil intent.

It can also conceal deformity and disease, for example The Elephant Man, The Phantom of the Opera and the central character in the 1985 movie, The Mask, who had lionitis. And then there is the rich vein of masks in horror films like Friday the 13th, Halloween and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

The horror of a mask can be about what it symbolises as well as what it conceals; Hannibal Lecter appeared singularly terrifying because of that restraining mask with the barred mouth, which suggested his cannibalism.

Masks can also be seductive. Audrey Hepburn's mask in How to Steal a Million must be one of the most stylish masks ever - it was designed by Hubert Givenchy.

The elaborate Venetian masks worn in Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut added to both the sinister and erotic atmosphere. While Catwoman's feline face covering was stunning, despite Michelle Pfeiffer's admission that the latex mask both crushed her face and choked her.

Masks have also been adopted by protest and anti-government movements: see the Ku Klux Klan and the Guy Fawkes masks worn by the Anonymous movement. They allow common citizens to protest without fear of reprisal or arrest. In Hong Kong, the Pro-Democracy movement adopted face coverings as a political symbol, both to conceal faces against CCTV surveillance and to protect from tear gas.

When the authorities attempted to ban these black masks they unwittingly boosted their popularity, elevated them to a symbol of popular resistance and made them cool.

Personal billboards

For now, the mask is the new slogan T-shirt - individuals are using them to communicate a message. See Hilary Clinton's 'Vote' mask; the array of masks available on Etsy, from 'Trump 2020' to those featuring Joe Biden's face; to the fashion editions being sold on Amazon.

Masks are being increasingly used as personal billboards - you may not be able to speak succinctly while wearing one, but you can still make yourself heard with slogans, symbols and images.

Even the act of wearing a mask makes a statement - see Dr Fauci's adoption of a medical mask during press conferences while Trump refused to wear one, or Billie Eilish's Gucci mask worn to the Grammys in January, which expressed her conviction that her face and body belong to herself, not the mass media.

Wearing a mask now denotes civic responsibility, compassion and doing the right thing. During the initial stages of the virus, luxury goods brands LVMH, Burberry and Prada pivoted production to masks in a philanthropic gesture of support towards medical staff.

This autumn/winter, designer collections will feature more fashionable face masks very prominently. By infusing a medical necessity with aspiration, and thereby creating a new niche accessory category, the fashion industry will try to regain luxury sales lost during lockdown.

Expect to see branded masks from big-name luxury players on your social media feeds very soon (Fendi are currently offering a silk version that retails at 190). Making masks fashionable needn't necessarily be a bad development if it helps to normalise them and make people less nervous about wearing them. It might also promote a feeling of societal solidarity and a real sense of people protecting each other.

That masks can run the gamut from utilitarian to glamorous may reflect our fractured world but they will be increasingly visible as commercial and social life resume.

Not being able to see another human's face is an uneasy interaction because we value facial expression and communication so highly. Normally to conceal the face, even partially, is unsettling, but now we need to negotiate those reservations and embrace masks as an essential accessory.

When future generations look back at photos of 2020 the year of the Covid-19 pandemic, what will strike them will be the masks worn by all. Just as we once wondered about the mask-wearing people in sepia photos of 1918, so our grandchildren will try to imagine what the era of Covid-19 was truly like.

We might reply: scary, claustrophobic and sweaty, but for now masking up is non-negotiable. Please wear a mask.
When it comes to creating delicious food in your own kitchen, having the right equipment can make a huge difference to perfecting a dish.

Whether it's a blunt knife, a dodgy pan or an oven that can't get hot enough, having the wrong equipment can make a home-cooked creation go very wrong.

So, what won't the UK's top chefs cook without? Here, eight of the nation's finest cooks reveal to FEMAIL the equipment they regard as essential for getting gourmet food to the table...

Jason Atherton, a Michelin-starred chef and regular on Saturday Kitchen and the Great British Menu, runs the Social Eating House in central London

Jason says a Japanese mandolin - around 20 - is one of his go-tos for perfect slicing

Jason Atherton Head Chef, Social Eating House, London: A good knife

The Michelin-starred Social Eating House maestro has one very simple, traditional item on his must-have list.

He says: 'A good knife is your best friend in the kitchen  I prefer my Florentine's cook knife.

'But for extra thin slicing, you need a Japanese mandolin.

'Get wafer thin potatoes for dauphinoise or boulangere. It's great for salads and makes light work of slicing.'

A Japanese mandolin, also known as a vegetable slicer, works by quickly cutting through veggies such as carrots and potatoes in the same way a grater does but only using just a single blade.

Sabrina Ghayour, Chef and cookery writer: Cuisinart food processor

British-Iranian Chef and food writer Sabrina Ghayour has dozens of awards to her name and hosts a very popular supper club in London, specialising in Persian and Middle Eastern flavours.

For her, the most important item in her kitchen is her food processor.

She told FEMAIL: 'I can't live without my Cuisinart food processor. It makes chopping and mixing a doddle in the kitchen. I can live without everything else! This small one is perfect for more snug kitchens too.

British-Iranian Chef and food writer Sabrina Ghayour has dozens of awards to her name and hosts a very popular supper club in London, specialising in Persian and Middle Eastern flavours

Sabrina said her Cuisinart (pictured), which retails at around 120 for the standard size and 50 for the smaller version makes chopping and mixing a doddle in the kitchen

Tom Booton, Head Chef, The Grill at The Dorchester: Le Creuset pot

Last year, the world-famous Dorchester hotel announced the appointment of their youngest ever head chef in the restaurants 88-year history, 26-year-old Tom Booton.

Tom, who's worked in New York, Copenhagen and Iceland says his essential equipment is a simple - but high quality - pot, which will last a lifetime.

'For me, it has to be a Le Creuset pot,' he told FEMAIL.

'From being great for slow cooking, roasting and even better for all the new budding sourdough bakers out there, it's multi-purpose and stylish too.'

Known as a culinary classic and the Rolls Royce of pots and pans, the Le Creuset casserole dish has been loved by cooks across the world for nearly a century.

Tom Booton, Head Chef at The Grill at The Dorchester said that his number one item in the kitchen is a 90 Le Creuset pot

James Cochran, Chef Owner of 12:51 and Around the Cluck Delivery Service: Thermomix

James Cochran, who made his name at the two Michelin-starred Ledbury, says the famous 1149 Thermomix is his go-to item.

James, who starred in BBC's Great British Menu in 2018, told FEMAIL: 'My favourite tool or piece of equipment would have to be the Thermomix. It's an integral piece of machinery which can do so many things from making soups, to sauces, purees, ice cream bases - but then can be used a water bath and steamer too. It's like your own personal sous chef!'

Owned by German company Vorwerk, the Thermomix is a 20-in-1 device that sous-vides, ferments, acts as rice cooker, and carameliser - and even cleans itself.

James Cochran, who made his name at the two Michelin-starred Ledbury, says the famous Thermomix (pictured) is his go-to item - but it'll set you back around 1,149

Alex Claridge, Chef Owner, The Wilderness, Birmingham: Stick blender

Alex says a Bamix (pictured) is his go-to stick blender of choice - costing around 150

Alex Claridge, the chef owner of modern British fine dining establishment The Wilderness, warns that home cooks shouldn't be fooled into buying too many on-trend items for the kitchen.

He says: 'Don't be fooled into buying lots of gadgets, Lakeland is not your friend.

'Good cookery needs very little in terms of equipment; when I first started I had a few hobs and my knives.

'Invest in a great stick blender (Bamix is my choice), and if you're a baking enthusiast, a KitchenAid  which, if you look after it, will look after you for years to come.

'Most importantly though, make sure you have great chefs' knives  they are more important than any dehydrator, bread machine or waffle maker.'

Tom Brown, Chef Owner: Cornerstone, Hackney: Microplane

Chef Tom Brown, who runs the Cornerstone in east London told Femail: 'A good gadget to have in the kitchen which instantly upgrades dishes is a microplane - essentially a hand-held grater, which retails at around 10.

'It's perfect for finely zesting citrus for baking and dressings and mincing garlic, so you don't have great big chunks. And even adding a 'cheffy' dusting of parmesan or truffle!'

Chef Tom Brown, who runs the Cornerstone in east London told Femail his go-to gadget is a microplane, he is pictured holding chickens

Tom Aikens: Head Chef, Muse, Mayfair: KitchenAid

Tom Aikens, one of the UK's most acclaimed chefs, became the youngest British chef ever to be awarded two Michelin stars aged just 26.

He told FEMAIL: 'I think, given so many of us - myself included - have been baking like crazy at the moment, it'll have to be my KitchenAid! I've got a few, but my go-to is the Kitchen Aid 9 speed hand mixer.

Tom Aikens, one of the UK's most acclaimed chefs, became the youngest British chef ever to be awarded two Michelin stars aged just 26

'The higher speeds mix heavy doughs and thick batters, and it also whips the perfect still egg whites too.

'If you fancy making a bit of an investment though, I would recommend the stand mixer.

'This machine can handle anything! It can be used for baking, breads, meringues, and also has an attachment for a juice extractor, vegetable sheet peeler and more. It's so useful and multipurpose!'

Toms aid his go-to was the Kitchen Aid hand mixer (left) but those splashing out could get the 729 stand mixer (right)

Hus Vedat, Head Chef, Barboun Shoreditch and Yosma: Speed peeler

British-Turkish chef Hus Vedat started his career working at his family's butcher shop before training as a chef working in various top hotels.

He now runs Yosma, a Turkish tavern in Soho. He told FEMAIL: 'Well, aside from your tongue  the most important tool in the kitchen, I would say, is my speed peeler.

British-Turkish chef Hus Vedat, started his career working at his family's butcher shop before training as a chef working in various top hotels, he now runs Yosma in central London

'It makes peeling carrots and potatoes take just minutes without accidentally removing too much and it's a non-expensive gadget to help improve every kitchen.

'I would recommend buying quite a number though  I always end up throwing mine away with the peelings or losing them!

'I also love my falafel scoop  essential for me, though I imagine not for everyone'
Shamal Az-Zour Al-Oula Power and Water Company today (August 16) made its debut on Boursa Kuwaits Premier Market at 9am.

Shamal Az-Zour Al-Oula is Kuwaits first company established under the Independent Water and Power Plant (IWPP) Law. It operates the Az-Zour North One Power and Water Plant, which began commercial operations in November 2016. The plant supplies about 10% of Kuwaits installed power capacity and 20% of Kuwaits water desalination capacity.

Power and water produced by the company is entirely supplied to the national power and water grid operated by the Kuwait Ministry of Electricity and Water under a 40-year long-term Energy Conversion and Water Purchase Agreement.

On the key achievement, Chairman Husam Abdullah AlRoumi said: "We are happy to announce this historic milestone in the Kuwaiti power and water desalination sector and capital markets in the region, as Kuwait's first PPP project and the first power generation and water desalination company listed on Boursa Kuwaits Premiere Market."

The listing follows the successful distribution of 50% of the company's shares to Kuwaiti citizens during the last quarter of 2019, which was oversubscribed by 1.27x and attracted close to 127,000 investors.

The remaining 50% of shares are owned by different public and private entities as follows: 40% is owned by a private investor Azour North One Holding Compan, which is owned by a consortium comprising Engie, Sumitomo Corporation, AH Al Sagar & Brothers; and 10% is owned by the Kuwait Investment Authority and the Public Institution for Social Security, each with a 5% ownership.

Lauding all the stakeholders, Engineer Al Roumi said: "We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to those who contributed to our success, for without the efforts of those directly and indirectly involved, this milestone would not be possible."

Prior to the listing, the companys board issued a recommendation at a meeting on August 6, for a cash dividend payout of 25 fils per share, subject to lenders approval, said a statement from Shamal Az-Zour Al-Oula Power and Water Company.

This will be the companys first dividend and relates to the retained earnings for the period from 2017 to 2019.

The company also plans to hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) of shareholders following the listing. The dividend recommendation, following the lenders approval, will be on the AGM agenda for shareholders approval, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
Officials have sealed off a city in northern Vietnam since midnight on Sunday as five domestically-transmitted COVID-19 cases have been confirmed there since late last month.

Local authorities were required to lock down areas in Hai Duong City, the capital of the eponymous northern province, where a 15-year-old patient had visited, Le Dinh Long, secretary of the citys Party Committee, said on Saturday.

Police were asked to speed up contact tracing and isolation of related regions.

The Hai Duong administration has shut down some of its entrances and required all citizens not to leave the city, except when local authorities grant them permission and under essential circumstances.

All vehicles will be allowed to enter or exit the city only when they transport essential supplies.

Drivers will have to declare their health status, provide travel routes, have their body temperature measured, and get their vehicles disinfected, as per regulations.

The city has also closed restaurants, including delivery, beauty services, hairdressers and barbers, and other businesses that are at high risk of COVID-19 infection.

This photo shows a shuttered restaurant in Hai Duong City, Hai Duong Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Vu Loan / Tuoi Tre

Inter-province buses are banned from crossing Hai Duong City while local taxis are permitted to carry only one passenger.

Crowded and religious events are completely prohibited.

The lockdown will be in place from Saturday until further notice.

Two firms based in Hai Duong City have asked over 500 workers to stay home after exposure to infected patients to stall transmission.

The city has confirmed five community-based infections since July 25, when Da Nang, a touristy city on the central coast, recorded Vietnams first local transmission after the country had gone 99 days without documenting any domestic coronavirus case, according to the Ministry of Health.

The Southeast Asian country has logged 477 local infections ever since, most traced back to the beach city.

Vietnams COVID-19 tally has reached 951, with 449 having recovered and 24 fatalities as of Sunday afternoon.

The virus has spread from Da Nang to 14 other provinces and cities, including two hubs Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A Belarus opposition supporter punches the air during a demonstration in central Minsk on Aug. 16, 2020. (Sergei Gapon/AFP via Getty Images)

Russia Says Military Help Available as Belarus Hosts Rival Protests

MINSKRussia said on Sunday it had told Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko it was ready to offer military assistance if necessary as demonstrators held one of the biggest protests yet against Lukashenkos contested re-election.

The protest in Minsk attracted tens of thousands of people, despite the deaths of at least two protesters and thousands of detentions since last Sundays vote.

Opponents of Lukashenko, in power for 26 years, say the vote was rigged to disguise the fact that he has lost public support. He denies losing, citing official results that gave him just over 80 percent of the vote.

Tens of thousands of Belarusian opposition supporters join a March for Freedom in Minsk on Aug. 16, 2020. (Sergei Gapon/AFP via Getty Images)

The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin had told Lukashenko Moscow was ready to assist Belarus in accordance with a collective military pact if necessary and that external pressure was being applied to the country. It did not say where from.

Shortly before the opposition protest, there was tight security as Lukashenkos supporters gathered in central Minsk for the first time since the election to voice their support for him and watch him give a fiery speech.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko delivers a speech during a rally held to support him in central Minsk on Aug. 16, 2020. (Siarhei Leskiec/AFP via Getty Images)

Lukashenko, under pressure from the European Union for cracking down on his opponents, said NATO tanks and planes had been deployed 15 minutes from the Belarusian border. NATO said it was closely monitoring the situation in Belarus, but that there was no military build-up at the countrys western border.

Lukashenko, who has alleged a foreign-backed plot to topple him, said Belarus was under pressure.

NATO troops are at our gates. Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, and our native Ukraine are ordering us to hold new elections, he said, adding that Belarus would die as a state if new polls were held.

I have never betrayed you and will never do so, he said.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko supporters rally near the Government House in Independence Square in Minsk on Aug. 16, 2020. (Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)

Huge Protest

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Lukashenkos opposition rival in the contested election, had called for a huge March of Freedom through the center of Minsk, the Belarusian capital, and in other towns and cities on Sunday.

A Reuters reporter said the Minsk segment of the rally was huge, with upward of 100,000 people present, and that a carnival atmosphere prevailed.

People carried red and white flags and chanted Lukashenko step down and We wont forget or forgive.

Belarus opposition supporters carry a giant former white-red-white flag of Belarus used in opposition to the government, during a demonstration in central Minsk on Aug. 16, 2020. (Sergei Gapon/AFP via Getty Images)

Alexei, a 31-year-old worker, said the protesters actions might not stay so peaceful if they did not get what they wanted.

We all want Lukashenko to step down, he said. For now we are asking, but we will get sick of asking.

State employees, including some police officers and state TV staff, have come out in support of the protests.

Some of the countrys biggest state-run industrial plants, the backbone of Lukashenkos Soviet-style economic model, have been hit by protests and walkouts too.

Belarus opposition supporters attend a rally in central Minsk on Aug. 16, 2020. (Sergei Gapon/AFP via Getty Images)

Around 5,000 people attended the pro-Lukashenko protest, a Reuters reporter estimated. The Belarusian Interior Ministry put the number at 65,000. Opposition media channels said Lukashenko, a onetime manager of a Soviet-era collective farm, had bussed people in from other parts of the country and that they were coerced into attending.

Reuters could not independently confirm that.

The motherland is in danger! one speaker told the crowd, who chanted: We are united, indivisible!

Some of those present held Belarusian national flags and chanted For Belarus! or For Batka!, Lukashenkos affectionate nickname, as patriotic music sounded from speakers.

Im for Lukashenko, said Alla Georgievna, 68. I dont understand why everyone has risen up against him. We get our pensions and salaries on time thanks to him.

Opposition presidential candidate Tsikhanouskaya, who fled to neighboring Lithuania on Tuesday, has called for an election recount.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, candidate for the presidential elections, speaks at a news conference after the Belarusian presidential election in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 10, 2020. (Sergei Grits/AP Photo)

Her campaign has also announced she is starting to form a national council to facilitate a power transfer.

Russia, which has had a troubled relationship with Lukashenko, is watching closely as Belarus hosts pipelines that carry Russian energy exports to the West and is also viewed by Moscow as a buffer zone against NATO.

The Belarusian army would hold drills from Aug. 17-20 in the west of the country, Russias RIA news agency reported.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko walk before a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Dec. 20, 2019. (Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

The EU is gearing up to impose new sanctions on Belarus in response to the violent crackdown.

Lukashenko and Putin have spoken twice this weekend.

Ties between the two traditional allies had been under strain before the election, as Russia scaled back subsidies that propped up Lukashenkos government.

The neighbors signed an agreement in 1999 that was supposed to create a unified state. That project was never properly implemented however, and more recently Lukashenko had rejected calls by Moscow for closer economic and political ties as an assault on his countrys sovereignty.

By Andrei Makhovsky
Tens of thousands of protesters rallied in the Belarus capital of Minsk on Sunday as President Aleksandr Lukashenko, the man known as "Europe's last dictator," rejected calls to hold a new election and accused NATO of massing at the country's western border.

Why it matters: It was the eighth day of demonstrations since Lukashenko proclaimed a landslide victory over pro-democracy opposition in an election widely viewed as rigs, and likely the largest protest in the history of the former Soviet republic, according to the New York Times.

The state of play: Lukashenko's claims of a military buildup by NATO, which the Western alliance denied, came after the authoritarian leader revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had pledged "comprehensive security assistance" if necessary to fight back foreign forces.

Condemning anti-government protesters as "rats" controlled by "puppeteers" and "outsiders," Lukashenko warned at a rally that Belarus would "perish as a state" if the election were rerun, according to AP.

Many of the supporters at the rally, which was dwarfed by upwards of 300,000 people who turned out to protest, had to be bused in from towns and villages outside of Minsk  reflecting Lukashenko's dwindling support, according to the Times.

The protest took on a lighter and more celebratory tone than the nightly demonstrations, which have resulted in over 6,000 arrests and an untold number of injuries as protesters violently clash with riot police.

The big picture: The European Union's foreign ministers agreed on Friday to prepare sanctions against Belarusian officials for "violence, repression and the falsification of election results."

The U.S. has condemned the election as "not free or fair," but it's unclear if the Trump administration plans to take any punitive steps.

The foreign minister of neighboring Lithuania, where main opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is in hiding, has referred to Lukashenko on Twitter as the "former president of Belarus."

On the ground

Lukashenko speaks at his own rally. Photo: Valery Sharifulin\TASS via Getty Images

Protesters near the Minsk Hero City Obelisk. Photo: Valery Sharifulin\TASS via Getty Images

Protesters former white and red flag of Belarus. Photo: Sergei Gapon/AFP via Getty Images

A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted.
EDWARDSVILLE  Madison County is seeking up to $2.8 billion to pay for past and future expenses related to the ongoing opioid crisis.

Madison County States Attorney Tom Gibbons discussed the claim during last weeks Judiciary Committee meeting.

In late July his office filed the claim as part of a settlement of a larger case with Purdue Pharma LC. Madison County was not a party to the suit, but can apply for both block grants and make a claim for compensation.

At the committee meeting Gibbons said the total claim filed by the county was $2.8 billion. Of that, about $996 million is for past damages, while $1.8 billion would cover future expenses.

Gibbons said then and on Friday that the case will probably take a long time to completed, and how much the county might actually get is unknown.

The entire settlement is expected to be $10 billion to $12 billion, so it is unlikely the county will receive all that it asks for.

We dont have any way of gauging. We just wanted to make sure we put in a claim that is a fair and accurate representation of the losses in Madison county and the future needs, he said.

There had been discussion by the committee some time ago about joining one of the actual suits, but no decision was ever reached.

According to attorneys who talked to county officials at that time, prior to 1995 opioids were generally prescribed for acute pain following surgery and terminal cancer cases. That changed when doctors started prescribing opioids more readily for pain management, which led to widespread abuse.

Later, prescription opioids were supplanted by heroin, which was later overshadowed by Asian-produced fentanyl coming into the illegal U.S. drug market.

Madison County Coroner Steve Nonn started tracking overdose deaths, specifically from opioids, since he first noticed a spike in 2009.

One of the immediate concerns is getting access to block grants provided to states through the settlement.

Gibbons said he is working with the Illinois Attorney Generals Office and other states attorneys on that. Nationwide, he said there is an effort by larger counties to have a population cut-off of 400,000 to be eligible. Madison Countys population is about 265,000.

Gibbons said that they are hoping to either reduce the threshold to be able to apply, or allow smaller counties to make joint applications.

Were fighting really hard to get ourselves into a (good) position, he told the Judiciary Committee.

He noted Friday the Sheriffs Department has documented at least $15.9 million in costs going back more than 10 years, while the Coroners Office has spent at least $1.2 million.

It has been a Herculean effort, Gibbons said of tracking the expenses.

He is also looking at some way to help the victims of opioid abuse.

Any type of restorative plan needs to include the families in a really substantial way, he said. It is nearly universal  in a purely financial sense many families nearly bankrupt themselves paying for treatment and recovery.

Gibbons said he has talked to many people who have taken out second mortgages, raided their 401Ks or cashed in pensions to help family members deal with addiction.

That needs to be a huge focus of any restorative plan the county engages in, he said.

The $1.8 billion for future needs is expected to go toward both existing and future efforts, including treatment.

Although we have some really great resources to deal with substance abuse treatment and addiction, we dont have nearly what we need, he said. There are so many people who dont have that available to them, we would have to build all that out. Thats a huge amount of it.
With her lawyer

A UNIVERSITY student has become the latest Zimbabwean to be arrested on charges of undermining the authority of President emmerson Mnangagwa after she allegedly said the 77-year-old ruler is a fool for making false promises.





Hither Rujeko Mupambwa (22) was detained for three days at the Kariba Remand Prison before she was granted bail.





Mupambwa will go on trial on September 10 for allegedly criticising Mnangagwa's speech on a community WhatsApp group known as Kariba hard Talk on August 4.





The prosecutor alleges the National university of Science and Technology third year student responded to Mnangagwa's state of the nation address by insulting him over his 2030 vision.





She allegedly said "(Mnangagwa) is insisting on vision 2030, he is a fool, we will die being told that dream."





Prosecutors said some group members shared the information with state security agents, leading to Mupambwa's arrest.





Mupambwa appeared before Kariba magistrate's Bianca Mahere on August 6 and was represented by unite Saize, from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for human Rights. She was granted $5 000 bail on August 7.





Saize yesterday said her client did not commit any crime.





"She simply said emasoni, she never said Mnangagwa or president and there is no nexus with an offence," she said.





"There is no clarity that emasoni refers to Mnangagwa."





Saize said Mupambwa will be back in court for remand because an authority for prosecution was yet to be granted.





ZimRights executive director Dzikamai Bere said Zimbabwe must protect rights to freedom of expression.





"Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and an indispensable element in the development and consolidation of a democratic society," Bere said.





"even the universal Declaration of human Rights Article 19 supports anyone to hold opinions without interference."





Several people, including state security agents have been arrested for insulting Mnangagwa as the situation in the country continues to deteriorate.





An MDC Alliance councillor in Masvingo, Godfrey Kurauone was denied bail last week for allegedly singing a song ridiculing Mnangagwa.








Four famous amateur model grandmothers took off their masks during a saunter down the streets of Beijing on Thursday to demonstrate life returning to normal as the COVID-19 pandemic eases.







Glamma Beijing, a group of four women who met during a modeling training course after retiring 20 years ago, became an internet sensation in China last year.







A 15-second video of them walking in Sanlitun, one of Beijing's busiest shopping districts, wearing traditional qipao dresses and over-sized dangling fringe earrings, was viewed more than 50 million times in a day, according to local media.







Since then, Lin Wei, Wang Xinghuo, Sun Yang and Wang Nianwen, all aged over 60, have enjoyed dressing up and performing in videos on short-video platform Douyin for likes.







"Your life is grey if you are always afraid of aging and death," said Lin Wei, 64, explaining her philosophy on growing older and enthusiasm for donning stylish clothes and makeup.







"You are old, you have wrinkles, you don't have too much energy, or your figure becomes baggy. But this is something you can't go against, so you need to face it with positivity."







During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the group had to stay indoors, they reverted to creating videos about their lifestyle. They now have more than a million followers on Douyin.







On Thursday, the stylish grannies, as they call themselves in Mandarin, turned heads as they walked in figure-hugging qipaos down a street like a catwalk, in Beijing's central business district of Guomao.







"Beauty is in all ages," said Liu Jing, a passer-by. "You can be young and stylish, or feminine. And you can also be elegant just like these grannies." (Reuters)


A senior Tory MP arrested on suspicion of raping a House of Commons researcher can return to Parliament in two weeks' time after he was re-bailed until November.

The politician will then be questioned again as the Metropolitan Police continues its investigation.

Scotland Yard confirmed last night the probe is being carried out by the Met Central Specialist Crime, Complex Case Team.

The news comes a fortnight after The Mail on Sunday revealed the parliamentarian  who cannot be named for legal reasons  had been arrested over allegations of sexual offences and assault.

The senior Tory MP arrested on suspicion of raping a House of Commons researcher has been re-bailed until early November

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: 'On Friday, 31 July, the Metropolitan Police Service received allegations relating to four separate incidents involving allegations of sexual offences and assault.

'These offences are alleged to have occurred at addresses in Westminster, Lambeth and Hackney between July 2019 and January 2020.

'A man in his 50s was arrested on Saturday, 1st August 2020, on suspicion of rape, sexual assaults by penetration and touching and assault.

'His bail to return on a date has been extended to early November 2020.'

The parliamentary staffer  who is in her 20s  has made claims of a rape necessitating hospital treatment and has claimed she is 'devastated' by Westminster's inaction on the issue.

The Conservative Party have been criticised for not suspending the MP in question but Chief Whip Mark Spencer has warned it could identify the complainant.

Labour's Jess Phillips has said this is wrong and would not be allowed if a similar allegation had been made against a teacher, describing the issue as a 'safeguarding matter'.
Legislators must address

sewer overflow problem

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

With alarming regularity, I have received this notice from the city of Richmond:

This email is to inform you that enough rain has fallen to trigger a combined sewer overflow. When no rain has fallen for a continuous and uninterrupted 30-hour period, another email will be sent to signal the end of the overflow.

Few people might realize that when this notice is posted, raw sewage is being released into the James River. Most residents are unaware that their favorite spot on the river is contaminated with human excrement after heavy rain. Like Richmond, the cities of Lynchburg and Alexandria also have combined sewer and stormwater systems, and experience overflows in heavy rain events. These cities have and continue to make progress, but clearly more needs to be done.
Italy will shut nightclubs and make masks compulsory in some outdoor areas after a rise in coronavirus cases across the country.

The reimposition of restrictions came after data showed new cases in the past week were more than double those registered three weeks ago, with the median age of people contracting Covid-19 dropping to below 40.

The restrictions will come into effect on Monday, two days after the Ferragosto holiday which usually sees young Italians go to nightclubs, and will run until early September.

Masks will be mandatory between 6pm and 6am in areas close to bars and pubs or other areas where gatherings are likely.

We cannot nullify the sacrifices made in past months. Our priority must be that of opening schools in September, in full safety, Roberto Speranza, Italys health minister, said on Facebook.

Recommended Chair of Irish tourism agency quits after going on holiday in Italy

The minister also urged young people to be as cautious due to the risk of causing real damage to their parents and grandparents by passing on the virus to them.

The government had kept clubs open in the country despite concerns over social distancing not being followed and masks not being worn in venues.

A further 479 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed on Sunday, down from 629 on Saturday.

Medical experts have blamed nightlife, the return of holidaymakers and younger generations for the recent spike in infections.

Italys nightlife industry, which is reported to have yearly revenues of 4bn, has called for support from the government over the closures.

In another measure designed to slow the spread of the virus, Mr Speranza issued an order last week requiring coronavirus testing for all travellers arriving in Italy from Croatia, Greece, Malta or Spain.

Travellers have the option of being tested immediately upon arrival or within 48 hours at local public health offices closer to their home or destination in the country.

Additional reporting by agencies
Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has said the developmental achievements of the last NDC government should encourage Ghanaians to return the party to power.



The achievements of the NDC administration in all sectors, the former Minister for Education noted, far outweighed the performance of the current government.



Any objective assessment will make the NDC an obvious choice for Ghanaians, she said in interaction with traders and artisans at Bolgatanga Central in the Upper East region, where she is on a campaign tour.



This was in a statement signed by Mrs Mawuena Trebarh, Spokesperson and Head of Communications for the Office of the NDC Vice-Presidential Candidate and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra.



Citing key infrastructure projects and social interventions that continue to provide monumental benefits across sector, the NDC running mate said most Ghanaians now appreciate the enormous investment in those aspects of the economy.



At least the COVID-19 pandemic has made Ghanaians to appreciate the investments the John Mahama administration made in building various health facilities that saved the country, she added.



She said road projects, had opened up many regions for enhanced economic development and called on Ghanaians to grant the NDC the mandate to continue its good works, some of which were neglected by the present administration.



This is the time for you to make a choice for a productive change, this is the time to vote for good results, and it is the time to look at the facts by yourself and not follow anybody's propaganda, Prof Opoku-Agyemang stressed.



The NDC Vice-Presidential Candidate was accompanied by Mr. Alex Segbefia, a former Minister for Health and Deputy Campaign Manager of the party for the 2020 elections, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, and Ms. Emelia Authur, a former Deputy Western Regional Minister.



Also accompanying her are; Mrs. Mawuena Trebarh, Spokesperson and Head of Communications for the Office of the NDC Vice-Presidential Candidate, Mr Isaac Adongo, MP for Bolgatanga Central, Mr Lardi Ayii Ayamba, MP for Pusiga, Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto, Deputy National Women's Organiser, and regional party executives.

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
While sending their first child off to junior high is at least a decade away, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds predict the years will be full of cringe-worthy moments.

As the pair made silly faces for the actress' 27.1 million Instagram followers on Sunday morning, she joked they definitely 'won't embarrass' their little girls 'at all in middle school.'

Despite their cheeky declaration, it was clear the pair are pretty certain their goofy behavior will someday make one of their three daughters' a little bit self-conscious.

Goofing around: While sending their first child off to junior high is at least a decade away, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds joked they definitely 'won't embarrass' their little girls 'at all in middle school' on Sunday morning

In the meantime, the doting parents looked more than happy to show off their new masks designed by their three daughters: James, five, Inez, 3, and Betty, nine months.

While the Gossip Girl alum, 32, is known for her high fashion looks, Blake happily donned the custom facial covering, which was emblazoned with yellow stars and other assorted scribbles.

The 43-year-old Deadpool star's mask also featured a number of stars and geometric shapes in pink, blue and green.

Budding designers: The doting parents looked more than happy to show off their new masks designed by their three daughters: James, five, Inez, 3, and Betty, nine months

'These kits are awesome,' Lively wrote of the $28.95 DIY mask kits, made by The Craft Studio, which come with fabric markers, paints, two masks and stencils.

On her Instagram Story, the star noted she was not being paid to promote the brand, but loved that it is 'owned by a mama.'

In March, she and Reynolds made a $1 million donation to the non profits Feeding America and Food Banks Canada, amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

'These kits are awesome,' she wrote of the $28.95 DIY mask kits, made by The Craft Studio, which come with fabric markers, paints, two masks and stencils

'Covid-19 has brutally impacted older adults and low income families,' Reynolds wrote on his Instagram. 'Blake and I are donating $1 million to be split between FEEDING AMERICA and FOOD BANKS CANADA. 'If you can give, these orgs need our help.'

The 6 Underground leading man had wise words for his followers, injecting a bit of levity into the tough times with a nod to his playful feud with fellow actor and friend Hugh Jackman.

He wrote: 'Take care of your bodies and hearts. Leave room for joy. Call someone who's isolated and might need connection. (Hugh Jackman's # is 1-555-HUGH.)'

Generous: In March, the pair made a $1 million donation to the non profits Feeding America and Food Banks Canada, amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak (seen in May 2019)

Reynolds, a Vancouver, Canada native, captioned the shot: 'I think we can all agree, Covid-19 is an a**hole. If you're able to help, visit, @feedingamerica and @foodbankscanada.'

The Los Angeles native followed suit with her own post on the social media site, with a serious message balanced with some lightheartedness.

'Covid-19 has brutally impacted older adults and low income families,' she said. 'If you can give, these orgs need our help.'

Sense of humor: The 6 Underground leading man had wise words for his followers, injecting a bit of levity into the tough times with a nod to his playful feud with fellow actor and friend Hugh Jackman

Lively encouraged her followers to keep in close touch with friends and loved ones via digital formats such as FaceTime and Skype, adding, 'Remember the lonely and isolated.'

She also noted the selfless acts going on amid the troubled times, saying, 'We can all do something for one another, even if that's simply staying home.'

The mother-of-three ended the post in saying, 'Now can someone please tell Ryan that 'emotional distancing' from his mother-in-law is not a thing. Nothing can save him.'
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Robert Sheehan portrays Klaus Hargreeves in The Umbrella Academy. He is the darkly humorous, unpredictable, self-serving hero who communes with the dead. Yet, the term hero is applied loosely here, as heroism has been thrown upon him due to an imminent apocalypse, and he doesnt necessarily rise to the challenge. Klaus enjoys a hedonistic lifestyle, but he has a warm heart, and his desire to do the right thing  when push comes to shove  often trumps his self-preserving tendencies.

Robert Sheehan of The Umbrella Academy | Dia Dipasupil / Staff

Unlike many superheroes  wielding shields and jumping into the line of fire  Klaus is a bit more human. Klaus is not a device for delivering a superhero message, but rather just a man, who happens to be a super-capable  with all the gray morality and decision-making complexities that define his mere mortal counterparts. During an interview with Seventeen, Robert Sheehan discussed where Klaus humanity shines through.

RELATED: Season 3 of The Umbrella Academy to Follow a Different Path Than the First 2 Seasons

Robert Sheehan talks about Klaus humanity in The Umbrella Academy

Klaus is a complex character in The Umbrella Academy. Sometimes, his selfishness is so intense that its mind-boggling. Other times, his familial compassion emerges, giving the character the degree of three-dimensionality that makes this show a success. When asked about Dave  Klaus lost love from the Vietnam War  Sheehan talked about Klaus humanity, noting:

Hes highly reckless on that front. I dont think anything about the timeline makes any sense to Klaus, especially this idea that Five was always trying to drill down their necks. Look, you cant change timeline, everything affects everything else. Hes like, Yeah, whatever. Its an incredibly Buddhist thing to try to tell these rarefied Americans. Everybody lives these sort of cellular lives and certainly Klaus is deluded into thinking that nobodys lives really affect each others that much. Hes happy to live in that cognitive distance. I think hes selfish with love. He just wants to look out for his own interests. Thats where he is as a human being. Seventeen

Klaus protects Klaus in The Umbrella Academy

Klaus protects his own heart. He yearns to prevent Dave from enlisting. He doesnt always think about the good of humankind, for he must think about the good of Klaus.

He puts his own love and his own desire for romance and happiness above the desire to keep the space-time continuum in balance. In that capacity, Klaus humanity shines through; he is not a basic hero with basic hero worldviews and tendencies.

He is a man, forced to make decisions that no man will ever have to make. While his selfishness is filled to the brim with a lack of precaution, it is by no means unfair, for why cant he be happy? Why must his happiness evade him as the world gets to live in ignorant bliss?
For weeks emergency preparedness officials in Nova Scotia have attempted to figure out how to best cope with an extremely active hurricane season while still obeying public health rules connected to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"It's definitely a challenge," said Jason Mew, the director of incident management with the province's Emergency Management Office.

EMO is responsible for emergency planning and coordinating emergency responses with municipalities, utilities, and emergency groups like the Red Cross.

If a hurricane hits the province this year the response will look quite different than it did when post-tropical storm Dorian tore through Nova Scotia last year, said Mew.

Emergency shelters with physical distancing

Shelters to house people left homeless by a storm will need more space than ever before to accommodate physical distancing rules. The Red Cross sets up and runs emergency overnight shelters in the province.

"Instead of being able to put everybody in the Canada Games Centre like we did for Dorian, we may have to look at two or three sites to house the same number of people," said Ancel Langille, the senior manager for emergency management for the Red Cross in Atlantic Canada.

Aly Thomson/CBC

Making sure people at multiple locations have water and food along with cots and blankets requires a lot of planning.

"It's a lot of legwork, a lot of lifting, a lot of moving to make sure evacuees have what they need to be as comfortable as possible for the time that they're going to be out of their homes," said Langille.

Langille said people who come to a shelter will most likely be asked if they have any COVID-19 symptoms. Those who do will be turned away because of the risk of spreading the virus to others.

Mew said if that should happen, the Department of Health and Wellness will be contacted and the people with COVID-19 symptoms will be given a place they can self-isolate.

"Health and Wellness would confer with their experts and they may rent a few rooms in a hotel or they might find a facility where you can isolate people in separate rooms," said Mew.

Story continues

Eric Woolliscroft/CBC

Red Cross volunteers at shelters will also be outfitted in personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves and masks. So will volunteers with the Salvation Army, which helps provide food and water to people during disasters.

In an email, Public Safety Canada said there are no major shortfalls in the supply of PPE in the country right now.

And both the Red Cross and the Salvation Army said they have more than enough willing volunteers on standby to help out should disaster strike. During Dorian, the Red Cross had about 65 volunteers help about 180 people displaced by the storm. In Nova Scotia right now they have 276 volunteers at the ready.

Maritime generosity 'shining brightly'

It's a similar story with the Salvation Army, where people are eager to help despite their fears surrounding COVID-19.

"This is where the generosity and the support and the attention to caring for others that is a natural trait of Maritimers really comes to light and it's shining brightly," said Major Jamie Locke, spokesperson for the Salvation Army in the Maritimes.

Submitted by Jason Mew

But Locke said the Salvation Army has had to carefully select who would be on the front lines, taking into account people's pre-existing health problems and the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Volunteers who can't meet face to face with people will still be able to help out remotely, he said.

If people's homes are damaged by a storm, there should be no delays in getting insurance claims processed, according to Amanda Dean, vice-president Atlantic with the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

She said insurance adjusters who inspect and assess damage to property will be outfitted with PPE and follow public health rules when meeting with clients. Since filing a claim is done mostly over the phone, Dean said there shouldn't be any delays in service.

Tom Ayers/CBC

The only problem she foresees is if Nova Scotia gets hit with a storm that's as strong, or stronger than Hurricane Juan. If that were the case the damage could be so severe that insurance adjusters from outside the province would most likely have to be brought in to help. And getting them into a hurricane-ravaged area could slow down the entire claims process.

Dean says during Dorian there were enough insurance adjusters in Nova Scotia to inspect all the damage.

Each group stressed how important it is for the public to stock up on non-perishable food, water and other supplies like batteries and propane before a hurricane is forecast for the region.

That should help avoid long lines at stores as people try to stock up just before a storm hits or right after it ends.

Aly Thomson/CBC

Langille said it was difficult planning to help people in need while still keeping your distance.

"I've been a volunteer, and the reward is touching someone, that feeling that I've helped this person today, I put this blanket around their shoulder," he said. "It really is a different mindset."

MORE TOP STORIES
A stricken ship off the coast of Mauritius which has already leaked about 1,000 metric tonnes of oil into Mauritian waters, has now broken into two.

The Japanese-owned ship, MV Wakashio, ran aground at Pointe d'Esny in late July. The ship is owned by Japans Nagashiki Shipping and chartered by Mitsui OSK Lines.

Reuters

Its a disaster in every sense of the word, explains Janis Searles Jones, CEO of Ocean Conservancy.

The oil spill risks not just the unique marine environment, but the food supply, tourism, and livelihoods of those that call the island home.



Also Read: Indian Army To The Rescue, Constructs Composite Bridge To Control Assam Oil Spill Fire



The condition of the MV Wakashio was worsening early on Saturday and it split by the afternoon, the Mauritius National Crisis Committee said.

At around 4.30 pm, a major detachment of the vessels forward section was observed, it said in a statement. On the basis of the experts advice, the towing plan is being implemented.

Reuters

The vessel struck a coral reef on July 25, spilling about 1,000 tonnes of fuel oil and endangering corals, fish and other marine life, in what some scientists have called the countrys worst ecological disaster.

On Friday, some residual oil from the ship leaked into the ocean, Mauritius Marine Conservation Society President, Jacqueline Sauzier, told Reuters on Saturday morning.

Also Read: Mauritius Declares Environmental Emergency After Massive Oil Spill



Most of the oil from the vessels have been pumped out, the Mauritian government said on Thursday, but there was still 166 tonnes of fuel oil inside and authorities were working to remove it.

Japanese Environment Minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, said that Tokyo planned to send a team of officials from the ministry and other specialists to assess the damage.

AFP

In a bid to help the clean up efforts, Mauritians of all ages, ethnicities and social classes came together. A barber was cutting and collecting hair to place in the booms to soak up the oil and people across the country have also donated their locks for the cause.

Also Read: Iceberg Close To Size Of Mauritius Breaks Off In Antarctica. But, 'It's Not Climate Change'.

Many donned gloves, masks and other personal protective equipment and plunged neck-deep into the oil, cleaning the mangroves and ocean as best they could. Locals also created a temporary floating barrier designed to contain the oil spill and reduce the possibility of it polluting the shoreline.



All Inputs: Reuters
Home Office chiefs have apologised for an 'error' after Nigel Farage was filmed visiting a hotel housing migrants in Priti Patel's constituency.

The Brexit party leader yesterday claimed a hotel in Ms Patel's constituency had been used to house asylum seekers after they had crossed the English Channel from France.

The former UKIP MEP shared a video on Twitter in which he is seen visiting the 54-a-night Rivenhall Hotel in Witham, Essex - the Conservative MP's constituency.

In the video he claims asylum seekers were being put-up at the three-star-rated hotel, which is fully booked until January next year.

Mr Farage said the allegations were 'embarrassing' for Ms Patel, who he said had 'led the charge' for the Conservatives in criticising the migrant situation and whose Home Office are responsible for providing accommodation to homeless migrants.

While sharing a shortened version of his seven-minute long video, he also accused the MP of 'taking Britons for a ride'.

Bosses at the Home Office say they have launched a 'full review' into their operation of finding temporary accommodation for asylum seekers who arrive in the UK without a home to go to.

The Brexit Party leader shared a video on Twitter in which he visits the 54-a-night Rivenhall Hotel in Witham, Essex, which is the Conservative MP's constituency.

He claims asylum seekers are being put-up at the three-star-rated hotel, which is fully booked until January next year, after crossing the English Channel from France

It comes as the latest figures show more than 900 migrants have arrived in Dover this month as calmer waters over the Channel present an opportunity for crossings in small boats.

Yesterday 112 people, including a baby, were picked up by Border Force officials off the Kent coast.

No fewer than 4,468 people have made the perilous crossing this year.

It also comes after the Home Secretary last night sparked a diplomatic row by claiming in a private meeting with MPs that migrants were crossing the Channel to escape 'racist' France, where they feared they would be tortured.

It comes after the Home Secretary last night sparked a diplomatic row by claiming in a private meeting with MPs that migrants were crossing the Channel to escape 'racist' France, where they feared they would be tortured

In Mr Farage's video, posted to his 1.6million followers, the former UKIP MEP starts by referencing a YouGov poll, released on Thursday, which said 73 per cent of Conservative and Brexit voters are 'concerned or very concerned' about Channel migrants.

He later turns his attention to Priti Patel, saying: 'Leading the charge for the government in terms of criticism of all of this is the Home Secretary.

'She has said what is happening in the Channel isn't just unacceptable, she said that it is shameful.

'But what may cause Priti Patel a problem, isn't just that the tough talk at the moment is leading to no action and no change at all, but I think she may be about to get some criticism from her own constituents.'

He later says the Rivenhall Hotel, which was closed during the Covid-19 lockdown, claimed on its website to have reopened on August 3.

Mr Farage said following a tip-off he attempted to book a room at the hotel, but found he couldn't as it was full until next year.

The MailOnline has also checked the hotel's website for booking availability and found the next available date to be January 3, when 28 rooms are available, each costing 63.

In the video, Mr Farage then enters the hotel before questioning a worker about the availability of its rooms, before leaving soon after.

He is later told to leave the property, before the video cuts to the former MEP sitting down with a drink.

Mr Farage said following a tip-off he attempted to book a room at the hotel through its website (pictured), but found he couldn't as it was full until next year

The MailOnline has also checked the hotel's website for booking availability and found the next available date to be January 3, when 28 rooms are available, each costing 63

In the video, Mr Farage enters the hotel before questioning a worker about the availability of its rooms, before leaving soon after

He is later told to leave the property, before the video cuts to the former MEP sitting down with a drink

After leaving the site, Mr Farage then tells the camera: 'Now we can see it (asylum seekers being given hotel accommodation) is now happening in leafy Essex, in Priti Patel, the Home Secretary's own constituency'

After leaving the site, Mr Farage then tells the camera: 'Now we can see it (asylum seekers being given hotel accommodation) is now happening in leafy Essex, in Priti Patel, the Home Secretary's own constituency, the person who has been the most vocal and the most critical of what is going on in the English Channel.

'And yet here it is on her doorstep and more significantly on her constituents' doorstep.'

In an earlier video, posted as a tease to what he described as his 'bombshell' allegations, Mr Farage said: 'Priti Patel talks tough as Home Secretary, remember, she was going to end the cross-channel migrant crisis by Spring of this year, well its getting worse.

'A thousand people have come in the last nine days alone. They're being put up and housed in hotels all over the country.

'There is now a migrant hotel in her own back yard and her constituents are not happy.'

The Rivehall Hotel is a hotel in Witham, Essex, which has a three out of five star rating on both Google and TripAdvisor

Responding to the allegations, a spokesperson for the Home Office said: 'On Friday afternoon (14 August) the Home Office became aware that an error was made in placing asylum seekers.

'This error was the result of operational failures where the correct policy and procedures were not followed.

'The Home Office has a statutory obligation to provide asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute with accommodation.

'But they should be placed in major conurbations wherever possible so that appropriate support and services can be more readily provided.

'As this is not the case in this instance, alternative accommodation provision has since been sought in accordance with the Immigration Asylum Act 1999 and the Asylum Support Regulations 2000.

'A full review of this operation is now being conducted.'

MailOnline contacted the Rivenhall Hotel for a comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

Sunday's video was released after the Mail On Sunday revealed that between 20 and 50 hotels across Britain are being used to house migrants who have crossed The Channel.

Owners of accommodation, including four star hotels, are benefitting from the 4bn ten year contract.

The estimated monthly cost to accommodate each of migrant is thought to be around 560.

Responding to the Mail on Sunday's investigation, a Home Office spokesman said: 'A spokesman said: 'The UK has a statutory obligation to provide destitute asylum seekers with accommodation and support whilst their application for asylum is being considered.

'Any temporary measures are kept under review and we are working with local authorities across the UK to secure the suitable longer term accommodation that is required.'

An investigation by The Mail on Sunday can reveal that at least 20  and perhaps as many as 50  hotels across Britain are being used to house migrants who have made the perilous crossing on small boats across the English Channel (pictured, people believed to be migrants outside the Royal Hotel in Hull city centre which is housing migrants)

Home Secretary Priti Patel was in Dover earlier this week as refugees continued to make the dangerous crossing from France To England

Mr Farage has faced backlash for referring to the arrival of men, women and children arriving on Britain's shores as an 'invasion'.

Bafta-winning documentary maker and Syrian refugee Hassan Akkad said this week: 'It's definitely not an invasion.

'It's ironic, Britain did invade Iraq and Afghanistan, but if Iraqis and Afghans now want to seek asylum in Britain then it's 'not our problem' and we call it an invasion.

'British made bombs are being dropped on Yemeni people and if Yemeni decide to flee and seek asylum in Britain, it's 'not our problem'.

'I think the whole refugee and migrant issue is being exaggerated, it's being used as a distraction because one per cent of the refugee population is in Britain.'

A baby was among at least 15 migrants to be intercepted while crossing the Channel to the UK today

At least 15 more people arrived in the UK today, including a baby, after Border Force intercepted five vessels carrying 65 people yesterday.

Yesterday the Royal Navy was called in to help Border Force police the Channel for the first time since January 2019.

On Saturday evening the Ministry of Defence announced that it was sending a specialist team to provide support for 'the daily running of Border Force operations' after another 90 people made the crossing on Friday.

The deployment comes after 10 consecutive days of landings, with refugees seen possing for selfies as they wait to be picked up in the English Channel.

A task-force of around a dozen officers will help to plan and organise operations while working alongside Border Force officials, according to The Sunday Telegraph.

'Civilian authorities are not used to fast paced, large scale and constantly changing situations in the same way as the military. That's what we do,' an MoD source told the newspaper.

The Government has been facing mounting pressure to address the large numbers of people arriving on UK shores across the channel.

So far, this year has seen 4,500 people have made the dangerous journey this year. In contrast, the whole last year saw 1,800 people cross, and fewer than 400 in 2018.

Across The Channel in Calais, French officials have removed more established refugee camps, forcing migrants to move to more remote areas.

Refugees preparing to cross the Channel are staying at a makeshift camp after French authorities carried out evictions at larger sites earlier this week.

Ms Patel sparked a diplomatic row last night by claiming migrants were crossing the Channel to escape 'racist' France, where they feared they would be tortured.

The Home Secretary's inflammatory remarks, in a private meeting with Tory MPs, infuriated French politicians. One blasted: 'Madam Patel is not a politician who does much thinking.'

But the row came as Europe's top judges condemned France for 'degrading and inhumane' treatment of asylum seekers in forcing them to sleep rough for months in 'constant fear of being attacked or robbed'.

Tory MPs taking part in the Zoom conference call with Ms Patel also said she claimed to have been frustrated in her efforts to crack down on the Channel migrant crisis by No 10  although both sides denied that last night.

The private web chat with the Home Secretary came amid mounting anger on the Tory backbenches over how the Government was handling the migrant crisis. One MP claimed Ms Patel had told them: 'France is a racist country. They would rather come to England.'

Last night, Government sources strongly denied that, insisting that the Home Secretary had only been passing on what migrants had been saying about France.

One stressed: 'Priti made clear these were migrants' views  not hers', adding that the Home Secretary thought claims of possible torture if they returned to France were nonsense, pushed by activist lawyers.
"You must reside in Ward 3, and have been a resident in Ward 3 for at least a year," said borough Manager Christine Hart.
She took time off from her presenting role on Heart FM to have her second child.

And Vogue Williams made a triumphant return to work on Sunday morning as she headed to Global Studios in central London.

The model, 34, looked gorgeous in a flowery blue midi dress with peplum sleeves as she showed off her incredible post-baby body, in an outing that came hours after her fury at 'mum shamers' who criticised her return to work.

Stunning: Vogue Williams looked gorgeous in a flowery blue midi dress as she headed back to work at Heart Radio for the first time since the birth of her second child on Sunday morning

The Irish beauty completed the perfect summer look with nude strappy heels, a blue Goyard bag and stylish aviator sunglasses as she strolled to work.

Vogue wore her honey tresses loose around her shoulders and highlighted her naturally pretty features with a slick of dewy makeup.

She looked delighted to be back presenting her show which airs every Sunday from 6am to 9am after taking a break for her maternity leave.

Gorgeous: Vogue wore her honey tresses loose around her shoulders and highlighted her naturally pretty features with a slick of dewy makeup

Chic: The Irish beauty completed the perfect summer look with nude strappy heels, a blue leather bag and stylish aviator sunglasses as she strolled to work

It comes as she hit back at mum-shaming trolls after being criticised for returning to work after giving birth to her second child Gigi Margaux with husband Spencer Matthews less than one month ago.

Vogue wrote on her Instagram story on Saturday she wanted to 'nip in the bud' any negative comments about resuming her presenting role.

She penned: 'Gonna nip this in the bud as I've already had mails about it. I can't wait to go back to my radio show tomorrow.

Glowing: The model, 34, looked gorgeous in a flowery blue midi dress with peplum sleeves as she showed off her incredible post-baby body

Defiant: Vogue hit back at mum-shaming trolls after being criticised for returning to work after giving birth less than one month ago on Saturday

Honest: Vogue wrote on her Instagram story that she wanted to 'nip in the bud' any negative comments about resuming her presenting role

'Door to door it takes 4 hours meaning I miss one feed which I will pump at work. Theodore and Gigi's dad will be with them.

'I am with them 90% of the time and getting to go back to a job I love is brilliant. I adore my children, I adore working and I'm able to do both which I am very thankful for.'

Vogue and Spencer welcomed their beautiful daughter Gigi on 22 July, and are also parents to son Theodore, 23 months.

Working mum: Vogue is now back presenting her show which airs every Sunday from 6am to 9am after taking a break for her maternity leave

The couple revealed the name of their bundle of joy earlier this month, with Vogue telling Hello! magazine she wanted to pick something which she would also love to be called.

She said: 'When we were discussing names I thought, 'I want to want her name', and I do. I just love it. I wish I was called it myself.

'We decided on it ages ago and as soon as we saw her, we knew it suited her. She is so perfect. I am obsessed with her.'

Doting dad Spencer added: 'I've always really liked the name Margaux for a girl, spelt in the French way - like the wine.'

He also proudly explained that when people ask what his little girl is called, he always gives her full name of Gigi Margaux.

Sweet: The couple revealed the name of their bundle of joy earlier this month, with Vogue telling Hello! magazine she wanted to pick something which she would also love to be called
UAE-Israel normalization historic idiocy, doomed to fail: IRGC

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 15 August 2020 9:58 AM

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has lambasted the recent deal between the UAE and Israel to fully normalize bilateral relations, saying the agreement is an instance of "historic idiocy" and doomed to fail.

In a statement on Saturday, the IRGC strongly condemned the agreement, describing it a strategic mistake, historic idiocy and a poisonous dagger in the body of the Muslim community.

"The disgraceful agreement to normalize relations between the UAE and the fake Zionist regime, which was made public by the design and leadership of the terrorist and inhuman government of the United States, is one of the greatest historical betrayals against the Palestinian cause that inflicted a poisonous dagger on the body of the Islamic Ummah, especially on the resistance and legitimacy of the oppressed Muslim nation of Palestine," the statement said.

Israel and the UAE on Thursday reached the deal that will lead to a full normalization of diplomatic relations between the two sides, in an agreement apparently brokered by US President Donald Trump.

Under the agreement, Israel has allegedly agreed to "temporarily" suspend applying its own rule to further areas in the occupied West Bank and the strategic Jordan Valley that prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had pledged to annex.

"This treacherous act has multiple goals, including legitimizing the fake Zionist regime, weakening the Palestinian resistance front, consigning the issue of Jerusalem al-Quds and Palestine to oblivion, paving the way for the implementation of the so-called deal of century and the new Middle East project and creating conditions for the Arab world to engage with the occupying regime," the IRGC's statement added.

"It is an evil move and doomed to failure."

The IRGC said, "The United States as well as regional and trans-regional supporters of the infamous Abu Dhabi-Tel Aviv agreement know that this heinous act will not serve the interests of the Zionist regime, and contrary to their expectations, it will spell a dangerous future for them."

The UAE-Israel deal has already drawn condemnation from various Palestinian groups as well as their supporters across the world.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas referred to the deal as an "aggression" against the Palestinian people and a "betrayal" of their cause. The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas described it as "a stab in the back of the Palestinian cause." And Palestinian people staged protests against the deal in the occupied West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip on Friday.

The Emirates is now the third Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan, to normalize with Israel. Abu Dhabi was already believed to have clandestine relations with Tel Aviv.

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High speed 4G internet services will be restored in two districts in Jammu and Kashmir beginning midnight on trial basis, said officials.

The services will be restored in Ganderbal and Udhampur districts of the Union Territory and it will be the first time when high speed internet services will return to the region after restrictions were clamped following abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two union territories last year on August 5.

The restoration of 4G services is being done on the recommendation of a panel constituted by the Supreme Court of India to review the restrictions vis-a-vis the security situation in the Union Territory.

This will be for the first time in the past 12 months that JK will witness high speed mobile internet in any area

The committee has decided that the restoration of 4G will be done on a trial basis from tonight while the rest of the 18 districts in the Union Territory will continue to have 2G services.

The decision is in line with Centres assurance to the Supreme Court that the 4G ban will be lifted in one district each in Jammu and Kashmir divisions from August 16.

The assurance was given while the Supreme Court was hearing a petition filed by Foundation for Media Professionals, a non-government organisation, seeking the initiation of contempt proceedings against the Centre and J-K administration for the failure to comply with the top courts May 11 directions to review restrictions on mobile internet speed in the Union Territory.

The top court had asked Centre to explore the possibility of restoring 4G mobile internet services in view of former J&K Lieutenant Governor GC Murmus endorsement of the restoration.

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Covid-19 in Africa: CAOPA still mobilizing to fight the pandemic

August 16,2020 | Source: CAOPA

The African Confederation of Professional Organizations of Artisanal Fisheries (CAOPA) is still engaged in the mobilization to fight, even eradicate, the Covid-19 disease, which continues to wreak havoc in and Africa and the rest of the world, is in the process of bringing the world economy to its knees, thus affecting the fishing sector, especially that of the artisanal fishing sub-sector.





Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit African coasts, CAOPA and its members have been mobilizing. In early April, in a letter addressed to the African Union (AU) and to the African governments of the 25 countries where this umbrella organization has members, its officials called on decision-makers to take urgent measures in consultation with the sector so that fishermen, fishmongers and women processors can continue their activities.



Indeed, the fisheries sector is essential for the food security of the population, and provides, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), more than 10 million 'jobs' to the men and women of African coastal communities, reports CAOPA, which states, as an example, ''a canoe fishing for small pelagics in Senegal can employ a hundred people from the stage of catch to the consumer's plate''.



"The measures taken to fight the pandemic are proving more and more difficult for the men and women who work in African artisanal fisheries", for the most part, noted the members of CAOPA, last Thursday, in a virtual meeting on Zoom with the Ministerial Conference on Fisheries Cooperation between African States bordering the Atlantic Ocean (ATLAFCO).



"The restrictions imposed in most African countries on gatherings, the movement of

people and goods as well as the closure of traditional markets for artisanal fishery products, make access to fish difficult for the poorest", it was reported.



Due to the lack of adequate facilities and equipment, maintaining hygiene and sanitary measures to fight the epidemic is also complicated on board boats, at landing sites, processing sites and other markets intended for the marketing of fishery products.



In addition, the virtual discussions highlighted that women in African artisanal fisheries are "particularly affected", because they earn their living from day to day.



How can they put food on the table for their dependents when their processing activity is curbed? Or when strict confinement at home hinders their access to raw materials?. asked the actors of artisanal fishing, members of the various structures that make up CAOPA.



The professional organizations of artisanal fishing have taken measures to raise awareness of the necessary hygiene and separation measures that fishworkers must respect. In some cases, they have provided preventive health kits to all those active in the artisanal fisheries value chain.



Professional organizations are, therefore, calling on decision-makers to find means that will allow artisanal fishing to pursue its essential activities.



However, it was noted that dilapidated facilities and tools throughout the value chain, and the lack of sanitation facilities and prevention kits in many artisanal fishing communities remain a challenge.



For CAOPA, the Covid-19 crisis should be an opportunity to respond to the challenges that have existed for a long time in artisanal fisheries and to improve, in the long term, the hygiene and working conditions of men and women in the fishing industry.



It was pointed out that there are international instruments to improve working conditions in the African artisanal fishing industry, like the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines) and other guides for social sustainability in the fisheries and aquaculture value chains.



The Work in Fishing Convention (No. 188), adopted in 2007 by representatives of governments, workers and employers at the level of the International Labor Organization (ILO), aims to ensure that fishermen benefit from decent conditions for working on board fishing vessels with regard to minimum requirements for work on board, conditions of service, accommodation and food, protection of safety and occupational health, and medical care and social security.



Compared to other ILO instruments dealing with fisheries, this is the first time that a Convention covers both inland and maritime artisanal fishing. The Convention No. 188 includes, in its scope, large and small boats, decked or not, and fishermen on board, it was explained during the virtual discussion.



According to CAOPA and its partners, countries that ratify the ILO Convention will have to develop laws, regulations or other texts covering a series of points that are essential to promote safe and decent working conditions in artisanal fishing, including, "Establishment of a minimum age", Organization of medical examination, Preparation of the crew list, "Conditions for repatriation of fishermen, Recruitment and accommodation conditions", "Sanitary conditions on board", "Supply of food and drinking water on board '', and ''Training of crew members to give first aid on board '', among other measures.



The Convention provides for gradual implementation in order to give certain countries the possibility to take more time to apply certain provisions for certain types of vessels. This provision will be useful for artisanal fishing where many activities are still informal.



"This progressive implementation approach should facilitate the ratification of this text by African countries because it takes into account their difficulties in fulfilling all the obligations of the Convention due to the inadequacies of their infrastructures and their institutions", according to the panelists of the virtual meeting.



For the public authorities to be ''truly capable'' of enforcing laws and regulations, it will be ''necessary'' to proceed to a '' major reorientation '' or a '' rationalization '' of the administrations in charge of fishing, maritime affairs, boat safety, and work. Such a development is proving to be "essential" to help African countries adopt relevant legislative measures.



Four African countries have ratified the ILO Convention No. 188: Congo (2014), Angola (2016), Namibia (2018), and Senegal (2018). However, it was clarified that the entire value chain of artisanal fishing is not covered by the Convention, in particular the role of women in the sector, who are active in activities on land not covered by the Convention, like the processing and marketing

sector.



However, today, in most African countries, the working conditions of these women are not decent: the processors work all day in the smoke, sometimes in the middle of refuse, without access to sanitary facilities, drinking water or electricity. Often, their young children accompany them and live in these same inhuman conditions, said members of CAOPA who pointed out that the improvement of working conditions is one of the main concerns of women in African artisanal fishing.



This concern has been taken into account by the SSF Guidelines, particularly in the following chapters:



Social development, employment and decent work



In this chapter, the SSF Guidelines contain guidance on the socioeconomic situation of workers in the fishing sector industry and their communities. States must promote the protection of workers in the artisanal fishing sector. States should support the establishment of services and access to services such as savings, credit and insurance systems, paying particular attention to guaranteeing women's access to these services.



States must take measures to gradually realize the right to work under conditions in accordance with international and national human-rights standards, says CAOPA.



All parties strive to "ensure" that the issue of occupational health and safety is taken into account as an integral part of fisheries management and sector development initiatives.



''States must do what is necessary so that, gradually, the members of artisanal fishing communities have affordable access to essential public services, in particular, essential safe and hygienic sanitation services, drinking water for personal and domestic uses, energy sources, etc., according to CAOPA member organizations.



According to them, all parties should create conditions conducive to enabling men and women in artisanal fishing communities to fish and carry out fishing-related activities in a framework that bans all forms of delinquency, violence, organized crime, piracy, theft, sexual abuse, corruption and abuse of power. It is important that all parties work to take action to eradicate violence and protect women exposed to it in artisanal fishing communities.



The actors of the artisanal fishing sector should also recognize the importance of the well-being and education of children not only for the future of the children themselves, but also of society as a whole. Children must go to school and be protected from all forms of abuse. All their rights must be respected, in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, insists CAOPA, citing an extract from chapter 6 of the said directives.



Value chains, post-harvest activities and trade



The SSF Guidelines recognize that post-harvest activities as well as other value-chain activities are essential elements of sustainable artisanal fisheries, but it is important that all parties promote improvements that make it easier for women to participate in post-harvest activities.



They also believe that states must ensure that facilities and services adapted to women are available, so that they can continue to earn a living and improve their livelihoods in this sub-sector.



''States must encourage, ensure and facilitate investments in appropriate infrastructure and organizational structures, as well as in capacity building, to enable the sub-sector, after capture of

artisanal fisheries, to produce, in a responsible and sustainable manner, fish and other fishery products that are safe and of good quality, both for export and for domestic markets, '' they said.



States are thus called upon to assist in the creation of cooperatives, professional organizations in the artisanal fishing sector and other organizational structures, as well as marketing mechanisms, for

example, auctions, the use of digital technologies, etc.



It is also necessary that all parties avoid post-capture losses and waste, and seek ways to create added value, in particular, by relying on traditional and local technologies that are both efficient and

inexpensive, on local innovations and on transfer of resources, and on technology adapted to the cultural context.



It is further necessary to ''promote environmentally viable practices'' from an ''ecosystem perspective'' and to avoid, for example, the waste of means of production (water, fuelwood, etc.) during the handling and artisanal processing of fish.



States need to facilitate access to local, national, regional and international markets and encourage fair and non-discriminatory trade in artisanal fishery products, according to CAOAPA and its

partners, who urged States to facilitate access for stakeholders in the artisanal fisheries value chain to all relevant information on markets and trade.



CAOPA participated, with its partners, in the FAO consultation in 2019 on the development of a guide for social sustainability in fisheries value chains, by suggesting the creation of a specific guidance document for artisanal fisheries with references to social aspects and minimum requirements drawn from the SSF Guidelines and the ILO Convention C188 on Work in the Fishing Sector.

Theme(s): Communities and Organisations.
She shot to fame after starring in Love Island three years ago.

And Tyne-Lexy Clarson looked flawless as she donned a printed yellow silk dress as she headed out with friends for the dinner in London on Saturday.

The reality star, 22, showcased her eye-popping curves in the plunging dress with side ruche detailing which flaunted her bronzed toned pins.

Wow: Tyne-Lexy Clarson, 22, looked sensational in a printed yellow silk dress as she headed out with friends for the evening in London on Saturday

Tyne-Lexy wowed in the ensemble featuring a structured bust and diamante belt which cinched her in at the waist for the evening at STK.

The beauty styled her sleek blonde tresses in a centre parting and accessorised with gold chains adorned with her initials 'TLC'.

She kept all eyes on her figure with minimal makeup as she opted for fluttery eyelashes and a slick of nude gloss for the occasion.

Beauty: The reality star kept all eyes on her figure with minimal makeup as she opted for fluttery eyelashes and a slick of nude gloss for the occasion

Finishing her look, Tyne-Lexy wore towering metallic gold heels and carried her evening essentials in a Gucci bag.

Tyne-Lexy shot to fame on the 2017 series of Love Island, but admitted earlier this year that life after the villa has had its struggles.

In January she revealed that has been offered thousands of pounds for sex via her Instagram accounts.

Glam: Tyne-Lexy wore towering metallic gold heels and carried her evening essentials in a Gucci bag

Speaking on the Victoria Derbyshire show with fellow Love Island star, Rosie Williams, she said she was just 19 when she first received a proposal of 20,000 to have dinner and drinks with a man.

'It's high-end prostitution  it's just scary to think if they've messaged me, they've probably sent it to thousands of pretty girls on Instagram,' said the blonde beauty, who boasts more than 420,000 followers on Instagram.

After her stint on Love Island came to an end, Tyne-Lexy revealed that she was contacted by her agency offering to pay her 50,000 to spend five nights in Dubai.

Included in the offer was the requirement to sign a non-disclosure agreement, ensuring that all details surrounding her trip would remain confidential.

And while she rejected the offer, Tyne-Lexy believes there are a number of young influencers with huge popularity on Instagram who may be tempted, due in large part to the pressures of portraying an opulent lifestyle.

'It's a lot of money for some people, it's life-changing amounts of money,' she said.
A groom who contracted COVID-19 managed to marry his fiancee from a hospital bed. This is something that we only see on movies, but yes, it happens amid pandemic.

Carlos Muniz tested positive with COVID-19 the same week he is set to marry but didn't let the virus get in his way of marrying his soulmate. Muniz is fighting for his life and received ECMO treatment in the ICU at San Antonio's Methodist Hospital. He decided to continue his plan to marry his fiancee, Grace, on Tuesday, as per ABC affiliate KSAT.

Muniz's nurse said after the nuptials in the hospital, "Carlos is capable of doing more now than before. He's fighting for something." Carlos and Grace became husband and wife with their immediate family by their side. The hospital made exception for the Texas couple, and the Methodist staffers witnessed and were inspired by their love story amid the struggles they are experiencing, according to PEOPLE.

Carlos' nurse told the outlet of KSAT that the wedding is essential for the care team of Muniz. "We've seen some victories, but we've had our losses. It was very special for us to be a part of and has been a big motivator for this team," the nurse added and believes that COVID-19 can't stop love.

According to KSAT, Muniz was supposedly preparing for his wedding when he felt symptoms of the coronavirus. On July 15, Muniz was admitted to the telemetry COVID-19 unit at Methodist Hospital.

Carlos didn't have any underlying health issues before contracting the disease confirmed by a representative from the hospital to PEOPLE. Carlos' health drastically declined within days. The groom-to-be was placed in the ICU for the emergency cannulation prior to being on an ECMO machine. ECMO is a machine that pumps and oxygenates blood outside the body, so the heart and lungs of the patient can rest, according to UCSF Health.

While fighting against the virus, Muniz's nurse discovered that he was supposed to get married that week. The nurse offered Carlos to have the chance to continue marrying Grace even if he is in the hospital bed.

Carlos' nurse noticed a significant change in his demeanor when the couple agreed to the plan. The nurse claims that Carlos seemed to have a renewed sense of motivation to recover.

Carlos was dressed in a tuxedo shirt while his fiancee showed up in a white gown and veil on their big day. Grace's wedding dress is the same dress she planned to wear for their wedding prior to Carlos' health crisis.

The hospital staffs including Carlos' nurse, respiratory therapist, perfusionist, and ECMO specialist, helped escort the groom on his ECMO machine down to his bride. The wedding ceremony was officiated by the father-in-law of Grace, which streamed online so the couple's other family members and friends could attend the nuptial virtually.

Although Carlos has been in the hospital for a month and spent days in the ICU on the ECMO machine, the nurses said that Carlos refuses to give up and has an optimistic outlook on his situation. "Carlos is capable of doing more now than before. He's fighting for something," the nurse told KSAT.

Now, Carlos, the official husband of Grace, has shown signs of recovery and tested negative for COVID-19, as per KSAT.

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MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th August, 2020) Belarusian Ambassador to Slovakia Igor Leshchenya has become the first head of a diplomatic mission to declare support of protests across the country following the presidential election.

"I am in solidarity with those who have taken to the streets of Belarusian cities in peaceful marches so that their voices are heard ...

I sincerely hope that my country's future will be based on taking into account stances of all social strata and representatives of various political forces. The Belarusians have suffered for this right," the ambassador said in a recorded address.

Belarus has been engulfed in protests against the preliminary results of the presidential election, showing incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko winning over 80 percent of votes. Over 6,500 people have been arrested, and hundreds have been injured, including more than 120 law enforcement officers. One person has died in the protests so far.
China should stop crackdown on Hong Kong citizens



After a lull, concerns are growing that the situation in Hong Kong will take a turn for the worse again, prompted by the Chinese authorities' crackdowns on press freedom and the pro-democracy movement. The arrest of media tycoon Jimmy Lai, founder and chairman of the Apple Daily, on charges of violating the National Security Law on Aug. 10 caught the world by surprise, although China released him on bail two days later, apparently wary of the growing criticism over its oppression of democratic forces.



Agnes Chow, one of the leaders of the Umbrella Revolution in the city, was also set free after being detained on similar charges. She was also deprived of the right to stand in Hong Kong elections.



The global community is concerned that China's recent moves signal the start of its full-fledged repression of political opponents after the enactment of its security law, which stipulates harsh punishment for those who act against China's national security by, for instance, colluding with outside forces and engaging in acts of democracy which could be defined as terrorism and subversion under China's communist ideology.



U.S. President Donald Trump harshly criticized China, saying, "Hong Kong can never succeed having China as opposed to the thousands of geniuses that ran it. The Hong Kong markets will go to hell. Nobody's going to do business.'' The Japanese government also took issue with China's crackdown Thursday, expressing grave concern over the worsening situation in Hong Kong.



In contrast, the Moon Jae-in administration and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea have been keeping mum on the Hong Kong situation. They might be taking a cautious stance, considering the need to maintain a diplomatic balance between the United States and China. But it seems improper to overlook the matter, given the importance of freedom of speech and the press. Civic groups, in particular, have been asked to lead campaigns to support Hong Kong citizens.



We also urge the Chinese government to abide by international norms and the universal values of human rights and freedom of the press. China should not adopt oppressive measures against Hong Kong citizens again, and cease the violation of their basic rights under the guise of national interest.


The talks were originally scheduled for Monday after Sudan requested last week to adjourn the talks for 'internal consultations'

Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan have resumed negotiations on the disputed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on Sunday, one day earlier than the previously scheduled talks amid efforts to break the deadlock in reaching an agreement over the dam.

Egypts foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Hafez posted a tweet on Sunday on the beginning of negotiations through video conference between the irrigation, water resources, and foreign ministers of the three countries on the filling and operation of the dam.

The talks were originally scheduled for Monday after Sudan requested last week an adjournment for one week for "internal consultations."

Sudan had threatened to withdraw from the talks, which are sponsored by the African Union, if Ethiopia insisted on linking an agreement on the dams filling to negotiating a deal on sharing the waters of the Blue Nile.

On Saturday, Egypt and Sudan called for an agreement on the GERD that would preserve the interests of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia, in accordance with the 2015 Agreement on the Declaration of Principles, as well as the principle of the just and equitable use of water while not causing significant harm, and the relevant principles of international law.

In a joint statement read out by Sudans Information Minister Faisal Mohammed Saleh during a press conference held in Khartoum by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Mabdouly and his Sudanese counterpart Abdalla Hamdok, the two sides highlighted the importance of agreeing on an effective and binding mechanism for settling disputes, as well as a mechanism for coordination between the three countries to ensure the safe operation of all water installations and projects affected by the GERD.

Negotiations to reach a deal over the filling and operation of the nearly $5 billion GERD had resumed last week following a brief suspension requested by Cairo and Khartoum after Addis Ababa put forward a new draft proposal that Cairo complained was lacking operating guidelines and any legally binding obligations.

The mega-dam, built 15 kilometres from the Ethiopian border with Sudan, has been a source of tension between the three nations. Cairo fears the project will significantly cut its water supply from the River Nile, while Sudan fears it will endanger the safety of its own dams.

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Tajikistan's Ministry of Health and Social Protection has sent requests to the Russian health authorities to provide a vaccine against COVID-19, Tajik Health Minister Jamoliddin Abdullozoda told Sputnik

DUSHANBE (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th August, 2020) Tajikistan's Ministry of Health and Social Protection has sent requests to the Russian health authorities to provide a vaccine against COVID-19, Tajik Health Minister Jamoliddin Abdullozoda told Sputnik.

Russia announced it had registered the world's first vaccine against the coronavirus on Tuesday.

"We have sent a letter to the Russian Health Ministry with a request to provide the vaccine against COVID-19," Abdullozoda said.

According to the minister, Tajikistan was closely following the vaccine trials in Russia and awaited results.

Doctors, teachers, patients with diabetes and asthma will be the first to receive the Russian vaccine.

"We are very grateful to the Russian government and Rospotrebnadzor [Russian public health watchdog] for a prompt provision of test kits to detect COVID-19, after which on April 30, we were able to detect the coronavirus in the country," the minister added.

The authorities of Tajikistan have so far confirmed nearly 8,000 cases of COVID-19 and 63 deaths.
Prosecutors in Angola have ordered the closure of places of worship belonging to one of Brazil's biggest churches, accusing it of corruption.



At least seven buildings belonging to the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) have been seized in the capital, Luanda.



Prosecutors said the evangelical church had been involved in tax fraud and other fiscal crimes.



UCKG officials have previously strongly denied any wrongdoing.



Last year about 300 Angolan UCKG bishops broke away from the Brazilian leadership, accusing it of mismanagement and not being African enough. UCKG officials described the accusations as "defamatory".



The UCKG claims to have about eight million members in Brazil and branches in several African countries. It promotes "prosperity theology", whereby believers are told their faith and donations to the Church will lead to material wealth.



The row started last year when Angolan bishops broke away from the Brazilian Church, accusing it of "fiscal evasion" and of practices contrary to the "African and Angolan reality".



In December, Angolan authorities opened an investigation and on Friday prosecutor-general Alvaro Da Silva Joao announced the seizure of seven UCKG temples.



"These apprehensions result from the fact that in the records there are enough indications of the practice of crimes of criminal association, tax fraud, illicit export of capital, abuse of trust and other... illegal acts," he said in a statement.







Source: BBC









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This will be a busy weekend as were holding our back-to-school supply weekend at four different places and because of COVID-19, weve had to reimagine and restructure everything and take more care with the things we do, Muhammad said. Like the pop-ups and food distribution weve had, people can come and pick up grade level kits of school supplies. Even though students will be working at home with digital devices, theres still the need for paper and pencils and pens, rulers, art supplies, calculators and more.
Envoy: UNSC vote on Iran arms embargo shows US isolation

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Aug 15, IRNA -- Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi in a message stated that the UNSC vote over extension of arms embargo on Iran indicated the US isolation.

"The result of the vote in #UNSC on arms embargo against Iran showsonce morethe US' isolation," Takht Ravanchi wrote in his Twitter account on Saturday.

"Council's message: NO to UNILATERALISM. US must learn from this debacle," he added.

"Its attempt to "snapback" sanctions is illegal, and was rejected by int'l community, as was evident today," he noted.

The US draft resolution aimed to extend Iran arms embargo which is expected to be lifted on October 18 under the terms of a 2015 Iran nuclear deal (known as JCPOA) endorsed and made into law by UNSCR 2231.

When the resolution was put on vote, only two of the 15 Council members voted for the resolution  one of them was the United States itself. Two members voted against the resolution and 11 others abstained.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi in a message said that during the 75-year-old history of the United Nations it was unprecedented that the US becomes so isolated.

Despite all travels and pressures, the United States could only bring a small country with it, he added.

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Electronic musician and music critic Abhi Meer was giving finishing touches to his new long-form composition when we spoke to him. He didnt mind the intrusion. Rather, he happily made space amid the hurly-burly for a chat. Fusing digital synthesis, vintage organs and exploratory 3D worlds, the inspiration for this installation came when his focus shifted from sound creation to sound reproduction. I wanted to give equal weight to how music could be experienced in large, enclosed settings and utilise some new technologies that would heavily impact the overall listening experience, he says.

This was furthered by Meers chance meeting with Justin Barrington-Higgs of Metro Modular in Berlin last April. Barrington-Higgs, who was developing a series of synthesiser modules that would aid in experimental sound installations, understood what Meer wanted to do.Two months later, Barrington-Higgs implemented one of Meers spatial sound distribution ideas in one of his pieces of upcoming hardware. By this time, Meer had also shifted his attention to digital synthesis over analogue and began composing pieces of music on pianos and organs.

Meer is currently waiting for Barrington-Higgs to complete developing his machines and has in the meantime, also reached out to an LA-based animator and VFX artist. Given the current situation he, however, says that any formal announcement about the project may take a while.Meers recent show ISOXIA, part installation-part sound art performance, was broadcasted live from Method Art Space in Mumbais Kala Ghoda.

With the show, the gallery opened its doors for the first time since the lockdown. Primarily inspired by a passage in Volume 12 of Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jungs Collected Works, the show was a five-day snapshot of Meers life at home as a composer who has interacted with very little of the outside world in more than four months. The show had Meer recreating his living space in the gallery and moving parts of his home production studio there for the duration of the exhibit. The event was also remotely painted by New Delhi based artist Nayana Keswani, also known as The Bayless Ray, and the 20 hours of all-original music will soon be recorded and released.

Previously, Meers experimental show, Sunday Service, was a one-time performance at Mumbais Control ALT Delete festival in early 2019. The show got Meer to use his modular synthesiser to recreate the sounds of church organs and compose a short live musical score focusing on the organ sounds. Another of his shows, SPEKTRA, which debuted at the 2019 Magnetic Fields Festival in Rajasthan, was informed by the concept of spectralisma tendency in contemporary art music that takes the material attributes of sound as the point of departure for composition.

Meers chosen point of departure for SPEKTRA was the ravanahatha, an ancient Rajasthani string instrument. For the project, he travelled to Rajasthan months beforehand to locate and purchase the instrument, study its characteristics in detail and learn how to play it. Thereafter, he recreated its drone-like sound using several synthesiser modules and also used recorded bits of the actual instrument to create percussive noises by applying a technique called granular synthesis.

Meer says that the near-complete lack of social interaction has profoundly affected how he creates, interacts with and listens to music. During the lockdown, he has been utilising his time to create and develop new musical ideas and concepts. With new music releasing soon and some more towards the end of the year, he hopes that he gets to DJ in a club soon enough.
Veteran actor Dilip Kumar's younger brothers Ehsaan Khan and Aslam Khan have been rushed to the Lilavati hospital in Mumbai on Saturday night after they started complaining of breathlessness.

Its been reported that the Octogenarian brothers oxygen saturation has dropped below 80%. They have been confirmed to have contracted the COVID-19 virus after the administration of the rapid antigen test.

A source close to the development revealed, "Ehsaan Khan and Aslam Khan complained of breathlessness. They were advised by Dr Nitin Gokhale (leading cardiologist) to get hospitalised as their oxygen levels were quite low. The two also have a history of blood pressure and heart ailment."

Ehsaan Khan and Aslam Khan has been admitted under Dr. Jalil Parkar. They have been kept under artificial breathing support system called CPAP (Continuous positive airway pressure). Dr Jalil Parkar confirmed the news to TOI and said, "Yes, Aslam Khan and Ehsaan Khan are on non-invasive ventilator support. They had hypoxia, their oxygen saturation was less than 94, both also had cough and fever."

Another doctor from the hospital told HT, They have been kept in ICU but we havent intubated them as yet. Considering their age and pre-condition health issues like diabetes and hypertension, we have to be extra careful while treating them.

ALSO READ: SP Balasubrahmanyam's Wife Savitri Subrahmanyam Tests Positive For COVID-19, Admitted To Hospital

ALSO READ: Sanjivani Actor Gaurav Chopra Reveals His Parents Have Been Diagnosed With COVID-19
One hundred years ago Tuesday on August 18, 1920, Tennessee became the final state to ratify the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, giving women the right to vote. And ironically, people in many parts of the country were at the time wearing masks to ward off a virus known as the Spanish flu that had killed 650,000 Americans.

Columnist Coleen Hoptak describes the times:

Racial unrest was roiling in cities throughout the country as the Ku Klux Klan was in full resurgence. Major race riots in the cities of Chicago and New York and anarchist attacks on Wall Street produced fears of radicals and terrorists. 

There was a massive response against the reformist zeal of the Progressive Era, and most Americans were disillusioned with those in control of government. Immigration was a contentious issue and the public, wary of international entanglements, sought a more isolationist foreign policy.

A nasty presidential election was underway, pitting Republican Warren G. Harding against Democrat James M. Cox, both of Ohio. Harding ran a front porch candidacy in which he campaigned for conservatism and a return to normalcy amid the social and political upheavals of the time. His divisive and nationalistic campaign slogan of America First alienated the American electorate but was effective in winning him the White House.

Sound familiar?

This week as the nation marks a century since women got the right to vote, we are witnessing the presumptive nomination at the Democratic convention of the first Black woman as vice presidential nominee by a major party. Sen. Kamala Harris, the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants, is also the first vice presidential candidate of India/Asia parentage.

And yet, as progress is celebrated, the nation is grappling with a fight for racial justice on the heels of the #MeToo movement, demonstrating that the quest for equal treatment of women and Blacks is an unfinished quest.

The modern-day warriors seeking equal rights of all people regardless of gender or race and including LGBTQ individuals remind us of their predecessors of 100 years ago who endured physical and emotional abuse during a period that began before the Civil War and carried on over seven decades before the 19th amendment was passed and ratified.

Those 19th century suffrage pioneers  Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, Lucretia Mott  are remembered this week for leading a relentless and courageous pursuit, a pursuit that has ties close to home.

Lucretia Motts legacy in both the abolitionist and womens suffrage movements was carried out from her Roadside farm in Cheltenham Township in Montgomery County.

A Quaker minister who stood just 5 feet tall, Mott was a gifted orator. There is nothing of greater importance to the well-being of society at large  of man as well as woman  than the true and proper position of woman, she said in an 1849 speech in Philadelphia. Born in Nantucket, Mass. January 3, 1793, and a cousin of the Pennsylvania statesman, Benjamin Franklin, Mott was an abolitionist before the Civil War and was speaking out for womens rights some 70 years ahead of the 19th Amendment ratification.

Th village of LaMott at the site of Motts farm is designated as a National Historic Site as one of the first racially integrated communities in the country after the Civil War and as tribute to Motts legacy for equal rights for all persons.

The 19th Amendment reads: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Securing the right to vote for women came after decades of agitation and protest. This week we honor that milestone while creating new ones in this similarly transformative time. And we honor those women whose courage to risk home, life, and reputation set the stage for the leaders of today to follow in their footsteps.

A new generation of women is now upon the stage, improving the increased opportunities furnished for the acquirement of knowledge, said Lucretia Mott in 1849, foretelling a message that rings true today.
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Sewerage Systems Ghana Limited (SSGL), a subsidiary of the Jospong Group of Companies, has secured a 76-million euros credit facility to build a faecal waste treatment plant and also expand the sewerage management system in Tema in the Greater Accra Region.



The project, which is expected to begin this year, is meant to address the challenges that improper faecal waste disposal pose to residents of Tema.



The Managing Director of SSGL, Mr Haidar Said, who made this known in Accra yesterday, said the amount was sourced from the companys foreign partners and other export banks.



He said the company was currently consulting with the government to receive its commitment, after which the sod would be cut for work to begin on the project.



Ministers tour



Mr Said made this known when the Senior Minister, Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, paid a working visit to SSGL to have first-hand knowledge of its operations.



The SSGL operates the Lavender Hill Faecal and the Mudor Waste Water treatment plants.



The two plants cost $80 million and jointly employ 300 people directly, with 1,000 others as indirect employees.



Mr Said and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Jospong Group of Companies, Mr Joseph Siaw Agyapong, conducted the minister round the facility.



Tema project



Regarding the Tema sewage project, Mr Said explained that the faecal treatment plant would be constructed from scratch, while obsolete sewage systems in Tema would be rehabilitated and expanded.



"The Tema sewage system was built in the 1960s for 20,000 residents. However, with the population now standing about 200,000, there is the need to rehabilitate and expand it to meet the current capacity of residents," he said.



He said the companys focus was on establishing waste treatment plants in major regional capitals in the country.



He said the SSGL would inaugurate the Kumasi sewage system by November this year, while efforts were being made to replicate the Kumasi sewage system in Takoradi and Tamale.



"When all these plants are established, 1,500 direct jobs will be created," he said.



Government support



While commending the Jospong Group for its lead role in waste management, Mr Osafo-Maafo urged it to keep on deploying innovative waste management technologies in the country.



He assured SSGL that the government would provide it with the necessary support to boost its operational capacity and improve its waste management systems.



He said since the Jospong Group was providing a service that would help the government meet its ambition of making the country clean, the company would be assisted with the needed resources to enable it to operate effectively.



I want to assure you that the government will provide the necessary financial support to ensure that this company is viable and comfortable. We want you to replicate the waste management systems in Kumasi, Tamale, Takoradi and other regional capitals, he said.

Source: Graphiconline.com









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The Cross River Police Command has arrested 11 persons during an initiation into a cult at Bishop Moynag Avenue, State Housing, Calabar. The...

The Cross River Police Command has arrested 11 persons during an initiation into a cult at Bishop Moynag Avenue, State Housing, Calabar.

The command Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Ugbo, said in a statement in Calabar on Sunday that the suspects were nine men and two women.

He said that the suspects were arrested on August 14 through human and tactical intelligence information deployed by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abdulkadir Jimoh.

Ugbo said that the suspects were arrested by operatives from the Special Anti Robbery Squad and officers from the Federal Housing Police Division.

On Aug. 14, 2020, a team of SARS operatives and men from the Federal Housing Police Division through intelligence from the Commissioner of Police swung into action and arrested 11 suspected cultists during initiation.

Items recovered from them include talking drum, wooden guns, two kegs of concoction and a bottle of Gordon drink.

The suspects confessed to the crime. The investigation is still ongoing to unravel other cult members.

To this, he ends, the Commissioner of Police once again warned all members of any cult groups or anyone having intention to engage in any cult-related activities to desist from such.

The police command said its Operation Murky Waters was still ongoing and was determined to neutralize all illegal activities and those behind them.

Ugbo, however, enjoined peace-loving residents of Cross River to go about their normal businesses without fear of any kind.
A number of women experience excruciating pain and cramps when they menstruate. Some to the extent that they cant focus on work. A popular food aggregator recently announced a yearly 10-day period leave for women working in their company. This sparked a debate about whether it would help normalise menstruation and emphasise that women are indeed the weaker sex.

Actor Maanvi Gagroo, who feels it is a good move, says, Itll help in normalising periods and period talk. I strongly believe that its important to create an environment of healthy coexistence rather than denying the difference completely. While it may deepen bias in people who are already biased, I feel the same argument can be applied against maternity leave as well, which weve now come to accept and rightly so. In fact, if anything, pregnancy is a choice, menstruation isnt.

Maanvi Gagroo says period leaves will help in normalising periods and period talk. (Photo: Instagram)

Gagroo agrees that one of the major arguments against period leave has been the worry of further segregation and biases while hiring female employees. She points out that she would have loved to see a more wholesome move like having a corporate mandate to employ a certain number of women etc.

Agreeing that this is a step in the right direction, actor Mona Singh says, It is a necessity. If men had periods, I am sure there would be 10 national holidays a year (laughs)! Mona adds that women dont talk enough about how painful periods can be for some of them. She says, It is also comforting to stay at home when you are bleeding. Women shouldnt feel ashamed of menstruating, neither should it diminish her confidence. It also should not make working women feel weak while availing the leave. This step will help remove the taboo around menstruation.

Mona Singh says that women shouldnt feel ashamed of menstruating. (Photo: Instagram)

Actor Shriya Pilgaonkar asserts that every woman has a different experience during her period, so one cant generalise the discussion. She says, I feel, giving the option of taking a period leave is just being sensitive and respecting the fact that every woman reacts to their menstrual cycle in a different way.

Shriya Pilgaonkar says giving the option of taking a period leave is just an act of being sensitive.

Actor Kubbra Sait wants to normalise periods and hopes period leave isnt seen as a privilege, as women, like men, know how to deliver at work. Menstruation is a taboo. Its time we normalise it. Period leave isnt a concession or an excuse to empower women. But we go back ages when we seek empowerment through exemptions. Today, we have what it takes to get to work, irrespective of what day of the month it is. So, we should be treated like any man who knows what it takes for him to get to work, irrespective of what day of the month it

is. We should be treated as equals, she concludes

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 18:07:57|Editor: huaxia

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DHAKA, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves have soared past 37.7 billion U.S. dollars amid the COVID-19 pandemic, helped by a robust growth in inflow of Eid remittances, central bank data showed recently.

According to the provisional Bangladesh Bank (BB) data, forex exchange reserves rose to 37,743.59 million U.S. dollars on Aug. 12.

A bank official said this is the highest level of forex reserves Bangladesh has ever held.

Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves reached a record high of 37.2 billion U.S. dollars by the end of July, the central bank data showed.

The BB Forex Reserve and Treasury Management Department official attributed the robust rise in foreign currency reserves to the steady remittance growth ahead of Muslim Eid al-Adha festival and the slump in import bills due to COVID-19 that made businesses in the country sluggish in the recent months.

The BB data showed that millions of Bangladeshis living and working abroad sent home 2.6 billion U.S. dollars in remittances in July, a new monthly record.

Experts said the current reserve level is good enough to support Bangladesh's resilience to external odds, as well as to maintain macroeconomic stability in light of the unabated COVID-19 outbreak.

According to the figure reported by the DGHS under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in the country totaled 274,525, while fatalities stood at 3,625. Enditem
Senior BJP leader and Union minister for electronics and information technology and communications, Ravi Shankar Prasad, on Sunday launched a counter attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for alleging that the BJP and RSS spread fake news and hatred using social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp to influence the electorate.

Prasad said that Gandhis party had no locus standi to question the BJP given previous allegations of Congress having used online platforms to influence elections in India.

Losers who cannot influence people even in their own party keep cribbing that the entire world is controlled by BJP and RSS. You were caught red-handed in alliance with Cambridge Analytica and Facebook to weaponise data before the elections and now have the gall to question us?, Prasad tweeted in response to Gandhi.

In 2018, UK based Cambridge Analytica was at the centre of a controversy linked to Facebook data breach of around 50 million users in the US to benefit Donald Trumps presidential campaign in 2016. Christopher Wylie, the Cambridge Analytica whistleblower had told British lawmakers that he believed the Congress party in India was a client of the company at the regional level.

Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had referred to a WSJ report quoting unnamed sources to claim that the social media giant had been lenient on alleged hate speeches by BJP leaders in order to protect their business prospects in India.

Also Read: Report on Facebooks leniency to BJP members communal posts causes row

BJP and RSS control Facebook & Whatsapp in India. They spread fake news and hatred through it and use it to influence the electorate. Finally, the American media has come out with the truth about Facebook, Rahuls tweet had said.

The WSJ cited interviews with unnamed Facebook insiders to suggest that the companys senior official and India policy executive Ankhi Das had intervened in internal content review processes to stop a ban on BJPs Telangana MLA T Raja Singh, who made communally charged posts targeting the Muslim community.

The report claimed that Das, told staff members that punishing violations by politicians from Mr. Modis party would damage the companys business prospects in the country.

Facebook has, however, denied the claims made in the WSJ report and stated that it adopts a uniform policy on hate speeches across the world irrespective of the party, position or stature of the individual or organization involved.

The BJP, too, responded to the report and said the party didnt approve of the comment made by Telangana MLA and disassociates itself with comments that call for violence or are not in line with the partys official stance.

Prasad in fact asked Rahul Gandhi if he had condemned the recent communal violence in Bengaluru?

The fact is that today access to information and freedom of expression has been democratized. It is no longer controlled by retainers of your family and that is why it hurts. Btw, havent yet heard your condemnation of the Bangalore riots. Where did your courage disappear?, Prasad asked in his second tweet addressed to Gandhi.

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi lands another jibe over China, its a comment on PM Modi

Members of the minority community were involved in incidents of violence late on August 7 in Bengaluru over an offending social media post allegedly put out by Congress MLA Srinivasa Murthys kin, who has since claimed that his account was hacked.

Three people had died and scores were injured in the Bengaluru riots that also included an attack on the local Congress MLAs house. He had to flee to save his life from rioters. The BJP has accused the Congress of appeasing one community by not condemning the riots.
Saudi-led coalition involved in a war in Yemen announced on Sunday the interception of a missile launched by Houthis towards the kingdom's southern region, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

The coalition's Spokesperson Col. Turki Al Maliki said that the missile was launched on Sunday afternoon towards civilians and civilian sites, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

On Saturday, the coalition destroyed some bomb-laden drones launched in Yemen's capital city Sanaa.

On August 13, the coalition intercepted a drone and two missiles launched by Houthis towards Saudi border city Khamis Mushait.
SIGANGENI  Traditionally, a mans riches are measured by the number of cattle he owns, but what happens when they are stolen?

In the past five months, over 100 cattle belonging to various homesteads have been stolen at Sigangeni. The most recent victim of cattle rustling is a farmer who preferred to be referred to as Dlamini, who lost 42 cattle this year alone. The farmer, who previously owned more than 100 cattle before they were stolen, highlighted that this was not the first time his livestock had been stolen.

Dlamini said last year, he lost eight cattle to theft . Even in 2018, the farmer revealed that cattle rustlers stole three of his animals.

He revealed that the cattle rustlers targeted the livestock when grazing in the mountains during the day. He said this was usually when they (cattle) were not under the supervision of herd boy.

Contemplated

This is a huge blow to us and it has affected us greatly because livestock, as we know, is an investment and wealth to emaSwati. Cattle can be used as a business as well, the farmer said.

He further lamented that it was unfortunate that he had lost almost half of his cattle in only a year. When he was asked if he contemplated tightening security to avoid his cattle being stolen again, he said; What more security can you have apart from hiring a herd boy? The truth of the matter is that even the herd boy cannot work 24 hours, Dlamini said.

He also mentioned that another option was to have ear tags, which were costly. The tags provide some form of identification number or code for the animal.

The farmer divulged that each cow cost E4 000.

This means he had lost over the equivalent of E150 000 for the 42 cattle that were stolen since the beginning of the year.

Another farmer from a Mavuso family said they lost 12 cattle in March. The farmer suspected that his cattle were stolen during the day when they were grazing in the fields.

It was during the evening at around 6pm when my herd boy was driving them to the cattle byre, when he noticed that some were missing. He then informed me and it was the most devastating news, Mavuso shared.

He added that as a new farmer, he was mostly affected and he even contemplated quitting the industry. He said this was because cattle rustling was quickly becoming a daily occurrence in the area.

It is out of control here and thieves take as much as they want. I suspect that they take these cattle to nearby countries such as South Africa, Mozambique and Lesotho, the farmer said.

Mciniseli Mabaso, a liSwati who rears cattle for subsistence purposes, revealed that he got 15 cattle in 2016 as lobola from his son-in-law.

He stated that some of his cattle gave birth and his livestock multiplied. It is unfortunate that three were first stolen in January this year and another six in April, he revealed.

The farmer said as a liSwati man who believed that a true mans wealth lay in his livestock, this destroyed him. He said it was unfortunate that even police could not assist them promptly in this regard.

Another farmer who requested to remain anonymous said they were fighting a losing battle with rustlers who targeted their livestock. He said from March until now, he had lost 28 cattle from his 68.

We are really concerned as farmers because this is done by the very people we live with in the community.

This derails our progress and we are left with no choice but to arm ourselves and hit back, he said.

Meanwhile, Sifiso Matsebula, another farmer in the area, said they were slowly losing all their livestock despite reporting the theft to the police. In some instances, the culprits are people who live in the area.

They know us and study the patterns of driving the cattle in and out of the byres or target them when they are grazing without the presence of their herd boys, he suspected.

Security

He further stated that the cattle were then transported out of the country, into South Africa. When they (thieves) reached the border, Matsebula suspected that they studied the shifts of members of the armed security forces.

The farmer said the thieves would then illegally drive the livestock into the neighbouring country.

He said the cattle were then sold to some businessmen who had farms in the neighbouring country.

Sigangeni Headman Charles Mhlanga attested to that cattle theft cases were becoming rife in the area.

I would like to urge community members to ensure that they take their cattle back home before they sleep. This will help them easily detect if they are missing, Mhlanga said.

He noted that some cattle farmers left their livestock to graze in the fields for days without returning home, and this was another factor which contributed to them being easily stolen.

Mhlanga said there were other crimes such as burglaries which were happening in the area. The headman said it was then a challenge to track where the cattle were taken to because of the coronavirus pandemic which made travelling almost impossible.

He said the cattle were then rebranded in the neighbouring countries, to conceal their identities.

He partly attributed the crime to the youth, who are idle and without jobs. He added that laziness was another aspect which young people were faced with.

We are working on these crime-related issues and have even identified some suspects, Mhlanga said.
Sure, it might be warm Wednesday, but what about the rest of the week?
- DIlG Secretary Eduardo Ano once again tested positive for coronavirus after having a supposed previous bout with the disease

- The results of the test were released on Sunday and the Interior Secretary revealed that he felt symptoms on August 13

- Some of the symptoms that the Secretary felt were body pains and sore throat

- The next day, he underwent a swab test and he also went through a self-quarantine

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The country's Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano tested positive for COVID-19 again.

He felt the symptoms on August 13, had himself tested the following day and his results came out on Saturday evening, GMA News reported.

"Last night, August 15, I received my test result informing me that I am once again positive for COVID-19. In the meantime, I am being closely monitored by my doctors while I am in isolation," said Ano.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Source: UGC

He also appealed to those who came in close contact with him to self-quarantine.

"I make this announcement to call the attention of all persons I had close contact with to go on self-quarantine, observe any symptoms in accordance with DOH guidelines, and take appropriate action," said in a statement.

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The government faced problems when they imposed the initial community quarantine, which was elevated into enhanced community quarantine. It also suspended transportation causing massive problems with commuters.

Doctors have died after being infected by COVID-19. They are among the frontliners who attend to the patients rushing to hospitals amid pandemic.

The COVID-19 outbreak started out in Wuhan, Hubei Province of China. Scientists believed that the virus came from an animal at one of Wuhan's wet markets. The Philippines has slowly eased quarantine measures and Filipinos are starting to adapt to the new normal.

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Coronavirus Testing in US Falls for 1st Time, Data Show

By VOA News August 15, 2020

The number of confirmed coronavirus tests conducted in the U.S. each day has fallen for the first time, despite calls from some public health and federal officials to significantly ramp up testing in the U.S., as it continues to lead the world in infections and COVID-19 deaths.

Figures from the COVID Tracking Project, which describes itself as "a collaborative volunteer-run effort" to track the outbreak in the country, show that reported daily tests have trended lower for much of the past two weeks.

Statistics from the project, a widely-used source of information by the White House and others, show about 733,000 people in the U.S. have been tested daily in August, fewer than some 750,000 the month before. The seven-day average plummeted to 709,000 on Monday before inching higher at the end of the week.

The decline, which occurred after months of increases in testing, may be linked to fewer people seeking tests as confirmed cases have leveled off following spikes this summer and people opting out of testing due to long wait times and delays in getting results.

As of Saturday, there were more than 21 million COVID-19 cases worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than 5.3 million cases were in the U.S., followed only by Brazil, with 3.2 million.

"I think it's fair to say we really have not distinguished ourselves in a positive way by how we responded to the crisis when it was upon us," U.S. Senator Mitt Romney said Friday. "And the proof of the pudding of that is simply that we have five percent of the world's population but 25 percent of the world's deaths due to COVID-19," the Republican senator from Utah added in an interview with the Sutherland Institute, a conservative public policy think tank located in Salt Lake City.

In South Korea, more stringent social distancing restrictions were announced Saturday in Seoul and surrounding areas, where coronavirus cases have surged following successful efforts contain its spread.

Beginning Sunday, nightclubs, movie theaters and other high-risk places will be closed if they do not enforce preventive measures.

In Spain, dozens of people in Barcelona's Torre Baro community were tested for COVID-19 Saturday after a spike in cases in the working-class neighborhood. Health officials hope to identify asymptomatic cases in hard-hit areas to break any chains of transmission.

Also, in Italy, the cruise ship MSC Grandiosa will begin a voyage to the Mediterranean on Sunday, after it and four other cruise ships were idled by the coronavirus pandemic in Civitavecchia, one of the world's busiest ports.

The five ships can hold a total of 26,000 people. The four other ships will also resume operations soon, positioning Italy as the epicenter of an effort to resume cruises worldwide.

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Linkedin Rizki Fachriansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, August 16, 2020 16:58 521 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e7353f 1 National online-learning,Kitabisa,kitabisa-com,fundraising,crowdfunding,belajar-daring,remote-learning,wifi-hotspot,COVID-19,pandemic Free

Amid the slew of technological and financial limitations that come with online learning, several local communities across Java have taken it upon themselves to provide students with free access to electronic gadgets and internet connectivity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Karang Taruna Petamburan, a youth organization in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, for instance, has collaborated with nongovernmental organization Indonesia Resilience (IRES) and crowdfunding platform Kitabisa to open makeshift learning centers equipped with smart devices and wireless networks that local students are able to access for free, under the supervision of adult volunteers.

The learning centers, established at the At-Tawadhu mushola and Berase Art Studio, are expected to ensure a more seamless online learning experience for local elementary, junior high and high school students.

We call them Rumah Kembali Belajar [Learn Again Home], Kitabisa program manager Satria said in a statement on Thursday. The initiative is the result of our concerns regarding the learning situation amid the pandemic, especially among students whose parents are informal workers.

On-site volunteers are present to ensure strict adherence to health protocols among students over the course of the daily learning period, which runs from 6.30 a.m. to 2 p.m., from Monday to Friday, he said.

Every part of the society has a right to education whatever the circumstances, IRES executive director Hari said.

Read also: EXCLUSIVE: Kids feel lonely amid extended remote learning period, Nadiem says

Similarly, internet cafes and popular haunts in Yogyakarta have also provided free internet access to local students during the online learning period, courtesy of the fundraising campaign that can be accessed at kitabisa.com/bisasekolah.

One local initiative has taken the innovative approach of providing mobile internet access aboard a vintage Volkswagen van that regularly goes around a number of villages across the region.

Dubbed VW Combi Internet Keliling, the van broadcasts a wireless internet signal as it drives around Sleman regency and Klaten regency from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A survey conducted by the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) in April involving 1,700 students and 602 teachers in 54 cities and regencies found that 42 percent of students could not afford internet packages, making it difficult for them to make video calls with their teachers.
The CB-CID police probing the death of suspected Sri Lankan gangster Angoa Lokka here have approached the island nation's government through diplomatic channels for DNA samples to establish his identity.

The department has written to the Sri Lankan government to secure the fingerprints of Lokka and DNA samples of his parents so that cross matching can be carried out to confirm the identity, police sources said.

The investigating agency has managed to lift some fingerprints from the house, where Lokka stayed in the city, and once the blood samples of his parents living in the neighbouring country are collected the process of identification would be expedited, they said.

Three people have been arrested by the CB-CID in connection with fabrication of documents to get an Aadhar card for Lokka, who was staying here for the last two years till his recent death, in the name of Pradeep Singh.

The issue came to light when the Sri Lankan underworld don died allegedly of cardiac arrest on July 3 in the city and the body was taken to Madurai and cremated the next day after postmortem. CB-CID has formed seven teams to investigate the case, particularly on two issues  whether the dead man was actually the gangster and forgery of the documents.
Con i contagi tornati ai livelli di maggio, continuano a spiccare i dati delle Regioni del Nord (Lombardia e Veneto su tutte, ieri anche Emilia Romagna), ma i nuovi casi sono molto piu diffusi tra le varie Regioni italiane rispetto ai tempi in cui il 70% e oltre si verificava in Lombardia.

Preoccupa la situazione nel Lazio, dove ieri e stato raggiungo un nuovo picco di 58 contagi. Di questi, oltre la meta d'importazione o riguardanti giovani di rientro dalle vacanze. Sette di rientro da Malta, sette dalla Romania, quattro dalla Spagna, sei dalla Grecia (4 da Corfu), tre dalla Croazia, due dalla Bielorussia e uno dall'Albania, fa sapere la Regione.

E l'assessore alla Sanita Alessio D'amato lancia l'allarme: "Siamo tornati ai livelli di maggio, se continua cosi si rischia di pregiudicare l'apertura delle scuole in sicurezza. Occorre il rispetto delle misure di prevenzione, lo stop agli assembramenti e l'uso di mascherine nei luoghi di maggior frequentazione. E occorre la limitazione dei viaggi nelle zone a rischio".

"Trovo assurdo - continua - che c'e chi si diverte ballando in discoteca, negando l'esistenza del Covid e senza misure di prevenzione, mentre i nostri operatori trascorrono il Ferragosto e fare tamponi a 40 gradi con le tute di protezione per difendere la salute di tutti. Basta ipocrisie, o ci mettiamo in testa che non dobbiamo abbassare la guardia oppure i rischi sono molto elevati".

Le discoteche all'aperto nel Lazio restano tuttavia aperte, ma da oggi sono partiti all'aeroporto di Fiumicino i test per chi arriva dai 4 Paesi finiti nel mirino dell'ordinanza del ministero della Salute. Sono 40 gli operatori nel principale scalo romano, 120 quelli coinvolti nei drive in sparsi sul territorio regionale.

 Riproduzione riservata

(Unioneonline/L)
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- Even if China's consumers are still willing to buy some products, companies lack confidence to shell out cash marketing to them.

Take a look at Baidu Inc. which just reported second-quarter numbers. The results were bad. But more than anything, they highlight how this disconnect is playing out in the technology sector.

Chinas biggest search-engine operator posted a 3% drop in revenue at its core business  chiefly search advertising. Some analysts and reporters saw that as a win, having played into a classic sandbag and spin strategy  lower expectations, then when bad numbers come in, pretend theyre actually good. So let me reiterate: Baidus numbers are not good. And theyre about to get worse with third-quarter revenue forecast to decline once more.

Set that against NetEase Inc., which also reported overnight. Like Tencent Holdings Ltd., its bread and butter is gaming, which saw solid growth during the June period. Its revenue in that category climbed 21%, not as good as Tencents 40%, but quite decent in the middle of an economic slump.

There is growth outside gaming, too. Lenovo Group Ltd., which reported Thursday, managed a 17% rise in China sales, driven by demand for PCs and servers (to play games, perhaps?). Smartphones slumped, however, with various research firms noting a double-digit decline in shipments. Interestingly though, Huawei Technologies Co. and Apple Inc. posted solid growth  which is significant because these two brands tend to offer some of the highest-priced models in the market.

One easy explanation is nesting: People just want to stay home and spend money on activities there. But I think over the next few months well see that this doesnt tell the whole story.

NetEase, Tencent and Lenovo benefit from having something that they can sell directly to the consumer  and in the second quarter it was clear there were people willing to buy at least some categories of products. Baidu and others in the ad business, meanwhile, rely on brands having the confidence to spend money, believing that sales will roll in later. Tencent highlights this split with revenue from media advertising  placed on its content platforms  slumping 25% for a fifth straight decline.

Story continues

Baidu itself cut its own marketing budget. At iQiyi Inc., its video-streaming subsidiary, membership revenue grew 19% (showing that theres more eyeballs on the platform) but ad sales dropped 28%.

As we continue through earnings season, investors may want to keep an eye out for which companies have a direct relationship with consumers, and which merely rely on brands having the confidence to spend money and pitch to them.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Tim Culpan is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering technology. He previously covered technology for Bloomberg News.

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion

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Expanded mental health clinics will be established across Melbourne and regional centres to support Victorians amid the coronavirus-induced recession, tough social isolation measures and rising unemployment.

There has been a sharp increase in the number of Victorians presenting to hospital with self-harm issues in recent weeks, with the biggest spike among young people  a 33 per cent rise compared with the same period last year.

There has been a sharp increase in the number of Victorians presenting to hospital with self-harm issues. Credit:iStock

The federal government will on Monday announce $27 million of funding to go towards a mix of 15 existing GP clinics, Headspace centres and other community sites across the state.

The clinics will have additional staff who are trained in mental health, such as mental health nurses, social workers, alcohol and drug workers, and psychologists.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, patients suffering from critical diseases like cancer and those requiring surgeries are delaying hospital visits, thus endangering their health and even risking their lives.

Doctors say they have even lost patients who could have survived or their situation salvaged had they reported to hospitals in time.

Dr Mandeep S Malhotra, Head of Department - Head, Neck and Breast Oncoplasty at Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj, said two of his patients -- an IAS officer and an IT consultant, both aged 45 -- had palpable breast lumps in March. Due to fear of COVID-19, they neither reported to the hospital nor to their gynaecologists or family doctors and are now in Stage 4 of breast cancer.

For latest updates and live news on coronavirus, click here

He also shared another case of a 42-year-old patient who had a relapse of cancer around April while he was in his hometown Dehradun.

"He had recovered from oral cancer but during lockdown period, he had a nodal recurrence. He sent me a picture and I asked him to come back. I told him he can come back after getting required permission. He came back after three months and by then the main artery that supplies blood to the brain was involved. Earlier this week, he succumbed to cancer," Malhotra said.

The senior doctor said cancer progresses in no time from Stage 2 to Stage 4 without timely treatment and if patients report early, they can be discharged in less time and the treatment costs are lower in comparison to critical state when the costs escalate and there is a greater risk involved.

Doctors say patients are even delaying simple surgeries like gall bladder stone removal which could lead to major issues in the long run.

According to Dr Manoj Sharma, senior consultant, medicine and incharge at Medeor Hospital, Qutub Institutional Area, delaying treatment is not the right option. He said hospitals are taking all precautions and adopting all hygienic practices.

Sharma said one of his patients had reported to him about a liver abscess around April but did not return to the hospital after that.

CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL COVERAGE ONLY ON DH

"Ultimately his infection increased and he ended up in a critical condition and after surgery had to stay in hospital for a week. Had he continued treatment when he was diagnosed, he could have been discharged in two days," he said.

Sharma said patients are not reaching out and consulting doctors which is leading to situations like these and opined that people will have to learn to live with coronavirus.

Dr Chandragouda Dodagoudar, director of medical oncology at Aakash Healthcare in Dwarka, shared a case of a 65-year-old patient who had stage 2 lymphoma. The patient first visited the health facility in March and was advised chemotherapy but was very apprehensive due to the coronavirus disease.

"The patient delayed the treatment for two and a half months and took alternative medicines and when that medication did not work and she started having pain, she visited the hospital. She had contracted COVID-19 by then and the lymphoma had progressed from Stage 2 to Stage 4. We could not administer chemotherapy while she was undergoing COVID treatment," he said.

The doctor said after the patient recovered from coronavirus, she was administered a slight dose of chemotherapy and became better and was discharged. But after a month, she had a relapse of COVID and ended up in a critical condition and succumbed last month.

The doctor said delaying treatment led to wastage of time and the patient's condition could have been salvaged had she got timely treatment since she did not have other co-morbidities.
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An event is scheduled outside the building of the Belarusian Embassy in Ukraine.

A rally is under way in Kyiv on Sunday to show solidarity with protesters in Belarus.

A popular assembly (viche) is now taking place on Mykhailivska Square, then its participants will march along the central streets of the capital to the building of the Embassy of Belarus, according to an UNIAN correspondent.

Read alsoProtesters in Belarus to hold largest march of freedom on Sunday

They will walk along the following route: Mykhailivska Square  Bohdana Khmelnytskoho Street  Mykhaila Kotsyubynskoho Street,

As of 12:20 p.m. Kyiv time, about 70 people were taking part in the viche. Citizens of Belarus and representatives of the Belarusian community in Ukraine were among them.

Activists took the floor, addressing the public; they expressed dissatisfaction with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's policy, dubbing him a 'dictator.'

Also, some activists were holding portraits of Lukashenko with his face covered with blood.

The speakers called on the international community to help stop the violence against civilians in Belarus and urged Lukashenko to resign.

Belarus protests: Developments
CINCINNATI - At least 18 people were shot, including four killed, as gunfire erupted in several places around the city overnight, authorities said Sunday.

Officers responded just after 12:30 a.m. Sunday to the Avondale neighbourhood and found 21-year-old Antonio Blair with gunshot wounds, police said in a statement. He was taken to University Hospital and died there, they said. Three other gunshot victims were also taken to the hospital.

At about 2:15 a.m., officers responded to a report of gunfire in the Over-the-Rhine neighbourhood where 10 people were shot, police said. One died at the scene and another at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center; they were identified in a statement as 34-year-old Robert Rogers and 30-year-old Jaquiez Grant.

Three people were shot at about midnight Saturday in the Walnut Hills neighbourhood, about a block away from the Harriet Beecher Stowe house, police said.

News outlets reported the shootings took place within 60 to 90 minutes of each other, but Assistant Police Chief Paul Neudigate told reporters that they seem to be separate independent incidents but horrific and tragic.

Police didnt immediately provide details about the fourth fatal shooting but confirmed that it occurred on the citys West End, where television news reports indicated that one person was shot later Sunday morning and was pronounced dead at the scene.

No suspect information was immediately available in any of the cases.

One extremely violent night in the city of Cincinnati, Neudigate had said before the fourth shooting was announced. Why? Thats going to be the question.

Cincinnatis police chief later Sunday called the level of violence unacceptable.

I am calling on all citizens of this great city to say enough is enough! We must not sit by silently and say we cant do anything to end gun violence, Chief Eliot Isaac said in a statement. We all have a moral obligation to stop the violence and stop the killing in our communities.

Police said the department would shift officers from other assignments to beef up the number of uniformed officers in the affected communities and would call on federal prosecutors and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to focus on repeat shooters and aggressively bring illegal gun charges.

Mayor John Cranley called it senseless gun violence that ruined lives and will cause immeasurable suffering at a time the city was facing unprecedented circumstances and challenges in fighting crime during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the city has seen an uptick as people gather in private homes and public places when the bars close.

Guns are far too prevalent at these gatherings. Please do not attend gatherings because you could end up as an innocent victim, he said in a statement.

He stressed, however, that those firing were responsible for the shootings  which he called attempted or actual murder  and vowed to bring them to justice.

I am also calling on everyone to help put an end this culture of resolving personal disputes with guns as well as to reduce the far too prevalent availability of illegal guns on our streets, he said. The very sad reality is people are getting in trouble when they have nowhere to go and nothing to do.

In July, the Enquirer reported that the city had experienced a rise in shootings and homicides from gun violence during the first half of the year as compared to the same time period in 2019.
Brenda Cienfuegos recently became a United States citizen. Now, she is eager to exercise her new rights as an American.

Born in El Salvador, Cienfuegos came legally to the U.S. in 2010. She registered to vote right after her U.S. citizenship ceremony in Pennsylvania earlier this year.

The mother of two told VOA that voting gives Latinos like her a voice.

Cienfuegos demurred when asked which candidate she plans to support in the November presidential election.

Like I learned in my country, my vote is secret," she said. "But what can I tell you? Im going to support the candidate who better supports the Latino community.

Cienfuegos is part of a growing cohort of new citizens taking part in the countrys democratic process. U.S. Census records suggest that more than 23 million naturalized citizens will be able to vote in the 2020 elections. The Pew Research Center says that represents about 10 percent of the electorate.

The political power of naturalized Americans is recognized by many different political groups.

Mike Madrid is cofounder of the Lincoln Project, a political action committee of Republican Party activists who oppose President Donald Trump. Madrid says that naturalized citizens have a greater likelihood to vote than native-born citizens. He added that they are a much more pro-immigrant voting bloc, being immigrants themselves.

Supporters of Trump say they, too, are reaching out to Americans born in other lands.

We recognized the importance of engaging every American citizen , including those who are naturalized citizens, said Yali Nunez, the Republican National Committees Director of Hispanic Media.

Naturalized citizens highly likely to vote

The Pew Research Center reports that Latinos and Asians make up nearly two-thirds of new citizens who can vote this year.

Pew found that 53 percent of naturalized Latinos and 52 percent of naturalized Asians voted in 2016. That is compared to 46 percent of native-born Latinos and 45 percent of native-born Asians.

The top countries from which new voters originated are Mexico, the Philippines, India and China.

In North Carolina, Juliana Cabrales is with the NALEO Educational Fund, a nonpartisan group that supports Latino civic activities. She says political parties need to continue communicating with new Americans all the time, not just in election years.

In the past, parties would take Latinos for granted, as never voting or always voting one way," Cabrales said. "As an organization, we actively ask political parties to engage Latinos.

Cabrales noted that presidential campaigns actively reach out to new Americans in politically competitive states, but often overlook them in the rest of the country.

She said: Latinos that live in California, in New York, in Texas are often forgotten

Appealing to many

Opinion surveys and information from recent elections suggest that immigrant voters often support Democratic Party candidates. That does not surprise some Republicans.

Brendan Steinhauser is a Texas-based Republican adviser. He told VOA that some statements by top party officials have caused people to think that Republicans do not welcome immigrants even if they come legally to the United States.

Steinhauser has worked for Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn. He said Cornyn has regularly sent aides to attend naturalization ceremonies in Texas.

Steinhauser said the senator received a lot of support from Hispanic voters. He added that, in the future, appealing to new citizens will be important for the two main political parties.

He said that parties will have to appeal to many different groups across America.

A party that doesn't do that will not have a future in this country," he said.

Im Mario Ritter, Jr.

Aline Barros reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter Jr. adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

eager  adj. very interested

demur  v. to refuse a request

cohort  n. a group of people who have something in common

bloc  n. a group of people connected by common goals

originate  v. to have a beginning; to create

non-partisan  adj. free from party or political ties

take...for granted  v. (phrasal) to believe something is true without knowing that is the case
Emirates will be operating a one-off A380 service to Clark International Airport on 19 August 19, marking the first commercial flight, utilising an A380 aircraft, to operate to Clark, Philippines.

The special flight will help to meet the demand for flights to and from the Philippines, especially serving passengers from the metro Manila and the surrounding Luzon areas and beyond.

The Emirates A380 service will operate as EK 2520 and EK 338, departing Dubai at 0240hrs and arriving at Clark at 1530hrs. The flight will depart Clark at 1820hrs, arriving in Dubai at 2245hrs on the same day.

Orhan Abbas, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations - Far East, Emirates, said: We are proud to fly our first scheduled A380 service to Clark, in the year we are celebrating our 30th anniversary of serving the Philippines. Emirates has shared a long-standing relationship with the country and our commitment to it and our customers remains stronger than ever.

We would like to thank the authorities in the Philippines for supporting us throughout the years. We resumed scheduled passenger services to Clark on August 1 with six weekly flights and have since been witnessing tremendous demand from customers in the UAE and other cities within our network to travel to the Philippines. In addition to marking a milestone and making its debut to Clark, the highly-popular Emirates A380 aircraft will accommodate more travellers on the flight, while allowing them to experience its unique features and safety protocols we have put in place to protect our customers and crew.

Emirates has been serving the Philippines since 1990 and inaugurated its first service to Clark in 2016. In 2014, the Emirates A380 made a one-off trip to Manila, marking its first arrival in the Philippines. Since the resumption of flights to Clark earlier this month, Emirates has seen a huge demand on its six weekly fights, as well as its daily flights between Dubai and Manila. On August 20, Emirates will resume its operations to Cebu.

The much-loved aircraft took to the skies again in July, and now serves destinations including London Heathrow, Paris, Cairo and Guangzhou. Its network will grow further on August 16 with scheduled A380 services to Toronto.

With safety as a priority, Emirates is gradually expanding its passenger services to 74 cities in August, allowing travellers to connect safely and conveniently to the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia Pacific via Dubai. Customers from Emirates network can stop over or travel to Dubai as the city has re-opened for international business and leisure visitors. Covid-19 PCR tests are mandatory for all inbound and transit passengers arriving to Dubai (and the UAE), including UAE citizens, residents and tourists, irrespective of the country they are coming from. - TradeArabia News Service
A shooting in Cincinnati left two people dead and nine others wounded, the deadliest of four shootings late on Saturday and early on Sunday in the city, the police said.

In total, four people were killed and 15 wounded in the violence. The shootings were believed to be unrelated, Assistant Chief Paul Neudigate of the Cincinnati Police Department said.

Officers responded at 2:15 a.m. to the scene of the shooting that killed two in the citys Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene and a second person was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he died, the police said.

Those killed were identified as Robert Rogers, 34, and Jaquiez Grant, 30.

Three other shootings occurred within hours of one another: One left three people wounded; another left three wounded and one dead; and another left one person dead.
By Emanuel Pastreich





Emanuel Pastreich
ACFS Perth celebrates Cubas national Day of Revelry!

The Australia-Cuba Friendship Society (ACFS) Perth hosted its annual fundraising event with the now famous Shake Your Maraca for Cuba.

A sold-out event held on Saturday 8th August at the Spanish Club of WA, a cultural event with live music by Candela Band.

The group were welcomed by the MC who recounted the heroic events of 26th July, 1953 under the leadership of Fidel Castro. Those historic events are considered the spark of the Cuban revolution.

Despite the failure of the attacks on the Moncada barracks in Santiago de Cuba and the arrest, torture, and assassination of several of the young participants it developed into a powerful movement that overthrew the Batista dictatorship on 1st January 1959. ACFS also paid tribute to Fidels 94th birthday coming up on 13th August and the work of the Henry Reeve international medical brigades who have been nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize.

All the proceeds from the night will go to the Children allergy unit in the hospital of Las Tunas, Cuba.

ACFS continues to demand the end of the US blockade on Cuba, the return of Guantanamo Bay to Cuba, and the end of all the economic sanctions and subversive actions against the people and government of Socialist Cuba.

CPA cadres support the work of the ACFS and work tirelessly in solidarity with Cuba and for the strengthening of the friendship between the peoples of Australia and Cuba.
VANCOUVER  A Joe Biden White House would benefit Canada as it grapples with mainland Chinas increasingly hostile foreign policy, analysts say.

Dan Ikenson, director of the Herbert A. Stiefel Centre for Trade Policy Studies at the Washington, D.C.-based Cato Institute, said Bidens stance on China and his desire to repair the international reputation of the United States will give Ottawa more leverage against Beijing.

What Biden is likely to do is to recognize if we have problems with China the best way to handle those problems is to have as many allies as possible on board paddling in the same direction, Ikenson said.

Canadas relations with mainland China have been in a downward spiral since the 2018 arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver at the request of the United States.

Beijing has since punished Canadian imports to the country and arrested two Canadians in China on what observers say are bogus espionage charges. It has sentenced four other Canadians convicted of drug offences there to death.

Canadas relations with Washington have also seen better days, with the Trump administration forcing the rewriting of the North American Free Trade Agreement into a new deal. The U.S. also reimposed import taxes on Canadian aluminum last week, prompting $3.8 billion in retaliatory tariffs from Ottawa.

But Biden would likely mend fences with Ottawa and other allies if elected, says Ikenson, adding strength to countering Beijings foreign policy.

Such a strategy could include dropping the aluminum import taxes and working together with Canada on technology security issues, such as telecommunications and even apps such as TikTok, he said.

We need to figure out a way to more clearly delineate technologies that are threatening to national security from those that are not, he said. Thats something I think can be achieved through coordination with the G7.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Trump claimed that Bidens stance on China is so weak that if he were to win the presidency this November Americans would be forced to learn Chinese.

But Ikenson said Biden and the Democrats have had a firm stance on China since the Obama administration. Democrats have also supported sanctions on Chinese Communist Party officials (CCP) in response to Beijings human rights abuses in Hong Kong and elsewhere.

During a Democratic primary debate this year, Biden said hes spent more time with Chinese president Xi Jinping than any other world leader and called him a thug.

Meanwhile, Bidens vice-presidential choice, U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, has spoken out against Chinas human rights abuses, including penning a letter with another senator asking the Trump administration to take action on revelations of a forced-sterilization program of Muslims in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region.

A unified voice would better safeguard Canadas interests when dealing with Beijing, agreed associate professor of global management at Ryerson University Sui Sui.

Sui told the Star if a more co-operative relationship existed between Canada and the U.S. when Meng was arrested in Vancouver, Washington may have employed more diplomatic actions to take responsibility for the arrest.

In turn, retaliation against Canada by China could have been mitigated, she said.

The U.S. didnt really deal with the media message with China well, so Chinas mad at Canada, Sui said.

She said co-operation between Ottawa and Washington could still work in getting the two Canadians detained on espionage charges, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, released.

Comments made by Trump shortly after Mengs arrest suggesting the U.S. was open to negotiating for her release likely made the situation worse for the two men, Sui said.

Margaret McCuaig-Johnston, a University of Ottawa professor and former civil servant assigned to Canada-China relations, said Biden would help Canada immensely if he kept up pressure on Beijing to reform business practices in China.

McCuaig-Johnston said trade negotiations between the U.S. and China were supposed to address business practices in mainland China, such as forcing companies to share their technology to get access to the Chinese market.

But, though the deal promised an action on such issues, there was no clear path to enforcement.

I think that Biden could get back to the business of getting China to focus on its business practices, she said. Thats what would really help American companies doing business in China and at the same time would help Canadian companies.

McCuaig-Johnston said Biden would offer a stable and rational approach to relations with Beijing.

Ikenson, meanwhile, said a tougher stance on China is going to continue from U.S. leaders no matter who wins in November. But he said Bidens approach will likely be most effective.

I think every freedom loving, democracy loving humanist loving democracy in the world should see any alternative to Donald Trump as progress, Ikenson said.

With files from the Associated Press

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President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with a former military ruler, Ibrahim Babangida, on his 79th birthday.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the president said he joins family, friends and associates to celebrate with the elder statesman.

As the former military leader turns a new age, the President believes his services to the country will always be remembered.

President Buhari prays that the Almighty God will continually strengthen Gen. Babangida, grant him good health and longer life, Mr Adesina said.

Similarly, Nigerias Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, also felicitated with Mr Babangida.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Ola Awoniyi, on Sunday, Mr Lawan said the retired general can be proud of his contributions to the defence of the territorial integrity, unity, political and sociology-economic development of Nigeria.

He said the former military ruler has remained passionate about Nigeria more than two decades after his exit from active public service.

Lawan urges the elder statesman to continue to avail those in leadership positions the benefits of his experience and wise counsel for the unity, stability and progress of the nation.

The Senate President wishes the General many more years of good health and peace of mind, Mr Awoniyi said.

In a statement personally signed by former President Goodluck Jonathan, he described Mr Babangida as a statesman who has made considerable contribution to Nigerias growth.

Mr Jonathan highlighted the former military leaders sense of patriotism and commitment to Nigerias unity and development.

I celebrate with you, your family, and all associates as you mark your 78th birthday.

You are a statesman who has made invaluable contributions to the growth and development of our country, Nigeria.

I salute your steadfast love for our nation and your continued zeal towards a united and prosperous Nigeria.

As you celebrate, may God sustain you with sound health, peace and joy. On behalf of my family, I wish you a happy birthday, Mr Jonathan said.

Also, a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, in his goodwill message said Mr Babangidas attributes of intelligence, wisdom, charisma and his understanding and respect for Nigerias diversity has stood the test of time.

In a statement by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Mr Abubakar said Mr Babangida is amazingly gifted.

He is a strategic thinker and a true believer in national unity and national integration, qualities for which history and posterity will deliver a favourable verdict on him.

According to the former vice president, one of the reasons IBB charms and arouses the interest of the world is his unique capacity to learn, and listen to others, even if he disagrees with them.

He said despite being decisive and bold in taking major decisions at the right time, every sincere Nigerian would commend him for his broadmindedness which was reflected in the structure of his government.

While wishing Mr Babangida more years in good health, Mr Abubakar appealed to Nigerian politicians to take a cue from his philosophy of inclusive government, which he said is a prerequisite for reducing the tensions and separatist tendencies in the country.

Mr Babangida, who led Nigeria between 1985 and 1993, is best remembered for his annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, considered Nigerias fairest election.
Thousands of British travellers rush to get home as more countries are added to the UKs quarantine list.

British tourists have been scrambling to return home, after the UK imposed a 14-day quarantine for travellers coming from the Netherlands, Malta and France.

The measure, which went into effect early on Saturday, was introduced after a surge in coronavirus infections in those countries.

Al Jazeeras Rory Challands reports from London, UK.
Vietnam has registered 11 more new cases of COVID-19, including 11 detected in Da Nang outbreak, one in Hanoi capital and two of entry, lifting the national tally to 962, the Ministry of Health reported on August 16 afternoon.

Among the newly detected infections, 8 cases found in central Da Nang city are mostly patients in treatment, care takers and those getting into close contact with infected people.

The patient in Hanoi is a 30- year-old man in Thanh Xuan district of Hanoi who travelled to Da Nang from July 20-22.

After running a fever, he went to Thanh Nhan Hospital for medical examination and then his sample was sent to the Hanoi Center for Disease Control for the first test which reported negative. However, the patient's second test result was later confirmed positive for SARS-COV-2 by Thanh Nhan Hospital and Hanoi Center for Disease Control on August 15.

Concerning the two imported cases, they entered Cam Ranh Airport from Japan on August 5 on flight VJ7387, and were isolated right after entry at Nha Trang University.

By August 16 afternoon, Vietnam reported 962 coronavirus cases, including 336 imported ones, and 626 community infections, with 486 cases related to Da Nang city since July 25.

The same day, 9 coronavirus patients in Da Nang, the countrys COVID-19 epicenter, were declared to be free from the virus, raising the national count of recoveries to 456.

Among the patients receiving treatment at medical facilities across the nation, a total of 115 tested negative for the SARS-CoV-2 virus at least once or several times.

Amid the complicated developments of the pandemic, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hanoi Ngo Van Quy, Head of the Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control in the capital has just signed a document urging departments, agencies, sectors, and local administrations to intensify epidemic prevention and control work.

The People's Committee of Hanoi has advised local people stay indoors as much as possible, and properly implement countermeasure measures in a bid to limit the spread of the virus to the wider community.

The committee has underlined the need to conduct a RT-PCR test campaign on returnees from Da Nang between July 15- 29 and from other epidemic-hit provinces and cities according to the Ministry of Health's notice. In addition, all people returning from epidemic-hit localities, who have yet to undergo a 14-day mandatory isolation period must be kept in quarantine.

The weekend saw the nation record 33 new patients in total, 19 recoveries and 3 deaths. The national total infections now stand at 962, with 456 having successfully recovered from the disease, and 24 having died.

VOV

Protecting the health of frontline medical workers in COVID-19 pandemic Heart-breaking photos of exhausted health workers in Da Nang have gone viral on the Internet. Such photos have stirred an urgent need for protecting the health of frontline medical workers in the COVID-19 pandemic.
A n endurance athlete finished a record-breaking swim across the English Channel on Sunday.

Chloe McCardel touched down in Calais, France, just after 7am, after a 10 hour 40 minute trip from Abbots Cliff beach near Folkestone on Saturday evening.

The 21-mile journey means that Ms McCardel moves to second on the list for the most Channel swims, passing the mens record of 34 held by British athlete Kevin Murphy.

The 35-year-old Australian now only trails behind another Briton, Alison Streeter, who has completed the challenge 43 times.

Endurance swimmer Chloe McCardel sets off from Abbotts Cliff beach / PA

Shortly after arriving in France, Ms McCardel, who holds multiple world records for endurance swimming, joked it was a tough day at the office.

Im in great spirits. Its such a joyous thing to be able to surpass the record and move to second spot on the list of most Channel crossings," she said.

Its a very momentous occasion and Im very proud to be able to represent Australia. Ive also been thinking a lot about the people in lockdown, particularly women facing domestic violence, and Im proud to be able to be a voice for those who dont have one.
A long-standing program run by the Federal Communications Commission that subsidizes Internet service for schools and libraries is of little help to students during the pandemic. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai told schools they can use the funding only for Internet service at their campuses  even when schools have been shut down. Pai has said that the law does not allow the money to be used for providing domestic Internet service and that he does not have the authority to do otherwise.
A leaker has outlined a possible roadmap for Apple's transition away from Intel processors. According to the post, an ARM-powered MacBook Pro 16 will arrive in 2021, while the company will not bring ARM versions of the iMac Pro or Mac Pro to market until 2022.

Working For Notebookcheck Are you a techie who knows how to write? Then join our Team! English native speakers welcome! News Writer (AUS/NZL based) - Details here

If you are keen on an ARM-powered MacBook Pro 16, then you will be waiting until 2021 at the earliest. That is according to @komiya_kj, who has published a possible roadmap for Apple's transition to in-house processors. As we have previously covered, Apple is thought to be bringing ARM versions of the 12-inch MacBook and MacBook Pro 13 to market before the end of the year. Apparently, these will arrive with the A14X Bionic chipset, a supercharged version of the A14 Bionic that is expected to power this year's iPhones.

@komiya_kj claims that Apple will follow the release of the 12-inch MacBook and MacBook Pro 13 with a partial ARM refresh of the iMac and MacBook Pro 16 in 2021. By partial, we presume that @komiya_kj means that Apple will sell ARM and Intel-based versions of the devices side-by-side. The company will then cease to sell any Intel-powered MacBook Pro 16 or iMac machines come 2022, which is the same year that it will release ARM-powered versions of the iMac Pro and Mac Pro.
Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia says all road infrastructure projects which are currently under construction will be completed as scheduled.



He indicated that the construction of the Pokuase and Tamale interchanges, as well as many other projects across the country, affirm the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administrations commitment to improving Ghanas road network.



The year 2020 has been declared as the year of roads by His Excellency the President. To this end, road construction is going on everywhere in this country including the ongoing construction of four interchanges to reduce congestion in our major cities. There is no government in the history of the fourth republic that has started four interchanges in their first term. If President Akufo-Addo promises to construct roads, he delivers, Dr. Bawumia mentioned during a sod-cutting ceremony in Accra.



He added that the Accra-Tema Beach Road is a 26.6 km project with an estimated cost of US$100 million being constructed by Messrs Gansu International Corporation and Messrs China Major Bridge Engineering Company Limited.



It is expected to be completed in 24 months.



Dr Bawumia explained that the first lot of 16 kilometres begins from the Independence Arch in Accra to Nungua with the remaining 10.6 kilometres, the second lot, continuing from Nungua to Tema Community 3.



He said further that other phases of the Accra-Tema Motorway together with the Pokuase Interchange, Tamale Interchange and Obetsebi-Lamptey Interchange will all be completed as planned.



Tamale Interchange is the first interchange in any of the five northern regions. It is a historic interchange in the Northern Region. The Pokuase Interchange is the first four-tier interchange in West Africa and it is 75 per cent complete. By the grace of God, it shall be opened before the end of this year, he assured.











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.

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A day after Prime Minister Narandra Modi's address to the nation from the Red Fort's ramparts, the Congress on Sunday questioned him for not taking the name of China in his Independence Day speech in the wake of Chinese actions on the LAC and in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said: "We are proud of our armed forces. All 130 crore Indians believe in the courage of the armed forces, including the Congress. But why is the Prime Minister afraid of taking the name of China in his speeches?"

The Congress said that till date Modi had not taken China's name directly or indirectly since the border tensions began.

On Sunday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted: "Everybody believes in the capability and valour of the Indian Army.

"Except the PM, whose cowardice allowed China to take our land. Whose lies will ensure they keep it."

Former Union Minister Manish Tewari said that "China has occupied our territory and the Prime Minister of India does not have the courage to name China".

"What kind of a leader is he?" Tewari asked.

In her Independence Day statement, Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi too had attacked the Prime Minister while pointing to the Galwan Valley face-off on June 15 and paying tributes to the 20 bravehearts who laid down their lives for the country.

On the 74th Independence Day on Saturday, Modi had said that the respect for India's sovereignty is supreme for the countrymen and that the Indian Army had responded in the same language on any border incident on the Line of Control and the Line of Actual Control whenever someone challenged the territorial integrity of the country.

"Respect for India's sovereignty is supreme for us. What our brave soldiers can do for this resolution, what the country can do, the world has seen in Ladakh," Modi had said.
Luck ran out for a member of a car snatching gang when he and his accomplices attempted to flee with a taxi they had snatched from its owner at Ofaakor, near Kasoa, in the Central Region.

Following an alert sent to the police about the incident which took place about 9 p.m last Thursday, the suspect, Edward Agyiri, 20, was apprehended by the police with the assistance of some residents of the community.



His two collaborators managed to escape and the police and the locals have mounted a search for them.



Remand



The suspect was put before the Ofaakor Magistrate Court Friday on the charges of possessing fire arms without authority, attempted carjacking and carjacking and was remanded in police custody for two weeks to enable the police to continue with investigations.



Operation



The Ofaakor District Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Samuel Amfo, told Graphic Online that a search on the taxi revealed a locally manufactured gun [Picure below] that could fire five rounds of ammunition.



The car was registered this year (2020) but for security reasons we cannot give out details such as registration number and the make of the vehicle for now, he said.



He said about 9 p.m. last Thursday, the police received a distressed call requesting a police dispatch rider to track down some persons who had snatched a taxi cab from its owner.



He added that the police moved in soon after the call and were able to apprehend the suspects.



Arrest



DSP Amfo said Agyiri hired the taxi from the Ofaakor main lorry park about 9 p.m. and on reaching a secluded spot between Papase and Kwaobonzi, Agyiris intended destination, he asked the driver to slow down as there was a pothole ahead.



As soon as the driver slowed down, the two accomplices emerged from a nearby bush and with the assistance of the suspect the driver was attacked. The driver was pushed out of the car. Fortunately for him, a motor rider pulled up and after narrating what he had gone through, the motor rider called the police and also raised an alarm while still riding in the direction the suspects had taken, he said.



The Ofaakor District Police Commander said on arrival at the scene, the police, with the support of the people, pursued the group and apprehended the suspect.



The two others escaped, abandoning the vehicle in the process.



The driver of the taxi was not physically hurt but he is traumatised and helping the police in its investigations into the matter.





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.

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U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sealed a defense cooperation deal Saturday with Polish officials that will pave the way to redeploy American troops from Germany to Poland.

Pompeo, in Warsaw at the end of a four-nation tour of central and eastern Europe, signed the deal with Polish defense minister Mariusz Baszczak that sets out the legal framework for the additional troops.

The pact supplements an existing NATO Status of Forces Agreement and allows for the enhancement and modernization of existing capabilities and facilities by allowing U.S. forces to access additional Polish military installations.

It also sets out a formula for sharing the logistical and infrastructure costs of an expanded U.S. presence in the country.

Speaking alongside Pompeo at a joint news conference, Polish foreign minister Jacek Czaputowicz welcomed the agreement.

The presence of American troops "enhances our deterrence potential because we are closer to the potential source of conflict," Czaputowicz said.

Pompeo also discussed the results of the Aug. 9 presidential election in Belarus and the protests there.

Our common objective is to support the Belarusian people," he said. "These people are demanding the same things that every human being wants. We urged the leadership to broaden the circle to engage with civil society.

Pompeo also criticised Britain and France for failing to support a US bid at the United Nations to extend sanctions on Iran.
Alabamas top elections official said no voter will be turned away from the polls on Nov. 3 for not wearing a mask.

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill said in an interview that Alabamas current statewide mask order specifically excludes polling places and that no one will be prevented from casting a ballot in person if they dont wear a mask.

Nobody that votes is required to wear a mask when they vote, Merrill said.

Merrill said he expects the Nov. 3 general election to have record-setting participation despite the pandemic.

We will have the highest voter participation in the history of the state of Alabama on November 3, Merrill said. Not only that, but well break every record in the history of the state for participation through the absentee process as well.

Merrill said poll workers will not be required to wear a mask either.

Its suggested that they wear a mask, Merrill said. There is not a law in the state that indicates that anybody is supposed to wear a mask [at the polling place]. But its obviously encouraged not just by the governor and Dr. Harris but by all health care professionals that know or understand anything related to what were currently facing.

And so we want to be supportive of the order from the governor and from Dr. Harris for people to wear face coverings.

Absentee ballot rules

Merrill said any Alabamian who feels uncomfortable voting in person because of the COVID-19 pandemic can vote absentee for this election.

Registered voters can download the application for an absentee ballot from the Secretary of States website, or by requesting the application from their local absentee election manager, usually the circuit court clerk.

Any voter thats concerned about appearing at their assigned polling place on Election Day, because they have a high level of anxiety, because they are afraid of the coronavirus or they dont want to get around people, they need to make sure that they apply for an absentee ballot, Merrill said.

On the absentee ballot application, Merrill said voters can mark the box that reads I have a physical illness or infirmity which prevents my attendance at the polls.

Thats a universal excuse that can be used for anyone for any purpose in this election cycle, Merrill said.

The absentee ballot application must also include a copy of a valid photo ID such as a drivers license, and must be received at your countys absentee election manager no later than five days before the election.

Alabama has more than 3.6 million registered voters. Voter registration information is available online at Alabamavotes.gov.

Merrill said those who plan on voting absentee should not wait until the deadline, and his office is purchasing advertisements to urge people to apply for their absentee ballots early.

If they want to vote away from the polls, the time to think about doing that is not on October 28, Merrill said. The time to think about doing that is today.

No mask police

Merrill said any voter who is not allowed to cast a ballot because they are not wearing a mask should call the secretary of states office at 334-242-7200 or his cell phone at 334-328-2787.

He said there were at least two instances in the July runoff elections in which poll workers tried to tell people to wear a mask.

We had at least two locations where people thought they were the mask police, instead of being a poll worker, Merrill said. That didnt end very well for them. And it wont end well for them on November 3.

Those instances aside, Merrill said Alabamas July 14 runoff elections went very, very smoothly.

We had no incidents or occurrences that were negative that were introduced to us, Merrill said. So were very confident that well continue on that path toward November 3.

Other COVID-19 precautions

Multiple organizations have published guidelines for voter safety, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Infectious Diseases Society of America, a group of physicians.

Merrill said he reviewed both documents and appreciated the input, but many of the specifics of polling places, such as distancing requirements, cleaning procedures and the locations of the polling places are up to local election officials at each polling site.

Basically all of the things that [IDSA] suggested in the polling place siting were already taking place and those things are organized at the county level anyway, Merrill said. We have encouraged our counties and county election leaders to make sure that they are following these practices, as they have established guidelines at each one of our 1,980 polling sites in the state to make sure that they were in compliance with the CDC guidelines and the recommendations that have been made by Dr. [Scott] Harris as our state health officer.

There are funds available to help county election officials obtain things like plexiglass shields or providing free [optional] masks for voters who did not bring one.

Merrill said his office will ensure that election officials are provided with enough personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies to remove anxiety from them as well as voters by providing face masks, latex and non-latex gloves, hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray, disinfectant wipes.

Merrill said his offices priorities during this election are no different than they normally are.

Thats making sure that in all 67 counties, the 68 probate judges are fully prepared for the administration of the election, Merrill said. That they have all the resources and materials that they need, that all 1,980 polling sites are in compliance with ADA standards as well as in this particular time during the COVID, CDC suggestions about what should be done to make sure that they are going to be safe and secure.
When Hedi Argent's partner died a decade ago, she wanted to live nearby in a community where she could stay independent yet have company if she wished.

Finding that wasn't easy. In the end 91-year-old Ms Argent and other older women had to form their own community, find a site, commission an architect, to get what they wanted.

The result was New Ground, the United Kingdom's first senior co-housing project. It was cited as a potential model at the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety for older Australians who want to age in their own homes and community. Started in 2016, it is home to 26 older women in 25 flats.

New Ground housing in London.

Most Australians want to age in their homes, or in a place of their own choice, but there was too little choice and too many barriers to downsizing, the commission heard.
Under a ministry proposal, consumers would pay for electricity use under either a 5-tier price system or a single-price system.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) has offered a system that is different from the current 6 price levels. The lowest level is applied for the first 50 kwh used. Higher electricity usage results in more price levels.

Two electricity options are offered for household consumers

With the single-price policy, the prices will be from VND2,700 to over VND2,900 per kwh, not including the value added tax (VAT).



As the prices are high, consumers have been advised to think carefully before choosing.

Analysts believe that customers using more than 700 kwh a month should choose the single-price method, while others who use less should use the 5-tier pricing.

According to Electricity of Vietnam (EVN), 22 million customers have monthly use of 300 kwh and less, which accounts for 72.6 percent of total customers, with 60 percent of electricity output.

About 1.2 million customers use from 400 kwh to 700 kwh, and 456,000 customers use more than 700 kwh.

Analysts say the single-price policy aims to encourage people to practice thrift when using electricity. It does not change the electricity price calculation method.

This means that most consumers will likely choose the 5-tier price system.

Analysts say the single-price policy aims to encourage people to practice thrift when using electricity. It does not change the electricity price calculation method.

I look forward to seeing the application of the multi-level price option and the installation of electricity meters that calculate electricity prices for peak hours, off-peak hours and normal hours, said Ha Dang Son, director of the Research Center for Energy and Green Growth.

That will be much more effective in managing additional charges during peak hours, he said.

In fact, the calculation of electricity prices for peak hours, off-peak hours and normal hours has been applied to businesses, but not to households, for a long time. The money for installing the meters is a problem to consider.

According to Son, even if the new price system is applied, complaints will still occur. However, people will have two options instead of one as currently. People will have to consider their demands to decide whether to choose the 5-level or single price method.

In the long term, Vietnam needs to eliminate the monopoly in electricity distribution and establish a competitive retail market.

Under the Prime Ministers Decision No 63 in 2013, the competitive retail market will operate on a trial basis in 2021 before the official market starts in 2023.

EVN holds a monopoly in electricity transmission and distribution.

Luong Bang

10 percent cut in electricity prices proposed to help ease COVID-19 impact The Ministry of Industry and Trade has sent a report to the Prime Minister, proposing a reduction in the prices of electricity for three months to help ease difficulties facing production and business in the context of the ravaging COVID-19 epidemic.
One hundred and seventeen more people in Webb County have tested positive for COVID-19 and two more people have died, the City of Laredo reported Sunday.

This brings the number of people who have died from the virus in Webb County to 193. The 192nd death was a woman in her late 60s and the 193rd death was a man in his early 80s. Both died Saturday.
An Offaly farm family has been chosen as the winner of a prestigious Milk Quality Award

Kenneth Whittle from Walsh Island, Co. Offaly has been declared the winner of the new entrant to dairying category in the Lakeland Dairies Milk Quality Awards for the exceptionally high quality of milk produced on his farm.

The Milk Quality Awards publicly recognise the achievements of Lakeland Dairies milk suppliers who are committed to quality in all aspects of their milk production.

Winning a milk quality award is a truly excellent achievement. The winners emerged from among 3,200 farm families across 16 counties who produce milk for the 1.85bn Lakeland Dairies milk pool.

READ NEXT: Latest update on confirmed cases of Covid-19 are in hospital in Offaly, Laois and Kildare

In the past five years, over 300 new entrants have started supplying milk to Lakeland Dairies.

Farm families in Co. Down and Co. Cavan have been announced as the Lakeland Dairies Supreme Milk Quality Award Winners.

For the first time in the history of the Lakeland Dairies Milk Quality Awards, joint Supreme Champions of the awards have been announced  one from Northern Ireland and one from the Republic of Ireland.

Stanley and Tanya Graham from Killeshandra, Co. Cavan along with Sean, Shane and Stephanie Sloan from Kilkeel, Co. Down have both been named as Supreme Champion.

The Graham family also took home the <500,000 litre producer category in the Republic of Ireland while the Sloan family are winners in the >1m litre producer category in Northern Ireland.

Outside of the Supreme Champions, Lakeland Dairies has also announced the winners in the other categories of the Milk Quality Awards.

In the Republic of Ireland, Dermot Sherry from Drumhillock, Co Monaghan is the winner in the >500,000 litre producer category.

In Northern Ireland, Cecil and Gordon Wilson from Dromara, Co. Down won the <1m litre producer category in Northern Ireland.

Lakeland Dairies Chairman Alo Duffy paid tribute to the award winners.

Despite the onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic, it is critical to recognise and reward the commitment of our 3,200 farm families to the highest standards of milk production, sustainability, hygiene, animal health and overall care for the environment.

With Lakeland Dairies exporting high-quality products to some 80 global market, the basis of our exporting success is based on the supreme milk produced inside the farm gate. We continue to recognise the integral aspect of our farmers to the ongoing success of the Lakeland Dairies business.

Quality is the building block of our entire business and I acknowledge all my farming colleagues for their continued commitment to excellence.

Lakeland Dairies Group CEO, Michael Hanley said, the global reputation and success of our business starts with every single litre of milk sent to us for processing and is therefore based on the dedication and hard work of the 3,200 farm families who we are deeply proud to have within our co-operative. We are resolute in driving forward our business in the interests of our milk producers and we are delighted to recognise their achievements which are exemplified in the achievements of our Milk Quality Award winners who I wholeheartedly congratulate. Our customers place the highest levels of trust in our credentials of sustainability, quality and reliability in meeting their needs for value-added dairy products. We are able to fulfil that commitment based on the excellent endeavours of our dairy farmers. In doing so, we will continue to ensure future long term sustainability for dairy farmers, rural communities and the export led success of our dairy industry.
All those issues are of deep concern to the Black activists whose skepticism of Harris helped doom her own presidential campaign but who were gaining influence in the Democratic Party amid a season of racial reckoning. Harris turned to some of those activists, meeting with them repeatedly as she crafted the Senate provisions. And by the time Biden was in the final throes of his arduous selection process, many of the same critics who had looked with suspicion at Harriss past work as a prosecutor were suddenly pulling for her as a fellow Black woman.
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By Jim Waters, Bluegrass Institute

Aug. 14, 2020 | LEXINGTON

By Jim Waters, Bluegrass Institute Aug. 14, 2020 | 09:14 PM | LEXINGTON

EDITORIAL: Gov. Beshears administration wants to make in-person reopening of schools during COVID-19 an either-or proposition  either districts delay opening back up to the end of September, or Kentucky Department of Education bureaucrats in true Corleone-like fashion will make them an offer they cant refuse.



However, a growing number of stakeholders prefer the both-and approach, concerned that a prolonged shutdown increases the possibility that many children will unnecessarily suffer long-term consequences.



Especially left out are disadvantaged kids.



Services like effective instruction, meals, and support are often unavailable or much harder to obtain for children with special needs in a non-person school environment.



The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends reopening schools for most students, warning that keeping school buildings closed may lead to child depression, mental and physical abuse, drug abuse, and even suicide.



CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield told the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis its in the public health interest that schools reopen for face-to-face learning this fall.



Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said at a recent White House event featuring parents, medical professionals, and education leaders from across the nation that students and their families cant be held captive to other peoples fears or agendas.



The one size fits all approach no longer works for education, and parents must have options that are going to work for their child and for their childrens education, she added.



Even some teachers union bosses admit teachers are still novices at distance learning, too. Beshears fears about allowing children to return to school, while genuine, shouldnt keep other families from exercising that option if its best for their child.



Those wanting a different approach  such as distance learning or an alternative educational environment like a charter, private, or home school  ought to not only have those options but should also get financial aid to exercise them in these pandemic-impacted times.



Unfortunately, the Kentucky Department of Education is doubling down on its my-way-or-the-highway approach.



Interim Education Commissioner Kevin Brown threatens consequences for school districts whose elected board members defy Beshears suggestion to push back reopening until Sept. 28.



Browns threats came the day after the Williamstown Independent School Board voted to reopen later this month, as scheduled.



Catholic schools, over which Beshear and state government have far less power, also chose not to follow Beshears suggestion.



Several state senators, including Senate President Robert Stivers and Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, leaned on the governor in a recent op-ed to trust the judgment of local education leaders, whose innovation, adaptability, professionalism, and commitment is unmatched.



Innovation happens when thinking is in both-and terms.



Its sorely lacking in either-or approaches.



Providing both in-classroom instruction for healthy kids and their less-at-risk young teachers while placing older at-risk teachers in positions where theyre working with distance-learning students is innovative and opposite the continual hand-wringing which keeps re-condemning everyone to lockdown mode simply because everything cant be controlled and all risks eliminated.



Such hyper-anxiety results in missed opportunities.



Why, for example, has only 4% of the $13 billion set aside in federal coronavirus aid for schools been used?



Why the fear when the CDC will send teams to ensure individual schools and districts reopen safely?



Shouldnt the KDE be helping school districts connect with those opportunities instead of issuing threats?



Beshears desire to lower COVID-19 case numbers is understandable, but the senators are right to call him out for his myopic and draconian approach.



We cannot apply a one size fits all model for our school districts, as what is best for Jefferson County may not be the same for Adair County, the senators wrote, adding they will support local education leaders both-and decisions.



Thats really an offer the commonwealth should not refuse.





Jim Waters is president and CEO of the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions, Kentuckys free-market think tank. Read previous columns at www.bipps.org. He can be reached at jwaters@freedomkentucky.com and @bipps on Twitter.



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Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on Twitter a video montage in memory of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his second death anniversary

President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among several dignitaries who paid tributes to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his second death anniversary on August 16. They were joined by several Union ministers and other leaders at 'Sadaiv Atal', the memorial to Vajpayee in the national capital, in paying respects to him.

Modi said India will always remember his outstanding service and efforts towards the nation's progress.

"Tributes to beloved Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. India will always remember his outstanding service and efforts towards our nation's progress," Modi tweeted.

Vajpayee, the first BJP prime minister, had passed away on this day in 2018.

A statesman and saffron stalwart, he was fondly remembered by other senior BJP leaders.

Home Minister Amit Shah said the country for the first time saw "good governance" being implemented across the nation under Vajpayee.

The Modi government is striving for the welfare of the poor and good governance by keeping his ideas at the centre of its work, Shah added.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Vajpayee's tremendous contribution towards pubic life and India's development will always be cherished, and his vision for the country will continue to inspire coming generations.
The official listed Iran, Turkey and Qatar as aggressors and the political uncertainties in the United States as a factor many gulf states are considering. Trump withdrew the United States from the international nuclear deal reached with Iran under former president Barack Obama, but Joe Biden might reinstate it if he wins the presidency. Or, if Trump is reelected, he has said he would be open to a new deal with Iran that he predicted last week could be reached in one month.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 23:31:07|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The following are the updates on the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

- - - -

BAGHDAD -- The Iraqi Health Ministry on Sunday reported 4,348 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily increase since the outbreak of the disease, while the health authorities decided the partial curfew to be imposed seven days a week.

The 4,348 cases brought the total nationwide infections to 176,931, as the ministry's health teams and institutions have used 19,278 testing kits across the country during the day, the highest daily tests so far, raising the total testing kits used so far to 1,282,928, the ministry said in a statement.

- - - -

DOHA -- The Qatari Health Ministry on Sunday announced 271 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the Gulf state to 115,080, the official Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.

Meanwhile, 289 more recovered from the virus, bringing the total recoveries to 111,794, while the death toll increased by one to 193, according to a ministry statement quoted by QNA.

- - - -

SINGAPORE -- Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) reported 86 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, bringing the total confirmed cases in the country to 55,747.

- - - -

MINSK -- Belarus reported 92 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Sunday, taking its total to 69,516, according to the country's health ministry.

There have been 325 new recoveries in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 67,072, the ministry added.

So far, 610 people have died of the disease in the country, including three over the past 24 hours, it said.

- - - -

VALLETTA -- Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela has defended his government's decision to relax coronavirus measures, including reopening the tourism sector, which was believed to be behind recent coronavirus resurgence.

Malta had not lost control of the situation, as was being claimed by critics, but the new outbreaks had to be countered with clinical decisions, Abela said in an interview broadcast on Sunday by One channel, a television station owned by One Productions, his Labor Party's media arm.

- - - -

KAMPALA -- Uganda on Sunday warned that the source of infection of most COVID-19 deaths in the country is not known, making it difficult to trace contacts.

Judith Nabakooba, minister of ICT and national guidance, told reporters that the ministry of health has not yet identified where the cases who eventually died got the infection from.

- - - -

GUANGZHOU -- South China's Guangdong Province has tested a total of 48 units province-wide after a staff of Alibaba's fresh food chain Freshippo store in Shenzhen tested positive for COVID-19 recently, local authorities said Sunday.

The units include 36 Freshippo outlets and 12 related warehouses and processing enterprises. Enditem
CALGARY - Veteran oilman Mike Rose says he doesnt want to jinx it, but he admits its not so bad heading the company that last year became the biggest producer of natural gas in Canada.

While many oil companies have curtailed production and chopped capital budgets to deal with a massive drop in demand for crude this year, Tourmaline Oil Corp. has been buying assets, running a fleet of 10 drilling rigs and reporting production at the high end of guidance.

On the oil side, thats where the crisis was in March and April, and there was hue and cry from all governments and industry, said Rose, who has been CEO of Tourmaline since its founding in 2008.

But the reality is weve had horrible gas prices for five years and it didnt seem to be as big a crisis. The gas producers that survived have figured out how to survive very low prices for extended periods of time. So thats partly why were a little healthier.

Natural gas has been considered by many as little more than an unprofitable byproduct for more than a decade, as the North American shale gas boom launched billions of cubic feet of the heating fuel on markets, driving down prices.

Gas economics got worse five years later when the technology was adapted to extract crude oil from tight underground shale formations in Canada and the United States, a technique that also freed more billions of cubic feet of associated natural gas.

When the twin crises of the Russia-Saudi price war and COVID-19 outbreak hit earlier this year, oil producers stopped drilling and shut down producing wells to avoid selling at a loss.

In turn, the sudden withdrawal of gas byproducts created a shortage, sending prices higher.

Futures contracts at the Alberta marketing hub for gas to be delivered next year have recently surged to a nearly four-year high of about $2.75 per thousand cubic feet  for comparison, Tourmalines break-even price is about $1.75.

In many ways, for the gas producers, whats bad for oil is good for gas, said Jordan McNiven, an analyst for Tudor Pickering Holt & Co.

A seasonal increase in gas demand this winter, combined with an expected recovery in global liquefied natural gas demand as economies recover from the pandemic, is expected to spur North American gas prices even higher, analysts say.

Were constructive on the gas quote. We could see reasons why it could flex higher, said Robert Fitzmartyn, head of energy institutional research at Stifel FirstEnergy.

The rise of natural gas has been noticed at Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., the Calgary-based oilsands giant that was Canadas top gas producer before being dethroned last year.

In May, Canadian Natural announced it would reboot drilling on its long-ignored natural gas fields to add about 60 million cf/d to its long-standing output of around 1.4 billion cf/d.

Earlier this month, it doubled down on that interest by announcing a $461-million deal to buy Calgary rival Painted Pony Energy Ltd., which produces 270 million cf/d of natural gas in northeastern B.C.

When we went into this year we thought prices would be a little more depressed, said Canadian Natural president Tim McKay in an interview after its second-quarter results were released last week.

Theyve been quite strong and that gives us the opportunity to ramp up some volumes.

The oil price crash is reflected in share prices. As of Tuesday, the only positive stock year-to-date of the 16 oil and gas producers on the S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index is Tourmaline, up 6.77 per cent since Jan. 1.

The remainder have dropped between 20 and 70 per cent, with ARC Resources Ltd., primarily a natural gas producer, down by the least amount with a 19.3 per cent loss.

Last week, Tourmaline reported second-quarter production of more than 299,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, up seven per cent over the same period last year, composed of 61,800 bpd of oil and liquids and 1.425 billion cubic feet of natural gas.

It reported its average gas price was up 16 per cent but its average oil and liquids price fell by 41 per cent.

Second-quarter cash flow  arrived at by subtracting operating and maintenance costs from revenue  came to $225 million, in line with $226 million in the same quarter of 2019. It expects $1.05 billion in cash flow this year on an $800-million capital budget.

The company aims to reach more than 322,000 boe/d by year-end after drilling 42 new wells in the third quarter and bringing on 57 more in the fourth. It estimates its 2020 average gas production will be 1.5 billion cf/d.

In April, Tourmaline completed the acquisition of Chinook Energy Inc. for $24.5 million and it bought several assets in northwestern Alberta for a total of $38.3 million.

Asked if there are more acquisitions to come, CEO Rose said, Oh yeah. Potentially.

He said Tourmalines success hinges on strict control over costs, careful marketing to extract every possible penny from every cubic foot of gas and never getting too deep in debt.

On the latter front, he predicts the company will pay down enough debt to achieve an enviable debt-to-cash-flow ratio of 1:1 or lower sometime this year, if prices hold up.

Fortunately, finally, were looking at a pretty strong gas price recovery for 2021 and hopefully that extends into 2022, he said.

Its looking a lot more positive on the natural gas side than it has for a while. But I dont want to jinx it.

This report by the Canadian Press was first published Aug. 13, 2020.

Companies in this story: (TSX:TOU, TSX:PONY, TSX:CNQ, TSX:ARC)

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It may be a bad time to be pregnant in Egypt, but isnt it a bad time to be pregnant everywhere else, too?

It may be a bad time to be pregnant in Egypt, but isnt it a bad time to be pregnant everywhere else, too?

On 31 July, in a 3,200-word article titled Now is a very bad time to be pregnant in Egypt, the online newspaper Mada Masr aimed to denigrate the Egyptian health system. The writer provides examples of women about to give birth but are fearful of the contagion, of the unavailability of their regular doctors, of the closure of clinics, and much more.

The article describes these challenges as though they exist only in Egypt. They do not; they exist worldwide. Through the eyes of someone living elsewhere, Vancouver, Canada, we will compare notes. True, my case isnt one of pregnancy, but it is a health issue nonetheless.

My total knee replacement surgery was set for March, but due to the pandemic, the surgery was delayed to October, an extra eight months of hopping around and excruciating pain. However, luckily, due to a cancellation, I had the surgery on 24 Julyonly a four-month delay. The aches and pains are still there, the healing is slow, but I hope I am on the mend.

Despite being in Vancouver, not Cairo, the fears associated with having an intricate surgery during a pandemic left me in a more frantic state than the one the women in the article were in. The hospital, where I was to have my surgery, had had a COVID-19 outbreak in the post-operative wardthe outbreak was dealt with prior to the wards reopening, of course. Still, tell this to the person bound for that ward.

I was left to fend for myself at the hospital entrance because companions and visitors are not allowed in. I had requested a private room, but those were saved for severe cases, so I ended up in a room with three others, a male and two females, and the male patient coughed throughout the night, leaving me dead sure that I had caught COVID-19. I couldnt sleep a wink.

After an orthopedic surgery, physiotherapy is key to success, and yet I was informed that, due to Covid-19, I wouldnt be seeing a physiotherapist, that I should perform the exercises myself. A Zoom meeting is scheduled after two weeks. I keep wondering if I am performing the exercises correctly or will the surgery and its pain go to waste? Im really glad I had the surgery with my chosen doctor, but I wont see him again before six weeks.

Scary issues, wouldnt you agree? However, would I say, Now is a very bad time to have a knee surgery in Canada? Definitely not. In fact, I was ecstatic when I was told a spot had come up due to a cancellation. I may say, Now is a bad time to have a knee surgery anywhere in the world, and the same goes for giving birth, and every other medical issue.

Lets turn to the article. Farida, not her real name, started feeling extreme fatigue and pain in early April; she chalked it up to her increased load of housework. Schools were suspended and daycare centres closed, and so she has had to shoulder the responsibility of caring for her two children under age six  full time, all by herself. I empathise, but mothers around the world have taken up working from home while schooling children and keeping them occupied.

Farida lost the baby due to complications that we arent informed of, but I dont relate the miscarriage to COVID-19 in Egypt, while extreme fatigue due to shouldering the responsibility of caring for two children doesnt usually cause miscarriages.

In another example, the article talks of a poorer woman, Sahar Zakariya. She lives in a small room where the bathroom is partitioned off with a curtain full of holes. This is hardly worth mentioning unless the writer implies that Sahars simple home wouldve caused her demise. She had been vomiting and coughing, but the church OB-GYN clinic, among other services she frequents, was closed due to the pandemic, so she couldnt access her regular doctor.

This must have been terribly disappointing, but a pandemic is a pandemic is a pandemic. Again, in Vancouver, Canada, all dental, chiropractor, and physiotherapist offices were closed; doctor visits were conducted by phone. Other services such as mammograms, bone density tests, and blood and iron infusions were cancelled, while visits to seniors homes were absolutely forbidden. The earlier days of the pandemic must have left their toll on all those who needed assistance.

Sahar tried several pharmacies to get medication; all refused to provide her with any without a prescription because she was pregnant. This is a good thing by the way. She finally headed to an outpatient surgery hospital as a last resort, but the situation at the gynaecology clinic there was no better: doctors had stopped coming several days earlier, also due to the coronavirus pandemic. The article gives flaky reasons all along, but the unavailability of physicians would be a petrifying situation, and I must agree that this would troubling.

Raghda Hashim, another pregnant woman, was disheartened that family members were not there for her during this delivery. "For the birth of my first child, my family and my husband's family came with me," she says. "This time, I only took my husband. Doctors refused to let him into the delivery room.

Raghda, the doctors were performing due diligence practised around the world. Stricken families of patients suffering from heart attacks, strokes, and COVID-19 dont accompany their loved ones into hospitals; they stand outside the glass windows of emergency rooms in the hopes of seeing what is happening to them. My dear Raghda, you are in the same boat as everyone around the world.

The point of view of the article came across as flimsy and insubstantial. COVID-19 has not descended on Egypt to cause mayhem there and not elsewhere. These are tough times all around.

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WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rigrodsky & Long, P.A. announces that a complaint has been filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey on behalf of all persons or entities that purchased the common stock of Eastman Kodak Company (Kodak or the Company) (NYSE: KODK) between July 27, 2020 and August 7, 2020, inclusive (the Class Period), alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the Complaint).



If you purchased shares of Kodak during the Class Period, or purchased shares prior to the Class Period and still hold Kodak, and wish to discuss this action or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, please contact Seth D. Rigrodsky or Timothy J. MacFall at Rigrodsky & Long, P.A., 300 Delaware Avenue, Suite 1220, Wilmington, DE 19801, by telephone at (888) 969-4242, by e-mail at info@rl-legal.com, or at http://rigrodskylong.com/cases-eastman-kodak-company.

The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, defendants made materially false and misleading statements, and omitted materially adverse facts, about the Companys business, operations and prospects. As a result of defendants alleged false and misleading statements, the Companys stock traded at artificially inflated prices during the Class Period.

According to the Complaint, on July 27, 2020, Kodak issued a statement to media outlets based in Rochester, New York, where it is headquartered, on the imminent public announcement of a new manufacturing initiative involving the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the response to COVID-19. Following media publication of Kodaks initial statement about the deal, the Company claimed this information was released inadvertently.

On the same day, to further a scheme to profit from the use of material non-public information about the deal before its official disclosure, Kodak granted its CEO and Executive Chairman, Defendant Jim Continenza, 1.75 million stock options at a conversion price of between $3.03 and $12 per share. Additionally, the Company awarded 45,000 stock options each to its CFO, Defendant David Bullwinkle, Vice President Randy Vandagriff, and General Counsel Roger Byrd. On the day these options were awarded, Kodaks stock price closed at $2.62 per share, well below the lowest conversion price, meaning these options were out of the money when they were awarded. That would immediately change to an astronomical degree the very next day.

On July 28, 2020, the price of Kodaks shares jumped 200%, from $2.62 per share on July 27, 2020 to $7.94 per share, following news that the Company had won a $765 million government loan from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) under the Defense Production Act (DPA) to produce pharmaceutical materials, including ingredients for COVID-19 drugs. Shares continued to surge by over 300% the next day to close at $33.20 per share on July 29, 2020. This massive stock price increase allowed Defendant Continenza and other Kodak insiders to enrich themselves spectacularly from the compensation scheme, as their stock options were now very much in the money. Continenza alone saw the value of his options go from zero to $50 million in just 48 hours.

On August 5, 2020, several Congressional committees sent a joint letter to Defendant Continenza seeking documents about the loan, insider trading, and stock options for their review of DFCs decision to award this loan to Kodak despite your companys lack of pharmaceutical experience and the windfall gained by you and other company executives as a result of this loan which raised questions that must be thoroughly examined. The committees also sent a document request to the DFCs Chief Executive Officer on the same day, inquiring about the Kodak loan, which the letter noted was an organization that was on the brink of failure in 2012 and was unsuccessful in its previous foray into pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Finally, in response to increasing public awareness and Congressional and regulatory scrutiny of Kodaks fraudulent scheme, the DFC paused the deal. On August 7, 2020, after the market closed, the DFC announced, On July 28, we signed a Letter of Interest with Eastman Kodak. Recent allegations of wrongdoing raise serious concerns. We will not proceed any further unless these allegations are cleared.

On this news, shares of Kodak fell almost 28%, closing at $10.73 per share on August 10, 2020, on heavy trading volume.

If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 13, 2020. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Any member of the proposed class may move the court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member.

Rigrodsky & Long, P.A., with offices in Delaware and New York, has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of investors and achieved substantial corporate governance reforms in numerous cases nationwide, including federal securities fraud actions, shareholder class actions, and shareholder derivative actions.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Rigrodsky & Long, P.A.

Seth D. Rigrodsky

Timothy J. MacFall

(888) 969-4242

(516) 683-3516

Fax: (302) 654-7530

info@rl-legal.com

http://www.rigrodskylong.com
The president said the plan would allow Ecuador to free up resources for social programmes and restarting the economy.

Ecuador said on Monday that it has won investor support to move ahead with a $17.4bn renegotiation of its foreign debt, a victory for the South American nation that has suffered from the coronavirus pandemic and low oil prices.

President Lenin Morenos government in July offered investors the chance to swap 10 existing notes for three new bonds maturing in 2030, 2035 and 2040, in efforts to save billions of dollars in debt service amid a severe cash crunch.

The Republic announced today that, based on consents delivered as of 4:00 pm Central European Time on August 3, 2020, it had obtained the Requisite Consents to modify all series of Eligible Bonds as proposed in the Invitation, the country said in a statement.

Moreno said via Twitter that the plan would allow Ecuador to free up resources for social protection and the reactivation of the economy.

The governments plan was backed by investors holding a majority of all 10 outstanding issues, the finance ministry said. That would mean that the plan got 75 percent acceptance from the holders of 2024 bonds, which have a higher threshold.

Ecuador nonetheless said it was extending the voting for another week to allow other creditors to join the swap.

My understanding is that they have achieved the required majorities of all bonds, including the 2024s, which was a bit surprising, said Tiago Severo, vice president of Latin America economic research at Goldman Sachs.

If that is indeed confirmed, it will represent an important victory for the government, including by the signal it sends ahead of the negotiations with the [International Monetary Fund].

Ecuadors largest creditor grouping, the Ad Hoc Group including asset managers such as AllianceBernstein, BlackRock and Ashmore, backed the plan early on.

Two other creditor groups, which include Amundi, Contrarian Capital Management and T Rowe Price Associates, have said the proposal does not go far enough.
The resignation of Michael Cawley as chairman of Failte Ireland was so swift the story will have been missed by many mere mortals who are on staycations at the minute.

The August news cycle can often unintentionally cling to any whiff of scandal amid the absence of court sittings, political debates and other routine events.

But by today, Mr Cawley is probably back to enjoying his holiday safe in the knowledge that while six years at the helm of Failte Ireland are over, he will remain on the boards of Kingspan, Paddy Power and Hostelworld.

The reaction to the front page of Saturday's Irish Independent varied between outrage and amusement, with the odd bit of whataboutery thrown in.

Bizarrely some sought to dismiss it as a "silly season" story. Why can't a man go on holidays with his family without the media making a big deal out of it?

Micheal Martin's Seanad nominee Timmy Dooley took to social media to argue the tourist chief's sojourn in Italy was "hardly a front page with 'Exclusive' tag - it's well past time to stop trying to blame someone/anyone for Covid".

"Time to print the masthead in red lads!" he added for good measure.

Dooley is Fianna Fail's former spokesperson on the media but is probably better known to readers for his role in what became known as 'Votegate'. He was dropped from Martin's frontbench as a result of the controversy and lost his Dail seat but subsequently got a Taoiseach's 'free pass' to be an unelected senator.

Now I agree with him on one point. There is a blame game of mammoth proportions going on. It started with the kids on ski holidays, moved to Cheltenham, the Bulgarians who came to pick fruit for paltry pay, the gangs of young lads in parks, the old people who refused to cocoon and the folks who just can't live without a week on the beach in Malaga.

But the Clare politician either missed the point of the story or wilfully ignored it for some reason.

Independent TD for Clare Michael McNamara did likewise by arguing Mr Cawley had not breached the Government's travel advice, which was not mandatory anyway.

"Michael Cawley wasn't giving out travel advice to anybody, nor was he giving out medical advice. We're hearing his reputation traduced on the radio, and we're imposing much more restrictive travel conditions on our citizens than any other country in Europe," Mr McNamara said, adding that we're "entering into a state of hysteria".

This was the chairman of the Oireachtas Covid committee speaking just hours after 200 cases were recorded in a single day for the first time since early May.

But the story wasn't about blaming Michael Cawley for Covid or the Government's confusing travel advice. It's about leadership and moral authority.

The vast, vast majority of people who picked up the newspaper at the weekend probably couldn't name the chairman of Failte Ireland. Even today, a lot of people still won't have actually registered his name.

But everybody knows this is supposed to be the summer of staycations. They will have seen and heard the advertisements (funded through taxpayers' millions) all over the radio, TV, internet and papers urging us to support local businesses. "Make a break for it..." they urge alongside enticing photographs of the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland's Hidden Heartlands.

With weddings gone and American/European tourists effectively banned, hotels, restaurants and attractions desperately need domestic money to survive.

Ordinary people, the types of men and women who don't get appointed to State boards, will also be aware the medical experts have practically begged us not to go abroad. Not everybody agrees with the lockdown but it would be somewhat easier if we were all suffering it together.

Back at the end of June, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan described himself as "beyond nervous" about the reintroduction of overseas travel, and tweeted "what worries me most now is travel from overseas and I fear many planning foreign trips. 2020 is a year for a staycation".

The Government's travel advice might be confused but the medical advice remains very clear.

And so armed with that information, the man on the street will have seen the headline 'Tourism chief on holidays in Italy' and quickly reached the conclusion his position was untenable.

Mr Cawley's business reputation is top-class and his work with Failte Ireland has never been questioned - but in this case he had a choice and made the wrong one.

If a plumber goes to Spain or an accountant takes a trip to Greece this summer, they may suffer some dirty looks from their neighbours but hopefully there won't be any other Covid consequences.

The difference with Mr Cawley (and the reason he made the front page) is that he is in a position to lead.

And if people can't buy into the leader, they can't buy into the vision.

The Irish Independent afforded Mr Cawley an opportunity to explain his foreign holiday which he took up late on Friday night as the printing presses were already rolling.

Many people could empathise with the first part of his story. The trip was arranged by his family "some months ago" and he "didn't want to disappoint them".

What came next, though, only made things worse.

"I am going to spend two holidays supporting the Irish tourism industry," he told Fionnan Sheahan.

Three holidays? The statement had a real ring of the Pee Flynn's "try it some time" when talking about the cost of running three homes.

His decision 12 hours later to resign means the circus can move on - but first let's be very clear: this was a story about the green jersey, not the Green List. And it's worrying that some politicians can't see that.
A Black Lives Matter marcher was arrested Saturday afternoon at the Seaside Heights boardwalk after he got into an argument with a man and hit him in the face, police said.

The incident happened during an event called March At The Boards that was described as a Black Lives Matter protest against police brutality and racial discrimination, on a flyer posted on Facebook promoting the event.

Jamaal Holmes, 28, of Toms River was marching along the boardwalk alongside about 25 other protestors around 3:30 p.m. when he go into the argument with a 68-year-old man in the area of the Sherman Avenue, Seaside Heights Police Detective Steve Korman told NJ Advance Media.

During the dispute, Holmes hit the man in the face, and he fell and suffered a small cut on the back of his head, Korman said.

Holmes was arrested, charged with simple assault and was later released from police custody, authorities said.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
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Linkedin Ghina Ghaliya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, August 16, 2020 13:47 521 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e631db 1 Politics Jokowi,Fahri-Hamzah,Fadli-Zon,Gerindra-Party,gelora-party,Bintang-Mahaputera-Nararya Free

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo honored on Thursday two of his most fervent critics and former House of Representatives deputy speakers, Fadli Zon and Fahri Hamzah, with Bintang Mahaputera Nararya medals, one of the country's highest civilian honors.

According to the Honors and Awards Law, Bintang Mahaputera medals are bestowed on individuals who have demonstrated distinguished services in various fields that contribute significantly to the state and the nations development, welfare and prosperity.

Both seasoned politicians, Fadli and Fahri, were known as outspoken opposition figures and critics of Jokowi's policies during the Presidents first term.

Fadli, who is currently still serving as a lawmaker in the House for the 2019-2024 period, is deputy chairman of the Gerindra Party, a party in Jokowis coalition that was part of the government opposition before the 2019 general election.

He was known as an influential student activist during his undergraduate years at the University of Indonesia (UI). He entered the national political scene following his appointment as a member of the Peoples Representatives Assembly (MPR) representing the youth between 1997 and 1999.

Despite challenges and conflicts, we have carried out our duties according to the Constitution, Fadli said on Monday, assuming the President was considering his success in leading the House in 2014 to 2019.

Fahri, who has parted ways with the opposition Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and is no longer a lawmaker, also said he might be honored because of his service at the House.

According to the notification from the House, our appointment was made because we were a part of the House leadership, he said.

Having served as a lawmaker for 15 years, Fahri started his political career as an MPR member during the transition period from former president BJ Habibie to former president Abdurahman "Gus Dur" Wahid in early 2000s. The former student activist is also popular for his Twitter wit.

Indonesia Political Review executive director Ujang Komarudin saw the medals as the governments attempt to compromise with its critics.

"The government wants the political climate to be more productive, especially now that both Fadli and Fahri seem to have gotten closer to the government," he said.

Ujang added that less criticism could also affect public perception ahead of the 2020 regional elections, in which several children of people in power, including Jokowi and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, are running for office.

Fadlis party is already in the government coalition and weve seen Fahri approaching the government through [a new political party] recently, he said, referring to Fahris visit to the State Palace on July 20.

Read also: Jokowis power consolidation buries outspoken opposition

Fadli and Fahri have been absent from the public sphere after Jokowi consolidated power at the beginning of his second term last year, effectively reducing the opposition in the House by over a third. They are no longer as vocal as before, despite still making public appearances and remaining active on social media.

UI political observer Cecep Hidayat said there was nothing unusual about awarding the medals to Fadli and Fahri as it did not violate any regulations, noting that the move would not have a significant impact on them.

Its not like giving away seats in the government. The medals are a symbol of appreciation for Fadlis and Fahri's roles [as lawmakers].

Cecep also believes that Fadli and Fahri would not be silenced after receiving the medals.

It seems highly unlikely that they will shut their mouths just because of the medals.

Presidential Secretariat head Heru Budi Hartono said the office had gone through the proper procedures in awarding the medals, which included verifying the recipients achievements and contributions.

The President also awarded the Bintang Jasa Utama, the first class of the Bintang Jasa, to six recipients, namely former House of Representatives speaker Bambang Soesatyo of the Golkar Party, MPR deputy speakers Ahmad Basarah of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and Ahmad Muzani of the Gerindra Party, as well as former House deputy speaker Utut Adianto of the PDI-P.
Wang Yi in the wheelchair [Photo/Chinanews.com]

Born with cerebral palsy, a woman who can't walk or even communicate normally, has written eight books with one moveable finger.

Wang Yi, now 31, was born in Yancheng, Jiangsu province in the winter of 1989. She developed cerebral palsy due to oxygen deprivation at birth caused by premature rupture of the membranes. Confined to a wheelchair as she began to grow up, eating and bathing are difficult tasks for her unaided.

However, Wang and her parents have stayed positive throughout.

In infancy , she could not sit like other children and a doctor declared she would not live to reach the age of 10. However, her parents never thought about giving up. In order to treat Wang, they went to Beijing, Shanghai and Nanjing to seek medical treatment, which almost cost them all their savings.

Wang's parents taught her to "regard herself as a normal person even if she is deemed to be physically disabled." She practiced repeatedly to handle many daily activities such as eating and dressing. Even more, with parental help, she has learned how to cope with her physical disability and become an outstanding writer.

"It's hard to imagine how much hard work and sacrifice Wang Yi and her family have gone through, and we all should show respect for them," said Fan Xiaoqing, chairman of the Jiangsu Writers Association.

Wang completed nine years of compulsory education with the help of her parents and teachers before the age of 17. Besides, she also acquired much literary knowledge. With the encouragement of her teacher, she fulfilled her dream of writing.

Literature has become the medium for her to communicate with the world. Sitting in a wheelchair, Wang chased her dream in her own style. Though she only has one moveable finger on her right hand with which to tap the keyboard, she has managed to write eight books with a total of more than a million words.

Now, Wang has participated in various writing competitions and has won honors continuously. She has become a member of the Chinese Writers Association and a signed writer of the Jiangsu Writers Association and achieved the third-level title of literary creation.

"Many people think that it is very hard for me to type and write with only one finger. For me, writing is not a tool to make a living, but my necessary life mode. Only when I am involved in writing can I feel a complete and perfect self," she stressed.

"The sense of value and dignity comes from the efforts of the disabled themselves, as well as from social recognition, acceptance and equal treatment."

Wang hopes that every disabled person can live without discrimination, and she also hope that readers can experience the strength of life, the warmth of the family and the beauty of the times when they are reading her works.

Zhang Haidi, chairman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, said in a letter to Wang Yi: "Just like the collection of poems she has written, 'life is like a sprout, it will feel the warmth of the sun and endure the torture of wind and rain as well, and the most remarkable thing is a tree that has survived many hardships and still stands. Even if there is only one fork left, it still dedicates itself to the world.' Wang Yi is such a tree."

Jidi Majia, vice chairman of the Chinese Writers Association declared: "Although Wang Yi has a disability, the spirit shown in her works is positive. Besides, Wang's lyrics show a unique understanding about the value of life and the value of life."
New round of negotiations aim to reach an agreement on filling and operation of GERD in the quickest possible time

Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan will continue negotiations on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on Tuesday, the Egyptian foreign ministry said on Sunday, after talks between the three countries resumed that afternoon.

According to the Egyptian foreign ministry, the new round of negotiations, called for by current African Union chair South Africa, aim to reach an agreement on the filling and the operation of the GERD in the quickest possible time.

Egypt stressed during the meeting the importance of negotiations in order to reach a legally binding agreement that will regulate the filling and operations of the GERD in a way that preserves the rights of the three countries and secures their water interests, as well as which limits the damage from this dam and its impact on the two downstream countries, read the statement.

The Sudanese irrigation ministry also issued a statement about the meeting, saying that Sudan reasserts its commitment to return to the negotiations in the spirit of African solidarity as well as with the agenda agreed upon earlier this month, and with the principle of international law on the equitable use of water sources without causing harm to others.

The Sudanese statement referred to the agenda set by South Africa on 4 August, as well the expert reports presented to the AU on 24 July.

Sudan also stresses that reaching a complete agreement on the filling and operations of the GERD and on future projects represent an additional proof of boosting regional cooperation and reaching African solutions for African problems, the statement read.

On Sunday, the Egyptian foreign ministry announced the resumption of the negotiations between the irrigation and foreign ministers of the three countries.

The talks, which are taking place by video conference, were originally scheduled for Monday, after Sudan requested last week an adjournment for one week for "internal consultations."

Sudan had threatened to withdraw from the talks, which are sponsored by the African Union, if Ethiopia insisted on linking an agreement on the dams filling to negotiating a deal on sharing the waters of the Blue Nile.

On Saturday, Egypt and Sudan called for an agreement on the GERD that would preserve the interests of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia, in accordance with the 2015 Declaration of Principles, as well as the principle of the just and equitable use of water while not causing significant harm, and the relevant principles of international law.

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The owners of a popular Friendswood bar have been arrested during an investigation after police say they allegedly overserved patrons, according to a release from the Friendswood Police Department.

Police say the Friends Pub located at 2407 W. Parkwood Avenue has been linked to several DWI arrests and a series of disturbances over recent weeks. Friendswood Police Chief Bob Wieners told KPRC about a third of the department's DWI arrests made in July have been linked to patrons at the pub.

The bar has stayed open in defiance of Gov. Greg Abbott's mandate to close down bars for the second time in an effort to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. Under Abbott's order, bars and establishments that receive more than 51 percent of their gross receipts from the sale of alcoholic beverages must not operate at this time.

A large sign strewn across the front of the bar reads, "WE REFUSE TO SHUT DOWN. Please support your local business." One of the owners, Kobra Ghorbani, 41, who goes by Kay, said in a post made to the bar's Facebook page that the business sells more food than alcohol and therefore they are able to remain open. The owners have claimed they feel they are being targeted for choosing to remain open.

'COME AND TAKE IT': Pasadena bar openly defies Abbott's order with 'Texas Bars Fight Back Rally'

"Some people are not aware that we aren't just a bar, we're also a restaurant where families come to eat and we have the proper permits to remain open," Ghorbani said in the post. "They were angry thinking we were breaking the COVID protocol rules and staying open."

Ghorbani added she and her husband, Fred Rahdar, 62, have felt harassed by Friendswood Police, alleging officers frequently wait for their patrons to leave in the bar's parking lot.

Friendswood Police attempted to conduct a bar check and inspection at the establishment on August 3. Police said Ghorbani allegedly refused to allow the officer to complete the inspection. Rahdar was also accused of refusing to allow police to complete an inspection and both were subsequently arrested and charged with inspection refusal/interference.

Police allege an officer sustained "a serious hand injury" while trying to arrest Rahdar. Additional charges are pending.

Ghorbani said her business has taken a 75 percent hit since the pandemic began and that they plan to remain open.

On HoustonChronicle.com: 'Blood in the water': Squeezed by shutdowns, Houstons bar owners are on the rocks

"It is unjust and unfair the way we've been treated by our local authorities with whom we've always backed, supported and cared for," Ghorbani said in the post. "I don't know how much longer I can survive to be in business."

Friendswood Police said in mid-March that the pub would be closely monitored and reported to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission following a string of "out-of-control disturbances" there. Rahdar previously told Chron.com he disagreed with what police were saying about the disturbances and said after more than a decade in Friendswood, his bar has always been known "as a really good neighborhood bar."

A person who sells alcohol to an intoxicated person and is found to be criminally negligent could receive up to a 1,000 fine or up to a year in jail.

"It is critical for establishments that sell alcoholic beverages to take steps to avoid overserving for the safety of everyone who use public roadways," the release stated. "All of us have the right to be safe from the extreme dangers imposed upon motorists by intoxicated drivers. And, those who profit from the selling of alcoholic beverages are expected to exert the greatest effort to prevent drunk driving."

rebecca.hennes@chron.com
Although the pandemic has shuttered the theater, presumably temporarily, the 1,499-seat Harris has historically presented international arts groups under its own auspices and also served as a shared home for some 30 resident companies of varying size.
Isaias has come and gone.

Here are some things to remember about it.

First, despite the innumerable power outages and grief it caused statewide  from Norfolk to Norwalk, from Greenwich to Union  Isaias winds did not blow all that hard.

Bill Jacquemin, senior meteorologist at Connecticut Weather Center in Danbury, said that when Superstorm Sandy hit his New Milford home in 2012, the wind gusts there clocked in at 86 mph. For Isaias, his anemometer reached 52 mph.

This was not a historic storm, he said.

Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton said that after the freak October blizzard of 2011, the city had to open a debris dump for the trees and limbs that storms heavy snow dragged down. That wont be necessary with Isaias, he said.

Second  and while this has been reported by the ton, it still bears repeating  Eversource did a terrible job preparing for the storm and responding after it hit.

Eversource got caught with its pants down, Jacquemin said.

Isaias hit the state on a Tuesday. Jacquemin said that by the previous Saturday, the storms track was pretty clear  its center was heading up the Hudson River Valley.

With hurricanes and tropical storms, the winds are strongest to the northeast of the center, and the rain heavier to the west. As Isaias proceeded north, Connecticut was always going to be on the windy side of things.

Eversource let that pass by.

I dont know why, Jacquemin said.

And once Isaias hit, still nada.

Boughton said that in the past, Eversource, or its corporate predecessor Northeast Utilities, would have trucks stationed in the city, ready to respond once the storm passed. They werent there this time, he said.

The utilitys coordination with the towns was also lacking, to say the least.

In Roxbury, downed trees blocked three-quarters of the towns roads . First Selectman Barbara Henry said town road crews got so exasperated with Eversources no-show in evaluating and clearing tree off power lines that it did that work itself.

Were a small town, Henry said. Were used to doing things for ourselves.

There is also this. Connecticut has lots of tree lining its country roads. We like the look.

Theyre as important to the look of the state as stone walls, said Jeff Ward, forester for the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven.

When Isaias hit, its high-enough winds and bursts of heavy rain blew against trees that were fully-leafed out.

The leaves are like a giant sail, Ward said. They catch the wind.

After the October blizzard in 2011 and Sandy, a year later, there were task forces and panel discussions and reports with official-sounding names on their covers.

Then life carried on. Eight years later Isaias hit, trees fell on power lines and about a million people in the state lost power. Again.

What to do?

There is a solution. Forest scientists, including Ward and Thomas Worthley, a professor at the University of Connecticuts Extension Service, came up with a different way of tending to the roadside treescape, called Storm Wise.

The idea is this. Rather than have utilities trim only near the power lines, there should be a glade-like landscape extending 100 feet or so from the roads on both sides.

If you have a 90-foot tree growing 40 feet from the road and it falls over, its still going to land in the road, Worthley said.

Storm Wise takes out old trees with rotting limbs, or trees leaning toward power lines. It leaves younger, healthier straight-growing trees to thrive. The cleared land underneath quickly grows green with brush.

There are eight Storm Wise test sites in the state. Worthley said while Isaias knocked down a few trees and limbs at the sites, none fell on power lines or blocked roads.

If the state, the towns, private landowners and the utilities all sat down together, Worthley said, they could put some of the Storm Wise principles into greater use. Whats lacking is the political will, he said.

As for the cost, Worthley said, think of the money businesses lost in Isaias because they were powerless. Think of the cost of tons of spoiled food in grocery stores.

It costs money to run home generators. Then theres the taxpayer money, ratepayer money needed to clear roads and restore power in Isaias aftermath.

In those terms, Storm Wise, seems, well, wise.

It would be a huge savings, Worthley said.

Contact Robert Miller at earthmattersrgm@gmail.com
Hyper-Chaotic Expectations Could Collapse US Economic Recovery Expectations

As much as we may not want to deal with the reality of the situation, recent news from the state of California suggests it and many other states may be reaching the fiscal boundaries of the COVID-19 economic contraction. The reality of the economic situation is that when consumers are restricted from normal activities, taxes, sales, and revenues decrease for the state exponentially. States that depend on consumers and business activity with very large budgets are at greater risk of experiencing immediate fiscal issues the longer the COVID-19 virus event continues. A recent Moodys Analytics article suggested Nevada, Hawaii, New York, Washington, Florida, DC, and Connecticut would be hit the hardest by the COVID-19 virus.

STATE FINANCES A MESS

One has to use their imagination to attempt to understand the true scope of the issues ahead for states that experience what we are calling the COVID Fiscal Cliff. See the Yahoo! Finance graph below for a view of states that have the most economic exposure to COVID.

Expenses dont stop that much for these states. Theyve made commitments many years into the future based on budgets and revenue expectations entrenched in the political works of each state. When a contraction of 10%, 20%, 30%, or more is experienced in revenues/income, it can be disastrous. The longer this type of revenue contraction exists, the more painful the Fiscal Death Thrashing for each state is likely to be.

Currently, the revenue levels appear to have decreased by approximately -30% from March 2020 to May 2020 according to a recent NPR article. As we can see from the chart below, the effect on each state varies state-by-state. Regardless, a -25% to -30% in revenues will crush many states future operations  almost immediately.

The article further states Record-high unemployment has wreaked havoc on personal income taxes and sales taxes, two of the biggest sources of revenue for states. Hawaiis and Nevadas tourism industries have crashed, and states like Alaska, Oklahoma and Wyoming have been hit by the collapse of oil markets. From March through May of this year, 34 states experienced at least a 20% drop in revenue compared with the same period last year

When one looks at the US stock market reaching new all-time highs and expecting a continued V-shaped recovery, we believe the expectations many traders/investors have may be grossly inaccurate given state revenue data.

Before you continue, be sure to opt-in to our free-market trend signalsnow so you dont miss our next special report!

CREDIT, DEBT & A LACK OF REAL INCOME

Consumers make up nearly 80% of the US total GDP. Certainly, a 20% to 30% decrease in consumer spending and activity will dent state and local city revenue sources. When we consider the huge wave of foreclosures, evictions, and job losses that are still pending to hit the economy, we are likely looking at tens of millions of US citizens being displaced or disqualified from consumer activity. This process will likely take 24+ months to fully materialize, yet we are only 5+ months into the process right now.

What happens to the support systems, housing, and how consumers engage in economic activity when states and cities have reached their limits and start cutting budgets and services? What happens to the stock market when investors suddenly realize the total scope of the true economic environment ahead? Will they be as aggressive in buying assets and stocks as they have been over the past 5+ months? One thing is certain, we have yet to identify and experience the total impact of the COVID-19 economic contraction yet  get ready for a reality shock.

I believe the Fibonacci Price Amplitude Arcs, shown below on this YM Monthly chart, are key to understanding how and where price risk may become excessive. Currently, price levels are trading just above the two GREEN Fibonacci Price Amplitude Arcs.

If the economy continues to recover at a moderate pace, then we may see further upside price activity from these levels. Yet, with only about 80 days to go before the US Presidential elections and with late Summer/Early Fall economic cycles in place, I believe the next phase of the economic contraction will come when consumers/cities/states start to become burdened with the lack of income and economic activity related to the COVID-19 virus event. We believe that process is starting to unfold right now.

States and cities that suddenly find themselves broke, or close to being broke, suddenly start acting differently  as we all do. We start to become more protectionist in our thinking. Whereas, prior to being broke, we could spend and enjoy different things. Now, being broke, means we cant spend and enjoy  heck we may not even be able to pay for essential services or to keep the lights on.

A perfect example of the Economic Death Spiral event that often takes place when cities/states destroy their economic future is what is being reported in New York City. People with the means and ability are fleeing New York City in droves and the Mayor is pleading with these wealthy residents to stay. The only people that may eventually be left are those that dont have the resources to leave.

These near all-time highs may seem like a very good opportunity for buying before the breakout, but we urge everyone to stay cautious because we believe a broader, longer-term cycle is taking place and we are just at the start of this potentially 24+ month cycle. Yes, the Fed can print lots of money and spread it around, but consumers and assets need to be engaged in real organic economic function for the economy to grow. If the Fed continues to attempt to buy up everything, this is not real organic growth  it is life support.

Pay attention to our research and please protect your assets and family. The process of global recovery after the COVID-19 virus is likely to take years. There will be very big and incredible opportunities for skilled technical traders over that time. Learn how we can help you trade and find success in these markets  sign up for my Active ETF Swing Trade Signals today!

If you have a buy-and-hold account (like retirement accounts) and are looking for technical signals for when to own equities, bonds, or cash, be sure to subscribe to my Passive Long-Term ETF Investing Signals, for which we expect to issue a new signal for subscribers soon. Stay healthy and rest easy at night by staying informed through our services  sign up today!

Chris Vermeulen

www.TheTechnicalTraders.com

Chris Vermeulen has been involved in the markets since 1997 and is the founder of Technical Traders Ltd. He is an internationally recognized technical analyst, trader, and is the author of the book: 7 Steps to Win With Logic



Through years of research, trading and helping individual traders around the world. He learned that many traders have great trading ideas, but they lack one thing, they struggle to execute trades in a systematic way for consistent results. Chris helps educate traders with a three-hour video course that can change your trading results for the better.



His mission is to help his clients boost their trading performance while reducing market exposure and portfolio volatility.



He is a regular speaker on HoweStreet.com, and the FinancialSurvivorNetwork radio shows. Chris was also featured on the cover of AmalgaTrader Magazine, and contributes articles to several leading financial hubs like MarketOracle.co.uk

Disclaimer: Nothing in this report should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any securities mentioned. Technical Traders Ltd., its owners and the author of this report are not registered broker-dealers or financial advisors. Before investing in any securities, you should consult with your financial advisor and a registered broker-dealer. Never make an investment based solely on what you read in an online or printed report, including this report, especially if the investment involves a small, thinly-traded company that isnt well known. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report has been paid by Cardiff Energy Corp. In addition, the author owns shares of Cardiff Energy Corp. and would also benefit from volume and price appreciation of its stock. The information provided here within should not be construed as a financial analysis but rather as an advertisement. The authors views and opinions regarding the companies featured in reports are his own views and are based on information that he has researched independently and has received, which the author assumes to be reliable. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content of this report, nor its fitness for any particular purpose. Lastly, the author does not guarantee that any of the companies mentioned in the reports will perform as expected, and any comparisons made to other companies may not be valid or come into effect.

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The demand for accountability in the use of billions of shillings allocated for Covid-19 interventions continues to gather momentum with the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) and three former senators calling on the relevant government institutions to make full disclosure on the kitty.

Former senators Johnson Muthama, Dr Boni Khalwale and Mr Hassan Omar have particularly called on development partners to freeze funding to the kitty until the government explains how it is spending the money.

The calls by CAJ and the former senators come as a parliamentary committee directed Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu to undertake a special audit into the expenditure of the billions of shillings allocated to the national and county governments for the pandemic's interventions.

CAJ, also known as the office of the Ombudsman, said that it is wrong for responsible institutions to misuse funds aimed at dealing with the pandemic and then failing to provide information on the amounts of money received from government loans or grants and resultant expenditures.

Breach of trust

"The commission has noted with concern where public officers have been quoted declaring that they would not make disclosures on expenditure of Covid-19 funds. This is a blatant breach of the trust and erodes public confidence in the integrity of the public office," Ms Florence Kajuju, the chairperson of CAJ said.

As Ms Kajuju spoke, the former senators led by Mr Muthama urged the international community and other donors to cut funding, arguing that the funds are not serving the intended purpose.

Mr Muthama noted that their agitation is not meant to punish Kenyans, claiming that the funds advanced to the country to help in the fight against the disease had not been directed to the intended use as the money has been stashed in offshore private accounts.

"This is the money that was intended to cushion Kenyans against this disease. But it has been stolen and stashed in overseas accounts," said Mr Muthama even as the disease continues to decimate the global population and its economy.

The former Machakos senator claimed that in order to conceal the theft, the government has now resorted to confusing Kenyans with the 2022 succession politics.

Diverting attention

"They are now diverting the attention of Kenyans from the theft of Covid-19 funds to the politics of 2022. But what we are saying is, let the government make full disclosure on how the funds were used before soliciting the same from donors," he added.

Kenya has so far secured over Sh223 billion for its Covid-19 war chest from the international community.

This includes Sh78.3 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Sh108 billion from the World Bank both as budgetary support and extra resources to help fight the deadly viral infection.

IMF had, before this financing, extended Sh6.8 billion support to the Health ministry for preparations and response while the African Development Bank gave Sh22.5 billion as a concessional loan with the European Union topping with Sh7.5 billion in form of grants.

Dr Khalwale claimed that the individuals connected to senior government and political figures have been raking in millions of shillings by selling donations earmarked for the pandemic interventions to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa).

Change funding model

"The international community should readjust the model of funding to help fight this disease. Because of the theft, we are urging donors to channel their funding through community-based organisations, faith-based organisations and other non-governmental organisations," Dr Khalwale said.

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Mr Omar demanded that individuals at the Ministry of Health and Kemsa suspected of stealing the funds step aside for investigations to be done.

"What is happening is wanton and reckless theft of funds meant to help the country. Unless people are arrested and disclosures made, the donor community should suspend Covid-19 funding. We are only calling for accountability," Mr Omar said.

The Senate ad hoc committee on Covid-19, in directing the Auditor-General to do a special audit, noted that the billions of shillings meant to deal with the disease may have been diverted to other areas not related to the pandemic, misapplied or misappropriated.

The committee chaired by nominated Senator Sylvia Kasanga also wants the Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang'o to furnish it with a special budget review implementation report on the use of the funds meant for Covid-19 interventions by the 47 counties.
5-Year-Old Girl Killed While Playing in Her Home in South Carolina: Police

A 5-year-old girl playing in a South Carolina home was shot and killed, prompting family members to call for justice.

Officials told the Post and Courier that the girl, Italia Lomelli-Graham, was in the hallway of her familys home in Summerville when someone opened fire outside. The bullets penetrated the wall and hit her.

No suspects have been arrested or named in the case. The motive isnt clear

This is about my daughter, Italias father told the paper. That little girl was very dear  and now Im like a 5-year-old, running downhill. Theres no direction. I just dont know what to do.

According to WCSC, a candlelight vigil was held for the girl on Aug. 11.

Summerville Police are now asking neighbors to send in surveillance video they might have of the incident.

If you know something, say something so we can catch Italia Lomelli-Grahams killer because until we do theres a killer on the loose waiting to do it again, said Pastor Thomas Dixon in the WCSC report.

A GoFundMe page was set up for the child.

At the tender age of 5, Italia had a radiance about her that would fill up the room. She was very energetic and adventurous, the page says. She loved bike riding, Powerpuff Girls, and My Little Pony. She loves singing and dancing with her older sister Denasia. Lets not forget about her 8-month-old brother GiGi who she would tell her Daddy its ok to go home but must leave Gigi to stay with her confident self enough to take care of her baby brother. Above all, she was loving and was destined for greatness.
Chhattisgarh will create a dedicated fund for contributions from people towards the development of the state governments ambitious Ram Van Gaman Tourist Circuit project.

Nine sites have been selected in the first phase of the project, chief minister Bhupesh Baghel said on Saturday during his address at the Independence Day function in capital Raipur.

The sites selected are Sitamarhi-Harchaika (Koriya), Ramgarh (Ambikapur), Shivrinarayan (Janjgir-Champa), Turturiya (Baloda Bazar), Chandkhuri (Raipur), Rajim (Gariaband), Sihawa-Saptarishi Ashram (Dhamtari), Jagdalpur (Bastar) and Ramaram (Sukma).

Chhattisgarh is nanihal (maternal place) of Lord Ram. He had also spent most of his time in Chhattisgarh during his exile. For the memories, the state government is going to develop RamVan Gaman Tourism Circuit. In order to give an opportunity to the people of the state to contribute towards this sacred work, we have decided to set up the Ram Van Gaman Paryatan Paripath Vikas Kosh, Baghel said.

He also launched the Padhai Tuhar Para scheme under which school students will be able to study in their localities in view of the suspension of classes due to coronavirus outbreak.

The online education platform Padhai Tunhar Duar scheme launched by the state government earlier during the lockdown yielded better results and around 22 lakh children are getting its benefit. Subsequently, we are now starting the Padhai Tuhar Para scheme to teach children with the help of community in their localities and villages, said Baghel.

The chief minister further said that the Mukhyamantri Slum Swasthya Yojana will be launched in urban areas of the state, under which people will be provided health facilities at their doorstep through 70 mobile medical units in all 14 municipal corporations.

Similarly, the Radhabai Diagnostic Centre Scheme will also be introduced under which pathology and other testing facilities will be provided at concessional rates, he said.

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China: 84-y-o Christian ordered to pray to Xi over God; cross replaced with image of CCP ruler

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Authorities in China replaced a cross in the home of an elderly Christian man with an image of Xi Jinping and ordered him to pray to the countrys president instead of God as part of the Chinese Communist Partys efforts to sinicize Christianity.

The 84-year-old man in Shanxi Province, China, was among a number of Christians in several provinces ordered to remove Christian imagery from their homes and replace them with pictures of Communist leaders, religious rights magazine Bitter Winter reported.

The township [Chinese Communist] Party [CCP] secretary asked me to take down and throw away the cross and told me to pray to Xi Jinping from then on, the unidentified Christian told Bitter Winter. Xi Jinping is a man, not God. I feel saddened for the cross being taken down, but there is nothing I can do.

Similar reports have emerged from at least five provinces over the last few months, with authorities urging believers  often low-income households reliant on government assistance  to replace crosses and images of Jesus in their homes with posters of Communist Party leaders, or lose welfare benefits.

In June, a village official in Lin County repeatedly ordered villagers through social media to remove all religious symbols from their homes, Bitter Winter reported.

He stated that the cross symbolized heterodox teachings, which should be purged as per orders from higher authorities. If not, they will be held criminally accountable. The official stressed that impoverished households must replace the symbols with images of Xi Jinping, the outlet said.

Officials in Lin County threatened to cancel poverty alleviation allowances if Christians refused to discard their faith-based books and other items. One Christian told Bitter Winter that every household was ordered to display portraits of Xi and that residents were to provide photos of themselves beside them.

In the southeastern province of Jiangxi, officials tore down crosses and other Christian imagery in the homes of officially recognized Three-Self Church members. When challenged, the officials told believers they were implementing state-issued orders.

Though reluctant, the impoverished Christians had to remove the symbols since the officials threatened to cancel their subsistence allowance if they disobeyed. People must follow the party that gives them money, not God, the officials claimed, Bitter Winter said.

It was previously reported that in April, the government of Xinyu city in the southeastern province of Jiangxi canceled a disabled Christians minimum living subsidy and a monthly disability allowance of 100 RMB (about $14) because the believer continued to attend worship services despite government orders.

In 2017, CCP officials visited believers homes in Yugan county of Jiangxi province and removed 600 Christian symbols from Christians living rooms, and hung 453 portraits of the Communist leader in their place, according to a report from the South China Morning Post.

SCMP, a newspaper that kowtows to the communist regime, claimed the move was part of a state-sponsored campaign to alleviate poverty in the region since some CCP members believe families faith is to blame for poverty.

Many poor households have plunged into poverty because of illness in the family. Some resorted to believing in Jesus to cure their illnesses, the head of the CCP campaign told SCMP. But we tried to tell them that getting ill is a physical thing, and that the people who can really help them are the Communist Party and General Secretary Xi.

Last year, authorities with the CCP removed the Ten Commandments from nearly every Three-Self church and meeting venue in a county of Luoyang city and replaced them with the presidents quotes.

Following the implementation of revised religious regulation rules in February of 2018, Communist officials have shut down churches, arrested congregations, and attempted to rewrite the Bible in efforts to free religion from perceived foreign influence,

Chinas campaign to sinicize religion originated in a speech by Xi at the National Religious Work Conference in April 2016. At the time, Xi stated that in order to actively guide the adaptation of religions to socialist society, an important task is supporting Chinas religions persistence in the direction of sinicization.

Persecution watchdog Open Doors USA ranks China at No. 23 on its list of 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. The nonprofit notes that while Chinas constitution protects the right to religion, houses of worship are often tightly controlled and even shuttered if deemed too large, too political, or invite foreign guests.
One man died in a Sunday morning fire at a housing complex for disabled residents in Hunterdon County.

Fire and rescue crews responded around 6:30 a.m. to the Meadows at Oldwick on Fisher Road in Tewksbury Township and found a man dead in one of the units, according to Whitehouse Rescue Squad Chief Jeff Herzog.

The fire was contained to the one apartment, Tewksbury Township Police Chief Timothy P. Barlow confirmed.

Authorities have not released additional information about the incident, including the mans cause of death or his identity.

The identity of the victim will be made through further investigation by the medical examiners office, Barlow said in a statement.

No additional injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office Arson Task Force and Tewksbury Township Police are handling the case, according to Paul T. Approvato, acting deputy chief with the prosecutors office.

No further information can be released at this time, he said.

The 18-unit complex consists of one- and two-bedroom apartments and provides affordable housing for those with physical and developmental disabilities who are able to live independently, according to the facilitys Facebook page.

Firefighters on scene at The Meadows at Oldwick, 800 Fisher Rd. in Tewksbury, on August 15, 2020.(Rich Maxwell | for NJ Advance Media)

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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
India's prime minister said Saturday his country has done well in containing the coronavirus pandemic and announced $1.46 trillion infrastructure projects to boost the sagging economy.

The key lesson India learnt from the pandemic is to become self-reliant in manufacturing and developing itself as a key supply chain destination for international companies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

"The coronavirus epidemic is a big crisis, but it cant stall Indias economic progress, Modi said in a speech from New Delhis 17th century Mughal-era Red Fort to mark 74 years of the country's independence from British rule.

He also said that three vaccines are in different phases of testing in India and it will start mass production as soon as it got a green light from scientists. Indias coronavirus death toll overtook Britains this week to become the fourth-highest in the world as the country reported over 2.5 million confirmed cases, just behind the U.S. and Brazil.

The International Monetary Fund projected a contraction of 4.5% for the Indian economy in 2020, a historic low, but said the country is expected to bounce back in 2021. Modi said the government has identified 7,000 infrastructure projects to offset the economic impact of the pandemic.

He said that India saw a record 18% jump in foreign direct investment in the past year, a signal that the international companies are looking at the country. Modi didn't refer to China directly, but India is trying to capitalize on its rival's rising production costs and deteriorating ties with the United States and European nations to become a replacement home for large multinationals.

Referring to border tensions with China in the Ladakh area, he said Indian forces had given a befitting response in the mountainous region where thousands of soldiers from the two countries remain in a tense standoff since May. India said 20 of its troops died in hand combat with Chinese troops on June 15.

"Whether its terrorism or expansionism, India is fighting the challenges bravely," Modi said in apparent references to threats from neighboring Pakistan and China.
Other cities with progressive leadership are discussing proposals to defund the police. They often deny that they want to actually defund the police; they simply propose to redirect police funding to other purposes, like mental health treatment or affordable housing. But the bottom line is, as progressives discuss weakening police forces around the country, the threat of violence and disorder grows.

This is an election year. Election years are times for partisan arguments. They dont have to be nuanced. They dont have to be subtle. And one Republican message this year is: The people who are tolerating and even cheering on the forces of disorder are Democrats. What will the Democratic candidate for president, Joe Biden, do about that?

Probably not much. Do not look for Biden to have what in the 1990s was called a Sister Souljah moment -- to take a stand against extremists on his own side. Instead, Biden, who has apologized for his role in the Bill Clinton-era crime bill, is trying to play both sides of the street. For example, he has said that he does not support defunding the police, but when interviewed by progressive activists who asked whether he would support redirecting funds away from police, he agrees.

Down in the polls, time running out, President Trump faces a daunting reelection battle. But the failure of progressive governance to ensure public safety around the country has given him an opportunity, if he can take it.
Leo Igwe

16.08.2020 LISTEN

The growing visibility of nonbelief in the black community is a welcome development especially in challenging the stereotype that conflates being black and being religious. It is pertinent to adequately situate the discourse on Black religiosity/irreligiosity because for too long blacks have largely been associated with religious belief and devotion. The black culture has been conceptualized as estranged from irreligious freethinking elements and sentiments. So, it is worthwhile to recognize trends of irreligiosity and the growing influence and possibilities of nontheism in black communities.

In highlighting the phenomenon of nonbelief, it is necessary to highlight the associated risks and challenges, dangers, and constrains that blur the vistas and visibility of unbelief in the black world. From the Nigerian end of the spectrum, the culture of nonbelief is endangered, and gasping for breath and survival. Competing indigenous, Christian and Islamic faith traditions find in religious infidelity and infidels a common target and enemy. Every religion is hardwired against unbelief and unbelievers.

The danger linked to nonbelief is not because there has been a radical change in the configuration of the black god or an ontological shift in the status of deities. The invisibility of unbelief is not a validation of some black-specific god gene or some culture-specific religious epiphany. Black religiosity is predicated on socialization and cultural orientation that has refused to yield to the demands and dictates of curious, inquisitive, and questioning minds. Black communities have caved in to religious pressures and are being held hostage by surging over layers of violent supplements from believers who are unable to bear opposing views; coercive currents from godly individuals disinclined, or indoctrinated to detest ideas and sentiments critical of their gods or prophets. This climate of acute intolerance and scorched earth hostility towards on belief has led to a dimmed climate of freethought, and a pervasive surface religiosity in the black communities. The god-belief establishment has, out of mischief, instituted a prize for neutralizing nonbelief. The reward of enjoying eternal bliss in the hereafter, with some obvious worldly here-and-now appeals, pleasures rand accessories, has become a life long aspiration of believers. It has turned the godly, young and old, rich or poor, educated and uneducated into qualms-less, desperate questers and coveters, ready and willing to break any law, defy any moral code, breach whatever social norm, violate any form of decency with impunity in an attempt to claim and possess this elusive and illusive bounty.

Even with its enormous potential as an antidote to extremisms and superstition based abuses, nonbelief is facing a severe threat from Islamic theocrats and jihadists that leverage on the suffocation of free thought, and free expression of ideas and beliefs. Islamic orthodoxies seek to maintain absolute control over the lives and conduct of individuals including Islamic outsiders or non-muslims. They have usurped the powers of their immortal deity vesting them on clerics, on Sheikhs, Ulamas, Imams, and other paradise aspiring mortals. They have made the 'almighty Allah' redundant and inconsequential in the scheme of things, policing and judging thoughts and morals, everyday conduct including the comments and posts that people make on Facebook and verses of songs that they circulate on social media. They have arrogated to themselves the functions of an all-seeing, all-knowing, and all-powerful superhuman, and decide who lives and who dies. They openly and publicly threaten attack and violence against any real or imagined enemy or offender with impunity. These Mujahideens have wittingly and unwittingly turned Islam into an ideology of terror, hate, and division. They have emptied out the faith contents of the Shahada, turning la ilaha illa llahu muhammadun rasulu llahi, and Allahu Akbar, into war songs and an open invitation to mindless violence and bloodletting.

They pronounce fatwas at the slightest provocation; sanctioning anyone whom they judge to have transgressed or deviated from their Allah's perfect path of speech and expression, belief, and behavior, online and offline. They take the license to feel offended on behalf of their deities, divine messengers and emissaries, and go to the extent of seeking redress and revenge, avenging supposed wrongs, insults, and disrespect using sharia judicial and extrajudicial means and mechanisms as fronts to justify the perpetration of heinous crimes.

Intolerance of nonbelief in Muslim-dominated societies rests on two main pillars- apostasy and blasphemy. Apostasy and blasphemy make doubt, disbelief, questioning, and other associated habits punishable offences. Islam uses the weapons of apostasy and blasphemy to hold nonbelief and nonbelievers hostage, and to compel nonbelievers to pretend to believe or risk imprisonment, judicial or extrajudicial murder. Apostates run the risk of being designated as mentally unsound as in the case of Mubarak Bala in 2014. Bala's family consigned him to a psychiatric hospital when he came out as an ex Muslim. Or Mohammed Salih from Sudan in 2017 who was accused of apostasy but a court acquitted him on the ground that he was mentally incompetent. Islam penalizes and pathologizes apostasy. So as an apostate, one is either a criminal or a mentally sick person.

Blasphemy law makes an expression of nonbelief a crime, not a legitimate exercise. It forces doubting, critical and disbelieving minds to speak or write as if they believe. The Islamic establishment leaves nonbelievers with only two options: Be quiet and remain alive or speak out and die. Blasphemy has made religious disbelievers to live falsely, pretending to believe to avoid being killed (suffer physical death) or being disappeared(suffer social death), as in the case of Mubarak Bala. For nonbelief to be visible and impactful, thoughts and ideas must be freely expressed; individuals must be able to communicate their beliefs without fear of being arrested. Nonbelievers and believers are to be treated with equal dignity and respect.
MESA, Ariz. (AP)  Yasser Sanchez has twice worked to defeat Joe Bidens bids for the vice presidency by building support for Republican candidates among his fellow members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It wasn't hard.

Now the lifelong Republican finds himself in the surprising position of supporting Biden  and repelled from his party, he says, by President Donald Trump.

Were taught to be steady, to be basically the opposite of the way hes lived his life, Sanchez said.

Sanchez's view isn't as unusual as the Trump campaign would like.

While many conservative-leaning religious voters warmed to him long ago, Trump has struggled to win over Latter-day Saints. His penchant for foul language clashes with the church's culture teaching modesty and self-restraint, and his isolationist foreign policy is anathema to a faith spreading rapidly around the world.

It hasn't helped that Trump has made a show of feuding with Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, among the best known members of the church.

Once just a headache for the White House, Trump's relative weakness with Latter-day Saints is now a growing political liability. His standing has slumped in several pivotal states, including Arizona, where members of the faith make up 6% of the population. Many are clustered around Phoenix, areas where Republicans have struggled to hold their ground in the Trump era.

This past week the Trump campaign launched its Latter-day Saints for Trump Coalition, sending Vice President Mike Pence to Mesa, a suburb of Phoenix, for the kickoff. Pence, who often serves as Trump's emissary to religious conservatives, appealed to church members' opposition to abortion rights and longstanding concerns over religious liberty.

Trump "has stood for the religious freedom of every American of every faith every day of this administration, Pence told the group of about 200 people.

Last month, the president's son, Donald Trump Jr., hosted a conference call with reporters to commemorate Pioneer Day, a church holiday celebrating the arrival of the first church settlers in Utahs Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Trump Jr., said he was in Utah at the time for a fishing trip.

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Still, signs of discontent were clear. More than 200 people identifying themselves as Republicans who belong to the church published an open letter Wednesday declaring their opposition to Trump and calling him the antithesis of so much the Latter-day Saints community believes.

To be sure, Latter-day Saints have traditionally voted Republican and are likely to remain part of the GOP coalition. Clustered in solidly Republican states, they have long been a major force in GOP primaries and local politics across the West, but they have not held much sway in national elections.

Trump won Arizona in 2016 by 91,000 votes. There are about 436,000 Latter-day Saints in Arizona, according to church statistics. Many live in Phoenix's East Valley suburbs popular with young families, including Gilbert, Chandler and Mesa, which traces its modern history to a settlement founded by pioneers from the faith in the 1800s.

In recent elections, political consultants have considered these areas a barometer of swing voters, including women and college-educated white voters who have recently shifted Democratic. In 2018, several neighborhoods east of Phoenix popular with church members voted both for Republican Gov. Doug Ducey and Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.

From the time were young were taught  as are all Christians  that were supposed to love God and love our neighbor, said Kathy Varga, a 39-year-old speech therapist from Mesa. I dont see that happening right now. I just see the country becoming more divided.

Varga reluctantly voted for Trump in 2016 because she was worried about Democrat Hillary Clinton putting liberal justices on the Supreme Court. Now Varga says he believes Trump is threatening government institutions and the Constitution. She plans to vote for Biden, even though she disagrees with many of his policies, because the most important thing right now is to unify the country.

It's unclear precisely how common Varga's view is among her faith. In the 2018 midterm elections, about two-thirds of voters who are members of the church nationwide favored Republicans. But Latter-day Saints were less likely than other traditionally Republican religious groups to approve of the way Trump was doing his job.

Among members of the faith, 67% voted for Republicans, and 56% said they approved of Trump's job performance. By comparison, 80% of white evangelical Christians nationwide voted for Republican candidates, and nearly as many said they approve of Trump, according to an analysis of 1,528 midterm voters who are members of the faith, based on data from VoteCast, a broad national survey conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.

Even Latter-day Saints who turned out to hear Pence this past week acknowledged they were disappointed in Trump's infidelity or uncouth language. But they also viewed it as a tolerable consequence of electing a straight-talking man unafraid to ruffle feathers.

Although Trump rarely speaks about his faith or attends church services, these supporters said they believed he was a defender of religious freedoms, which is of paramount importance to members of a faith that settled in what is now Utah to escape persecution.

Were able to continue practicing our religion. Thats how our country was founded, said Norma Hastings, a 71-year-old church member from Gilbert. She said she thinks Pence keeps Trump on the right road.

Jenn Crandall, a 48-year-old pianist from Mesa, said she looks to other figures in the administration and the campaign for connection.

I like how hard working his kids are, his wife, Crandall said. Hes a family guy.

Bidens campaign is also targeting Latter-day Saints in Arizona and elsewhere. A Latter-day Saints for Joe group was formed more than a year ago. In a virtual town hall for church members on Saturday, campaign surrogates tied Biden's economic, health care and immigration agendas to church teachings on self reliance, family values and refuge.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints "prioritizes caring for the poor. It prioritizes strong families, a strong moral code, sacrifice, said Eric Biggart, co-chair of LDS Democrats who lives in Salt Lake City. To me, its hard to be a Republican and a member of the church at the same time.

The church does not back candidates or political parties.
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Tens of thousands of Belarusian opposition supporters gathered for the largest protest rally in recent history in Minsk as President Alexander Lukashenko rejected calls to step down in a defiant speech.

Crowds of protesters marched through the streets to the central Independence Square on Sunday, with an AFP journalist estimating the turnout at more than 100,0000, a scale of protest not seen since the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Belarusian independent news site Tut.by called the rally "the largest in the history of independent Belarus".

Columns of demonstrators raised victory signs and held flowers and balloons as a sea of protesters gathered in Independence Square, the focus of peaceful demonstrations in recent days.

"Now we're changing history," said 26-year-old Yekaterina Gorbina, a content manager.

"Blood was spilled and the people will never forget that."

Darya Kukhta, 39, a mother of six, told AFP: "We believe that a new Belarus is beginning. I'm very happy to be seeing this with my own eyes."

Demonstrators held placards with slogans such as "You can't wash off the blood" and "Lukashenko must answer for the torture and dead".

Popular opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya had called for a weekend of protests after leaving for neighbouring Lithuania following the disputed election, which gave Lukashenko 80 percent of the vote.

Other major towns and cities in the ex-Soviet country of nine million also saw large rallies, local media reported.

More and more Belarusians have taken to the streets over the last week to condemn Lukashenko's disputed victory and a subsequent violent crackdown by riot police and abuse of detainees.

Unusually, tightly controlled state television news aired a short item on the "alternative protest" in Minsk, while not showing anti-Lukashenko slogans.

Outside Belarus, hundreds of Czechs and Belarusians, some holding the traditional red and white Belarusian flag and portraits of Tikhanovskaya, gathered in Prague's historic centre Sunday in support of the protests.

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There were also smaller shows of support in Romania and Poland, AFP journalists said.

- 'Defend your country!' -

Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus for 26 years, is facing an unprecedented challenge to his leadership.

The 65-year-old strongman held a rare campaign-style rally on Independence Square before the opposition protest.

He told flag-waving supporters: "I called you here not to defend me... but for the first time in a quarter-century, to defend your country and its independence."

State television said 65,000 people attended the rally, though an AFP reporter put the number closer to 10,000.

"The elections were valid," Lukashenko said in a sometimes emotional speech.

"We won't give away the country!" he vowed.

- Kremlin 'ready' to help -

With pressure growing from the street and abroad after EU leaders agreed to draw up a list of targets for a new round of sanctions, Lukashenko has reached out to Russia, Belarus's closest ally.

Moscow said Sunday it was ready to provide military help if needed.

The Kremlin said that in a call with Lukashenko, President Vladimir Putin had expressed Russia's "readiness to provide the needed assistance" including "if necessary" through the CSTO military alliance between six ex-Soviet states.

RT Kremlin-funded television reported that this was in the case of "outside military threats".

Tens of thousands have taken to the streets over the last week to denounce the election result and support Tikhanovskaya, a 37-year-old political novice who ran after other potential candidates including her husband were jailed.

A violent police crackdown on protesters saw more than 6,700 people arrested, hundreds wounded and two people dead.

From exile in Lithuania, where she fled on Tuesday, Tikhanovskaya had called for a weekend of peaceful rallies.

Thousands of opposition supporters demonstrated in Minsk on Saturday at the spot where a 34-year-old protester died during unrest on Monday.

Officials said the man, Alexander Taraisky, died when an explosive device he was holding blew up in his hand.

Following the release of video footage contradicting this, Interior Minister Yury Karayev told Tut.by on Sunday: "Maybe they shot him with non-lethal weapons", saying only rubber bullets were used.

- Call for mass strikes -

The opposition has called for a general strike from Monday after hundreds of workers at state-run factories downed tools on Friday in a first sign that Lukashenko's traditional support base was turning against him.

Tikhanovskaya has announced the creation of a Coordination Council to ensure a transfer of power, asking foreign governments to "help us in organising a dialogue with Belarusian authorities".

She has said she will organise new elections if Lukashenko steps down.

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Aradhna Sethi By

In the 1960s, against the backdrop of the Cold War between East and West, Cuba crisis, assassination of President John F Kennedy, the first humans in space, Neil Armstrongs moon landing and more, Swissair Captain Kurt Burki and his wife Edeltrud were just starting out on establishing their lives and careers. Thankful for the good life they had in Switzerland, the couple decided to give back to society. It took almost 10 years. But then in 1976, we visited friends in Kolkata and immediately started working on the idea of a street kitchen for neglected children from the streets. Today, almost 45 years later, the Usthi Foundation includes many projects in India and Nepal, focusing on education and health, says Burki.

In line with Burkis thoughts to try to accept the situation and bind the problem within my strategy to go ahead, Usthi has stepped forward to provide emergency relief to affected families in the current time. The first relief operation was carried out at the beginning of May and targeted single mothers and families of Usthis schoolchildren in Hyderabad. The second operation was conducted at the Usthi schools in Hudarait, 20 km from Kolkata, and Penthakata, near Puri. With the financial support from the Swiss Embassy in New Delhi, more than 730 families were provided food packages.

Founder Kurt Burki

Since 1976, the Foundation and its partners in Kolkata, Odisha and Telangana have supported more than 50,000 children and young adults. In 2020 alone, Usthi has taken 1,800 children under its care, enabling them to attend schools and supporting them with after-school tuitions. Every year, about 1,200 young people, in particular single mothers and school dropouts, complete the Usthi professional skill-training course. The skilling is broadly based on the concept of the Swiss dual education system.

What has been his biggest achievement over the last almost 45 years? It is not easy to choose one. These past years in India and Nepal include uncountable small and big stories of love and suffering. I feel proud to have survived India for 45 years and still be totally motivated to go ahead. India, with its contradictions, with the power of unlimited human capital and the glory of its people, has become my second home, says the now 80-year-old gentleman.

Its not just skill that Usthi focuses on. In 1983, the Foundation set up a hospital in a tribal region in Odisha to provide healthcare to 133 villages. In addition to running the facility, it continues to engage in training social and health workers in nutrition and health in 50 villages; and runs early child development programmes known as the Health and Education Project (HEP) in about eight villages surrounding the hospital. A further emphasis is to support young women to strengthen their role in society. For example, Usthi provides safe homes, psychological care and education for abused and trafficked women and children and helps them integrate back into society.

We may have brought in some ideas and funds, but we have got back much more in terms of deep affection, love and calmness to face misery and emergencies that we have to accept. I am a happy man. Usthi, a child of my late wife and myself, is in good hands, says Kurt. His vision, he reiterates, is still of a world of more justice and less discrimination among all and he hopes that some day it will be a complete reality.

India, with its contradictions, with the power of unlimited human capital and the glory of its people has become my second home. Kurt Burki
Stassi Schroeder showed off her baby bump in a bikini this weekend as she posed on Insta Stories with her fiance Beau Clark.

The couple were in a house boat on Lake Mead with a group of their friends who used to co-star with Stassi on Vanderpump Rules.

'I'm half way there. 20 weeks,' she wrote with a heart emoji.

'20 weeks': Stassi Schroeder showed off her baby bump in a bikini this weekend as she posed on Insta Stories with her fiance Beau Clark

Vanderpump Rules star Lala Kent and her director boyfriend Randall Emmett are hosting the group on the vessel.

'I needed this,' wrote Beau on Instagram, explaining: 'WE ALL TESTED NEGATIVE FOR COVID AND ARE QUARANTINED ALONE ON A HOUSEBOAT.'

On his Insta Stories he could be spotted looking dashing as he took the wheel of the boat, writing: 'Thanks @randallemmettfilms.'

Brittany Cartwright was another Vanderpump Rules cast member who joined the quarantine trip on the lake.

Cheers: The couple were in a house boat on Lake Mead with a group of their friends who used to co-star with Stassi on Vanderpump Rules

'Thanks': Vanderpump Rules star Lala Kent and her director boyfriend Randall Emmett are hosting the group on the vessel

On the water: On his Insta Stories he could be spotted looking dashing as he took the wheel of the boat, writing: 'Thanks @randallemmettfilms'

She could be seen on social media smiling and waving joyously as Lala sat beside her showing off her endless pins in her bathing suit.

Her husband and Vanderpump Rules co-star Jax Taylor revealed on his Insta Stories that both he and their castmate Tom Schwartz were part of the trip as well.

Tom's wife and co-star Katie Maloney joined in the fun and could be seen on Brittany's Insta Stories dancing at the wheel of the vessel.

Beautiful: Brittany Cartwright was another Vanderpump Rules cast member who joined the quarantine trip on the lake

Gorgeous: She could be seen on social media smiling and waving joyously as Lala sat beside her showing off her endless pins in her bathing suit

Before their current trip Randall and Lala were in Puerto Rico to finish up the filming on the movie Midnight In The Switchgrass.

Randall is directing the feature and Lala acted in it alongside a cast that includes Emile Hirsch, Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly.

Megan and Kelly met while filming the movie earlier this year before the production was suspended because of coronavirus.

'GOOD MORNING': Her husband and Vanderpump Rules co-star Jax Taylor revealed on his Insta Stories that both he and their castmate Tom Schwartz were part of the trip as well

It has since emerged that she has split from her longtime husband Brian Austin Green and is rebounding with Kelly.

Stassi's trip comes two months after she and co-star Kristen Doute were fired from Vanderpump Rules for racially profiling their Black colleague Faith Stowers.

Faith said on Instagram Live that Stassi and Kristen falsely called the police on her, misidentifying her as a Black woman wanted for robbery who could be seen in security footage that appeared in the media.
With her child already interacting with other kids daily, Nurullah said she wouldnt consider play dates. She wants to keep Farazs exposure to others to a minimum and knows other parents are scared as well. She says interacting with children from different homes could be a health risk, and she hasnt heard of other parents who are doing it. I dont really see play dates happening. I see people who maybe live in the same apartment building, or know another familys patterns, or maybe cousins or relatives, Nurullah.

Lack of peer-to-peer interaction can cause kids to miss out on social skills theyd otherwise learn in day care or school. However, Moreno said its important to remember that kids arent completely cut off from the world, even if they cant see their friends. Its not 1920. Its not complete isolation, said Moreno.

Online interaction is also helpful. Moreno said that although its not an exact substitute, watching YouTube videos for kids or video chatting can still teach children some of the skills they may be missing. All of the second bets are good bets, said Moreno.
At least 363 inmates of Thiruvananthapuram central jail have tested positive for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on Sunday after a 71-year-old prisoner died of Covid-19, pushing the authorities to test all inmates. The cumulative tally of positive cases in the jail is likely to go up as 250 other inmates will undergo tests on Monday, officials said.

Most of the infected cases are asymptomatic. We have isolated them and those who have serious symptoms have been shifted to Covid hospitals, Jail superintendent P Nirmalanandan said. Many under-trials and those nearing their term completion of sentence were freed earlier to lessen the load during pandemic outbreak, he said.

The infections from the jail come on the day Kerala recorded 10 deaths and 1530 fresh virus cases.

The mass infection at the central jail, where more than 1,000 prisoners are lodged, has worried already overworked health officials and others as the cause of the infection spread in the close quarters remains unclear.

Among the freshly recorded infections in the state, 53 are health workers, said the office of the health minister K K Shailaja. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and seven of his ministers turned negative after repeated tests but they said they will complete two-week quarantine. They opted quarantine after some of the district officers whom they had interacted at the Air India Express plane mishap site at Kozhikkode last week tested positive for Covid-19.

Meanwhile the CM has lauded health officials and others for pulling off a remarkable job in trying times. We are into 200-day of Covid crisis. Looking back we can say with pride that this has not been just a period of despair and loss. This has been a time of courage, compassion, resilience and survival, he tweeted on Sunday. Kerala was the first to report a virus case in January after a medical student from Thrissur returned from China. With ten more casualties, Keralas death toll has climbed to 157. Total cases in the state are at 44,384, with 15,310 active cases and 28,878 recovered cases.
The Morrison government's sweeping overhaul of university funding faces an uncertain path through the Senate as key crossbenchers reveal a raft of objections they want addressed if they are to support the bill.

Facing stiff opposition from Labor and the Greens, the Coalition needs to secure three crossbench votes to pass its sweeping funding overhaul, which dramatically raises fees for some courses while dropping fees for a suite of disciplines deemed "job-relevant".

Crossbenchers have outlined "very serious concerns" about the government's higher education overhaul. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Crossbench senators have sounded the alarm about the fee hikes and have signalled the bill will be referred to a Senate inquiry for scrutiny before it passes Parliament ahead of the government's planned 2021 start date for the fee changes.

Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie said the party was only in the early stages of negotiations but she and the party's last remaining senator Stirling Griff held "really serious concerns about what the government is proposing", particularly changes that will put humanities and social work subjects in the most expensive fee category.
Dulquer Salmaan, the actor-producer is all set to release his next production venture, Maniyarayile Ashokan soon. The movie, which was originally supposed to mark Dulquer's production debut, was delayed multiple times due to various reasons. If the latest reports are to be believed, the Jacob Gregory-Anupama Parameshwaran starrer is gearing up for an OTT release.

The rumour mills suggest that the online streaming rights of Maniyarayile Ashokan are bagged by the renowned platform Netflix. According to the sources close to the project, the makers are planning to go ahead with the OTT release, as the theater reopening is still in uncertainty. The Dulquer Salmaan production is expected to be premiered on August 31, 2020.

However, the makers have not revealed any details regarding the release of the Jacob Gregory starrer yet. Recently, producer Dulquer Salmaan had revealed the second single from the romantic comedy through his official social media pages, on the occasion of 74th Independence Day. The team is expected to officially announce the OTT release of Maniyarayile Ashokan, very soon.

Maniyarayile Ashokan, which is said to be a breezy love story, is directed by newcomer Shamzu Zayba. The film, which features Jacob Gregory in the titular role Ashokan, is scripted by newbie Vineeth Krishnan. The songs and background score are composed by Sreehari K Nair. The first song of the movie, Unnimaya had taken the social media by storm.

Anupama Parameshwaran, the Premam fame actress appears as Shyama, Ashokan's love interest in the movie. Anupama has also worked as a directorial assistant on the project. Maniyarayile Ashokan will feature Vijayaraghavan, Indrans, Sudheesh, Shine Tom Chacko, Krishna Shankar, Sreelakshmi, Nayana and Sritha Sivadas in the supporting roles.

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ALBANY  A new skateboarding program aimed at reaching women, youth and the LGBTQ+ community hosted a meet-up Saturday afternoon at the Washington Park Skate Park.

Tatiana Gjergji, CEO of Noteworthy Resources (NWR), recently launched the program to teach people how to skateboard, enhance their skills and network with one another, according to a news release from NWR, a local nonprofit community resource.
European Three Explain UNSC Iran Vote Abstention, Russia And China Call US Move 'Futile' And 'Unilateral'

Maryam Sinaiee August 15, 2020

Following the United Nations Security Council's rejection on Friday of the United States-led resolution to extend an arms embargo on Iran, the three European members of the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran -- Britain, France and Germany -- explained their reasons for abstaining from the vote, while Iran's allies, China and Russia, called the proposed U.S. resolution "futile" and a "unilateral" move.

A statement issued by Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) following the vote said that the UK abstained on the resolution "because it was clear that it would not attract the support of the Council and would not represent a basis for achieving consensus."

"It would therefore not contribute to improving security and stability in the region," the statement read. "Nevertheless, we stand ready to work with Council Members and JCPOA participants to seek a path forward that could secure the support of the Council.

According to the statement, Britain remains "resolutely committed to the JCPOA and to preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon," and plans on continuing discussion surrounding JCPOA's dispute resolution mechanism negotiations alongside France and Germany to bring Iran back into compliance with the agreement.

The FCO also stressed that Britain does not support the U.S. threat to snapback the U.N. sanctions on Iran, calling it "incompatible with the current efforts to preserve the JCPOA."

The French mission to the U.N. also reaffirmed France's commitment to the preservation of the JCPOA in a statement on Friday, saying that France is "extremely concerned" about Iran's violations of its nuclear commitments and its destabilizing actions in the region.

France abstained on the proposed resolution "because it does not constitute an appropriate response to the challenges posed by the expiry of the embargo and because it is not likely to advance the security and stability of the region, as it cannot gather the support of the Council, nor is it a sufficient basis for working towards a consensus," the statement said.

The German U.N. mission's statement explained Germany's choice to abstain from the vote, with the resolution not effectively addressing the risks arising from Iran's repeated violations of the Security Council's conventional arms restrictions, "including through the transfer of weapons to Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq, including to non-state actors."

"Together with France and the United Kingdom, we have been working hard to preserve the JCPOA despite the challenges caused by the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA in May 2018 and Iran's systematic non-compliance with key JCPOA commitments since July 2019," the German mission to the U.N. wrote, adding that Germany urges Iran "to reverse all measures inconsistent with the agreement and return to full compliance without delay."

Meanwhile, Russia and China, the two Security Council members that voted against the U.S. draft resolution, accused the U.S. of "bullying" and "overdramatizing" the concerns about the lifting of the embargo.

Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, tweeted following the vote that the U.S.' failure to extend the embargo was "quite predictable" and "groundless," adding, "Those who express concerns in this regard should not overdramatize them...There was no embargo before 2010 and nothing catastrophic happened. Nor will it happen now."

Russia's U.N. envoy Vasily Nebenzya, in a statement following the vote, urged other Security Council members to "carefully consider" the Russian president Vladimir Putin's proposal to convene an online meeting of the heads of state of the permanent members of the Security Council, as well as Germany and Iran, "to outline steps that can prevent confrontation or a spike in tensions in the U.N. Security Council."

"The mutually acceptable solution lies in the field of multilateral actions that take into account legitimate security concerns of all regional players," he said.

In another tweet, Ulyanov claimed that the U.S. knew in advance that the resolution would fail, but nevertheless decided to push their draft. "An ideology-motivated approach can put a state in a rather unpleasant situation," he wrote.

China's U.N. mission tweeted that the "result shows again that unilateralism enjoys no support, and bullying will fail."

"The overwhelming majority of Security Council members hold that the JCPOA and the U.N. Security Council's Resolution 2231 must be defended and implemented," the Chinese mission to the U.N. wrote, adding, "The US, not a participant to the JCPOA any more, has no right to demand the Security Council invoke a snap-back. Should the US insist, it is doomed to fail."

Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/european-three-explain- unsc-iran-vote-abstention-russia-and-china-call-us- move-futile-and-unilateral-/30785511.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.

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Rescuers have freed a young humpback from a shark drum line off North Stradbroke Island as two adult whales waited close by.

Authorities received initial reports of the incident about 7.30am on Sunday and dispatched a specialist marine animal rescue team shortly after.

In a statement, a Fisheries Queensland spokesperson said the mammal had become tangled in a "shark control drum line" and was freed just after midday.

"A Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol marine animal release team arrived around 10.45am and, with assistance from Sea World and the shark control program contractor, successfully freed the four-metre whale," they said.
opinion

SOUTH AFRICAN president Cyril Ramaphosa's despacth of envoys to Zimbabwe in a bid to defuse the latest crisis, in which the government has engaged in a vicious crackdown on opponents, journalists and the freedoms of speech, association and protest, has been widely welcomed.

Such has been the brutality of the latest assault on human rights by President Emmerson Mnangagwa's regime that something had to be done. And, as the big brother neighbour next door, South Africa is the obvious actor to do it.

It may be guaranteed that Ramaphosa's envoys - Sydeny Mufamadi, , a former government minister turned academic, and Baleka Mbete, a former deputy president of South Africa, former speaker of the National Assembly and former chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) - were sent off to Harare with a very limited brief.

They were accompanied by Advocate Ngoako Ramatlhodi and diplomat Ndumiso Ntshinge.

The mission quickly ran into trouble. The envoys returned to South Africa without meeting members of the opposition.

Observers and activists are rightly skeptical about how much will come out of it. The best that is seriously hoped for is that South African diplomacy will bring about immediate relief.

This would include: the release of journalists, opposition figures and civil society activists from jail; promises to withdraw the military from the streets; perhaps even some jogging of the Mnangagwa government to meet with its opponents and to make some trifling concessions.

After all, the pattern is now well established: crisis, intervention, promises by the Zanu PF regime to behave, and then relapse after a decent interval to the sort of behaviour that prompted the latest crisis in the first place.

But in a previous era, South Africa once made Zimbabwe's dependence count.

South Africa has done it once

Back in 1976, apartheid South Africa's Prime Minister John B. Vorster fell in with US plans to bring about a settlement in then Rhodesia, and hence relieve international pressure on his own government, by withdrawing military and economic support and closing the border between the two countries.

Ian Smith had little choice but to comply. Today, no one, not even the most starry-eyed hopefuls among the ranks of the opposition and civil society in Zimbabwe, believe that Ramaphosa's South Africa will be prepared to wield such a big stick. The time is long past that Pretoria's admonitions of bad behaviour are backed by a credible threat of sanction and punishment.

So, why is it that Vorster could bring about real change, twisting Smith's arm to engage in negotiations with his liberation movement opponents that eventually led to a settlement and a transition to majority rule, and ANC governments - from the time of Nelson Mandela onwards - have been so toothless?

If we want an answer, we need to look at three fundamental differences between 1976 and now.

First, Vorster was propelled into pressuring Smith by the US, which was eager to halt the perceived advance of communism by bringing about a settlement in Rhodesia which was acceptable to the West. In turn, Vorster thought that by complying with US pressure, his regime would earn Washington's backing as an anti-communist redoubt. Today there is no equivalent spur to act. It is unlikely that US president Donald Trump could point to Zimbabwe on a map.

Britain, the European Union and other far-off international actors all decry the human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. But they have largely given up on exerting influence, save to extend vitally needed humanitarian aid (and thank God for that). Zimbabwe has retreated into irrelevance, except as a case study as a failed state. They are not likely to reenter the arena and throw good money and effort at the Zimbabwean problem until they are convinced that something significant, some serious political change for the good, is likely to happen.

Second, South African intervention today is constrained by liberation movement solidarity. They may have their differences and arguments, but Zanu PF and the ANC, which governs South Africa, remain bound together by the conviction that they are the embodiments of the logic of history.

As the leading liberators of their respective countries, they believe they represent the true interests of the people. If the people say otherwise in an election, this can only be because they have been duped or bought. It cannot be allowed that history should be put into reverse.

Former South African president Thabo Mbeki played a crucial role in forging a coalition government between Zanu PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) after the latter effectively won the parliamentary election in 2008.

But South Africa held back from endorsing reliable indications that MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai had also won the presidential election against Robert Mugabe.

As a result, Tsvangirai was forced into a runoff presidential contest, supposedly because he had won less than 50% of the poll. The rest is history.

Zanu PF struck back with a truly vicious campaign against the MDC, Tsvangirai withdrew from the contest, and Mugabe remained as president, controlling the levers of power. The ANC looked on, held its nose, and scuttled home to Pretoria saying the uneasy coalition it left behind was a job well done.

Third, successive Zanu PF governments have become increasingly militarised. Mnangagwa may have put his military uniform aside, but it is the military which now calls the shots. It ultimately decides who will front for its power. There have been numerous statements by top ranking generals that they will never accept a government other than one formed by Zanu PF.

The African Union and Southern African Development Community have both outlawed coups, but everyone knows that the Mnangagwa government is a military government in all but name.

Lamentably inadequate

So, it is all very well to call for a transitional government, one which would see Zanu PF engaging with the opposition parties and civil society and promising a return to constitutional rule and the holding of a genuinely democratic election. But we have been there before.

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The fundamental issue is how Zimbabwe's military can be removed from power, and how Zimbabwean politics can be demilitarised.

Without the military behind it, Zanu PF would be revealed as a paper tiger, and would meet with a heavy defeat in a genuinely free and fair election.

According to Ibbo Mandaza, the veteran activist and analyst in Harare, what Zimbabwe needs is the establishment of a transitional authority tasked with returning the country to constitutional government and enabling an economic recovery. Nice idea, but a pipe dream.

No one in their right mind believes that a Ramaphosa government, whose own credibility is increasingly threadbare because of its bungled response to the coronavirus epidemic, its corruption and its economic incompetence, has the stomach to bring this about. We can expect fine words and promises and raised hopes, but lamentably little action until the next crisis comes around, when the charade will start all over again.

Any relief, any improvement on the present situation will be welcomed warmly in Zimbabwe. But no one in Harare - whether in government, opposition or civil society - will really believe that Ramaphosa's increasingly ramshackle government will be prepared to tackle the issue that really matters: removing the military from power.

The writer is a Professor of Sociology at University of the Witwatersrand.
OSLO, Norway, Aug. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Photocure ASA (OSE: PHO), today announced the appointment of Genotests SpA as the exclusive distributor for the commercialization of Hexvix in Chile.

"We are proud to take our first step into the South American continent and make Hexvix accessible to Chilean bladder cancer patients. Chile is a stable, well regulated market with a strong economy, and Genotests is well positioned to leverage their network of urologists and uro-oncologists both in the private and public hospitals", says Dan Schneider, President and CEO of Photocure.

Photocure has appointed Genotests, a privately held company founded in 2014 specializing in genetic tests for cancer targeting cancer specialists, as the exclusive distributor of Hexvix in Chile. Under the terms of the agreement, Genotests will fund all costs to secure regulatory approval and the launch and commercialization of Hexvix in Chile. Photocure will manufacture the product and support Genotests with the regulatory file, training and promotional materials.

There are approximately 1500 new bladder cancer cases annually in Chile, an estimated 5000 TURBT* procedures and nearly 3000 surveillance cystoscopies.

"I am delighted to get the opportunity to bring Hexvix to Chile. It is a fantastic product that the urology community has been waiting for, especially after the successful demo done in collaboration with Karl Storz at the Chilean Urology Conference. After following Photocure and Hexvix/Cysview for years I know it is a complex sell, and we are well prepared with an established relationship with the leading cystoscopy equipment supplier. We'll initiate the regulatory submission process immediately and look very much forward to work with the Photocure team", says Oscar Varas, founder and owner of Genotests.

*TURBT: trans-urethral resection of bladder tumors

About Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer ranks as the sixth most common cancer worldwide with 1 650 000 prevalent cases (5 year prevalence rate), 550 000 new cases and almost 200 000 deaths annually in 2018.1

Approx. 75% of all bladder cancer cases occur in men.1 It has a high recurrence rate with an average of 61% in year one and 78% over five years.2 Bladder cancer has the highest lifetime treatment costs per patient of all cancers.3

Bladder cancer is a costly, potentially progressive disease for which patients have to undergo multiple cystoscopies due to the high risk of recurrence. There is an urgent need to improve both the diagnosis and the management of bladder cancer for the benefit of patients and healthcare systems alike.

Bladder cancer is classified into two types, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), depending on the depth of invasion in the bladder wall. NMIBC remains in the inner layer of cells lining the bladder. These cancers are the most common (75%) of all BC cases and include the subtypes Ta, carcinoma in situ (CIS) and T1 lesions. In MIBC the cancer has grown into deeper layers of the bladder wall. These cancers, including subtypes T2, T3 and T4, are more likely to spread and are harder to treat.4

1 Globocan. Incidence/mortality by population. Available at: http://globocan.iarc.fr/Pages/bar_pop_sel.aspx

2 Babjuk M, et al. Eur Urol. 2019; 76(5): 639-657

3 Sievert KD et al. World J Urol 2009;27:295-300

4 Bladder Cancer. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bladder-cancer.html

About Hexvix/Cysview (hexaminolevulinate HCl)

Hexvix/Cysview is a drug that is selectively taken up by tumor cells in the bladder making them glow bright pink during Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLCTM). BLC with Hexvix /Cysview improves the detection of tumors and leads to more complete resection, fewer residual tumors and better management decisions.

Cysview is the tradename in the U.S. and Canada, Hexvix is the tradename in all other markets. Photocure is commercializing Cysview /Hexvix directly in the U.S. and the Nordic region and has strategic partnerships for the commercialization of Hexvix/Cysview in Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Please refer to https://bit.ly/2wzqSQQ for further information on our commercial partners.

About Photocure

Photocure: The Bladder Cancer Company delivers transformative solutions to improve the lives of bladder cancer patients. Our unique technology, making cancer cells glow bright pink, has led to better health outcomes for patients worldwide. Photocure is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE: PHO). For more information, please visit us at www.photocure.com, www.hexvix.com, www.cysview.com

About Genotests SpA:

Genotests is a medical company in-licensing and commercializing innovative cancer diagnostics test and treatments for health care providers and their patients in the Latin America & Caribbean countries, with special emphasis in the field of uro-oncology.

For more information, please contact:

Dan Schneider

President and CEO

Photocure ASA

Tel: + 1-609-759-6515

Email: ds@photocure.com

Erik Dahl

CFO

Photocure ASA

Tel: +4745055000

Email: ed@photocure.com

Media and IR enquiries:

Geir Bjrlo

Corporate Communications (Norway)

Tel: +47-91540000

Email: geir.bjorlo@corpcom.no

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/photocure/r/photocure-appoints-genotests-as-exclusive-partner-for-hexvix---in-chile,c3167980

The following files are available for download:

SOURCE Photocure
Minister for Environment, tells Aditi Phadnis the draft Impact Assessment plan protects the while keeping court judgments and growth compulsions in its sights. Edited Excerpts:

Q: For several projects, public consultation has been done away with altogether in the process of seeking environmental clearance. In some, the period of consultation has been truncated. Why? How does reducing the consultation period from 30 days to 20 have any impact on ease of doing business?

Ans: The notification issued in 2006 says Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and public hearing is not necessary for buildings up to 150,000 square metres. So even today, EIA is not required as per 2006 notification. What we have done is, we have reduced this facility up to 50,000 sq m only. And we are proposing that only green buildings will get this concession up to 150,000 sq m.

Q: But this does not take into account those people whose livelihood could be affected

Ans: No, no, one minute. We have not changed the existing 2006 provision.

Q: There are many who believe that the 2006 provision itself was flawed...

Ans: That is a different thing. But we have not changed anything from 2006. So people who were silent in 2006, now they cant raise objections like this, no? Only because we have done it?

Q: There is also an amnesty for violations

Ans: What is this violations business? Let me explain. You are asking about post-facto violation. Somebody builds something that violates rules and then seeks post-facto approval. The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government issued three Office Memoranda (OM) in 2010, 2012 and 2013. And through these three Office Memoranda, they gave post-facto sanction with just a fine under the Environment Protection Act (EPA), that is, Rs 1 lakh. So, they have done it thrice. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) quashed that, saying Office Memoranda cannot override notifications.

There are three court decisions also. The Jharkhand High Court said you cannot just not consider the application of any industry just because they had not sought permission in time, earlier. You have to consider  and consider it on merit. The Supreme Court gave two decisions. One, they said closure is not the answer. You consider that on merit, but the EC issued. So what happens between today and the prospective EC when they will get complete clearance under the EC process? They will have to complete the whole EC process and they will get EC thereafter, only for the prospective period. So what happens to the period in between?

The period in between will be dealt with severely with very heavy late fees  because that is the power we have under Section 15 of Environment Protection Act  and there will be heavy charges of environmental degradation or environmental damages that the project has inflicted. So we want to bring all the entities within the regulatory regime. You cant keep thousands of industries out of the regulatory regime because they have not taken permission. And the court says, closure is not the answer. You must consider it on merit. So taking directions from these three court orders, we have incorporated the spirit of these orders in this. We have done nothing new.

Q: So how will the government deal with violations?

Ans: Today also, the latest case is Leela Hotels. They had done violation so there was a violation window open: in 2010 also, 2012 also, 2013 also and a few months in our time also.

So what did we do? They have been penalised to the tune of Rs 7.5 crore, to do environmental work in their area. They proposed something. And then, when the file came to me, it was 70 items of Rs 10 lakh each. I said, nothing doing, you do concrete things. Now they are establishing 50 computer training centres in 50 habitats nearby. So thats a concrete job. And they are putting solar panels in peoples houses  300 houses. I think this is the way forward.

Q: But the trees have already been cut, the soil has already been eroded, the fish might be dying

Ans: One minute. For each tree cut or removed, you have to plant five trees. The best example of sustainable development and environmental protection is the Delhi Metro. For each station, they may have removed five to 10 trees. But they have planted five times as many trees.

Q: But what about the case of Leela Hotel and the damage it has already inflicted?

Ans: One minute, one minute. And now you have five million people being transported in an environment-friendly manner, saving 500,000 cars on roads. So this is the best example of growth and sustainable growth where you are protecting nature, the number of trees has increasedotherwise, they would not have planted. But they planted, the trees grew so there is that provision. And, at the same time there is environment-friendly travel for five million people every day. Its not a small thing.

Q: This is going forward. But what about past lapses?

Ans: The Supreme Court said closing down industry is not the answer. And the Jharkhand High Court said you must consider their cases on merit. So with these two orders, what can you do? If you were in my position, what would you have done?

These are court order. We are just following the court orders. And we will be levying heavy penalties. And the EC will not be given post facto and retrospectively but prospectively. By due diligence, they will have to go to EAC, EIA, and will have to give an Environment Management Plan. These are all compulsory for them. So they will have to go through the rigour and then they will get Environment Clearance prospectively. For the period in between, they will be heavily fined.

And my question is simple. In 2010, 2012 and 2013 the same kind of office memoranda were issued. Nobody raised objections at that time.

Q: One argument is that if nobody raised it then, they should raise it now

Ans: Then there is a problem, no? Three times, you dont raise objections and you wake up only at the fourth reviewand that too after the Supreme Court order. Otherwise, our option was to close them down. And we were ready to close down. The issue is, they court said, closure is not an option.

Q: There is a sense among environmentalists that you are pro-industry at any cost, even damage to the environment. Industry believes you have given in to the environmentalists at the cost of growth. Which is true?

Ans: we put environment and growth at an equal footing.
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The Leadership and the entire good people of Alor community in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State have keenly deliberated on the gross misconduct, act of sabotage, disloyalty against the State and attempted desecration of the Office of the Governor of Anambra State by some unscrupulous traditional rulers and businessmen including the purported and renegade traditional ruler of our beloved town Alor, Igwe Elibe Mac-Anthony Chinedu Okonkwo.

We hereby wish to state our unequivocal support for the Governor and every step he has taken to restore sanity to our traditional institution, the suspension of erring Traditional Rulers which includes the purported Traditional Ruler of Alor.

We the good people of Alor are peace loving, law abiding and loyal to the Government of Anambra State and shall continue to do so. We hereby dissociate our entire community from the actions of Igwe Elibe Mac-Anthony Chinedu Okonkwo who was imposed on our community and has strangely been conducting himself to the disapproval of our people, culminating in the latest sabotage against the government of Anambra State.

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The State Government may well see the reason the Alor community rejected this imposition on by Gov. Peter Obi and more reason communities should be

allowed to freely elect its traditional rulers in an atmosphere strictly guided by democracy, traditions and the norms.

This also offers us the opportunity to thank our illustrious son: and the Honorable Minister of Labour & Employment, His Excellency, Sen. (Dr.) Chris Nwabueze Ngige, OON, Onwa, for swiftly acting to prevent the total desecration of the Office of the Governor of Anambra State before Mr. President and the people of Nigeria.

Long Live Alor London!

Long Live Anambra State!

Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Signed:

Chief Sir Uzoma Igbonwa (Okife)

President-General, Alor People Assembly (A.P.A.), formerly

Alor Peoples Convention.

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In Minsk on Sunday, it was a tale of two rallies.

On the one hand was a show put on by Alexander Lukashenko, the dictator whose 26-year reign towered over Belarusians until just a few days ago. On the other was a pro-opposition demonstration, emboldened after workers from most state enterprises joined them in a national strike.

Mr Lukashenko made an emotional appeal in front of an underwhelming crowd of a few thousand, many of whom had reportedly been bussed in for the occasion.

I kneel down in front of you for the first time in my life, the disputed president said  without, as many noted, actually kneeling.

In one of the most dramatic weeks in its history, the tiny nation of Belarus has witnessed a chain of dramatic events: disputed elections, a withering crackdown, evidence of horrific torture, a fightback led by women, and a major national strike.

On Sunday it witnessed another first: footage of the man who once styled himself as a strongman in decidedly grovelling mode.

Im not a fan of demonstrations, he said. But its not my fault that I had to ask you to help.

Mr Lukashenko presented the crisis as being more than a personal disaster; it was one of a broader conflict between east and west. He refused to accept a rerun of the elections, saying that was the agenda of foreign powers.

If we do as we are told, we die as a nation. They propose sending Nato soldiers our way: black, yellow-mouthed, and blonde hair. If thats what you want, do it without me.

Mr Lukashenkos angry rhetoric contrasted with jubilant scenes across town near the citys main war memorial.

There, tens of thousands gathered for what many were describing as the largest opposition rally in the countrys history. Dressed in white and red  the colours of the traditional national flag adopted by the opposition  the protesters chanted out in unison calls for Mr Lukashenko to resign.

A crowd watch the Belarus leader in Minsk on Sunday: some of the people there are thought to have been brought in by authorities (Getty)

That indignity continued a calamitous run of events for the man who has ruled Belarus since 1994.

A week ago, the authoritarian put his faith in a display of force, with his special forces doling out violence against protesters and many more besides. Instead, the country became enraged by the footage of brutality on the streets and torture in jails. They came out in ever greater numbers, and their momentum seems unstoppable.

And there are signs of splintering in the regime itself. On Saturday morning, the Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia, a former presidential adviser, became the latest government figure to switch sides.

Hundreds of my compatriots saw for themselves police rekindling the worst traditions of NKVD, Igor Leshchenya said, in reference to the Soviet secret police. I stand in solidarity with those who came out on the streets. The only source of power is the people.

Recommended Belarus police admit to using live rounds as clashes claim second life

One side currently sticking by Mr Lukashenko  at least publicly  is Moscow. On Sunday, Belarusian state media reported that the embattled autocrat had held a second phone call with Vladimir Putin. An official readout said that Russia and Belarus would jointly respond if the situation gets worse.

But the Kremlin will have been watching events closely and may well come to conclude their man has gone past the point of saving.
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As a means of reducing the infection rate of coronavirus in Rivers State, the state government shut down major markets amongst other restrictions. The government, however, kept superstores open, making them the primary place where residents can get groceries and other items.

A PREMIUM TIMES investigation has revealed that the health of people who purchase groceries from these superstores may be at risk as some of them are openly selling expired goods.

Market Square

Marketsquare is among the five biggest superstores in Rivers State. It has seven outlets across the state. Our investigation revealed that this superstore was still selling goods several days after they were past their expiry dates and manipulating the prices of some of its products.

On June 2, this reporter went to the popular MarketSquare at Ada George Road, in Port Harcourt, the capital city of the state, to buy groceries. Behind the deep fridge used for storing ice cream, she saw an A$ paper with the inscription Discount Price boldly written on it. Also written on the paper were the original and new prices of the products the paper was affixed to. But as she picked some of the discounted products, she discovered that some of the products on display were expired.

For instance, the expiry date of Unik Baby Soap, Sweet Angel was May 26, 2020, five days before this reported visited the superstore.

Expired Ossat backview Expired Ossat Front Expired Unik Baby Soap

Yamama Soy Sauce was another product on the discounted shelf. The product was going to expire the next day. The price of the product had already been slashed to N100. When this reporter returned to the store five days later, it had been taken off the discount shelf. However, another product had taken its place  Ossat Natural Oil Moisture Mist. The label on the product indicated that it would expire in June 2020. Not only was this product sold to the reporter, but it was also sold at a much more expensive price. On the discounted shelf the price tag on the product was N900 but this reporter was charged N2,350.

Receipt for Unik Baby Soap Receipt for Ossat

Timeless Super Stores

Another superstore that stocked and sold expired goods was Timeless Super Store. When this reporter visited the Timeless Super Stores outlet on NTA/Mgbouba Road closed to Obiri-Ikwere Roundabout, Port Harcourt, she found some expired product on its discount shelf as well.

TIMELESS SUPER STORE

Among the products on display was a batch of expired Yamama Soy Sauce. Just like the batch of the same product found at MarketSquare, the expiration date on the product was June 3 but the item was still up for sale for N100 five days after.

The reporter noticed another expired product  Spice Supreme Poultry Seasoning was being sold for N530. The expiry date on the product was June 4, 2020. The reporter returned to the store on June 9 and Spice Supreme Poultry Seasoning was yet to be taken off the discount shelf.

Expired Supreme Spice

You pick this from the slashed stand right? the cashier asked. When the reporter admitted yes, she only told the reporter that the Yamama Soy sauce has been slashed from N1,400 to N1,100.

Spice Receipt

On June 26, this reporter visited another outlet of Timeless Superstore on Ada George Road. The store was selling the following expired products: Silka Body Lotion, Purity Baby Cereal when had expired four days earlier, and Nestle Cerelac with an expiration date of June 2020. The reporter bought the Purity Baby Cereal and the Nestle Cerelac. The cashier at the checkout counter did not utter a word about the expired products.

Expire Purity frontview

On July 14, three weeks after this reporter bought the expired products from the store, she returned to the store and one of the products  Nestle Cerelac  was still being sold to unsuspecting customers.

While the reporter was at the store, she saw officials of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, (FCCPC) carrying out what appeared to be a routine check. The officials later took some goods from the store and put in their car. This reporter could not confirm if the goods carted away by the officials were expired or not. But after the FCCPC officials left, the expired Nestle Cerelac was still on the shelf and was sold to her.

Expiry and best before dates

According to the United State Food and Drug Administration(USFDA) website, a products shelf life generally means the length of time you can expect a product to look and act as expected and stay safe for use. A products expiry date or best-before date is usually determined by the shelf life of that product.

In a 2018 opinion article for PREMIUM TIMES, Kayode Ojewale, noted that there is a difference between the expiry dates and best-before dates, although they are used interchangeably by manufacturing company to convey a date when a product is at its peak performance or no longer fit to consume.

While Expiry dates show the last day that the product is expected to be used or consumed, the best-before date indicates that as from that date, the products freshness along with its quality is no longer guaranteed,. he wrote.

The length of time varies depending on the type of product, how it is used and how it is stored. Personal care products, cosmetics, daily needs, foods, beverages, drugs, toiletries and other consumables and perishables have varying shelf lives based on product content, raw material quality and sanitary conditions.

Health implications of consuming expired products

Every product has a period of effectiveness and once the window has expired, then it potentially becomes poisonous to you, the potency will reduce and will not be as effective as it should have been, said Udeme Georgewill, a Pharmacologist

Mr Georgewill, the acting head of the Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, said expired cosmetic products can cause skin rashes and other irritations.

Health is personal and there is a reason we have expiry dates. It is important before you pick up any product, ensure you look at both the Manufacturing and expiry date. And try to follow the manufacturer advice as it relates to storage, Mr Georgewill said.

In a study published in the European Scientific Journal in 2012 by Hatim Ahmmed, and Somiya Mohammed, two associate professors at the University of Bahri, Sudan, the risk of food-borne diseases increases after the expiration date, especially if the storage conditions are less than optimal.

The study further suggested that it is very important to inform consumers about what they should know before stocking their fridges and cupboard, which include the Best Before and expiration date

MarketSquare and Timeless react

When asked why it was selling expired products, the manager of MarketSquare on Ada George Road, who simply identified himself a Raphael, denied that the store was selling expired goods.

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He explained that products placed on a discount shelf were products nearing their expiration dates and that customers are usually informed that the products are close to their expiration dates.

Contrary to the findings of this reporter, the manager said when an items expiration date is June, and there is no specific date, it means the product will expire anytime in June, and that such products are usually taken off the shelf before June.

Mr Raphael further explained that the store does not sell any product that is at least six months to its expiration date.

Generally, people know any product that is on markdown If it is not on promo, it is close to expiring date.

We have people that go round the shelves to check for expiry date. When they come in the morning, they raise alarm on any product that wants to expire, he said.

When asked why the store still sold Ossat Natural Oil Moisture for N2,350 despite informing customers that the price had been cut to N900, Raphael said that cashiers often do a tally of the price of the product at check out.

When we slash the product down, the price is still the normal price but when you take it to the cashier, they will tally it and do a discount, he said.

Similarly, the branch manager of Timeless Super Store on NTA/Mgbouba Road, Ifeanyi Okafor, denied knowledge of sales of expired products at the store. Mr Okafor said there are sales representatives whose job is to monitor the products and pull out products close to their expiration dates.

When confronted with the receipt and items purchased at the story, he said the sales representative in charge of the section will be fired.

I am surprised to hear this. We have NAFDAC, ISON as well Consumers Protection Commission come here every day like they are going to their maternal home, so we cant sell an expired product on the Slash point. Just go there now and see the product there. The person in charge of that section must be punished for trying to tarnish our name, he said.

The reporter further asked the manager if consumers are informed on why the prices are slashed at the point of payment, Mr Okafor said informing the customers on the expiration of product depends on how free the cashier was at the time of payment, adding that, often, the cashiers are always busy attending to people.

Also, during the time the reporter made payment for the expired product, she happens to be the only one the cashier was attending to. The cashier only remembered to ask her where she picked the expired Yamama Soy sauce but didnt inform her the product has expired and why the slashed from N1,400 to N1,100

When you know a product of N7,000 and its now N3,000, all you need to do is to ask questions and we will tell you but when you dont ask questions we believe you know it Okafor responded on it

At Timeless at Ada George Road, Kingdom Sor-Tiwa, a supervisor, explained that the store put products that have about 60 days to their expiration dates on the discount shelf.

It is the customers decision to buy either the slashed goods or they go buy the goods with a longer date of expiration. Once the goods expire we bring the goods out from the slash sand, he said.

Contrary to the reporters experience at the story, Mr Sor-Twa said customers are often told at the point of payment that products from the discount shelves are near their expiration dates.

When shown the receipts of the expired goods bought at the store, Mr Sor-Twa said: I may not doubt the person that bought the expired product here, but I think due to negligence while removing the product they may have forgotten to remove it or hope to remove the expired product the day of the expiration date and forgot to do so.

Stores without expired goods

Unlike the MarketSquare at Ada-George Road and Timelines at NTA/Mgbouba and Ada George, this reporter visited other superstores in Port Harcourt but couldnt find expired goods displayed for sale.

The reporter visited Everyday Superstore opposite the Nigerian Television Authority office and the Everyday Superstore at Rumuigbo area and after searching for more than 30minutes searching for an expired product but could not find any.

Similarly, no expired product was found at Spar superstore close to the Rivers State Government House, one of the biggest retailers in the state.

FCCPC reacts

Reports of the sales of expired products seem on the rise in the country. In 2018, the commission shut down Krispy Kreme in Lagos over the use of an expired product to produce doughnuts.

In early January 2020, FCCPC also sealed Panda Supermarket in Jabi, FCT, foreign supermarket for displaying and selling contraband and expired food items.

In a bid to ensure Nigerians are safe amid the pandemic, the FCCPC set up a COVID-19 taskforce committee across the states to inspect items in stores to ensure COVID-19 interruptions do not result in unsafe products.

In Rivers State, the South-South Zonal Coordinator of the Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Commission, Osi Johnson, told this reporter that since June the commission started her COVID19 search more than 20 superstores have been confiscated, adding that very soon we will burn them. Although, the sellers are denying knowledge of the expired products.

According to Mr Johnson, the law stipulates that goods near their date of expiration must be removed to a separate shelf with a slashed price and consumers must be informed why the price was slashed. Failure by the company to do so, it means the company wants to deceive the consumers, and as such that requires the commission to confiscate the goods and prosecute the company.

When this reporter showed Mr Johnson the expired products she had purchased from the stores, he explained: Any product that states Best Before, it means the product must be consumed before the date on the product. And when the product states expire on a particular date, it means the product will expire on the stated date. And when a product states a particular month and year without a specific date that means the product must be used before the said month, but it sometimes depends on the goods too. There are some foreign products that the life span may require one to use on the said month. However, they are supposed to specify a date.

He said consumers can return expired products to the stores where they were purchased and ask for a refund even after using said products.

We are going around now to supermarkets, shops including medicines shops to ensure expire product are not in the shops and market. We noticed that since this COVID-19 season, a lot of product might have expired and the manufacturers and producers would want to sell them out, Mr Johnson said.

NAFDAC reacts

When reached for comments, the director-general of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, she promised to reply the reporters questions via text messages, but after several calls and a reminder sent to he, she eventually answered her call but said she has nothing to say.

First of all, I dont have anything to say to a Journalist now, am in the middle of something but I can write something for you. I have just seen your text message and I am in the middle of something.

Mrs Adeyeye never replied to the reporter. The reporter sent a reminder via text message some days after but the NAFDAC boss did not respond.

With Funding support from Mac-Arthur Foundation, this report is supported by Accountability Lab, Nigeria as part of the 2020 Accountability Incubator Programme.
A report out of South Korea has stated that over 1.17 million devices from the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series have now been pre-ordered, with a few days of the pre-order period still remaining. Although the Mystic Bronze Galaxy Note 20 has already sold out, the total is still just short of the Galaxy Note 10s record pre-order figures.

Working For Notebookcheck Are you a techie who knows how to write? Then join our Team! English native speakers welcome! News Writer (AUS/NZL based) - Details here

It seems that Samsung fans in South Korea have not been put off by the high price tags of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, as hundreds of thousands of the smartphones have already been pre-ordered. According to a report from ChosunBiz (via SamMobile) the current figure of Galaxy Note 20 pre-orders stands at an impressive 1.17 million units. The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 managed to reach a total of 1.3 million units booked when it went through its pre-order phase in 2019.

Perhaps surprisingly, especially when considering the state of the global economy and the wide-ranging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the more-expensive Note 20 Ultra variant that has been pushing the outstanding pre-order numbers. Apparently, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has accounted for 65% of the total so far, with the Mystic Bronze model already selling out. With prices in South Korea set at 1,199,000 won (US$1,010) for the Galaxy Note 20 and 1,452,000 won (US$1,223) for the Ultra model, its a stunning achievement by Samsung to have secured so many pre-orders.

As has been pointed out, although there are still a few days left in the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 pre-order period, the new devices may not beat the 1.3 million tally managed by the predecessor Note 10. Its likely pre-order numbers will drop drastically over the final days as the official release date of August 21 grows closer. The Note 20 series utilizes the brand-new Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ processor in devices headed for the USA and China while customers in Europe and other countries will be treated with a Galaxy Note 20 sporting a Samsung Exynos 990 chip.

Buy them now on Amazon:

Samsung Galaxy Note 20

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Photo taken on July 27, 2019 shows the view of the Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong. Peoples Daily Online/Duan Changzheng

Chinese lawmakers on Tuesday, August 11, voted to adopt a decision for the sixth Legislative Council (LegCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to continue performing duties for no less than a year until the term of the seventh LegCo starts.

The decision was passed at the 21st session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National Peoples Congress (NPC), Chinas top legislature.

The decision fully demonstrates the Chinese central governments care for the safety, lives and health of Hong Kong citizens, and its support for Hong Kongs victory over the COVID-19 epidemic, economic recovery and livelihood improvement. It also eliminates the worries of the HKSAR government and the Hong Kong society in fighting the virus, injecting strong confidence.

At present, COVID-19 is still rampant around the world. Facts have repeatedly proved that to control the virus is an urgent task to ensure peoples health and lives, as well as a premise for the normal economic and social functioning. Hong Kong encountered a fresh COVID-19 outbreak this July, facing severe situation of epidemic control.

HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced in late July to postpone the election of the seventh-term LegCo, which was originally scheduled for Sept. 6, 2020, for one year due to the epidemic. The arrangement made by the Standing Committee of the NPC concerning the vacancy of the LegCo not only conforms to the Constitution, but also contributes to Hong Kongs efforts to contain COVID-19.

Based on global experiences of fight COVID-19, only by putting peoples lives in the first place can the world achieve a final victory over the virus and restore economic and social orders.

If the election of the seventh-term LegCo started on original schedule, there would be over 3 million citizens voting, which would pose a high risk of cross infection given the current epidemic situation in the special administrative region. This would no doubt cause unexpected troubles and pressure for Hong Kongs COVID-19 control, as well as direct threats against the lives and health of Hong Kong residents.

Under such background, to postpone the seventh-term LegCo election and have the sixth LegCo continue performing its duties conforms to the need of science-based epidemic control and helps uphold justice and equity of the LegCo election. It shows the high responsibility of the government in protecting the lives and health of the Hong Kong residents.

Matters must be dealt with in an order of priority. At present, Hong Kong is confronted with a complicated situation where the fresh outbreak is intertwined with economic and livelihood issues. The anti-extradition bill movement taking place in June last year has already plunged Hong Kongs economy into a recession, and the COVID-19 epidemic is making the situation even worse. According to statistics, Hong Kongs economy in the second quarter of 2020 contracted 9 percent over a year earlier, and its private consumption expenditure decreased 14.5 percent in real terms in the same period. The HKSAR will face even bigger pressure in autumn if its COVID-19 situation couldnt be well controlled, let alone economic stability. Therefore, only by concentrating on COVID-19 control can the government restore normal social order and facilitate the special administrative regions economic recovery and livelihood improvement.

Hong Kong belongs to the Chinese family, and the central government and the Chinese mainland will always be the largest backer of it as they are committed to protecting the lives and health of Hong Kong compatriots.

As early as the COVID-19 epidemic just broke out, the central government has timely coordinated the supply of anti-epidemic materials and daily necessities for the HKSAR, and helped evacuate Hong Kong citizens stranded in the Chinese mainland and overseas back to Hong Kong.

Photo taken on July 27, 2019 shows the view of the Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong. Peoples Daily Online/Duan Changzheng

Facing the new round of COVID-19 outbreak, the central government has dispatched a medical team from Guangdong province to Hong Kong, offered medical materials such as masks and protective suits, and provided free nucleic acid testing for Hong Kong citizens. It is trying its best to help the HKSAR contain the epidemic and protect the lives and health of Hong Kong residents.

Therefore, to postpone the timely decision made by the Standing Committee of the NPC not only is the optimal solution to the vacancy of the LegCo, but also will offer strong support for Hong Kong's efforts to contain the epidemic.

Peoples lives come first amid COVID-19. To concentrate on combating the virus and ensure the lives and health of the citizens is a priority that comes before everything in Hong Kong. All sectors in Hong Kong must work together and shelve differences to defeat the virus under the leadership of the HKSAR government, and bring the Hong Kong society back to normal.

We believe that under the firm supports of the central government, as well as the generous assistance from the Chinese mainland, the HKSAR government will definitely bring an early win over the virus and usher in a brighter future of the special administrative region.
By Online Desk

Since the past few months, Rahul Gandhi has been on a continuous attack mode, questioning the Centre on various issues including China, economy and handling on coronavirus in India.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, yet again, on Sunday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi allowed China to take Indian land and said the Prime Minister lied about the Eastern Ladakh stand-off to the people of India.

The former Congress President wrote on Twitter, "Everybody believes in the capability and valour of the Indian army. Except the PM: Whose cowardice allowed China to take our land. Whose lies will ensure they keep it."

Everybody believes in the capability and valour of the Indian army.



Except the PM:



Whose cowardice allowed China to take our land.



Whose lies will ensure they keep it.  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 16, 2020

Earlier on July 27, the former Congress President had claimed that China has occupied Indian land, and hinted that the government is hiding the truth.

In the month of July, Rahul Gandhi made multiple scathing attacks on Modi and the Centre through a series of short videos he released on social media.

In her Independence Day message, Congress president Sonia Gandhi alleged that "the present government, it seems, is standing contrary to the democratic system, constitutional values and established traditions. These are also testing times for Indian democracy".

(Inputs from ANI)
Thirty years after his last TV appearance, James Herriot is returning to our screens for more veterinary adventures.

Pictures have been released showing the new cast of All Creatures Great And Small on set.

They will replace the stars of the smash hit BBC version, based on the books by Alf Wight.

Action: Actor Callum Woodhouse as Tristan Farnon strides on set in Grassington for the reboot of All Creatures Great And Small

The Channel 5 series stars Nicholas Ralph as James, the role made famous by Christopher Timothy from 1978 to 1990.

Callum Woodhouse from The Durrells plays Tristan Farnon, taking over from Peter Davison, while Samuel West is his irascible older brother Siegfried, originally played by Robert Hardy.

Hollyoaks actress Rachel Shenton will play Herriot's love interest Helen Alderson, reprising Carol Drinkwater and the late Lynda Bellingham's role.

Romance: Hollyoaks actress Rachel Shenton will play Helen Alderson - the love interest of Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot (pictured together)

Viewers will be transported back to the fictional village of Darrowby  and The Drovers Arms pub  although filming took place in Grassington, North Yorkshire, replacing the nearby village of Askrigg used for the original series.

Producer Richard Burrell said the show has had support from its former stars. 'I had a great phone call with Christopher,' he said.

'They were very generous in what they said and in the advice they gave.'

Sebastian Cardwell, the digital channel controller at Channel 5, previously said: 'James Herriot has a special place in the heart of the public and the commission of this iconic drama series, against the stunning backdrop of the Yorkshire Dales, is set to bring joy to a new army of TV viewers.

'The original books affectionately captured a unique slice of British life.

Watering hole: The Drovers Arms pub (pictured) will be featured heavily in the new adaptation of the much-loved series

'In challenging times we hope the charming and heart-warming stories of community and compassion will resonate with new audiences.'

Last autumn, Rachel took to Instagram to announce her casting in the series, which she was over the moon about.

Alongside a snap of a TV clapper board, she wrote: 'So excited that I can finally say Im working on ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL for @masterpiecepbs...

'Im also excited that I can now freely spam your feed with pictures of various farm animals #dreamjob #imallabouttheanimals #1937 #yorkshire'

The reboot comes after Herriot's real-life son, 76-year-old Jim Wight, locked horns with Sue Paterson, the president of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA), who said his father's novels portray vets as people who can be called on anytime and paid with slices of cake.

Original cast: The adaptation originally ran on the BBC from 1978 to 1990 (pictured left to right, Peter Davison, Robert Hardy, Carol Drinkwater and Christopher Timothy)

She said: 'I think James Herriot is to blame because we're all supposed to love animals and work for nothing, but we all run businesses. All the Herriot stuff about a cat being ill and the owner cuts him a big slab of chocolate cake and he doesn't charge her - well, it's a hard business nowadays.'

Jim told The Express: 'I was very put out because it seemed so ridiculous. I was seething with anger, in fact. It is nonsensical to say he is out of date. You might equally say Winston Churchill is out of date. My father is an iconic and historic figure, and to compare veterinary practice in those days to now is completely unrealistic.

'He gave free treatment to a tiny portion of his clientele who were in genuine hardship; it was a charitable and Christian act. He started with no money at all.

'It is a different world, and you cannot compare the two. It is so unfair to blame that man for the woes of our profession today. Of course his scientific training may be dated, but his compassionate, careful and thorough approach is never going to be out of date.'

Jim and his sister Rosie approved the 2020 reboot and said of it: 'The scripts are very interesting and the public will find them entertaining!'

All Creatures Great and Small is coming this September to Channel 5
A 31-year-old man was arrested on Sunday for allegedly killing his girlfriend, 24, on August 9 and hanging her body on a tree along the Mumbai-Nashik Highway to pass off the crime as suicide.

According to the police, the accused committed the crime because the woman refused to marry him.

On August 12, Kongaon police received a call from some pipeline workers in the area, who discovered the body of the woman hanging on a tree with a dupatta near Tata Amantra society.

We registered a case of accidental death first and started investigating the matter. The body was sent to Sir JJ Hospital for further investigation, a police officer said.

Meanwhile, the police began the process to establish the identity of the victim.

The discovered that on August 10, a missing complaint was filed by a woman at Bazarpeth police station in Kalyan. The police called the woman and learnt that the complaint was filed by the victims sister. On August 13, the womans sister identified her body.

The victim is a divorcee and lived with her sister and mother in Kalyan. She worked as a domestic help in some societies. On August 9, when she didnt return home from work, her sister approached the police to file a missing complaint, the officer added.

Senior inspector Sanju John from Kalyan crime branch said, During the investigation, we discovered that the accused and the woman were having an affair. The accused, who worked as an ambulance driver, resided near the victims home. He is also divorced. We discovered that he was absconding since four days. We began our search for him and found him on Saturday from Dombivli station. After interrogating him, he confessed to the crime.

The accused wanted to marry her, but she refused, leading to a fight between the two.

On August 9, the accused got drunk and asked the womans mother where she was. Later, he went to the society where the victim worked and forced her to get into a rickshaw. He took her inside the bushes near Tata Amantra on the pretext of resolving the fight. But when she again refused to marry him, the accused strangled her with her dupatta and hanged her on a nearby tree and fled, added John.

Kongaon police have registered a murder case against the accused and have taken his custody.
A THUG who was so high on a cocktail of drink and drugs that he cannot remember headbutting an emergency doctor and wrestling with PPE-clad nurses has been jailed for nine months.

Craigavon Magistrates Court, sitting in Lisburn, heard that as well as headbutting a doctor, when police arrived at Craigavon Area Hospital, 27-year-old Connor James McConville was "grappling" with PPE-clad nurses.

McConville, originally from the Lurgan area but now with an address at Clifton Street in north Belfast, appeared at court via videolink from prison where he entered guilty pleas to two counts of common assault and using disorderly behaviour.

A prosecuting lawyer told the court that on June 18 this year, police received a report of a man having assaulted a doctor at the hospital and, when they arrived, officers witnessed McConville "struggling" with medical staff.

She said CCTV footage showed him "grappling with nurses in full PPE gear" and uniformed officers were forced to used limb restraints and handcuffs to control McConville who "continually shouted and swore" despite being warned about his behaviour on numerous occasions.

The doctor told police he had twice been assaulted by McConville - the first time a shove which knocked him off balance and then a headbutt to his collar bone.

The lawyer said while no injury was caused, the doctor was unable to finish his shift which put extra pressure on staffing levels and an already busy hospital department. Restrained and arrested, McConville was taken into custody but was so drunk he was not fit to be questioned until the following day and even then, he refused to answer questions other than to say he was drunk and high.

Defence counsel Patrick Taggart described his behaviour as "inexplicable - he simply cannot remember and apologises to the doctor."

He revealed that McConville had been out of jail less than two months beforehand where he "had done well," undertaking various courses but that in the day of the assault, he then took alcohol which led to this incident.

"Your worship can see from his record he has been in custody again and again and again," Mr Taggart told District Judge Rosie Watters, lamenting that despite a good education and a "bright future" ahead of him with a talent for music, he turned to drink and drugs after his parents split when he was 12.

Handing McConville a nine- month jail sentence, DJ Watters told the thug "you are wasting your life and wasting your talents" and warned that "in these times, the courts have to take a dim view on assault of those in the medical professions".

He added: "I have to think of my own family and how that might have been them".

She told McConville: "I know you are not stupid and are well aware that this behaviour was unacceptable.

"Instead of taking drugs, you could have worked hard and perhaps you could have been that person who was helping others."
Count us as wild-eyed optimists, maybe, but it seems that officialdom is finally standing up for environmental quality in the city of Rensselaer.

Last week the state Department of Environmental Conservation denied permits for a planned waste-to-energy plant on the Hudson River, on a site used for years by a now-closed BASF chemical plant. Opponents have warned of pollution seepage into the river, air contamination, and the noise, dirt and tailpipe emissions of trash-hauling trucks on city streets.

Credit is due both the DEC and Mayor Mike Stammel, a Republican, who reversed his predecessor's stance that the project didn't need a full environmental review. Stammel and the state must stand firm; plant developers vow to appeal the DEC's ruling.

Rensselaer, a struggling little city, needs economic investment, but it has for too long rolled out a red carpet for ventures too dirty to be welcome elsewhere. Case in point: the 99-acre S.A. Dunn Landfill, the largest dump for construction debris in the state, which sits right next to Rensselaer High School. Students frequently complain about the stink and dust in the air.

The threat to their health is a tough way to teach young people to be more responsible than were the adults who allowed the dump to be built. The decision to stop the waste plant  for now, anyway  suggests that maybe the grown-ups are belatedly learning something, too. Better late than never.

Who ordered this lie?

So the Trump administration has admitted that it lied in federal court about why it blocked New Yorkers from a program that allowed travelers to speed through borders and airport lines. What comes next?

Officials of the federal Homeland Security Department told a judge last month that they "deeply regret ... inaccurate or misleading statements" they made six months ago to justify cutting off New York residents from the Trusted Traveler Program. The move slowed the travel of perhaps 175,000 New Yorkers, which Gov. Andrew Cuomo suggests may have caused COVID-19 to spread as passengers waited at crowded entry points.

The block on New York was clearly retaliation for the state's law allowing undocumented immigrants to get driver's licenses. Other states with similar laws weren't barred from the program, officials now acknowledge.

With most countries banning Americans due to inept handling of the pandemic in the U.S., the practical effect of restoring New York to the Trusted Traveler Program is limited. Still, prosecutors and lawmakers should find out who ordered the move in the first place, and who put the lie in motion. We have our suspicions.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

Gun rights backers ripped off

Many special-interest groups spend freely to influence legislation. But there's a special place in that realm for the National Rifle Association, we learn from Attorney General Letitia James' lawsuit aimed at shutting down the pro-gun lobbying group.

Top NRA executives siphoned off tens of millions of dollars from members and donors for lavish spending on personal travel and gifts, Ms. James alleges, violating charity and tax laws. So to the NRA's shameful history of lobbying against even the most sensible laws  which could have saved lives lost to gun violence  add this offense: personal greed that ripped off even the NRA's most ardent backers.
In Afghanistan the most effective military support for the government forces is from the air and it is largely supplied by the Afghan Air Force. The Afghans have not got a lot of combat aircraft, but their pilots have mastered the use of smart bombs and missiles. The Afghan Air Force only has 34 purely combat aircraft (24 A-29s and ten AC-208s). There are also 40 armed helicopters (11 Mi-35s and 29 MD-530F). Unlike the A-29s and AC-208s, the armed helicopters are not equipped to use smart bombs or the Hellfire laser guided missile. Instead these helicopters have machine-gun, autocannon and unguided rockets. The A-29 uses laser guided bombs while the AC-208s use Hellfires. There were plans to arm the MD-530Fs with Hellfires but that has been delayed because the 530F pilots must be trained to use the missiles. The 530Fs are mainly used as armed reconnaissance helicopters, which is what helicopters of this type were designed for.

The A-29s and AC-208s are heavily used because of their ability to deliver smart bombs and guided missiles. Most of the 130 helicopters are used for transport and recon. Most (82) of the helicopters are Russian made Mi-17s that can mount a machine-gun in the passenger door but these are for defense, not to make them attack helicopters.

TheA-29 single-engine turboprop armed trainers can also carry heavy machine-guns plus unguided rockets and guided bombs. The helicopters have very short (under a hundred kilometers) range while the fixed-wing aircraft can hit targets up to 500 kilometers from their base, though it takes an hour to go that far. Because of these limitations, the most effective air support, which can be anywhere in the country and on very short (often minutes) notice is the American or NATO fighters and bombers.

The Afghan Air Force may never get long range ground support aircraft, like the F-16s and A-10s, or heavy bombers hauling dozens of smart bombs for six or more hours at a time. While the Afghans have been able to train, and retain, enough combat and non-combat aircraft pilots, the situation is much worse when it comes to aircraft maintainers and logistics/support personnel in general. The problem is the tendency for technical people, especially maintainers, to leave the military for better paying and safer jobs in the civilian sector. Even if you try to enforce service contracts, it is common for military personnel to simply desert when they have enough money to pay a people smuggler to get them to another country, preferably in the West. Because of that the only option is to hire more expensive foreigners to maintain aircraft. Officially that is not done but in practice most of the maintainers are contractors, and most of them are from the West. About 30 percent of the A-29 maintainers are Afghan, as are 20 percent of the MD-530F maintainers. Nearly all the Mi-17 maintainers are Afghan but these elderly aircraft are being replaced by American UH-60s and that means none of the maintainers will be Afghans and it will take years to train Afghans to do the work.

American air support still provides the bulk of what the Afghan security forces depend on. In 2019 this support was one percent greater than in the record setting total for 2018. And 2020 has not seen a reduction. During 2019 there were 7,423 airstrikes compared to 7,362 for 2018. Thats about 20 a day for both years. This is a major increase from 12 a day for 2017, 3-4 a day for 2016 and 2-3 a day for 2015. Since 2018 American airpower was used more often in Afghanistan than at any other time, including the 2011 surge. In 2018 coalition warplanes (mostly U.S.) used 15 percent more bombs and missiles than in 2011. Coalition warplanes performed more sorties a month, with 15 percent of sorties resulting in weapons being used. This includes AC-130 gunships but not attack helicopters or UAVs. In some months the U.S. Air Force used more smart bombs and missiles than at any since late 2010.

The effectiveness of this air support relies on a communication system that enables U.S. air controller teams anywhere in the country to contact any American bombers or fighters within a few hundred kilometers or more, and get them to the target to deliver smart bombs. The fighters and bombers are equipped with targeting pods that enable the pilots to see detailed pictures of what is on the ground so they can assist the air controllers with sorting out what is going on down there. The communications are made possible by high flying (13,000 meters/40,000 feet) BACN (Battlefield Airborne Communications Node) aircraft that deal with the many high mountains and deep valleys found in Afghanistan and immediately connect air controllers, and any other American combat units, with U.S. aircraft. Because of this system, in use for over a decade, heavy bombers (B-52s or faster B-1Bs) can circle in a central location and quickly get to where they are needed and drop a few smart bombs. There are also F-16s and A-10 aircraft that can do the same, plus the A-10 can also come in low and use its 30mm autocannon.

There is more to American air support than the quickly delivered smart bombs. In fact, there were only 8,773 strike sorties during 2019 and only 28 percent of those resulted in weapons being used. There were twice as many air reconnaissance or surveillance sorties to keep track of the enemy. There were also 11,000 transport sorties that carried 78,700 tons of cargo and 141,000 passengers. There were also 276 tons of cargo delivered by parachute, often using GPS guided parachutes which land the cargo exactly where it is needed. Finally, there were 2,637 refueling tanker sorties, to enable the fighters and bombers to stay in the air longer by refueling 12,800 aircraft. American air support has become more efficient over the last decade, requiring fewer recon and strike sorties because of improved technology.

The greater use of American airpower has had a dramatic and damaging impact on the Taliban. Prisoner interrogations plus eavesdropping on internal or public Internet chatter show declining morale, higher desertion, fewer recruits and higher pay and benefits to keep numbers up. There is also more pressure on Taliban field commanders, by their own gunmen, to keep casualties down. This can be done by avoiding actions that will attract airstrikes. A common mistake is attacking army or police bases or staying in one place too long while blocking an army or police operation. Too long is often an hour or more and after that, if not earlier, the deadly smart bombs arrive. In some situations, where the Afghan forces are carrying out offensive operations, air support will arrive in minutes. This puts Taliban commanders in a difficult position as they cannot afford to stay in contact with Afghan forces for too long. Worse it often means that Taliban groups will be under attack for a while, or at least until they disperse or otherwise evade detection from the air or ground forces. Some Taliban field commanders are better at dealing with this than others and all Taliban combat commanders know that if they are too successful, they get put on a priority hit list which often leads to an early death.

The foreign air forces are providing over a hundred airstrikes a week. The Afghan Air Force provides much less (about a quarter of what the foreigners provide). Afghan airstrikes increasingly use laser and GPS guided bombs. Afghan soldiers and police are big fans of the smart bombs and missiles because it means that, if they have cornered the enemy, one such smart bomb will cripple or destroy the opposition and enable the Afghan soldiers to advance without having to deal with much (if any) defensive fire from the enemy. Afghan soldiers and police are much bolder when they have air support and that leads to more combat operations and more casualties, especially among their opponents. For the Afghans, losses are more palatable if you know the enemy is far worse off. Moreover, the Afghan Air Force use of smart bombs means they can operate effectively at night. Finally, the air controller on the ground can talk to the pilot in Dari (the common language in Afghanistan) and this is a lot more effective and comfortable than doing it in English. This makes Afghan air support preferable for Afghan forces.

Since the Afghan Air Force began using laser-guided bombs in early 2018 they were using about six a week with the number increasing as more bombs are available. Since 2018 the major limitation on the use of Afghan Air Force support has been the availability of Afghan air controllers, who have proven more difficult to recruit and train than pilots.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Let me see if I have this right.

Schools are going to open in less than a month, but we still cant go shopping at the Staten Island Mall?

Bowling alleys, many of which serve food and alcohol, can open throughout the state on Monday, but indoor dining is still prohibited in actual restaurants in New York City?

Whats wrong with this picture?

Very little has made sense when it comes to how Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio have managed New York Citys late-stage re-opening from the coronavirus pandemic.

The states virus infection rates have been at rock bottom levels for months now.

The last time that state test data showed an infection rate above even 2 percent was on June 1. The rolling 7-day average in the state as of Friday was 0.8 percent. The citys average has been around 1.0 percent for a while now.

Weve tamed the beast, to use Cuomos pet phrase. And Cuomo and de Blasio thank and congratulate New Yorkers every chance they get. Its our hard work that helped flatten the virus curve, were told.

So take the handcuffs off already. Allow indoor dining. Open up the malls.

At least Cuomo promised to give us some guidance on Monday regarding gym re-openings.

Then again, Cuomo said that malls that wanted to re-open would have to install high-efficiency filters in their air conditioning systems to filter out COVID particles. Seemed simple enough.

The Staten Island Mall did so, at some expense,but then Cuomo pulled the rug out by saying that city malls would not be allowed to re-open under Phase 4 after all. Which made zero sense seeing as malls on Long Island, in other nearby parts of the state and in New Jersey were open.

Im glad that bowling alleys have gotten the green light. Theyre a big part of our Staten Island recreational history. Theres a throwback feel to bowling. It reminds us of a simpler cultural time in America.

But while more serious keglers use their own bowling balls and shoes, plenty of people share equipment provided by the bowling alleys. Thats not all that much different than sharing equipment in the gym.

But that aside, its the food angle thats raising the most hackles. Cuomo said that bowling alleys will be allowed to serve food and alcohol, with the requirement that servers bring the items to the bowlers in the lanes for consumption.

Thats indoor dining. City restaurant owners who have been hanging on by their fingernails through the pandemic are right to feel incandescent rage. Its not the fault of the bowling alleys. Its the cockeyed way that this whole final phase of re-opening has been handled. Theres been no rhyme or reason to it.

And, of course, bowling alleys in the five boroughs will be prohibited from serving food and booze because of the stricture on indoor dining.

Cuomo and de Blasio complain long and loud about their towering budget deficits. They rattle the cup and blame President Donald Trump for not sending them billions of dollars in federal aid. De Blasio has threatened to lay off 22,000 city workers.

Ive got a better idea: Put people back to work by responsibly allowing indoor dining. Open the malls. Open the gyms. Get that tax revenue flowing into city coffers again. Do everything you can to kickstart the economy. Then you can go begging to Washington.

Heres the worst part: Well be so grateful when Cuomo and de Blasio allow us these incremental returns to normal. Well celebrate that were allowed to carry on some small sliver of our social lives again.

Were begging to have our ordinary freedoms returned to us. Its stomach-turning.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Blustery with snow showers. High 23F. Winds NNW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of snow 80%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 9F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph.
The Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia has broken rank to declare solidarity with protesters in Belarus following the countrys disputed presidential election.

I stand in solidarity with those who came out on the streets of Belarusian cities with peaceful marches so that their voice could be heard. The Belarusians have achieved this right through suffering, Igor Leshchenya said in a video posted by Nasha Niva media on Saturday.

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, in power for 26 years, has faced down a week of street demonstrations and refused demands for a re-run of an election protesters say was massively rigged to disguise the fact that he has lost public support.

He denies losing, citing official results that gave him just over 80 per cent of the vote.

The 65-year-old leader has alleged a foreign-backed plot to topple him. He has also cited promised military support from Russian president Vladimir Putin if necessary, something the Kremlin has not confirmed.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

The EU is gearing up to impose new sanctions on Belarus in response to a violent crackdown in which at least two protesters have been killed and thousands detained.

Protesters show no signs of backing down.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Mr Lukashenkos opposition rival in the contested election, has called for a huge March of Freedom through the centre of Minsk, the Belarusian capital, on Sunday morning.

Like previous protests, it is expected to culminate on Independence Square outside the main government building.

At the same time, Mr Lukashenkos supporters are expected to hold a pro-government rally in central Minsk  setting the stage for potential confrontation between the two groups.

Recommended Belarus protests take revolutionary turn

Metal fencing around Independence Square was being installed on Sunday morning with agricultural vehicles used to close off nearby roads.

Opposition media channels say Mr Lukashenko, a one-time manager of a Soviet-era collective farm, plans to bus people in from other parts of the country and that they will be coerced into attending. Reuters could not independently confirm that.

Videos on social media showed long columns of buses with pro-Lukashenko supporters onboard driving towards Minsk from various regions.

Additional reporting by Reuters
A petition has been moved before the Delhi High Court against the salary deductions being faced by teachers and other staff of some private schools in the national capital amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The petition, filed by law student Mukul Sharma, is likely to come up for hearing next week.

Sharma, in his plea, sought directions to take appropriate actions against the respondent schools and direct them to provide an interim relief by giving the complete salary to the teachers as well clear all the due arrears.

The plea sought directions to respondents to renew the contract of the teachers and provide the due salaries to them and also provide the full salary to the teachers who are on contract as well.

It said that the petition, if allowed, would benefit the teachers and working staff of all the schools in the national capital as the rule of law is essential for democracy and such brazen violation of law by the respondents is bias to citizens as a whole.
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Steel demand is expected to decline significantly in 2020-21 in line with a projected contraction in the global economy due to the impact of coronavirus pandemic, Tata Steel has said in its annual report.

Most of the steel producing regions are expected to witness a decline in crude steel output due to production cuts amidst ongoing lockdowns, Tata Steel said.

The global economic growth is expected to see a contraction of over 3 percent in 2020, Tata Steel Chairman N Chandrasekaran said terming the slump as the "worst contraction" since the 1930s.

A contraction in the global GDP is not at all a good sign for the global steel sector as steel demand is positively correlated with the economic growth.

"Global GDP growth eased to 2.9 percent in 2019, against an initial growth projection of 3.5 percent... As we look ahead, it is important to gauge COVID-19's unprecedented impact on the global economy. It is expected that global growth will contract by over 3 percent in 2020, the worst contraction since the 1930's," Chandrasekaran said in the Annual Report for 2019-20.

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

Chandrasekaran also said that this is for the first time since the Great Depression, that both advanced and developing economies are in recession together.

The impact of the slowing economy was also felt in the global steel sector. Global crude steel production reached 1,870 million tonne (MT) in 2019, registering a more modest growth of 3.4 percent in 2019 against 4.6 percent in 2018, he said.

In India also, he said, the growth slowed to 4.2 percent in FY 2019-20 against an initial growth projection of 7.5 percent in the beginning of the year.

The domestic steel sector registered a stark easing of growth to 1.8 percent in 2019 compared to 7.7 percent growth in the previous year.

The country was just beginning to show signs of coming out of a protracted slowdown that began in early 2018 when COVID-19 arrived, Chandrasekaran added.

Tata Steel's CEO and MD T V Narendran, and Executive Director and CFO Koushik Chatterjee said FY2020 was undoubtedly a challenging year not just for the company but for most businesses across the globe.

Almost all countries faced a slowdown in economic growth amidst rising trade tensions and policy uncertainties.

This had its bearing on the steel industry as well, in terms of weak demand and falling steel prices.

Making matters worse, the COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020 brought global economic activities to a near standstill as nationwide lockdowns and social distancing norms were imposed to contain the spread in the affected countries.

"Although the manufacturing sector is expected to stage a relatively quick recovery, supply chain disruptions are likely to continue. The key steel-consuming sectors will continue to be sluggish," the report said.

On the outlook of the steel sector, the company report said the COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected economies and industries globally and the steel industry is no exception.

"Outlook for the steel industry includes scenarios regarding the pandemic's speed of propagation, possible recurrence, near-term impact of measures being taken to contain the outbreak, and the effectiveness of the stimulus announced by the governments of various nations. After slower than expected growth in 2019, steel demand is estimated to contract significantly in the FY21," it said.

Most of the steel producing regions are expected to witness a decline in crude steel output due to production cuts amidst ongoing lockdowns.

However, it is expected that compared to other countries, China will move faster towards normalisation of economic activity as it was the first country to come out of the COVID-19 crisis. In India, it said, muted demand and oversupply is likely to result in suppressed steel prices and capacity utilization in the near term.

Since India depends largely on migrant labour, restarting construction and infrastructure projects will be a challenge.

The demand from infrastructure, construction, and real estate sectors is likely to be subdued in the first half of the FY21 due to the lockdown during the first quarter followed by the monsoons during the second quarter.

Further, the demand from automobile, white goods, and capital goods sectors is likely to reduce significantly with consumers deferring discretionary spends in the near term. Effective government stimulus and return of consumer confidence is likely to be the key driver for a gradual recovery over the second half of the FY2021, it said.
If you last registered your details in the National Opt-Out Database more than three years ago, your registration has lapsed and registered direct marketers in South Africa are allowed to contact you.

The National Opt-Out register is administered by the Direct Marketing Association of South Africa (DMASA), which requires that its members check their own marketing databases against the opt-out database.

DMASA members are not allowed to contact anyone who has opted themselves out of receiving direct marketing using the National Opt-Out Database.

However, as one MyBroadband reader recently found out, your registration in the DMASAs opt-out database expires after three years.

When asked why peoples registrations expire after this period, DMASA CEO David Dickens told MyBroadband that the organisation had to take the constitutional rights of South African citizens to heart.

We had to look at the intention and spirit of Consumer Protection Act as well as the Protection of Personal Information Act and find a balance between protection and yet give consumer access to the market place of business, Dickens said.

He said that he believes a good balance between access and protection was three years.

According to Dickens, the National Opt-Out Database gives the consumer the option to not be contacted by over 300 companies.

When a consumers three year anniversary comes up, the DMASA automatically sends out an email or SMS reminder and provides a link to opt out for another three years.

Hence the right to protection and the right to access of information is balanced, stated Dickens.

In addition to sending out email and SMS reminders, Dickens said that the DMASA uses radio and television to educate consumers around its opt-out facility.

The year 2020 will see more consumer education around data, opt-out, and direct marketing as a means to affordable products and services for consumers, always underpinning responsible marketing by our members.

POPIA: Changing from opt-out to opt-in

While companies are currently able to send direct marketing messages to any email address or cellphone number they can lay their hands on in South Africa, the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) aims to crack down on this practice.

Under the Consumer Protection Act, all direct marketing in South Africa must include a way to opt out of receiving further communications from the company sending it out.

With POPIA the restrictions on direct marketing will shift from being opt-out by default, to opt-in by default. Companies will have to get consent from consumers before they are allowed to send marketing messages to them.

Where companies have an existing relationship with a customer, the rules are slightly more permissive.

Companies will be allowed to send direct marketing messages if the customer was given a chance to opt-out when they opened their account. These messages may also only promote similar products or services to what you bought from the company initially.

Now read: How to block spam calls on your smartphone
Another 1,040 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the last 24 hours, bringing Britain's total caseload to 317,379.

The figure is only 22 cases smaller than the 1,062 reported last Sunday - which came almost a fortnight after Boris Johnson predicted a second wave in two weeks.

Yesterday saw Britain's highest Saturday infection total in eight weeks with 1,012 new cases while Friday saw another 1,441 people test positive in the biggest one-day jump for two months.

Concerns of a second major surge had been rising in recent weeks as local lockdowns sprung up in the Midlands and North of England, and Boris Johnson said he must 'squeeze the brakes' on easing rules at the end of July.

The rising numbers of positive tests have ignited fears that the virus is rebounding and sliding out of control.

Another 1,040 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the last 24 hours, bringing Britain's total caseload to 317,379

A further five people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in the UK, figures that cover deaths in hospitals, care homes and the wider community show

But on Friday, top experts dismissed concerns and believe the spike is merely down to more targeted testing in hotspots.

A further five people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in the UK, figures that cover deaths in hospitals, care homes and the wider community show.

Scotland reported 43 new cases and no deaths, while Wales reported 18 cases and two deaths.

Today's figures follow reports that Matt Hancock is axing Public Health England and will replace it with a new body to deal specifically with a pandemic as early as next month.

Matt Hancock is axing Public Health England and will replace it with a new body to deal specifically with a pandemic as early as next month. The Health Secretary will announce this week that the pandemic response work of PHE will be merged with NHS Test and Trace

According to The Sunday Telegraph, the new body - the National Institute for Health Protection - will become 'effective' next month but will take until spring 2021 to totally break up PHE, an executive agency of the Department for Health

The Health Secretary will announce this week that the pandemic response work of PHE will be merged with NHS Test and Trace.

According to The Sunday Telegraph, the new National Institute for Health Protection will become 'effective' next month though it will take until spring 2021 to totally break up PHE, an executive agency of the Department for Health.

Thousands more people may die of cancer after urgent hospital referrals plunged by 250,000 during lockdown compared with last year, report warns Thousands of people could die of cancer after the number of urgent hospital referrals plunged by 43 per cent during lockdown. As fewer patients see their GPs with cancer symptoms - before being referred to specialists for scans - the disease is being picked up too late, experts fear. GPs made 339,242 urgent referrals for people with cancer symptoms between April and June in England, more than 250,000 fewer than the 594,060 figure reported in the same months in 2019. There are also delays in accessing the necessary treatments and diagnoses once a patient goes to hospital, a study by healthcare management consultancy Carnall Farrar and the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) found. Researchers believe the lockdown numbers could have a detrimental effect on the country's cancer survival rate while setting Britain's progress in getting a grip on the disease back by ten years. They have urged the NHS to 'build back better' as cancer services begin to reach their full capacity again. Lung cancer's five-year survival rates will drop from 16.2 per cent to 15.4 per cent for those diagnosed in 2020 - the same outcome seen in 2017. The survival rate for colorectal cancer for the same period has dropped from 58.4 per cent to 56.1 per cent - the same rate it stood at in 2010. Cancer charities said the results are 'stark' and show the effect of cancer services being 'derailed' during the coronavirus crisis, The Sunday Times reports. Advertisement

Tory peer Baroness Harding, the ex-TalkTalk boss who currently runs NHS Test and Trace, is being tipped to lead the organisation, the paper said.

It follows reports that the government has been frustrated with PHE during the coronavirus crisis, with Boris Johnson slamming its 'sluggish' response.

The move also comes amid fears of a second Covid wave this winter, with parts of the UK grappling with lockdowns as infections rise.

Meanwhile a senior minister said the new body's goal will be 'to ensure that Britain is one of the best equipped countries in the world to fight the pandemic'.

They told the paper: 'We want to bring together the science and the scale in one new body so we can do all we can to stop a second coronavirus spike this autumn.'

The move is aimed at bringing together the science expertise at PHE and scale of the NHS Test and Trace operation in one new body, so that the country can be prepared to stop a potential second coronavirus spike this autumn.

The institute's new chief will report to ministers at the Department of Health and to Professor Chris Whitty, England's Chief Medical Officer, in a move which gives political appointees direct control over its response to pandemics.

Test and Trace call centres will be wound down over the next few months and replaced by local teams run by councils.

PHE's anti-obesity will also be handed over to local councils and doctors, who are being encouraged to intervene to encourage people to lose weight.

The model for the new institute is the Robert Koch Institute in Germany, which published daily situation reports during the Covid outbreak.

Meanwhile the Health and Safety Executive, run by Tory MP Sarah Newton, will assist companies in getting more staff back to work.

Ex-Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: 'The one thing consistent about Public Health England is that almost everything it has touched has failed.'

A DHSC spokesman said: 'Public Health England have played an integral role in our national response to this unprecedented global pandemic.

'We have always been clear that we must learn the right lessons from this crisis to ensure that we are in the strongest possible position, both as we continue to deal with Covid-19 and to respond to any future public health threat.'

A government source told The Sunday Telegraph: 'One of the many problems with PHE is that it has been spread too thin during the full pandemic.

Tory peer Baroness Harding, the ex-TalkTalk boss who currently runs NHS Test and Trace, is being tipped to lead the organisation, the paper reported

'Instead of having an organisation that is constantly on alert for pandemics you have an organisation that has been concentrating on prevention of ill-health.'

PHE was criticised for not having enough diagnostic testing capacity to properly track the progress of the virus early in the pandemic.

Health officials are also furious with PHE for counting all deaths from Covid, rather than just those within the first 28 days of contracting the virus.
According to a Tweet released by Defence 360 on August 12, 2020, Mid-Life Upgrade of Bartolomeu Dias-class frigate NRP Bartolomeu Dias (F333) of the Portuguese Navy is now scheduled to be completed in early 2021. The ship is undergoing modernization since 30 June 2018 at the Dutch Marine Materiele Instandhouding in Den Helder, The Netherlands.

According to a Tweet released by Defence 360 on August 12, 2020, Mid-Life Upgrade of Bartolomeu Dias-class frigate NRP Bartolomeu Dias (F333) of the Portuguese Navy is now scheduled to be completed in early 2021. The ship is undergoing modernization since 30 June 2018 at the Dutch Marine Materiele Instandhouding in Den Helder, The Netherlands.

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Portuguese Navy Bartolomeu Dias-class frigate NRP Bartolomeu Dias F333. (Picture source Twitter account Defence 360)

In February 2019, The Defense Materiel Organisation (DMO), part of the Dutch Ministry of Defense, has contracted Alewijnse Marine to participate in the mid-life upgrade of N.R.P. Bartolomeu Dias (F333) and N.R.P. Don Francisco de Almeida (F334). Originally built for the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) in the early 1990s, the two Multipurpose (M) frigates were sold to the Portuguese Navy in 2006. The two ships will receive new weapons and communications systems.

The Dia-class frigate is originally a Karel Doorman-class frigate built for the Royal Netherlands Navy. In May 2006, Portugal's National Defense Minister, Luis Amado, showed interest in buying two Karel Doorman class frigates to replace the two remaining frigates of the Joao Belo-class frigate in service with the Portuguese Navy

On November 1, 2006, the Portuguese Defense Minister Nuno Severiano Teixeira signed a contract for the purchase of the frigates Van Nes and Van Galen. Van Nes, renamed NRP Bartolomeu Dias (F333), was transferred to Portugal on January 16, 2009, and Van Galen, renamed NRP Dom Francisco de Almeida (F334) was transferred on January 15, 2010.

The Karel Doorman-class was designed as a multipurpose frigate that could perform a wide range of missions. Its armament reflects this by incorporating many features, such as the ability to engage submarines, aircraft and surface vessels. Besides warfare, the armaments can also be used to support anti-drug and piracy operations.
A leading New South Wales pharmacist has joined calls for the Queensland government to halt its trial allowing pharmacists to prescribe antibiotics.

The Palaszczuk government launched the trial earlier this year, with a focus on allowing pharmacists to prescribe the pill to women without having to see a GP.

A NSW pharmacy expert has sounded a note of caution about the Queensland trial of pharmacists prescribing antibiotics.

While some GPs have expressed concern about that aspect, it has mainly been criticised for allowing pharmacists to prescribe common antibiotics to treat conditions such as urinary tract infections.

The government used International Womens Day in March this year to announce the trial was going ahead, framing it as a womens health issue.
The death of former Senator, Buruji Kashamu, topped political discussions last week.

Mr Kashamu died Saturday at the First Cardiology Consultants Hospital in Lagos after battling the dreaded COVID-19.

Following his death, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in a condolence letter to the Ogun State Government, stated that the former lawmaker, during his lifetime used the maneuver of law and politics to escape from facing justice on alleged criminal offence in Nigeria and outside Nigeria.

This statement led to several criticisms against the former president which pushed him to declare that people were at liberty to mourn him however they wanted, after his death.

Even as associates mourned Mr Kashamu, discussions around the 2023 presidency continued.

A comment by the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, that Nigerias next president in 2023 should emerge from the southern part of the country sparked political tension in some parts of the country.

Mr El-Rufai, in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service said he would not support a northerner to vie for the seat after President Muhammadu Buhari, based on Nigerias political arrangement

Ondo/Edo Elections

Ahead of the Edo and Ondo State Gubernatorial elections, political activities have increased in the two states.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede, visited a former president, Mr Obasanjo, to seek his support.

This was as the deputy governor of the State, Agboola Ajayi, formally got the nod of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) to contest as the partys candidate in the October 10 governorship election.

Hon Alfred Agboola Ajayi, Ondo State Deputy Governor [Photo: Ondo State Website]

Mr Jegede defeated Mr Ajayi in the just concluded PDP primary to become the partys candidate.

This led to the deputy governors exit from the PDP to ZLP, less than two months after dumping the APC.

The PDP in Ondo State, while reacting to the defection of Mr Ajayi to ZLP described him as being desperate to be governor.

The governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, speaking to journalists after his victory at the APC primaries [PHOTO: @RotimiAkeredolu]

While his opponents strategised, the state governor and candidate of the APC, Rotimi Akeredolu, met with aggrieved members of his party and other aspirants of the party in the last primary.

Mr Akeredolu, who is seeking re-election under the banner of the ruling party, had a reconciliation meeting with the aggrieved members

The Mala Buni-led caretaker committee of the ruling APC also named a 104-member national campaign council for the Ondo State Governorship Election.

The committee is headed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.

However, although the APC appears united for the Ondo election, the crisis in the party is far from over.

The Director-General of the APC governors forum, Salihu Lukman, again, questioned the partys former chairman, Adams Oshiomholes fore-front role in the Edo State governorship campaign.

Adams Oshiomhole, former APC National Chairman.

Mr Oshiomhole, who was recently removed as the APC national chairman, has been leading Osagie Ize-Iyamus governorship campaign, a move many have argued has not only made the candidate susceptible to main opposition parties attacks but which also portrays the partys candidate as a potential puppet governor if eventually elected.

Others

A former President, Goodluck Jonathan, in a virtual conference organised by the umbrella body of Ijaw cultural associations known as the Ijaw Nation Development Group (INDG) warned politicians against politics of bitterness and violence and charged them to forge a common agenda that would promote peace and sustainable development in the nation.

The former president further urged them to put the interest of the nation first, adding that politics was not about dividing the people and fighting enemies.

In Nasarawa, the candidate of the APC in the Nasarawa Central State Constituency bye-election, Ismail Danbaba, won the election. He had 7,475 votes to defeat Bage Nuhu of the PDP who got 4,608 votes.

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Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi

In Ebonyi, the three senators from Ebonyi State and a member of the House of Representatives were among prominent members who boycotted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state congress. The party elected officials to pilot its affairs for the next four years. The state governor, David Umahi, however, appealed to the aggrieved federal lawmakers to sheathe their swords.

In neighbouring Abia State, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2015 and 2019 elections, Alex Otti, declared for the APC.
Indian-origin Democratic vice presidential nominee, Kamala Harris, on Saturday recounted her mother's attempt to "instill a love for idlis" in her and her younger sister Maya. She also remembered her "long walks" with her grandfather in Chennai.

Harris, speaking at an event by "South Asians of Biden", extended wishes on India's Independence Day.

Harris said that her mother Shyamala, who became a leading cancer researcher and activist in America, would take her and her sister Maya to India because she wanted her daughters to understand where she had come from.

The 55-year-old senator remembered how she and her grandfather would go on long walks in Chennai. She also remembered her grandfather PV Gopalan telling her about the 'heroes' who contributed to India's freedom struggle.

"Those lessons by my grandfather are a big reason why I am where I am today," Harris said.

Harris' parents met as doctoral students at the University of California, Berkeley at the dawn of the 1960s.

Her father, a Jamaican named Donald Harris, studied economics. Her mother Shyamala Gopalan studied nutrition and endocrinology.

Gopalan Harris gave birth to Kamala and then Maya two years after her marriage. A few years into the marriage, Harris' parents divorced.

The mother's influence on Harris grew greater than her father.

Harris began her career in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office.

In her nearly two terms in office as attorney general, Harris gained a reputation as one of the rising stars of the Democratic Party.

Last year, in December, she ran for the Democratic nomination for US President. However, she ended her campaign citing the shortage of funds.

Last week, Democratic Presidential candidate for the US election 2020 Joe Biden, named her as his running mate.

Harris has become the third woman to be selected as the vice president on a major party ticket last week. The enthusiasm surrounding her historic candidacy has brought in a record $36 million, including contributions from 150,000 new donors.

Also read: 'Kind and caring', Kamala Harris' Indian aunt recounts her childhood

Also read: US Election 2020: Biden campaign raises $48 million in 48 hours after picking Kamala Harris as VP choice
Members of the Sindhi community organised a protest outside Pakistani ambassadors house here in solidarity with families of the victims of enforced disappearances in Pakistan.

The protesters on Friday chanted slogans for the freedom of victims of enforced disappearances in Sindh. They held placards with pictures of victims of enforced disappearances, according to a statement issued by Sindhi Foundation which organised the protest.

Present in the protest were Sindhi, Baloch and Pakhtoon leaders, besides people from Gilgit Baltistan.

The protesters demanded the release of all victims of enforced disappearances, especially teacher and scholar Sarang Joyo who was abducted from his house in Karachi on Tuesday.

I want to appreciate efforts of my sisters Aqsa Dayo, Shazia Chandio, Shabana Junejo, Sohni Joyo, Sindhu Joyo, Sorath Lohar and Sasui Lohar who have inspired all of us by leading the protests against victims of enforced disappearances for past many months, said Sufi Laghari, executive director of Sindhi Foundation.

He also appreciated the initiative taken by Sindhi Inam and said it is his struggle that has inspired all of us to come out and protest against the enforced disappearances.

Laghari also mentioned that Taj Joyo, a Sindhi poet and writer who is father of Sarang Joyo has rejected to receive Presidential Performance Award from Pakistan.

The protesters demanded an end to all enforced disappearances in Pakistan.

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Those of us who have lived in Tucson for many years know how hot the summers can be. So far this August has been inordinately hot and dry. Thi
(Reuters) - Iran's president said on Saturday the United States suffered a humiliating defeat with the U.N. Security Council's refusal to extend an arms embargo on Tehran, while U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the action a "serious mistake."

In a U.N. Security Council vote on Friday on the U.S. effort to extend the world body's arms embargo on Iran, Russia and China voted against, while 11 members abstained including France, Germany and Britain. The United States and the Dominican Republic were the only votes in favour.

"I don't remember the United States preparing a resolution for months to strike a blow at the Islamic Republic of Iran, and it garners only one vote," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised speech. "But the great success was that the United States was defeated in this conspiracy with humiliation."

The U.N. arms embargo on Iran is due to expire under a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, which provided for many international sanctions against Iran being lifted in exchange for curbs on Iran's nuclear programme. President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the deal in 2018.

"It's a serious mistake, we regret that," Pompeo said on Saturday of the Security Council vote in a news conference during a visit to Poland.

The United States could now follow through on a threat to trigger a return of all U.N. sanctions on Iran using a provision in the nuclear deal, known as snapback. Diplomats have said the United States could do this as early as next week, but that it would face a tough, messy battle.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said the Security Council's decision not to extend the arms embargo on Iran will lead to further Middle East instability.

"The extremist regime in Iran doesn't just finance terrorism: it takes an active part in terrorism through its branches around the world and uses it as a political tool. This behaviour represents a danger to regional and international stability," Ashkenazi said in a statement on Saturday.

The Security Council vote followed a proposal made by Russian President Vladimir Putin for a summit of world leaders to avoid "confrontation" over the American threat to trigger a return of all U.N. sanctions on Tehran.

(Reporting by Agnieszka Barteczko and Anna Koper in Warsaw, Michelle Nichols in New York and Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem; Writing by Will Dunham; Editing by Frances Kerry and Daniel Wallis)
Stephanie Browitt (pictured before the volcanic eruption) is her mother Marie's only surviving child

A woman who lost her sister and father in the White Island volcano explosion has offered an insight into her gruelling day-to-day routine after she suffered burns to 70 per cent of her body.

Stephanie Browitt was permanently disfigured in the devastating blast, which took the lives of her younger sister Krystal and father Paul last December.

The trio were touring White Island in New Zealand with a group from their cruise ship when a volcano erupted, killing 21.

The 24-year-old has been open in sharing her recovery, which has included several skin grafts and amputations to her fingers.

On Thursday, Ms Browitt offered her followers an insight into her living conditions after finally leaving hospital.

She explained the video was first shared on TikTok and was considered educational, showing just 'how much effort goes into the recovery of a burns survivor'.

Ms Browitt starts each and every day by taking off two full face masks which she wears to bed of a night to keep her new skin in place.

She washes them and leaves them to dry for the day before moisturising her entire body.

'As you can see, I go through so much,' she said in the video as she showed a shelf full of moisturiser bottles.

Stephanie Browitt suffered burns to the majority of her body during the explosion

The trio were touring White Island in New Zealand with a group from their cruise ship when a volcano erupted, killing 21

'Then I have to get dressed and put all my body garments on,' Ms Browitt said as she zipped a suit over her legs, which were covered in scars from the explosion.

And that's the easiest part of her day.

From there, she settles herself in to use what she describes as 'a torture device'.

Ms Browitt expressed her clear dislike of the mouth extender she needs to use for up to an hour every day to stretch the skin around her lips.

She tries to distract herself with watching television or drawing on her iPad while its in, but explained that it will be a part of her daily routine for the foreseeable future.

'I'll be undertaking... my daily routine for quite a while,' she said.

'Some things like the hand splints, face mask and silicone wont be needed after Ive stretched out certain areas past a point or once my scars have matured.'

On Thursday, Ms Browitt offered her followers an insight into her living conditions after finally leaving hospital

Ms Browitt starts each and every day by taking off two full face masks which she wears to bed of a night

It could take up to two years for her scars to mature significantly.

'Other things like moisturising and working out and stretching will most likely be for life,' she explained.

After her daily tasks, Ms Browitt does some exercises from her physio to encourage movement.

'Yesterday I did some core,' she said as she filmed herself taking on a step machine. 'It left me in a lot of pain so today I'm just doing some leg exercises,' she said.

'Then I'll do some hand therapy... today I did some work on desensitization.

'So many people were surprised and found it so educational to see how much effort goes into the recovery of a burns survivor.'

After her daily tasks, Ms Browitt does some exercises from her physio to encourage movement. Pictured prior to the explosion

'Then I have to get dressed and put all my body garments on,' Ms Browitt said as she zipped a suit over her legs, which were covered in scars from the explosion

On Tuesday, Ms Browitt said her sister Krystal's boyfriend and 'soul mate' had helped her every step of the way in her recovery so far.

'Daniel was at the hospital as much as mum ... He would stay for hours everyday and leave as late as 10pm sometimes,' she said.

Ms Browitt added he was a constant source of laughter and amusement during her long stint in hospital, and did 'everything he could to make my stay bearable'.

'I know my sister would be so proud and so happy to know that Daniel was by my side every day ... If I needed help with my food, cutting my meat or opening sauce packets, he would do it,' she said.

'The hospital would never provide me with enough tomato sauce or Vegemite, so hed buy me jars of it ... He bought my speaker to play music.

Ms Browitt's sister's boyfriend Daniel (left with Krystal) has been a pillar of strength for her since her sister and father died in the tragedy

'She wrote up a poster so that I could have it read to me every night as a reminder of her love and to give me strength,' Ms Browitt revealed, sharing a photograph of the touching note

Stephanie Browitt was permanently disfigured in the devastating blast, which took the lives of her younger sister Krystal and father Paul (pictured together along with their mother) last December

'My mum and Daniel are the two people who kept me going when I didnt want to, who lifted my spirits when I was down and in pain.'

Every night, her mother would visit the hospital and sit by her side, travelling the two hours each way from the family home to The Alfred, where she was treated.

'She wrote up a poster so that I could have it read to me every night as a reminder of her love and to give me strength,' Ms Browitt said, sharing a photograph of the touching note.

'You are my every breath, my strength, my heart, my beautiful angel. I love you with all that I am. You are my everything. Your smile lights up my entire world.'

Ms Browitt said it was the positive energy of both her mother and Daniel which gave her the strength to 'keep fighting everyday to come home and be better'.

Ms Browitt credited her mum for getting her through the darkest days of her recovery

The 24-year-old suffered burns to 70 per cent of her body and had her fingers amputated.

She now wears a full face mask to protect her mottled skin and has been cooped up in her mother's Craigieburn home in Melbourne for the last eight months.

During her time in isolation, her home state was plunged into a second lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19 .

Last week, Ms Browitt urged people struggling in isolation to enjoy spending time with their loved ones.

'As someone who is grieving deeply and has essentially been in lockdown since early December... I truly believe that focusing on what you can't change is wasted energy that could be used elsewhere,' she told The Herald Sun.

Victorian police have been battling with Melbournians to enforce Stage 4 lockdown.

The 24-year-old (pictured after the volcano with her dog) urged people struggling in isolation to enjoy spending time with their loved ones

White Island volcano survivor Stephanie Browitt (pictured) had her fingers amputated after the volcano

Ms Browitt said it was okay for residents to feel upset and isolated as virus cases soar, but added she would do anything to have her father and sister in lockdown with her.

'I feel as though people don't realise how precious time is and that you don't often get the chance to be with family like this,' she said.

While she has had essential surgeries cancelled as a result of the pandemic, she reminded Victorians that lockdown will pass with 'patience and perseverance'.

Her mother Marie, whose immune system is compromised fighting autoimmune diseases multiple sclerosis and Lupus, believed COVID-19 could kill her.

As the 24-year-old's only surviving parent, Miss Browitt would be forced into a nursing home if anything happened to her mother.

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

Ms Browitt has to wear a protective suit on her skin after suffering third degree burns to 70 per cent of her body

'There are people out there ignoring laws designed to protect their own family's survival. I can't comprehend it,' Marie said.

The heartbroken mother said the pair still cry for Paul and Krystal daily, but joined her daughter in encouraging Victorians to be proud that they can stay home and protect their loved ones.

Krystal, 21, and 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.

Stephanie (left with sister Krystal right) tragically lost her sister in the disaster and her father Paul

Ms Browitt (pictured with her father Paul) said despite the time that has passed, she remembers the eruption like it was 'just yesterday'

Ms Browitt spent seven months painstakingly rebuilding her life and recovering in hospital.

She previously said despite the time that 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.'
Hong Kong: LegCo operation lacuna addressed

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng

There is a need to postpone the seventh-term of the Legislative Council election, amid the third wave of COVID-19, to ensure that public safety is protected as well as a fair and open election can be conducted. The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) has made a decision that the sixth-term LegCo be extended for no less than a year to address the lacuna in the LegCo operation caused by the postponement.

When the epidemic is still widespread in the community, if the election is held as scheduled, group gatherings caused by electioneering activities by candidates would raise the risks of the spread of COVID-19. Yet while the regulations on the restrictions on group gatherings are still effective, the electioneering activities could not be conducted properly by candidates. Further, with four million voters all gathering to vote at polling stations on the same day, it might cause an outbreak in the community. Elderly voters might refrain from voting due to health consideration. Another phenomenon is that there are a large number of voters in the Mainland and stranded overseas who could not return to Hong Kong to cast their votes due to boundary control.

Reasons for postponing for one year include: the pandemic is unlikely to subside soon. It is unrealistic to invoke section 44 of the Legislative Council Ordinance to postpone the election for 14 days repeatedly. Secondly, postponing the election for one year, with a particular date identified, would give certainty to all parties concerned. Thirdly, voter registration exercise usually takes months to finalise. Those who are eligible but have not yet completed the registration would not be able to exercise their right to vote if the election is to be held in early 2021. Fourthly, the LegCo performs important functions and it is important to ensure its proper functioning. It considers the Chief Executives Policy Address from October to November and scrutinises the Budget from around February to May every year. Postponing the election for a year provides the certainty for the LegCo to continue to function according to its annual cycle. Last but not the least, existing LegCo members would not be able to conduct electioneering activities if the election is to take place in the middle of the cycle.

The Chief Executive in Council decided to postpone the election so as to safeguard public interests in the light of the risk to public health and the emergency of the situation. The Emergency Regulations Ordinance allows the Chief Executive in Council to legislate speedily and effectively under such circumstances. Owing to the severe epidemic situation, the Chief Executive in Council invoked the Emergency Regulations Ordinance to postpone the election for a year in order to protect public safety and public health as well as to ensure that a fair and open election can be conducted. The Chief Executive, as the head of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and being accountable to the Central Peoples Government under Article 43 of the Basic Law, submitted a report and suggestion to the central authorities on July 28. On the following day, the State Council expressed its support to the resolution by the Chief Executive in Council and agreed to make a submission to the NPCSC for a decision.

China is a unitary state and the constitutional structure stipulates that power comes from the central authorities. Matters relating to constitutional order should be handled by the National Peoples Congress (NPC) in accordance with the Constitution of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). The NPC and NPCSC are powered to make legal decisions or instruments.

The decision by the NPCSC, which has been made in accordance with the PRC Constitution and the Basic Law, expeditiously resolved the problem that the Hong Kong SAR could not handle on its own from a constitutional perspective. The sixth-term LegCo would continue to function for no less than one year until the beginning of the seventh-term, thereby providing flexibilities and a solid legal basis to the Government. The decision also stated clearly that the seventh-term LegCo would have a term of four years as set out in Article 69 of the Basic Law, which obviates the need to amend the Basic Law. One must not forget that the Basic Law is a constitutional document and it is uncommon to amend it for a single one-off instance. The decision provides a legal basis which is binding and deals with the special situation. It is right and proper that the NPCSC resolved the constitutional matter by the decision.

The rule of law is well established in Hong Kong. When the Government realises that it does not have the power to resolve issues related to the lacuna arising from the postponement of the election, it is necessary for the highest state organ of power to handle the matter in accordance with the PRC Constitution and the Basic Law. In a judgment of a judicial review delivered in 2018 (HCAL 1160/2018), the Judge accepted the expert evidence that the NPCSCs decision has legal effect under the PRC law and is binding on governmental authorities in the Mainland as well as the Hong Kong SAR including Hong Kong courts, adding that Hong Kong courts have no power to determine the validity of the NPCSCs decision under Hong Kong laws.

The NPCSCs decision followed the constitutional order and is applicable to the Hong Kong SAR. It is in line with one country and respects two systems. The power to deal with this constitutional lacuna caused by the postponement of the election is never within the autonomy nor jurisdiction of the Hong Kong SAR, whether one is talking about the Government or courts. The common law preserved in the Basic Law is not in any way affected. The suggestion that the decision means that Hong Kong no longer exercises the common law and the Basic Law is totally baseless. The fact that such fundamental issues are mistaken means that the constitutional structure, purpose and meaning of the constitution and the Basic Law are not fully appreciated and more has to be done to ensure that such issues are properly understood.

Now that the postponement of the election and the constitutional lacuna are addressed, we must fight the COVID-19 pandemic in solidarity and focus on our economic development and improving peoples livelihoods so as to keep our society moving forward.

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng wrote this article and posted it on her blog on August 16.

This story has been published on: 2020-08-16. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 23:15:46|Editor: huaxia

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DOHA, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Qatari Health Ministry on Sunday announced 271 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the Gulf state to 115,080, the official Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.

Meanwhile, 289 more recovered from the virus, bringing the total recoveries to 111,794, while the death toll increased by one to 193, according to a ministry statement quoted by QNA.

The ministry attributed the increase in coronavirus infections to gatherings and visits as well as ignoring the preventive measures such as staying at home and social distancing.

A total of 551,273 persons in Qatar have taken lab tests for COVID-19 so far.

China and Qatar have offered mutual help during the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

On Feb. 21, five Qatar Airways cargo freighters flew to China carrying approximately 300 tons of medical supplies donated by the airline.

On July 8, Chinese health officials and medical experts held a video conference with Qatari counterparts to share experience and expertise in fighting COVID-19.

The two sides also held in-depth exchange of views on the issues that Qatar is most concerned about, including coronavirus prevention and control, test analysis, clinic care, vaccine development and social management. Enditem
Vikas Singh, the lawyer representing Sushant Singh Rajputs father KK Singh in the case against the actors girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty, has raised some questions regarding the Mumbai Polices investigation into Sushants death. The actor died on June 14.

The lawyer told ANI, The post-mortem report that I have seen does not mention the time of death which is a crucial detail. Whether Sushant was hung after being killed or he died by hanging can be cleared with the time of death. Mumbai Police and Cooper Hospital will have to answer these questions. CBI enquiry is needed in this matter to know the truth.

Also read: Anupam Kher defends Mahesh Bhatt against Sushant Singh Rajput accusations, says I am not blind, but I will not say anything

After over a month, Sushants father filed an FIR in Patna against Rhea and members of her family, under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including abetment to suicide. A turf war broke out between the Mumbai and the Patna police, and subsequently, the CBI was given the go-ahead to take over the investigation.

The lawyer continued, I think Mumbai Police is a professional force. But, it can only perform professionally when ministers allow it to do so. In high-profile cases like this one, politicians interfered and became a hindrance for police to their duty professionally.

Also read: Ankita Lokhande slams reports saying Sushant Singh Rajput paid her EMIs, his sister Shweta hails her as an independent woman

A separate investigation into the financial aspects of the case has been initiated by the Enforcement Directorate, by whom Rhea has been questioned twice. She has said that she has no objection to the case being transferred to the CBI.

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31 Syrians with explosives have been arrested as they tried to cross the border from Syria into Iraq reports Asharq Al-Awsat.

Iraqs Security Media Cell announced Friday the arrest of 31 Syrians with explosives in their possession trying to infiltrate Iraqi territories.

In a statement, the Cell said that in an ambush, the security forces stopped 31 Syrians as they tried to cross the border from al-Raqqa to Iraqi territories.

It added that security forces found explosives in their possession.

The detainees were handed over to the competent authorities for further investigation.

A security official told Asharq Al-Awsat that the operation was conducted after a tip-off that some ISIS members were planning to infiltrate the border from the area of Im Jreiss.

Al-Rafidain Operations Commander Major General Jabbar Al-Tai said Iraq is taking a series of measures to prevent the infiltration of terrorists through the border.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon said American and other NATO forces would maintain a long-term presence in Iraq to help fightextremists and to check Iranian influence in the country.

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.
Lambert here: What is missing from this and other stories is that the missing piece in data interchange between disparate health care systems is a standard (and easily expansible) data schema, provided for the first time by the move to HHS. Necessary, but insufficient!

By Harris Meyer, was a senior reporte and managing editor at Modern Healthcare. Originally published at Kaiser Health News.

After terrorists slammed a plane into the Pentagon on 9/11, ambulances rushed scores of the injured to community hospitals, but only three of the patients were taken to specialized trauma wards. The reason: The hospitals and ambulances had no real-time information-sharing system.

Nineteen years later, there is still no national data network that enables the health system to respond effectively to disasters and disease outbreaks. Many doctors and nurses must fill out paper forms on COVID-19 cases and available beds and fax them to public health agencies, causing critical delays in care and hampering the effort to track and block the spread of the coronavirus.

We need to be thinking long and hard about making improvements in the data-reporting system so the response to the next epidemic is a little less painful, said Dr. Dan Hanfling, a vice president at In-Q-Tel, a nonprofit that helps the federal government solve technology problems in health care and other areas. And there will be another one.

There are signs the COVID-19 pandemic has created momentum to modernize the nations creaky, fragmented public health data system, in which nearly 3,000 local, state and federal health departments set their own reporting rules and vary greatly in their ability to send and receive data electronically.

Sutter Health and UC Davis Health, along with nearly 30 other provider organizations around the country, recently launched a collaborative effort to speed and improve the sharing of clinical data on individual COVID cases with public health departments.

But even that platform, which contains information about patients diagnoses and response to treatments, doesnt yet include data on the availability of hospital beds, intensive care units or supplies needed for a seamless pandemic response.

The federal government spent nearly $40 billion over the past decade to equip hospitals and physicians offices with electronic health record systems for improving treatment of individual patients. But no comparable effort has emerged to build an effective system for quickly moving information on infectious disease from providers to public health agencies.

In March, Congress approved $500 million over 10 years to modernize the public health data infrastructure. But the amount falls far short of whats needed to update data systems and train staff at local and state health departments, said Brian Dixon, director of public health informatics at the Regenstrief Institute in Indianapolis.

The congressional allocation is half the annual amount proposed under last years bipartisan Saving Lives Through Better Data Act, which did not pass, and much less than the $4.5 billion Public Health Infrastructure Fund proposed last year by public health leaders.

The data are moving slower than the disease, said Janet Hamilton, executive director of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. We need a way to get that information electronically and seamlessly to public health agencies so we can do investigations, quarantine people and identify hot spots and risk groups in real time, not two weeks later.

The impact of these data failures is felt around the country. The director of the California Department of Public Health, Dr. Sonia Angell, was forced out Aug. 9 after a malfunction in the states data system left out up to 300,000 COVID-19 test results, undercutting the accuracy of its case count.

Other advanced countries have done a better job of rapidly and accurately tracking COVID-19 cases and medical resources while doing contact tracing and quarantining those who test positive. In France, physicians offices report patient symptoms to a central agency every day. Thats an advantage of having a national health care system.

If someone in France sneezes, they learn about it in Paris, said Dr. Chris Lehmann, clinical informatics director at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

Coronavirus cases reported to U.S. public health departments are often missing patients addresses and phone numbers, which are needed to trace their contacts, Hamilton said. Lab test results often lack information on patients races or ethnicities, which could help authorities understand demographic disparities in transmission and response to the virus.

Last month, the Trump administration abruptly ordered hospitals to report all COVID-19 data to a private vendor hired by the Department of Health and Human Services rather than to the long-established reporting system run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The administration said the switch would help the White House coronavirus task force better allocate scarce supplies.

The shift disrupted, at least temporarily, the flow of critical information needed to track COVID-19 outbreaks and allocate resources, public health officials said. They worried the move looked political in nature and could dampen public confidence in the accuracy of the data.

An HHS spokesperson said the transition had improved and sped up hospital reporting. Experts had various opinions on the matter but agreed that the new system doesnt fix problems with the old CDC system that contributed to this countrys slow and ineffective response to COVID-19.

While I think its an exceptionally bad idea to take the CDC out of it, the bottom line is the way CDC presented the data wasnt all that useful, said Dr. George Rutherford, a professor of epidemiology at the University of California-San Francisco.

The new HHS system lacks data from nursing homes, which is needed to ensure safe care for COVID patients after discharge from the hospital, said Dr. Lissy Hu, CEO of CarePort Health, which coordinates care between hospitals and post-acute facilities.

Some observers hope the pandemic will persuade the health care industry to push faster toward its goal of smoother data exchange through computer systems that can easily talk to one another  an objective that has met with only partial success after more than a decade of effort.

The case reporting system launched by Sutter Health and its partners sends clinical information from each coronavirus patients electronic health record to public health agencies in all 50 states. The Digital Bridge platform also allows the agencies for the first time to send helpful treatment information back to doctors and nurses. About 20 other health systems are preparing to join the 30 partners in the system, and major digital health record vendors like Epic and Allscripts have added the reporting capacity to their software.

Sutter hopes to get state and county officials to let the health system stop sending data manually, which would save its clinicians time they need for treating patients, said Dr. Steven Lane, Sutters clinical informatics director for interoperability.

The platform could be key in implementing COVID-19 vaccination around the country, said Dr. Andrew Wiesenthal, a managing director at Deloitte Consulting who spearheaded the development of Digital Bridge.

Youd want a registry of everyone immunized, youd want to hear if that person developed COVID anyway, then youd want to know about subsequent symptoms, he said. You can only do that well if you have an effective data system for surveillance and reporting.

The key is to get all the health care players  providers, insurers, EHR vendors and public health agencies  to collaborate and share data, rather than hoarding it for their own financial or organizational benefit, Wiesenthal said.

One would hope we will use this crisis as an opportunity to fix a long-standing problem, said John Auerbach, CEO of Trust for Americas Health. But I worry this will follow the historical pattern of throwing a lot of money at a problem during a crisis, then cutting back after. Theres a tendency to think short term.
The number and rate of COVID-19 infections in American children have been 'steadily increasing' since March, the CDC warned as more and more youngsters are heading back into crowded classrooms.

The CDC released a report on Friday which found that children accounted for 7.3 per cent of all US coronavirus cases as of August 3.

Though the incidence rate is much lower in children - who make up 22 percent of the population - than adults, the report noted that tracking juvenile cases has been difficult due to limited testing and the prioritization of testing for adults.

Officials suggested that strict stay-at-home orders and school closures may have reduced transmission of the virus among kids in the spring and summer.

However, they warned that trends are likely to change after kids resume in-person learning and other activities this fall.

The CDC's updated guidance on what is known about the virus in children came as the total number of cases nationwide topped 5.36 million with 169,489 deaths.

The number and rate of COVID-19 infections in American children have been 'steadily increasing' since March, the CDC warned on Friday as more and more youngsters are heading back into crowded classrooms. Pictured: A boy receives a coronavirus test in Los Angeles

Officials say the coronavirus transmission rate among children will likely increase as schools resume in-person learning in the fall. Pictured: A volunteer hands three-year-old Zayla Rodriguez a backpack full of school supplies in Los Angeles on Friday

In many ways the CDC guidance contradicted previous assumptions that COVID-19 posed a smaller threat to children, showing that they are impacted in a similar way to adults.

'Recent evidence suggests that children likely have the same or higher viral loads in their nasopharynx compared with adults and that children can spread the virus effectively in households and camp settings,' the report states.

It indicated that the virus' incubation period is about the same in adults and children - two to 14 days with an average of six days - and symptoms are similar - including fever, cough, shortness of breath and loss of taste or smell.

The data showed that at least 16 percent of children who tested positive were asymptomatic, but experts cautioned that the true number could be up to 45 percent.

The rate of hospitalizations among children is also increasing, the CDC found. One-third of hospitalized children are admitted to the ICU - the same rate as adults.

The CDC guidance came on the heels of an alarming report from the American Academy of Pediatrics which found there was a 90 percent increase in pediatric coronavirus cases between July 9 and August 6.

That report showed that more than 97,000 children tested positive for the virus in the last two weeks of July alone, and 25 died over the course of the month.

In recent months there's been fevered debate over whether its safe to send children back to school despite the ongoing pandemic. Pictured: Paul Adamus, seven, wears a mask as he waits at a bus stop on his first day of school in Dallas, Georgia, on August 3

In Georgia, where school has already started, a photo of a hallway packed with students not wearing masks at North Paulding High School went viral last week as it reopened for classes

President Donald Trump and members of his administration have repeatedly claimed that the virus poses a significantly reduced risk to children as they push for schools to reopen this fall.

But the new CDC guidance cautions that children have the same likelihood of spreading the virus as adults, and that they can also develop severe complications.

In recent months there's been fevered debate over whether its safe to send children back to school despite the ongoing pandemic.

In 34 states, the percentage of positive test results remains higher than the CDC's recommended level for reopening schools.

As schools in many communities ignore that guidance, some teachers have opted to resign altogether to avoid putting themselves and their families at risk.

Some schools and universities that have already reopened have had to adjust their strategies for in-person learning after outbreaks were reported within the first few weeks of classes.

In Georgia, where several districts have reopened, more than 1,000 students and staff have been told to quarantine following cases of coronavirus or exposures to someone infected.

North Paulding High School in Paulding County received national attention earlier this month after photos of mask-less students packed into a corridor went viral - heightening safety concerns for campuses nationwide.

That school switched to full virtual learning last week after nine coronavirus cases were reported among its students and staff within days of when classes resumed.

Children in an elementary school class wear masks and sit as desks spaced apart during summer sessions at Happy Day School in Monterey Park, California on July 9

Students in masks walk to class at a school in Cherokee County, Georgia, on August 7

Schools are also reopening in Florida, where 8,399 juvenile cases were reported in the past two weeks alone.

Though the state remains one of the biggest Covid hotspots in the country, schools there will even be holding high school sporting events.

In Arizona, which has the highest rate of juvenile infections in the country at 12 percent, according to the AAP, schools have also been given the green light to resume classes.

But one district in the Phoenix suburb of Sun Tan Valley was forced to delay its reopening on Friday after more than 100 teachers and staff members staged a 'sick out'.

In New York, which is home to the nation's largest school district in the Big Apple, in-person classes are set to resume as cases have continued to decline across the state.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said schools there will return with a 'blending model', with most students attending in-person classes two to three days a week.

California is taking a more cautious approach, as Governor Gavin Newsom announced that 90 percent of students will begin the school year at home.

The state currently has the highest number of cases in the country with more than 600,000, though it appears to be turning a corner as infections and hospitalizations began to decline last week.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - A man ran a red light and crashed into a Grand Rapids police cruiser Sunday morning, injuring two officers, police said.

The 23-year-old male suspect was traveling west on Hall Street at 4:02 a.m. Aug. 16 when his car first collided with the cruiser going south on Madison Avenue, said the Grand Rapids Police Department. The cruiser subsequently struck a third car waiting at the light to turn northbound onto Hall Street, police said.

The suspect driver and the two officers in the cruisers all suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police said. The suspect was briefly pinned inside his car before officers helped him out of it prior to transporting him to Mercy Health St. Marys, police said.

Both officers entered concussion protocol, while one possibly sustained a broken collarbone, police said. They are also lodged at Mercy Health St. Marys, police said.

The suspect driver is currently under investigation for operating while intoxicated, police said. The Grand Rapids Police Department Traffic Unit and Crime Scene Technicians investigated the crash, which is still under review.

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The incident occurred at the Royal Canal near Ashtown. Photo: Google Maps

Gardai are investigating after a woman was pushed into a river in Dublin by a group of teenagers in what she says is a racially motivated incident.

Castleknock resident Xuedan (Shelly) Xiong (48) can be seen in a video that circulated on social media over the weekend shows two boys pushing the woman into the Royal Canal near Ashtown after she challenged a group of young people about racial discrimination.

Gardai are working to identify the youths involved in the alleged hate crime.

The woman was not hurt in the incident on Friday evening and told RTEs This Week programme that several groups of teenagers insulted her verbally.

A guy on a bike cycled towards me, very close and nearly pushed me into the canal, so I screamed and they laughed and imitated my scream.

The third group started insult me verbally and then said to me, Chinese noodles, fried noodles.

I said to them that's racial discrimination, you stop it.

In the now widely shared video, after Ms Xiong confronts the teenagers and one can be seen pushing her into the river.

They pushed me into the water and my mind went blank. I did not see this coming I did not see who pushed me, she said.

She added that in her 14 years living in Ireland, she has never before experienced physical abuse.

[I have experienced] verbal abuse connecting to my race and verbal insult, yes,

But this kind of physical assault, no, first time.

She is now worried for her son, who goes to a school nearby.

Im kind of worried, will my son turn to be a teenager I have no control over? Will he be one of them?

Because my son goes to a school in that area, Im also worried about his safety.

Ms Xiong said she would be nervous about going for a walk now.

Certainly wouldn't go down now for a while, even in my neighbourhood or parks. Usually when I meet those kinds of groups of teenagers I tried to avoid them.

A garda spokesman said: "An Garda Siochana is investigating a report of an alleged racially motivated incident which occurred on August 14 2020 in Dublin 15.

"An Garda Siochana takes hate crime seriously and each and every hate crime reported to us is professionally investigated and victims supported during the criminal justice process.

"The Garda Diversity and Integration Strategy 2019-2021 has a significant focus on enhancing the identification, reporting, investigation and prosecution of hate crimes, and An Garda Siochana is taking actions to improve internal recording and encourage more reporting by the public.

"An Garda Siochana would encourage anyone who feels they have been the victim of a hate crime to report the matter directly to An Garda Siochana and not to third parties or on social media."

Separately, in is homily today, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said that he is scared when he hears "stories of racist intolerance by groups of young people."

"In wider circles, there are examples of growing racism and intolerant language here in our own country. I am scared when I hear stories of racist intolerance by groups of young people," he said.

He added that this behaviour is "damaging".

"They may not realise how damaging their behaviour is, but racist language is never fun. Racist intolerance is always dangerous language and is always a one-way street towards negativity and disrespect. Intolerance is always an affront to the dignity of those who are its objects."
Protesters clash with police outside the residence of embattled prime minister, who is facing corruption allegations.

Thousands of demonstrators have returned to the streets of Jerusalem calling for the resignation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over allegations of corruption and his mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Protesters were seen clashing with police late into the night on Saturday and early on Sunday outside the residence of the embattled prime minister, who had recently clinched a historic diplomatic deal with the United Arab Emirates.

Images from news agencies and social media showed several demonstrators being dragged by police as anti-Netanyahu protests continued for the eighth week.

According to reports, some of the protesters had also attempted to march toward the residence of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin but were prevented by police.

Haaretz newspaper estimated that as many as 50,000 Israelis protested across the country on Saturday.





Netanyahu has dismissed the demonstrators as leftists and anarchists and accused local media of strengthening the protests by giving them heavy coverage.

The Israeli prime minister was sworn in for a fifth term in May after clinching a coalition deal four months ago with centrist Benny Gantz, his main rival in three inconclusive elections since April 2019.

Netanyahu, who heads the right-wing Likud party, has often complained of press bias against him, and some of the charges he faces in a corruption trial related to alleged attempts to seek favourable coverage from media barons in return for state favours.

The prime minister has denied wrongdoing in the three corruption cases against him.

In recent days, Netanyahu got a political boost after Israel announced a historic normalisation of diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates.

But the prime minister still faces criticism for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected over 92,000 people and killed over 670 others.
By AFP

ISTANBUL: Turkey on Sunday condemned remarks made by US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden criticising President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and calling for support for the Turkish leader's opponents.

Biden made the comments in an interview filmed by the New York Times in December but a video of the remarks only appeared on Saturday before going viral on social media.

Asked about Erdogan, Biden described the Turkish president as an "autocrat", criticised his policy towards the Kurds and advocated supporting the Turkish opposition.

"What I think we should be doing is taking a very different approach to him now, making it clear that we support opposition leadership," Biden said.

He said it was necessary to "embolden" Erdogan's rivals to allow them "to take on and defeat Erdogan. Not by a coup, not by a coup, but by the electoral process."

The comments did not provoke much reaction when they were published in the New York Times in January, but the video of the interview triggered an angry response from Turkey.

"The analysis of Turkey by @JoeBiden is based on pure ignorance, arrogance and hypocrisy," Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin tweeted.

"The days of ordering Turkey around are over. But if you still think you can try, be our guest. You will pay the price."

Biden's statements also embarrassed Erdogan's opponents, who the Turkish government regularly accuses of being in the pay of foreign powers.

Several officials of the main opposition CHP party quickly distanced themselves from Biden's remarks, calling for "respect for the sovereignty of Turkey".

Some Biden critics also expect a possible deterioration in already testy relations between Ankara and Washington if he manages to defeat Donald Trump in the US presidential election in November.

Erdogan, who in recent years has worked to cultivate a personal relationship with Trump, often lashes out at his predecessor, Barack Obama. Biden was Obama's vice president.

Relations between Ankara and Washington were strained during Obama's second term, particularly to disagreements over Syria and growing international criticism over freedoms and rights in Turkey.


Israel's army launched new air strikes Sunday against Hamas positions in Gaza and closed the fishing zone around the Palestinian enclave in response to rockets and firebombs sent into Israeli territory.

The measures came after a week of heightened tensions, including clashes on Saturday evening along the Gaza-Israeli border, the army said.

Dozens of Palestinian 'rioters burned tyres, hurled explosive devices and grenades towards the security fence and attempted to approach it,' the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement.

Smoke and flames rise after Israeli army war planes carried out airstrikes over Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip on August 16

Long simmering Palestinian anger has flared further since Israel and the UAE on Thursday agreed to normalise relations, a move Palestinians saw as a betrayal of their cause by the Gulf country.

Over the past week Israeli forces have carried out repeated night-time strikes on targets linked to the Islamist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.

The army says they were carried out in response to makeshift firebombs attached to balloons and kites which have been sent into southern Israel, causing thousands of fires on Israeli farms and communities.

Explosion illuminates the night sky after Israeli warplanes hit several targets of Hamas on August 16 in Khan Yunis, Gaza

There were 19 such Palestinian attacks on Saturday alone, according to Israeli rescue services.

In response, 'IDF fighter jets and aircraft struck a number of Hamas military targets in the Gaza Strip,' the army said, adding that among the targets hit were a Hamas 'military compound and underground infrastructure'.

Early Sunday the IDF said two nore rockets had been fired into Israel from Gaza and intercepted by its Iron Dome defence system.

'In response, our Air Force just struck Hamas terror targets in Gaza, including a military compound used to store rocket ammunition,' it said.

Smoke and flames rise after Israeli army war planes carried out airstrikes over Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip on August 16

Following rocket and incendiary balloon attacks earlier this week, Israel on Wednesday slashed Gaza's permitted coastal fishing zone from 15 nautical miles to eight, a punitive move often used by the Jewish state in response to Gaza unrest.

Following Saturday's clashes and rocket-fire, Israel's military decided 'to entirely shut down the fishing zone of the Gaza Strip, immediately and until further notice, starting this morning (Sunday),' a military statement said.

Israel has also closed its Kerem Shalom goods crossing with the Gaza Strip.

Despite a truce last year backed by the UN, Egypt and Qatar, the two sides clash sporadically with rockets, mortar fire or incendiary balloons.

The Gaza Strip has a population of two million, more than half of whom live in poverty, according to the World Bank.

The IDF said Hamas 'is responsible for all events transpiring in the Gaza Strip and emanating from it, and will bear the consequences for terror activity against Israeli civilians'.
Prasad Baji By

India is estimated to need over USD 2.6 trillion in investment to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Capital is also a key requirement if India were to substantially improve its abysmal Human Development Index rank of 129 out of 189 countries. However, with Indias structural fiscal deficit, raising capital to solve for social problems is a Herculean task, especially in the post Covid scenario.

So, what is the answer? Well, one possibility is the Social Stock Exchange (SSE) mooted by the central government and the SEBI. The proposed SSE in India would be an electronic fund-raising platform, where both for-profit social enterprises (FPEs) and non-profit social enterprises (NPOs) would be allowed to list and raise various kinds of risk capital (including debt and equity) from a variety of domestic and international funders, similar to a regular stock exchange but only for a social cause.

SSEs are not new internationally, with Brazil (2003), South Africa (2006), the UK, Canada, Singapore (all in 2013) and other countries having established them. Spurred by the budget proposal of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in July 2019, a SEBI appointed Working Group has recently released a draft report on the SSE which outlines the fund raising mechanisms for the social sector and the associated regulatory framework covering eligibility norms for listing, disclosures and trading. Comments on the draft Working Group report were to be submitted latest by August 15.

The SSEs chances of seeing the light of the day are bright since it is directly driven by the combined muscle of the government, the SEBI and the existing stock exchanges (SSE expected to be housed in BSE & NSE). Why would funders be attracted to an SSE? For one, the Working Group has proposed bold tax incentives for funders  100% tax deduction under 80G instead of 50% currently; making CSR grants to SSE listed organisations as tax deductible; exemption from Long-Term Capital Gain and Securities Transaction Tax on securities listed on SSE and removal of 10% cap on income eligible for deduction under 80G.

Funders would also derive comfort from the (i) proposed ecosystem of intermediaries viz. information repositories (would collect data and perform due diligence) and social auditors (would assess social impact in a standardised manner), (ii) robust financial & social impact reporting, (iii) protective regulatory & governance mechanisms all of which will ensure proper checks and balances. For social enterprises, listing on the SSE would provide increased credibility and market standing besides providing access to capital from a diverse pool of funders, both through the SSE and outside the SSE (as a rub-off effect due to listed status).

Social enterprises are also expected to benefit from the proposed tax breaks  increase in the limits for commercial activities to 50% of income from the current 20%, the fast tracking of statutory registrations, 5-year tax holiday for listed FPEs and removal of the need for periodic renewal of 80G registration.

Another advantage is that those NPOs without Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) approval can effectively tap foreign capital through social venture funds since the Working Group has proposed that such venture funds be allowed to raise capital from foreign investors/donors. SSE listed organisations can potentially be allowed much more flexible use of CSR funds such as for capacity building and funding outcomes rather than program implementation  even escrow of CSR funds is envisioned.

The Working Group envisages a Rs 100 crore fund for capacity building of the social sector (building awareness, handholding NGOs in the capital raising process and implementing standards), especially of the smaller NPOs who are in dire need of it. What would be the returns for funders? Funders of FPEs can expect financial return through dividends/interest and potential capital appreciation similar to debt and equity investments in any regular for-profit entities. In case of NPOs, there is no financial return for funders; return would be in the form of social impact achieved by the NPO.

An SSE would obviously conjure parallels with the tried & tested Stock Exchanges (SEs) in the for-profit world. A regular SE has a highly vibrant and liquid secondary market due to intensive trading. However, one expects a fairly subdued secondary market in an SSE and whatever be that extent its concentration is expected in instruments of FPEs. For NPOs, the secondary market is expected to be pretty shallow, though the Working Group proposes trading between corporates who exceed their CSR obligations and those in deficit. Price discovery may also not be key feature of the SSE if the secondary market is limited.

The fund raising instruments proposed are also not genuinely radical or new, be they MFs, Social Venture Funds and pay-for-success instruments (e.g. Impact Bonds)  even the so-called zero coupon, zero principal bond (zero coupon bond with tenure equal to project duration with principal write-off at the end assuming proposed social impact is achieved) is essentially the donation certificate repackaged. A further issue is that FPEs eligible to raise capital in the SSE have not been defined. This presents a loophole for misuse and also may pull capital more towards these FPEs rather than NPOs. Even NPOs need to be properly defined to avoid this issue.

The SSE should also allow maximum possible flexibility in terms of funding instruments for both FPEs and NPOs  currently the report specifies only certain funding types for FPOs and other types for NPOs. The SSE listed social enterprises are also exposed to cross regulatory risk such as from the charity commissioner, tax authorities and Registrar of Companies  it would be preferable to sort out of this issue a priori to avoid turf wars and the consequent hurdles.

Many of the international experiments in SSE have remained limited to being directory programmes. Considering Indias acute capital shortage for social causes, one hopes that the SSE is a successful experiment and becomes a vibrant capital raising machine rather than one more moribund institution. We have taken the first baby steps in this direction but it is a long and uncertain journey.

Prasad Baji

Finance professional with expertise in capital markets, project finance, corporate banking and investment banking
Iran on Saturday threatened to launch an attack against the United Arab Emirates over its agreement to normalise relations with Israel, Arab News reported.

IMAGE: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Photograph: Kind courtesy Omar Al Askar for The Crown Prince Court

"The UAE's great betrayal of the Palestinian people ... will turn this small, rich country, which is heavily dependent on security, into a legitimate and easy target," said the Iranian hard-line daily Kayhan, whose editor-in-chief is appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani condemned the deal, saying the agreement between the two countries is a "betrayal of the Palestinian cause" and the UAE had made a "huge mistake".

Tehran has targetted Saudi civilians with missiles launched by its proxy forces in Yemen and Iraq and a security analyst told Arab News the new threat should be taken seriously.

"Iranian missiles could hit the UAE in eight minutes," said Dr Theodore Karasik Karasik, a senior adviser to Gulf State Analytics in Washington DC.

"They can target critical infrastructure, or they can simply target the desert in an act of psychological warfare. Recent Iranian naval exercises featured missiles that came from an underground launcher. This was new and set off an alarm. Nevertheless, Dubai and other urban centers are still considered safe zones," Karasik added.

On Thursday, Israel and the UAE agreed to normalise their relations, and an agreement on the mutual establishment of embassies is expected to follow in the coming three weeks.

In exchange, Israel said it would halt its plans to formally annex parts of the West Bank.

A joint statement of the US, the UAE and Israel said, "President Donald J Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates spoke today (Thursday) and agreed to the full normalisation of relations between Israel and the UAE."

As per the joint statement, delegations from Israel and the UAE will meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications, technology, energy, healthcare, culture, environment, the establishment of reciprocal embassies and other areas of mutual benefit.

"Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East's most dynamic societies and advanced economies will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation and forging closer people-to-people relations," the statement read.
<p>Alexander Taraikovsky, 34, died on Monday in the capital Minsk as unprecedented demonstrations broke out.</p><p>The protests in <strong><a href="https://news.sky.com/topic/belarus-8716" target="_blank">Belarus</a> </strong>were sparked by Alexander Lukashenko - widely regarded as a dictator - claiming victory in disputed presidential elections to continue his 26 years in power.</p><p>Demonstrators say Mr Taraikovsky was shot by police. But the Belarus government said he died after an explosive device he had intended to throw at officers blew up in his hand.</p><p>In footage that has now emerged of Mr Taraikovsky's death, the demonstrator is shown with his hands to his body as blood pours from his chest amid the sounds of explosions and gunshots.</p><p>He then collapses in front of a line of riot officers and lays motionless, before the officers walk in a line towards the body and some crowd over him.</p><p>Police have fired tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades during the week-long protests since last Sunday's elections.</p><p>After watching the footage, Mr Taraikovsky's partner Elena German said: "He has nothing in his hand.</p><p>"Here is a shot, they shoot, he grabs his chest. Blood. He falls."</p> <p>Ms German, who was able to see Mr Taraikovsky's body in a morgue on Friday, has called for international experts to investigate her partner's death.</p><p>"There is a seam in the chest area - the hole was sewn up, but there is a black bruise; it's small but we noticed," she said.</p><p>"His hands and feet are completely intact, there are not even bruises. Obviously, it was a shot right in the chest."</p><p>On Saturday, the day of Mr Taraikovsky's funeral, thousands rallied at the site where the car mechanic died.</p><p>Some demonstrators showed bruises they said were due to police beatings.</p> <p>Further protests, as part of a huge 'March of Freedom', are expected in Minsk.</p><p>The demonstration is due to culminate on the city's Independence Square outside the main government building.</p><p>There are fears of clashes as a pro-government rally is also planned.</p><p>The opposition claimed Mr Lukashenko planned to bus people in from other parts of the country and that they had been coerced into attending.</p> <p>Last Sunday's elections have been condemned internationally as unfair, while the Belarusian government has been urged to end its use of violence in its attempts to suppress the ongoing protests.</p><p>Meanwhile, Igor Lesgchenya - the Belarus ambassador to Slovakia - became the first of his country's diplomats to support the demonstrations in his homeland.</p><p>In a video message, Mr Lesgchenya said: "In Slovakia, I represent Belarus and the Belarusian people, which in accordance with the constitution is the only source of power in our country.</p><p>"I am in solidarity with those who took to the streets of Belarusian cities with peaceful processions so that their voice was heard."</p><p>He added: "I sincerely hope that the future of my country will be based on taking into account the positions of all sectors of society and representatives of various political forces.</p><p>"Belarusians have suffered this right."</p> <p>The demonstrators in Belarus are calling for main opposition figure Svetlana Tikhanovskaya to be recognised as the winner of Sunday's presidential election.</p><p>Mr Lukashenko was declared the winner with 80% of the vote, compared with just 10% for Ms Tikhanouskaya, who has now fled to Lithuania.</p><p>Ms Tikhanouskaya ran in the election alongside two other women; Maria Kolesnikova and Veronika Tsepkalo.</p><p>Both Ms Tikhanovskaya and Ms Tsepkalo entered the contest after their husbands were barred from running for office.</p> <p><strong>:: Listen to the Daily podcast on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/sky-news-daily/id951048357?mt=2" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc3ByZWFrZXIuY29tL3Nob3cvMzI4NzI0Ni9lcGlzb2Rlcy9mZWVk" target="_blank">Google Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3RdXZrbbG3NydLsPYmRSJy" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://www.spreaker.com/show/sky-news-daily" target="_blank">Spreaker</a></strong></p><p>Valery Tsepkalo fled Belarus with his two sons for Russia last month and is now in Ukraine, from where he has condemned "politically-motivated" bribery charges against him.</p><p>In the early hours of Sunday, he claimed his wife and children had been held for more than two hours on the Russian side of the Russian-Ukrainian border as they tried to join him.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Ms Kolesnikova has condemned a decision by Mr Lukashenko to pick up the phone to Russia's Vladimir Putin on Saturday.</p><p>Belarus's disputed president said the Russian leader promised to help him secure the country if necessary.</p><p>"He tried to ask for help of Putin," Ms Koleniskova told Sky News.</p><p>"We don't like it of course because our independent and sovereign Belarus is the main goal and we don't like to lose it only because of a president who wants to stay as a president here."</p>
A surfer who drove more than 140 kilometres (87 miles) in search of better waves is among the latest group of Victorians fined for breaching quarantine rules.

Victoria Police on Aug. 16 said 243 fines had been handed to individuals in the past 24 hours for breaching the Chief Health Officers directions.

They included 84 curfew breaches, 30 at vehicle checkpoints and 28 for failing to wear a face-covering without a valid reason.

Police said a man living in Torquay had travelled more than 140km to surf at Castle Cove because there were no waves on the east side.

Another two men had travelled from Bayswater to Bonnie Doon to collect clothes, while four people caught driving in Wyndham during curfew hours said they were going to buy cigarettes.

Police assessed 12,714 vehicles at checkpoints in the 24-hour period and conducted 4,490 spot checks on people at homes, businesses and public places.
The Bachelor producers reportedly gave him a 'stern talking to' after he hooked up with too many women on the dating series.

And while Locklan 'Locky' Gilbert has admitted that he did in fact 'kiss a few girls', he dismissed claims that his intimate actions got him in trouble.

However, speaking on the Sydney Confidential podcast, the former Australian Survivor star, 30, did reveal the one thing he did get scolded for.

Didn't happen: While Locklan 'Locky' Gilbert admitted that he did 'kiss a few girls', he dismissed claims that his intimate actions got him in trouble with The Bachelor producers

Adrenaline junkie Locky admitted that his 'adventurous' side concerned producers, who weren't sure he would make it to the end of filming without hurting himself.

The hunk explained: 'They pretty much said, "You're the head guy, we can't have you jumping off of a building and going splat."'

'They needed me to finish the show. [I got into trouble] just for running amok. I'm an adventurous dude. I can't just sit around. I love to get on my mountain bike, go for a ride, just be outdoors.

Locky, who owns his own adventure company, Four Elements, in Bali, continued: 'They didn't want me going and doing crazy stuff.'

Coming clean: However, speaking on the Sydney Confidential podcast , the former Australian Survivor star, 30, did reveal the one thing he did get scolded for

'I got into trouble for running amok': Adrenaline junkie Locky [Pictured in Bali] admitted that his 'adventurous' side concerned producers, who weren't sure he would make it to the end of filming without hurting himself

When dismissing claims he was reprimanded for kissing too many girls, Locky cheekily added: 'Im a lovable dude, I like being physical, I like getting to know people.'

Despite locking lips with a bevvy of beauties, Locky did admit that dating 23 women at once was hard.

'Any guy would think its a dream, but its intimidating. Theyre all there trying to talk to you and grab time with you, and you just want to be nice, you want to give everyone the time of the day, but unfortunately you do run out of time.'

Getting to know each other: When dismissing claims he was reprimanded for kissing too many girls, Locky added: 'Im a lovable dude, I like being physical, I like getting to know people'

This comes after Locky was publicly slammed by several ex-lovers since he was announced as The Bachelor in March.

He finally issued a searing response to his jilted former flames, accusing them of being 'fame hungry' women who need to 'move on'.

'All these girls are coming out, I am not too sure why they are coming out, they just want their time in the sun,' the former Survivor contestant told The Herald Sun this weekend.
On the night of the last election, just hours after it had become clear that Bill Shorten had lost to Scott Morrison, and after most people had gone to bed, several journalists tweeted out some news: Anthony Albanese was running to be leader of the Labor Party. The next day, he formally announced he would stand for the position. By Thursday, those who had flirted with standing against him  Tanya Plibersek, Chris Bowen, Jim Chalmers and Joel Fitzgibbon  had all decided not to.

It was fast work from Albanese, a demonstration of his understanding that politics does not wait. It was something Morrison knew, too, when the chance came his way to become prime minister, before an election most people were convinced his government would lose. Seasoned politicians know you take your chances when you can.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and deputy Labor leader Richard Marles just after he assumed the leadership last year. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

So it was not surprising that Albanese went on a bit of a spree last week, making himself available for at least 13 interviews. Two things had happened last Monday. The first was that Morrison had recommended war hero Teddy Sheean posthumously receive the Victoria Cross. Previously, the government had decided against the recommendation, and Albanese had been campaigning for

the decision to be reversed.

The second was the annihilating assessment of the counsel assisting the royal commission into aged care. The federal government had had no plan to help aged care homes through the virus, he said. More devastating words still came from geriatrician Joseph Ibrahim: "In my opinion, hundreds of residents are, and will, die prematurely because people have failed to act".
The (EU) has welcomed Israel's decision to suspend its plan to annex parts of occupied Palestinian territory, calling it a positive step, the bloc's Council said in a statement.

"Any unilateral decision that undermines a lasting, agreed solution should be avoided," Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying on Saturday.

The council also welcomed the normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), saying such a move will benefit both countries, and is "a fundamental step for the stabilization" of the region.

The EU remains firm in its commitment to a negotiated and viable two-state solution and reaffirms its readiness to work towards the resumption of meaningful negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, said the statement.

The decision is part of a historic agreement that took place on August 13 via a phone call between US President Donald Trump, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE.

As part of the agreement, Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in Trump's vision of peace and focus its efforts now on expanding its ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world.

The UAE and Israel will also immediately expand and accelerate cooperation regarding the treatment of and the development of a vaccine for coronavirus.

According to reports, this is the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab country in 25 years.

But, Palestine has slammed the peace agreement, saying it was "disgraceful" and a "blow to the Arab Peace Initiative and the decisions of the Arab and Islamic summits, and an aggression against the Palestinian people".

--IANS

ksk/

(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.)
Global Peace Foundation, Action for Korea United, and Alliance for Korea United USA Partner to Co-convene a Virtual Forum to Examine Opportunities for Advancing Reunification

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon today called upon the U.S. to make "principled unification" its key foreign policy goal for the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia and for giving the "torch to the Korean people" to lead fulfillment of the destiny of a free and unified Peninsula.

"From a strategic perspective, the U.S. should recognize the need for principled unification as the long-term permanent solution to denuclearization and regional peace. A Korean-led process for unification should be backed by commitment to support the process both economically and geopolitically" as was done with the Marshall plan after WW II.

He was speaking at the International Forum on One Korea, a global online conference held along with gatherings of civic leaders across Korea to mark the 75th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule at the end of World War II. Dr. Moon is the founder and chair of the Global Peace Foundation, a co-sponsor of the conference.

Dr. Edwin Feulner, founder of the Heritage Foundation in the U.S., said Korea today stands at an important transition point. "More than ever scholars and policy experts, faced with the failure of past efforts, see Korean unification as the necessary way forward," he said.

Crediting Dr. Moon's National Bestseller Korean Dream, which stresses the shared values and culture of the Korean people, Dr. Feulner said it was time to move the pursuit of unification outside of the sphere of government to engage the support of the Korean people as a whole.

In Korean Dream Dr. Moon calls for a revival of Korea's original founding principles as an ethic that can bridge the gap between conservatives and progressives in South Korea and ultimately between the North and South.

Emerging from division as a new nation, a unified Korea "must be rooted in a firm foundation of universal spiritual principles and moral values," Dr. Moon said. "These form the essential bedrock for true liberty. Hongik Ingan-living for the greater benefit of all humanity-is the founding aspiration of the Korean people."

The forum brought together leading Korea experts, policymakers, and civil society leaders to examine new opportunities for advancing Korean unification on the theme: "Realignment amid Global Changes: New Opportunities for a Free and Unified Korea," on August 15, 2020.

Amb. Ahn Ho-young, former ROK Ambassador to the U.S. and currently president of the University of North Korean Studies, said the first step toward unification is to build national consensus based on values of freedom, democracy and human rights, and the right to choose and practice one's religion.

He noted that German unification depended on the close partnership between President Bush and Chancellor Kohl together with a common understanding of all the important nations involved.

Panelists from the United States expressed grave concerns about North Korea's nuclear capability and closed society, while noting the significant role that civil society can play in bridging the division between the two Koreas.

"While the current crisis presents enormous risks, it also presents opportunities; opportunities to eliminate once and for all weapons of mass destruction from the Korean peninsula; an opportunity to allow China to play a constructive role as an emerging great power; to welcome the people of North Korea to the world of responsible nations, in the longer term, it may allow reunification of the Korean people under a government that is supportive of freedoms found only in democracies," said Dr. William Parker, past president of the EastWest Institute.

The forum was sponsored by the Global Peace Foundation, Action for Korea United and Alliance for Korea United USA and is the first of a series of forums scheduled for the fall of 2020. For more information visit www.globalpeace.org/international-forum-one-korea.

Contact Point:

media@globalpeace.org

202.643.4733

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs4MwvDl3e8

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1228862/Global_Peace_Foundation_International_Forum_on_One_Korea.jpg
Kabul, Aug 16 : Just ahead of the planned intra-Afghan peace negotiations which are likely to take place soon in Doha, the Taliban has said that it does not recognize the government in Kabul as a legitimate system, according to an official statement.

"The Islamic Emirate does not recognize the Kabul administration as a government but views it as western imported structure working for the continuation of American occupation," TOLO News quoted the Taliban statement ras saying on Saturday.

This comes after Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen in an interview to an Iranian newspaper last week said that the group doesn't consider the government in Kabul as legitimate.

In the interview, Shaheen described the Taliban as the "winner of the war", stating that the group will attend the intra-Afghan talks only to bring an Islamic government in Afghanistan.

He further said that the Taliban will talk with all Afghan factions not only the government and the High Council of National Reconciliation.

In response to Saturday's development, the Afghan Presidential Palace said that such statements by the Taliban are only to waste time and make irrelevant excuses.

Officials have said that the Taliban must accept the Afghan government as the main side of the talks.

Shaheen had also said that the Taliban's violence reduced significantly in the country, but the Afghan government has insisted that violence has increased despite the group's continued assurances.

The Afghan Ministry of Interior said on August 13 that at least 121 Afghan civilians were killed and 336 more were wounded in Taliban attacks in 29 provinces over the past two weeks.
People hold old Belarusian National flags and gather at the place where Alexander Taraikovsky died (Dmitry Lovetsky/AP)

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he had secured a pledge from Russia to provide comprehensive assistance if needed to ensure the security of his country in a phone call with President Vladimir Putin on Saturday.

The two presidents spoke as tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Minsk once again urging Lukashenko to quit and staff at the Belarusian state broadcaster BT considered joining a wave of strikes and mass protests.

Accused of rigging last Sunday's election, Lukashenko had earlier appealed to Putin for help as he grapples with the biggest challenge to his 26-year rule and the threat of new Western sanctions.

Ties between the two traditional allies had been under strain before the election, as Russia scaled back the subsidies that propped up Lukashenko's government. Russia sees Belarus as a strategic buffer against NATO and the EU.

The state news agency Belta cited remarks by Lukashenko that "at the first request, Russia will provide comprehensive assistance to ensure the security of Belarus in the event of external military threats".

A Kremlin statement made no mention of such assistance but said both sides expressed confidence that all problems in Belarus would be resolved soon.

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Statements by both sides contained a pointed reference to a "union state" between the two countries.

The neighbours had signed an agreement in 1999 which was supposed to create a unified state. The unification project was never properly implemented and more recently Lukashenko had rejected calls by Moscow for closer economic and political ties as an assault on his country's sovereignty.

Russia has been wary of unrest on its borders since Georgia's 2003 Rose Revolution, Ukraine's 2003-04 Orange Revolution and 2014 Maidan protests -- events in which it says the West backed the protesters.

The European Union is gearing up to impose new sanctions on Belarus in response to a violent crackdown in which at least two protesters have been killed and thousands detained.

'Outside meddling'

On a visit to neighbouring Poland, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington was discussing the situation with the EU.

The leaders of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania called on Belarus to conduct new "free and fair" elections. Lukashenko said he did not need foreign governments or mediators.

Ramping up the rhetoric, Lukashenko said an air assault brigade would move to the border with Poland, after expressing concerned over the NATO military exercises being conducted in Poland and Lithuania, which he sees as an arms build-up.

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In Minsk, people gathered to lay flowers where one of the protesters was killed this week, waving flags and chanting "go away" and "Lukashenko is a murderer".

The crowd also converged outside the state broadcaster BT. Several staff, including presenters, walked out of the building, saying they had resigned, while a red-and-white opposition flag was mounted outside. Later riot police were seen going inside.

Some of the country's biggest state-run industrial plants, the backbone of Lukashenko's Soviet-style economic model, were hit by protests and walkouts this week.

He plans on Monday to go to the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant, whose workers have joined the protests.

In a video posted by TUT.BY media on Saturday, the head of the plant, lexey Rimashevskiy told workers that he voted for Lukashenko but "I accept that he lost them (the elections)" -- unusually outspoken comments from an official at a state-run factory.

Lukashenko has accused the protesters of being criminals and in cahoots with foreign backers. Moscow this week also accused unnamed countries of "outside meddling" in Belarus.

In a further sign of wanting to mend fences with Moscow, Lukashenko handed back 32 Russian members of a private security firm who were detained before the election on suspicion of plotting to destabilise Belarus.

The decision angered Ukraine, as Kyiv had asked Minsk for the extradition of 28 of them on suspicion of fighting alongside Russian-backed separatists in its eastern Donbass region.

"Former president of #Belarus now asks Putin for help. Against whom? Against own people carrying flowers on the streets?" Lithuania's Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius tweeted.

Opposition presidential candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who fled to neighbouring Lithuania on Tuesday, has called for more protests and an election recount.

Her campaign announced she was starting to form a national council to facilitate the transfer of power.
KAMPALA  Uganda earned Shs590 billion from gold exports in the month of June 2020 amid concerns that the country is promoting illegal trade in the precious mineral in the neighbouring DR Congo.

Data from Bank of Uganda indicates that the country exported 3,012 kilogrammes of gold, up from 2,470 kilogrammes exported in May, and 1,180 kilogrammes exported in April. A lot of this gold goes to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Uganda has continued to offer exit route for illicit gold smuggled from the war torn Democratic Republic of Congo, despite international pressure, fueling conflict in the country, a report by the Wall Street Journal shows.

Uganda now has two gold refinery factories  African Gold Refinery in Entebbe and Gold Refinery Uganda in Kampala. The opening of these refineries has particularly been the cause of the surge in gold that goes through Uganda, according to the central bank.

On several occasions, the United Nations panel of experts has also been on record accusing Uganda In recent months, record amounts of gold dug from artisanal mines in the conflict zones of Eastern Congo have been smuggled across the porous border with Uganda, where it is being stamped with fake certifications before being shipped to international markets in Dubai, Mumbai and Antwerp, according to Ugandan officials of dealing in conflict gold from DRC and Juba.

During the state of the nation address in June, president Museveni thump chested himself for resisting what he called as neocolonialism mentality by people who had resisted construction of a gold refinery in the country.

We built a Gold Refinery at Entebbe. That gold refinery was and is still being fought by the neocolonial agents. We shall, however, defeat them. The refinery is earning US$1.256billion per annum, the President said.

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Britons would run out of food by this Friday if the nation was solely reliant on homegrown produce, according to new research.

Analysis by the National Farmers' Union has found the proportion of the food that we consume that is produced in the UK has plummeted from 80 per cent in 1980 to just 64 per cent now.

It means that without imports, our supplies would run out on August 21  or 'self-sufficiency day' as it has been called by the NFU.

Experts say the alarming statistics should be a wake-up call for the Government to prioritise food supply and for the public to buy more British produce.

Analysis by the National Farmers' Union has found the proportion of the food that we consume that is produced in the UK has plummeted from 80 per cent in 1980 to just 64 per cent now (pictured, empty shelves in a supermarket in south London, March 15, 2020)

Professor Tim Lang, from City University's Centre for Food Policy, said: 'A country that has low self-sufficiency puts itself at risk of any geopolitics and we are in exactly that sort of uncertainty now. The world is facing extreme pressures from people, food, climate and landmass. Britain is still acting as though we have an empire. It doesn't and Britain is assuming others will feed us.'

According to the NFU research, Britain now imports 93 per cent of its fruit and 47 per cent of its vegetables.

Minette Batters, president of the NFU, said the coronavirus pandemic had illustrated the need for better food security.

'Covid has stretched everything to the limit and we have to take a different line on food security and the amount of food that is produced here,' she said.

'It's the perfect storm of events. This self-sufficiency day sends a message to the Government for the need to really prioritise food.'

Despite Britain's 24billion food and drink trade deficit, just 0.9 per cent of agricultural land in the UK is used to grow crops for human consumption.

Prof Lang urged consumers to choose more homegrown, seasonal products and called for a system similar to that in France, where he said 20 per cent of food stocked by supermarkets has to be sourced locally.

The Mail on Sunday's Save Our Family Farms campaign seeks to ensure that sub-standard imports are kept off shelves in the event of post-Brexit trade deals with the US.

Backing the campaign, Ms Batters  who runs a tenanted farm in Wiltshire  said: 'We are at a major reset point.

'Do we want to prioritise our self-sufficiency and our home production or do we want to say we don't care about agriculture and the food that we produce and just import it? I think a lot of people in this country have drawn a line in the sand and said we want high-quality food.'

Restrictions on the use of antibiotics on British farm animals 'were watered down to help post-Brexit US trade deal'

By Brendan Carlin, Political Correspondent for the Mail on Sunday

Tough safety standards restricting the use of antibiotics on British farm animals have been quietly weakened to make a lucrative post-Brexit US trade deal easier, it was claimed last night.

Campaigners accused Ministers of giving themselves 'a blank slate' on safety rules so that they can compromise on the UK's world-renowned food production standards to clinch an agreement with Washington.

They claim that rules in force from January will no longer refer to hundreds of medicines currently restricted or banned in the UK for use on animals  including one antibiotic used 'routinely' in US cattle.

That is said to fly in the face of repeated Government promises that it will not compromise on Britain's food production standards by letting in controversial US products such as chlorinated chicken and hormone-fed beef.

Kierra Box, of Friends of the Earth, said: 'Ministers keep saying that they will uphold existing UK standards, but this shows that promise just doesn't wash.

Campaigners claim that rules in force from January will no longer refer to hundreds of medicines currently restricted or banned in the UK for use on animals  including one antibiotic used 'routinely' in US cattle (pictured, Boris Johnson with Donald Trump, 2019)

'Deleting these standards gives them a blank slate to set new, weaker standards and water down our environmental protections.'

The claims were denied yesterday by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). However, Tory grandee and former Environment Secretary Lord Deben (formerly John Gummer) said it did look as though the Government had changed the rules.

He called on Ministers to clarify this 'extremely important issue' by issuing a 'categoric assurance' that safety standards would not be sacrificed post-Brexit.

Earlier this year, The Mail on Sunday launched a Save Our Family Farms campaign to keep controversial US food products off UK shelves and to maintain our high food production standards.

However, campaigners yesterday raised the alarm over a little-noticed rule change last year which they say removed legal reference to hundreds of medicines currently restricted or banned for use on farm animals.

Britons would run out of food by this Friday if the country was solely reliant on homegrown produce, claims NFU Britons would run out of food by this Friday if the nation was solely reliant on homegrown produce, according to new research. Analysis by the National Farmers' Union has found the proportion of the food that we consume that is produced in the UK has plummeted from 80 per cent in 1980 to just 64 per cent now. It means that without imports, our supplies would run out on August 21  or 'self-sufficiency day' as it has been called by the NFU. Experts say the alarming statistics should be a wake-up call for the Government to prioritise food supply and for the public to buy more British produce. Advertisement

Friends of the Earth said that included an antibiotic called monensin used in the US beef production but restricted for use in the UK under existing EU regulations.

They said the change, made in a Veterinary Medicines and Animals and Animal Products 'statutory instrument' agreed last year by Theresa May's government, revoked reference to the restricted medicines list and warned it could lead to Ministers being able to classify 'pharmacologically active substances'.

Ms Box said: 'These are all areas where we've enjoyed high standards and which are at risk of being weakened during trade negotiations with the US, Australia and wherever else we need to go, cap in hand.'

However, Defra reaffirmed the Government's commitment to maintaining food standards.

A spokesman said: 'We are absolutely committed to maintaining the stringent controls on the medicines that can be used for all animals, including food-producing ones, following the end of the [Brexit] transition period. This means the ban on monensin as a growth promoter and other controlled substances will remain in place, helping to protect the health of people, animals and the environment.'

Officials also insisted that the current EU-based list of restricted medicines would be replaced with a new list in January, which would retain its predecessor's key provisions.

But Lord Deben said last night: 'The Government has repeatedly said safety regimes on food production and farm animals will not change post-Brexit, that what is now the law will remain the law.

'However, this does seem to an alteration of the current law.

'The policy seems to be moving from complete prohibition to future decision-making by Ministers. 'This is an extremely important issue for people's health.'

The Mail on Sunday revealed two months ago that Boris Johnson planned to slap prohibitively high tariffs on sub-standard US food  which would effectively keep it off the UK market.

Allies of International Trade Secretary Liz Truss have also played down fears of a post-Brexit sell-out of UK farming by pointing out how hard she was currently negotiating with Japan to get it to import more Stilton cheese.
Entrepreneurs are typically portrayed as a risk-loving, hard-working, adventurous bunch. Indeed, "undertaker" (as in someone who undertakes), "enterprise" and "adventurer" were among the terms used for entrepreneurs before the English language imported the term we now use from French.

The term "entrepreneur" has an interesting history that, just like most entrepreneurial undertakings, includes an important pivot. Economist Mark Thornton uncovered that the term entrepreneur was originally used exclusively for government contractors. These were typically businessmen who built for the government and therefore had a known revenue stream, as determined by the governments contract, but variable and uncertain cost.

Related: The New Breed of Entrepreneur Isn't So New

These entrepreneurs could (and did) increase their profits by using cheaper than promised materials and construction methods, thereby delivering lower quality than expected. In other words, they cut corners for personal gain. As a result, these entrepreneurs were widely known as tricksters and cheaters. They were certainly not respected.

This perception changed fundamentally, along with the meaning of the word, in the 1730s. Thorntons research shows that the meaning of the word was flipped upside down, from the cheater attempting to get as much profit as possible out of fixed revenue to the enterprising creator dealing with largely known costs but unknown revenue. This pivot was the work of one man, Richard Cantillon.

The real father of economics

Cantillon was a banker who had made a fortune speculating on the Mississippi Company, but wisely divested before the bubble burst. Those business experiences allowed Cantillon to develop a formal understanding of the market economy, and he elaborated on his thoughts in a book, Essai sur la Nature du Commerce en General. It was posthumously and anonymously published in 1755, producing the first known complete economic theory  almost half a century before Adam Smiths Wealth of Nations (1776).

The book is significant because Cantillon develops a theory of entrepreneurship on which he builds his economic theory. A paper by Chris Brown and Thornton outlines the critical role of the entrepreneur in Cantillons theory as the driving force behind production, development and change.

Cantillons theory of entrepreneurship established a new meaning of the word. The influence of his book, manuscripts of which were widely circulated for a quarter-century before it could be published, changed the meaning of the word in the mind of the public, plus brought the role of the entrepreneur to the attention of scholars.

Related: How Entrepreneurs Can Solve the World's Biggest Problems

We know, for example, that Jean-Baptiste Say, the French 19th-century economist, was heavily influenced by Cantillons work. Smith references it in Wealth of Nations. Due to his great and early influence, economist Murray Rothbard, in his two-volume work on the history of economics, thought that Cantillon should be considered the real father of modern economics.

Flipping the word upside down

The enormous but only recently rediscovered influence of Cantillons work changed the words meaning completely and established our present usage of the term. Rather than seeing an entrepreneur as a cheater, an entrepreneur became the hero of creation.

Cantillon defined entrepreneurs as anyone who undertakes projects where the cost of production is either known or can easily be estimated, but where the demand and therefore the price is unknown. There is, consequently, an entrepreneurial element in most or all business undertakings.

Entrepreneurship is ultimately to bear the risk of enterprise. It must be heroic and creative since the action requires that the costs of establishing and carrying out production are borne before market demand is known. In a very real sense, Cantillon recognized that entrepreneurs are in the business of creating tomorrow. Whether or not a specific entrepreneurs business is revolutionary and potentially disrupts the market, it is a creative act without which the economy cannot progress and without which we cannot raise our standards of living.

Related: 4 Ways to Ensure Your Business Survives the Reopening of the Economy

Cantillons enormously important insight also implies that the customer is sovereign. No matter how promising the entrepreneur believes in their value proposition, it is not until the customer chooses to buy that the real value is revealed. And it is on this that the success of any business hinges. All experienced entrepreneurs know this, and it is what Cantillon recognized three centuries ago.

Related:

Art In Entrepreneurship: It's Closer Than We Know

Who'll Be Crowned The Winners Of Dubai Smartpreneur Competition 5.0? Find Out By Tuning In To Entrepreneur Middle East Live On August 27, 2020

How Andrew Carnegie Found Success in the Face of Failure



Copyright 2020 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
The most far-reaching heat wave of the summer is now underway across the western states. More than 150 record high temperatures will be challenged through the middle of next week from San Antonio to Sacramento to Seattle.

Excessive heat watches, warnings and heat advisories are in effect for 12 states including most of California. More than 50 million people will swelter in highs over 100 degrees through next week.

After climbing to a scorching 128 degrees on July 11, Death Valley is once again forecast to breach 125 degrees this weekend. And unlike past heat waves, this summer the hot weather will not spare anyone in the region except the immediate coast of California.

Not close enough to the ocean to escape the heat, Los Angeles may hit 105 this weekend. With the fast-moving Lake Fire raging in the mountains 50 miles north of the city, firefighters are worried the hot, dry weather will make matters worse. The fire is burning so hot it is causing its own weather with fire whirls and pyrocumulus clouds.

A closer zoom at the border between the pyrocumulus plume and lenticular cap#LakeFire pic.twitter.com/upuHSR25GI

 Kevin M. Gill (@kevinmgill) August 13, 2020

On Friday the heat will stretch from Texas, where highs will be around 105 in various parts of the state, up through the valleys of California, also near 105.

In Phoenix, which has already eclipsed its record for the most days above 110 degrees of any summer on record, highs are expected to top that number every day from Friday through at least next Thursday. In fact, a daily record high temperature is in jeopardy of being topped every day from Saturday through Wednesday.

Overall, Phoenix is having its hottest summer on record.

Here is a slightly revised graphic to clarify that the numbers are averages for the period of June 1st through August 10th. It's not listing the hottest individual days but is a look at the Summer season - so far. pic.twitter.com/6JXlJmtcVT

Story continues

 NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) August 12, 2020

While there are many factors that help explain the record hot summer in the deep Southwest, there are a couple that stand out. While summers are certainly not wet in the deserts of Arizona, the state does typically have a summer monsoon season when enough moisture rolls in from the tropical Pacific Ocean to spark up scattered afternoon thunderstorms.

However, partly due to a lack of the wet El Nino and instead a developing drier La Nina, this summer the monsoon has failed in Phoenix. The city is registering its driest atmosphere in the 20 years this particular record has been kept. In a feedback loop, dry air and sun leads to hotter temperatures, which leads to drier air.

Here's more evidence of how dry the 2020 Monsoon is. This plot shows the mean "precipitable water", or total moisture in the atmosphere, from morning weather balloons between July 1 and Aug 11.The atmosphere has been the driest in the 20 year period of record in Phoenix.#azwx pic.twitter.com/kxrqYFetqF

 NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) August 12, 2020

In the longer term, a groundbreaking study from this spring revealed the western U.S. is in the midst of one of its driest 20-year periods in history and has now entered a megadrought, among its worst in the last 1,200 years. The authors say this is due to a dry natural cycle combined with human-caused climate change.

In fact, the climate is warming in the deep Southwest faster than any other area of the lower 48 states. Since 1970, average temperatures there have risen by 4 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit. This helps explain why, even though there's still more than a month to go in summer, Phoenix has already shattered its record number of 110+ degree days.

The cause of the current heat wave is a giant ridge of hot air, also known as a heat dome, in the mid- and upper levels of the atmosphere, redirecting the jet stream and cooler air into the eastern half of the nation. Statistically speaking, the core of the heat dome is forecast to intensify to 3 standard deviations above the mean, meaning it is more intense than 99.8% of such events in the history of that area.

This heat dome will drive the heat all the way north to Idaho and Oregon, where cities like Boise and Medford will top 100 degrees on Saturday and Sunday. The valleys of California, from Bakersfield to Fresno and Sacramento, will range from 105 to 110.

The West is not alone in having an unusually hot summer. NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, put out its monthly report this week finding July was the hottest on record in the Northern Hemisphere.

NOAA: July 2020 was hottest on record for N. Hemisphere, 2nd hottest July overall for the globe; #Arctic sea ice shrank to record low. Read more: https://t.co/QTkQ0fgYpe#climate pic.twitter.com/oOraDRIfyI

 NOAA Satellites - Public Affairs (@NOAASatellitePA) August 13, 2020

Copernicus, the European Union's Earth observation program, also released its monthly report finding that through the last 12-month period, Earth's average temperature was nearly 1.3 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. That's only 0.2 degrees away from exceeding of the first goal of the Paris Agreement, which is to limit the globe's warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Recent research shows that since the 1950s, heat waves globally are getting significantly more frequent, lasting longer and producing more cumulative heat  making populations more vulnerable to heat stress. In the U.S. this is especially true in the West, where a 2018 study from NOAA found that climate change will surpass natural patterns this decade as the main cause of heat waves.

The current heat dome will remain strong and in place through at least midweek and then finally begin to shrink and weaken by the end of next week.

Minneappolis police officer fired over racist Christmas tree decorations is reinstated

Chanel Miller on how her sexual assault trial prepared her for these uncertain times

Alex Wagner previews "The Circus" premiere and the role of women in the 2020 race
Russian peacekeeping contingent establishes order of passage through Lachin corridor

French Senate votes to ban hijab at sporting events

Armenian FM: All necessary conditions to be created for Demarcation Commission work

Olaf Scholz: Borders in Europe cannot be changed by force

Lavrov presents Armenian Ambassador to Russia, with the Order of Friendship

Bill Gates warns of pandemics far more serious than COVID-19

Macron: EU countries must work together on agreement for stability and security

Turkey Central banks and UAE sign agreement worth almost $5 billion

Blinken: Western countries need unity to stop Russian aggression against Ukraine

Iranian President performs evening namaz in Kremlin after talks with Putin

Turkish police detain women protesting price hikes in hygiene products

Delegation headed by Chief of the Cypriot National Guard General Staff has meetings in Armenia

Merkel refuses job in UN structure

Greece receives the first batch of French Rafale fighters

NEWS.am daily digest: 19.01.22

Azerbaijan hopes Pope to mediate in relations with Armenia

Talks between presidents of Russia and Iran start in Kremlin

Armenian FM: This is not first time Baku makes nonconstructive statements

Ombudsman: I urge not to give in to Azerbaijani manipulations, to visit Artsakh

Armenian FM: Armenia passes a package of proposals to Azerbaijan

France names the main favorite of presidential election

Garo Paylan concludes address in Turkey parliament in Armenian

Russian Foreign Ministry believes there is no risk of large-scale war in Europe

Dollar goes up in Armenia

Sharmazanov: Armenia ex-President Sargsyan did not decide to hold press conference, he did not change his mind

Blinken: Russia has plans to increase force on Ukraine borders

:       

Azerbaijani military participate in Turkish drills

Taliban say all conditions for recognizing legitimacy of government are met

Azerbaijan MFA statement distorts events of Armenian massacres in Baku 32 years ago

Karabakh ombudsmans office: Azerbaijans anti-Armenian, genocidal policy has clear chronology

US official, Barzani are photographed against backdrop of Greater Armenia and Kurdistan map

Armenia ex-defense minister, army General Staff chief, some others criminal case court hearing kicks off

FM: Most important direction continues to be international recognition of Artsakh

Armenia revenue committee chief on opening of Turkey border: Shall we live with closed borders? In fear?

US selects Los Angeles to host Summit of the Americas in summer 2022

Karabakh Foreign Minister: Return of refugees can only be like mirror

Iranian president arrives on official visit to Moscow

All CSTO peacekeepers leaves Kazakhstan

Artsakh Foreign Minister: Unacceptable to bracket NKAO and NKR together

Karabakh FM: Format of OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs' visits needs to be restored

Media: Air communication between Turkey and Armenia will start on February 2

Artsakh FM: Azerbaijan attack on Karabakh will mean attack on Russia

Gold prices hardly change

American professor angers Erdogan's son-in-law

Hovhannes Khachatryan is elected Armenia Central Bank Deputy Governor

15 years pass since Hrant Dink assassination

563 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Guterres offers Merkel job at UN

Armenian church revamped in Iran

World oil prices going up

Newspaper: ECHR rulings increase after Armenia revolution in 2018

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Azerbaijan MFA falls into hysterical rage by France FM statement

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

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French Foreign Ministry considers unacceptable Azerbaijan statements about Pecresse

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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

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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

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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

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Iranian Consul General discusses customs cooperation in Nakhijevan

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OSCE Chairmanship on Aliyev statement: We reiterate our full support to Minsk Group Co-Chairs

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A production company has accused Scott Morrison of abandoning it after the Prime Minister promoted the federal government's $400 million coronavirus arts support package at its Gold Coast studio only to find out it was ineligible for grants.

Creative Productions, which provided $100,000 in services free of charge to the Fire Fight charity concert following the summer bushfires, said it had received no revenue since March as the live production industry ground to a halt under social distancing restrictions.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison talks to Creative Productions owner Dave Jackson in July. Credit:Creative Productions

Chief financial officer Stephen Knight said the company had been awaiting details of the programs announced by Mr Morrison at Creative Productions in July and a $250 million package announced in June but when full details were revealed in August, the company found it was not eligible.

Mr Knight said the grants were targeted at companies that organised festivals, events and films, not companies that are hired to provide technical services like lighting and sound. Few events have been able to take place during the second wave of the pandemic, limiting the reach of the grants.
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
As Xinyi Christine Zhang watched the pandemic death toll among health-care workers rise this spring, she wanted to find a way to give solace - and thanks - to their families.

The 15-year-old joined her church in South Brunswick Township, N.J., in commemorating members who had died of covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. But she was driven to try to do more, something personal.

"I thought there could be something more meaningful I could do for the families of the doctors who lost their lives fighting the pandemic," Christine said.

A gifted artist, Christine resolved to draw the fallen U.S. health-care workers in colorful memorial portraits, distribute them to their families and post them on her website. She wanted the relatives to know that people appreciated those who were trying to help Americans while putting their own lives in jeopardy.

According to Kaiser Health News and The Guardian's "Lost on the Frontline" project, more than 900 health-care workers in the United States have died after helping treat patients who have the coronavirus. The pandemic has overburdened many hospitals and led to shortages in protective equipment such as masks and gowns that endangered many of those assisting patients.

Christine found her subjects through that project. She set up a website to upload her portraits and to let families request drawings of their loved ones. Her portraits are free and easily accessible online, Christine said.

She has finished and posted 16 portraits since she started in April. Each one takes six to eight hours to complete, and Christine spreads that work out over a few days so as not to interfere with her school assignments. Using a close-up image as a reference, she first digitally sketches the proportions of the person's face with a pencil and then adds colors to "really bring life to the portrait."

Her largest obstacle is getting in touch with the families. She said she hopes more families will request portraits through her website, portraitsofthebrave.wixsite.com, so she can work with them from the beginning.

One person Christine featured is Sheena Miles, a semiretired nurse from Mississippi who died of covid-19 on May 1. Christine tracked down her son, Tom Miles, who expressed his gratitude on Facebook.

"When you're going through a loss like that, like the loss of a mom, to get the email from out of the blue just kind of gives you a profound feeling that there are some good people in this world," Tom Miles said in an interview. "For her to have such talent at such a young age, and that she really cares about people she doesn't even know - she is what makes America what it is today."

This kind of response is what Christine aims for - she wants the families to know that she is thankful for the work of their loved ones. "Someone they don't know personally, even a stranger, appreciates what their loved one has done," she said.

The portraits may be a source of brightness for grieving families, said Christine's mother, Helen Liu.

"I hope that families who receive these portraits will have a feeling of hope that better times will come," Liu said. "A memorial is something meaningful and permanent, and I feel her portraits capture the happiness that will forever be with them."

- - -

This report is a product of Kaiser Health News, a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.
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Linkedin (Reuters) Dublin  Sun, August 16, 2020 10:06 521 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e58a52 2 News tourism,Ireland Free

The chairman of Ireland's tourism authority, former Ryanair Chief Operating Officer Michael Cawley, resigned on Saturday after going on holiday to Italy, contrary to government advice to avoid non-essential travel abroad.

Cawley, a Ryanair director who also served as finance chief and deputy CEO at the airline, faced calls from opposition parties to quit after he confirmed to the Irish Independent newspaper on Saturday that he was holidaying in Italy.

Cawley is the first senior official in Ireland to resign for flouting coronavirus guidance. Scotland's Chief Medical Officer resigned in April after she ignored her own advice to stay at home during its COVID-19 lockdown.

Italy is one of 10 countries on the government's green list, meaning anyone arriving in Ireland can avoid a 14-day quarantine requirement that applies to travelers from anywhere else.

Read also: Garuda chief urges govt to focus on tourism recovery instead of '10 new Balis'

However official travel advice since Ireland's coronavirus outbreak began in February has remained that non-essential travel abroad should be avoided and people have been encouraged to holiday at home to support the hard-hit tourism sector.

Failte Ireland, the tourism development authority, has been giving extra funding to promote domestic tourism.

Cawley said in a statement that he decided to step down because he did not wish to allow the issue to distract from Failte Ireland's work in rebuilding the Irish tourism industry.

Tourism Minister Catherine Martin said she was disappointed to learn that Cawley was holidaying in Italy and believed his position was untenable.

Topics : tourism Ireland
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 21:51:37|Editor: huaxia

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CHINGOLA, Zambia, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Zambian small scale farmers have been urged to partner with Chinese to foster diversification in the agriculture sector in Zambia, a grain trader expert said on Sunday.

Chambila Simwinga, president of the Grain Traders Association of Zambia, said that it was important that Zambian small scale farmers learn the Chinese technology to maximize their productivity for increased national food security.

"It is important that our farmers should learn new technologies from countries like China," he said.

Speaking in an interview with Xinhua, Simwinga also said that Zambian farmers should not concentrate on growing maize but diversify to grow other crops that can sell on the international market. Enditem
A total of five cadres of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba(LeT), including two senior commanders, were executed in an encounter with the National Directorate of Security(NDS) and Afghan National Army(ANA), in Dangam district of Kunar province, said the sources.

Read | Flood havoc continues in AP districts, SDRF deployed

The commanders of the group, who had been assassinated have been identified as Pacha Khan, a resident of Shahi Tangai village, located in the Bajaur in the Khyber Pakhtunkhawa province of Pakistan and Akhtar. The others, who were executed include, Tayeeb Bajouri, Sharafat Bajouri, and Mohibullah.

The recent operation, conducted yet again, is a testament to the fact that the Pakistan government and its spy agency, the Inter-Service-Intelligence(ISI) have been assisting the guerilla groups in Afghanistan by sending young men to create a situation of chaos in a nation that already has been ravaged by constant wars.

Read | 10 more COVID-19 deaths in Haryana, 743 fresh cases

About one month ago, ID cards of Pakistani agencies had been recovered from the corpse of the terrorists who had been assassinated in the Kandahar province of Pakistan.

"The long arm of the law had annihilated five terrorists in Maroof and nine in the Arghistan district, located in Kandahar province, said Gen.Tadin Khan Achakzai," according to Khaama news agency.

The names of some of the terrorists were written in Urdu and identified the slain terrorists as Abdul Ghani, Abdul Ghaffar, Sanaullah, Naqibullah, Obaidullah, Abdul Malik among others.

In another attack, about 25 Taliban terrorists, including 12 Pakistani nationals, were killed in an airstrike by NATO Rescue Support in Takht-e-Pol town in Kandahar.

Read | COVID-19: Recovery rate in Delhi improves to over 90%

(With ANI Inputs)

(Image credits; ANI)
Heart-breaking photos of exhausted health workers in Da Nang have gone viral on the Internet. Such photos have stirred an urgent need for protecting the health of frontline medical workers in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health worker of the Da Nang C Hospital prepare the meals themselves during lockdown.

Ambulances at the 115 Emergency Centre were on an extremely hectic schedule during the initial days of the COVID-19 second wave outbreak in Da Nang, transferring patients to specialized treatment facilities.

Over the last two weeks, 85 members, who were not replaced or added, and 14 ambulances operated at full capacity to deliver COVID-19 patients from Da Nang hospital to Hue and satellite hospitals around the city.

They wore protective gear almost 24 hours a day, resulting in dehydration and heat stroke. When someone burned out, they were replaced by another. The ambulance sirens blared restlessly, day after day.

Doctor Pham Thi Anh Hong, Deputy Director of the Emergency Centre, said all members have been isolated from their families.

The workload of first-aid workers cannot be shared with any other medical units. Therefore, we divided our staff into shifts to protect their health. Each shift lasts for three days and involves 20 people, said doctor Hong.

After all the patients had been evacuated from the Department of General Internal Medicine of Da Nang hospital and the buildings had been disinfected, all the medical workers in the Department were transferred to a hotel to take a rest in quarantine.

Professor Doctor Dang Cong Lu, Deputy Chief of the Department, said, Even if one patient remained in the Department, our doctors and nurses had to stay to take care of them. We were only allowed to leave after all the patients received treatment in other specialized units. We took our two-week quarantine to recharge. Everyone is now reenergized enough to continue fighting.

Hospital 199 under the Ministry of Public Security received 500 patients from Da Nang Hospital and Da Nang C Hospital, dozens of them suffered from kidney failure, and were at high-risk of COVID-19 infection. Eight of them tested positive for the coronavirus.

Hospital 199, which used to treat normal patients and quarantine COVID-19 suspects, had to treat COVID-19 patients, too, when major hospitals in Da Nang city were put in lockdown.

The management board thoroughly revised the list of its medical workers and changed their schedules, thus, giving them time to rest. The hospital provided three meals a day for all is staff members and patients.

Doctor Nguyen Dang, deputy director of Hospital 199, said, We are aware that its a long way to go until the pandemic is over so its essential to protect the health of our healthcare staff. We will provide all major meals, even suppers, for them to maintain their physical and mental health. We will do every thing we can to care for our workers, even if more is needed.

Footage of a doctor at Da Nang C Hospital singing for his patients following an examination to lift their spirits from the distress caused by COVID-19 resurgence was widely circulated online. Doctors comforted patients and also themselves.

To empower the minds of 1,000 workers at rest, Director of Da Nang C Hospital, Doctor Nguyen Trong Thien uploaded an emotion-wrecking letter to the hospitals local network, encouraging everyone to brave this difficult time.

Doctor Thien said, Every single person in the locked-down hospital has tried all they can. Whenever I had free time, I went to the kitchen to peel fruits, prepare raw ingredients, and cook. Dont think that this stuff should be done by someone specific. If there is something one can do, please do it, for the hospital and for the patients.

The tireless efforts of the frontline medical workers are the iron shield protecting all peoples health.

VOV

Bluezone helps saves resources to fight against Covid-19 If this app is deployed on a large scale enough, Bluezone will help save huge social resources and cost to fight Covid-19 epidemic in Vietnam, as well as help the economy resume operation under the new normal state.
A 46-year-old man who allegedly impersonated an IPS officer and influential political leaders of Madhya Pradesh, defrauded people and travelled in an expensive SUV was arrested in Ujjain, 190 kilometres west of Bhopal, on Sunday, said an officer of the special task force (STF) of Madhya Pradesh police.

The man who was identified as Jyotirmayi Vijayavargiya, a resident of Shalimar Township in Indore, had several mobile phone numbers. These numbers on different mobile phones were saved in different names including IPS, certain influential political leaders etc to convince people about his credentials. The person whom he called from any of these mobile phone numbers used to see his fake name on a particular App which is used to identify the names of unknown callers, said the officer.

Police said he acquired the SUV fraudulently a couple of years back. He gave a cheque of 14 lakh to the owner of the car to buy it but the cheque bounced. He is facing at least three criminal cases in Mumbai and Indore for committing fraud.

Superintendent of police, STF Geetesh Garg said, We got information from a toll plaza employee in Ujjain that a man in a Fortuner car was not paying the required toll tax while introducing himself as IPS officer Vipin Maheshwari. On this, a team of STF was sent to the toll booth and detained the man to find that he was impersonating an IPS officer. During questioning we found that he had also cheated several people by telling that he was a relative of a BJP leader. He bought the car from one Rajiv Arya who is also from Indore for 14 lakh but the cheque he gave Arya bounced.

The officer said more than 100 cheque books were seized from the residence of the accused. He was operating through the bank accounts of his servants also.

An FIR under sections 170, 419 and 420 of IPC has been registered against him. We are trying to find out how many persons have been victims of this man, said the officer.
The ticketed event kicked off at 1pm and ended at around 5pm. (stock image)

'Deplorable' videos that emerged last night from a brunch event at a restaurant in Dublin have sparked outrage among industry members and Government officials.

Footage circulating on social media shows a barman standing on the bar and pouring alcohol into the mouths of dancing punters.

The Baked Brunch event, which took place in Berlin D2 bar and restaurant in Dublins Dame Lane yesterday, kicked off at 1pm and ended at around 5pm.

Footage on social media shows groups of people seated at separate tables and enjoying meals at the beginning of the event.

This is supposed to be a bar in Dublin 2 tonight. If accurate, its an absolute disgrace and an insult to the efforts and sacrifices of many - pic.twitter.com/11qPECMMA9  Noel Rock (@NoelRock) August 15, 2020

They were asked to stay in boxes which were marked by tape on the floor, however revellers were dancing together towards the end of the event.

Twitter user @antoon619 and eyewitness told Independent.ie. said that he and his wife attended the event but left after it got "crazy".

"We went with my wife around 3pm. And at beginning it was great and quiet. Then the atmosphere start to be crazy and we decide to leave because we felt unsafe," Antoon said.

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Restaurateur Jay Bourke, who is involved with Berlin D2, said he is "absolutely mortified" at the scenes recorded at the bar.

Speaking to RTE News, Mr Bourke said he does not think it is a full reflection of what happened in the venue, calling it as "20 seconds of madness", and described Berlin as a "very compliant premises".

But he said he was "not happy" about what appeared to have happened, and that he is reviewing CCTV footage of the incident.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said that the footage shows "reckless actions".

"The vast majority of Irish people have sacrificed a huge amount to help suppress this virus. Theyve shown huge solidarity. People are rightly sickened by these scenes. The reckless actions of a small few can have huge repercussions on everyone else," he wrote on Twitter.

The vast majority of Irish people have sacrificed a huge amount to help suppress this virus. Theyve shown huge solidarity. People are rightly sickened by these scenes. The reckless actions of a small few can have huge repercussions on everyone else. https://t.co/BNQsjDk3m8  Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) August 16, 2020

The Licensed Vintners Association, the trade association and representative body for the publicans of Dublin, said that the footage is appalling.

This is outrageous and appalling. That business should be shut down immediately, the group said in a statement this morning.

According to the group, the bar is not a pub and does not hold a pub licence.

It is understood that the establishment holds a restaurant and a theatre license.

"Clear need for inspections across the hospitality sector to ensure compliance with guidelines & licensing conditions," they said.

CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Adrian Cummins, this afternoon described the footage as "deplorable and despicable".

"They are a slap on the face to every front line worker in our country who put their lives on the line during this pandemic," Mr Cummins said on Twitter.

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris said the footage is "a right kick in the gut".

"A right kick in the gut & middle finger to everyone in our country who has worked so hard & sacrificed so much, to everyone who has lost a loved one or been sick with #Covid19, to every frontline worker and to every responsible business owner who have suffered so much. Shameful," he wrote.

A right kick in the gut & middle finger to everyone in our country who has worked so hard & sacrificed so much, to everyone who has lost a loved one or been sick with #Covid19, to every frontline worker and to every responsible business owner who have suffered so much. Shameful https://t.co/g16bwoEn16  Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) August 16, 2020

Former Fine Gael TD Noel Rock shared the footage on Twitter, saying: its infuriating. I know many other pub owners are understandably livid to see this.

What an utter shambles. This place should be shut down pronto.

An Garda Siochana initially said that it will not be providing detail on individual incidents involving suspected breached of the Public Health Regulations.

However, it issued a further comment at 2pm on Sunday, saying that social distancing and other public health guidelines are "not penal provisions".

"The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No.3) Regulations 2020 remain in effect, which set out certain penal provisions, which may be enforced by An Garda Siochana.

"Social Distancing and other similar Public Health Guidelines are not Penal Provisions," a spokesperson said.

"An Garda Siochana continues to enforce existing legislation where appropriate to do so."

The spokesperson added that where breaches are identified, files are submitted to the DPP.

"The COVID-19 Pandemic remains a public health crisis and An Garda Siochana continues to appeal to all citizens to comply with Public Health Guidelines and Regulations in order to continue to save lives."

Berlin D2 did not respond to requests for comment from Independent.ie.
Huge Protests Continue in Russia's Khabarovsk Over Arrest of Ex-Governor

By VOA News August 15, 2020

Huge crowds took to the streets of the Russian city of Khabarovsk Saturday in continued protests following the arrest of former governor Sergey Furgal.

Since his arrest on July 9, residents have demonstrated daily in the city, with attendance significantly increasing on weekends.

"I do not agree with this government's course, this is a criminal government, they rob our cities, our regions," said Elvira, a protester. "I'm against Moscow. All evil comes from the Kremlin."

The governor was arrested by federal law enforcement officers on charges related to murders in 2004 and 2005. He was flown to Moscow, where he was ordered jailed for two months.

Furgal, a member of the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party, has denied the charges.

The protesters in the Far East city near the border with China, 6,100 kilometers east of Moscow, believe the charges leveled against him are politically motivated.

Khabarovsk protesters also expressed support for the opposition in Belarus, where election officials declared longtime authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko the winner of the August 9 election.

"We are very worried about them (Belarusian people)," said Oleg, a businessman who wouldn't give his last name. "The things president Lukashenko gets away with there - well, president for now still - are just totally unacceptable, you can't do that to your own people. (Reporter: Do you think they will succeed?) I think so. But it will take time, not so fast."

The Belarusian Central Election Commission said on Monday that after all ballots were counted, Lukashenko took 80.23% of the votes and the main opposition candidate, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya had 9.9% of the vote.

"I've never actually been to Belarus, it's just that I understand we have a common historical past, which connects us," said Yelizaveta Lipatova, an engineer. "Our political systems grew up side by side as well in the 90s and before that. And so I believe we have to follow each other closely, support each other, not lose sight of each other. I think that Belarusians are doing great, and we can learn a lot from them."

Some rally participants did not give their last names for fear of being arrested later.

Aleksei Vorsin, Khabarovsk's regional campaign chief for opposition leader Alexei Navalny, was detained Saturday after calling for a strike.

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Published on 2020/08/16 | Source

People get tested for coronavirus at a makeshift facility in Seoul's Namdaemun Market on Tuesday. /Yonhap

A spike in the number of coronavirus infections in the Seoul metropolitan area is raising alarms.

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The number of new cases soared to 104 as of Friday morning, the first time in about 20 days to surpass 100 a day.

Two merchants in Seoul's crowded Dongdaemun Market found positive for coronavirus on Thursday and about a dozen were tested, following about a dozen merchants in Namedaemun Market who tested positive earlier this week.

Kwon Jun-wook, the deputy chief of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told reporters, "What we're seeing now is a more serious crisis than the mass infections that were traced to clubs in Itaewon in May".

Kwon added that the latest group infections are cropping up all over the capital after a "silent transmission" phase, unlike the Itaewon infections that were traced to a single location. "It makes them more difficult to trace and contain", Kwon said.

Some 47 out of 56 new COVID-19 cases reported Thursday became infected in local communities, and 25 of them were traced to Seoul and 16 to surrounding Gyeonggi Province.

"We're going to have a difficult time containing the spread of the virus this weekend due to the long Liberation Day weekend and large rallies that are scheduled", he added.

Education officials are concerned about a raft of infections in schools that are set to reopen early next month.

"If the situation worsens, we may have to tighten social-distancing measures", Kwon said.
Discos in Italy sow discord as partygoers dance, dance, dance The staff are all wearing masks but it is harder to persuade the customers to observe the rules

"Put your masks on!" repeats the DJ, shouting vainly into his microphone, but the dancers below, dripping in sweat, don't seem to care.

On a recent night at the Kiki nightclub in Ostia, a popular seaside resort on the outskirts of Rome, the coronavirus threat seems both distant and yet very present.

During a night for over-50s at this open-air disco on Ostia's beachfront, the rules are well known: a mask is mandatory, and dancing must be done at least one metre from a partner.

"Who cares about all that," laughed one partygoer, Claudio, his belly jutting forward and shirt wide open. With his mask in his pocket, he boogies alone, not to respect social distancing but because his friends are chatting elsewhere.

Around him, the approximately 200 to 300 party-goers dance to the blaring electro music, many without masks as they flirt, laugh and drink gin and tonics in the heat.

It takes the weary insistence of the staff, the calls of the DJ and a rumour of a possible police raid to get the crowd to comply begrudgingly and cover their faces.

- Party pooper -

While the threat of a second wave of coronavirus looms nearer in several European countries, such as Spain, Italy is trying to stem new infections in the middle of "Ferragosto", the sacrosanct holiday weekend of August 15.

On Sunday, after a period of arm wrestling between the government and regions over the thorny issue of discos, Health Minister Roberto Speranza signed a decree suspending their operation.

The new rules go into effect on Monday, giving partygoers one last weekend night to celebrate.

Closed establishments had already been prohibited from operating but regions had the discretion to decide whether or not to allow open-air clubs.

Calabria, for one, had ordered the closure of all dance venues while Sardinia had kept them open. Some, like Veneto to the north, mandated reduced occupancy.

Story continues

Already, traditional rites of summer have been altered.

Bonfires on the beach and a traditional midnight jump into the sea at Ferragosto were banned this year.

The topic was politically sensitive, as authorities don't want to appear to be punishing Italians during well-deserved summer holidays after a gruelling lockdown that was largely respected.

The sector employs nearly 50,000 people in 3,000 nightclubs around the country, according to the nightclub operators' union (SILB).

- Wild and free? -

Images of crowds of young holiday-goers dancing and drinking at night have been plastered on the front pages of Italian newspapers.

"The contagion is on the rise but we're dancing," proclaimed the Corriere Della Sera, which slammed Sardinia's clubs as being "joyful contagion machines".

At the establishment Manila Beach in Fregene, on the coast outside Rome, party organiser Gianluca Skiki said his venue, which normally welcomes up to 2,000 customers on its beach, had to make do with 250.

Despite some semblances of a nightclub -- a DJ, sequined miniskirts and high heels worn by some -- the experience appeared odd. Couples were sitting at tables with distance between them to eat, and were instructed to dance only in front of their tables.

"If the police come, everyone has to be at their table," Skiki explained. "There's no real nightclub here any more, it's about the only thing we're allowed to organise."

He acknowledged the experience fell short of the carefree, wild parties of the past.

hba/ams/erc
New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo said Saturday afternoon that the state would ensure the annual 9/11 tribute light installation will go on as planned, just days after it was canceled over coronavirus concerns.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum said Thursday in a statement that it was canceling the Tribute in Light because the 'health risks during the pandemic were far too great for the large crew required' to put together the installation.

A nonprofit organization then stepped in Friday, saying that it would put on the tribute, but Cuomo tweeted Saturday that the state 'will provide health personnel & supervision so that @Sept11Memorial can mount the Tribute in Light safely.'

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum said Thursday it would have to cancel the annual 9/11 Tribute in Light installation (pictured in 2013) over coronavirus concerns

Gov. Cuomo said Saturday New York State would provide health personnel and supervision to ensure that coronavirus precautions could be followed while the lights were installed

Cuomo tweeted out the news that the 9/11 light tribute would go on as planned Saturday

Cuomo added that 'I am glad that we can continue this powerful tribute to those we lost on 9/11 and to the heroism of all New Yorkers. We will #NeverForget.

'Honoring our 9/11 heroes is a cherished tradition. The twin towers of light signify hope, resiliency, promise and are a visual representation of #NewYorkTough,' he wrote.

Cuomo ended the Tribute in Light statement by thanking former NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg - who is the 9/11 museum's chairman - for partnering with the state to put on the light display and wrote, 'The virus has taken so much and so many. But now the tribute will continue.'

Bloomberg, meanwhile, tweeted his thanks to Cuomo 'for providing personnel and joining us to ensure the lights shine on.'

The installation requires eighty-eight 7,000-watt xenon light bulbs to be positioned on the roof of a parking garage near where the Twin Towers once stood.

The 9/11 museum and former NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg thanked Cuomo for the state's help

Cuomo's statements came the day after members of the New York City police and fire departments joined forces with nonprofit organization Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation to hold an alternative 9/11 tribute display after the 9/11 museum canceled the annual ceremony.

The organization said Friday it would plan this year's light memorial to honor the victims of the terror attacks on the 19th anniversary of the tragedy.

The 'Tribute in Light' ceremony, normally organized the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, draws crowds of mourners every year to watch the iconic twin beams of light representing the World Trade Center towers illuminate the sky.

The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation on Friday announced it will plan this year's light memorial after the original organizers canceled the event due to coronavirus fears

Tunnel to Towers foundation president Frank Siller confirmed they secured the lights and are expected to confirm a location by early next week, The New York Daily News reported.

Port Authority Police, along with members of the NYPD and FDNY, had agreed to move the spotlights to Port Authority property near the World Trade Center.

The lights are usually installed on top of the Battery Parking Garage that is located near the museum.

Paul Nunziato, president of the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association, said the cancellation of the light tribute would only feel more 'demoralizing' for New Yorkers as they battle the coronavirus pandemic.

He also criticized Mayor Bill de Blasio for not doing enough to save the ceremony.

'For all the nonsense the mayor has allowed in recent months, what is the problem with putting the lights up?' he told the paper.

de Blasio, however, does not have authority over the museum.

Michael Frazier, a spokesman for National September 11 Memorial & Museum, made the announcement Thursday. He said the installation will return for the 20th anniversary in 2021

The 'Tribute in Light' illuminates the night sky on Sept. 10, 2017

On Thursday, Michael Frazier, a spokesman for the September 11 museum, said organizers were particularly worried about the health risks to workers who would set up the display.

The twin beams of light representing the World Trade Center towers won't be beamed into the sky during this year's memorial. They can generally be seen from 60 miles away

To create the installation, known as 'Tribute in Light', 40 stagehands and electricians work in close proximity for more than a week.

There were also concerns over gatherings in the streets and on rooftops to see the installation.

'The world's beloved twin beams of light regrettably will not shine over Lower Manhattan as part of this year's 9/11 tributes after concluding the health risks during the pandemic were far too great,' Frazier said in a statement.

The Memorial & Museum is planning an alternative display that will include spires and facades of buildings in Manhattan being illuminated in blue, he said.

The lights first appeared in March 2002, six months after the attack, when they were originally organized by the Municipal Art Society.

They can be seen up to 60 miles away in the days leading up to 9/11 each year and extend four miles into the sky.

The lights are typically turned on at dusk and would shine through the night until dawn on September 12.

It has become one of the signature elements of the annual commemorations, and the memorial and museum took over the organization of the tribute in 2012.

The full installation consists of 88 specially made Space Cannon lights, each with a 7,000-watt xenon compressed gas bulb, Scott Campbell of Michael Ahern Production Services, which produces the event, told the New York Times.

It is powered by temporary generators, which are set out on the roof of a garage on Greenwich Street two squares of about 50-by-50 feet.

The memorial will return next year, Frazier added, for what will be the 20th anniversary of the attacks.

Last month, organizers also cited the pandemic in canceling one of the most poignant parts of previous memorials - the personal messages spoken by families of victims from 9/11 and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

They said recorded name readings from the museum's 'In Memoriam' exhibition will be used instead of having relatives read the names in person.

Families are still invited to gather at an outdoor memorial this year but social distancing measures will be in place.

The hours-long ceremony will involve the listing of the victims names and six moments of silence.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed when terrorist-piloted planes slammed into the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001.

New York City has successfully kept the spread of coronavirus outbreak under control in the past few weeks after becoming the global epicenter of the outbreak at the end of March.

The positive test rate in the Big Apple has stayed at 1 percent or below since June and no spike has been reported after progressing through all the planned phases of its reopening.

New cases have increased among residents in their 20s, but fallen among people over 40.
THIS 1796 silver token, a ticket medal to the Private Theatre at Fishamble Street in Dublin, comes up at an online sale at Dix Noonan Webb in London on August 27.

In the name of L. Taylor, it was made by William Mossop, considered to be the founder of metallic art in Ireland, and speaks to the history of theatre in Ireland, and the occasional resultant splits.

It was called the Private Theatre but in fact, it was located in the same premises where Handel's Messiah had its world premiere at the then styled New Music Hall in 1742.

The Private Theatre was established in the 1790s as a result of dissatisfaction with the way affairs were conducted at the city's Theatre Royal, which had opened at Smock Alley in 1662.

A 1659 penny with the arms of Cork at Dix Noonan Webb.

Under the management of the Earl of Westmeath and Frederick Jones, described as a theatre promoter and gentleman of independent means from Vesington, Co. Meath, it must have involved some 18th-century talent scouting.

Each subscriber was allowed two silver tickets and could, if qualified, take part in the performance.

The silver theatre token, with the robed figures of Tragedy, Comedy and Lyric prominent, is lot 219 from a collection of 81 lots of Irish tokens from a private collection and is estimated at 300-400.

A Cork city penny dated 1659 and a Kinsale Corporation Penny from 1677 come up as on lot with an estimate of 120-150.

A collection of 14 gold half sovereigns at James Adam.

There are other 17th-century examples of coins from Dublin, Fermanagh, Galway, Limerick, Louth, Waterford and Wexford.

Cork, Down, Dublin, Offaly, Wexford, Wicklow and Tipperary feature among the 18th-century examples.

Dix Noonan Webb achieved a world record price of 6,200 in May for a rare penny struck in Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland in the 17th century.

Coins of another sort will come up at the At Home sale online at James Adam on Sunday, August 23.

A portrait of a gentleman by George Lawrence at James Adam.

A collection of 14 gold half sovereigns with dates from 1867 to 1914 carry an estimate of 2,500-3,500.

And if you have an interest in fashion and how a gentleman who patronised the Private Theatre in Dublin in 1796 might have turned out, a half-length portrait at the Adam's sale provides a reveal.

By George Lawrence, known to be working in the capital from around 1774-1802, it is of an unidentified sitter.

The oval portrait is signed and inscribed No. 35 Frederick Street, Dublin.

It is estimated at 1,000-1,500.
Brussels, Aug 16 : The European Union (EU) has welcomed Israel's decision to suspend its plan to annex parts of occupied Palestinian territory, calling it a positive step, the bloc's Council said in a statement.

"Any unilateral decision that undermines a lasting, agreed solution should be avoided," Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying on Saturday.

The council also welcomed the normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), saying such a move will benefit both countries, and is "a fundamental step for the stabilization" of the region.

The EU remains firm in its commitment to a negotiated and viable two-state solution and reaffirms its readiness to work towards the resumption of meaningful negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, said the statement.

The decision is part of a historic agreement that took place on August 13 via a phone call between US President Donald Trump, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE.

As part of the agreement, Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in Trump's vision of peace and focus its efforts now on expanding its ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world.

The UAE and Israel will also immediately expand and accelerate cooperation regarding the treatment of and the development of a vaccine for coronavirus.

According to reports, this is the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab country in 25 years.

But, Palestine has slammed the peace agreement, saying it was "disgraceful" and a "blow to the Arab Peace Initiative and the decisions of the Arab and Islamic summits, and an aggression against the Palestinian people".
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 22:09:31|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's output of storage batteries to power new energy vehicles (NEV) edged up by 6.4 percent year on year in July, rebounding from a 16.2-percent decrease in June, industry data showed.

The output stood at 6.1 gigawatt-hours last month, and the sector's total output in the first seven months of the year plummeted by 39.8 percent to 29.6 gigawatt-hours, according to the China Automotive Battery Innovation Alliance.

In July, the installed capacity of the batteries came in at 5 gigawatt-hours, up 6.8 percent both from the previous month and the same period last year, showed the data.

A total of 45 storage battery companies in the NEV market reported their batteries installed last month, three companies less than in June.

Sales of NEVs in China posted robust growth in July, with a total of 98,000 NEVs were sold last month, up 19.3 percent year on year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. Enditem
A Georgia elementary school is apologizing after students were pictured in the 2019-2020 yearbook pulling their eyes back in what appears to be a racist gesture.

The photo was included in Dacula, Georgia's Dyer Elementary School yearbook, which was sent to students' families last week.

In what appears to be a class photo, students were shown pulling the corners of their eyes back in a gesture that's long-been used to mock the appearance of Asians.

Georgia's Dyer Elementary School's 2019-2020 yearbook included this picture, in which students were seen pulling the corners of their eyes back in a gesture that is often used to stereotype Asians

School Principal Michael DiFilippo sent a letter of apology to the school's students and families on Thursday, noting that the kids had been told to 'make a silly face' for the photo, according to the Atlanta Constitution-Journal.

'We see this as a teachable moment for our students, helping them to understand that their actions can hurt others even if they did not intend to offend,' DiFilippo wrote in the letter.

'We apologize for the actions of these students and that this photo appeared in the yearbook. As a diverse school community, our goal is to cultivate respect for all cultures and to provide a welcoming environment for all,' he added.

Dyer Elementary is in Gwinnett County, which is said to be the most racially diverse county in all of Georgia, with a 12.5 per cent Asian population, according to the US Census Bureau's 2019 statistics.

The elementary school's principle sent out a letter apologizing for the photo's inclusion and said that they would be revising the yearbook production procedures

Asian parents at Dyer Elementary (pictured) said that while the kids pictured might not have known the meaning behind the gesture, they didn't want their own kids exposed to these kinds of gestures which have 'racist underlinings'

The National Center for Education Statistics says that Gwinnett County Public Schools' student body - which Dyer Elementary falls under - has a 12 per cent Asian population, the newspaper reported.

'As Asian Americans, we are viewed as a perpetual foreigner, and our eyes are what people distinguish as identifying us as Asian or foreign,' said school district parent Stephanie Cho, who is also executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta.

She noted that the photo was 'dehumanizing' to see for Asians and that '[The gesture] is incredibly offensive. It reduces a person to a gesture instead of a full human being.'

A Dyer Elementary parent told 11 Alive: 'As a parent, you don't want your kids to be exposed to these kinds of gestures or racial underlinings.'

Another school parent, Bee Xiong, added: 'I understand the kids may or may not know what that means, but we as adults know what that means. We grew up in that environment. We were made fun of.'

Seeing students making the gesture in the yearbook indicated a prime opportunity to adopt a 'intentionally inclusive' approach in education, school district officials said.

'There is no better time than now to educate our children on the beauty of our pluralistic diversity and to guard against actions and beliefs that ostracize or racially exclude others,' Gwinnett County Board of Education member Everton Blair told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Dyer Elementary's DiFilippo said that the school will be reviewing its yearbook production procedures to ensure that inappropriate photos don't make it to print in the future.
British, France, tourists have canceled Thousands of your holiday to be even before the entry into force of a quarantine rule in the United Kingdom. Planes, trains, and ferries were filled on Friday. The operator of the channel tunnel traffic Autozugs, in the hour after becoming aware of the new rule will be 12,000 Tickets had been booked reported. Otherwise, a few Hundred are common, a spokesman said.

The Exodus had triggered the British government, as France took on Thursday night from the list of States for which an exception to the quarantine rule applies. Who returned to Saturday 4.00 p.m. from a trip to France is home, must remain at home for two weeks in Isolation. It is especially hard for people who can't work from home meets. You leave or in the worst case, even the earnings lost as a result. Families with school-age children who come home until next Wednesday or later, miss the start of School.The new school year begins at most of the facilities at the 2. September.

With the airline British Airways, the prices increased massively. On Friday night, a Ticket from Paris at a cost to London 452 pounds (about 500 euros). After the expiry of the deadline on Saturday, there were still 66 pounds. Also the ferry companies to the right to take strong.

From when it is in the United Kingdom?

In the case of the race against time some of the anti-sweep creativity: The passenger ferry, which was planned to arrive just a few minutes before 4 o'clock in Newhaven, reported the Daily Mail of his discussion with Covid-19-Hotline of the government, such as"back in the United Kingdom" is to be interpreted: in the case of a delay, perhaps, to have been before 4 p.m. British waters reached? A clear answer and he was, therefore, at least for him, the question was superfluous, but anyway: To 3.58 PM he had rolled his car in Newhaven from the ferry.

A music group said on Twitter, she was ferried to her concert in the French Lessay on Friday evening with a fishing boat to the United Kingdom. Allegedly, they arrived by 3.50 PM and, thus, before the Onset of the quarantine policy. A family with three children, said the"Mirror Online" they were after the announcement of the British government for twelve hours by driven to make it on time from the South of France to the UK, because the father could not work from home.

No luck with a mother who was able to get Last-Minute Tickets for herself and her son with a disability, on the other hand, however, due to a delay of your TGVs for the last Eurostar to the UK, missed. Your son was during the last lock-downs very bad, which is why they are necessarily in time have to return, she wrote on Twitter. The France Trip was supposed to take him to the severe time on other thoughts. Now the two have to be in your return for 14 days in quarantine.

Updated Date: 16 August 2020, 12:19
Telephone service between the UAE and Israel began on Sunday as the two countries opened diplomatic ties (Oded Balilty/AP)

Telephone calls began ringing on Sunday between the United Arab Emirates and Israel, marking the first concrete step of a US-brokered diplomatic deal between the nations.

The agreement required Israel to halt plans to annex land sought by the Palestinians and means the UAE is only the third Arab nation to currently recognise Israel.

For Dubais small expatriate Jewish community, which has worshipped for years at an unmarked villa in this city-state, the calls represented so much more than just the convenience of being able to directly dial loved ones in Israel.

Expand Close Ross Kriel, the president of the Jewish Council of the Emirates, welcomed the move (Jon Gambrell/AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Ross Kriel, the president of the Jewish Council of the Emirates, welcomed the move (Jon Gambrell/AP)

Theres a sense of a miracle upon a miracle upon a miracle, as all of these hurdles fall away and people at last can come together and start talking, Ross Kriel, the president of the Jewish Council of the Emirates, said.

Direct telephone calls have been blocked in the Emirates, a US-allied federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula, since its founding in 1971.

Since Thursdays announcements, Associated Press journalists have tried to make calls between the nations without success.

But at about 1.15pm on Sunday, AP journalists in Jerusalem and Dubai could call each other from both landline and mobile phones registered to Israels country code +972.

Over an hour later, Emirati officials acknowledged Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan had called his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi.

Many economic opportunities will open now and these trust-building steps are an important step toward advancing states interests Israeli Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel

The Israelis later acknowledged the call as well, saying the block had been lifted from the Emiratis side.

Israeli Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel issued a statement congratulating the United Arab Emirates on removing the blocks.

Many economic opportunities will open now and these trust-building steps are an important step toward advancing states interests, Mr Hendel said.

Also on Sunday, Israeli news websites that had previously been blocked by UAE authorities, such as the Times of Israel, the Jerusalem Post and YNet, could be accessed without using means to bypass internet filtering in the Emirates.

In the UAE, a recorded message in Arabic and English would typically play before Sunday saying calls to +972 numbers could not be connected. The advent of internet calling allowed people to get around the ban, although these too were often interrupted.

Some in Israel used Palestinian mobile phone numbers with +970 numbers, which those in the UAE could call.

Deals between Israel and the UAE are expected in the coming weeks in such areas as tourism, direct flights and embassies.

Early on Sunday, the Emirates state-run WAM news agency announced a UAE company had signed an agreement with an Israeli firm for research and study of the coronavirus pandemic.

Expand Close Alex Peterfreund, a co-founder of Dubais Jewish community and its cantor, prepares to read from the Torah in Dubai (Jon Gambrell/AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Alex Peterfreund, a co-founder of Dubais Jewish community and its cantor, prepares to read from the Torah in Dubai (Jon Gambrell/AP)

Alex Peterfreund, a cantor for the Jewish community in Dubai, read a passage of the Torah for visiting journalists.

To start from scratch is quite exciting, to know that you start a community where there was actually almost no Jews in all those centuries, its motivating you also, he said.

We feel (like) pioneers.
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
New Delhi:

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to tinker with the move to do away with the use of now-defunct high-value currency notes for public utilities, in government hospitals and for rail tickets but referred to a Constitution Bench the issue of validity of the governments demonetisation decision.



The apex court, which framed nine issues for adjudication by a five-judge Constitution Bench for authoritative pronouncement on the governments demonetisation decision, also refrained from making any amendment to the directive to limit weekly withdrawal at Rs 24,000.



It hoped that the government will fulfil this commitment to the extent possible keeping in mind the hardships and sufferings faced by the general public.



A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur, which declined to extend the exemptions on the demonetised currency notes of Rs 1000 and Rs 500, left it to the judgement of the government to review it hoping that it would be responsible and sensitive in dealing with it.



Whether the use of demonetised currency notes would be extended or not, it is on the government of the day as it is the best judge. We hope that the government would be responsible and sensitive in dealing with it, the bench, also comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said.



While examining the plea for passing directions to ease the inconvenience of the people on the contentions that banks were not allowing withdrawal of Rs 24,000 a week, the bench took note of the submissions of Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi that 50 days time of streamlining cash inflow has not been exhausted.



It also took into account the submission of the government that 40 per cent of the demonetised currency has been replaced with the pumping of new currency notes of Rs 2000 and Rs 500.



Taking this submissions on record, the bench said no other directions can be given at this stage and we hope that the government will fulfil the commitment of Rs 24,000 withdrawal per week to the extent possible and review it periodically.



The apex court also accepted the assurance given by the Attorney General that Rs 8,000 crore collected by district cooperative central banks (DCCBs) across the country between November 11 and 14 will be allowed to be exchanged with new currency notes as per the rules applicable to all banks.

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NEW DELHI : To give a boost to the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will set up centres for testing saturation of oxygen content in blood in 30,000 villages across the country, its national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Sunday.

Kejriwal said he has already received a commitment for 30,000 oximeters from people.

Oximeters help in measuring the oxygen level and are found to be extremely useful for coronavirus patients who in many cases battle breathlessness due to drop in oxygen level.

"Already received commitments for 30,000 oxymeters. Am overwhelmed. Will now set up 'oxygen jaanch kendra' in 30,000 villages. Commitments still pouring in. Will help set it up in more villages. Thank you donors. We will train village youth and give them oxymeters to set up oxy kendras," Kejriwal said in a tweet.

"This will help us in saving lives by detecting drop in oxygen levels in time," he said in another tweet.

Kejriwal had on Saturday urged people to donate oximeters to the AAP so that they can be distributed by its volunteers in villages across the country to help those battling COVID-19 in the hinterland.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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A top academic girls school that draws students from all over Sydney has been shut down after a student tested positive to coronavirus.

Sydney Girls High School in Sydney's inner-city suburb of Surry Hills will close on Monday for cleaning and contact tracing.

A trial HSC exam scheduled for Monday has been postponed.

Sydney Girls High School (pictured) in Sydney's inner city suburb of Surry Hills has about 940 students from 143 different postcodes that travel by public transport, potentially seeding the virus all over the city. The school is closed as of Monday after a student tested positive

Cleaners at Tangara School in Cherrybrook, Sydney, on Friday. New South Wales now has 3761 coronavirus cases of which 119 are active infections

'While the school site is non-operational, learning materials are available through the (Education) Departments Learning from home website,' the school said on its website.

It is not yet known when the school will reopen.

Sydney Girls High School is a selective state school that has about 940 high school students drawn from 143 different postcodes around Sydney, escalating its potential to spread the coronavirus city-wide.

Tangara School for Girls in Sydney's west has infected 25 people in its cluster

Coronavirus testing in Sydney on Wednesday. Australia now has almost 23,000 cases

Most students travel via public transport to the school, giving further opportunities to spread the infectious virus.

The NSW Department of Education said all staff and students have been asked to isolate themselves.

The NSW Health Department urged anyone with any symptoms to get tested for covid-19.

CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA: 27,244 Victoria: 20,269 New South Wales: 4,273 Queensland: 1,161 Western Australia: 692 South Australia: 473 Tasmania: 230 Australian Capital Territory: 113 Northern Territory: 33 TOTAL CASES: 27,244 ESTIMATED ACTIVE CASES: 269 DEATHS: 897 Updated: 5.31 PM, 11 October, 2020 Source: Australian Government Department of Health Advertisement

NSW recorded five new coronavirus cases in the 24 hours to 8pm Saturday, bringing the state's total to 3761 with 54 deaths so far, NSW Health said on Sunday.

The latest victim was an elderly man in his 80s.

The state now has 119 active infections with seven people in intensive care and five on ventilators.

Of the five new cases, three were linked to a known cluster of 25 cases from Tangara School for Girls, a Catholic girls school in Sydney's northwestern suburb of Cherrybrook.

While it is the lowest number of new cases for NSW in more than a month, two of the new cases are from unknown community origin, the most dangerous category in a pandemic as it means the virus is still spreading undetected.

Tangara School for Girls said on its website that it has been professionally deep cleaned but will remain closed until August 24.

Year 12 HSC trial exams were delayed at Tangara by one week.

The largest NSW cluster comes from the Thai Rock restaurant at Wetherill Park in Sydney's outer west, which has infected 116 people so far, according to NSW Health figures released on Sunday.

The next biggest cluster is 73 people infected following a funeral in Bankstown, in Sydney's west.

Australia now has 22,851 infections most of which are in Victoria.

Worldwide coronavirus cases reached 21.6 million on Sunday evening with 769,207 deaths according to Worldometers statistics.

The USA is still the worst affected country with 5.5 million cases and 172,606 deaths, followed by Brazil with 3.3 million cases and 107,297 deaths.
A man has been arrested after its alleged he drove at police forcing them to discharge a firearm in Melbournes southwest.

The 64-year-old was spotted pulling into a petrol station on the Point Cook Road exit of the Princess Highway on Saturday about 1.20am, police said.

A 8pm curfew is in place in Victoria to stop the spread of coronavirus.

A police officer directs traffic at a roadblock site in Melbourne's suburb of Broadmeadows. Source: AAP (file pic)

Police claim when they approached the man to tell him to turn his engine off he drove towards them.

Its further alleged an officer had to take evasive action and discharged his firearm.

Police followed his car for a short time and pursued him into nearby residential streets before he turned into Harrison Court and was arrested.

He remains in hospital under police guard due to a medical condition.

Since a firearm was used Professional Standards Command have been notified.

No one was injured.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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The Central Region branch of the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council (GNCFC) has called on the government to take urgent steps to end the illegal transshipment of fish from Ghanaian waters.

They said increasing activities of trawlers in Ghanaian waters and illegal transshipment activities, popularly called Saiko was continuously depriving many artisanal fishermen and others involved in the artisanal fishing sector of their livelihoods and making them poorer.



Industrial trawlers



Speaking at a press conference at Anomabo yesterday, a spokesperson for the fishermen and an executive member of GNCFC, Nana Kweigyah, said though the government made a specific statement on stopping Saiko in the 2020 budget, it was obvious that very little had been done practically to fight the menace.



Nana Kwegigyah, flanked by other fishermen who wore red bands, stated that the extent of damage by the industrial trawlers to marine environment and resources and the negative impact on the livelihood of many in coastal communities should be a great source of worry and reason for urgent action.



In the 2020 budget on paragraph 718, the government made a specific statement of stopping Saiko, but we have not witnessed that. We are by this press conference calling on the highest office of the land, the Presidency, and the government to live by their words by stopping Saiko.



He said ending Saiko permanently would protect the livelihood of Ghanaians.



Nana Kweigyah said Ghanas artisanal fishing was under serious threat and on the verge of collapse due to the practice of Saiko by industrial trawlers.



Saiko



The industrial trawlers target the staple catch of artisanal fishers, harvest them and freeze them into pallets of fish and sell to agents at high seas, who in turn sell to the fishing communities for profits. Meanwhile, these fishes are the sole preserve of the artisanal fishers by law.



As we speak, we are in our major season of bumper harvest but there is very little or no catch in many fishing communities.



Saiko is a threat to the livelihood of over 2.7 million Ghanaians, including 140,000 fishermen along with thousands of fishmongers, majority of whom are women, traders, canoe carvers, input suppliers and fish carriers as well as their dependents, he stated, adding that these constituted 10 per cent of the nations population.



Food security



Nana Kweigyah said Saiko remained a threat to food security and nutrition, jobs, income security and national security.



Saiko has been found to be a severely destructive form of illegal fishing, which in addition to driving the decline in marine fish stock, destroy the marine environment and erodes the potential of marine resources to rebuild. This phenomenon has contributed to the decline and near collapse of the small pelagic stocks such as sardinella, chub mackerel and anchovies, he observed.



According to him, Saiko consignments were still being landed at ports in Elmina, Apam and Axim in spite of the fact that the trade was illegal, stressing that both the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625) section 132 and the Fisheries Regulations, 2010, regulation 33, explicitly prohibited Saiko.



Artisanal fisherman



A chief fisherman at Anomabo, Nana Kojo Bonfir V, for his part, said the impact of the activities of the industrial vessels had affected the artisanal fishermen and the coastal communities significantly leaving them poorer.



What is happening in our waters is worrying. We expect action from the authorities to save the artisanal fishing industry urgently, he added and called for pragmatic efforts to curb the Saiko menace.



Background



A recent study conducted by some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the fisheries sector, with funding from the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), concluded that the Saiko illegal fishing activity by some foreign vessels in the country's marine territory was denying the state more than $50.7 million annually.



The activities, which border on catching small fishes and selling them at sea at ridiculous prices to canoe fishermen, are also contributing to dwindling fish stock and catches which have plagued the local fishing industry for the last 10 to 15 years.



The illegal activities of the industrial vessels have led to a drop in the income of artisanal fishermen by as much as 40 per cent in the last decade.

Source: Graphiconline.com









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The interim Congress chief said that 'the present government, is standing contrary to democratic system, constitutional values'

New Delhi: In her Independence Day message, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday said these were "testing times" for Indian democracy and people need to introspect if there is freedom in the country to ask questions, disagree or seek accountability.

Since independence, India has tested its democratic values from time to time and constantly developed them, Gandhi said. She alleged that "the present government, it seems, is standing contrary to democratic system, constitutional values and established traditions. These are also testing times for Indian democracy".

Gandhi said today all citizens need to introspect and think what freedom means.

"Is there freedom in the country today to write, to speak, to ask questions, to disagree, to have views, to seek accountability?" she asked, and added that "as a responsible opposition this is our responsibility that we make every effort and struggle to keep India''s democratic independence intact."

India is not only famous across the world for its democratic values and pluralism of different languages, religions, and sects, but it is also known for facing adversity with unity, she said in her message on the occasion of the 74th Independence Day. Her message was in Hindi.

"Today, as the entire world is struggling with the coronavirus pandemic, India will have to unitedly defeat this pandemic and set an example. I can say with full confidence that all of us together will come out of this pandemic and the state of severe economic crisis," Gandhi said.

Gandhi also referred to the Galwan Valley clashes in eastern Ladakh in June, saying that 60 days have passed since 20 Indian soldiers, including Colonel Suresh Babu, laid down their lives, achieving martyrdom.

"I pay tributes to them and salute their bravery, and urge the government to honour their valour and give them due respect. Thwarting the Chinese incursions and protecting the sovereignty of motherland would be the greatest tribute to them," she added.

She wished the countrymen on Independence Day, and hoped for a bright democratic future for the country.
P ublic Health England is reportedly set to be scrapped and replaced by a new organisation set up to specifically to deal with a pandemic.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock will announce this week that the pandemic response work of PHE will be merged with NHS Test and Trace, according to The Sunday Telegraph.

The paper said the new body will be called the Institute for Health Protection and will become "effective" next month, although it will take until next spring to complete.

Baroness Harding, a Conservative peer and former TalkTalk telcoms boss who currently heads Test and Trace, is being tipped to lead the organisation, the newspaper said.

It quoted a senior minister as saying: We want to bring together the science and the scale in one new body so we can do all we can to stop a second coronavirus spike this autumn.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock will reportedly make the announcement this week / PA

"The National Institute for Health Protections goal will be simple: to ensure that Britain is one of the best equipped countries in the world to fight the pandemic."

The reported move follows repeated reports over recent months that ministers have been unhappy and frustrated with PHEs response to the coronavirus crisis.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: "Public Health England have played an integral role in our national response to this unprecedented global pandemic.

"We have always been clear that we must learn the right lessons from this crisis to ensure that we are in the strongest possible position, both as we continue to deal with Covid-19 and to respond to any future public health threat."
Democrats are calling for Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to appear for an 'urgent' hearing before the House Oversight and Reform Committee next Monday.

'House Democrats are ramping up their ongoing investigation by requesting that Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and Chairman of the USPS Board of Governors Robert Duncan testify at an urgent hearing before the Committee on August 24,' a statement released Sunday demanded.

The statement was released by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Committee on Oversight and Reform Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney and Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Ranking Member Gary Peters.

'The Postmaster General and top Postal Service leadership must answer to the Congress and the American people as to why they are pushing these dangerous new policies that threaten to silence the voices of millions, just months before the election,' the statement adds.

The statement came at the same time White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows ensured to CNN's Jake Tapper that mail sorting machines will not be decommissioned.

'Sorting machines between now and the election will not be taken offline,' Meadows said during an interview with 'State of the Union.'

This is a response to reports that in an attempt to further inhibit the Post Office from being able to handle universal mail-in voting in November, the postmaster general is ordering machines to be taken offline.

Democrats are demanding that Postmaster General Louis DeJoy appear for an 'urgent' hearing on Capitol Hill next Monday to answer why the Post Office is 'pushing these dangerous new policies that threaten to silence the voices of millions, just months before the election'

Democrats released a statement Sunday calling DeJoy to testify before Congress about 'Postal Service Sabatoge'

The letter was written and signed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (top left), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (top right), House Committee on Oversight and Reform Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (bottom left) and Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Ranking Member Gary Peters (bottom right)

Recent changes at the U.S. Postal Service are causing widespread delays in delivering letters and packages, causing some to blame President Donald Trump for potentially compromising efforts to implement universal mail-in voting in the November election

Meadows also insisted that the issues with existing machines and processes for intaking and sorting mail is actually the fault of former President Barack Obama.

'That was a 2006 bill that has been implemented that I don't necessarily agree with. But that was not this postmaster general that did that. That was the previous postmaster general under Obama,' Meadows lamented.

Democrats say Republicans are trying to sabotage the November 3 election as millions of votes are expected to cast ballots by mail due to the coronavirus.

Trump has leveled over the last few months an unprecedented attack at the USPS, opposing efforts to give the cash-strapped agency more money even as changes there have caused widespread delays in delivering letters and packages.

'They need that money in order to have the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots,' Trump told Fox News on Thursday, adding, 'but if they don't get those... that means you can't have universal mail-in voting.'

Widespread mail-in voting, he added on Saturday, would be a 'catastrophe.'

Democrats on Sunday pushed back forcefully.

Some called for the House of Representatives to return early from summer recess to take action to protect the postal service, a call that found an echo from a senior Republican eager to seal a deal on a huge new coronavirus relief package.

'I am deeply, deeply concerned' by Trump's stance on the postal service, Senator Bernie Sanders said on ABC's 'This Week.'

DeJoy (second from left) is shown here exiting the Capitol earlier this month after meeting with Pelosi and Schumer

Sanders had sought his party's presidential nod but instead will be speaking Monday in support of Joe Biden on the opening day of the Democrats' four-day nominating convention, held virtually for the first time.

Sanders called Trump's assertion that it was Democrats who were blocking postal funding 'pathetic,' adding, 'The House should come back and make sure the postal service is fully funded.'

Congressional Democrats say the hearing later this month should help clear up some of the confusion and hold those accountable who are trying to stop mail-in voting.

'The hearing will examine the sweeping operational and organizational changes at the Postal Service that experts warn could degrade delivery standards, slow the mail and potentially impair the rights of eligible Americans to cast their votes through the mail in the upcoming November elections,' the statement released Sunday declares.

Trump has railed against mail-in voting for months, claiming a universal remote voting measure could lead to higher levels of voter fraud and would disproportionately benefit Democrats.

CNN's take Tapper asserted to Meadows on Sunday: 'There's no evidence of widespread voter fraud.'

'There's no evidence that there's not either. That's the definition of fraud,' the chief of staff argued.

Meadows added that the Democrats could obtain more postal funding to bolster mail-in voting efforts if they are ready to make a deal on the stimulus package.

'If my Democrat friends are all upset about this, come back to Washington' to reach agreement on a stimulus package including aid for small businesses, he said during his appearance on CNN.

'Put the postal funding in there. We'll pass it tomorrow,' Meadows said. 'The president will sign it.'

Biden has dismissed the president's stance as 'Pure Trump,' saying, 'He doesn't want an election.'

And Senator Kamala Harris, who is slated to accept the party's nomination as Biden's running mate on Wednesday, tweeted: 'We cannot let Donald Trump destroy the United States Postal Service.'

Trump has long been a critic of the postal service, insisting it is poorly managed, but his latest charges come at a time when he trails Biden in most polls. An NBC News-Wall Street Journal survey released Sunday showed the former vice president with a nine point lead over Trump among registered voters.

The matter has drawn intense attention across the country -- the postal service being one government agency that directly touches every American.

Demonstrators gather outside the home of US Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to voice their anger over concerns about the viability of mail-in voting for the 2020 presidential election

On Saturday, protesters gathered at the Washington home of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a recent Trump appointee, blaring horns and banging pots in anger.

USPS spokesman David Partenheimer attributed changes at the agency to its poor financial state.

'We are not slowing down election mail or any other mail,' he told AFP.

'The Postal Service is in a financially unsustainable position, stemming from substantial declines in mail volume and a broken business model,' he explained.

He called on Congress and regulators to enact reforms.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested that mail-in voting is susceptible to widespread fraud -- an argument not backed by experts

But Congress remains deadlocked over a new stimulus bill to follow the $2.2 trillion CARES Act package passed in March.

Democrats have proposed giving the USPS billions of dollars in funding. Trump, after initially saying he opposed that, said Friday that perhaps some new funds could be included in a compromise.

The president said candidly in April that mail-in voting 'doesn't work out well for Republicans.' He has repeatedly described such ballots as prone to fraud.

Experts disagree.

A study this year by New York University's Brennan Center for Justice found that 'it is... more likely for an American to be struck by lightning than to commit mail voting fraud.'

In an interview, American Postal Workers Union President Mark Dimondstein blamed the nationwide slowdowns in mail deliveries on measures implemented by DeJoy, a Republican fundraiser who has pledged to reform the agency.

Dimondstein said overtime for postal workers was recently reduced. That, combined with the around 40,000 workers who have had to quarantine since March because of COVID-19, has created delays.

'But the same work is still there to get done,' Dimondstein said.

Some say the US Postal Service (USPS) is unduly removing street mailboxes before the 2020 election

As concerns mount over the USPS's ability to handle the expected surge in ballots, states are working to ensure their residents' votes count.

Pennsylvania this week asked its supreme court to push back its deadline for accepting mail-in ballots.

In a court filing, it cited a letter from a USPS official to the state warning of 'a risk that ballots requested near the deadline under state law will not be returned by mail in time to be counted.'

The Washington Post reported on Friday similar notices were sent to 45 other states and the District of Columbia.

Dimondstein said he hoped Trump's 'brazen challenge to the democratic right -- that somehow he's going to starve this institution to suppress the vote -- somehow gives more impetus to Congress to react.'

'Congress needs to act, and they need to act soon,' he said.
By Tanisha Garner

As a Newark resident and an NJ Transit bus rider, I know better than most that now, more than ever, public transit is an essential lifeline for the people of Newark. Essex County has been hard-hit by the pandemic: we have the highest rate of deaths from COVID-19 in New Jersey. Newark is a majority Black city with a high poverty rate, were on the front lines of the crisis and many of us have to commute via transit, including outside of the city, for work. COVID-19 has shed a light on many inequalities and has had an enormous economic impact on Black and brown communities.

Even before COVID-19, our city relied on transit: two-fifths of Newark households do not own a car, and the median annual household income is only $35,000. Newark is home to some of the wealthiest corporations and serves as a transportation hub that connects to the rest of the world through Port Newark, Newark International Airport and Newark Penn Station. But during the pandemic, bus and train ridership has fallen dramatically and with it the passenger fares that keep our buses and trains moving. Now, those of us who rely on transit are looking at a crisis: if NJ Transit doesnt have money, they cant run service. That cannot happen. I need transit and so do millions of other people like me.

I thought things would be better when Congress passed the CARES Act. It provided emergency relief to transit systems around the country, including NJ Transit. But that money was not enough -- and soon it will run out. Experts agree that our transit systems around the country need $32 billion in relief right now. Yet, Congress is debating whether to provide more transit funding and how much. Or they should be debating -- the House passed a plan already, but the Senate left town.

Our New Jersey senators, Robert Menendez and Cory Booker, and several members of our House delegation are on the record supporting the $32 billion we need. While were glad for their support, they cannot stop fighting until we get the money needed to save our buses and trains. Thats why I, along with other members of Tri-State Transportation Campaign, have been calling on Congress to fund transit.

Systemic racism plays out in higher COVID-19 death rates for Black and brown New Jerseyans. It is also seen in the impacts COVID-19 is having on public transit. Urban areas need public transportation. Many of my neighbors cannot work from home or have not been able to work during the pandemic. They depend on buses and trains to travel to school, work and home. We need transit properly funded to meet the needs of Newark residents and people across our state. Bus service needs to be extended during peak hours to handle the high numbers of riders who need to reach their destinations on time.

We need transit to be clean, safe and reliable, especially now for essential workers. If Congress doesnt deliver the $32 billion needed, it will be impossible to provide the cleaning and the personal protective equipment needed to protect transit riders and workers from the virus. Riders will see service cuts and fare hikes worse than those from the Great Recession. For many of us, we are already strapped for cash for the bus and cannot afford to have less service on our routes. The potential consequences would cause many people in my community to lose their jobs, take on different or additional jobs, bear the financial burden of owning a car, or be uprooted from the place theyve called home for generations.

Housing for all, good jobs and better buses help keep families on the brink out of poverty, and, now more than ever, keep families together. Good bus service is a powerful tool to lift people out of poverty: it expands circles of opportunity, providing access to a greater range of housing and jobs for car-free households. It is critical that transit is properly funded to meet the needs of riders. We need New Jerseys congressional delegation to protect us from being negatively impacted by the pandemic and to step up again to provide emergency funding for transit.

Tanisha Garner, a lifelong resident of Newark, serves as the president of the Ironbound Super Neighborhood Council and is a member of Tri-State Transportation Campaigns bus rider group.

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Note to readers: The headline on this story has been revised to reflect more accurately the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the seven men listed. The headline originally said they died in police custody.

Concerned residents, activists and families of men who have died in encounters with police gathered to celebrate their lives Saturday evening on the grass-covered steps of Arneson River Theater.

The crowd members observed social distancing as they filled the steps at La Villita Historic Arts Village, where River Walk tourists raised fists from river barges and passersby flashed thumbs up in solidarity with the people attending the Healing Home vigil.

A scent of burning sage wafted through the air as Maria Turvin from Yanawana Herbolarios established a healing space for the event.

The friends and family carried signs that asked for no more victims. They wore T-shirts that bore the names of men killed in confrontations with police: Marquise Jones. Jesse Aguirre. Charles Chop Chop Roundtree Jr. Antronie Scott. Norman Cooper. Bobby Jo Phillips. Marcus McVae.

Camille Wright, 27, with Black Futures Collective and Defund Coalition SA, said the city needs to remember those names.

Until all of these families get justice, our work is never done, she said. And even after that they need to know that we are here. I will continue to stand with these families and make sure that they get the reparations they deserve.

An ofrenda, a shrine, with flowers, candles and photos of all the deceased, was set up along a wall.

More than 100 people attended the vigil, hosted by Realible Revolutionaries. Its one of the ongoing rallies that have been held across the nation since the death of George Floyd, an African American man killed May 25 while in custody of Minneapolis police officers.

Saturday night, the deceased were honored with songs, live music and poetry.

Jeaux Parks of Reliable Revolutionaries told the family members that everyone in attendance mourned with them and that they were not alone.

In June, protesters called for Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales to reopen the cases of Jones, Scott and Roundtree. The district attorney said he could sympathize with the families grief but there wasnt any new evidence to warrant reopening the cases.

Community activist and former Councilman Mario Salas welcomed the attendees. In 1968, he was among the protesters who called for reforms after two San Antonio police officers beat Phillips, a Black man, who died from the injuries.

At the time, hundreds joined protests organized by Salas and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee on downtown streets. According to the book Civil Rights and Beyond, the protests resulted in the SAPD adopting the concept of police-civilian review and starting its Internal Affairs Division.

Aguirre died April 12, 2013, while handcuffed in police custody. Officers had responded to calls that he appeared disoriented while he walked next to traffic on U.S. 90 near Cupples Road. A police dashcam video showed Aguirre face down on the pavement, held down by officers until he was still.

Cooper, 33, died April 19, 2015, after two officers shot him with a Taser. In early August, his father, Noble Cooper Jr., 70, drove one of more than 200 cars in a caravan for justice from the AT&T Center to Monterrey Park on the West Side.

Antronie Scott Jr. told the crowd that its hard to relive the moment his father was killed. He said the last words his father said to him were I love you son, Ill see you soon.

A part of me is gone, Antronie Scott Jr. said.

On Feb. 4, 2016, Scott, 36, was shot as he stepped from his car with a cellphone in his hand as police officers attempted to arrest him on two felony warrants. The officer said he thought Scott had a gun.

The officer was not charged.

An off-duty SAPD officer working as a security guard at Chachos and Chaluccis, a Northeast Side restaurant, shot Jones, 23, in February 2014. The officer said Jones ran and pointed a gun. Jones family and witnesses disputed the officers account and said he wasnt holding a gun. No indictments were returned in the case.

The family of Charles Chop Chop Roundtree Jr. remembered him as a jokester and free spirit who always had a smile. In October 2018, an officer shot Roundtree, 18, on the West Side during an assault investigation. Roundtree was unarmed.

Roundtrees family said the officer opened the door without warning, shined a light inside and fired his weapon. Sitting on the couch, Roundtree was fatally struck in the chest.

No charges were filed against the officer.

Parks said all of the men deserved to live full lives, get married, have children and know what it felt like to love someone more than they loved themselves. Her voice broke as she addressed the Roundtree family and told them how much he loved them.

I thought I could do this, Im sorry, she said, as the crowd gave her a round of supportive applause.

Dont be sorry, a woman shouted, Weve got you!

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
MANISTEE  On Tuesday, Manistee City Council is set to consider several extensions for local projects again for a second reading of two new ordinances.

At the last regular council meeting, council voted to extend permits and licenses that would expire on Oct. 24.

However, a second reading is required for an ordinance and if adopted at Tuesdays meeting, the measure would take effect with a new expiration date of April 1, 2021 for current permit holders.

The measure was introduced on Aug. 5 after local marijuana businesses that have yet to open, ran into construction and permit/licensing issues due to the pandemic.

This extension gives the businesses more time to complete their projects and open.

Trevor Wisniewski, president of Great Lakes Natural Remedies, requested in a letter to the city, an extension on the 240 Arthur St. project.

In early March, Wisniewski told the News Advocate that he planned to open a medical and adult-use location that he hoped would open this summer.

If everything goes according to plan, with no setbacks, we could have our project completed by Dec. 31 of this year. However, given the pandemic, there are outside forces that could continue to affect our timeline," Wisniewski said in his letter to council.

He said Great Lakes Naturals has had many setbacks due to COVID-19 this year and that The pandemic continues to interfere with our schedule."

RELATED: Council OKs marijuana permit holders extension

RELATED: New marijuana store to open in Manistee

A similar situation was presented with the Hillcrest Apartments project earlier this month and council introduced an ordinance for an extension to the projects requisite completion date.

The original completion date as required was Feb. 15, 2021, but a second reading of the ordinance would give an extension a new date of Aug. 17, 2022 to finish the work.

Hillcrest Apartments is proposed at the former Washington Elementary School property, located on Ford Street bordering Short Street and Third Avenue.

Joe Hollander of Hollander Development told council on Aug. 5 that part of the reason for the request stems from a backlog of construction jobs.

We thought that we would be finished by the end of next year, 2021, and so were effectively asking for another six months to a year, Hollander told council. There are a limited number of contractors within the state and tradespeople within the state who can do multifamily construction and theres a big backup in the jobs that was caused by the COVID virus.

RELATED: Extension granted for Manistee apartment project

According to the meeting agenda, council will also consider the following at the Tuesday meeting at 7 p.m. at the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts:

 Council could take action to approve the service agreement between the Manistee Downtown Development Authority and Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce to make the chamber serve as the DDA executive director.

 Council could take action to authorize submission of a grant application to the Local Revenue Sharing Board for fire department helmets and structural firefighting boots in the amount of $8,320.

 Council could take action to extend a contract for fish waste removal from First Street Beach.

 Council could take action to approve the purchase of two pickup trucks from Gorno Ford for the total delivered price of $63,360.

 Council could take action to approve an extension of the Generator Maintenance Agreement with Graham Electric Motor Service for an additional three years.

 Council could take action to appoint a voting delegate and an alternate for the Michigan Municipal League Annual Convention.

The next council work session on Sept. 8, is expected to include discussions on:

 Banning retail pet sales in the city;

 A presentation of the Gateway Project; and

 Discussion on electric vehicle charging options.
Why is there confusion about going back to school?

Much of it is based around the fact each school is different and boards of management implement their own policies. Each board of management has taken the Government's roadmap to reopen schools, studied it and interpreted it before implementing new polices they feel align with the Government's plan.

Interpreting the plan should be easy, right?

Not necessarily, as each school is different and they have to apply the plan in a way that suits their building, staff and pupils. This is pretty normal and is happening in other sectors, with offices, supermarkets and other buildings applying Covid-19 guidelines in ways that suit them and, hopefully, are considered safe. There are, however, also areas of the roadmap that teachers, parents and school leaders feel they would like to see greater clarity on.

Such as?

Well, there is concern that some of the guidelines can be interpreted in different ways. Some schools have asked for clarity on the issue of social distancing in classrooms. Children are being segregated into pods and third class up have to practise social distancing.

What's a pod?

The Department of Education says children are to be sectioned off into pods of between four and six pupils in classes and separated by at least a metre from their classmates. Some schools are unsure if the one metre requirement also applies within the pods so that children must be at least one metre away from another pupil at all times.

Do they have to wear face coverings?

Teachers at primary and secondary level will be required to wear face coverings when a two- metre distance cannot be maintained. The same applies to secondary school children. There is nothing enforcing face coverings for primary school children but some schools say they are likely to apply some discretion here if an anxious child is more comfortable with a face covering.

And what's this with the school uniforms? Is my washing machine going to be on morning, noon and night? It sounds expensive too.

It would be but, again, that's down to individual school policies. Some parents are pretty annoyed because their child's school has asked then to have multiple school uniforms which can be washed between each use. It's not in any of the public health advice that has been issued. The department says school uniform policy is a matter for the boards of management at each school.

I'll tell you what else must be expensive, all this work going on in schools. The builders must be doing well.

According to Education Minister Norma Foley, more than 160m has been spent on minor works in schools, PPE bills and on getting schools ready to reopen. It's likely more money is going to be spent here too. In the majority of cases schools are putting in new one-way systems and hand sanitisers are going to be dotted everywhere.

What happens if Covid-19 gets in to a school?

This is what principals dread and they aren't pleased with these plans. The official advice is if a person develops symptoms, they should self-isolate and call their GP straight away. The doctor will assess whether they need a Covid-19 test. If the test is negative, fine. If the test is positive the HSE protocols kick in and public health teams will inform any staff, parents or students who came into close contact with a diagnosed case via the contact tracing process and advise on the appropriate action.

That seems pretty normal?

It is but the schools want access to rapid testing because if multiple teachers are out sick at the same time waiting for a test, and there is a difficulty getting substitute cover, the worst-case scenario is kids will have to stay at home. Nobody wants that.
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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has hinted that Ghana is preparing to reopen its borders for human traffic by September 1.



According to him, Ghana will open its borders to international travelers after conclusion of consultations with stakeholders.



In the 15th update on the Coronavirus situation in Ghana on Sunday, August 16, 2020, President Akufo-Addo said his government has conducted a study to ascertain its preparedness to open the countrys borders to international travels.



"I know many still ask whether our borders, especially our international airport, Kotoka International Airport will be opened.



"Under my instructions the Ministry of Aviation, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) have been working with the Ministry of Health and its agencies to ascertain our readiness to re-open our airport."



"I want to ensure that we are in a position to test every single passenger who arrives in the country to avoid the spread of the virus. The outcome of that exercise will show us the way and determine when we can re-open our border by air.



"I'm hoping that by God's grace we will be ready to do so by the 1st of September [2020]. Until further notice, our borders by air, land and sea remain closed to human traffic," President Akufo-Addo said.

Source: peacefmonline.com









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Being pregnant is a wonderful experience, but at the same it can be incredibly stressful - throw a global pandemic into the mix and those nine months may see an expecting mother go from happy and joyful, to fearful and concerned.

Image courtesy of Getty Images.

The impact of chronic emotional stress on human growth has been investigated by scientists for decades, with many studies specifically focusing on how the birth weight of babies is impacted as this is one of the key predictors of health risks at birth and in later life.

The consequences of low birth weight - defined as a weight of less than 2500 grams for a pregnancy duration between 37-42 weeks (weight adjusted for shorter pregnancies) - include an increased risk of: infection; poor learning and school performance; psychological problems; reduced adult earnings; adult overweight, diabetes, and heart disease; and, on average, an earlier age at death, say researchers.

Emeritus Professor Barry Bogin, an expert in Biological Anthropology in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, has reviewed previous 'biocultural' studies - including his analysis of changes in birth weight related to the 2008 financial crisis in Spain - to predict how COVID-19 will impact the birth weight of the next generation. The biocultural approach considers how social and emotional factors interact and impact human biology.

His predictions and reasonings feature in a forthcoming special issue on the COVID-19 pandemic in the American Journal of Human Biology. Professor Bogin's invited commentary- a journal piece that encourages further exchange of ideas in the research community - is co-authored with Dr Carlos Varea, of Madrid Autonomous University, the principal investigator on the Spanish birth weight project.

The pair predict that "it will take two or more generations to assess the biocultural consequences of the COVID19 crisis on peoplefrom fetuses to the aged."

However, "one may hypothesize that for the immediate future there will be a global rise in maternal emotional stress and a decline in birth weight".

Reaching this conclusion

At some point or another, you may have told a pregnant woman to 'stay relaxed' or to 'not get stressed' due to concerns that a flare in emotions may impact their unborn baby, and you are correct to believe that extreme psychological stress can have a biological/physical impact.

Professor Bogin and Dr Varea explain in their commentary how chronic stress can lead to a variety of different biological changes in the body - ranging from cellular-level tweaks to altering hormone levels.

They define 'chronic stress' as insecurity related to money, housing, social support. It includes worry about job loss, loss of benefits, loss of a partner, or loss of housing.

The pair explored the link between maternal stress and birth weight by reviewing "eight cohort studies with about 8,271 pregnant women and 1,081,151 children".

They found "there was a statistically significant association between antenatal stress exposure and increasing rates of low birth weight" and conclude the "fundamental message from this review ismaternal stress lowers birth weight."

The scientists also cite the findings of their Spanish birth weight project [focused on the 2008 financial crisis] in support of their hypothesis that COVID-19 will lead to lower birth weights as a result of a rise in maternal stress.

"We reported a decline in birth weight across virtually all maternal socialeconomic groups in Spain in the years leading up to, and especially, during the financial crisis", write Professor Bogin and Dr Varea. "Our findings are supported by studies reporting reduced birth weight in Portugal, Iceland, Japan, and Greece during the 2008 banking system crisis, which was a global financial pandemic."

Of the need to look at COVID-19 through a biocultural perspective, Professor Bogin and Dr Varea said: "Fear of pandemic disease spreads as fast and as deep as the disease itself. The fear playsout in many ways, from extremes of paranoia and violence, to xenophobia, closed borders, economic lockdowns, and social distancing. The fear pervades every level of society. The fear causes emotional stress. Chronic emotional stressfrom insecurity that lasts for months or yearshas biological impacts on people."

They continued: "Pregnant women, their fetuses, and young people of all ages will suffer if exposed to chronic, toxic emotional stress. Chronic toxic stress takes a toll on human health, including the physical growth of people, as much as do food shortages and infection."

Professor Bogin hopes the commentary will prompt biocultural studies on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that will lead to better understanding of the ways in which emotional stress affects not only pregnant women, but infants, children, teenagers and adults of all ages.

He also hopes it will encourage the government and health workers to provide additional support to expecting mothers.

Understanding birth weight is important as it is one of the most sensitive indicators of health of a newborn and its future health. We hope to raise awareness of the likelihood of lower birth weight infants so that governments and public health workers can address the issue at the earliest possible time and with the best available resources. Governments and their public health workers need to assure that social, economic, and emotional support are available - to everyone. People need to be told how and where to access this support, in multiple languages. Pregnant women should also attend their scheduled medical exams and speak with their medical doctors about the progress of the pregnancy." Emeritus Professor Barry Bogin

Professor Bogin and Dr Varea's commentary, titled 'COVID 19, crisis, and emotional stress: A biocultural perspective of their impact on growth and development for the next generation', can be read in its entirety here.
Chinese security officials raid moms group affiliated with house church

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Authorities in Chinas Xiamen city raided a moms group affiliated with an influential house church as they held a meeting in a private home to talk about parenting. Officers accused the women of organizing unauthorized religious activities and apprehended them for interrogation at a police station, according to reports.

Public security officials barged into the meeting on Wednesday morning without showing any documents authorizing them to raid the group in the port city on Chinas southeast coast in Fujian Province, the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern reported.

About a dozen mothers who had gathered to share books and discuss parenting were then taken to the Wucun police station, likely because of their affiliation with Xunsiding Church, which was disbanded by the government last year. Police released them in the afternoon after the Communist Party's Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau issued an order demanding the women correct their behavior, International Christian Concern said.

The owner of the house where the meeting was held was accused of violating the Regulations of Religious Affairs by organizing unauthorized religious activities. The owner was warned that if the behavior was not corrected, administrative punishment would follow, China Aid reported.

The historic Xunsiding Church was shut down by authorities last May.

Gina Goh, a regional manager for International Christian Concern in Southeast Asia, recently said that China had resumed its crackdown on Christianity after the threat posed by the coronavirus pandemic had reduced.

In recent weeks, we have seen an increased number of church demolitions and cross removals on state-sanctioned churches across China, as house church gatherings continue to face interruption and harassment. It is deplorable that the local authorities not only conducted this raid without proper procedure but deployed excessive use of force against church members and bystanders, she said.

State-sponsored churches in parts of China that were forced to close due to COVID-19 lockdowns are only permitted to reopen if they hand money over to the Chinese Communist Party, according to a recent report.

A Three-Self church director from Heze, a prefecture-level city in the eastern province of Shandong, told Bitter Winter, a publication produced by the Center for Studies on New Religion which covers human rights issues in China, that state-run churches in the area had been ordered to collect money for coronavirus-affected areas. According to the director, officials from the CCP's Religious Affairs Bureau threatened to shut down many churches if they did not donate.

Authorities in Zhangcun town issued donation quotas ranging from 4,000 to 10,000 RMB (between $560 and $1,400) to Three-Self churches, while Christians in Xianju were ordered to donate 100 RMB (about $14) to Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak.

Bitter Winter reported in June that authorities had removed crosses from more than 250 state-sanctioned churches in Anhui province between January and April.

In its 2020 annual report, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom noted that not only have authorities removed crosses from churches across the nation, but they have also banned youth aged 18 and younger from participating in religious services.

On Open Doors USAs World Watch List, China is ranked as one of the worst countries in the world when it comes to the persecution of Christians. The organization notes that all churches are perceived as a threat if they become too large, too political, or invite foreign guests.
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, offered rare Republican criticism of the Trump administration's coronavirus response Friday, saying the federal government dismissed the virus's threat and failed to protect Americans as infections spiraled out of control.

"Short term, I think it's fair to say we really have not distinguished ourselves in a positive way by how we responded to the crisis when it was upon us," Romney said in a video interview with the Sutherland Institute. "And the proof of the pudding of that is simply that we have 5 percent of the world's population but 25 percent of the world's deaths due to covid-19.

"And there's no way to spin that in a positive light," Romney added.

At least 166,000 people nationwide have died of coronavirus-related complications - about 21 percent of the worldwide death toll. An additional 1,222 U.S. deaths were reported Friday and 1,218 were reported Saturday as of late evening.

Here are some other significant developments:

- The number and rate of infections in children under 17 have increased since March, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in recently updated guidance, underscoring the risk for young people and their families as schools weigh whether to reopen with in-person instruction. Although the virus is far more prevalent and severe among adults, the true incidence of infection in U.S. children remains unknown because of a lack of widespread testing, according to the agency.

- The Food and Drug Administration granted emergency-use authorization Saturday to a saliva-based coronavirus test, developed by Yale University researchers, that aims to reduce turnaround times in commercial laboratories.

- New York continued to report progress against the virus after experiencing the country's most severe outbreak in the spring. Hospitalizations reached their lowest point since March 17, officials said. The state reported a record 88,668 tests Friday, with fewer than 1 percent coming back positive for the eighth consecutive day.

- President Donald Trump said he opposes both election aid for states and an emergency bailout for the U.S. Postal Service because he wants to limit how many Americans can vote by mail in November.

The president has sought to avoid responsibility for mounting a national response to the pandemic, leaving major decisions about containing the virus to state governors. At times, he has encouraged popular resistance to wearing face masks and following other guidelines recommended by health officials in his administration.

Trump has also erroneously blamed coronavirus testing for the United States' high death toll and caseload. Surges of infections across the South and West this summer outpaced the expansion of tests in many places, and rising positivity rates and hospitalizations made clear that the spread of the virus was accelerating.

In his Friday interview, Romney said the administration did not "ring all the alarm bells" early on in the pandemic. He faulted officials for failing to put the federal government in charge of distributing personal protective equipment, manufacturing essential supplies and setting guidelines for businesses.

"From the outset, there was a tendency on the part of the administration to dismiss covid-19 as a threat, not to consider how serious it could become," he said, referring to the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. "The health impact of covid-19 on our country and our response to it was really very, very disappointing."

This was not the first time Romney has accused the administration of mismanaging the pandemic. In mid-May, he criticized the Trump administration's early coronavirus testing rollout, saying the administration had "treaded water" during February and March and that its actions were "nothing to celebrate."

Trump has defended the response, noting at a Thursday news conference that the administration had tapped manufacturers to increase production of masks, ventilators and other equipment.

Nationwide testing remains far below what health experts say is necessary to adequately track the virus and prevent new outbreaks.

Over the past two weeks, the seven-day average for tests administered daily in the United States has fallen sharply after increasing every month since the beginning of the pandemic. As of Friday, the country was administering an average of about 747,000 tests daily, down from a peak of about 823,000 in late July, according to data from the Covid Tracking Project.

The decline comes after coronavirus patients and health officials around the country have reported waiting a week or more for results - a delay that experts say effectively renders tests useless in controlling virus transmission.

Debate over the U.S. testing dilemma flared Friday when Ashish Jha, director of the global health institute at Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, criticized Brett Giroir, the White House's testing czar, over his handling of the crisis. Giroir said in a recent call with reporters that he did not recommend a "strategy of testing everyone on a frequent basis."

"Admiral Giroir fundamentally misunderstands the purposes of testing, which is unfortunate, because he is our national testing czar, so you think he would have a better understanding," Jha said in an interview with CNN.

He later said he thought Giroir was a "patriot" and "trying his best," but reiterated that the country needed to perform millions of tests per day to get a handle on the pandemic.

Giroir responded that those numbers were unrealistic.

"There is no physical way to do 5 million tests per day in this country," he told CNN. "If there is a way to turn it from 1 million to 5 million today, let me know."

"Everything that can possibly be done has been done," Giroir added.

As part of the federal government's efforts to make testing faster and cheaper, the FDA granted emergency use authorization Saturday to a coronavirus test developed by Yale researchers. The technology is designed to reduce turnaround times in commercial laboratories.

The diagnostic test, which is called SalivaDirect, does not require a swab or a special collection device; a sample can be collected in any sterile container, the FDA said. Nor does it require a separate step to extract nucleic acids, a process that is time-consuming and relies on components that have often been in short supply.

Researchers at the Yale School of Public Health said the test is less expensive than traditional testing and offers comparable results. The school does not intend to commercialize the test, which does not rely on proprietary equipment. It can be assembled by labs across the country. The test is the fifth that the FDA has authorized that uses saliva as a sample.

Declines in testing make it harder to determine the extent of virus transmission and gauge the impact of public health measures, especially in hard-hit states.

In Arizona, reported infections and hospitalizations are down after skyrocketing in late June and early July, according to the state's data. But testing has also slowed dramatically, dropping from daily highs of more than 23,000 last month to less than 12,000 for the past two weeks.

Bonnie LaFleur, a biostatistics research professor at the University of Arizona, said that while she has seen irregularities in some labs' reporting of test results, the state was showing "a positive downward trend in general."

Texas has also reported declines in both new daily cases and daily tests over the past few weeks, creating a clouded picture of the state's success against the virus. Further complicating the situation, state health officials reported a batch of more than 124,000 test results Thursday that they said was backlogged because of a technical error, according to the Texas Tribune. Officials said they were working to figure out when the tests were conducted.

Similar problems have cropped up in California, where officials say a technical glitch created a backlog of as many as 300,000 records, causing an underreporting of cases since July 25.

Other states severely affected by the summer surge in cases continued to report falling infection numbers. Florida reported 6,352 new cases Saturday, the fewest the state has tallied on any Saturday since June 20, according to tracking by The Washington Post. Coronavirus-related deaths, however, continued to trend upward in Florida, which reported 204 fatalities Saturday.

Nationwide, the United States continues to report more than 1,000 coronavirus-related deaths every day. Health officials reported 56,754 new infections as of Saturday evening - roughly even with the 56,555 cases announced on the same day the week before.

- - -

The Washington Post's Laurie McGinley and Hannah Knowles contributed to this report.
Two gurus of the financial world, Warren Buffett and George Soros, celebrate their 90th birthdays this month. They are towering figures with the aura of visionaries. In the pandemic, their wisdom is sought more avidly than ever.

On the face of it, they are poles apart.

Buffett is the all-American investor, with deep and immovable Nebraskan roots.

Birthday boys: Warren Buffett (left) is the all-American investor, while George Soros is the quintessential European

Soros is the quintessential European, profoundly engaged with the continent, its complex history and its fractured present.

In the popular imagination, he is the arch-speculator. He is embedded in British folklore as the hedge fund manager who 'broke the Bank of England' in 1992  albeit that by forcing our exit from the ERM, a precursor of the single currency, he did us a huge favour.

Buffett, known as the Sage of Omaha, is the ultimate long-termist, who learned at the feet of the legendary American investor Benjamin Graham.

He wraps up his messages in deceptively simple homespun homilies like this one, my favourite: 'Cash is to a business as oxygen is to an individual: never thought about when it is present, the only thing in mind when it is absent.'

Claiming to regard himself as a failed philosopher, Soros is more Cafe de Flore than cherry coke.

He developed a conceptual framework around 'fallibility' and 'reflexivity' about the complex relationship between thinking and reality, and claims it gave him the edge as an investor.

For all their differences, the fact both were born at the start of the Thirties is significant. That turbulent decade, and the one that followed, shaped their outlook and placed them outside the mainstream.

Soros found it hard to embrace conventional economic theory, which is based on the notion of equilibrium, because of his experience as a 14-year-old when the Nazis invaded his native Hungary.

The threat of being deported and killed just for being Jewish was, he drily notes, 'far from equilibrium'.

Growing up in the agricultural state of Nebraska, Buffett was irrevocably marked by the Great Depression, when the bank where his father worked went under and plunged the family into hardship.

Living there most of the rest of his life has literally set him apart from the Wall Street herd.

Soros is the more overtly political of the two. He believes passionately that only open, democratic societies can thrive. Both have clashed with Donald Trump, whom Soros calls a 'confidence trickster' in a 90th birthday interview.

Buffett, who provoked the President's rage by selling shares in airlines, describes himself as a Democrat but not a card-carrying one.

Unlike the two great nonagenarians, most of us living in Europe and America now are too young to have experienced anything other than security, peace and prosperity. For decades, in the developed countries of the western world at least, we could delude ourselves we had beaten history.

Liberal democracy, capitalism and medical science have given us lives that would have been beyond people's wildest dreams 90 years ago.

As with cash or oxygen in Buffett's aphorism, we had the luxury of not needing to think about our great good fortune, but we do now.

What are their views?

Soros believes Europe is vulnerable to enemies inside and out. Germany and the frugal countries of the north, he says, need to ditch their opposition to large-scale borrowing so the EU has enough money to deal with the virus and climate change.

Buffett says his faith in 'the American miracle, the American magic' and by extension capitalism and democracy, is unshaken.

Covid-19 reminds us that health, wealth and freedom are not a natural state of being but can be snatched away in an instant.
She's established herself as one of the most controversial stars on The Bachelor this year, thanks to her epic meltdown over 'opression against rangas' last Wednesday.

And Zoe-Clare McDonald, 23, was happy to soak up her new-found stardom on Saturday night as she arrived at The Regatta Hotel in Toowong, Brisbane.

Going braless in a cropped white singlet top, the red-hared reality star flaunted her trim midriff as she and a gal pal arrived at the venue.

Painting the town red! The Bachelor's Zoe-Clare McDonald, 23, showcased her trim waist in a tiny white crop top she arrived at The Regatta Hotel in Toowong, Queensland

Zoe-Clare looked effortlessly stylish in a pair of black high-waisted flared jeans, and accessorised her look with heeled black flip-flops and a small baguette-style shoulder bag.

Unfortunately, when it came to her famous fiery locks, the sales manager suffered a rather unfortunate faux pas.

From the back, Zoe-Clare's clip-in hair extensions could be clearly seen poking out between her natural hair.

Happens to the best of us! Unfortunate faux pas: From the back, Zoe-Clare's clip-in hair extensions could be clearly seen poking out between her natural hair

Stunning: Joined by a gal pal (left), Zoe-Clare looked effortlessly stylish in a pair of black high-waisted flared jeans, and accessorised her look with heeled black flip-flops and a small baguette-style shoulder bag

The blonde colour of her extensions were also noticeably different to the red colour of her natural, shoulder-length locks.

Zoe-Clare went on a stunning rant during last Wednesday's premiere episode of The Bachelor, claiming fellow contestant Areeba Emmanuel had stolen Locklan 'Locky' Gilbert from under her because she's a 'ranga'.

'What's wrong with a ranga? I'm sorry, do you want me to dye my hair every 10 seconds. I'm so sorry, but this is natural guys. This is not going anywhere!' she fumed at the cocktail party.

Fighting words: Zoe-Clare went on a stunning rant during Wednesday's premiere episode of The Bachelor, claiming fellow contestant Areeba Emmanuel (pictured) had stolen Locklan 'Locky' Gilbert from under her because she's a 'ranga'

She added: 'I don't want to go through this experience being different because this sounds so stupid, but because of the colour of my goddamn hair. And that sucks. The colour of my complexion.'

Zoe-Clare continued, claiming she was being discriminated against because she's 'different', even though Areeba, 25, is one of the few people of colour on the show.

'You're still different. You're still a f**king ranga at the end of the day and that sucks because they think, no matter what, oh it's fine, she's different,' she continued.

'Like, did Areeba do it to any of the blonde girls? Any of the brunette girls? No.'
Grey area

The Immoralist by Andre Gide

This novella is a binge-friendly insomniacs dream come true. Gides protagonist Michel is nursed back to health by his wife Marceline after an attack of tuberculosis, following which he decides to live a life without a thought for morality. As he soaks himself in an existence where the senses reign supreme, it becomes evident that such a life must be lived at a lethal cost.

Love lessons

Gigi and The Cat by Colette

Part of literary and popular culture legend, this novella tells the story of a Parisian girl being groomed as a courtesan. A wealthy and bored man recruited to initiate her, falls for her. Does love conquer all? This ones for languorous afternoons with a pot of tea by your side.

Love only

Death in Venice by Thomas Mann

A sublime, heartbreaking read, this 1912 masterpiece is as much about captivity as liberation. Gustav von Aschenbach, a famous writer, travels to Venice looking for inspiration, and finds it in a beautiful Polish youth. As much a tragedy as a celebration of liberation, this is an important 20th century literary work.

Mind it

Harbart by Nabarun Bhattacharya

The story belongs to Harbart (Sarkar), Bengali rendition of the English Herbert, an intellectual occultist, his making and un-making, because, and there is no need for a spoiler alert, the novella begins with Harbart committing suicide.

Going Goth

Bhairavi by Shivani

This is Shivanis Northanger Abbey, with Gothic imagery and atmospherics, dexterously translated by Priyanka Sarkar and introduced by Shivanis daughter, renowned writer, Mrinal Pande.

Arpita Das is the founder of Yoda Press, an independent publishing house, which has produced award-winning titles on sexuality, dissent, cities, and new perspectives on history.

From HT Brunch, August 16, 2020

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The man who famously said, God is Dead and was instantly acclaimed by those who wished God to be dead also described Socialism as the tyranny of the least and the dumbest.

Thats a problem for Socialists because theyre the ones who want God dead.

Friedrich Nietzsche was the 19th century German philosopher who theorized about mans desire to fill the void in the absence of God by looking for a superman to rule the world. He called it a will to power. But Nietzsche firmly rejected Socialism as a governing philosophy, describing it as a restless mole under the soil of a society that wallows in stupidity. He added that the doctrine of socialism has at its core a will to negate life.

Socialism is all these things, and more. It is the religion of the Anti-Christ. In Marxist theory, Socialism is the final step in a transition to Communism, which is itself the final step to the establishment of a kingdom of darkness populated by human drones enslaved to support ruling elites.

Few remember (because these things are no longer taught) that the Communist Party of the Soviet Union began life in 1898 as the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party. Lenin, the first great leader of the Russian Social Democrats, hated Christians and Christianity. He wrote that Social-Democracy bases its whole world-outlook on Marxism and its philosophy of a materialism which is absolutely atheistic and positively hostile to religion. Marxism has always regarded all churches and every religious organization as instruments for the exploitation of less educated people.

This is the philosophy that infuses todays Democratic Party and seeks to turn America into a socialist paradise. Yet the last 100 years of world history demonstrates that Socialism has a record of failure so blatant and so costly in human lives and human happiness that only a tyrant, a fool, or someone dangerously ignorant of the truth, would ignore it.

Photo credit: public domain

See Edward Thals blog at edwardthal.wordpress.com
Education has a crucial role to play in making India self-reliant and prosperous and the new National Education Policy has been introduced with this objective, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday.

Addressing the nation on Indias 74th Independence Day from the ramparts of the Red Fort, the prime minister said the NEP seeks to strengthen research and innovation in the country to help it progress in a competitive world.

Education has an important role to play in making India self-reliant, happy and prosperous. With this objective, we have been able to give the country a new education policy after over three decades, Modi said.

This will shape the India of the 21st century. We will soon have citizens who shape a new India, ones who are global citizens but know and understand their roots. The new education policy also focuses on research and development to make India a key research and development destination for the world, he said.

The policy lays special emphasis on the National Research Foundation because innovation is important for the countrys progress. Only when we strengthen innovation and research will our country remain competitive and move ahead. The more innovation is strengthened in the country the more progress it will make in a competitive world, he added.

Approved by the government last month, the NEP replaces the 34-year-old National Policy on Education framed in 1986. It is aimed at paving the way for transformational reforms in school and higher education systems to make India a global knowledge superpower.

The prime minister also underlined the opportunity presented by the COVID-19 pandemic for the education sector in the form of online classes. Did anyone even think that online classes would reach our villages so quickly? Sometimes an opportunity can show itself even during a disaster. Online classes have become a culture during the times of COVID, he said.

Universities and schools across the country have been closed since March 16, when the Centre announced a countrywide classroom shutdown as part of measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. A nationwide lockdown was imposed on March 25.

The prolonged closure of educational institutions has mandated a shift from classroom teaching to online learning.

According to the HRD Ministry, the closure of schools has impacted over 240 million children in the country.
KV Navya By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: At least 1,000 auto-rickshaw drivers across the State have changed profession and begun selling vegetables, milk or fish for a living, rued M Sivaji, general secretary, CITU Auto Federation, adding that autos are turning into push carts in the State.

With schools, colleges and most offices closed, there has not been much demand for autos. These drivers lament that the government too has not offered any monetary support. According to Sivaji, in Tamil Nadu, there are 2,85,000 autos and the Rs 2,000 aid, which the government announced for auto drivers has only been provided to 7,000-odd drivers.

The relief amount was given only to those who have a membership in Social Welfare Board. But, only 24,000 of the 45,000 drivers, who had membership in the board, have renewed their membership. I have been driving an auto for the past 21 years and never faced such a situation in my life. While the neighbouring States governments have been supporting auto drivers, nothing has been done in Tamil Nadu.

Fed up after waiting for so long, I began to sell vegetables in July. I didnt even know anything about the trade, but when I began to do this business, I came across many auto drivers like me who are now selling dry fish, fruits or vegetables. We are certainly not happy with this job, but are forced to do something for a living, said A Karimulla from Tiruvallur.

Concurring, Arul Raj, an auto driver from Perambur said, As against the usual Rs 15,000 that I earn per month, I was not even able to earn Rs 200 per day during the lockdown. With rising fuel prices, we are only facing losses when we drive the auto. I am trying my hands at selling fish. I go from street to street in my auto, selling the days catch I buy from a local market. KK Senthil, an auto driver from Chennai said there have been instances of drivers burning their autos out of frustration.
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For the first time, the tricolour was hoisted at the iconic Times Square in New York on Saturday to celebrate India's 74th Independence Day.

India's Consul General in New York, Randhir Jaiswal hoisted the Indian flag during a special commemoration of the Independence Day at Times Square, organised by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), the leading umbrella diaspora organisation in the US.

SEE: Indian Tricolour hoisted for first time at New York's Times Square

Deputy Consul General Shatrughna Sinha, FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya, FIA veteran and prominent Indian-American physician Sudhir Parikh, renowned entrepreneur, philanthropist and community leader H R Shah, former FIA Presidents Alok Kumar and Srujal Parikh and other senior officials from the organisation and other community groups were joined by a large number of people from the Indian diaspora for the commemoration.

Addressing the gathering, Jaiswal said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined India's way forward and the aspirations to build a new India, and 'we are committed to taking our country forward on the basis of those aspirations'.

Jaiswal added that the celebration of India's Independence Day 'is as much a celebration of friendship with this beautiful country'.

He lauded the FIA for organising the 'historic event' when the Indian flag was unfurled for the first time in Times Square.

Vaidya said with the unfurling of the tricolour at Times Square, history has been created.

A large number of people, dressed in traditional Indian clothes and wearing masks, joined the celebration.

Waving the Indian and American flags, the people shouted slogans of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai', 'Vande Mataram' and 'Jai Hind'.

The American national anthem was sung, followed by the unfurling of the Indian flag and the singing of the Indian National Anthem.

The crowd erupted in huge cheers and applause as the Indian tricolour was hoisted in the heart of Times Square, alongside the American flag, commenting that it was indeed a proud and historic moment for all.

Former FIA Presidents Alok Kumar and Srujal Parikh said it was a historic moment for the Indian community that the tricolour was unfurled for the first time in Times Square.

"It is indeed a proud moment for all of us," they said.

The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) of the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut has said the Indian Independence Day celebrations this year will include the flag-hoisting ceremony at Times Square and the annual tradition of illuminating the Empire State Building in hues of the tricolour -- orange, white and green.

"The Times Square flag hoisting ceremony is a testament to the Indian American community's growing patriotism and is a fitting tribute to FIA which is celebrating its golden jubilee year," the FIA has said.

Established in 1970, the FIA is among the largest umbrella diaspora organisations.

The FIA annually organises its flagship event -- the India Day Parade to mark India's Independence Day in August.

Top US political leaders, lawmakers as well as prominent members of the Indian-American community and celebrities from India have participated in the annual parade that draws a crowd of thousands in the heart of Manhattan each year.

This year however the parade will not be held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Georgia state trooper was fired and charged with murder on Friday, one week after a 60-year-old Black man was fatally shot during a traffic stop over a broken taillight on his car, the authorities said.

The trooper, Jacob G. Thompson, 27, who is white, was charged on Friday by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation with felony murder and aggravated assault in connection with an Aug. 7 traffic stop that resulted in the death of Julian Edward Roosevelt Lewis of Sylvania, Ga.

Mr. Lewis was no threat as a 60-year-old man just trying to make it home from a convenience store run to get a grape soda for his wife, said Francys Johnson, a lawyer representing Mr. Lewiss family.

Image Jacob G. Thompson, who had been a Georgia state trooper since 2013, was fired and charged with felony murder and aggravated assault on Friday. Credit... Georgia Department of Public Safety, via Associated Press

A Georgia State Patrol report details how events unfolded:

Around 9 p.m. on Aug. 7, Mr. Thompson spotted Mr. Lewis near Sylvania, Ga., which is about 60 miles northwest of Savannah, driving with a broken taillight, followed him and attempted to pull him over.
National debt is an ongoing dilemma for many nations. This number represents all the money that a nations government has borrowed in order to keep functioning. National debt is acquired when countries borrow from each other, from federal agencies, and from private investors. You might think that large countries like the US would actually have little national debt because they are so big and powerful. In fact, the opposite is the case. When you look at the percentage of world debt, the US holds the greatest amount, followed by Japan, China, Italy, France, Germany and Brazil.

National debt is commonly expressed as a percentage that represents the countrys debt compared with its ability to pay it back. This is a ratio of the countrys debt to its gross domestic product or GDP. In 2017 the US debt-to-GDP ratio was about 105%, which is of concern. The highest the US national debt has ever been was when it reached 113% after World War II, setting a record. Debt fluctuates from year to year, but experts say they worry about a country defaulting on their national debt, meaning not being able to pay it back, when it rises over 77%. Somewhat shockingly, the US national debt has been over 100% since 2013.

Nations like the US go into debt when the government spends more than it receives in tax revenue in any given year. When this happens in the US, the Treasury Department borrows funds to compensate for the difference. The government does this by issuing notes, bonds, and bills that people and other institutions buy.

Unfortunately, the US has been in debt since 1836. Early on, the nation borrowed substantial amounts in order to fight off the British and gain independence, which it succeeded in paying off, causing the country to be debt-free for the last time in 1835. By the end of the US Civil War, the US had already acquired billions of dollars in debt.

Which countries have been able to avoid accruing large amounts of debt and why? Hong Kong, Brunei, and Estonia are all in the top ranks. Here is a look at how they did it.

Hong Kong 0.5%

Nations can reduce their debt by doing two main things: increasing taxes or reducing how much money they spend. Both of these approaches can slow down economic growth, but they are roads to getting the job done. Hong Kong is a country that has watched its spending closely, resulting in very little national debt, with a level of 0.5%. This is possible in part because Hong Kong has a market-driven economy with a banking sector that does very well. The country operates under well-regulated financial controls, and while it takes taxes from its citizens, it offers next to nothing in the way of welfare relief, social security, or government-supported healthcare. This keeps the budget balanced, but may not be good for all people living in the country.

Brunei natural resources of oil and gas allow for a small debt-to-GDP ratio and for its population to enjoy robust social services. Image credit: Kadagan/Shutterstock

Brunei 3%

Some countries have little national debt because they are very rich in natural resources that are valued throughout the world. Brunei is an example of this. Bruneis economy is run largely by exporting oil and gas. As long as the world needs these resources, it will remain prosperous. Unlike Hong Kong, Brunei has a robust welfare state that pays for its citizens' medical services and provides subsidies for housing and food expenses. Poverty does still exist in the country, but reports say that rates are not extremely high and may be lower than half that found in the US at 5%.

Estonia 9%

It may sound surprising but Estonia is home to one of the leading economies of Europe. The nation achieved this by following a path of aggressive liberal market reform following its independence from Russia after the First World War in 1918. Estonians now enjoy a balanced budget as well as a flat-rate income tax, whereby everyone pays the same amount. The country has a small homeless population and subsidized healthcare. Estonia does have a lot of people living in poverty, however, with an at-risk poverty rate slightly above 21%, and 2.4% living in absolute poverty.

In the 21st century, no country is without debt, and some of the most advanced countries also have the most debt by far. With the cases of Hong Kong, Brunei and Estonia, we can see that having little debt does not demonstrate any trends or pose any guarantees in terms of the quality of life for its residents, the type of government a country has, or its status and leadership on the world stage.
Wang Yi visits Tibet, says diplomatic front to work with region in safeguarding national security

Global Times

Source: Global Times Published: 2020/8/15 18:14:20

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the diplomatic front will work with people in Tibet to safeguard national security and support Tibet's opening-up as he visited the region on Friday, the Tibet Daily reported on Saturday.

His trip came against the backdrop of China-India border clash in the Galwan Valley in June.

On Friday, Wang met with Wu Yingjie, Tibet's Party secretary, and Qizhala, chairman of Tibet regional government, and other local officials.

Wang said that the security and stability of the region is important to the overall development of China.

Given the new period of major changes that's rarely been seen in a century and the complicated influence brought by the global coronavirus pandemic, the diplomatic front will work with people in Tibet to ensure regional stability, China's national security and support Tibet's opening-up and cooperation with the outside world, economic and social development, according to Wang.

Wang also mentioned the current international situation and China's diplomatic work saying that Tibet has made great achievements regarding economic development, stabilizing and developing border areas, joining external cooperation and participating in projects under the Belt and Road initiative.

Wang also visited the border area to learn about the situation of poverty alleviation, infrastructure building and the construction of villages, the Tibet Daily reported.

Wang conducts special "research trips" to several Chinese regions every year. For example, in February 2019, he visited the China-Myanmar border in Southwest China's Yunnan Province where he emphasized maintaining the stability of the border areas and promoting its development. In August 2019, Wang visited Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality to investigate the promotion of Belt and Road initiative.

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The Irish premier has expressed deep concern at an upsurge in Covid-19 cases in the country.

Taoiseach Micheal Martins comments come after Ireland recorded 200 new cases on Saturday  the highest daily rise since the start of May.

Mr Martin, deputy premier Leo Varadkar, Green Party leader and Government minister Eamon Ryan, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and acting chief medical officer Ronan Glynn met on Sunday morning to discuss the situation.

Yesterdays #COVID19 numbers were deeply concerning and this morning I discussed the evolving situation with the Tanaiste, Green Party Leader, Health Minister and acting CMO, Mr Martin tweeted.

Yesterdays #COVID19 numbers were deeply concerning and this morning I discussed the evolving situation with the Tanaiste, Green Party Leader, Health Minister and acting CMO. The Govt and NPHET will continue to monitor the situation closely.  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) August 16, 2020

He said the Government and the National Public Health Emergency Team would continue to monitor the situation closely.

Its essential that we adhere to the public health guidance and maintain social distancing to suppress this virus #HoldFirm, he added.

The total number of Covid-19 cases in Ireland since the outbreak began now stands at 27,191.

There were no further deaths reported on Saturday, with Irelands toll remaining at 1,774.

Of the new cases reported, 68% are people below the age of 45.

Sixty-eight of the cases are associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case, while 25 cases have been identified as having been contracted through community transmission.

A Covid-19 testing facility in Tullamore, Co Offaly (Niall Carson/PA)

Kildare, which is one of three counties currently subjected to localised lockdowns, saw the highest number of new infections at 81. Dublin had 56.

After Sundays meeting, a Government spokesman said: The Taoiseach, Tanaiste, Green Party leader, Health Minister and acting CMO met this morning to discuss the evolving Covid-19 situation and to examine the recent spike in cases.

They expressed deep concern at yesterdays figures. There will be a further analysis of the situation ahead of the Cabinet Committee on Covid, which will meet again on Tuesday.
Another 25 people have died of coronavirus in Victoria in the past day, and the state has recorded 282 new cases.

It marks the deadliest day for the nation since the pandemic began and brings the number of deaths in Australia to 421.

With Victorians spending more time in their homes under stage four and stage three restrictions, the government today announced a $20 million boost for family violence services.

This includes funding for a program that will enable 1500 perpetrators of family violence, or people who fear they are at risk of using it, to leave their homes and move into short- or long-term accommodation.
Depending on who is describing him, Alfred L. Griggs of Northampton is a successful businessman, a philanthropist or a proud veteran.

Some say he is passionate about ending food insecurity, while others say he is devoted to diversity and equity.

Griggs has many roles, and in October he will be honored with the Governors Award in the Humanities for his efforts to promote art, literature and philosophy to underserved populations in the Pioneer Valley.

The prestigious award recognizes individuals for their philanthropic work grounded in an appreciation of the humanities to enhance civic life in the state. Each year the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities board of directors selects nominees, who are confirmed by Gov. Charlie Baker.

Griggs served on the organizations board for six years.

We joined the board the same year and I have the fondest feelings towards Al, said Tom Putnam, chairman of the board. He has used his many life experiences and his professional success and applied it to having his community and the Commonwealth he cares so much about thrive.

Griggs life experiences range from graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1963, serving as a pilot in the Marine Corps from 1963 to 1968 and earning his masters degree from Harvard Business School in 1970. He ran A.L. Griggs Industries Inc. bottling Coca-Cola products in Northampton in a business he took over from his father, Osborne E. Griggs.

Griggs also has 30 years experience as a trustee of nonprofit organizations across western New England. Putnam said Griggs was the champion for Western Massachusetts on the Mass Humanities board.

He is a delightful man. In meeting him you can sense what an honorable person he is, what a dedicated person he is. He earns peoples respect immediately and he is deeply committed to the values of diversity and inclusion and social justice. He is a natural leader and he personifies working for the common good with others, he said.

Currently Griggs is chairman of the the board for Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA), a nonprofit headquartered in Deerfield that focuses on assisting farmers and others in creating a sustainable regional food and farming system. The program makes sure fresh produce is available to residents living in urban or rural areas with food deserts and food insecurity.

Al not only supports nonprofits himself, but is active in enlisting support for those he believes in. He introduced me to CISA, said Robyn Newhouse, vice president of The Republican. He is a great role model for regional philanthropy.

In 2010, Griggs and fellow community leader and veteran David Woods founded Leadership Pioneer Valley, an innovative program whose mission is to identify, develop and connect diverse leaders to strengthen the region.

There are many opportunities available, but not everyone has access to them, Griggs said. The idea behind it was to connect diverse groups of people in the community with leadership opportunities and see them thrive.

Katie Allan Zobel, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, where Griggs was a trustee for nine years and chairman for two years, said he has a lot of heart and compassion.

She credits Griggs and Paul S. Doherty, a lawyer and philanthropist who died in 2016, with establishing Valley Gives  a one-day fundraising push organized by the Community Foundation that helped charities large and small to raise money online and through social media. The campaign ran annually for six years and raised over $10 million for nonprofits in the Pioneer Valley.

He was really excited about this idea of a shared platform for all nonprofits in the Pioneer Valley to have one day of giving where everyone gets to participate and raise awareness, she said. Once the idea came about he was all in. There is nothing figurehead about him. Al is a roll up the sleeves, do the work kind of person.

Zobel remembers participating in a workshop for the Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley and seeing Griggs at the same session.

I saw him and thought, of course he would be here. Al understands the issues around diversity, equity and inclusion. If you just look at who he is on paper, a white man of a certain age, who served in the military and ran this very important business in the region, you get a sense of who he is or have a bias about who he is, but he is totally not that, she said. He is involved in so many things and his heart is around community and equity in the community.

During his time on the Mass Humanities board, Griggs was instrumental in bringing the Clemente Course in the Humanities to Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services in Springfield. The program provides scholarships to underserved people who have a desire to learn but did not complete their education. Through the program they can obtain two semesters of college-level instruction in five subject areas: art history, literature, philosophy, writing and critical thinking, and U.S. history.

The Clemente program is of enormous value to the participants, Griggs said. The idea of reading great literature and studying philosophy, it transforms peoples lives. I have this image of a mother sitting at her kitchen table reading Plato and her child asks her what she is doing and she can tell them she is studying philosophy. Its an incredible thing.

Zobel said Griggs is a very humble person, but he is an entrepreneur and social justice advocate at heart.

The work he has done with MLK and Mass Humanities is inspiring, but at the heart of it all is Al wanting to make sure that everyone has an opportunity and that there is equity in that opportunity, she said.

Griggs believes that while the state is rich in resources, not everyone can enjoy them.

There are so many libraries and museums with all the colleges in the state, and while access to the humanities for some people is not an issue, for people living in poverty they dont always have exposure to them, he said. Everyone deserves the opportunity to learn about history and read great literature and be inspired by a piece of art or poetry. Thats what Mass Humanities does best, it makes these experiences accessible and possible for a diverse group of people.

Griggs has four children and eight grandchildren. His wife, Sally Griggs, joins him in the work in philanthropy and social justice advocacy.

Brian Boyles, executive director of Mass Humanities, said while the award ceremony will be online this year due to the coronavirus, it will still reflect the important contributions Griggs and three other recipients have made to their communities.

We are thrilled to be presenting the Governors Awards in the Humanities, he said. While this year will be virtual, it will be nothing short of personal. After all, it is our duty as a humanities organization to celebrate those who continue to make a difference and make sure their story and work is heard.

Other 2020 recipients include:

Jessie Little Doe Baird , Indigenous Language Preservationist, co-founder and director of the Wopanaak Language Reclamation Project in Mashpee, Massachusetts.

Lee Pelton , 12th president of Emerson College in Boston, nationally and internationally known speaker and writer on the value of a liberal education and the importance of leadership development, civic engagement, and diversity in higher education.

Fredericka Stevenson, chair emeritus and cofounder of Summer Search Bostonan organization whose mission is to identify low-income high school youth who demonstrate resilience in overcoming hardship and the desire to help others.

The event will be held virtually on Oct. 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. Registration is required.

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Using data from a recent study by Georgetown University, Stacker takes a closer look at the 100 public colleges that have the best return on investment.
16.08.2020 LISTEN

Ghana will open its borders to international travelers on September 1 after consultations with stakeholders are concluded.

President Akufo-Addo announced this on Sunday, August 16, 2020.

He was delivering his 15th update on the Coronavirus situation in Ghana.

He said his government has conducted a study to ascertain its preparedness to open the country's borders to international travels.

He stated that the Ministries of Health, Aviation, and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and Ghana Airport Company Limited, have been working to ascertain what measures to be put in place to ensure that passengers arriving through the Kotoka International Airport are tested and ensure that they do not import the virus.

I know many still asks whether our borders especially Kotoka International Airports will be open, he said.

We are in the position to test every single passenger that will arrive in the country, according to him.

Ghana's borders  land, sea and air  have been closed since March following the outbreak of the virus in the country.

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Linkedin Amelie Baubeau and Kelly MacNamara in London (Agence France-Presse)  Sun, August 16, 2020 09:00 521 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e57009 2 Health face-mask,workplace,health Free

Faced with an upsurge in coronavirus cases and alarm over images of summer crowds packing onto streets and beaches, some European governments have mandated masks even in open-air public places.

But with many virus clusters sprouting behind closed doors in offices and other workplaces where face covering rules are less clear, experts have questioned if policies are focusing on the wrong target.

In recent days several European countries have toughened their advice on masks, with France and Belgium widening their regulations to include certain outdoor settings.

Brussels residents are now required to wear masks in all public spaces, and all spaces to which the public has access.

In France, dozens of towns and cities -- including Paris -- have made face coverings mandatory in markets and busy streets.

The country's Ministry of Health has said it was a "gesture of common sense" to wear one in crowded public places, while the head of France's science council, Jean-Francois Delfraissy, has said they should be "essential" on packed streets and at seaside resorts.

However with little evidence that there is a high risk of transmission in outdoor settings, some experts have questioned whether the measures are misplaced.

"Outside, there is such a mixing of air that you do not have a sufficient viral concentration to be infectious," said Martin Blachier, of the consulting company Public Health Expertise.

He called the measure a "psychological gamble" that could push people to gather indoors, where he said the risk of contamination is far higher.

Blachier said the focus should instead be on companies, where the current advice is "obsolete" because it is based on social distancing, without taking into account new research suggesting the virus can linger in the air for several hours.

'Inviting trouble'

The World Health Organization said in early July that it was reviewing emerging evidence of airborne transmission, after an international group of scientists concluded the virus could travel far beyond two metres (6.5 feet) -- the measurement recommended in physical distancing guidelines.

Its announcement was part of a transformation in official assessments of the utility of masks in slowing the spread of the virus.

Initially authorities, including the WHO, were unconvinced of the effectiveness of face coverings and wary of encouraging the public to use them when health workers were chronically short of protection.

Early in the pandemic, it was considered unlikely that COVID-19 could be transmitted by microdroplets expelled by people when they speak and breathe.

But scientific opinion has since shifted and, along with increased understanding of asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic spread, this has strengthened the argument for universal mask wearing.

Many countries now require people to wear face coverings in certain enclosed public places, like shops, trains and buses.

But offices are often given less stringent guidelines.

KK Cheng, who runs the Institute of Applied Health Research at Britain's University of Birmingham, said there was "no rational explanation" for why masks were compulsory in shops but not in most workplaces.

He raised particular concerns over environments like call centers, where there are "large numbers of people all speaking quite loudly together".

"If you have a large number of people working in an office like that then you are just inviting trouble," he added.

A study published this month by the United States Centers for Disease Control described a contagion cluster of 97 people, mostly workers at a call center in the South Korean capital Seoul.

Of the 216 employees in the 11th floor office, 94 people tested positive -- an attack rate of 43.5 percent -- and most of those infected worked on the same side of the building, researchers said.

Read also: Seven myths about face masks debunked

Encourage remote working

According to France's Ministry of Health, 49 percent of the virus clusters recorded are "in the workplace", including in hospitals.

Health expert Eric Caumes, head of the infectious diseases department at the Pitie Salpetriere hospital in Paris, said around 20 percent of these groups of infections were in companies.

He called for firms where possible to continue to allow staff to work at home after the school holidays.

"We will have to continue to work from home, to organize ourselves differently to avoid multiplying clusters in private companies," he told Franceinfo radio on Thursday.

France has mandated face coverings in enclosed public spaces since late July, but left guidance on offices more at the discretion of employers.

This was criticized in an open letter by a group of medical experts published in the newspaper Liberation on Friday, who compared the virus accumulating in the air of enclosed rooms to "cigarette smoke".

"And the more the virus accumulates in the air -- either because of a long exposure time or because of a large number of excretors -- the more we risk contamination," they said.

They called for the government to make masks compulsory in all confined spaces, offices and classrooms and to "unambiguously encourage" remote working.

KK Cheng acknowledged that the face coverings could be uncomfortable and very hard for some people to wear.

But he said it was a necessary measure to help slow the virus, which has infected more than 20 million people and killed more than 750,000 globally since emerging late last year.

"It's so serious that I think that the discomfort of wearing a mask is something worth bearing," he said.

"A lot less comfortable is lockdowns, people dying."
Damascus, Aug 16 : At least three pro-government fighters were killed and six others wounded in an ambush by the Islamic State (IS) terror group in Syria's Deir al-Zour province, a war monitor reported.

The IS ambushed the group of fighters in the desert region of the city of al-Mayadeen on Saturday, Xinhua news agency quoted the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as saying.

Saturday's attack is the latest in a series of ambushes and confrontations with the Syrian army in the desert region of Deir al-Zour.

The UK-based watchdog group said as many as 644 Syrian soldiers and pro-government fighters as well as 273 IS militants had been killed in similar attacks in the desert region since March of 2019.

The IS group has lost key areas in Syria but it's still active in the Syrian desert and other areas through sleeper cells.
In one of his most serious allegations against the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday said that Raj Bhawan in Kolkata was under surveillance and information was being leaked out.

Alleging that the list of guests who attended the Independence Day programme at the governors residence was leaked out electronically on August 14, Dhankhar said, Raj Bhawan is under surveillance. This should not happen. How can an office of the Constitution be under surveillance? I will take legal steps once our inquiry is over.

Public servants do not get into political mode. Nobody is above law, said Dhankhar, indirectly referring to those under suspicion.

Dhankhar made the comments during his media address at a function organized at Raj Bhawan to mark the second death anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. He also criticized chief minister Mamata Banerjee for not attending the At Home function at the Raj Bhawan on Independence Day.

Making another serious allegation, Dhankhar said, There is lawlessness in the state. There was a killing in Hooghly district (on August 15) The dangerous head of Maoism is getting visible with support of state actors.

The TMC reacted sharply, saying the allegations were unfounded.

Our governor has made unfounded allegations. If he thinks that he is under surveillance then he should give proof. The guest list is no secret. Any employee of Raj Bhawan could have accessed it, said TMC Lok Sabha member Saugata Roy.

In a rebuttal to Dhankhars allegation that Banerjee set a bad precedent by not attending the tea party at Raj Bhawan on August 15, After the morning parade the chief minister paid a visit to Raj Bhawan with the chief secretary, home secretary and other top officials. She did not attend the afternoon tea party. She has never been in favour of attending gatherings in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. Even we have been asked not to attend Parliamentary meetings in Delhi. The state government advised Raj Bhawan to keep the gathering small. The governor is making an issue out of nothing.

The duties of a chief minister are outlined in Section 167 of the Constitution. Nowhere is it written that a chief minister has to attend all programmes at Raj Bhawan. It is the governor who is breaking norms and protocols, said Roy.

Dhankhar did not name anyone in his Sunday address when he talked of the return of Maoism but political observers said he was possibly referring to Chhatradhar Mahato, the tribal leader from Jhargram district who headed the Peoples Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA), an alleged Maoists-backed outfit during the last years of Left rule.

Mahato, who was released from jail after 10 years in February this year after the Kolkata high court commuted his life sentence, was inducted into the TMC state committee on July 23 by Mamata Banerjee.

The governors comment is unfortunate and unfounded. Except for Maoist leader Kishenji, who was killed in an encounter, the government did not use any strong arm tactics to contain Maoism. Bengal is the only state where Maoism was controlled with development, said Roy.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has received 205 reports of clergy sexual abuse and opened 120 cases since it began investigating the states Catholic dioceses nearly two years ago, the agency said Friday. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt asked the KBI in November 2018 to investigate Catholic clergy abuse in Kansas.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Baszczak signed an agreement on Saturday that paves the way for an increased presence of U.S. troops in the European country.

Why it matters: The deal is a part of the Trump administration's plan to withdraw some 12,000 troops from Germany and redeploy about 5,400 of them to other European countries.

Yes, but: The withdrawal has been met with some bipartisan opposition in Congress, as many lawmakers believe removing troops would encourage Russian aggression in Eastern Europe.

The U.S.-Poland Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) signed Saturday provides a legal framework for the countries "to enhance and modernize our capabilities, in support of the NATO Alliances collective defense."

It also gives U.S. forces to access specific Polish military installations to enhance the the sites' capabilities and facilities and lays the groundwork to deploy some 1,000 more U.S. troops to the country. 4,a500 U.S. troops are currently based in Poland, per ABC News.

It will cost Poland around 500 million zlotys ($135 million) per year, according to Reuters.

The U.S. has similar agreements with other NATO members, such as Belgium, Hungary, and Romania.

What they're saying: A State Department spokesperson said in a statement to Axios the agreement "is a milestone on our defense partnership which enables an increased U.S. military presence in Poland."

The big picture: Pompeo and Polish Foreign Affairs Minister Jacek Czaputowicz also discussed neighboring Belarus, where demonstrators protesting the results of the country's recent presidential election have clashed with riot police.

Go deeper: Pompeo denounces U.N. Security Council for rejecting Iran arms embargo extension
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Pranab Mukherjee has been responding to treatment, and his health is gradually improving, said the former Indian presidents son Abhijit Mukherjee on August 16.



Yesterday , I had visited my Father In Hospital . With God's grace & all your good wishes , He is much better & stable than D preceeding days! All his vital parameters are stable & he is responding to treatment ! We firmly believe that He will be back among us soon

Thank You

 Abhijit Mukherjee (@ABHIJIT_LS) August 16, 2020

The Congress leader said on Twitter that all of Pranab Mukherjees vital parameters are stable at present, and that he is hopeful that his father will recover soon.

A hospital bulletin has informed that he is still on ventilator support and his health condition is being closely monitored, as he has several co-morbidities owing to old age.

The former president had tested positive for coronavirus on August 10, following which he was admitted to hospital. He had to be operated on the same day to remove a clot from his brain.

The 84-year-old politician is currently recuperating at Delhis Army Research and Referral Hospital.

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

Pranab Mukherjee served as the President of India from 2012 to 2017 and was conferred the countrys highest civilian honour  the Bharat Ratna  last year.

Follow our coverage of the coronavirus crisis here
The Uttar Pradesh government has extended the detention of Kafeel Khan under the National Security Act by a period of three months, an official statement said.

Khan has been in jail since January 29 for allegedly delivering a provocative speech at the Aligarh Muslim University on December 10, 2019 during the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) protests.

In an order dated August 4, 2020, the UP Home Department said the National Security Act (NSA) was invoked against Khan on February 13, 2020 on the orders of the Aligarh District Magistrate. After this, the matter was sent to the advisory council, which in its report, said there are enough reasons to keep Khan in jail.

As a result, on May 6, orders were given to extend his detention under the NSA by another three months.

According to the report of the UP advisory council and the report obtained from District Magistrate Aligarh, Governor Anandiben Patel using the powers vested in her, directed that the detention of Kafeel Khan be extended by three more months, the order said.

As a result, Kafeel will remain in jail till November 13, 2020, it said.

Khan hit the headlines after the 2017 tragedy at Gorakhpurs Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College, in which several kids died due to lack of oxygen cylinders. Initially, he was hailed as a saviour for the children for arranging emergency oxygen cylinders but later, faced action, along with nine other doctors and staff members of the hospital, all of whom were released on bail later.
US Says UN Security Council Failed To Hold Iran Accountable

Radio Farda August 15, 2020

The United States' State Department is claiming that the United Nations Security Council has failed to "hold Iran accountable" following the Security Council's rejection on Friday of the U.S.-proposed resolution to extend an arms embargo on Iran set to expire on October 18.

In a statement, the State Department criticized the Security Council for proving unable to "[uphold] its fundamental mission set" to maintain international peace and security, for rejecting "a reasonable resolution to extend the 13-year old arms embargo on Iran," and for "[paving] the way for the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism to buy and sell conventional weapons without specific U.N. restrictions in place for the first time in over a decade".

"The Security Council's failure to act decisively in defense of international peace and security is inexcusable," the statement said.

Iran's veto-wielding allies in the Security Council, Russia and China, had made it clear that they would vote against the resolution. Two countries  the United States and the Dominican Republic  voted in favor of the extension of the embargo, while 11 other countries  including France, Britain and Germany  abstained from voting. Nine votes were required for the resolution to pass.

Washington has threatened to trigger a "snapback" of all U.N. sanctions on Iran if the embargo vote failed, a move experts say will throw the Security Council into crisis.

"Under Resolution 2231, the United States has every right to initiate snapback of provisions of previous Security Council resolutions," U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Kelly Craft said in a statement. "In the coming days, the United States will follow through on that promise to stop at nothing to extend the arms embargo."

The State Department's statement also alleged that the Council has rejected the appeals from "numerous countries in the Middle East endangered by Iran's violence," and maintained that Arab nations and Israel strongly supported extending the embargo.

"The United States will never abandon its friends in the region who expected more from the Security Council," the statement said.

The three European members of the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) have explained their reasons for abstaining in separate statements after the announcement of the vote.

Britain, France and Germany expressed their commitment to the agreement with Iran, but stressed that they have serious concerns about "Iran's conduct in the region" and its "violations of the provisions of the Security Council's conventional arms restrictions," as well as "systematic non-compliance with key JCPOA commitments since July 2019."

Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/us-says-un- security-council-failed-to-hold- iran-accountable/30785655.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.

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Violent clashes erupted across the US this weekend between protesters from opposite ends of the political spectrum.

Confrontations reached boiling point in both Kalamazoo, MIchigan, and Stone Mountain, Georgia, after far-right groups were met with counter protesters.

The Three Percenters, a far-right militia group, called for a 2,000-person rally on Saturday at Georgia's Stone Mountain Park "to defend and protect our history and Second Amendment rights".

The group was criticising calls to remove Confederate monuments and other memorabilia that have rippled across the nation in the wake of large protests over police brutality and systemic racism following the killing of George Floyd in police custody.

Stone Mountain Park is home to the largest Confederate monument in the US, honouring Robert E Lee, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, and Thomas Jefferson. The area was also considered the symbolic location of where the Ku Klux Klan formed.

Ahead of the event, the city announced that it would be closing Stone Mountain Park amid fears the rally would lead to clashes between protest groups.

Video footage and reports from Saturday showed the Three Percenters clashing with counter-protest groups. These counter-protesters represented several civil rights organisations including NAACP, as well as left-leaning groups like Black Lives Matter and Antifa, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported.

"Go home, racists, go home," counter protesters chanted at the far-right group.

By early afternoon, it was reported that an estimated 500 people were gathered near the park, with counter-protesters outnumbering the Three Percenters. Both sides had members carrying rifles, the Associated Press reported.

The gathering remained rather peaceful for a few hours before it turned violent around 1pm. Members of the militia group reportedly sprayed insect repellent and other chemical sprays at the counter protesters. Several members of both groups were violently brought to the ground by others.

Police showed up in riot gear and were able to disperse the crowd. No one was arrested, according to reports.

In Kalamazoo, Michigan, a rally organised by the far-right group, Proud Boys, also turned violent. Clashes started once the Proud Boys  a designated hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Centre for accusations relating to members being anti-Muslim, anti-Semitic, and anti-women  arrived in downtown Kalamazoo Saturday morning and were met with counter-protesters, some of whom represented Black Lives Matter and other left-leaning groups.

The Proud Boys were seen pepper-spraying counter protesters as violence broke out, MLive reported. Multiple protesters were seen brandishing guns while others used street signs as weapons. Trump and Nazi memorabilia was also pictured in the crowd of far-right protesters.

Kalamazoo police arrived on the scene after the protests turned violent.

"Once we as law enforcement noticed or observed that it was no longer peaceful, we then began to establish a police line and disburse the large crowd from fighting," KDPS Assistant Chief Vernon Coakley said.

Multiple people were arrested as protesters clashed, including MLive's reporter Samuel Robinson, a black journalist, who was covering the protests for his publication. He was later freed on $100 bond.

The unrest seen in the two cities has been witnessed across the nation, as Americans have taken to the streets to demonstrate against ongoing issues of police brutality and racism in the US.

In Portland, Oregon, protests continued for the 80th straight day on Saturday, and again turned violent between protesters and police. Alt-right protesters joined the crowds in Portland, in an apparent bid to distract from the original movement.

Multiple alt-right protesters were seen on Saturday brandishing paintball guns and using pepper spray against counter protesters.

"There were reports of a scuffle, pepper spray use, and a paintball gun," Portland Police Sergeant Kevin Allen confirmed to KOMO News. "No one reported being a victim of a crime."

Other demonstrators have also displayed violence against police officers while protesting police brutality. Almost daily there have been reports of protesters throwing rocks and other items when met with police. Participants have also repeatedly broken into the offices of the Portland Police Association, vandalized them, and set fires.
By Online Desk

On India's 74th Independence Day, Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the Niagra Falls in Canada were lit up in tricolours, resembling India's national flag.

"Burj Khalifa lights up in commemoration of Indias 74th Independence Day. May the tricolour of freedom, courage and peace always prosper," the Twitter handle said.

United States: The Empire State Building in New York illuminated in the colours of the Indian national flag. #IndependenceDay. pic.twitter.com/QxoN7rL7yY  ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2020

The Niagara Falls looked breathtaking in colours of Indian national flag in a video shared by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.

#WATCH Canada: Niagara Falls illuminated in colours of Indian national flag. #IndiaIndependenceDay



(Video source: Consulate General of India in Toronto, Canada) pic.twitter.com/FIfLYjSLvV  ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2020

The Empire State Building in New York too was illuminated in the colours of the Indian national flag.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day speech at the Red Fort in Delhi said that "India has deepened its relations with all countries in the extended neighbourhood".

"Today, neighbours are not only those with whom we share geographical boundaries but also those with whom our hearts meet. Today, the world's confidence in India has increased. Recently, for the election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, India was backed by 184 out of 192 countries. This is a matter of pride for India. It is an example of the position we have created for ourselves in the world," he said.
FILE PHOTO: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks at the United Nations General Assembly in New York

DUBAI (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates has summoned Iran's charge d'affaires in Abu Dhabi in response to a speech by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani that the foreign ministry described as "unacceptable", state news agency WAM said on Sunday.

Rouhani said in a speech on Saturday the UAE had made a "huge mistake" in reaching a agreement to normalise ties with Israel and called it a betrayal by the Gulf state.

"They (the UAE) better be mindful. They have committed a huge mistake, a treacherous act," he said of the agreement announced on Thursday.

The UAE foreign ministry said the speech was "unacceptable, inflammatory, and carrying serious repercussions for the security and stability of the Arabian Gulf region", the statement carried by WAM said.

The charge d'affaires has been given a "strongly worded memo", WAM said.

There was no response yet from Tehran.

The UAE statement said the ministry considers Rouhani's speech interference in UAE internal affairs and an assault on its sovereignty.

The foreign ministry reminded Iran of its duty to protect the UAE diplomatic mission in Tehran.

To protest the UAE-Israel agreement, a small group of Iranians gathered in front of the UAE embassy in Tehran late on Saturday, Iranian media reported.

The U.S.-sponsored deal has been seen as firming up opposition to regional power Iran, which Gulf states, Israel and the United States view as the main threat in the conflict-riven Middle East.

The UAE, which is home to thousands of Iranians, says it pursues a de-escalatory policy towards its neighbour Iran.

(Writing by Nafisa Eltahir and Lisa Barrington; Additional reporting by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by David Goodman and Frances Kerry)
Seamless coordination ensured that there are just 38 local terrorists active in Kashmir

Salim Parray gone: Cops gun down Kashmirs most dreaded terrorist

J&K youth being tricked into joining terror ranks by Pakistan: Officials

Terrorists kill civilian in J&K

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Srinagar, Aug 16: Militants on Saturday shot dead a civilian in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

The ultras shot and critically injured Azaad Ahmad Dar at his residence in Dadoora-Kangan area of Pulwama district around 9.40 pm, a police official said.

BJP sarpanch killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir

He said 42-year-old Dar was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to injuries.

It was not immediately known why Dar was targeted by the militants.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Sunday, August 16, 2020, 9:26 [IST]
Peggy Noonan joined the crowd turning on George W. Bush in what I thought was (in Noonans case) a grossly unfair manner in 2008. It wasnt just unfair, it was cowardly. I wrote critically about one of Noonans weekly Wall Street Journal columns in which she identified with the public disapproval of Bush that April in Season of the witch.

Having turned on George W. Bush, Noonan moved on to support the election of Barack Obama later that year. Noonan all but endorsed Obama in her 2008 column Obama and the runaway train. The anti-Bush and pro-Obama columns fit neatly together. She wrote of Obama just before the election:

He has within him the possibility to change the direction and tone of American foreign policy, which need changing; his rise will serve as a practical rebuke to the past five years, which need rebuking; his victory would provide a fresh start in a nation in which a fresh start would come as a national relief. He climbed steep stairs, born off the continent with no father to guide, a dreamy, abandoning mother, mixed race, no connections. He rose with guts and gifts. He is steady, calm, and, in terms of the execution of his political ascent, still the primary and almost only area in which his executive abilities can be discerned, he shows good judgment in terms of whom to hire and consult, what steps to take and moves to make. We witnessed from him this year something unique in American politics: He took down a political machine without raising his voice.

In a sense, Obama delivered, but in another sense Noonan got everything wrong. Obama certainly changed the direction and tone of American foreign policy, yet the change failed to yield the results Noonan anticipated. He betrayed allies and sold out to enemies for good measure, but for nothing in return.

Noonan then turned on Obama. In The unwisdom of Barack Obama, Noonan condemned Obama on one of the grounds she had supported him in 2008. It had dawned on her: His essential problem is that he has very poor judgment.

In her defense, Noonan might have pleaded that she acknowledged the paltry evidence in support of her 2008 claim that Obama has good judgment. If judgment were the issue, perhaps the excuse would mitigate the verdict that Noonan herself is guilty of incredibly poor judgment.

Well, I quit reading her. I dont understand why the Wall Street Journal continues to turn over valuable editorial page real estate to her. Now a reader writes to point out that Noonan has returned to the mode of her 2008 Obama love in The Rise of Kamala Harris. Subhead: The daughter of East Bay professors grew up to become an excellent performer of politics.

The column has elicited thousands of critical comments. They almost make the column worth reading. Here are four.

Mark Pulliam:

Thin gruel from Peggy Noonan. If Kamala Harris is so smart, why did the daughter of a Stanford professor, whose parents both got graduate degrees at UC Berkeley, end up at Howard? Hastings is a second-tier law school, well below Stanford, Berkeley, UCLA, and even USC. Failing the bar exam shows a lack of smarts. No mention of Willie Brown? Sugar coating her controversial tenure in California? WSJ readers interested in the rest of the story should check out my profile of Harris [The next Obama] in the Winter 2016 issue of City Journal.

Fred Scott:

The rise of Harris is a true LOL. With the Democrats identity politics she started the presidential campaign 100 yard dash at the 50 yard mark. She wasnt 5 yards in the race when she pulled up grasping for air pulling out after polling at a horrible 2%. Hilarious how the media including the WSJs job now is to try to convince America that someone in the Senate to the left of Bernie Sanders is a moderate. Democrats pick Harris who called her running mate racist during the national debate and called her own party racist and sexist when she dropped out early after horrible polling numbers. She accepts the nomination from someone who when asked about Bidens multiple accusers of physical assault was quoted as saying on April,3,2019  I believe them and I respect them being able to tell their story and having the courage to do it.

Elise Nappi:

This reads like a press release written by someone who has never worked for Harris, since rumor has it she doesnt have too many fans among her underlings, but by a sycophant. To say that Harris didnt do well in the primary is being overly kind. When she exited, she was polling at 2% nationally and 7% in her home state. An excellent performer of politics? Are you kidding me? Is that what she was doing when she viciously attacked Justice Kavanaugh during his Senate Confirmation hearings? Peggy Noonan has lost all credibility with this ridiculous piece. She should really be writing for the New York Times.

John ONeill:

Incomplete! Who is missing?

You have to give ONeill bonus points for concision.
After tragedy strikes Aliki and her husband Petros, they flee Athens with their young son Panagiotis, seeking refuge in a provincial seaside town. But when Petros finds temporary work as the caretaker of a luxurious villa, the family gradually begins moving in, blurring the line between reality and the fantasy world they increasingly habit. Before long Aliki begins to realize that whatever plan they had for putting their lives back together isnt workingor worse, might not even exist.

All the Pretty Horses is the second feature from Greek filmmaker Michalis Konstantatos. It world premieres in competition at the Sarajevo Film Festival. Developed and presented in the Torino Film Lab, the Berlinale Co-Production Market, and the Venice Gap Financing Market, the film is produced by Horsefly Productions (Greece) in co-production with A Private View (Belgium) and Massah Film (Germany). Pluto Film is handling world sales.

More from Variety

Konstantatoss first feature, Luton, world premiered in San Sebastian in 2013. Ahead of the debut of his sophomore effort, the director spoke to Variety about the tragic impact of the Greek economic crisis, how we react when difficult truths are finally revealed, and what it means to live in an interconnected world.

This film tells the story of a couple confronted with a sudden, violent displacement, after their lives are completely upended by an unexpected disaster. What attracted you to this idea as a starting point for your story?

Greece was, and has continued to be for many years, in a deep economic crisis. When it was on the verge of bankruptcy and immediately after, most peoples lives changed dramatically. Families broke up, people lost faith in others, but also in themselves. Violent displacement (geographical or not) was unavoidable for many people. Leaving your place means that you are leaving your whole social environment, your habits, your role in the community, the dynamics that are created within it and which ultimately nourish your mental state. So by changing place, peoples behavior is affected and reshaped anew. This in turn changes ones psychological state and of course the relationships with the people around him. The story of Aliki and Petros in my film was set in this light.

Story continues

However, the destruction of the Greek economy, and consequently the great change in social structures, was not sudden, but was coming slowly. Greek society has been going blind for some years, being inside a bubble of prosperity. So the fall was more violent and in many cases uncontrollable. Something similar happened to the heroes of my film. The ostrich period is over and at some point they had to look each other in the eyes. This is where my film begins.

You describe this movie as an existential thriller. Can you explain what you mean by that?

The heroes of my film are forced, each for their own reason, to move their lives to a place very different from the one they were used to and knew how to navigate. They are in an unknown state, stripped of the roles and image they had created for themselves. This is exactly what disrupts their psychological state and consequently their relationship.

In the film, Aliki and Petros are confronted first with themselves, their desires, their choices, their mistakes. There is an inner anxiety about whether they will finally be able to find themselves, an anxious feeling about whether they will be able to get out of the limbo situation they are in. And whether they will eventually be able to exist together as conscious personalities. So for me the film is a thriller in which the heroes, in order to save themselves or save others, are not looking for the killer, but their real selves.

The drastic change in the couples fortunes is expressed visually through the contrast between the cramped apartment where they live, and the luxurious villa where Petros works. The seaside town where All the Pretty Little Horses is set likewise feels like an important character in the film. What did you want those physical spaces to say about your characters, and the world they inhabit?

Yes, the seaside location of the film is an important character, as well as the small apartment where Aliki and Petros live, and the villa where he works. The villa is for them a memory, a symbol of desire, passion, but also a trap. A beautiful place, ready to swallow them. Their small apartment, on the other hand, looks like a cage, a prison for their dreams, but at the same time it is an unprecedented, neutral, naked place that looks like it could give them a chance to look each other in the eye honestly. As long as they realize this opportunity.

The seaside place where these houses are located is a special place where the large holiday villas owned by the wealthy, and the small houses inhabited by the locals, coexist at a relatively short distance. This coexistence gives an illusion of cohabitation of the place, in which reality often comes to dissolve it.

Spaces demonstrate and confirm financial status. The choice of space that we choose to live in is usually done in two ways. Consciously, provoking and enjoying the benefits of the name of the area, or unconsciously, with the feeling simply that we belong to this place. When living in a place is done out of necessity and not out of choice, it is like having to build a prison that looks like a house. As nice as it gets, at some point you will want to get out of it to get some air. And then the truth is revealed.

The film opens with Aliki and Petross relationship appearing to come apart at the seams; the rest of the movie follows their attempt to make that relationship whole again. What do you think we reveal about ourselves, and our relationships, in times of crisis?

It is the moments of crisis that always reveal the truth. What these periods actually do is leave man naked in front of himself. They reveal who we really are. How generous, how brave, how able to love and be loved. In recent decades, from an era of euphoria that in many cases caused apathy (social and political), we have passed into a time of great economic crisis that has forced us to move from our position. But this very shock is, in my opinion, useful as long as we pay attention to a crucial and dangerous point: with what tools we will manage it. To handle a crisis with dignity and companionship we must have the right tools to do so. The mental strength and generosity to pass from I to we. It is very easy for everyone to hide and hide their weaknesses in an environment of prosperity. But what happens when we lack material goods and stability?

Aliki and Petros seem to see their situation as temporarya brief period of transition before they return to a more normal, perhaps better, life in Athens. That feels like a story thats not only relevant in Greece, but all around the world today. Did you write this script with that universal aspect in mind?

Yes, I always think and write with the world in mind. I am informed as best I can every day about the economic, political and social situation around the world. We cant think that we live and act only in our microcosm. Especially in our time, we are very much interdependent. The choices and attitudes of our lives can and do affect a much larger portion of individuals and societies than we think. What Aliki and Petros see as a temporary situation before the normal returns can lead them to a quagmire that will cost them their whole life. On the contrary, acting with a collective conscience is an act that can certainly provide us with a mobility, a course. And finally, that matters. To be able, consciously, to continue together.

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Kabinka. Zsuzsa Darab

Hungarian design studio Hello Wood created a minimalist tiny cabin.

The prefabricated structure comes in four sizes between 129 and 215 square feet, starting at $10,200.

To keep costs down, buyers can purchase parts and instructions to assemble themselves.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Many people stuck at home around the world due to the coronavirus pandemic are seeking creative solutions for places to work, study, or just relax. Budapest-based Hello Wood design studio's solution is the minimalist Kabinka cabin that can be assembled by non-experts.

With the popular rise of tiny homes in the last decade, other companies have proposed similar ideas. US smart office company Autonomous is selling a minimalist, 68 square foot office for up to $15,000. Hello Wood itself is working on other tiny cabins that could be used as offices or retreats, like the Workstation cabin, and the expanded Grand Cabin.

Related: 8 tree houses that are out of this world

The variety of sizes and prices, depending on how many add-ons buyers choose, could make the Kabinka a more realistic and useful solution than some luxury tiny offices on the market. The smallest option starts at $10,200 for just the structure.

Here's what it looks like.

Kabinka.

Zsuzsa Darab

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Read the original article on Business Insider
New Delhi, Aug 16 (UNI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday accused the BJP and the RSS of spreading fake news and hatred through Facebook and Whatsapp in India to influence the electorate.



In a post on the social media, Rahul, posting on his Twitter account a report from the Wall Street Journal on hateful content posted by some BJP leaders on Facebook, said, 'BJP and RSS control Facebook and Whatsapp in India. They spread fake news and hatred through it and use it to influence the electorate. Finally, the American media has come out with the truth about Facebook. '



Reacting to the report by the Wall Street Journal and the post by Rahul, Congress leader and Chairman of the Parliamentary standing committee on Information Technology Shashi Tharoor said that the Standing Committee on Information Technology would certainly wish to hear from Facebook about these reports and what they propose to do about hate-speech in India.



'The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology would certainly wish to hear from @Facebook about these reports & what they propose to do about hate-speech in India,' Tharoor tweeted.

UNI AR SHK1618
A Texas gunman is in custody and all three of his hostages are alive, following an 18-hour stand off with police which began when shot and wounded three officers during a domestic violence call Sunday.

The man, who is in his mid-20s and suffers from mental health issues, sparked the incident at 3:10pm Sunday, when his mother called police to say her son had kicked in the door and was 'acting aggressive'.

Officers responded to the home and were met with gunfire. An officer returned fire, however it's unknown if they hit the suspect - who has not yet been named.

The suspect then barricaded himself inside the home holding his mother, young brother, and sister hostage.

He released his juvenile brother and sister to law enforcement in Cedar Park around 7:45am local time. A family dog was also released.

He kept his mother captive inside the home before releasing her and surrendering 'peacefully' to police just before 9am.

Police officers work in front of a house in Cedar Park, Texas, where a standoff began Sunday

Police officers were seen arriving at the house, in the Heritage Park area, on Sunday

Three officers were shot in the incident on Sunday, but are expected to survive their injuries

None of the officers shot suffered life-threatening injuries, Cedar Park Police Chief Mike Harmon said. However, one officer was kept in hospital overnight and underwent surgery this morning. No further details were offered.

In total, the stand-off at 2304 Natalie Cove lasted nearly 18 hours. Police say the scene will continue to be active for 'quite some time' as they continue to investigate

'It is our goal to bring this to a peaceful resolution, Harmon said earlier Monday, adding that his department has a 'history' at the residence but declined to provide further detail, including when police last visited the residence.

Harmon added: 'I've talked to his family members, and I stressed that we want to get him the help he needs.'

Negotiators were on the scene and had been in regular communication with the suspect throughout the stand-off.

Harmon added that the suspect's mother has played a key role in deescalating the scene.

The suspect's brother and sister were described as being in 'good health' following their release, with their mother also unharmed. All three received medical attention at the scene.

The Police Chief also confirmed the suspect had gone live on social media while barricaded inside the house. A video sent to KVUE by witnesses showed someone pleading with a man on the phone to go outside and get in the ambulance because he was bleeding.

The woman on the phone, who the suspect identified as his sister, said she didn't want him to 'bleed out' from an injury to his arm that he'd sustained.

The suspect responded that seeking medical treatment seemed 'like a good idea, but it's not going to work like that'.

A woman standing near the suspect then interrupts the call, saying they need to answer a call from the police department.

The suspect is also heard on the video speaking to a police negotiator, who asks him how everything is going. He responds that nobody is harmed but all want to leave.

When the negotiator asks him to come outside so responders can treat his injury, the suspects says 'I'm having a conversation with my family' and later hangs up.

Police officers in Cedar Park, a town just outside of Austin, Texas, are responding to a shooting

Mike Harmon, chief of Cedar Parks police, provided an update on Sunday night

Ambulances and cop cars flooded the area as the situation unfolded on Sunday afternoon

The incident was first reported shortly after 4pm local time in Texas

Multiple law enforcement agencies assisted Cedar Park police with the incident, including the FBI.

An armored vehicle and a mobile command unit were seen entering the area police have blocked off, with law enforcement dressed in tactical gear.

During a press conference held at around 9:10pm on Sunday night, Harmon issued a plea to the gunman through reporters.

'If youre listening, please come out and surrender yourself peacefully so we can resolve this situation tonight,' the police chief said.

Earlier on Sunday afternoon, around 5.20pm, police tweeted: 'At this time we can confirm three Cedar Park Police Officers have been shot.

'They are at a local hospital in stable condition.'

Harmon earlier said he had visited the three officers in hospital, and thanked the local community for their support.

A law enforcement source at the scene of the shooting told FOX 7 Austin that one officer was shot in the arm.

Another officer was shot in the chest but was protected by his vest.

A third officer suffered a grazing head wound.

Mike Harmon, the chief of police, thanked residents of the Texan city for their support

Police said it was 'a very active scene' near Leander High School in Cedar Park

Cedar Park police tweeted an update on Sunday afternoon, saying multiple officers shot

'We are on scene of a shooting where multiple Cedar Park Police Officers have been shot while responding to a call at a home off Natalie Cove,' the police tweeted earlier.

'Subject is barricaded inside the home and multiple law enforcement agencies are on scene.'

A Fox News reporter said at least three ambulances were at the scene, in addition to multiple SWAT units.

Cedar Park is home to around 80,000 people.

Caleb Record told Fox News said he first thought the emergency services were responding to a COVID case or a heart attack.

'About three, four, five cop cars come by; SWAT comes by; everyone's just zooming on by.'

Witnesses told KVUE they heard multiple gunshots and there is a large law enforcement presence.

Greg Abbott, the governor of Texas, vowed to bring the gunman to justice.

'Our hearts are with the police officers who were injured while protecting the Cedar Park community this afternoon,' he said.

'We must never take for granted the service and sacrifice of our law enforcement officers, and the State of Texas stands ready to provide the support and resources needed to bring justice to those involved.

'I ask that all Texans join Cecilia and me in prayer for the these officers, and for the safety of all law enforcement officers across the state.'
BJP worker allegedly beaten to death by TMC in Bengal

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Kolkata, Aug 16: A BJP worker was allegedly beaten to death by TMC supporters over hoisting of the national flag on Independence Day in West Bengal's Hoogly district, police said.

TMC has denied the charge and the police has arrested eight persons in connection with the incident that occured on Saturday afternoon in Khanakul area of the district.

Travel agents' organisations urge West Bengal govt to reconsider flight ban decision

A scuffle had broken out between two groups over hoisting of the national flag, a senior police official of the district said.

"One person was beaten to death. We have arrested eight persons. We have started an investigation into it, he said.

According to state BJP sources, Sudarshan Pramanik, 40, was beaten to death by TMC supporters.

The party has called a 12-hour Hooghly district shutdown on Sunday in protest against the killing, the sources said.

Senior BJP leader Debendra Nath Ray found dead; Party blames TMC

"Our party worker was beaten to death by TMC supporters over hoisting of the national flag in the area. Our party workers are not spared even on Independence Day," BJP state president Dilip Ghosh said.

TMC leader and the partys spokesperson in the district Prabir Ghosal refuted the charge and said the death was due to factional fight between two factions of the BJP.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Sunday, August 16, 2020, 9:16 [IST]
The backlog and wait time for new citizenship ceremonies are bound to grow due to a new complication brought on by COVID-19.

The traditional in-person oath-taking mass ritual has already been cancelled since March as a result of public health concerns during the pandemic. As long as someone hasnt sworn their allegiance to the country, they are still just permanent residents and are unable to vote or run for political office.

The immigration department has since slowly moved the citizenship ceremonies online.

But in the meantime, some would-be citizens who have already passed their exam and are in the queue to go in front of a citizenship judge are being told they cant take their oath because their criminal clearances expired while theyve been waiting for their turn.

As required by the Citizenship Act, all citizenship candidates must meet the requirements for citizenship, including being free of prohibitions prior to taking the oath of citizenship. As such, individuals must have valid clearances in order to be permitted to take the oath, said immigration department spokesperson Lauren Sankey.

The criminality clearance is valid for 12 months and must be valid at the time citizenship is granted and the oath of citizenship is taken.

According to a response to an access to information request, at least 76 virtual citizenship ceremonies were cancelled in Montreal, Greater Toronto and the Atlantic region up until the end of June as a result of expired criminal clearances.

A would-be new citizen told the Star his original in-person citizenship ceremony for March 20 was cancelled and he was then rescheduled for a virtual ceremony for June 25. But less than 24 hours before the event, he was told by email that it was cancelled because he needed a new clearance certificate.

Getting citizenship is like being adopted by Canada. Imagine youre in an orphanage waiting to be adopted. You met your adopted parents and they said theyd pick you up and take you home on a certain day. Before that day comes, they call the orphanage and say they cant come, said the American immigrant, who asked that his name not be used for fear of repercussions.

You dont hear anything for several months. Then less than 24 hours before the next pickup day, they call and cancel again. Thats pretty deflating there.

The man, who moved to Toronto 12 years ago after marrying a Canadian, said he was told by his MPs office that the citizenship application process is all paper-based. Hence, there are no automated systems warning immigration officials when a criminal clearance is about to expire.

He said hes still waiting for instructions from the immigration department about what to do next.

Sankey said immigration officials will request new criminal checks from other federal agencies in the event clearances have expired before a citizenship ceremony.

It is not necessary for applicants to reapply, she said. Once valid clearances are returned, these clients will be prioritized and rescheduled at the earliest opportunity.

Additional delays are expected because the department depends on its partners to complete the process.

Generally, clearances should take about a week to complete, however in the current context, our partners are making assessment on a case-by-case basis, consequently IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) cannot provide specific processing time frames, Sankey said.
He drove the orchestra hard whenever there was a shadow of an excuse for doing it.

He has evidently some of the defects of his virtues.

The orchestra quickly and appallingly retrograded in its discipline and its technical quality, while reviewers became positively embarrassed to record the level of mediocrity, or worse, in the performances.

This is just a sampling of the grim verdicts that Olin Downes of The New York Times delivered on John Barbirolli when that young and little known Englishman had the unenviable task, from 1937 to 1942, of following the epochal Arturo Toscanini as music director of the New York Philharmonic.

Perhaps Virgil Thomson, of The New York Herald Tribune, was more receptive?

Mr. Barbirolli is a Latin out of his natural water; perhaps, too, just a little over his head.
Coronavirus pandemic has hit the central jail here with more than 350 inmates testing positive in the last one week and a murder accused succumbing to the virus, a top prison official said.

The undertrial prisoner was the first to test positive for the virus in the prison at nearby Poojapura and in the last one week 359 more cases, including a staff, have been reported, its superintendent Santhosh S said.

As many as 145 cases were detected on Sunday alone, he said adding barring three, shifted to hospital, others have been kept in a special isolation area within the prison.

An undertrial prisoner in a murder case, Manikandan, who was lodged here since 2016, passed away at the medical college hospital here. He was admitted to the hospital on August 10, he told PTI.

After he was admitted to hospital, the officials had been carrying out tests in the prison, where more than 970 people are lodged.

The superintendent said a total of 197 tests were done on Wednesday and Thursday and of this 100 found to be positive followed by another 113 in the next two days.

Today, we tested 298 prisoners out of which 145 were tested positive, he said, adding besides them, one positive case was found among the over 300 jail staff.

Two of the infected had been shifted to hospitals and the others, all asymptomatic, were being given adequate treatment, the official said.

Since May, the prison department in Kerala has been screening new remand prisoners for Covid-19 and only those who test negative were being lodged in various jails.

Prisons in the state can accommodate 6,250 inmates and have over 1,600 staff, officials said.

Keralas Covid-19 case tally stood at 42,885 and the death toll was 146 as of Saturday. PTI RRT VS VS
UP assembly polls will be about '80 per cent vs 20 per cent'; BJP will win: Yogi Adityanath

Sudiksha Bhati death case: Two people arrested, says Bulandshahr top cop

India

pti-Madhuri Adnal

Bulandshahr, Aug 16: Two people have been arrested in connection with the death of a 20-year-old student here, police said on Sunday.

Sudiksha Bhati, who hailed from Deri Scanar village in Gautam Buddh Nagar's Dadri, died on August 10 in a road crash in Bulandshahr district while she was pillion riding a motorcycle with her younger cousin, a minor. Police said they arrested the two people -- Deepak Choudhary and Raju -- on the basis of CCTV footage.

Bulandshahar: Girl loses life in road accident after eve teasers chase her bike

Sudiksha, an academically bright student, was pursuing a graduation course in entrepreneurship at Babson College, Massachusetts (US), on a scholarship and was scheduled to go back on August 20.

Her family has alleged that the road crash took place because two unidentified motorcycle-borne men were "following" her two-wheeler and harassing her, while police said that some people were "trying to twist the narrative of the incident".

"It appears that after the body reached her Deri Scanar village, some people tried to twist the narrative of the incident. Since the girl had got a huge scholarship package (for studying in the US), there could have been a thought of demand (for compensation) in the people," Senior Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar Singh had said on Thursday.
San Antonio continued to see a slowdown in new coronavirus cases and fewer COVID-related hospitalizations Saturday, but officials reported 13 more deaths from the virus.

The Metropolitan Health District reported 170 new cases, continuing a pronounced decline in day-to-day numbers since July, when single-day totals for new infections regularly exceeded 1,000.

The 13 deaths reported Saturday occurred between July 3 and Aug. 12, city officials said. They pushed Bexar Countys death toll, as tallied by Metro Health, to 591 since the start of the pandemic.

On ExpressNews.com: A timeline of COVID-19 in San Antonio

The latest victims ranged in age from their 50s to their 90s. Seven were in their 70s.

Five were Hispanic, four were Anglo and one was African American. The ethnicity of three female victims in their 70s could not be determined.

All had underlying medical conditions, officials said.

Some 598 people were being treated for COVID-19 in area hospitals Saturday, down from 651 on Friday. In the past week, coronavirus-related hospitalizations in Bexar County have declined nearly 20 percent.

On ExpressNews.com: Coronavirus by the numbers in San Antonio and across the country

Of those hospitalized, 285 patients were in intensive care, down from 306 on Friday. There were 194 people on ventilators, one fewer than the day before.

Over the last seven days, the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care has fallen 13 percent and the number on ventilators is down 15 percent.

Eighteen percent of the regions staffed hospital beds and 56 percent of its ventilators were available for new patients.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg, sounding a familiar theme on social media, encouraged San Antonians to keep their guard up against the virus.

He tweeted photographs of a free distribution of sanitizer and personal protective gear for small businesses, adding: Were all in this together, San Antonio. Keep it up!

In all, 43,993 people in Bexar County have been infected by the coronavirus since the pandemic struck in mid-March.

On ExpressNews.com: COVID-19 deaths are concentrated on San Antonios West and South Sides

The number of newly reported cases has slowed significantly.

Over the last two weeks of July, Metro Health reported more than 13,200 cases of COVID-19  nearly 950 per day.

During the first two weeks of August, Bexar County has seen fewer than 3,200 new cases  an average of nearly 230 per day.

In addition to the 591 deaths confirmed by Metro Health since the start of the pandemic, the agency is investigating 274 other cases to determine whether they should be added to the countys death total.

The Texas Department of State Health Services, which uses different criteria in counting COVID-19 deaths, listed 865 for Bexar County as of Friday.

Elsewhere

Officials in Comal County reported 72 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday but no new deaths.

The county has 522 active cases, while 2,110 other people who had the virus have recovered, officials said. The Comal death toll stands at 72.

In Laredo, officials reported six new deaths from the coronavirus on Saturday. That brought the death toll in Webb County to 191.

There are 2,843 active cases of COVID-19 in Laredo, and 170 people are hospitalized there.

Diego Mendoza-Moyers covers manufacturing, the automotive industry and the energy sector. To read more from Diego, become a subscriber. diego.mendoza-moyers@express-news.net | Twitter: @dmendozamoyers
A redesigned, reimagined and rebooted learning experience is awaiting Santa Fe Public Schools students as they return to school virtually on Aug. 20. The buildings may be closed, but were ready and were excited to welcome our students and families to the new school year!

Since the end of May, our bright and talented educational leaders have consulted the latest research and best practices, and reviewed stakeholder input to ensure that quality educational opportunities are provided to students, regardless of the learning model. What weve developed vastly improves on the spring remote learning model and will have a long-lasting positive impact on how education will be delivered in the future.

A digital learning experience is now central to learning across all academic endeavors. COVID-19 moved technology to the forefront, and theres no going back. Because of Santa Feans support of educational technology note financing, we are able to meet the challenge of providing students with critical technology so they can succeed in a world that is forever changed.

Our students today are uniquely the Digital Generation. Among the most flexible in recent history, they will likely transition between in-person, hybrid and remote instruction, depending on the course of the virus, throughout the school year. SFPS has the devices, teachers, digital staff and plans, approved by the New Mexico Public Education Department, to make these transitions work, and they will. However, we havent disregarded the importance of relationships in teaching and learning or the social-emotional needs of our students. Training for counselors and teachers on building and maintaining relationships in a virtual world is critical.

This has been a difficult year for so many of our families and students. They have experienced stresses such as job losses, reduced income and food insecurity, and sadness from peers lost to violence. Social-emotional learning and positive behavioral supports will be prominent in classrooms throughout the district this year. We cannot replace what the virus and harmful actions have taken, but we can ease the pain, and offer comfort, support and understanding.

A cornerstone of our preparation for returning to school is high-quality professional development. Teachers returned to work on Tuesday, immediately launching into specialized trainings on such essentials as setting up digital classrooms, the states new math instructional materials, culturally responsive teaching and learning, and interventions for student success.

Curriculum design teams have carefully envisioned and developed instruction for the first weeks of school across all grade levels and content groups. Collaborating on this effort have been SFPS Digital Learning, Special Education and Language & Culture specialists who have worked to develop rigorous lessons for teachers ready use.

Courses that are flexible and can be modified to meet school priorities and classroom needs are all on one platform, which responds to a frequent request from parents.

We are greatly concerned about skill gaps that may have developed over the spring and summer. Students will be immediately assessed so that teachers can quickly bridge those gaps and bring students up to speed.

When there are setbacks, we will set new goalposts. When there is fear, we will let experience and knowledge guide us. And when there are uncertainties, we will face them together and move forward courageously, but smartly.

Lets make this year a time to look ahead, make the best use of our talents, skills and creativity, and lift our students and community up.

In welcoming you to the 2020-21 school year, I reaffirm our commitment to make remarkable happen, every day! I truly believe it will.

Veronica Garcia is superintendent of Santa Fe Public Schools.
UNSC rejection of US attempt to extend arms embargo on Iran tantamount to support JCPOA

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Aug 15, IRNA -- The permanent and non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council said that rejection of the US attempt to extend arms embargo on Iran is tantamount to support the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and illegality of Washington's move when it walked out of the JCPOA in 2018.

The US draft resolution that aimed at extending Iran's arms embargo was rejected by the UNSC on Friday evening with 11 abstinence votes, two noes and 2 yeses.

Russia and China voted against it and the US and the Dominican Republic voted for the anti-Iranian resolution.

Russia permanent mission to the UN wrote in a tweet that the US proposition to extend the embargo was an overt violation of UNSC Resolution 2231 and that the only legal way to make any changes in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is through consensus in the Joint Commission of the deal, adding that that the embargo was for five years and was not to be extended.

Also, the Chinese delegation sent a tweet saying that the fact that the US draft resolution on Iran was rejected shows that "unilateralism enjoys no support and bullying will fail," adding, "Any attempt to place one's own interest above the common interest of the international community is a dead end."

Belgium mission to the UN issued a statement saying that Belgian Government helped Resolution 2231 and that believes that Iran's nuclear program should be in the framework of the JCPOA.

The United Kingdom representative wrote in a statement that they abstained from voting because the resolution did not have support. Not mentioning Europeans' disloyalty to their commitments, the statement showed concerned about the fact that Iran's arms embargo will come to an end in October.

France said that the Resolution would not envisage proportionate response to the challenges that may follow the termination of the arms embargo on Iran. Expressing worry about the embargo coming to an end, the French representative added that Paris was fully committed to the JCPOA and Resolution 2231, and also called for Iran's cancelling its reduction of commitments to the deal.

Shedding crocodile tears, US ambassador to the UN Kelly Croft tried to make the UNSC members vote for the draft by talking about the Yemeni mothers and their children deaths and attributing it to Iran. This is while the US is the biggest seller of arms to the Saudis that are killing the Yemeni children and the US president Donald Trump has rejected the Congress bill to stop arms sales to Riyadh.

Croft added that Washington will continue to restore UNSC sanctions on Iran.

The representative of Germany said that Berlin is committed to the JCPOA and the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorsed the JCPOA and made it into International Law and wanted Iran to cancel the steps it has taken to reduce commitments.

Christoph Heusgen added that his country abstained from voting because it would not effectively deal with their concern about Western Asia, adding that more time and consultation are needed to deal with Iran's arms embargo coming to an end.

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Installation view of "New Era of The Royal Ceramics: Embracing the Western-Style Porcelain in the Joseon Royal Court" exhibition at the National Palace Museum of Korea / Courtesy of National Palace Museum of Korea



By Kwon Mee-yoo



Ceramics can serve multiple roles from practical use to decorative purposes, reflecting the times they were made.



The 1392-1910 Joseon Kingdom faced a turning point when it opened its ports to Western countries in 1876, and European ceramics used at the royal court of Joseon in the late 19th century give a glimpse of how the country established diplomatic relations and tried to survive amid the rapid transformation.



"New Era of The Royal Ceramics: Embracing the Western-Style Porcelain in the Joseon Royal Court" exhibit at the National Palace Museum of Korea sheds light on how Joseon adapted to Western contact by looking into the ceramics used in the royal court from the 19th century.



The first section "Ceramic Consumption of the Joseon Royal Court" presents Joseon's iconic "cheonghwa baekja," or blue-and-white porcelain.



The Joseon royal court established "Bunwon," the official kilns for royal pottery, in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, in the mid-15th century. "Yongjun," or white porcelain jars with underglaze cobalt-blue design used for ceremonial purposes, are an example of typical Joseon royal porcelain.



In the late Joseon era, imported ceramics from China and Japan were also used in the Joseon royal court. Burial objects from the Tomb of Princess Hwayu (1741-1777) showcase a variety of pottery and silverware, including imports.





Glass lampshades with plum blossom seals / Courtesy of National Palace Museum of Korea



"Background of the Embrace of Imported Ceramics by the Royal Court" explains how Western-style porcelain ware was introduced to the Joseon court after the 1876 Treaty of Ganghwa Island between Korea and Japan.



Min Yeong-ik, nephew of Empress Myeongseong and member of the Bobingsa (the first Korean delegation to the United States in 1883), once said, "Born in darkness, I have been to the world of light and knowledge." This remark sums up the circumstances Joseon was facing at the time.



The highlight of this section are over 150 pieces of glass lampshades, which were used to decorate palaces in Western style, following the introduction of electricity in 1887. Some of them have plum blossom seals in gold, which was the symbol of the royal family.



"Ceramic Gifts Exchanged between Joseon and France" features an ochre-colored vase with flower pattern, which is gifted from the French president to King Gojong of Joseon in 1888 when the two countries signed the Korea-France Treaty of 1886. Named "White Porcelain 'Salamis' Vase with Polychrome Decoration," it was produced by the Manufacture Nationale de Sevres in France, presenting the country's high artistic pride.



In return, Gojong sent two Goryeo-era celadon bowls and a pair of "Flower Tree on the Pot" made with precious materials such as gold, jade, pearl and coral to France. This was Joseon's first diplomatic gift exchanged with the West, showcasing the changes Joseon faced in the late 19th century as it opened its doors to Western countries.





"White Porcelain 'Salamis' Vase with Polychrome Decoration" (1878) from France / Courtesy of National Palace Museum of Korea



"Western-style Banquets and Tableware" shows how the Joseon royal court offered Western-style banquets for foreign diplomatic groups as an attempt to gather information on international affairs.



At the exhibition, visitors can walk through a replica of the royal kitchen of Changdeok Palace, which was outfitted with Western-style equipment such as cake molds and samovar (Russian-style metal urn with spigot).



The Joseon royal court ordered sets of dinnerware decorated with the coat of arms of the Joeson Royal Court from the French company Pillivuyt. The Western-style set was gilt-lined white porcelain with royal plum blossom seal and consisted of tureen, tazza, pot and serving plates for a formal full-course dinner.



The "Imported Vases That Adorned the Royal Court" section displays Japonisme flower vases and Chinese Peranakan enamel vases, which were used to decorate Western-style buildings in the palace.



"Joseon consciously made efforts to modernize itself as an independent modern state. The special exhibition looks into the stories these porcelain wares tell about the Joseon Royal Court and its efforts in the modernization process," the museum said in a statement.





Western-style dinnerware used at banquets of Joseon royal court / Courtesy of National Palace Museum of Korea
Just as public schools are starting a new academic year with a heavy reliance on remote learning, about 1 in 4 students lack the internet access needed to take the classes.

"We are in a much better position than we were four months ago, both devices and connectivity," said state Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley. "But we have a long way to go."

A new report released last week for the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shows that 86% of Louisiana school districts are starting the school year with a combination of virtual and in-person classes.

However, the same review says an estimated 25% of students  around 179,000 statewide  lack the internet access crucial in gaining access to remote learning. A total of 403,000 households lack internet connections.

In addition, 42% of households go without high-speed internet access, called broadband, that allows multiple users in a home to do virtual learning.

"We are leaving a huge part of the state in the dark literally until we can overcome the problem we have with connectivity," state Sen. Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, told a joint meeting of BESE and the state Board of Regents last week. Mizell is a member of the Senate Education Committee and a state leader of efforts to expand high-speed internet access.

Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lafayette, Kenner and Metairie are among the eight cities in Louisiana listed on the 100 worst-connected cities in the country, according to a 2018 report done for the Census Bureau.

Households without high-speed internet include Baton Rouge, 16.57%; New Orleans, 22.04%; Lafayette, 11.80%; Kenner, 19.48% and Metairie, 17.83%.

The state Department of Education says 99% of private school students have internet at home.

The digital divide initially came to light in March, when the pandemic forced an end to in-person classes statewide and a sudden, heavy dose of virtual learning with mixed results.

Louisiana public schools getting $260M for coronavirus aid: A look at how it'll be spent Public schools Friday began receiving about $260 million in federal aid to help with costs sparked by the coronavirus pandemic and to address 

Problems with teachers suddenly expected to teach students online and complaints from parents unable to keep their children in front of computers doing schoolwork for hours were just a few of the challenges.

Earlier this year Gov. John Bel Edwards opted to use $32 million of $50 million in discretionary federal dollars for computers and better internet access for public school students.

Computers, internet access key targets of federal aid under governor's control Gov. John Bel Edwards has decided to use $32 million of $50 million in discretionary federal dollars for computers and improved internet acces

Progress has been made in getting computers and tablets into the hands of students.

The state Department of Education says 77% of students have school-issued devices for home use, and that all should have them be October and November.

But erecting a high-speed internet system is sort of like bringing electricity to rural areas  slow and expensive.

Jim Garvey, a Metaire attorney and the longest serving member of BESE, was one of the panelists who asked for an update on how students are faring in gaining access to online classes.

Garvey said the large number of students who lack internet access is worrisome.

"I think we have districts out there making plans to do the virtual learning and they haven't fully thought through how they are going to do it, particularly for students who do not have the access,'" he said.

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

Garvey said delays in getting computers to all students is also bothersome.

"Some of that equipment is on back order and will not be delivered for several more months," he said. "What are the school systems going to do between now and then?"

Who controls when schools reopen? In Louisiana, local educators have the final say While Louisiana's top school board and other state leaders are providing guidance, when public schools start and what formats they use for ins

Both the East Baton Rouge and Orleans school districts are among those delaying in-person classes until after Labor Day, which is Sept. 7, because of concerns about the pandemic.

Reopening rules of Louisiana public schools: BESE votes in face mask, social distancing policies Backed by medical experts and education groups, Louisiana's top school board Tuesday approved minimum safety standards for the reopening of pu

The preferred form of virtual learning  called synchronous  allows students and their classmates to interact with teachers in real time through online learning platforms.

The other method  called asynchronous  consists of students finishing work in an allotted time based on virtual tasks assigned by teachers.

The lack of internet access for 25% of students is forcing educators to scramble for short-term solutions.

Some are turning school buses into hot spots that can be stationed in different neighborhoods.

Libraries and other community spots are getting internet upgrades.

Local officials are negotiating with providers in hopes of gaining low-cost options and discount programs.

The Lafayette and Jefferson parishes school districts are cited by state education leaders for leading the way in coming up with solutions.

A Lafayette group called Link and Learn is partnering with another organization called Love Our Schools to provide home internet access for about 7,000 students.

Ryan Domengeaux, CEO and general counsel for the William C. Schumacher Family Foundation, told BESE those students "do not have a way to access the rest of the world."

Domengeaux said his group met with three internet providers asking for reduced prices.

Wi-Fi is now available in the parking lots of 42 schools.

Earlier this month the Lafayette Parish School Board allocated $1.5 million to provide short-term internet connectivity to students through its partnership with Link and Learn.

Jefferson Parish schools are working with Cox Communications to ensure all students have access to the internet, said Vicki Bristol, director of communications for the district.

Bristol said Cox has expanded its Connect2Compete, low-cost home internet program for qualified families, with charges of $9.95 per month and the first 60 days of free service.

Said Brumley, "We are working toward some intermediate solutions right now.

"But there has to be a larger conversation statewide about broadband for every child."
It is no exaggeration to say that there is now no guaranteed safe place in Trinidad and Tobago.

We have moved from the stage of being prisoners in our homes behind metal bars to being afraid to enjoy the beautiful outdoors and even to sleep, for fear that if crime comes knocking we may have no recourse but to cower and beg for our lives. The society is being overpowered by the force of the criminal will with insufficient resources to resist and break that power.
The Chairman of the Dails coronavirus committee has denounced Covid-19 hysteria and defended the decision of former Failte Ireland chairman Michael Cawley to go on a family holiday to Italy.

Independent TD Michael McNamara said that Mr Cawley had not breached the Governments travel advice, which was not mandatory. "Were entering into a state of hysteria, he claimed.

And the Governments Covid-19 advice not to travel is producing "very little gain, Mr McNamara said, insisting also that the decision to lock down Kildare, Laois and Offaly had been an overreaction by the State.

Read More

He said Ireland had shut down its aviation sector to very little gain. Mr McNamara also said he did not understand the scientific basis for shutting down Laois, Kildare and Offaly and had heard no scientific rationale for the action, with another Independent TD, Carol Nolan, having told his committee last week that there was nobody in hospital in Laois at present who was suffering from coronavirus.

"We know that our Health system is not being overrun and that deaths are not rising, which were the important parameters, Mr McNamara told RTE Radio 1.

Mr McNamara also said Mr Cawley had not breached the Governments travel advice, which was not mandatory. I have read it three times. And the Government, in defending legal actin by Ryanair, was pointing out that the advice was not biding and was merely guidance for the consideration of individuals. It could not be had both ways.

Michael Cawley wasnt giving out travel advice to anybody, nor was he giving out medical advice. Were hearing his reputation traduced on the radio, and were imposing much more restrictive travel conditions on our citizens than any other country in Europe, Mr McNamara declared.

Expand Close Flight: Chairman of Failte Ireland Michael Cawley. Photo: Damien Eagers / Facebook

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Whatsapp Flight: Chairman of Failte Ireland Michael Cawley. Photo: Damien Eagers

If he was from any other member state of the European Union nobody would call into question his going to Italy. Were entering into a state of hysteria because of cases arising in Ireland, as they are elsewhere in Europe, but thankfully hospitalisations and deaths are not rising."

He added about the resignation of Mr Cawley: When we replace him, are we now saying that as the Chairman of Failte Ireland he should not holiday abroad?

"Or are we going ask someone to account for their movements in a time of Covid? Mr McNamara added.
Its been a long dry spell in the Permian. Shale drilling and completions activity has collapsed to levels not seen since before 2000 (as far back as records are kept). That was the year shale activity first began to pick up from essentially nil and hit all-time peaks in 2008. With occasional ebbs and flows, it had gradually drifted down to the start of the current calamity, where active rigs stood at a somewhat healthy 805 rigs turning to the right.

Fracking has also taken a commensurate dive over the last eight months, defying the conventional wisdom that as prices began to improve, activity would increase. It hasnt happened in either case. Why?

Driven by low prices not seen much in modern history, formerly high-flying shale drillers like Chesapeake Energy have gone bankrupt. The service providers who do the actual work like Halliburton, (NYSE:HAL), Schlumberger, (NYSE:SLB) have written off tens of billions worth of fracking-related equipment, closed facilities and laid off thousands of workers.

Much of the expansion from 2016 onward was fueled by growth at any cost mindset in the drillers, and aided by bankers willing to accept ever-increasing estimates for the value of reserves. In 2018 much of that laissez-faire mentality in the boardrooms of the drillers and in the vaults of the bankers came to an abrupt halt as profits and cash flow were demanded. That was the moment shale activity began to falter numerically, while at the same time, a miracle was taking place. Production grew from advances in technology and a deeper understanding of key reservoirs to record levels.

EIA-STEO

Peaking at nearly 13 mm BOE in March of this year, a failure of OPEC+ nations to agree on production cuts that same month, led oil to begin a precipitous decline in price.

A decline that was soon matched in production as drillers laid down rigs, and then in April took the unprecedented step of actually shutting-in wells with the single-minded goal of forcing prices higher. With a little help from the OPEC+, which after realizing the enormity of their mistake in March, also voluntarily shut-in wells with the same goal in mind, prices responded.

But drilling and completion activity hasnt rebounded, and its not going to do so. At least in the most likely pricing scenario being forecast, where WTI stays in the mid-$40's to a high of around $50. It should be noted that there are alternate scenarios out there. I covered one in an OilPrice article last week, where I laid out a case for WTI rising to over $100/bbl by early next year.

One thing that will limit the rebound, is the capacity simply is not there from a service and supply standpoint. Halliburton CEO, Jeff Miller commented on the prospects for a recovery in activity in their recent quarterly investor conference call-

We do not anticipate large technology recapitalization programs similar to the build-out of our leading Q10 pumps and the iCruise drilling systems. And finally, the North American business now has structurally lower capital requirements. It is a mature market, and frac job intensity is plateauing. The Halliburton I have just described to you is charting a fundamentally different course.

The growth in digital technologies, the position of strength in the international markets, the sharper approach to North America and a lower capex profile, all of that comes from the hard work that we've been doing over the last few years. We are not waiting for an upcycle to drive significant free cash flow and returns for our shareholders. We believe that the strategic actions we are taking today will further boost our earnings power and free cash flow generation ability as we power into and win the eventual recovery.

Miller is telling us that the oilfield of the future will be a smaller, less capital intensive place than in times past.

Further, there is a lack of will in many of the key shale drillers, who are determined to repair their balance sheets, and reward long-suffering shareholders with dividends. Going forward many are basing their economics on $35 oil, or less.

In this article we will take a look at the second half plans for a couple of the largest shale drillers and how this will impact the level of shale production over the next half year.

The look-ahead for the Permian

Occidental Petroleum, (NYSE:OXY) is the largest producer in the Permian, with daily production of nearly half a million barrels. Its ill-fated acquisition last year of Anadarko, a deal whose timing could simply not have been worse, has led this oil-giant to the brink of bankruptcy. In its quarterly call this month where they took a $6.6 bn asset write-down, management outlined a vision for its future in the Permian that is vastly different from the one they promised investors when the Anadarko deal was struck. OXY shares have lost 65% of their value in 2020, primarily due to the debt, ~$38 bn they took on when Anadarko was acquired.

OXY 2nd Qtr presentation

Vicki Hollub, OXYs CEO commented in the call-

We do not intend to grow production until we have significantly reduced debt and we view the long-term price of WTI to be sustainable at higher levels than where the current curve indicates. In any eventual growth scenario, we expect that annual production growth will be less than the 5% per year that we had previously stated.

Source

Instead OXY will merely look to sustain the decline of its shale portfolio to less than 25% YoY. For reference in early 2019 Anadarko was running 12 rigs in the Permian, and the old OXY was running 10. For the rest of 2020 they will have one-net rig, and allow daily production to decline to 1.3 mm BOEPD for the whole company, and to ~435K BOEPD for Permian Resources, their primary shale drilling sub-entity.

You will note in the slide above that capex for growth will not come until debt has been substantially reduced, and shareholder dividends have been restored.

On the plus side OXY has received an analyst upgrade based on valuation from JP Morgans Phil Gresh. He commented in a review of OXY-

"Given the magnitude of underperformance, the de-risking of the maturity wall and the recent stability in the oil price. Significant oil price torque in either direction remains the key to the stock's performance.

Source

In summary, the future is uncertain for OXY. In order for them to survive two things must happen. Oil prices must rise, and they must push back debt maturities that are insurmountable with projected cash flow. They seem to be having success in both cases with oil prices rising, and have recently rescheduled near term debt maturities.

Now lets look at another Permian focused driller, Parsley Energy, (NYSE:PE).

Through a combination of capital restraint and cost-cutting this Permian player has sought to secure its survival. It notably shut-in production early to prod other shale drillers to do the same. As previously noted this gambit has been successful in large measure, and recently the company restored the shut-in barrels.

Source

In the second half of 2020, Parsley will look to maintain, and not grow production while increasing capital efficiency through technological improvement. Parsley is also generating significant free cash flow (FCF), at WTI prices above $35/bbl. The estimate for FCF in 2020 is ~$350 MM. On a Price to Cash Flow (P/CF) basis, PE is undervalued with a multiple of 13.5. That compares favorably with OXYs P/CF of 15.6. PE has also recently raised their dividend where OXY has slashed theirs to $0.01 for the current quarter.

Your takeaway

As I discussed in my prior article on the direction oil prices might take the expectation is that they will continue their upward trajectory. This is based on an emerging gap between daily production and increasing demand. I did some arithmetic on this calculation in the linked article. Readers should have a look if they are interested in the numbers.

For the rest of this year the expectation is from a lack of new drilling and completion activity, production from U.S. shale will continue to decline. Many more shale drillers have outlooks similar to the companies covered in this article.

My year-end exit forecast for U.S. shale is ~5 mm BOEPD.

Note-For those who are interested in testing the waters with an investment in OXY or PE, should look carefully before they take the plunge as there are inherent risks in both. That said, valuations are attractive for both companies at the present time, and the stock prices for both should continue to rise with oil during the coming months.

By David Messler for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Sebastian Vettel will sign a multi-year contract at the next race at Spa-Francorchamps.

Citing sources, Kronen Zeitung newspaper claims that despite the most recent speculation to the contrary, the German will be an Aston Martin driver from 2021.

However, speculation continues to swirl around the more immediate future of the struggling Ferrari driver.

Vettel is notably struggling not only to drive his 2020 car, but his relationship with the Maranello team has also clearly failed.

During qualifying, and despite at least 20 messages from his engineer, the quadruple world champion said nothing at all on the radio in Barcelona.

It has sparked speculation that Kimi Raikkonen or Nico Hulkenberg are being lined up to immediately replace the 33-year-old.

"No, absolutely not," Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto told Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

"Regardless of the choices we have made about the future, he is part of the Ferrari family and we trust him as a driver and as a person.

"That's why we would never make such a decision."

Ferrari changed Vettel's chassis after Silverstone, but there have even been claims that the Italian team is deliberately sabotaging him in order to make Charles Leclerc look better.

"My answer to that is very simple: that is completely wrong," Binotto insisted.

"First of all, we need Sebastian and his talent. We need him for our success. So exactly the opposite is the case," said the Italian.

"We are helping him wherever we can. We stand by Sebastian, just as he stands by Ferrari and our whole team. Together, we will try to find out what's going on with his performance at the moment."

(GMM)
3 1 of 3 Courtesy photo/U.S. Border Patrol Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Courtesy photo/U.S. Border Patrol Show More Show Less 3 of 3





A joint operation between local and federal authorities led to the discovery of a stash house along Texas 359, according to the U.S. Border Patrol.

Agents and Laredo police officers responded to suspicious activity Friday afternoon at a residence in the 3400 block of Texas 359. Authorities encountered an individual outside the house, who was determined to be a Mexican citizen illegally present in the country.
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Paris: France is to propose that masks be worn in shared workspaces as the country grapples with a rebound in coronavirus cases to over 3000 in the past 24 hours.

The health ministry reported 3310 new coronavirus infections, marking a post-lockdown high for the fourth day in a row.

A family walks along on the Champs-Elysees avenue, with the Arc de Triomphe in the background. Credit:AP

The number of clusters being investigated increased by 17 to 252, it said in a website update.

The resurgence prompted Britain to impose a 14-day quarantine for people arriving from France, and led the authorities in Paris to expand zones in the capital where wearing a mask is mandatory outdoors.
(Natural News) When Kamala Harris was announced as Joe Bidens running mate, the left was thrilled to have a woman of color on the Democratic ticket. But a closer look at some of her past actions is leading to a lot of very serious questions about her suitability for the nations second-highest office.

Speaking to host Alex Marlow on Breitbart News Daily on Sirius XM, author Peter Schweizer explained how Harris refused to prosecute priests for sexual abuse while serving as the District Attorney for San Francisco.

Were not just talking about one or two cases that slipped through. According to Schweizer, she didnt prosecute a single one of the many cases of child sex abuse by Roman Catholic priests during her 13-year tenure. She served as DA from 2004 to 2011 at a time when many such cases were being prosecuted around the country. In fact, she was the only DA among 50 major metropolitan cities not to charge any priest with sexual abuse.

Moreover, after being elected DA, she put a swift end to plans by her predecessor, former DA Terence Hallinan, to publicly release a series of clergy abuse files that named priests who had been accused of sexual abuse. Hallinan had been planning to release these files despite pleas from the Archdiocese of San Francisco to keep them under wraps. The San Francisco archdiocese covers church operations in San Francisco as well as San Mateo and Marin counties.

Victims outraged by Harriss lack of action

Hallinan said that at least 40 current and former priests who had been accused of molestation were on the list. He was planning to redact victim names and pursue prosecutions, like many other areas were doing. According to Schweizer, Harris ensured that list could never be released to the public. At the time, this move earned her a slew of criticism from victims rights groups.

Schweizer told Marlow: Some of the other groups went absolutely ballistic, and you can understand why. Kamala Harris claimed that she sealed those records to protect victims. The victims call that outrageous and wrong. They used language that I couldnt use on radio.

Several victims of clergy sex abuse in California told The Intercept that Harriss office ignored their requests to access the investigative files that could have helped them get justice for what happened to them.

Making matters worse, Schweizer claims that Harris hid records about the abuses and retaliated against a DA who did try to take action.

Hallinans team of investigators had collected evidence as part of a big probe into the rampant clergy sexual misconduct there, and his team had prosecuted cases of abuse from decades earlier. Is it any surprise that Harriss campaign to take Hallinans DA seat received a remarkable amount of donations from top Catholic Church officials? According to Schweizer, many of the lawyers and legal firms representing the archdiocese on different issues gave generous contributions to her campaign, some of whom had never donated in these types of races before.

Harris has often touted her hard stance on child sexual abuse cases, drawing attention to her record when it comes to prosecuting sex crimes and child exploitation. However, when the perpetrators come from the Catholic Church, it is a far different story.

Its pretty shocking that Harris claims to be a victims advocate yet has such a horrific record when it comes to letting priests get away with abuse. Will American voters really allow someone who is so easily bought get within such easy reach of the presidency?

Sources for this article include:

Breitbart.com

TheIntercept.com
Swinney said the clinic is an excellent option for people in need.

We want to make sure that everyone in the community is aware of our services, Swinney said. We know that Marion County is in a precarious situation with under-employment and people that dont receive health benefits through their jobs. We can be here to provide the services that they need and fill the gap until theyre able to get health coverage.

Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

Executive Director Tanya M. Hodge said the clinic offers services that residents need and she wants the community to know what they have to offer.

We promote health and wellness, and by accomplishing these actions we can improve the overall quality of life, Hodge said. Dr. Parmanand J. Dawani, MD, is the founder of this powerful organization and he saw the need and vision to help those whose lives were in distress. While carrying on his vision we have partnered with so many agencies to assist our patients with free health care, employment, food insecurities, dental assistance, cancer screenings, and retina exams for our diabetics.

Marion County Healthcare Foundation Board Chairwoman Victoria Belin said she became interested in Helping Hands Free Medical Clinic back in 2012.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 20:33:22|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese fugitive gangster surnamed Zheng was brought back to China from the Dominican Republic on Sunday after 15 years on the lam, China's Ministry of Public Security said.

The suspect was the first fugitive repatriated by the Caribbean country to China, the ministry said.

Zheng is suspected of organizing criminal activities in Fuzhou, capital of east China's Fujian Province, including illegally running a gambling house and instigating a murder back in 2005, the ministry said.

Zheng then fled to several countries including Argentina and the Dominican Republic with fake identities and joined a mafia-like organization in Argentina as a core member to attack overseas Chinese, it added.

Zheng, wanted on the Interpol Red Notice, was arrested in March by Dominican authorities, according to the ministry, which reiterated its tough stance against organized crimes and urged those at large to surrender themselves for leniency. Enditem
People returning from Da Nang wait to have their samples taken for Covid-19 testing at a medical center in HCMC's Binh Thanh District, July 28, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Thuan Nguyen.

Lawyers have confirmed HCMC could legally charge returnees from epicenter Da Nang that skipped health declaration procedures.

At least 3,000 people returning from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City in July have not reported themselves or showed up for testing as required.

City Chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong this week said those trying to evade the process or lied about their health status could face criminal charges.

Commenting on the citys move, lawyers said it had all the legal basis to act, adding even more stringent measures could be applied.

Lawyer Truong Xuan Tam, chairman of the Bar Association of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province that borders HCMC, said the authorities' threat is necessary and valid.

Those that do not complete health declaration procedures, evade medical quarantine, skip Covid-19 testing or refuse to take the test and cause the new coronavirus to spread must be charged with "spreading dangerous infectious diseases to humans" in accordance with the 2015 Penal Code.

He suggested that in case the violators have not been found to have caused the virus to spread, the city should apply a fine of VND5-10 million ($215-430) in line with a 2013 government decree that regulates administrative punishments in the healthcare sector.

"This fine is still too low compared to the $10,000 in Singapore or 5,000 euros ($6,000) in Italy and 10,000 euros in Germany," Tam said.

As Vietnam has yet to draw up regulations for those violating Covid-19 healthcare rules, authorities should rely on existing rules to provide timely deterrence, he said.

Lawyer Huynh Thanh Thi from the HCMC Bar Association said the city has been doing the greatest job in controlling and dealing with Covid-19 among all major cities in Vietnam, given it is the countrys economic hub and faces the highest infection risk.

However, so far, the strictest regulation the city has issued is a fine of up to VND300,000 ($13) for not wearing a mask in public, encouraging residents to help prevent the spread of infection.

Meanwhile, other major cities like Hanoi, Da Nang and Hai Phong have issued sub-law documents that regulate specific behavior related to evading the health declaration process.

Thi suggested HCMC rely on current regulations to deal with evaders. He said the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases states that quarantine is mandatory for those suspected to carry the disease or having contact with anyone that could have been infected.

Those that insist on evading the health declaration process, quarantine and testing, and at the same time prevent authorities from fulfilling their tasks are subjected to the charge of "resisting those conducting public duties" as per the criminal code, he said.

Around 140,000 people have returned to HCMC from Da Nang since July 1. After the country's first community transmission case in more than three months was confirmed in Da Nang on July 25, authorities nationwide have required the central city returnees to report themselves.

Vietnams protocols on Covid-19 prevention state all those that had visited stricken areas must be isolated and tested.

Since the resurgence, HCMC had recorded 11 new infections, including eight local transmissions related to the Da Nang outbreak.

In late March, Vietnams Supreme Peoples Court asked all civil and military courts across the country to apply Article 240 in the criminal code against those escaping quarantine and submitting false health declarations.

Those supplying fraudulent medical declarations or evading medical quarantine when returning from Covid-19 stricken areas can be jailed for up to five years.
Catherine Troisi, an infectious disease epidemiologist based in Houston, believes it's a combination of failings. "We've probably done the worst job we could do," says Troisi, who works at UTHealth School of Public Health. A sample is collected at a free COVID-19 testing site in Texas last week. Credit:AP "We never really shut down, there was a lot of conflicted messaging  including at the national level  and at first there wasn't even a statewide mask order. "Adding to all this was 'Texas individualism'  where people don't like being told what to do. Most of America is like this, but I'd hazard a guess that Texas is one of the worst when it comes to libertarianism."

The genesis of Texas' woes can be traced back to the start of May, when Republican Governor Greg Abbott, a Trump ally, rushed to reopen the state after weeks of confusing "stay at home" orders and partisan disagreements with Democrat mayors. Until then, Texans had been urged not to leave their homes except for essential services and activities. But many residents didn't stay home at all, and the definition of "essential" included things like gun stores, hunting, and church congregations. As restaurants, bars, gyms and beauty salons began to reopen, cases and fatalities started to skyrocket. On May 1, Texas recorded 25 new deaths in a day. On July 27 there were 685 in a day. Texas Governor Greg Abbott and US President Donald Trump discuss the coronavirus response. Credit:AP

By Friday, the sun belt state  with a population of 29 million people, including high numbers of Latinos and African Americans  had recorded almost 531,000 cases of coronavirus and 9771 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University figures. The proportion of tests coming back positive was 16.4 percent, among the highest in the country. As the Democratic conventions begin this week, Texas has become so much of a COVID-19 disaster that some believe this Republican stronghold could end up costing Donald Trump at the ballot box in November. "Texas would have been competitive anyway but coronavirus has really shone a light on how the pandemic has been mismanaged," says Abhi Rahman, communications director for the Texas Democrats. Across the streets of Houston, the financial impact has also been acutely felt by businesses across the city. Among them is The Breakfast Klub, a midtown institution where locals flock every day just to get a serve of its signature southern dishes: catfish and grits, or chicken wings and waffles.

Speaking at the eatery last week, owner Marcus Davis admits the past few months have been tough. When restaurants were shut down in March, he was suddenly forced to rely on takeaway dining, which accounted for only 20 per cent of his business back then. Staff were stood down, and "I had no idea if or when we'd come out of the other side," he says. Today, however, the 48-year-old father and entrepreneur is grateful his restaurant was able to reopen under strict social distancing rules. But Davis, who describes himself as an independent voter, argues that an opportunity was lost by Trump, who he believes should have pushed for an immediate lockdown across the states, combined with measures such as food discounts or housing support to help the most vulnerable. "I think if, as a nation, we had committed to making everything stop for a period of time, then we'd have a better grasp of this now," he says. Elsewhere in Texas, the impact of coronavirus is hard to ignore. Schools, which have been told to reopen in person or face funding cuts, are ordering plexiglass in droves to minimise the spread of germs among children.

In aged care homes, elderly residents have been unable to see their relatives for five months. Even death notices are becoming increasingly political: last month, in a scathing obituary published in a local newspaper in Jefferson, the family of 79-year-old coronavirus victim David Nagy blamed his death squarely on Trump and Abbott, and took aim at the "ignorant, self centred and selfish people" who had refused to wear masks. "Family members believe David's death was needless," his wife, Stacey Nagy, wrote. The obituary for David W. Nagy in Texas blames Donald Trump's response to the pandemic for his death. Texas Governor Greg Abbott's office did not answer questions in time for deadline about the state's response to the virus, or what more could be done to tackle it.

However, at a news conference last week, Abbott admitted that hospitals remained overburdened, even though hospitalisation rates had declined. Loading A statewide mask mandate was issued in July and testing has also been boosted. However, getting people to take a test or stay at home is challenging, partly because of the high proportion of Texans who don't have sick leave or insurance, or who don't use government services because of immigration fears. Last week, for instance, the average number of coronavirus tests administered in Texas each day was 36,255, down from 62,516 two weeks earlier. Along with other populous states such as California and Florida, it is continuing to struggle through the virus. "We have far more daily testing capacity than there are tests being undertaken," Abbott told The Houston Chronicle on Thursday.
A number of Chester residents have been stepping up to battle the illegal dumping of trash in their community with recent clean- up efforts. This past weekend, community groups including Making A Change Group, The Bridge Church and volunteers from Covanta, a trash-to-steam facility, gathered near the Edgemont Park Apartments to clean up a large pile of illegally dumped trash and furniture.

Were supporting the efforts of a group of Chester residents that have been doing this for a few weeks now, said Cory Long, 44, the organizer of Saturdays clean-up. We realize the city has a trash issue and an illegal dumping issue. So weve been coming together with like-minded individuals, determined to clean our city up and help city officials with the load.

Chester Mayor Thaddus Kirkland confirms there have been trash issues in the past few months as contactors have had employees come down with the coronavirus, have had to be quarantined, or have become so overwhelmed and depleted they actually quit.

Its not just something that has happened in the city of Chester. Upper Darby had to quarantine their entire crew and Philadelphia is being overrun with trash, Kirkland said. We just ask residents to be patient and try their best to put out as little trash as they can. I know that is difficult.

Kirkland also pointed out the city is shorthanded with a number of employees laid off.

Were not all the way fully staffed, as of yet, many of our city workers are still laid off and many are working partial days, said Kirkland. Our workers are not working full time, as of yet. We are not only in a pandemic; we are in a receivership.

Long, the founder of Making A Change Group, said volunteers were also at the Benjamin Banneker Homes working with residents in that community cleaning up. He said his organization was supporting Chester Sweeps a new group of residents that has been holding bi-weekly clean ups around the city.

I was starting to notice the trash was piling up. Residents were illegally dumping because the city was not coming out to get the trash, said Carol Kazeem who, with fellow community organizers Kristie Barnes and MeChelle Gadson, decided to do something about it and formed Chester Sweeps. Lets go out to these residential areas and try to eliminate the trash thats not being picked up. I figured a lot of youngsters, like myself, can come out and initiate this. Weve been doing this for two months, every other Saturday. Cleaning up, doing the best we can do.

The group has been moving around the city. Next week, they will be on Ninth and Ward at Memorial Park. Each Saturday the group cleans a different section of the citya.

This past Saturday morning, the group descended on a large pile of illegally dumped debris near the Edgemont Park Apartments and quickly picked up the mattresses, chairs and bags of garbage and placed them in a dumpster supplied by the city for removal to the Covanta trash-to-steam plant that turns the trash from Chester County, and much of Delaware County, into energy.

Hopefully, we can help find a solution to some of this illegal dumping, said Don Commarata, business manager for the Covanta facility, who was volunteering with six other members of his staff. We saw there an increase of this with the COVID, and we wanted to help out the community. Were neighbors.

Commarata said the trash-to-steam plant produces 60 megawatts of power a year and employs than 100 local residents.

George Odom of Woodlyn was among those helping Saturday. I come from this community, its the best possible way I can help, he said as he threw a bag of trash in the dumpster.

Kirkland urged residents to report illegal dumpers to police.

Our best way of catching dumpers are our residents, said Kirkland. We need their eyes and ears to catch them. When caught, we will fine and take their vehicles.

Kirkland recommended using the downloadable Chester police app for phones. Residents can also call 610 447 7931.

We need all the partners we can when it comes to keeping our city clean, said Kirkland. If other residents and community groups would like to join in help us to clean our city and keep it clean we are more than willing to partner with them.

For those who would like to volunteer, Chester Sweeps will hold its next clean up this coming Saturday, Aug. 15, at Ninth and Ward at Memorial Park. Volunteers gather at 10:30 a.m with clean up beginning at 11.
When three-year-old Alexandra Naggears mother saw an explosion through her window in Lebanon, she scooped up her little girl and tried to run into the next room.

But it was too late.

Alexandra, a Canadian citizen, suffered a head injury from the impact of the explosion in Beirut on Aug. 4, and died in hospital three days later, said her grandfather Michel Awad. Awad and his daughter are also Canadian.

The power of the explosion blew them inside the house. My daughter was trying to cover Alexandra, but the explosion was extremely powerful, he said in a phone interview on Sunday. They were blown by the intensity of the explosion and they hit something  probably a wall or a door.

Two Canadians were among the 180 people killed in the explosion, officials have said. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered his deepest condolences to the family and friends of them both. More than 6,000 people were wounded and at least 30 are still missing.

Awad described his granddaughter as an amazing baby who was smart, funny and full of life.

On the day of the explosion, he said, Alexandra was playing at home with her parents and a friend. The home, which overlooked the port, was not even two kilometres away.

His daughter saw the first explosion and went to the window, he said, when she heard a whistling sound.

She screamed and asked the others to move away from the window, Awad said.

And they ran inside, he said. It was just like a fraction of a second before the second huge explosion took place, and they were blown inside the house.

His daughter suffered a broken hand along with other injuries, Awad said, adding that his son-in-law was also injured.

At that same moment, Awad said he was sitting on the balcony of his house that is shaded by a row of pine trees, roughly an hours drive from the port.

I just saw those huge pine trees bending  bending towards the balcony when you have this tornado or a storm. Then I felt this release of hot air, and I heard the explosion.

He was uninjured.

But he said hes angry and regrets moving back to Beirut in 1994, which he said they did for various reasons, including work.

The cause of the fire that ignited nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate stored at Beiruts port remains unclear. Documents have emerged showing that the countrys top leadership and security officials were aware of the chemicals that had been stored there for years.

Awad said his wife died 10 days after Alexandras parents wedding.

The little girl, who was born on Jan. 28, 2017, filled a void in her mothers life, her grandfather said. But now, the family wants to move back to Montreal and start anew.

Alexandras parents are feeling terrible and are in shock, Awad said.

They need a fresh start. They need to be away from here. They need to be away from places that will always remind them of her.

His granddaughters new best friend was their yellow Labrador named Stella, and she liked listening to Sleeping Beauty and other fairy tales with the dog, he recalled.

The little girl called him Jido Michlo, which means Grandpa Michel in Arabic. And he called her Hayeti Lexuti  meaning, my whole life. Her funeral was held Aug. 8.

A couple of days before the explosion his granddaughter was starting to learn how to ride her bicycle.

The best time we had was teaching her how to ride the bicycle, he said. And it was red because red was her favourite colour.

She had also lately acquired a taste for local dishes but loved burgers with French fries, Awad said, adding he spent days and sometimes weeks with his granddaughter because her parents had to travel for work.

Being with Alexandra was pure luxury, he said. Every single moment.
The University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED) Kumasi was established to drive president Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo's vision of Ghana's industrialisation through Technical and Vocational education.

The established University which was a branch under the University of Education, Winneba, has recently been given the power to run as a fully autonomous university in Kumasi, Ghana. The changed of the name from the University of Education to the University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED) became possible after the president's vision of driving industrialisation through Technical and Vocational education in Ghana.

It is further to be acknowledged that (USTED) will gain its international recognition and will be able to stand to be one of the best universities in the world, hence making the president's vision a reality.

The agenda of Nana Addo Dankwah needs to be materialised by a leader who is competent to work, someone who has both local and international affairs to move the university forward towards achieving the purpose.

The recent problems at the University of Education Winneba have polarized all the campuses with factions. Nevertheless, at (USTED), there have been huge concerns on the appointment of an accounting professor who has been appointed as Dean of Faculty of Technology in the institution which has created a mess on the campus. The problem has been raining serious strife, noting the emphasis that the accounting professor does not have the qualities to head the Faculty of Technology of the school, hence must be changed.

This has called for a neutral person outside the University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED) to head the school. It is believed the appointment of a neutral head outside the institution will help to create a quality environment as well as unifying all the staff under one umbrella without discrimination to move the university as a centre of excellence in Technical and Vocational training.

It will also call for key positions to come from outside to inject new focus in the university.

In various recommendations, it will be appropriate for the president of Ghana, Minister of Education and the Minister of State- Tertiary to consider appointing somebody outside this university to ensure absolute inclusiveness of all the colleges affiliated to (USTED).
TASHKENT (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th August, 2020) Uzbekistan confirmed 693 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, taking the total tally to 34,944, the Health Ministry said on Sunday.

The first COVID-19 case was recorded in Uzbekistan on March 15. By Saturday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Central Asian country reached 34,251, while the number of fatalities stood at 223. Over 28,000 patients have recovered from the disease.

"As of August 16, 2020, 10:00 [local time, 05:00 GMT] the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Uzbekistan is 34,944," the ministry said in its official Telegram channel.

Over the past 24 hours, five more patients have died, bringing the total death toll from the infection to 228. The number of those recovered has exceeded 30,000.

On August 15, the country's authorities started to gradually weaken the quarantine-related measures, including, in particular, lifting the restrictions on vehicle traffic and the ban on local air and railway traffic. Public transport was launched as well. The work was also resumed at resorts and hotels museums, children's health camps, beauty salons, hairdressers, public catering facilities in the open air.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 12:35:31|Editor: huaxia

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Police officer Timothy Worrall gives an interview in Hong Kong, south China, on Aug. 6, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

HONG KONG, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Sitting with his back to a battered office chair that belonged to an admiral of the Japanese Navy during the occupation of Hong Kong in World War II, Timothy Worrall, one of the youngest serving foreign police officers in Hong Kong, hopes his retirement does not come too quickly.

The 47-year-old Briton serves in Hong Kong's Marine Police Headquarters on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island. It is a building with various historical items telling a nearly-200-year history of piracy, war, smuggling, illegal immigration and sea rescue.

"I think all of the overseas officers working with the force have one thing in common -- that Hong Kong is their home. And because of it, you can't really differentiate between an overseas officer and a locally-recruited one, because they share the same goal, same commitment, which is to keep their home safe and sound, and look after the people of Hong Kong," he said.

Worrall's family originally came to Hong Kong before WWII when his grandfather worked on coastal trading vessels. During the Japanese occupation, his grandfather was interned in Stanley Internment Camp where his grandfather met with his grandmother.

Worrall's father joined the force in the 1960s and retired as a chief superintendent in 1997.

"I grew up seeing him doing many challenging and fulfilling things at the police tactical unit, the emergency unit and marine, and I formed the childhood dream of also joining," he said.

After obtaining a degree in Britain, he was recruited in London and joined the force in October 1994.

"I was very lucky to get in as overseas recruitment was ending at that time," Worrall said. The Hong Kong police force recruited quite many overseas officers before 1994. Some of them have chosen to stay and continue to serve after Hong Kong's return to the motherland in 1997.

Besides the intensive training on firefighting, life saving and survival skills, he also self-taught Cantonese and became a daai lou, meaning "big brother" among his colleagues.

Worrall was also given a Chinese name, Wong Wai-nok, which has accompanied him during his 26 years of service.

"I believe it means a person of great aspirations, whether that applies to me or not I can't say," he said jokingly.

According to Worrall, police officers move positions normally every 18 months to 24 months, which in his eyes is another good thing about Hong Kong police because "You know that you are going to try new things."

He will soon assume a new post as a deputy district commander, assisting his superior who is responsible for over 1,000 officers manning the patrol boats on the northern, eastern and western waters.

Though he is confined to his office most of the time, he is still a good "captain" if he wants to. The last time he steered a high-speed interceptor in an official capacity was in 2019, and he sailed "as fast as the vehicles running on a nearby highway."

"Chasing and intercepting high-speed boats requires highly specialized skills, and is also very dangerous," Worrall said. "But I've never been overtaken."

The police force of Hong Kong was repeatedly given the acclamation of Asia's Finest in the past decades. Over the course of the last year, he had been repeatedly impressed by the officers on the frontline who had been subjected to all sorts of pressures.

"Everyone has a right to expression. But throwing petrol bombs or firing arrows to people in the street is really not the way to express yourself if you want to be taken seriously," he said.

The force is exactly the same force as it was -- the same traditions, same regulations and same orders, he said. "They stood firm and stood together to make Hong Kong what it was -- a safe and stable society in the world."

In fact, a service satisfaction survey of Hong Kong police is conducted every year. The 2019 survey showed that 84 percent of the public were satisfied with the force's services.

"I think it's important to remember that over the course of history, Hong Kong has faced many, many challenges, but it just keeps on going." And Worrall wants to accompany the city for as far as possible.

"Hong Kong is an amazing place for many many reasons. But one of my favorite reasons is that in the morning you can go fishing, hiking, biking, diving. And then in the afternoon you can come down into this amazing city and have all sorts of foods and meet all sorts of people from all sorts of places around the world," he said.

"I can't think of another place like it," he said. Except for the 10 years of studying in Britain, during which Worrall kept coming back for summer and winter vacations, Hong Kong has always been his hometown.

And the sense of nostalgia has been growing in him as he moves towards retirement.

"I'm trying not to think about it too much. I'm trying to enjoy what I'm doing now, but when it does happen, I would like to commit myself further to Hong Kong," he said.

"The force, although it's very very big -- over 30,000 officers, it's also very, very small. It's like a family in many ways. It looks after its own, and it strives to look after the people of Hong Kong." Enditem
Pakistan's coronavirus tally reached 288,717 on Sunday after 670 new cases were detected in the last 24 hours, the health ministry said. Six more fatalities were reported overnight, pushing the death toll to 6,168, it said.

While 266,301 patients were recovered so far, 769 are in critical condition at various hospitals across the country. With the detection of the 670 new cases, Pakistan's coronavirus tally now stands at 288,717, the ministry said. Of the total infections, Sindh reported the maximum number of 125,904 cases, followed by Punjab at 95,391, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa at 35,153, Islamabad at 15,378, Balochistan at 12,224, Gilgit-Baltistan at 2,486 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) at 2,181.

Health authorities have so far conducted a total of 2,277,153 tests to detect coronavirus infection in the country.

Also Read: Russia produces first batch of coronavirus vaccines

Also Read: India erred in imposing lockdown restrictions; entered, exited too soon, says Abhijit Banerjee
(Natural News) Well, Biden did it at last. He announced his vice-presidential pick in the person of Kamala Harris.

(Article by Patrice Lewis republished from WND.com)

The choice of Harris was clearly orchestrated. Biden was more or less forced to choose a woman of color, and the pool of acceptable applicants was distressingly narrow. The candidate originally considered unworthy of being the presidential pick (New York Times: She has proven to be an uneven campaigner who changes her message and tactics to little effect and has a staff torn into factions) is now the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Harris dropped out of the presidential race last December allegedly due to money concerns (Im not a billionaire. I cant fund my own campaign), though in fact she was rejected by 98 percent of Democrats. What better way to become president than through the back-door method of being VP to a man who can barely tie his shoelaces? Now shes being called the female Obama.

Lets face it, Bidens cognitive decline means, flat out, that his VP pick is essentially the presidential nominee for the Democrats. There is even talk of ditching Creepy Joe and just going with Harris. (Hmm. If that happens, what will her VP choice be limited to, since the woman of color category is already filled?)

At any rate, Harriss gender is a deliberate attempt to court the vote of women  you know, the middle-class suburban moms of this nation (MSNBC: She cares about womens issues, she cares about equality deep within her soul). So, as a middle-class woman, here are my thoughts about Kamala Harris.

Kamala Harris is an ambitious woman who will stop at nothing to claw her way upwards  sleeping with the mayor, jailing thousands of people for the same crimes she herself committed, engaging in character assassinations for anyone she dislikes, purportedly getting a facelift. You name it, shes done it.

But is that what voters want? Does an ambitious, grasping, power-mad woman of color  who is ranked most liberal compared to all U.S. senators  fulfill the political requirements of the average middle-class mom? I doubt it.

Harris is a political chameleon. Thats why its easy for her to dump any scruples she claims she previously had. When Biden was accused of sexual harassment and assault, she claimed to believe the accusers. (I believe them and I respect them being able to tell their story and having the courage to do it.) Now she shamelessly abandoned the assaulted women to advance her career. Shes a chameleon, willing and able to change her story between one breath and the next, for the sake of her power-mad goal. Shades of Hillary, folks.

Now, by smearing Trump supporters as bigots, she hopes to advance her career. And she will do, say, claim, or support anything to further that ambition. And of course, anyone who criticizes Harris is automatically a racist and a sexist. Hold her up to any standards  any standards at all  and youre a racist and a sexist.

Just last week a group of abortion lobbyists  officials from Planned Parenthood, NARAL, Emilys List, others  sent a letter to media organizations around the country about Bidens upcoming VP pick, reports Tucker Carlson. It was addressed to editors, news directors, reporters. The choice of a vice-presidential candidate was almost certain to be a black woman, they said. They were right. And they wanted to warn reporters that in the wake of George Floyds death, any critical coverage of Joe Bidens VP pick would amount to systemic racism. It wasnt guidance; it was an unveiled threat.

Now, despite all evidence to the contrary, the New York Times is branding Harris as a pragmatic moderate.

No, shes not.

Harris supports all the kooky leftist agenda issues on the table. She redefined the violent, murderous anarchists attacking our cities as a coalition of conscience and the heroes of our time. She covered up sex-abuse crimes of priests, buried records and took cash from church officials. She has connections to disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. She supports reparations. She is rabidly pro-abortion. She said she would use executive orders for gun control if elected president. She supports forcing schools to let boys compete in girls sports. She wants to adopt the Green New Deal.

A pragmatic moderate? Not even close.

Even many liberals arent happy with Bidens choice, knowing she will alienate the very people shes supposed to attract (namely, women). Progressive reporter Michael Tracey tweeted, Kamalas past as a hardline prosecutor doesnt endear her to left-wing voters, and her more recent embrace of an Extremely Online activist rhetorical style doesnt endear her to Law and Order voters. So shes in a weird political no mans land. Whos her natural constituency?  Terrible pick from a strategic perspective, a governing perspective  every perspective, really. Theres a good chance Kamala repels more voters than she attracts. This was about party brokers / interest groups imposing their will on Biden, and him capitulating.

Nor are Biden supporters overly pleased. Some remain bitter about her attacks on Biden during primary debates last year, saying they bring into question her loyalty to the former vice president, notes CNBC. Others argue that shes too ambitious and that she will be solely focused on becoming president herself.  I think a good number of people closest to Joe are pushing against Kamala, including me, a Chicago-based businessman backing Biden told CNBC. I dont like her, and I dont like the way she campaigned. She seems not loyal at all and very opportunistic.' [Emphasis added.]

Over and over again, those descriptors come up. Opportunistic. Ambitious. When politicians (who already, by definition, possess these traits) are overly endowed with these maladies, you can expect the regular citizens to suffer at the hands of their ambition.

In short, smart people dont vote by race or gender. They look at the candidates record, accomplishments, motives and past.

Dumb people vote by race and/or gender. I guess the victory of the Biden/Harris ticket will determine how many dumb people there are in America. (In fact, the people who are endorsing Harris are, well, cringeworthy.)

A vote for Biden/Harris is NOT a vote for women. Or America.

Read more at: WND.com or KamalaWatch.com
STAFF at three acclaimed Belfast restaurants have tested positive for Covid-19 forcing the closure of the establishments.

Michelin star holder, The Muddlers Club in the Cathedral Quarter, and Yugo's sites in the city centre and east Belfast have all been temporarily shut over the last two days.

The British Legion in Whiteabbey has also had to close after a number of members and their guests tested positive for Covid-19. The Shore Road club plans to reopen tomorrow.

A statement on their Facebook page said: "A number of members & guests have unfortunately tested positive to the Covid 19 virus, with 2 of them requiring admittance to hospital, I am pleased to report that they are at home & recovering well & making good progress."

Yesterday afternoon The Muddlers Club put a statement on its Facebook page announcing its temporary closure.

It said: "We regret to inform you that we will be closing today for an unspecified amount of time as a member of our team has tested positive for Covid-19.

"The particular staff member was only working on Wednesday evening this week and we believe that the cause is from a source outside of the restaurant environment and has been contracted post Wednesday.

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"Although as a precaution we have taken the responsible decision to close whilst our staff are put through the testing process.

"Please note that we have and will continue to uphold the highest standards of safe practice following the government guidelines laid down during the current circumstances.

"It is our great hope that tests will return negative and we will be carrying out our regular thorough deep clean before we make the decision to reopen."

Meanwhile Yugo said that three members of staff have tested positive at its restaurant in Ballyhackamore.

It said while there is no crossover of staff between the two, the partner of one employee at the Wellington Street site had tested positive.

The business said: "Anyone who has been in the restaurant since last Thursday would have possibly been in contact with a staff member that had Covid-19. We had to wait on results coming back today to determine if it was more than an isolated case, before we spoke to HSC.

"We were advised through the helpline that test and trace would take over and contact customers. HSC informed us today that test and trace would not be contacting customers as they do not class them as high risk.

"We are going to start contacting all customers who have dined with us over the last week and update them on our situation, this might take some time so we appreciate your patience. We have tried to deal with this in the best way we can and apologise for any worry this may have caused anyone.

"All staff members are doing well and only have very mild symptoms. We appreciate everyone's support through this difficult time."

The first staff member at the east Belfast restaurant tested positive on Thursday, prompting the testing of all staff employed by the business.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health confirmed this weekend that a further 65 cases of Covid-19 have been diagnosed here.

It also emerged yesterday that the employer of the husband of Ballymena resident Andreea Maftei has set up a fundraiser following her death from Covid-19.

Mrs Maftei (32), originally from Romania and who worked at the Noble Cafe in the town, succumbed to the disease in hospital on Thursday.

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The fundraiser was set up by John Crabbe, who employs her husband Ovidiu, who said he is "devastated" by the news of the young woman's death. It has surpassed its 4,000 target less than a day after being set up and will be used to help transport her body back to Romania and cover the cost of her funeral.
Want to manufacture BrahMos so that no country has audacity to cast evil eye on us: Rajnath Singh

IAF chopper crash: Rajnath Singh likely to be apprised of probe team's findings in next couple of days

Defence minister approves proposal to expand NCC in 173 border, coastal districts

India

pti-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Aug 16: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the proposal to expand the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in 173 border and coastal districts from where one lakh new cadets will be inducted, an official statement said on Sunday.

The expansion of the NCC was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech on Saturday. He said the NCC will be expanded in border and coastal districts so that these areas "get trained manpower for disaster management, and the youth will also get skill training for making their career in the armed forces".

India cannot keep depending on imported defence supplies: Rajnath Singh

The defence ministry's statement said Singh has approved the NCC proposal "for a major expansion scheme". "More than 1,000 schools and colleges have been identified in border and coastal districts where NCC will be introduced," it said.

A total of one lakh cadets from 173 border and coastal districts will be inducted into the NCC, it said, adding that one-third of them will be girls. "As part of the expansion plan, a total of 83 NCC units will be upgraded (Army 53, Navy 20, Air Force 10) to impart NCC training to the cadets in the border and coastal areas," the ministry noted.

The Army will provide training and administrative support to NCC units located in border areas, it said.

The Navy will provide support to NCC units in coastal areas and the Air Force will provide support to those located close to its stations, it added. The NCC is a youth development movement managed by the armed forces. It also provides exposure to cadets in a wide range of activities, with a distinct emphasis on social services, discipline and adventure training. It is open to all regular students of schools and colleges on a voluntary basis. The NCC expansion plan will be implemented in partnership with state governments, the ministry said.

India cannot keep depending on imported defence supplies: Rajnath Singh

Addressing the country from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Modi had said, "About 173 districts in our border areas, our coastal areas share their boundaries with some or the other nation's border or coastline. In the coming days, NCC would be extended in those border districts for the youth there."

"We will train around one lakh new NCC cadets from bordering areas, and we will work towards the idea that amongst those, one-third of them are our daughters," he had said.
The ship has sailed.

But the bills it racked up are bobbing in its wake.

A stack of unpaid invoices is the latest legal twist involving a freighter that spent more than four months anchored in Charleston Harbor with 21 weary and homesick mariners on board.

Nearly 90 days have passed since the M/V Evolution was sold to pay wages the crew accumulated before and during its lengthy detainment off the Battery.

Now, a British maritime insurer that provided coverage for the vessel is queuing up for its cut of the sale proceeds.

The London Club, a.k.a. the London Steam-Ship Owners Mutual Insurance Association, filed papers in federal court last week stating that it picked up the check to pluck the stranded seamen from the ship and send them home.

It's asking to be paid back in full, setting up potential legal brawl over a dwindling pot of money.

The London Club said it incurred repatriation expenses of nearly $214,000, including airline tickets, hotel rooms, meals, security details and immigration fees. It's also seeking the roughly $81,000 it shelled out to keep the ship current on its insurance policies.

The tab started running Jan. 31, shortly after the Evolution arrived at the Port of Charleston. The U.S. Marshals Service "arrested" the Greek-owned ship as part of a lawsuit filed by a different group of insurers.

In that case, the carriers demanded that the Liberia-flagged vessel be seized and sold to pay for a shipment of Indonesia-bound iron ruined by saltwater during a previous sailing. They sought $1.45 million.

A Charleston judge ordered the sale in April, and a Turkish shipping line bought the 25-year-old freighter at a May 18 online auction for $1.34 million.

About $372,000 went straight to the crew, who were paid in full. The auctioneer pocketed another $32,000, leaving about $936,000 in the till.

The latest claim, if approved, would slash the balance by almost a third, to about $641,000.

The London Club is the first out of the chute. It said it was obligated under the international Maritime Labor Convention of 2006 to pay for the return of the marooned mariners.

In a court filing, it's asking to intervene in the damaged-cargo lawsuit to claim and recoup its money before the auction proceeds are disbursed.

"It'll be interesting to see what happens to the rest of the funds," said Charleston maritime lawyer Sam Hines, who helped the seafarers get paid and is still involved in the case.

The repatriation of the crewmen was tricky. They were from the Philippines and Mideast and didn't have the proper paperwork to leave the Evolution. A hard-fought waiver from immigration officials came though in mid-June, allowing the sailors to step foot on solid ground for the first time in months.

The crew stayed at a North Charleston hotel under escort as they waited on their flights. The last group left on June 20.

"They're all safely home," Hines said Thursday.

Around the same time, the Evolution pulled up anchor and sailed toward Africa under new ownership with a fresh crew at the helm. Last week, online vessel trackers showed it was somewhere in the Black Sea.
The coronavirus death toll in Maharashtra breached the 20,000-mark on August 16 after 288 patients succumbed to the infection, a state health official said.

The state reported 11,111 new positive cases during the day, which pushed its overall tally to 5,95,865, he said.

The number of deaths caused by the infection now stands at 20,037, the official said.

A total of 8,837 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovery on Sunday, taking the count of such persons to 4,17,123.

There are 1,58,395 active cases in the state now, the official added.

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine  one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show

Mumbai reported 1,010 new cases and 47 deaths. This took the number of cases in the city to 1,28,726 and death toll to 7,133. The number of active cases in Mumbai are 17,825 now, he added.

So far 31,62,740 tests have been carried out in the state.

Maharashtra's COVID-19 figures are as follows: Positive cases 5,95,865, deaths 20,037, recoveries 4,17,123, active cases 1,58,395 and people tested so far 31,62,740.

As the state crossed the bleak milestone of over 20,000 COVID-19 related deaths, there is some good news too, a 98-year-old war veteran from Mumbai defeated the infection. Sepoy Ramu Laxman Sakpal, a resident of Nerul who fought off coronavirus, was admitted to Indian Naval Hospital Ship Asvini.

He was admitted to the hospital a few weeks ago after suffering from pneumonia induced by the coronavirus. His condition was successfully managed and he was released from the hospital on August 15. Reportedly, Sepoy Sakpal is one of the few people who has seen it all, ranging from the Spanish Flu to the novel coronavirus.

Follow our full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic here.

With inputs from PTI
A cannabis cafe owner jailed after being exposed by The Mail on Sunday is now suspected of selling marijuana from behind bars.

Khabeer Khan, 31, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in February after this newspaper revealed he was running an Amsterdam-style operation in London.

However an Instagram account for his Rich Nerdz cafe, which is controlled by Khan, features videos which appear to show cannabis being crumbled into packets of tobacco in prison.

It is accompanied by the caption: If only you knew the value of each pack during chrono [coronavirus] season in HMP ask your peoples whos locked up. Always trapping [selling drugs].

Khabeer Khan, 31, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in February after this newspaper revealed he was running an Amsterdam-style operation in London

The Rich Nerdz Instagram account, previously used by drug users to arrange visits to the East London cafe, has continued to post messages promising a comeback.

It has amassed 8,000 followers after the original account, which had more than 12,000, was removed by Instagram.

One recent message reads: When we reopen we coming back like never before, already we aint comparable to anyone worldwide Due to unforeseen circumstances we do not reopen till the end of this year.

Another claimed that Rich Nerdz cafes were planned in West London, Manchester and Barcelona.

Khan, from East Ham, East London, was jailed for supplying cannabis and allowing his cafe  which he had even registered at Companies House  to be used to sell the drug.

An Instagram account for his Rich Nerdz cafe, which is controlled by Khan, features videos which appear to show cannabis being crumbled into packets of tobacco in prison

His accomplice Rocio Atienza, 26, from Poplar, East London, was also convicted for supplying cannabis and cocaine and handed a 12-month suspended sentence at Snaresbrook Crown Court. The MoS last year revealed a surge in the number speakeasy-style cafes selling super-strength cannabis. At Rich Nerdz, a reporter bought cannabis, and Khan was seen behind the counter next to what appeared to be large sacks of the drug.

After we handed our dossier of evidence to Scotland Yard, officers raided the cafe and recovered a couple of kilos of cannabis.

Last night the Prison Service said it was looking into the claims against Khan but that it remained unclear who had filmed the video.

The Home Office estimates 2.6 million adults use cannabis each year.
Two Lakewood companies that were raided by the FBI months ago for price-gouging PPE during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic reached a deal with federal prosecutors that would have them sell, at cost, 11 million items seized from them, authorities said.

CSG Imports LLC and KG Imports LLC also agreed to give up $400,000 in profits they made from two customers who purchased PPE from CSG Imports at excessive prices to compensate them for their losses, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced Friday.

The defendants in this case sought to profit illegally from a pandemic just as it was starting to sweep across the country, Carpenito said in a statement. Todays agreements will ensure that needed personal protective equipment gets into the hands of the people who need it, and at a fair price. We will continue to investigate these price-gouging cases with our law enforcement partners and make sure that vendors stop trying to make excess profits during this national emergency.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit New Jersey in early March, CSG Imports never imported PPE or any other healthcare products and KG Imports was formed after the pandemic began specifically to import PPE into the country, federal prosecutors said.

On April 22, the FBI seized over 11 million PPE items including N-95 respirator masks and three-ply disposable face masks owned by the two companies from three warehouses located on Swarthmore Avenue, according to the statement.

Respirators have been an on demand item for health workers during the coronavirus pandemic to treat people infected with the virus.

Authorities said they learned that the companies were violating the Defense Production Act (DPA) of 1950 by selling the scarce PPE at prices in excess of prevailing market prices for those items, Carpenito said.

For example, CSG imported N-95 masks for a blended per-unit cost of $3.47 and sold them with markups ranging from $0.78 to $2.53 and imported three-ply disposable face masks for a blended per-unit cost of $0.37 and sold them with markups ranging from $0.09 to $0.28, he said

Both companies were charged with one count of violating the DPA but they entered into deferred prosecution agreements with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Jersey where they will sell the items seized at cost and compensate the customers of $400,000, federal prosecutors said.

They also agreed to continue to cooperate with the government in any ongoing or future criminal investigations during the term of their agreements and to provide semi-annual written reports regarding their PPE sales., authorities said.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
Some Ghanian Policemen forcefully shut a large shop belonging to a Nigerian businessman, in Accra, capital of Ghana.

The policemen, in a video obtained by PRNigeria, were observed, first threatening to close down the shop of the Nigerian, over the non-payment of $1 million, as tax to the Ghanian government.

However, the Nigerian business merchant, while fiercely challenging the security men's action, claimed that he has paid both his company tax and all other necessary fees, even before registering his business.

The Nigerian businessman, who was obviously furious, challenged the policemen to provide evidence of non-payment of tax, by him.

He lambasted the Ghanian security personnel for treating Nigerians in their country so harshly, and cruelly.

While videoing the incident himself, the Nigerian trader, further picketed the policemen for treating their fellow Africans so unfairly.

He yelled: "I have been doing business in Ghana since 2007, and I have not defaulted in paying my tax. I have the necessary papers to back up my claim. You guys are only closing our shops because of the $1 million you ask us to pay. Where do you want us to get the $1 million".

The security personnel were thereafter seen closing the Nigerian businessman's shop with a padlock.

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN had earlier reported that Chukwuemeka Nnaji, the president of Nigerian Traders Union in Ghana, on Saturday, decried Ghanaian authorities' closure of shops owned by Nigerians doing business in the country.

Read the details of the earlier report by NAN below

Chukwuemeka Nnaji, the president of Nigerian Traders Union in Ghana, on Saturday decried Ghanaian authorities' closure of shops owned by Nigerians doing business in the country.

Mr Nnaji, who made this known in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), urged the Federal Government to intervene in the matter.

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He said that shops belonging to Nigerian traders in Accra were locked up by Ghanaian authorities who demanded cash payment of one million dollars from them before the shops would be opened.

According to him, an inter-ministerial task force went round on August 10 to identify shops owned by Nigerian traders and requested registration of business taxes, resident permit, standard control and Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC) registration.

"Most of our members do not have the GIPC registration, because it requires one million dollars cash or equity and they gave us 14 days within which to regularise.

"As of Thursday, they had moved to another area and started locking up shops of Nigerian traders.

"Nigerian life in Ghana matters. This is livelihood of Nigerians being destroyed by Ghanaian Authorities. This is not being perpetrated by a trade union, but Ghanaian authorities.

"They demanded that we must employ a minimum of 25 skilled Ghanaian workers and must not trade in commodities that Ghanaian traders have applied to trade in," Mr Nnaji said.

"The humiliation of Nigerians is getting out of hand. We are calling on the Nigerian government to come to our aid.

"We have legally registered our businesses and we pay taxes," Mr Nnaji said.

(NAN)
Anderson is retired from the Air Force and was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2009. He lost his seat in 2017 to a Democrat and tried unsuccessfully to win it back in 2019. Three of Virginias four Republican U.S. House members were among Andersons supporters for chair.
Celebrities looking for a good time in the 1950s didn't just stick around Los Angeles; they took a quick flight up to San Francisco for a weekend of drinking, dancing and colorful debauchery.

San Francisco's nightlife seems tame today compared to the vibrant, all-hours scene it used to be. When LIFE magazine sent photographer Nat Farbman to capture San Francisco's booming restaurant and club scene in 1956, he came back with an array of stunning color photographs. The images show famed SF hotspots like the hungry i, Blue Fox restaurant and Sinaloa Club, all packed to the gills.

A 1958 Playboy magazine guide to San Francisco nightlife profiled 60 spots in the "wonderfully friendly city which will gladly yield you your fondest dreams unless you're a clod and a boor." Playboy reported that the downtown bars were all full of models - and well-dressed gentlemen hoping to impress said models.

They singled out the Black Hawk jazz club in the Tenderloin as "one of the craziest in the country," and raved about how San Francisco didn't shut down when the clubs did. "After curfew," partiers headed to "private parties to which they're apt to invite a personable stranger they've met earlier."

Lucky San Franciscans might have run into a number of celebrities who frequented our watering holes. Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe and Joan Crawford were all regulars at the Blue Fox restaurant. Crawford even had her own vodka supply stored at the restaurant.
The grounded Japanese ship that leaked tons of oil near protected areas off the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius has split apart, officials said, with remaining fuel spreading into the turquoise waters.

Photos posted on social media by the official clean-up effort with support of the environment ministry show the ship in two pieces, and the tugboats are already at work.

Oil barriers were in place and a skimmer ship was nearby.

Most if not all the remaining 3,000 tons of fuel had been pumped off the ship in the past week as environmental groups warned that the damage to coral reefs and once-pristine coastal areas could be irreversible.

The MV Wakashio struck a reef on July 25 and its hull began to crack after days of pounding waves.

Volunteers take part in the clean up operation (Beekash Roopun/AP)

Some 1,000 tons of fuel began to leak on August 6.

The Mauritius government is under pressure to explain why immediate action was not taken to empty the ship of its fuel.

The countrys prime minister Pravind Jugnauth earlier blamed bad weather for the slow response.

Owner Nagashiki Shipping has said residual amounts of fuel remained on the ship after pumping.

It is investigating why the ship went off course.

Volunteers clean up after the oil spill (Beekash Roopun/AP)

The ship was meant to stay at least 10 miles from shore.

The company has sent experts to help in cleaning up the damage.

The Mauritius government is seeking compensation from the company.

After the government declared an environmental emergency, thousands of volunteers rushed to the shore to create makeshift oil barriers from tunnels of fabric stuffed with sugar cane leaves and even human hair, with empty soda bottles tucked in to keep them afloat.

The country of some 1.3 million people relies heavily on tourism and already had taken a severe hit with coronavirus pandemic travel restrictions.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic Luis Rodolfo Abinader was sworn in as president of the Dominican Republic on Sunday in a ceremony attended by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Abinader, a 53-year-old businessman who had never held elected office, was elected to a four-year term on July 5, ending a 16-year run in power by a center-left party. He finished second in the 2016 presidential election.

On Friday, the Trump administration only got support from the Dominican Republic when the 15-member U.N. Security Council resoundingly defeated a U.S. resolution to indefinitely extend the U.N. arms embargo on Iran.

This election resounds as an example to other nations of the power of democracy and what is possible when countries prioritize the wishes of their people," Pompeo tweeted after Abinaders inauguration.

The elections in the Dominican Republic took place as the new coronavirus pandemic was sweeping across the Caribbean nation of some 10.5 million people. Abinader himself had spent weeks before the election in isolation following a positive test for the virus, and the vote itself had been postponed from May due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.

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 neighborhood solar capacity rule has led to the rejection of applications in 11 areas of Tucson that already have reached solar saturation, according to TEP.

The only option for many customers in those areas is to install a battery system to store excess power rather than exporting it back to the grid, which exempts them from the rule.

Local solar installer Kent Bauman of Solar Solution AZ said that since implementing the rules in February, TEP has turned down solar interconnection applications filed for six of his prospective customers, or about 10% of applications his 8-year-old company has filed.

If they believe there is already enough solar on that circuit, the only way the homeowner can participate is if they agree to pony up a $10,000 battery, Bauman said.

Turned down

Knutson, a Solar Solution customer, said he was looking forward to installing a 10-kilowatt solar array on the Vail home he shares with his wife and three children.

Then he got a letter from TEP, rejecting his application because his neighborhood feeder power line had reached its maximum total solar generating capacity.
New Delhi:

A retired 80-year old armyman Nand Lal was suddenly in news when a picture of him crying at the queue in front of bank went viral. The 80-year-old lost his spot in the queue while he went to fill a form. In despair, the old man broke into tears. His moving picture depicted the struggles of people while withdrawing money from banks.

I had gone to fill a form, people stopped me when I came back. There was no separate queue for the elderly at bank, all were in the same line, said 80-year-old retired armyman Nand Lal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes on November 8. Since then, people all across the country are facing problems in withdrawing money from banks and ATMs.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
There was one winner of Saturday's Lotto jackpot, worth 7.3m.

The winning ticket was sold in Co Galway.

The winning numbers were: 3, 7, 18, 36, 40, 42, bonus number 16.

Another ticket also won the Match 5 + Bonus prize of 65,136. That ticket was sold in the Topaz Service Station in Grange, Co. Sligo

There was no winner of the Lotto Plus 1 and 2 top prizes. In total, over 116,000 players won prizes in the three draws.

Details of where the winning ticket for last night's Lotto draw was sold have not yet been released.

"With a jackpot win of this magnitude, it is important that we inform the winning retailer and of course to give the winning ticketholder the time and space they need to let this 7.3 million win sink in," a National Lottery spokesperson said.

"Last nights draw produced more than 116,000 winners across the country so we are encouraging everybody who bought a Lotto ticket to check them very carefully  particularly those who played in Co. Galway"

The big win comes as two players in Co Cork won 1m each in separate EuroMillions Ireland Only Raffle draws this week.

A player who bought their ticket in Cork won 1m in Friday's draw, while on Tuesday an online player in Cork also scooped 1m.

A spokesperson for the National Lottery said Cork players of the Ireland Only Raffle should check their tickets.

The first was won by an online player registered in Cork and now just four days later the Rebel County has another brand new National Lottery millionaire," the spokesperson said.

"So were now urging anyone who bought a EuroMillions ticket for [Friday] nights draw in Cork to check those tickets very carefully to see if their code number is I-JML-99060. If it is  congratulations. You are Irelands newest millionaire!"

The winners of these prizes should contact the National Lottery prize claims team on 1800 666 222 or by emailing claims@lottery.ie.

Winners usually have 90 days from the date of the draw to claim their prize but due to Covid-19, the prize claim deadline was temporarily extended to 181 days following a change to the National Lottery licence.
Another RM45b stimulus package needed to battle recession - Guan Eng

Former finance minister Lim Guan Eng today urged the government to introduce another round of economic stimulus package to prevent deflation.

The call was made following Bank Negara's announcement on Friday that Malaysia recorded 17.1 percent GDP contraction in the second quarter of 2020, which is the worst since the 1998 economic recession.

In a statement, Lim suggested that the government spends another RM45 billion to battle the economic recession caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, including financial aid to small and medium enterprises.

The moratorium on bank loans which expires this Sept 30 should also be extended by another six months, Lim added.

"The worst GDP quarterly contraction in the history of 17.1 percent requires another similar RM45 billion economic stimulus package to battle the Covid-19 economic recession.

"The government should implement another cycle of post-Covid financial measures similar to the RM45 billion fund injection done earlier in April," he said.

Malaysia's economy sustained big blow when the government implemented semi-lockdown measure called the movement control order (MCO) in March, a move that it had to take in order to battle the then rapidly increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the country.

Following this, Putrajaya had announced two major economic stimulus packages dubbed Prihatin and Penjana, and one additional package, totalling RM295 billion. These included RM45 billion in the form of direct fiscal injection.

Bank Negara had also instructed for all banks to grant an automatic six months moratorium on all loan and financing payments, except for credit card balances, from April 1.

On Friday, the central bank announced the 17.1 percent GDP contraction, attributing the decline to the "unprecedented impact of the stringent containment measures to control the Covid-19 pandemic globally and domestically."

Meanwhile, adding further, Lim claimed that the economic data shows that Putrajaya has not done enough to mitigate the recession.

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This, according to him, was evident from the Bank Negara's report which shows the governments second-quarter operating expenditure fell 2.1 percent from a year ago, compared to a 5.2 percent increase in the first quarter.

"If the government had done more faster, we could have experienced a shallower recession," he said.

Lim said the 4.9 percent unemployment rate announced in June also hid the real fact of those who are underemployed and wage cuts that had been suffered by workers, including professionals.

"The unemployment rate of 4.9 percent in June hides the fact that there are many professionals such as pilots doing jobs other than flying airplanes. To put it simply, they are underemployed. Here, the government must realise that the quality of employment is just as important as the quantity of jobs.

"This says nothing of pay cuts many hardworking Malaysians suffered over the past few months. As reported by the Department of Statistics Malaysia in April, 84 percent of private employees had suffered pay cuts.

"Bank Negara also reported that during the second quarter, private wages fell by 5.6 percent from a year ago after rising 2.1 percent in the first quarter of 2020."

Lim said the data points to a real risk of deflation, which could hurt the people's living standards.

"There is greater urgency for another round of RM45 billion economic stimulus package to prevent deflation, including financial aid to small and medium enterprises and extending the moratorium on bank loans by another six months when it expires on 30 September.

"Failure to do so will cause greater hardship and even bankruptcy as many will struggle to serve their borrowings, either for cars, homes or business purposes," he added.
TDT | Manama

Stopping the Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories is a historic achievement which would also bring peace and prosperity to the region, said His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa welcoming the normalisation of UAE-Israel ties brokered by the United States.

It is a historic diplomatic achievement that will preserve the two-state solution and maintains the opportunities for peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis, His Majesty said. HM, the King said this during a phone call with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Thursdays agreement announced following a conversation between Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, makes the UAE only the third Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan, to have full diplomatic relations with Israel.

The deal will contribute to strengthening peace and boosting stability in the Middle East in a way that serves that aspiration of its people for security, progress and prosperity, King Hamad said congratulating the UAE Crown Prince. The two leaders also exchanged views on several topics, including the latest regional and international developments of shared interest, and on boosting bilateral cooperation.

King Hamad commended the UAEs honourable stances in defending the causes of the Arab and Islamic nations, principally the Palestinian cause. HH Shaikh Mohammed expressed his gratitude to HM King Hamad and his pride in the harmony between the two countries regarding the issues in the region. He also highlighted his appreciation of Bahrains positions and benevolent efforts in support of the endeavours to bring peace and security to the region for the benefit of its states and peoples.
By Michael Georgy

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanese protesters stormed government ministries in Beirut and trashed the offices of the Association of Lebanese Banks on Saturday as shots rang out in increasingly angry demonstrations over this week's devastating explosion.

The protesters said their politicians should resign and be punished for negligence they say led to Tuesdays blast, the biggest ever to hit Beirut, that killed 158 people and injured more than 6,000, compounding months of political and economic meltdown.

A policeman was killed during the clashes, a spokesman said. A policeman at the scene said the officer died when he fell into an elevator shaft in a nearby building after being chased by protesters.

The Red Cross said it had treated 117 people for injuries on the scene while another 55 were taken to hospital. Policemen wounded by stones were treated by ambulance workers. A fire broke out in central Martyrs' Square.

Dozens of protesters broke into the foreign ministry where they burnt a portrait of President Michel Aoun, representative for many of a political class that has ruled Lebanon for decades and that they say is to blame for its current mess.

"We are staying here. We call on the Lebanese people to occupy all the ministries," a demonstrator said by megaphone.

About 10,000 people gathered in Martyrs' Square, some throwing stones. Police fired tear gas when some protesters tried to break through the barrier blocking a street leading to parliament, a Reuters journalist said.

Police confirmed shots and rubber bullets had been fired. It was not immediately clear who fired the shots. Riot police shot dozens of teargas canisters at protesters, who hit back with firecrackers and stones.

TV footage showed protesters also breaking into the energy and economy ministries.

They chanted "the people want the fall of the regime", reprising a popular chant from the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011. They held posters saying "Leave, you are all killers".

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The U.S. Embassy in Beirut said the U.S. government supported the demonstrators' right to peaceful protest and urged all involved to refrain from violence.

The embassy also said in a tweet that the Lebanese people "deserved leaders who listen to them and change course to respond to popular demands for transparency and accountability".

Prime Minister Hassan Diab said the only way out was early parliamentary elections.

'GO HOME!'

The protests were the biggest since October when thousands of people took to the streets in protest against corruption, bad governance and mismanagement.

You have no conscience, you have no morality. Go home! Leave! Resign, Enough is enough, shouted one of the protesters. What else do you want? You brought us poverty, death and destruction, said another.

Soldiers in vehicles mounted with machine guns patrolled the area. Ambulances rushed to the scene.

"Really the army is here? Are you here to shoot us? Join us and we can fight the government together," a woman yelled.

Tuesday's blast was the biggest in Beirut's history. Twenty-one people were still reported as missing from the explosion, which gutted entire neighbourhoods.

The government has promised to hold those responsible to account. But few Lebanese are convinced. Some set up nooses on wooden frames as a symbolic warning to Lebanese leaders.

"Resign or hang," said one banner at the demonstration.

The prime minister and presidency have said 2,750 tonnes of highly explosive ammonium nitrate, which is used in making fertilisers and bombs, had been stored for six years without safety measures at the port warehouse.

ECONOMIC MELTDOWN

The explosion hit a city still scarred by civil war and reeling from an economic meltdown and a surge in coronavirus infections.

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.

Some residents, struggling to clean up shattered homes, complain the government has let them down again.

"We have no trust in our government," said university student Celine Dibo as she scrubbed blood off the walls of her shattered apartment building. "I wish the United Nations would take over Lebanon."

Many people denounced their leaders, saying none of them visited the site of the blast to comfort them or assess the damage while French President Emmanuel Macron flew from Paris and went straight to the scene to pay his tribute.

Macron, who visited Beirut on Thursday, promised aid to rebuild the city would not fall into "corrupt hands". He will host a donor conference for Lebanon via video link on Sunday, his office said. U.S. President Donald Trump said that he will join.

"We don't want any government to help us," said unemployed protester Mahmoud Rifai. "The money will just go into the pockets of our leaders."

Aoun said on Friday an investigation would examine whether the blast was caused by a bomb or other external interference. He said the investigation would also weigh if it was due to negligence or an accident. Twenty people had been detained so far, he added.

'WE CAN'T AFFORD TO REBUILD'

Officials have said the blast could have caused losses amounting to $15 billion. That is a bill that Lebanon cannot pay after already defaulting on a mountain of debt - exceeding 150% of economic output - and with talks stalled on an IMF lifeline.

For ordinary Lebanese, the scale of destruction is overwhelming. Marita Abou Jawda was handing out bread and cheese to victims of the blast.

"Macron offered to help and our government has not done anything. It has always been like that," she said. "After Macron visited I played the French national anthem all day in my car."

(Additional reporting by Maher Chmaytelli, Laila Bassam, Suleiman Al-Khalidi, Ezgi Erkoyun, Ellen Francis and Richard Lough; Editing by Frances Kerry and Nick Macfie)
MOSCOW - With mass protests calling for his ouster and workers at major factories, enterprises and state television on strike, embattled Belarusan President Alexander Lukashenko issued a plea for help over the weekend, saying he urgently needed to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

That request was granted with phone calls between the two leaders on Saturday and Sunday. Lukashenko then claimed that Moscow is willing to dispatch "full assistance" at "first request" - a veiled threat directed at an opposition movement that has accused Lukashenko of rigging last week's election results to say he garnered more than 80 percent of the votes.

But Russia's promise of intervention appears to be limited to an external military threat, and after months of Lukashenko turning down closer ties with Russia, Putin's backing isn't a certainty.

"Moscow should no longer regard Lukashenko as a useful partner," Dmitri Trenin, director of the Carnegie Moscow Center, wrote on Twitter. "Time to look beyond him."

Cracks in the typically close relations between Belarus and Russia started late last year, after Lukashenko resisted the Kremlin's push for the two countries to form a unified state - something they agreed to in 1999. Moscow attempted to use its longtime deal to sell Minsk discounted oil as leverage, so when the two countries failed in December to agree on a new price, Russia temporarily cut the supply.

Lukashenko's negative rhetoric toward Russia increased after that - for example, he lashed out at a Russian state television journalist's criticism of his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Then in the weeks leading up to the elections, Lukashenko hinted at a Russian plot to oust him, even arresting more than 30 Russian men who the Belarusan government said were mercenaries from the shadowy Russian paramilitary Wagner outfit.

Lukashenko alleged that the men had been sent to Belarus to destabilize the country, but security analysts have said it's likely they were using Minsk as a transit hub to Africa - a common practice that would have been cleared with authorities in Belarus. In what appeared to be a gesture to Moscow, the alleged mercenaries were released on Friday.

Valery Tsepkalo, a prominent opposition figure who left Belarus after he was barred from running in the election, said Lukashenko was "bluffing" about the mercenaries and is doing the same now with suggestions of Russia potentially intervening militarily on his behalf.

With Lukashenko denouncing the recent protests as being driven by foreign actors and adding in comments Sunday that "NATO troops are crawling near our gates," there's been speculation that he could attempt to spin that as the external threat that would justify support from Russia.

"There is no military intervention from the side of anyone," Tsepkalo said. "There is no reason (for Russia) to intervene. I don't think it will happen."

Artyom Shraibman of Sense Analytics, a Minsk-based political consultancy, said fear of Russian action has been one thing uniting both the regime and the opposition over the past week. Russia's annexation of Crimea, after all, came in the aftermath of Ukraine's Maidan revolution, which ousted the country's pro-Russian then-president.

Russia supported Lukashenko's re-election, but "it didn't signal what it would do in the case of a large-scale political crisis and revolutionary-like events," Shraibman said.

"It's unclear how Russia would behave, but I would say true military-style occupation would be overwhelmingly costly in these circumstances because Belarus isn't Crimea," he added. "Belarusans do not want to be part of Russia or occupied by Russia, so there would be a lot of blood. And trying to reinforce authorities that are domestically weak is also a tough sell."

Margarita Simonyan, the editor in chief of Russian propaganda outlet RT, wrote on Twitter on Friday that, "You know, it's about time for polite people to restore order as only they know how," with "polite people" a reference to the Russian soldiers dispatched to Crimea six years ago.

But Moscow doesn't automatically act in response to all revolutions along its border; it stayed out of Armenia's in 2018 and Kyrgyzstan's in 2010 in part because, like this movement in Belarus, there were no signs of anti-Kremlin sentiment among the protesters or the opposition's leaders.

Lukashenko, who at 65 is two years younger than Putin, described his Russian counterpart as like "an older brother" just three days before the elections, perhaps anticipating that the greatest challenge to his 26-year reign was ahead.

"An older brother's role is to help, support and advise - not to make you stumble, but to provide support," he said then.

- - -

The Washington Post's David L. Stern in Kyiv contributed to this report.
Handoffs can be chummy, chilly, brief or extended. They're sometimes stiff, like the conversation on a first date, or an exchange between people who barely speak the same language.

The handoff is the bridge between cable news programs, when one host ends his or her hour and introduces the person MC'ing the one after- the coming-up-next moment. Chitchat usually ensues, providing a little bit of collegiality, and maybe even some warmth (or a facsimile of it) before the discussion of disease, death and politics resumes.

Handoffs also sometimes reveal what the networks' careful promotion of their "talent" does not - grudges, rivalries, pet peeves, egos.

There was that moment last month when Fox News's Tucker Carlson wrapped up a long rant against Amazon founder (and Washington Post owner) Jeff Bezos and handed things off to Sean Hannity. Carlson had suggested that Bezos had illicitly profited from the pandemic as a result of Amazon's rising stock price. Hannity wasn't buying it.

"People can make money," he replied to Carlson, who appeared on the other side of a split screen. "They provide goods and services people want, need and desire. That's America."

As Carlson's brow furrowed, Hannity continued, "It's called freedom, capitalism. And as long as it's honest, right, people decide."

Carlson said nothing. But his facial expression suggested that of a man suffering acute abdominal pain.

"All right, Tucker, great show!" Hannity added (he later tweeted an apology to Carlson and Fox viewers for "any misunderstanding" about his comments).

Handoffs, also known as "tosses," are a TV trick, a kind of ruse pulled on viewers. Previously, there used to be a block of commercials separating the end of one prime-time cable program and the start of another. But the networks' audience wizards found that commercial breaks were like a green flag for viewers to switch channels. Hence, the handoff, which is designed to ease viewers from one show to the next, with nary a flinch of the remote control.

The Renaissance masters of the handoff may be CNN's Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon, whose yakety transitions are the most advanced and personal (or maybe just the most verbose) expression of the form.

Cuomo's handoffs to Lemon often go on for several minutes, making them a kind of show within (or between) the shows. The two hosts (Cuomo refers to his counterpart as "D. Lemon") genuinely seem to like each other, and at times their rambling chitchat takes on the meandering quality of gossiping teenagers.

In March, Cuomo and Lemon spent more than six minutes talking among themselves about how news organizations, including CNN, should cover President Donald Trump.

A few weeks later, Lemon cried on the air while discussing Cuomo's positive covid-19 diagnosis.

In April, Lemon and Cuomo spent 1 1/2 minutes making fun of Cuomo's quarantine haircut.

Cuomo tries the just-pals approach (or perhaps bro-proach) with Anderson Cooper, whose program precedes his, but the chemistry, or maybe just Cooper's willingness to put up with it, isn't there. Whereas Lemon embraces Cuomo's gabbiness, Cooper ("Coop," in Cuomo's coinage) seems a bit overwhelmed by it.

After Cooper disclosed on air at the end of April that he was a new father, Cuomo was effusive in his well-wishing and advice-giving.

"You will honor the memory of your loved ones in a way you never imagined through how you love this kid," Cuomo counseled during their handoff. "Your WASP-y a-- is going to emote in a way that you never ... you're going to cry with a frequency you never imagined."

Cooper: "Yes."

Cuomo continued: "When he looks at you, when he recognizes you, you will see, my friend. This is going to be the best thing that ever happened in your life and his, too."

Cooper: "Well, thanks, Chris. I appreciate it."

The cable handoff is a direct descendant of a bit of TV news stagecraft known as "happy talk." Starting in the late 1960s, local TV stations began encouraging their news anchors to talk briefly to each other, interjecting pleasantries and impromptu comments between scripted stories.

Despite the derisive name, "happy talk" was actually an innovation in news presentation and marks a kind of border between TV news' classical and modern eras, said Craig Allen, an associate professor of journalism at Arizona State and the author of "News is People: The Rise of Local TV News and the Fall of News from New York."

From its inception, TV news imitated the presentation of radio news, with a single, stentorian anchor - always White and male, typically middle aged - stiffly reading the day's headlines and occasionally introducing field reports. The models were CBS News's Douglas Edwards and his successor, Walter Cronkite.

This began to change when local stations introduced co-anchors (two men at first, later a male-female pair in the Ron Burgundy-Veronica Corningstone mold), and newscasts began to expand from 30 minutes to an hour and sometimes longer. More time to fill meant more time to talk.

Some of the anchor exchanges were wisecracks and quips, occasioning criticism that "happy talk" was cheapening the news and dumbing down America. But Allen points out that most of the off-the-cuff commentary was not so much "happy" as a reflection of the newscasters' emotional response to news they were reporting (one of the great moments of spontaneous expression was the late anchor, Jim Vance, of WRC in Washington, D.C., reacting to a stumbling runway model).

In fact, the academic term for "happy talk," a phrase coined by Variety reporter Morry Roth, is "personality projection" - the notion that anchors aren't just interchangeable news readers, but extended members of a viewer's family with whom they share the day's news.

The deeper idea behind the chatter wasn't just to create anchor chemistry "but more to bond with an audience that never really could be 'friends' with Walter Cronkite, (CBS's) Edward R. Murrow (or NBC's) Chet Huntley and David Brinkley," said Allen. The notion was that these were people who made viewers "feel comfortable as they reported all the chaos going on in the world."

Despite the criticism, viewers loved this new, looser style of news. Audiences for local newscasts soared, and by the 1970s, the "happy talk" formula had become the industry standard. It would later become the international standard, too, thanks to the missionary salesmanship of U.S. news consultants.

Allen says CNN utilized a relatively mild form of the "personality projection" model when the network first went on the air in 1980, but Fox News turbocharged it when it built its prime time lineup around such bluntly opinionated hosts as Hannity and Bill O'Reilly upon its inception in 1996.

And so anchor and host banter - amusing, emotional, sometimes awkward - is the default mode.

Like Hannity, complaining to Laura Ingraham on Fox News last fall that Ingraham had cut away from a speech by Trump the night before: "I wanted to see the ending," he said. "You cut to your debate early and it was just at the end."

Then, thinking better of it, Hannity quickly backed off: "Sorry. I love watching your show, too."

Ingraham: "Is that the White House speaking or is that you? I couldn't tell."

Then she backed off, too: "I'm just teasing you."

But Hannity couldn't resist. He compared Trump's speech to "a great work of Bach or Mozart" and said Ingraham had cut the crescendo.

Ingraham: "You know what we used to say in the courtroom? I will take that under advisement. But I got an idea: You handle your hour, I'll handle my hour."

Hannity: "Now Laura's gonna take it personally."

Ingraham: "Don't try to boss me around in my hour, Hannity. I don't boss you around."

Just kidding! Maybe.

The Hannity-Ingraham exchange may have been the first handoff to inspire a handoff on another network. Over on MSNBC, prime time hosts Chris Hayes and Rachel Maddow snickered about their rivals' transition the previous night.

"You nailed the thing that was scariest about it, which was the distance between the facial expressions and the conversation," Maddow said, referring to Hayes's discussion of the Hannity-Ingraham parley a few minutes earlier during his program. "I mean, that was like hide under a table, this is a scary family fight."

Hayes, cracking up: "I hope everyone is making up and making amends."

It was enough to make a viewer long for the approach adopted by CNN's Erin Burnett, whose program precedes Cooper's. Burnett stays on topic right up to the moment the clock strikes "handoff."

And then she bows out, without ceremony, with a handoff that really isn't much of a handoff at all: "Anderson Cooper starts right now."
By Agencies

NEW DELHI: The condition of former president Pranab Mukherjee remained unchanged on Sunday and he continued to be on ventilator support, doctors attending to him said.

They said his vital and clinical parameters are stable.

The doctors at the Army's Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi Cantonment said the health of the former president is being closely monitored by a team of specialists.

Meanwhile, his son Abhijit Mukherjee said he visited the hospital on Saturday and his father "is much better and stable than the preceding days".

He said that the vital parameters of the former President, who underwent life-saving emergency surgery for the brain clot on August 10, following which his health status had worsened, are stable and he is responding to the treatment.

"Yesterday, I had visited my Father In Hospital. With God's grace & all your good wishes, he is much better & stable than D preceding days! All his vital parameters are stable & he is responding to treatment! We firmly believe that He will be back among us soon. Thank You," Abhijit tweeted.

Yesterday , I had visited my Father In Hospital . With God's grace & all your good wishes , He is much better & stable than D preceeding days! All his vital parameters are stable & he is responding to treatment ! We firmly believe that He will be back among us soon

Thank You  Abhijit Mukherjee (@ABHIJIT_LS) August 16, 2020

On August 10, the former President had also informed that he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

"On a visit to the hospital for a separate procedure, I have tested positive for COVID-19 today. I request the people who came in contact with me in the last week, to please self isolate and get tested for COVID-19," Mukherjee had tweeted.


Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 17:04:49|Editor: huaxia

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A visitor looks at exhibits in the Museum of American Armor on Long Island of New York State, the United States, Aug. 15, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

by Xinhua writers Liu Yanan, Xing Yue, Wei Ying

NEW YORK, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- As Saturday marked the 75th anniversary of the Japanese surrender in World War II, staff members of the Museum of American Armor on Long Island, New York State were discussing history in both the exhibition hall and an immersive encampment.

There is a regrettable unawareness of World War II, its strategic implications and how it defined China, Europe and the United States, said Gary Lewi, a board member and spokesman of the museum, on Saturday.

Even though the museum receives thousands of visitors each year, Lewi said there is unfortunately widespread ignorance about historical facts regarding the Rape of Nanking (Nanjing), the terrible retribution the Chinese had to face after the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, and how many American aviators were rescued by the Chinese.

There's an entire generation in the United States that has no idea about the sacrifice of the Chinese people during the Japanese aggression, Lewi told Xinhua.

"So we have a story to tell. You have a story that you need to tell, because that history joins our two countries together, and that's something that has a tendency to be productive," he said.

Talking about the Flying Tigers, volunteer pilots fighting the Japanese forces in China from 1941 to 1942, Lewi said the Chinese people rescued them despite enormous risks. "So there are some fairly important stories that need to be repeated perhaps now more than ever," Lewi said.

As many World War II veterans have passed away, it has become far more important to tell World War II stories candidly, according to Lewi.

Put into operation in 2014, the museum's mission is to make sure that people who come here can be aware of history and how it continues to define the 21st century, Lewi said.

As for the lessons learnt from World War II, Lewi said it's widely acknowledged that conflicts of any kind, given the power of weapons, would be the end of civilization.

"Hopefully, we have very wise leaders around the world to recognize that another war would be a catastrophe for everybody," he said, adding that they hope international bodies, such as the United Nations, can continue to serve as a forum for dealing with conflicts.

"I think the lesson now is to make sure that future conflicts are avoided at all costs," he noted.

"I am deeply opposed, except for extreme defensive necessity, to conflicts between nations that are resolved by bombs and military battles," said Dr. Patrick T. Conley, a renowned historian from Rhode Island.

The museum also displayed multiple repurposed World War II posters since it was reopened to the public on July 31, encouraging people to take precautionary measures and fight against the common foe of COVID-19.

"These posters have been repurposed and remind visitors that we need to come together and observe all the safety protocols to prevent COVID-19 from spreading in much the way the allies came together during World War II to fight a common foe," Lewi said.

Paul A. Tenkotte, a professor of history at Northern Kentucky University, also stressed the importance of joint efforts from different countries in fighting against COVID-19.

"It will require a concerted effort of every nation to defeat COVID-19, and to assure that people worldwide receive vaccines when they become available. That alone will require a massive international logistical effort," Tenkotte said, adding that pandemics, like wars, do not respect national borders.

"COVID-19 is today's common foe. It threatens each and every country, each and every society, each and every economy," Lewi said.
I recently moved to New York from Colorado and was shocked at how antiquated voting laws are in the Empire State. Coming from a state that passed and successfully implemented the option for every voter to vote by mail, I know firsthand there is a stronger path forward for New Yorkers.

Once the coronavirus pandemic broke out, I was thankful to see Gov. Andrew Cuomo boldly advance voting rights by using mail-in ballots to expand absentee voting. The surge of people who responded to this request was resounding: More than 15 times the number of New Yorkers, in comparison to the 2016 presidential primary, requested a mail-in ballot.

Unfortunately, there were major challenges that affected the voting process for the primaries: reports of voting locations that failed to open on time, poll workers who were inadequately trained, distribution of incomplete ballots to voters, broken scanning machines, and no ability to cure a returned incomplete mail-in ballot nor verify that one was counted once turned in.

Elections don't have to be this difficult.

I urge the New York Legislature to look to Colorado as an example of how our state can improve voting access in anticipation of the upcoming general elections. When I served in the Legislature and as the Colorado speaker of the House, we passed sweeping legislation to strengthen voting rights and to make elections more accessible. Colorado's current election system is a shining example for how elections can be safely administered during the coronavirus crisis.

Any future changes made in New York should be focused on voter choice. All voters should have the option to vote by mail, participate in early voting or go to the polls on Election Day.

During the 2020 Colorado primary election, over 90 percent of voters cast their ballots by mail or used a drop boxthus, fewer people head to the polls with a vote-by-mail system. The more that people rely on vote by mail, there will be more capacity for the Board of Elections to ensure early voting and Election Day run smoothly.

A system that provides all options prevents the disenfranchisement of voters as well. Voters with disabilities, elderly voters, and communities of color often rely on or disproportionately use in-person voting. That's why we need to ensure that polling places remain open, accessible, and safe where poll workers are adequately trained.

In Denver, voters can sign up for a service called Ballot Trace, which sends them an email or text message as soon as their ballot is received at the clerk and recorder's office. They also receive a communication when their ballot is counted or if a ballot is incomplete and needs to be cured by the voter.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

The Denver Elections Division entered into a partnership with a local software company to develop Ballot Trace to provide voters this information, and similar technology could easily be used in New York.

New York should do the same so voters have greater confidence when using vote-by-mail and be able to cure an incomplete ballot so that it is counted.

New York's general election is right around the corner, and the time is now to take steps to ensure all voters are empowered to have their voice heard at the ballot box this November.

This article has been edited to reflect the percentage of people who voted by mail or used a drop-box in the 2016 Colorado election.
After remaining suspended for five months, Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine was reopened for devotees on Sunday with various restrictions and guidelines, officials said. The pilgrimage was suspended since 18 March due to Coronavirus pandemic.

Katra (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], Aug 16 : Pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi Temple resumed on Sunday, nearly 5 months after it was suspended due to COVID-19.Only 2,000 people will be allowed to visit the shrine per day. Expressing excitement, Prashant Sharma, one of the first pilgrims to visit the shrine said, Im happy that people can visit the temple once again.Sharma informed that the shrine management has made adequate arrangements for the pilgrims keeping COVID-19 pandemic in mind.

The shrine management has laid out the rules clearly, and pilgrims are also following them properly. It is important to follow rules during the COVID-19 pandemic. If rules are not followed then the darshans will be closed soon, added Sharma.Another pilgrim Raman Khajuria said that management is testing people for COVID-19 virus to keep a check if any infected person visited the premises.

There are sanitiser dispensers at places, thermal screening is done. well also be tested for COVID-19 so that the management gets to know if some infected person came on the premises, said Khajuria. The yatra to the shrine, which was suspended from March 18, is resuming from August 16.

ALSO READ : British Airways retires Boeing 747 aircraft fleet

Ramesh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board said on Saturday, that during the first week of the resumption of pilgrimage, there shall be a ceiling of 2,000 pilgrims per day, including 1,900 from within Jammu and Kashmir and the remaining 100 from outside the Union Territory.

The situation will be reviewed thereafter and the decision will be taken accordingly. Pilgrims will be allowed to undertake the pilgrimage after registration through online mode only in order to avoid any assembly of persons at the Yatra Registration Counters, said Kumar.

The shrine board will be abiding to health norms induced by the Centre to contain the spread of coronavirus.The Chief Executive Officer further said that the yatra will move in a uni-directional manner. The traditional route from Katra to Bhawan via Banganga, Adhkuwari and Sanjichhat will be used for going up and Himkoti route-Tarakote Marg will be used for coming back from the Bhawan.

Meanwhile, a massive sanitisation campaign has been launched by the Shrine Board right from Katra en route to Bhawan and in the Bhawan area for ensuring utmost sanitisation and cleanliness before the resumption of the yatra. The general guidelines for all places of worship state that visitors have to wear masks to be allowed entry while maintaining a distance of 6 feet from one another at all times. People above 60 years of age, pregnant women, persons with co-morbidities and children under the age 10 years have been advised to stay home.
South Africa will lift its coronavirus-linked ban on the sale of alcohol and tobacco products next week, President Cyril Ramaphosa said Saturday, announcing the removal of "nearly all restrictions" on economic activities.

The virus-related ban on the purchase of booze and cigarettes has been controversial, and no other country has introduced both measures together.

It came into effect when South Africa went into a strict nationwide lockdown on March 27 to stem the spread of coronavirus.

Alcohol sales were prohibited to ease pressure on hospitals, allowing doctors in emergency wards to focus on COVID-19 rather than road accidents and other booze-related injuries.

Tobacco products were restricted because of the health impacts of smoking as well as the risk of contamination between people sharing cigarettes.

While tobacco sales have been forbidden since the start of lockdown, alcohol purchases were tentatively re-authorised in June and banned again when cases spiked the following month.

"Restrictions on the sale of tobacco will be lifted, the suspension of the sale of alcohol will be lifted subject to certain restrictions," Ramaphosa said as he addressed the nation, adding that significant progress had been made against the disease.

The new measures will come into effect on Monday.

'Signs of hope'

Mounds of soil mark where graves were dug at the Honingnestkrans Cemetery in Pretoria for victims of COVID-19 in July 2020. By WIKUS DE WET (AFP/File)

South Africa still has the fifth-highest number of coronavirus cases in the world, with 583,653 infections registered to date.

At least 11,677 are known to have died from the disease.

But Ramaphosa noted that the number of new daily confirmed cases had dropped from a peak of over 12,000 to an average of 5,000 over the past week.

The number of active cases has declined to around 105,000 and the recovery rate risen to 80 percent.

Hospitalised COVID-19 patients have decreased from 10,000 to 4,000 since the start of August.

"As we look back at the past five months, all indications are that South Africa has reached the peak and moved beyond the inflection point of the curve," Ramaphosa said.

He called on South Africans not to let their guard down or "become complacent" despite "signs of hope".

"The risk of infection becomes greater as more people return to work, as they move about more," he warned, referring to other countries that have experienced second waves of infections.

International borders remain closed

Restaurant workers gathered in Parktown North, Johannesburg as part of protests against the national lockdown regulations in July 2020. By Luca Sola (AFP/File)

The president announced the sweeping removal of "nearly all restrictions" on economic activity and the resumption of inter-provincial leisure travel.

Bars and will be allowed to re-open, and both family gatherings and social visits will be authorised.

A 10:00 pm curfew remains in place however, and the wearing of face coverings is still compulsory in public spaces.

International borders are to stay closed for the time being and gatherings are still capped at 50 people.

The announcements should bring a much-needed boost to South Africa's ailing economy, which was in recession before the pandemic and is now expected to contract by over six percent.

Ramaphosa recognised that the last five months had been "extraordinarily difficult", with millions of people suffering "hardship and hunger".

"The further easing of restrictions presents us with the greatest opportunity... to breathe life into our struggling economy," the president said.

"It will take a long time for industries and businesses to recover, and there is much work to be done."

But South Africa's main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party said the economy had already been "killed".

"These restrictions should have been lifted months ago," DA leader John Steenhuisen said in statement, calling for urgent economic reforms and for international tourists to be allowed back.

"We are now in the midst of a devastating economic depression, and all that matters now is getting as many South Africans working as we possibly can."
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Three police officers are expected to survive after being shot Sunday at a home in Cedar Park, about 20 miles north of downtown Austin, according to authorities.

One officer remains hospitalized, according to KXAN-TV. The suspected shooter is still barricaded inside the home on Natalie Cove with the suspects mother, a juvenile and another person, the station reported. Multiple law enforcement agencies are on the scene.
New Delhi:

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Friday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his demonetisation policy and campaign against black money during a public address in Goa.

Addressing a gathering of party supporters and members in poll-bound Goa, Rahul Gandhi said, Demonetisation is not fight against corruption, it is an attack on Indias 99 per cent honest population.



The senior Congress leader further accused PM Modi of squeezing money from poor Indians to comfort 1 per cent rich Indians.

Also read | PM did not say anything on waiving farmers' loans, says Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi



In the last 2 and half years, 1 per cent rich people have acquired 60 per cent of country's money. One per cent super-rich people usurped Rs 8 lakh crore from India's banks and when they didn't return money, you (Centre) called it non-performing asset, Rahul Gandhi said in Margao, Goa on Friday.



In last 2.5 years, PM Modi waived off Rs 1,10,000 crore of these people. After demonetisation, he waived off Vijay Mallya's Rs 1200 crore, he added.



Congress leader, who met PM Modi earlier in the day, however added that his party wants to eradicate corruption from the country, If NDA govt wants to take a step against it, party will give its 100% support.

Also read | Big blow to Opposition unity as Rahul Gandhi meets PM Narendra Modi; SP, BSP, NCP and DMK drop out of Congress protest march

Rahul Gandhi even accused PM Modi assisting the 'super-rich' in embazzling funds, "In Modijis cashless economy, 5-6 per cent cash will magically disappear from every transaction and those 1 per cent super-rich people will get it."

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
LONDON The British government was criticised by lawmakers in its own party on Sunday after a mounting row over English exam grades awarded during the pandemic intensified, in the latest hit to its reputation.

With a nationwide lockdown forcing exams to be cancelled, the government used an algorithm to assess grade predictions that had been made by teachers, and lowered those grades for almost 40% of students taking their main school-leaving exam.

The process led to thousands of students losing places at top universities. To compound the issue for the government, results shows that grades were less likely to be lowered for those students who attended fee-paying private schools.

On Saturday night the exams regulator published guidance on the appeals process, only to pull it hours later because it needed further review.

Robert Halfon, chairman of the cross-party education select committee in parliament and a lawmaker in Boris Johnsons ruling Conservative Party, described the situation as farcical.

It sows confusion among pupils, head teachers and school teachers and its the last thing we need at this time," he told the BBC.

Conservative lawmaker Robert Syms said the government needed to address the issue with a fair appeals process or risk (Conservative) Tory MPs going on warpath".

Johnsons government has been criticised for its handling of the pandemic, with the country recording the highest death toll in Europe, the most severe economic contraction of any major economy so far and multiple occasions where it has been slow to respond to events.

The opposition Labour Party said the incompetence was unacceptable.

While France published the methodology for how it would award grades months in advance of results day, Britain announced changes to the process the day before they were released. The issue is likely to surface again this week when grades for 16-year-old students are released on Thursday.

The government has said pupils would not have to pay to appeal grades and said most students will have received the correct results. Ofqual said some of the predicted grades given by teachers were implausibly high".

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 31-year-old man from New Jersey was able to obtain sexually-explicit pictures of a 13-year-old boy and he allegedly tried to hire a hitman to kill him.

Pedophile on the internet

In March 2016, the suspect John Musbach, confessed to sending sexually-graphic photos and videos to the victim. He also requested the victim to send him explicit images despite knowing that he was underage. The suspect received explicit images from the victim whom he manipulated into sending.

Musbach met the 13-year-old victim online in 2015. In September 2015, the parents of the victim learned of the inappropriate communication and contacted the police in New York, where the victim and his family lives, as reported by Washington Post.

In October 2017, Musbach pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child by sexual contact and received a two-year suspended sentence with lifelong parole supervision.

Also Read: Man Seen Digging and Eating Into Grandmother's Flesh Like a Zombie

A year-and-a-half before his conviction, the suspect allegedly accessed the Dark Web and paid $20,000 in bitcoin to have the boy killed.

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Musbach tried to hire a hitman on a website in the Dark Web called Besa Mafia. While arranging the murder, the suspect allegedly asked whether the child was too young for the hitman to kill.

Federal prosecutors in New Jersey said in a statement that Musbach repeatedly messaged the administrator of the website to follow up on the hit and asking when it would happen.

When he was pressed for an additional $5,000 to secure the hit, Musbach eventually sought to cancel and asked to have his money back.

The administrator of the website revealed that the website was a scam and threatened to reveal Musbach's information to law enforcement.

In 2019, an informant contacted Homeland Security Investigations agents in Minnesota about Musbach. The informant reportedly provided messages of Musbach's correspondence with the administrator of the website.

According to the prosecutors, the agents were able to identify Musbach by tracing the bitcoins that he used in the illicit transaction. It led them to his bank account. The suspect also used the same username on the Dark Web site on other platforms.

Musbach is now charged with interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire. He appeared before a federal judge on August 13.

Similar incident

In 2015, a 24-year-old man was arrested after a criminal complaint was filed with the U.S District Court. The suspect, Evan Ballowe, confessed to sending sexual pictures and engaging in sexually explicit conversations with a 13-year-old boy on the Kik messaging app.

According to the complaint, the victim gave a school resource officer a written statement detailing conversations where he was propositioned for sexual activity. The minor also gave the officer the computer tablet that he used for the conversations.

The report also states that the victim was contacted by a person named "Southern Guy" on Kik. The report shows that "Southern Guy" told the boy that he was 15 years old, as reported by 5NewsOnline.

"Southern Guy" told the boy that sex is fun and asked the boy if he could sneak out of his house when his parents were asleep to meet him to have sex.

The complaint also says that "Southern Guy" sent the 13-year-old a picture of an erect penis and a picture of a nude white man laying face down.

"Southern Guy" asked the 13-year-old boy to send him nude pictures, but the boy told him his camera was not working. The boy said he was instructed by "Southern Guy" to delete their messages so that the boy's parents would not see them.

A federal summons was sent to Kik for information on the profile of the suspect and the response from Kik showed an IP address that was tracked to an apartment being leased by Evan Ballowe.

The police were notified that "Southern Guy" had attempted to contact the 13-year-old again on Kik. A federal search warrant was executed on November 11, 2015 at Ballowe's apartment. He admitted to being "Southern Guy" and also engaging in sexually explicit conversations with the boy.

Police found sexual images of himself on his phone. Ballowe is facing charges of Coercion and Enticement of a Minor and Attempting to Obtain Child Pornography.

Related Article: 30-Year-Old Corpse Discovered in Basement of Abandoned Historical Mansion

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Phyllis Naa Koryoo Okunor, often referred to as the The Woman and NDC Parliamentary candidate for Senya Awutu East (Kasoa), has made an emotional appeal to her constituents and the Ghanaian youth in general not to listen to the lies of the NPP and gamble with their votes. She made the appeal after a day of hectic campaigning in Kasoa.

Naa Koryoo, a Human Rights lawyer and native of Kasoa, is seen as one of the young brightest politicians who honed their skills as student leaders and activists of National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) and Ghana Law School. Naa Koryoo, born and raised in the Kasoa (and is on first name terms with the citizens of Senya Awutu East Constituency), won her primaries beating 6 men to stand as the NDC Parliamentary candidate. Majority of those who voted for Naa Koryoo in the primaries are the college youth, market women and the suburban folks.

Addressing over 55,000 strong rally at Kasoa, Naa Koryoo called on her generation (The Millennials) and the current generation, (often called Generation Z) the Gen Z, who have registered to vote for the first time in their lives to rise up and vote in their numbers to map out their destiny by rejecting vote buying and rather vote on issues that affect their lives now and the future. Naa Koryoo told the crowd that, it was during our generation, the millennials, that our country transited to parliamentary democracy after almost 3 decades of military rule, and your generation, the Gen Z, grow up with social media, smart phones, also Ghana discovered huge volume of oil and gas, large discovery of Gold in almost all the regions of our country, yet just under three and half years your future is being mortgaged by Nana Akufo Addo/Bawumia NPP mismanagement, mis-rule and brutality, and sadly the Coronavirus Pandemic has exposed this bad governance and looting of state resources by this family and friends NPP government.

Naa Koryoo speaking in the local language, Twi and Ga, rhetorically ask the crowd if they know and or are aware, of how the proceeds from the cocoa, the oil and gas, the Gold and other resources are used and has the NPP government under candidate Nana Akufo Addo and his side vice-presidential candidate Bawumia ever rendered account of Ghanas money, including the over $20 billion USD they have borrowed since January 2017 to the people of Ghana? Naa Koryoo said the moment NPP were voted into office in 2016 and assumed power at the Flagstaff House, they turned the country into ANIMAL FARM and has become monsters, where they see the youth and the poor as inferior. Naa Koryoo stated that the youth of Ghana would never trust the NPP government and Akufo Addo again and said the youth of Ghana must never surrender their votes to those who are promising the MILK AND HONEY NOW but soon after the elections are over, these same NPP people would turn their back on them and instead use the security forces to brutalised them. Naa Koryoo cited Ayawaso West Wogon constituency by election as an example of sheer brutality and the recent firing of gunshots at a polling station close to her house by Mavis Hawa Koomson, the sitting MP who is old enough to be Naa Koryoos mother, just because her government is in power and she being a minister is untouchable. Naa Koryoo told the rally this is the state of the country we live in, where lawlessness by the ruling party is seen as normal.

Directly addressing those who turned 18 years old, the Gen Z and had registered this summer for voters card, stated that with global warming ravaging our planet and its impact directing affecting Africa, including our country Ghana, retrenchment of nations from migration from Africa, diminishing of resources, and population growth in sub-Saharan Africa projected to reach 2 billion in just over two decades from now, this is the time and moment to actively engage in politics and make your voice be heard, ask those managing our country and resources to account for their stewardship, account for how they disbursed the public purse. We elected them to run the affairs of our country and not to be LORD over us, by firing gunshots at voters registration centres to frighten and intimidate you the citizens, with thugs, instead of showing us what they have done since they were elected in 2016.

Naa said never in our countrys history have we been confronted with such a pandemic, the Covid19, worse than Ebola, because we are fighting an unseen virus that is wreaking havoc across our country and the world. She said the human tragedy and financial costs of this pandemic in Ghana would be felt for years to come and it is incumbent on the NPP to account for all the monies spent during this Covid19 period. Naa Koryoo said during the mini budget the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, a cousin of President Akufo Addo said the NPP government spend 54 million GHS to feed 450,000 Ghanaians in 3 weeks, then later when the NDC accused him of cooking the books he quickly made another statement to change the expenditure to 12 million GHS, a difference of 42 million GHS, and said when the NDC states over after the elections NPP would account for every cedi and dollar they have spent.

Naa Koryoo told the rally, especially the youth, that their future lies here at home as the Covid19 has vividly shown and thus the very reason she put out a policy proposal of setting up vocational training and education in all the 10 Technical Universities across the country to train the youth with requisite skills that would enable them contribute their quota towards national development. Naa Koryoo told the jubilant crowd that President John Mahama and Vice-Presidential candidate Naana Jane have acknowledge and agreed to her policy proposal, which would be included in the youth reforms that the incoming NDC government would roll out from the very first year of NDC government.

Naa Koryoo, an anti-corruption campaigner and Human Rights lawyer, said accountability and anti-corruption would be the guiding principle of the incoming Mahama - Naana Jane administration.

Naa Koryoo said under the incoming NDC administration no one would be left behind, including the vulnerable groups such as the disabled, those with mental illness, older people, the youth including those due to lack of opportunities have to hawk for a living or work as head porters (Kaya girls), market women who could not either go to school or continue with their education due to poverty and single mothers. Naa Koryoo said our country is so divided that over 80% of the citizens do not have a stake in it, but rather live from hand to mouth. Naa Koryoo, who was filled with emotion at this point, told the large crowd in a cracking voice that, at this time and age, in Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumahs Ghana, many of our fellow citizens go to bed with no food. Naa Koryoo, who has been a community activist in Kasoa since her student days supported her assertion with facts. Many in the crowd alluded to what Naa Koryoo said about hunger in the country.

Naa Koryoo said she knows her constituents and the citizens of Ghana would vote in big numbers for John Mahama and Naana Jane come December 7, because this journey the NDC and the youth of Ghana have been on has been on making life better for all Ghanaians irrespective of status or how rich one is, but about the very survival of our country. Naa Koryoo said our country faces huge challenges, in the face of brutality by political thugs, in the face of massive corruption, in the face of worst economic crisis which has been exacerbated by the Covid19 pandemic, and in some cases unprecedented obstruction and prevention of our citizens to register to vote because the NPP deemed them as foreigners in their own land of birth, in the land that was bequeathed to them by our fore fathers, the land that Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe and Corporal Odartey Lamptey laid down their lives for and concluded that never again shall we allow a small group of people to determine who is and is not a Ghanaian. Just before Honourable Naa Koryoo brought her speech to an end, the crowd spontaneously began to sing Ghanas national anthem in Twi, HEN ARA ASAASE NI, Naa Koryoo, who couldnt hold her tears joined the crowd in singing the anthem.

Peter N. Jeffrey

Accra.
Calls for the Premier and Health Minister to resign are premature, since it is not established what mistakes occurred in quarantine management, or who was responsible. There will be time for reckoning when the inquiry has reported. Meanwhile, Victorians should support the Premier and his team in their task of containing the virus and getting Victoria moving again.

Andrew Crockett, Hawthorn Accountability needed

So inexcusable and inexplicable mistakes were made by medical experts in NSW Health in the Ruby Princess debacle that killed more than 20 people, but no one is responsible. Not the head of the service nor the minister that NSW Health reports to. This whole conga line of incompetence and negligence goes right up to the Premier. I have yet to read of anyone losing their job or resigning over this ineptitude. It is even more galling when the people responsible pontificate that they did everything they could possibly do. These people are servants of the public; we pay their salaries and some accountability should swiftly come their way.

Ken Boddington, Mount Eliza Old world thinking

Gas mining in the Great Australian Bight would sacrifice our last near-coast ocean zone. It must not be turned over to commercial interests even if spruiked as being in the national interest. ScoMos rush to rebuild Australias economy post COVID-19 based on gas and led by mining leaders is straight out of John Howards song sheet from the late 1990s. Mining gas as an energy solution denies its pollution impacts and would lay waste a non-renewable marine environment. The rush into fracking has already done irreparable damage to our landscapes and arable farming lands. New sea bed oil drilling must not be added to this fake energy solution. Old world economics. Old world politics. Old world thinking.

Michael Oxer, Fitzroy North True and untrue

Craig Reucassels new TV program The Fight for Planet A: Our Climate Challenge presents facts that are true and untrue at the same time. While it is true that Australians emit more CO2 per person that any other nation, it is also the case that Australia as a nation emits only 1.3 per cent of the global CO2 emissions. So even if every Australian household reduced it emissions by 50 per cent immediately, that would amount to no more than 20 per cent of Australias emissions (as most of the countrys emissions are transport, energy and farming) and the worldwide decrease would be minuscule. Until China, India, the US and Europe reduce their emissions significantly, any effort by Australian households, however worthy, are immaterial.

Robert Smallwood, Coffs Harbour

Time ripe for bold reform

Retiring federal president of the Liberal Party, Nick Greiner, believes that the COVID-19 crisis presents an opportunity for the Morrison government to make bold reforms (Our straight man in Trumpistan, 15/8). While some of his ideas are worthy, including a federal anti-corruption commission, he appears to have a narrow vision of bold reforms, focusing on an increased GST and reduced income taxes. The Prime Minister has the political capital to introduce some truly bold reforms and leave a legacy to remember. Components could include: measures such as carbon pricing to foster faster adoption of renewable energy; encouragement of new industries using Australias advantages in natural resources such as iron ore and solar and wind power; increased taxation of the exports of our finite natural resources so that Australians benefit, and not just multinational corporations; acceptance of the Uluru statement, the teaching of Aboriginal history and culture in our schools, and working in partnership with our First Nations peoples; and abandonment of the harsh policy of indefinite detention of asylum seekers and re-establishment of the Fraser-era approach of working with our neighbours and the international community to quickly process asylum claims.

Andrew Trembath, Blackburn Cartoon fundraiser

Instead of all the end of year pontificating by the usual suspects, this year, could we just have a published hard copy of all the best cartoons for the year, starting with Leunigs take on the farce of aged care from Saturday? Funds raised from sale of said hard copy to go towards relocatable, accessible, solar-powered homes for bushfire victims and aged relatives.

Bernadette George, Mildura Intensively prepared

In March and April the government assured us there would be at least 7000 ICU beds with ventilators available to deal with any coronavirus surge. Elective surgery was halted. Private hospitals were co-opted in to ensure adequate capacity. In the event, daily figures have shown that even on the worst days, about 1000 patients have been in hospital with COVID-19 at any time, with fewer than 100 in ICU. Despite these admirable arrangements, a decision was made to treat infected residents in aged care homes rather than admit them to hospital. This, despite the vulnerability of residents, the difficulty of maintaining strict protocols with many confused and demented people and a constantly changing, low-paid workforce. This situation is like storing tonnes of ammonium nitrate in a warehouse and keeping your fingers crossed.

Peter Barry, Marysville

Enrolment conundrum

The irony of the government paying JobKeeper to private schools to keep their staff while denying the scheme to university employees. Where will those private secondary school students enrol for further education, when there will be few staff left running tertiary education?

Olivia Manor, Coburg Lack of independence

Independent schools go on JobKeeper to keep staff (16/8) reveals how the privileged look after their advantages. Far from cashing in some of their many assets or drawing on cash reserves, they have their hands out to the taxpayer. So much for independence.

Tony Haydon, Springvale Time to change tack

Each day the press pack pursues the Premier, asking  if, when, how many ADF troops were on offer? It is time for our media to change tack and focus questions on how we will prevent future outbreaks from harming the community. We know hotel quarantine was bungled. For now, changes have been made, and in time the judicial inquiry will reveal the details. But under our strategy of aggressive suppression such outbreaks are to be expected, and should be suppressed. By focusing exclusively on ADF and hotel quarantine we miss a key point  what went wrong tackling this outbreak once COVID-19 jumped from hotel quarantine into the community? Is aggressive suppression still fit for purpose after Victorias second wave has starkly demonstrated our inadequacies in suppressing outbreaks? We must be better prepared and we must ask better questions.

Dr Aaron Bloch, Brunswick

Put compassion at the core

In the words of Hubert Humphrey: The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and handicapped. When it comes to aged dare, disability care, mental health care, caring for the homeless, would our government pass the test? Might we imagine a time when we live in a society, not an economy: where the economy serves people, rather than people serving the economy: where Thatcherite ideology is dead, buried and cremated. Might there be a time when compassion is a core value of our society? Might there be lessons we could learn from this pandemic?

Gillian Crozier, Malvern Know your rules

Further to Ashleigh McMillans article Council grilled over barbie ban (16/8), I urge all ratepayers to inspect the local bylaws to which their own councils hold them subject. Baysides document is a mere 168 pages. A council document designed to regulate behaviour and compel conformance with councils interpretation of our long-lost common sense. I hope that Chloe and Astrid Bocci, as they help dad tend that beloved wood-fire pizza oven, appreciate that those dancing flames are one of the last remaining primal links we have with our ancestors who tamed fire.

Ronald Elliott, Sandringham Elusive inner peace

Of all Waleed Alys COVID-19 articles, his rhetorical plea in Can we find inner peace again? (14/8), hits the mark best. As he warns, we are guilty of being overstimulated by technology and the ubiquitous way it invades our lives, even before lockdown. We now seem to be reliant on it to make up for real stimulation from personal contact, which is denied us.

Alys figurative homo covidicus will be an admirable, even heroic character if, through this pandemic experience, he can emerge more empathetic, kinder and more compassionate. These are some of the ingredients for that elusive inner peace.

Nick Toovey, Beaumaris AND ANOTHER THING ... Credit: Coronavirus

Cannonballs fired at Dan, feather duster treatment for Border Force.

John Johnson, Richmond Leadership, understanding, strategic, integrity, compassion. I am so grateful for our Premier.

Marg Welsh, Abbotsford

We dont want more heartfelt apologies from our leaders, we want less bungling by their governments.

Phil Lipshut, Elsternwick Offensive barbecue emissions (16/8)? Lets know where they are, so we can suck em up, mask permitting.

Bernd Rieve, Brighton You also breathe through your nose. So please cover up that little feature on your face and one day we may all be able to smell the roses.

Myra Fisher, Brighton East Sounds like Border Force is in charge of borders except when theyre not.

Joan Segrave, Healesville Memo Mr Morrison: If Im sick enough to need hospital care, I expect to get it regardless of where I live. Im 80, Im old enough to vote.

Janet Gaden, Daylesford

There are many more people than the Health Minister Jenny Mikakos who have been unlucky to have landed in a pandemic.

Mark Martakis, Melbourne It appears that not commenting on on-water matters has continued into Scott Morrisons prime ministership by disallowing comment on the Ruby Princess.

Alan Inchley, Frankston Adequate and enforceable levels of trained staff is an imperative need for aged care.

Malcolm McDonald, Burwood So New Zealand is jumping on the blame Melbourne bandwagon.

Marie Nash, Balwyn Perhaps it is time to recreate the Fairfield Infectious Diseases Hospital.

Melanie Bennetts, Templestowe Lower
Police officers and demonstrators are seen during a protest in Chicago, Ill., on Aug. 15, 2020. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

17 Officers Hurt, 24 People Arrested as Demonstrations Turn Violent in Chicago

Protests turned violent in Chicago on Aug. 15 when demonstrators began attacking police officers with bottles, skateboards, and other objects, leaving 17 injured.

The day began with a peaceful protest, with no arrests or violent incidents, Police Superintendent David Brown said.

During a separate protest later in the afternoon, multiple agitators had hijacked this peaceful protest, he told reporters at a press conference. This group deployed large black umbrellas, changed their appearance, and began pushing our officers and eventually assaulting them.

Video footage showed demonstrators clashing with police. One man used a skateboard to repeatedly bash an officer on the head.

Officers used force and pepper spray to get the situation under control. They made 24 arrests, including four for felony charges.

Seventeen officers were treated for non-life-threatening injuries suffered from getting hit by objects and maced. Two protesters were treated at the scene.

Brown said the situation was very, very difficult and tenuous but added that he was proud of how the officers handled it.

Police prevent demonstrators from marching toward the Dan Ryan Expressway in Chicago on Aug. 15, 2020. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Police separate pro- and anti-police demonstrators during a protest in Chicago on Aug. 15, 2020. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Demonstrators disputed the police characterization. One told CBS Chicago that police mistreated the crowd, adding, The fact that theyre pepper spraying peaceful protesters, the fact that theyre beating up peaceful protesters, theyre violating our right to assemble.

Chicago deployed 1,000 extra officers to neighborhoods and retail areas before the weekend in preparation for looting and other crimes. Widespread looting and vandalism took place Aug. 9 after a police-involved shooting.

Officials detailed a range of measures officers might use, including deploying strips to stop cars that travel downtown to loot, with the help of Illinois state troopers and county law enforcement. Access to downtown is limited from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., while some bridges are staying up around-the-clock.

Forty-two people were charged with felonies related to the looting, Cook County States Attorney Kimberly Foxx, a Democrat, said in a recent press release.

I am committed to keeping our communities safe and continuing to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to demand accountability and seek justice for the people of Cook County, she said in a statement.

One criminal was identified as Arron Neal. Officials said he live-streamed himself attempting to break into an ATM during the looting.

Detectives are still working to identify others involved in the mayhem, Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan told reporters on Aug. 15.

Officials urged people to visit a section of the website ChicagoPolice.org that features footage of different crimes being committed during the unrest.

It will not work unless people go to our website, view the videos and give us tips, Deenihan said.

Organizers of one of the demonstrations dubbed it the Black Lives Matter march. They called for 25,000 people to attend to shut down the Dan Ryan Expressway. The crowd instead bypassed the expressway and blocked traffic on other streets.

Another protest was arranged by March for Our Lives Chicago, in partnership with groups such as Good Kids Mad City and BLCK Rising.

According to a Facebook event page, the groups are pushing to defund the police and abolish the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) federal agency.

Protesters want the police removed from schools in the city, the cancellation of the ICE Citizens Academy, the cutting of ties between Chicago colleges and ICE, and the reallocation of funds toward E-learning and community centers.
When migrants attempt the hazardous journey by sea from France to Britain, they are not merely seeking a better standard of living.

They are fleeing to a country where they will not be exposed to the prejudice and mistreatment  sometimes brutal  that is their daily experience across the Channel.

Home Secretary Priti Patel is reported to have told colleagues that the migrants are coming here because they find France a racist country.

No doubt there will be those who point to cases when Britain, too, has behaved in a racist manner.

It is true that our record is hardly immaculate. The injustice suffered by the Windrush generation, for example, is a blot on our history.

French police detain a migrant during the dismantling of a shelter camp in Calais, France

But the Home Secretarys claim should be taken seriously. French police treat migrants with a systematic inhumanity that would not be tolerated here.

And French racism, however shocking it might seem, is not at all new. Harsh measures meted out against migrants today contain sinister echoes from Frances past.

During the war for Algerian independence from 1954 to 1962, the French army used torture on a colossal scale.

Hundreds of thousands of Algerians  many of them civilians  were subjected to beatings, electric shocks and rape.

Old men, women and children were detained without trials or rights. Many people were abducted and disappeared forever.

Frances show of extreme brutality during the war in Algeria was not an isolated example. Rather it was consistent with a climate of abuse that existed throughout Frances African empire. Violence was an everyday occurrence.

Young men who were arrested were regularly assaulted. A common practice involved the police stamping on their feet so their toes were broken.

This might all seem a long time ago. But echoes of that racist chapter can be clearly heard in French politics today.

Take, for example, the continuing ambivalence towards Frances well-documented history of collaboration with its Nazi occupiers.

ONE of the worst episodes in 20th Century history occurred when French police organised the deportation of thousands of Jews  many of them, again, women and children  from an internment centre in Drancy, a North-Eastern suburb of Paris, to Nazi extermination camps.

The French authorities were active accomplices in this terrible crime.

Yet during the last presidential election in 2017 the far-Right National Front candidate Marine Le Pen shamefully denied any French responsibility for it, claiming the deportations were imposed on France by German occupying forces. It was a disgraceful stance.

Worse still, Le Pen was then supported by more than a third of French voters in the final run-off against Macron. The ugly yet unspoken fact is that French politics is riddled with racism.

No racist has achieved anything like this level of influence in Britain. Oswald Mosley never gained a seat in Parliament as a representative of The British Union of Fascists, and Enoch Powell was excluded from politics by his Conservative peers.

France has a long history of antisemitism. In 1894, at the start of what came to be known as the Dreyfus Affair, a French military officer of Jewish heritage was convicted of treason for allegedly passing on military secrets to Germany.

Sentenced to life imprisonment, Captain Alfred Dreyfus served five years on Devils Island in French Guyana.

The French suppress protests in the Algerian fight for independence where torture was used

Evidence quickly emerged of his innocence, while documents that supposedly incriminated him were shown to be forgeries.

Yet, as a result of a prolonged antisemitic campaign, it was more than ten years later before he was finally exonerated in 1906.

In Benjamin Disraeli, Britain had a Jewish Prime Minister decades before the Dreyfus Affair divided French politics for a generation.

Disraeli became leader of the Conservative party and ruled the country twice, in 1868 and 1874 to 1880.

It is accepted as entirely normal here that members of ethnic minorities have become national leaders.

Rishi Sunak, who has spoken about being at the same time British, Indian and Hindu, is widely discussed as a future Prime Minister. A practising Muslim, Sadiq Khan, is Mayor of London.

How long will it be before members of Frances Muslim, African and Asian communities achieve a similar standing?

Today, we are constantly reminded of the evils and crimes of the British Empire. We are attacked for looking back with nostalgia to our period of imperial power  an accusation for which there is, in fact, very little evidence.

Anything that smacks of Britain asserting a global role is condemned as reverting to the bad old days of colonialism.

Yet when Emmanuel Macron intervened in a former French territory  as he did when he made a visit to Lebanon earlier this month and declared France will never let Lebanon go  there was not a squeak of protest in France.

Macrons visit was staged as a Napoleonic triumph. The entire Lebanese political elite filed past him in the French embassy.

Plenty of Lebanese found the spectacle of Macron being paraded as their saviour to be patronising and offensive.

Britain is certainly not perfect. But in any balanced comparison with France, we stand up pretty well  as the boatloads of desperate people now trying to cross the Channel know from personal experience.

Their plight is real. Effective and humane solutions must somehow be found.

Yet while France lectures the world on liberte, egalite and fraternite, it blanks out its racist past and heaps indignities upon the migrants who feel driven to escape.

John Gray is Emeritus Professor of European Thought at the London School of Economics.
Sliding to the lead late in the mile, So Much More withstood a late challenge from Philly Hanover to win the $32,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred Pace at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday (Aug. 15).

Boadicea bolted for the top from the pylon post while So Much More tucked into second moving to a :27 first quarter and stayed put through a :55.4 half mile. However Boadicea began to labour into the final turn, prompting driver Louis Roy to angle So Much More out of the pocket approaching three-quarters in 1:24.4.

Into the stretch Boadicea faltered out of competition, leaving So Much More on the lead with Philly Hanover tracking from second over but soon attempting to kick off the helmet. Though So Much More maintained command through the stretch, finishing one-and-three-quarter lengths better than Philly Hanoverenduring broken equipmentin a 1:51 mile. Gias Surreal took third.

A four-year-old mare by Big Jim, So Much More won her seventh race from 18 starts this season and her 26th from 52 overall, earning $393,410. Don Beatson trains and co-owns the $7.60 winner with Kenneth Beatson and Cole England.

To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.


Gov't, Seoul City to file complaints against conservative pastor Jun



By Bahk Eun-ji



The Ministry of Health and Welfare said Sunday it plans to file a complaint against Rev. Jun Kwang-hoon, a conservative pastor who led mass demonstration in downtown Seoul, Saturday, for allegedly obstructing the government's efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.



The government's move came as dozens of people who have been infected with the virus were believed to have been connected to Jun's church, Sarang Jeil Church.



On Saturday, more than 10,000 people participated in an anti-government demonstration in Gwanghwamun Square, which was led by far-right and Christian groups, including Jun's church, despite the city government banning mass gatherings over coronavirus concerns.



The health ministry's move came three hours after President Moon Jae-in warned of strict responses to such unlawful acts by some church members who have hampered the country's efforts to contain the virus.



"It is an unforgivable act that threatens the lives of the people and ruins efforts of the whole country to contain the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus. It is a clear challenge to the national disease control and prevention system," Moon wrote on his Facebook page.





The government will enforce "stern and strong measures even by resorting to compulsory means," Moon said. "We are at a critical juncture, as a large number of new cases are expected to be reported for some time. Please follow the government's quarantine measures thoroughly. The government will trust the people and do its best to overcome the difficulties," he said.



The Seoul Metropolitan Government said the city will file a comlaint against Jun on Sunday.



"Despite being the main figure responsible for quarantine measures, Jun violated the self-quarantine rule. He even deliberately delayed the diagnostic tests of believers by spreading false information," said the city's Acting Mayor Seo Jung-hyup during a press briefing at Seoul City Hall, Sunday.



Jun reportedly claimed that the COVID-19 infections among his church members seem to have been caused by "virus terrors by outside forces." A total of 4,066 members are required to take the virus tests, but the authorities have only reached 669 of them, according to the city government.



According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), the country added 279 new cases, including 267 domestic cases, Saturday, taking the nation's total caseload to 15,318. It was a surge from 166 new cases the previous day, and the first time the country reported more than 200 new daily cases in five months, the KCDC said.



The high number of new cases was linked to Sarang Jeil Church which saw a total of 249 cases as of Sunday afternoon, according to the government.



The sudden spike in numbers made the quarantine authorities raise their alert over the weekend and ordered a tightened social distancing guidelines for Seoul and the metropolitan area for two weeks which went into effect from Sunday.



According to the new guidelines, sporting events were banned from having on-site spectators. Public libraries, galleries and museums were ordered to close down. Schools and kindergartens will keep the attendance rate at one-third, except for high school senior classes which can allow two-thirds of its students at a time to come to school.



The quarantine authorities warned this could lead to another outbreak, following one involving Shincheonji Church of Jesus in February in Daegu.


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The Nazis completely melted down over that insult, and FDR actually had to kiss some ass over it, but it was hard to get the public up in arms over a party flag. It would be like if you filmed yourself eating America's stars and stripes with a fork and then slowly shitting it out vs. doing the same thing with the Democratic Party flag. One gets you shunned by society, and the other gets you a massive following on TikTok.

They wanted to make the point that the Bremen Six had attacked Germany as a whole and not just the Nazi Party, so as usual, they just bent reality to their will and passed the Reich Flag Law, making the swastika the national flag of Germany. So, lesson as always: Nazi may have been murderous monsters, but they were also enormous diaper babies.

Top image: Bundesarchiv, Bild 102-11081 / Georg Pahl / CC-BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons
As a means of reducing the infection rate of coronavirus in Rivers State, the state government shut down major markets amongst other restrictions. The government, however, kept superstores open, making them the primary place where residents can get groceries and other items.

A PREMIUM TIMES' investigation has revealed that the health of people who purchase groceries from these superstores may be at risk as some of them are openly selling expired goods.

Market Square

Marketsquare is among the five biggest superstores in Rivers State. It has seven outlets across the state. Our investigation revealed that this superstore was still selling goods several days after they were past their expiry dates and manipulating the prices of some of its products.

On June 2, this reporter went to the popular MarketSquare at Ada George Road, in Port Harcourt, the capital city of the state, to buy groceries. Behind the deep fridge used for storing ice cream, she saw an A$ paper with the inscription "Discount Price boldly written on it. Also written on the paper were the original and new prices of the products the paper was affixed to. But as she picked some of the discounted products, she discovered that some of the products on display were expired.

For instance, the expiry date of "Unik Baby Soap, Sweet Angel" was May 26, 2020, five days before this reported visited the superstore.

Yamama Soy Sauce was another product on the discounted shelf. The product was going to expire the next day. The price of the product had already been slashed to N100. When this reporter returned to the store five days later, it had been taken off the discount shelf. However, another product had taken its place - Ossat Natural Oil Moisture Mist. The label on the product indicated that it would expire in June 2020. Not only was this product sold to the reporter, but it was also sold at a much more expensive price. On the discounted shelf the price tag on the product was N900 but this reporter was charged N2,350.

Timeless Super Stores

Another superstore that stocked and sold expired goods was Timeless Super Store. When this reporter visited the Timeless Super Store's outlet on NTA/Mgbouba Road closed to Obiri-Ikwere Roundabout, Port Harcourt, she found some expired product on its discount shelf as well.

Among the products on display was a batch of expired Yamama Soy Sauce. Just like the batch of the same product found at MarketSquare, the expiration date on the product was June 3 but the item was still up for sale for N100 five days after.

The reporter noticed another expired product - Spice Supreme Poultry Seasoning was being sold for N530. The expiry date on the product was June 4, 2020. The reporter returned to the store on June 9 and Spice Supreme Poultry Seasoning was yet to be taken off the discount shelf.

"You pick this from the slashed stand right?" the cashier asked. When the reporter admitted yes, she only told the reporter that the Yamama Soy sauce has been slashed from N1,400 to N1,100.

On June 26, this reporter visited another outlet of Timeless Superstore on Ada George Road. The store was selling the following expired products: Silka Body Lotion, Purity Baby Cereal when had expired four days earlier, and Nestle Cerelac with an expiration date of June 2020. The reporter bought the Purity Baby Cereal and the Nestle Cerelac. The cashier at the checkout counter did not utter a word about the expired products.

On July 14, three weeks after this reporter bought the expired products from the store, she returned to the store and one of the products - Nestle Cerelac - was still being sold to unsuspecting customers.

While the reporter was at the store, she saw officials of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, (FCCPC) carrying out what appeared to be a routine check. The officials later took some goods from the store and put in their car. This reporter could not confirm if the goods carted away by the officials were expired or not. But after the FCCPC officials left, the expired Nestle Cerelac was still on the shelf and was sold to her.

Expiry and best before dates

According to the United State Food and Drug Administration(USFDA) website, 'a product's shelf life generally means the length of time you can expect a product to look and act as expected and stay safe for use.' A product's expiry date or 'best-before' date is usually determined by the shelf life of that product.

In a 2018 opinion article for PREMIUM TIMES, Kayode Ojewale, noted that there is a difference between the expiry dates and best-before dates, although they are used interchangeably by manufacturing company to convey a date when a product is at its peak performance or no longer fit to consume.

"While Expiry dates show the last day that the product is expected to be used or consumed, the best-before date indicates that as from that date, the product's freshness along with its quality is no longer guaranteed,". he wrote.

"The length of time varies depending on the type of product, how it is used and how it is stored. Personal care products, cosmetics, daily needs, foods, beverages, drugs, toiletries and other consumables and perishables have varying shelf lives based on product content, raw material quality and sanitary conditions."

Health implications of consuming expired products

Every product has a period of effectiveness and once the window has expired, then it potentially becomes poisonous to you, the potency will reduce and will not be as effective as it should have been, said Udeme Georgewill, a Pharmacologist

Mr Georgewill, the acting head of the Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, said expired cosmetic products can cause skin rashes and other irritations.

"Health is personal and there is a reason we have expiry dates. It is important before you pick up any product, ensure you look at both the Manufacturing and expiry date. And try to follow the manufacturer advice as it relates to storage", Mr Georgewill said.

In a study published in the European Scientific Journal in 2012 by Hatim Ahmmed, and Somiya Mohammed, two associate professors at the University of Bahri, Sudan, the risk of food-borne diseases increases after the expiration date, especially if the storage conditions are less than optimal.

The study further suggested that it is very important to inform consumers about what they should know before stocking their fridges and cupboard, which include the Best Before and expiration date

MarketSquare and Timeless react

When asked why it was selling expired products, the manager of MarketSquare on Ada George Road, who simply identified himself a Raphael, denied that the store was selling expired goods.

He explained that products placed on a discount shelf were products nearing their expiration dates and that customers are usually informed that the products are close to their expiration dates.

Contrary to the findings of this reporter, the manager said when an item's expiration date is June, and there is no specific date, it means the product will expire anytime in June, and that such products are usually taken off the shelf before June.

Mr Raphael further explained that the store does not sell any product that is at least six months to its expiration date.

"Generally, people know any product that is on markdown If it is not on promo, it is close to expiring date.

"We have people that go round the shelves to check for expiry date. When they come in the morning, they raise alarm on any product that wants to expire," he said.

When asked why the store still sold Ossat Natural Oil Moisture for N2,350 despite informing customers that the price had been cut to N900, Raphael said that cashiers often do a tally of the price of the product at check out.

"When we slash the product down, the price is still the normal price but when you take it to the cashier, they will tally it and do a discount", he said.

Similarly, the branch manager of Timeless Super Store on NTA/Mgbouba Road, Ifeanyi Okafor, denied knowledge of sales of expired products at the store. Mr Okafor said there are sales representatives whose job is to monitor the products and pull out products close to their expiration dates.

When confronted with the receipt and items purchased at the story, he said the sales representative in charge of the section will be fired.

"I am surprised to hear this. We have NAFDAC, ISON as well Consumers Protection Commission come here every day like they are going to their maternal home, so we can't sell an expired product on the Slash point. Just go there now and see the product there. The person in charge of that section must be punished for trying to tarnish our name", he said.

The reporter further asked the manager if consumers are informed on why the prices are slashed at the point of payment, Mr Okafor said informing the customers on the expiration of product depends on how free the cashier was at the time of payment, adding that, often, the cashiers are always busy attending to people.

Also, during the time the reporter made payment for the expired product, she happens to be the only one the cashier was attending to. The cashier only remembered to ask her where she picked the expired Yamama Soy sauce but didn't inform her the product has expired and why the slashed from N1,400 to N1,100

"When you know a product of N7,000 and its now N3,000, all you need to do is to ask questions and we will tell you but when you don't ask questions we believe you know it" Okafor responded on it

At Timeless at Ada George Road, Kingdom Sor-Tiwa, a supervisor, explained that the store put products that have about 60 days to their expiration dates on the discount shelf.

"It is the customers' decision to buy either the slashed goods or they go buy the goods with a longer date of expiration. Once the goods expire we bring the goods out from the slash sand", he said.

Contrary to the reporter's experience at the story, Mr Sor-Twa said customers are often told at the point of payment that products from the discount shelves are near their expiration dates.

When shown the receipts of the expired goods bought at the store, Mr Sor-Twa said: "I may not doubt the person that bought the expired product here, but I think due to negligence while removing the product they may have forgotten to remove it or hope to remove the expired product the day of the expiration date and forgot to do so".

Stores without expired goods

Unlike the MarketSquare at Ada-George Road and Timelines at NTA/Mgbouba and Ada George, this reporter visited other superstores in Port Harcourt but couldn't find expired goods displayed for sale.

The reporter visited Everyday Superstore opposite the Nigerian Television Authority office and the Everyday Superstore at Rumuigbo area and after searching for more than 30minutes searching for an expired product but could not find any.

Similarly, no expired product was found at Spar superstore close to the Rivers State Government House, one of the biggest retailers in the state.

FCCPC reacts

Reports of the sales of expired products seem on the rise in the country. In 2018, the commission shut down Krispy Kreme in Lagos over the use of an expired product to produce doughnuts.

In early January 2020, FCCPC also sealed Panda Supermarket in Jabi, FCT, foreign supermarket for displaying and selling contraband and expired food items.

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In a bid to ensure Nigerians are safe amid the pandemic, the FCCPC set up a COVID-19 taskforce committee across the states to inspect items in stores to ensure COVID-19 interruptions do not result in unsafe products.

In Rivers State, the South-South Zonal Coordinator of the Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Commission, Osi Johnson, told this reporter that since June the commission started her COVID19 search more than 20 superstores have been confiscated, adding that "very soon we will burn them. Although, the sellers are denying knowledge of the expired products".

According to Mr Johnson, the law stipulates that goods near their date of expiration must be removed to a separate shelf with a slashed price and consumers must be informed why the price was slashed. "Failure by the company to do so, it means the company wants to deceive the consumers, and as such that requires the commission to confiscate the goods and prosecute the company".

When this reporter showed Mr Johnson the expired products she had purchased from the stores, he explained: "Any product that states Best Before, it means the product must be consumed before the date on the product. And when the product states expire on a particular date, it means the product will expire on the stated date. And when a product states a particular month and year without a specific date that means the product must be used before the said month, but it sometimes depends on the goods too. There are some foreign products that the life span may require one to use on the said month. However, they are supposed to specify a date".

He said consumers can return expired products to the stores where they were purchased and ask for a refund even after using said products.

We are going around now to supermarkets, shops including medicines shops to ensure expire product are not in the shops and market. We noticed that since this COVID-19 season, a lot of product might have expired and the manufacturers and producers would want to sell them out", Mr Johnson said.

NAFDAC reacts

When reached for comments, the director-general of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, she promised to reply the reporter's questions via text messages, but after several calls and a reminder sent to he, she eventually answered her call but said she has "nothing to say".

"First of all, I don't have anything to say to a Journalist now, am in the middle of something but I can write something for you. I have just seen your text message and I am in the middle of something".

Mrs Adeyeye never replied to the reporter. The reporter sent a reminder via text message some days after but the NAFDAC boss did not respond.

With Funding support from Mac-Arthur Foundation, this report is supported by Accountability Lab, Nigeria as part of the 2020 Accountability Incubator Programme.
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Two young children died Saturday afternoon after authorities say they climbed into a vehicle outside their home and got locked inside for more than an hour.

Shelby County authorities responded about 3:30 p.m. Saturday to a residence off of County Road 25 in Montevallo, said Coroner Lina Evans. The parents told authorities the two boys  ages 3 and 1  were thought to be playing in their rooms but had gone outside apparently.

The family frantically searched for them and eventually found them inside the vehicle. Both were unresponsive and rushed to Shelby Baptist Medical Center where they were later pronounced dead.

Evans said the boys had gotten into the vehicle sometime after 1 p.m. and were discovered about 3:30 p.m. Autopsies will be done in Montgomery Monday to determine the exact cause of death.

The Shelby County Sheriffs Office is investigating, but Evans said it unfortunately is just a tragic accident. The boys names are not being released at this time. Temperatures on Saturday were in the 90s.

Their deaths mark the second time this week children have died in Alabama after being found in a hot car. On Sunday, 3-year-old Bentley Fowler was declared dead in a car on Chruch Street in the northwest Alabama town of Hodges. At the time, Fowler was the 15th child to die in 2020 in hot cars in the U.S. this year, according to KidsAndCars.org, a national nonprofit child safety organization.

In that case however, the boys parents, Dakota Heath Fowler, 20, and Brandi Michelle Burks, 22, were arrested on manslaughter charges, according to the Franklin County Sheriffs Office.

On Wednesday, 3-year-old Kaiden Garner died in Florence and authorities initially believed that death resulted from heat exposure as well, but the investigation deemed the boy died from blunt force trauma. No arrests have been announced in that case.
Bengaluru :

Eight-month-old Pakistani infant Rayan has become the youngest bone marrow donor in India by donating healthy bone marrow stem cells to his elder sister, who underwent successful transplant at a city hospital in Bengaluru.



The two-and-a-half-year-old Zeenia, hailing from Sahiwal in Pakistan, was suffering from Hemaphagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare disease in which bone marrow produces some abnormal cells which eat away the normal cells, resulting in high fever, low blood counts, liver and spleen enlargement, doctors said.



Calling it a potentially life threatening disorder, doctors said the only cure for this condition was bone marrow transplant. Zeenia was also diagnosed to have partial albinism since birth as well, they added.



After we diagnosed the girl was suffering from HLH, we discovered that her brother was Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match for her, said Dr Sunil Bhat, Senior Consultant and Head of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant at Narayana Health City hospital.



As the donor is just eight months old to collect the adequate dosage, he was required to undergo the donation process twice at a gap of only few weeks, Dr Bhat said.



By using small marrow extraction needles and with the assistance of a team of anesthetists and other members, we have successfully extracted enough marrow which helped cure Zeenia. Rayan has not only saved his sister, he also has the unique distinction of being the youngest marrow donor in? India, he added.



Doctors said the procedure was conducted in October and on Friday Zeenia was cured of her deadly disease and ready to leave for Pakistan to lead a normal life. They have advised her parents about certain follow-ups that Zeenia needs to undergo after going back home.



The doctors also said Rayan was doing exceptionally well and fine.



Zeenia had earlier undergone treatment at an armed forces hospital in Rawalpindi.



Stating that there was general fear factor when they landed in India, Zeenias father Zia Ulla said his daughter was now fine and recovering.



From the time we landed following immigration, I would say it was a very pleasant surprise ... everyone was very fine and friendly, he said.



Expressing similar sentiments, Zeenias mother Farzeen said it was very difficult for them to decide on bone marrow donation from her eight-month-old son.



Obviously both children are important for us. When we got to know that they are match siblings and it was a promising option, we decided to take risk, she said.

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The police in Yobe State have confirmed the abduction of Isa Mashio, the village head of Mashio in Fune Local Government Area.

The district head, according to a witness, was abducted in his house in the village by unidentified gunmen who stormed the village last night and whisked him away.

A member of the family told PREMIUM TIMES that the kidnappers have not made any contact with the family yet, saying they came south of the village at about 10 p.m.

The Police Public Relations Officer for Yobe State, Dungus Abdulkareem, in a short statement said the police have launched a search and rescue operation for the district head.

He said the gunmen who kidnapped the village head are yet to be identified.

The District Head of Mashio under Fune LG, Alh Isa Mai Buba was abducted by yet to be identified gunmen. At about 2205hrs on 15/8/2020, the gunmen attacked the house of D.H with heavy fire Arms and disappeared with him to the tin air.

Search parties were later on deployed but  no positive response or of his whereabouts was discovered.

The police command had intensified efforts to rescue the District Head. Meanwhile, investigations are also ongoing to identify the hoodlums. More information will be communicated for any development, please, he said.

A PREMIUM TIMES check revealed that the village has never been attacked by Boko Haram, the terror group that has caused tens of thousands of deaths, mainly in North-east Nigeria, since 2009.
As Tata group failed to secure a bailout package from the UK government, the Indian multinational business group may look for a strategic partner for Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and to sell its British steel operations.

Since the European operations of Tata Motor's JLR and Tata Steel's plant have been making losses, the parent companies will have to come up with a solution soon, Business Standard quoted a former director of Tata Steel and Tata Motors as saying.

"I will not rule out a stake sale in JLR and a complete sale of the UK steel operations. The talks with ThyssenKrupp for merger of Tata Steel's European operations is also taking a lot of time - which can be very bad news," he said.

Britain's largest automotive manufacturer JLR employs 30,000 people in the UK, while Tata Steel Europe has an employee strength of 8,000. Both companies had sought a financial package from the British government but the deal failed due to the tough conditions imposed on lending. The failure to secure a bailout deal with the government has left the companies with no option but to rely on private financing to overcome the economic downturn.

The deal between the UK's Treasury and the Tata Group companies fell apart after the government concluded that the Indian firms were sufficiently financed and didn't qualify for taxpayer support, as per Bloomberg's report. The news report also added that stringent conditions imposed on lending, including decarbonisation requirements pushing electric vehicles, made the deal infeasible for the companies owned by Indian conglomerate Tata Group.

As per the report, Tata Steel had proposed the UK government to invest over 900 million pounds or $1.2 billion in the company as part of the talks between the two sides. The proposal also involved the company writing off a similar amount owed by the UK business. The company and the UK government were engaged in talks to secure the future of Port Talbot steelworks. The company employs 8,000 people in the UK, half of whom are in Port Talbot.

By Chitranjan Kumar

Also Read: UK govt may infuse 900 million pounds in Tata Steel to pick up equity stake

Also Read: Tata Steel built up Rs 20,144 crore war-chest to counter economic turbulence

Also Read: UK govt's bailout talks with Jaguar Land Rover, Tata Steel fall through
Illa detailed a raft of measures that were agreed at an emergency meeting with regional health officials, according to an online story by Spain's best-selling newspaper El Pais.

Madrid, Aug 15 (IANS) Spanish Health Minister Salvador Illa announced that nightclubs and night-time bars nationwide will be closed, in part of the latest government measures to curb coronavirus resurgence.

"There have been a growing number of outbreaks in recent weeks," the minister explained at a press conference after the meeting on Friday, Xinhua news agency reported.

"I am announcing that, for the first time, we have decided to adopt coordinated actions in terms of public health and that these measures have been adopted unanimously," he said.

Illa also said that establishments, such as restaurants, would have to close at 1 a.m. with no new patrons allowed to enter from midnight onward, and the number of people eating at a table was limited to 10.

Other measures include giving new residents and staff at senior care homes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to ensure they are free of the coronavirus. Visits to homes will also be limited to one person per resident with a maximum of one hour.

The minister also said that fines would be levied "in a strict manner" on youngsters who are found to be drinking on the street, El Pais reported.

Another measure announced by Illa on Friday was a blanket ban across Spain on smoking in public if a two-meter distance cannot be observed. The regions of Galicia and the Canary Islands had already introduced such a measure, El Pais said.

Despite notable increases in new cases in recent days, Illa insisted that the current COVID-19 situation was "not comparable with the one that we had in April," because most of the cases being detected recently are mild and are occurring among younger people and are being caught earlier.

Also on Friday, the Madrid regional government announced that it would begin free random testing in areas that are being hardest hit by the coronavirus, such as the districts of Carabanchel, Usera, Villaverde and Puente de Vallecas, and the municipalities of Alcobendas and Mostoles, according to El Pais.

--IANS

rt/
Nineteen years have passed and there is still no answer as to who killed 11-year-old Shannon Paulk.

The 11-year-old disappeared on Aug. 16, 2001 after going outside to play in her neighborhood at the Candlestick Mobile Home Park in Prattville. Hunters found her body two months later in a hunting preserve in the northern part of the county. No one has ever been charged in her death

Its the worst nightmare you could ever live, the girls mother Marie Stroud told WSFA.

A vigil is being held Sunday evening in Prattville on the nineteenth anniversary of her disappearance. Organizers hope an arrest can be made before the twentieth anniversary of her disappearance.

Maybe this will bring somebody out and tell us something, Paulks aunt, Tammy Evans, told the station. Cmon, its been 19 years. Surely somebody knows something.

Prosecutors in 2017 empaneled a special grand jury to probe the disappearance. Prosecutors announced soon after that a widely distributed sketch of a possible suspect was no longer considered credible.

Paulk would now be 30 if she had lived.

Family members said the years without answers have added to their pain.

He may get away with it here on earth, Stroud told the station.
(Newser)  A rare summer thunderstorm brought lightning that sparked several small blazes in Northern California on Sunday and stoked a huge forest fire that has forced hundreds of people from their homes north of Los Angeles, the AP reports. More than 4,500 buildings remained threatened by the wildfire, which was burning toward thick, dry brush in the Angeles National Forest. Firefighters already battling the blaze in steep, rugged terrain in scorching heat faced more hurdles Saturday when hundreds of lightning strikes and winds up to 15 mph pushed the flames uphill. "We set up a containment line at the top of the hills so the fire doesn't spill over to the other side and cause it to spread, but it was obviously difficult given the erratic wind and some other conditions," said fire spokesman Jake Miller.

story continues below

The Lake Fire was just 12% contained as of Sunday morning and has burned nearly 28 square miles of brush and trees. Fire officials said 33 buildings had been destroyed, including at least a dozen homes. Temperatures were expected to hit the mid 90s to 100s, Miller said, a slight drop from Saturday when the mercury hit 111 degrees on Saturday at the firefighters' base camp. Thunderstorm and gusty wind could return in the late afternoon. Thunderstorm and excessive heat were also a concern for firefighters battling a blaze that blackened almost 4 square miles in the foothills above the Los Angeles suburb of Azusa. The fire, believed to be started Thursday by a homeless man, is only 3% contained. (California also saw a "firenado.")
Russia has shown that it is aatmanirbhar (self-reliant) by producing the first coronavirus vaccine, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said on Sunday.

In India, there is only talk of being self-reliant, Raut said in his weekly column Rokhtokh in the Sena mouthpiece Saamana. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday announced his country has developed the first vaccine against COVID-19, adding one of his daughters has already been vaccinated.

"There is a lot of skepticism about Russia's vaccine among international experts, who say it has not gone through the rigorous process of human trials. The World Health Organisation has said the Russian vaccine is not among the nine it considers in advanced stages of testing."

It is encouraging countries to join the COVAX facility designed to guarantee rapid, fair and equitable access to vaccines worldwide. "When there was a global movement to prove the Russian vaccine illegal, Putin used the vaccine as a trial on his daughter and created self-confidence in his country," Raut said.

"Russia gave the first lesson of being aatmanirbhar to the world. We are just preaching about being aatmanirbhar," Raut said.

Noting that Ram temple trust head Mahant Nritya Gopal Das has tested positive for coronavirus, Raut sought to know if Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who shook hands with Das during the temple's ground-breaking function in Ayodhya on August 5, will quarantine himself.

Former President Pranab Mukherjee, who has tested coronavirus positive, is in a critical condition and some ministers and bureaucrats in the Modi government have also tested positive for the viral infection, he said.
Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, on Saturday pledged closer ties with India and a better deal for Indian Americans in a short, policy-laden Independence Day message. He will stand with India in confronting new threats its faces in its own region and along its own border, he said.

Kamala Harris, his running mate, struck a personal note. She spoke of her visits to Madras (as Chennai was called then), stories she heard from her grandfather of heroes of Indian independence and her mother Shyamala Gopalan Harriss efforts to instill in her a love of good Idli.

Bidens campaign had earlier in the day issued an expansive agenda on relations with India and the welfare of Indian Americans if he wins in November. The Biden administration will not allow China to threaten its neighbours with impunity and will have no tolerance for cross-border terrorism.

Biden built on it in a pre-recorded message played at a virtual outreach to the Indian American community to celebrate Indian Independence Day. Recalling his leading efforts to ratify the civil nuclear deal in 2008 as a senator, he said he had held then that if India and the United States became closer friends and partners, the world would be a safer place

If elected president, I will continue to believe it, he went on to say and added that he will continue what I have long called for  including standing with India in confronting new threats it faces n its own region and along its border.

The former vice-president covered an entire range of issues for cooperation in the future, such as trade, climate change and public health. And also have honest conversations on all issues as friends, which is diplomatese for discussing disagreements and difficult issues.

Biden spoke disapprovingly of rising hate crimes and crackdown on legal immigration in recent years  the sudden and harmful actions on H-1B, which for decades made America stronger and brought our nations closer.

The expansive agenda, address by Biden and Harris, and the participation of senior members of the campaign -former deputy secretary of state Tony Blinken, former National Security Adviser to former vice-president Biden Jake Sullivan, speechwriter Vinay Reddy and Seema Sadanandan - was part of the campaign efforts to woo the 1.2 million Indian American voters who can help in closely fought swing states. Former US ambassador to India Rich Verma and former assistant secretary of state Nisha Biswal also participated in the discussions,

Harris spoke largely in personal terms. She spoke of her grandfather P V Gopalan and grandmother Rajam, and the values that her mother Shyamala Gopalan learnt from them  if you see injustice in the world you have an obligation to do something about it.

Growing up, Gopalan would take Harris and her sister Maya Harris to what was then called Madras so that they could understand where she came from and what was their ancestry. And, of course, she wanted to instill in us a love of good Idli, said the presumptive vice-presidential nominee.

Harris has faced criticism among some Indian Americans  and a section of Indians  for not embracing her Indianness enough, and for projecting herself more Black. She wrote in her autobiography that she and her sister were raised by their mother to be confident, proud black women.

On Saturday, Harris may have checked a few boxes for her critics as she spoke also of stories her grandfather told her about the heroes who were responsible Indias independence. He would explain to us that it was on us to pick up where they left off, she said, adding, those lessons are a big reason why I am who I am today.

Blinken, who is expected a top portfolio in a Biden administration such as secretary of state or national security adviser, took the vice-presidents pledge of closer ties with India further and suggested that cooperation between the two countries should extend even beyond the region to the world as large.

Blinken went to say the Biden administration will support a larger role for India in international institutions  including a permanent seat in a reformed UN security council. The US first extent support for Indias claim to a permanent during President Barack Obamas first visit to India in 2010.
10 has released a promo for a new special A Dingos Got My Baby: The Lindy Chamberlain Story, produced by Easy Tiger and Empress Road, in which Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton reflects on the infamous incident of August 17th 1980.

Screen Australia provided principal production investment for the documentary and Head of Documentary, Bernadine Lim said The Chamberlains story has remained at the forefront of Australias consciousness for the last 40 years and this documentary will explore themes that still intrigue audiences today. With an impressive creative team including Ian Collie and Rob Gibson from Easy Tiger producing alongside Francine Finnane and Mark Joffe, who will be writing and directing respectively, we believe this story will be told with the care it deserves.

A date is yet to be confirmed.

Not only is it one of Australias most publicised murder trials and one that divided the nation for decades, its also one of the countrys most infamous cases of miscarried justice. A Dingos Got My Baby: The Lindy Chamberlain Story is the Chamberlain familys story of love, loss and redemption, told exclusively by them.

17 August, 1980. Lindy and Michael Chamberlain and their three children including nine-week old baby Azaria, were enjoying a family camping trip in Central Australia, blissfully unaware that their lives were about to change forever.

Just hours later, baby Azaria is missing and in the dim evening light, a dingo is seen coming out of the tent she was sleeping in.

Forty years on and using never-before-seen footage, A Dingos Got My Baby: The Lindy Chamberlain Story follows the investigation of Azarias death and her mother Lindys prosecution, conviction, imprisonment, and eventual exoneration, for her murder.

For the first time in eight years, Lindy and her children speak exclusively and in detail, about the harrowing night and the devastating years that followed.

Through the familys personal archives including Lindy and Michaels wedding day, family albums and audio of baby Azarias voice, they candidly share how this traumatic event impacted their lives forever.

Adding to their story through exclusive interviewees that encompass eyewitnesses, family friends, high court judges, forensic experts, lawyers, high profile media, professors of history, novelists, film makers and their church, this original and all-encompassing documentary, tells a compelling story that still resonates today.

A Dingos Got My Baby: The Lindy Chamberlain Story is an Easy Tiger and Empress Road production for Network 10. Principal production investment from Screen Australia, in association with Screen NSW and Screen Queensland.
By John Fensterwald

EdSource

School districts will be able to bring back to school small groups of students with disabilities and others with "acute" needs for face-to-face instruction, Gov. Gavin Newsom and State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond announced Friday.

The California Department of Public Health will provide details for districts to follow, perhaps next week. All districts will be able to bring small groups of students on campus, including those whose schools cannot currently open because they're in counties on the state's watch list for high rates of coronavirus infection, hospitalizations and other criteria, Darling-Hammond said.

The state will move forward with this policy, Newsom said, out of the "recognition that there are kids that will never" be able to adjust to learning online "no matter what kind of support we provide, even if we individualize it."

Many special education students have suffered during distance learning: students with autism, learning disabilities and emotional conditions as well as those who normally would receive in-person occupational and physical therapy. But large numbers of homeless and migrant students and students in foster care also have been greatly affected.

Some districts have expressed a desire to open up schools to these students, and a few, including Palo Alto Unified, had planned to move ahead. But teachers unions have rejected those plans during negotiations over their working conditions, saying they expose teachers to unsafe conditions. Discussions ended in mid-August, when Newsom and the California Department of Public Health put most of the state's counties, encompassing more than 90 percent of the state's students, on a monitoring list.

An exception is the Marin County Office of Education, which ran programs in the spring and summer for 375 students in 44 cohorts. Those students were in programs for special education, alternative education and pop-up child care centers. In-school services for students with moderate and severe disabilities will resume Sept. 8, regardless of whether the county remains on the monitoring list.

Darling-Hammond said the forthcoming guidance will elaborate on the conditions already in place for day care centers, which have continued to operate in counties on the list. She said the approvals will apply to small groups of students in cohorts that have no contact with other students and follow safety and monitoring requirements. Districts must work with county offices of education on their plans, she said.

Some districts hope to find space for students who lack access to the internet or have no adult at home to supervise remote learning. San Francisco Unified is working through the San Francisco City & County Department of Children, Youth and Their Families on the arrangements. The guidance may cover these students as well, Darling-Hammond said.

Districts would likely have to negotiate with employee unions any plan to reopen schools with small numbers of students and staff. Newsom acknowledged the pressure teachers and paraprofessionals feel between their commitment to their students and the fears they have for their health.

"The overwhelming majority of you got into education for equity purposes, to right wrongs, to address the issue of social mobility and care deeply about learning disabilities and the special needs that many of your students have," he said.

"Learning is non-negotiable," he said, "but neither is safety."

Also at the press conference Friday, Newsom said the state has finished updating its backlog of cases that resulted in a data glitch and required the state to freeze the county monitoring list. Of the approximately 295,000 backlogged lab reports, he said there were 20,000 positive Covid-19 test results, which will be added retroactively to county databases by Monday, when the county monitoring list will be updated. This will allow counties to begin processing elementary school waivers, he said.

Copyright  2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
Joe Biden has reworked his climate crisis plan, under pressure from younger activists and workers in the United States, to make it ambitious and more result-oriented. He acknowledges that the economy and environment are interconnected.

According to the Washington Post, Bidens new plan calls for the elimination of carbon pollution from the electric sector by 2035, for the US to rejoin the international Paris climate accord and spend $2 trillion over four years to boost renewables and create incentives for more energy-efficient cars, homes and commercial buildings.

But, for India  and other developing countries  the question is about what America will do about its historic emissions. The climate crisis is largely because of the emissions from the wealthy nations over the years. Small Island Nations are extraordinarily vulnerable-some might even disappear. Theres also India-severely impacted, as freak climate events here have shown.

Ideally, nations historically guilty of inflicting this on us and others should finance our efforts to adapt to and mitigate climate change  this is germane to the Equal but Differentiated Responsibilities. But Bidens plans focus on the US. This is not fine for a country that calls itself a global leader. One hopes that Biden will detail this, although it is likely to be unpopular with Americans in the current economic scenario. A Presidential candidate is already a global face. Their plan must reflect how they intend to empower India and other countries to combat the crisis.

(The writer is the Founder and Director of the Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group)

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Job losses in aviation and related industries in the Middle East could grow to 1.5 million -- that is more than half of the regions 2.4 million aviation-related employment and 300,000 more than the previous estimate, new data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) showed.

Full-year 2020 traffic is expected to plummet by 56% compared to 2019. Previous estimate was a fall of 51%. The GDP supported by aviation in the region could fall by up to $85 billion (previous estimate was $66 billion), IATA said.

Middle East economies have been brought to their knees by Covid-19. And without air connectivity being re-established, the socio-economic impact is getting worse. Businesses which contribute substantially to the regions GDP and provide thousands of jobs are at risk without these vital connections. For the regions economic recovery, it is imperative that the industry restart safely as soon as possible, said Muhammad Al Bakri, IATAs Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East.

Restarting aviation

To minimise the impact on jobs and the broader Middle East economy, an accelerated recovery of air transport across the region is paramount, it said. This can be achieved through government action in two priority areas:

* Harmonising the restart of air transport across the region: Some countries in the Middle East are opening their borders to regional and international air travel but inconsistent application of biosafety measures along with unnecessary entry requirements are deterring passengers and suppressing the resumption of air travel. Harmonising the restart of aviation across the region is critical for economic recovery. Governments need to implement the common global set of air transport biosecurity measures, contained in the International Civil Aviation Organizations CART Take-off Guidelines, IATA said.

Continued support

The report said direct financial aid such as wage subsidies and loans, an extension of the waiver to the 80-20 slot rule, and relief from taxes and charges will help the industry.

"We are grateful to governments which have provided relief to aviation. However, the situation is not getting better, governments need to continue applying relief measuresfinancial and regulatory. A regional priority is securing support in the form of wage subsidies and loans as well as an extension of the waiver for the 80-20 use-it-or-lose-it slot rule. This is needed to provide critical relief to airlines in planning schedules amid unpredictable demand patterns. Saudi Arabia has confirmed a waiver for its slot coordinated airports and we hope the UAE, Morocco and Tunisia will do so soon. Airlines need to focus on meeting demand and not meeting slot rules that were never meant to accommodate the sharp fluctuations of such a crisis, said Albakri. - TradeArabia News Service
A NSW man has become the latest coronavirus fatality as the state recorded five new cases of infection.

The death of the man, who was aged in his 80s, takes the state's toll to 54 with the national figure increasing to 396.

Of the five new cases reported up to 8pm Saturday, three are linked to the Tangara School for Girls cluster.

Health authorities are investigating two remaining infections including a man in his 40s from Western Sydney, who acquired the disease locally, and a close contact.

All current infections are connected to previously reported cases who visited four separate venues between August 2 and August 8.

Of the five new cases reported up to 8pm Saturday, three are linked to the Tangara School for Girls cluster

Health authorities are investigating two remaining infections in NSW. Pictured: Authorities in body suits at the Tangara School for Girls

The venues include a Crust Pizza in Concord on August 6 and 7, between 4pm and 9pm; Den Sushi in Rose Bay, on August 8 between 7.15pm and 8.45pm, Cafe Perons in Double Bay on August 8 between 1pm and 2pm and Horderns Restaurant at Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, in Bowral, August 2 between 7.45pm and 9.15pm.

People who were at those locations are recommended to get tested for the virus and self-isolate for fourteen days.

It comes as police fined a party bus operator overnight who allegedly transported 43 people from Penrith to Sydney.

The bus was pulled over at about 11.15pm in the Sydney CBD following reports it was being driven erratically along Wheat Road.

Some 24,093 tests for COVID-19 have been conducted in the 24 hours to Saturday night. Pictured: A medical worker administers a test for COVID-19 on someone in Sydney last week

Police questioned the 25-year-old driver about the number of passengers onboard, including several who were underage and appeared intoxicated.

A 17-year-old girl was arrested after allegedly being found with cocaine and will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

The driver was issued with a $5,000 fine for failing to comply with a public health order.

Some 24,093 tests for COVID-19 have been conducted in the 24 hours to Saturday night.

'As COVID-19 continues to circulate in the community, maintaining high rates of testing is vital at this time, and NSW Health urges anyone with even the mildest symptoms to come forward for testing,' NSW Health said in a statement on Sunday.
The smartest insight and analysis, from all perspectives, rounded up from around the web:

The Trump administration last week intensified its "campaign to claw apart the Chinese and American tech worlds," said Scott Rosenberg and Kyle Daly at Axios. After a series of attacks on the Chinese-owned video network TikTok, President Trump signed executive orders that would ban U.S. companies from doing business with not just TikTok but also WeChat, an app central to daily life in China. With American tech platforms largely blocked from China, a ban on WeChat would be a "major disruption" hampering commerce in China and cutting links to the "Chinese diaspora" around the world. The U.S. "has piled one anti-China initiative on top of another," said Bob Davis at The Wall Street Journal. China has been cautious in retaliation, aside from some rhetoric about "red lines," but we may be poised for a major escalation in the trade war. While so far China has said it will stick with the trade accord signed in December, Trump appears to be having second thoughts, saying "I don't feel the same about the deal."

"It's hard to overemphasize the prominence of WeChat in China," said Chaim Gartenberg at The Verge. Initially a messaging app, WeChat is now used in China for every kind of transaction. It has a payments system that is accepted almost everywhere, as well as features that cover everything from hailing a taxi to reading the news. A ban on WeChat is a serious blow to China  and one that could also cripple American companies trying to do business there. "An iPhone without WeChat is effectively not a phone at all for the hundreds of millions of Chinese users who rely on the service." U.S. companies have also come to rely on WeChat to entice Chinese customers, said Adam Minter at Bloomberg. "Since 2017, Caesars Palace in Las Vegas has let Chinese visitors pay for almost anything using the service." A ban would discourage these tourists, as well as people who "come to visit relatives who have settled in the U.S., or to tour college campuses with their kids." Trump is sending a clear message: They're no longer welcome here.

Story continues

We've seen this approach to technology before, said Josephine Wolff at The New York Times  from China. "China has maintained strict control over the internet and aggressively blocked foreign tech platforms within its borders." Now the U.S. is threatening to do the same, putting at risk the vision of an "open and global internet" our tech industry was built on. That's fine for Trump, who has sold the Republican Party on "a nationalist vision of an America that must stand up to China or be swallowed by it," said Eric Boehm at Reason. The administration is pursuing a fantasy of American self-sufficiency that's repeatedly failed. "The most instantly noticeable effect of Trump's tariffs was to increase the price of goods imported from China, including medical equipment." Even worse, the Trump administration was warned that tariffs would disrupt the supply chain for medical equipment. When the pandemic arrived, that's exactly what happened. Our 18-month trade war with China accomplished nothing, yet now Trump and his advisers are doubling down on an economic nationalism that "will leave the world sicker and poorer."

This article was first published in the latest issue of The Week magazine. If you want to read more like it, you can try six risk-free issues of the magazine here.

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Car Rental Market Research Report by Car Type (Economy Cars, Luxury Cars, MUVs, and SUVs), by Fuel Type (Diesel and Gasoline and Petrol), by Application - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19

New York, Aug. 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Car Rental Market Research Report by Car Type, by Fuel Type, by Application - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913725/?utm_source=GNW



The Global Car Rental Market is expected to grow from USD 74,202.91 Million in 2019 to USD 148,769.03 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.29%.



Market Segmentation & Coverage:

This research report categorizes the Car Rental to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Car Type, the Car Rental Market studied across Economy Cars, Luxury Cars, MUVs, and SUVs.



Based on Fuel Type, the Car Rental Market studied across Diesel and Gasoline and Petrol.



Based on Application, the Car Rental Market studied across Airport Transport and Local Usage.



Based on Geography, the Car Rental 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 Car Rental Market including Al-Futtaim Group, Avis Budget Group, Inc., Carzonrent India Private Limited, Enterprise Holding Inc., Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Europcar Mobility Group, Sixt, The Hertz Corporation, and Uber Technologies.inc.



FPNV Positioning Matrix:

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Car Rental 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 Car Rental Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Car Rental Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Car Rental Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Car Rental Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Car Rental Market?

6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Car Rental Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913725/?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.



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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




Council, other groups will look at downtown parking concerns

There have been several downtown businesses requesting reserved parking spots prompting the council to make some changes to the parking ordinances.
Reverend Johnson Avuletey, Deputy Volta Regional Minister, has called on elected and appointed Assembly members to play active roles in their various communities and Assemblies to activate development.



He said the work of an Assembly member did not only rely on educational attainment, but also the use of individual skills to help develop the Assemblies.



Rev. Avuletey said elected members had greater responsibilities to perform in their various electoral areas by engaging stakeholders in the community, knowing their problems and trying to find solutions to them.



The Deputy Regional Minister speaking at the 2020 Orientation programme for members of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Hohoe said government appointees had to assist and push government agenda and policies and make sure governance was on course.



He said members as key partners in the local governance system, must meet and contact their electorate and present views and problems from the electorate to the Assembly.



Rev. Avuletey called on them to fully participate at Sub-Committee or Executive Committee levels in the Assembly and also take part in communal works in their areas and continue to adhere to all COVID-19 safety protocols to help in the fight to curb the spread of the disease.

A total of 58 Assembly members from the Hohoe Municipal and South Dayi District Assemblies participated in the two-day orientation programme.



Mr. Andrews Teddy Ofori, Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) said the programme was meant to train Assembly members on new policies in the local governance system and emerging policies.



He said the training would enable the members to sharpen their individual skills in delivering results as expected of them and entreated all members to participate and develop their electoral areas and the Assemblies.



Mr. Kofi Agama, a facilitator told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the programme was to re-orient both new and retained Assembly members including; government appointees on the job they had at hand and the various skills each member had to offer for the development of their electoral areas.



Mr Agama said the Assemblies were relevant and must be guided adding that members acted as links between the Assembly and their communities and it was expected that at the end of the programme, they would be able to understand the works anticipated of them and be up to the challenges.



Mr. Joseph Chris Dzumador, Presiding Member of the Hohoe Municipal Assembly, on behalf of the participants pledged their full cooperation during the programme adding that the programme would help them in carrying out their duties.

Source: GNA









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The oft-cited maxim of the ecological sensitivity of the Western Ghats, repeated ad nauseam over the past two decades or so, has fallen on deaf ears. The failure to prevent the degradation of forests in the Sahyadris, along with the increasing instances of extreme rainfall over a short period of time  especially over the past three years  has wreaked havoc in this lifeline of South India.

The Karnataka government, which has improved its performance in terms of flood preparedness, relief work and rehabilitation measures, seems to have taken little action to prevent or mitigate future landslide hazards.

Despite the devastation, the government has either proposed or persisted with over 20 linear projects that could damage more than 25,000 hectares of forest in the region. These projects include Yettinahole River Diversion project, Kalasa-Banduri project, Sharavathy pumped storage power plant, Hubballi-Ankola railway line and many road construction and widening projects.

Worse, this year landslides have been reported in 80 locations between Mangaluru and Karwar, where highway construction work has been taken up.

READ: In Kerala, people shift from resistance to adherence

Apart from infrastructure projects, change in land use norms, the lack of a long-term mitigation policy to address deterioration of green spaces and improve forest cover, and relentless expansion of plantations in the Malnad districts are just some aspects contributing to a looming environmental disaster in one of the worlds biodiversity hotspots.

Several activists, who relentlessly protested against projects in the Western Ghats, have hung up their boots, and lament the futility of their past efforts to ensure legal protection to the ecosystem.

READ: Landslides: Waiting in the wings

There is no dearth of comprehensive reports on the cause of problems in the region and how to address them. In 2011, the report submitted by the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, under the chairmanship of Prof Madhav Gadgil, had warned of impending natural disasters unless immediate and sustainable measures were taken to protect the ecosystem. The report sought to designate over 60% of the Western Ghats as highest-priority Ecologically Sensitive Zones.

All the states who are the custodians of the Western Ghats ignored this report. The states couldn't come to a consensus on the subsequent Kasturirangan report even after four draft notifications, with Karnataka repeatedly rejecting the recommendations.

The Gadgil committee report was back in focus last year, as most of the places where the landslides took place were considered ecologically sensitive by the committee.

Now, the state government has set up another panel to study landslides in the region.

The benefit of commissioning a new report is still unclear. However, the governments actions have made it evident that it is not keen on conserving the Western Ghats; experts say the degradation of forests here will have cascading effects, triggering landslides, choking streams and posing a flood threat for downstream areas, something we are witnessing today.

A scientific paper by Prof T V Ramachandra, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science and others shows that the extent of evergreen forests shrank by 16% in Kodagu between 1973 and 2018, from 40.47% to 24.17%; a loss of around 67,000 hectares of forest land. The region had 32% of forest cover under interior or intact forests in 1973, whereas in 2018 it covers only 19% in various protected areas, says the study.

The expansion or construction of linear alignments would result in irreversible ecological degradation. The recent floods and landslides are certainly a warning to the decision makers of likely implications, with the drastic changes in the land cover eroding the native forest ecosystems. Further interventions will worsen the ecology and hydrology as well as livelihood, with increase in instances of human-induced calamities, the paper warned. Yet, the state revenue department lifted a ban on the conversion of land use in Kodagu in February this year.

Degradation main cause

While environmental degradation triggering landslides is starkly evident in Kodagu, similar situations persist in all districts bordering Western Ghats - Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Dharwad and Belagavi.

Conservation biologist Keshava H Korse pointed out that major landslides are being reported at core ridges of Western Ghats due to repeated disturbance of vegetation in such areas. Bhagamandala, where major landslides were reported in the past two years, is one such area which has loose soil, he said.

The area was classified as a highest-priority ecologically sensitive zone in the Gadgil committee report, where all development projects were expressly forbidden due to the fragility of the ecosystem. Yet, several projects were taken up here.

The injuries to the Ghats cannot be healed in one go. Just to recover the natural vegetation where landslides have occurred, it will take four years, Korse said.

Among the alarming incidents during the downpour in the first two weeks of August this year, were the landslides reported just six km from Linganamakki reservoir in Shivamogga district, pointed out Ananth Hegde Ashisara, Chairman of Biodiversity Board. He is heading a 10-member committee set up in February this year, to study the main causes for such landslides and to suggest an action plan to mitigate them.

Some of the places highly prone to landslides include the Kodagu DC office, villages near Jog Falls and settlements situated in the Western Ghats. Our major challenge is to ensure people relocate from areas which are dangerous. It is a difficult task as people dont want to move away from their homes or agricultural land, Ashisara said.

Though reasons for landslides were varied across Malnad districts, he suspected that vegetation loss was one of the key triggers for extensive damages witnessed in Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru.

Deforestation is high, non-agricultural use of land near the forests are prominent. The ecosystem can rejuvenate by reducing human interference in such regions. The ecosystem will revive on its own; this can be accelerated by planting flora indigenous to the region, Ashisara said.

G S Sreenivasa Reddy, former chairman of Karnataka Natural Disaster Monitoring Cell and a member of the committee, said that there were observable changes in rainfall patterns that have triggered the crisis. We will give recommendations on what each department should do to mitigate the problem, he said.

According to him, the cascading effect of disturbing the Western Ghats will worsen fluctuations in the intensity of rainfall, affecting water security and crop cultivation patterns.

Col (rtd) C P Muthanna, former president of Coorg Wildlife Society, noted that Western Ghats are susceptible to even minute changes. We are talking with the district administration to discuss measures to prevent such incidents. We are against converting land for commercial use as it causes degradation, he said. Efforts are also being made to encourage planters to cultivate native trees inside plantations.

Sundar Rao Bantwal, who put an end to his environmental activism after the Yettinahole project was cleared, painted a gloomy picture on how environmental concerns were always sidelined over profits by politicians and contractors. Despite a strong opposition, large projects are taken up in eco-sensitive zones. Even if we drag the cases to court, it will be of little consequence. Approaching the Green Tribunal too wont help, he said, citing the controversial project as an example. The project might fail in 10-15 years and neither those who approved it nor the ones constructed will take responsibility for the disaster, he added.

Ramachandra said despite recurring disasters, as many as 55% people in Kodagu are for development, while 40% are for conservation measures, with a small minority undecided. After the last floods, we managed to convince the Deputy Commissioner to impose restrictions against resorts mushrooming in the district, which used to occupy natural courses of water. Recently, the restrictions were lifted after political interference, he said.

Virajpet MLA K G Bopaiah was of the view that climate change was responsible for the widespread devastation. Save for the last three years, receiving 20 inches or more rainfall in less than a week is unprecedented, he said. Disputing that change of land use was the major cause for landslides, he said that landslides were reported where thick forests were present. Nobody has even considered interfering in such dense forest areas, he said.

Noting that several areas of the district were susceptible to landslides following heavy rainfall, he said that measures will be taken to address the same.
For our study, we decided to use data from sites in the Long Term Ecological Research Network (LTER), which is supported by the National Science Foundation. The network includes 28 sites across the United States that have been studied in depth since the 1980s, and it covers deserts, mountains, prairies and forests. With almost 40 years of data collected, we hoped trends at these sites would be a good complement to European insect studies.
Even though international flights have been suspended in India since March, recent bilateral pacts will allow certain services to operate with restrictions

New Delhi: Private carrier Vistara is likely to start flight operations between India and the UK, Germany and France under the bilateral air bubble arrangements that have been signed with these countries, sources in the aviation industry said on Sunday.

Earlier this month, India and the UK signed a bilateral air pact, under which the airlines of both the countries can operate international flights with certain restrictions. India had signed similar bilateral pacts with Germany and France in July.

Vistara got its second B787-9 wide-body aircraft on Saturday. It had received its first B787-9 aircraft in February. Vistara has already got the slots at the Heathrow airport in London. The flights between Delhi and London are likely to be announced in the next few days," an industry source told PTI.

The Delhi-London flight is likely to operate thrice a week, the source added.

A wide-body aircraft has a bigger fuel tank that allows it to operate long-haul flights. Vistara has 43 planes in its fleet, of which 41 are narrow-body aircraft like A320neo and B737-800NG.

The full-service carrier is also likely to operate flights between India and Germany and India and France, another aviation industry source said, adding that the probable destinations for these flights are Frankfurt and Paris respectively.

It is not clear which Indian cities will be connected to Frankfurt and Paris by Vistara. The private carrier did not respond to the queries sent by PTI on the matter.

Scheduled international passenger flights continue to remain suspended in India since 23 March amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The aviation sector has been significantly impacted due to the travel restrictions imposed in India and other countries in view of the pandemic. All airlines in India have opted for cost-reducing measures such as pay cuts, leave without pay and firing of employees in order to conserve cash.

India resumed domestic passenger flights on 25 May after a gap of two months. The airlines have been allowed to operate a maximum of 45 percent of their pre-COVID domestic flights.

However, the occupancy rate in Indian domestic flights has been around just 50-60 percent since 25 May.
With strong global demand continuing to encourage rapid expansion of New Zealand kiwifruit supply, significant investment will be required in the post-harvest segment to boost production capacity in the years ahead, says a newly-released sector report.

And with major capital expenditure necessary, kiwifruit growers are being urged to ramp up capital planning discussions with PHS providers and banks.

In the report, The Time for Capital Planning is Nigh - Funding the Expansion of New Zealands Kiwifruit Post-Harvest Infrastructure, agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank says global demand for Zespri kiwifruit is forecast to rise to 300 million trays by 2028.

"To meet this anticipated jump in demand, the production of New Zealand-grown Zespri kiwifruit will need to increase to around 225 million trays over this period with the balance coming from Zespris global supply program grown under licence outside of New Zealand," report author, Rabobank senior horticultural analyst Hayden Higgins says.

"This required lift in production of New Zealand-grown kiwifruit represents a 46 per cent increase on 2019 volumes, and, while the industry is currently doing everything it can to optimise existing infrastructure and expand production capacity, Zespri indicate they expect between $700 million and $750 million of capital expenditure will be required to handle 225 million trays of kiwifruit by 2028."

Hayden says both bank debt and shareholder equity would be required to fund new infrastructure.

"Fundamental to supporting this expansion will be the capacity of the PHS to borrow from banks and - given the strong recent performance of the sector over recent seasons - the sector appears well placed to do so," Hayden says.

"The PHS will also have to source equity, and our modelling suggests this will need to be more than one-third (approximately $250 million) of the forecast capital expenditure."

Hayden says kiwifruit growers have a vested interest in investing in the supply chain and were therefore the most likely source of the new equity required.

"Ultimately, growers have three alternative paths they can take with regard to funding the new equity needed for PHS infrastructure," he says.

"Firstly, they could choose to directly invest and become shareholders of post-harvest operations and fund this from their own orchard operations. Secondly, they could choose not to invest but potentially pay an increased packing charge to support a dividend stream suitable to non-grower investors. And finally, they may end up with a combination of the two."

With these options in front of them, growers should be looking to engage with industry participants to plan for this future funding requirement, Hayden says.

"Communication of strategy between growers and the post-harvest segment will be essential and growers should be engaging with their PHS providers to understand their plans to participate in the infrastructure expansion, how they expect this will be funded and their options for participation.

"Communication with financiers will also be essential. Banks will want to understand a growers strategy and if it includes expanding production and owning shares or even owning shares without expanding production."

Other potential sources of equity

The reports says, in theory, growers could fund all required equity, but it was unlikely all growers would participate.

"Our analysis indicates growers could potentially afford to fund the total pool of equity required, and weve already seen a number of growers committing to supporting expansion by buying shares and committing supply," he says.

"However, some growers will likely choose not to, possibly to avoid having all their investment eggs in one basket or because theyd prefer to invest in productive assets versus shares that they may be unable to use as security."

With additional equity likely to be required, the report says non-grower investors and corporate investors shape as alternative sources of funding.

"Non-grower investors are considered likely to show interest in the sector. Especially in the current economic climate when asset yields have lowered, Hayden says.

"This group of investors, which could include retired growers, may find the profile of a primary sector investment with a strong future outlook attractive."

Hayden says pre-Covid-19, corporate investors or investment funds were considered the third - though least likely - source of potential equity for post-harvest expansion.

However, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on investment opportunities may have improved the likelihood of interest among this form of investors.

"There are a number of reasons why participation from this type of investor is less likely, including traditionally high hurdle rates (minimum rate of return) for this form of investor, equity requirements of individual post-harvest segment operators falling short of capital placement hurdles and potential Overseas Investment Act restrictions," he says.

"However, with the arrival of Covid-19, some of these barriers or perceived barriers to participation may be less relevant, particularly in relation to return hurdles which have come down in the Covid-19 environment."

PHS competition set to rise

The report says each business in the post-harvest sector will have a different strategy when it comes to industry expansion, ranging from non-participation through to significant expansion.

"Each PHS business will have a different appetite for debt and financial ability to expand and subsequently repay debt, and, on this basis, the opportunity will fall either to the incumbents who do have the capacity to grow, or to new entrants.

"Businesses that elect to maintain the status quo capacity will plan to keep their existing suppliers, but will likely face increased competition from those looking to expand or from new entrants seeking to procure supply. New entrants - especially if they have little or no experience - will also create competition for skilled employees within the sector."
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The FDNY Marine Unit rescued a person from the Kill Van Kull Saturday afternoon, an FDNY spokesman said.

Emergency personnel received a call at 2:45 p.m. for a report of person in the water, according to the spokesman.

The person needed to be rescued after falling from a jet ski in the vicinity of the Mariners Harbor Yacht Club, the spokesman said.

The marine unit was in the process of bringing the person back to land at the time this story was written, according to the spokesman.

The spokesman could not provide further information about possible injuries.
People stand in line outside of MedMen, which sells marijuana for recreational use, in West Hollywood, Calif., on Jan. 2, 2018. (David McNew/Getty Images)

OC Cities Consider Cannabis Tax to Close Budget Gaps

Cities throughout Orange County, California, are considering allowing commercial cannabis sales to bring in tax revenue and help offset budget deficits brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

City councils in Costa Mesa, Anaheim, and Fullerton have been debating the issue in recent months. Costa Mesa, for example, projects a budget deficit of about $5 million to $10 million, and estimates $3 million in potential sales tax revenue from cannabis.

Santa Ana is the only city in Orange County currently allowing cannabis retail and related commercial businesses, including manufacturing and distribution.

Since Proposition 64 went into effect in 2018, legalizing the sale and use of recreational marijuana in California, it has been left up to each local governments discretion to regulate activities surrounding cannabis retail.

Costa Mesa

The City of Costa Mesa will put a measure regarding cannabis regulation on Novembers general election ballot.

In November 2016, the city passed Measure X, which permits marijuana manufacturing, testing, and distribution in a designated zone in the northeast of the city. Authorities have been working to shut down illegal dispensaries outside of that zone.

Opening it up citywide could simultaneously reduce enforcement expenses and generate revenue, say supporters of the new ballot measure.

At a July 21 City Council meeting, the council decided 6 to 1 to put the measure on the ballot. Council Member Allan Mansoor voted against it. One of his concerns was that unlicensed dispensaries have still popped up in Santa Ana even with legalizing shops there.

Council Member Sandra Genis voted in favor, but listed off concerns some residents have raised. Those include a potential increase in people driving under the influence of marijuana, effects the substance may have on teen brain development, and criticisms that Measure X didnt bring the promised revenue windfall.

A number of studies, including a 2018 study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, have suggested adolescent cannabis use can have lasting negative cognitive impacts. The expected $1.56 million in revenue from Measure X actually came in at about $160,000, the citys assistant finance director, Jennifer King, told the Daily Pilot in January.

Mansoor and Genis were concerned about part of the proposal that mandated labor peace agreements in cannabis businesses with two or more employees. The agreements facilitate the unionization of workers.

State law mandates labor peace agreements for cannabis businesses with 20 or more employees. Genis asked if it was a typo, and it should have been 20, like the state mandate, instead of 2.

Mayor Katrina Foley said it wasnt a typo. This was adopted into the proposal by suggestion of a United Food and Commercial Workers union representative who sits on the board of the Orange County Cannabis Chamber of Commerce.

I probably wont be voting for it, Genis said of the ballot measure. But I respect the peoples right to vote on it.

During the public comment period, multiple cannabis business owners testified. Some called in from Santa Ana and said a large portion of their deliveries are to customers in Costa Mesa. That means Santa Ana is gaining the sales tax paid by Costa Mesa residents.

A sign for 420 Central hangs above the entryway to the cannabis shop in Santa Ana, Calif., on Aug. 14, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

New Generation cannabis shop in Santa Ana, Calif., on Aug. 14, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Robert Taft, CEO of Santa Anas 420 Central, was one of the callers. He said for the past few months, he has had 300500 customers monthly and paid approximately $55,000 monthly in taxes to Santa Ana.

Carol Molina, Costa Mesas finance director, told The Epoch Times that tourism is down significantly, which is losing the city hotel tax dollars and business conference revenues.

So, obviously that $3 million [from taxing cannabis sales] would help close a little bit of that gap, Molina said. The citys total budget is $152.5 million.

Molina said Costa Mesa has received some federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding, and is hoping to receive at least $1 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

But FEMA funds will only offset expenses that the city has incurred related to the emergency, so it will not offset revenue losses, she said.

Anaheim

The Anaheim City Council shot down a cannabis ordinance in Junebut revisited the discussion again in early July.

Mike Lyster, Anaheims chief communications officer, told The Epoch Times that between 10 and 20 dispensaries are already operating in the city illegally. Even when law enforcement shuts them down, another shop opens up, he said.

So the discussion was, Well, theyve always been here. We expend a lot of resources to address it, so should we just create a regulatory system that allows a handful, Lyster said.

Taxing the cannabis businesses could bring in up to $5 million a year, Lyster said. Thats on par with about a fairly well performing hotel in our city. Its not overwhelming, but of course at this timelooking at any ways to get additional revenueit is something that has been looked at, he said.

The city initially projected a $75 million budget deficit for fiscal year 20202021 due to economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. But the estimate has been reduced to $40 million to $50 million after the city received federal CARES Act funds, Lyster said.

Reimbursement for COVID-19 response expenditures from FEMA may further alter the deficit amount.

In June, the council considered a proposal for a three-step approval process that would regulate the cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, and taxing of cannabis to further close the budget gap. All three steps would have needed approval by the council for cannabis sales to move forward.

The council shot down the proposal 5 to 2. Mayor Harry Sidhu originally voted in favor, but changed his vote to no, leaving only two votes supporting the proposal. His son is a cannabis industry consultant, though the city determined Sidhu does not technically have a conflict of interest and is allowed to vote on the matter.

Two of the council members who opposed the proposal represent districts that share the Anaheim Canyon business area, where many of the shops would likely appear.

One is Republican council member Trevor ONeil. He said at the June 9th meeting, Lets not turn the Anaheim Canyon into Cannabis Canyon.

I dont think its a good thing for our community. I dont think its a good thing for our neighborhoods. I dont think its a good thing for our at-risk youth, he said. I certainly dont think we stand to gain any significant revenue out of this. Instead, well bring more problems that end up costing us more in the long run.

He brought up the same concern as Genis and Mansoor in Costa Mesa: Anaheim was also looking to mandate labor peace agreements in cannabis businesses with two or more employees, instead of 20 like the state mandate.

ONeil said this would likely mean all cannabis workers in the city would be unionized. He said this shouldnt be decided by the city and called it unconstitutional.

Mayor Pro Tem Stephen Faessel is the other council member whose district encompasses part of the Canyon. He said his district already contains every shelter bed and now I just dont think its going to be fair to my residents  to house many of the cannabis shops.

I tried to keep my heart open to this, Faessel said. He said he was touched by the story of a woman he spoke with who had worked for an illegal cannabis operation, then made the switch to a legal operation and saw dramatic improvements in her working conditions and life.

[But] Im still not comfortable with this item, and I will not support it, he said.

The Anaheim Police Association issued a statement in May supporting the proposal, albeit reluctantly. The statement says the association was initially against Prop. 64, which opened the door to cannabis businesses statewide.

But a majority of Anaheim voters supported Prop. 64, and we need to deal with the reality of the negative impacts of illegal cannabis shops and sales while foregoing the benefits of carefully regulated and controlled legal cannabis operations, the statement said.

This is a no-win situation for Anaheim residents and law enforcement. After considerable study and consultation with experts and stakeholders, the Anaheim Police Association  support[s] approval of the cannabis legalization ordinance.

The council has not decided when to resuscitate the cannabis debate, but Lyster said hes sure it will continue to be discussed in the future.

In the meantime, Lyster said, some of the citys reopenings have helped pad the financial losses. Downtown Disney, located at the entrance of Disneyland, began phased reopenings on July 9though the companys signature theme park, originally scheduled to reopen July 17, remains closed.

The monorail passes an entrance gate to the Disneyland amusement park in Anaheim, Calif., on March 13, 2020. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Thats encouraging for us; its a major sales-tax generator. But, of course, the parks, hotels, the convention centerthose are our major drivers of revenue, hotel stay revenue, and also sales tax revenue, Lyster said.

Right now is when we typically would see folks from across the country and across the world visiting here. July and August are the months where we really see national and international visitors, whereas regional visitors tend to dominate the other parts of the year.

Fullerton

Fullerton is revising its cannabis ordinance, Title 15, which has prohibited the distribution, manufacturing, testing, delivery, and cultivation of marijuana since December 2017.

At a July 7 meeting, the Fullerton City Council voted 3 to 2 to review proposed cannabis businesses, conduct community outreach to Spanish-speaking residents, prepare maps to safeguard youths, and review possible municipal code amendments as a prelude to legalizing and taxing recreational marijuana sales.

Once the recommendations are completed, they will be passed along to the citys planning commission for approval.

City manager Kenneth A. Domer told The Epoch Times the city is facing two challenges: long-term fiscal sustainability and the onslaught of COVID-19 expenditures.

Were a larger bedroom or residential community. For example, the City of Orange has the same amount of population and the same geographic size, but they bring in twice as much sales tax revenue in Orange than what we do here, Domer said.

So thats the long-term issue. And we have a lot of road issues, infrastructure issues that were havinga lot of deferred maintenance.

The city has a total budget of just over $240 million for the 20202021 fiscal year, with a general fund of $106 million.

Fullerton brings in most of its revenue through property and sales tax. Domer said the city lost 3 percent of its tax revenues due to the pandemic; it projects a $9 million deficit.

The city cut 153 part-time employees, and the executive leadership team took a 10 percent pay cut in an effort to reduce the gap. At the July 7 meeting, the city also decided to put a measure on the November ballot asking voters to approve a 1.25 percent city sales tax, expected to bring in some $25 million annually.

Domer doesnt believe amending the cannabis ordinance will solve the citys fiscal issues. I dont believe cannabis to be a revenue source for the city, he said.

If anything, it should cover the costs of regulating cannabis activities. It should cover code enforcement to go after illegal cannabis dispensaries that still operate, and pay for police costs. It should pay for, you know, public education and education efforts for  anti-drugs and all that stuff, and some other community benefit issues.

Domer said the city wants to set the criteria for who can operate a dispensary. We want legitimate business-minded people who comply with all the state codes and local codes. We dont want those people who operate out of a  small shop in the back of an industrial center.
Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday evening sacked industry minister Shyam Rajak from the cabinet while the ruling Janata Dal (United) also expelled the senior minister from the party. The action came soon after reports surfaced that Rajak is all set to join the rival Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Monday.

Sources said the chief minister sent a recommendation to Governor Phagu Chauhan to dismiss the industry ministry from the state cabinet in the evening and the same has been accepted by the Raj Bhawan.

Rajak has been expelled from the party for being found involved in anti-party activities, said JD(U) state president Basistha Narayan Singh.

When HT contacted the sacked minister for comments, Rajak said he was not aware about being sacked from the state cabinet or from the party.

I am not aware of it. I have not received any formal notification or communication from the party, he said. He, however, evaded any questions about joining the RJD. I will not comment on it. I have never compromised on my dignity and respect, he said.

Earlier in the day, there was a strong buzz in Patna that Rajak is all set to resign from the post of minister and also as MLA on Monday and likely to move back to the RJD. Sources said the dismissal of Rajak from the state cabinet and expulsion from the JD(U) today was done more as a face saving exercise by CM Kumar, knowing full well that Rajak could have earned some political points by resigning from ministership.

Rajak has been unhappy with the JD(U) leadership, said people aware of development, for not being given much prominence as a minister.

Incidentally, Rajak had switched to the JD(U) in 2009 after leaving the RJD and had won from the Phulwari seat as a JD(U) nominee in the 2010 election.

In another development, the RJD on Sunday expelled three sitting MLAs, including son of former union minister MA Fatmi, for six years on charges of anti-party activities.

The three MLAs expelled from the RJD are Faraz Fatmi , Maheshwar Prasad Yadav and Prema Choudhary.

We have expelled the party MLAs on charges of being involved in anti party activities as per provisions of the partys constitution. The decision was taken by RJD chief Lalu Prasad, said Alok Mehta, RJDs state general secretary.

Mehta, however, did not comment on reports that the three sitting MLAs facing the axe were all likely to join the JD(U).

The party took the decision based on their activities in recent times, he said. Faraj Fatmi, an MLA from Keoti in Darbhana, is son of former union minister M A Fatmi who had switched to the JD(U) before the 2019 parliamentary polls.

Faraj has been vocal against the RJD for sometime even as Maheshwar Yadav, MLA from Gaighat in Muzaffarpur, has slammed the RJD leadership, including leader of the opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, on many occasions in the past.
A researcher on climate change has died after falling through ice.

Konrad Steffen, a renowned climatologist, was in Greenland at a Swiss camp last weekend when he fell into a crevasse of water after ice gave way beneath him, Swiss national news site swissinfo.ch reports.

The Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich also confirmed his death, adding Dr Steffen had been conducting research into climate change in the Arctic and Antarctic for more than 40 years.

Dr Konrad Steffen died after ice collapsed beneath his feet. Source: Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich

ETH Board President Michael Hengartner added his heartfelt condolences to the scientists friends and family.

With Koni Steffen's death, we have lost a uniquely kind and committed colleague. Everyone in the ETH Domain is greatly saddened by this loss, Mr Hengartner said.

Jason Box, an ice climatologist at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, told CBS News Dr Steffen was like a father to him.

"Immense man. Immense loss. Tears falling around the world, he told CBS News.

Professor Box was with him before he died.

Dr Steffen at the Swiss Camp research centre in Iceland in 2007. Source: Reuters

Former US vice president Al Gore also paid tribute to Dr Steffen and tweeted he was deeply saddened by news of his death.

I send my love to his family. Koni's renowned work as a glaciologist has been instrumental in the worlds deepened understanding of the climate crisis, Mr Gore tweeted.

Koni was a great father, a great teacher, a great scientist, a great friend, and a truly great man.

Dr Steffen led the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research since 2012.

Dr Steffen was well-known for his climate change research. Source: swissinfo.ch

I am deeply saddened to learn of Koni Steffens tragic death in a crevasse near Swiss Camp, on the top of Greenland. I send my love to his family. Koni's renowned work as a glaciologist has been instrumental in the worlds deepened understanding of the climate crisis. 1/2  Al Gore (@algore) August 11, 2020

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China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has made a rare visit to Tibet and the border areas last week and emphasised that the security and stability of the region is important to the overall development of the country, the official media here reported.

Wang, who is also a State Councillor of the ruling Communist Party of China, met with Tibet's Communist Party secretary Wu Yingjie and chairman of the Tibet regional government, Qizhala and other officials on Friday. The security and stability of the region is important to the overall development of China, the Global Times quoted Wang as saying by the local Tibet Daily.

Wang also visited the border areas to learn about the situation of poverty alleviation, infrastructure building and the construction of villages, the report said. Wang goes on special "research trips" to several Chinese regions every year, the report said.

Top Chinese leaders and officials visit Tibet annually but it is rare for the foreign minister to visit the remote Himalayan region. Wang said the government will work with people in Tibet to ensure regional stability, China's national security and support Tibet's opening-up and cooperation with the outside world, economic and social development.

Wang also spoke about the current international situation, apparently referring to China-US diplomatic, political and trade tensions, which has led to a new low in bilateral ties in recent weeks. China ordered the US to close the American consulate in Chengdu, located close to Tibet, in retaliation to Washington's move to shut down the Chinese consulate in Houston.

Wang spoke about China's diplomatic efforts, saying that Tibet has made great achievements regarding economic development, stabilising and developing border areas, joining external cooperation and participating in projects under the Belt and Road initiative (BRI). China is beefing up the border infrastructure in Tibet which shares a border with Nepal. Kathmandu is a signatory to the BRI under which Beijing has initiated a number of infrastructure projects, including building of the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network through Tibet.
The senior Tory MP arrested on suspicion of raping a House of Commons researcher has been re-bailed until early November when he is due to be questioned again as police continue their investigation.

Scotland Yard confirmed last night the work is being carried out by the Met Central Specialist Crime, Complex Case Team.

The news comes a fortnight after The Mail on Sunday revealed that the parliamentarian  who cannot be named for legal reasons  had been arrested over allegations of sexual offences and assault.

The senior Tory MP arrested on suspicion of raping a House of Commons researcher has been re-bailed until early November

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: 'On Friday, 31 July, the Metropolitan Police Service received allegations relating to four separate incidents involving allegations of sexual offences and assault.

'These offences are alleged to have occurred at addresses in Westminster, Lambeth and Hackney between July 2019 and January 2020.

'A man in his 50s was arrested on Saturday, 1st August 2020, on suspicion of rape, sexual assaults by penetration and touching and assault.

'His bail to return on a date has been extended to early November 2020.'

The parliamentary staffer  who is in her 20s  has made claims of a rape necessitating hospital treatment and has claimed she is 'devastated' by Westminster's inaction on the issue.

The Conservative Party have been criticised for not suspending the MP in question but Chief Whip Mark Spencer has warned it could identify the complainant.

Labour's Jess Phillips has said this is wrong and would not be allowed if a similar allegation had been made against a teacher, describing the issue as a 'safeguarding matter'.
By Choe Chong-dae





There are so many spiritual works of art around the world that inspire humanity to cherish and amplify our best aspects and values. I myself am most inspired by the Seokguram Grotto, the famous "Stone Cave Hermitage" in Gyeongju, the ancient capital of Korea's Shilla Kingdom.



It is especially the sublime tranquility of the principal Sakyamuni Buddha Statue and the artistic excellence of the 38 unique bodhisattvas, enlightened disciples, "heavenly kings" and other deities that surround him on the inner walls and entrance-hall that inspires me. The genius arrangement of these different Buddhist figures symbolizes several Buddhist principles and teachings in an intricate, complex schemata.



My fondest recent memory and indelible image of travels to monasteries associated with Buddhist artwork of aesthetic beauty are of Seokguram, right in my ancestral city.



The Stone Cave Hermitage is an artificial grotto built out of local white granite blocks when Silla culture was in the full-bloom of Korea's first "golden age" in the 8th century.



It was only rediscovered in 1909 by a postman. Now deemed by many experts to be the most beautiful Buddhist sculptural masterpiece in Korea, it was revealed to modern mankind. It is still remarkable that an accidental discovery by a postman could have such a significant and everlasting impact!



The fate of the precious Seokguram was initially threatened. Ignoring the immense historical value of this treasure remaining on its original site for approximately 1,200 years, Viscount Sone Arasuke, the Japanese governor-general of Korea, instructed officials to dismantle and ship the entire grotto back to Japan in 1910. However, due to active opposition from conscientious scholars and citizens of Gyeongju, his plan was not fulfilled; the Seokguram was spared.



Nestled near the summit of Mt. Toham, in Gyeongju, the mighty Seokguram Buddha looks out over the East Sea through a notch in the coastal mountains at the spot where the sun rises on the Winter Solstice. This positioning symbolically manifests the spiritual guardian protector of the Silla Kingdom from foreign invasions, especially pirate-raids from the southeast; several legends attest to this age-old theme.



The advanced mathematics of its sacred Buddhist architectural design and the technical perfection of its carving still cause scientists and archeologists to wonder how this was possible in 750 CE. There has never been, and never will be, such a stone cave hermitage as this one. Accordingly, the craftsmanship has received high praise such as "the Seokguram alone is worth enough to establish a museum" and "there is no comparison in the world to the skills employed in this masterpiece of Buddhist sculpture" by German artist Andreas Eckardt and others.



Another grotto was built on the southeast corner of Mt. Palgong in Gunwi County, North Gyeongsang Province, a century before the Seokguram Grotto. It is known as "the Second Seokgu-am." The Buddha and bodhisattvas triad was masterfully sculpted in high and low relief in a natural stone cave on a sheer cliff. It is considered to be the progenitor of the Gyeongju Seokguram, but the sophistication of the latter far outshines the former.



We should learn a valuable lesson from our ancestors who produced this masterpiece, the culmination of Silla Buddhist arts that enshrines the sacred spirits of cosmopolitanism, progress, integration, innovation and creativity.



This monumental National Treasure should continue to be well-preserved and passed-down to future generations in the best possible condition.





Choe Chong-dae is a guest columnist of The Korea Times. He is president of Dae-kwang International Co., and director of the Korean-Swedish Association. He can be reached at choecd@naver.com


Both Bahrain and Oman praised the UAE-Israel accord, although neither have commented on their own prospects for normalised relations

Bahrain and Oman could be the next Gulf countries to follow the United Arab Emirates in formalising ties with Israel, Israel's intelligence minister said on Sunday.

"In the wake of this agreement (with the UAE) will come additional agreements, both with more Gulf countries and with Muslim countries in Africa," Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen told Army Radio.

"I think that Bahrain and Oman are definitely on the agenda. In addition, in my assessment, there is a chance that already in the coming year there will be a peace deal with additional countries in Africa, chief among them, Sudan," he said.

Both Bahrain and Oman praised the UAE-Israel accord, although neither have commented on their own prospects for normalised relations.

A senior U.S. official said on Friday that the White House has been in touch with "numerous" countries in the region, trying to see if more agreements would materialise.

The official declined to name the countries but said they were Arab and Muslim nations in the Middle East and Africa.

On Thursday, Israel and the UAE announced they would normalise diplomatic ties and forge a broad new relationship.

The deal, brokered with U.S. help, firms up opposition to regional power Iran. The Palestinians denounced the deal as a betrayal.

Israel signed peace agreements with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. But the UAE, along with most other Arab nations, has had no formal diplomatic or economic relations with it.

Bahrain, a close ally of Saudi Arabia, hosted a senior Israeli official at a security conference in 2019 as well as a U.S-led conference on boosting the Palestinian economy as part U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East peace initiative.

Government sources in Kuwait said its position towards Israel is unchanged, and it will be the last country to normalise relations, local newspaper al-Qabas reported.

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Sudanese and Egyptian prime ministers on Saturday called for a permanent agreement on the controversial Ethiopian dam, saying that it will be the only way to end the squabble over waters of the world's longest river.

Meeting in Khartoum, Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouli said the three countries should continue to negotiate for a final deal, based on the 2015 Declaration of Principles.

That document detailed the importance of fair and equitable use of water, regard for others in projects on the Nile as well as the importance of agreeing on an effective and binding mechanism for settling disputes.

The leaders, meeting for the first time since Hamdok became premier, issued a statement rejecting any unilateral measures by Ethiopia on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) before reaching an agreement satisfactory to the three parties.

No compromise

Sudanese Information Minister Faisal Saleh told a joint press conference before the two premiers that the two countries will not compromise on filling the dam before a permanent agreement is reached.

"Cairo and Khartoum affirmed the need to reach a fair and binding legal agreement on the Renaissance Dam that protects the rights of the peoples of the region," Saleh said.

GERD is a USD4.5 billion project being put up by the Ethiopians through local contributions. But the dam which could produce up to 6.4GW of power has been at the centre of controversy ever since its building began in 2013. Egypt and Sudan fear the dam could reduce the amount of Nile water reaching their territories, threatening livelihoods.

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Ethiopia has argued that the water will not be diverted but will be gathered for electricity generation and be allowed to flow. Last month, it filled up the initial portion of the dam despite protests from Egypt and Sudan.

Mediating talks

The African Union has been mediating talks between the three countries to reach an amicable solution. But talks have broken often. This week, Ethiopia announced suspension of talks for another week.

On August 5, Egypt and Sudan asked for a delay in the talks to allow "internal consultations regarding the Ethiopian proposal", after a letter submitted by Ethiopian Minister for Water suggested "guidelines and rules" for filling the dam.

The three countries though still support talks within the African Union.

There have been multiple negotiating rounds which were sponsored initially by the United States.

In February, Ethiopia rejected a draft agreement fronted by the US, arguing that it favoured Egypt.
Pronab Mandal By

KOLKATA: A sitting CPM MLA and a 70-year-old former legislator living in a mud-hut, both elected from Dhupguri assembly constituency in north Bengal, turned down election strategist Prashant Kishors offer to join the ruling Trinamool Congress saying "all communists cannot be purchased.

The Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), the team of Kishor, which was hired by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjees party after its debacle in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, visited the houses of sitting MLA Mamata Roy and Lakshmi Kanta Roy, who served for consecutive two terms from the constituency in Jalpaiguri district and offered them a red-carpet welcome to the TMC.

The TMCs attempt to bring the septuagenarian CPM leader in its fold is said to be a move to regain the party ground in north Bengal riding the clean and honest image of Roy in the region. The BJP had a sweeping victory in the 2019 general elections by bagging seven Lok Sabha seats out of eight in north Bengal. The saffron camp secured victory in 18 out of 42 Lok Sabha seats in Bengal.

"For the past few days, I was receiving calls from several persons who claimed to be representatives of Prashant Kishors team. I told them that now I am not involved in the partys activities because of my age but they kept insisting that they wanted to visit my house. On last Tuesday, two representatives came to my house. I offered them chairs on the courtyard," said Roy, who showed his net asset worth Rs 4.6 lakh in his affidavit to the election commission of India in 2006 Assembly elections.

After exchanging a few words, the two men asked Roy to take them inside the house with a mud wall and tile roof. "I told them what secret talk they wanted to have with a communist like me. Looking at the condition of my house, the duo was surprised. They requested me to join the TMC promising a key position in the ruling partys district-level functionaries. I had a simple reply for them. I told them I retired from my partys regular activities because of my age issue but not from the partys ideology. I made it clear that many of our party workers might have shifted sides but all communists cannot be purchased," he said.

The men also visited sitting MLA Mamata Roys residence and contacted another former MLA from the same assembly segment Banamali Roy with a similar offer. While Mamata refused to accept the offer and asked the I-PAC representatives not to come again, Banamali did not allow them to visit his house.

Insiders in the ruling party said the poaching attempt was initiated to regain grounds in its erstwhile citadel. "Corruption among our local leaders was the key reason behind the jolt that we received in north Bengal in the Lok Sabha elections. We are hunting for faces who are known for their honesty and clean image. Such figures in our party will help us to take the electorates into confidence and approaching personalities like Roy and two others were part of our strategy," said a senior TMC leader.
The theory that Kamala Harris is ineligible to be vice president because her parents were not U. S. citizens is xenophobic and false. But it's not exactly the same as the birther conspiracy theory that said President Barack Obama wasn't born in the United States at all.

Birtherism was a conspiracy theory based on a factual lie. Even debunking that kind of theory can be a bad idea because it tends to help the falsehood reach more people  some of whom then believe the lie. The anti-Harris theory, in contrast, is based on a fringe constitutional claim about the meaning ...
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President Donald's younger brother, Robert Trump, a businessman known for an even keel that seemed almost incompatible with the family name, died Saturday night at the age of 71.

The youngest of the Trump siblings had remained close to the 74-year-old president and, as recently as June, filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Trump family that unsuccessfully sought to stop publication of a tell-all book by the president's niece, Mary.

The president said in a statement on Saturday night, one day after visiting his brother in hospital in Manhattan: 'It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight.

'He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace.'

Robert, who took blood thinners, had suffered recent brain bleeds that began after a recent fall, according to a close friend of the family, who spoke to The New York Times.

Robert Trump died age 71 on Saturday night. Robert openly voiced his support for his brother over years. He is pictured hugging Donald after his presidential acceptance speech on Election Day 2016

In a rare but brief interview in December, Robert said his brother had been doing 'fantastic', when asked how the president was holding up during his impeachment trial. He is seen above in December 2019

Meet the Trumps: Donald, Fred Jr, Elizabeth, Maryanne and Robert, pictured from left to right in an old family photo. The president said in a statement on Saturday night, one day after visiting his brother in hospital in Manhattan: 'He [Robert] was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace'

Robert Stewart Trump was born in 1948, the youngest of New York City real estate developer Fred Trump's five children.

The president, more than two years older than Robert, admittedly bullied his brother in their younger years, even as he praised his loyalty and laid-back demeanor.

'I think it must be hard to have me for a brother but he's never said anything about it and we're very close,' Donald Trump wrote in his 1987 bestseller 'The Art of the Deal.'

'Robert gets along with almost everyone,' he added, 'which is great for me since I sometimes have to be the bad guy.'

Both longtime businessmen, Robert and Donald had strikingly different personalities.

Donald Trump once described his younger brother as 'much quieter and easygoing than I am,' and 'the only guy in my life whom I ever call "honey."'

Robert began his career on Wall Street working in corporate finance but later joined the family business, managing real estate holdings as a top executive in the Trump Organization.

'When he worked in the Trump Organization, he was known as the nice Trump,' Gwenda Blair, a Trump family biographer said. 'Robert was the one people would try to get to intervene if there was a problem.'

Donald Trump wrote in his 1987 bestseller 'The Art of the Deal': 'I think it must be hard to have me for a brother but he's never said anything about it and we're very close. Robert gets along with almost everyone, which is great for me since I sometimes have to be the bad guy.' Robert and Donald are pictured in 1999

Donald Trump once described his younger brother as 'much quieter and easygoing than I am,' and 'the only guy in my life whom I ever call "honey."' Robert is pictured right with sister Maryanne and brother Donald in 1990

In the 1980s, Donald Trump tapped Robert Trump to oversee an Atlantic City casino project, calling him the perfect fit for the job.

When it cannibalized his other casinos, though, 'he pointed the finger of blame at Robert,' said Blair, author of 'The Trumps: Three Generations that Built an Empire.'

'When the slot machines jammed the opening weekend at the Taj Mahal, he very specifically and furiously denounced Robert, and Robert walked out and never worked for his brother again,' Blair said.

People who knew him said Robert was devastated by the fight with his brother, and the rift between them took years to heal, the New York Times said.

He reconciled with his brother when Donald decided to run for president, according to a person close to the family.

Robert is the youngest of the five Trump siblings born to Fred and Mary Anne MacLeod Trump. Pictured left to right: Donald, Fred Jr, Robert, Maryanne, and Elizabeth

Robert is pictured above with ex-wife Blaine (in green), Donald, parents Mary and Fred, and sister Maryanne in 1990 at the opening of the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City

Fred Trump and Robert Trump are pictured together in 1985 at the Waldorf Hotel in New York City

Robert had remained close to the 74-year-old president and, as recently as June, filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Trump family that unsuccessfully sought to stop publication of a tell-all book (right) by the president's niece, Mary (left)

A Boston University graduate, Robert Trump later managed the Brooklyn portion of father Fred Trump's real estate empire, which was eventually sold.

Once a regular boldface name in Manhattan's social pages, Robert Trump had kept a lower profile in recent years. 'He was not a newsmaker,' Blair said.

He was married to socialite Blaine Trump for 25 years until their 2007 divorce and was active on Manhattan's Upper East Side charity circuit.

The couple's split was widely reported in the tabloids following reports that Robert had been living with his mistress - and now wife - for two years.

In early March of 2020, he married his longtime girlfriend, Ann Marie Pallan.

Despite their split, Robert was said to have remained on good terms with his ex-wife, who reportedly attended Trump's inauguration in 2017.

In 2016 Robert told Page Six that he was 'gainfully retired'.

Left to right: Blaine Trump, Robert Trump, Donald Trump and Ivana Trump are seen at the Pierre Hotel New York in 1987

Robert was married to socialite Blaine Trump (pictured together in 2005) for 25 years until their 2007 divorce. The couple's split was widely reported in the tabloids following reports that Robert had been living with his mistress - and now wife - for two years

Robert and Blaine are pictured together at a Halloween fundraiser star Magic Johnson in 1993

He avoided the limelight during his elder brother's presidency, having retired to the Hudson Valley. But he described himself as a big supporter of the White House run in a 2016 interview with the New York Post.

'I support Donald one thousand percent,' Robert Trump said.

He was later seen celebrating Donald's victory at the New York Hilton where the then president-elect delivered his acceptance speech.

Robert also spoke out in support of his brother during a brief, but rare interview at LAX airport last December, when Trump had been at the center of an impeachment trial.

When asked how his older sibling was doing, he told the cameraman: 'I think he's doing fantastic', before getting into the his car.

Robert Trump had no children, but he helped raise Christopher Hollister Trump-Retchin, the son of his first wife.

The eldest Trump sibling and Mary's father, Fred Trump Jr., struggled with alcoholism and died in 1981 at the age of 43.

Robert married his former secretary Ann Marie Pallan (center) in March. The two were rumored to be having an affair while he was married to first wife Blaine

In June, Robert had filed a lawsuit against Mary, seeking to block her from publishing a tell-all book on the president.

Robert filed for an injunction claiming the explosive book, 'Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man', violated the terms of a confidentiality agreement she signed nearly two decades ago.

In a statement to The New York Times in June, he accused his niece of attempting to 'sensationalize and mischaracterize' their family relationship for her own financial gain.

'I and the rest of my entire family are so proud of my wonderful brother, the president, and feel that Mary's actions are truly a disgrace,' Robert said.

The explosive memoir was eventually released last month after a judge agreed to lift a temporary restraining order preventing Mary from publicizing or distributing her work.



The judge said the confidentiality clauses in the 2001 agreement, 'viewed in the context of the current Trump family circumstances in 2020, would offend public policy as a prior restraint on protected speech'.

Fashion Designer Diane von Furstenberg and businessman Robert Trump are pictured together in 1973 at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City

Joan Rivers and Robert Trump attend American Ballet Theater (ABT) 65th Anniversary Spring Gala at Metropolitan Opera House on May 23, 2005 in New York City

The president's surviving siblings include Elizabeth Trump Grau and Maryanne Trump Barry, a retired federal appeals judge.

Authors Michael Kranish and Marc Fisher described Robert Trump as soft spoken but cerebral in 'Trump Revealed: The Definitive Biography of the 45th President': 'He lacked Donalds charismatic showmanship, and he was happy to leave the bravado to his brother, but he could show flashes of Trump temper.'

'You could consider him the quietest of Trumps,' said Michael D'Antonio, a Trump biographer.

'He was glad to stay out of the spotlight.'

Jack O'Donnell, a former Trump Organization executive who worked closely with the Trump family, told the New York Times that Robert was someone with a natural ease and good humor that his older brother lacked.

'He was dignified, he was quiet, he listened, he was good to work with,' O'Donnell said.

'He had zero sense of entitlement. Robert was very comfortable being Donald Trump's brother and not being like him.'
OTTAWALeslyn Lewis has already won.

No, she has not secured the Conservative leadership. Shes not even the odds-on favourite to lead the party after the votes are tallied on Aug. 21.

But she came out of virtually nowhere to mount a serious outsider bid for the partys top job, impressing long-time party operatives and grassroots members alike. Lewis, who holds a Ph.D in law along with a master's degree in environmental studies, has come to represent something new in a Conservative leadership race dominated by established figures.

And shes also managed to draw social conservatives to her banner while appealing to a broader audience within the conservative movement  a balance that not every leadership candidate has been able to strike.

Lewis told the Star that she didnt originally self-identify as a social conservative at all.

I didnt know I was a social conservative when I joined the party. I always thought of myself a fiscal conservative, and thats what really brought me to the party. It wasnt really my social conservative values, Lewis said in a recent interview.

I dont think thats an all-encompassing definition of who I am, but I also believe that the media has not given a fair representation of what a social conservative is, she said.

And I think that with me coming forward and being authentic, and saying, This is who I am and this is what I believe, and this is the beauty of our democracy that people are free to have their beliefs  thats what we want to promote.

Lewis was born in Jamaica and immigrated to Canada with her parents and five siblings. She grew up in East York before going on to study at the University of Toronto, York University and the Osgoode Hall Law School.

She said that, as immigrants, her parents typically voted Liberal at a time when that party had a virtual monopoly on new Canadians votes.

But Lewis said her familys values always skewed to the right.

My family was inherently conservative in their values, in their belief system and how they conducted themselves from a fiscal and financial perspective, and a moral and ethical perspective, she said.

But they traditionally voted Liberal as immigrants, so it wasnt until I got to university and I started studying political science and understanding just the different camps, political camps, that I really started to question where do I fit.

Thats when, she said, I realized my values were actually conservative.

After Osgoode Hall, Lewis worked as a lawyer in and around the GTA. Her one brush with elected politics was in 2015, as a last-minute candidate for the federal Conservatives in Scarborough-Rouge River. The partys original candidate, Jerry Bance, was dismissed after being caught on tape urinating in a customers mug while on a call as a repairman.

She lost that race. But in taking the nomination just weeks before an election that saw the Liberals sweep the GTA, she nonetheless gained a political profile that the 2020 leadership race has given her the opportunity to build on.

Lewis is frequently described as a social conservative candidate and, indeed, her no hidden agenda platform does include some notable social conservative planks: parents rights, banning sex-selective abortions and coerced abortions, and free votes on conscience issues.

But unlike rival Derek Sloan, social conservatism has not defined her campaign.

Like all of the leadership candidates, Lewis opposes the Liberal governments actions on the environment and climate change, and would remove the price on carbon. But shes also promised to invest in conservation efforts and green technology, including emerging nuclear technology, a favourite within some conservative circles.

On the economy, Lewis vowed to bring back manufacturing jobs for essential items like personal protective equipment in the COVID-19 context. She also acknowledged that conservatives need to rethink some of the movements fundamental tenets  like expanding free trade at all costs  in a changing, more nationalistic world.

COVID has taught us some really harsh lessons about who our allies are and how much we can depend on our allies, Lewis said.

I think that were considering doing things very, very differently to make sure were taking care of our own.

Leading Lewiss campaign is Steve Outhouse, a longtime Conservative hand from Nova Scotia who held numerous positions within the Harper governments. Despite running against more established candidates like Peter MacKay and Erin OToole, Outhouse and the Lewis campaign raised an impressive amount of money  roughly $1.4 million since January, most of which came in the last quarter. That indicates some momentum.

But the strongest indication of the Lewis campaigns influence came at the partys two official debates in July. Despite Lewis clearly being less experienced on the debate stage  particularly in French, which she does not speak  MacKay, OToole and Sloan began many of their answers with some variation of I agree with Dr. Lewis.

Thats likely because theyre all competing for her supporters second choice in the partys ranked ballot runoff election system.

Kory Teneycke, a longtime Conservative operative and the head of Rubicon Strategy, recently suggested Lewis could already be in second place in the race to replace Andrew Scheer  with support moving to her banner at the expense of OToole. Rubicon is assisting MacKays campaign, but Teneycke has stayed officially neutral in the race.

Members are excited to support an urban, well-educated, professionally accomplished Black woman as a candidate, in part because it counters the public perception (held with some cause) that the party is too rural, too male and too white, Teneycke wrote in a column for CBC.

Would conservatives do better at the ballot box having more women in leadership roles? Absolutely.

Its very difficult to accurately gauge positions within the race, even with just a week to go before the vote. The opinions of Conservative elites in Toronto and Ottawa are not always an accurate reflection of the grassroots opinion. Public polling, even when focused just on Conservative voters, doesnt necessarily capture the sentiments of Conservative members who will actually vote in the contest.

But in conversations with the Star over the last few months, most Conservative insiders put Lewis in a comfortable third place, ahead of Sloan, but trailing OToole and MacKay  although, in recent weeks, some have suggested Lewis might finish in second.

In either scenario, Lewis could be the races kingmaker, with her supporters second choices potentially determining who ultimately leads the party.

In either scenario, the next leader would likely court Lewis  who they very much agree with, by the way  to run for the Conservatives in the next election and play a prominent role in the movement should she win.

Nearly 270,000 members of the Conservative Party of Canada are eligible to vote for the partys next leader. To be counted, the ballots  on which party members rank the candidates in order of preference  must be received by Aug. 21 at 5 p.m. EDT.
The coronavirus pandemic has been cruel to the Diaz family in Peru, killing five members of the tight-knit clan and leaving another four still hospitalized.

But because Peru's healthcare system collapsed under the strain of the virus, the family has been hit by an additional tragedy: financial ruin.

Like many Peruvians, they had to raid their savings and take out loans from friends in order to cover the expense of mounting medical bills from private health clinics.

"We've been completely destroyed. Now we need to rebuild the family with what we have left," Juan Diaz, a 58-year-old professor, told AFP.

"What's befallen us is like a nightmare, the truth is I wouldn't wish it on anyone," he said, tightly hugging a picture of his parents while lamenting the fact he was unable to attend his mother's funeral due to virus restrictions.

There were 17 members of the Diaz family living together in the same house but five died of COVID-19 and another four remain in hospital /  AFP

Peru is one of worst hit countries in coronavirus-epicenter Latin America after Brazil and Mexico, with more than 25,000 reported deaths and over half a million cases.

Infections in Peru have been on the rise since a national lockdown was lifted on July 1, prompting the government on Wednesday to reinstate a Sunday curfew, ban social gatherings and enforce mandatory lockdown in more provinces.

Before the devastating pandemic struck, 17 members of the middle-class Diaz family shared a single four-storey brick house in the Chorrillos district of Lima.

But on May 24 that happy life started to unravel with the death of Juan's brother Ernesto, a local tax collector.

"We don't know how the virus got into my house, but the first to fall victim to it was my father," said Ernesto's 32-year-old son, also called Ernesto.

- Rushed to hospital, too late -

Since then Juan has also lost his 80-year-old father Cecilio, his 77-year-old mother Edith Leyva, and siblings Willy, 42, and 53-year-old Maribel.

"We were seven siblings, like the days of the week, but now we've lost three," said Juan, who also fell ill with coronavirus alongside his wife and daughter.

Those still receiving treatment are in Villa Panamericana, a residential area built to house athletes during the 2019 Pan-American Games but that has since been converted into a hospital to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

Cecilio, who was diabetic, died on July 11 while he was being rushed to the hospital. Just a week later it was Maribel, then on July 28 Edith and Willy both died.

Due to health emergency regulations some Diaz family members were unable to attend the funerals of those tha died of COVID-19 but a virtual mass was held in their honor /  AFP

All five were buried in the same cemetery but health emergency regulations meant few mourners were allowed to attend the funerals.

In the family home there are pictures of the deceased and a sign that reads: "You will always be in our hearts."

In the last few weeks, five members of the family were discharged from the hospital, but four remain in the Villa Panamericana.

- 'Practically bankrupt' -

Even after they have recovered from the virus, the family will be dealing with the financial fall out.

"We're all insured but the insurance hasn't helped," said Juan.

The Diaz family's healthcare is provided by the subsidized social security system, but that has collapsed under the pressure of the pandemic leading to long waiting lists, meaning they were forced to seek treatment in private clinics.

"It's been a horrible tragedy for my family, it's practically left us bankrupt," said Ernesto Diaz.

"We had to break open the piggy banks, get loans and help from friends to get through the illness.

"Now we want to go back to normal, maybe that will never happen, but we've got to keep going because life goes on."

Julissa Navarro Diaz, 32, the daughter of Maribel, left the hospital this week after battling the virus for three weeks.

"It's shocking not just because my mother was taken from us, but also my grandparents, my uncles," said Navarro Diaz. "It's been a slow recovery."
India: Hindu extremists beat handicapped pastor for following 'foreign God'

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Three Christians were brutally beaten by Hindu extremists angered by the believers acceptance of what they called a foreign faith and foreign God.

Pastor Ramnivas Kumar, who leads a church in Ranjitpur village, Bihar state, told Morning Star News that he and two other Christians were explaining the Gospel to two Hindu friends over tea at his house when they heard neighbors shouting outside the door.

They were hurling abuses at me, accusing me of accepting a foreign faith and following a foreign God, Kumar told the outlet.

When the pastor asked the Hindu extremists why they had intruded onto his property and were "hurling abuses" at him about his faith, they began beating him and the two other Christians who were at his house.

Kumar, who has an artificial leg, was unable to sufficiently defend himself from the attacks.

They started beating us with steel rods and wooden sticks. Both the brothers received blows on their heads, and they were soon bleeding profusely, the pastor said. I was also hit and could not control the mob from striking the four guests who were visiting us.

When asked by police to explain their actions, the assailants very tactfully flipped the matter and told the police that they were worried that four persons forced their way into Ramnivas Kumars house, and that they had come in time to rescue him from daylight robbery, the pastor recalled.

The police listened to their version but did not pay heed to us. Our pleas fell on deaf ears, he said.

The officers told Kumar that his four guests were outsiders, and they could be killed if they [had] entered someones house to commit robbery. After that, they arrested his two Christian guests based on the false accounts of their Hindu attackers.

The Christians were jailed until representatives of Christian legal advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom India called the station chief and higher police officials in Bihar that night, urging them to take action against the Hindu assailants and not charge the innocent Christians. The two Christians were then released the next morning.

With the assistance of ADF India, the pastor petitioned the superintendent of police and other higher police officials, as well as the Human Rights Commission, for help. Authorities informed him that the case would be heard before the sub-divisional officer on Sept. 13, he said.

Kumar is no stranger to persecution. The pastor was disowned by his own family for embracing Christianity and has been attacked five times before, three violently, during five years of ministry in impoverished Bihar state.

Five village men in contact with the Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayam Sevaksangh have turned his fellow villagers against him, saying he has defiled the village by accepting Christianity and attempting to spread a foreign faith, he said.

God knows that I cannot prevent them physically from attacking me, Kumar said, adding that police have turned a blind eye to previous attacks.



Eight out of 29 states in India have adopted anti-conversion laws that seek to prevent any person from converting or attempting to convert, either directly or otherwise, another person through forcible or fraudulent means, or by allurement or inducement.

However, such laws are often used by Hindu extremists as an excuse to harass Christians.

A recent report from United Christian Forum in India, a Christian organization that advocates on behalf of Christians in India, found that attacks on Christians and their places of worship in India continued to escalate in both number and severity in the early months of 2020, with 27 violent incidents reported in March alone.

According to UCF, these attacks took place in Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Goa.

A separate report from Persecution Relief, which tracks anti-Christian persecution and harassment in India, reported 293 cases of Christian persecution in the first half of the year.

Persecution watchdog group Open Doors USA notes that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist BJPs rise to power in 2014 emboldened Hindu militant groups to Indias harass the countrys Christian minority. According to the CIA World Fact Book, about 80% of India's population is Hindu.

The country is ranked at No. 10 on Open Doors 2020 World Watch List of the countries where it's most difficult to be a Christian.
New Delhi:

As it levies stiff penalties on unaccounted cash in banks, the government said on Friday political parties depositing old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes in their accounts will be exempt from income tax.

Besides, farmers who are exempted from paying tax on agriculture income will need to furnish a self-declaration that their earnings are less than Rs 2.5 lakh in a year to make bank deposits without PAN.

For those unable to do that, furnishing PAN will be required, revenue secretary Hasmukh Adhia said.

He said deposits in bank accounts of political parties are not to be taxed.

"If it is a deposit in the account of a political party, they are exempt. But if it is deposited in individual's account then that information will come into our radar. If the individual is putting money in his own account, then we will get information," he told reporters.

'Tax exemptions are subject to conditions'

Later in the day, the government clarified the deposits will be exempt from tax provided the donations taken are below Rs 20,000 per individual and properly documented.

Revenue secretary Hasmukh Adhia said the government is not tinkering with the tax exemption available to political parties and they are free to deposit old 500 and 1000 rupee notes in their bank accounts. But these deposits will, however, be subject to the condition that individual donations taken in cash do not exceed Rs 20,000 and are properly documented with full identity of the donor.

A single donation of above Rs 20,000 as per the existing law has to be done through cheque or bank draft, he said.

Section 13A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 grants exemption from tax to political parties in respect of their income. This income could be from house property, other sources, capital gains and income by way of voluntary contributions received from any person.

These categories of income qualify for exemption without any monetary or other limit and the income so exempted is would not even be included in the total income of the political party for the purpose of assessment.

However, the tax exemption is applicable only if the political party keeps and maintain such books and other documents of the income and the accounts are audited by a Chartered Accountant.

Asked if PAN will be mandatory for deposits made by agriculturalist, he said: "A farmer has to give self declaration in Form 60 where he has to declare that his income is less than Rs 2.5 lakh.

If he files Form 60, then PAN is not required. Those who are not able to give declaration, they have to give PAN." Adhia said the tax authorities will not unnecessarily chase deposits of less than Rs 2.5 lakh.

"We will not go unnecessarily after those with Rs 2.5 lakh deposits. But where we find people have tried to misuse the provision by putting in multiple accounts in different banks (we will go after them)," he said.

Adhia said that within one/two month's time banks will accumulate PAN numbers of all existing account holders except for Jan Dhan/BSBD account.

After the shock demonetisation announcement on November 8, the government allowed junked Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes to be deposited in bank accounts. For individuals and companies holding unaccounted cash, it has offered new tax evasion amnesty scheme wherein 50% tax will be charged on declarations and quarter of the total sum be parked in a non-interest bearing deposit for four years.

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To the Editor:

Christianity Will Have Power (front page, Aug. 9) poignantly details the profound concerns of evangelical Christians who fear that as rights are extended to others  to gays to marry, to women to make their own health care decisions, etc.  their rights are correspondingly diminished. Seeing themselves as the protectors of old-fashioned values, they dont want coastal elites telling them how to live.

I live on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and belong to a tight-knit, observant Conservative Jewish community. I suppose we are what they refer to as elites: scientists, lawyers, writers, academics. But the evangelicals quoted in the article would be shocked to find out that we share many of the same core values: Many members have had long, stable marriages and multiple children; we support one another through illnesses, deaths and difficult financial times; and we instill our values in our children, hoping they will ultimately choose to live the same sort of lives as their parents do.

Where we differ is that the evangelicals appear to think that rights are a zero-sum game. In order for some to gain them, rights must be taken away from others. That is just wrong. We must learn to respect others even if they lead lives we dont care to have.

Sheryl Reich

New York

To the Editor:

There are many in the evangelical Christian community who do not share the circle the wagons mentality described in this article, which uses Sioux Center, Iowa, as an example of the support that Donald Trump enjoys. A more balanced portrayal of the faith community there might have helped mitigate rather than perpetuate the political polarization that threatens this country.
Travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have separated couples around the world, many of whom are unsure when they will meet again.

Brandon Steward flew back home to the UK in March, hoping to return with his family a month later for his wedding with his Vietnamese girlfriend in Ho Chi Minh City.

But he has been unable to make it back since Vietnam, like many other countries, has restricted international flights with its entry suspension for foreign nationals.

Le Quynh Vi, 29, his girlfriend, is now alone in the southern Vietnamese metropolis.

"I thought we would be apart for only three weeks before starting our married life, but it has been almost six months and we cant tell when we will see each other again," she said.

The couple is among many around the world who are separated from each other due to the travel restrictions, an ordeal most must have never experienced before.

Newly married Hanoian Le Hoai An, whose husband is stranded in Berlin in his native Germany, said: "We did not plan for this long separation, and being apart for several months is such a torture for us... We feel like we can do nothing to be together."

Her mother passed away in June, and she has had see a psychiatrist to cope since her husband "is not able to support and hold me every day."

In the Facebook group "Vo Viet Chong Tay" (Vietnamese Wives and Foreign Husbands) with almost 9,000 members, many people share their separation pangs and depression, and express the fear that since COVID-19 is still raging seeing their loved ones could be a pipe dream until next year.

Nguyen Vivi, one of them, said, "I will give birth soon and have not seen my husband for six months. I am so stressed."

Some separated couples are seeing their child delivery plans upset.

Nhi Nguyen and her fiance, Wilson Hicks, are excited to welcome their first child in September. But while she is alone and will give birth by herself in a Saigon hospital, he will not be able to hold his daughter when she is born. He is stranded in the US after a business trip in March.

Hicks, 42, lamented, "She told me she was pregnant and the next thing [I know] is that she is going to give birth. And, I wont be able to help her when she is at home with the infant; it makes me feel bad and disappointed."

He has tried to book tickets to return to Vietnam to be with his wife, but all the flights got canceled due to the COVID-19 travel restriction. Nhi plans to deliver and make a video call for him to see their baby.

We will meet again

Many people are joining online groups like "Vo Viet Chong Tay" and "Couples Separated By Travel Bans" on Facebook, which have been asking governments to ease travel restrictions and allow international couples to reunite.

As of August 11 nine European countries have opened their borders to citizens foreign partners as long as they can prove their relationship and comply with testing and quarantining rules.

"But it will take me another month to get all the documents ready and even more for the visa interview," An said.

Paying a visit to Germany is the only way for her to meet her husband since Vietnam still does not allow most foreigners in.

"This is our only hope."

She is collecting old receipts, flight tickets, photos, etc. to prove their relationship.

But for many other separated couples in countries that have not opened their borders, there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

There have been some sad endings too.

Pham Thanh Thao, 32, had not met her Australian boyfriend, a lawyer who regularly visited Hanoi, since last December.

The hotelier had planned to apply for a skilled worker visa to reunite with him, but Australia's ban since March on foreigners entry put paid to those plans.

Thao said, "We did not know when we can meet again, so we decided to break up in June. It was devastating."

She had quit her job in March since the plan was to go to Australia in summer. They had hoped to get through the uncertainty but failed, she said with a sigh.

But many other couples remain hopeful and in touch with each other.

Nhi eats lunch at noon every day while chatting with Steward, who has just woken up more than 10,000 km away.

"We try our best to talk whenever we can to feel less distanced in the last few months," she said.

They met each other at a Saigon English language center four years ago, and had decided to move to the UK this autumn after getting married in Vietnam.

"The only thing I want is to be with him and overcome this pandemic together. We can do the COVID-19 test, self-quarantine or whatever we have to do to be together."

VOV

COVID-19 mother gives birth in Da Nang A woman being treated for COVID-19 in Da Nang has given birth to a healthy baby girl.
"From a strategic perspective, the U.S. should recognize the need for principled unification as the long-term permanent solution to denuclearization and regional peace. A Korean-led process for unification should be backed by commitment to support the process both economically and geopolitically" as was done with the Marshall plan after WW II.

He was speaking at the International Forum on One Korea, a global online conference held along with gatherings of civic leaders across Korea to mark the 75th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule at the end of World War II. Dr. Moon is the founder and chair of the Global Peace Foundation, a co-sponsor of the conference.

Dr. Edwin Feulner, founder of the Heritage Foundation in the U.S., said Korea today stands at an important transition point. "More than ever scholars and policy experts, faced with the failure of past efforts, see Korean unification as the necessary way forward," he said.

Crediting Dr. Moon's National Bestseller Korean Dream, which stresses the shared values and culture of the Korean people, Dr. Feulner said it was time to move the pursuit of unification outside of the sphere of government to engage the support of the Korean people as a whole.

In Korean Dream Dr. Moon calls for a revival of Korea's original founding principles as an ethic that can bridge the gap between conservatives and progressives in South Korea and ultimately between the North and South.

Emerging from division as a new nation, a unified Korea "must be rooted in a firm foundation of universal spiritual principles and moral values," Dr. Moon said. "These form the essential bedrock for true liberty. Hongik Inganliving for the greater benefit of all humanityis the founding aspiration of the Korean people."

The forum brought together leading Korea experts, policymakers, and civil society leaders to examine new opportunities for advancing Korean unification on the theme: "Realignment amid Global Changes: New Opportunities for a Free and Unified Korea," on August 15, 2020.

Amb. Ahn Ho-young, former ROK Ambassador to the U.S. and currently president of the University of North Korean Studies, said the first step toward unification is to build national consensus based on values of freedom, democracy and human rights, and the right to choose and practice one's religion.

He noted that German unification depended on the close partnership between President Bush and Chancellor Kohl together with a common understanding of all the important nations involved.

Panelists from the United States expressed grave concerns about North Korea's nuclear capability and closed society, while noting the significant role that civil society can play in bridging the division between the two Koreas.

"While the current crisis presents enormous risks, it also presents opportunities; opportunities to eliminate once and for all weapons of mass destruction from the Korean peninsula; an opportunity to allow China to play a constructive role as an emerging great power; to welcome the people of North Korea to the world of responsible nations, in the longer term, it may allow reunification of the Korean people under a government that is supportive of freedoms found only in democracies," said Dr. William Parker, past president of the EastWest Institute.

The forum was sponsored by the Global Peace Foundation, Action for Korea United and Alliance for Korea United USA and is the first of a series of forums scheduled for the fall of 2020. For more information visit www.globalpeace.org/international-forum-one-korea.

Contact Point:

[email protected]

202.643.4733

SOURCE Global Peace Foundation

Related Links

http://www.globalpeace.org


An outbreak of 28 COVID-19 cases at Murray Highland Memory Care in Beaverton has led to about half the sites residents being transferred to other facilities.

Murray Highland has a total of 20 staff and 20 residents, according to the Washington County Public Health Department. County spokesperson Mary Sawyers on Sunday did not immediately have a breakdown of how many of the 28 positive or presumed positive coronavirus cases were among staff and how many were among residents. Sawyers said one resident had been hospitalized.

The Oregon Health Authority on Sunday evening said 12 of Murray Highlands 20 residents were transferred this weekend to other facilities. Ten were relocated to Pacific Health and Rehabilitation in Tigard, which has a contract with the state to care specifically for COVID-positive patients.

All long-term care facilities in Oregon are required to report suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 to the state Department of Human Service and their local public health authority. On Aug. 7, DHS put in place an executive order requiring Murray Highland to follow more stringent infection control requirements. The facility was required to test all of its staff and residents within 72 hours for the coronavirus, barred from admitting or readmitting residents, told to stop communal dining and visitation, and required to notify families about the outbreak.

The state is in the middle of its efforts to test all residents and workers in Oregon care homes for the coronavirus by a Sept. 30 deadline set by the governor. Nearly half of all staff and residents in Oregons nursing, assisted living and memory care homes have been tested at least once for the coronavirus since June 1, the Department of Human Services said last week.

People in care homes are particularly vulnerable to complications and death from the coronavirus, with broad testing helping prevent and curb the spread of disease. Elderly residents in care centers account for about half of the states 388 reported fatalities.

-- Fedor Zarkhin contributed to this report
The company Brown-Forman, which is based in Louisville, Kentucky, said in a statement it was able to prevent its systems from being encrypted, which is normally caused by ransomware attacks.

Brown-Forman, a manufacturer of alcoholic beverages including Jack Daniels and Finlandia, said it was hit by a cyber-attack in which some information, including employee data, may have been impacted.

The company, which is based in Louisville, Kentucky, said in a statement it was able to prevent its systems from being encrypted, which is normally caused by ransomware attacks. It provided few other details about the incident, including when it happened or how the hackers accessed the data.

We are working closely with law enforcement, as well as world-class third-party data security experts, to mitigate and resolve this situation as soon as possible, the company said. There are no active negotiations.

In ransomware attacks, hackers typically encrypt a companys files and demand a payment to unlock the files. In some instances, hacker groups post snippets of stolen files on websites, or send them to the media, to pressure companies to pay. Such attacks have increased in recent years against all kinds of businesses and government agencies, including cities and school districts.

In this instance, a message sent anonymously to Bloomberg claimed to have hacked Brown-Forman and compromised its internal network. The alleged hackers said they copied 1 terabyte of confidential data and promised to share it online.

The website named by the attackers goes to a page that lists victims of Sodinokibi ransomware, which emerged in 2019 and has spread across the globe, according to McAfee LLC.

Also known as REvil, the ransomware code is maintained by one group of people and distributed by affiliates, a model known as ransomware as a service, McAfee said.

An attempt at dialogue with the company did not bring any results, the alleged hacker said.
Medical supply handover ceremony for Bangladesh (Photo: VNA)



The Vietnamese official said the pandemic is developing complicatedly in many countries in the world, including Vietnam. However, the Southeast Asian nation wants to support regional and international friends in this difficult time.

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are traditional friends of Vietnam and boast sound bilateral relations over the past decades, he said.

Ambassadors of the two countries thanked the Vietnamese Government and people for their support and spoke highly of Vietnams COVID-19 response.

They affirmed to continue strengthening coordination and sharing information with Vietnam in protecting health and safety for people./.
A 32-year-old woman charged with manslaughter as part of a major investigation into the death of a Brisbane man found in far north Queensland hotel will front court on Monday.

Police discovered the body of 52-year-old Anthony Brady in a Cairns hotel about 4pm on Friday, one day after he was due back in the state capital from a work trip.

Brisbane man Anthony Brady was found dead in a Cairns hotel. Credit:Queensland Police Service

Detectives released images of a 32-year-old woman on Saturday, saying they believed she was the last person to see Mr Brady and might have held important information about his movements.

On Sunday afternoon, police said she had been charged with one count of manslaughter and would appear at the Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday.
Gunfire broke out at a flea market in San Antonio, Texas on Sunday morning which resulted in five people being sent to hospital.

A suspect opened fire at about 11:30am when around 100 shots were fired into the crowded parking lot of the Mission Open Air Market on the south side of the city.

Woody Woodward from the from the San Antonio fire department said that within an hour or so, the situation was 'under control'.

Five people were shot one of whom is in critical condition, after a shooting at a South Side flea market in San Antonio, Texas

The shooting happened around 11am Sunday at the Mission Open Air Market. Police cars are pictured on scene

A number of shooters were involved including a security guard who returned fire

Paramedics transported five victims to a nearby hospital with possible life-threatening injuries.

San Antonio fire chief Russell Johnson told KENS that two weapons were recovered at the scene of the shooting.

A number of shooters were involved including a security guard who returned fire at the gunman.

The shooting is said to have occurred in the parking lot area of the flea market in San Antonio

The incident started as a dispute between vendors and customers, flea market manager Al Ramon told WOAI.

'This is the result of some type of argument. I don't know if the argument was between gang members or just people who knew each other or didn't know each other,' San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said.

Police say they do not believe any innocent bystanders were shot.

One of the suspects is in custody and in critical condition, McManus explained.

The chief did not know if the primary suspect had been taken into custody, but confirmed that the neighborhood was safe.

The jumbo flea market has space for more than 2,000 vendors (file photo)
Beyond borders and language barriers, b-boy Tuan teaches refugee kids across Southeast Asia the healing art of dance.

On weekend night, in a room on Hanoi's Nguyen Khanh Toan Street, around 20 children wait expectantly.

Suddenly, there is music and a man appears, dancing and doing headspins. The children are thrilled and cannot stop cheering.

The man is Nguyen Anh Tuan, 31, who has pursued his passion for hip-hop dancing at all costs. He now teaches children how to dance.

Hip-hop came to Tuan when he was an eleventh grader. Watching a performance at his school, the boy was impressed by the moves and Michael Jackson's famous moonwalk.

"How can people be as flexible as that?" Tuan asked himself.

Tuan teaches children at a refugee camp in Thailand in 2018. Photo courtesy of Tuan.

The 17-year-old Tuan surfed the internet for information and tried to learn the moves he saw. After a week, his basic skills gave him the confidence to register for a performance at his high school that won him a lot of applause. He was hooked. He was prepared to dance wherever, whenever.

After finishing school, he entered university, choosing IT as his major, but the passion for hip-hop was not dimmed. He founded a dance club at his university, continuing to learn from the internet and exchanging his skills at several places.

To get some professional training, sophomore Tuan paid VND100 million ($4,304) for a three-month dancing course in an art school in the U.S. But when his visa application was rejected, he fell into a depression.

After a month of sleepless nights, Tuan began looking for a hip-hop class in Vietnam. Some people told him to go to the park in front of the Lenin statue in Hanoi to meet "a lot of talents." Tuan followed their advice, hoping to find himself a hip-hop dance teacher.

In the meanwhile, he had entered third year at his university and went to a company where he got an idea of what his future would be like as an IT professional.

"I was not born for a life of sitting in front of a computer, I need more colors and connection with people," he texted his friend after that visit. The very next morning, with encouragement from the friend, Tuan sent a leave application to the university.

Since his parents would be sad if they knew, he locked himself inside his room and only ventured out for dancing training with his friends. He stayed at home during the day, went out in the evening, and returned when his parents slept.

But it was not too long before they found out.

The mother burst into tears while his father angrily asked what he would do for a living.

"I will learn dancing on the streets," Tuan responded.

On the following evening, when he came home at midnight, the father used his martial arts skills to knock his son down and left without saying a word.

Later, his mother left and came home in the middle of a rainy night, begging him to return to university.

"Please go to school again. Dancing will spoil you," she told Tuan.

Feeling lost and depressed at making his parents anxious, Tuan began to engage in physical abuse, hurting himself with objects on hand. He felt like he was at a dead end. In fact, he even thought about ending his life, finding no answers to simple questions. Was he wrong in quitting the university? What should he do now?

In the first year after he stopped going to college, Tuan lost all connection with his family even though they were still under the same roof. Slowly he pulled himself back from his depression and decided hed try and prove that he was right.

He focused intensely on practicing and spent up to 12 hours per day dancing. After a year, he won the first prize in a national hip-hop contest. But it did not make his mother happy.

Tuan (left in the front) and his friends in "Street Art For Street Kids". Photo courtesy of Tuan.

Tuan went on to win dozens of hip-hop dancing contests and became more and more popular as he did. Then he decided to do pass on his passion for dancing to children, and became a teacher.

Passion intensifies

In 2012, when he was teaching autistic children at the park in front of the Lenin statue in Hanoi, a man came and introduced himself as Jenny Snell. Snell was for street artists across Southeast Asia for a charity program.

"Would you like to teach dancing to refugee children? I have seen that you are very patient with children," he told Tuan, who was 23 then. Tuan did not hesitate to say yes.

In September 2013, Tuan arrived at a forest in Pattaya, Thailand, where hundreds of refugee children lived. That was his introduction to the "Street Art For Street Kids," program, which offered street children dance lessons and a sense of community.

Every day, Tuan and his friends traveled hundreds of kilometers to schools and other areas where refugees were concentrated and performed for around 50 minutes before teaching children some dance and acrobatics moves.

"Those were lessons without languages. We used eyes, music and heart to connect with others," Tuan recalled.

The happy faces and smiles of the children showed that at least for some time, they were able to forget the poverty and misery of their lives. Some of them had even been hired to kill other people and had otherwise been mistreated badly.

When he finally left the area in a tuktuk, the children ran after him, calling out in their mother tongue.

"I understand what they were calling out, because that is the language of the heart; translation is unnecessary," Tuan said.

Tuan's group has met tens of thousands of children and shared time with them, including having many meals together. Over four years after his Thailand trip, Tuan visited Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines. The trips have made him realize that he is luckier than a lot of people.

"That is why I have to live in a way that deserves my passion," he said.

After the trips, he also mended his relationship with the family, opening his heart to them. He did something he had never done before  told them he loved them, without any embarrassment.

The sons honesty worked. His parents accepted his choice of profession and his passion. They stopped complaining and now encourage him.

"They do not compliment me to my face, but I know they are proud of what I have done for the society," Tuan said.

The trips abroad and opportunity to work with underprivileged kids helped Tuan to find his calling. Since 2018, he has inspired many youngsters in his dancing group to take part in numerous trips to refugee areas across Southeast Asia and support more children.

As a hip-hop teacher for children, Tuan wants people to change their views on about dancing to a highly beneficial activity.

Ngo Tu Huy, a former member of Tuan's group who has taken part in trips across Southeast Asia, said Tuan is a legend in their circles for his ability to inspire others and to work well with children.

"He has a special energy. He not only teaches dancing, but also gives lessons of life, inspiring many people," Huy said.

In the last two years, Tuan has collaborated with several non-government organizations to give free dance lessons for poor and homeless children, including those residing under Hanois Long Bien Bridge and in orphanages. He also organizes classes, creating a stable source of income for about 30 teachers in his group.

"Should we quit university to follow our passion?" some students keep asking him.

His answer never varies. "If you are truly passionate about something and dare to pay the price for choosing it, all roads lead to the destination."
New Delhi:

A new legislation to ensure the welfare of seafarers, make insurance compulsory for the crew on vessels in view of growing instances of piracy and bringing in transparency and effective delivery of services was introduced in Lok Sabha on Friday.

The Merchant Shipping Bill 2016, which seeks to repeal the 1958 Act and a British-era Vessels Act and make the law "contemporaneous, futuristic and dynamic" to meet the requirements of the emerging Indian economy, was introduced by minister of state for road transport and shipping P Radhakrishnan.

"It has become imperative to repeal the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 and the Coasting Vessels Act, 1838" and ensure that the redundant and old British-era provisions of these laws be replaced with contemporary provisions, the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill said.

The Bill seeks to ensure efficient maintenance of Indian mercantile marine to serve national interests and to see that laws relating to merchant shipping comply with the country's obligations under international conventions and maritime treaties to which India is a party.

The minister also withdrew the Merchant Shipping Amendment Bill, 2015, before introducing the comprehensive legislation. The proposed measure seeks to entitle the seafarers held in captivity of pirates to receive wages till they are released from captivity and reach home safely so as to ensure welfare of seafarers, the statement said.

It seeks to make insurance compulsory for the crew engaged on vessels, including fishing, sailing, non-propelled vessels and vessels whose net tonnage is less than 15 and solely engaged in coasting trade of India, by owner of vessel.

The bill aims to dispense with the requirement of signing of articles of agreement by the crew before the shipping master so as to facilitate early employment of seafarers.

The Cabinet had last month approved the Bill to repeal the 58-year old law to promote ease of doing business, transparency and effective delivery of services.

The Merchant Shipping Act 1958 had become a bulky piece of legislation over the years as a result of 17 amendments carried out in the Act between 1966 and 2014, resulting in an increase in the number of sections to over 560.

These provisions were meticulously shortened to 280 sections in the Bill, an official statement said earlier. The reforms that will follow the enactment of the Bill include augmentation of Indian tonnage promotion, development of coastal shipping in India and registration of certain residuary category of vessels not covered under any statute.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Olivia Colman has admitted that she frets over what the Queen thinks of her portrayal on Netflix hit The Crown.

The actress, 46, confessed there is added 'pressure' when your character is still alive and they are able to watch your version of them on screen.

Olivia joked that she is concerned that if Queen Elizabeth II watches series three of the show she might switch over if she doesn't approve.

All smiles: Olivia Colman, 46, has admitted that she frets over what the Queen thinks of her portrayal on Netflix hit The Crown

She told the Mirror: 'There is much more pressure when you're playing someone who is still living, and you have this fear that they're watching it and won't like it.

'You're thinking, "Oh my God, what if Queen Elizabeth II watches the series and sees me? Perhaps she will think that my interpretation is completely wrong. She's going to change channels."

Olivia also admitted that it is challenging to play someone so well known by viewers, as they have something to compare your performance to.

Feeling the pressure: The actress confessed there is added 'pressure' when your character is still alive and they are able to watch your version of them on screen

The star bagged an Oscar for her role of Queen Anne in the favourite and she admitted that she preferred it because nobody could judge her portrayal.

'The beauty of Queen Anne is that no one can tell me she didn't sound like that, but everyone can tell me what the Queen sounds like, and that's slightly annoying.'

She said: 'The beauty of Queen Anne is that no one can tell me she didn't sound like that, but everyone can tell me what the Queen sounds like, and that's slightly annoying.'

Switching off! Olivia joked that she is concerned that if Queen Elizabeth II watches series three of the show she might switch over if she doesn't approve (pictured in 2019)

Award-winning: Oscar-winner Olivia (L) plays Queen Elizabeth II (pictured right in 1964) in series three and four of The Crown

Olivia revealed she has never joined a show before when it has been in the height of its' success, but because she was such a big fan she didn't hesitate.

Although fans are eagerly awaiting to start of season four, it was recently reported that the fifth series of The Crown reportedly won't be released until 2022.

The premiere has been delayed because producers are said to want a filming break, meaning filming won't start until June 2021.

Exciting: Earlier this month, it was announced The Crown will run for six series instead of five

Royally good: Imelda is to play the Queen in The Crown's final two series. The 64-year-old will take over the role of Elizabeth II for seasons five and six of the Netflix drama

Series 5 will see Imelda Staunton, 64, take over the role as Queen Elizabeth II from Olivia Colman, while Leslie Manville, 64, will portray Princess Margaret.

Deadline reports the postponement of filming is not due to the coronavirus pandemic but because of the complexity of studio and set-piece location shoots for the era of the series.

A similar break was taken between series two and three of The Crown, which saw Claire Foy, 36, hand over the reins to Olivia, 46.

Portrayal: The star, who is believed to have been producers first choice for the role, is set to play the Queen's younger sister during one of the 'darkest periods of her life' (pictured 1995)

The fifth instalment is thought to begin in the early nineties and end in the early noughties, with writer Peter Morgan saying Staunton would be 'taking The Crown into the 21st century'.

There are several poignant moments during the decade, which include the Queen making a speech on her 40th anniversary of her accession in 1992, in which she called the year an 'annus horriblis'.

She was referring to the breakdown of three of her children's marriages; Prince Andrew, Princess Anne's and Prince Charles' divorce from Princess Diana.

Congrats! Lesley Manville has been cast as Princess Margaret (right in 1966) for the fifth and sixth seasons of The Crown

Other noteable events during the time period included a fire at Windsor Castle, her golden wedding anniversary in 1997, and the deaths of Princess Margaret, the Queen Mother and the Princess of Wales.

It comes after it was announced The Crown will run for six series instead of five.

Creator Peter revealed he decided to 'return to the original plan,' meaning Imelda Staunton will now appear for two series as an older Queen Elizabeth II.

Producers decided to a U-turn after their January announcement The Crown would end after its fifth series, with series four, starring Olivia as The Queen, expected to air later this year.

Delay: The fifth series of The Crown reportedly won't be released until 2022 (pictured Imelda Staunton ,who will take on the role of Queen Elizabeth II, in October 2019)

Peter said: 'As we started to discuss the storylines for Series 5, it soon became clear that in order to do justice to the richness and complexity of the story we should go back to the original plan and do six seasons.'

The news was announced by Netflix on their Twitter account, as they wrote: 'News from the palace: we can confirm there will be a sixth (and final) season of @TheCrownNetflix, in addition to the previously announced five!'

The streaming service then clarified fans will still have one more series featuring the current cast, with an older range of stars taking over in series five.
FiveThirtyEight founder Nate Silver said on ABC's "This Week" Sunday that his forecast for the 2020 election finds that President Trump currently has a 27% chance of defeating Joe Biden.

The big picture: Biden has an 8.7-point lead on President Trump in FiveThirtyEight's average of national polls. The president has seen his poll numbers tank since the coronavirus pandemic began, and as Americans took to the streets to protest the death of George Floyd in cities around the country.

The state of play: Silver's same model gave Trump a 29% chance on Election Day 2016  higher than most forecasters at the time.

"This is not quite the same situation as 2016, when the polls were actually pretty close," Silver said. "This year, Trump is not very close to Joe Biden. Instead the issue is that he still has a lot of time to catch up."

The model gives a 10% chance of Trump again winning the Electoral College but not the popular vote  like what happened in 2016.

Yes, but: Silver said "uncertainties related to COVID-19," like what the economy will look like in November, make the election especially unpredictable.

"It's simply too soon for a model or for anybody else to be all that confident about what is going to happen," Silver said.

Silver's bottom line: "Yes, Trump definitely still has a shot at re-election."
According to the head of Russias sovereign wealth fund, the country has reached an agreement in principle to conduct clinical trials of its coronavirus vaccine in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. According to reports, Russians are working with a pharmaceutical company in Saudi Arabia. They have shared data from Phase I and Phase II trials with their Saudi partners.

Read: Mexico Needs 200 Million Coronavirus Vaccine Doses, To Start Shots In April 2021

Saudi Arabia to test Sputnik V

The Russian Health Ministry, on August 15, confirmed that the country has already initiated the production of its COVID-19 vaccine, a development that comes days after Moscow announced worlds first COVID-19 vaccine. Named Sputnik V, the clinically approved vaccine against the novel coronavirus has been manufactured by the Gamaleya Research Institute in collaboration with the Russian Health Ministry. According to reports, the vaccine, which is the first to go for production, will be rolled out by the end of this month. Despite its fast-paced production, the drug continues to draw scepticism from around the world with many asserting that the Russians may have put prestige before safety.

Read: Russia To Roll Out COVID-19 Vaccine Doses By August End, Production Begins: Report

Reports suggest that Russian Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev said that Russia will engage with Saudi scientists and the Saudi Health Ministry as the Russian government believes that Saudi will be a very strong partner for the process of the Sputnik V vaccine. As Russia begins production, the World Health Organisation said that it was focused on accelerating vaccine development and making sure that it was available to all. Briefing reporters in Geneva, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that a rapid, fair and equitable distribution to all countries was required if a successful vaccine was developed in future.

Read: Russia's Top Doctor Resigns Over 'gross Violations' Of Ethics To Make COVID-19 Vaccine

Also Read: WHO Says Russia's COVID-19 Vaccine Sputnik V Yet To Complete Advanced Trials

(Image Credits: Unsplash/Representative Image)
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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and member of Lagos State Governor Advisory Council, Chief Lanre Rasak, is dead.

Chief Razak, the Balogun of Epe, who was aged 74, died on Saturday, at Reddington Hospital, Lagos, after a brief illness.

Until his death, he was one of those vying for the yet to be scheduled bye election, to get a replacement for late Senator Bayo Osinowo, who represented the Lagos East Senatorial zone at the Senate, but died two months ago.

Rasak aspired for the senatorial position in the buildup to the 2019 general elections, but he jettisoned his ambition to comply with the party's directive that Osinowo is the consensus candidate.

Chief Rasak was made commissioner for transportation in Lagos State during the military regime.

At the beginning of political dispensation in 1998, he joined the All Peoples Party (APP), which later metamorphosed to All Nigerians People Party (ANPP), where he rose to the position of deputy national chairman, before dumping the party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He later dumped the PDP and teamed up with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Chief Rasak was a philanthropist and a holder of many Chieftaincy titles, including the Balogun of Epe; Fiwagbade of Lagos; Otunba Jagungboye of Odo Irangunshi: Bobagunwa of Ilara Remo; Majeobaje Olofm Ajaiye; and Agbasakin of Remo.

He will be buried today in his town, Epe local government area of Lagos State, in line with Muslim rites.

Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed sadness over the death of a member of the Governor's Advisory Council (GAC) of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Lanre Razak, who passed away on Saturday morning, at the age of 74, after a brief illness.

Sanwo-Olu, who described late Razak's death as a rude shock, said the deceased was a great politician, a strong party man and an advocate of masses-oriented programmes.
Pro-democracy protesters call for freedom of speech in Bangkok - DIEGO AZUBEL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock /Shutterstock

An anti-government protest in Thailand drew at least 10,000 people on Sunday, police said, the largest political demonstration the kingdom has seen in years as a pro-democracy movement gathers steam.

Student-led groups have held near-daily protests across the country for the past month to denounce Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha - a former army chief who led a 2014 coup - and his military-aligned administration.

By Sunday evening the protesters - who are demanding major democratic reforms - had taken over the busy intersection around Bangkok's Democracy Monument, which was built to mark the 1932 revolution that ended royal absolutism.

"Down with the dictatorship," the students chanted, many holding signs critical of the administration. Others held pigeon-shaped cutouts representing peace.

The gathering at Democracy Monument is the largest the kingdom has seen since Prayut staged a putsch in 2014.

Tensions have risen over the last two weeks with authorities arresting three activists. They were released on bail after being charged with sedition and violating coronavirus rules.

They were told not to repeat the alleged offences, but one of them - prominent student leader Parit Chiwarak - arrived at the protest venue on Sunday flanked by cheering supporters.

Partly inspired by the Hong Kong democracy movement, the protesters claim to be leaderless and have relied mostly on social media campaigns to draw support across the country.

10,000 people reportedly showed up to the pro-democracy protests - SOE ZEYA TUN /Reuters

"Give a deadline to dictatorship" and "let it end at our generation" were the top Twitter hashtags in Thailand on Sunday.

The protesters are demanding an overhaul of the government and a rewriting of the 2017 military-scripted constitution, which they believe skewed last year's election in favour of Prayut's military-aligned party.

A rally last week by around 4,000 demonstrators also called for the abolition of a law protecting Thailand's unassailable monarchy, and for a frank discussion about its role in Thailand.

Story continues

King Maha Vajiralongkorn sits at the apex of Thai power, flanked by the military and the country's billionaire business elite.

A draconian "112" law can see those convicted sentenced to up to 15 years in jail per charge.

The growing discontent also comes as the kingdom goes through one of its worst economic periods since 1997 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Millions have been left jobless, and the crisis has exposed the inequalities in the Thai economy, which is perceived to benefit the elite, pro-military establishment.
Two-year-old pacers took centre stage on Sunday (Aug. 16) at Hippodrome 3R in a quartet of opening-round divisions of the Future Stars Series.

Hall of Famer Yves Filion started off the show winning the first division for fillies with 11-1 long shot Celia Bayama.

The 1-9 favourite CL Sportsextreme (Guy Gagnon) took the lead away from Paltine Alpha (Carol Voyer) after a :28.1 opening quarter. After the half in :58.2, CL Sportsextreme looked very comfortable on the lead, passing the three-quarters in 1:28.1.

Filion, who sat in the back of the pack with Celia Bayama, finally got into the hunt on the final turn, sweeping three-wide from sixth. As they reached the top of the stretch, CL Sportsextreme made a costly break, enabling Filion and Celia Bayama to rally in the line to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:59.1. Ibiza Panic (Francis Picard) was second with Nikita Sena (Steeven Genois) third.

It was the maiden victory for Celia Bayama after three lifetime starts. The daughter of Bettors Delight, a homebred from Bayama Farms, is trained by Filion and paid $25.00 to win.



Celia Bayama rallied down the outside to win her first-round division of the Future Stars Series at Hippodrome 3R. Celia Bayama rallied down the outside to win her first-round division of the Future Stars Series at Hippodrome 3R.

The second division for fillies saw D Gs Magicmoment and driver Jonathan Lachance sit the pocket, then move to the lead over SOS Faline (Stephane Brosseau) and lead the rest of the way, winning by a half length over SOS Faline with SG Alexia (Sylvain Grenier) third.

It was also a maiden victory after four lifetime starts for D Gs Magicmoment. Sired by Control The Moment, D Gs Magicmoment is trained by Guylaine Fortin for breeder-owner Daniel Surprenant and paid just $2.10 to win.

The faster colt division went to Cadillac Bayama with trainer-driver Yves Filion in the seventh race.

Favourite YS Do It Right and driver Stephane Brosseau took the lead away from Gordro Outofhisway (Pierre-Luc Roy) after a :28.4 opening quarter and :59 half, with Filion and Cadillac Bayama sitting in third waiting to make their move.

That move came at the three-quarters in 1:29.3, as Filion came first-over against Brosseau. Cadillac Bayama was up to the task, but it took an intense stretch drive battle before Cadillac Bayama got up by a neck over YS Do It Right in 1:58.1. Godro Outofhisway was third.

It was the second straight win after three lifetime starts for Cadillac Bayama. He is sired by Sunshine Beach and bred and owned by Bayama Farms, paying $5.10 to win.

The first division for the colts saw favourite D Gs Runforhim and driver Jonathan Lachance lead from start to finish in a slow 2:03.4. Yves Filion made a late bid with Colonel Bayama and was second by a length with Moobeam Godro (Pascal Berube) third.

A colt by Sportswriter, D Gs Runforhim posted his maiden victory after three lifetime starts for trainer Guylaine Fortin, who co-owns and bred the colt with Daniel Surprenant. He paid $3.80 to win.

The series will culminate with a $55,000 final on Sept. 27.

Next weekend will be the last three-day weekend of live harness racing at H3R. Friday (Aug. 21) will feature the opening round of the Future Stars Series for two-year-old trotters, Saturday (Aug. 22) is the final day of racing for the Quebec Regional Fair Circuit, and Sunday (Aug. 23) is the second leg of the Breeders Trophy Series for three-year-old pacers.

For more information, visit www.hippodrome3r.ca.

To view Sunday's complete results, click the following link: Sunday Results  Hippodrome 3R.

(Quebec Jockey Club)
Connecticut delegates thirsting for the raucous energy of the Democratic National Convention will have to settle for a single in-person gathering at Dunkin Donuts Park in Hartford on Thursday, where theyll watch Vice President Joe Biden accept the nomination on the venues giant screens.

This week, as the DNC goes almost completely virtual, delegates in Connecticut will be glued to Zoom calls on laptops and phones, rather than celebrating with thousands of like-minded supporters.

Starting on Monday, delegates can tune in to breakfast meetings with Gov. Ned Lamont, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Congressman John Larson; evening conversations with Sen. Chris Murphy, former Texas Congressman Beto ORourke, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, S.C. Congressman Jim Clyburn; assorted panel discussions and virtual speeches by Democratic Party leaders.

The socially-distanced main event, when Biden will accept the nomination, takes place for Connecticut delegates at Yard Goats Stadium on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and will include a reception with Attorney General William Tong.
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

A brain surgeon replaced the batteries in only one of two brain stimulator devices during an operation.

A mans toes were amputated as a result of sepsis at the hospital.

A woman died after having a stroke when a drain attached to her cranium stopped working for 10 hours.

Those were among the allegations made in medical malpractice lawsuits against the University of New Mexico Hospital that led to hefty settlements.

Details of six such settlements were published on a state Sunshine Portal in the past six weeks.

Last year, the Governors Office started publishing state settlements online, and in July and the first two weeks of August, 11 settlements were posted.

They include a $10,000 settlement against New Mexico Workforce Solutions, a $24,000 settlement against Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court and a $45,000 settlement UNM made with independent journalist Daniel Libit for not complying with state open records law. There was also a $30,000 settlement against San Juan College and a $5,000 settlement against the New Mexico State Fair Commission.

The remaining cases made public on the portal were from medical malpractice lawsuits against UNMH. The settlements, which combined for about $2.4 million, brought an end to cases dating back to 2013.

As a matter of practice, we do not comment on specific settlements, said Alex Sanchez, a spokeswoman for the UNM Health Sciences Center.

Heres a brief summary of the cases:

 Dennis Crowley and Bruce Redford, a married Bernalillo County couple, filed a lawsuit alleging medical malpractice during a brain surgery performed on Crowley, who went under the knife to replace two battery packs for his deep brain stimulator in April 2018. The lawsuit alleges the neurosurgeon replaced only one of the battery packs. UNMH settled the lawsuit for $275,000.

 Pearl Woody fell at work and was admitted to UNMH in November 2014, partly because a preexisting condition resulted in elevated intracranial pressure, according to the lawsuit. A drain was placed in her cranium, but it stopped working and remained closed for about 10 hours. During that time, she suffered a stroke and later died. Woodys personal representative, Tressia Castillo, filed a lawsuit, which was settled for $315,000.

 After being found unconscious in his home in June 2018, John Bedford received care at UNMH, where doctors determined he had low sodium levels. A lawsuit alleges that the sodium levels were raised too rapidly, leaving him with severe and permanent damage, including central pontine myelinolysis. The lawsuit was settled for $575,000.

 Ron Anderson was admitted to UNMH with a bowel obstruction in October 2013 and underwent surgery. The lawsuit alleges that a leak developed at the surgical site and became septic. His toes on his right foot later had to be amputated, and he required dialysis. Anderson and his wife, Rae Roberts, filed a lawsuit, which was settled for $395,000.

 Jasmine Pacheco went in July 2017 to the UNM Center for Reproductive Health, where she was seeking an intrauterine device for long-term birth control. During the procedure, the lawsuit alleges, the doctor attempted to insert the IUD with such force that it punctured her uterine wall, requiring corrective surgery. Pacheco settled with UNMH for $50,000.

 A settlement with Frank Romero, the personal representative of his wife, Victoria Romero, who is deceased, was completed in January and made public last week. The settlement for $750,000 was to settle a tort claim notice sent to the university Nov. 27, 2018.
MBABANE  In what could come as good news for local illegal dagga growers, South Africa is on the brink of making a law that would expunge criminal records for dagga offenders nabbed in the neighbouring country.

The South Africa Cabinet has approved the submission of the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill of 2020 to Parliament for processing.

The Bill regulates the use and possession of cannabis and the cultivation of cannabis plants by an adult for personal use.

According to The Citizen, a South African publication, the Bill will have to face parliamentary consideration and a public consultation process before being signed into law.

The Bill proposes the automatic expungement of ones criminal record if they have been convicted of using or being in possession of dagga.

This means emaSwati, whose biggest dagga market is South Africa, will not be haunted by a criminal record when convicted of dagga dealings in the neighbouring country.

Convicted

Those who were previously convicted of dagga-related offences can apply to have their criminal records wiped out as incorporated in Section 8 (c) and Subsection 2 of the Bill, should it be passed into law.

It states that any law of the former Republics of Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Ciskei or Venda, or of any former self-governing territory, as provided for in the Self-governing Territories Constitution Act, 1971 (Act No. 21 of 1971), before the commencement of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1993 (Act No. 200 of 1993), that criminalised the use or possession of cannabis (dagga), the criminal record, containing the conviction and sentence in question, of that person in respect of that offence, must be expunged automatically by the Criminal Record Centre of the South African Police Service.

Subsection 2 of the Bill states that where the criminal record of a person referred to in Subsection (1) has not been expunged automatically as provided for in that subsection, the criminal record of that person must, on his or her written application to the Director-General: Justice and Constitutional Development, in the prescribed form and manner, be expunged.

In an interview with one of the local dagga growers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, he said the Bill had been long overdue because; We are not criminals but we are forced by circumstances to deal in dagga growing and trade. Eswatini is one of the countries with a high unemployment rate, particularly among the youth and resorting to dagga dealing is not stubbornness but means to earn a living and cater for our families.

Opportunities

Government, through its agents in the police, are quick to form operations that target dagga growers and they destroy our product but the same energy channelled into wiping out the herb is not converted into availing job opportunities for the youth. It is so unfortunate that we live in a country whose government is not concerned about the high big numbers of unemployed young people who then resort to illegal activities to make ends meet. We are cognisant of the fact that dagga dealing is illegal but we have limited options to make a living. Good work by the South African legislators for crafting the Cannabis Bill. May it be passed into a law, said the dagga dealer.

Another dagga dealer, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was once convicted in SA of dagga possession, which was obvious to the police that it was for commercial purposes.

He said he was still being haunted by the criminal record attained in a foreign country and this came as good news to him as he would seize the opportunity to go and have it expunged.

It would be premature to celebrate for now because it has not yet been passed into a law but having been blessed by Cabinet, there are high chances that it would be given the green light in Parliament, he submitted.

Traffickers

The issue of dagga is also a challenge in that the youth, including those of school-going age are involved either as growers, traffickers, or dealers as well as users of the drug. Young people should be shielded from such shenanigans as they are the embodiment of the countrys future, said the police in their performance report for the period April 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020.

The report further reads that there were five murder cases related to drug wars in the country. At least 2 702 suspects were arrested in connection with dagga and 147 of these suspects were foreign nationals from the Republic of South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Lesotho, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Tanzania.

Our sister publication, Eswatini News, recently reported that police destroyed 276 hectares of dagga that could fetch E12 billion during raids that have lasted three weeks in countryside communities.

Last year, Green Entrepreneur reported that Africa had the potential to become an enormous cannabis market due to the large population and favourable climate that makes growing weed easier than in neighbouring Europe.

A report by Prohibition Partners suggested that by 2023, the African cannabis market could reach E29.5 billion.
Aziz Isa Elkun is one of many Uighur Muslims living in London who have been cut off from contacting their families based in Xinjiang. He alleges he has received threatening text messages from the Chinese state . The last time Aziz Isa Elkun saw his elderly mother and father in the disputed Chinese province of Xinjiang was more than two years ago. Since then, his father has died and he has no idea about the safety go his mother and cousins , after China launched a brutal crackdown on its Muslim Uighur population. London 11August 2020 - Heathcliff O'Malley/Heathcliff O'Malley

China is suspected of orchestrating a sinister campaign to suppress prominent critics living in Britain from speaking out against the ruling Communist Party by harassing, intimidating, and surveilling them while they are in the UK, the Telegraph can reveal.

Simon Cheng Man-kit, a former British consulate employee in Hong Kong who was tortured by Chinese secret police, said he had been followed at least three times in the last two weeks.

Mr Cheng, who has been granted asylum in the UK, has been vocal about eroding freedoms in Hong Kong.

A threatening email also arrived in Mr Chengs inbox this week. Chinese agents will find you and bring you back, read the subject line.

In the body, the message said: Only a matter of time. The email alias was CY Leung, the name of Hong Kongs former chief executive who pro-democracy protesters accused of cosying up to Beijing.

Azis Isa Elkun, a British Uighur who has campaigned from the UK about Chinas internment camps for Muslim minorities, revealed he had been sent messages from his mother, apparently under duress. He believes it is a warning to remain silent.

Frances Eve, deputy director of research for Chinese Human Rights Defenders, a network of advocacy groups, said: These kinds of threats are definitely to try to silence them from using their voices outside of China to raise awareness of these human rights violations. Its intimidation. It can take different forms, but the purpose is to silence them.

China doesnt care if youve acquired foreign nationality or foreign residency; the government still considers you as Chinese, so there is always a threat to personal safety.

Mr Isa Elkun, 50, was shocked in July last year to receive pictures of his mother, who lives in China, and hear voice messages asking him to contact her. They were sent via WhatsApp from a Turkish number he didnt recognise.

Over the next year, he received more voice messages via foreign numbers from Turkey, and also Hong Kong. He believes she was forced by Chinese police to record them.

Story continues

His mothers voice trembled in one message shared with the Telegraph. She says: Today, a working group of officials came to visit me. They said we will help you to speak with your son.

Mr Isa Elkun said: These were Chinese agents trying to contact me. Its clear that they are trying to stop my activities.

They were warning him they are keeping my mother hostage.

Mr Cheng, 29, said that the first time he noticed he was being tailed was when he was meeting Ray Wong, also a Hong Kong activist at a train station. He suggested they stop walking to see how the man suspected of tracking them would react.

The middle-aged Asian man in a navy polo shirt and face mask eventually moved past them. But he kept his eyes on Mr Wong to see who he was meeting.

Mr Cheng said: I looked back to give him a signal that we are watching you, and we know you are following us. After that, the man disappeared.

He said he was then followed by a team of up to four men after a protest outside the Chinese embassy in London. He checked them by taking turns and loitering. A man in a red t-shirt stayed close enough that Mr Cheng was able to snap photos. Eventually, the man boarded a bus.

The third instance was last Wednesday, when he noticed a man in a white car idling outside of a shop where he was grabbing lunch. When Mr Cheng approached the vehicle, he said the driver appeared to get nervous and pretended to be an Uber driver picking up a passenger.

However, the car yielded no results on Transport for Londons private hire vehicle licence checker.

Mr Cheng thinks a coordinated state campaign is being mounted against him to give me pressure, to make me nervous".

An email seeking comment sent by the Telegraph to the address that had contacted Mr Cheng bounced back. Calls to four numbers used to contact Mr Isa Elkun also didnt connect.

The Chinese embassy in London declined to comment.

China has long gone to extreme lengths to suppress its critics abroad. It abducted human rights activist and US permanent resident Wang Bingzhang from Vietnam in 2002 and Swedish citizen Gui Minhai, who published salacious titles about Chinese leaders, from Thailand in 2015.

In both cases, Mr Wang and Mr Gui disappeared for months before they resurfaced in China and were convicted on trumped-up espionage charges. Mr Wang was sentenced to life in prison. Mr Gui received ten years.

Another tactic, as Mr Isa Elkun experienced, is using family as a kind of hostage or conduit to send threats, said Ms Eve.

A Chinese activist living in Australia, who uses the pseudonym Horror Zoo, this year began receiving threatening video calls from Chinese police using her fathers mobile phone after officers hauled him into the station.

Relatives of an American journalist, a Uighur who has reported on Chinas persecution of Muslim minorities, were arrested years ago and thrown in camps.

Amnesty International has collected hundreds of similar testimonies from Uighurs living outside of China. Many said Chinese authorities had used social messaging apps to track and intimidate them.

Despite the risks, both Mr Isa Elkun and Mr Cheng refuse to stop speaking out. Both have alerted the Foreign Office to what happened.

Mr Isa Elkun, granted asylum in 2002, continues to campaign for information about his mother. For the last three years, has been unable to directly contact his mother, as calls to her number no longer connect.

He doesnt believe she voluntarily appeared in a Chinese state media broadcast denouncing his claims that they hadnt communicated, and that his fathers grave, an important Uighur tradition, had been desecrated.

He said: It was very clear she was forced to speak against her will and belief. I [could] see deep sadness and fear from her eyes. Its really a distressing situation. The tactics Chinese security use is disgusting, immoral and disturbing.
Apr. 10 file photo shows aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson as it transits to homeport at Naval Air Station North Island, California. / AFP-Yonhap



Carl Vinson wasn't headed to Korean peninsula

By Ko Dong-hwan

A U.S. Navy strike group  led by the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson  was thousands of miles from the Korean Peninsula at the weekend despite widespread belief it would be there to deter North Korea, according to news reports Tuesday.

The ships were not heading directly to the peninsula as originally reported. Instead, the group is taking part in scheduled exercises with Australia, Defense News said.

On Saturday, the strike group was about 3,500 miles from Korea, passing through the Sunda Strait between the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Java, according to the outlet. The Washington Post said the group was in the Indian Ocean later in the day, a direction opposite to Korea.

The group would participate in naval exercises with the Australian navy south of Singapore and is expected to arrive off the Korean Peninsula at the end of this month, according to CNN.

It was believed the group was heading to waters off Korea amid fears Pyongyang could conduct a nuclear test at the weekend to mark the anniversary of the birth of national founder Kim Il-sung, grandfather of current leader Kim Jong-un.

U.S. officials had earlier said the ships were scheduled to participate in exercises with Australia, but were redirected to waters off Korea, an unusually massive show of force designed to warn Pyongyang against additional provocations.

It was unclear why the U.S. decided to let the ships participate in the exercises rather than head to Korea. U.S. Pacific Command spokesman Dave Benham said on Apr. 9 that a U.S. Navy strike group, led by the nuclear-powered carrier, was being deployed to waters close to the peninsula to rein in North Korea's increasing nuclear threats.

Chinese media seized on the news that the ships were not where everyone assumed.

"Tricked badly!" the Global Times said Tuesday on its social media account. "None of the U.S. aircraft carriers that South Korea is desperately waiting for has come!"
A couple has filed a lawsuit claiming they were "battered and bruised" by police while celebrating a birthday at a hotel in San Jose, California, last year.

Marissa Santa Cruz and Paea Tukuafu were marking the former's 22nd birthday on May 18, 2019, when, according to a federal civil rights complaint against the city of San Jose, officers with the San Jose Police Department responding to a noise complaint at their hotel room struck them with batons, rubber bullets and Tasers "multiple times." According to the suit, Tukuafu was stunned seven times.

"It was brutal, definitely brutal. I don't think we did anything to deserve the way how we were treated," Tukuafu told San Francisco ABC station KGO, which just obtained body camera footage of the incident.

PHOTO: Marissa Santa Cruz and Paea Tukuafu have sued the city of San Jose, Calif., after they say cops beat them at a hotel on Paea's 22nd birthday in May 2019. (KGO)

According to the complaint, two officers responding to a noise complaint acknowledged that the couple's music was not too loud before asking for their identification. After they allegedly said they would return the IDs once the couple left the hotel, the incident escalated.

MORE: Man sues Nebraska officer who used Taser on him

Three other officers responded, according to the complaint. The couple decided to leave, and while packing their belongings, the suit claims, officers entered their room without consent. After the couple "failed the officers' 'attitude test,'" the officers allegedly struck them with batons, tasers and "sponge rounds," according to the complaint.

The couple was transported by ambulance to the hospital for evaluation of "serious" injuries before being booked and spending the night in jail," according to the complaint. No criminal charges were filed.

PHOTO: Marissa Santa Cruz and Paea Tukuafu have sued the city of San Jose, Calif., after they say cops beat them at a hotel on Paea's 22nd birthday in May 2019. (KGO)

PHOTO: Marissa Santa Cruz and Paea Tukuafu have sued the city of San Jose, Calif., after they say cops beat them at a hotel on Paea's 22nd birthday in May 2019. (KGO)

The body camera footage shows one officer directing another to retrieve a "riot gun." In the footage, an officer also is heard saying "Tase this guy" after Tukuafu is heard saying, "Shut the f--- up" from inside the hotel room. Santa Cruz can then be seen rushing toward the hotel door as officers try to enter.

Story continues

"I didn't want him to be Tased," Santa Cruz told KGO. "Cursing is not breaking any law."

The footage obtained by KGO shows officers using Tasers on both Tukuafu and Santa Cruz and striking Santa Cruz repeatedly with batons.

MORE: Troubling video appears to show Oklahoma police zap man dozens of times before death

In court documents filed in response to the complaint, the city of San Jose said the officers' use of force "was an appropriate, reasonable, and constitutionally permissible response to Plaintiffs' actions under the circumstances."

PHOTO: Marissa Santa Cruz shows bruises on her legs she says her caused by San Jose police beating her and her boyfriend Paea Tukuafu on his 22nd birthday in May 2019. (KGO)

An attorney for the city of San Jose didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from ABC News.

The lawsuit, which is seeking damages for violations of constitutional rights, was filed earlier this year and alleges that there's a "culture within the police department of excessive use of force."

"We need to hold the police accountable for their actions, and we can't let them continue to act like this," Santa Cruz told KGO.

Couple suing city of San Jose, police over use of force in hotel altercation originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Two-way traffic through the Rafah crossing into the coastal enclave will be allowed for three days  through Thursday, the Palestinian embassy in Cairo had said

Egypt reopened on Tuesday its border crossing with the Gaza Strip in both directions for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began, allowing Palestinian to leave the Israeli-besieged strip and those stranded abroad to return home.

Two-way traffic through the Rafah crossing into the coastal enclave will be allowed for three days  through Thursday, the Palestinian embassy in Cairo had said.

Gaza residents holding Egyptian passports, foreign passports and patients seeking emergency medical care abroad will be allowed to leave the crossing, the Hamas-run interior ministry in Gaza said.

All returnees will be put into mandatory 21-day quarantine and will have their luggage and possessions impounded for three days as part of precautionary measures against the virus, the ministry said.

Authorities has prepared isolation facilities to accommodate the returnees.

Rafah was shut in March as part of efforts by the Hamas-run authorities to rein in the spread of the coronavirus in the densely-populated enclave. The passenger crossing was opened in mid-April for three days - but only in one direction - for Palestinians stranded outside Gaza to return home.

Dozens of police officers dressed in personal protective equipment as well as medical staff waited at the border crossing in the southern enclave early Tuesday.

Gaza has reported 81 cases of the coronavirus, including only one death so far.

The Rafah border crossing is the main gateway to the outside world for around 2 million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip, and is the only crossing point not controlled by Israel.

Egypt has occasionally opened Rafah to allow the passage of students and medical patients, as well as those with foreign passports.

Also on Tuesday, Israel closed its only commercial crossing with Gaza after Palestinians launched fire-starting balloons into Israel.

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The coronavirus pandemic is still actively and aggressively spreading across the globe, with more than 21.55 million people infected. Though more than a hundred candidate vaccines are underway to combat the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), only six candidates are undergoing clinical trials.

Now, a team of scientists in the United States plans to create a coronavirus strain that can be used for human challenge trials, a controversial type of study wherein health volunteers would be vaccinated and intentionally infected with the virus.

Human challenge trials accelerate the process of testing the safety and efficacy of a vaccine. Still, if the vaccine is ineffective, the participants will have to face the circumstances and effects if they contract the novel coronavirus.

Image Credit: Billion Photos / Shutterstock

The work is still preliminary

The country's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, has confirmed that scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) are currently working on manufacturing a strain of coronavirus that could be used in human challenge trials of a COVID-19 vaccine.

As the director of NIAID, Fauci dubbed the approach as the nation's "Plan D," and the work is still preliminary. If the situation calls for it, a human challenge trial would be done in a matter of months. The government is now prioritizing randomized clinical trials of various vaccine candidates, including vaccines developed by Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer.

The agency, however, has started to manufacture the coronavirus strain. In typical clinical trials, healthy volunteers either receive the vaccine or a placebo and their health status is followed for months. On the other hand, in human challenge trials, the volunteers are exposed to the virus to test the vaccine has triggered an immune response against the virus.

Decision by the end of 2020

The approach has utilized in the past for other diseases such as malaria, typhoid, influenza, cholera, and dengue fever. In the U.S., some advocacy groups, such as 1DaySooner, support challenge studies for the coronavirus infection but have been faced with controversial reactions because of how severe the infection can be, and its effects are not fully understood.

"Should there be a need for human challenge studies to fully assess candidate vaccines or therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2, NIAID has begun investigations of the technical and ethical considerations of conducting human challenge studies," the agency statement said.

Drug firms, including Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca, said they would consider performing human challenge trials to determine if their candidate vaccines are effective if needed. This type of vaccine trial will not hasten the development of a vaccine, which is still about two years away before being approved.

The NIAID further emphasized that human challenge trials should not replace large-scale, Phase 3 trials. However, the health agency plans to decide by the end of 2020, when the last stage human trials will report their results, to determine if challenge tests are required.

Vaccines on their way

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that more than a hundred experimental vaccines were developed to combat SARS-CoV-2. Of these, 138 are in their preclinical evaluation, while 29 are now being trialed in various phases.

Six vaccines are now in the last phase of human trials, which were created by the University of Oxford/AstraZeneca, Sinovac, Wuhan Institute of Biological Products/Sinopharm, Beijing Institute of Biological Products/Sinopharm, Moderna/NIAID, and BioNTech/Fosun Pharma/Pfizer.

The coronavirus global toll

The coronavirus disease is still wreaking havoc across the globe, with 188 countries and territories affected. So far, the number of confirmed cases has topped 21.55 million people, with at least 772,000 deaths. The United States has the highest number of infections, with a staggering 5.39 million confirmed cases and more than 169,000 deaths.

Brazil and India follow with more than 3.31 million and 2.58 million cases, respectively. Brazil has a death toll of more than 107,000. Meanwhile, Russia's confirmed cases near one million, while South Africa, Peru, Mexico, and Colombia report more than 587,000, 525,000, 517,000, and 456,000 cases, respectively.
As UN Security Council rejected Americas resolution to indefinitely extend an arms embargo on Tehran, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani reportedly said that the US suffered a humiliating defeat. In a televised speech, Rouhani said that he doesnt remember the US preparing a resolution for months to strike a blow at the Islamic Republic of Iran, and it only garners one vote. He further added that the great success was that the United States was defeated in the conspiracy with humiliation.

Rouhanis statement came after that Trump administration reportedly threatened that it could initiate a snapback to reimpose all UN sanctions on Tehran. As per reports, in the 15-member council, US only received the support of the Dominican Republic, while Russia and China opposed. Others including Germany, France, the UK and eight others abstained.

READ: US Considers UNSC 'best Place' To Discuss Arms Embargo Against Iran

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo even said that the entire council, which is responsible to maintain international peace, has failed to uphold the basic duty. According to him, the rejection of a reasonable resolution of extending a 13-year-old arms embargo on Iran has paved the way for it to buy and sell conventional weapons.

Iran hails UNSCs decision

Meanwhile, Iran hailed the decision. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Abbas Mousavi said, There is no record in the 75-year history of the United Nations, where the United States was so isolated. He further added, "The American regime must learn from its absolute failures and stop disgracing itself at the United Nations, otherwise it will be isolated, even more so than now.

READ: Iran Hails UN Security Council's Decision On Arms Embargo, Takes Jibe At US

As per reports, only two votes in favour of the resolution were recorded in the 15-member council, while two rejected the resolution and 11 remained absent. The United States needed nine votes in favour for the adoption of the resolution, but it all seemed impossible even before the members went in to vote as Russia and China, the two permanent members, had already expressed their dissatisfaction with the draft text.

The UN blocked Iran from replacing its ageing equipment, much of which had been purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran was banned from buying foreign weapons amid tensions over its nuclear program. According to reports, the embargo was due to expire in October this year, which the United States wanted to be extended indefinitely.

READ: UN Security Council Rejects US Proposal To Extend Arms Embargo On Iran

READ: UN Voting On Indefinite Extension Of Arms Embargo On Iran
Israel, UAE agree to normalization of relations

Global Times

Source: Xinhua Published: 2020/8/15 0:22:27

Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed to the full normalization of relations, according to a joint statement of the United States, Israel, and the UAE on Thursday.

US President Donald Trump presented the joint statement on Twitter, which said "this historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders."

The statement said, "Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in the President's Vision for Peace and focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world."

Delegations from Israel and the UAE would meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements regarding various areas, said the statement.

Trump later told reporters at the White House that Israel and the UAE would have an "official" signing ceremony at the White House in the next few weeks.

The announcement makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state and only the third Arab nation, after Egypt and Jordan, to establish diplomatic ties with Israel.

Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the United States, said that the announcement "immediately stops annexation and the potential of violent escalation. It maintains the viability of a two-state solution as endorsed by the Arab League and international community."

A controversial Middle East peace plan unveiled by the Trump administration in January allowed Israel's annexation of areas of the West Bank, which led to strong opposition worldwide.

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Mauritania, which is part of the Arab League, on August 16 supported the United Arab Emirates' decision to sign an agreement with Israel to agree to normalise relations. According to the UAE's state-run news agency, Mauritania foreign ministry said that it trusts the "wisdom and good judgement' of the UAE leadership to sign a pact with Israel adding that Abu Dhabi enjoys absolute sovereignty and complete independence to take any such decision that concerns its relations and its national interests. Mauritania itself enjoyed good relations with Israel until it broke ties with the Jewish country following the Gaza war in 2009.

Read: Days After Deal With UAE, Anti-Netanyahu Protests Resume

Mauritania, a Muslim country, has supported UAE's decision to enter a US-brokered pact with Israel amid growing criticism from other major powers in the region, including Iran and Turkey. UAE became the third Arab world country to normalise relations with Israel after Egypt and Jordan. According to reports, Israel as part of the agreement has agreed to suspend its plans of annexing Palestinian territory. Turkey and Iran condemned UAE's decision, calling it a betrayal of the Palestinian cause. UAE responded by calling Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's comment as 'double standards', saying that Ankara itself enjoys a $2 billion bilateral trade with Tel Aviv part from the half a million Israeli tourists that visit Turkey.

Read: Hardliners In Tehran Protest UAE's Deal With Israel

UAE-Israel deal

On August 13, Israel and the United Arab Emirates along with the US released a joint statement that US President Donald Trump, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed agreed to the full normalisation of relations between UAE and Israel. Hamas, the de facto governing authority of the Gaza Strip, immediately denounced the agreement raising concerns about the Palestinian cause.

Read: Iran Threatens 'dangerous Future' For UAE After Israel Deal

Read: UAE Minister Dismisses Erdogan's Criticism Over Pact With Israel
MOGADISHU 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 Somalias 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 countrys 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 dont 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."

(Writing by Duncan Miriri; Editing by Katharine Houreld and Giles Elgood)

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
U.S. President, Donald Trump, has lost his younger brother, Robert, the White House announced in a statement on Saturday.

Robert, 71, died a day after the American president paid him an emotional visit on his hospital bed in New York.

It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight.

He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again.

His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace, Mr Trump said in the statement, which was silent on the cause of death.

According to reports, the deceased was a business executive and real estate developer, who avoided the spotlight, unlike the president.

Mr Trump, 74, had expressed worry over his brothers health during Fridays visit to him at the New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Centre. (NAN)
Trailblazing Afghan women's rights campaigner Fawzia Koofi, a member of the negotiating team that will hold peace talks with the Taliban, has been wounded in a gun attack near Kabul, officials said Saturday.

Gunmen opened fire on Koofi, 45, and her sister on Friday when they were returning from a meeting in the province of Parwan near the capital, interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian told AFP. Koofi, a former member of parliament and strong critic of the Taliban, was shot in her right hand, he said, adding that she was in a stable condition.

The Taliban denied they were involved in the attack on Koofi. The attack drew strong condemnation from Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani -- who described it as a "cowardly attack", according to his spokesman Sediq Seddiqi.

Abdullah Abdullah, who heads the national reconciliation council, called on Afghan authorities to bring "the perpetrators of the attack to justice". The chief of Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission, Shaharzad Akbar, also condemned the "horrific attack".

"Worrying pattern of targeted attacks that can negatively impact confidence in peace process," she wrote on Twitter. In recent months, there have been gun attacks against human rights activists and prosecutors in Kabul.

Koofi survived a previous assassination attempt in 2010, when gunmen fired at her as she was returning to the capital after an International Women's Day event.

She was among the few women in a pan-Afghan delegation that held several rounds of unofficial dialogue with the Taliban in 2019.

That dialogue came alongside separate negotiations between the Islamist militants and the United States in Qatar which finally led to the signing of an agreement between the two in February this year.

At the time, Koofi told AFP how she had received threats previously from militants just for wearing nail polish.

Pride and stress

Koofi is now one of four women negotiators in the Afghan team that will hold direct talks with the Taliban in the coming days. "I think this time we are going for serious talks," she told AFP this week. "There is a sense of pride... but in the meantime, it's a lot of stress.

"You have to really make sure that you are perfect in many ways." Koofi, a widow and mother of two daughters, was the first girl in her family to attend school. Her education was interrupted when she was forced out of medical college in 1996 as the Taliban stormed to power.

It was only after the US-led invasion in 2001 that she rose to prominence as a politician and in 2005, became the first woman to serve as the deputy speaker of Afghanistan's parliament. The talks with the Taliban are expected within days, aimed at ending the conflict that has ravaged Afghanistan for almost two decades.

Afghan authorities are currently releasing from jails some 400 Taliban militants, fulfilling a key demand from the insurgent group for any talks. But the release has raised widespread international concern as some of those militants are accused of killing scores of people including foreigners in deadly attacks.
Stock market investors in general don't seem all that concerned about the possibility of Joe Biden winning the White House in November. Stock prices have marched relentlessly higher in recent months, even as the former vice president maintains a lead over President Donald Trump in the polls.

But investors might want to think hard about the ramifications of a single-party sweep as the election approaches. They also might want to delve deeper into Biden's proposed tax agenda and possible impact on various industries.

Democratic presidents often are assumed to be less friendly to business and thus not favorable to stock prices. But in reality, stocks typically fare a bit better under Democrats than Republicans, various studies have found, although the results depend on how many elections you analyze.

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Jurrien Timmer, a director in Fidelity's global asset-allocation division, found that stocks did better early in a Republican presidency compared with a Democratic administration in his historical study. But over full four-year terms, the results were basically a dead heat, Timmer wrote in the report.

New Triller member: Trump campaign joins TikTok competitor Triller and its first video has nearly 1.2 million views

Student loan deferral: Should you send your kid to grad school to defer student loans?

Congressional makeup important

Maybe the bigger question is what happens to Congress. Currently, Democrats appear likely to retain control of the House this fall, with the Senate up for grabs.

"Stocks have tended to do their best when we have a split Congress," wrote Ryan Detrick, senior market strategist at LPL Financial. "Markets tend to like checks and balances to make sure one party doesnt have too much sway."

Since 1950, the Standard & Poor's 500 index has returned an average 17.2% annually during years of split Congresses, according to LPL Financial. That compares with 13.4% on average when Republicans control both the House and Senate and 10.7% when Democrats are in charge. Timmer found that a Democratic president and divided Congress represents the best outcome for investors, based on the historical record.

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Incidentally, the stock market tends to fare worse in the year or two after an election than during the two years preceding an election  a result on which the various studies tend to agree.

In the first year after an election, large stocks have returned about 7.9%, according to Timmer's report, rising successively to a 9.1% average gain in the fourth years, which also happen to be election years.

Biden's impact on industries

While the overall market might not be affected much by which party takes control of the White House, companies in certain industries could feel the repercussions.

For example, pharmaceutical companies appear to be lagging because of the possibility of a Biden victory, while various alternative-energy companies are on a roll, wrote Jack Ablin, chief investment officer at Cresset Asset Management, in a commentary.

Pharmaceutical makers could be hurt if Biden reinforces the Affordable Care Act to give the federal government more power to negotiate lower prescription drug prices.

"Negotiated pricing would likely dent health-care sector profits because, under the current system, most cost increases are borne by patients and their employers," Ablin said.

Many health-care stocks have struggled in recent months as a Biden victory has become more likely. "Large pharma has trailed the market since May, about the time when Biden gained a statistical advantage" in the polls, Ablin wrote.

Biden also supports a new financial-risk fee on megabanks, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. That, and the possibility of Sen. Elizabeth Warren being named as treasury secretary in a Biden administration, might explain why bank stocks have been lagging lately. The potential for more loan problems amid the coronavirus could be another factor weighing them down.

Potential boost to green energy

On the plus side, companies engaged in providing alternative energy could benefit if the Democrats' Green New Deal becomes policy. Biden supports electric vehicles, expanded charging stations and zero-emissions public transportation, Ablin wrote. Stocks including electric-vehicle maker Tesla, Vestas Wind Systems and Tempe, Arizona-based First Solar, which makes electricity-generating panels, have outperformed lately, he wrote.

Traditional oil and gas companies have been reeling from slumping demand triggered by reduced driving and air travel from the pandemic. They could face a further headwind from an antagonistic Biden administration.

"The presidential hopeful would seek to tax carbon emissions, end new oil and gas leases on federal land, and terminate offshore drilling," Ablin wrote. "Among all the industries, it seems that foreign and domestic fossil-fuel companies would be the most disadvantaged by a Biden presidency."

Possible income-tax changes ahead

A Biden victory also might alter the nation's income-tax code, especially if Democrats hang onto the House and wrest control of the Senate, making it more likely he could push his agenda through Congress.

Biden has proposed raising the top rate for individuals from 37% currently to 39.6%, where it stood prior to tax reform, according to a report from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. He also has advocated taxing long-term capital gains as ordinary income for high earners, while subjecting income above $400,000 to Social Security payroll taxes. Currently, taxes to support Social Security are levied on the first $137,700 in income only.

Upper-income Americans might face another headwind  possible elimination of the "step up" in basis. If that happens, more assets held by wealthy families might be subject to capital-gain taxes at death.

Conversely, Biden could create some new tax credits for renters and first-time home buyers and, possibly, a more generous credit for children and certain dependents.

In short, the Biden plan would increase taxes for the top 1% of Americans by between 13% and 18% and by 2% to 6% for those falling in the top one-fifth of household incomes, according to the committee's report. The impact on most other individuals would be minimal.

More on corporate taxes

Biden's plan would raise the corporate tax rate to 28% from 21% currently and impose minimum rates for domestic and foreign income, said the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. A higher corporate rate might take a bite out of profits, although a 28% rate still would be below the 35% corporate levy that applied before reform legislation enacted in 2017.

Biden's tax plan, if implemented, would "moderately slow the pace of economic growth," the committee predicted.

One interesting footnote is that higher corporate tax rates don't always hurt stock prices. In fact, since World War II, the federal government boosted corporate income-tax rates on five occasions, yet the S&P 500 index was up 12.9% on average 12 months later, according to Surevest Wealth Management in Phoenix.

"Most companies do not pay the maximum corporate tax rate; rather, their effective rates are much lower," Surevest explained.

Besides, many other factors also affect stock prices. Taxes and politics are just two pieces in the puzzle, albeit important ones.

Reach Wiles at russ.wiles@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: History suggests how a Biden presidency may affect the stock market
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden asserted that if elected, his administration will stand with New Delhi in confronting the threats it faces and called for strengthening the bond between India and the US.

Presidential elections in the US will held on November 3 and the 77-year-old is challenging incumbent Republican President Donald Trump in the polls. Fifteen years ago, I was leading the efforts to approve the historic civil nuclear deal with India. I said that if the US and India became closer friends and partners, then the world will be a safer place, Biden, who was vice-president in the Obama administration, said while addressing the Indian-American community on Indias Independence Day.

Also read | Not thrilled with everybody: Trump may ask for resignation of Cabinet if re-elected

If elected president, Biden said, he will continue to believe this and also continue to stand with India against the threats it faces from its own region and along its borders.

He said that he will work on expanding two-way trade between the two nations and take on big global challenges like climate change and global health security.

If elected, the Democratic candidate said, he will work to strengthen the democracies where diversity is the mutual strength.

On this day, let us continue to deepen the bond that endures between our nations and our people, Biden said. He said that as President, Ill also continue to rely on the Indian-American diaspora, that keeps our two nations together, as I have throughout my career. My constituents in Delaware, my staff in the Senate, the Obama administration that had more Indian-Americans than any other administration in the history of this country, and this campaign with Indian Americans at senior levels, which of course includes the top of the heap, our dear friend (Kamala Harris) who will be the first Indian American vice president in the history of the United States of America, Biden said.

Early this week, Biden scripted history by selecting Indian origin Senator Harris, 55, as his running mate in the US presidential election. Harris, whose father is an African from Jamaica and mother an Indian, is the first-ever Black vice-presidential nominee.

Also read: American weekly magazine apologizes for op-ed questioning Harris eligibility

We all know shes smart, shes tested, shes prepared. But another thing that makes Kamala so inspiring is her mothers immigrant story to the US that started in India, with pure courage that brought her daughters to this moment. I know the pride you feel. Its your story too, Biden said.

For your sacrifices, and your familys courage, you became pillars of our community and our country. Youre patriots and the frontlines of this pandemic. In this reckoning of systemic racism, youre making real real promise that America is a place where people of all races and religions can live together in peace, he said.

But I know its hard. I heart goes out to all those of you who have been the targets in a rise in hate crimes, and the crackdown of legal immigration, including a sudden and harmful actions on H-1B visas. That for decades have made America stronger and brought our nations closer, Biden said.

The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

While its sometimes may not feel like the US of your dreams, we will overcome and build back better than ever. Like (former President) Barack Obama had asked to me, Im asking Kamala Harris, to be the last person in the room to ask the tough questions of me, provide counsel, most of all to always represent the belief in possibilities, the former US vice president said.
Hong Kong: Container terminal cluster grows

(To watch the full press briefing with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Centre for Health Protection today said there are 34 new confirmed COVID-19 cases linked to the cluster at the Kwai Chung Container Terminal, of which 33 patients work for the same company.

The centres Communicable Disease Branch Head Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan told reporters at a press briefing this afternoon that as of today, 55 people working at the container terminal were confirmed to have contracted the virus. Among them, 41 are staff of the Wang Kee Port Operation Services Limited.

She explained that the resting room at the company concerned may have contributed to the spread of the virus.

They have a resting room with some beds, toilets, and showers, and workers share those facilities and sometimes sleep there to rest overnight. So, it is just like a hostel or a big family (area where) people share items and sleep in the same place.

So, that (arrangement) will contribute to the transmission (of COVID-19) because it is just like transmission within a family. If you share items, stay together and live together, then the chance of transmission is very high.

She added that it is also plausible that some infected workers may have spread the virus by coming into contact with workers from other companies that operate at the container terminal.

It is possible that the workers in Wang Kee Operation Services Limited may come in come into contact with workers from different companies during work. But, they said that while they are working they usually wear a mask and usually do not (take it off).

So, the chance of transmission may be higher when they take off their masks during rest (time), having lunch, breakfast or showers, etc.

Dr Chuang said in addition to sending more than 100 employees of the company concerned for quarantine, COVID-19 testing is underway after at least 10 companies reported confirmed cases among their staff.

Meanwhile, the centre is investigating another confirmed case which involved an Indonesian domestic helper who lived in Cheung Hing Mansion in Mong Kok last month.

Some other confirmed cases involving domestic helpers were recorded earlier concerning a hostel on another floor of the building.

For the Cheung Hing Mansion, because we are not sure how many such hostels (are) in those buildings, we will try to distribute (specimen) bottles (for collecting saliva samples) to try to test all the residents there in one go.

And, of course, we will try to ask the owner whether he has other similar places and whether we can trace the other helpers who have stayed at his place.

Including the above cases, the centre reported that there are a total of 74 new COVID-19 cases, of which 70 are locally transmitted.

Among the local cases, 50 are linked to previous ones while 20 are those with unknown sources of infection.

For information and health advice on COVID-19, visit the Government's dedicated webpage.

This story has been published on: 2020-08-16. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Thomas Kennedy remembers spending all day on the phone keeping up with excited new voters wanting to know how el caucus worked, ahead of the first Democratic primary contest in Iowa in February.

The most noticeable callers were highly motivated young mothers, part of a huge wave of Hispanic voters, activists and volunteers inspired to get involved in politics for the first time by passion for their candidate.

Related: Biden reaches out to Latino voters with plan to tackle inequalities

That candidate was Bernie Sanders. Kennedy, a progressive activist and former Sanders operative, has switched to support Joe Biden, who will this week become the Democratic nominee for president, but worries whether Biden can win over valuable young progressives underwhelmed by his moderate politics.

Bernie talked directly to peoples material needs, said Kennedy. The clear populist promises of universal healthcare and cancelling student debt in particular caught fire, Kennedy said.

And expansive outreach and slogans like Nuestro Futuro, Nuestra Lucha!  Our Future, Our Struggle  clicked with the cohort who nicknamed Sanders Tio Bernie (Uncle Bernie).

Related: What if all young people voted? (2018)

For the first time, Latinos are poised to be the nations largest non-white ethnic voting bloc in the 2020 election, with a large young cohort among the estimated 32 million eligible to vote  a record.

Democrats know that their support is crucial to winning the White House  and potentially both chambers of Congress  but concerns remain over whether Biden can not only persuade young progressives who were energized by Sanders, but mobilize Latinos in decisive numbers at a moment when the coronavirus and economic crises are disproportionately hurting communities of color.

The Biden campaign must reach young people, Maria Teresa Kumar, the president of Voto Latino, a political organization focused on voter engagement. Because if youre not reaching young people, you are not reaching the Latino community.

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A survey published last month by Voto Latino and pollster Latino Decisions found that only 60% of Latino voters in six battleground states say they definitely plan to vote, and fewer than half say they are extremely motivated and enthusiastic about doing so.

Though the poll was conducted before many of Trumps recent comments on immigration and the coronavirus, it found enthusiasm for Biden waning, particularly among young Latinos. His support among Latino voters slipped to 60% from 67% in February. By comparison, 73% of Latino voters supported Hillary Clinton at this point in 2016.

When I worked for Bernie, it wasnt about electing one person. It was about a movement, Belen Sisa, a former Sanders press secretary, said. I dont feel that from Joe Biden.

Bernie Sanders signs autographs at an event in Santa Ana, California, in February. Photograph: Damian Dovarganes/AP

Since the primary, Biden has appeared to move to the left on key policies important to young Latinos. He has embraced a $2tn climate plan, though not the Green New Deal, and pledged an ambitious overhaul of Trumps immigration orders, and an economic agenda centered on racial equality.

Weve moved the needle a bit, Sisa said.

But, like many progressives, she is frustrated by Bidens reluctance to embrace Medicare for All, the universal healthcare policy that she says would reduce health disparities for Latinos, who are among the countrys most uninsured. And he has refused to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice), the agency carrying out hardline Trump anti-immigration policies at the US-Mexico border and in raids in US cities.

Sisa also said Sanders campaign invested more, much earlier, to cultivate Latino voters.

Chuck Rocha, the architect of Sanders ambitious Latino outreach strategy, is now applying some of the tactics used to win Hispanics voters in primary contests from Iowa to California, to help Biden beat Trump in November.

After Biden won the primary, Rocha founded Nuestro Pac, a Democratic Super Pac that will target Latino voters in Michigan, Wisconsin, Florida, Nevada and Pennsylvania.

Part of our work is spreading the message that Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden agree 75% to 80% of the time, Rocha said.

The Biden campaign recently made other high-profile hires including Julie Chavez Rodriguez, the granddaughter of civil rights hero Cesar Chavez, and Matt Barreto, the founder of Latino Decisions, a top Democratic polling firm. The campaign has also hired Republican strategist Ana Navarro.

Bidens platform aimed at Hispanic voters  Todos con Biden  focuses on healthcare, education and reversing Trumps anti-immigration agenda. Biden has promised to reinstate the Daca program of rights and protections for undocumented young people, and send a bill to Congress on day one that would create a path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US.

Weve brought in the A-team to ensure that we engage Latinos and compete for every single vote in November Cristobal Alex

He has also pledged a 100-day moratorium on deportations.

During the primary campaign, Biden was repeatedly confronted by immigration activists who demanded contrition for the more than 3 million deportations carried out while he was vice-president.

You should vote for Trump, Biden told one critic. Weeks later, he was obliged to apologize for the pain caused by the policies.

Earlier this week, prominent Latino politicians, activists and organizations applauded the selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate. Harris, the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, represents California, which has the largest population of Hispanic voters in the nation.

Domingo Garcia, president of Lulac, the oldest Hispanic organization in the US, said: She [Harris] knows what Dreamers are facing, the impact Covid-19 is having on black and brown communities, and the contributions immigrants are making to the economy of the United States.

He described the Biden-Harris ticket as looking to the future, and the changing demographics in the United States.

Related: Explainer: what is Daca and who are the Dreamers?

The campaign hailed her efforts to stop the Trump administration separating undocumented families crossing the US-Mexico border and sponsoring legislation to help victims of Hurricane Maria, which decimated Puerto Rico in 2017.

But her record as district attorney and attorney general in California has prompted disquiet among some progressives.

Meanwhile, leading Democratic figures say Trumps handling of the public heath crisis and the economic slump, allied to his xenophobia, is driving voters away from the Republicans.

Donald Trumps cruelty is backfiring on him, said Julian Castro, the only Latino candidate in the Democratic primary race.

Castro believes frustration with the president could have a significant effect in battleground states such as Arizona, Florida and his native Texas, where coronavirus is wreaking havoc.

More people are getting sick, and more people are dying, said Castro, whose stepmother died from coronavirus. Thats not going unnoticed.

And yet strategists say antipathy for Trump is not enough.

It has to be this is why you should vote for Joe Biden, said Nathalie Rayes, the president and chief executive of Latino Victory.

Elsewhere, voting by mail, likely the safest way to cast a ballot during a pandemic, presents another hurdle for Latino voters. Overall, Latinos have said they had little experience and low confidence in the security of voting by mail, according to the Latino Decisions survey.

That was a big code red for us, said Kumar. Especially where there is no habit of voting by mail.

The Biden campaign has pivoted sharply to Latinos, but is it too little too late?

Cristobal Alex, Bidens senior campaign adviser, and the former president of the Latino Victory Fund, said Latinos are essential to winning the White House.

Julian Castro, the only Latino candidate in the Democratic race. He dropped out early and threw his support behind Elizabeth Warren. Photograph: Carlo Allegri/Reuters

Weve brought in the A-team to ensure that we engage Latinos and compete for every single vote as we go into November, he said. Thats a very dramatic scale-up in staffing, and thats also being reflected in the organizing at every level of the campaign. Its an indication of just how seriously the campaign takes the Latino vote.

Alex said it is understandable that in the midst of a national crisis, which he says has been made worse by Trumps extraordinarily divisive presidency, many Latinos are not yet fully engaged in the election. But he is confident that will change.

Over the past several weeks, the campaign has significantly ramped up its outreach, touting a culturally competent advertising strategy that includes younger English-heavier speakers and older Spanish speakers.

In an effort to reflect the diversity of the Hispanic electorate, the campaign is micro-targeting Latinos by region and ethnicity. For example, the narrator in an ad running in Arizona has a Mexican accent, while the same ad running in Miami features a narrator with a Cuban accent. But some say, as a strategy, it needs more fine tuning.

Federico de Jesus, a Democratic strategist and former Obama campaign spokesperson, said: Its the start of something that should evolve, not just translating the ads, [but also] targeting issues. The VP has talked about giving TPS to Venezuelans, it would be great if they had that in an ad.

The temporary protected status (TPS) government program is designed to prevent foreign nationals from being deported back to countries facing threatening conditions such as civil unrest or the aftermath of a devastating natural disaster.

Microtargeting with accents is a necessary principle of outreach, said De Jesus, and has been used since Obamas 2008 run to the White House. But more cultural nuances need to be included now, De Jesus said. He pointed at a successful ad by the Trump campaign after liberals began to boycott Goya, the canned food brand, citing its impressive depth and authenticity.

Related: As he struggles in the polls, Trump reaches for the racist playbook again

Its content was reprehensible, but it used a specific slang that a millennial Puerto Rican woman would use. So its not just the accent or the policy, but the words and the music, said De Jesus.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is due to speak at the Democratic national convention this week, fresh from being a member of the Biden-Sanders policy taskforce created after the primary in an effort to unify the party against Trump. Sanders, Michael Bloomberg and Andrew Yang will speak, too, but as of Friday, Julian Castro had not been scheduled.

And with the stakes so high, the latest ad from the group Americas Progressive Promise is narrated by Sanders, who says: Every person who voted for me or the other candidates  understands that Donald Trump is the most dangerous president in the history of our country.

Its absolutely imperative that we come together and defeat him, and defeat him badly.

The spot concludes by declaring that Biden would be the most progressive president since FDR.
Two young men were shot while in a vehicle on U.S. Highway 27 North early Saturday morning. One is in critical condition.

At approximately 12:34 a.m., Chattanooga Police responded to 2 Hwy 27 North on a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers located an unoccupied vehicle on the shoulder of the roadway with damage consistent with being caused by gunshots.

Officers responded to the hospital and confirmed the victim was a 21-year-old male who was suffering from life-threatening injuries connected to the incident on Hwy. 27 While investigating the vehicle, officers were notified of a person who had arrived at a local hospital with gunshot wounds.Officers responded to the hospital and confirmed the victim was a 21-year-old male who was suffering from life-threatening injuries connected to the incident on Hwy. 27

A second victim, 20, was also located at the hospital, suffering from non-life threatening injuries.

Investigators with the Violent Crimes Bureau responded to conduct an investigation. Investigators were able to determine that both victims were in the same vehicle.

Based on preliminary information gathered, Investigators do not believe that this was a random act of violence.
 Flash

Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak and visiting U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed an agreement on Saturday for the expansion of the U.S. military presence and the creation of a regional headquarter in Poland.

They signed the so-called Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), a legal framework that deepens military cooperation between the two countries.

The core of the new agreement consists of the opening of a base in Poland for the 5th Corps of the U.S. Army, which is expected to open in 2021. The total number of American soldiers in Poland will increase by 1,000 to around 5,500.

Blaszczak told Polish Press Agency that the deal will cost Poland around 113 million euros (134 million U.S. dollars). "Like other countries with a United States military presence, Poland guarantees and pays for military quarters, sustenance, a yearly allowance of fuel, storage of select equipment and armaments, and infrastructure," he said.
David Cronenberg feels as though Francis Ford Coppola purposefully sabotaged Crash's Cannes chances (Image by Recorded Picture Company)

David Cronenberg has accused Francis Ford Coppola of sabotaging Crashs chance of winning the Palme Dor at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival.

Cronenberg told The Canadian Press, via ET Canada, that, after his films premiere at the renowned event, the legendary Oscar winning director went out of his way to tell other voters not to support his controversial adaptation of J.G. Ballards book.

Crash was so divisive that the festival created a Special Jury Award especially for the film. Cronenberg believes that only Coppola had a problem with it, though.

Read more: David Cronenberg to Play God in Sci-Fi Indie 'Tomorrow's Shadows'

Coppola was totally against it. I think he was the primary one. When Im asked why [Crash] got this Special Jury Award, well, I think it was the jurys attempt to get around the Coppola negativity, because they had the power to create their own award without the presidents approval. And thats how they did it, but it was Coppola who was certainly against it.

U.S. director David Cronenberg poses on the red carpet as he arrives for the Rome Film Festival October 23, 2008. REUTERS/Max Rossi (ITALY)

So much so that, Cronenberg says Coppola wouldnt even hand him the award during the final closing night ceremony... He had someone else hand it to me. He wouldnt do it himself.

Cronenberg says that he has actually run into Coppola several times since this incident, who has repeatedly tried to defend the decision to give Crash this special prize.

Read more: David Cronenberg Horror Rabid To Be Remade By Soska Sisters

The strange thing is that Ive run into him several times at various festivals. Always the first thing he says is: Remember, we gave you this award. I swore to myself that the next time he said that, I was going to remind him that he was not amongst those who wanted to give [Crash] a prize.

Cronenberg even went as far as to call Coppola petty, adding, I was president of the [Cannes] jury as well. You always end up with awards that maybe you dont think are justified, but your team jury members do. You have to be gracious about it. I dont think he was very gracious.
As the economy stares at a recession in 2020-21, job creation will be a big challenge in urban India where the unemployment rate in early August, though better than the previous months, is still higher than rural India.

The situation could become more acute as millions of migrants who had returned to their villages during the lockdown come back to the towns for higher wages and better livelihoods. This has spurred some thinking within government on offering some sort of urban livelihood scheme to create jobs. This crisis has highlighted the issue of migrant workers in urban ...
The logo of Wirecard AG is pictured at its headquarters in Aschheim

By John O'Donnell and Hans Seidenstuecker

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - German regulatory officials bought and sold Wirecard shares in ever higher volumes as the payments company edged towards collapse, the German government has revealed, prompting fresh criticism of the agency that polices finance.

Responding to questions posed by Green party lawmakers investigating what authorities did to avert Germany's biggest stock market fraud, the government said staff in Bafin, which monitors banks, had invested in Wirecard <WDIG.DE> shares.

The implosion of what was seen as a rare German technology success story once worth $28 billion has caused major embarrassment, with experts and politicians criticising what they see as a hands-off approach on the part of the authorities.

Allegations of fraud at Wirecard had been doing the rounds for years though German prosecutors long focused on investigating the investors and journalists who had highlighted irregularities rather than the company itself.

In its answer, the German finance ministry said one fifth of Bafin staff had engaged in some kind of investment activity in 2019 and 2020, with an increasing interest in Wirecard in the months ahead of its collapse.

In the six months to the end of June, 2.4% of investment activity by Bafin staff related to buying and selling Wirecard stock or derivatives, up from 1.7% in 2019 and 1.2% in 2018.

Danyal Bayaz, one of the lawmakers who tabled the questions, said Bafin's compliance controls needed to be examined, and other lawmakers were similarly critical.

"The trading in Wirecard by Bafin staff is surprising and raises questions, such as the size of the trades and whether officials who traded had insider knowledge," said Florian Toncar, a lawmaker in the German parliament.

The finance ministry said Bafin had strict controls in place to guard against insider trading. In its answers, it said the spike was not unusual, given the volatility in Wirecard's shares and media reports about the firm. Bafin declined to comment.

Last month, German prosecutors arrested three former top executives of Wirecard, saying it suspected them of masterminding a criminal racket to fake the companys accounts and cheat creditors out of billions of euros.

The political fallout has also reached Chancellor Angela Merkel after her office said she raised Wirecards proposed takeover of a Chinese company during a visit to the country last September, although she was unaware of the irregularities at the time.

(Additional reporting by Christian Kraemer in Berlin; Writing By John O'Donnell; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has been recognised internationally by Forbes, which commended the banks efforts towards its human capital and showcased it as best practice.

In a case study drafted by Mark D. Nevins, a contributor at Forbes, and co-written by Mohamed Matar, General Manager at EMIC Training, it was highlighted how NBB continued to prioritise the development of its people, despite the current situation, by providing digital alternatives such as e-learning and virtual training, which was driven by both the HR department and the executive team.

Commenting on the recognition, Jean-Christophe Durand, Chief Executive Officer of NBB said: I would like to congratulate all our team members at NBB for their continued dedication towards their career growth and personal development, as it has directly contributed to the Bank being recognised on an international scale. This stands testament to the success of our approach towards our human capital and providing them with the necessary resources to become a high-performing workforce.

As the local bank, the development of our national talent remains a strategic priority, and we will continue working towards ensuring that our staff are empowered and able to continue on their path towards professional progression despite the circumstance, to create future leaders in the banking industry.

As part of these efforts, the bank maintained employee engagement and provided employees with a revamped internal training model creating training opportunities across a number of topics, including coping mechanisms to support them with adjusting to the current situation, alongside other carefully curated topics to benefit them on their career path.

This approach empowered them to take responsibility of their career progression through the training sessions which were migrated online as part of NBBs drive towards increased digitalisation, allowing increased flexibility and accessibility when taking part in the sessions. The Bank also ensured that the momentum of company-wide recruiting and succession planning efforts were not hindered by the pandemic.-- Tradearabia News Service
Kamala Harris' selection as the Democratic vice-presidential candidate has evoked mixed reactions from the influential Indian-Americans, with a majority of them expressing unfavourable opinions about the Indian-American senator's track record and her stance towards India and the community.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden scripted history on Wednesday by selecting 55-year-old Harris, an Indian-American and an African-American, as his running mate in the election on November 3.

Born to a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, California Senator Harris, if elected, would be the first woman vice president ever for the country.

While her nomination has filled many aspiring women, particularly young women of colour, with joy across the globe, Harris' selection has also generated mixed reactions from about 3.9 million Indian-Americans, both Republicans and indecisive voters, who believe she lacks understanding of what she stands for and does not consider herself as a woman of Indian origin.

After talking to various Indian-American groups, they all seem proud but have doubts at large on her handling of various critical issues towards the community and India.

Radha Dixit, the founding member of Indo-American Conservatives of Texas, said, "The Democratic Party's reliance on 'Identity politics' has undermined her campaign because the focus has shifted to her being Indian, Asian, Jamaican, African-American and a woman of colour. Divisions in these communities are now coming to surface. Nowhere did Kamala try to claim her Hindu or Indian heritage but people are thrusting their values on her".

"If the Democratic Party platform and Kamala Harris's position on policy issues are the basis for deciding this election as it should be, no conservatives, men or women, will support this ticket," Dixit said.

Padma Shri awardee Subhash Kak, Regents Professor Emeritus at the prestigious Oklahoma State University is pleased with Harris' selection but is not happy with her political affiliation.

"But I'm disappointed with her political positions that are not India-friendly and are far to the left on the political spectrum. In this, she appears to be consistent with Joe Biden who has adopted an agenda that does not acknowledge the need for a special relationship between the United States and India," Kak said.

Aditya Satsangi, founder Americans4Hindus, a SuperPAC organisation that represents the interests of Hindus, strongly believes that Harris is a major deception planned by the Democrats to divide the Indian-American votes.

"She has always claimed to be of African descent rather than Indian and her record as an attorney in California is highly questionable. She has in fact promoted corruption in California," Satsangi said.

Founder of the 'Living Planet Foundation' Kusum Vyas considers Harris' nomination as refreshing but questions her track record.

"She has solid credentials, but do we need to support a person who is a known critic of India's Kashmir policy and has a strong leaning towards Pakistan. She has recommended abolishing the legal immigration process and supports illegal immigration which hurts people from countries like India, who come here legally," Vyas said.

"Harris is a supporter of the anti-India, anti-Hindu brigade, who calls herself Black, hates Indian side of her family, never recognised herself as an Indian," said Radhika Sud from Atlanta.

She is unaware of the atrocities of Kashmiri Hindus and has aligned with Pakistan. won't vote for pro-Pak, pro-China Harris, just because her mother happens to be an Indian, she said.

"I would evaluate her on her past policies towards American Hindus and her future approach towards the community. On the first account, I do not see her having given any significant contribution. As for the future posture of the Biden campaign, I am concerned about the public bias they have shown against the American Hindu minority with their policy pronouncements," said Utsav Chakrabarti, Executive Director HInduPACT.

Rajiv Verma, a Houston community activist, believes that with Harris as Vice President, the Biden campaign has willfully forfeited any hopes to get the Indian-American votes as she opposes both removal of Article 370 and passage of the new citizenship amendment act by the Indian parliament.

"Harris' uninformed comments on Kashmir are interference in another sovereign country's internal matter and are setting up a dangerous precedent for American The fact that the Democrats have shown no understanding of why India has taken the steps it has, makes me think they are purposely being obtuse. How is implementing the Constitution of a sovereign nation across the country discriminatory?" asks Professor Amulya Gurtu of Green Bay, California.

"Harris needs to brush up her knowledge of Indo-US relations, failing which the votes of admiring are not likely to translate into votes for the blue ticket. The present Indo-US relations with Modi-Trump chemistry is at its peak since centuries and Indo-American voters are happy with that," said Subhash Razdan, Chairman and Co-Founder of Gandhi Foundation USA, in Atlanta.

"My decision not to support Kamala has nothing whatsoever to do with whether she identifies as Indian or Black. It's about all the Democrats, including her & Biden, toeing the line for vile Kashmiri terrorists in my ancestral homeland of Kashmir," said Dr Vasudev Patel, president Federation of Indian-American Association.

(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.)
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin is expected to appear as a keynote speaker at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, joining 16 other rising stars within the party.

The group will give the joint-keynote speech to virtual attendees, breaking with the long-held tradition of only having one speaker. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren spoke in 2016 while President Barack Obama gave the keynote address in 2004, then a Senator from Illinois.

Mayor Woodfin, three years in to his first term, said in a recent tweet that he was honored and humbled to be selected.

I'm honored and humbled to join 16 fellow servant leaders in presenting the @DNC keynote address this Tuesday. #LeadershipMattershttps://t.co/2yIynr1k8r  Randall Woodfin (@randallwoodfin) August 16, 2020

The theme of the speech will be Leadership Matters, according to convention officials.

The convention keynote has always been the bellwether for the future of our party and our nation, and when Americans tune in next week theyll find the smart, steady leadership we need to meet this critical moment, convention chief executive officer Joe Solmonese said in a statement.

Stacy Abrams, the high-profile former Georgia House of Representatives minority leader and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate, is the arguably the best-known politician among the group.

Other members of the keynote group include candidates from tight U.S. House of Representatives races in Texas and Pennsylvania, as well as mayors, U.S. Senators and numerous state-level politicians from all over the country.

The convention will last four days.

Sen. Doug Jones will be speaking on Monday along with a host of others, according to a report Tuesday morning by The Washington Post.
Photo: The Canadian Press People take part in a protest outside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's constituency office in Montreal, Saturday, August 15, 2020, where they called on the government to give residency status to all migrant workers and asylum seekers.

Doll Jean Frejus Nguessan Bi says he couldn't sleep at all last night.

The asylum seeker from Ivory Coast works as a security guard in hospitals and long-term care homes in the Montreal area, where he watched many of his colleagues stop coming in as deaths linked to COVID-19 began to mount this spring.

But while Nguessan Bi kept working, he said he found out Friday that he would be excluded from a new government program to fast-track the permanent residency applications of some asylum seekers working on the front lines during the pandemic.

"Why (not) us? We who gave our hearts and our love... Why are we abandoned?" he said in an interview at a protest camp across the street from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Montreal riding office Saturday. "What did we do to deserve this?"

Ottawa announced Friday that asylum seekers working in specific jobs in the health-care sector would be eligible for permanent residency without first having to wait for their asylum claims to be accepted, as is typically the process.

Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said the move came in response to public demand for so-called "Guardian Angels"  many in Quebec  to be recognized for their work.

"They demonstrated a uniquely Canadian quality in that they were looking out for others and so that is why is today is so special," Mendicino said in an interview Friday afternoon.

But asylum seekers and their supporters say Ottawa's plan excludes thousands of workers without permanent status in Canada who have laboured on the front lines during the pandemic, often at great personal risk to themselves and their families.

That includes security guards and janitorial staff, factory workers, and farm labourers, among others.

"I have friends who worked with me in security that abandoned (their posts) because they were afraid of getting infected. But I stayed," said Nguessan Bi.

He said he wants Trudeau and Quebec Premier Francois Legault to do something to help asylum seekers who are not eligible for the new program.

Several dozen people rallied in front of Trudeau's office on Saturday to demand permanent residency for all asylum seekers.

"It's an act of recognition. They deserve status," Joseph Clormeus, a member of Debout pour la dignite, a Montreal advocacy group that organized the rally, told the crowd.

Anite Presume, a Haitian asylum seeker who came to Quebec in August 2017 from the United States, was among the protesters.

She works in a medication factory, and said she kept working during the pandemic despite the risks.

"To take the bus, we were all stressed, but we still went to work because it was essential. They needed medication for the hospitals," she said in an interview.

She said she has not received a response yet to her application for asylum in Canada, and lives under a cloud of uncertainty and stress about her future.

"It's a feeling of rejection," Presume said, about not being included in Ottawa's regularization program. "They rejected us as if we did nothing."

To apply for residency under the new program, applicants must have claimed asylum in Canada prior to March 13 and have spent no less than 120 hours working as an orderly, nurse or another designated occupation between the date of their claim and Aug. 14.

They must also demonstrate they have six months of experience in the profession before they can receive permanent residency and have until the end of August 2021 to meet that requirement.

The program was the result of negotiations between the federal government and Quebec, who have had a strained relationship on the question of immigration, and in particular the asylum claimants, in recent years.

Public support has been building for asylum seekers' demand for permanent residency after it was revealed that refugee claimants were among those toiling in Quebec's long-term care facilities, which were hard-hit by COVID-19.

 With files from Stephanie Levitz in Ottawa
BEIRUT (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron plans to return to Beirut on Sept. 1 to follow up on the reconstruction efforts after the catastrophic blast which destroyed parts of Beirut last week, French Defense Minister Florence Parly said Friday.

Parly, speaking after a tour of the French helicopter-carrier Tonnerre which arrived earlier in the day in the devastated port of Beirut, also called on the Lebanese to form a government capable of taking "courageous decisions."

She described the ship as a "floating city" which can provide all kind of medical and technical support, including a hospital, search and rescue equipment, construction materials and also transporting a shipment of flour.

The government of Prime Minister Hassan Diab, which has the backing of the Iran-aligned Hezbollah, resigned in the wake of the explosion.

(Reporting by Maher Chmaytelli; Editing by Toby Chopra)
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows isn't satisfied with the lack of evidence pointing to widespread voter fraud. From his perspective, there also isn't evidence that there's not widespread fraud.

Meadows made the comment during an appearance Sunday on CNN's State of the Union, during which host Jake Tapper asked him about President Trump's push to squash state's efforts to implement universal mail-in voting during the coronavirus pandemic. Meadows denied allegations that the president was attempting to undermine the post office to manipulate the voting process and expressed openness to a standalone bill that would expand postal aid, but he did repeat Trump's unsubstantiated claims that mail-in voting is a gateway to fraud.

Tapper took issue with Meadows' reasoning, arguing that prosecutors generally find it quite easy to discover fraud.

Here's the video: Tapper: "Theres no evidence of widespread voter fraud." COS Meadows: "There's no evidence that there's not either." pic.twitter.com/NcovJf1kzf  Eugene Daniels (@EugeneDaniels2) August 16, 2020

Either way, The Washington Post earlier this summer analyzed mail-in data collected by three states and found the rate of possible cases was miniscule.

A Washington Post analysis of data collected by three vote-by-mail states found that officials identified just 372 possible cases of fraud out of about 14.6 million votes cast by mail in the 2016 and 2018 general elections, or 0.0025 percent. https://t.co/oc9um9vEuZ  JM Rieger (@RiegerReport) June 11, 2020

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 22:59:00|Editor: huaxia

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BAGHDAD, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Health Ministry on Sunday reported 4,348 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily increase since the outbreak of the disease, while the health authorities decided the partial curfew to be imposed seven days a week.

The 4,348 cases brought the total nationwide infections to 176,931, as the ministry's health teams and institutions have used 19,278 testing kits across the country during the day, the highest daily tests so far, raising the total testing kits used so far to 1,282,928, the ministry said in a statement.

It also reported 75 fatalities during the day, raising the death toll from the virus to 5,860, while 2,674 more patients recovered in the day, bringing the total number of recoveries to 125,374.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Health Minister Hazim al-Jumaili said in a press release that the Iraqi Higher Committee for Health and National Safety decided to cancel the weekly three-day full curfew to replace them with partial curfew every week.

He said that the committee, headed by Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, also reduced the partial curfew hours to be from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, Iraq has been taking measures to contain the pandemic.

China has been helping Iraq fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

From March 7 to April 26, a Chinese team of seven medical experts spent 50 days in Iraq to help contain the disease, during which they helped build a PCR lab and install an advanced CT scanner in Iraq's capital Baghdad.

Since March 7, China has also sent three batches of medical aid to Iraq. Enditem
A historic Sydney bridge will be torn down despite opposition from residents and a local council which says it should be turned into a tourist attraction.

A Transport for NSW spokesman said the demolition of the Old Windsor bridge, built in 1874, will begin later this month and take three months.

The state government said demolition of the old Windsor Bridge will begin this month despite opposition from residents and Hawkesbury City Council. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

It has been replaced by a new bridge across the Hawkesbury River at a cost of $137 million, which includes around $2 million to knock down the heritage-listed bridge.

Hawkesbury mayor Barry Calvert said the council had asked the state government to halt the demolition to fully explore the vast opportunities the bridge could provide to attract tourists.
LUCKNOW/ LAKHIMPUR KHERI Two men have been arrested for the rape and murder of a 13-year-old girl in a village in Lakhimpur Kheri district, police said on Sunday.

While some reports had suggested that the accused had gouged out the girls eyes and cut her tongue, district superintendent of police Satendra Kumar denied these claims.

According to police, the incident took place on Friday afternoon, when the two accused dragged the Dalit girl into a sugarcane field on finding her alone.

Initial investigation revealed that the assailants dragged the girl into the sugarcane field after finding her alone on Friday afternoon. The duo raped and strangled her to conceal the crime. We zeroed in on the duo on the basis of the statement of the girls family members and other witnesses, Abhishek Pratap, Dhaurahra area circle officer (CO) said.

The post mortem report established strangulation after rape as the cause of death, the officer said. The scarf used to strangle her was found near the spot, he added.

Kumar said that there was no mention of mutilation of the girls body in the post-mortem report.

Sections of rape and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act have been added to the FIR, was earlier filed under IPC section 302 for murder and a section of SC/ST Act (for atrocities against person belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe), the SP said.

The process of slapping National Security Act against the two accused has also been initiated, the SP added.

Meanwhile, a political controversy has erupted in the state after the crime came to light, with opposition parties hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled state government for the alleged rise in atrocities against women and children.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, UP Congress president Lallu Singh, former Congress MP Jitin Prasada and several other leaders condemned the incident.

Taking to Twitter, Yadav said, The rape and murder of a teenage girl in Lakhimpur Kheri is an incident which has shaken humanity. In the BJP rule, atrocities on children and women are at an all-time high.

Why is the BJP government shielding those who are involved in rape, kidnapping, murder and other crime, the former state chief minister asked.

Prasada said: The inhuman act with a girl has put humanity to shame. This is an extremely saddening incident. In this episode, the police must initiate such a strong action that it becomes a deterrent for criminals. In a tweet in Hindi, Prasada asked, What was the police doing that such a big incident took place. Action must be taken against the guilty persons. The safety of the family (of the girl) should be looked into.

Mayawati demanded strict action against the guilty. What is the difference between the SP government and the present BJP government... The BSP demands that the government should initiate strong action against the guilty in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident and also in the Azamgarh incident.

She was referring to the murder of village head in Azamgarh recently.

(WITH AGENCY INPUTS)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-17 04:14:44|Editor: huaxia

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A Palestinian worker is seen at a power plant in central Gaza Strip, on Aug. 17, 2020. Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority (PNERA) on Aug. 16 warned that Gaza Strip's only power plant would run out of fuel by Tuesday after Israel shut down the border crossing last week. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH/GAZA, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority (PNERA) on Sunday warned that Gaza Strip's only power plant would run out of fuel by Tuesday after Israel shut down the border crossing last week.

Zafer Milhem, head of the PNERA, said in a press statement the Gaza Strip's only power plant would stop operating if no fuel is imported through Israeli controlled crossings, warning of grave consequences on vital sectors.

The statement said that the closure of Karm Abu Salem crossing, which is the commercial border crossing between Israel and Gaza, is the reason why no industrial fuel to run Gaza's only power plant has been allowed in since last Wednesday.

Power supply deficit in the coastal enclave is over 75 percent, according to the statement by PNERA, which could cripple all aspects of life in the blockaded Gaza Strip.

Milhem urges the international community to shoulder its responsibilities in preventing what he described as "disastrous consequences." Enditem
Lukashenko alleged that the men had been sent to Belarus to destabilize the country, but security analysts have said its likely they were using Minsk as a transit hub to Africa  a common practice that would have been cleared with authorities in Belarus. In what appeared to be a gesture to Moscow, the alleged mercenaries were released on Friday.
As the demand for a CBI probe in Sushant Singh Rajput's case intensifies, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has said that the Maharashtra government will abide by SC's order. The Supreme Court is likely to give its decision in this case next week.

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Saturday said that the Maharashtra government will act according to the Supreme Court order in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case. In the Sushant Singh Rajput death case, affidavits have been submitted by all the parties in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court will give its decision in this case next week and then we will work accordingly, he said.

Notably, the Central Bureau of Investigation has registered an FIR against actor Rhea Chakraborty and others in connection with the actors death after the Centre accepted Bihar governments recommendation to transfer the probe in the matter from Patna. An FIR was registered in Patna on a complaint filed by KK Singh, Rajputs father, under Sections related to abetment to suicide. The actor was found dead in his at his Mumbai residence on June 14.

Vikas Singh, lawyer of the late actor Sushant Singhs father on Saturday raised suspicion on the post mortem report of Rajput and said that the report does not mention the time of death which is a crucial detail. The post mortem report that I have seen does not mention the time of death which is a crucial detail. Whether Sushant was hung after being killed or he died by hanging can be cleared with the time of death. Mumbai Police and Cooper Hospital will have to answer these questions. CBI enquiry is needed in this matter to know the truth, Singh told ANI.

Also Read: Whose cowardice allowed China to take our land: Rahul Gandhi takes jibe at PM Modi

Also Read: 13-year-old girl gang-raped and murdered in UPs Lakhimpur Kheri, cops to invoke NSA against accused

Singh alleged that the case is being politicised. I think Mumbai police is a professional force. But, it can only perform professionally when ministers allow it to do so. In high-profile cases like this one, politicians interfered and became a hindrance for police to their duty professionally, he said.

Commenting upon actor Rhea Chakrabortys involvement in the case, Singh said, Nobody sends money directly into accounts of such [Chakraborty] persons. They do the transaction in cash or via the third party. It might have happened that somebody had sent money to Chakraborty. If her film did not become a hit, there was no modelling assignment, no show or ad contract in which she has earned, then how did she get money into her account? She needs to explain this, otherwise, ED will seize the money.

Meanwhile, Singh said that actor Ankita Lokhande is returning the money of the flat to Sushants family. I have talked to Rajputs family and they informed me that Sushant and Ankita Lokhande had purchased two different flats after deciding that both will give 50 per cent EMIs. Both flats were merged later. After their breakup, Sushant was no longer living there, but flat is still there. Lokhande is now returning money to family. There is nothing for ED to investigate into her account, Singh said.

Enforcement Directorate (ED) officer on Friday had said that Equated Monthly Installments (EMIs) of a flat where Lokhande used to stay, was deducted from Rajputs bank account. The agency had on July 31 registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in the case after FIR was filed by KK Singh, the late actors father, against Chakraborty in Bihar on July 28.

In his complaint, KK Singh had alleged that around Rs 15 crore was withdrawn from Rajputs bank account in the last one year and transferred to accounts that had no link with him. Rajput was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14.

Also Read: President Kovind, PM Modi pay tributes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Statement by the President Regarding the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the Republic of Poland

August 15, 2020

Today, my Administration signed a historic Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the Republic of Poland. This agreement is the culmination of months of negotiations with our Polish allies following the two joint declarations I signed with President Duda last year. The agreement will enhance our military cooperation and increase the United States military presence in Poland to further strengthen NATO deterrence, bolster European security, and help ensure democracy, freedom, and sovereignty.

My Administration has done more for the United States Armed Forces than any other in history, including entirely rebuilding our military. This agreement is yet another in a series of actions that will protect our forces and increase their ability to carry out their mission. Additionally, this agreement serves as a model for other nations with respect to equitable burden sharing. I thank President Duda, the Polish people, and the members of my Administration for their hard work in making this agreement a reality. The United States looks forward to implementing the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with Poland and to continuing our important work together.

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Donald Trump on Saturday said that he was 'very strongly' considering pardoning Edward Snowden - the former CIA employee who leaked highly classified information from the National Security Agency.

In his strongest indication yet that the 37-year-old could be coming home from exile in Russia, Trump said at a press conference held at his Bedminster golf course that he was weighing up Snowden's fate.

'I'm going to take a look at that very strongly,' he said.

Snowden's revelations triggered a debate over government eavesdropping, with some hailing him as a hero and others calling him a traitor.

Trump said he is 'not that aware of the Snowden situation,' but that people on both the left and the right are divided over the former contractor.

'It seems to be a split decision,' he said.

Donald Trump, pictured speaking on Saturday at Bedminster, is considering a pardon

'Many people think he should be somehow treated differently, and other people think he did very bad things.'

The president had raised the issue earlier in the week, telling The New York Post on Thursday that he had heard the leaker was being 'persecuted'.

'There are a lot of people that think that he is not being treated fairly. I mean, I hear that,' Trump told the publication.

'I guess the DOJ is looking to extradite him right now? It's certainly something I could look at. Many people are on his side, I will say that. I don't know him, never met him. But many people are on his side.'

Trump then asked aides who were present during his interview with The Post for their opinions on Snowden.

He then added: 'I've heard it both ways. From traitor to he's being, you know, persecuted. I've heard it both ways.'

Snowden, pictured speaking during a 2019 web summit, has been in exile in Russia since 2013

President Trump appears to have softened his views on Edward Snowden - the former CIA employee who leaked highly classified information from the National Security Agency

Trump polled his aides as to their opinion on Snowden during the interview on Thursday

In 2013, Snowden shared thousands of classified documents with journalists, prompting the US government to charge him with two counts of violating the Espionage Act of 1917 and theft of government property.

The Hawaiian-based whistleblower worked for the CIA and NSA for several years and says he concluded that both agencies had 'hacked the constitution' with extensive government surveillance, putting everyone's liberty at risk and forcing his hand to leak the information to the media.

Snowden's decision to go public with the information set off a global debate about government surveillance, put in place by intelligence agencies in a perceived bid to avoid a similar attack to 9/11 from happening ever again.

He has been living in exile in Russia since he leaked the documents.

However, last year, Snowden said his 'ultimate goal' was actually to return home to the US.

Though he said any such return would be dependent on the US government offering him a fair trial, something he says officials have 'refused to guarantee'.

'But if I'm gonna spend the rest of my life in prison, the one bottom line demand that we have to agree to is that at least I get a fair trial.'

Snowden, a former US intelligence contractor who leaked details of a classified mass surveillance program in 2013, has been living in self-imposed exile in Moscow for seven years

Snowden said a fair trial won't be possible as the government won't allow him to take a public interest defense.

'I'm not asking for a parade. I'm not asking for a pardon. I'm not asking for a pass. What I'm asking for is a fair trial,' he said.

Critics have repeatedly reminded him that by leaking the classified documents he broke both federal law and the oath he took when he joined the NSA.

Last year, he published an autobiography, titled Permanent Record.

The day after its publication, the US Department of Justice filed a two-count civil lawsuit against Snowden 'alleging he had breached nondisclosure agreements signed with the U.S. federal government'.
The city previously said it would settle the cases of William James and Ivan Potts for $32,000 each after Marylands highest court ruled April 24 that the city was liable for the judgments. The city had argued that the task force officers acted so far outside the scope of their employment that the city should not be responsible for any payouts.
In his speech, Modi made much about the freedom struggle though, of course, his Sangh Parivar had abstained from it

The world is interconnected and interdependent, as he has himself said so often and he repeated on Saturday. PTI Photo

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the usual speech from the Red Fort for Independence Day. I think it was a good speech as his fans have come to expect from him; I can say with certainty that it was a long speech.

He is an entertaining speaker for some (not for me, because I like intellectual material, and his style does not appeal to me). Certainly, he speaks a lot.

A former Australian high commissioner to India, Walter Crocker, wrote a biography of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in which he observed that Nehru sometimes spoke three times a day.

Modi is like that in some ways, though the content is not the same. I stopped watching Modi speak a long time ago but thought it was important to hear him on Independence Day. This is what I observed.

Modi unfurled the national flag and saluted, which I didnt think he should have done. The salute is a military gesture and civilians should abstain from it. Defence minister Rajnath Singh did not salute with the Prime Minister, which I thought was the right gesture.

In his speech, Modi made much about the freedom struggle though, of course, his Sangh Parivar had abstained from it. Perhaps he was speaking for the others who participated, though he did not mention the Congress or its leaders.

He also made some historical errors in his explanation of the freedom struggle, which we can explain away as his usual lyrical flourish.

He said he bowed to the Covid warriors. I am not sure if Modi knows that six lakh Accredited Social Health Activist (Asha) women are on strike, being paid only Rs 2,000 per month and not given protective clothing while doing their contact tracing work.

Last week, Amit Shahs police in Delhi filed an FIR for against them for protesting.

Perhaps Modi does not know. Television news channels do not report such things as much as they do Bollywood suicides.

He spoke again of Atma Nirbhar Bharat, without explaining what it meant or how it was different from the licence raj and 1970s-style import substitution, which has demonstrably failed.

The world is interconnected and interdependent, as he has himself said so often and he repeated on Saturday. He said something about finished goods and value addition (finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman looked suitably stricken when he said this).

But there was nothing of any depth. But it is fine not to expect details and granularity from him because that is not Modis style.

I wish however that he had told us why our economic growth had been declining for 10 consecutive quarters and this year our GDP will contract.

He said we were blessed with natural wealth but didnt say why his new environmental policy was eroding safeguards to protect this wealth.

He spoke about India importing wheat in the past, which had changed. Perhaps he did not know that this was because of an American scientist, Norman Borlaug, and his work on dwarf wheat which led to the Green Revolution here.

He said that we would win against the coronavirus. But how would this victory be achieved and what would it look like? What happened to the 21-day Mahabharat he said we would need to fight?

We are still fighting 130 days later, and in fact we have raced almost to the top of the global infected chart. Victory seems to be a hollow word.

At some point, I switched off because he was rambling about unconnected things -- ports, airports, Jan Dhan accounts, highways, EMIs, RBI, middle class, GST, the MSME sector, carbon neutral model, national education policy, dolphins of two types, innovation, optical fibre, sanitary pads, gas pipelines, the Covid vaccine, houses for migrant labour -- and it was hard to focus.

He said many times that this thing or that thing could never have been imagined by anyone in the past. Perhaps he should have said it could not be imagined by him.

There was something about another ID card to add to our Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID -- that would bring better health.

He raised Kashmir but didnt speak about its people. He said some delimitation work was on there and that it would benefit Kashmirs chief minister and MLAs, but it may have slipped his mind that it doesnt have either MLAs or a chief minister or statehood.

He said not one word about the Kashmiris he has locked up and denied connectivity.

He was evasive about China. He raised his voice even louder and began screaming about Indias unity and sovereignty.

He spoke about 20 jawans in Ladakh but he couldnt even name China. He said the world had seen what had been achieved, though even we Indians dont know because Modi has himself said nothing had happened and nobody had come.

All in all, it was like reading a laundry list or shopping list. There was no substance and no focus on a subject that could have been spoken about at length. How will we manage the recession in which millions of us currently on the cusp are likely to slip back into poverty? How will migrants get back to cities when rather than 16,000 daily trains only 260 special ones are running? What will happen to middle class urban individuals who have to pay rent and school fees and have lost their jobs?

It may have been a lot better for him to spend time on that rather than just reel off a list. Perhaps he has left that for his next speech, though I dont really plan on listening to it.
Page Content

The Honorable Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment & Infrastructure, Mr. Egbert Doran, hereby wishes to inform the general public of the completion of the drainage project on the Billy Folly Road in Pelican.





Over the years, this area has developed into a popular tourist destination with the establishment of various resorts, hotels, bars and restaurants.





During heavy rainfall, a large pool of water would settle in the area of Atrium Hotel and Bakers Suites which would force pedestrians to maneuver around the pool of settling water and risked being splashed upon by passing motorists. This situation became a major issue for residents, visitors and business owners alike.





As the Ministry is responsible for the management, maintenance and development of the physical infrastructure of the country, the project was started with the aim to eliminate this major problem with the installing a drainage pipe in front of the Atrium Hotel and connecting this to the existing trench on The Corner Road.





The project which was delayed due to the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, started on June 15, 2020.





On Friday, August 14, 2020 Minister Doran, accompanied by a support staff, visited the site on the Billy Folly Road, where they met with staff of the Department of Infrastructure Management and the contractor.





Due to the heavy rainfall that preceded the visit, the Minister and those present had a firsthand opportunity to witness that there was no longer any settling of rainwater in the rainwater in the area.





Minister Doran applauded the staff at the Department of Infrastructure Management and the contractor for their diligence in ensuring the completion of this project, as our residents and visitors alike can now safely use the area.





The Minister would like to thank the community at large for their patience in this matter, and assures the public that he remains committed to the people of Sint Maarten and will continue to do everything in his power to remedy situations such as these.




The Morrison government is close to striking an international deal to domestically produce a vaccine to conquer the coronavirus by next year.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said he was "genuinely optimistic" a COVID-19 vaccine will be on the global market by 2021 and the government would soon reach an agreement to produce it locally.

Mr Hunt said on Sunday he'd been cautious in the past that attempts to create a vaccine would be successful but the latest expert medical advice was that there had been great progress.

"We are in advanced negotiations with a range of different companies with regards to a vaccine," Mr Hunt told Sky New Australia.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Kathleen Clyde, a former Ohio state representative and current Portage County Commissioner, is one of 17 rising stars in the Democratic party chosen to speak Tuesday as a part of the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention.

The other 16 individuals who will speak as a part of the virtual keynote address notably include Stacey Abrams of Georgia, Congressman Conor Lamb of Pennsylvania and Jonathan Nez, the president of the Navajo Nation, according to a news release from the DNC.

Those speaking will offer a diversity of different ideas and perspectives on how to move America forward, but they will all speak to the future were building togethera future with Joe Biden at the helm, the release says.

Clyde was a Democratic representative for Portage County in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2011 through 2018. She unsuccessfully ran for Ohio Secretary of State in 2018, losing to current Secretary of State, Republican Frank LaRose, by about 4 percentage points.

Clyde has been in her current role as Portage County Commissioner since January 2019. Joe Biden appointed Clyde as one of his senior advisors in Ohio in February.

Ohio has seen nothing from Donald Trump but his failed leadership in his response to COVID-19 and has heard nothing from him but his broken promises that he would bring back jobs, Clyde said in a statement to cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.

Im proud to help represent Ohio at the Democratic National Convention because Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have never, and will never, back down from a fight for working families. They will restore real leadership to the White House and will deliver real economic opportunity to all Ohioans.

The keynote address will happen during Tuesdays program, under the theme Leadership Matters, according to the DNC new release.

More Ohio political news:

John Kasich is speaking at the Democratic National Convention. Will it matter?

Ohio among states warned by U.S. Postal Service that mail-voting deadlines could disenfranchise voters

State Rep. Emilia Sykes announces PAC to galvanize Black women voters and candidates
Chip Somodevilla/Getty

A former FBI lawyer plans to plead guilty to falsifying a key document that was part of the initial investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, several news outlets reported on Friday.

Kevin Clinesmith, a 38-year-old lawyer assigned to the FBI probe into foreign election meddling, is expected to plead guilty to altering an email from the CIA that investigators used to seek a wiretap on former Donald Trump campaign adviser Carter Page in 2017.

Investigators relied on that document to seek extended court permission for the secret wiretap on Page, who had previously provided information to the U.S. spy agency. According to the Associated Press, Clinesmith, who left the Russia investigation in Feb. 2018, will be charged in D.C. federal court with one count of making a false statement.

Justice Department Inspector General Finds Serious Performance Failures in FBIs Carter Page Probe

Kevin deeply regrets having altered the email, Justin Shur, his attorney, told the AP. It was never his intent to mislead the court or his colleagues, as he believed the information he relayed was accurate, but Kevin understands what he did was wrong and accepts responsibility.

The anticipated guilty plea is part of U.S. Attorney John Durhams investigation into the origins and conduct of the original 2016 probe. The look-back at the previous inquiry has been orchestrated by Attorney General William Barr, with plenty of prodding from President Donald Trump.

But according to The New York Times, while Clinesmith also wrote texts expressing his opposition to Trump, the Durham probe apparently has not found any evidence of a larger conspiracy against Trump, despite his many claims to the contrary.

Barr on Thursday foreshadowed the legal action, stating in a Fox News interview that there would be a development in the investigation.

Its not an earth-shattering development, but it is an indication that things are moving along at the proper pace, as dictated by the facts in this investigation, Barr said on Hannity Thursday night.

Story continues

Barr has also long portrayed Durhams investigation as necessary to rectify alleged injustices by the FBI in their investigation into the 2016 election. Just weeks after special counsel Robert Mueller concluded his two-year investigation into the 2016 campaign in mid-2019and found significant contact between the Russians and the Trump campaign, as well as ample evidence of obstruction of justice, but did not allege any criminalityBarr appointed Durham to conduct his own investigation.

The charges also comes after a Nov. 2019 report from the Justice Department Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz, concluding Clinesmith had altered an email that officials used in the wiretap renewal process. The report also found no evidence that the FBI illegally spied on Trumps 2016 campaign or attempted to place undercover agents and informants inside it.

The report stated that, in 2017, an FBI agent allegedly played down Pages ties to the CIA while preparing to file a wiretap application. While Clinesmith was reportedly not initially involved in determining whether Page was a CIA source, he was asked by a supervisory FBI agent later that year for a definitive answer.

According to the IGs report, Clinesmith falsely said that Page was never a source when he sent information to the supervisorand altered the original email to bolster the lie. That altered email was then used to submit the application for the the third and final renewal application for Pages wiretap.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The aunty of a teenage girl who died in a horrific car crash has remembered her as a 'strong young woman' who was taken too soon.

Alyssa Postle suffered serious head injuries when the car she was a passenger in veered off the road and into a power pole in Bray Park in Brisbanes north on Tuesday night.

The 17-year-old was travelling with friends to KFC after school when the crash occurred, with her family deciding to turn off her life support on Friday.

Alyssa's aunty Cindy Postle posted a heartfelt tribute to her niece in the wake of her tragic death, remembering her as 'beautiful, caring and compassionate'.

Cindy Postle has remembered her late niece Alyssa (pictured together) as 'beautiful, caring and compassionate'

'On the 14th of August our beautiful Alyssa was lifted away to heaven,' Ms Postle's post reads.

'She was a passenger in a serious car accident and suffered major head injury. Sadly, the crash triggered a fault that prevented blood and nutrients from entering her brain.

'Tragically, there was nothing that could be done and she was pronounced brain dead.

'The painful decision to remove the life support was done today and now she has officially passed on and may no longer be here with us, but she will always be with us spiritually and in our hearts.

'You are now in a better place. Alyssa was a beautiful, compassionate, caring, loving and strong young woman who had so much to live for and was taken far too soon.'

A Facebook fundraiser has been launched to raise money for the family after the teenager's death, with more than $57,000 raised.

Alyssa Postle (pictured) died after a horrific car crash in Bray Park in Brisbane on Tuesday

The 17-year-old suffered serious head injuries in the crash and had her life support turned off on Friday

Alyssa was completing her final year of school at the Christian Genesis School before her young life was cut short.

Staff and students were notified of the tragic news in a letter sent out by the principal on Friday afternoon.

The tight-knit Christian community came together to share their blessings and send messages of condolence to the family.

Tributes have been flowing in across social media for the 'beautiful person and amazing friend' while flowers adorn the crash site in a tragic memorial.

'All our love to you and the family. Our prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Alyssa may you spread your wings angel,' one friend said.

'Alyssa was a beautiful girl inside and out. Sending all of our love to the Postle family and to the other family also affected by this tragedy,' another friend wrote.

Others described the situation as 'unimaginable' and 'tragic', struggling to find the words to express their grief over the tragic loss.

Alyssa was a year 12 student at Christian Genesis School, with many friends and family posted tributes to her online after her death

'Devastating and heartbreaking, our thoughts and prayers are with the family, & those involved,' wrote another friend.

The year 12 student was rushed to the Royal Brisbane and Women's hospital in a critical condition after the smash.

A witness who was on the scene at the horror single car smash said it was a 'horrible accident.'

'We went out there and my husband and one of our friends... we saw one girl, stuck in the front,' Witness Jamuna Sitaula told Courier Mail.

'We saw so many people come, police come and ambulances come. She didn't move.'

Police have urged witnesses or anyone who may have dashcam footage of the fatal crash to come forward.

The driver of the vehicle, a 17-year-old classmate of the the teenager, escaped with only minor injuries.
Hundreds of revellers were caught partying inside a gazebo during an illegal lockdown party in Manchester where police officers were pelted with missiles.

Shocking footage caught on Snapchat shows the ravers flouting social distancing measures as they attended the illegal rave in Gorton on August 15.

Following the incident, Greater Manchester Police confirmed that a woman, who they believe to be the party 'organiser', was slammed with a 100 penalty fine.

Hundreds of revellers (left and right) were filmed dancing at an illegal lockdown party in Gorton, Manchester, on August 15

During the footage, hundreds of people dance to the loud music with drinks in their hands and defy social distancing measures.

Officers arrived to the scene after receiving numerous complaints from residents on the street.

Deputy Chief Constable Ian Pilling later told Manchester Evening News that the footage was now being reviewed by police.

He added that while officers did not break up the mass gathering by force due to being hit with missiles, they did stop others from joining the party and also issued an anti-social behaviour closure notice.

Superintendent Helen Caldbeck said: 'Only yesterday afternoon did we made an urgent plea to the public after an unprecedented surge in 999 calls.

'Our message was firm and clear - there is a real worry that people who need us desperately, won't be able to get through to us via 999 because we're so busy.

'This illegal house party was a blatant breach of legislation and meant that needed resources were pulled from the force. Even worse was the fact on attendance, our officers were met with such hostility, with missiles were thrown at them.

During the illegal party in Manchester police officers were pelted with missiles and were met with hostility

'We want to be clear that the issuing of an FPN, as well as imposing an anti-social behaviour closure notice, is just the first step in our action and we are working unreservedly to ensure that all possible lines of enquiry are followed up.

'We have officers reviewing CCTV and other evidence with a view to identifying others responsible.

'The people of Greater Manchester deserve better and quite frankly they're being let down by the selfish few who are shamelessly breaching the very guidance and legislation that is there to protect us.'

'If anyone has any information about this I'd urge you to get in touch to us via 101, or report it online.'

Police officers were also forced to shut down a street in Rusholme on Friday night after hundreds of people gathered in the street.
The quarantine, which came into effect at 4am, applies to those coming from France, the Netherlands, Malta, Monaco, the Turks & Caicos Islands, and Aruba.

Tens of thousands of UK tourists in France made last-ditch bids overnight to return home before the imposition of quarantine restrictions.

Tickets for planes, trains and ferries were snapped up by travellers at increased prices as they attempted to beat the deadline.

The dash to get home was prompted by the decision to impose the quarantine on travellers from France due to rising numbers of coronavirus cases in the country.

UK transport secretary Grant Shapps insisted the British government had taken a practical approach to the new restrictions.

The quarantine conditions also apply to travellers returning to or visiting the UK from the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos and Aruba.

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Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, the train service which carries vehicles through the Channel Tunnel, was fully booked on Friday.

A spokesman said 12,000 people tried to book tickets in the hour after the new rules were announced at about 10pm on Thursday, compared with just hundreds normally.

Some air fares were more than six times more expensive than normal.

British Airways was selling tickets for a flight from Paris to London Heathrow on Friday night costing 452 (500).

The same journey on Saturday could be made with the airline for just 66.

The cheapest ticket on a Eurostar train from Paris to London was 210, compared with 165 on Saturday.

Travellers in the south of France and the Netherlands faced a struggle getting back to the UK in time as many direct fights were sold out.

Holidaymakers Stuart and Anna Buntine spent nearly 1,000 to make it home via Eurostar from Burgundy, central France.

Mr Buntine (58) said: I went to bed last night thinking it was all OK, woke up at 7am to find we had to get back here pretty sharpish.

We couldnt get tickets, all the sites had crashed we had to buy business class tickets back today so its cost nearly 1,000.

Mrs Buntine added: We left here with our eyes (open) knowing that it was a possibility, so we decided wed take that risk.

Dyan Crowther, chief executive of the HS1 high-speed London to Channel Tunnel rail link, told PA it was heartbreaking seeing families having to cancel holiday plans and spend hundreds of pounds dashing home to beat quarantine.

She said: People want certainty, they want to know that they can go away without having to worry about what the world will look like when they return.

My heart goes out to them.

A spokeswoman for British travel trade organisation Abta said the UK governments quarantine policy will result in livelihoods being lost unless it can step in with tailored support for the travel industry.

The UK's Joint Biosecurity Centre and Public Health England reported a significant change in Covid-19 risk in all six destinations for which quarantine restrictions are being imposed.

The UK Home Office said on Friday that a total of nine fines have been issued at the border since quarantine restrictions were introduced.

The department counts the number of fixed penalty notices issued by the UK Border Force under the regulations.
A video that shows one of Sushant Singh Rajputs sisters questioning a member of his staff about a money related issue has been accessed and televised. India Today has shared the video, which shows Sushants sister Priyanka Singh and her husband asking a staff member about a money transfer.

The video shows Priyanka and her husband angrily questioning the man, Rajat, if money was transferred to a person named Pankaj. According to the report, Rajat used to handle Sushants finances before he was let go in 2019. In the video, Priyankas husband can be heard demanding a name from Rajat, while Priyanka threatens to call the police. You are in a Bollywood stars house, Priyanka can be heard telling Rajat, in Hindi.

According to the report, the video was recorded in April 2019. It was during this time that Rajat was reportedly sacked by Priyanka and her husband, Siddharth, over some alleged transfer that happened to an ex-employee. The report goes on to say that Samuel Miranda was hired as Rajats replacement on the same day. Samuel has been named in the Patna FIR filed by Sushants father, as well as in the CBI FIR and the Enforcement Directorates probe.

Sushants relationship with Priyanka has been a matter of debate in recent weeks. Sushants family lawyer had previously said in an interview to Pinkvilla that his girlfriend, Rhea Chakraborty, had accused Priyanka of having molested her, which created a barrier between the siblings. He had said that Sushant and Priyanka made up a few days later and the whole thing was just a mind game played by Rhea. He realised his mistake that in a short span of few days Rhea had played a mind game to separate two siblings who were inseparable and happened to be each others strongest emotional support, he had said.

ALSO WATCH | Siddharth Pithani an intelligent criminal: Lawyer of Sushant Rajputs family

Rhea recently released private chats with Sushant, detailing a fallout hed had with Priyanka. He wrote, (To Priyanka), You do this, after the shameful act, making this a coverup to distract attention playing the victim card to the most non negotiable act of molestation under the influence of alcohol... Sushants sister Shweta Singh Kirti had shared a clip from an old interview where Sushant said that he was closest to Priyanka as she gets him.

Also read: Sushant Singh Rajputs sister Shweta responds to Rhea Chakrabortys chat messages, shares video of actor talking of special bond with Priyanka

Sushant died by suicide on June 14, at the age of 34. His father, KK Singh, has filed an FIR against Rhea, who was his girlfriend at the time of his death, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including abetment to suicide. The case is being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

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Bansy Kalappa By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai speaks to The New Sunday Express on recent riots in Bengaluru, the need to modernise the police force, overcoming the shortage of policemen on the field and the challenges the force has been facing during Covid times.

Excerpts.

You have drawn a connection between the upcoming BBMP polls and Bengaluru riots...

It is evident that over a period of time there has been a political rivalry in certain constituencies of the state for the votebank. Unlike traditional parties, the SDPI is pushing its ideology to control local bodies.

Are you hinting that SDPI is seeking to take over two Congress constituencies of Narasimharaja in

Mysuru and Pulakeshinagar in Bengaluru?

It is between them and the answers are evident. Why should I comment?

How long will it take to recover damages from rioters?

We will follow the procedure laid down by the Supreme Court. We are in the process of assessing the losses. Once that is done and culprits are identified, we will start the recoveries. We are serious about it, as we want to send out a message that nobody can vandalise public and private property and get away with it.

You have spoken about across the border connection of groups behind the riots, especially PFI...

Many state and central agencies are looking into this link. These groups can be very amorphous as they change their names, forms and identities to escape scrutiny. But our officers are on the field and nothing will escape the eye of the police.

In November, the CM spoke about SDPIs involvment in riots in Shivamogga and Mysuru. It was also allegedly behind the stabbing of MLA Tanveer Sait. Now, it has figured prominently in DJ Halli riots. But the party is registered with the Election Commission. Is a ban possible?

What Yediyurappa said was right and the FIRs and chargesheets are on record. There is nothing for me to comment. The propposed ban will be presented to the CM and after his consent, it will be sent to the Union Home Ministry.

The lack of strength and preparedness of police was exposed during the riots...

Bengaluru police will be equipped with electronic surveillance and artificial intelligence for effective policing, considering the high density of population in the city. Many technical experts too have suggested these measures.

The police complain of a severe staff shortage.

It is true that there are many vacancies in the force. We will fill up about 6,000 vacancies, including 1,000 SIs, this year. We will also fill up about 18,000 vacancies over the next three years.

What challenges to the police during Covid times?

Covid has been a challenge as over 3,000 policemen had to be quarantined as they were either positive or contacts of someone positive. Entire police stations had to be sealed. But that was only for a certain period and most of them are back on duty now. The morale in the department is very high.

How seriously are you about tackling cyber crimes ?

We have a cyber crime police station in each district, considering that such cases are being reported from Mangaluru, Mysuru, Belagavi, Hubballi and other places. In Bengaluru, there are eight such stations. We have experts from IT and other sectors as consultants. I will call a meeting of banks and experts to discuss aspects related to cyber crimes.

What is the road ahead for the police?

We are a people-friendly force, and we have a good track record. We are ever striving to improve.


Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has dropped her honorary fellowship with Cambridge Universitys Wolfson College following a row over the state of academic liberties across the semi-autonomous region.

The college said last month that it was considering a proposal to strip Ms Lam of the title after the national security law, which significantly reduces Hong Kongs independence from Beijing, was passed by the Chinese government in June.

Wolfson College said it had raised concerns with Hong Kongs leader about her commitment to the protection of human rights and the freedom of expression.

On Saturday night, Ms Lam said on her Facebook page that she had written to the college a day earlier to relinquish her fellowship.

The chief executive said the college president had been under pressure from British politicians, the media and other groups since the eruption of anti-government protests in Hong Kong last year.

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. 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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

She claimed to have repeatedly written to the college to clarify the situation and offer the truth on Hong Kong.

The president again wrote to me last week, saying the college believes I have deviated from the principle of academic freedom and freedom of speech, penalised teachers who had criticised the government, banned students from singing and chanting slogans at school and enforced the national security law outside Hong Kong, Ms Lam wrote.

She described the accusations as groundless and said she was deeply disappointed by the college smearing a person on the basis of hearsay instead of facts.

Ms Lam also said that professor Jane Clarke, the president of Wolfson College, had failed to present any proof which supported the accusations made against her.

I cannot persuade myself to continue having any connection with Wolfson College and therefore decided to give back the honorary fellowship, said Ms Lam, who previously studied at Cambridge University.

A statement from Wolfson College said: The governing body raised concerns with Mrs Carrie Lam about her commitment to the protection of human rights and the freedom of expression in Hong Kong following recent events there. In response, Mrs Lam has resigned from her honorary fellowship.

The governing body was due to consider Mrs Lams honorary fellowship early next month but will no longer do so.

Last November, three members of the House of Lords called for the college to cut ties with Ms Lam over her response to months of huge and often violent protests.

The college later expressed open concerns following the enactment of the national security law.

Wolfson College strongly supports the protection of human rights and the freedom of expression of all its members, Ms Clarke said in a statement on 1 July.

Accordingly, it is deeply concerned by recent events in Hong Kong following the enactment of the national security law. The governing body will be considering Mrs Lams position as an honorary fellow of the college.

The legislation has criminalised any act of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign or external forces.

It gives Beijing powers to shape life in Hong Kong it has never had before. Critics say it effectively curtails protest and freedom of speech, while China has said it will return stability.
Journalist, author and political commentator Richard Gwyn has died at age 86 following a lengthy battle with Alzheimers disease.

Born into a life of privilege mapped out for him in Great Britain, Gwyn instead emigrated to Canada at the age of 20 and forged a brilliant career in newspapers, television and as a historian, writing biographies of Newfoundland premier Joey Smallwood, prime minister Pierre Trudeau and finally, in his 70s, a well-received two-volume biography of Canadas first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald.

He was a long-time columnist at the Toronto Star, beginning as a national affairs writer in 1973, following five years as a federal public servant in Trudeaus government.

Richard Gwyn was a giant of Canadian political journalism, said John Honderich, former chairman of the Torstar board and publisher of the Star. His columns, his books about notable Canadians, Canadian history, and his beloved Newfoundland, are must-reads for anyone interested in this country.

Honderich said Gwyns frequent television and radio appearances further cemented his career, and were considered a departure from the norm at the time.

We now take it for granted that columnists appear on television and radio  that wasnt done before. He was truly one of a kind, said Honderich.

Gwyn was born in Bury St. Edmunds, a town northeast of London, on May 26, 1934. His father was Brigadier Philip Jermy-Gwyn, an Indian army officer, according to Robert Lewiss book Power, Prime Ministers and the Press.

Gwyn attended Stonyhurst College, a private Catholic boarding school run by the Jesuits, and then Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Author Charlotte Gray, a lifelong friend, said Gwyn deplored stuffiness and loved Canada, in particular Newfoundland, where his first wife Sandra was born. He loved to sail and they vacationed in the province annually.

After Sandhurst, Gwyn embarked on a world tour and landed a radio reporting job in Halifax, followed by a job at United Press International in Ottawa, where he scored a worldwide scoop by reporting that Princess Margaret had asked that John Turner, a 29-year-old Montreal bachelor who went on to become prime minister, be added to the guest list for a ball in her honour.

Gwyn worked for Time magazine in Montreal and Ottawa, Thomson Newspapers and Maclean-Hunter, before becoming executive assistant to Eric Kierans, then minister of communications, in 1968. He was a director-general in the department of communications from 1970 to 1973.

The Star hired him away as a national columnist.

He was brilliant right from the start, said Ian Urquhart, former Star managing editor and political columnist.

Gwyn had a natural talent for journalism and writing, deep knowledge gained from being an insider on Parliament Hill, and a fresh perspective on politics in the country, according to Urquhart.

Longtime colleague Bob Lewis, who worked with Gwyn in the parliamentary press gallery, said Gwyn often scooped his colleagues.

He was a giant in terms of parliamentary reporter. There was always something new in a story by Richard Gwyn. He had a great ability to cultivate top sources, work the bureaucracy and the backrooms. He was very analytical, but he was also very colourful. He broke a lot of stories, but he also supplied a lot of the context for the big news of the day.

Gwyn also hosted the TVOntario show Realities with Robert Fulford. He was a panelist on Studio 2 and Diplomatic Immunity and was a frequent guest on The Agenda with Steve Paikin.

Andrew Phillips, the Stars editorial page editor, said Gwyn was an expert in Canadian politics and Canadas role on the world stage.

He was a born storyteller; right to the end of his writing career he had a special knack for finding the telling details that draw readers into a column about the big issues of the day, said Phillips.

Gwyn was married to writer Sandra Gwyn, author of The Private Capital: Ambition and Love in the Age of Macdonald and Laurier, from 1958 until her death in 2000. He is survived by his second wife, Carol Bishop-Gwyn, a dance historian and author of The Pursuit of Perfection: A Life of Celia Franca, who cared for him during his long and debilitating illness.

Arguably his best known book was The Northern Magus, which Sandra Gwyn edited.

He received numerous awards during his lifetime, including being named an officer of the Order of Canada.

Gwyn brushed off his fame and acclaim, said Lewis.

The big thing in life is to time your birth, Gwyn said when he was 81. I was just ahead of the Baby Boomers. You didnt have to worry about getting jobs.
Finance ministry sources on Sunday defended the proposal to bring some "high value transactions" under the income tax scanner even as the government had on Friday withdrawn the tweet which talked about the proposal to bring certain transactions such as Rs 20,000 spent on hotels under the income tax scanner. Sources clarified that onus of reporting such transactions will not fall on the taxpayer, but third parties.

This would not lead to any modification in the income tax returns, they said. The tweet was put up by mygovindia, a platform founded by the government to ...
The former head of the Remain campaign has apologised for defending English folk dancers who black up after he landed a high-profile job as a charity boss.

Will Straw, 39, who led Britain Stronger In Europe during the 2016 EU referendum, said sorry in an email to staff at Princes Trust International, where he starts as chief executive in October.

The Mail on Sunday understands that some staff at Prince Charless charity were dismayed at Mr Straws appointment because of his controversial defence of the Britannia Coconut Dancers of Bacup, a troupe of Lancastrian clog dancers who blacken their faces in a tradition that dates back 160 years.

Will Straw wrote that after he and the Coconutters were criticised, they won support from outraged Rossendale residents defending their tradition and urging our accusers to mug up on their history before making false accusations

Mr Straw, the son of the former Home Secretary Jack Straw, was criticised six years ago after posting an image of himself on Twitter with the dancers, known as the Coconutters, when he was a Labour Election candidate in the marginal seat of Rossendale and Darwen.

He then wrote an article in a national newspaper that suggested that people who claim it is offensive for rural English dancers to blacken their faces are ignorant of history.

He wrote that after he and the Coconutters were criticised, they won support from outraged Rossendale residents defending their tradition and urging our accusers to mug up on their history before making false accusations.

He added: Its traditions from the past which give communities a sense of common identity for the present and the future. May the Coconutters continue for many years to come.

But asked by the MoS last week whether he still supported the Coconutters practice of blacking up, Mr Straw said he had changed his mind and had apologised to his future colleagues.

Will Straw is the son of former Home Secretary Jack Straw, pictured above

Since 2014, I have reflected and learned a lot, he said.

There is never a situation when blackface is acceptable. I apologise unreservedly for any offence caused, and I have already shared this apology with my future colleagues.

A spokesman for Princes Trust International said: Last month, Mr Straw emailed his future colleagues with an apology for his remarks in 2014.

Princes Trust International was established in 2015 and helps young people in 13 Commonwealth countries.

Staff are also said to be nervous that the appointment of such a high-profile Remainer will politicise the charity. The Princes Trust last night said it continues to be a non-partisan organisation.

The Coconutters claim their routine, which is performed every Easter Sunday, harks back to a time when local miners danced as they emerged from pits with their faces blackened with coal dust.

But the controversy reignited last month when the Joint Morris Organisation, which represents the countrys 800 dancing sides, ruled that members must stop blacking up in response to the Black Lives Matter campaign.

The Coconutters have rejected the ruling, saying their tradition is not connected with ethnicity or racial prejudice.

Mr Straw appeared destined to follow his father into frontline politics.

But he failed to win Rossendale and Darwen for Labour at the 2015 General Election and then led the Remain campaign to defeat in the EU referendum.

Despite this, he was controversially awarded a CBE in David Camerons resignation honours.
There is no guarantee that Mr. Biden can replicate Mr. Lambs path to victory. Mr. Trump has retained devout loyalty from Republican voters. A November presidential contest will drive turnout far higher than in the special election in which Mr. Lamb won his surprise victory, or the 2018 midterm elections when Democrats won a sweeping triumph in the nations suburbs.

When Mr. Lamb won in March 2018, he served notice for Democrats aiming to wrest control of the House and give the party control of at least one lever of the federal government. The answer to defeating Trump-aligned Republican candidates was not to emphasize the presidents erratic, divisive tenure in the Oval Office. Instead Democratic candidates focused narrowly on policies affecting voters lives, like protecting provisions in the Affordable Care Act and casting Republicans as a party pandering to corporations and the very rich, attacking the 2017 tax cut that Republican Party leaders had intended to use as the tent pole achievement for their midterm campaigns.

During his remarks at Mr. Lambs rally, Mr. Biden called the tax cut obscene.

Its really hard to screw up a tax cut, but they managed to do it, said Meredith Kelly, who was then the communications director for the House Democrats campaign arm. It set a narrative that fit very nicely into what Biden has done.

In Congress, Mr. Lamb is a rank-and-file Democrat who has not rocked the boat or voted against the partys leadership on any significant issues. At home, hes cultivated an image of a Democrat focused on Pennsylvania jobs above all else  a sentiment he says Mr. Biden has echoed.

No matter what side of an issue my party was on when I went to Washington, I would be fighting for their jobs no matter what, Mr. Lamb said. How many times did Vice President Biden use the word jobs in his speech about energy and climate change? He used the word jobs a million times. He was talking about climate change, but kept reminding people that this is a policy thats about their jobs. And I think, to me, that was him taking that lesson too, that thats ultimately what people care about the most.

When Mr. Bidens presidential campaign began, he ran on a platform that was far less flashy than his top rivals, progressives like Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. He wasnt for a single-payer health care system or adding extra Supreme Court justices or funding an array of new federal programs with a wealth tax on millionaires.
Concerns grow over second wave of infections



South Korea is again on high alert over a resurgence of the novel coronavirus. Health authorities raised social distancing in Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province to Level 2 in the three-tier system starting Sunday for two weeks.



The heightened alert came after new daily infections recorded a triple-digit figure for the third consecutive day over the weekend. The country reported 279 new cases of COVID-19 Sunday, the highest since March 8 when 367 cases occurred. The number marked an upsurge from 166 Saturday and 103 Friday.



We cannot help but express worries over the rapidly spreading virus. New cases remained below 50 per day early last week, but suddenly surpassed 100 Friday ahead of the Aug. 15-17 National Liberation Day holiday. If this trend continues, a second wave of infections could soon become a reality. It reminds the people of the nightmarish massive outbreak among members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a minor sect, in the southeastern city of Daegu in February and March.



More seriously, the latest infection cases were concentrated on the densely populated capital city and its metropolitan areas which might emerge as a new coronavirus epicenter. Many of the cases were related to worship services. Infections linked to the Sarang Jeil Church in northern Seoul surged to 249, while those associated with the Woori Jeil Church in Yongin, south of Seoul, rose to 126. More comprehensive measures should be taken to avoid a repetition of the Shincheonji episode.



Under the Level 2 guidelines, sporting events will be held without spectators in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province for two weeks. Schools will be recommended to hold classes online if mass outbreaks take place in their district. People are advised to refrain from organizing indoor meetings of more than 50 attendees and outdoor meetings with over 100. Additionally, religious facilities, cram schools, restaurants and cinemas are subject to tougher guidelines. Internet cafes are included in the list of high-risk commercial facilities such as nightclubs, bars, indoor gyms and logistics centers.



Now, the problem is that the authorities have yet to ban the operation of such high-risk facilities. Instead, they focus on implementing stricter guidelines over the next two weeks. They only plan to shut down such facilities if the situation gets worse. This invites criticism that the government is somewhat reluctant to adopt more radical measures for fear of a sharper economic contraction.



The central and local governments should spare no effort to prevent catastrophe. Pre-emptive measures are key to winning the fight against highly contagious viruses such as COVID-19. No one can force a return to normal and speed up economic recovery without bringing the virus under control first. People must practice social distancing more rigorously and maintain personal hygiene, especially during the summer vacation period. Most of all, don't forget to wear a face mask when in public.



Making matters worse, health professionals are staging a strike in protest against a government plan to raise admission quotas at medical schools. They should immediately return to work and step up their battle with the coronavirus.


Address To The Nation By The President Of The Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, On Updates To Ghanas Enhanced Response To The Coronavirus Pandemic, On Sunday, 16th August, 2020.



Fellow Ghanaians, good evening.



Today is the fifteenth (15th) time, since the virus came to our country some five (5) months ago, that I have come to provide you with the status of our co-ordinated efforts to defeat COVID-19. I must thank you, again, for welcoming me into your homes, and I must repeat how proud I am to be your President in these difficult times. I appeal to all of us to continue in our individual and collective efforts to help contain the spread of the virus in our country.



We have been through several phases of the fight against the pandemic, we have put in place restrictions to our everyday lives, indeed, of which some still remain, and we have gradually moved to restoring normalcy in some aspects of our lives. Over the last few weeks, the cap on the number of persons going to church and mosque has been lifted, albeit with strict social distancing; our final year students in university, senior and junior high schools have returned to school to write their final examinations; and the Electoral Commission has just completed the successful compilation of a voters register ahead of the conduct of the 2020 general elections in December.



On behalf of the people of Ghana, I congratulate warmly the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensa, her two Deputies, Dr. Eric Asare Bossman and Mr. Samuel Tettey, and the entire Commission for the efficient, safe, transparent nature of the registration exercise, where, for the first time in our nations history, Ghanaians were provided with daily updates of the numbers of eligible voters registered, together with specific age, gender, regional breakdowns, and breakdowns of identity documents. All eligible voters were given the unfettered opportunity to register, a process that was fully embraced by the mass of the citizenry. Of course, there were genuine and understandable concerns about conducting such a complex exercise, involving millions of citizens, at this time. But, at the end of the day, Ghanaians did their civic duty, by going out to register, having found that the process was overwhelmingly orderly, peaceful and safe.



However, there were those who expressed various degrees of hysteria and negativity towards the exercise, with some, who swore heaven and earth to resist the compilation of the register at the peril of their lives, ending up registering. There were also those who offered delicate, personal sacrifices in the event of the register, again, ending up registering. And, there were those who claimed that, in the midst of a pandemic, the registration exercise should not be conducted, with some warning of an explosion in our case count and very high numbers of deaths, should the exercise go ahead. By the grace of God, the work of the Electoral Commission, and the effective measures put in place by Government, these prophecies of doom did not materialise. There were, nonetheless, deeply regrettable, isolated incidents of violence, which I condemn unreservedly, and which I expect the Police to deal with without fear or favour, but the exercise was generally peaceful.



The Ghanaian people have, by the conduct of this exercise, demonstrated our commitment, once again, to consolidating our status as a beacon of democracy on the continent and in the world. The professional Jeremiahs and naysayers, who seek, cynically, to make a profitable industry out of spreading falsehoods, fear and panic, stoking divisive, ethnic sentiments, underestimate the resolve and the determination of Ghanaians to build a united, democratic, peaceful, prosperous, and happy Ghana. We will continue to work hard to prove them wrong.



Fellow Ghanaians, when I delivered Update No. 14, some three (3) weeks ago, I indicated that a closer look at the data points to the fact that we are steadily on the path towards limiting and containing the virus, and, ultimately, defeating it, and requested all of us to pay particular attention to the number of active cases.



As at 24th July, the number of active cases, i.e. persons with the virus, stood at three thousand, three hundred and seven (3,307). As at Saturday, 15th August, three weeks later, the number of active cases stands at one thousand, eight hundred and forty-seven (1,847). This is a clear indication that Government policies are working.



Currently, there are no recorded COVID-19 cases in the North East, Savannah, Upper East and Upper West Regions, and I charge their residents to do everything possible to maintain that situation. Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central, Eastern, and Western continue to be the Regions with the highest number of active cases. Thus far, a total of forty thousand, five hundred and sixty-seven (40,567) persons have recovered from the virus. This means our recovery rate has improved from eighty-nine-point five percent (89.5%) to ninety five point one percent (95.1%) in three weeks. Our death rate continues, mercifully, to be low at zero-point five percent (0.5%). Happily, there are no backlogs of tests at any of our testing centres, meaning that situational reports are up to date. Indeed, tests results that used to take weeks are now available within forty-eight (48) hours. We have, so far, conducted four hundred and twenty-seven thousand, one hundred and twenty-one (427,121) tests.



These statistics undermine, as unfounded, the claim that Ghana has lost the battle to defeat COVID-19. There can only be one simple reason for this baseless assertion, and that is political expediency. But, as I have said before, do not begrudge those who make such statements, they need to make them to continue to try to stay relevant.



Our health workers will forever be in our debt, for the dedication they have put in to ensure these impressive statistics. We can help them even further by continuing to adhere to the social distancing and hygiene protocols we have instituted to stem the tide of infections.



I have been encouraged by the results of a recent survey conducted by the Ghana Health Service into the use of face masks at selected locations in Accra in the month of August. It revealed that the overall intention to use face masks at the sites surveyed was very high, with eighty-two percent (82%) of persons surveyed possessing a mask. I believe we can do even more, and reach one hundred percent (100%). However, the same survey demonstrated that only forty-four-point three percent (44.3%) of those who have the mask use them correctly. I urge each and every one of us to wear our masks, and do so correctly anytime we leave our homes. It is the new normal requirement of our daily existence until the virus disappears.



Our phased approach towards returning our lives to normal, through the strategic, controlled, progressive, and safe easing of restrictions, will, thus, continue. Most final year university students have already completed their examinations, and, by 18th September, SHS 3 and JHS 3 students would have finished their respective final examinations of WASSCE and BECE.



As a result of reports I have recently received that some final year JHS students were going hungry, in complying with COVID-19 protocols, I have just instructed the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection to begin preparations to ensure that, as from 24th August up to 18th September, all five hundred and eighty-four thousand (584,000) final year JHS students, and one hundred and forty-six thousand (146,000) staff, both in public and private schools, be given one hot meal a day. This is to ensure full observance of the COVID-19 safety protocols.



Through online learning portals, almost all continuing students in our Universities have completed their studies for the academic year. The exceptions are the University of Cape Coast, the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Technical Universities, and some other Colleges. After extensive stakeholder consultations, the decision has been taken for continuing students in these tertiary institutions to return to school, on 24th August, to finish their academic year.



Just as was done for final year students who returned to school, Government, through the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service, will ensure that all these tertiary institutions are disinfected. Universities will be equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment, and those with their own hospitals and clinics will have isolation centres to deal with any positive cases. All other institutions, without their own clinics and hospitals, will be mapped to health facilities. There will be no mass gatherings and no sporting activities. Religious activities, under the new protocols, will be permitted. Social distancing and the wearing of face masks must become the norm on campus.



The Ministry of Education continues to engage the Ghana Education Service (GES) and all relevant stakeholders to conclude discussions on the modalities surrounding the reopening of our pre-tertiary schools. I will communicate, in due course, the decisions that will be reached from these consultations. You can be rest assured that I will always take into prime consideration the safety and wellbeing of our children, teachers and non-teaching staff in the decisions that will be taken, because I am determined to ensure that the education of our children is not unduly disturbed by this pandemic



I know many still ask when our borders, especially our international airport, Kotoka International Airport, will be open. Under my instructions, the Ministry of Aviation, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and the Ghana Airports Co. Ltd., have been working, with the Ministry of Health and its agencies, to ascertain our readiness to reopen our airport. I want to ensure that we are in a position to test every single passenger that arrives in the country to avoid the spread of the virus. The outcome of that exercise will show us the way, and determine when we can reopen our border by air. I am hoping that, by Gods grace, we will be ready to do so by 1st September.



Until further notice, our borders, by air, land and sea, remain closed to human traffic. For Ghana residents stranded abroad, special dispensation will continue to be given for their evacuation back to Ghana, where they will be subjected to the mandatory quarantine and safety protocols. Beaches, pubs, cinemas and nightclubs are still to remain closed until further notice.



The limit on the numbers of persons who can attend conferences, workshops and award events, has now been lifted, subject to the maintenance of social distancing amongst participants, fresh air ventilation of the premises, and a two-hour limit for each session.



I know that the pandemic has adversely affected many lives and livelihoods. It is for this reason that Government has implemented several measures such as free water and electricity, and funding to support small businesses, and tax reliefs, amongst others, to cushion the effect of the pandemic. We are not providing freebies, we are providing critical help to households, families and businesses, in the midst of this pandemic, because we care. It is my conviction that, in times of crises, it is the duty of a responsible and sensitive Government to protect the population, and provide relief.



Fellow Ghanaians, let us remember at all times that this phased opening up of our country continues to put an obligation and responsibility on each one of us to remain vigilant, and respect the enhanced hygiene, mask wearing and social distancing protocols that have become part and parcel of our daily routine. They are proving to be effective, so let us employ them wholeheartedly. That is the way we can restore, as quickly as possible, the blessings of normalcy for which we all yearn. There is no room for complacency, we must be very much on our guard, because some countries have experienced spikes after recording major achievements in containing the spread of the virus. We should not go down that road. Social distancing, enhanced hygiene and wearing of masks are obligatory for each one of us.



Anuanom, mesr mo, nhyihy aa yay fa masks noho, mondiso. S wofri efiye aa, hy mask. no ena bb yhu ban, ama yetumi apam yare efri yeman mu.



Anymimi, minkpa ny fai, gbejian ni wto kha masks , ny yean. No ni baa waw, ni wny w shwie hela n kj w man n mli. Gami ni yn ye Homowo, minha ny f afi oo afi.



Fellow Ghanaians, the remarkable nature of us, the Ghanaian people, the first colonised people in sub-Saharan Africa to gain their freedom and independence from foreign rule, is manifesting itself again. In the midst of the pandemic, we have been able to compile a voters register, arguably, the most credible voter register in our history; our democratic institutions continue to function effectively; there continues to be vigorous public debate on issues of public policy; respect for the rule of law continues to be central to our governance; our economy, despite the severe shocks of the pandemic, is proving to be resilient, and is poised for rapid recovery; our agriculture is performing so that, despite the disruptions of the pandemic, food is still abundant in our markets; and the virus itself is being fought systematically. Indeed, a stronger, healthier Ghana is being built before our very eyes, and the great majority of Ghanaians can see it. Let us continue down this path, so that the dreams of freedom and prosperity that inspired the great patriots, who founded our nation, can find expression in our generation.



We can do it, so let us continue to work hard towards attaining our goal.



This too shall pass! For the Battle is the Lords!!



May God bless us all, and our homeland Ghana, and make her great and strong.



I thank you for your attention.





Source: peacefmonline.com









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The National Health Insurance Company's (Daman) Board of Directors today announced the confirmation of Hamad Al Mehyas as the companys chief executive officer.

He led the company following a major reorganisation last year when he was promoted from Chief Commercial Officer  Abu Dhabi to Deputy CEO.

Tareq Abdulraheem Al Hosani, Damans Chairman, said: On behalf of all members of the Board, it is my pleasure to announce Hamad Al Mehyas as Damans new CEO after a demonstrable track record of achievement during his time in Daman. Particularly, his success in delivering on the mandate given to him and the company last year as we went through a wide-ranging transformational programme.

It was important to select someone who knows Daman well, appreciates the nature of its work, understands its impact on millions of individuals and its value to the economy. In this appointment, we reaffirm our commitment towards investing in Emirati talents and increase their presence and contributions in leadership positions across the sector. The Board and I are confident that he is the right choice for the company and wish him the very best in taking Daman towards a prosperous new chapter, he said.

Al Mehyas first joined the UAEs largest health insurer in 2014 as chief process officer to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Damans operational processes including claims management, after-sales operations and the 24-hours customer care call centre. He later held the position of Chief Commercial Officer  Abu Dhabi where he oversaw the management of the Damans portfolio of clients in the emirate which include major government and corporate policies.

I am incredibly honoured and humbled by the confidence and trust of the board and shareholders. As we restructure and transform our business operation in preparation for this new decade and beyond, I would like to assure our clients, members, partners and the wider medical sector that Daman under my leadership is here to support you. I am also personally committed to nurture our human capital, talent, and future leaders, including the next generation of UAE nationals in the company.

Daman has a bright future ahead of it, underpinned by a strong partnership with Government institutions and our society; in addition to creating tremendous value for the private sector. We are building a platform for sustainable growth, based on increased efficiencies and smart innovation. I look forward to the journey ahead and sharing our success with everyone, added Al Mehyas.

In addition to his role in the company, Hamad Al Mehyas is the General Manager of Daman Healthcare Solutions and sits on the board of Independent Health Information Technology Services (inHealth). He also serves as Vice Chairman of Emirates Insurance Association Board, Chairman of Supreme Technical Committee and Chairman of Life and Health Insurance Technical Subcommittee.

He holds a masters degree in DNA Profiling from University of Central Lancashire and a Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Medicine from Glamorgan University, both from the United Kingdom. He is also a licensed Forensic Medicine Specialist, a member of the International Society for Forensic Genetics, Germany, and a former member the UK Forensic Science Services. - TradeArabia News Service
Kolkata, Aug 16 : As Netaji Subhas Chandra Boses death anniversary on August 18 nears, the clamour for his ashes, believed to be kept in a temple in Japan, to be subjected to a DNA test and brought back to India is getting louder.

IANS spoke to Rajashree Choudhury, great-grandniece of Bose. She is also the national president of Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha (ABHM).

Q: Amid the raging controversy about the end of Netaji, last year his daughter Anita Bose Pfaff had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure DNA tests were done on the ashes kept at Renkoji Temple in Japan. Do you believe it would help establish any credible link with the tragic disappearance of Netaji? Do you support the plane crash theory? A: The plane crash death theory has already been nullified. So, there is no question of ashes and the resurrection of the theory again. Netaji has met several people after that as per declassified files including one Shri Nikhil Chattopadhayay, son of revolutionary Virendranath Chattopadhayay, in 1968 at OMSK.

According to a classified Prime Minister's Office (PMO) file released in Delhi, an affidavit filed by Narendranath Sindkdar, a writer-journalist who was based in Moscow between 1966 and 1991, claimed that Chattopadhyay and his wife had met Bose in a Siberian town 23 years after he was apparently killed in a plane crash. Filed before the Mukherjee Commission in 2000, Sindkdar's affidavit quoted Chattopadhyay as saying that Bose was in hiding in Russia for he feared being prosecuted as a war criminal in India.

There were several radio speeches after August 18, 1945. In the prelude to transfer of power agreement, Netaji's trial, if captured, was being discussed in Vol-6, Page No: 138, 139 and 140. It was finally said that let him be as he is and not ask for his surrender. Leaders like Dr Radhakrishnan met him in Russia, Muthuramlingam Thevar met him in China, above all Netaji's elder brother Suresh Chandra Bose's Dissentient Report says it all that his brother never died in air crash as there was no plane which took off or landed in Taihaku.

Q: Do you think the Government of India should take the initiative to bring back his ashes from the Japanese temple? How will it help unravel the mystery? A: The Government of India should revive the incomplete Justice Mukherjee Commission and allow it to complete with clarifications. Then it can decide whether it would put its hand in a false rumour or go by substance and legal back-up.

Q: A section of your family believes that Netaji died in a plane crash. But what made you disbelieve that fact? Do you have any other details? If so, can you please share? A: I had in possession the writer's copy of the Dissentient Report. So, since childhood I and a section of the extended family did not believe in the plane crash theory. Later I met a number of Indian National Army (INA) veterans like Col Nizamuddin and Col A.B. Singh who vouched for my conviction. The declassified files of the central and state governments also revealed the same. Moreover, Justice Mukherjee Commission has vouched for Netaji's life beyond August, 1945. How can we accept death certificate of one Okura to be that of the head of our government? Is it a joke? Netaji was a great leader of the country. They are bringing down his stature. It's absolutely dishonourable.

Q: How do you look at the whole conspiracy theory of Netaji's disappearance from post-Independence Indian politics? A: It is a cunning way to block him and fate of Bharat by British-Gandhi-Nehru to allow opponents of Bharat to dominate Asia economically, politically, culturally and socially. It's part of a big conspiracy. Most of the claims about Netaji's mysterious disappearance are baseless. There are many questions which were never answered by the government.

Q: How important is it to remember Netaji even after so many years of his mysterious disappearance? If you can kindly explain the enigma called Netaji? A: We need him as our icon. He infuses truthfulness in us which is essential for building a corruption-free Bharat. Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha (ABHM) will demand for renaming Fort William as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Fort on August 18, 2020. As his great-grandniece and as national president of Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha this will be the first honour we can show to our freedom fighters by removing a British name and honouring the hub from where our brave soldiers fought in the name of the first 'Supreme Commander' of a free Indian government.
Urge legislators to reject police reform

Gov. Northam has called a special session of the Virginia General Assembly for Aug. 18 to vote on the budget as a result of the disruption caused by COVID-19. However, it seems that restrictions on law enforcement will also be brought up.

In the state Senate, a committee on police reform has been formed, and there is considerable support for defunding law enforcement agencies and reducing the charge for an assault on a law enforcement officer from a felony to a misdemeanor.

On the House of Delegates side, the House Courts of Justice and Public Safety Committee met jointly late last month and discussed priorities regarding police reform for the upcoming special session. Some of their dangerous reform recommendations include:

Defunding of operational budgets;

Removal of school resource officers;

Dismantling and defunding SWAT and tactical teams across the state;

Prohibiting the use of kinetic energy projectiles which could include rubber bullets;

Prohibiting the use of tear gas and other non-lethal deterrents;
Zareen Khan says people still assume Salman Khan helps her find work: "I cannot be a monkey on his back"
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Caribbean International Academy has dispatched a letter to the Minister of Education Rodolphe Samuel and the Minister of Health and Labor Richard Panneflek informing them that unless government has a Ministerial Decree in place that will permit private education institutions to close then they would have no foot to stand on as they remain close due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

CIA President Huguette Halley in her letter said that the parents of that school are planning to protest on Monday morning in front of the school since verdict rendered on Friday are in favor of the schools especially Learning Unlimited.

Halley said the school wants to respect and support government by keeping the school closed but they can only do that if government issued the needed Ministerial Decree.

Below is the letter to the government.
Fights broke out in multiple states Saturday in clashes involving a variety of groups, including the far-right Proud Boys, counter-protesters supporting Black Lives Matter and police officers in riot gear.

The multiple instances of tensions between opposing factions was a departure from the typically peaceful protests against racial inequality that have occurred in recent weekends. But the conflicts reported as of Saturday afternoon have been limited to scattered fights.

In Michigan, a planned rally by the alt-right, male-only Proud Boys met with counter protesters, leading to escalating tensions and arrests in Kalamazoo.

In Portland, a rally by a small group of alt-right demonstrators devolved Saturday as they traded paint balls and pepper spray with counter-protesters. Earlier in the day, police said they made four arrests overnight.

At the Oregon Capitol in Salem on Saturday, several people with the Black Lives Matter movement were shoved down steps and into a crowd of BLM protesters.

And in Georgia, hours of mostly peaceful demonstrations escalated in Stone Mountain outside of Atlanta as large numbers of police moved in to disperse the crowds when fights broke out.

Related: Why police are protected from civil lawsuits, trials

The Michigan clash involved the Proud Boys, a group listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center due to their white nationalist memes and affiliations with known extremists, according to the SPLC.

"A fight occurred, people were fighting, and that's when we stepped in," Assistant Chief Vernon Coakley of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety said of the incident. He didn't know exactly how many people were arrested.

A reporter for MLive.com said some of the Proud Boys also used pepper spray on people. The reporter was also detained by police while recording live on Facebook.

The clash at the Oregon Capitol happened as groups of differing ideologies gathered to protest a wide variety of issues, including pandemic restrictions, human trafficking and racial injustice. But there were no police on hand, and the conflicts were broken up by those participating.

Story continues

Mostly peaceful protests against racial injustice have been ongoing for weeks following the death of George Floyd on Memorial Day.

Clashes between opposing groups have also occurred. Notably in late July, two opposing, heavily armed militia groups came within a few dozen yards of each of other in Louisville, but avoided violence.

Contributing: Meredith Spelbring, Detroit Free Press; Bill Poehler, Salem Statesman Journal; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Proud Boys, BLM counter-protesters, police clash in fights
STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga.  After several hours of mostly peaceful demonstrations Saturday in an Atlanta suburb thats home to a giant Confederate memorial, large numbers of police moved in to disperse the crowds when fights broke out.

Several dozen right-wing demonstrators, some waving the Confederate battle flag and many wearing military gear, gathered in downtown Stone Mountain where they faced off against a few hundred counterprotesters, many of whom wore shirts or carried signs expressing support for the Black Lives Matter movement. People in both groups carried rifles. For several hours, there was little visible police presence and things were largely peaceful, aside from some shoving and pushing and spirited arguments.

But just before 1 p.m., fights broke out, with people punching and kicking each other and throwing rocks. Thats when police officers in riot gear moved in to disperse the crowds.

By 2 p.m., almost all of the protesters had left the area.

Right-wing groups led by an Arkansas group called Confederate States III%, had applied for a permit to hold a rally in Stone Mountain Park, where theres a giant sculpture of Confederate leaders. The event was planned as a response to a march in the park by a Black militia group on July 4.

But the Stone Mountain Memorial Association denied the permit on Aug. 4, citing a violent clash between groups in April 2016, spokesman John Bankhead said. The park closed to visitors Saturday and was set to reopen Sunday.

With police manning barriers to keep people from entering the park, demonstrators took to the streets of the adjoining city of Stone Mountain, which on Friday had advised people to stay away all day and urged residents to stay home and businesses to shut down.

The predominantly Black demonstrators on July 4 spoke out against the huge sculpture depicting Gen. Robert E. Lee, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Gen. Thomas J. Stonewall Jackson. Carved into a granite mountain, the bas-relief sculpture is the largest Confederate monument ever crafted. The 100 to 200 protesters, many of whom carried large rifles, were peaceful.

Although the park has historically been a gathering spot for white supremacists, the adjoining city of Stone Mountain has a majority-Black population today.

The park at Stone Mountain markets itself as a family theme park rather than a shrine to the Lost Cause mythology that romanticizes the Confederacy as chivalrous defenders of states rights. Its a popular recreation spot for many families on the east side of Atlanta, with hiking trails, a golf course, boat rentals and other attractions. The park has long been known for its laser light shows, but those have been canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gardai are investigating an assault which took place in Dublin yesterday evening.

A man (early 20s) is fighting for his life after the attack at O'Rourke Park in Sallynoggin this morning at 1.50am.

He was rushed to St Vincent's Hospital with serious injuries after being found at the scene with serious injuries.

A man also in his early 20s was arrested at scene and taken to to Dun Laoghaire Garda Station where he is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

According to a garda spokesperson, investigations are ongoing.
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) questions federal officials during a hearing in Washington on Aug. 6, 2020. (Toni L. Sandys/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Sen. Johnson: Additional Subpoenas Coming in Crossfire Hurricane Review

More subpoenas are coming in the investigation of the FBIs probe into President Donald Trumps 2016 campaign, a top Republican senator said on Sunday.

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), the chairman on the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, blamed the delay in using authorization granted to him by committee members on agencies he said refused to produce documents despite repeated requests.

I have the authority to subpoena 33 different individuals. James Comey, Clapper, Brennanthose folks are on the list. What has delayed my interviews with those individuals is, we dont have the documents, he said on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures.

How can you sit down and conduct a thorough interview when you dont have, for example, the two documents that were just revealed over the last week? he added, including one document that suggests the FBI misled Congress on the reliability of the infamous Steele dossier. So we absolutely need those documents. That is what the FBI has been so successful at hiding the ball on.

Johnson last week subpoenaed the FBI, demanding records related to the origins of the probe between Trumps campaign and Russia. The senator said Sunday hes also issued a subpoena for Jonathan Winer, a former State Department official.

And additional subpoenas will be forthcoming, he said.

Johnson has drawn criticism from people who believe hes been lax since convincing all seven Republican colleagues on his committee to grant him authorization to issue subpoenas to dozens of Obama era officials and for a number of documents.

You guys have blown the time, radio host Hugh Hewitt told the senator in a recent interview, speaking of Johnson and Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). Its like they ran the four corners offense against you and youve run out of time.

Johnson highlighted efforts to gain information voluntarily, something he said committee members pushed him to do.

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) arrives for the Republican policy luncheon at the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington on March 19, 2020. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

Four of the seven other Republicans re-affirmed their support for Johnsons subpoena power after the contentious interview, including Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah).

Asked directly on Sunday if Romney is blocking him, Johnson said no.

Weve had that authority for a couple of months. But they also wanted me to voluntarily get this information, he said.

We bent over backwards for the last couple months. My patience ran out and Ive begun that compulsory process.

In a related issue, the senator said the court filing against an FBI lawyer used by former special counsel Robert Muellers team who allegedly altered an email before forwarding it from the CIA to the FBI contained shocking information. Kevin Clinesmith, the lawyer, is accused of changing the message from one saying Trump campaign associate Carter Page was a CIA asset to one saying he was not.

That revelation, and the one about the FBI briefs, are stunning, and we should of known about this years ago, Johnson said.

Which, again, just makes me even more frustrated with Director Wray. I was forced to issue him a subpoena, which all those documents are due next Thursday. And they better be forthcoming.

The FBI told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement on Thursday that it received Johnsons subpoena.

The FBI has already been producing documents and information to the Senate Homeland Security Committee, which are directly responsive to this subpoena, a spokesperson said. As always, the FBI will continue to cooperate with the Committees requests, consistent with our law enforcement and national security obligations.
The condition of former president Pranab Mukherjee remained unchanged on Sunday and he continued to be on ventilator support, doctors attending to him said. They said his vital and clinical parameters are stable.

The doctors at the Army's Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi Cantonment said the health of the former president is being closely monitored by a team of specialists.

His son Abhijit Mukherjee said he visited the hospital on Saturday and his father "is much better and stable than the preceding days".

"Yesterday, I had visited my father in Hospital. With God's grace and all your good wishes, he is much better and stable than the preceeding days! All his vital parameters are stable and he is responding to treatment. We firmly believe that He will be back among us soon. Thank You (sic)," he said on Twitter.

"With all your prayers and good wishes, I firmly believe that he will be back among us soon and in good health," he tweeted.

The 84-year-old former president was admitted to the hospital on Monday and was operated upon for removal of a clot in the brain. He is also COVID-19 positive.

The hospital, in a statement, on Sunday said, "There is no change in the condition of Hon'ble Shri Pranab Mukherjee. His vital and clinical parameters are stable and he continues to be on ventilator support."

"The health condition of the former president who also has multiple old co-morbidities is being closely monitored by a team of specialists," it said.

Pranab Mukherjee served as the 13th President of India from 2012 to 2017.

Also Read: Russia produces first batch of coronavirus vaccines

Also Read: India erred in imposing lockdown restrictions; entered, exited too soon, says Abhijit Banerjee
Officials: Texas Parents Lied About Missing Newborn Before He Was Found in a Bucket

Authorities in Texas said that the body of a newborn child was discovered inside of a bucket of tar, and a couple has been charged.

Roland and Donna Grabowski were arrested late on Saturday in McKinney, located near Dallas, police said to local news outlets.

A Collin County Sheriffs Office spokesman told The Associated Press that the couple has refused to cooperate. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the 1-week-old childs death.

Deputies responded to their home regarding a possible unreported death of an infant, the office said, according to WFAA.

Sheriff Jim Skinner confirmed to WFAA that the couple faces multiple felonies including abandoning or endangering a child.

Police said in arrest warrants that the couple told deputies numerous lies while they were being questioned, according to WFAA. They initially said the boy was being watched by a family friend, the warrant said.

There was an attempt to deceive us as to what had happened and the whereabouts of their child Micah, said Skinner, referring to the name of the deceased child. An arrest warrant said the couple allegedly attempted to convince a friend to cover for them with a text: I need you to say your baby is ours. Quick in and out. They just need to see.

According to officials, the two also told friends that the boy died of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

They took the child and wrapped him in a blanket and submerged him into a five-gallon bucket of tar and put him in a shed behind the residence, Skinner said.

Capt. Nick Bristow said that when officials searched their home, they found a bucket of tar with the child inside, AP reported. Bristow added that the couple also said they awoke on July 29 to find their son dead in their bed and never reported it to the authorities.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Family and Protective Services told the Dallas Morning News investigators with Child Protective Services are working with law enforcement to investigate the incident.

The couple has two other children, including a 9-year-old and a 1-year-old, the department spokeswoman added. They have been in foster care for some time in another part of Texas, she said.

The spokeswoman didnt elaborate on why the two children were in foster care.

Court records show that Roland Grabowski was sentenced to two years in prison and was released in 2009. He also is listed in the states sex offender registry, the paper said.
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There have been more complaints of bullying against ministers in the Scottish government than in all other UK departments put together, Britain's top trade union for senior civil servants has revealed.

The findings come ahead of a Scottish parliament inquiry this week which will hear evidence on how complaints about former first minister Alex Salmond were handled before he was acquitted of sexual assault.

However, the hearings will also look at complaints against ministers since Nicola Sturgeon's appointment in 2014.

There have been 30 complaints from senior civil servants at five ministerial departments in Scotland over ten years.

In contrast, 'only a handful' of complaints have been made in the other UK departments, Dave Penman, leader of the FDA union, which represents senior and middle management civil servants, revealed.

A Scottish parliament inquiry this week which will hear evidence on how complaints about former first minister Alex Salmond were handled before he was acquitted of sexual assault

However, the hearings will also look at complaints against ministers since Nicola Sturgeon's appointment in 2014

He told the Times: 'It is quite extraordinary that there are more complaints about the Scottish government than all other UK government departments put together.'

Discussing the nature of the complaints, Mr Penman said they included a 'whole range of behaviour', such as 'shouting and bawling, unreasonable demands, calls at 3am  and concerns these complaints would not be dealt with properly and, if raised, could damage future careers'.

Next week's inquiry will look into the procedure used by Sturgeon to investigate complaints against Salmond, with Leslie Evans, the Scottish civil service head, Leslie Evans, appearing.

After Salmond was acquitted of sexual assault charges, he also won a judicial inquiry into the government's handling of complaints against him.

Sturgeon's administration admitted it had not followed proper procedures and was forced to pay her former boss 500,000 in legal costs.

The evidence will also reveal how senior civil servants raised concerns about 'bullying behaviour' in Salmond's office while he was first minister, with some staff feeling unprotected.

Mr Penman added: 'Although action was taken and short-term improvements or apologies were made, this did not bring about an overall change in culture.'

Dave Penman, leader of the FDA union, which represents senior and middle management civil servants, said: 'It is quite extraordinary that there are more complaints about the Scottish government than all other UK government departments put together'

The SNP has been inundated with bullying claims against ministers by civil servants.

Last month, economy secretary Fiona Hyslop referred herself to an independent inquiry after she was blamed for triggering two suicide attempts by an employee.

An aide alleged they had 'put up with six months of intimidation, harassment, lies and gossiping' while working for the MSP.

The SNP is disputing claims about her.

More bullying claims were made about the rural economy and tourism secretary, Fergus Ewing.

Civil servants at the Marine Scotland agency accused him of acting in a 'very un-ministerial' manner by blaming officials for problems.

Ewing rejects the latest claims, from June, but in 2018 did apologise for his 'forthright' attitude after an earlier bullying allegation.

The Scottish government said it welcomed the chance to address the inquiry but would not pre-empt it by commenting.

Salmond did not comment.
The Pentagon said on Friday that it was setting up a new task force under the US Navy to investigate UFO sightings.

With the creation of the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF), the Defense Department hopes "to improve its understanding of, and gain insight into, the nature and origins of UAPs," spokeswoman Susan Gough said in a statement.

Rather than little green alien invaders, the US military is actually concerned about "unidentified aerial phenomena" connected with its terrestrial adversaries.

Washington is particularly concerned about China's spying capabilities, using drones or other airborne means.

"The mission of the task force is to detect, analyze and catalog UAPs that could potentially pose a threat to US national security," Gough said.

The Pentagon take "any incursions by unauthorized aircraft into our training ranges or designated airspace very seriously and examine each report," she said.

"This includes examinations of incursions that are initially reported as UAP when the observer cannot immediately identify what he or she is observing."

Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist approved the establishment of the new task force on August 4.

The US Senate intelligence committee in June said it wanted to regulate a Pentagon UFO program, confirming the existence of an informal working group which was revealed by the New York Times in 2017.

In December 2017, the Pentagon acknowledged funding the secret multi-million-dollar program to investigate sightings of UFOs, although it said it had ended in 2012.

The announcement of a new task force comes after the Pentagon in April officially released three videos taken by US Navy pilots showing mid-air encounters with what appear to be UFOs.

The grainy black and white footage had previously been leaked and the Navy had acknowledged they were Navy videos.

One of the videos was shot in November 2004 and the other two in January 2015.

In one, the weapons-sensor operator appears to lose lock on a rapidly moving oblong object which seconds later suddenly accelerates away to the left and out of view.

In another video tracking an object above the clouds, one pilot wonders if it is a drone.
With tensions at the borders continuing, India had to be prepared to deal with any eventuality, said the Chief Minister in his Independence Day address, after hoisting the tricolour here to mark the historic occasion.

Mohali (Punjab), Aug 15 (IANS) Warning of continued threat from both Pakistan and China, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday said Punjab would always be at the forefront of fighting the enemy at the borders.

"While Pakistan continues to resort to firing every day, China, on the other hand, talks about friendship but remains a danger to our nation," said Amarinder Singh, recalling the recent barbaric attack on Indian soldiers by the Chinese forces.

India has always given Pakistan a befitting response, which is the only way to deal with them, he said, adding that China also needs to be handled with the same iron hand.

Recalling the contributions of the millions of Indians to the freedom struggle, the Chief Minister said Punjabis had always been at the forefront of every battle.

The cellular jail in Kaala Paani (Andaman Islands) have the names of tens of hundreds of Punjabis etched in immortality, he said, adding even though the Independence Day celebrations this year were low-key due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this was the time to remember the sacrifices of all those who had made freedom possible for everyone.

It was also the time to salute the defence forces guarding the nation's borders from the enemy, he added.

Paying his tributes to Punjab's freedom fighters, Amarinder Singh reiterated his government's commitment to extend all benefits of freedom fighters to their next generations.

At the same time, Amarinder Singh saluted the health workers and paramedics who were continuously fighting the invisible Covid-19 enemy, along with the NGOs and religious organisations that have worked tirelessly to provide free food and medicine during the period of lockdown.

He also acknowledged the great work done by the farmers, who have produced the food that fed the nation during the lockdown period and government officials who are serving the people in these difficult times.

The Chief Minister recognised the people of Punjab for their cooperation in observing precautions that were helping in containing the pandemic, the students who had marvellously adapted to the online teaching methodology, as well as the teachers who were working day and night to create online content to ensure that the studies of their students do not suffer.

He also lauded the industrialists who had shown remarkable resilience in recovering from the extreme slowdown caused by the pandemic, and the industrial labour which had placed its faith in Punjab and returned to work with the same dedication as before after the initial panic which forced them to leave for their home towns through the trains arranged by the state government.

--IANS

vg/rs/
It took three visits to the Jersey Shore, two articles and one stern warning from Gov. Phil Murphy. But on Saturday night, I finally saw something I hadnt seen yet during the coronavirus pandemic: shore bars taking control of their lines.

One week after I was taken aback by the lack of masks and social distancing on the lines to get into some of Monmouth and Ocean Countys most popular nightlife spots  prompting Murphys threat to shut down the bars if they didnt clean up their act  I went back the same bars on Saturday night. For the most part, every establishment seems to have gotten the message.
Workers jobs are under threat from digitalisation and the economic ruin brought about by lockdown - Frank Cilius /Ritzau Scanpix

The head of Germanys largest trade union has proposed a four-day week in order to protect jobs threatened by digitalisation and the coronavirus-induced economic slump.

Jorg Hofmann, head of the IG Metall trade union, said on Saturday that he plans to negotiate the reduced working hours for his members in the next round of wage talks with major players in the German auto and mechanical parts sectors.

The four-day week would be the answer to structural shifts in sectors such as the automotive industry, Mr Hofmann told the Suddeutsche Zeitung.

A propsal "would allow industrial jobs to be retained instead of being written off, he insisted.

Digitalisation and the shift towards electric mobility have uprooted the German auto industry, with all the major manufacturers announcing plans to axe jobs over the coming years.

Mr Hofmann, whose union represents 2.3 million Germans, claimed that a four-day week would allow companies such as Daimler and Bosch to retain specialist workers and save money on redundancy packages.

Initial talks with industry representatives met with widespread approval, he said, but warned that any agreement would have to be accompanied by wage compensation so that employees can afford it.

German industry has experienced an unexpectedly robust recovery since the height of the corona crisis when production was run down to a minimum, with orders rising by 28 percent in June.

But the improved prospect of a V-shaped recovery has not stopped car makers from working on restructuring plans.

Daimler is reported to be on the verge of expanding its job cuts to 30,000 jobs globally in response to the crisis.

BMW is currently working on plans to axe 6,000 jobs in its 120,000 person global operation, while VW announced job losses of up to 7,000 last year.
Ashley James detailed having a benign tumour removed from her breast as a teen, in a post shared to celebrate the halfway mark of her pregnancy on Sunday.

The star, who announced at the beginning of August that she is expecting a baby boy, cradled her baby bump and admitted that she is 'loving watching my body grow' in a heart-warming social media post on the British shoreline

The mother-to-be, 33, displayed her transforming body while adding a lengthy caption in which discussed the tumour, which was the size of a bag of sugar.

Happiness: Ashley James detailed having a benign tumour removed from her breast as a teen, in a post shared to celebrate the halfway mark of her pregnancy on Sunday

On the grey and subdued beach of Frinton-On-Sea, Ashley was a ray of sunshine as she beamed and held her belly in her self-proclaimed 'granny bra'.

The former Made In Chelsea star sported a sculpted nude bra and plain black underwear with a pair of delicate gold earrings and matching necklace.

She let her natural beauty shine through as she opted for a minimal make-up look.

The blonde beauty also left her highlighted tresses in a natural loose wave for the candid and care-free snap.

Scary: The former Made In Chelsea star, 33, discussed accepting her changing body in a candid Instagram post and revealed that she once had a benign tumour removed

In a open and honest caption, Ashley divulged her experience being pregnant as she hit the 20-week mark in her pregnancy this week.

She penned: 'Today I'm officially halfway through my pregnancy - can't wait to meet you baby boy! Celebrating surrounded by mother nature in my happy place by the sea!

'Bit of an impromptu swim, hence the granny bra and mismatched underwear, but the sea's surprisingly nice despite the grey skies.

Baby on the way: Earlier in August, Ashley revealed the gender of her child as she announced that she is having a baby boy and said that she 'can't wait' to meet her first child

'I don't know how other mums to be feel, but I am absolutely loving watching my body grow, and have never felt more body confident.'

She also opened up about the stretch marks she already has on her breast as a result of a benign growth that she had as a teenager.

She added: 'Someone asked me how I deal with stretch marks and so I thought I'd share my response: I've had really bad stretch marks on my left boob since I was 15.

The reality star said: 'I had the lump the size of a bag of sugar removed (which was luckily benign), and it left a big scar and the marks from when my boob was stretched'

'I had the lump the size of a bag of sugar removed (which was luckily benign), and it left a big scar and the marks from when my boob was stretched.

'Rather than seeing them as something bad, see them as a tattoo from mother nature... Every mark on our body is a new tapestry of our memories.

'I can't wait to see how my body commemorates this little bubba growing inside of me.

She added: 'Rather than seeing them as something bad, see them as a tattoo from mother nature... Every mark on our body is a new tapestry of our memories'

'Also, just remember, that no one judges us as much as we judge ourselves, and when we're on our death beds we're going to remember all the memories, not the size of our clothes, the number on a scale or how our body looked.'

In a 2016 interview with The Daily Star, Ashley opened up about finding a lump on her breast when she was 15, and assuming it was cancer.

She said: 'Luckily for me it was benign so it wasn't cancer, but obviously had I not spoken out about it it could have been really different.'

Pregnancy glow: According to Ashley, she loves watching her body grow and feels more confident with her body now than ever before

Ashley spent six years single before settling down with tech professional Tom in October, however, the couple first met ten years ago.

She admitted she was never particularly maternal, but has found a new form of elation and contentment with her impending motherhood.

The couple's commitment to one another has blossomed with Tom giving Ashley a Cartier Trinity ring, although she insists that they're 'not interested' in engagement or marriage, and want the accessory to 'symbolise' them and their baby as a family.
Thousands of tradespeople and other workers will be freed from regulations requiring them to pay for updated qualifications or workplace licences when seeking job opportunities across the country.

A new mutual recognition scheme will allow professionals including carpenters, electricians and plumbers, plus licensed occupations such as teachers and property agents, to move where jobs are available by recognising their skills and qualifications across all states.

The scheme to kick-start labour mobility following the pandemic-induced recession will be in place from January 1. Credit:Erin Jonasson

The reduction in red tape aims to make it easier for people such as displaced workers to take up new job opportunities wherever they arise as the economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on movement are eased.

The scheme to kick-start labour mobility following the pandemic-induced recession will be in place from January 1, subject to the passage of laws through state and territory parliaments.
Jon Caldara is the President of the Independence Institute, Colorados free-market think tank in Denver.
Allegations of corruption against judges do not automatically amount to contempt of court if the person making the allegations invokes truth as a defence, advocate Prashant Bhushan told the Supreme Court (SC) on Sunday in written submissions for a 2009 contempt-of-court case.

Truth is a valid legal defence in contempt cases as laid down by the SC in its earlier judgments and a person cannot be held guilty for contempt per se if he invokes truth as a defence, Bhushan said in his submissions in the case invoked against him for calling past Chief Justices of India (CJI) corrupt in a 2009 interview to Tehelka magazine.

When such defense (of truth) is invoked, to hold the alleged contemnor guilty of contempt, the court will have to necessarily return a finding that such defence is not in public interest and that the request for invoking such defence is not bona-fide (in good faith), Bhushan submitted.

In his submissions on Sunday, Bhushan referred to the 2014 judgment of the SC in Subramanian Swamy v. Arun Shourie in which the apex court recognized truth as a valid defence in a contempt case against then editor of Indian Express, Shourie, for an editorial published in 1990 about a sitting SC judge.

In his 2009 interview, Bhushan claimed half of the past 16 CJIs were corrupt. Senior advocate Harish Salve brought this statement to the attention of the court, based on which contempt action was initiated against him in November 2009.

The case was listed by the top court on July 24 more than eight years after it was last heard. Bhushan refused to apologise for his statement but offered an explanation to the court. A three-judge bench headed by justice Arun Mishra, on August 10, rejected Bhushans explanation and decided to proceed with the case and hear it in detail. The case is slated to be heard on Monday. Tarun Tejpal, who was then editor of Tehelka magazine, is also a contemnor in the case.

Bhushan also pointed out that corruption in the judiciary was highlighted in Parliamentary Committee reports on prevention of corruption and was also commented upon by former SC judges.

Former Chief Justice of India Justice SP Bharucha is reported to have remarked that 20 percent of the Judges were corrupt. When a lawyer filed a petition in the Rajasthan high court praying that either Justice Bharucha be asked to give names of corrupt judges or contempt action be initiated against him, the high court dismissed the case, it was submitted.

The submission came days after the SC held the activist lawyer guilty of criminal contempt of court, in another case, for two tweets, one criticising CJI SA Bobde and the other raising questions about the conduct of former CJIs and the court. The tweets were based on distorted facts and have the effect of destabilising the foundation of the Indian judiciary, the SC ruled.
With only female Great Indian Bustard (GIB) remaining, Gujarat has once again indicated the need for the re-introduction of male chicks from Rajasthan but the government is not in the position to translocate male chicks at present, a top official said.

The GIB, the state bird of Rajasthan, figures as critically endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list, 2011, and Schedule-I that accords it the highest level of legal protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. WI). Surveys show that the number of GIB has reduced by 75 percent in the last 30 years.

Also read: 875 fresh cases take Rajasthans Covid-19 tally to over 60,000

To conserve the critically endangered GIB, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) launched the project, Habitat Improvement and Conservation Breeding of Great Indian Bustard: An Integrated Approach, during March 2016 in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Rajasthan forest department and NGOs with the financial support from the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority Funds.

An official familiar with the project said that the temporary conservation breeding centre (CSC) at Sam (Jaisalmer) is functioning well and till date 10 eggs of GIB have hatched.

Meanwhile, Gujarat has recently placed a demand for GIB male chicks.

Yes, during the recent review of the GIBs conservation efforts through video conferencing, we had made such a proposal before the MoEFCC officials. In 2016, there were 25 GIB individuals in Gujarat but now only 5-7 GIB individuals (all females) are being reported. Gujarat needs permission for re-introduction of male GIB chicks from Rajasthan, but no decision was taken on it so far, said Sanjay Sisodia, additional principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Gujarat.

Will Rajasthan consider Gujarats demand? At present, according to officials, the answer is no and it will depend on the future results of conservation breeding.

We do not have male chicks available right now, so we cannot respond to it right now. Conservation breeding of the GIBs is going on in the state, making the founder population. Our focus is on the next generation, a reproduction of the founder Population, for which we will have to wait for five years. If the next generations production is as expected, then we will be able to consider Gujarats demand, Karnatakas or any other state, said Arindam Tomar, additional principal chief conservator and chief wildlife warden of Rajasthan.

He added, as per the project design of conservation breeding, we cannot share the founder population with anyone. Not everyone will be able to take care of it. After the production of the next generation, we will not mind giving any chick in favourable condition, because it is a national asset.
The Museum of Contemporary Art has overhauled its COVID-shredded summer program, rescheduling a high-profile survey show of the work of Australian-Chinese artist Lindy Lee and announcing two new exhibitions focusing on work from Australian artists.

The Lindy Lee exhibition, Moon in a Dew Drop, curated by MCA director Liz Ann Macgregor, was originally due to open on July 9 but will now be launch on October 2.

Lindy Lee outside the MCA, which will host a major retrospective of her work on October 2. Credit:Rhett Wyman

It was probably the first casualty of lockdown, says Macgregor. We made the decision to postpone but we didnt know when we could do it because of the uncertainty of the new COVID reality.

Ive been a fan of Lindys work since visiting Australia for the first time in 1994. In the past few years, her work has gone from strength to strength.
Weather Alert

.An arctic cold front will move across the region on Wednesday, causing rain to change to snow Wednesday afternoon and evening. ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 6 AM CST THURSDAY... * WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of one to two inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze. * WHERE...Portions of southwest Indiana, western Kentucky and southern Illinois. * WHEN...From 4 PM Wednesday to 6 AM CST Thursday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the evening commute, especially along the Ohio River. The transition from rain to a wintry mix and snow may not occur closer to the Tennessee border areas until after 7 PM CST. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The combination of gusty winds, falling temperatures and wind chills, and falling snow will cause hazardous travel. Freezing of residual moisture on roads from rain earlier Wednesday could also cause some icing of roadways. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. &&
The UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash, told me in an exclusive interview that his country wants to implement its normalization deal with Israel as soon as possible."

What he's saying: Gargash said he was confident that the U.S.-brokered deal moved Israeli annexation of the West Bank off the table for a long time. He also said Israeli tourists would soon be able to travel to the UAE.

Why it matters: This is the first-ever interview by a UAE official with an Israeli journalist. Gargash used it to explain what led the UAE to agree to the normalization deal, and to urge Israel to take steps to ensure its success.

Gargash said the approving statement yesterday from Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden showed there was bipartisan support for this deal, and that U.S. efforts to bring Israel and the UAE together will continue regardless of the result of November's election.

He stressed that this was not a symbolic step, but one that the UAE hopes will lead to cooperation on agriculture, food security, cyber security, tourism, technology and trade. Gargash said the deal would also involve opening embassies.

We are not talking about a very slow and gradual process. ... There are sectors that we would like to develop with Israel and there are sectors that Israel would like to develop. I see teams meeting in order to address many of the areas of interest in Israel and in the UAE," he said.

The backstory: Gargash said the UAEs relations with Israel improved slowly over the years, and that progress accelerated in the last year or two as the Gulf country realized it wanted to be able to disagree with Israel on the political issues and work together on other areas."

He said the region had seen had been many false starts in the past, so efforts were needed from Israel, the UAE and the U.S. to ensure this initiative was successful.

"This is an important milestone in Arab-Israeli relations. We have seen many milestones which were less successful. If we learn something from the region, it is that it is not once you announce something that it becomes instantly successful. We all have to work together," he said.

What to watch: The UAEs main achievement in the normalization deal is the suspension of Israel's annexation plans  but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quickly said that suspension was only temporary. Gargash said he's confident there will be no Israeli annexations for a long time.

I dont understand Israeli politics. It is very complicated. But this is a three-way commitment. We are sure that as we will keep our commitment, and the U.S. is involved, so will Israel keep its commitment. I think we have bought a lot of timeI dont think it is a short suspension."

He added that the rationale behind pushing for a suspension was to try to relaunch peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

We keep urging Palestinians and Israelis to come back to the negotiations table. You cant stop the time bomb but at the same time not do anything in terms of the interaction that is needed," he said.

Between the lines: Palestinian officials have been highly critical of the deal, and of the UAE for agreeing to it.

Worth noting: Gargash said the upcoming EXPO in Dubai would be an important opportunity for Israelis to travel to the UAE.

Go deeper... Behind the scenes: How the deal came together
Kamala Harris's boundary-breaking run at the US vice presidency has inspired hope and dreams in her father's native Jamaica, where locals claimed her as their own.

She might have been born in California to an Indian mother, but it was her Jamaican roots and historic candidacy that got people in Kingston excited on Wednesday.

"My heart is soaring for all the kids out there who see themselves in her and will dream bigger because of this," said Felicia Mills, a 36-year-old executive secretary.

"This means a lot for every little girl who has ever dreamed an impossible dream," she said, describing Harris as an "honorary Jamaican".

Harris was the first black attorney general of California and the first woman to hold that post, while she was also the first woman of South Asian heritage elected to the US Senate.

READ Kamala Harriss cultural impact

The 55-year-old made history on Tuesday when Democratic presidential challenger Joe Biden tapped her to be his running mate, making her the first woman of colour on a major party's presidential ticket.

Her father, Donald Harris, served as an economics professor at prestigious Stanford University in California, where he taught and carried out research.

According to his biography on Stanford's website, he is a naturalized US citizen but "had a continuing engagement with work on the economy of Jamaica, his native country."

He served as a consultant to Jamaica's government and its prime ministers, the website said.

Her father and mother, breast cancer researcher Shyamala Gopalan, separated when Harris was about five years old and she and her sister Maya were raised by her mother, who died in 2009.

READ: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris pledge a strong challenge to Donald Trump

Popular Jamaican political commentator Kevin O'Brien Chang said Harris's candidacy shined a positive light on the island.

"She has spoken positively about Jamaica in the past, she is aware of her heritage and proud of it," he said.

"It shows greatness, and it translates well, that the daughter of two immigrants born in the United States could aspire to the second most powerful job in America," Chang added.

Even Jamaica's top levels of government weighed in on the nomination, with the nation's foreign affairs minister Kamina Johnson Smith tweeting "Congratulations to Senator @kamalaharris on her historic selection!!"

With under three months to go until election day in the United States, people in Jamaica were already casting Harris's nod as a masterful step.

"Based on the reactions I'm seeing so far, it's a genius move," said University of the West Indies politics student Francine James.

READ: Kamala Harris never forgot her roots, even today calls me 'chithi': Aunt recounts Biden VP pick's childhood

"Any attempts by the Republicans at being nasty towards her... will likely backfire," James said.

Biden and Harris came out swinging on Wednesday, launching their ticket with a call-to-arms against President Donald Trump.

"America is crying out for leadership, yet we have a president who cares more about himself than the people who elected him," said Harris.
Miracle teenager Ellen Glynn, who with her cousin was rescued after 15 hours at sea, said she doesn't think she would have survived on her own.

Ellen (17) and Sara Feeney (23), from Cappagh Road, Knocknacarra, Galway city, were found clinging to a buoy 4km south of Inis Oirr - 27km from where they set off paddleboarding on Furbo Beach last Wednesday evening.

Throughout their 15-hour ordeal, the girls survived wild seas, freezing cold, thunder, lightning and torrential rain - much of it in the pitch-black darkness of Galway Bay.

Read More

Then shortly after noon on Thursday, as all hopes were fading, the cousins were plucked from the sea by heroic Galway fisherman Patrick Oliver and his son Morgan.

Mr Oliver used his master knowledge of the sea, currents and the prevailing winds to correctly pinpoint the pair's trajectory.

The distance travelled by the cousins across Galway Bay, outwards towards the Atlantic, was further than anyone apart from Mr Oliver had estimated.

Reflecting on their ordeal, Ms Glynn said she didn't think she would have survived on her own, without the support of her cousin and close friend Sara.

"We were out on the water; we were both completely fine. I panicked initially but then we both decided we were going to be OK," she said.

"Considering it was so many hours, it did actually go really fast. Maybe Sara was putting on a mask for me? I think we stayed strong for each other, though," she added.

"I think if it was one of us on our own, it would have been a completely, completely different story.

"I honestly would probably have given up," Ms Glynn said. "Like, if you had to do 15 hours on your own in the middle of the ocean... I just don't know."

During the search on Wednesday night, she said, the Coast Guard rescue helicopter and two boats narrowly missed finding them. Neither the vessels nor the helicopter could see them in the water or hear their screams.

"There was a helicopter and two boats looking for us and we could see them, and we were screaming but they just missed us. But we figured in the morning they would find us."

After an initial high, Ms Glynn admitted that as the adrenaline has worn off, she has marvelled at how she coped during their ordeal and immediately following their rescue.

"When I got back, the whole thing was almost glorified in my mind

"We had seen shooting stars and dolphins and that iridescent plankton.

"I was saying stuff like, 'Oh, we got to see all these nice things and the dolphins were jumping around.'

"Like we nearly froze to death and we were stranded at sea, but it didn't really hit me at first.

"Thinking back, I don't know how I was like that. Maybe it was shock. I suppose it was better than being scared."
Veteran politician and former External Affairs Minister S M Krishna has called for a complete and total ban on corporate funding of polls, saying there is a need to end political corruption and cleanse the electoral system in the country.

The root of administrative corruption lies in political corruption, and the root of political corruption lies in electoral corruption, said Krishna, who has seen electoral politics from close quarters for over five decades.

We first need to cleanse the electoral system. The process is going on here and there. There have been some reforms which are just in the initial stages, the former Karnataka Chief Minister told PTI.

But I am happy that there is no political corruption at the top in the Centre. There is not a single allegation of corruption or nepotism. The Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) himself is absolutely and impeccably clean and honest. This is a very big positive development, he said.

Slowly, things will fall in its place. A situation will arise where people will choose candidates on the basis of the performance of the party in the government and in the opposition, the former Maharashtra Governor said.

Krishna, who joined BJP over three years ago after more than 45 years association with the Congress, said electoral reforms need to pick up pace and we must think of bringing in public funding of elections and a complete and total ban on private funding, which means funding from corporate companies.

It is a long way to go, but I am confident that we will have clean politics. If we have to see the emergence of clean politics, electoral reforms are a must.

Unless money power is eradicated, there cannot be clean politics. My emphasis is for the eradication of money power, which is the first step we have to take, he said.

Secondly, appealing for votes on communal and caste basis during elections must become a penal offence, the 88-year-old leader added.

Asked if he thought there should be a retirement age for politicians, Krishna said politics is not a government job to fix retirement age.

With age comes maturity, knowledge and experience, the BJP leader said, adding, Morarji Desai became Prime Minister at the age of 81, and he did a fantastic job.

Suppose, hypothetically speaking, if he (Desai) had retired at the age of 60 of 65, then the country would have been deprived of such a sagacious leadership, Krishna said.

Atal Behari Vajpayee became Prime Minister at the age of 74, and he did a fantastic job. L K Advani became Home Minister at the age of 71 and he did a wonderful job, he said.

But at the same time, it is also essential...that the youngsters must be given opportunity.

There should be a blend of age and youth; maturity and initial starters. Elders should not be totally discarded, but their knowledge and experience must be utilised to groom the younger generation, Krishna said.

It is like what we say in Kannada; Old Roots and New Leaves, he added.

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US President Donald Trump told his aides that he would like to have a personal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin before the US presidential election, NBC reported referring to sources familiar with the discussions.

Channel sources said Trump administration officials have examined various dates and locations for the summit with Putin, including a possible September meeting in New York.

"The goal of a summit would be for the two leaders to announce progress towards a new nuclear arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia, the people familiar with the discussions said. One option under consideration is for the two leaders to sign a blueprint for a way forward in negotiations on extending New START, a nuclear arms control treaty between the U.S. and Russia that expires next year, three of the people familiar with the discussions said," NBC noted.

According to sources, Trump wants to demonstrate his ability to negotiate agreements at the summit.
Iran urges int'l community to stand against US "knee on neck" policy

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New York, Aug 15, IRNA -- Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi warned against return of power-based unilateralism and called on the international community to stand against "knee on neck" policy.

Takht Ravanchi made the remarks through a statement in response to the draft resolution presented by the United States to the UN Security Council to extend arms embargo on Iran.

The full text of Iranian ambassador's statement read out before the UNSC meeting is as follows:

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful



Mr. President,

Today, the Security Council is considering a draft resolution presented by a country which has a long dark record of fabrications and disinformation throughout the world and this Council is no stranger to such dissemination of falsehood. It seems that in order to promote its short-sighted political interests, the U.S. is addicted to spread lies. A lie has no legs.

For many years, the U.S., misusing its permanent membership in the Council, has attempted to portray Iran as a threat to international peace and security and to propose sanctions on Iran.

One example is its current proposal for imposing an indefinite comprehensive arms embargo on my country. Is there any sound legal and objective security justification for such action? Can arms import and export by Iran be considered a threat to international peace and security? And, what is the ultimate goal of the U.S. in this whole exercise?

From a legal perspective, under Resolution 2231, following the termination of current restrictions, no arms embargo can be imposed on Iran for the following reasons:

1) According to the JCPOA which is annexed to Resolution 2231 and through its endorsement by the Council, has become legally binding on all Member States, there will be no new Security Council sanctions;

2) It will be against the Council's policy of "fundamental shift" as well as its "desire to build a new relationship with Iran" as affirmed and expressed in Resolution 2231;

3) It will also be against the Council's intent, as expressed in Resolution 2231, on "promoting and facilitating the development of normal economic and trade contacts and cooperation with Iran", which naturally includes arms trade too;

4) Any change in the already-agreed measures or timelines, by changing a well-crafted balance embedded in Resolution 2231, will affect several other parts thereof. The Resolution, as itself defines, is based on "a step-by-step approach", "includes the reciprocal commitments" -- the implementation and termination of which are subject to identified timelines -- and requires States to comply with its provisions "for their respective durations";

5) It is against the call by the Security Council on all Member States "to support the implementation of the JCPOA" and to refrain "from actions that undermine implementation of commitments under the JCPOA" as well as for the JCPOA's "full implementation on the timetable established" therein;

According to Annex B to Resolution 2231, the "duration" of arrangements including on arms "may be reviewed". However, Annex B is inherently designed to ensure that the provisions be terminated on the agreed timelines, as such a decision must be made by the Council based on a consensual recommendation by the Joint Commission where the U.S. is not a member to propose such extension and Iran as a member will not accept such a proposal.

6) It is crystal clear that any arms embargo against Iran will be against all promises made to Iran in different parts of Resolution 2231 and JCPOA and endorsed by the Council. This can set a dangerous precedent, weakening the Council's authority and eroding the trust and confidence in the Council, in its decisions and, by extension, in the UN itself. The main victims however will be the principles of justice, rule of law, dialogue, diplomacy and trust; and

7) Even beyond the JCPOA and resolution 2231  which, due to their direct substantive relevance can, in no way, be disregarded or overlooked -- the Security Council may impose sanctions only when it determines "the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression"; and more importantly, exhausts employing all possible solutions other than sanctions, which must be the last choice if need be.

Alireza MIRYOUSEFI, [14.08.20 18:32]

Now, the question is whether such conditions exist regarding Iran thus allowing the Council to act. This assessment, of course, cannot be made in vacuum or on political motivations, fabrications, lies and phony charges of certain member or members of the Council; rather it must be based on objective irrefutable facts, namely the security realities in the region.

So, let's take a quick look at the situation in the region, starting with the policies and practices of the U.S: a country which is not located in our region but has been meddling, for decades, in our affairs some 6000 miles away from its shores.

Only in Iran's 6 neighboring countries in the Persian Gulf, the U.S. has deployed nearly 50,000 troops, with more than 300 combat aircrafts, an aircraft carrier as well as tens of destroyers and ships with four Central Command Headquarters for its Army, Air, Marine and Special Forces.

Out of over 40 Western military installations in the Middle East, 29 belong to America. Such massive buildup has turned the region into the highest concentration of foreign military installations in the world.

Let's now turn to the unquenchable appetite of the U.S. to export arms to this region and the inordinate craving of the U.S.' regional allies to import them.

Saudi Arabia, by importing over 12% of ALL arms exported globally, by far has been the largest arms importer in the world in 2015-2019, 73% of which came from the U.S. Only remember the $110 billion worth of U.S.-Saudi arms deal in 2017, described by President Trump as "the largest order ever made". Saudi Arabia was the third largest military spender in 2018 and fifth in 2019 and devoted 8% of its GDP to military expenditure in 2019: the highest worldwide. Being by far the largest military spender in the Middle East, it also continues modernizing and expanding its military forces and according to SIPRI, currently, it "has the largest inventory of advanced weapons" among the Persian Gulf States.

Where does Iran stand? The level of Iran's arms imports decreased significantly in 1994-2018. According to SIPRI, the volume of Iran's arms imports in this period was relatively small compared with the volumes imported by many other States in the Middle East. In 2009-2019, Iran was ranked 57th arms importer globally. Iran's military expenditure in 2019 was five times less than that of Saudi Arabia and Iran devoted only 2.3% of its GDP to military expenditure in 2019, which is 3.5 time less than that of Saudi Arabia.

Mr. President, distinguished Council members,

What do these facts and figures reveal? Do they imply even an iota of threat to or breach of peace by Iran?

If anything, they clearly imply that there is an alarming trend in the region: an extremely furious flood of advanced weaponry, mostly U.S.-made arms, to certain regional States as well as the massive buildup of foreign forces, armed to teeth with all types of the most sophisticated armaments which are the real sources of instability in our region.

The arms exported to this volatile region has not only been used extensively to prolong death and destruction in Yemen, but also to fan and fuel other conflicts from Iraq to Syria to Libya.

Likewise, foreign forces -- who always mask their real missions under such euphemistic popular terms as "to ensure freedom of navigation" and "promote maritime stability" -- are involved in a range of invasive, intrusive, disruptive and subversive activities in our region. The invasions, false flag operations and espionage activities perpetrated by foreign forces, coupled with the well-known policy of "divide and rule" of their respective governments, have not only targeted trust and confidence among the regional nations who have coexisted peacefully for over centuries, but have also resulted in more insecurity and instability in our neighborhood.

Consequently, we, the regional nations, are paying a very high price for such ill-intentioned policies of Western countries and the presence of their forces in our region. Above all, I am specifically referring to the human toll.

One example is the 2003 illegal invasion of Iraq by the U.S., whose then politicians introduced it as no more real than a video game, and whose current politicians mourn, not for the loss of lives, but only for the misspending of America's money! The U.S. invasion of Iraq left millions of dead, wounded and displaced persons. Of course, no one forgets the crimes American forces committed brutally in different parts of Iraq including in Abu Ghoraib Prison.

Iran is also a main victim of the presence of foreign forces. For instance, in 1987 and 1988, the U.S. Navy destroyed three Iranian oil platforms in the Persian Gulf. The International Court of Justice rejected any "legal justification for the destruction of the platforms" and even called it "the violation of freedom of commerce".

In 1988, the U.S. forces targeted an Iranian civil aircraft over the Persian Gulf, killing all 290 people on board, including 66 children: the deadliest aviation disaster in 1988.

In 2011, an American unmanned spy plane invaded Iran's air space and flew 250 kilometers deep into the Iranian territory where it was captured by Iran. Later the U.S. President requested its return which was rejected.

In 2019, a U.S. unmanned aircraft system, taken off from one of the U.S. bases in the Persian Gulf States, violated the Iranian airspace and engaged in a clear spying operation. Unattended to repeated radio warnings, it was downed.

In early 2020, in a terrorist attack at the direct order of the U.S. President, the American forces horrifically assassinated Major General Qasem Soleimani and his companions at Baghdad International Airport; a real gift to Daesh. The overwhelming majority of international lawyers, including a number of UN mandate holders, have rejected the U.S.'s legal justifications for such a criminal act and called it a gross violation of the UN Charter and international law.



These are only a few examples of numerous unlawful, subversive and provocative measures taken by the U.S. forces against Iran. It is ironic that with such a dark record of aggression, intrusion and disruptive actions in our region, now the U.S. is accusing Iran of destabilizing behavior in the region. Like its deep addiction to impose sanctions on others, deception is also an inseparable part of U.S. foreign policy.

Mr. President,

For many years, the U.S. had created a manufactured crisis about Iran's nuclear program. However, the JCPOA's conclusion rendered that ploy useless. Now, the U.S. is manufacturing a new crisis under the so-called label of "arms proliferation". There is no "arms proliferation" by Iran as falsely claimed by the U.S. officials. We have already categorically rejected all such uncorroborated self-serving allegations.

After testing the waters in the Council for a few months, last week the U.S., in clear violation of Resolution 2231, proposed a draft resolution on arms embargo against Iran which was faced with a cold shoulder from members of the Council. In order to advance its goal by whatever means, the U.S. also resorted to deceptive methods like shortening its 13-page draft to 4 short paragraphs without any changes in its nature and intended goal, to illustrate its apparent flexibility. Likewise, to create a legal mess and confusion, it has also recalled, in its second draft resolution, 6 Resolutions of the Council, all of which were terminated almost 5 years ago!

This week, the U.S. urged the Council to vote on the second version of the draft resolution even knowing in advance that it would not enjoy the support within the Council. The question is why it is resorting to such an exercise? Because, based on its miscalculations, the U.S. wants to use it as a pretext to realize its ultimate goal of killing the JCPOA forever through the snap back mechanism, while, as a non-participant to the JCPOA, the U.S. is not eligible to trigger that mechanism.

Here, the Council, as the guarantor of its own decisions, must act responsibly and decisively and prove that it is able and willing to support the JCPOA it has endorsed; protect Resolution 2231 it has adopted unanimously; and ensure its own authority and credibility.

As we have made it clear, the timetable for the removal of arms restrictions in Resolution 2231 is an inseparable part of the hard-won compromise enabling final agreement on the overall package of the JCPOA and that Resolution. The Resolution explicitly urges its "full implementation on the timetable".

Any attempt to change or amend the agreed timetable is thus tantamount to undermining Resolution 2231 in its entirety.

The Council must not allow the abuse and manipulation of its work as it did in the past when the Council was ineffective in preventing Saddam's aggression against Iran and the use of chemical weapons against Iranians and Iraqis.

As we have already stated, imposition of any sanctions or restrictions on Iran by the Security Council will be met severely by Iran and our options are not limited. And the United States and any entity which may assist it or acquiesce in its illegal behavior, will bear the full responsibility.

Allow me to conclude, Mr. President, by underlining that no one can deny the ongoing alarming trend of regression from a rules-based multilateralism into a power-based unilateralism. The international community should not allow the "knee on neck" policy to be tolerated at our time anymore.

Let's be fair and square. Historically, appeasement has never served humanity's common interests. Conversely, it has only further emboldened the bullying powers. In this turbulent time, all States, particularly members of this Council, have a moral and ethical responsibility to do whatever in their power to restore faith in values, purposes and principles enshrined in the UN Charter. We owe it to ourselves and to future generations who will have to live with the consequences of our action and inaction.

I thank you, Mr. President.

1483**1416

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Andrei Castravet and Elizabeth Potthast Castravets brother, Charlie Potthast, nearly came to blows on a recent episode of TLCs 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After.

Charlie, along with Elizabeths dad, Chuck Potthast, asked Andrei one too many questions about his past in his home country of Moldova for his liking.

At a formal dinner with Andreis family and friends just before Andrei and Elizabeths upcoming second wedding in Moldova, the brothers-in-law threatened each other and cursed each other out. They stood up at one point and shoved one another, but luckily, they didnt throw any punches.

Eventually, Elizabeth and Andrei left the dinner together, with Elizabeth justifiably furious at both her husband and brother.

In a new sneak peek of an upcoming episode of 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After, Andrei and Elizabeth discussed the argument. In a vulnerable moment, Andrei admitted he went too far and opened up about the reason he was so upset.

Elizabeth Potthast and Andrei Castravet | Elizabeth Potthast Castravet via Instagram

Elizabeth told Andrei shed never seen that look in his eyes before during the family argument

The morning after Andreis massive fight with Elizabeths dad and brother, Andrei and Elizabeth took a walk around a neighborhood in Moldova to discuss what had gone down. Elizabeth, looking visibly frustrated and exhausted, told 90 Day Fiance producers that Chuck and Charlie were still upset about the argument.

Confronting her husband about his shocking behavior the night before, Elizabeth said worriedly, Ive never seen you act that way. Ive never seen that look in your eyes before.

Taking a deep breath, Andrei replied simply, Sorry, Lib.

But that was far from enough for Elizabeth, who wanted more of an apology. The 90 Day Fiance star called Andrei out for not taking accountability for his actions with his in-laws.

Sorry, Lib? she asked sarcastically. Okay. Very sincereI had to lead you to apologize.

RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: Andrei Castravets Wife Elizabeth Potthast Is an Actress With IMDB Credits; See Clips and Read Reviews

Andrei admitted his behavior was his mistake

Frustrated, Andrei asked Elizabeth to see the night from his perspective as well. He argued that he often felt Elizabeth took her familys side instead of defending him in conflicts.

How much do you want? he asked his wife. Im not just going to just bend over to make you believe me. I said, Im sorry. Youre my wife. Weve been together so many years already. You have to understand where Im coming from.

Still, in a rare moment of vulnerability, Andrei softened and admitted hed gone too farespecially in his harsh words towards his father-in-law.

That was too much, he told Elizabeth. That was my mistake.

Andrei confessed that he wasnt even sure Elizabeth would still want to go through with their second wedding.

I think I did too much, he told 90 Day Fiance producers, and I hope were still gonna have the wedding.

One reason for his outburst, Andrei claimed, was his excessive drinking before and during the familys dinner the previous night.

Babe, its the alcohol, the 90 Day Fiance star told a skeptical Elizabeth. Im sorry about this. I said too much, and the alcohol was speaking.

RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: Elizabeth and Andrei Answer Fan Questions about Botox, Going Shirtless, How They Fell in Love, and Andreis Command to Listen Double

The 90 Day Fiance star said he was defending his honorand his marriage

But Andrei explained that it wasnt just the wine that had led him to act out in a rage. He felt that Elizabeths family was mocking his marriage, as well as his background.

They were making jokes, and all the attention was on me, and I got offended, Andrei confessed. I couldnt just hold onto my feelings and not say anything back.

The 33-year-old was especially offended by Charlies insinuation that he didnt truly love or want to be with Elizabeth. Charlie had implied that his brother-in-law might have been after a green card instead, which was what ultimately set Andrei off.

He actually asked me if I came to America because its Americaand if I didnt come there for Libby, Andrei complained in disgust. That fact that he just puts me in the group of the people who are frauding other people to get there, hes just lucky that I didnt take him outside.

The 90 Day Fiance star agreed to apologize to Chuck. As for Charlie, Andrei insisted that he didnt have any regrets about his behavior towards him. Still, he reluctantly agreed to try to make amends with Elizabeths brother if it would mean they could go through with the wedding.
The Romanian Navy, which turns 160 this year, is an important component of the Romanian Army and its forces act alongside their NATO comrades to make the seas and oceans safer, President Klaus Iohannis said on Saturday, speaking at the Romanian Navy Day anniversary ceremony in the Military Port of Constanta.

"The Romanian Navy, which turns this year 160, is an important component of the Romanian Army, and its forces act alongside their NATO comrades to make the seas and oceans safer. But the Navy missions cannot be fulfilled alone through the selflessness and involvement of the marines, this also requires high-performance equipment for them to carry out the tasks entrusted to them at top standards. The marines' efforts for fulfilling their missions under conditions they would like to see improved tell everything about their dedication and capacity of sacrifice. The allocation, beginning with 2017, of 2 percent of the Gross Domestic Product for Defense and the guarantee that these resources will be allocated in the long terms have set in place the necessary conditions for the modernization of the endowment of the Romanian Army, the Navy included, which also gives a necessary impetus for the revitalization of the national defense industry. Through coherent multiannual programs, we will provide the Romanian industry chances to take off again. Also, more resources mean better conditions for the troops to train in an environment that emulates as close as possible the new realities of the current and future conflicts," Klaus Iohannis said on Saturday.He stressed that this year the Navy Day festivities have been scaled down due to the preventive measures required in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic."Together with the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, we celebrate today Navy Day, the most appropriate occasion to show our appreciation to those who do their duty on the world's seas and oceans under the tricolor flag. Also today, we pay a tribute of deep gratitude to the heroes of the seas, both military and civilians, who have fallen in the line of duty. The anniversary of Navy Day is at the same time a celebration of the Romanian Navy, the Border Police, the Merchant Navy and the port cities. Regrettably, this year the festivities and attendance of those who love and revere the Naval Forces are scaled down because of the preventive measures required in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic which has been affecting us since the beginning of this year," Iohannis said.The head of the state pointed out that the crisis generated by the pandemic is a tough test for the capacity of the states, but also of each of us, to adapt to a different reality, while displaying will for common action."The rapidity of the pandemic's global spread and its effects in almost all activity areas shows us how complex and unpredictable the challenges and threats facing us are. It is essential that we strengthen our capacity of anticipation and institutional response, in order to identify and quickly implement effective solutions to respond to the difficulties that crises of such magnitude can generate in the economy, but also in society. I appreciate the Navy's support to the structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Health Ministry and the local authorities, by covering certain patrol objectives and areas, providing expert personnel in various fields and operating a ROL-2 military hospital in Constanta," said Iohannis.The President also pointed out that in recent years Romania has consolidated its status as an ally and regional actor that actively participates in ensuring Euro-Atlantic and international security."The developments in our eastern neighborhood and our position at the external border of the European Union and NATO require our country to assume a more active profile from a political, diplomatic and economic point of view, in the process of strengthening regional security. Romania will continue to capitalize on its already established status as a provider of stability and regional security, by consistently following the foreign policy lines of action taken up in recent years. The Black Sea Region is an area of strategic interest not only for Romania, but also for NATO and the European Union. Therefore, it must be a safe and predictable space, which is key to the national, European and transatlantic security. We will therefore continue to work for the development of the national defense posture and for increasing the presence of NATO allies on Romania's territory, concomitantly with increasing the efficiency of the efforts undertaken by the Romanian state, so that national security is strengthened," Iohannis said.In this context, the President mentioned that Romania's objectives at the Black Sea remain unchanged, specifically "consolidating in the eastern part a stable democratic and prosperous area by connecting the Black Sea area to European and Euro-Atlantic values and cooperation processes, as well as beefing up regional cooperation with an emphasis on projects that generate concrete benefits for the citizens of Romania and of the states in the region."The President congratulated the sailors who participated in the multinational exercise 'Sea Breeze 2020'."The Romanian ships and crews regularly and constantly carry out NATO missions and exercises, as well as other multinational missions in the Black Sea. I congratulate the participants in the recently concluded Sea Breeze 2020 multinational exercise, which was one of the largest scale such drills, as well as all the members of the crews of the military ships under the Romanian flag who participated in missions and applications together with the ships of our allies and partners," Iohannis said.Last but not least, the head of the state also congratulated those whose work on land makes possible the sailors' activity on rivers, seas and oceans.At the end of his speech, the President thanked the Romanian sailors for their patriotism and professionalism."Through the oath you have taken, each of you has made a solemn promise and commitment to a life of honor, but also of sacrifice and strictness. Thank you for your patriotism and professionalism, as well as for the way you fulfill your missions, thus promoting in all the corners of the world the Romanian values and spirit. I wish you and your families good health, and lots of success in your activity! May the Holy Virgin Mary, the protector of the Romanian Navy, keep you safe wherever you sail with the Romanian flag on the mast! Many happy returns to the Romanian Marine and Naval Forces!," President Iohannis concluded his address.
Data XGen Technologies founder and CEO Ajay Data in an online launch said that Indian languages account for less than 0.1% of content on the world wide web as per an IAMAI report.

Jaipur-based IT firm Data XGen Technologies on Saturday said it has launched a service to create email IDs in the Kannada language. This is 22nd non-English language in which Data XGen Technologies service will allow users to communicate in the regional language.

Data XGen Technologies founder and CEO Ajay Data in an online launch said that Indian languages account for less than 0.1% of content on the world wide web as per an IAMAI report.

More than 89% of population is nonEnglish speaking who is unable to read and communicate via email as the language utilised to communicate is English on the world wide web, the report claimed. "We at Data XGen Technologies Pvt. Ltd., launched the first free 'Kannada' email service under the name 'DATAMAIL'.

Also read: Microsoft Outlook for Android gets Play My Email feature, limited to US for now

The email service will allow people to communicate in regional Kannada and other languages ... provide ease of communication to Indian citizens in their own local regional languages through emails," Data said. Members of Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC) including Kiran Mazumdar Shaw and T V Mohandas Pai participated in the virtual conference.

"I am very happy that this initiative adds more steam to PM (Narendra) Modi's AatmaNirbhar Bharat initiative. I hope the Karnataka government takes note of this and starts using this extensively for all official communication inside the state. I also urge the education minister to introduce this in schools and colleges," Pai said.

Data XGen has also created a video conference app which was recognised by the Ministry of Electronics and IT. According to the company report based on secondary data, 4.89 crore people in India speak Kannada.
New Delhi, Aug 16 : A day after Prime Minister Narandra Modi's address to the nation from the Red Fort's ramparts, the Congress on Sunday questioned him for not taking the name of China in his Independence Day speech in the wake of Chinese actions on the LAC and in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said: "We are proud of our armed forces. All 130 crore Indians believe in the courage of the armed forces, including the Congress. But why is the Prime Minister afraid of taking the name of China in his speeches?" The Congress said that till date Modi had not taken China's name directly or indirectly since the border tensions began.

On Sunday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted: "Everybody believes in the capability and valour of the Indian Army.

"Except the PM, whose cowardice allowed China to take our land. Whose lies will ensure they keep it." Former Union Minister Manish Tewari said that "China has occupied our territory and the Prime Minister of India does not have the courage to name China".

"What kind of a leader is he?" Tewari asked.

In her Independence Day statement, Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi too had attacked the Prime Minister while pointing to the Galwan Valley face-off on June 15 and paying tributes to the 20 bravehearts who laid down their lives for the country.

On the 74th Independence Day on Saturday, Modi had said that the respect for India's sovereignty is supreme for the countrymen and that the Indian Army had responded in the same language on any border incident on the Line of Control and the Line of Actual Control whenever someone challenged the territorial integrity of the country.

"Respect for India's sovereignty is supreme for us. What our brave soldiers can do for this resolution, what the country can do, the world has seen in Ladakh," Modi had said.
'Alarming spike' in COVID-19 cases at nursing homes in July after June drop

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Nursing homes in the United States have experienced an alarming spike in new COVID-19 cases during July after cases of the virus dropped significantly in June, according to federal data.

A report released Tuesday by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living cites recent data by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that shows there were 8,628 new weekly COVID-19 cases at nursing homes reported on July 19, the last week of data available.

By comparison, the number of weekly COVID-19 cases at nursing homes fell to 5,468 a month earlier on June 21 after having been as high as 9,072 in late May.

With the recent major spikes of COVID cases in many states across the country, we were very concerned this trend would lead to an increase in cases in nursing homes and unfortunately it has, said Mark Parkinson, president AHCA/NCAL, which represents more than 14,000 nursing homes and assisted living communities.

This is especially troubling since many nursing homes and other long term care facilities are still unable to acquire the personal protective equipment and testing they need to fully combat this virus.

Weekly reported COVID-19-related deaths at nursing homes in the U.S. have plummeted from just over 3,000 reported weekly deaths in late May. After a slight uptick in recent weeks, there were 1,458 weekly COVID-19-related deaths at nursing homes reported on July 19.

On July 14, Parkinson sent a letter to the National Governors Association warning of another potential for outbreaks in nursing homes and assisted living facilities due to the spike in new coronavirus cases that occurred in several states, a shortage of personal protective equipment and testing delays.

Given the fact we are several months into the response of this pandemic and the lack of PPE supplies is still an issue is very concerning, the letter says. We request governors and state public health agencies to help secure and direct more PPE supplies to nursing homes and assisted living communities, especially N95 masks.

Parkinson is also calling for Congress to authorize an additional $100 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services relief fund for all healthcare providers impacted by the pandemic.

Without adequate funding and resources, the U.S. will end up repeating the same mistakes from several months ago, he stressed. We need Congress to prioritize our vulnerable seniors and their caregivers in nursing homes and assisted living communities in this upcoming legislation.

The new report comes as visitation protocols for nursing homes in the U.S. largely vary. Additionally, some state governments have faced scrutiny over their responses to the virus.

In March, many nursing homes and assisted living facilities around the country enacted policies preventing residents from receiving visits from family members.

Many families went months without seeing their loved ones. And in some cases, families were prevented from being with their loved ones when they passed.

Reopening long term care facilities is important for our residents wellbeing and caregivers and providers recognize the importance of visitations of family and friends, Parkinsons letter to the NGA reads. To accomplish this goal, nursing homes and assisted living communities need additional support from federal and state public health agencies in order to protect residents and caregivers.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid published guidance for state and local officials in May on how they should phase nursing home reopenings to allow for visits once nursing homes have had no new cases of the virus for 28 days and are able to provide adequate testing and PPE.

According to AARP, scheduled visits are allowed in most states at nursing facilities that have decided to reopen and have met certain requirements. Policies again vary on whether visits must be outdoors. AARP reports that 10 states only allow compassionate care visits for patients with a terminal diagnosis or in an end-of-life situation.

After seeing a rise in nursing home COVID-19 cases in his state, West Virginia Gov. halted nursing home visits again in his state this week, except for in end-of-life situations.

In New York, there has been much controversy surrounding discrepancies in the states figures on the number of people who have died in nursing homes after contracting COVID-19.

With a coronavirus nursing home death toll that was already among the highest in the U.S., the states death toll in nursing homes could be an undercount by thousands because it only counts the number of people who died on nursing home property, not those transported to hospitals.

According to The Associated Press, New Yorks top health official was grilled by state lawmakers last week and the state has failed to disclose how many nursing home patients died from COVID-19 at hospitals.

The family members of loved ones who died in nursing homes have called for an independent investigation into Gov. Andrew Cuomo administrations coronavirus response.

Earlier this year when the pandemic began, Cuomo ordered nursing homes to house COVID-19 positive patients, a decision that has received much scrutiny.

According to the states own numbers, more than 6,600 patients have died in nursing homes after contracting COVID-19.
https://youtu.be/9nZ57-YUwpc

DENVER (March 1, 2020)  Today United Suicide Survivors International (United Survivors) announces the publication of the first book in a series to help support men's mental health, edited by Sally Spencer-Thomas, Sarah Gaer and Frank King.

Like a "Chicken Soup for the Man's Soul," Guts, Grit & The Grind male storytellers share how they overcame experiences like depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma and more, and how they reclaimed a passion for living.

The book is also a workbook and tool for therapists working with men. Its format is similar to an automobile owners manual, using car metaphors many men can relate to like "preventative maintenance," "troubleshooting," and "check engine."

Throughout "Guts, Grit & The Grind," readers and listeners will find stories of mental health challenges of men, written by men, for men in similar circumstances - inspiring stories of resilience, recovery and transformation. For more: www.GutsGritGrind.com. "Men have come a long way in rejecting negative stereotypes of the past and embracing mental health. But still, prejudices remain  along with pressures to keep stress and mental health struggles hidden.

This book offers crucial insight into how to get past the old ways of thinking, counteract the stereotypes, and build a new era of mental health for everyone," Josh Levs, former CNN and NPR journalist, the leading global expert on modern fathers in the workplace, and award-winning author of. All In: How Our Work-First Culture Fails Dads, Families and Businesses  And How We Can Fix It Together "The men's stories are incredibly inspiring," said Sarah Gaer, suicide prevention specialist. "They overcome incredible emotional hardship and share their lessons learned to help other men." "'Guts, Grit & The Grind' is about building a community for men to thrive," said Frank King, professional speaker. "Here they will know, they are not alone." "With a dash of humor and mental health science, tools, and exercises, our goal is to help men help themselves, to overcome challenges and build a life worth living," said Sally Spencer-Thomas, psychologist and President of United Suicide Survivors International.

To learn more, please visit www.GutsGritGrind.com and follow along on follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, Pinterest, YouTube and LinkedIn. You can buy the book (or eBook) on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. A portion of the proceeds benefits the 501(c) 3 nonprofit United Suicide Survivors International.
Youd think that after 40 years of migraines Id be an expert in diagnosing the illness in others. But when my own son began complaining of headaches a couple of years ago at age 5, I didnt know how to address it. All he could tell me was that his head hurt. He wasnt sobbing or vomiting, as I did as a child, so I wasnt sure of the best plan of action. Was he in the throes of a migraine attack?
Retired Wing Commander Namrita Chandi, who served in the Indian Air Force with Gunjan Saxena, the subject of a recent biopic, has written an open letter criticising the films portrayal of the IAF. Differing views have emerged on the issue of the films depiction of sexism in the air force.

In her letter, published on Outlook, Namrita Chandi wrote, I have myself served as a helicopter pilot and I have never faced the kind of abuse and maltreatment as was portrayed in the movie. In fact, men in uniform are true gentlemen and professionals. She wrote that she trained together with Gunjan, and saw each other under the worst of circumstances. She wrote that both her letter and the film, which she described as monstrous, have little to do with Gunjan.

She blamed Karan Johars Dharma Productions, and its penny dreadful writers for showing everyone who has served in the proud blue uniform in very poor light. While she agreed that initially, there were teething troubles like no changing rooms or exclusive ladies toilets, at no point was she made to feel uncomfortable. In fact, on occasion some of her brother officers would stand guard outside while she changed.

Namrita also accused the filmmakers of peddling lies. She wrote, Srividya Rajan was the first lady pilot who flew to Kargil  not Gunjan. Though, I am certain that Srividya has no complaints about this credit being taken away from her.

Citing her own credentials, Namrita wrote, I have myself been the first lady officer to fly on the International Border with Pakistan, way back in 1996. I had the confidence of every officer that sat with me in the crew room. I was the first lady pilot to be posted to Leh and fly the Cheetah helicopter in the Siachen Glacier...

She wrote that the film acts as a deterrent for women to join the air force, and that her fellow female officers are shocked and saddened at how events have been portrayed. She ended with a message for actor Janhvi Kapoor, who played Gunjan in the film. Lady, let me advice you, please, never again do a film of this kind if you are a proud Indian woman. Stop showcasing Indian professional women and men in such poor light.

The IAF had complained to the Central Board of Film Certification and Dharma Productions about its undue negative portrayal in the film, which released on Netflix on August 12. The real Gunjan Saxena has since put out several statements highlighting the importance of the role that the IAF played in her life, and the opportunities that she was given by it.

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Residents of Chickpet ward on Sunday assaulted BBMP health workers working as Corona warriors as they conducted door-to-door campaigns in the area.

Booth-level committees have been formed after directions from the state government to conduct a health survey among residents.

A team of teachers, revenue staff and revenue officials have been visiting every house to collect information on the members of the family and check their health condition.

When the team visited a house near Cubbonpet in Chickpet ward, 18th Cross, the house owners daughter K R Navya and her brother abused the health survey staff. They also attacked members of the booth committee, Gundappa and Manoj.

Manoj tried to capture the incident on his mobile phone, which the brother-sister duo snatched and prevented him from conducting the survey.

Later, all the 13 members of the health survey team filed a complaint with the Halasuru Gate police station against the house owner, his son and daughter, a police officer said.
D Surendra Kumar By

Express News Service

NELLORE: With the number of Covid-19 cases surging in coastal mandals, villagers in Nellore district have been prohibiting visitors from going to beaches. The district has an approximately 160 km coastline from Tada to Kavali, and many of its beaches have aesthetic and cultural significance.

Mypadu and Kothakodur beaches, which are about 30 minutes from Nellore city, used to draw crowds from other regions, especially on weekends. However, since March, when Covid-19 began to spread in Nellore, and the lockdown was enforced, the number of visitors decreased. Now, with the restrictions lifted, the residents of the nearby villages have taken it upon themselves to prevent tourists from visiting the beaches.

Youth have been coming to the beaches on Sundays and not following any safety measures. If someone in the village gets infected, Covid-19 could spread to the entire community. So we have no option but to tell visitors to return to their hometowns, said a youngster from Gangavaram.

The village elders in the region, which has 18 fishermen habitations, had banned work in local industrial organisations, and said violators would be fined Rs 10,000. Due to this, youngsters stopped going to these industrial units for work until the lockdown restrictions were lifted. Village leaders also forced vendors on the beaches to shut their shops to contain the spread of the virus.

A vendor in Ramateertham, K Srihari, said several people used to visit the beach near the Kamakshi temple. But now, only people from the nearby villages visit the temple, he added.
Unfurling the national flag at the Judges Field in Guwahati on the occasion of the 74th Independence Day, he said that the state government is committed to implementing the provisions of the 1985 Assam accord and would also protect the interests of the people of Assam.

Guwahati, Aug 15 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday said that his government will not make any compromise in the complete implementation of the Assam accord.

"To check infiltration from across the border, the central government has taken various steps including composite fencing of the India-Bangladesh border along Assam. Riverine borders with Bangladesh were also sealed with the implementation of the "Smart Fence" scheme by adopting modern technology."

"The high-level committee on Clause 6 of the Assam accord has submitted its report and despite problems faced due to Covid-19 and other disasters like floods, the state government and the Centre have taken steps to make sure of its implementation," he said.

Sonowal said that his government has formulated a new land policy and taken steps to provide land deeds to nearly one lakh landless people.

To ensure its preservation and to popularise the Assamese language, a law has been enacted to include Assamese in all school curriculums in the state except in the Bodo Territorial Area and Barak Valley, both dominated by non-Assamese people.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Assam farmers have exported various crops including fruits worth Rs 852 crore to various states in the country and abroad.

The Chief Minister announced a slew of measures and schemes especially targeting the agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and food processing sectors. He announced the setting up of rice clusters in Dhemaji and Baksa districts, opening of rice procurement centres in all districts, a centre of excellence for organic agriculture at Biswanath district and cold storage chains in all districts.

"Besides Covid-19, Assam this year has faced floods, landslides, Japanese encephalitis, African swine fever as well as the blow out and fire at a natural gas well in Baghjan (in Tinsukia district). My condolences to the families of those killed in these disasters," Sonowal stated.

After a gap of 12 years, the Independence Day celebrations were held this year at the Judges' Field in Guwahati. Since 1947, the event was being held at this ground till 2008 when the state government decided to keep the venue exclusively for sporting events.

The venue was first shifted to the nearby Latasil Field and later to the playground of the College of Veterinary Sciences at Khanapara. But since the Khanapara field has now been taken over for a Covid care centre, Judges' Field was chosen as the venue this year for celebrating Independence Day.

--IANS

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On the afternoon of August 14, 1945, Alfred Eisenstaedt was strolling around New York City, observing a country in a state of jubilation. The Allied victory over the Japanese empire was about to be confirmed, and Eisenstaedt, a renowned photojournalist, had been told to take a snapshot to capture that momentous day for the readers of Life magazine.

At 5.51pm, in Times Square, he noticed a tall, dark-haired man in a sailor's uniform swooping in on a nurse dressed in white. To the delight of onlookers, he planted a theatrical kiss on her lips. Eisenstaedt aimed his Leica camera and took four snaps - all he could manage in the few seconds before they separated. Amid the hubbub, he was unable to take down their names.

The photograph - now known as VJ Day in Times Square - was printed on a full page in Life a week later, and has since become one of the most recognisable images in history, reproduced on countless posters and fridge magnets. It has come to define a nation at its most triumphant, when America stood on the cusp of an era of unbridled post-war optimism. It also sparked a remarkable hunt to uncover the identities of Eisenstaedt's subjects, a mystery that was only truly put to bed eight years ago - and, more recently, has ignited an uncomfortable debate over whether the sailor's non-consensual kiss actually signifies something darker.

"What a great way to end the war, in Times Square, at the cross-streets of the world," Lawrence Verria - a history teacher who became fascinated with the picture and eventually uncovered the identities of both the sailor and the nurse in his book, The Kissing Sailor - told me this week. "There's spirit and energy in that photo."

At moments of great historical significance, it is often the photographs we remember. A distraught Vietnamese girl fleeing a napalm attack; a London milkman in 1940 climbing over the rubble of the previous night's bombing to deliver his produce as normal; a young man with shopping bags blocking Chinese tanks from entering Tiananmen Square; an office worker falling gracefully from the burning World Trade Centre - each of these images come to mind easily, and in each case historians have gone to great lengths to identify the people in the photo.

In the case of Eisenstaedt's kissing sailor, that took at least six decades, and the task was left largely to hobby historians like Verria.

In 1980, Life published an appeal to find the mystery sailor, "which opened the floodgates", according to Verria's book; of those who wrote in, 11 were deemed by the magazine as credible. Then, in the 2010s, he conducted the first rigorous investigation, enlisting his country's top experts, including Dr Norman Sauer, a forensic anthropologist at Michigan State University, to make painstaking records of each man's stature, hairline, tattoos and cheekbones.

After visually enhancing the photos and interviewing the candidates, he found there was one man for whom evidence of a match was "overwhelming": George Mendonsa, from Rhode Island, who enlisted in the navy months after Pearl Harbour and was steering a destroyer in the Pacific in 1945 when it was sunk by kamikaze fighters. He helped more than 100 sailors reach safety and was touched to see nurses caring for the wounded.

"I believe from that day on, I had a soft spot for nurses," he said in a 2005 interview, explaining his spontaneous decision to embrace an unknown nurse on VJ Day. Mendonsa was so confident that he sued Life for not naming him conclusively as the sailor (the case went nowhere).

"I can't see anyone who would look over the evidence and come to any other conclusion," says Verria. "This includes a bump on his left arm, which we can see in the sailor's picture. You can also vaguely see a G and M on his arm."

But the nurse proved far trickier to find, simply because there is less of her in the photo. For many years, it was wrongly thought to be Edith Shain, from California, who wrote to Eisenstaedt in 1979 claiming that she recognised herself in the picture, but did not come forward because it made her look unladylike. After a fairly unscientific glance at her legs [in the full-length photo], Eisenstaedt accepted her story; and Life declared they had found the nurse at last. Shain toured the country delivering after-dinner speeches until her death in 2010, and in 2007 was even recognised by president George W Bush as a symbol of world peace.

But Verria was unconvinced. "There was a rush for judgment. The more I looked into the evidence, it became clear this was not the woman in this photo. Shain didn't match up height-wise with Mendonsa, and she was more full-bodied than the woman in the photo - that woman is very slender. She couldn't come up with a single picture with her hair tied up the way it was in the photo."

It is not that Shain was lying or trying to seek attention, Verria says. Records suggest there was a great deal of spontaneous kissing in New York that day; Shain was probably embraced by another man and thought it was her in the photograph. The same goes for most of the men who claimed to be the sailor, he adds.

Instead, Verria says the proof points strongly towards an alternative candidate: Greta Friedman, who wrote to Life claiming to be the nurse a few years after Shain. Having fled Austria in 1939 as a Jewish refugee, Friedman worked as a dental hygienist just a few blocks from Times Square, and remembers being kissed by a sailor that evening after leaving work to investigate the commotion. Her height and body composition match "perfectly", Verria says, and contemporary photos show she had the right hairstyle.

"I admit the evidence supporting her is not as great as the evidence supporting the sailor," says Verria. "But everything we have points directly to her. We have no other candidates who match up nearly as well."

Friedman died in 2016. Speaking this week from Virginia, her son Joshua said she was quite coincidentally fascinated with photojournalism, particularly Henri Cartier-Bresson's haunting images of concentration camps.

Her unsought fame was little more, he remembers, than a "fun anecdote" to tell at parties. "It was nothing she caused or created, I think she gave the photographer credit for creating something memorable, and she thought it was just a coincidence that it happened to her," says Friedman (60), who puts an ornament emblazoned with Eisenstaedt's picture on his Christmas tree every year.

Surprising, perhaps, given that the photo has now taken darker connotations. Friedman was always clear that she did not invite the kiss.

"It wasn't my choice to be kissed," she said in a 2005 interview, and then in 2012: "I did not see him approaching, and before I knew it I was in this tight grip." Amid the MeToo movement, feminist writers now say the photograph depicts a disturbingly casual assault - a relic from an era in which men were free to grab and kiss women with few consequences. Shortly after Mendonsa's death last year, a statue in Florida commemorating the encounter was vandalised with red MeToo graffiti.

But, confusingly, Friedman was also clear that she did not regard the kiss as an assault; she even reunited with Mendonsa in her later years and the pair remained friends until their deaths.

"She was still alive when that conversation took place," remembers her son. "She was very sympathetic to a feminist interpretation, but she just thought it wasn't the whole story. She was 21, he was 22, they were celebrating. She'd lost a large part of her family at the beginning of the war. It was a unique time - you can't always apply today's rules."

For her, he says, the "most important thing was the war was over" - a feeling shared across the world on that jubilant summer's day.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
Mogadishu  A brigade from the Somali National Army (SNA) has rescued 33 children from an Al-Shabaab camp in the latest blow to the militant group in the recruitment of minors as fighters.

The operation took place Friday at Kurtunwarey district, 200km south of Mogadishu in the Lower Shabelle region.

It involved an elite commandos' brigade locally known as Danab (Lightning), which seized the town with little resistance as the militants reportedly retreated.

The Somali government media circulated photos of the commandos entering the vastly agricultural district, including one of an army officer distributing biscuits to the rescued children.

The media said the children were taken from their families by Al-Shabaab jihadists and kept in a camp that would turn them into child soldiers.

"When the army took over the town, they went to the camp where the children were staying on the outskirts of the town," the government media stated, adding that the forces were searching for arms and explosives the jihadists left behind.
A Tauranga Lotto player has won a $5 million share of Saturday nights mammoth $50 million Powerball jackpot.

In addition to this, a Tauranga Lotto player has won a $100,000 share of Lotto First Division.

Unless the two players, who won through MyLotto, wrote down their numbers, they will not know if they have won until later today.

Lotto players are still no closer to finding out if theyre holding a winning ticket as Lotto NZ continues to process an unprecedented number of winning tickets.

Despite more than two million tickets being sold for Saturdays draw, there were no First Division winners again, so the jackpot rolled down to Powerball Second Division, where ten winners were found.

It has meant Lotto NZ has had to delay opening its counters in stores until later on Sunday afternoon; customers who bought their ticket online also wont be able to log into their account until later in the day.

The ten lucky Powerball players from around the country each won a $5 million share of Saturday nights mammoth $50 million Powerball jackpot.

The winning tickets were sold in Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Palmerston North and Invercargill.

The winning numbers of the draw were: 8, 23, 27, 21, 12, 22. The bonus number is: 16. The Powerball number is: 1

Each prize is made up of $5 million from Powerball First Division and $7,631 Second Division.

Additionally, ten more players are also celebrating after winning a $100,000 share of Lotto First Division. The winning tickets were sold in Auckland, Tauranga, Taupo, Carterton, Nelson, Canterbury and Wyndham.

Strike Four was also won last night by two players from Kerikeri and Auckland who each took home $300,000. The winning Strike tickets were sold at New World Kerikeri and on MyLotto to the Auckland player.

While winners around the country are celebrating following last nights draw, New Zealand community groups are also set to see the benefit.

Spokeswoman Marie Winfield said Lotto generate essentials funding for Kiwi communities, its why were here.

100 per cent of Lotto NZs profits support over 3000 good causes every year, so a massive thank you to everyone who bought a ticket, youre helping to make a real difference in the lives of Kiwis around the country.

Immediately following the draw on Saturday night, Lotto NZ announced it did not know when the country would find out how many tickets would split the massive $50 million Powerball jackpot.

The delay was because of the sheer volume of tickets purchased for the draw, and the fact that we sold more online tickets than ever before, says Marie.

Because of the delay our counters in-store will open late today. Customers who bought their ticket online will be unable to log into their account to check their ticket until [Sunday] afternoon  we dont have an exact time yet as we are processing an unprecedented number of winning tickets, and this takes time. We will keep customers updated on our MyLotto website and app.

If there are no First Division winners in a Must Be Won draw, the entire jackpot rolls down to the next division where there are winners  this is the seventh time Powerball has reached a Must Be Won draw with a jackpot of over $30 million.

You can read more about how a Must Be Won draw works here.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 23:22:35|Editor: huaxia

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WINDHOEK, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Namibia has approved an additional 342,000 Namibian dollars (about 19,700 U.S. dollars) as part of the grant to bail out the country's arts sector, which has been grounded by a State of Emergency imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The country first approved a 5 million Namibian dollars grant to bail out the country's arts sector.

The funds were made available through the National Arts Council of Namibia's Arts and Culture COVID-19 Relief Fund for the cultural and creative industries, the council's administrator Gretta Gaspar said Sunday.

"The Arts and Culture COVID-19 Relief Fund of the National Arts Council of Namibia with the support of the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, is a temporary project-based relief fund to support the cultural and creative industries to continue implementing their mandate, and sustain their operations during the COVID-19 pandemic," Gaspar said.

The fund is open to individual artists, cultural workers, groups, and registered organizations.

About 47 eligible applications were received for the second cycle for review. Enditem
Lido Advisors Moving up 867 places to number 1874 in this years INC 5000 is quite an honor and a testament to the hard work of all of our 80+ employees. - Jeffrey Westheimer, Principal, Senior Managing Director

Inc. magazine today revealed that Lido Advisors is No. 1874 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

We are so proud to have moved up 867 places and to be included again on the INC 5000. It is a testament to all of our employees who each have a singular mission to provide outstanding personalized experiences to our wealth management clients spread across the United States for which I attribute much of our firms success. - Gregory Kushner, CEO & Chairman

Moving up 867 places to number 1874 in this years INC 5000 is quite an honor and a testament to the hard work of all of our 80+ employees. - Jeffrey Westheimer, Principal, Senior Managing Director

Not only have the companies on the 2020 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists as well. The 2020 Inc. 5000 achieved an incredible three-year average growth of over 500 percent, and a median rate of 165 percent. The Inc. 5000s aggregate revenue was $209 billion in 2019, accounting for over 1 million jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are also being featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 12.

The companies on this years Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business, says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism.

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held virtually from October 23 to 27, 2020. As always, speakers will include some of the greatest innovators and business leaders of our generation.

Lido Advisors is a national wealth advisory firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California with offices throughout the United States. We utilize experience, creativity, and independence to grow, maximize, and protect the assets and legacies of our clients. We dedicate our resources to the development of coordinated wealth planning to offer innovative, advanced, and cutting-edge solutions to high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, and charitable organizations across the U.S.

CONTACT: Abigail Galusha, 310-278-8232, agalusha@lidoadvisors.com

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

The 2020 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.

For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/.
So. Baptist agency seeks rehearing of termination case in light of Supreme Court ruling

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The Southern Baptist Conventions North American Mission Board is asking for a rehearing of an employment termination lawsuit by a federal appeals court and claims that a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision contradicts an earlier ruling against the agency.

Attorneys representing NAMB, SBCs domestic missions agency, filed a petition Thursday for a rehearing en banc at the 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals after a three-judge panel earlier this year overturned a lower courts dismissal of a complaint filed by the former executive director of Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware.

The former executive director, Will McRaney, filed a lawsuit in 2017 alleging that NAMB, which works with state SBC conventions and other partners to plant new churches, defamed him through false statements and influenced the conventions decision in 2015 to terminate him after a dispute about a partnership agreement.

McRaneys lawsuit further claimed that NAMB sought to prevent McRaney from speaking at conferences and that his photo was displayed in the reception area of the NAMB offices in Georgia.

In April 2019, a federal judge in Mississippi dismissed McRaneys lawsuit against NAMB and argued that McRaneys claims could not be considered before the court because it would have involved a secular court scrutinizing a religious organizations decision to terminate a leader. The judge reasoned that courts are prevented from weighing in on ecclesiastical matters of religious organizations.

However, McRaney appealed the lower courts dismissal to the appellate court. In July, the 5th Circuit remanded the case back to the lower court.

But NAMB and its lawyers argue that the appeals courts decision goes against the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling in July that favored a Catholic school that was sued for not renewing the contract of a religion teacher.

In the ruling of Our Lady of Guadalupe v. Morrissey-Berru, the court ruled 7-2 in defense of a legal principle preventing civil courts from adjudicating employment discrimination claims brought by ministerial employees against religious institutions.

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court made it clear that the Constitution protects religious organizations independence and their right to choose their own leaders and ministers, said Hiram Sasser, executive general counsel at the First Liberty Institute, one of the legal organizations assisting NAMB in the lawsuit.

There should be no doubt that religious denominations have the freedom to choose who is best suited to lead their organizations and fulfill their religious missions. The Fifth Circuit should dismiss this case immediately.

The appeals court panel did not rule on the merits of whether the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine applied in McRaneys case. But it expressed concern with uncertainty regarding the facts of the case.

Therefore, the relevant question is whether it appears certain that resolution of McRaneys claims will require the court to address purely ecclesiastical questions. At this stage, the answer is no, the July ruling stated.

At this time, it is not certain that resolution of McRaneys claims will require the court to interfere with matters of church government, matters of faith, or matters of doctrine. If NAMB presents evidence of these reasons and the district court concludes that it cannot resolve McRaneys claims without addressing these reasons, then there may be cause to dismiss.

Advocates for NAMB contend that the case carries religious liberty implications when it comes to whether or not religious groups have autonomy in making governance and leadership decisions.

The panels holding is enormously consequential, injecting courts into disputes between ministers and religious organizations concerning internal religious governance and leadership and denying religious groups the special solicitude afforded to them by the First Amendment, said Sasser.

Indeed, the panels opinion goes so far as to permit the district court to adjudicate not only the reasons for a religious ministers termination, but also the reasons for speaker selection at a mission symposium.

If granted, an en banc hearing would be held before all judges on the 5th Circuit, instead of the three-judge panel.

The petition argues that reconsideration by the full court is necessary because this appeal involves questions of exceptional importance on which the panels decision conflicts with the authoritative decisions of other United States Courts of Appeals.

In a post on a GoFundMe page established to support his legal costs, McRaney said that the remanding of the case back to lower courts allows his legal team to have the opportunity to depose witnesses, such as NAMB President Kevin Ezell as well as past and present NAMB trustees and employees.

The wheels of justice grind slowly, but finally truth will be coming into the light, McRaney claimed, accusing Ezell of having blackballed him. We are 'all in' to see this matter through to the end 
What has happened here is very painful. We initially wanted this to go through the police but that is tricky because of the lockdown restrictions. Those that have knowledge of these things have told us that it will be a bit tricky to repatriate the bodies and with the way money is scarce right now it is also difficult to keep the bodies. Theres no place where they can be kept for free and the other painful thing is that most of the people who passed away are people that were not working and people that were in this country illegally, Mr Tshuma said.
While I have spent the bulk of my professional life looking outward at the affairs of other countries and Americas bilateral relationships, I have recently found myself looking inward.

As a Foreign Service officer  a diplomat  I am one cog in a wheel working to advance U.S. interests and values abroad. When done well, I firmly believe that this pursuit ultimately leads to a far more peaceful and prosperous global environment. You often hear of the idea of American exceptionalism in the national security realm, but that can only be a compelling argument if reflected domestically. As I watched the protests in the wake of George Floyds death, I kept returning to what James Baldwin, the American writer and activist, once said, We are cruelly trapped between what we would like to be and what we actually are.

For Americas diplomats to be truly effective, the story we tell of the United States must be an honest one. For me, that begins with a frank assessment of my own experiences with race.

Growing up biracial

Take your hat and sunglasses off, smile, always say yes sir or no sir, and keep your hands where the officer can see them. This was how my paranoid (or so I thought) white father told me how to behave if I was stopped by a police officer. For my Black mother, a woman who grew up in white minority ruled Rhodesia (modern-day Zimbabwe), her fear manifested itself in sleepless nights if I came home late, one ear cocked waiting to hear the front door open.

I recall our bookshelf in Sugar Land dotted with global histories, some devoted to the subjugation of people of color in America. One indelibly left its mark: a book sleeve depicting a group of white men in the 1960s gleefully holding clubs, in preparation for a night of terrorizing the local Black population in the American South. They were the town sheriffs.

I never read the book, nor the numerous others similarly highlighting America at its worst. What they portrayed appeared foreign to me, a relic of the past. The suburban America I grew up in was an economically thriving and diverse community. Southern hospitality was not just a saying, but a reality. My friends were white, Black, Latino, Asian, Middle Eastern and African.

Thus, I largely discounted the things that nagged at me deep down but I never allowed to rise to the surface: the Confederate statues, flags and street names so frequent they bled into my surroundings. The unwarranted traffic stops by police and security guards who followed me throughout stores; the time my brother was walking to his car in a mall parking lot, and a white woman nearby shouted to her teen, hold my bags so I can grab my gun, while watching him menacingly. And there were the anonymous calls in the night with racial slurs directed at my mother, or the passive-aggressive comments directed at me in school: you are the whitest Black person I know.

For years, these moments in my life seemed unconnected. I explained them away. After all, America had been good to me and my immigrant family: middle-class, first person in my family to go to university, and I acquired my dream job.

So, instead of looking inward and questioning why I and others had grown to accept these blots in life, I chose to look beyond the waters edge. Traveling through a Zimbabwe ravaged by authoritarian leadership and listening to my English grandmother describe the Blitz on London and my grandfathers actions as an air raid warden left a profound impression on me, an appreciation for my country and a passion for public service.

U.S. Foreign Service today

I recall day one of my Foreign Service orientation class, a moment of excitement and anxiety for any new officer preparing to embark to an unknown destination. But as I took a seat, I noticed my class consisted of three Black officers, including myself, out of 75. My class was not unique in this regard. Only 7 percent of the U.S. Foreign Service identifies as Black, a mere 1 percent increase since 2002. Only 7 percent of the Foreign Service is Hispanic.

The U.S. diplomatic corps, regrettably, does not represent the true diversity and talent of the United States. And it shows.

It shows every time a visa applicant asks to speak to a real American at the interview window, as an Asian-American colleague experienced. The interviewee demanded he speak to a supervisor, looking over my colleagues shoulder for the pale, male and Yale American who surely must have been around the corner. My colleague granted the request. The consul was Afghan-American. I relished in the irony. But now, six years after the encounter, knowing only 6 percent of Foreign Service employees are of Asian descent, I ponder what assumptions remain about U.S. citizens in the minds of those we interact with abroad.

It shows when the senior ranks are largely a homogeneous club with racial and ethnic minorities representing less than 8 percent of the Senior Foreign Service.

And as a member of this small cohort of minority diplomats, skin tones or different names can correspond with treatment of being less authentically American. But this isnt uniquely a State Department problem. It is an American one, as Tianna Spears, a former Black diplomat, illustrated after U.S. Customs and Border Protection repeatedly flagged her for secondary inspection and questioning as she crossed the border from her home in Mexico, where she worked for the U.S. Consulate General.

The cuts continue as I read a number of public recollections that describe officers facing discriminatory behavior, affronts and hostility from colleagues, supervisors and members of other U.S. government agencies.

Investing in and retaining a diverse diplomatic corps that reflects the United States is undeniably valuable. In Saudi Arabia, female colleagues seamlessly interacted with a segment of society not open to male officers, while Arab American officers who had mastery of the local language and culture were able to provide insightful reporting cables to U.S. policymakers. And, as a biracial American officer, I have found foreign interlocutors noticeably more willing to speak with me about sensitive issues such as extremism, discrimination and political reform knowing the United States has its own warts in relation to my racial background. Diversity makes the Foreign Service a more effective organization.

The tipping point

So, why has change moved at a leisurely pace? I return to Baldwins quote, as I am now recognizing that my experiences humanize a larger mosaic of what it means to be a person of color in America. My lens was heavily shaped by a romanticized accounting of U.S. history in textbooks and a personal desire to keep moving forward, and so I never allowed myself to dissect my own experience and identify it for what it was: an undercurrent of systemic racism that allows inequalities to permeate throughout America.

But small steps are being made. Numerous monuments with questionable origins and depictions of race have been removed. Juneteenth became a household name. (I am ashamed to say I only heard of Juneteenth in the last couple of years even though the date originated in Texas). My hometown of Sugar Land now recognizes that it was built on the backs of minorities enslaved through convict leasing. And public and private institutions across the United States have bolstered efforts to enhance diversity and inclusion within their ranks, including the U.S. Department of State, where the result will, hopefully, be a genuine shift in internal culture and policies.

This is the United States at its best  constantly evolving and reinvigorating its values of equality and justice for all. It is the America I choose to represent overseas, and it is the America that foreign interlocutors have constantly praised to me, even during profound disagreements over U.S. policy.

May the U.S. public overcorrect or even err in the process? Yes, as the toppling of a statue of Ulysses S. Grant demonstrated. But, inevitably, reform and change will be put in place because that is who Americans are.

I will continue in my chosen profession. For an organization that represents the face of the United States overseas, its ranks must remain populated with individuals who accurately reflect the diverse culture and ideas of the society they exemplify. Perhaps 20 years from now, the country will have a Foreign Service that looks and sounds like our United States to guide American decision-making in the international arena.

Whittington is a Foreign Service officer with the U.S. Department of State who has served in the Middle East and Latin America. This essay is based on the article, The Color of Diplomacy: A U.S. Diplomat on Race and the Foreign Service, that was originally published in War on the Rocks (warontherocks.com). The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. government.
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad, (IIIT-A) and Samarkand State University, Uzbekistan, have penned an agreement to collaborate in several fields especially in interdisciplinary areas of research and studies, inform officials.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) in this regard was signed online by Prof Shirshu Varma, registrar of IIIT-A, and Prof RI Khalmuradov, vice chancellor of Samakarnd University recently.

Prof P Nagabhushan, director, IIIT-A, and Vijayshree Tiwari, head of management department of the institute were also present on the occasion.

Prof Nagabhushan said both institutes had agreed to cooperate in academic as well as cultural areas.

Both institutions will strive to share their academic knowledge and experiences in order to find solutions to the problems of mutual interest, facilitate exchange of faculty for purposes of lectures, research, as well as meetings and similar activities, he said.

Both will also encourage student exchange in available fields, facilitate joint research projects and the organisation of joint seminars, conferences etc in the field of common interest. This MoU will remain valid for four years, he shared.

According to the MoU, an Indo-Uzbekistan centre of information communication technology (ICT) will be established on the IIIT-A campus, Nagabhushan said.

A nine-member task force committee has been constituted for establishing the the centre.

Prof Shirshu Varma will be the coordinator while Vijayshri Tewari will be co-coordinator of this mission. Other members include Pritish Varadwaj, Madhvendra Misra, Vrijendra Singh, Suneel Yadav, Utkarsh Goel, Rekha Verma and Anshu Anand, he added.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR K Sandeep Kumar K Sandeep Kumar is a Special Correspondent of Hindustan Times heading the Allahabad Bureau. He has spent over 16 years reporting extensively in Uttar Pradesh, especially Allahabad and Lucknow. He covers politics, science and technology, higher education, medical and health and defence matters. He also writes on development issues. ...view detail
Patna, Aug 16 : Amid widespread speculation that Bihar Industries Minister Shyam Rajak is planning to return to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the state's ruling Janata Dal-United on Sunday dropped him from the Nitish Kumar government and expelled him from the party.

JD-U General Secretary Naveen Kumar Arya, in a statement, announced that state party President Vasistha Narayan Singh has expelled Rajak, the MLA from the reserved Phulwari Assembly constituency.

A Raj Bhavan communique, said that the Governor, on the advice of the Chief Minister, has removed Rajak from the Council of Ministers.

According to speculations on Sunday, Rajak, a prominent Dalit leader, has been angry with the party for ignoring him, and decided to quit. He was expected to tender his resignation this week.

Sources also added that he has made up his mind and he would not change his decision. The JD-U action is seen as a more to forestall his quitting.

A one-time close associate of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and a minister in the Rabri Devi government, Rajak had joined the JD-U in 2009. Elected on its ticket in the 2010 Assembly polls, he became a minister in the Nitish Kumar government too.
Its a new experience for Owen, who previously worked in commercial law in Sydney. In his former role, hed spend weeks preparing for a single court hearing. Now hes in court up to five days a week and is lucky if he gets 10 minutes with each client. It's just a completely different level of intensity, he says. I've been a bit shocked by that really. There's kind of no breathing space. Among todays clients is a 28-year-old single mother charged with unlicensed driving. Her licence was suspended because she was diagnosed with epilepsy, the court hears. The mother-of-two had a friend at her house whom she suspected was high on ice, so she drove the friend home to protect her children. She is convicted and sentenced to a nine-month good behaviour bond. Many local Indigenous people dont have a drivers licence. Often this is because a young person has been raised in foster care, or has moved between different relatives or towns, and doesnt have a readily available birth certificate. Combined with low literacy levels, financial difficulties and limited access to services, getting a licence can quickly become an insurmountable task, ODwyer says. In the town of Tabulam, an hour west of Casino, the Aboriginal community is about five kilometres from the nearest supermarket. Many choose to risk jumping in a car to pick up groceries, rather than walk or rely on the limited public transport options.

Drug driving laws, whereby drivers can lose their licence on the spot if they have a detectable level of drugs in their system, also disproportionately impact Aboriginal people. Without a licence, many clients inevitably lose their jobs too. ODwyer says driving offences are among the most common charges for her clients. Other common offences relate to family violence, drugs and resisting/assaulting police. Another ALS client was sentenced a day earlier on a hindering police charge. Two weeks after the police took her two daughters away, she swore at police while being arrested on a separate matter. She received a 12-month good behaviour bond with supervision. In Sydney city, more Indigenous people went to jail than others for offensive language and other public order offences despite fewer being charged with this offence, while Indigenous defendants were three times more likely to go to jail for acts intended to cause injury. Roughly three in every 10 Indigenous defendants went to jail for assault-related crimes while one in 10 non-Indigenous people were locked up for the same offence.

When David Heilpern was appointed a local court magistrate in 1999, he thought he knew what to expect. But in the Northern Rivers and across regional NSW he was shocked at the number of Aboriginal people arrested for incredibly minor offences such as offensive language. In some towns, he says, the entire court list was Aboriginal. It hit me enormously. I'd read it, I'd taught it, but when you actually see it in the flesh, the number of Aboriginal people coming before the courts was overwhelming. Former magistrate David Heilpern says there are solutions to reducing the over-representation of Indigenous people in courts and jails. Credit:Rhett Wyman

Nationally, Aboriginal people are grossly over-represented in the justice system, making up around 3 per cent of the Australian population, but more than one-quarter of the prison population. A common response to these statistics is that people who dont want to go to jail shouldnt commit crimes. But Heilpern says that argument is flawed. In university lectures, hell often ask students to raise their hand if they have never committed a crime - that means no shoplifting, swearing in public, underage drinking nor smoking cannabis. He says one or two might raise their hands. The truth is, there is a lot of crime out there  but its only one colour that often appears in court, he says. Loading

You have to ask yourself why are these people coming before the courts in such great numbers? It has to do with oppression, trauma, a whole range of things. But it also has to do with a choice that the criminal justice system makes to focus on one particular subset of our community, and not on any others. Heilpern, now retired and living near Byron Bay, says arresting people for a crime that doesnt carry a jail term would often lead to what he dubs the trifecta: assault police, resist police and offensive language. To curb the trend, he found that the f-word was no longer offensive. In one case in Dubbo, a man was arrested for telling a police officer to f--- off, which led to charges of assault police, intimidate police and resist arrest. Heilpern threw out the charges on the basis that the arrest was unlawful, in a controversial ruling that was ultimately upheld in the Supreme Court. That caused a lot of flack and media kickback, but the main thing was that from that time onwards, the number of people arrested for that crime started to decrease, he says. But on the whole, Heilpern says there wasnt much cause for hope in his 20-odd years as a magistrate.

Aboriginal over-representation has only grown much, much worse since I've been on the bench - in raw numbers and in percentages and in proportions. That's a tragedy, it's an ongoing tragedy and it's not getting any better. Several programs are working on the root factors of crime in the Northern Rivers. Among them is Youth on Track, a court diversion program run by non-profit organisation Social Futures for young offenders and their families in Grafton and Coffs Harbour. Police and teachers refer young people to the program. Last year, 60 per cent of the 55 participants were Aboriginal. Youth worker Michelle Larkin says participants are often homeless, skipping school, experiencing family violence or using cannabis. Many have behavioural issues or cognitive impairments. Loading

Indigenous people make up one-fifth of the nations homeless population, data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows. Children under 12 account for one-quarter of all Indigenous people who are homeless, while 40 per cent are aged 18 or under. Larkin and other youth workers provide intensive one-on-one support to help young people access Centrelink payments, find housing and employment and get back into education - whether through traditional schooling, distance education or TAFE. If you can get in and do early intervention... we're going to have that better chance of keeping them out of the system, the Bundjalung woman says. Last year about three-quarters of young people had reduced contact with police after being referred to Youth on Track. The program, like many of its kind, relies on 12-month funding contracts from the state government, with current funding set to expire in December. David Heilpern says the issue of Indigenous over-representation in the courts isnt unsolvable.
Today, a telephone conversation took place between the presidents of Russia and Belarus, Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, the Kremlin press service informs.

"The discussion of the situation in Belarus after the presidential elections was continued, including taking into account the pressure exerted on the Republic from outside," the message of the press-service reads.

In a conversation with his Belarusian counterpart, the Russian head of state confirmed his readiness to assist in resolving the issues through the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). "The Russian side reaffirmed its readiness to provide the necessary assistance in resolving the problems encountered on the basis of the principles of the Treaty on the Establishment of the Union State, as well as, if necessary, through the Collective Security Treaty Organization," the message says.

Note that this is the second telephone conversation between the presidents of Russia and Belarus over the past two days. During the talks held the day before, Putin and Lukashenko expressed confidence that all problems in Belarus will soon be resolved. "Alexander Lukashenko informed about the situation in Belarus after the presidential elections. Both sides expressed confidence that all the problems encountered will soon be resolved," the Kremlin press service reported.

A rally of Lukashenkos supporters is currently taking place on Independence Square in the center of Minsk. Several thousand people gathered at the square, TASS reports.

Immediately after, a protest action will be held there against the results of the presidential elections announced by the CEC and the current government.

Recall that presidential elections were held in Belarus on August 9. According to the CEC final data, Lukashenko received 80.1% of the vote, while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya only 10.12%. She stated that she did not recognize these results. Immediately after summing up the first results of the voting, mass protests started in the cities of Belarus, which escalated into clashes with law enforcement officers. The rallies are held every day in Belarus for a week, from the day of the presidential elections on August 9. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, about 6,000 people were detained, dozens of police officers and demonstrators are injured.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 16)  The Department of Health reported on Sunday a record single-day number of COVID-19 recoveries, with 40,397 more patients getting better.

The number of recovered patients is now at 112,586, which is nearly 70 percent of the total infected.

The DOH said the massive increase in figures is due to the time-based recoveries scheme under Oplan Recovery, wherein patients are released from isolation facilities after a certain number of days in quarantine, and after symptoms have disappeared upon a doctors assessment.

Those with mild or no symptoms can return to the community after 14 days of isolation even without taking a confirmatory test. For severe cases, the quarantine period should be 21 days, according to the DOH.

The time-based strategy does not include immuno-compromised patients, however, since they are required by the department to undergo another swab test to finally determine whether or not they have recovered from the illness.

According to the DOH, 39,483 of the newly reported recoveries were time-based. It added that it will regularly announce new data on Oplan Recovery every Sunday.

Meanwhile, the countrys tally of infected further climbed to 161,253, with 3,420 more people confirmed to have caught the virus.

Of the new cases, 2,091 were from Metro Manila, 263 from Laguna, 149 from Cavite, 137 from Batangas, and 106 from Rizal.

Sixty-five more patients also succumbed to the disease, bringing the death toll to 2,665. Among the newly reported deaths, 29 occurred in August, 29 in July, while seven in June.

Broken down into regions, 46 are from Metro Manila, 13 from Central Visayas, three from Calabarzon, and one each from the regions of Central Luzon, Bicol, and Davao.

Active cases or currently ill patients are now at 46,002, according to DOH.

Among Filipinos abroad, three new cases were detected for a total of 9,896, including 5,842 survivors and 725 fatalities, based on data from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Philippine National Police also recorded 77 more infections among its ranks. The case tally among police personnel went up to 2,919, including 2,097 recoveries and 13 deaths.
New York: The moon is drifting away. Every year, it gets about 3.78 centimetres farther from us. Hundreds of millions of years from now, our companion in the sky will be distant enough that there will be no more total solar eclipses.

For decades, scientists have measured the moon's retreat by firing a laser at light-reflecting panels, known as retroreflectors, that were left on the lunar surface, and then timing the light's round trip. But the moon's five retroreflectors are old, and they're now much less efficient at flinging back light. To determine whether a layer of moon dust might be the culprit, researchers devised an audacious plan: They bounced laser light off a much smaller but newer retroreflector mounted aboard a NASA spacecraft that was skimming over the moon's surface at thousands of kilometres per hour. And it worked.

An image provided by NASA, a laser reflecting panel, also called a retroreflector, left by Apollo 14 astronauts on the moon in 1971. Researchers have used reflective prisms left on the moon's surface for decades, but had increasingly seen problems with their effectiveness. Credit:NASA via The New York Times

These results were published this month in the journal Earth, Planets and Space.

Of all the stuff humans have left on the moon, the five retroreflectors, which were delivered by Apollo astronauts and two Soviet robotic rovers, are among the most scientifically important. They're akin to really long yardsticks: By precisely timing how long it takes laser light to travel to the moon, bounce off a retroreflector and return to Earth (roughly 2.5 seconds, give or take), scientists can calculate the distance between the moon and Earth.
A funnel appears in a thick plume of smoke from the Loyalton Fire in Lassen County, Calif., on Saturday. (Katelynn and Jordan Hewlett via Associated Press)

A massive wildfire in Northern California spawned rotating columns of flames Saturday, prompting forecasters to issue a rare fire-related tornado warning.

It was a first for us, said Shane Snyder, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Reno, which issued the warning shortly before 3 p.m.

Multiple videos posted to social media showed twister-like formations in the path of the Loyalton fire, which started Friday evening in the Tahoe National Forest near Californias border with Nevada. The fire quickly grew to 20,000 acres and was 0% contained as of Sunday morning. Authorities were performing updated flight mapping and expected the acreage to rise, said Joe Flannery, public affairs officer for the national forest.

Our resources on the ground are facing extreme fire behavior, rugged terrain and warm temperatures, Flannery said.

Evan Bentley, severe weather meteorologist with the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, wrote on Twitter that radar data showed at least four distinct anticyclonic circulations associated with the fire on Saturday. One was present for more than an hour and traveled about four miles, he wrote.



The extreme weather phenomenon is believed to have been sparked by the rapid growth and intensity of the blaze.

It was hot; it was very unstable atmospherically," Snyder said in an interview, "and that allowed the fire, which is burning very hot and [through] lots of fuel, to really explode up in a vertical sense, up into the atmosphere.

The hotter the air, the more rapidly it rises, he said.

Hot air wants to rise, and if its very hot it wants to rise dramatically, Snyder said. Its allowed to rise because the temperature of the air the fire makes is much warmer than the air around it. So it keeps rising until its not warmer than the air around it.

That can send a column of smoke up tens of thousands of feet into the atmosphere, he said. And as it rises, the air underneath it needs to be replaced, creating a vortex that pulls in air from all around it.

Story continues

Pyrocumulus FIRENADO timelapse

Date: Aug 15,2020

Time: 2:06 PM

Location: CA State Hwy intersection 395 and 70#loyaltonfire#firenado pic.twitter.com/8YuIssdKg9  Barry Winston (@BSWinston) August 16, 2020

At the same time, changes in wind speed that occur higher up in the atmosphere cause the air to spin as it accelerates upward.

With that rapidly rising, then you spin up your fire tornado, Snyder said. It starts spinning as it rises.

Fire tornadoes are rare but not unheard of in California.

A spinning vortex that barreled into Redding during the Carr fire in July 2018 was roughly 1,000 feet in diameter and reached speeds of 136 to 165 mph, equivalent to a twister with a rating of EF-3 on the five-level Enhanced Fujita scale, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The fire tornado killed a firefighter as he raced toward a neighborhood in flames, an investigation later found.

In 2008, a whirl caught firefighters by surprise in the remote Indians fire, which was burning in extremely dry chaparral in the Los Padres National Forest. It caused serious injuries and forced the deployment of fire shelters.

Most recently, on Wednesday, a flaming tornado was seen spinning out from the Lake fire, hours after the blaze erupted in the Angeles National Forest above Lake Hughes.

The fire grew from 400 to 10,000 acres very, very quickly, in the span of a couple hours, Jake Miller, public information officer for the Lake fire, said Sunday. So thats when you start seeing those fire tornadoes and fire whirls starting out.

After examining the radar data, it appears there were 4 distinct anticyclonic circulations associated w/ the #LoyaltonFire w/ Vrot as strong as 48.6 kts



1. 2030Z-2034Z

2. 2048Z-2055Z

3. 2104Z-2113Z

4. 2116Z-2218Z



Circulation 4 was present for over an hour & traveled ~4 mi https://t.co/qg4ELrp5j6 pic.twitter.com/F63FTzwTuQ  Evan Bentley (@evan_bentley) August 16, 2020

The fire had grown to 17,862 acres and was 12% contained as of Sunday morning. At least 12 homes and commercial buildings had been destroyed, and about 250 people remained under evacuation orders.

Though its growth had slowed considerably, challenges remained. Triple-digit temperatures, low relative humidity and heavy fuels combined to create the potential for continued spread, Miller said.

The most active flank of the fire was the northwestern portion, which was burning into a remote area largely inaccessible by roads, he said.

Its an area that just hasnt burned in about 100 years, so there's a lot of active fuel, Miller said. Thats why we keep getting this afternoon activity  it heats up and kind of sparks the fire up again. Then we have the mixture of that with the fuel out there, and the combination of those two kind of reignites the fire.

As the fire chews through the sunbaked brush dried out by the afternoon heat, it sends up a large plume of smoke, which in turn creates its own problems by generating erratic gusty winds that fling embers into the air, he said.

We have been getting some spotting, which is embers from the fire getting trapped into the air and then drifting down and making a small fire just outside the current perimeter, Miller said. We did see that a couple times yesterday, but we didn't have those fire tornadoes, really.

Further complicating the effort were thunderstorms that moved through the area Saturday, bringing lightning strikes that also contributed to spotting outside the fire perimeter, Miller said.

Thunderstorms were reported in the area of the Loyalton fire Saturday, and more were forecast for Sunday, threatening to ground the aircraft needed to fight the fire, Flannery said.

Firefighters on the line did report extreme fire behavior displayed at times, especially as overhead thunderstorm cells passed, he said. They cause these downdrafts that can create dangerous fire conditions.

Multiple evacuation orders remained in place for portions of Plumas, Lassen and Sierra counties.

More scattered thunderstorms were forecast for later in the day Sunday in the area north of Azusa, where the Ranch 2 fire has burned a 2,256-acre swath through the Angeles National Forest.

Whats driving this fire is the dry brush, the hot temperatures and the steep terrain, which makes it difficult to contain, said Daniela Zepeda, public information officer for the national forest.

Firefighters were working to keep the fire on the north side of San Gabriel Canyon and protect the communities of Azusa, Monrovia, Duarte and Bradbury to the south, she said. They were also trying to keep the flames west of Highway 39, east of Van Tassel Ridge and south of Rincon Red Box Road, Zepeda said.

All evacuation orders had been lifted, but it was possible more could be put in place due to the active nature of the fire, which was continuing to race uphill to the north, west and east, she said.

The fire broke out Thursday in the San Gabriel River bed and was 7% contained as of Sunday morning.

Investigators were continuing to look for a man believed to have started the fire. Police said the suspect, identified as 36-year-old Osmin Palencia, lived in an encampment in the riverbed near the blazes origin.

The fires continued to burn amid scorching temperatures that forecasters said could rival a deadly seven-day heat event that struck California in 2006. Meanwhile, the cloud cover associated with bands of thunderstorms meant there was little chance for temperatures to cool down overnight, as is typical during the drier weather California normally sees, forecasters said.

Multiple heat records were set Saturday. The weather service reported a high of 112 in Woodland Hills, breaking the record of 108 set in 1977, and a high of 92 at UCLA, breaking the record of 90 set in 2003. Downtown Los Angeles hit 98 degrees, tying a record set in 1994.

The heat wave was expected to persist through at least Thursday.
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Citing lack of adequate number of forensic laboratories and manpower to handle those facilities, human rights and crime investigation experts have suggested ramping up such labs and introducing forensic study in MBBS course, officials said on Sunday.

At a webinar hosted by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), panellists made a slew of suggestions on the subject.

A few days ago, we held an online seminar on the subject of forensic science, labs and the challenges involved. More than 190 participants attended the webinar, which included top officials from forensic labs in Delhi and Chandigarh. A number of suggestions were made by NHRC members and others, a senior official of the rights panel said.

The participants broadly underlined that the country lacks adequate number of forensic laboratories and manpower to handle such facilities, and offered several important suggestions to address the issue, he said.

Increasing the number of forensic labs in proportion to the number of cases to examine to avoid delay in administering justice; introducing forensic study and training in MBBS course; creating post of a district medico-legal expert, were among the key suggestions made by them, the official said.

Other suggestions were filling up all vacant posts in forensic science laboratories, providing them with sufficient infrastructure and funds; bringing in uniformity under an SOP for conducting forensic examination, he added.

They also suggested introducing forensic law studies as a separate course curriculum in integrated BSc (Forensic) LLB; and bringing greater professionalism in the photography and videography during the process of post-mortem, the NHRC official said.

Making post-mortem an important activity for medical professionals with proper orientation to the doctors about medico-legal procedures; and improving mortuary setup with proper equipment and environment to facilities conduct of post-mortem, were other suggestions from the participants, he said.

Given the huge participation in the programme, we had asked some of the representative to send their suggestions later also. We will wait till this weekend perhaps and then collate all the suggestions and soon send it to the government of India, and even do follow-up on it, the official said.

The webinar was divided into three thematic sessions including Forensic Science set up in India: Forensic Ballistics & Speaker Identification addressed by S K Jain Director cum Chief Forensic Scientist DFSS, Delhi, DNA Profiling & Forensic Importance addressed by I Haque, Deputy Director, Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Chandigarh and Medico-Legal Investigation of Custodial Deaths in India  Journey since inception of NHRC addressed by Dr Adarsh Kumar of AIIMS, Delhi.

Other participants included, representatives of Chief Secretaries and DGPs from all states and UTs, central and state forensic labs, national forensic universities, and representatives from MHA, DFSS, BPR&D, NICFS, CBI, NIA, CBCID of states, and state police academies, the official said.

Jaideep Govind, NHRC Secretary General said, the objective of the webinar was to sensitise all the stakeholders about the functioning of the important fields of forensic science, especially in the context of custodial deaths cases, encounter deaths cases and investigation of cases involving serious human rights violations.

The Commission deals with a number of cases related to deaths in police and judicial custody as well as encounters. The forensic report is one of the important reports, among others, to decide the case of human rights violation, he said during the webinar.

Punya Salila Srivastava, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs spoke on the large amount of funds given to states and cenntral forensic labs for building capacities.

She also spoke about how the forensic infrastructure is being built up under police modernisation scheme and the Nirbhaya fund. More than Rs 200 crore has been sanctioned in the last two years for forensic science, she was quoted as saying by the NHRC official.

NHRC Member, justice P C Pant there was also a need to create awareness among media and the general public about not disclosing sensitive information and techniques that can hinder the process of investigation and trial.

Justice Pant said the NHRC has also been raising the issue of increased pendency in forensic labs due to which cases pile up in trial courts and undertrial prisoners languish in jails. Growing dependence on forensic evidences and the dynamic nature of change in crime patterns with the surge of cyber-crime, necessitates filling up of vacant posts urgently in forensic laboratories to clear large pendency, budgetary support training, he said.

NHRC Member, Jyotika Karla, said in order to ensure safety of women, it will be necessary to strengthen gathering of digital forensic evidence.

She said that sexual assault kits need to be made available to all the forensic labs to facilities forensic examination of such cases.
It seems the hypocrisy  and weakness  of the BBC knows no bounds. In a recent news story, social affairs correspondent Fiona Lamdin reported on an awful attack on a young black NHS worker who was set upon as he walked home.

His assailants were two white men who drove him into a wall with the full force of their car before driving away yelling racially charged obscenities.

Lamdin had quoted the horrific language used by the attackers, after telling viewers: Just to warn you, youre about to hear highly offensive language, because as the men ran away, they hurled racial abuse, calling him a n*****.

Fiona Lamdin interviews K-Dogg for her report. It was a solemn report delivered with integrity and professionalism. The N-word wasnt repeated. Its single use was necessary to get across the seriousness of the crime

She said she felt justified in using the N-word because the victims family had expressly asked the BBC to report the racist language in full.

As a mixed-race man, I believe that this was honourable and accurate reporting by a journalist who was using the word in a descriptive manner to highlight the horrendous nature of the attack. Care and diligence were taken.

However, after more than 18,500 complaints to the BBC, director-general Tony Hall released a statement accepting offence may have been caused. He, too, pointed out that the victims family had asked us specifically to show the photos of this mans injuries and were also determined we should report the racist language, in full, alleged to have been spoken by the occupants of the car.

This was emphatically not a case of a journalist carelessly blurting out the N-word which, quite rightly, should be seldom used because it is racially incendiary. It was a solemn report delivered with integrity and professionalism.

The N-word wasnt repeated. Its single use was necessary to get across the seriousness of the crime.

For the fact is it is difficult to discuss offensive language without referencing the words used at least once, for context. Inevitably, the matter did not end there.

BBC 1Xtra presenter DJ Sideman resigned, saying the BBC sanctioning the N-word being broadcast on national television by a white person is something I cant rock with,

Sideman, who was born in Jamaica and moved to Birmingham as a youngster, said the response of BBC bosses to the complaints had felt like a slap in the face to our community.

BBC 1Xtra presenter DJ Sideman resigned, saying the BBC sanctioning the N-word being broadcast on national television by a white person is something I cant rock with

Taking issue with the word being used is one thing, but it seems Sideman has more of a problem with the fact that it was a white person saying it. This appears to stem from the double standards of so-called Critical Race Theory  the pseudo-science behind movements such as Black Lives Matter.

It insists on redefining racism from being prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group to a belief that racism is a power struggle between white oppressors and black victims. In other words, white privilege is invoked to explain all kinds of injustice.

This hard-Left philosophy insidiously encourages division by not only claiming that racism is a one-way attack by whites on blacks but that white people are racist by default  either consciously or subconsciously  and they must work to overcome their unconscious biases.

Unsurprisingly, given the toxic nature of much of social media, BBC reporter Lamdin was trolled viciously on Twitter, with one person telling her: Your days are numbered sis, using that word wasnt smart.

Whats interesting is that Sideman implied British society and the BBC have issues of systemic racism. But at no point did he address the victim of the attack in Bristol, his family, or the horrible incident that left him, a musician called K-Dogg, in hospital with major injuries.

Following Sidemans resignation, the BBC management backtracked and issued a fuller apology. This suggested the resignation of a black presenter seemed to carry more weight than more than 18,500 letters of complaint from viewers.

The little-reported fact is that the BBC is no stranger to the N-word. Indeed, the hypocrisy in this case reeks to high heaven. You only have to take a look at 1Xtras playlists for this to become apparent.

They include songs featuring the N-word. In this context, it is important to look at the usage of the word. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, there are two variations  ending with a or er.

It states: This term is strongly racially offensive when used by a white person in reference to a black person. In written Black English and written representations of spoken Black English, however, there are usually not the same negative connotations. Recently the term has been reclaimed by some black speakers and used with positive connotations in various senses.

However, even among black speakers, use of the word is problematic because of its potential to give offence.

So, used by a black person, it can be a term of contempt, neutral or endearment but when used by a white person the word is strongly racially offensive.

Of course, language is constantly evolving, and many words take on different meanings over time. But, collectively, we need to decide on usage rather than let Critical Race Theory stoke tensions between ethnic groups, especially black vs white.

Last week, the top song on Radio 1Xtras playlist, AJ Tracey and Mabels West Ten, contains the line, Ive always been a real n***a to rely on.

Another track, by Chris Brown and Young Thug, has lyrics such as, You know that a n***a like me can change your life.

So the BBC can casually broadcast one version of the N-word without any apparent concern on one platform but the moment it is used in a mature context by a person of the wrong colour, people are ready to explode in anger and hand in their notice.

Whats interesting is that Sideman implied British society and the BBC have issues of systemic racism. But at no point did he address the victim of the attack in Bristol, his family, or the horrible incident that left him, a musician called K-Dogg, in hospital with major injuries. He is pictured above with his sister after the attack

In any case, 1Xtra isnt exactly known as a bastion of sensibility. The fifth track in its current playlist features artists who have performed with a teenage drill rapper who was jailed for life. He was part of a group armed with knives, a sword, a handgun and a shotgun who stabbed a man to death in a North London hairdressers.

He later bragged about the attack in a rap video  watched more than ten million times on YouTube which refers to splashing (stabbing) rivals and features the lyrics, Ive just seen an opp [rival gang member], let me take him out, followed by gunshot sounds. Hardly great role models.

All of this only serves to highlight a significant issue at the BBC.

This is its shameful role in reinforcing the bigotry of low expectations for young blacks through its validation of gang culture.

For example, one of the most popular 1Xtra shows is Fire In The Booth, on which grime rappers spread their hatred for each other with orchestrated beefs (disagreements).

There is another worrying factor: the ghettoisation of radio at the BBC. If you compare the regular line-ups of presenters for Radio 1 and those working for 1Xtra, youll note that there is a significant separation of race and culture.

Radio 1 features a majority of white faces, from Nick Grimshaw to Greg James, while 1Xtra is mostly hosted by people of Black, Asian, and minority ethnic background.

This is a disgraceful example of institutional racial categorisation, particularly when the BBC is spending 100 million on diversity and inclusion.

Radio 1 is targeted at 15 to 29-year-olds, broadcasting popular music of the day. And since the majority of this is black music, there is no reason for the majority of these hosts to be white when the BBC has so many black DJs on staff.

Certainly, its time the BBC put its house in order. For it was wrong to make an apology for correctly and responsibly reporting details of a horrendous racist crime that took place on our streets.

What the Corporation should instead be apologising for is the shocking segregation on its radio channels, and the hypocrisy of encouraging gang culture when it suits its own purposes, but then playing high and mighty when it does not.
Mogadishu: At least 28 people were injured in an explosion on Sunday (August 16, 2020) at a hotel in Somalia`s capital Mogadishu, the head of a local ambulance service said, while a witness said he heard gunfire after the blast at the Elite Hotel in Lido beach.

State news agency SONNA reported that Islamist group al Shabaab had attacked with a car bomb at the hotel entrance and armed militants. It said gunfire was coming from inside the hotel and that government security forces had been deployed.

"There are deaths and injuries of civilians who were passing near the hotel and others who were inside the hotel. Among the dead is one director of the information ministry," SONNA said, citing information ministry spokesman Ismail Mukhtar Omar.

A witness, Ahmed Ali, told Reuters: "I heard a huge blast at the hotel, gunfire followed, and then clouds of smoke."

A police spokesman, Sadik Ali, confirmed there had been an explosion, adding: "We shall update you later."

Aamin Ambulance service head Abdikadir Abdirahman said at least 28 people had been hurt. The hotel is frequented by many government officials, government workers and people from the Somali diaspora.

"So far we know 28 people are injured, we transported them before exchange of gunfire begun," he told Reuters.

Mohamed Nur, a government worker who lives near Lido beach said the government had deployed security forces in the area.

"The exchange of gunfire is terrible and stray bullets reached us near the beach," he added.

Somalia has been embroiled in deadly violence since 1991, when clan warlords overthrew leader Siad Barre and then turned on each other.

Since 2008, al Shabaab has been fighting to overthrow the internationally-recognised central government and establish its rule based on its own interpretation of Islamic Sharia law.
Press Release

August 16, 2020 Bong Go highlights role of e-governance in curbing red tape and corruption in government Senator and Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography Christopher "Bong" Go said that the use of information and communications technology through E-governance will help eliminate red tape and corruption. "Gamit ang teknolohiya, makikita ng publiko kung nasaan na ang papeles, sino ang humahawak, magkano ang babayaran sa isang permit, halimbawa, at gaano katagal ilalabas ang papeles. Hindi na pwedeng magbingi-bingihan, magbulag-bulagan at 'yung patutulugin ang mga papeles. Hindi na dapat pahirapan ang pagkuha ng serbisyo mula sa gobyerno," Go described. Go added that "in an age where almost everything can be done online and through other digital platforms, the government must harness the power of information and communications technology to better serve its purpose and bring the government closer to the people." Go, however, warned that for E-governance to be a success, the transition should also be free of corruption particularly in determining the specifications needed and in the actual procurement of IT equipment as he cited issues plaguing the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation as an example. During the first hearing of the Senate Committee of the Whole held on August 4, PhilHealth president Ricardo Morales disclosed there are some 5,000 members aged 130 years in the agency's database. Morales defended the need for PhilHealth's IT projects which the Commission on Audit had flagged for irregularities, including the procurement of PhP734-million worth of equipment that had been not included in the original budget. "The main solution to the systematic problem arise in a robust integrated and harmonized information management system, running a clean, complete, and updated membership database," argued Morales. The Senator, who authored Senate Bill No. 1738 or the E-Governance Act of 2020 which will facilitate the transition of government processes into the digital age, agrees that PhilHealth's technological interventions can offer new ways to prevent, detect and prosecute corruption and may serve as an example to other public institutions. However, he cautions that the same interventions can also be misused to create new opportunities for fraud and corruption. "While your efforts to initiate IT reforms are commendable, kailangan rin siguraduhin that the transition itself is free from corruption. Dahil kung magiging successful ang inyong initiative, magiging best practice ang tawag diyan, at gagayahin ng ibang ahensya sa pag-transition to e-governance. Pero kung sablay naman 'yan at nababalot ng corruption, imbes na maging best practice kayo, magiging test case lang kayo ng Task Force laban sa corruption sa gobyerno," Go said during the recent hearing. Go firmly believes that digitalizing the delivery of public services can address the deeply rooted and systemic corruption plaguing government in addition to improving its responsiveness, effectiveness and efficiency. The proposed measure shall mandate the establishment of an internal government network which will allow the national and local governments to share information, data and resources. It will likewise create online public service portals, an internal records system and a national directory of information on Philippine citizens and public officials, among others. "Tulad ng sabi ng Pangulo, panahon na para mawala ang pangangailangan na pumila para mapagsilbihan ng gobyerno," said Go. The transition will be spearheaded by the Department of Information and Communications Technology which is the government body with the technical expertise to ensure the quality, security and reliability of ICT infrastructure and services. It shall supervise and regulate the establishment and operations of all pertinent infrastructure, systems and facilities. If passed, the bill will allow Filipinos to directly access and request government information, documents and forms, with the exception of sensitive records pertaining to national security, via the internet anywhere and anytime through their small private gadgets. Most importantly, Go highlighted that it will enable citizens to monitor the delivery of public services from start to end. Any delay in procedures will be traceable to the exact office and individuals. "Armed with information, the public can demand their rights and exact accountability from the government, thereby reducing opportunities for corruption," he said. "We need to evolve--businesses are already transitioning to e-commerce and online transactions. Our education system is also championing blended learning. It is important for the government as a whole to expedite its transition as well," Go further explained. In the recent State of the Nation Address, President Rodrigo Duterte emphasized the need to prioritize measures in line with the transition to E-Governance. "The national government shall lead the way in our transition to online systems. I reiterate my call for all government instrumentalities to implement systems that shall make physical queuing a thing of the past. Panahon na para mawala na ang pila para mapagsilbihan ang gobyerno nang walang kahirapan para sa tao," the President said in his fifth SONA. "The DILG, DBM, and the ARTA, along with all agencies and instrumentalities of government, are hereby directed to make possible services available online. We need to adjust to and adopt a paper-less type business and work performance. We need e-governance [to provide] our people with the services they need [from] the comfort of their homes or workplaces. It will enable our bureaucracy to better transition into in the 'new normal' and cut or minimize red tape," the President also said.
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid their tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the BJP stalwart's memorial Sadaiv Atal on Sunday. They were accompanied by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Vajpayee's daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya and granddaughter Niharika.

Remembering former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his second death anniversary, President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid their tributes at the BJP stalwarts memorial, Sadaiv Atal, here on Sunday. One of the prominent leaders of the country and founder members of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Vajpayee died on August 16, 2018, at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) after a prolonged illness. He was 93.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also arrived here to pay tributes to the former Prime Minister. Vajpayees daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya and granddaughter Niharika were also present at the prayer meet.

In a tweet earlier this morning, PM Modi remembered the former Prime Minister for his outstanding service towards the countrys progress, while sharing a short clip capturing pivotal moments from Vajpayees remarkable career. Tributes to beloved Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. India will always remember his outstanding service and efforts towards our nations progress, the tweet read.

Also Read: Covid-19 situation in Delhi much better than it was 2 months ago: Arvind Kejriwal

#WATCH Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu & Prime Minister Narendra Modi pay tribute to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee, on his death anniversary today at 'Sadaiv Atal'  the memorial of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. pic.twitter.com/pIaYOZFIMZ  ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2020

Delhi: Late #AtalBihariVajpayee's daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya and granddaughter Niharika pay tribute to former Prime Minister at 'Sadaiv Atal', on his death anniversary today. pic.twitter.com/AQTB9EvyG3  ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2020

Tributes to beloved Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. India will always remember his outstanding service and efforts towards our nations progress. pic.twitter.com/ZF0H3vEPVd  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2020

Also Read: 3 capitals are need of the hour, a lesson from bifurcation wounds: Andhra CM

Vajpayee, who led the National Democratic Alliance government from 1998-2004, was the first-ever leader from the BJP to have become the nations Prime Minister. Vajpayee served as Prime Minister thrice  briefly in 1996, and then for two terms between 1998 and 2004.

His birthday, which falls on December 25, is celebrated as Good Governance Day by the party. He was decorated with the Bharat Ratna in 2014.

Also Read: Independence Day 2020: President Ram Nath Kovind pays respects at national war memorial
Minsk/Moscow: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he had secured a pledge from Russia to provide comprehensive assistance if needed to ensure the security of his country in a phone call with President Vladimir Putin on Saturday.

The two presidents spoke as tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Minsk once again urging Lukashenko to quit and staff at the Belarusian state broadcaster BT considered joining a wave of strikes and mass protests.

People with old Belarusian National flags gather at the place where Alexander Taraikovsky died amid the clashes protesting the election results, during his civil funeral in Minsk, Belarus, on Saturday. Credit:AP

The Belarus ambassador to Slovakia meanwhile has declared solidarity with protesters in Belarus, in an undated video posted by Nasha Niva media on Saturday.

"I stand in solidarity with those who came out on the streets of Belarusian cities with peaceful marches so that their voice could be heard. The Belarusians have achieved this right through suffering," Igor Leshchenya, the envoy, said in the video.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 09:42:38|Editor: huaxia

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BRUSSELS, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) considered Israel's decision to suspend its plan to annex parts of occupied Palestinian territory as a positive step, the Council of the EU said in a statement on Saturday.

"Any unilateral decision that undermines a lasting, agreed solution should be avoided," said the statement.

The council also welcomed the normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), saying such a move will benefit both countries, and is "a fundamental step for the stabilization" of the region.

The EU remains firm in its commitment to a negotiated and viable two-state solution and reaffirms its readiness to work towards the resumption of meaningful negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, said the statement.

Palestine on Thursday slammed the peace agreement reached between the UAE and Israel under U.S. sponsorship.

The Palestinian presidency described the agreement as "disgraceful," considering it a "blow to the Arab Peace Initiative and the decisions of the Arab and Islamic summits, and an aggression against the Palestinian people." Enditem
When Taos jewelry artist Maria Samora heard about the cancellation of this years Santa Fe Indian Market, she cried.

Although she says the annual event comprises one-third of her annual income, her tears were about more than finance.

I think Im going to cry right now just talking about it, Samora said in a telephone interview from Taos. Its been so much a part of everyones lives. And the clients; its like a pilgrimage theyve done for 20 years.

The Southwestern Association for American Indian Arts cancelled the 2020 event due to the pandemic. Instead, the tradition that lures thousands of tourists and collectors to the Plaza will be virtual at swaia.org through Aug. 31.

The winner of first place ribbons from both Santa Fe and the Heard Museum shows, Samora juried into her first market in 2005 when she was nine months pregnant and working as a waitress. She was afraid the clean, geometric lines of her work would prove too contemporary for market shoppers.

She was wrong.

It was so well-received, she said.

Her teacher and mentor, the Taos jeweler Phil Poirer, had encouraged her to professionally market herself, displaying her work in lighted cases and backgrounding her booth with large posters.

People said, This is so refreshing,  she said,  Im so glad I found something at Indian Market that I can wear in New York. 

Samoras style ranges from rhomboid shapes to pyramids, their crisp lines often set with turquoise or diamonds. Nearly every piece draws in the eye through texture and lines with no polished surfaces allowed, tumbling with her trademark geometry.

I was always drawn to mixed-metal contrast with oxidized silver, she said.

It all started when Samora returned to Taos after college searching for a path. A friend encouraged her to sign up for a local jewelry making class. Then the Taos Institute of Arts offered a week-long intensive with Poirer.

The first day in, I was completely blown away by his expertise, Samora said. She began her apprenticeship with Poirer in 1998 when she was still waitressing.

He took me through a traditional European-style apprenticeship, which included sweeping floors and taking out the trash, she said.

Samora spent hours on the buffing machine, more hours soldering.

I think he saw me as someone to whom he could pass on his legacy, Samora said. Hes kind of a father figure in many ways.

In 2009, SWAIA chose Samora for the then-annual Indian Market poster. Her jewelry was splashed across the Indian Market merchandise, giving her more and more exposure.

Today she sketches out her designs, then feeds them into a computer-generated milling machine. She adds a sheet of metal and the machine performs the cuts and patterns with precision.

From there, I do all the fabrication, the burnishing, the turning, the soldering, she said.

Samoras designs continually evolve. Shes unveiling a new collection for the virtual market.

I think less is more is something I definitely strive for, she said. Its really easy to over-embellish. Its really hard to keep something simple.

She remembers the customer by keeping her pieces comfortable and light.

For me, the ultimate thing is that its going to bring joy to the wearer

Last fall, she showed her work in a Milan fashion show. In better times, she shows her work regularly at galleries, including her own Taos showroom, as well as in an annual Heard Museum show. But Indian Market is special.

It definitely is a huge part of my life, Samora said. Its a show that is a phenomenon. Ive met people from all over the world. Its just such a lively, fun thing.

Although admittedly initially turned off by the idea of a virtual show, she says shes trying to embrace the concept.

Throughout this whole pandemic Ive realized that art is essential. It makes us feel human.
There were 15 new cases of the novel coronavirus reported by Atlantic County health officials Sunday and no COVID-19 related deaths.

Atlantic County has reported one death related to COVID-19 over the last 15 days, a 98-year-old Hammonton woman with preexisting conditions who lived in a long-term care facility.

Sunday's new cases include nine men between the ages of 20 and 73, and six women between the ages of 23 and 85. Seven of the cases were reported from Egg Harbor Township, two each in Absecon and Hamilton Township, and one each in Atlantic City, Brigantine, Galloway and Pleasantville, according to the county Division of Public Health.

Since March, there have been 3,792 Atlantic County residents who have been confirmed for coronavirus, 2,321 who have been cleared as recovered and 242 who have died, health officials said Sunday.

Atlantic County will continue to provide testing at its drive-thru facility in Northfield at Rt. 9 and Dolphin Avenue, behind the county public works yard, each Tuesday in August from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., unless otherwise noted, according to the release.
Sen. Kamala Harris, D-California, has been tabbed the first African-American and Asian-American woman to run for vice president by presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.

Its yet another first for Harris  the first Black female San Francisco district attorney, California attorney general and U.S. senator.

She checks a variety of boxes for Biden: Woman of color, comparative centrist, environmentalist and combative campaigner.

Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions was speechless after Harris interrogated him at a Senate hearing. Im not able to be rushed this fast. It makes me nervous.

In May, she asked his successor, William Barr, Has the president or anyone at the White House ever asked or suggested that you open an investigation of anyone? He stuttered, but didnt respond.

President Donald Trump called her questioning of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh nasty.

She also took on Biden during the first Democratic debate after he bragged about working closely with segregationist senators who opposed busing Black children to integrate schools.

You know, she said, there was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools. And she was bused to school every day. And that little girl was me.

Like Ronald Reagan, who gave George H.W. Bush a pass for criticizing Voodoo economics, Biden saw the value in overlooking a grudge against Harris, a close friend of his late son, Beau, while Delaware attorney general.

The murder of George Floyd put pressure on Biden to pick a woman of color, ruling out Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan.

Rep. Karen Bass, D-California, was too radical. Obama administration National Security Advisor Susan Rice was synonymous with the Benghazi debacle; Rep. Val Demings, D-Florida, was a little-known former Orlando police chief; and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-New Mexico, is a Latina, while Black females are a driving force among the partys base.

Like Barack Obama, Harris reflects a multiracial America.

Her father, an economics professor, was born in Jamaica. Her mother, a cancer researcher, was born in India. They met as student protestors at the University of California in Berkeley and divorced while Harris was in grade school.

Harris and her younger sister, Maya, were raised by her mother, the daughter of a prominent Indian politician, and brought up with respect for both their Hindu and Black Baptist heritage.

After attending middle and high school in Montreal, where her mother taught at McGill University, Harris shunned Ivy League schools for Howard University, then earned her law degree at UC Berkeley.

To become the San Francisco DA, she defeated her boss, Terence Hallinan, calling him incompetent, then upped the conviction rate. Her career got an initial boost as the girlfriend and protege of California kingmaker Willie Brown. They broke up when he became San Francisco mayor.

As DA, she pressured Black parents to send their kids to school or face truancy charges because of the high crime rate among dropouts. Liberals decried it as punitive, but the truancy rate dropped, and no parents were prosecuted.

She curbed racial profiling and endeavored to keep low-level offenders from serving time with a Back on Track program promoting a return to school or work rather than jail.

Harris attempted to cultivate a close relationship while working with the police, which abruptly ended when she refused to seek the death penalty for a cop killer, consistent with her then opposition to capital punishment.

During the Democratic debates, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, pummeled her record as a progressive prosecutor while attorney general, citing marijuana cases and a wrongful conviction. Harris opposed police officers wearing body cameras and having her office investigate egregious police shootings, leaving it to local DAs. Her position changed after George Floyd.

As AG, she rejected a $4 billion mortgage foreclosure settlement, then got $20 billion; forced Volkswagen into an $86 million settlement for cheating on diesel emissions disclosures; won an indictment against a pipeline company after an oil spill and opposed a refinery expansion near minority neighborhoods.

Her presidential campaign unraveled after a series of flip flops, including abandoning Medicare-for-All to embrace a private option, but that more closely hews with Biden.

As the VP candidate, Harris may be best suited to potentially help Biden overcome the poor Black turnout in 2016 while galvanizing female suburban voters who helped Democrats retake the House in 2018.
Security in northern Mozambique has deteriorated dramatically, with jihadi militants seizing a key port city on the Indian Ocean coast. The government is increasingly relying on international help to fight the militants.

The security situation in Mozambique's northernmost province has reached a new low, with jihadi militants repeatedly attacking and partly occupying a strategic port city in the gas-rich province of Cabo Delgado.

Mocimboa da Praia, a city of some 30,000 people, isn't the most important port in the north of the country, but observers believe its conquest nevertheless represents an embarrassment to government troops.

Cities such as Mocimboa da Praia, Macomia and others now resemble civil war zones, says investigative journalist Estacio Valoi, who has been reporting from the region for the independent Moz 24 Horas portal since the first attacks in October 2017.

Many villages have been razed to the ground, and those who were unable to flee have been threatened or immediately beheaded. In the past few days, many families have fled south along the coast by boat, or overland in minibuses, to Pemba, the provincial capital. The situation is completely out of control. UN figures show that around 1,000 people have died in the conflict in past three years, while some 250,000 have left for other parts of the country.

According to Valoi, government troops that had been transferred to the region in large numbers arrived much too late, and were completely overwhelmed. There was a shortage of weapons and equipment, and military training and local knowledge was lacking, he said. On Wednesday, troops were attacked by the militants at dawn and massacred. Losses were high, with "bodies and body parts" lying on the streets, said Valoi.

Government appeasement

Some 1,700 kilometers (1,050 miles) farther south in the country's capital, Maputo, the government is hopeful. Troops are slowly regaining control, 59 "terrorists" have been killed and many more have fled, authorities have said. International aid is now also being called in. Foreign Minister Veronica Macamo has announced a plan to work with the government and Tanzanian army to prevent future incursions at their shared border.

But Valoi remains pessimistic. "All efforts by the government to bring the situation under military control have failed so far," he said, citing previous attempts by the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary organization with links to the Kremlin, and a security firm from South Africa. "Expensive solutions, without success."

However, Valoi said things might improve if Russia opens a military base in Mozambique in the near future. There have been media reports of a military cooperation deal between the Kremlin and five African countries, including Mozambique, but the Kremlin has yet to confirm the information.

Connections abroad

Although the root of the conflict is rather local, the jihadis have established international connections -- especially in Tanzania, where, according to the Mozambican government, a large number of the fighters were also recruited. On November 13, 2019, in the first cross-border attack on a Tanzanian border village, the militants executed six people. Tanzania is seen as vulnerable to jihadi expansion: between 30 to 40% of its population are Muslim, compared with 18 to 20% in Mozambique.

The jihadis are also believed to have ties to South Africa. In August 2018, Mozambican authorities arrested Andre Mayer Hanekom, a 60-year-old South African known as "Baba Mzungo" or "White Papa," for supplying weapons, medicines and cash to the rebels and enabling the jihadis to pay their fighters' salaries. He died in police custody in January 2019, under unclear circumstances.

In June 2019, "Islamic State" (IS) claimed for the first time responsibility for an attack by "soldiers of the caliphate" on the "crusaders" of the Mozambican armed forces. In May 2018, a representative of the African Union said IS had extended its reach to East Africa and Mozambique.

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Foreign investment at risk?

According to Valoi, the capture of Mocimboa da Praia by the insurgents means that government troops have been unable to stem the jihadis' advances. "Mocimboa da Praia has become a de facto state within a state. This is worrying and serious, especially since it is a strategically and, above all, economically important region," he said.

"In this part of the country, the Cabo Delgado region, we have the biggest investments in the raw materials sector in the whole of Africa," said political scientist Dercio Alfazema. Mocimboa da Praia is just 90 kilometers away from a natural gas megaproject, where French, American, Italian and other energy firms are engaged.

Alfazema is aware the insurgents have seized a region that is very strategic, not only for the development of Cabo Delgado but the entire country. "It's about control over strategically important points of the country and the region," he said.

Romeu da Silva contributed to this article.
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Turning out mostly cloudy and not as cold. There might be a rain or snow shower late..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy with some rain and snow showers. Any rain will be early in the night.
Lucknow, Aug 16 : The Uttar Pradesh government has extended, by three months, the detention of doctor Kafeel Khan under the National Security Act (NSA) for his alleged provocative speech during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests.

Khan was arrested in January for delivering the speech at Aligarh Muslim University on December 10, 2019.

This is the second time his detention under the stringent law has been extended by another three months, this time beyond August 13.

Under the NSA, people can be detained without a charge for up to 12 months if authorities are satisfied that they are threat to the national security or law and order.

In an order dated August 4, the UP Home Department said the NSA was invoked against Khan on February 13, 2020, on the orders of the Aligarh District Magistrate.

The matter was then sent to the advisory council, which in its report, said there are "enough reasons" to keep Khan in jail following which orders were given on May 6, to extend his detention under the NSA by three months, that is till August 13, the order said.

Acting on the report of council and the report from the District Magistrate, Aligarh, Governor Anandiben Patel, using the powers vested in her, directed that the detention of Kafeel Khan be further extended by three more months.

"As a result, Kafeel Khan will remain in jail till November 13, 2020," the order said.

Khan was booked under IPC section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion).

The FIR registered against him states that his speech threatened to disrupt the harmony between the communities and was also likely to create a law and order situation.

Later, sections 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) and 505(2) (statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill will between classes) of the Indian Penal Code were added to the FIR.

The doctor, who is currently lodged in Mathura jail, had first hit the headlines in August 2017 when several children died at the BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur, where he worked as a paediatrician.

Though he was later given a clean chit in a departmental probe, the government did not reinstate him.
By PTI

BULANDSHAHR: Two people have been arrested in connection with the death of a 20-year-old student here, police said on Sunday while ruling out that she was harassed by bike-borne men before being killed in an accident.

Sudiksha Bhati, who hailed from Deri Scanar village in Gautam Buddh Nagar's Dadri, died on August 10 in a road crash in Bulandshahr district while she was pillion riding a motorcycle with her younger cousin, a minor.

Police said they arrested the two people -- Deepak Choudhary and Raju -- on the basis of CCTV camera footage.

Sudiksha, an academically bright student, was pursuing a graduation course in entrepreneurship at Babson College, Massachusetts (US), on a scholarship and was scheduled to go back on August 20.

While her family has alleged that the road crash took place because two unidentified motorcycle-borne men were "following" her two-wheeler and harassing her, the police on Sunday said it has found no evidence to corroborate their claims.

ALSO READ | Sudiksha Bhati death case: Police announce Rs 20,000 for information on Bullet or its riders

Senior Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar Singh and District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar during a press conference on Sunday ruled out harassment or a motorcycle stunt as cause of death.

They made it clear that the woman's death was an accident.

After going through video footage from eight CCTV cameras, police have not found any evidence of harassment with the woman, they said.

On the basis of the SIT's probe, eye-witness accounts and CCTV video footages, the incident is not a case of sexual harassment and Sudiksha's death occurred in a road accident, Kumar said.

Singh said that during interrogation, accused Deepak revealed that he is employed with a contractor and on the day the incident occured he was on his way to a designated site along with Raju.

Deepak told police that while the duo was on the road on a bullet motorcycle, they had to suddenly apply the breaks when an autorickshaw and a bullock cart came in its way as a result of which the bike behind them, on which Sudiksha was riding pillion, rammed into their vehicle and she fell on the road.

Acccording to police, after the incident came in the limelight Deepak got scared and in order to evade interrogation he got his bike modified by changing its tyres, silencer and even the vehicle registration number plate that had 'Jat' written on it.

Police have recovered the pre-modification parts of the motorcycle including the number plate, they said.

They also said the bullet bike was traced after its number was identified from CCTV camera footage.

Both the motorcycles -- Deepak's and Raju's as well as the one on which Sudiksha was riding pillion -- were being driven on high speed of approximately 80 kmph and were travelling at a distance from each other, thety said.

In order to probe Diksha's death, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed comprising Circle Officer Diksha Singh and two inspectors from the UP Police Crime Branch, the district magistrate said.

Police also interrogated the man from whose mobile phone the woman's family was contacted after the accident and he told investigators that it was a case of road mishap and she died on the spot.

Police had earlier said some people were "trying to twist the narrative of the incident" by claiming that the woman was being sexually harassed because of which the accident took place.

"It appears that after the body reached her Deri Scanar village, some people tried to twist the narrative of the incident.

Since the girl had got a huge scholarship package (to study in the US), there could have been a thought of demand (for compensation) in the people," Senior Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar Singh had said on Thursday.
The surprise U.S.-brokered agreement last week to establish normal ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates wasn't the grand bargain that President Donald Trump hoped might make him the American president who finally achieved Middle East peace.

But it was a powerful example of how the very notion of Middle East peace has shifted with his administration's enthusiastic backing. Arab states are increasingly willing to leave aside the question of Palestinian land and rights to seek a variety of relationships with Israel, the region's dominant military power and economic powerhouse.

Those ties don't negate Palestinian demands, which Arab states have backed as a bloc, but represent a growing view of the decades-long conflict as a drag on the region's economic opportunity and political clout.

The UAE agreement grew out of commercial and other contacts between Israel and the wealthy Gulf nation that predate Trump's presidency and are mostly rooted in regional concerns.

"We saw an opportunity to take a bold step, one with the potential to fashion a new regional paradigm and introduce a new way of thinking - pragmatic, practical and solution-oriented," said Omar Ghobash, the UAE assistant minister of public diplomacy. "The paradigm is also one of substantially greater collaboration across critical areas, including but not limited to technology, trade and education, and a strong reduction in the level of tensions. We believe Israel is keenly aware of that same potential."

Palestinian leaders were not informed of the plan and accused the UAE of selling them out. They reject the UAE assertion that the deal protects Palestinian interests by conditioning it on Israel's agreement not to go forward with annexation of West Bank land.

Trump and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and the adviser he picked to lead Middle East peace efforts, said other agreements normalizing ties are expected soon. Oman and Bahrain, with similarly established unofficial relationships with Israel, are considered the most likely to do so. They could follow the UAE's lead before the U.S. election, giving Trump further bragging rights.

For Trump, the piecemeal approach makes a virtue of his inability to launch the face-to-face talks between Israel and the Palestinians he had hoped could come early in his presidency. Palestinians walked away from the Kushner effort at the end of Trump's first year in office, when he announced that the United States would recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and move the U.S. Embassy there.

Arab states opposed the Jerusalem embassy move because of the Palestinian demand for a capital in East Jerusalem. But they continued to engage with Kushner, and in the case of the UAE, Oman and Bahrain, among others, continued to engage with Israel.

A Gulf state official who asked not to be identified by name or nationality to speak freely said the deal recognizes that the Middle East is different than it was when Saudi Arabia put forward a bloc proposal for peace with Israel in 2002.

"The realities in the Middle East have changed tremendously since the Arab Peace Initiative," the Gulf State official said. "The threats against our nations have increased, we have gone through severe turmoil and people in the region understood that even if people call us their allies today, tomorrow they might forget about all of their promises and we are left alone."

The official listed Iran, Turkey and Qatar as aggressors and the political uncertainties in the United States as a factor many Gulf states are considering. Trump withdrew the United States from the international nuclear deal reached with Iran under former president Barack Obama, but a President Joe Biden might reinstate it. Or, if Trump is re-elected, he has said he would be open to a new deal with Iran that he predicted last week could be reached in "one month."

Israel was as eager as the United States to isolate the Palestinian question, but for its own reasons. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu trumpets his contacts with Gulf Arab neighbors, saying those states are ready markets for trade and tourism. Other Israeli officials acknowledge intelligence sharing going back years, mostly about Iran.

"Many people believed that the road to peace with the Arab states must go through Ramallah," said Ron Dermer, Israel's ambassador to Washington, in an interview. "It does not. The road to peace with the Palestinians goes through Ramallah," the seat of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, "but the road to peace with the Arab states goes through Cairo, Amman, Abu Dhabi and elsewhere."

Egypt was the first Arab state to make peace with Israel, in 1979. Jordan followed in 1994. Both agreements were under U.S. auspices.

"This is a historic step forward, and things like this don't happen every day," Kushner told reporters Friday. "So we're very, very proud of the accomplishment and of the step forward, and we hope that it really inspires a lot of people in the region to see the potential for what can be, if you're willing to be creative and take a little bit of risk."

The Palestinians will have to decide for themselves how they respond, Kushner said later.

"Kushner as usual misreads the whole situation," said Hanan Ashrawi, a longtime Palestinian adviser.

"I think if he wants, or if they want, to move on, then the better move is to comply with international law," she said of the United States and Israel. "Withdraw from territories that were occupied and stolen from the Palestinians. This is how you move on."

Ashrawi dismissed the UAE description of the agreement as a way to salvage the potential for a more viable future Palestinian state. Annexation is shelved as a price of the agreement, but not off the table.

Kenneth Katzman, a Congressional Research Service analyst focused on the Persian Gulf, called the deal "an evolution."

"We've seen over the last six or eight years a clear, growing set of ties between the two countries," he said. "More and more visits, more and more discussion of security issues, Iran obviously being the focus of that."

Middle East analysts agreed with Trump that the accomplishment is genuine and historic, and probably could not have happened now without the U.S. imprimatur. But it also fits a pattern for Trump of claiming more credit than may be deserved.

"The UAE-Israel strategic relationship was fueled by mutual fears of Iran, and formalized by the United States," said Karim Sadjadpour, a Middle East analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "It's an example of Trump slapping his name on a hotel that was essentially already built."

Ashrawi called it a marriage of convenience on all sides but that of the Palestinians. Netanyahu can distract from legal problems and protests over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, she said.

"The same thing with Trump, who is trying very hard to distract attention" from his own problems with the virus, she said. "To show he can be a peacemaker even with something so minor as the UAE-Israeli agreement."
By John Freivalds

Freivalds runs an international communications firm in Lexington.

I traveled the world as a Peace Corps volunteer hitchhiking in places such as Iran and Colombia and later in the grain business seeking out new commodity markets and supplies from Kazakhstan to Kuwait. In those days I found America was loved and hated at the same time. Loved for the economic opportunity it offered for trade, education, political stability, and Disneyland, not to mention the almighty U.S. dollar.

In the days of my youth (the 1960s and 1970s) many countries were jealous of the U.S. and asked how come the Americans are enjoying life while we have to live in an unstable if not hostile environment with a worthless currency? Now President Donald Trump ungraciously calls these s-hole countries. Currently the U.S. joins countries including Brazil, Russia, Qatar, Uganda and Vietnam whose travelers are barred from the EU because of their inability to control COVID-19.

To make matters worse, the organization that used to prop up Americas image was the U.S. Information Agency (USIA) which was started at the height of the Cold War has come under fire by the current administration. Its mission was to counter Russian propaganda and the restriction of a free press and elections in many countries. It was started by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1953 and become the largest public relations organization in the world, spending more than $2 billion a year to highlight the U.S. while dumping on the Soviet Union, according to Wikipedia. It has gone through several iterations as it became the Broadcasting Board of Governors and today is the U.S. Agency for Global Media. But through all the changes The Voice of America had persisted and maintained its editorial independence.

The USIA boasted two stars: Edward R. Murrow and Willis Conover. Murrow headed the USIA from 1961-1962 and gave the agency a lot of influence; Murrow is credited in bringing broadcast journalism to the U.S. with his program See It Now. Murrow was the Walter Cronkite of his era. Murrow transmitted this wisdom thusly we cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home. He brought a missionary zeal to the USIA and The Voice of America when my father was the Chief of the Latvian Service, one of 38 languages the Voice broadcast in.

Willis Conover broadcast to Russia and Eastern Europe for 41 years with his jazz show Music USA on The Voice of America. In an interview with Time magazine Conover explained why American jazz, not vitriolic propaganda, best explains America. Jazz tells more about America than any American can realize. It bespeaks vitality, strength, social mobility, its free music with its own discipline but not an imposed inhibiting discipline.

It did not help when Trump appointed Michael Peck chairman of the U.S. Agency for Global Media  the new name for the old USIA. Although Michel Peck promised that a firewall would be placed to protect The Voice of America, his actions speak otherwise. After the two top people of the Voice left he proceeded to fire all the top level managers. NPR reported that they were replaced by Trump administration political appointees. Then Peck was sued by past members of advisory boards who contend Peck has broken federal guidelines of the broadcasters journalistic independence.

Although the Voice of America, obscure at home, can only be heard abroad and reaches 236 million people with a paltry budget of $220 million (one B-1 bomber cost US $450 million). To return to its former importance and regain its voice in the world, the Voice needs to follow Murrows famous dictum to be persuasive we must be believable, to be believable we must be credible, and to be credible we must be truthful.
A giant bonfire in the Bogside area of Londonderry, to mark the Catholic Feast of the Assumption, is lit (Brian Lawless/PA)

The placing of poppy wreaths on a nationalist bonfire in Londonderry has been condemned by politicians across the divide.

It's after traditional August bonfires were lit over the weekend to mark the Catholic Feast of the Assumption.

The wreaths were placed on a fire built in Curryneirin on the Waterside of the city. The incident comes after wreaths were recently stolen from a nearby war memorial.

Young bonfire builders were also criticised for anti-social behaviour and burning items and symbols associated with the unionist tradition.

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On one of the biggest fires, in the Bogside, a picture of the Queen was attached to the structure before it was torched on Saturday night.

Union flags, Northern Ireland flags and a US and Israeli flag were also placed on the stacks of wooden pallets, as were flags of the Parachute Regiment  the regiment whose soldiers were responsible for the Bloody Sunday shootings in the city in 1972.

Sinn Fein MLA Martina Anderson condemned those responsible.

The Foyle MLA said: "The appearance of poppy wreathes on a bonfire in Currynieirin was wrong.

Everyone has a right to remember their dead in a respectful and dignified manner and the theft and desecration of these wreathes goes totally against that.

Ulster Unionist councillor for the Waterside area of the city Darren Guy said the burning of wreaths was "absolutely despicable".

"To do it on the anniversary of VJ Day which marked the end to hostilities in the Second World War which delivered us freedom from fascism, is reaching a new low," he said. "There's absolutely no excuse for it.

"There are those within the republican community who seem determined to recycle sectarian hatreds of the past and drag Northern Ireland backwards.

"We shouldn't let them and instead we must seek to build a better society in Northern Ireland based on the freedoms won for us by those who gave their lives in the Second World War."

Curryneirin bonfire tonight. This is disgraceful and utterly insulting to the war dead. There needs to be leadership shown in this community. Poppy wreaths were stolen from the war memorial in Londonderry recently. Those who place wreaths on bonfires clearly have a warped mindset pic.twitter.com/LLXbwgcup4  Gary Middleton MLA (@Gary_Middleton) August 14, 2020

Ahead of the fire, DUP representative Gary Middleton tweeted: This is disgraceful and utterly insulting to the war dead. There needs to be leadership shown in this community. Poppy wreaths were stolen from the war memorial in Londonderry recently. Those who place wreaths on bonfires clearly have a warped mindset.

Expand Close An image of the Queen is added to a bonfire in the Bogside (Brian Lawless/PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp An image of the Queen is added to a bonfire in the Bogside (Brian Lawless/PA)

Ahead of the fires, organisers had been urged to comply with coronavirus regulations that limit the size of outdoor gatherings to 30 people.

In the Bogside, a significantly larger number gathered to watch as it was lit late on Saturday night.

The fires were ignited just over a month after loyalist bonfires were lit across Northern Ireland to usher in the main date of the Protestant loyal order calendar, the Twelfth of July.

Many loyalist bonfire builders face similar criticism on an annual basis, with nationalist items and symbols regularly burned on the Eleventh Night.
New Delhi: Delhi chief minister and the Aam Aadmi Partys (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that he has got commitment for 30,000 pulse oximeters from different donors, which would help the party to set up oxygen test centres in villages across states to help Covid-19 patients.

Already received commitments for 30,000 oximeters. (I) am overwhelmed. (We) will now set up oxygen test centres in 30,000 villages. Commitments still pouring in. (With that) we will set it up in more villages. Thank u (you) donors. We will train village youth n (and) give them oximeters, Kejriwal tweeted on Sunday.

This will help us in saving lives by detecting drop in oxygen levels in time, he tweeted.

Oximeters help in measuring the oxygen level and are found to be extremely useful for coronavirus patients who in many cases battle breathlessness due to drop in oxygen level.

Arvind Kejriwal had on Saturday appealed to the public, members of the civil society and party workers across the nation to donate pulse oximeters to the AAP so it can set up oxygen testing centres in rural India to reduce the number of covid deaths.
President Moon Jae-in speaks in a ceremony, Aug. 15, to mark the 75th Liberation Day at the DDP in Seoul. Yonhap



By Do Je-hae



President Moon Jae-in underlined Saturday during a speech to mark Liberation Day that Korea is open for talks with Japan to sort out pending bilateral issues.



But skepticism is rising that the offer for talks will not have much impact on improving the strained bilateral ties, given the negative reactions to Moon's speech.



During the speech to mark the 75th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan's 1910-45 occupation, Moon underlined the need for diplomacy, while repeating Seoul's resolute stance that it cannot intervene in a judiciary decision regarding the two countries' shared past.



"In 2005, four victims of forced labor filed a damage suit against Japanese companies that mobilized Korean workers in the colonial period. In 2018, the Supreme Court of Korea ruled in their favor," Moon said. "A Supreme Court ruling has the highest legal authority and executory power within the Republic of Korea. My administration respects the judiciary's decision, and we have been engaging in consultations with the Japanese government on how to reach a satisfactory resolution to which the victims could agree. The door for such consultations remains wide open. My administration is ready to sit down with the Japanese government at any time to discuss these issues."



He added, "At the same time, we will work with Japan to protect universal values of humanity, and the principles of international law and democracy based on the separation of powers.?I believe that joint efforts by Japan and Korea to respect individual human rights will become a bridge for friendship and future cooperation between the peoples of our two countries."









This was a noticeable departure from the stern tone he took during his speech last year amid rising bilateral tension over history and trade disputes.



Tokyo did not react immediately to Moon's offer for talks. During a speech Saturday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe did not make any apology for his country's past military incursions in the region and four of his ministers visited the Yasukuni Shrine. Abe did not visit in person, but sent a ritual offering for the war dead to the shrine.





Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe carries a bouquet of flowers to offer at the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery for unidentified remains of the nation's war dead in Tokyo Saturday, Aug. 15. AP-Yonhap



The Japanese media underlined that Moon's remarks were aimed at extracting concessions from Tokyo, without mentioning any specific measures.



"This statement is believed to be a way of urging Japan to make concessions in the negotiations by stressing that Seoul's basic stance of respecting judicial rulings remains unchanged," according to a Yomiuri Shimbun report. "A South Korean court is in the process of selling the assets of Nippon Steel Corp.  formerly Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp.  which lost the lawsuit. Moon's remarks indicate his intention to seek a solution through negotiation between the governments before the sale order harms the Japanese company."



Last week, Cheong Wa Dae named key presidential aide Choi Jong-kun as first vice minister of foreign affairs, a post overseeing policies for bilateral relations. Choi is known as a hardliner on Japan.



Tension on the rise



Speculations are rising that the replacement may impact how the foreign ministry deals with Japan ahead of more possible bilateral clashes.



The deadline for extending the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), a military intelligence sharing pact with Japan, falls on Aug. 24 and Seoul will have to make some sort of an announcement on what it will do with it, after it decided to delay its expiry in November 2019 following U.S. opposition.





President Moon Jae-in, right, passes by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a welcoming ceremony for the G20 summit in June 2019 in Osaka, Japan. Korea Times file
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 16)  Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday called on the Department of Education to make the most out of the six-week-long postponement of classes to respond to the needs of teachers.

In her weekly radio show, Robredo said the Education department should communicate to teachers the progress of the distribution of resources that will help them prepare for classes which will now start on October 5.

"Tutal October pa naman ang opening, meron pa namang oras. Sana hindi masayang yung oras between now and October," Robredo said.

[Translation: Since the opening has been moved to October, there's still time. I hope they don't waste the given time between now and October.]

"Sana pagdating ng October yung pinakamaliit, pinakamalayo, at pinakamahirap na paaralan is ready na."

[Translation: I hope that by October, even the smallest, the farthest, and the poorest school will be ready.]

The Vice President recounted from her previous dialogue with various teachers' groups that some schools were still not ready to open classes due to the delay in the printing and distribution of modules, and lack of time to complete teaching resources for blended learning, among other hurdles.

"Kung totoo na inaasikaso na [ito ng DepEd], sana ma-communicate nang maayos sa teachers kasi mahalaga na alam nilang susulong sila sa gyerang handa," Robredo added.

[Translation: If it's really true that the DepEd is already preparing, I hope they communicate this properly to teachers because it matters that they are well-prepared for battle.]

She also renewed her plea to DepEd to allocate a budget for the conduct of COVID-19 testing and physical check-ups among teachers, and treatment for those who have contracted the virus.

Video series launched for teachers, parents on shift to distance learning

On Sunday, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) also launched BAYANIHAN e-SKWELA, a series of instructional videos which will guide teachers and parents in assisting learners shifting to distance learning.

The project is a collaboration among academic experts, production houses, and other members of the creatives and entertainment industry, containing videos and briefers on techniques and approaches for teaching learners in different grade levels. These will be released by batches and will be uploaded on YouTube and the BAYANIHAN e-SKWELA Facebook page.

Faculty members from the College of Education of the University of the Philippines - Diliman, UP College of Music, UP Integrated School, students of the UP Special Education, and teachers from Culiat Elementary School in Quezon City volunteered to be part of the program. Habi Education Lab and Canva are also assisting in the project.

The OVP said it is also looking for ways to distribute the materials to communities with little or no access to the internet.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones announced on Friday that President Rodrigo Duterte had approved her recommendation to move the school opening which was earlier set for August 24, due to the effects of the pandemic.

READ: DepEd moves opening of classes to October 5

Briones then clarified that private schools which have already started their classes or are already scheduled to start classes ahead of October 5 may proceed, provided they are strictly using only distance learning modalities.

The DepEd previously said in its advisory that these schools are required to submit relevant documents to the regional director their calendar of activities for school year 2020-2021, as well as proof of their readiness assessment to open classes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate an expressway built in Madhya Pradesh after late former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) organized a special event in his honour and top leaders paid tributes to the memory of Vajpayee on his second death anniversary on Sunday.

President Ram Nath Kovind, vice president M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among several dignitaries who paid tribute to Vajpayee . They were joined by several Union ministers and other leaders at Sadaiv Atal, the memorial to Vajpayee in the national capital.

President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated a portrait of Vajpayee at the ICCR and described him as a widely accepted leader. Vajpayee served as the ex-officio president of the ICCR from March 1977 to August 1979 when he was the foreign minister.

Modi said India will always remember Vajpayees contributions to the nation. Tributes to beloved Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. India will always remember his outstanding service and efforts towards our nations progress, Modi tweeted.

Home minister Amit Shah said the country for the first time saw good governance being implemented across the nation under Vajpayee, who was the first non-Congress politician to serve a full term as prime minister.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that the proposed 300-km long expressway, named Chambal Progress Way, would be named after Vajpayee. Chouhan, after paying tributes to Vajpayee on his second death anniversary at the state BJP headquarters, also announced that a statue of the former PM would be installed in Bhopal.

The six-lane Chambal Progress Way, which is proposed to be developed at a cost of about Rs 6,000 crore, will connect the boundaries of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh through Sheopur, Morena and Bhind districts of Madhya Pradesh.

Chouhan also said the state government will observe December 25 as Sushasan Diwas (good governance day) every year to mark Vajpayees birthday.
A Bolgatanga Circuit Court has acquitted and discharged persons involved in a bribery case involving Mr Rockson Bukari, a former Minister of State at the Presidency and Mr Edward Adeti, an Investigative journalist with Starr FM of the EIB Network.

The Court, presided over by Mr Malcom Bedrah, a circuit Judge, also ruled that the brand-new motorbike and a cash of GHC5,000 that were purported to be given to Mr Adeti, as bribe by officials of the Shaanxi Mining Company Limited to influence him not to expose a High Court judge, Justice Jacob Boon, be given to him.

It would be recalled that the former Minister of State at the office of the Vice President took a decision to resign from government in 2019 after it was alleged, in a tape recording, that he and three other persons namely; Mr Charles Taleog Ndanbon and Maxwell Wooma, of the Shaanxi Mining Ghana Limited and Mr Suwaid Abdul-Mumin, the former personal assistant of Mr Bukari, planned to stop a news report involving the Chinese mining company and the High Court judge.

In the said case, Mr Adeti alleged that he was bribed with a brand-new motorbike and a cash of GHC5, 000 to stop the story from being published.

However after the lawyers for the accused persons filed a motion for submission of no case, the Circuit Judge acquitted and discharged the accused persons on the grounds that the police prosecution team could not establish before the court that the complainant, Mr Adeti was a public officer.

The Judge who explained that the police prosecution team failed to establish before the court that the complainant Mr Adeti was a public officer, stressed that the journalist was not a Public worker and did not draw his salary from the Consolidated Fund, adding, per the law, a journalist could not be portrayed as somebody being bribed.

However, in the court proceedings, the lawyer for Mr Ndanbon, Mr Wooma and Mr Suwaid Abdul-Mumin, Mr Joseph Awakpaksa, told the court that Mr Adeti was a friend of Ndanbon and had been visiting his house and made a request for a motorbike and cash to help him after he had performed some assignments for him.

He therefore stressed that apart from the journalist working in a private business entity coupled with the fact that he allegedly appealed to Mr Ndanbon for support, it could not be seen as ground of justification of bribery.

---GNA
Running mate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has said the developmental achievements of the last NDC government should encourage Ghanaians to return the party to power.

The achievements of the NDC administration in all sectors, the former Minister for Education noted, far outweigh the performance of the Akufo-Addo government.

Any objective assessment will make the NDC an obvious choice for Ghanaians, she said in an interaction with traders and artisans at Bolga Central in the Upper East region, where she is on a campaign tour.

Citing some infrastructure projects and social interventions, she said most Ghanaians now appreciate the enormous investment in those aspects of the economy.

At least the COVID-19 pandemic has made Ghanaians appreciate the investments the John Mahama administration made in building various health facilities that have saved the country, she added.

Regarding road projects, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang recalled that some people even said they dont eat roads, but today, they appreciate and are begging for roads.

We forgive them, she continued, calling on Ghanaians to grant the NDC the mandate to continue its good works, some of which have been neglected by the present administration.

This is the time for you to make a choice for a productive change, this is the time to vote for good results, and it is the time to look at the facts by yourself and not follow anybodys propaganda, Prof Opoku-Agyemang stressed.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang was accompanied by Mr. Alex Segbefia, the former Minister of Health and Deputy Campaign Manager of the party for the 2020 elections; Mrs. Mawuena Trebarh, her spokesperson; Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu and former Deputy Minister of Education; Mrs. Emelia Arthur, former Deputy Western Regional Minister; Mr. Isaac Adongo, MP for Bolgatanga Central; Hajia Lardi Ayii Ayamba, MP for Pusiga among other regional party executives.

---citinewsroom
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -The family of Donnie Sanders, 47, who was killed by a Kansas City Police Department officer in March are upset after their memorial was uprooted and removed. At one time, the memorial located on 52nd and Wabash, featured candles, flowers and stuffed animals.
Former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Le Kha Phieu once said: Although I have retired, it does not mean I just eat and take a rest.

When the heart is still beating, I will continue to dedicate myself to do anything beneficial for the Party, for the country, and for the people.

Former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Le Kha Phieu passed away on August 7 at the age of 89.  Photo baodanang.vn

The former Party chief passed away on August 7 at the age of 89 and will be remembered for his great contributions to the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation.

In 1950, at the age of 19, Phieu was sent to the war of resistance against the French and fought on battlefields from the North to the South.

Once a soldier on the frontlines, he was trained to become a military-political officer with experience in organising and commanding troops.

During the General Offensive and Uprising in the spring of 1968 (Tet Offensive), as a political commissar and commander, his regiment was part of the force that liberated Hue and defended the ancient citadel for 26 days and nights of fierce fighting.

In January 1979, Phieu joined the Vietnamese Volunteer Army to liberate Cambodia, and stayed there for 10 years to assist the Cambodian people to safeguard the country from the return of the Pol Pot-led Khmer Rouge genocidal regime.

Phieu acted as the Political Head of Battlefield 719 and then Deputy Political Commander of Vietnam Volunteer Army in Cambodia until he returned home in 1989.

Colonel Nguyen Dinh, former deputy director of Department of Publicity and Training, General Political Department of the People's Army of Vietnam, said officers and soldiers remembered Le Kha Phieu as a simple, open, intimate and wholehearted leader.

Lt Gen Pham Xuan The, a Hero of the People's Armed Forces and former commander of Army Region 1, said former party chief Phieu was a respectable political and military leader with a farsighted vision, morality and affection for soldiers.

While discussing tactics to attack an enemy base in Quang Nam Province in the summer of 1974, Phieu regularly emphasised: Only when the preparations for the attack were made carefully, could we have a victory and reduce the casualties of our soldiers.

Colonel-General Le Kha Phieu left good memories on those who had the chance to meet and work with him and also inspired positive thoughts and actions, Lt Gen The added.

Caring about peoples lives

Col Gen Le Kha Phieu served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam from December 1997 to April 2001.

In many of his speeches and articles, he said one of the dangers the Party faced was losing touch with the people and lacking democracy and mass mobilisation. He regularly highlighted the importance of democracy, mass mobilisation and national unity under the guideline people know, people discuss, people do and people verify.

As a high-ranking leader, General Secretary Phieu showed his concern about various sectors, from science, education-training to culture, arts and journalism. He often expressed his opinions at forums, showing enthusiasm and a very high sense of responsibility.

Despite his busy schedule, he always spent time visiting and working with many sectors and localities, leaving the impression of a leader staying close to and caring about people.

Former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu (second left) talks to workers of Gia Lam Railway Factory in Hanoi on his visit to the factory in August 2000.  VNA/VNS Photo

In late 1999 when the central region was hit by two severe floods, the then party chief Phieu visited the flooded areas and households affected by the natural disasters.

He urged the local authorities to help 64 families, who lost their houses in the 1999 flood in Phu Vang District in Thua Thien-Hue Province, establish a new village and stabilise their lives.

Thanks to the support and assistance of the Party and the State, three months after the disaster, Tran Van Thu, a local resident, who lost 12 relatives in the historic flood, and other households overcame difficulties and started new lives on the new land.

The new village was named Rong (Dragon) by Party General Secretary Phieu, referring to the hope villagers would stay strong to overcome hardship.

All the villagers of Dragon Village consider Uncle Phieu the founder of the village, Thu said.

Since that day, on new year occasions, Phieu came back to visit the villagers.

Former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu visits Rong Village in central Thua Thien-Hue Province.  Photo baothuathienhue.vn

He was considerate and asked each person about the work, life and education of our children like a father did. He told the local authorities to take care of people's lives, Huynh Thi Man, a villager, recalled.

Worried that natural disasters would create more challenges for the villagers, Phieu called for help from many places to build a communal house, hoping villagers would have a place for cultural activities and a shelter to avoid future natural disasters.

Ngo Van Du, deputy secretary of Thuan An Towns Party Committee, said: Local people considered party chief Phieu as a source of encouragement when villagers were in the most desperate situations during the floods. VNS

The funeral of former Party Chief Le Kha Phieu At 14 pm, August 15, the funeral of former General Secretary of Communist Party of Vietnam Le Kha Phieu took place at Hanoi's Mai Dich Cemetery.
Labor frontbencher Bill Shorten has backed the case for new gas supplies to support Australian industry, in another sign of the rift within the party over energy.

Mr Shorten said Australia needs to "double down" on local manufacturing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and this meant shoring up the supply of low-cost energy including gas.

"I think that if we want to transition to more renewable energy, we still need baseload energy, and gas, I think, is part of that answer," the former party leader told ABCs Insiders program on Sunday.

Former Labor leader Bill Shorten went to the 2019 election with a plan to spend $1.5 billion on a new gas pipeline. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

"I was formerly a union rep, I used to look after workers in manufacturing. You can't have a manufacturing sector, from Qenos in Botany and Altona through to foundries, through to the four smelters in aluminium, the steel industry, unless we have low price energy. I think gas does tick some of those boxes."
She's one of Farmer Sam Reitano's remaining ladies on Seven's reboot of Farmer Wants A Wife.

And on Saturday, Emily Rath was spotted working up a sweat alongside her beloved pet dog in a Melbourne park.

The 24-year-old brunette was seen taking safety precautions amid the coronavirus pandemic by opting for a black face mask during the outing.

Farmer Wants A Wife star Emily Rath, 24, (pictured) looked effortlessly chic as she was spotted enjoying a workout in matching purple activewear on Saturday

She looked every inch the reality star wearing a matching Lorna Jane purple crop top with matching leggings.

Emily showed off her natural beauty, opting for minimal makeup and placing her tresses up in a high ponytail.

At one point, the Channel Seven reality star was seen planking on a concrete block, while she used her iPhone to time each set.

Safety first! The 24-year-old brunette was seen taking precautions amid the coronavirus pandemic and opted for a black face mask during the outing

Following her outdoor workout, Emily appeared rather tense during a phone call, as she held onto a takeaway coffee cup.

The sighting comes just days after Emily told Daily Mail Australia that the cast of the Channel Seven dating show have kept in close contact via private group messaging.

'It's nice to still be able to keep in contact with them and use them as a support and talk about bits and pieces of the show,' Emily said.

Is everything OK? Following her outdoor workout, Emily appeared rather tense during a phone call, as she held onto a coffee cup

Emily recently admitted she couldn't see her relationship turning 'romantic' with Farmer Sam on the show.

After earlier telling Riley he only saw her as a friend, the tables were turned on Sam, 28, when Emily told him she didn't have feelings for him.

Despite Emily's honest confession, Farmer Sam chose not to send her home.

Farmer Wants A Wife continues on Sunday from 7pm on Channel Seven
But more is needed. In-person voting is an equally critical option  particularly for some voters with disabilities and individuals who require language assistance. Black and Latinx people also tend to vote in person, and are much more likely to experience profoundly adverse effects of a COVID-19 infection. These communities are also far more likely to encounter long lines and congestion at the polls.

Wisconsin election officials and lawmakers need to make in-person voting as safe as possible by minimizing crowding and decreasing wait times. This can be done by spreading out in-person voting through ample early voting days and maintaining all Election Day polling locations. Additionally, all polling locations must practice social distancing and sanitation requirements to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread.

We know what this pandemic is capable of  Ive seen it firsthand  and we know what we need to do to protect public health at the polls. Theres no excuse for inaction.
Pompeo Says Proceeds From Seized Iran Gasoline Could Go To Victims Of Terror

Radio Farda August 15, 2020

U.S. Secretary of StateMike Pompeo says proceeds from Iranian gasoline seized from oil tankers bound for Venezuela could reach "American victims of state terrorism."

The U.S. Department of Justice has confirmed that it has seized the cargo of four oil tankers, Luna, Pandi, Bering, and Bella, in recent days for violating U.S. sanctions.

In his press briefing on Friday, August 14, at the White House, President Donald Trump said that the seized tankers would be sent to Houston, but did not elaborate.

The seized tankers were reportedly bound for Venezuela with 1.1 million barrels of Iranian gasoline. However, Iran has denied the allegations, saying the United States intends to wage a "psychological war."

In a tweet, Iran's ambassador to Venezuela, Hojat Soltani, rejected as "fake news" the U.S. claim of seizing the four tankers.

"Yet another lie and psychological warfare by the US propaganda machine. The tankers are neither Iranians, nor their owners or flags have anything to do with Iran. The terrorist Trump just wants to cover up the humiliation of his failure against the great nation of Iran by scattering false propaganda," the ambassador tweeted.

Nonetheless, Mike Pompeo tweeted on Friday that he was pleased the Justice Department has confiscated Iranian gasoline that had been illegally sent to the Venezuelan government.

He added that if the gasoline proceeds are forfeited in U.S. courts, they could go to the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund "instead of the hands of terrorists."

The Pandi, also known as Andy, and the Luna turned off their satellite signals on July 7 near the Strait of Hormuz, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Bering switched off its transponder on May 11 while approaching the Aegean Sea. The Bella was last seen on May 11 near the Philippines, Bloomberg reported.

According to the U.S. Justice Department, the cargo was intercepted on Wednesday, acting on a warrant issued by a U.S. District Court over a July 2 complaint seeking the forfeiture of all petroleum products aboard the vessels. The property is now in U.S. custody, the Justice Department said.

Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/pompeo-says- proceeds-from-seized-iran-gasoline-could- go-to-victims-of-terror/30784487.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.

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By Andre Vltchek

August 15, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - The city of Minneapolis is where it all began. It is where the last drop fell on the surface of a proverbial overflowing lake, causing the dam to burst, consequently starting to destroy the foundations of the empire.

A death of just one single man can, under certain dreadful circumstances, put into motion the entire avalanche of events. It can smash the whole regime into pieces. It can fully rewrite history, and even change the identity of a nation. It can although it not always does.

George Floyds death became a spark. The city of Minneapolis is where the murder occurred, and where the ethnic minorities rose in rage.

But it is also where white extreme right-wing criminals, and some even say, entire regime, perpetrated the uprising, kidnapped what could have become a true revolution and began choking legitimate rebellion by a stained duvet of nihilism and confusion.

Here, we will not speculate. We will not point fingers at deep state or some multi-billionaire families, and to what extent they have been involved. Let others do this if they know details. But this time, I simply came to listen. And to pass to the world what I discovered first hand and what I was told.

This time I simply went to Franklin Avenue and Lake Street, both in Minneapolis.

I spoke to Native American people there. To those who joined forces with the African-American community during those dangerous days after May 25, 2020. To people who dared to defend their neighborhoods against brutality against white gangs, which came to loot, infiltrate, and derail the most powerful uprising in the United States in modern history.

Bob Rice is a Native American owner of Pow Wow Grounds, a local entrepreneur, and a community protection organizer. His legendary cafe is located on Franklin Avenue. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been reduced, for the time being, to a takeaway business, but even as such, it is enormously popular among the Native Americans, as well as others.

At the back of the cafe is huge storage, full of food. Everyone hungry, in need of help, can simply come here and take whatever he or she needs.

We grab some freshly brewed coffee from the shop and take it out to the public benches outside.

Bob Rice then begins his story:

There has been police brutality for a very long time, against people of color. Not only talking about Minneapolis but in all these other places, since the 1991 Rodney King incident. Things were boiling and building up  leading to a big blow up.

And all this discrimination did not start here; it came centuries ago from Europe.

After the George Floyd murder, I wanted to show solidarity. Native Americans were experiencing an even higher degree of persecution than Black people. We had to stand together. I went down to the site of the murder of George Floyd, in order to support protests.

For a while, we talked about the mass media in the United States, an official and even some independent one, and how it quickly and violently turned against the left, as well as against those who have been daring to expose endemic racism in the United States.

But soon, we returned to the events that took place here, in May and June.

I noticed the presence of strange elements right from the start. I was watching guys breaking windows. At about 6 am, the morning after, I traveled down to South Minneapolis. There were piles of rocks in front of the rioters. Flash hand grenades. I kept on moving around the areas and kept on seeing rocks. I noticed the Minneapolis Umbrella Man, dressed all in black, with mask and black umbrella and black hammer smashing things  at the end being stopped by black guys. People were walking out of the store with car parts, and I thought, why stealing those things? These guys didnt seem to be as part of the protest. I started moving and going away from the area, thinking that these guys would burn down stores and places soon. I even called up my insurance company the following morning to see if my policy covers civil unrest. That night they burned a lot of stores  auto stores, liquor stores, all types of businesses. I thought that if we do not do something ourselves to protect our neighborhoods, they will burn down all of our areas, too.

From what I saw, I couldnt tell you who these guys were, but they were not from here.

So, we put up our protection zone calling out people on Facebook. We became the Headquarters of protection of Native American businesses and nonprofit organizations, as well as banks, shops, investment properties, etc. all belonging to the Native American community around here.

I noticed there were Caucasian people, driving cars very slowly with no license plates, yelling racial slurs out of the windows. We formed a human shield, chain, along Franklin Avenue, to protect ourselves and our people.

At a high point, about 300 people were protecting the area all night long for about eight days in a row. It had to be done, because here we had people from all over, including Wisconsin, descending on us  we had white supremacist group Proud Boys here. They arrived wearing masks. We had young white kids  16 and 17 years old  coming from Wisconsin, looting liquor stores. We caught them. Obviously, they came out here because they thought it was an exciting thing to do. They didnt even know where they were  this area is very dangerous with drug dealing and gang violence at night. Lucky, they got caught by us.

And the coverage? I wanted to know whether these events, in the heart of Native American neighborhoods, were described in depth by media reports.

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Bob Rice replied readily:

There was no media reporting on these matters  mass media blamed everything on the Black Lives Matter movement.

When liquor stores and tobacco shops were on fire, no police or fire trucks were around. Then the National Guard took over  using tear gas.

Mr. Rice sighed, still in disbelief:

Just incredible how our so-called President has done all the mess going and even made it worse!

*

Robert Pilot, Native Roots Radio host, drove me for days all around the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, explaining what really took place on both Franklin Avenue and Lake Street.

But before, we visited provisory, impromptu monument, where the murder of George Floyd took place. There were flowers, graffiti, works of art; there was grief, and there was solidarity. Native American people clearly supported the plight of the African-Americans.

The area was safe; it was well organized. People of all races came here to pay tribute to the murdered man, and centuries of atrocious history of the United States.

As we drove, Robert Pilot explained:

Native American neighborhoods armed themselves after the Floyd murder. But not only that: economic hardships ensued after the murder; food banks have come up. The Pow Wow Grounds used to be a food distribution deport but ended up becoming a food bank for anyone to donate and get what they need.

Protesters were everywhere; the young generation got fed up. So different from other murders. The last straw was the murder of George Floyd. Four years earlier, in 2016, Philando Castile, an African American man, got murdered by police. He had worked in a school cafeteria. His murder was broadcast live on Facebook. It was a buildup. 10,000 people protested on 38th Street and Chicago in Minneapolis  the site of the murder of George Floyd. Combination of racial and overall frustration.

We drove by burned stores, services, gas stations. Everything was resembling a war zone, and in a way, it was.

If you are there, things are extremely raw, emotional. It is not like analyzing things from a distance from the comfort of ones home.

Robert continued explaining, as we drove by block after block of the Middle East-style combat destruction:

There is a small percentage of African American people as compared to White Americans. We need allies, too. We have to support each other. Signs everywhere in my neighborhood, Black Lives Matter.

Some young white people have woken up. They see the truth. The opinion of the masses is moving to the left; they are feeling fed up with what is happening around them and what it is that the country is doing to the world because of oil.

What is interesting is that there is a protest every single day, which is something new and mind-blowing. The media is misreporting, minimizing the enormity and magnitude of protests, CNN, MSNBC, etc.

Robert Pilot is not only a radio host, but he is also a teacher:

White teachers are still teaching history; they are teaching it to black and Native American kids! Political standing of my students  a few are engaged, but definitely not all. Perhaps 10 percent of people are engaged and doing the work for 90 percent.

The white guilt now and then But many of us feel: You should stand behind us and with us but not in front of us. Revolution is happening in that sense. Everything is changing since protests are happening.

Not everyone likes the changes; definitely not everyone. The establishment is fighting back, trying to survive, in its existing, horrid form.

Robert Pilot concludes:

Generally, Black and Native Americans are together, supportive of each other.

It is symbolic that the Native American movement started on Franklin Avenue, where protests began in 1968. We would never burn down our own stores like grocery stores and hospitals. Why should we?

But we had to mobilize and stop members of the KKK and Proud Boys type of guys.

We drive some 100 miles north, in order to meet Ms. Emma Needham  a young Native American activist. Emma was kind enough to bring traditional medicine from her area. We met halfway at the Sand Prairie Wildlife Management Area.

Before our encounter, along the highway, we are surrounded by true Americana: endless open spaces, half-empty highways, more than 100 car-long cargo train pulled by two monstrous engines, while pushed by yet another one. We pass by St. Cloud Correctional Facility  an ancient-looking prison that bears the resemblance of some massive medieval English mansion surrounded by an elaborate system of barbed wires and watchtowers.

In one of the towns along the road, there is a big makeshift market selling posters, T-shirts, and other memorabilia, all related to the current President. It is called Trump Shop. Big banners are shouting at passing cars: Trump, Make America Great Again, Trump 2020  No More Bullshit, and God, Guns & Guts Made America. Lets Keep All Three.

Emma is a storyteller, a writer. She is an intelligent, outspoken, sincere, and passionate person:

Where we were, we did not see a lot of white men with masks attacking, but what we did see were two young white kids, around 16, from Wisconsin, looting a liquor store which was run by Native Americans.

I stayed over Friday and Saturday nights around the Indian American Cultural Center in Minneapolis. On Friday night, within half a mile to a mile in all directors, we could see and hear the riots and looting. There were gunshots, helicopters hovering all around us. But nobody came to rescue us.

On Saturday night, we could see white people on Jeeps, waving flags, cruising around the neighborhood. The white kids from Wisconsin were there, it appeared to me, opportunistic grabbing whatever was available.

Majority of those who came to protest and loot were outsiders, not from the neighborhoods. It does not make sense for people in Minneapolis to burn down and loot stores they rely on.

I wanted to know whether the Native Americans and African-Americans were helping each other in that difficult hour?

Emma did not hesitate:

There was big solidarity between Black people and Native American people; there was empathy.

It has been lifelong degradation for many of us growing up poor and severely marginalized in reservations, but we had never seen anything like this, so close to what resembled a war.

Those of us who were down in North Minneapolis those nights  Friday and Saturday  could not find words to describe what was happening. But we had a strong sense that what has been happening to us, Native Americans was happening to Black Americans, too  400 years of surviving in a system of oppression. Enough is enough! Shared horrors  same for both groups!

I asked whether everything changed, and this is a new beginning for the nation? As many, Emma did not sound overly optimistic:

A black American female artist once said, I love my white friends, but I dont trust you because I know when the time comes, you need to choose your skin color. You count on the freedom and safety which you have. Whether you make that conscious decision or not, it will be there for you.

On my behalf, Robert Pilot asked Brett Buckner, his fellow radio host, and an African American activist, whether he could confirm that the majority of rioters were whites and not from the community. He replied:

I would say so. Based on police reports and accounts from the community members, most of the damage was done by outsiders. Unfortunately, their actions will cause our community pain for years and even decades to come.

Before I finished writing this report, Umbrella man got identified.

On July 29, 2020, Daily Mail wrote:

Masked Umbrella Man who was seen smashing windows of Minneapolis AutoZone that was later burned to the ground during George Floyd protests is identified as Hells Angels gang member with ties to white supremacist group The Star Tribune reported the 32-year-old man has links to Aryan Cowboy Brotherhood, a white supremacist gang based in Minnesota and Kentucky.

He was one of many, but the most notorious one. Looking at his photos when in action, he was bearing a striking resemblance to ninja looking rioters  right-wing hooligans  who were unleashed in order to bring chaos to Hong Kong, people who have been supported and financed by Western governments. I know, because I work in Hong Kong, since the beginning of the riots. Coincidence? And if not: who really inspired whom?

Before I left Minneapolis, Robert Pilot and his wife Wendy interviewed me on their Native Roots Radio. What was supposed to be just 30 minutes appearance ended up being a one-hour event.

They showed me their city and their state, sharing sincere feelings and hopes, unveiling suffering of both African American and Native American communities.

This time, I traveled to the United States in order to listen. But I was also asked to talk, and so I did.

During the interview, I took them to several parts of the world, where black people still suffer enormously, due to Western imperialism and corporate greed. The world where Native people of Latin America, Canada, as well as other parts of the Planet, are brutally humiliated, robbed of everything, even murdered by millions.

We were complimenting each other. Our knowledge was.

I am glad I came to Minnesota. I am thankful that I could witness history in the making.

I am also delighted that I observed solidarity between the African American and Native American people. For centuries, both went through hell, through agony. Now, they were awakening.

Minnesota is where the latest and very important chapter of American history began. But I also went to Washington, D.C., Baltimore, New York City, Massachusetts. I witnessed protests, anger, despair. But there was also hope. Hope, despite tear gas and riot police, lockdowns, despite mismanaged COVID-19 and increasing poverty rates. Something was ending, something unsavory and brutal. Whether this could be considered a new beginning was still too early to tell.

In Minnesota, I chose to see events through the eyes of Native Americans, people who were here forever, to whom this land used to belong. People who were exterminated by the new America, by European migrants, in a genocide that claimed roughly 90% of the native lives. These were people who were robbed of their culture and their riches. I am glad; I am proud that I chose this angle.

True peace, true reconciliation can only come after history as well as reality are fully understood, never through denial.

Now, both African Americans and Native Americans are speaking, and the world is listening. It has to listen. At least this is already progress. These two groups are forming a powerful alliance of victims. But also, an alliance of those who are determined to make sure that history never repeats itself.

Andre Vltchek is a philosopher, novelist, filmmaker and investigative journalist. He has covered wars and conflicts in dozens of countries. Six of his latest books are 

New Capital of Indonesia

, 

China Belt and Road Initiative,



China and Ecological Civilization

with John B. Cobb, Jr., 

Revolutionary Optimism, Western Nihilism,

a revolutionary novel

Aurora

and a bestselling work of political non-fiction: 

Exposing Lies Of The Empire

. View his other books

here

. Watch

Rwanda Gambit

, his groundbreaking documentary about Rwanda and DRCongo and his film/dialogue with Noam Chomsky

On Western Terrorism

. Vltchek presently resides in East Asia and Latin America, and continues to work around the world. He can be reached through his

website

, his

Twitter

and his

Patreon
Infosys on Friday said there had been an inadvertent trade by the portfolio management services of Bela Parikh, spouse of the companys independent director Bobby Parikh.

Following this, a penalty of 2 lakh has been imposed on Bobby Parikh, Infosys said in a regulatory filing.

Detailing out the inadvertent trade by a designated person, Infosys said the portfolio management services of Bela Parikh had bought 2,754 shares during the open trading window period without the knowledge of Bobby Parikh and without obtaining pre-clearance of trade.

Bobby Parikh is the joint holder of that account.

Mr Parikh has confirmed that he was not in possession of any Unpublished Price Sensitive Information (UPSI). The Audit Committee of the company was notified of this matter, it added.

Based on Bobby Parikhs submission, the Audit Committee has concluded that this was an inadvertent trade made without intent to violate the companys insider trading policy or the Sebis Prohibition of Insider Trading Regulations, 2015 (PIT Regulations), the filing said.

However, the Audit Committee has determined that there was a violation of the companys Policy and PIT Regulations and has therefore imposed on Mr Parikh, a penalty of 2,00,000 which amount shall be remitted to Investor Protection Education Fund (IPEF) in line with the PIT Regulations, it said.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 10:50:49|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The sound fundamentals backing China's industrial economy has remained intact despite the impact of COVID-19, but efforts must be made to combat challenges and make up for the losses, a senior industrial official has said.

"China's industrial performance has improved month by month amid effective epidemic control and policy support," Xin Guobin, vice minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said in an interview with Xinhua.

Xin cited figures that China's value-added industrial output went up by 4.8 percent year on year in June, picking up from the 4.4-percent and 3.9-percent expansion in May and April, respectively.

He said the epidemic has boosted China's industrial upgrading and transformation, as well as the development of new products and new industries.

In the first half, the value-added output for high-tech manufacturing grew by 4.5 percent year on year, with the output of electronic components and integrated circuits up by 36.6 percent and 16.4 percent, respectively.

However, with the global pandemic continuing and market demand yet to recover, China still faces many uncertainties and instabilities, said Xin, calling for more efforts to improve the quality of market supplies to stimulate consumption.

During the COVID-19 epidemic, China's manufacturing sector has withstood the "stress testing" from the virus, and helped ensure a steady global supply of medical supplies, as well as stable industrial and supply chains, said Xin.

He said China will next focus on increasing the stability and competitiveness of its industrial and supply chains, and improving the industrial foundations and the level of modernization for the industrial chains.

Meanwhile, China will push for the establishment of an emergency coordination and management mechanism for global industrial and supply chains to assist other countries to fight the virus and recover their economies, according to Xin.

As far as China's more than 30 million small- and medium-sized enterprises and 80 million individual businesses are concerned, he admitted that they are still troubled with challenges stemming from a lack of orders, declining profitability, and difficulties in collecting receivables.

Xin vowed that the government will work to ensure the implementation of supportive policies, improve the business environment, and strengthen services for small businesses to help them through difficulties.

China will also promote the construction of 5G networks in major cities while gradually expanding it to major towns and some rural areas where conditions permit, he said.

The country will support the application of 5G technologies in key sectors, including smart healthcare and smart grids, as well as researches in the development of 6G technologies, Xin said.

China has seen rapid progress in the construction of 5G base stations, according to Xin. Some 88 million terminals have connected to the 5G networks in the country as of the end of last month. Enditem
Egypt's Public Prosecution said on Sunday that it has ordered continued efforts to remove rubble from a collapsed building in Cairo's Downtown Qasr Al-Nile Street in search of missing people.

The prosecution also ordered the undertaking of necessary procedures to protect neighbouring buildings, after members of the prosecution visited the site to evaluate the extent of the damage.

The four-storey building, built on an area of 1,500 metres, collapsed on Saturday, injuring at least four people, and 14 people have been rescued from the rubble.

The building is registered as a structure with distinct architectural design and it comprised two residential units and several administrative units, including a money exchange company on the ground floor, a factory, a clothing store and a shuttered furniture store.

Built in 1941, the building suffered partial damage on Saturday when three upper floors collapsed, the statement by the prosecution said.

Several orders had previously been issued to restore the building, the last of which was in 1993, but the restoration work never took place, according to the statement.

The statement added that several violations had been committed by the buildings occupants between 1993 and 2014, including internal modifications to units and to the buildings entrance without permits. The prosecution added that no order to demolish the building has been issued.

Members of the prosecution also visited Ahmed Maher Teaching Hospital in Cairo and questioned three people injured in the incident. They confirmed that the old building had cracks and that it collapsed after shaking violently on Saturday, the statement added.

One of the three witnesses accused the buildings owner of failing to carry out the necessary maintenance for the building over the past 25 years and allowing tenants to carry out modification without permits, the last of which was a year ago, the prosecution said.

The doorman of the building, who had been working there for the past four years, told the prosecution that the building had not seen any construction work, renovation or restoration during this period, according to the statement.

The prosecution ordered a committee from the housing ministry to determine why renovation orders were not implemented as well as who was responsible for conducting modifications without a license and for the buildings collapse.

The prosecution has also ordered a police investigation into the incident, according to the statement, which added that the probe is ongoing.

Earlier on Sunday, Cairo governorate said it has continued to remove the debris for the second day, and that it has not found any victims so far.

Cairo Governor Khaled Abdel-Aal said on Saturday during an inspection of the site that an order to restore the building had been ignored twice, and that a police report was later filed as a result.

Abdel-Aal ordered an engineering committee be formed to inspect the condition of neighbouring buildings to determine whether they were affected. He also ordered that two fully equipped housing units in Mokattam's Asmarat complex be provided as accommodation for the two families affected by the collapse.

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Introduction

To keep myself sharp and my skills honed, I routinely go to my library of investment books and re-read classics that have had an impact on me. This week I did a complete re-read of Joel Greenblatts classic The Little Book That Beats The Market. For any of you that are not familiar with the book, Joel Greenblatt presents his magic formula for picking stocks that his research indicated will beat the market most of the time.

In Chapter 10 Joel Greenblatt presented the results of magic formula stocks. Although he did admit that the formula underperformed the market in one out of every four years tested, and the magic formula underperformed the market in one out of every six year periods tested, he provided what he called the good news as follows:

Following the formula for any 3 year period in a row, the magic formula beat the market averages 95% of the time (160/169 three-year periods tested! But that is not all! Over three-year periods, if you follow the magic formula, you would have never lost money.

Considering all that has happened in 2020, I thought it might be interesting to present a screen of stocks based on Joel Greenblatts magic formula. Furthermore, I thought it would be refreshing to look for under-followed small and mid-cap companies that could be looked at as potential research candidates capable of generating above-average and attractive total returns.

GOTHAM ASSET MANAGEMENT

Joel Greenblatt of Gotham Asset Management

Q2 2020 hedge fund letters, conferences and more

5 MidCap 2020 Magic Formula Stocks

The magic formula ranks companies based on two factors: return on capital and earnings yield. However, instead of the normal earnings yield calculation which is the inverse of the P/E ratio, Joel Greenblatt utilized a different method for calculating earnings yield. With his method, he utilized pretax operating earnings (EBIT) to enterprise value.

Joel Greenblatt preferred utilizing enterprise value over market value because it takes into account both the price paid to take an equity stake in the business as well as the debt financing used by the company to generate operating earnings. In a preferred EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) because it considered full purchase price of the business (both equity and debt).

Story continues

Utilizing the magic formula, I ran a screen for MidCap companies that produced a list of 30. Then, I went through each of those 30 companies and picked 5 that I felt offered the best potential and shown the strongest fundamentals. You will see later, that because these are small companies, they do not all have great operating histories. However, I did feel that these 5 had the best fundamentals out of the 30 companies, and in addition to being magic formula selections, I also like the valuations and future potentials. Therefore, I offer the following 5 magic formula stocks to those investors that are interested in beating the market based on an above-average total future return.

5 MidCap Magic Formula Stocks: Basic Fundamentals and Valuations

The following table provides a summary of the 5 research candidates magic formula selections. As you can see, each of these 5 offer earnings yields and cash flow yields that are significantly above average. Furthermore, even though these are total return selections, 3 of the 5 do pay a dividend.

For each of these 5 selections I offer the following price correlated to EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) FAST Graphs and return on invested capital FUN Graph on each of the 5 selections. Clearly, each of these research candidates are attractively valued based on historical price to EBIT valuations (the price is either on or below the orange line on each graph) and therefore offer above-average earnings yields on that basis. And they all generate strong returns on invested capital, with a few of them offering spectacular returns on invested capital.

Allison Transmission Holdings (ALSN)

Company Profile courtesy Seeking Alpha

Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and sells commercial and defense fully-automatic transmissions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, and medium- and heavy-tactical U.S. defense vehicles worldwide.

It offers 12 transmission product lines for various applications, including distribution, refuse, construction, fire, and emergency on-highway trucks; school and transit buses; motor homes; energy, mining, and construction off-highway vehicles and equipment; and wheeled and tracked defense vehicles.

The company markets its transmissions under Allison Transmission brand name; and remanufactured transmissions under ReTran brand name. It also sells branded replacement parts, support equipment, aluminum die cast components, and other products necessary to service the installed base of vehicles utilizing its transmissions, as well as defense kits, engineering services, and extended transmission coverage services to various original equipment manufacturers, distributors, and the U.S. government.

The company serves customers through an independent network of approximately 1,500 independent distributor and dealer locations. The company was formerly known as Clutch Holdings, Inc. Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1915 and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Magic Formula Stocks

Magic Formula Stocks

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CPRX)

Company Profile courtesy Seeking Alpha

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on developing and commercializing therapies for people with rare debilitating, chronic neuromuscular, and neurological diseases in the United States. It offers Firdapse, a proprietary form of amifampridine phosphate for the treatment of patients with lambert-eaton myasthenic syndrome.

The company also develops Firdapse, which is in various clinical trials for the treatment of patients with congenital myasthenic syndrome, anti-MuSK antibody positive myasthenia gravis, and spinal muscular atrophy type 3. Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has license agreements with BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.; and collaboration and license agreement with Endo Ventures Limited for the development and commercialization of generic Sabril tablets.

The company was formerly known as Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. and changed its name to Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in May 2015. Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was founded in 2002 and is based in Coral Gables, Florida.

Magic Formula Stocks

EBIX Inc. (EBIX)

Company Profile courtesy Seeking Alpha

Ebix, Inc. provides on-demand software and e-commerce services and solutions to insurance, financial, healthcare, and e-learning industries in the United States and internationally. It develops and deploys insurance and reinsurance exchanges; provides Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) enterprise solutions in the area of customer relationship management, and front-end and back-end systems; and offers outsourced administrative and risk compliance solutions.

The company operates P&C exchanges primarily in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, which facilitates the exchange of insurance data between brokers and insurance carriers with a focus on the areas of personal and commercial lines. Its exchange related products and services include travel exchanges and money transfer services; foreign exchange and outward remittance services; consumer bill payment services; gift cards for consumers that can be redeemed at various merchants; and technology services for various providers in the areas of lending, wealth and asset management, travel, and logistics.

The companys insurance exchanges related products and services include SaaS platform and related services; licensing of software; and professional services comprising setting up, customization, training, or consulting. Its risk compliance solutions cover and certificates of insurance creation and tracking; consulting services comprising project management and development; and business process outsourcing services, including domain intensive project management, time, and material based consulting engagements. The company was formerly known as Delphi Systems, Inc. and changed its name to Ebix, Inc. in December 2003. Ebix, Inc. was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Johns Creek, Georgia.

HP Inc. (HPQ)

Company Profile courtesy Seeking Alpha

HP Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides personal computing and other access devices, imaging and printing products, and related technologies, solutions, and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Personal Systems, Printing, and Corporate Investments.

The Personal Systems segment offers commercial and consumer desktop and notebook personal computers, workstations, thin clients, commercial mobility devices, retail point-of-sale systems, displays and other related accessories, software, support, and services.

The Printing segment provides consumer and commercial printer hardware, supplies, solutions, and services, as well as scanning devices.

The Corporate Investments segment includes HP Labs and business incubation projects. It serves individual consumers, small- and medium-sized businesses, and large enterprises, including customers in the government, health, and education sectors.

The company was formerly known as Hewlett-Packard Company and changed its name to HP Inc. in October 2015. HP Inc. was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California.

Supernus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (SUPN)

Company profile courtesy Seeking Alpha

Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, focuses on the development and commercialization of products for the treatment of central nervous system diseases in the United States.

It offers Oxtellar XR, an extended-release oxcarbazepine for use in the treatment of epilepsy; and Trokendi XR, an extended-release topiramate, which is used for the treatment of epilepsy and migraine.

The companys product candidates comprise SPN-812, a viloxazine hydrochloride, which is in Phase III clinical trial that is used for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); SPN-810, a molindone hydrochloride that is in Phase III clinical trial for the treatment of impulsive aggression in patients with ADHD; SPN-809, a viloxazine hydrochloride, which is in Phase II ready clinical trial for the treatment of depression; SPN-604 extended release oxcarbazepine for bipolar; and SPN-817 that is in phase I clinical trial for treating epilepsy.

The company markets its products through wholesalers and distributors. Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was founded in 2005 and is based in Rockville, Maryland.

Summary and Conclusions

Joel Greenblatts The Little Book That Beats The Market has been and continues to be a bestseller in the financial sector  and for good reason. The logic underpinning the methodology for picking stocks makes sense and has produced a good track record of beating the market over time. Although that is not necessarily an investment strategy that is suitable for every investor, there are many who are motivated to build stock portfolios capable of doing just that. Perhaps these 5 small and midcap selections can provide opportunities for those of you that are interested in this course of action. Regardless, I have a lot of fun and found it fascinating and educational to re-read Joel Greenblatts book. I especially found it interesting to be able to identify companies that were attractively valued in todays bifurcated market. Although the market in general appears very high to me, there is also many stocks that appear attractively valued. This offering is for the total return investor. However, I also ran this exercise on larger blue-chip companies with great histories. As one of the co-founders of The Dividend Kings marketplace service here on seeking Alpha, I will be providing subscribers an opportunity to review dividend growth stock selections based on Joel Greenblatts magic formula.

Try FAST Graphs for FREE Today!

Disclosure: No Positions.

Disclaimer: The opinions in this document are for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell the stocks mentioned or to solicit transactions or clients. Past performance of the companies discussed may not continue and the companies may not achieve the earnings growth as predicted. The information in this document is believed to be accurate, but under no circumstances should a person act upon the information contained within. We do not recommend that anyone act upon any investment information without first consulting an investment advisor as to the suitability of such investments for his specific situation.

Article by F.A.S.T. Graphs
In modern times, the digital presence of your business is as important as its physical establishment. However, now, with the increasing trend of online businesses, constant digital up-gradation is mandatory. With an ongoing pandemic, the need to constantly update the status of your business online for your clients is crucial to keep it running.Therefore, Google has come up to ease this process by enabling the functionality to update your Business Profile directly from Google Search and Maps According to a survey, approximately 15 million edits are made each month on Business Profiles, which made Google realize how important it is for the business owners to respond to clients queries quickly, or to engage with partners, add a phone number or even share updates regarding COVID-19 safety requirements for the clients.So, keeping all this in mind, Google has tried to make the updating process as smooth and efficient as possible. If you are a business owner, you can create posts, reply to clients reviews and questions, update images, and give out any business information directly from Google Search and Maps.All you need to do is to make sure that you are signed in with your Google account that you used to verify your business on Google.If you type My business in the Google Search bar, Google will open your verified business page for you, and you can easily change anything you want on your page. This functionality is available in English for the time being, but soon it will be available in other languages also.You can also type the name of your business in the Search bar to update your profile directly from Search.On Google Maps, you can simply click on your profile picture on the top right corner of your mobile app. From there, you can choose Your Business Profile and access the tools provided by Google. These tools include options like Edit Profile, Promote, or Customers. Underneath these options, you can see the recent activity too.Previously, Listings could be updated through Google Search only. But now, they can be updated through Google Maps also.Some other free tools for Search and Maps are going to roll out soon, and they will help you see how your business is faring and how you can improve your business profile on Google while increasing your engagement as well as visibility. All business managers and owners will be getting a new section through which their performance can be viewed. This section will give new customer interaction insights.All these features will be available on an upgraded merchant interface. It will give you helpful tips and recommendations on how to improve your business and its online presence too.Google My Business site and mobile app are also functional, so business owners can use that to update their business profiles also.Read next: Local hotel availability, percentage of operating flights, hotel rental, and a lot more travel info will soon be available in Google
Kyrgyzstan plans to purchase a Russian vaccine against COVID-19, Deputy Minister of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic Mademin Karataev told at a briefing today, Trend reports citing Kabar.kg.

There are plans. We do not yet know the exact amount, but when Russia starts producing it in mass quantities, we are ready to buy it, he said.

Earlier, Russia reported that it registered the first vaccine against coronavirus.
Jewish entrepreneur, wife donate millions for Christian medical missions in Africa

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A Jewish entrepreneur and his rabbi wife have become one of the largest private supporters of Christian medical missionaries in Africa as they have donated millions to support vital health care needs in some of the most impoverished communities in the world.

Mark Gerson and his wife, Erica, have donated well over $10 million to assist Christian medical missions in Africa over the years as they have felt the call from their Jewish faith to love the stranger in a region of the world where access to health care is extremely limited.

Gerson, an investor, businessman and philanthropist who co-founded the Gerson Lehrman Group, told The Christian Post in a recent interview that he began giving to

Christian medical missions in Africa thanks to a friend he met at Williams College in Massachusetts in the 1990s.

That friend, Dr. Jon Fielder, traveled to Africa in the early 2000s to serve those impacted by the AIDS pandemic.

He said, I could be doctor No. 700,000 in the U.S.  or become an indispensable source of care for people dying of AIDS in Africa, Gerson recalled Fielder telling him in a conversation they had after finishing his residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Probably the biggest humanitarian problem in the world  is a lack of access to doctors to almost anybody in Africa.

Fielder, a Baylor University School of Medicine graduate, moved to Kenya in 2002 to work with World Medical Mission and Africa Inland Mission at Kijabe Hospital. Fielder focused on caring for HIV patients and the training of Kenyan health care providers.

Gerson, his brother, and some of their friends supported Fielders work in Kenya because they saw how dire the need was for trained medical professionals in Africa and understood the value of Christian medical missionaries and mission hospitals there.

Many African countries will have one doctor for anywhere between 20,000 and 50,000 people, Gerson, who said. That is not a specialist. That is just one doctor. The availability of treatment is just unavailable for so many people.

Gersons funding of Fielders ministry continued after the Fielders moved to Malawi in southern Africa in 2009.

In 2010, Gerson and Fielder launched African Mission Healthcare, a nonprofit devoted to strengthening mission hospitals to aid those in greatest need, after noticing a lack of consistent financial support for medical missionaries serving on the continent.

Support from the Western church has weakened

Support for missionaries from the Western church has really weakened in the last few decades for a whole variety of sociological reasons, Gerson, who serves as AMHs board chair, explained. One of which is that denominations used to be prevalent and powerful. So the Lutherans, the Methodists, the Baptists, they could effectively tax the churches and denominations and use some of that tax to send missionaries.

Gerson, who also co-founded the Jerusalem-based volunteer medical services organization United Hatzalah, said there were some great and legendary missionary hospitals set up by the denominations from 100 years ago up until about 30 years ago.

As denominations became weaker and Christianity went into more nondenominational evangelical, it is possible, but it is highly unlikely that one church is going to be able to support a hospital in Africa and the missionaries, the philanthropist explained. When they pull their resources into the denominations, it is possible.

Because missionary doctors work for years on end without coming home, the Yale Law School graduate stressed that they dont have the time they need to build relationships with people and institutions in the West that can financially support their work.

They come home after maybe four years and would go on a speaking tour of sorts, get a few churches lined up maybe over the summer and they get a couple of thousand dollars for each one or something, Gerson explained. It was an inefficient and ineffective mechanism to raise absolutely needed support.

In 2010, we said, What can we do to really be the place that missionaries can turn to for the support they need and people can turn to support the missionaries? he added.

According to the AMH co-founder, AMH provides support for three key areas: clinical care, infrastructure and training.

The organization invests in a wide range of infrastructure projects that range from constructing surgical theaters, building housing for medical professionals, spaces for clinical care as well as procuring and installing expensive medical equipment.

AMH has invested over $26.5 million at 47 hospitals across 18 African countries. AMH estimates that its efforts will make possible over 10.7 million patient visits.

Training is core to all that AMH does as the organization has a variety of programs for surgeons, doctors, nurses, anesthetists and nurse anesthetists.

Through 2019, AMH has trained 3,736 medical professionals. Through June 2020, the organization has invested over $15.9 million in direct clinical care and sponsored over 18,619 surgical and corrective procedures with an average cost of $360. Additionally, the organization estimates that it has enabled 611,000 direct clinical visits over the years.

AMH also works to provide mission hospitals with better infrastructure. AMH has done 85 projects across 15 different countries, with an investment of about $7 million, according to Gerson.

For example, he said that some hospitals can spend 40% of their budget on electricity. To alleviate that, AMH has helped construct solar panels at some hospitals to reduce the amount those hospitals spend on power each month from as high as 40% to single-digit percentages.

Housing is another significant problem for medical missionaries looking to serve in rural areas where there is no private housing market available.

The most valuable resource in the African health care setting is personnel. You get this extremely valuable resource of a person who wants to come train at a mission hospital in Africa but the very last step is no housing for them and nowhere for them to stay. So they dont come, Gerson said.

We construct housing and it can cost $15,000 to $20,000 per room. A three-bedroom house we can put up for about $50,000 to $60,000. That house will fund itself forever because it will be owned by the hospital and the rent of whoever stays there will be deducted from his or her pay.

While AMH has become one of the leading organizational supporters of medical missions in Africa, the Gerson family has also doled out much of their own money to fund what's needed.
Three years after the implant gave me an infection, Im about to get another one.Another microchip implant, that is, and possibly another infection. Id call it a level 3 risk. Implant infection was only a level 1 risk last time and I got one, so Im upping the odds. Esau says its good to be prepared, especially with re-entry on the horizon.

Re-entry has been on the horizon the entire three years Ive been here. Every time I get scanned the date pops up: May 1, 2028, embedded in the bar code as 010528. At first, I tried to memorize my whole ID, but the green digits on the screen always disappeared too quickly. Once I caught sight of the date in the sequence, I began to focus on that. And thus I became the date of my discharge, which seems as good an identity as any.

Its called discharge, not release or emancipation, because the Civilian BioMedical Corps (or CivCo for short) was designed to mirror the military structurally if not practically. I used to think of the Army and CivCo as twins, like my brother Saul and me, but CivCo is more like that spoiled step-brother who came along after Uncle Sam got remarried to his much younger second wife.

Sorry to put you through that unpleasant metaphor with Uncle Sam. But Im coming from a place rife with unpleasantness, despite the Google chefs, outdoor yoga and meditation on the regular. Staying healthy is our primary function here, and we know it. Staying healthy makes us better prepared for contagion and helps us recover faster once were sick. And faster recovery means faster harvesting of our antibodies, and faster delivery of the product to the market. Of course, theres always the chance we could die, and that takes the sheen right off the shavasana.

How do I account for making it through my term nearly unscathed? Probably my childhood of devotional prayers and raw milk, before we came to America. My mom logged extra prayers around 2023, once she had to register us for the lottery: Saul for the Army, and me for CivCo. The pandemics were rolling through one after the other, and the borders had been shut down for two years by then. After that, the only chance of gaining citizenship was for immigrant families to hand over their first-born for conscription. Because we were twins, we could optimize our odds. My mother thanked God for that, too.

When Saul got into the Army and I got into CivCo, our family had a choice to make, and no one thought that Saul had a better chance of surviving than I did. We figured the risk level of losing him was 8 (guns) and of losing me was 7 (germs). I argued hard that it should be me to go, because an immune system can overcome infection but not bullets. He argued that it should be him because it was unlikely that there would be war, given all the domestic unrest. I leveraged the widely held social belief that CivCo was a safer choice. Government ads highlighted beautiful CivCo barracks in former yoga retreat centers, and happy recruits playing volleyball and rock climbing. The CivCo promised fresh air and organic food every day, and reasonable odds of fighting off whatever virus I got bathed in. In the end, I prevailed over my brother.

Now Ill be coming out with a second implant, maybe an infection, and a killer immune system. Ive also got a rock-hard core, thanks to all the planks. And of course, the big prize: citizenship. Anya, a fellow subject, says the big prize is coming out with your life. But I tell her I cant think in life-and-death terms all the time.

The implant will go in my left hand tomorrow, in that fleshy pocket between my thumb and index finger, that smooth hollow where Esau used to roll his thumb when he held my hand.

Chances are Ill never feel that again, implant or not. While Ive been living as 010528 this whole time, Esau is 010929, giving him an extra 16 months of potentially fatal exposure to viruses (level 7 risk) and pretty lab Betties wanting to keep him company (level 4 to 10 risk, depending on control factors). Either way, tonight may be the last time I see him.

Fraternizing among subjects has never been discouraged, officially or unofficially, as long as we follow health protocols. But love is contraindicated.

I started to get the feeling that I might love Esau when I came out of the recovery lab last spring after beating the CORS2 virus, which had a 40% mortality rate in the corps.

We both lost friends in that one. When I came out, still weak in the legs, Esau was waiting for me. And when he saw me, he did a cartwheel.

I cant say exactly why, but his gesture unlocked something in me. He seemed so free, not just with his body but with his heart. So what can I say? Sometimes you want someone to celebrate the simple fact that you exist, even when you cant quite feel it yourself. And Esau made me feel that I made him feel so good he couldnt even contain himself.

But there was more to it, too. He was willing to be happy when so many of us suppressed it. Exuberance seemed like a grotesque display of good fortune after our comrades had died in the trial.

The CORS2 trial had been a big setback for me. Id lost muscle and verve. My body had become a stranger to me, vomiting in one moment and shaking with fever in the next. As my system emptied itself out, things like ambition and desire drained away too. Lying in the hospital bed with tubes up my arm and electronic boxes blinking around me, I thought Id never feel happy, attractive or angry again. If ever there had been a time to feel resentment against my family that I had become the sacrificial lamb, that was the time. Saul could have served his whole term in the Army and never been shot at, while I was guaranteed to be doused in pathogens. That was a level 10 risk  why did I ever argue otherwise?

But I felt no resentment, no jealousy, nothing. And it was only because of Esau, and all his attention in the long recovery after, that I began to feel a spark for life again. He held my hand on movie night. And he kissed me after. And the next day, he came to me and said: Lets do it again.

I fell for all of it, because sometimes you want to feel like a woman and not just an antibody farm.

Tomorrow my brother Saul will be waiting to pick me up. I cant wait to see him again.

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.

He will get the microchip in his left hand too. And my mom, and my little brothers. Well all get our citizenship chips in our left hands. Native-born citizens have a right-hand chip only, because their right hand goes over their heart. I will have two chips for the rest of my life: the CivCo medical ID in my right, and my citizenship ID in my left. We carry our papers under the skin, not that anyone asks for papers anymore, except symbolically.

Some things I wish were only symbolic, but arent  like the idea that immigrants are the lifeblood of America, or that the missions were built with Indian bodies, or that the White House is a structure of slavery.

Or that what comes around goes around. When the glaciers started melting big-time in the north, the newly released bacteria and organic matter that had been safely stored in the ice accelerated the pandemics. In Canada, they found that Inuits and Eskimos had some unique genetic material that helped them survive. In a mirror-like exchange of cells for citizenship, a band of young Indigenous activists offered to participate in Canadian medical trials in exchange for political autonomy  to opt out of Canadian citizenship. They bought their freedom just like I bought mine. Its the kind of contract that sounds novel and not novel at once.

The military has been making deals on citizenship for decades. Theres nothing new about living as a data point, as a string of numbers, although slipping the code under the skin rather than marking it on the surface is a bit of an advance. Soon everyone will be carrying their papers in the pillow of their hand, thanks to the miracle of the microchip.

I try to imagine my right hand as it was before the first implant. I try to imagine my life without Esau. As strange as it has been, weve inhabited in our own little world of CivCo. No real contacts outside of our families, with no leaves for the whole term, because that could compromise the data.

I love Esau, but I think it may be no more than passionate attachment born of circumstance. Has this been real, or just a very, very long summer camp?

Tonight may be the last time I see Esau. Ever. I may tell him I love him. I may tell him Im afraid he will die. I may tell him he carried me through fevers and grief, and that Ill be waiting for him when he comes out with his left-hand chip. But that may be too much. Too much risk to take.

Kirsten Lara Getchell
The Niagara region branch of the Canadian Red Cross is providing aid to a Niagara Falls resident after a Saturday afternoon house fire.

Ontario Red Cross communications director Leianne Musselman said the service was contacted following a blaze at 4097 Acheson Ave. that caused an estimated $50,000 damage.

The Red Cross was in touch last night and have provided meals and accommodations, said Musselman when contacted Sunday.

She said the Red Cross has arrangements with various municipalities to provide aid to people struck by tragedy.

Fire services on site would provide information to the individuals and then they would phone us and then we would arrange for accommodations and address any needs they have.

The blaze is still under investigation by Niagara Falls Fire Department, which arrived at 2:12 p.m. Saturday to find the one-storey home fully involved, said acting platoon chief Scott Wilkinson.

They fought the fire from outside the home initially, he said. We knocked the fire down and made it safe for our guys to make entry.

No one was injured in the blaze.

About 18 firefighters were on scene.
During 75-year-old history of UN, it's unprecedented for US to become so isolated: Mousavi

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Sat / 15 August 2020 / 13:58

Tehran (ISNA)  Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Seyyed Abbas Mousavi stressed that during the 75-year-old history of the United Nations, it was unprecedented for the US to become so isolated.

Mousavi's remarks came after the US draft resolution against Iran was rejected by the United Nations Security Council on Friday with two positive, two negatives, and 11 abstentions.

"During the 75-year-old history of the United Nations, it was unprecedented for the US to become so isolated. Despite all travels and pressures, the United States could win the cooperation of only a small country," Mousavi wrote on his Twitter account.

"Last night, Iran's active diplomacy as well as the legal strength of the nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) defeated US in the United Nations Security Council for the nth time," he noted.

End Item

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Heritage of Korean Independence (HKI) President Kim Won-woong delivers a congratulatory speech during a ceremony hosted by the government to mark the 75th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan in Seoul, Saturday. HKI, a Seoul-based organization, is aimed at upholding the spirit of independence. Yonhap



By Yi Whan-woo



A political divide over whether late national figures should be stripped of honor for their "pro-Japanese past" during the 1910-45 colonial era intensified on Liberation Day, Saturday.



The progressives have been seeking to "wipe the vestiges of pro-Japanese collaborators," including those who conservatives view as patriots for their contribution to a nascent Korea after its liberation from imperial Japan in 1945.



The two sides collided again, Saturday, when Kim Won-woong, an anti-Japan activist and son of independence fighters, brought up the issue during a ceremony in Seoul attended by President Moon Jae-in on the 75th anniversary of liberation.



Kim was invited to deliver a congratulatory address as the president of Heritage of Korean Independence (HKI), a Seoul-based organization tasked with upholding the spirit of independence.



He accused the Republic of Korea's first President Syngman Rhee of "colluding with pro-Japanese figures" to consolidate his power post-liberation, and national anthem composer Ahn Eak-tai of "pro-Japan as well as pro-Nazi" activities.



Kim also called on moving the graves of 69 "traitors" whose bodies are buried at a national cemetery as part of efforts to straighten out history.



Kim's remark immediately led to backlash from conservatives, including Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong.



In a separate commemoration ceremony on Jeju Island, Won skipped his scripted speech and spoke off the cuff against Kim after a HKI representative read Kim's address on his behalf.



"I find it most regrettable for Kim to have some to read a biased historical opinion as a congratulatory address," Won said, adding he can "never agree" with such an opinion that divides society.



Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon added fuel to the colonial-era debate when he posted on Facebook criticizing the government for "denigrating" the legacy of Korean War hero Paik Sun-yup.



Ban referred to the government's less-than-expected support for Paik's burial at Daejeon National Cemetery amid a controversy over Paik's past as a Japanese Army officer during the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule.



"This year's Liberation Day commemoration was tainted by Kim Won-woong who is only good at deepening the political and social rift," Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon of the main opposition United Future Party (UFP) commented on Facebook.



Another UFP lawmaker, Her Eu-na, said Kim Won-woong's remark is merely intended to foster anti-Japanese sentiment to raise the government's approval rating and therefore he should be fired from his job.



Ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Song Young-gil backed Kim on Facebook, saying, "It's shameful to see pro-Japanese collaborators being buried at a national cemetery."


Iran Diplomats Say Rejection of US Resolution To Extend Arms Embargo 'No To Unilateralism'

Radio Farda August 15, 2020

Top Iranian diplomats reacted to the United Nations Security Council's rejection of a United States-led resolution to extend an arms embargo on Iran, saying it was a "no to unilateralism" and a sign of the "isolation of the United States."

Majid Takht-Ravanchi, the Iranian envoy to the U.N., wrote in a tweet on Saturday that "the result of the vote in UNSC on arms embargo against Iran showsonce morethe US' isolation." Takht-Ravanchi added that the Security Council's message by the vote was "no to unilateralism" and the U.S. "must learn from this debacle."

"The U.S. attempt to 'snapback' sanctions is illegal, and was rejected by international community, as was evident today," Takht-Ravanchi wrote.

On Friday, the Security Council rejected the U.S.-sponsored resolution to extend an arms embargo on Iran that is due to expire in October.

The August 14 vote on the resolution was widely expected to fail in the 15-member Security Council, due to strong opposition from veto-wielding members Russia and China.

Iran Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Seyed Abbas Mousavi also tweeted following the vote, writing that the international community "once again and with a clear voice, rejected the US reckless and futile attempt to undermine the [Security Council's] credibility."

"The American regime should take a lesson from its total failures and stop shaming itself at the U.N. or be isolated, even more than now," Mousavi wrote, adding in another tweet that "the U.S. has never been this isolated in the 75-year history of the U.N."

Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-diplomats -say-rejection-of-us-resolution-to-extend-arms- embargo-no-to-unilateralism-/30785475.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.

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A lesser-known migration of monarchs is arriving across Oklahoma and trackers of the butterfly population are interested in as many citizen sightings as people can offer.

There is a group coming down from the north now and its the least-known part of the monarch migration phenomenon, said Chip Taylor, research biologist and founder of the nonprofit Monarch Watch based at the University of Kansas.

With increasing publicity surrounding the dramatic decrease in the monarch population, many have come to know that monarchs have several generations and migrate from Mexico to as far north as Canada. But in recent years, researchers have learned the process is more complicated, with overlapping generations and a total of four distinct migrations each year, Taylor said.

Understanding those movements could help scientists help the population in the future, he said. The migration numbers should be fair this year, similar to last year, he said.

One good thing this year is survival should be pretty good because there has been a lot of moisture so there should be a lot of fall flowers and plenty of nectar to help them on their border-to-border traverse, he said
Zambian small scale farmers have been urged to partner with Chinese to foster diversification in the agriculture sector in Zambia, a grain trader expert said on Sunday, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

Chambila Simwinga, president of the Grain Traders Association of Zambia, said that it was important that Zambian small scale farmers learn the Chinese technology to maximize their productivity for increased national food security.

"It is important that our farmers should learn new technologies from countries like China," he said.

Speaking in an interview with Xinhua, Simwinga also said that Zambian farmers should not concentrate on growing maize but diversify to grow other crops that can sell on the international market.
Bengaluru, Aug 16 : Contributing its share to the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, state-run Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has rolled out a whopping 30,000 ventilators in four months to treat Covid-19 patient across the country, an official said on Sunday.

"We have delivered 30,000 ventilators in a record time of four months for intensive care units (ICUs) in state-run hospitals across the country for treating Covid-19 patients and make India self-reliant in high-end medical equipment," the official of the city-based defence behemoth told IANS here.

The Health Ministry had in April placed an order with the BEL to make 30,000 ICU ventilators to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure for combating the coronavirus pandemic across the country.

The ventilators were made in collaboration with the Mysuru-based Skanray Technologies Ltd under a licensing agreement while the state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) provided the design.

"The indigenisation efforts to make critical components such as medical-grade valves, oxygen sensors, and flow sensors are a game-changer in becoming self-reliant in mature medical electronics systems," asserted the official.

On receiving the order from the Ministry, the public sector enterprise had set up a production line in two weeks to roll out 500-1,000 ventilators a day.

Braving odds due to the Covid-induced lockdown restrictions that disrupted the supply chains, the ventilators were manufactured in a record time with the support of the Karnataka government, which deputed an IAS officer to resolve issues with the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in making its components.

"Feedback from doctors and hospitals enabled us to upgrade the ventilators with additional modes of operation through software for treating local patients," the official added.

In a related development, the company has issued the request for proposal (RFP) to supply 5 import-substitute products (components) as part of the government's self-reliance initiative.

The products to be made in the country by Indian firms are brazing wire, motion platform, 6 degrees of freedom and payload 1000-2000kg, dummy weapons for small-arm simulators, single-board computer, and 62X day zoom lens.

Brazing wires are special alloys, imported from Germany and the US, and used in vacuum brazing process to join dissimilar metals parts in medical devices like X-ray and MRI machines.

Motion platform and 6 degrees of freedom and payload 1000-2000 kg is a critical sub-assembly for vehicular simulators, being imported from Australia.

Dummy weapons are critical components for various small-arms training simulators, imported from Sweden.

"The simulator allows the user to choose any firing position, be it standing, kneeling or lying down. A number of such simulators can be installed for collective training," said the official.

The single-board computer is a system controller module for an indigenously designed, manufactured ELINT System (electronic intelligence) deployed on the borders. The board is imported from the US.

The 2X day zoom lens is a part of the long-range day surveillance equipment, imported from the US for the Army and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
US regime should learn from total failures: Iran

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Sat / 15 August 2020 / 16:05

Tehran (ISNA)  Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed that the US regime should learn a lesson from its total failures or the country will get isolated, even more than now.

"The international community, once again and with a clear voice, rejected the US reckless and futile attempt to undermine the UNSC credibility," Mousavi wrote on his official Twitter account.

"The American regime should learn a lesson from its total failures and stop shaming itself at UN, or the country will get isolated, even more than now," he added.

End Item

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-17 05:17:02|Editor: huaxia

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BAGHDAD, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-led international coalition forces, tasked with fighting the Islamic State (IS) militant group, on Sunday handed over the largest site of ammunition depots in the north of Baghdad to Iraqi forces, the official Iraqi news agency reported.

During a handover ceremony in al-Taji Camp, some 20 km north of Baghdad, up to 50 ammunition depots and related facilities were handed over to the Iraqi side, the Iraqi News Agency (INA) said.

The handover of "the primary ammunition depots site, that supports the operations of the Iraqi security forces and the international coalition against IS, was planned for a long time in coordination with the Iraqi government," the agency said, according to a coalition document obtained by INA.

The international coalition will continue to keep a smaller presence in al-Taji Camp to coordinate the logistical and security operations with the Iraqi forces, the INA said.

Al-Taji Camp is a huge military base containing an air base where some U.S. troops are stationed.

Earlier, the international coalition forces handed over several military sites to the Iraqi security forces in central and northern the country.

The relation between Baghdad and Washington has witnessed a tension since Jan. 3 after 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 tension pushed the two sides to hold a round of strategic dialogues on June 12, during which the United States confirmed that it does not seek permanent military presence in the country and that over the coming months the U.S. would continue reducing forces from Iraq and discuss with the government of Iraq the status of remaining forces.

Over 5,000 U.S. troops have been deployed in Iraq to support Iraqi forces in battles against the IS, mainly for training and advisory purposes.

The troops were part of the U.S.-led international coalition that has also been conducting air raids against IS targets in both Iraq and Syria. Enditem
Lacson: Politics, Special Treatment in Abu Sayyaf Leader's 'Arrest' Can Lead to No-Win Situation vs Terrorism

More at: https://pinglacson.net/2020/08/15/lacson-politics-special-treatment-in-asg-leaders-arrest-can-lead-to-no-win-situation-vs-terrorism/

Politics and terrorism may be a deadly mix as neither has logic or reason, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said Saturday.

"Huwag naman sana. Pag pinaghalo ang pulitika at terorismo, talo lahat tayo. Why? Politics has no logic and terrorism has no reason," Lacson, who sponsored the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 in the Senate, said in a post on his Twitter account.

"We had sent the right message to the world that we mean business against terrorism with tough legislation in the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. But we could be sending the wrong message if we allow politics into the mix, as in the case of Susukan," added Lacson, who chairs the Senate's Committee on National Defense and Security.

Lacson cited news reports that Abu Sayyaf leader Abduljihad Susukan was at the center of a "surrender deal" reportedly brokered by Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari. The Abu Sayyaf is a proscribed terrorist organization in the Philippines.

Police arrested Susukan at Misuari's house Thursday night, days after Misuari - to whom Susukan reportedly "surrendered" as early as April - got past security forces in bringing Susukan to Davao City from Jolo.

Susukan, who was brought to Camp Crame for processing Saturday morning, is the subject of several warrants of arrest, reportedly for crimes including murder and kidnapping. Malaysians and Chinese were among the victims of his crimes. Misuari is President Rodrigo Duterte's special economic envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Online exam preparation firm Gradeup has seen strong growth over the last few months as students logged onto digital platforms to continue studies amid the COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdowns, and is confident of its monthly userbase touching 10 million by the end of FY2021, a top official said.

The company is also in talks with investors for a a fresh round of funding that will be utilised in areas like strengthening technology, content and brand building, Gradeup co-founder and CEO Shobhit Bhatnagar told PTI.

"We have seen a massive uptake in edtech in last 5-6 months and what that has done is move edtech from being a support preparation mechanism to how people are primarily preparing...the growth in (monthly active) userbase (for Gradeup) will continue and by end of FY21, we should cross 10 million," he said.

While the company has an overall userbase of 22 million, about 6 million are active on a monthly basis, he said.

The edtech space has seen strong growth globally with the COVID-19 pandemic serving as an inflection point.

While a number of players have raised fresh funding from investors, consolidation is also being seen in the industry with deals like Byju's buying coding training platform WhiteHat Jr for USD 300 million and Unacademy acquiring PrepLadder for USD 50 million.

Bhatnagar said students are spending more time on the platform. Based on this insight, the company has unveiled a new offering 'Gradeup Super', which is a subscription-based learning model to facilitate unlimited access and enhanced understanding of subjects for students dabbling with different exam preparations.

He added that the time spent on the platform is expected to grow by 40-50 per cent with Super, while the paid userbase is estimated to grow 3X-4X.

He, however, declined to comment on the number of paid users on the platform.

Bhatnagar said while Delhi and Hyderabad were the top two cities for Gradeup, cities like Jaipur, Lucknow and Patna were larger markets for the company than other metros.

About 15 per cent of Gradeup's paid users are from tier-I cities, and there is a high skew towards tier-II, III and IV cities, he added.

Talking about expansion plans, Bhatnagar said areas like content, technology and brand reach will be the focus of investment for the company in the next 3-6 months.

"Given the activity in the edtech space (amid the lockdown), we have received a lot of inbound interest and we are evaluating those conversations. And we hope to close another round of funding in the next 3-4 months, we will look at series B," he said.

This could see the company, which has raised close to USD 15 million (about Rs 110 crore) till date, raising up to USD 30 million (about Rs 225 crore) in the next round.

Bhatnagar said Gradeup is about 12-15 months away from being cash flow positive.

"The intent is in next 12 months get to cash positive state, our gross margins are highly positive, but we are investing in tech, academics, building more capabilities. Next three years, we target to reach Rs 1000-crore-plus revenue," he added.

The company is also exploring acquisitions to accelerate growth, he said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Monsoon session of Parliament will soon begin, an will be marked by several special measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Chambers of both houses will be used for the sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Ever since the coronavirus lockdown were announced in March, Parliament has not been in session. Now, the monsoon session of Parliament is set to begin, as the budget session Parliament was adjourned on March 23, and there cannot be a gap of more than 6 months between sessions.

n a series of historic firsts implemented to curb the virus spread, galleries of both houses will be used to sit the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

The chambers will see an addition of four large 85 inch screens, and the galleries will see an addition of six 40 inch screens, in order to communicate information to government officials, and allow real time audio-visual transfers to take place. There are also plans to add a radiation system to the air-conditioning of the Rajya Sabha to kill germs.

Also Read: Pranab Mukherjees health has not worsened: Sharmistha Mukherjee

Also Read: Pranab Mukherjees health remains critical: Former Presidents daughter shares an old memory

The parties will be stead in the Rajya Sabha chambers or in the galleries, based on their strength, and the ruling party will be seated in one half of the Lok Sabha, with the second half reserved for other parties.

The Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Leaders of the House and Opposition, and former Prime Ministers such as Dr. Manmohan Singh, and Mr HD Deve Gowda, would have seats reserved for them in the chamber.

According to sources, the parliament would only convene for four hours in a day, with the Lok Sabha going first, and the Rajya Sabha afterwards. The Official Gallery would be cordoned off from the chambers through polycarbonate sheets.

Sources have also informed that there will be limited reports and media allowed: only 7 in the press galleries, while th Rajya Sabha would convene, and 15, for the Lok Sabha. This does not include news agency sources like Press Trust of India (PTI), or state owned media, like Doordarshan, The temporary session pass holding media personnel would be disallowed, as would former MPs.

Proceedings will be live telecast, in both the houses of Parliament.

Also Read: Covid-19 India update: 63,489 new cases in 24 hours, death toll nears 50,000 mark
RALEIGH  Fifty-nine Confederate symbols across the United States have been removed, relocated or renamed since the death of George Floyd in May sparked protests calling for an end to racism, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Of those, the group says 40 symbols were taken down by officials or protesters, with no plans to bring them back to their original locations. Another five were relocated, which means they got new homes.

In North Carolina, the SPLC tally includes 10 symbols that were removed and three others that were relocated from places where they had stood for decades. But an analysis from McClatchy News found a higher count, with at least 19 Confederate statues coming down so far this year.

The numbers highlight the swift calls for change that came in the weeks and months following the death of Floyd, a 46-year-old unarmed Black man who died May 25 in the custody of Minneapolis police when an officer kneeled on his neck for about 8 minutes. Four officers were fired and face criminal charges.

They also represent in some cases a newfound willingness from government officials to remove statues and other symbols that honor the Confederacy, a cultural and political flash point.
Incessant rains continued to lash parts of Chhattisgarh, especially districts in South Bastar region since Saturday, resulting in flooding of major rivers in the state.

Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel has directed all district collectors and superintendents of police (SPs) to remain alert in view of the continuous rainfall.

The chief minister has asked the official to assess damage caused due to rains and provide immediate necessary assistance to the affected people. All necessary medical arrangements should be ensured in view of water-borne diseases due to the rains. Adequate availability of medicines and antidotes for water borne diseases, gastroenteritis and snakebite should be ensured in health centers. Disaster management teams must be prompt and ensure all necessary arrangements before time, a press note issued by the directorate of public relations of Chhattisgarh stated.

Officials claimed that Bijapur and Sukma districts of South Bastar region were the worst affected and water-level of local rivers there was continuously rising.

Also Read: Flood situation improves in Assam; 13,300 in 3 districts affected

Due to the incessant rains in South Bastar for the last three days, the river drains are in spate cutting off villages from district headquarters. The water level in Indravati and Chhot river has increased in Bijapur district due to which around two hundred villages are cut off from the district headquarters, said officials.

Traffic is blocked between Gidam to Bijapur, Bijapur to Bhopal Patnam, Bijapur Awapalli, Basaguda, Gangalur, due to increased water level in the rivulets.

Bijapur superintendent of police Kamalochan Kashyap said the district administration was continuously monitoring the flood situation.

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State officials withhold information. Sound familiar?

In this space last week, we criticized the Virginia State Police for fighting a judges order to release information relative to Charlottesvilles deadly white supremacist rally of 2017.

Then came word of another state agency  or agencies  hiding information from the public (as reported by the Richmond Times-Dispatch).

The Virginia Parole Board and its former chairperson violated both state law and parole board policies earlier this year in granting parole to the murderer of a police officer, according to an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General.

But that report was never made public until three senior Republicans demanded to see it, and who then  once it was turned over to them  made an unredacted copy publicly available.

A redacted copy previously had been given to members of the media who had sought it, but  like the state police report  the text was so blacked out that it was virtually useless.

Lets acknowledge right up front that there are political overtones to the Republicans act of transparency.

Republicans have criticized the boards efforts to reduce prison populations during the coronavirus pandemic by paroling more inmates. Proponents of the move say it protects inmates and staff by curtailing the ability of COVID-19 to spread through high-density populations. Opponents say it is an affront to justice and a danger to the public by turning criminals free too soon, and Republicans have been using that argument as a campaign theme in Virginia and elsewhere.

But the point here is less about who released the report and why. The bigger issue is the fact that state officials didnt release it, but rather sought to hide information from the public and shield the board from accountability.

For its part, the Parole Board disputes the report, saying its conclusions are based on faulty assumptions, incorrect facts, a misunderstanding of certain procedures, and incorrect interpretations of the Virginia State Code.

Thats from Tonya Chapman, who became board chair after the parole decision in question was made. (The previous chair left to take up a judgeship in Virginia Beach.)

According to the report, the board failed to properly notify the prosecutor in the case, did not work hard enough to meet with the victims family beforehand, and denied one of the inmates alleged victims in a separate case a chance to address the board.

Complaints similar to these have been leveled in other parole cases as well. The report cites several parole employees who said that laws, policies and procedures for notifying victims and their families had been ignored in additional cases under the previous chair.

In the case addressed by the OIG, here are just a couple of examples of the boards errors or that of its chair, according to the report:

 The victims family said they received notification of the pending parole and asked to speak with the board. A phone conference was scheduled with then-Chair Adrianne Bennett and the victim services coordinator. The family was present for the call  but no one from the Parole Board or staff showed up to listen to them, they told the investigator.

Then the family asked to meet with the board in person, but the chair denied the request because of COVID-19. The report says the board had adopted no policy on how to handle COVID. In other words: Ms. Bennett acted unilaterally.

 The board is required by law to keep minutes of its meetings. Did the Bennett board do so?

Not always, according to the report.

Bennetts Board meetings were often scheduled, but did not always occur and there were no Board meeting notes taken, Ms. Chapman said in a May email. There were no records of Parole Board minutes for October 2019 through March 2020, according to the report.

Theres more  but you get the idea.

For two reasons, Virginians should be outraged by these events: the original problems themselves  and the subsequent failure to be up-front about those problems.

How and why inmates were chosen for parole has been a legitimate cause of public concern for months now. The state owes Virginians much more transparency about how it made those decisions  including, perhaps especially, when mistakes are at issue.
San Salvador, Aug 16 : The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has increased poverty, expanded the size of the informal economy, and threatened the weak health systems of some countries in Central America, experts have said.

According to the Inter-American Development Bank, 274,000 formal jobs could be lost in Guatemala, 130,000 in Honduras, and 70,000 in El Salvador due to the health crisis, reports Xinhua news agency.

On Saturday, Salvadoran economist Julia Evelyn Martinez said that the loss of jobs in the region has led to an increase in informal employment in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, where the informal economy already measured around 70 per cent before the pandemic.

She said said the region had already been facing a multidimensional crisis due to economic stagnation, deterioration of public finances and unemployment, while restrictions imposed by the government during the pandemic have only exacerbated the problem.

"The approval of containment measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 has added further deterioration to the welfare conditions of Central American families." Across the region, Central Americans have begun turning to the informal economy to survive, running businesses out of their homes or even begging in the streets in order to make ends meet.

According to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, poverty will increase exponentially in the region this year due to the pandemic.

Nancy Sandoval, president of the Guatemalan Association of Infectious Diseases, said that the region lacks healthcare networks with the capacity to respond to projected future cases.

The gradual relaxation of restrictions aiming to jumpstart their economies means an increase in cases, which is why more medical personnel, beds, and tests are required, said Sandoval, giving Guatemala and Honduras as examples, where less than one doctor is available for every 1,000 inhabitants.

Central America, the region comprising El Salvador, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, has so far reported over 237,000 Covid-19 cases, according to the Pan American Health Organization.
By Trend

Kyrgyzstan will increase the volume of exports of ecologically clean agricultural products, the countrys President Sooronbay Jeenbekov said, Trend reports citing Kabar.kg.

In an interview to the radio station Birinchi radio of the Public TV and Radio Broadcasting Corporation, Jeenbekov noted that especially developed countries with a high standard of living are interested in such clean products, recalling that Kyrgyzstan is a member of the World Trade Organization, the Eurasian Economic Union, and has a preferential GSP + status.

Neighboring China is also a big market for us. Work has already begun on the export of products to China. Work in this direction will be intensified. We have prepared our laboratories and are ready to enter international market, Jeenbekov stressed.

The president added that in order to enter foreign markets, it is necessary to produce and increase the volume of food that meets the requirements.

For this it is necessary to improve the production technology and provide a sufficient amount of raw materials. We will resolve these issues through cluster projects. Sources of financing have already been identified. To enter the foreign market, we have projects for the construction of logistics centers, funds have already been found, the head of state said.

He also stressed that support will be provided to entrepreneurs at the expense of internal resources, since the creation of a favorable business environment is a key requirement of national strategic development.

Sooronbay Jeenbekov stressed that the issue of creating an Export-Import Development Bank, which will also affect business support, is being considered.

---

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By AFP

LONDON: British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said on Sunday additional navy personnel and aircraft were being sent to help tackle a sharp rise in migrant crossings of the Channel.

The deployment of "specialist personnel from the Royal Navy" and a third air force plane to conduct surveillance followed a request for support from the interior ministry.

"These dangerous crossings ultimately put people's lives in danger and it is right that we support the Border Force by providing specialist capabilities of defence, and our expert personnel to stop this criminal behaviour," Wallace said in a statement.

More than 1,000 migrants have arrived on Britain's shores in the last 10 days after crossing the Channel in small boats, according to analysis by the domestic Press Association news agency.

The issue is politically-charged in the UK, with the country's right-wing newspapers decrying the arrivals and many ruling Conservative lawmakers calling for tougher border enforcement.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson this week called the crossings "very bad and stupid and dangerous".

He has vowed to change legislation that he said made it "very, very difficult" to deport migrants "even though blatantly they've come here illegally."

Meanwhile, his immigration minister held talks with counterparts in Paris on Tuesday amid calls for the government to increase pressure on France to prevent migrants arriving in UK waters.

French maritime authorities said Sunday they had rescued 31 migrants, including three children and an infant, who were trying to cross the Channel in small boats.

It followed 38 migrants being picked up by French officials in the waterway -- the busiest in the world -- on Friday.

However, cross-Channel relations could be harmed by reports interior minister Priti Patel had told fellow Conservative MPs that migrants were coming to Britain because they believe France is a "racist country" where they may be "tortured".

Government sources said Patel had made clear that she did not share those views and was simply explaining the "pull factors" which led so many migrants to risk their lives in this way, according to UK media reports.
Hong Kongers granted residency in Taiwan jump 116%

ROC Central News Agency

08/15/2020 05:35 PM

Taipei, Aug. 15 (CNA) The number of Hong Kong residents awarded residency in Taiwan during the first six months of this year totaled 3,161, up 116 percent from the same period of 2019, according to the latest immigration statistics.

The data compiled by the National Immigration Agency (NIA) showed that Hong Kongers who received Taiwan residence permits from January to June was 613, 679, 665, 426, 381 and 397, respectively.

Many of them had applied either through direct investment in the country, as a qualified professional or as a blood relative of a Taiwanese, an NIA official told CNA.

The upward trend has a lot to do with the political uncertainty and social unrest in Hong Kong, the official added.

According to NIA statistics, a total of 5,858 people from Hong Kong obtained permits to reside in Taiwan in 2019, up from 4,148 the previous year.

The spike came at a time of concern over deteriorating democracy in the Chinese territory, as many Hong Kongers have taken to the streets in mass protests against China's tightening grip over Hong Kong.

Based on Regulations Governing Residency or Permanent Residency for People of the Hong Kong Area and the Macau Area, there are 16 different ways of applying for residency in Taiwan.

These include applying as a blood relative or spouse of a Taiwanese, as a skilled person holding a Hong Kong/Macau government-issued certificate in a specialized field, as a person of extraordinary accomplishment in a specific field, or as a businessperson investing NT$6 million (US$204,079) or more in Taiwan.

(By Yu Hsiang and Ko Lin)

Enditem/J

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Amandeep Shukla

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate an expressway built in Madhya Pradesh after late former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) organized a special event in his honour and top leaders paid tributes to the memory of Vajpayee on his second death anniversary on Sunday.

President Ram Nath Kovind, vice president M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among several dignitaries who paid tribute to Vajpayee . They were joined by several Union ministers and other leaders at Sadaiv Atal, the memorial to Vajpayee in the national capital.

President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated a portrait of Vajpayee at the ICCR and described him as a widely accepted leader. Vajpayee served as the ex-officio president of the ICCR from March 1977 to August 1979 when he was the foreign minister.

Modi said India will always remember Vajpayees contributions to the nation. Tributes to beloved Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. India will always remember his outstanding service and efforts towards our nations progress, Modi tweeted.

Home minister Amit Shah said the country for the first time saw good governance being implemented across the nation under Vajpayee, who was the first non-Congress politician to serve a full term as prime minister.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that the proposed 300-km long expressway, named Chambal Progress Way, would be named after Vajpayee. Chouhan, after paying tributes to Vajpayee on his second death anniversary at the state BJP headquarters, also announced that a statue of the former PM would be installed in Bhopal.

The six-lane Chambal Progress Way, which is proposed to be developed at a cost of about Rs 6,000 crore, will connect the boundaries of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh through Sheopur, Morena and Bhind districts of Madhya Pradesh.

Chouhan also said the state government will observe December 25 as Sushasan Diwas (good governance day) every year to mark Vajpayees birthday.
A 19-year-old domestic help killed herself at her employers home in outer Delhis Rohini on Wednesday night -- allegedly after being harassed and not being allowed to meet her family for the past three months -- prompting her family and neighbours to pelt stones at the residential society the next day, the police said.

Four police personnel were injured in stone pelting in controlling the mob, said PK Mishra, deputy commissioner of police (Rohini).

The police have arrested the employer, who runs a business in Chandni Chowk, and booked him for abetment of suicide. Since the dead domestic helps mother alleged that some others also in the 11-member family would harass her daughter, the police also added Indian Penal Code section 34 (an act done by several persons with a common intention).

The police have registered a separate FIR in the mob violence under nine sections of the IPC and two of the Epidemic Diseases Act. We have not arrested any of the suspected rioters yet. We have asked them to join investigations, said the DCP.

For the last four-five years, the dead womans mother had been working at the home as a domestic help. But ever since the lockdown has been imposed, her 19-year-old daughter had been working here. She was kept as a full-time help, said the DCP, quoting the victims mother.

But, the house owner and his family allegedly didnt let the teenaged domestic help leave the house. One day when I came to meet my daughter, they refused to let me see her. After requesting the family, I was allowed to see and speak to her from behind closed gates, her mother told the police in her statement.

She appeared unhappy, the mother added.

When her son came down to meet his sister, he allegedly wasnt allowed.

While the employer is in jail and his son refused to share speak to HT, the DCP said that the family has claimed that they refused to let the domestic helps mother or brother into the house as they felt it could leave them exposed to the coronavirus infection.

On Wednesday evening, when the domestic help received a call from her mother, she allegedly informed her that the occupants of the house had left for a family function. They had locked the locked the house from outside, said the DCP.

When the family returned home around 11.30 pm, they found the 19-year-old hanging from the ceiling fan, the DCP added.

While the police were still investigating the death and awaiting the autopsy report, the dead womans family and neighbours allegedly arrived in the society on Thursday morning and began protesting.

They were armed with stones and rods. I heard that they targeted the businessmans house and smashed doors and windows of some other houses in the society. When I reached the spot, I found the police trying to control the situation, said Amit Goswami, the local RWA general secretary, on whose statement the FIR against the mob was later registered at the Rohini (North) police station.

The DCP said on Sunday that the situation is under control and the investigators are awaiting the autopsy report to determine if it was a suicide or if there was any foul play involved.

There were no external injuries on the womans body and no visible evidence of sexual assault, said the officer.

The dead womans family, whose members too have been named for the rioting, refused to speak on the matter.
Not Rated | 2h 16min | Adventure, Mystery, Thriller | 1 July 1959 (USA)

When it comes to film directors, Alfred Hitchcock is widely considered to be one of the greatest of all time, especially during his heyday period, which lasted from the 1940s well into the 1960s. Some of his films have been seen as instrumental in influencing the creation of future genres.

For instance, one of Hitchcocks most famous films, Psycho (1960) is considered by many critics to be the precursor of the modern slasher film. Similarly, his 1959 effort North by Northwest has certain facets that may have influenced the James Bond franchise, which took the world by storm in the 1960s. In fact, many fans refer to it as the first James Bond film, even though the main protagonist isnt a trained spy.

The protagonist in question is a tall and debonair advertising executive, Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant), whose quick pace is almost as snappy as his rapid-fire wit. From the outset of the film, we see Thornhill constantly in motion as he leaves his ad agency, with his secretary in tow, and proceeds to plan out his schedule with her. Their back-and-forth scheduling banter continues seamlessly as they hop into a taxi on the busy streets of Manhattan.

The cab soon pulls up to a swanky dining establishment where Thornhill is to meet up with some fellow advertising execs. But just as hes settling in, he inadvertently makes a hand gesture that is misinterpreted by certain criminal elements watching the place. At that moment, he is marked as an international spy. These henchmen manage to isolate and then kidnap Thornhill.

He is whisked away to a palatial estate where he is held captive until eventually the head honcho of the spy ring, Phillip Vandamm (a game James Mason), arrives to interrogate the captive ad exec.

(LR) Cary Grant, Martin Landau, and James Mason in North by Northwest. (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

Vandamm suspects Thornhill of being a government agent named Kaplan. Although Thornhill tries his best to convince Vandamm that the whole ordeal is simply a case of mistaken identity, his pleas fall on deaf ears.

After Thornhill narrowly manages to escape certain death, he soon finds himself framed for the death of a high-ranking U.N. official.

Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) glimpses a headline that tells him that he is wanted for murder, in North by Northwest. (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

As he seeks out clues that will hopefully lead to clearing his name, he takes a cross-country train on which he meets the beautiful Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint). She turns out to be the one person who seems to believe his rather outlandish story.

Kendall helps Thornhill evade capture by authorities who are hot on his trail, and the two bond in scenes that are considered pretty racy by 1950s standards. Questions soon arise: Does she truly have his best interest in mind, and is she who she says she is?

Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint in North by Northwest. (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

There is an especially tense scene in which Thornhill is to meet up with the real Kaplan, whom Thornhill is suspected of being. Under strict instructions, he travels by bus to a desolate area of Indiana that has nothing but sprawling crops and cornfields as far as the eye can see.

As he awaits Kaplans arrival, several vehicles approach him, and each time Thornhill expects them to be carrying the mysterious man. But his hopes are dashed every time they pass him by. Finally, a plane that has been supposedly crop-dusting in the distance begins to fly directly at him. It flies so low that Thornhill has to dive out of the way of the planes lower fuselage. Additional fly-bys have the plane shooting at our protagonist, and a real sense of dread begins to creep over the proceedings. How will Thornhill ever be able to defend himself against an airborne enemy out in the open plains?

Despite all the life-or-death scenes, North by Northwest is one of Hitchcocks most whimsical thrillers. The script, written by Ernest Lehman (The Sound of Music, West Side Story), allows Grant to flex his natural comedic muscles and get away with things other actors couldnt. He oscillates between expressing fear and anxiety with equal measures of wit and quirkiness. Thus, the film exchanges much of the heaviness of films like Rear Window and Vertigo with a buoyant charm that elates, rather than discourages.

North by Northwest

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Starring: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason

Not Rated

Running time: 2 hours, 16 minutes

Release Date: July 1, 1959

Rated: 4 stars out of 5



Ian Kane is a filmmaker and author based out of Los Angeles. To see more, visit DreamFlightEnt.com or contact him at Twitter.com/ImIanKane
Bengaluru: Riots and unrest prevailed in the silicon valley Bengaluru after the house of Pulakeshinagar MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy was burnt down and two police stations in Bengaluru were vandalised over a objectionable social media post hurting the sentiments of a community. Now, the issue seems to be taking an ugly turn with the BJP trying to portray the riots as attack on a Dalit.

Sensing the danger, the Congress has quickly got into action, distancing itself from the SDPI and trying to blame the BJP saying that riots were instigated by BJP activists to put the blame on Congress.

While Congress despatched a fact finding committee headed by former Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwar, who himself is a dalit, BJP has constituted a fact finding committee headed by former minister Aravind Limbavali, who belongs to Bovi community, to which Akhanda Srinivas Murthy also belong to.

BJP leaders B L Santhosh, Deputy Chief Minister Ashwathnarayana, Ministers C T Ravi, B C Patil and others have come down heavily on Congress for supporting minority community blindly, who are attacking Dalits in the State.

KPCC President D K Shivakumar has shot back counter accusing BJP of following anti-Dalit policies.

Meanwhile, on Saturday evening, former minister B Z Zameer Ahamed Khan led a group of Muslim clerics to the house of Akhanda Srinivas Murthy to send across a message that it was not a fight between Muslims and Dalits at Kadugondanahalli and Devarajeevana Halli.

The clerics made a statement that they were ready to reconstruct the house of MLA from community funds, if the MLA agreed.

However, Zameer Ahamed Khan's earlier action had drawn flak from some of the Congress leaders themselves. Zameer had visited the houses of the three persons killed in police firing and distributed Rs five lakh each.

He had also said that the violence was instigated by miscreants, while all those killed were innocent. The BJP was quick to seize the issue and pointed out that Zameer and Congress had links with the attackers and are calling them innocent.

Some of the Congress leaders requested Siddaramaiah to advise Zameer not to identify himself with attackers, as it would substantiate the BJP claim that it was a fight between Muslims and Dalits.

Meanwhile, the special team investigating the riots has approached the cyber crime police for digital analysis of the crime scene.

So far, the police have 8000 telephone numbers, with an equal number of WhatsApp accounts to be analysed. Besides, police have obtained thousands of instagram and facebook accounts as well as calls made using facebook messenger during the riots. The police are also analysing CCTV footage of over 800 cameras for further clues in the case.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA announced the first four states to receive $400 weekly unemployment benefit through the executive order Pres. Trump signed and issued last Saturday.

Pres. Donald Trump has long been expressing his support for the second round of stimulus payments to help millions of Americans who are heavily impacted by the global pandemic. However, the stimulus negotiations failed due to some disagreements.

This led Pres. Trump to sign and issue an executive order that expands the weekly unemployment claim. Each qualified unemployed individual will receive $400. The fund will be taken from the unspent budget of the FEMA. On the other hand, the states will cover $100 of the cost.

Moreover, FEMA announced recently the first four states that will receive the unemployment claims. These states are Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, and New Mexico. These states agreed to the program and will counterpart an amount of $100.

Meanwhile, Pres. Trump urged other states who expressed that they cannot support or counterpart a cost that worth $100 because of the economic fallout to make a request . Additionally, the weekly federal unemployment claim is on top of the unemployment insurance.

According to a published report in CBS News, FEMA said that they will closely work with the governors of the four states. This is to ensure that the system will be implemented and that the fund will be made accessible to the residents in their states.

An amount of $44 billion from the unspent budget of FEMA in the agency's Disaster Relief Fund will be used to supplement the different states. However, it is not clear as to how long will the fund can sustain the unemployment claims.

Democrats first proposed in May the HEROES Act that aims to continue the CARES Act. The Democratic-led HEROES Act's purpose is to expand the $600 weekly unemployment claim. However, this act was rejected because Republicans described it as too "ridiculous" and will just put millions of Americans not to go back to work but only depend on the unemployment claim.

Later on, the Republicans proposed the CARES 2 and then, called it as HEALS Act. If the HEALS Act was only approved by Congress and stimulus negotiators, millions of Americans will benefit from the law on top of the unemployment claim like an added bonus for those who will go back to work.

Pres Trump knew the economic impact of COVID-19 on American families. That is why he signed an executive order for the expansion of the unemployment claim and three memoranda that freeze student loans, house eviction protection, and delay payroll taxes until the end of the year.

Recently, Pres. Trump directed Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to get ready to send direct payments that worth $3,400 for a family of four. Additionally, there are no additional details yet about the direct stimulus payments.

Check these out!
Ohio passed its first lobbying law in 1913, early in Dayton Democrat James M. Coxs governorship. A few years before, about a half dozen General Assembly members became guests of the old Ohio Penitentiary  in whats now Columbuss Arena District  after being convicted of bribery, the result of a sting by fed-up Columbus business leaders.

The 1913 law was little more than a registration law. It didnt crimp the grifting of the Ohio Gang  Warren G. Hardings Statehouse pals, who followed him to Washington.

And its possible that not until 1959 was any Statehouse lobbyist prosecuted for violating the Cox-era law. A Franklin County grand jury charged lawyer-lobbyist Robert E. Scott, of Cambridge, with failing to report what hed spent to entertain General Assembly members. He pleaded guilty and paid a $1,000 fine. (The maximum penalty would have been a $5,000 fine and two years in prison.) Scotts lobbying client: Ohios coal industry. Scott, a Harvard Law School graduate, died at age 77 in 1966.

In the decades since the 1959 prosecution, Ohio officeholders have been convicted of wrongdoing in, or related to, their public jobs. But a blockbuster hit Ohio last month.

In the words of the U.S. attorneys office, ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, a Republican from Perry Countys Glenford, and four associates allegedly took part in a federal racketeering conspiracy involving approximately $60 million  to pass and uphold a billion-dollar nuclear plant bailout. The plants, Lake Countys Perry, Ottawa Countys Davis-Besse, were formerly owned by Akron-based FirstEnergy Corp. The General Assembly OKd the bailout, House Bill 6, in July 2019. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine signed it whiplash-fast.

Householder and the other four defendants  lobbyists Juan Cespedes and Neil S. Clark; former Republican State Chair Matthew J. Borges; and campaign consultant Jeffrey Longstreth  are presumed innocent unless they are convicted. Whatever the outcome, the money spent to pass HB 6, then block a petition drive to let Ohioans vote HB 6 up or down, was tossed around Ohio like confetti.

And the legislatures HB 6 roll-calls were bipartisan. It requires 17 Senate votes to pass a bill there. The Senate is run by Republicans. But only 16 Senate Republicans voted yes. The bill passed the Senate 19-12 because three Senate Democrats, including Minority Leader Kenny Yuko, of Richmond Heights, and Sen. Sandra Williams, of Cleveland, voted yes on HB 6.

It requires 50 House votes to pass a bill in that chamber. But only 42 House Republicans voted yes on HB 6s final passage. It passed the House 51-38, though, because nine House Democrats voted yes, including Reps. John Patterson, of Jefferson, John Rogers, of Mentor on the Lake, and Terrence Upchurch, of Cleveland.

Given Householders indictment, House Republicans did what they had to do, politically  unseat Householder as speaker, and replace him with Lima Republican Robert R. Cupp, once an Ohio Supreme Court justice. That was on July 30.

Then last week, in a fairly rare but constitutionally authorized action, House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes, of Akron, and House Democrats three other caucus leaders posted a protest in the House Journal over the passage of HB 6, albeit 385 days after the House sent it to DeWine. Still, the Democrats protest highlighted one of HB 6s worst facets: It effectively [nullifies] any incentive for new renewable energy development in [Ohio]. And it subsidizes  with consumers money  two coal-burning power plants (one in Indiana), whose owners include FirstEnergy and Columbus-based American Electric Power.

Yet the legislature recessed without repealing HB 6. Repeal is the first thing the House and state Senate should have done after the grand jury acted.

As noted, ex-Speaker Householder and his fellow defendants may be holy as the Cherubim; juries will decide. But if HB 6 could have passed the smell test, why would anyone have spent $60 million to get it through Ohios House and Senate, then keep Ohioans from voting on it?

That alone tells Ohioans what they need to know about HB 6. But its still the law of Ohio, thanks to a legislature that wont do its job  to protect Ohioans, not the special interests always trying to tap Ohioans purses and wallets.

Thomas Suddes, a member of the editorial board, writes from Athens.

To reach Thomas Suddes: tsuddes@cleveland.com, 216-408-9474

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He may never have pulled on a spacesuit or flown in a shuttle but that has not stopped Frenchman Michael Moisseeff from reaching for the stars.

After years of exploring and reconstructing the scents of planet Earth, the 66-year-old "aroma sculptor" set himself a new goal -- capturing the smell of the moon.

Moisseeff, with his floral shirt and a head of white hair tied up at the back, straddles the line between artist and scientist as he moves purposefully around the thousands of vials that make up his laboratory.

It is here that the trained geneticist fulfils his life's work of dissecting the mysteries of smell and producing all kinds of scents, fragrances and emanations from molecules.

"To recreate the scent of undergrowth, for example, you have to go there first," he says.

"Is there any moss? Lichen? Moisture? I take an inventory and bring my elements together like a painter with his palette of colours. Then I work on the measures of each to try as best I can to finesse the scent."

Unfortunately the moon is not quite as accessible as the undergrowth and the Cite de l'Espace (Space City) in Toulouse "did not want to pay for the trip", jokes Moisseeff.

The only way he could build a picture of the scent in his nose -- the key tool for his work -- was to read up on descriptions made by various astronauts who walked on the moon, in particular Neil Armstrong, the first man ever to do so in 1969.

"Due to the lack of oxygen on the moon, he (Armstrong) obviously couldn't smell anything but once back in the module, the smell of dust clinging to his spacesuit reminded him of the burnt black powder of an old six-shooter," he says.

In order to reproduce that smell, Moisseeff chose to detonate black powder in his own saucepans. After several failed attempts -- and a couple of scares -- he finally succeeded in "capturing" a burnt deposit.

Then, once he had worked out what kind of smell he was looking for, this modern day alchemist set to work finding the right notes to complete the scent.

A blend of metallic, carbon and sulphur notes combined to titillate the nostrils and the imagination.

"This enigmatic smell reproduced from the descriptions of various astronauts evokes scents that we know like gunpowder and chimney ash, but that doesn't mean that we wouldn't find it on the moon", says Xavier Penot, scientific mediator at the Cite de l'Espace in Toulouse and the man behind the idea.

Humans have around 260 odour sensors situated in the olfactory mucosa, the organ of smell located in the upper region of the nasal cavity.

"An odour occurs when a molecule encounters a sensor in your olfactory mucosa, generating a signal that will cause a sensation in you," says Moisseeff.

"And this feeling is absolutely individual, depending on the genetics and the experience of each person."

Moisseeff has often been described as an "aroma sculptor" and he certainly does not shy from linking his work to other creative arts, with his nose his most important instrument.

"Smells are like in music, you have to do your scales all the time," he says.

This "scientific artist" even displays his work in a variety of ways that would not be unfamiliar to contemporary artists -- he has long been staging installations and fragrant experiences in telephone booths, entire villages or performance halls at the request of museums, associations or companies.

He even runs "odour tasting" training and workshops for anyone wanting to put their noses to better use.

Moisseeff's next challenge takes him back to the Renaissance as he attempts to reconstruct the scent of the Mona Lisa, or at least her surroundings.

It will be "a meticulous work of investigation and historical research", he says with some excitement.

If he succeeds perhaps Moisseeff will finally uncover the secret behind that most famous of enigmatic smiles.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 16)  The Department of Labor and Employment said over 600,000 overseas Filipino workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are requesting assistance from the government.

In a statement on Sunday, DOLE said data from Philippine Overseas Labor Offices and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) showed there were 604,403 seeking assistance as of August 15.

It added that close to 272,000 requests have been approved.

The department provides a one-time cash assistance program under the Abot Kamay Ang Pagtulong (AKAP) program where recipients receive $200, or 10,000.

In the statement, DOLE said they received a total funding of 2.5 billion to provide assistance for 250,000 OFWs.

"The budget is almost fully depleted with the disbursement of 2.436 billion to 237,778 OFW beneficiaries as of Saturday," the statement said.

Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte approved the release of an additional 5-billion fund to cover the evacuation and aid packages for OFWs affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said a hefty chunk of the fresh funds will be released to the OWWA, which handles the evacuation efforts for OFWs affected by the global lockdowns.
WASHINGTON  As they kick off an all-virtual convention this week, Democrats aren't just pursuing more progressive policies than they have in generations: Party leaders are also warming up to changing the rules of a system many of their voters decry as undemocratic.

Former Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid has called for abolishing the rule that effectively requires 60 votes to pass legislation in the Senate. Top Democratic senators say they want to abolish the Electoral College and pick presidents by popular vote. The House voted in June to grant statehood to Washington, D.C. And Democrats are eyeing language in the platform calling for "structural" change to the Supreme Court.

"There's a youth revolution going on in the party," said Howard Dean, who was chairman of the Democratic National Committee. "You're going to see a real reform movement  not just in Congress, which will resist for institutional reasons, but you'll see it in the country. And that's what you're going to see at this convention."

Image: Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (MONICA ALMEIDA / Reuters)

Presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden has resisted some of the proposals as he focuses on being a broadly acceptable electoral alternative to President Donald Trump. But the convention speaking lineup includes Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., a leader of the left; Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., an outspoken proponent of a systemic overhaul; and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., a rising progressive star.

Powering the cause is a rising base of younger, female and nonwhite Americans, a paradigm shift represented in the vice presidential selection of Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif.

Some of these voters are ready to flip the table on a system they say is stacked against them. They worry that the filibuster would hinder progressive legislation even if Democrats win in a landslide, they're angry about Trump's having won the presidency even though he lost the popular vote by 3 million ballots nationally, and they've lost faith in a Supreme Court that they say is tainted by a stolen seat.

Story continues

"We've seen Republicans misuse the filibuster in the past. My personal belief is they've killed it, and we'll finish the job for them," Dean said. "They've destroyed the Supreme Court in the eyes of many of the people in the country. They've made this bed, and now they're going to lie in it."

At his eulogy for the civil rights icon John Lewis, former President Barack Obama endorsed a string of new rules, such as bolstering the Voting Rights Act, auto-registering Americans to vote, making Election Day a holiday and providing equal representation for D.C. and Puerto Rico.

"And if all this takes eliminating the filibuster, another Jim Crow relic, in order to secure the God-given rights of every American, then that's what we should do," he said.

Team Trump points to 'socialism and chaos'

Trump's campaign argues that the new push is a sign of creeping radicalism.

"Democrats are trying to abandon our core principles of freedom and democracy for socialism and chaos," Trump spokeswoman Courtney Parella said. "Joe Biden and radical Kamala Harris put themselves first and the American people last, and their candidacy is a threat to the very foundation of our nation."

Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said Biden and Harris are "running on a bold platform to overcome the crises that Donald Trump's egregious failed leadership have forced on our country, and to build back better."

The lineup of speakers, who will deliver remarks remotely, includes an array of moderate Democrats, as well as Republican John Kasich, a former governor of Ohio who is critical of Trump.

Still, Obama's remarks in the convention run-up were a seminal moment for the party  a popular ex-president with a reverence for U.S. institutions calling for changes he resisted when he was in office.

"The system is fundamentally broken. The people have known that for a long time, and elected officials are starting to finally get it," said Rebecca Katz, a progressive consultant and former aide to Reid. "Look at what's happening all around us. Government is failing on every level in every way. Why accept the status quo?

"The other side has no shame, and we are not on a level playing field," she said. "It's about the Senate's unique power to squash everything when a handful of red-state senators have much more power than members from New York or Los Angeles."

Harris, who is set to accept the vice presidential nomination Wednesday, would break glass ceilings as the first woman, first Black and first Indian American vice president.

In an interview Friday that aired on MSNBC, Harris cast the ticket in aspirational terms and promised that the Biden-Harris administration would be "focused on the future of the country, motivated by what can be, unburdened by what has been."

"This is a statement about the fact that we're not going to just wait for somebody to give us permission," Harris said. "Sometimes we have to get out of our comfort zone to move forward."
El-Sisi asked former interim president Adly Mansour to lay the foundation stone of the connecting station named after him

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi inaugurated on Sunday the Adly Mansour metro station as part of the fourth phase of developing the third line of the Cairo Metro.

The Adly Mansour station is one of the major central stations that will connect the New Administrative Capital with all the country's cities and governorates.

The station, which is named after the country's former interim president Adly Mansour (2013-2014), includes a full-service transport complex and a commercial investment zone on a total area of 15 feddans.

It will connect five different modes of transportation countrywide: the third metro line, the electric train route, a railway station, a SuperJet station, and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).

Work on the fourth phase of the third line began in July 2015 and is scheduled to be completed in 2022.

The inauguration event was attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, former interim president Mansour and a number of ministers and state officials.

During the event, El-Sisi said, "His Excellency the [former] president [Adly Mansour] is a great patriotic figure, whose role was great in one of the most difficult stages in Egypt's history."

He also thanked the government for the "great efforts" it exerted to implement developmental ventures in all sectors amid challenges facing the state, and called for unity to confront these challenges.

The president added that the sums spent to develop state sectors such as education, transport, and electricity have reached nearly EGP 1 trillion.

"This means that the work accomplished and the funding spent have been huge. That means the state is keen on developing all sectors that affect people's lives in the shortest possible time," he added.

The president also stressed that the country does not focus its developmental projects only on the bigger governorates, adding that "we are working on all provinces."

The government is implementing a project to develop the facilities of the 100 neediest villages across Egypt, he stressed.

Renewal costs

El-Sisi instructed Transportation Minister El-Wazir to set the appropriate prices for railway and metro services to ensure the continued efficient operation of the services facilities, hinting at an increase in transportation fares, especially since a major part of the new projects costs was provided through external loans.

The projects implemented in the railway and the metro are all funded by loans. We are not asking you to repay the loans or their interests. We just need to maintain the efficiency of the facilitiesWe want to take from citizens what ensures the [continued] efficiency of the facilities, the president said, adding that we dont have another option.

El-Sisi said that citizens have been experiencing some difficulties and increased costs in transportation; therefore, the prices of services should be fixed to allow new projects to function.

The president also stressed that the fares of train services will not be increased before implementing a full renewal of facilities by upgrading the efficiency of tractors, carriages and the railway itself.

Starting next year, there will not be a tractor or carriage that will not see its efficiency upgraded. Otherwise, we will not be able to ask you to [bear] the cost of increased operating expenses, he said.

Speaking about the coronavirus pandemic in Egypt, the president said the country has achieved success in facing the crisis and that the rate of infection has started to decline.

However, he said that citizens should still adhere to all precautions, particularly with the advent of the winter season and the school year.

After concluding his remarks, El-Sisi asked former interim president Mansour to lay the foundation stone of the inaugurated station. The president and Mansour then took a short ride on the expanded metro line.

Artery of development

Speaking at the inauguration event, Prime Minister Madbouly described the transport sector as "the artery of development" in the country.

"The country has suffered from an imbalance in the urban map until 2014 due to its inability to accommodate overpopulation in the past years," he said, adding that new road projects are among the most important requirements for implementing development plans.

The 2052 urban development plan, which aims to increase urban areas nationwide, will be completed within years, Madbouly explained.

Egypt has jumped 90 global positions in the road sector, now ranking 28th in the world, he said.

The annual average of building new roads in the country has risen from 270 km to 1,150 km annually, he added.

New transportation, road projects

Meanwhile, Minister of Transportation Kamel-El-Wazir said that the government has completed 7,000 km of new roads at a cost of EGP 175 billion.

The government is carrying out projects in the transport section at a cost of EGP 6.6 trillion, he explained, adding that 174 railway stations have been developed.

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A senior coronavirus adviser to the Scottish government has warned that the country is facing a stream of infections from both England and Wales.

Professor Devi Sridhar, who sits on the Scottish governments Covid-19 Advisory Group, said the two countries are behaving more like the rest of Europe, which has seen a recent relaxation of restrictions and subsequent rise in cases.

Her latest comments have drawn criticism from the Scottish Liberal Democrats, who said recent outbreaks in Aberdeen and Orkney could be not attributed to imported cases from across the border.

Writing in an opinion piece for The New York Times, Prof Sridhar said: Scotland and Northern Ireland have looked ahead at the coming winter, and made a concerted plan to minimise community transmission to avoid a serious resurgence of the virus by using the summer to drive cases as close to zero as possible and to reopen cautiously.

But neither nation has control over its borders because they are parts of the United Kingdom.

So both now face a stream of incoming infections from England and Wales, which are behaving more like the rest of Europe, as well as from people returning from holiday abroad and not abiding by advice to isolate for 14 days.

Willie Rennie, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, dismissed the claims, arguing that it was unhelpful for Prof Sridhar to be feeding a divisive nationalist narrative without scientific evidence to back it up.

Its news to me that people from England and Wales were responsible for the outbreaks weve seen in Aberdeen, Orkney, Lanarkshire and Glasgow, he said.

An outspoken figure during the pandemic, Prof Sridhar said last month that English authorities were content with the countrys current mortality and infection rates.

When asked about the zero-Covid strategy she has been advocating in recent months, she replied: I think here [in Scotland] its been clearly communicated we want to get out of community transmission.

With England, Im not really sure.

It seems they are trying to suppress but theyre also content with a certain number of infections every day and a certain level of death.

So I just wish they would clearly articulate it and we could work together across the four nations to really drive this virus out.

Prof Sridhar is chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh.
- The Pound-to-Euro exchange rate is +0.01% higher @ 1.10580 on 17.08.2020; The Pound-to-Dollar exchange rate is +0.11% higher @ $1.311945 on 17.08.2020

- "The US dollar continued to remain under pressure, with the Bloomberg US dollar index moving back down towards its recent lows" Lloyds

- "GBP/USD remains around the 1.31 mark at the start of week in which another round of talks between the EU and UK on the future trading relationship are set to take place."

The Pound exchange rate climbed from lows of $1.96 to highs of $2.00 versus the U.S. Dollar last week as the Greenback suffered from improving risk sentiment as the American economy showed signs of recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

Sterling struggled at the beginning of last week following the publication of the latest BRC like-for-like retail sales figure for July. With the figure falling below forecasts from 10.9% to 4.3%, GBP investors became increasingly concerned for the British economy.

British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson OBE commented on the report:

The strongest performance came from food, furniture and homeware, as consumers increasingly invest in their time at home, however, many shops, particularly in fashion, jewellery and beauty, are still struggling to survive. Online sales remained buoyant, slowing only slightly despite more shops reopening.

Meanwhile, Tuesday saw the release of the UKs ILO unemployment rate figure for June, which beat forecasts and remained at 3.9% instead of rising to 4.2% as previously forecast.

Jeremy Thomson-Cook, chief economist at forex trader Equals Money, was more pessimistic, however, saying:

The latest UK unemployment release confirms two things. The true level of those out of work has been very effectively lowered by the governments furlough scheme.

Tuesday also saw the release of Julys US PPI figure, which rose from 0.1% to 0.3%, buoying confidence in the worlds largest economys recovery. However, this weighed on the Greenback as investors sought out riskier assets as the global economic outlook improved.

Wednesday saw Sterling stumble following the release of the UK GDP figure for the second quarter, which plunged from -2.2% to -20.4%, its lowest level since records began.

UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak commented:

Ive said before that hard times were ahead, and todays figures confirm that hard times are here. Hundreds of thousands of people have already lost their jobs, and sadly in the coming months many more will.

The US Dollar (USD), however, also struggled on Wednesday after an improvement in Julys US CPI data further buoyed risk sentiment, leaving the Greenbacks safe-haven appeal dented.

Thursday also saw US initial jobless claims beat forecasts and ease from 1,191 thousand to 963 thousand. As a result, this further clipped the safe haven appeal of the US Dollar.

The GBP/USD exchange rate also continued to edge higher on Friday following a strong increase in the US Michigan consumer sentiment gauge for August. With the figure rising from 72.5 to 72.8, global markets heaved a sigh of relief as the worlds largest economy continues to improve.

GBP/USD Forecast: Could a Strong UK Services PMI Boost Sterling This Week?

Pound (GBP) traders will be awaiting this evenings release of the UKs Rightmove house price index for August. Any improvement would prove GBP-positive.

US Dollar (USD) investors, meanwhile, will be keeping an eye on Mondays release of the US NY Empire State manufacturing index for August. If this undershoots forecasts, however, we could see the Greenback benefit as concerns grow for the US economy.

Tuesday will see the release of the US building permits and housing starts for July. If these undercut forecasts, then we could see the GBP/USD exchange rate fall.

Pound (GBP) traders will be looking ahead to Wednesdays release of the UK CPI data for July. Any marked improvement would buoy Sterling.

US Dollar (USD) investors will be looking ahead to Wednesdays FOMC Minutes. Any dovishness about the US economy could drag down the Greenback.

Thursday will see the release of the latest US initial jobless claims. Any further improvement could drag down the USD/GBP exchange rate.

The GBP/USD exchange rate could continue its upward trajectory this week if the UK services PMI figure for August beats forecasts. As a result, Sterling would rise as the UKs largest sector shows marked improvement.
Indian agency opens testing lab for seafood exporters

August 16,2020 | Source: PTI

The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) in India has opened a quality control laboratory here to facilitate tests for seafood processors and exporters to confirm to product safety as per international regulatory requirements, the central agency said on Sunday.



The laboratory is equipped with advanced testing instruments to analyse antibiotic residues, heavy-metals, such as cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic in seafood samples and histamine in fish like tuna and mackerel, it said in a release.



The laboratory has begun efforts to secure accreditation by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and the Export Inspection Council (EIC), the MPEDA said.



The laboratory was inaugurated by MPEDA Chairman K S Srinivas through video conferencing on Saturday, it said.



Gujarat has relatively low instances of antibiotic residue in seafood exports, yet a number of cephalopod consignments are rejected overseas due to the presence of heavy metals, mainly cadmium.



This prompted MPEDA, under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to set up a QC lab in Porbandar to test seafood samples, Srinivas said.



According to the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Gujarat comes second only to Tamil Nadu in marine fish landings, contributing 7.49 lakh tonnes in 2019, said the release.



Gujarat also produced 73,842 tonnes of shrimps farmed on 9,709 hectares land, and 1,890 MT of scampi in 2019, it said.



Gujarat exported 27,9750 MT of seafood worth Rs 5,019.49 crore (USD 716.25 million) during FY 2019-20, with major export items being frozen fin fish, frozen cephalopods, dried items and frozen shrimp in terms of quantity, and fish in terms of value. Gujarat''s major markets for seafood exports are China, European Union, South-East Asia, Japan and the US.



The state is also a major exporter of surimi primarily to Japan.

 PTI

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The Akwa Ibom State Police Command said it has arrested a pastor, Mrs Mmayen Odiuotip and five others for allegedly stealing and selling a baby in 2018.

The command in a statement issued by its spokesman, Nudam Frederick, said the suspects were arrested following an intelligence report.

The 39 year-old pastor who confessed to the crime, was said to have explained that she bought the baby for her sister, one Esther Esin.

The police urged members of the public to give useful information that will help in the arrest of other child traffickers and thieves operating in the state.
Chandigarh Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday condemned the Punjab government for trying to repress the voice of the people by registering a case against former chief parliamentary secretary Virsa Singh Valtoha along with 1,000-odd others for protesting against the liquor mafia, which had caused over 120 deaths.

He added that party would not be cowed down by such repressive tactics. We will continue to agitate to ensure justice is meted out to the victims of the hooch tragedy.

Sukhbir also questioned the double standards of the Congress government on protests. He alleged that while no action was taken against Congress leaders and workers when they held any protest, the government went out of its way to target Akali workers. Former deputy CM added that junior officers were being targeted, while former Tarn Taran SSP Dhruv Dahiya who did not take action against the liquor mafia despite complaints has been rewarded with a plum posting.

Sukhbir added that besides action against liquor mafia and Congressmen who were running the racket, strict action must also be taken against distilleries from where denatured spirit was released to the mafia.
Flipkart and Amazons interest in delivering alcohol in India marks a bold move to make inroads into alcohol market worth $27.2 billion

NEW DELHI: Walmarts e-commerce platform Flipkart has partnered with a startup backed by spirits giant Diageo to deliver alcohol in two Indian states, according to government letters seen by Reuters, months after Amazon planned a similar foray.

Flipkart and Amazons interest in delivering alcohol in India marks a bold move to make inroads into an alcohol market that is worth $27.2 billion, according to estimates by IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.

The local governments of eastern West Bengal and Odisha states have said that Flipkart can be associated as a technology service provider of Diageo-backed HipBar, an Indian alcohol home delivery mobile application.

Flipkarts customers will be allowed to access HipBars application on the e-commerce giants platforms, according to the letters, which have not previously been reported.

Under the arrangement, Flipkart customers will be able to place orders for their favourite tipple, which HipBar will then deliver after collecting products from retail outlets, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.

HipBar, 26% owned by Diageo India, and Flipkart did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In June, Reuters reported that Amazon had secured clearance to deliver alcohol in West Bengal, signalling the U.S. e-commerce giants foray into the sector.

Flipkart wants to make sure that whatever consumers want, they get it. The margins (on liquor deliveries) maybe low, but for Flipkart it is about stickiness so consumer dont have to anywhere else, said a source close to Flipkart.

West Bengal is Indias fourth most populous state, with a population of more than 90 million people, while Odishas population is more than 41 million. Some states in India, like Gujarat in the west, prohibit alcohol retail.

Indias top two food-delivery startups, Swiggy and Zomato, have also started delivering alcohol in some cities, as companies look to cash in on the high demand for booze from people staying at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amazon on Friday also said it will launch an online pharmacy in India that will serve the southern city of Bengaluru.

Shoppers in India are increasingly going online to buy everything from groceries to electronics during the pandemic.
KITCHENER  Investigators are working around the clock to identify and find out more about the man who died in a fiery car explosion in front of the courthouse in downtown Kitchener on Friday.

The major crime unit has taken over the investigation, said Cherri Greeno, spokesperson for the Waterloo Regional Police Service.

The investigation is very active. Officers are working around the clock to determine the identification and possible motive.

Police are waiting for results from the coroners post-mortem to possibly confirm the individuals identity. They are not looking for any more suspects.

We believe the person in the vehicle is the person responsible for the incident, said Greeno.

Waterloo Regional Police say there is no further concern to public safety after searching and clearing two residences connected to the vehicle explosion.

The searched homes were on Hearthwood Drive and Grand Flats Trail in Kitchener. The Waterloo Regional Police Services Explosive Disposal Unit, with the help of the Peel Regional Police Explosives Disposal Unit, searched the areas and found them clear on Friday.

Houses near the residences in question were also evacuated during the search.

Any area that officers had concerns about would have been evacuated. That would include residences as well as the courthouse, said Greeno.

Greeno said that any further information, including from witness statements, video surveillance or other sources, will contribute to identifying the man in the vehicle and his motive.

A suspected improvised explosive device is determined to be the cause of the explosion. Police say the man in the vehicle was responsible for the explosion, but will not yet call the event a suicide.

Right now we are looking at all possible motives, said Greeno.

Any information on the investigation will be released to the public via social media channels and media releases, she said.

It was a shocking incident, said Greeno. We recognize the public concern and interest.

The man died in the vehicle explosion Friday morning, while parked on Duke Street near Frederick Street beside the courthouse. Witnesses said they heard a loud noise like a gunshot, and then saw the vehicle go up in flames.

RELATED STORIES Waterloo Region Suspected bomber dies in vehicle explosion outside Kitchener courthouse

Firefighters were able to put out the fire, and the Waterloo Regional Police Explosive Disposal Unit was on scene until late afternoon.

On Saturday, all that remained of the site of the explosion was a scorch mark on the road. Bits of asphalt looked melted, and stray metal seemed glued onto the road from the heat.

The courthouse itself was built to withstand explosions from within. Made of mostly concrete and shatterproof glass, it is designed to collapse on itself and then stabilize.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 519-570-9777. Anonymous tips can also be left with Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
In the pitched battle over Ontarios back-to-school plan, advocates say a glaring issue is being largely ignored, one that is critical for tens of thousands of families and increases the potential COVID-19 risk for elementary schools, even if class sizes shrink: Before- and after-school programs.

With September just weeks away, child-care advocates say there has been an abdication of responsibility by the province to ensure these programs are safe and viable, further fuelling parental anxiety and leaving child-care providers and school boards scrambling.

Before- and after-school care is a lifeline for many parents whose working hours dont align with the school day but they can also see up to 30 kids mixing in a single space, often from different classrooms or even schools  meaning they could be part of two cohorts or even three, if they take the bus.

Recently released guidelines on before-and-after-care fall short of addressing the most pressing concerns, some advocates and providers say. Its a blind spot they worry could threaten these programs  and the families that will suffer most are the same ones that have been hardest hit by COVID-19.

In other words, people who are marginalized and people who are racialized, said Julet Allen, program director with the Delta Family Resource Centre in northwest Toronto, which operates two after-school programs. Women who are impoverished and have no choice but to be out there.

Ontario school boards are mandated by law to offer before- and after-school programs for students from kindergarten to Grade 6. In Toronto alone, the public and Catholic boards support roughly 500 such programs, often located in school classrooms or gyms, and which have a range of operators, including licenced daycares and community centres.

Meredith Beyer-Alldridges children, 6 and 8, are enrolled in Beatty Buddies, an after-school program in their Coxwell-Danforth-area school. She says the program has been a wonderful experience for our kids at a time when were not really able to give them any kind of active attention.

School itself does not fulfil the needs of families where both parents, or single parents, are working, she said.

But whats not being talked about enough is that before- and after-school programs basically negate the whole cohorting idea, said Amy ONeil, director of Treetop Childrens Centre at Oriole Park Junior Public School in midtown Toronto.

It exposes those kids to other cohorts during the day, she said, and then they come back to us at the end of the day. Its a huge risk.

These programs do increase the vulnerability of the entire system, said Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist with Toronto General Hospital and the University of Toronto. This means they will need safety measures as stringent as those for classrooms  if not more so.

(They) just increase the size of a potential outbreak, Bogoch said. And its kind of a matter of time. Even though we have low rates of community transmission now, at some point in time someones going to go to a school, or an after-school program, with COVID-19.

On Thursday, the education ministry released COVID-19 operational guidance for before- and after-school providers that includes policies for masking, screening, cleaning of shared spaces and physical distancing. It recommends limiting the mixing of cohorts by making best efforts to group the before- and after-school program class with the same core day class and using large, well-ventilated spaces ... or outdoor spaces as much as possible.

The ministry recognizes that there are unique challenges in planning for the delivery of before- and after-school programs in the current context, a spokesperson said in an email. As part of this planning, school boards are encouraged to consider strategies to limit the interactions between groups of students as much as possible.

The spokesperson said the province, in partnership with the federal government, is providing $234.6 million to keep children and staff safe in child-care settings, including before- and after-school programs, but did not say how much of this funding they would get or when the money would flow.

Carolyn Ferns of the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care has been pressing the government for months for direction and funding. She said the guidelines are a slap in the face.

As time marched on, and we were told, Were working on it. There will be an announcement, you hope that it will be good, that they will have listened to what everyone has been trying to say, she said. And then when ... the opening of the school year is breathing down everyones neck, to come out with something that comes up as short as this, it just does leave everyone really scrambling.

Its wrong and an abdication of responsibility by the minister of education, she said.

Providers of several before- and after-school programs in Toronto told the Star the guidelines lack clear directives on the big questions, such as how to limit interactions between multiple cohorts of kids.

They also expressed concerns about being allowed to operate at full capacity. This could mean up to 30 kids in a single classroom, which could make physical distancing impossible without more space and staff  the same issue that has drawn fire from educators and parents opposed to regular class sizes for elementary students.

Its just a wishy-washy recommendation that covers their liability. It really falls short on specific details, said ONeil. It completely downloads the responsibility onto school boards and operators to make it work.

In an email, a spokesperson for the Toronto District School Board outlined steps it is taking to address before- and after-school programs  for example, maintaining attendance lists, a measure Toronto Public Health said is strongly recommended because it will help with contact tracing. Both the TDSB and Toronto Catholic District School Board said they would be following health and safety protocols.

But with time running out, its a scramble, and even tiny details can turn into logistical nightmares. For the YMCA of Greater Toronto (which has about 26,000 licenced spaces for before-and-after care), one issue right now is figuring out snacks, said Linda Cottes, senior vice-president of child and family development.

To safely prepare food, staff need a sink and fridge, Cottes said. In pre-COVID times, this usually meant using a staff room  but many are now being closed. While this may seem like a minor issue, its one the YMCA now has to troubleshoot for more than 280 programs across 14 different school boards.

Providers are now surveying families to find out their plans for before-and-after care. Its a fraught choice for Joelle Kolodny, a single mom in East York, whose son is supposed to start in junior kindergarten at her neighbourhood school in September.

Last week, she was waiting to find out if her son still had a spot at Beatty Buddies, the after-care program Beyer-Alldridges children attend. But putting her son in after-care would jeopardize his ability to interact with his grandparents, a major source of support. Joining a private learning pod wont work either, because she would still need after-care.

I havent found a solution, she said. Im truly panicked.

Some providers are wondering whether they will be able to meet demand. Others, faced with reduced numbers and added protocols, are curbing hours.

At Delta Family Resource Centre, director Kemi Jacobs said her after-school program for kids from 8 to 13 at St. Roch Catholic School can only continue to operate safely if they receive more funding to increase staffing and classroom space. (The Toronto Catholic District School Board did not respond to questions about Deltas program by deadline.)

The programs community is in Torontos northwest corner, which has been hardest-hit by COVID, said Allen. Many families rely on Deltas after-school program because it is free and kids who use it may have other risk factors for COVID, perhaps living in overcrowded homes or with relatives in high-risk jobs.

For now, Allen is planning to move the program online. But she knows this wont cut it for low-income parents like Laurentia, who asked that the Star not publish her surname to protect her kids from stigma.

Before moving from Nigeria to Canada in 2018, Laurentia was a doctor. But in Toronto, she was unemployed and could only look for work while her 9-year-old son was at school.

It was only when she found Deltas after-school program for her son  and daycare for her toddler  that she finally got work at a factory.

If not for them, I dont know what I would have done, she said of Delta, breaking down in tears. They just took away all my stress from me.

When the pandemic hit, Laurentia was earning $15 an hour as a secretary at a medical clinic but had to stop working when her toddlers daycare closed. Shes been scraping by ever since  so Laurentia knows she has no choice but to send her son back to school.

And if he has nowhere to go after dismissal? Its a scary thought, she said. I dont want to go there.
Outer Banks star Chase Stokes plays John B., the Pogue leader on the hunt for $400 million in gold. Though Stokes is a few years older than his teenage role, he has many things in common with his fictional self.

Chase Stokes | Netflix

Chase Stokes is a talented actor

Before he became John B., Stokes was featured in another Netflix series  Stranger Things.

In a quick season 1 cameo, Stokes portrayed the jerk, Reed, who passed Nancy (Natalia Dyer) and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) as they plotted to take down the creates in the Upside Down.

Now, Stokes is widely known for his role in Outer Banks. His portrayal of John B. is often compared to other heartthrobs like To All the Boys Ive Loved Befores Noah Centineo and Dumplins Luke Benward.

To be in that category is awesome, Stokes told TMRW.

Chase almost turned down the role

When Stokes was first offered the role of John B., he turned it down.

The first time I got the audition it was the most bland email Ive ever got, Stokes told Barstool Sports Chicks in the Office. It was four friends on a treasure hunt, Netflix, and the characters name was John B. So I was like, This is f*ucking Goonies. Its a Goonies reboot. I said no.

Stokes agent, who is friends with showrunner Jonas Pate, ultimately talking him into change his mind. And for that, Stokes is grateful.

Its one of those really fun projects where not only is it a fun character and not only is everyone great [to work with], but the story [is] so interesting, he told Showbiz Cheat Sheet.

John B. and Chase Stokes both have girlfriends

In the Netflix series, John B. falls in love with Sarah Cameron, a Kook from the islands wealthy side. Ironically, that Madelyn Cline plays that part  shes also Stokes girlfriend in real life.

Cats outta the bag, Stokes announced on Instagram June 14. The two met on the set of Outer Banks and have only recently made more information about their relationship public.

Chase Stokes and John B. are both very active

Happy that he took the role, Stokes has found that he and his character have a lot in common.

RELATED: Outer Banks Star Chase Stokes Talks About Working With Kygo on the Next Summer Anthem

[Playing John B. is] very much an homage to my upbringing, Stokes told Nylon. I grew up in Florida between Coco Beach and downtown Orlando. [I] spent a lot of time at Coco Beach [and] surfed there all through high school.

Embracing the surfer lifestyle isnt the only thing Stokes has in common with John B.

Like John B., Chase Stokes has a rebellious side

In Outer Banks, the Pogues know how to party. Some of the more rebellious Pogues hosted a keg party on the beach  something Stokes is somewhat familiar with.

I was kind of a rebel in my early high school years, he explained to Nylon. Wed go down to the beach and break into the surf shop pool, use fake IDs at the Hilton, and get whatever beers we could.

Stokes said he and his friends would dig holes in the sand, use their surfboards as roofs, and enjoy a few beverages.

You know, be underage drinking some beers, he added. John B and myself definitely have some similarities and that lifestyle.
6 Years After Pakistani Military Operation, Some in North Waziristan Still Await Damage Surveys

By Adnan Bitani, Niala Mohammad August 15, 2020

It has been six years since the Pakistani military launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan to eliminate Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), but the mountainous region of northwest Pakistan is still in ruins, according to local residents.

Frustration toward the Pakistan government and military, which seems to have abandoned North Waziristan residents after liberating them from the TTP and its foreign affiliates like al-Qaida in June 2014, is only growing.

"We are living on completely demolished land," lamented Talibdeen, a local resident from the district's Machas village.

"My children are crying because they want their home. We don't have access to clean water or facilities such as schools, hospitals and medical dispensaries. When we were returning, they gave us two tents," he told VOA. "We used our own cloth and wood poles to create a wall around the area where our house once stood, but when the weather is bad, the cloth tears apart, and our women struggle to stitch it together again."

The village near North Waziristan's district capital, Miranshah, is just 11 miles from Afghanistan's southeastern border. Residents told VOA that despite being near the district center, they have no access to basic necessities such as potable water and electricity. Locals have been waiting for the government to rebuild the area and compensate them for their homes.

A half-million displaced

According to the U.N. Human Rights Council (UNHCR), some 500,000 people fled their homes during the Pakistani military operations in the area.

Some residents told VOA that structural damage caused by operations, in conjunction with drone strikes against militant groups, have left many of their homes uninhabitable.

Under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistani government in 2014 announced compensation for those displaced by the fighting. Each returnee household was granted a stipend of 25,000 Pakistani Rupees ($250 USD), a 10,000 ($100 USD) transportation allowance, and up to 400,000 ($4,000 USD) in reconstruction aid based on the level of damage to their homes.

In March, the Pakistani government also approved repatriation for some 750 internally displaced families from Machas.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), a federal government entity designated to handle natural and man-made disasters, told VOA that there are still 15,222 internally displaced families that are scheduled to return to their villages in North Waziristan.

PDMA spokesperson Ihsan Dawar said existing internally displaced persons (IDPs) receive 12,000 rupees per family each month. Those returning to their village are provided with a return grant, transportation allowance, basic necessities and a food ration for up to six months until the Pakistani government conducts its damage-assessment survey for final compensation.

"The PDMA is only responsible for disaster management," Dawar told VOA. "Conducting surveys to assess damages caused to properties is the responsibility of the local administration. The PDMA can only issue compensation to individuals authorized by the local administration through their survey reports."

Unfulfilled promises

Many residents say they have been waiting desperately for months with no sign that the local government will evaluate their damaged homes anytime soon. The slow pace of reconstruction and lack of services means they must depend on their own limited resources for months to come as winter approaches.

"The government promised us that officials would carry out a survey to assess our needs within a week of our return. It's been almost six months, and not one government official has come to survey the area," said Noor Adam Khan, an IDP Committee Member and resident of Machas.

"We have no water or schools in place for our children. They are completely illiterate!" Khan told VOA. "We have no electricity, and it is hot. We have no medical dispensariesif our children get sick, they are at the mercy of God. The government promised us these things but has not fulfilled its promises."

Local officials, however, say surveys are almost complete, with Machas being an exception due the spread of coronavirus.

"Most of the areas have been surveyed. Survey for Machas village could not take place due to closing of survey due to COVID-19 in March 2020," the office of the deputy commissioner of North Waziristan told VOA, adding that surveying will resume "shortly."

Corruption

Some Pakistan observers say rebuilding the area in the past has been impeded by corruption and the misappropriation of funds by some local authorities.

Shuja Nawaz, a South Asian political analyst and director of the South Asia Center at the Atlantic Council in Washington, told VOA that any future success in reconstructing in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) is contingent upon local authorities delivering sources to recipients without "leakage."

"From 2002 till 2018, Pakistan received $8.3 billion in security assistance from the United States and an additional $14.6 billion for moving their military and carrying out operations in FATA," Nawaz said, adding that Pakistan claims that the cost of fighting terrorism in the district was far more than they had estimated in the past.

In 2018, North Waziristan became a district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with the merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The FATA Research Center, a nonpartisan Pakistani group, reported that North Waziristan between 2018 and 2019 alone had a total of 102 terrorism-related incidents resulting in 110 deaths.

Local media in the region have reported a rise in targeted killings of civilians this year, including instances of beheadings and assaults on security forces by "unidentified attackers."

Some experts warn that increased militant activity and the government's continued failure to provide basic services could leave more residents vulnerable to recruitment by insurgency groups.

According to Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Program and Senior Associate for South Asia at the Wilson Center, North Waziristan in the past was "ground zero" for local as well as international terror groups.

While the Pakistani military's 2014 counterterrorism operation succeeded in degrading some militant groups, other groups viewed as less of a threat to Islamabad continue to take refuge in the area, Kugelman said.

"It's also important to keep in mind that in these operations, the Pakistanis mainly targeted groups like the [TPP] that attack the Pakistani state, and not those like the Haqqani network that are used as state assets to help pursue Pakistan's interests and are based in Pakistan but stage attacks outside the country," he said.

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Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad Esco) and Moro Hub (Data Integrated Solutions), both wholly-owned subsidiaries of Dewa to join Moros newly launched Smart Cities Command and Control Centre.



Etihad Esco will now benefit from Moro Hubs world class digital, cloud and secured services while bringing its expertise in measurement and verification, energy monitoring and management and facility management.



As a Dubai 10X enabler, Moro Hub's Smart Cities Command and Control Centre provides services in Intelligent IoT Platforms, Cyber Security and Managed Services to support the Government and Enterprise customers in their digital transformation journey.



The agreement was signed by Mohamed Bin Sulaiman, CEO of Moro Hub and Ali Al Jassim, CEO of Etihad Energy Services (Etihad Esco).



Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dewa, said: Now Etihad Esco will have complete access to all the advantages of the command and control centre without compromising on data security and business continuity. This collaboration is in alignment with Dubai 10X initiatives and UAEs Sustainable Development Goals.



Through the UAEs Green Agenda, the country aims to catalyze regional and global cooperation for a green economy transformation. This aligns with our mission at Etihad Esco, to make Dubai built environment a leading example of energy efficiency for the region and the world and make the city one of the most sustainable globally.



In this regard, Moro Hubs Smart Cities Command and Control Centre is a perfect platform that could offer us innovative digital capabilities to meet our objectives. We are thrilled to be a part of this growing ecosystem, he added.



Under this agreement, Etihad Esco will accelerate their businesses and management services powered by emerging smart technologies to facilitate valuable savings. Moro Hub's cutting-edge Smart Cities Command and Control Centre enables Government and Enterprise clients to fast track the adoption of new-age digital technologies such as IoT, Cyber Security, Cloud and more. The centre allows digital leaders to make well-informed decisions based on data-driven analysis.  TradeArabia News Service
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 16) While the country has been seeing consecutive spikes in daily recorded COVID-19 cases, the province of Batanes has remained free from the coronavirus.

How did the province manage to keep the mysterious virus at bay?

CNN Philippines spoke to Batanes governor Marilou Cayco to learn more about the local governments initiatives and practices to battle the COVID-19 crisis:

Island location

Cayco, in an interview with Newsroom Weekend on Sunday, admitted the provinces far-flung location played a part in containing the entry of the virus.

Malaking advantage 'yung isla kami at mahirap mapuntahan. At mahal pong pumunta sa Batanes (Its a big advantage that were an island and its hard to travel here. Its also expensive to go here), Cayco said when asked how the province maintained its virus-free status.

Early lockdown, preventive measures

Lockdown and other health measures were also implemented early, as the provincial government has been monitoring the coronavirus situation in China where the disease outbreak started as early as December.

Cayco said the local government has also assigned coronavirus monitoring teams in the provinces ports since January.

Alam ko na maraming kabuhayan at trabaho ang maaapektuhan pag sinara namin ang Batanes. Pero, namili rin kami ekonomiya ba o kalusugan? Siyempre, pinili nami ang kalusugan, the governor said.

[Translation: I know there will be a lot of workers who will be affected once we close Batanes to visitors but we chose between health and economy. Of course, we chose health.]

Around 1,500 workers in Batanes have been displaced due to the COVID-19 lockdown, Cayco said. The quarantine measures also translated to a 500-million loss for the local tourism industry, she added.

Cayco said the affected employees not included in the national governments social amelioration program were provided a 3,000 cash assistance. Livelihood loans were also presented for other residents affected by the pandemic.

Good coordination between agencies

Cayco likewise gave credit to both the public and private sectors, which she said coordinated well with each other amid the health crisis.

She commended the work done by the areas medical frontliners, local officials, backliners, and uniformed personnel, among others.

LSIs welcome, but strict quarantine needed

Cayco stressed the locally stranded individuals coming from Metro Manila are welcome home, provided they observe strict quarantine protocols.

We accept LSI but we strictly implement the 14-day quarantine closely monitored by frontliners and men in uniform. Mahigpit ho kami doon (Were very strict when it comes to this), she added.

To date, over 300 LSIs have been transported to the province.

Residents compliance

Lastly, the governor lauded Batanes residents for their discipline, compliance with health protocols, as well as their common sense of community and responsibility factors she said that have immensely helped the province in its fight against the pandemic.

Earlier this month, the provinces of Siquijor, Aurora, and Quirino all reported their first cases of the virus after months of being COVID-free.

COVID-19 infections in the country have surpassed 157,000, with over 4,000 new cases reported on Saturday.
Brussels, Aug 15: The European Union (EU) has reached its first agreement to purchase a potential vaccine against COVID-19 once it is proven to be safe and effective, the European Commission said.

The deal, made on Friday with the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, would secure the purchase of at least 300 million doses on behalf of the EU member states, reports Xinhua news agency. World's First COVID-19 Vaccine Developed by Russia, President Vladimir Putin Claims His Daughter Given First Dose.

The products could also be donated to lower and middle income countries or redirected to other European countries.

The advance purchase agreement was reached after weeks of negotiations with AstraZeneca, according to Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.

She said work is ongoing to bring more candidates into a broad EU vaccines portfolio.

The Commission's president Ursula von der Leyen described the agreement as "the first cornerstone" in implementing the Commission's Vaccines Strategy, which would enable the access to vaccines for Europeans and their partners in the world.

Friday's announcement follows earlier ones that confirmed the conclusion of exploratory talks for vaccines supply with Sanofi-GSK on July 31 and with Johnson & Johnson on August 13.

Kyriakides had earlier said that the first vaccine against COVID-19 may be available towards the end of this year or early next year.

She added that the vaccine may not solve all the problems right away, but will "gradually allow a return to normality" once a "critical mass of citizens, especially among the risk groups" have been vaccinated.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 15, 2020 10:44 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Karachi:

Pakistani security forces claimed to have thwarted a possible attack on an Imambargah of minority Shias after killing a suspected suicide bomber during Friday prayers in Hyderabad city of Sindh province.

One suspected suicide bomber was gunned down while another managed to escape from the spot, a spokesperson for the Pakistan Rangers said.

He said the two suspected suicide bombers tried to enter the Imambargah, worship place of Shias, during Friday prayers in Latifabad area of the city.

"One of the bomber's hurled a hand grenade at a Rangers vehicle parked near the Imambargah while another tried to enter the premises but was shot dead," the spokesperson said.

A suicide vest with explosives was recovered from the killed militant. Bomb disposal squad defused the explosives.

He said the Rangers were carrying out a house-to-house search for the other suspected bomber who managed to flee in the crowded and congested neighbourhood.

Sectarian attacks on Imambargahs and the minority Shia Muslims are common in Pakistan with radical and outlawed militant groups claiming responsibility for such deadly attacks which have killed hundreds in the last a few years.

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At least 18 people were shot, including four killed, as gunfire erupted in several places around Cincinnati overnight, authorities said Sunday, as images showed firefighters using bleach to clean blood off of the city's streets.

Officers responded just after 12.30am Sunday to the Avondale neighborhood and found 21-year-old Antonio Blair with gunshot wounds, police said in a statement.

He was taken to University Hospital and died there, they said. Three other gunshot victims were also taken to the hospital.

At about 2.15am, officers responded to a report of gunfire in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood where 10 people were shot, police said.

One died at the scene and another at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center; they were identified in a statement as 34-year-old Robert Rogers and 30-year-old Jaquiez Grant.

At least 18 people were shot, including four killed, as gunfire erupted in several places around Cincinnati overnight, authorities said Sunday, as images showed firefighters using bleach to clean blood off of the city's streets

Cincinnati firefighters use a hose to clean and remove pools of blood left at the scene of a mass shooting near Grant Park in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati on Sunday

Three people were shot at about midnight Saturday in the Walnut Hills neighborhood, about a block away from the Harriet Beecher Stowe house, police said.

News outlets reported the shootings took place within 60 to 90 minutes of each other, but Assistant Police Chief Paul Neudigate told reporters that they 'seem to be separate independent incidents but horrific and tragic'.

Police didn't immediately provide details about the fourth fatal shooting but confirmed that it occurred on the city's West End, where television news reports indicated that one person was shot later Sunday morning and was pronounced dead at the scene.

No suspect information was immediately available in any of the cases.

'One extremely violent night in the city of Cincinnati,' Neudigate had said before the fourth shooting was announced. 'Why? That's going to be the question.'

Cincinnati's police chief later Sunday called the level of violence 'unacceptable'.

'I am calling on all citizens of this great city to say enough is enough! We must not sit by silently and say we cant do anything to end gun violence,' Chief Eliot Isaac said in a statement.

'We all have a moral obligation to stop the violence and stop the killing in our communities.'

Police tape blocks off the front entrance of the Chalfonte Plaza apartment building at the scene of a shooting Chalfonte Place in the Avondale neighborhood of Cincinnati on Sunday

Party cups are left at the scene of a mass shooting near Grant Park in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati on Sunday

A blood stain is labeled with an evidence marker at the scene of a shooting on Chalfonte Place in the Avondale neighborhood of Cincinnati on Sunday

Police said the department would shift officers from other assignments to beef up the number of uniformed officers in the affected communities and would call on federal prosecutors and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives 'to focus on repeat shooters and aggressively bring illegal gun charges.'

Mayor John Cranley called it 'senseless gun violence that ruined lives and will cause immeasurable suffering' at a time the city was facing 'unprecedented circumstances and challenges' in fighting crime during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the city has seen an uptick as people gather in private homes and public places when the bars close.

'Guns are far too prevalent at these gatherings. Please do not attend gatherings because you could end up as an innocent victim,' he said in a statement.

Bystanders look around the scene of a shooting on Chalfonte Place in the Avondale neighborhood on Sunday

The Cincinnati Police crime scene unit is parked at the scene of a mass shooting near Grant Park on McMicken Avenue in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood on Sunday

He stressed, however, that those firing were responsible for the shootings - which he called 'attempted or actual murder' - and vowed to bring them to justice.

'I am also calling on everyone to help put an end this culture of resolving personal disputes with guns as well as to reduce the far too prevalent availability of illegal guns on our streets,' he said.

'The very sad reality is people are getting in trouble when they have nowhere to go and nothing to do.'

In July, a report from the Enquirer revealed that the city had experienced a rise in shootings and homicides from gun violence during the first half of the year as compared to the same time period in 2019.
Tropical Storm Josephine Closer to Land, Kyle Moving Away

MIAMITropical Storm Kyle moved away from the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States Saturday afternoon as Tropical Storm Josephine continued its crawl north of islands in the Caribbean.

Threats to land appeared to be minimal from both storms, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Centers 5 p.m. advisories. Kyle was centered 715 miles (1,150 kilometers) southwest of Cape Race, Newfoundland, Canada, while Josephine was 160 miles (255 kilometers) northeast of the northern Leeward Islands.

Josephine had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph), forecasters said, and was tracking west-northwest at 17 mph (28 kph), while Kyle was churning east-northeast at 22 mph (35 kph). Kyles maximum sustained winds were clocked at 50 mph (85 kph).

No coastal watches or warnings were in effect for either storm. Josephine was forecast to bring 1 to 3 inches (3 to 8 centimeters) of rain to parts of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

Its been an active Atlantic hurricane season and forecasters predict several more named storms are on the way.

So far this year, Cristobal, Danielle, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, Isaias, Josephine, and Kyle have set records for being the earliest named Atlantic storms of their respective place in the alphabet. Only Hanna and Isaias this year have developed into hurricanes.

Before Kyle, the earliest K-named storm was Katrina, which formed Aug. 24, 2005, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach.

Isaias killed two people in the Caribbean earlier this month. Several others across multiple U.S. states were then killed when the storm made landfall in North Carolina and moved through the East Coast, leading to floods, tornadoes, fires, and widespread power outages.

Last month, Hurricane Hanna slammed the Texas Gulf Coast with high winds and rains that flooded streets and knocked out power across the region.
Mayank Singh And Pushkar Banakar By

NEW DELHI: From the ramparts of the Red Fort on Indias 74th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a message to both Pakistan and China, saying those who pose a threat to the countrys sovereignty will be responded to firmly.

From LoC (Line of Control) to LAC (Line of Actual Control), whoever tried to raise their eyes towards the sovereignty of our country, our soldiers responded to it in the same language. Referring to the clash with China in June at Galwan Valley in Ladakh, Modi said: Indias integrity is supreme for us. What our jawans can do to safeguard the country, the world saw that in Ladakh.

Today, I salute all those brave soldiers from the Red Fort. Hailing the PMs statement, Lt-Gen VK Chaturvedi, security analyst, said it gave a direction for future. The speech marked a confident and clear message to both China and Pakistan that they will be given befitting reply to their every nefarious plan, he said. Lt-Gen Gurmit Singh, fFormer Deputy Chief of Army Staff, feels five words used by the PM summed up his message to China and Pakistan.

CDS General Bipin Rawat during 74th I-Day function at the Red Fort | PTI

He used LAC, expansionism, Ladakh, LoC and terrorism in such a manner that it summed up the situations on ground. But nobody can threaten our sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Lt-Gen Singh.Diplomatic experts, too felt, Modis speech re-emphasised Indias clear message to China and Pakistan and also to the world. The PM is reiterating his earlier statement that anyone who casts an evil eye on India will be given a befitting reply.

He also mentioned expansionism, which is an indication that the situation in eastern Ladakh is still tense, BR Deepak, sinologist and chairperson of the Centre for Chinese and South Asian Studies at JNU, said. Deepak was of the opinion that Modis mention of LAC indicates the mechanisms at the military and diplomatic levels have not achieved the desired results.

It could also be interpreted that we are not going to see the highest level political engagement to end the stand-off as was the case during the Doklam standoff, he said. A former diplomat, who did not wish to be named, said Modis message to Pakistan and China is a stern one. Since the face-off along the LAC and the ever-present tension with Pakistan, the message is now loud and clear that Indias territorial integrity is of paramount importance and there would be no compromise on it.
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Iran on Saturday hailed a UN Security Council vote rejecting a US bid to extend an arms embargo on the Islamic republic, saying its foe has never been so isolated.

President Hassan Rouhani said the US had failed to kill off what he called the half alive 2015 deal with major powers that gave Iran relief from sanctions in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme.

The United States failed in this conspiracy with humiliation, said Rouhani.

This day will go down in the history of our Iran and in the history of fighting global arrogance.

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Only two of the Councils 15 members voted in favour of the US resolution seeking to extend the embargo, highlighting the division between Washington and its European allies since President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear accord in 2018.

Washingtons European allies all abstained, and Iran mocked the Trump administration for winning the support of just one other country, the Dominican Republic.

In the 75 years of United Nations history, America has never been so isolated, foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi tweeted.

Despite all the trips, pressure and the hawking, the United States could only mobilise a small country (to vote) with them.

People on the streets of Tehran had mixed reactions.

This is an American political game. One day they give a resolution to the Security Council, the next they say they have taken Iranian fuel, said a worker at the citys Grand Bazaar who gave his name only as Ahmadi.

A drugstore employee named Abdoli told AFP she was happy Iran won, but added that it should interact with the United States and establish relations.

The result increases the likelihood the US will try to unilaterally force a return of UN sanctions, which experts say threatens to plunge the Council into one of its worst-ever diplomatic crises.

 Inexcusable 

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, on a visit to Poland on Saturday, made it clear the United States would press on despite the defeat at the UN.

It is unfortunate that the French and the United Kingdom didnt support what the Gulf states have demanded, what the Israelis have demanded I regret that deeply, Pompeo told reporters in Warsaw.

The United States is determined to make sure that the Iranians and this regime, this theocratic regime does not have the capacity to inflict even more harm on the world.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced a scandalous UN vote.

Iranian terrorism and aggression threaten the peace of the region and the entire world. Instead of opposing weapons sales, the Security Council is encouraging them, he said.

The State of Israel will continue to act with full force against whoever seeks to undermine its security, added Netanyahu.

The embargo on conventional arms is due to expire on October 18 under the terms of a resolution that blessed the Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Since Trump pulled out of the JCPOA and slapped unilateral sanctions on Iran, Tehran has taken small but escalatory steps away from compliance with the accord as it presses for sanctions relief.

European allies of the United States  who, along with Russia and China, signed the deal with Iran  have voiced support for extending the 13-year-long conventional arms embargo, saying an expiry threatens stability in the Middle East.

However, their priority is to preserve the JCPOA.

The US text, seen by AFP, effectively called for an indefinite extension of the embargo on Iran, which diplomats said would threaten the nuclear deal.

Iran says it has the right to self-defence and that a continuation of the ban would mean an end to the agreement.

Apart from 11 abstentions, Russia and China opposed the resolution.

The result shows again that unilateralism enjoys no support, and bullying will fail, Chinas UN mission tweeted.

 Snapback 

Ambassador Gunter Sautter of Germany, which abstained, said more consultations are needed to find a solution acceptable to all Council members.

During a call between Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, the leaders discussed the urgent need for UN action to extend the arms embargo on Iran.

Hours earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin appealed to China, France, Russia, Britain, the US, Germany and Iran to convene an emergency video summit to avoid an escalation of tensions in the Gulf.

Washington has threatened to try to force a return of UN sanctions if it is not extended by using a controversial technique called snapback.

Pompeo has offered the contested argument that the US remains a participant in the JCPOA 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.

European allies have been sceptical on whether Washington can force sanctions and warn the attempt may delegitimise the Security Council.

Nevertheless, the US is expected to deliver the snapback letter next week, AFP understands.

Analysts suspect Washington purposely put forward a hardline draft that it knew Council members would not be able to accept.

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Joe Biden is back, beating up Donald Trump.

So where is Steven Del Duca? And why cant he lay a glove on Doug Ford, let alone make a mark of his own?

The little-known leader of Ontarios fledgling Liberals, Del Duca insists he is working on his vision  and visibility. But the pandemic, which took root just as he won a leadership race in March, has changed the face of Ford  and altered the political map.

Del Ducas path to victory  within the party and across the province  has always relied heavily on the premiers self-defeating ways. Now that Ford is staging an unprecedented comeback, reinventing himself in a COVID-19 crisis, the Liberal leader remains in political limbo.

There has never been a level playing field for opposition politicians in Ontario  voters dont pay them much heed between elections  but rarely have the Liberals been quite so sidelined by a premier dominating the agenda. Now, Del Duca is trying to raise his profile, though not quite as successfully as Biden, the Democratic challenger in the U.S. presidential campaign.

On Friday, he gamely appeared in the Queens Park media studio to critique the premiers performance, taking questions from reporters who phoned in remotely. After delivering his opening statement, he waited for someone  anyone  to ask him something  anything.

Mercifully, as Del Duca took a long gulp of water, one questioner spoke up. Mercilessly, no other reporters had anything to ask, forcing a somewhat sheepish moderator to shut down the news conference for lack of news.

Moments later, one floor above, Ford convened his daily media availability to a predictably bigger and keener audience  a queue of journalists waiting with an endless list of questions. And an increasingly avuncular yet quotable premier  once unpredictable, now unflappable  patiently fielded and deflected their queries.

One consolation for Del Duca is that his opposition rival, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, isnt making any headway either  overshadowed by Ford and overtaken in the polls by the Liberals. New Democrats hold the title of Official Opposition thanks to their 40 seats in the legislature, compared to a mere eight seats held by the Liberals  who lack official party status and even a seat for their new leader (the Tories have 72 seats)  but after 11 years as leader, Horwath isnt gaining traction or reclaiming the agenda.

The Liberals stole a march on both Tories and New Democrats by putting out their own detailed plan for a safe return to schools amid COVID-19. A costly road map, it may yet get a second wind if the public loses faith in the governments blueprint.

Citing his four years in the last Liberal cabinet, when he oversaw transportation and then economic development, Del Duca says he will offer substantive economic ideas in the 2022 election campaign because politicians cannot merely press the flesh as in the past, nor offer traditional economic prescriptions amid the devastation of a pandemic. Nor can Ontarios Liberals count on the anti-Ford wave that dragged the Tories down last year.

The pandemic has for sure changed peoples perspectives on leaders, Del Duca told me. The pandemic has also changed the way people are consuming their political information.

That means a reduced appetite for partisan spats, which is one reason hes in no hurry to seek a seat in a byelection to engage in question period combat. Del Duca says he has reached out to Ford personally, speaking by phone three times to suggest policy ideas in mid-pandemic.

The party will focus instead on long-term election planning and policy, with Del Duca unveiling more detailed ideas later this year. With massive deficit spending by the Tories to cope with COVID-19, they will have a harder time casting themselves as prudent fiscal stewards and perpetual tax fighters in the next campaign.

In the next election, the most important currency isnt going to be cash, its going to be ideas, Del Duca says.

But cash is still king in politics, forcing him to deal with the $6-million party debt he inherited  now down to less than half that. He is immersed in an internal Liberal restructuring  eliminating party membership fees in hopes of broadening its base beyond the current 40,000, recruiting more candidates under 30, increasing diversity and achieving gender parity.

Recent polling shows Fords Tories far out in front again, with the Liberals trailing and the NDP even further behind. Regardless of Fords current resurrection, Liberal strategists believe their pathway to recovery is through once-loyal ridings that went NDP in the 2018 election  the Liberal vote count dipped by 1.5 million in the last election, with two-thirds of that going to Horwaths New Democrats when supporters tried to avert a Tory majority.

Liberals believe those lost voters are the partys best bet for a revival. Constrained by COVID-19, starved of cash, short on charisma, Del Duca wants to get the message out that hes banking on policy over personality.

Stay tuned  more is coming.

Read more about:
100 Years Ago  1920: Gambling operations in this city were given a jolt Saturday night when Chief of Police Deavenport gave orders that the police were to notify the gambling house proprietors that they must close their doors. He also ordered the police to look sharp for houses of ill fame of every degree and report their observations to him, and, in general, make a clean-up of the city. The Philadelphia papers have stated that the police authorities of that city declared, that the gamblers and what not cleared from that town have been locating in this city and this county.

75 Years Ago  1945: No one will ever know how many tons of waste paper, confetti and streamers were swirled around the streets of Chester in the twin celebrations Tuesday night and yesterday, and probably no one cars. But it all has to be cleared up and the city has had its sweeper busy since yesterday getting rid of the worst of it and making ready for the return of the white wings and truck men after their official holiday. These workers will dispose of what is left by the sweeper.

50 Years Ago  1970: A new Civil Air Patrol Squadron is starting in Marple Newtown and will be under the direction of Commander Stanten Altzman, of 611 N. Jackson St., Media. Altzman, who has been active in the Civil Air Patrol for 15 years, said the new squadron was the result of interest among boys at Marple Newtown High School. Altzman said the organization is co-ed.

25 Years Ago  1995: Zulene Mayfield, head of the citizens group protesting Westinghouse Resource Recovery in Chester, testified in county court yesterday the group has no desire to block trash haulers from entering or leaving the facility. She said demonstrations were the only avenue left after unsuccessful meetings with federal, state and local officers. Westinghouse Electric Corp. spokesman Vaughn Gilbert said after the hearing that the company has no desire to stop the picketing as long as the demonstrations do not stop the flow of trucks.

10 Years Ago  2010: The planned location of a metal-shredding plant in Eddystone continued to occupy front and center at a recent Eddystone Borough Council meeting. Eddystone Residents for Positive Change member Dan Arrison asked council if any research was done on the impact to the health of borough residents because of the planned location of the metal-shredding facility along the Delaware River. Borough manager Francie Howat said council is in the process of setting up a meeting with the DEP.

 COLIN AINSWORTH
All along, the battle of the 2020 Election has been over whether American democracy will survive. But theres recently been a major change in the nature of the battle.

For a long time, the central question has been about the will of the people: Will Americans want Donald Trump to remain their president? Many knowledgeable observers understood if the voters chose a second Trump term that might deal a death-blow to the American constitutional order and the rule of law.

(Trumps conduct after surviving his impeachment provided a frightening preview of the dictatorial direction Trump would take the country the more hed slipped the bonds of accountability.)

But recent developments have shifted the central question: It has become less What is the will of the people? and more Will Trump manage to thwart the will of the people as expressed through the constitutional process of an election?

Two developments have driven this change:

1) In the wake of the pandemic, the rejection of Donald Trump by Americans seems to have widened into a substantial majority (and hardened into something stable); a recent poll shows the percentage of people declaring they certainly will vote against Trump now exceeds 50%.

2) Trump has become increasingly brazen in threatening to prevent the constitutional conduct of a free and fair election, thereby eliciting increasingly widespread and vocal alarm.

Trump himself seems to have shifted his focus away from winning votes and more toward positioning himself to steal, overturn, or contest the election, for example by:

 planting the lie that voting by mail would result in massive voter fraud, whereas the reality is we have plenty of experience of voting by mail and the rate of fraud is so low its almost zero.

 starving the postal service, and having his lackey postmaster general start to hobble its ability to process mail just when were heading into an election during a pandemic when voting-by-mail is crucial so we dont expose millions of Americans to a killer disease just so they can exercise their constitutional rights.

 sending federal forces into American cities against the wishes of the local government and police and have them behave in ways that are provocative of violence and turmoil, and that  besides providing good footage from Trump to use in campaign ads so that he can argue that we need a Law and Order President to deal with the chaos of the anarchists  could be preparing the way for other use of force around the Election.

All of which accentuates that underlying reality, i.e. our present political battle pits American Democracy against what might reasonably be called fascism.

It is impossible to know how this battle will turn out because:

 The cauldron of forces that drive history is way too complex for us to comprehend. (Who could have foreseen, for example, how something so small a cause as the faulty design of a ballot in Palm Beach County, Florida, in the 2000 Election  by confusing enough would-be Gore voters that George W. Bush won Florida and thereby the election  could have so huge an effect as the disastrous Iraq war?)

 The unknowability factor is magnified by our being in uncharted waters. (Never before has someone wielding the powers of the presidency, and lacking any restraint in what hes willing to do, attacked our electoral process in this way.)

With unknowables putting the outcome inevitably in doubt, I worry. But based on what I do know, I am  on balance  optimistic.

I am reassured by these things:

 Recent decisions by the Supreme Court seem to give clear indication  if the matter came before the Supremes  they would reject any attempt by Trump to violate the proper constitutional process and make himself a dictator. Theyve slapped Trump down on a couple of his lesser usurpations (such as Trumps failure to proceed in accordance with the law on the census question, and on DACA, and such as Trumps dictatorial claims of being above the law). I am confident there would be at least five votes  and probably more  to check still more Trumps threats of still more serious lawlessness.

 The Courts apparent willingness to protect the rule of law against Trump reassures me Trump cannot prevail even if he manages to tie up the election, and delay the declaration of a winner. The Constitution dictates the vice-president and the president will be out of power Jan. 20, and if theres no elected president, the result would be that the Speaker of the House would become President. Monkey-wrenching the process, far from perpetuating Trumps presidency, would elevate his nemesis, Nancy Pelosi, to the Oval Office.

 Im also reassured to see a great many people and organizations are sounding the alarm, mobilizing and taking to the battlefield to protect this election  so that presidential power will be granted to the candidate the people chose. The forces of Democracy clearly will neither forfeit this battle nor be taken by surprise.

 I am confident, too, if the U.S. Military plays a role, it will be a positive one.

But my concerns focus on such known unknowns as:

 Although Im encouraged by the mobilization of the forces of American Democracy, it is unclear how well will those forces conduct their side of the battle? Ive been watching the earlier stages of this battle, which has been gathering for a generation, and the side now fighting Trump has failed to fight effectively for so much of that era  enabling the force that has given us Trump to gain so much power  that there are grounds for concern.

 It remains to be seen, too, to what extent Republican office-holders in Congress and around the country will support Trump in his naked attack on our election, or whether they finally will draw the line at a naked grab to perpetuate his power.

 Also yet to be determined is whether the Republican base will allow Trump to weaponize them for his assault on our constitutional order  whether theyll believe his lies (e.g. to delegitimize valid mail-in votes)  or whether they will at last recognize and reject the un-American purposes of their leader?

These unknowns come together to make one major point: The strength of Trumps attack on our constitutional order will depend (in part) on how fully he commands the Republican world, that in turn will depend (in part) on how much support Trump gets from the Republican electorate for his coup detat. Therefore, the forces of American Democracy must recognize a major battlefield now must be the fight for the hearts and minds of Trumps base.

Yes, its a given they will vote for Trump. But it would be a mistake to simply assume that Trumps base will follow him still further into an illegitimate war against the legitimate kind of election that Americans have conducted every four years since the nations founding.

It would be folly to leave Trumps base to Trump. But it is a folly of a kind that has characterized Liberal Americas approach for a generation.

So, in their battle plan, those fighting for American Democracy must devote at least  and at last  some energy and creativity to increasing the resistance in the minds of Trumps voters to the coming most dangerous seductions of their dangerous leader.

Schmookler is a prize-winning author, many of whose works can be found at www.A BetterHumanStory.org. He writes a regular column for The News & Advance.
West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar took offence after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on August 15 did not attend the traditional 'at home' tea party at Raj Bhawan to celebrate the 74th Independence Day.



The vacant seat meant for CM @MamataOfficial at celebration of Independence Day at Raj Bhawan speaks volumes -has created unwholesome situation that is not in sync with rich culture and ethos of WB. There is just no rationale for this unbecoming stance. pic.twitter.com/w0vLBOXTCc

 Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) August 15, 2020

The governor in a series of tweets expressed his displeasure and said, Absence of CM and officials @MamataOfficial on occasion of Independence Day celebration at Raj Bhawan has like many startled and stunned me. We need to rise to occasion as respect to freedom fighters who gave their all to secure for us freedom and democracy. I am at loss of words.

He also added saying, "Glimpses of 'At Home' reception hosted on Independence Day at Raj Bhavan. CM and executive @MamataOfficial set bad precedent by not attending. Another painful instance of distancing from Constitution. Law & order further nosedived with rise in political violence & killing."

Mamata Banerjee had however met the governor at Raj Bhavan in the morning after hoisting the national flag on Red Road in Kolkatta where she felicitated the COVID-9 warriors.

As reported by NDTV, it was an unscheduled visit, which lasted for about 90 minutes, and, according to sources, was "extremely cordial".

It also reported that amid the COVID-19 crisis, the state government was upset that the governor was inviting many people for the tea party and there was a general understanding that large gatherings should be avoided.

The 'at home' tea party usually has as many as 300 to 400 guests but this time around 50 invitations were sent out of which only around 35 attended.

The Banerjee-led government and Dhankhar have crossed swords on several occasions before this like questioning the COVID-19 response in the state, handling of the post Cyclone Amphan crisis as well as political violence.
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he could exert pressure on more Chinese companies such as technology giant Alibaba, the owner of the South China Morning Post, after he moved to ban TikTok, South China Morning Post informs.

Asked at a news conference whether there were other particular China-owned companies he was considering a ban on, such as Alibaba, Trump replied: Well, were looking at other things, yes.

According to South China Morning Post, Trump, who has made changing the US-China trade relationship a central theme of his presidency, has been sharply critical of China while also praising its purchases of agriculture products such as soybeans and corn as part of a trade agreement reached late last year.
After 21 years of running one of Julians best-known businesses, a place bird lovers from all over the county drive up the mountain to visit, Rick and Brenda Campbell are reluctantly closing their The Birdwatcher store in September.

Its very bittersweet, said Brenda Campbell. Closing the store is not what we wanted. We wanted somebody to buy it and continue it. But time marches on and were not getting any younger. We want more time to travel and see our grandkids.

For years the store has served a dual purpose. Its a service business where locals buy their birdseed and feeders. There no longer is a feed store or a hardware store in town. The local economy has become almost entirely tourism based.

The Birdwatcher is also a gift store offering tourists and locals alike a vast variety of bird-themed items: humming bird feeders, greeting cards, T-shirts, books, stuffed toys and more.

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I get lots of people coming up to get birdseed even though they can get it in San Diego, Rick Campbell said. It gives them an excuse. They like coming here and then they go get a pie and go shopping other places. We are truly a destination store so it kills us to have to do this.

Its really a bummer, thats for sure, said Robin Boland, vice president of the Julian Chamber of Commerce. The Birdwatcher has been a great draw to Julian. Lots of people come up to Julian exclusively to visit that store.

Three years ago the Campbells decided they were looking for a way out and tried in earnest to find a buyer who would continue the business. But it never happened.

Brenda and I have built this through our own passion and love of the business. We just cant find anybody with that kind of commitment, Rick said. We wanted to retire but the people that came forward were just interested in the bottom line, what they would get out of the store, not what they would have to put into it.

Business has always been good at the store, but recently Ricks health has not.

Various ailments, including shingles which attacked his face and eye earlier this year, have forced the couples decision to close the doors. Once they sell all the merchandise, they plan to lease the building at the corner of 4th and B streets for whatever type of business its new operators plan to run.

I feel like Im abandoning the birds of Julian, Brenda said. The locals will need to go down the hill (thats the way Julian residents talk about driving to Ramona or San Diego) to get their seed. Some people will do that but others just wont feed the birds anymore.

Rick Campbell, who co-owns The Birdwatcher store in Julian with bags of bird seed. The store is closing in September after 21 years. (J. Harry Jones /San Diego Union-Tribune)

Rick said his doctor has told him to get rid of the shingles he needs to reduce the stress in his life. The doctor said I need to quit, he said.

The Campbells will still live in Julian where theyve been for more than 40 years. Before opening the bird store, Rick, 68, owned a feed store for 18 years and Brenda, 65, owned a gift shop.

They have been putting 60 to 70 hours a week into The Birdwatcher for decades and say its simply time to stop.

We raised our kids here. Rick said. Its safe. It has a small town feel. Its a great place to live.

The store still appears to be fully stocked but thats an illusion. Usually they have $100,000 in extra inventory stored on the second floor of the store. Now its virtually empty, Brenda said.

The couple want their loyal customers from all over the county to know whats happening ahead of time.

We dont want them to drive up here and be surprised to find the doors closed, Brenda said.

Rose Mary Gossman moved to Julian about the same time the store opened its doors.

Over the years it has become my go-to gift shop because they have fabulous greeting cards, dish towels, books, calendars, she said. Im just really sad. Brenda and Rick have done a wonderful job. They would go to the trade shows several times a year and their stock was always up to date. Certain times of the year Im in there weekly buying bird seed.

Roz Brooks, an 18-year Julian resident, had similar thoughts.

Its a wonderful shop and they are great people, she said. They are going to be really missed, both the store and themselves.

She called the store unique, and both Rick and Brenda Campbell friends.

As opposed to so many of the tourist stores we have up here, this one is just not catering to the tourists but also to the actual birdwatcher, the people who enjoy the birds and stock up on the seed and all sorts of different things, Brooks said. Were going to miss the fact that the store is not there and well miss the happy, smiling faces that weve become used to over the years.

jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: Opposition Congress leaders on Saturday blamed intelligence failure for the violence and questioned the Home Minister for blaming the internal differences in their party. On what basis is the minister making such allegations against the Congress? Let them first conduct the probe, former DyCM and head of the Congress fact-finding team Dr G Parameshwara said.

Speaking to the media after visiting DJ Halli, he said the State intelligence wing and Home Department failed to handle the situation and the government must order a probe by a sitting high court judge. Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai had on Thursday alleged that internal differences within the Congress and the SDPI conspiracy to disturb peace were among the reasons for the violence. Congress leaders expressed concern that Bommais remarks would prejudice the Central Crime Branch (CCB)s investigation.

KPCC chief D K Shivakumar asked, Who is he to blame the Congress? He alleged that the party corporators were being threatened by issuing notices to appear for questioning. Let them examine the CCTV footage, arrest those involved in violence and not harass innocent people, said former home minister K J George, who is also a member of the partys fact-finding committee.

The committee members interacted with locals and police officers to gather information about the violence. It will give a report to the KPCC chief. Later in the evening, Shivakumar expressed regret over addressing the Home Minister in the singular while launching a tirade against him. I respect Basavaraj Bommai and his position as the Home Minister. I did not intentionally address him in the singular, he said.

BJP team to visit the spot

A team of six senior BJP leaders headed by BJP state vice president and MLA Aravind Limbavali will visit DJ Halli and KG Halli on Sunday and submit a report.
Cos Cob

Mill Pond, one of the best-known spots in Cos Cob, is overdue for maintenance. And First Selectman Fred Camillo said the Junior League of Greenwich might come to the rescue.

No decisions have been made, but Camillo expressed confidence last week that the league and the town could form a partnership to beautify the pocket park around the pond.

We want to beautify and enhance that area and make it a nice little village green, Camillo said.

The pocket park at Mill Pond is next to the Starbucks on East Putnam Avenue.

Junior League of Greenwich President Clarena McBeth said the project could be a done in a year if it goes forward. It could offer volunteer opportunities for members to make an impact on the community, she said. It could be an offshoot of the done in a day projects that the league has done so successfully.

McBeth called it an amazing idea and thanked Camillo for reaching out to the league.

Our committee is really considering it, but right now theyre just in the planning and talking phases, she said. We hope that its something we are going to partner with the town on. The committee is doing its research on the pros and cons of this and making sure we have the womanpower to do this. We want to make the right decision because if we say were going to do it we want to make sure we can do it.

If the league proceeds with the project, it would likely include cleanup of overgrown brush to improve the view. Enhancements such as new benches and tables could also be considered.

Part of what we always strive to do is give back to our community to keep the youth, the elderly and everyone in between living a full-quality, better life, McBeth said. We want to enhance that in any way we can. This is a place in the center of Cos Cob and theres so much in the neighborhood.

McBeth said she expected to make a decision in September or October.

Old Greenwich

The future of a new Eastern Greenwich Civic Center in Old Greenwich is looking brighter now that the Board of Selectmen has endorsed the project.

Last week, the board unanimously approved moving the project forward to the Planning and Zoning Commission, where it will seek municipal improvement status.

This is another milestone, First Selectman Fred Camillo said. Its a long time coming and something that has been talked about for decades.

The design for the new civic center calls for a one-story building with 35,418 square feet of space, which would replace the current two-story building with 31,765 square feet of space.

The new civic center would include a full-size multiuse gymnasium with rollout spectator seating; 8,100 square feet of multiuse event space; three 1,000-square-foot activity rooms, two of which would share a partition that could open to create a larger room; a vending machine area and lounge; and storage space for equipment, said Alan Monelli, town superintendent of buildings and maintenance.

It would also have updated restrooms and a new family restroom as well as exterior restrooms for people using the playing fields. Administrative offices would also be included as well as space for the Old Greenwich Riverside Community Center to lease.

The selectmen discussed the civic center project in late July but did not vote because they wanted to get public reaction. Monelli said his office had received positive feedback, and the selectmen voted without debate to move the project to the zoning commission.

Downtown

The Greenwich United Way has teamed with the popular gift boutique Splurge to help residents stay safe and show their support for a community fund that helps people in need.

Splurge began selling masks decorated with the words Greenwich Strong in May. All 40 of the masks, which were designed by a friend of store owner Sonia Malloy, sold out in a few weeks.

Malloy also donated $5 from every mask sold, for a total of $200, to the Greenwich United Ways COVID-19 Community Relief Fund.

I wanted to do something to support the Greenwich United Ways relief fund, she said. While the months during the government-mandated closure were very financially challenging for small businesses like mine, I know that there are others who are suffering even worse and I wanted to do my part to help.

The town donated $100,000 to the fund when it was launched in the early days of the coronavirus crisis in March, and it has garnered strong support from the public.

It has always been my mission to do good while doing business at Splurge, and I feel it is my responsibility to give back as much as possible to this wonderful community, she said.

Greenwich United Way CEO David Rabin said it meant a lot get support from small business owners like Malloy, who make our community the wonderful place it is to live, work and raise a family. Calling her a town gem, Rabin thanked Malloy for her support.

The fund has provided $442,000 in aid and grants to groups, including Family Centers, Abilis, Pathways, the Friends of Nathaniel Witherell, Kids in Crisis, the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, Jewish Family Services, the Transportation Association of Greenwich and more as it meets the increased demand for services due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Applications for grants can be sent to Robert Moore, the Greenwich United Ways director of community impact, at rmoore@greenwichunitedway.org. Donations can be made at www.greenwichunitedway.org.

Greenwich

The coronavirus pandemic has forced the cancellation of many events and public gatherings, including concerts, to protect the public health. But that wont stop the Greenwich Choral Society from getting its voices heard.

The need for social distancing forced the Choral Society to suspend its group rehearsals and public concerts  and that decision was not made lightly.

While we are responding to the need for safety for our members and for our audiences, we are acutely aware that the temporary loss of live performances of choral music in our community has its own price, the society said in a statement.

To make sure choral music can still be heard in this time of isolation, the Greenwich Choral Society has embarked on an ambitious effort to create virtual concerts that will be available to our many friends, to our supporters and to all who treasure choral music.

The society will go to YouTube and Facebook to hold virtual full performances. It will also hold online rehearsals on Zoom from 7:30 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday. The rehearsals are free, and members of the public are invited to join.

For more information, send an email to admin@greenwichchoralsociety.org.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.com
A coalition of medical groups is demanding the state government urgently ensure doctors and nurses have access to properly-fitted medical masks as healthcare worker infections spiral.

Fit-testing, which uses a testing machine to ensure a mask seals to the face, is mandatory for workers dealing with asbestos and silica, but not always for hospitals dealing with COVID-19, leaving doctors and nurses vulnerable to the deadly disease.

Youre going to end up with dead healthcare workers, said Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah, an infectious diseases physician at a major Melbourne hospital who has been campaigning for mandatory fit-testing. Wed be happy to pay for this ourselves.

Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah, infectious diseases specialist is among a number of doctors raising concerns about high rates of healthcare infections and access to protective equipment. Credit:Eddie Jim

This week, the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists took the unprecedented step of writing to federal, Victorian and NSW health ministers, raising serious concerns fit testing was not being done at all hospitals.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has made her first big play in a state election campaign set to prominently feature her own brand and response to COVID-19, announcing a celebrity candidate in the largely LNP-held Gold Coast.

Surfing great Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew will now face off with eight-year Burleigh incumbent Michael Hart at the October poll.

"We are very conscious that the seat of Burleigh needs better representation," she said outside the local surf club on Sunday.

"And I know that Rabbit has the absolute enthusiasm to do this and to serve the community."
The claim: Joe Biden supports a school choice ban that would impact 74,000 Wisconsin students.

Should tax dollars be used to fund private school tuition?

In Wisconsin, this is done through a system commonly referred to as vouchers or school choice, where parents apply money the state would have given a public school for their child toward tuition at approved private schools.

Supporters say parents are providing the education funds through tax dollars, so its only fair for the funding to follow their child to another school. Critics say its not right to use public funds to support what are in many cases religious institutions, and that vouchers bleed needed support from public schools.

The system is one of many dividing lines in the 2020 presidential race between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden.

One website analysis shared widely on Facebook claimed Bidens stance would have sweeping consequences in Wisconsin. The Aug. 11 article from Milwaukee City Wire used this headline: Analysis: Biden school choice ban would impact 74,000 Wisconsin students, 35,000 in Milwaukee.

Lets separate fact from fiction.

The source of the claim

The article was published by one of many purported local news sites run by Metric Media Publications.

The company boasts 24 web pages with a Wisconsin brand under names like Central Wisconsin News, Green Bay Reporter and The Sconi. It also includes the Fon du Lac News, where the city name of Fond du Lac is misspelled in both the web address and the banner atop each page.

The Metric Media Foundation, the official name of the nonprofit entity, says on its website it runs more than 1,000 such websites around the country.

The Columbia Journalism Review reported the network relies heavily on algorithmically generated stories and can be traced to conservative businessman Brian Timpone. His former company, Journatic, drew outrage in 2012 for plagiarism, fake bylines and fake quotes in what was dubbed pink slime journalism.

Story continues

For this particular story what is labeled an analysis is actually just a regurgitation of a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction spreadsheet, which the storys unnamed author misunderstood.

Now, on to the claim.

More: Fact check: Democrats have condemned violence linked to BLM, anti-fascist protests

Bidens position on school choice

The fundamental assertion here is that Biden wants to ban school choice.

Thats not a new claim. And its not exactly accurate. PolitiFact rated Mostly False a Trump claim that Biden wants to end school choice.

The key question is what school choice means.

EdChoice, an advocacy group that says it aims "to advance educational freedom and choice," says that term can include private school vouchers as well as charter schools and specialized magnet schools that, for instance, may focus on math and science or the arts.

In Wisconsin, the term school choice is often used as shorthand for the three voucher programs (Milwaukee, Racine and statewide), but it could also refer to an array of nontraditional schooling options such as charter schools, virtual schools and the open enrollment program, where a student can enroll in a public school outside his or her district.

Bidens campaign, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment on this piece, told PolitiFact that Biden does not oppose districts letting parents choose to send their children to public magnet schools, high-performing public charters or traditional public schools."

But Biden is against sending public money to private K-12 schools through voucher programs, something supported by Trump and his Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

Presidential candidate Joe Biden signs documents for receiving the Democratic Vice Presidential nomination at the Hotel Du Pont in Wilmington, Deleware on Aug. 14, 2020.

No, Biden cant ban vouchers

Regardless of Bidens preference, however, he wouldnt have the power if elected to simply halt voucher programs  in Wisconsin or anywhere else.

Parental choice programs in Wisconsin are state authorized and funded, said state DPI spokesman Chris Bucher. They are not subject to federal control.

Jim Bender, president of School Choice Wisconsin, agreed, noting Biden would have very limited power to impact school choice, just as Trump and DeVos now are pretty limited in their ability to pursue their desired expansion of school choice.

Frederick Hess, director of education policy studies at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, said it is possible Biden could create hurdles for school vouchers, though  particularly if Democrats win control of both chambers of Congress in November.

Certainly on the face of it, (a ban) does not seem to be an immediately credible threat, Hess said. But one can spin scenarios if one works hard enough.

Since about 10% of school spending comes from Washington (primarily for special education and low-income students), a Democratic Congress could write legislation or dole out that aid in a way that hinders voucher funding, Hess said. Or the Justice Department could mount lawsuits that would impede vouchers.

The DOJ involvement isnt exactly far-fetched given the agency (unsuccessfully) sued the Louisiana school choice program in 2013, under President Barack Obama, asserting the program "frustrates and impedes the desegregation process."

But these hypotheticals are a far cry from the suggestion in this story that Biden can implement a ban.

Numbers cited for voucher program are wrong

All of which brings us to the last part of the claim: That a ban would impact 74,000 Wisconsin students. The text of the article referred to these as the tallies for the 2018-19 school year.

But the stats are badly botched on multiple fronts.

The number comes from a DPI report summarizing the voucher program, but its from 2019-20, not the preceding year.

And the actual number of students in the voucher program was 42,157. The number cited in the headline is the total number of students attending voucher schools  many of whom paid their own way and did not use taxpayer-funded vouchers.

Our ruling: False

We rate this claim FALSE, based on our research. Biden does oppose one stripe of school choice programs: those that apply public tax dollars to parents private school tuition bills. But everything else in this claim is wrong. The term school choice also covers an array of other programs that Biden supports. And the voucher program in Wisconsin includes is about 42,000 students, not 74,000.

But most notably, the assertion that Biden has the power to ban such voucher programs simply doesnt hold water. A president and Congress that opposed vouchers could put some hurdles in place, but the Wisconsin program is authorized and funded by the state.

Our fact-check sources:

Contact Eric Litke at (414) 225-5061 or elitke@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ericlitke.

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here.

Our fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: Joe Biden opposes vouchers, but power to ban is limited
Villagers living in terror of an intimidating traveller gang are demanding trench fortifications to block the return of the 'unbearable' group.

They are calling for the 'Stone Age' defences to stop a repeat of the aggressive and antisocial behaviour that shattered the tranquillity of their small West Yorkshire community when around 30 vehicles set up an illegal encampment there.

The group was eventually evicted, but two weeks ago locals awoke late at night to find travellers attempting to force their way back in.

'People are terrified. They can't rest easy in their own homes,' local Tory councillor Bill Armer (above) told The Mail on Sunday

A few of the 1,126 villagers managed to face down their tormentors, but now they want a more permanent deterrent.

'People are terrified. They can't rest easy in their own homes,' local Tory councillor Bill Armer told The Mail on Sunday.

'I'm urging Kirklees Council to dig a ditch and bank  the old Stone Age-style of fortification.'

The former pit village's troubles began at around 10.30pm on June 16 when a group of travellers in a dozen vehicles broke through a fence and set up camp on a field next to a children's playground. More vehicles arrived over the following nights until there were around 30 caravans.

One local resident, who did not want to be named for fear of being targeted, said: 'For the most part we say live and let live, but they were just so awful. It was unbearable.

'Our kids were upset because they were so close to the fence, we could hear everything. They were just vile, awful people. The language was appalling. They seemed to come alive at night, riding dirt bikes up and down, driving their 4x4s in and out and using the field as a toilet.

'I don't care who they are  what race, colour, religion or creed they're from  anybody behaving like they were behaving would not be liked. It's not about them being travellers, it's about their behaviour.'

Villagers complained of sleepless nights, and of caravans being parked 'intimidatingly' close to homes.

One said: 'Someone asked them to keep the noise down for their young children who were sleeping and one of the travellers said, 'You've signed your own death warrant'.

'I can't describe the fear of the people in the village. But they don't want to raise their head above the parapet in case they get a brick through their window  or worse.'

Residents say they felt abandoned when, instead of bringing in bailiffs to evict the travellers from the council-owned land, the Labour-run authority delivered portable toilets and a water tanker to the site.

The council eventually secured a court order to evict the travellers, but they left the day before they were due to be forced out. Workers reportedly spent a week clearing up the mess left behind, as well as placing huge boulders behind the fence to act as a deterrent.

But at 11pm on Monday night two weeks ago, four travellers were spotted tying to move a two-ton boulder and smashing down the fence. Around a dozen locals came out with torches to confront them.

Villagers living in terror of an intimidating traveller gang are demanding trench fortifications to block the return of the 'unbearable' group

'When the travellers saw the villagers coming across the field, they scarpered,' said one villager. The locals used a pick-up truck to push the boulder back, and drag four full bottle banks over to the gate as a further deterrent. 'It was a real show of people power,' they said.

One local complained that the travellers 'have got Kirklees Council and the police by the short and curlies', adding: 'It's mob law.'

Channel 4's Dispatches recently found crime levels around some traveller sites was 50 per cent higher than the UK average  although traveller groups accused the programme of 'dehumanising' them with an 'unfair' report.

A Government consultation on strengthening police powers to tackle unauthorised encampments is due to report soon, but Mr Armer feels that Grange Moor can't wait.

'No one has the right to impinge on the lives of other people,' he said. '

Kirklees Council did not respond to a request for comment last night.

A spokesman for travellers' charity Friends, Families and Travellers said: 'We condemn all forms of antisocial behaviour, but we cannot and should not attack entire communities for the actions of the few.'
South Africas International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor says President Cyril Ramaphosas special envoys to Zimbabwe are expected to engage all stakeholders as Catholic Bishops and Amnesty International express concern over alleged human rights abuses in the country.

In an interview with Radio 786, Pandor said the envoys  Baleka Mbete, Sydney Mufamadi and Ngoako Ramatladi - were initially expected to discuss the political situation in Zimbabwe with the ruling government, opposition parties and others last week when they visited the troubled nation.

Pandor said South Africa is concerned about refugees streaming into the country amid a crackdown in Zimbabwe on political opponents, especially people who organized the July 31 anti-corruption protest, which was thwarted by state security agents.

President Mnangagwa, who met with the special envoys last Monday, says terrorists and misguided Zimbabweans are attempting to unseat a constitutionally-elected government.

But Pandor told the radio station that the crisis in Zimbabwe needs urgent action as the current situation is affecting South Africa.

She is quoted as saying,  We have to work with Zimbabwe in order to address that economic situation and find a way of helping to reverse the current situation so that the citizens of Zimbabwe can happily return to their country.

 It is in South Africas interests, given our current economic situation, that we do continue to have discussions, keep a very dynamic link with Zimbabwe and assure their government that we are not seeking to interfere in their internal matters but we would like to work with them to find a solution that works with their current context.

The Zimbabwean government recently attacked Lindiwe Zulu and Acie Magashule of the African National Congress for saying there is a political crisis in the country.

In a pastoral letter, Catholic bishops said, Zimbabwe is in a a multi-layered crisis of the convergence of economic collapse, deepening poverty, food insecurity, corruption and human rights abuses.

 Fear runs down the spines of many of our people today. The crackdown on dissent is unprecedented ... Our government automatically labels anyone thinking differently as an enemy of the country: that is an abuse.

The pastoral letter, signed by ZCBC president Archbishop Charles Ndlovu, Archbishop Alex Thomas (ZCBC deputy president), and bishops Paul Horan (ZCBC secretary and treasurer), Michael Bhasera (Masvingo), Albert Serrano (Hwange), Rudolf Nyandoro (Gokwe) and Raymond Mupandasekwa (Chinhoyi).

Reacting to these sentiments, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa dismissed their remarks, saying they are ill-informed and designed to cause anarchy in Zimbabwe.

Mutsvangwa said, The Government of Zimbabwe calls upon the Catholic congregation to ignore the specious pastoral letter. Bishop Christopher Ndlovu is leading a coterie of Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops along the wrong path of bygone petty tribalism, narrow regionalism and the debunked and defeated racial antagonism.

Its evil message reeks with all the vices that have perennially hobbled the progress of Africa. It trumpets petty tribal feuds and narrow regionalist agendas  That he (Archbishop Ndlovu) hopes to sow seeds of internecine strife as a prelude to civil war and national disintegration.

Several organizations, including the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), have expressed support to the Catholic bishops, saying President Emmerson Mnangagwas government is engaged in serious human rights violations.

In a statement, the ZLHR said, There can be no justification of this vilification of the clergymen and this anti-Catholic scorn because for the Bishops, speaking out against transgressions is their moral obligation.

As ZLHR, we are greatly concerned that the intolerance of President Emmerson Mnangagwas government on dissent and criticism is becoming more despicable every passing day and we should realise that it is the manifestation of President Mnangagwas and his followers fear on the peoples legitimate dissatisfaction from a leader who claimed and promised to be a listening President which is equally growing. We have noted that in 2020 while the vilifiers and the vilified are different, the script is the same.

The ZLHR further said, The incendiary statements by government are aimed at inflicting shame on clergymen and to vilify their struggles that spring from righteous causes.
Kington, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/16/2020 -- Merging two company data files into one company is currently not available in QuickBooks Online. Because each company is created as a separate file that cannot be merged, data would have to be manually input into the company you want to keep.



Due to Intuit's lack of an appropriate tool or feature to merge two files into one, businesses are forced to turn to third party companies that undertake to perform file merge services with full authenticity.



A third party file merge service merges a local data file into a networked data file, merges two different data files, consolidates multiple QuickBooks data files into a single file after adding a class to each data file, and also assists in merging data files prior to uploading to QuickBooks Online



Technical Services Manager at E-Tech, a leading QuickBooks Consultancy service, John Rocha, explained that in order to combine multiple company data files, the chart of accounts in both files cannot have the same account name with different types.



The "classes" feature in QuickBooks, meanwhile, gives business owners a tool to track the income and expenses for any given period and are unique to each type of business.



E-Tech's file merge service concentrates on merging lists including Chart of Accounts, Customers, Vendors, Employees, Items, and Other Names, merging transactions including all financial transactions, as well as add classes to all transactions in each company file which can be used for reporting purposes. "Classes can be added to the source files prior to the merge to take advantage of QuickBooks reporting by classes in the merged file," Rocha said.



Limitations of this service



Rocha explained that there are certain limitations to the file merge service such as payroll checks being merged as regular checks and do not appear in payroll reports or W2 calculations. He added that bank reconciliations also cannot be merged because QuickBooks does not support the transfer of Bank Reconciliations.



Furthermore, data files with negative inventory and assembly builds do not merge correctly because there is insufficient quantity on hand to build the assemblies and they transfer over as pending builds. Customer notes and to-do lists are also not included in the merge.



To learn more about this service, visit https://quickbooksrecovery.co.uk/quickbooks-file-data-services/quickbooks-file-merge-service/



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E-Tech is the leading service provider of QuickBooks File Repair, Data Recovery, QuickBooks Conversion and QuickBooks SDK programming in the UK and Ireland. In their 20 years plus of experience with Intuit QuickBooks, they have assisted over 1000 satisfied customers with their requirements. E-Tech UK covers US, UK, Canadian, Australian versions which include Reckon Accounts, and New Zealand versions of QuickBooks through PC and Mac platforms.



For media inquiries regarding E-Tech, individuals are encouraged to contact Media Relations Director, Melanie Ann via email at Melanie@e-tech.ca.



To learn more about the company, visit: https://quickbooksrecovery.co.uk/
Recent discoveries made by researchers at Texas A&M University could change the way ovarian cancer is understood and treated.

Dr. Abhishek Jain, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Department of Medical Physiology in the College of Medicine, collaborated with researchers from the Departments of Gynecologic Oncology and Cancer Biology at MD Anderson Cancer Center to gain a better understanding of the interaction among ovarian cancer tumors, blood vessels and platelets. They found that tumors break the blood vessel barriers so that they can communicate with the blood cells, such as platelets. When these tumors come into contact with platelets, they can then metastasize, or begin to spread to other sites in the body.

The collaborative research was recently published in the journal Blood Advances.

Currently, researchers understand that platelets are one of the initiators of ovarian cancer metastasis but did not know what led to the introduction of the platelets to the tumor cells. Instead of struggling to view this relationship in animal models, Jain's team brought a new solution to the table: organ-on-a-chip research.

Organs-on-a-chip are microfluidic medical devices the size of a USB drive. The team designed on the OvCa-Chip to give researchers an easier window to view the biological processes between tumors and platelets.

In an interview with the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Jain explained that "it basically is a microenvironment where ovarian tumor cells can be co-cultured along with their blood vessels, and then they can interact with blood cells. Once we learn about these interactions, we can then move forward to look into how drugs will impact these kinds of interactions."

Viewing the interaction between tumors and blood vessels on the OvCa-Chip led the researchers to an extraordinary result -- the tumor cells systematically broke down the endothelial cells, which are the barrier that lines the interior surface of blood vessels and prevents exterior interaction with blood cells. Once this barrier was gone, blood cells and platelets entered the tumor microenvironment and could be recruited for metastasis.

Harnessing this knowledge could change how clinicians approach ovarian cancer treatment, Jain said, suggesting that anti-vascular drugs could be considered along with anticancer treatments. A benefit of the organ-on-a-chip is that it can also test these novel drug treatments and drug combinations.

Another application of the chips could be diagnostics.

You have to understand that these are chips that are living. They contain living cells. The advantage is that these are all actually human samples. So what we think the future for this technology is, is perhaps we can advance it in the direction of personalized medicine where we could actually take stem cells from patients and other patient-derived cells and make this entire chip from a single patient." Dr. Abhishek Jain, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Department of Medical Physiology in the College of Medicine
11 killed in Somali hotel attack claimed by Al-Shabaab Ambulance workers at the scene reported that at least 28 people were wounded

Ten civilians and one police officer were killed in a gun and bomb attack by Al-Shabaab fighters on an upscale beachfront hotel in Somalia's capital on Sunday, an official told AFP.

Security forces took four hours to regain control of the Elite Hotel in the Lido beach area of Mogadishu after five assailants stormed it early Sunday evening, said information ministry spokesman Ismael Mukhtaar Omar.

"Ten people were dead and five militants were also killed, plus one Somalia special police officer," Omar told AFP.

It was not clear how Somali security forces managed to end the siege on the hotel and kill the assailants, who at one point were said to have taken hostages.

Earlier on Sunday, while the siege was still ongoing, a security source told AFP on condition of anonymity that one of the assailants had died in the car bomb explosion that kicked off the attack and two others had died in a shootout.

Ambulance workers at the scene reported that at least 28 people were wounded.

- 'There is chaos' -

Witnesses said the attack began with a heavy explosion and people ran from the area as gunfire could be heard from the hotel, which is frequented by government officials.

"The blast was very heavy and I could see smoke in the area. There is chaos and people are fleeing from nearby buildings," said witness Ali Sayid Adan.

The dead included government official Abdirasak Abdi, who worked at the information ministry, his colleague Hussein Ali said.

Al-Shabaab said they carried out the attack, according to a statement translated by the SITE Intelligence Group.

The statement claimed its fighters "took control over the hotel" in the "martyrdom-seeking operation".

- Hotels targeted -

Somalia plunged into chaos after the 1991 overthrow of then-President Siad Barre's military regime, leading to years of clan warfare followed by the rise of Al-Shabaab which once controlled large parts of the country and Mogadishu.

Story continues

Al-Shabaab was driven out of the capital in 2011, but its militants continue to wage war against the government, carrying out regular attacks.

Last week four Shabaab fighters held in Mogadishu's central prison were killed in an intense shootout with security forces after they somehow managed to get their hands on weapons within the facility.

The group has targeted hotels multiple times over the years, including in February 2019 when it killed at least 20 people in a car bomb and gun attack on a hotel in Mogadishu that lasted for nearly 24 hours.

A month before that, Al-Shabaab killed 21 people in a siege on an upscale hotel in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, an assault that highlighted its ability to expand its network beyond Somalia's borders.

Its last major attack in Mogadishu was in December 2019, when it slaughtered 81 people by detonating a vehicle packed with explosives.

It is difficult to say whether the relative lull this year reflected improved capacity on the part of Somali security forces or a change in strategy by Al-Shabaab, said Omar Mahmood, Somalia senior analyst for International Crisis Group.

For the past year Somali forces have been engaged in an offensive in the nearby Lower Shabelle region designed to stymie efforts by Al-Shabaab to move weapons into the capital, Mahmood noted.

But there has been "an uptick in activity" in Mogadishu since late June including suicide attacks targeting government and military facilities, he said.

The claim of responsibility distributed Sunday stressed that the Elite Hotel "is inhabited by a large number of government officials".

"This is kind of getting back to the attacks they used to do," Mahmood said.

"Al-Shabaab sees these hotels as an extension of the government more or less, so they are targeted in that way."

str-rcb/
Bid of US Fails to Get Extension of UN Arms Embargo on Iran

By Margaret Besheer August 15, 2020

The United States failed Friday to get an extension of an expiring U.N. arms embargo against Iran, raising the likelihood that Washington will seek to force a "snapback" of all prior international sanctions on Tehran.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticized the U.N. Security Council for failing to uphold its mandate of maintaining international peace and security.

"It rejected a reasonable resolution to extend the 13-year-old arms embargo on Iran and paved the way for the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism to buy and sell conventional weapons without specific U.N. restrictions in place for the first time in over a decade," he said in a statement. "The Security Council's failure to act decisively in defense of international peace and security is inexcusable."

The resolution obtained only two votes in favor  the United States and the Dominican Republic. Russia and China voted against the measure, and the other 11 council members abstained. A resolution needs at least nine positive votes and no vetoes to be adopted.

Iran's U.N. ambassador, Majid Takht Ravanchi, said in a statement that any imposition of sanctions or restrictions by the Security Council would "be met severely by Iran and our options are not limited."

"In the 75 years of United Nations history, America has never been so isolated," foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi tweeted Saturday.

"Despite all the trips, pressure and the hawking, the United States could only mobilize a small country [to vote] with them," Mousavi wrote, adding that "Last night, Iran's active #diplomacy, along with the legal force of [the nuclear deal], defeated the United States again at the Security Council."

China's U.N. mission tweeted that the vote result "shows again that unilateralism enjoys no support, and bullying will fail. Any attempt to place one's own interest above the common interest of the international community is a dead end."

The embargo against the sale or transfer to or from Iran of conventional weapons is set to expire Oct. 18, 2020, under the 2015 nuclear deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Washington has warned that an Iran free from restrictions would lead to further regional destabilization, intensified conflicts and a regional arms race.

The U.S. also pointed to regional support it received for extending the embargo from Israel and concerned Arab Gulf states as a reason for the council to extend it.

'Snapback' option

Initially, Washington wanted more than an indefinite renewal of the arms embargo, seeking additional sanctions and international interdiction rights. It backed down earlier this week, presenting a streamlined text calling only for continuation of the arms embargo.

"Council members have been under no illusion about U.S. intentions in this game," said Richard Gowan, U.N. director of International Crisis Group (ICG). "Washington needed to table this resolution so it could claim to have given diplomacy a chance before making a bigger push to snapback sanctions on Iran, potentially killing off the 2015 nuclear deal once and for all."

"Snapback" refers to the process that would trigger the re-imposition of previous U.N. sanctions on Iran. If the U.S. takes this route, it will be very controversial, because it is open only to members of the deal, and Washington withdrew from it two years ago. The U.S. argues it has the right to do it under the U.N. resolution that enshrined the agreement in international law, but as one diplomat put it, "you cannot have the cake and eat it [too]."

"It is now very clear that there is no appetite for a U.S. push to snapback sanctions on Iran in the council," ICG's Gowan added. "Washington will push ahead regardless, but it should expect a profoundly skeptical response from other council members."

Compromise elusive

Council diplomats said JCPOA members Britain, France and Germany worked hard to try to find a compromise agreeable to the Americans on one side and Russia and China on the other, but that their positions were very entrenched.

The three Europeans acknowledge that lifting the embargo could negatively impact regional security but say their priority is to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. They have also stressed that European Union embargoes on conventional arms exports and missile technology will remain in force on Tehran until 2023.

Germany's envoy said more time and discussions are needed to find an acceptable way forward for all council members.

"We are ready to continue these discussions in order to find a pragmatic way forward, which addresses our collective concerns," said Deputy U.N. Ambassador Gunter Sautter.

Earlier Friday, Russia's president acknowledged the growing tensions among the permanent five Security Council members over the Iranian issue. Vladimir Putin proposed urgently convening a video summit with them, plus Germany and Iran.

"We call on our partners to carefully consider this proposal. Otherwise, we could see the further escalation of tension and an increased risk of conflict," Putin said in a statement. "This must be avoided. Russia is open to working constructively with anyone interested in taking the situation back from the dangerous brink."

Under the JCPOA, the five permanent Security Council members, plus Germany, agreed with Iran to gradually lift international sanctions in return for limits on Tehran's nuclear activities, to prevent it from making a nuclear bomb. It also opened Iran's markets back up to many foreign investors.

But President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the deal in May 2018 and re-imposed unilateral sanctions. On Friday, he referred to the Obama-era agreement as a "horror show" and said his predecessor paid billions of dollars to Tehran and got nothing but "trouble" in return.

In response to the U.S. withdrawal from the deal, Tehran resumed some of its nuclear activities, and in July 2019, it breached the deal by exceeding limits on both uranium enrichment and stockpile levels.

Iran denies that its nuclear activities are for military purposes.

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Johan Vandenhecke taught himself drone photography by watching 'a ton of YouTube videos'  and it's clear he was paying attention.

Because his aerial snaps are sensational. And now he's set up a drone photography masterclass to save budding amateurs the hassle of churning through endless online videos like he did.

The Belgian kick-started his portfolio two years ago on a trip with his girlfriend through Southeast Asia, Australia and South America after they quit their jobs. And Instagram was duly impressed after he began posting images to the site (as johan_drone_adventures)  he now has almost 20,000 followers.

A shot by Johan of the enchanting islands of Komodo National Park, which he described as 'paradise on earth'

To get this amazing shot of Lan Ha Bay in Vietnam Johan took his drone to 'maximum height'

On the left is a stunning picture of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java, Indonesia, which is home to several huge volcanoes, some having formed inside the caldera of an even more colossal ancient volcano. This image shows Mount Bromo and neighbouring Mount Batok. Johan said 'it's really an extraordinary sight to see'. On the right is the jaw-dropping Kawah Ljen volcano, which Johan said was 'the absolute highlight' of his East Java trip. Its caldera is one kilometre wide and contains a highly acidic blue lake

Further validation of his skills crystallised this year through photo competitions run by Agora  snaps he submitted were shortlisted in its aerial, landscape and travel contests.

It's no wonder he described his round-the-world odyssey as 'a life-changer'.

Indonesia, it seems, took the top podium spot for highlights.

Johan, 36, told MailOnline Travel: 'This trip was a life-changer for me. I used it to have a clean slate and experience the world in an unbothered mindset, nothing holding me back.

A mesmerising shot of the ancient city of Bagan, a Unesco-listed site in Myanmar that's home to thousands of pagodas and stupas - stone-laced burial mounds. Johan said: 'You literally see pagodas everywhere you look. Some bigger than others, but all very cool to see' 

In the background of this amazing shot, taken in Colombia, is the 10-million-ton El Penon de Guatape rock, which features a stone staircase embedded in a large crevice. In front of this are the Bosko glamping mushrooms, scattered around a forested hill

On the left, we invite you to behold the three-tiered Kuang Si Waterfall in Laos, which some say, as Johan points out in his Instagram caption, is the most beautiful waterfall in the world. On the right is the dazzling 'Rainbow Village' in the city of Malang in Indonesia

'I think from our entire trip, Indonesia really stole our hearts in terms of diversity of landscapes and just the general good vibe there.

'We visited several islands and each was unique in its own way. I would recommend putting this high on your travel list.

'And definitely don't miss out on the Komodo National Park. That for me is paradise on earth. I've taken some of my best drone photos there. But it's equally spectacular underwater.'

The stunning Padar Island in the Komodo archipelago, where visitors can relax on a pink-sand beach

Water world: On the left is the fascinating Nga Phe Kyaung monastery, which rests on stilts on Inle Lake in Myanmar, along with a multitude of rustic wooden houses. Johan took the shot at sunset. Pictured right is the stunning white sand beach at Lake Mckenzie on Fraser Island in Queensland, Australia. Johan said it was 'a dream' to spend time there

Colombia also impressed.

Johan continued: 'I was really surprised by Colombia in a positive way. This country really has it all. And I totally did not have this in my mind beforehand. You go from tropical beaches with clear blue water, to lush green forests with incredible waterfalls, to coffee farms in the hilly mid-land, to fantasy-coloured rivers, to glaciers in the mountains, to rock deserts all within one country and generally just a couple of hours away from each other.'

The Galapagos Islands, however, proved to be disappointing.

Johan explained: 'I expected the Galapagos to be similar in awesomeness to the Komodo National Park. However, we were both disappointed by the features of the islands themselves and also how expensive it is.

A 'magical' sunrise captured by Johan on Fraser Island. One Instagram commenter said 'it doesn't get much better than that'

On the left is Jervis Bay in New South Wales, Australia, which Johan describes as being 'beautifully shaped'. On the right - luxury villas on Queensland's Gold Coast

'I did see several hammerhead sharks during the scuba diving, so it definitely wasn't all bad. If you like big marine animals, then this is a great  expensive - place for you.'

This take on the famously wildlife-rich archipelago might surprise some, but Johan stressed that he was comparing it to other amazing sights.

He added: 'I don't want to sound like a spoiled brat, but it is true that after a long time travelling you do sort of get used to the daily adventures and incredible sights. And inevitably, you start comparing. And in this regard, we were disappointed value-for-money wise.'

Hue goes there: One of South Australia's eye-popping pink lakes

On the left is Anna Bay in Australia's New South Wales. Johan said: 'I like how this unnatural looking desert stripe seemingly splits the ocean from the forest on the right.' On the right is one of Johan's most-liked pictures on Instagram. It shows the tear-shaped Loch Ard Gorge in Victoria, Australia. It's named after a ship that ran aground nearby in 1878. The sole survivors, two teenagers, managed to struggle ashore to the beach in the gorge

Johan said that certain landscapes lend themselves to drone photography.

He revealed: 'Water is great for drone photography. You'll find water in 75 per cent of my images. Because usually it gives you an amazing colour contrast between the blue water and the oranges in the beach, for example. Just make sure to use a polarised filter for best results.

'I also look for steep altitude differences. Like cliffs, canyons, mountains and so on. That's another great feature to use in drone photography. Because you can really position the drone in a way that showcases that steep cliff from the outside, in a way that normal photography would never be able to do.'

Johan said that some of the common drone photography mistakes that amateurs make include shooting in Jpeg  'which doesn't allow them to edit their photos to the same extent afterwards'  they 'try to go as high as possible, while a good drone photo is usually not that high up'; they shoot the view, 'and don't think about composition', and 'most of the time the skies are overexposed'.

His two 'most valuable' tips are to shoot during the golden-hour light  'sunrise or sunset'  which will 'make your photo just look magical' and, a technical one this, 'check the AEB (automated bracketing) mode, which helps you get more detail in the highlights, a bright sky with some clouds for example, while still having all the details in the shadows'.

The amazing Chateau de La Hulpe in Belgium, which has a remarkable 118ft (36m) obelisk in its grounds, topped by a dazzling sun

On the left is fairy-tale Bled Island, which sits in the middle of Slovenia's Lake Bled. Its most prominent feature is the 17th-century Gothic church. On the right is an aerial view of Piran, a beautiful coastal town in Slovenia. Johan said that all the streets there are 'tiny and cobbled'

Keen drone snappers can learn much more from Johan, of course, by signing up to his Drone Adventurer Masterclass.

He said: 'I want to inspire my students to fuel their passion and become "Drone Adventurers", just like me.

'I will teach them everything I've learned so that they can take amazing drone photos and videos as well. So instead of wasting hours and hours on YouTube and still being in the dark, they can take this shortcut that will speed up their learning curve enormously.

'And I will help them to focus on the fun aspect of droning, on creating cool photos and learning new things, so they stay motivated to continue.

'I've set up in three modules. "The Photography Masterclass" will explain how to take that banger drone photo or cinematic video. "The Lightroom Masterclass" shows them exactly how to edit that photo in Lightroom and gets them started on their first video in Premiere Pro. "The Partnerships Masterclass" is all about using their new skills to negotiate partnerships with brands/agencies/resorts and so on, and shows them different ways to make money with drone photography. On top of that, they get access to our private Facebook group to post their homework and get direct feedback from me on their progress.

'I'm really passionate about teaching and therefore very excited to guide these students to the level of "Drone Adventurer". Can't wait.'

To see more of Johan's work visit his Instagram page and his website, and click here for more on his course.
Celebrity Miley Cyrus is known for her music, Hannah Montana, and, of course, her high-profile relationships. Most notable among them was her decade-long one with Liam Hemsworth, to whom she was married for less than a year. Heres what Cyrus said a year after their split about dealing with the breakup.

Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworths relationship timeline

Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth arrive at the Los Angeles premiere of The Last Song on March 25, 2010 in Hollywood, California. | Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

RELATED: Miley Cyrus Most Popular Songs About Liam Hemsworth

Cyrus and Hemsworth met on the set of the romantic drama The Last Song in 2009. They played love interests, which seemingly bled into their personal lives, as they were photographed hanging out months ahead of the films premiere in 2010. In 2012, they announced their engagement.

In 2013, Hemsworth and Cyrus broke up. However, they reportedly remained friends for years, before getting back together in 2015. With their engagement back on, they tied the knot in December 2018. In August 2019, they announced their separation. The divorce became official in early 2020.

When they broke up, many assumed she cheated on him

At the time of her breakup, Cyrus was on vacation in Italy with, among others, Kaitlynn Carter. Photos surfaced of the two kissing. For the next month or so, Cyrus and Carter were seen out and about, prompting media speculation that they began dating while Cyrus was still with Hemsworth.

I can admit to a lot of things but I refuse to admit that my marriage ended because of cheating, Cyrus wrote in an Instagram post. Liam and I have been together for a decade. Ive said it before & it remains true, I love Liam and always will. BUT at this point I had to make a healthy decision for myself to leave a previous life behind.

Cyrus stayed logical to get through that time

On the Call Her Daddy podcast in August 2020, Cyrus explained how she dealt with her very public, very big break up that was over a 10-year span of a relationship  lists. She says shes very logical, adding with heartbreak, I try to not get lost in the emotion. The world is going to keep turning.

But Cyrus acknowledges it wasnt easy. Its like a death when you lose a love that deep. It feels like a death. Sometimes that even feels easier, she said of death, because in a breakup, that persons still walking on the Earth and choosing every day [not to be with you]. Because its a choice. Death isnt a choice. This is a choice.

How does she feel about their relationship now?

One year later, Cyrus has been through two more breakups  with Carter, and with her boyfriend of several months, singer Cody Simpson. Though she didnt say anything directly about either of them on Call Her Daddy, she did express that she looks back on her time with Hemsworth fondly.

At first, when I got out of my long-time relationship, and it didnt workthat was really traumatizing, Cyrus told host Alexandra Cooper. Now Im in a place where I just look at it, and I love it and respect it, and it just is such an amazing time in my life. The relationship that I had for 10 years was an amazing time in my life.
The new academic year 2020/2021in all public schools of Saudi Arabia will resume via distance learning programs due to the exceptional circumstances of coronavirus pandemic, said a senior government official.



The same mechanism will be applied for the theoretical courses in universities and technical education, while the practical courses will require attendance by the students, Minister of Education Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al Al-Sheikh, was quoted as saying in a Saudi Press Agency (SPA) report.



He also explained that this announcement comes after coordination with the Ministry of Health; Ministry of Communications and Information Technology; Education & Training Evaluation Commission and Human Capital Development Program.
GEORGETOWN - In the winter of 1893, a little girl growing up in Palestine heard grownups talking about an incident in Paris, 150 miles to the north. Their ghastly accounts were not fit for a childs ears, and yet 9-year-old Jessie couldnt help but listen. All of East Texas was talking about it. The incident would have a profound effect on the course of her life.

On a cold day in late January, the body of a 3-year-old Paris child named Myrtle Vance was found in some brush. She had been murdered, probably strangled to death. Her assailant may or may not have been a young black man named Henry Smith, but the suspect was never tried. Instead, 10,000 or so spectators gathered on the open prairie outside town to watch him being tortured with red-hot irons for two hours, mutilated, doused with coal oil before being set afire and then lynched. School was dismissed for the day, so children could witness the spectacle.

Jessie Harriet Daniel - Jessie Daniel Ames after she married an army surgeon named Roger Ames - devoted her life to two great causes: preventing such atrocities and securing the vote for women. As the founder of the Texas League of Women Voters and the Association of Southern Women for the Prevention of Lynching, she believed that both causes were intertwined.

Its difficult to assess the influence of her anti-lynching group, but theres no question that her suffrage efforts had a profound effect on Texas political history. This weeks hundredth anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granting women the right to vote is the perfect time to acknowledge those efforts. The amendment was ratified on Aug. 18, 1920.

Jessie Daniel was 10 years old when the family moved from Palestine to Georgetown. She graduated from Georgetown High School and then received her undergraduate degree from Southwestern University, a few blocks away, in 1902. When she was 31, her husband died of blackwater fever in Guatemala, leaving her a widow with two children and expecting a third. Her husbands death, Stephen Harrigan suggests in his recently published history of Texas (Big, Beautiful Thing), may have liberated her from the fate of being a subservient and resented wife and propelled her into the urgent work of womens suffrage and civil rights.

Her causes were important, but as a single mother she still had to make a living. Her father had bought the Georgetown Phone Company in 1911, shortly before his death. She went to work helping her mother run the company, first as a bookkeeper and then as manager and vice-president.

Texas women had been lobbying in earnest for the right to vote since the early years of the new century. The movement began to gain momentum when Minnie Fisher Cunningham became president of the Texas Woman Suffrage Association in 1915. Under the leadership of the formidable woman from New Waverly, local suffrage groups increased by 400 percent. (Cunningham, by the way, ran for governor in 1944, finishing second in the Democratic primary out of a field of nine.)

Ames was a force, as well. She organized the Williamson County Suffrage Association in 1916 and later served as president of the Georgetown Equal Suffrage League. She argued that the right to vote was integrally tied to her position as a businesswoman. I was the owner of property which voters could tax without the consent of the owners, she wrote. It was a condition of taxation without representation, and I was a female Patrick Henry.

In 1918, when the Texas legislature at last granted women the right to vote in state elections, the primary was only 17 days away. In Georgetown, Ames got on the phone - she owned the company, remember? - and with help from fellow suffragists registered more than 3,500 Williamson County women to vote. As Tanya Estes points out in the current issue of Texas Co-op Power Magazine, Ames and her cohorts also provided voting instructions and staged mock elections.

Their efforts helped elect anti-Klan candidate Dan Moody as Williamson County attorney. Moody, as he had promised during his campaign, went after the Klan. He continued his efforts as the states youngest-ever attorney general, before being elected governor at age 33. Ames, meanwhile, stayed busy registering voters statewide as founder of the Texas League of Women Voters.

In 1930, another horrendous lynching resurrected horrendous memories of the Paris atrocity. In Sherman, an enraged mob burned down the courthouse in a frenzied effort to get to the Black man inside. Locked in a vault, the man burned to death before the mob could get to him.

Ames gathered 40,000 signatures from Southern women who opposed lynching. With 26 women representing groups from across the South, she founded the Association of Southern Women to Prevent Lynching. Members of the group visited churches, social service organizations and sheriffs offices across the South looking for allies in their anti-lynching crusade. They were not always welcomed.

The women also set to work to delegitimize the outrageous rationale that lynching was an expression of Southern chivalry, that it was necessary to protect White women from rapacious Black men. In its declaration of purpose, the group wrote: We declare lynching is an indefensible crime, destructive of all principles of government, hateful and hostile to every ideal of religion and humanity, debasing and degrading to every person involved. . . . We believe this record has been achieved because public opinion has accepted too easily the claim of lynchers and mobsters that they were acting solely in the defense of womanhood. In the light of facts, this claim can no longer be used as a protection to those who lynch.

Ames and other politically active Texas women, including Cunningham, maintained that their anti-lynching efforts were part of a more comprehensive effort to address social ills. They encouraged women to vote as a bloc in their efforts to achieve workplace equity, marriage equality, educational opportunity and racial justice.

Ames worked for change for more than three decades. She retired to North Carolina in 1944 but came home to Georgetown in 1968 to live with her daughter. She died in 1972.

We were idealists, she once recalled. We thought that when we got the vote the whole pattern of politics would be greatly improved and would be dominated by women.

Jessie Daniel Ames would no doubt agree that the good work she began more than a century ago is still a work in progress.

djholley10@gmail.com

Twitter: holleynews

GEORGETOWN - In the winter of 1893, a little girl growing up in Palestine heard grownups talking about an incident in Paris, 150 miles to the north. Their ghastly accounts were not fit for a childs ears, and yet 9-year-old Jessie couldnt help but listen. All of East Texas was talking about it. The incident would have a profound effect on the course of her life.

On a cold day in late January, the body of a 3-year-old Paris child named Myrtle Vance was found in some brush. She had been murdered, probably strangled to death. Her assailant may or may not have been a young black man named Henry Smith, but the suspect was never tried. Instead, 10,000 or so spectators gathered on the open prairie outside town to watch him being tortured with red-hot irons for two hours, mutilated, doused with coal oil before being set afire and then lynched. School was dismissed for the day, so children could witness the spectacle.

Jessie Harriet Daniel - Jessie Daniel Ames after she married an army surgeon named Roger Ames - devoted her life to two great causes: preventing such atrocities and securing the vote for women. As the founder of the Texas League of Women Voters and the Association of Southern Women for the Prevention of Lynching, she believed that both causes were intertwined.

Its difficult to assess the influence of her anti-lynching group, but theres no question that her suffrage efforts had a profound effect on Texas political history. This weeks hundredth anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granting women the right to vote is the perfect time to acknowledge those efforts. The amendment was ratified on Aug. 18, 1920.

Jessie Daniel was 10 years old when the family moved from Palestine to Georgetown. She graduated from Georgetown High School and then received her undergraduate degree from Southwestern University, a few blocks away, in 1902. When she was 31, her husband died of blackwater fever in Guatemala, leaving her a widow with two children and expecting a third. Her husbands death, Stephen Harrigan suggests in his recently published history of Texas (Big, Beautiful Thing), may have liberated her from the fate of being a subservient and resented wife and propelled her into the urgent work of womens suffrage and civil rights.

Her causes were important, but as a single mother she still had to make a living. Her father had bought the Georgetown Phone Company in 1911, shortly before his death. She went to work helping her mother run the company, first as a bookkeeper and then as manager and vice-president.

Texas women had been lobbying in earnest for the right to vote since the early years of the new century. The movement began to gain momentum when Minnie Fisher Cunningham became president of the Texas Woman Suffrage Association in 1915. Under the leadership of the formidable woman from New Waverly, local suffrage groups increased by 400 percent. (Cunningham, by the way, ran for governor in 1944, finishing second in the Democratic primary out of a field of nine.)

Ames was a force, as well. She organized the Williamson County Suffrage Association in 1916 and later served as president of the Georgetown Equal Suffrage League. She argued that the right to vote was integrally tied to her position as a businesswoman. I was the owner of property which voters could tax without the consent of the owners, she wrote. It was a condition of taxation without representation, and I was a female Patrick Henry.

In 1918, when the Texas legislature at last granted women the right to vote in state elections, the primary was only 17 days away. In Georgetown, Ames got on the phone - she owned the company, remember? - and with help from fellow suffragists registered more than 3,500 Williamson County women to vote. As Tanya Estes points out in the current issue of Texas Co-op Power Magazine, Ames and her cohorts also provided voting instructions and staged mock elections.

Their efforts helped elect anti-Klan candidate Dan Moody as Williamson County attorney. Moody, as he had promised during his campaign, went after the Klan. He continued his efforts as the states youngest-ever attorney general, before being elected governor at age 33. Ames, meanwhile, stayed busy registering voters statewide as founder of the Texas League of Women Voters.

In 1930, another horrendous lynching resurrected horrendous memories of the Paris atrocity. In Sherman, an enraged mob burned down the courthouse in a frenzied effort to get to the Black man inside. Locked in a vault, the man burned to death before the mob could get to him.

Ames gathered 40,000 signatures from Southern women who opposed lynching. With 26 women representing groups from across the South, she founded the Association of Southern Women to Prevent Lynching. Members of the group visited churches, social service organizations and sheriffs offices across the South looking for allies in their anti-lynching crusade. They were not always welcomed.

The women also set to work to delegitimize the outrageous rationale that lynching was an expression of Southern chivalry, that it was necessary to protect White women from rapacious Black men. In its declaration of purpose, the group wrote: We declare lynching is an indefensible crime, destructive of all principles of government, hateful and hostile to every ideal of religion and humanity, debasing and degrading to every person involved. . . . We believe this record has been achieved because public opinion has accepted too easily the claim of lynchers and mobsters that they were acting solely in the defense of womanhood. In the light of facts, this claim can no longer be used as a protection to those who lynch.

Ames and other politically active Texas women, including Cunningham, maintained that their anti-lynching efforts were part of a more comprehensive effort to address social ills. They encouraged women to vote as a bloc in their efforts to achieve workplace equity, marriage equality, educational opportunity and racial justice.

Ames worked for change for more than three decades. She retired to North Carolina in 1944 but came home to Georgetown in 1968 to live with her daughter. She died in 1972.

We were idealists, she once recalled. We thought that when we got the vote the whole pattern of politics would be greatly improved and would be dominated by women.

Jessie Daniel Ames would no doubt agree that the good work she began more than a century ago is still a work in progress.

djholley10@gmail.com

Twitter: holleynews
The exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya from Belarus has called for peaceful rallies across the country this weekend, amid evidence of massive torture of anti-government protestors by security forces.

By Stefan Bos

After she was forced to leave for Lithuania, Tikhanovskaya urged her supporters to protest peacefully for a transfer of power. "Human life is the most valuable of all. We need to stop the violence on the street of Belarusian cities and towns. I call for the government to stop the violence and start a dialogue," she said.



"I am appealing to appealing to mayors of all cities and towns on the 15th and 16th of August to organize peaceful mass gatherings in every town," Tikhanovskaya added.



The 37-year-old former English teacher and mother-of-two campaigned on behalf of her jailed husband, a popular blogger. "We saw new peaceful actions on the streets of our cities. The chains of solidarity by women with flowers, for instance, are not belligerent. They show the whole world that we Belarusians are open, honest people, and we are against violence, " she stressed in the video message.



Authorities claimed that the authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko won the presidential elections with 80 percent of the vote. But Tikhanovskaya stressed that in areas where counting was carried out correctly, she received 60 to 70 percent of the vote and in one region even 90 percent of the counted ballots.



However, after being held for hours by authorities for protesting the results, she was forced to flee to Lithuania. Some 7,000 people were arrested in protests that emerged following the election.



EVIDENCE OF TORTURE



Many of the former detainees have spoken of torture at the hands of the security services. Among them, Sergiy Meyanets, who showed reporters a doctor's certificate confirming torture injuries. "They began asking who the organizers of the protests are. He electrocuted me about ten times. In the legs, near the heart and my arms," Meyanets said.



"Whenever we moved or said a word, we would get hit with batons straight away. He [the police officer] even threatened to burn us alive," the activist recalled.



Advocacy group Amnesty International said accounts from released detainees suggested "widespread torture." As protests continued for a sixth day and walkouts from state factories grew on Friday, European Union foreign ministers held an emergency video meeting. They agreed to prepare new sanctions on Belarusian officials responsible for what they called "violence and falsification."



Amid the tensions, the increasingly isolated President Lukashenko released 32 Russians accused of being mercenaries to undermine state security by organizing mass riots.



Moscow has denied these accusations. It suggested that the 33 detainees including one Belarussian citizen who wasn't transferred to Russia  were innocent security personnel.
By Associated Press

SEOUL: The United States and South Korea will begin their annual joint military exercises this week, Seouls Joint Chiefs of Staff said Sunday. But a spreading coronavirus outbreak has apparently forced the allies to scale back an already low-key training program mainly involving computer-simulated war scenarios.

The drills from Tuesday to Aug. 28 could still irk North Korea, which portrays the allies training as invasion rehearsals and has threatened to abandon stalled nuclear talks if Washington persists with what it perceives as hostile policies toward Pyongyang.

The exercises also come at a delicate time after President Donald Trump openly complained about the costs of maintaining 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea to protect against North Korean threats. The allies have so far failed to sign a new cost-sharing agreement after the last one expired at the end of 2019.

The drills involve so-called combined command post training, which is focused on computerized simulations aimed at preparing the two militaries for various battle scenarios, such as a surprise North Korean attack.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff did not specify how many troops will participate. But its clear the size would be smaller than the summer drills of previous years, which often involved tens of thousands of troops on both sides, and combined computer simulations with field training. This time, the coronavirus pandemic has limited the number of US troops who could be brought in from abroad.

The US and South Korean militaries had canceled their springtime drills following a COVID-19 outbreak in the southern city of Daegu and nearby towns that was stabilized by April.

But South Korea is now dealing with a virus resurgence in the densely populated Seoul metropolitan region, home to half of the countrys 51 million people. It forced US Forces Korea to designate the capital and surrounding areas off-limits to personnel who dont live there. The 279 new cases South Korea reported on Sunday are the highest daily jump since early March.

There have been around 150 COVID-19 infections among US troops stationed in South Korea since February, which prompted Gyeonggi Province near Seoul last month to openly call for the cancellation of the August drills. Gyeonggi includes the city of Pyeongtaek, the site of US military headquarters.

The allies have downsized much of their combined training activity after Trump unilaterally suspended large-scale field training with South Korea after his first summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June 2018. Trump then seemed to adopt North Koreas traditional view of such drills, criticizing them as a provocative drain of money.

Nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang have faltered since the collapse of Trumps second meeting with Kim in February last year in Vietnam, where the Americans rejected North Koreas demand for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capabilities.

The North reacted to last years summertime drills by ramping up its short-range missile tests and unleashing verbal vitriol toward South Korea, which had lobbied hard to revive nuclear talks between Washington and Pyongyang.




Thousands of Trump supporters flocked to their nearest bodies of water to take part in massive boat parades Saturday, with those in Florida trying to break a Guinness World Record while they were at it.

Trump flotillas - dubbed 'Trumptillas' - have been increasing around the country over the last few months as a way to rally for the president's 2020 campaign while also practicing social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.

On Saturday, large-scale flotillas popped up in Florida, New Jersey, Alabama and Delaware, drawing thousands of marine-friendly Trump supporters, as well as protesters.

Trump supporters took to the water Saturday for a series of boat parade rallies held in various states. The Delware 'Trumptilla' is pictured here

Delaware's Trumptilla boaters (pictured) were also accompanied by some Trump supporters using canoes, kayaks, and rafts

Boaters near Clearwater, Florida, attempted to set a new Guinness World Record by having the largest ever boat parade - a record set in Malaysia in 2014.

The event's organizers, coffee shop Conservative Grounds, said that they needed more than 1,180 boats to break the record and called it the 'MOAB Mother of all Boat Parades.'

Although it's unclear exactly how many boats participated in the parade, one of the event's organizers, Cliff Gehart, told FOX 13 that more than 1,600 people had paid and registered to participate in the parade, which started at 10am Saturday.

He said that boaters had traveled to Clearwater from places including Orlando, West Palm Beach and South Carolina - 'all over the place to represent Trump and to support his effort.'

Gehart estimated that nearly 2,000 boats had joined the parade, but the actual number will be determined by Guinness officials after they review footage of the event.

Trump supporters are pictured here during the Trumptilla on New Jersey's Lake Hopatcong

More than 125 boats were said to have participated in the New Jersey boat parade on Lake Hoptacong (pictured), which also attracted more than two dozen counterprotesters.

Landlubbing Trump supports lined up on a bridge on Lake Hoptacong to show their support

Counter protesters also showed up at Lake Hoptacong (pictured) Saturday, waving Biden 2020 flags and waving anti-hate flags

In Clearwater, Florida, an estimated 2,000 boats full of Trump supporters showed up (pictured) in an attempt to break a Guinness World Record for boat parades set in 2014

Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, now the National Co-chair of Women for Trump, told Fox News that those participating in the parade were the 'not-so-silent majority, and this is what's going to get the president re-elected.'

Bondi, whose hometown is Clearwater, added: 'These are families on every single boat, and they are not scared to be out there supporting President Trump and his great agenda.'

The parade's route began at Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach and then headed south through the Pinellas Intercoastal Waterway, before ending in the Madeira Beach area, CBS Tampa Bay reported, noting that boats only needed to be at the Welch Causeway crossing to be counted in the Guinness record attempt.

Trump supporters shared phots of themselves on the potentially world record-breaking boat parade in Clearwater Saturday morning

Florida's Trumptilla (pictured) featured boaters from as far away as South Carolina, event organizers said, adding that 1,600 people had paid and registered ahead of time

An aerial view showing the number of Trumptilla boaters who turned out in Clearwater, Florida

Another boat parade was held in Alabama Saturday afternoon, sponsored by a group called Turn Alabama RED.

The parade started at 1pm at Sportsman Marina in Orange Beach, Alabama. According to a Facebook event page, 233 people said that they attended the parade.

Further north, in Delaware, another Trumptilla took place on Alum Creek, organized by the Delaware County Republican Party, which shared video of motorboats zooming through the water.

'The Trump Train was out in force at Alum Creek today!' the group wrote on Facebook, with Facebook users noting that it looked like a 'good turnout.'

ABC 6 reported that dozens of boaters were on the water participating in the parade, which also allowed people to use canoes, kayaks, and rafts.

And, in New Jersey, more than 125 boats were said to have joined the Trump boat parade held on Lake Hopatcong, the state's largest lake on Saturday afternoon.

The parade - which had been rescheduled due to weather in June - featured boaters who honked their horns and waved Trump 2020 and Trump Train flags, as well as trotting out Trump-themed pool floats, swimming suits, yellow wigs and cardboard cutouts, according to the Daily Record.

Dozens of landlubbers, meanwhile, were spotted on a bridge, chanting 'four more years' and 'all lives matter.'

Counter-protesters from the area also attended the event to make their viewpoint known.

Brothers Matthew and Noah Steinbaum, who live in Lake Hopatcong, brought more than two dozen people with them to protest the Trumptilla under the 'No Hate on Our Lake' banner.

While waving a Biden flag and sitting on a motorboat, one of the Steinbaum brothers yelled: '(The Democrats) are here to let the community know we have a place here.' Other protesters were heard chanting 'Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go.'
The final 15 seconds of a new documentary about Rupert Murdoch pretty much sums up why the whole endeavour fails to launch: "The Murdoch family were asked to take part in this series," the producers noted in capital letters. "They declined."

Talk about stating the obvious. By the time the viewer arrives at this disclaimer, they are three hours into the program and well aware that the main players are nowhere to be seen. It means The Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty turns to old ground and the usual critics.

Rupert Murdoch is a polarising figure in public life in Australia, the United Kingdom and United States. Credit:AP

The three-part series aired on the BBC towards the end of July and its absence from Australian screens prompted some speculation that the program may have been blocked in Murdoch's country of birth. One niche website even ran a story with the headline, 'Are Australians being censored from seeing new BBC documentary on Murdoch empire?'

It was all a baseless conspiracy theory because there has been plenty of interest in running it locally. Nine, the owner of this masthead, wanted to buy it but the ABC got first crack and will air it later this year.
Liberty Apple Orchard, a U-pick orchard located just east of Edwardsville, will open Aug. 22, with Covid-19 safeguards in place.

The health and safety of our guests and associates is foremost, said Steve Miller, who owns and cares for the orchard with his wife, Lugene Miller.

Located at 8308 Kuhn Station Road, the orchard features 14 varieties of apples from August through November. Liberty will be open this season for U-pick guests on Saturday from 10:00 a.m.  5:00 p.m., Sunday from 12:00 p. m. - 4:30 p.m. and after school on Tuesday to Friday from 3:00  5:00 p.m. On Labor Day, Sept. 7, the orchard will be open from 10:00 a.m.  5:00 p.m.

Construction of a new farm market building is underway to provide more space for social distancing for guests and school field trips.

The additional space will allow us to better serve our guests for years to come, with pre-picked apples, cider, apple butter and apple sauce made from our apples, local honey and baked goods, said Lugene Miller. The Covid-19 shutdown this spring slowed the start of construction but the Millers are hopeful the new building will be ready in September.

In response to Covid-19, a number of investments and process changes have been made to protect guests, including:

 Employees will wear masks and gloves when handling money

 Cleaning and disinfection practices will be expanded, including frequent employee hand-washing, hand sanitizer for guests and frequent disinfecting of surfaces, including bins, tables and doorknobs

 A non-porous plastic table cover has been installed in the schoolhouse

 Contactless card readers have been purchased; use of cash will be discouraged

 Curb-side service will be made available at the orchard

 Tents will be set up to greet customers and provide for outdoor shopping & checkout

 Guests who choose to enter the schoolhouse will be required to wear masks in accordance with Illinois guidelines; the number of people allowed in the schoolhouse at one time will be limited

 Customers will be asked to leave the orchard if they are displaying symptoms of Covid-19 or have come in contact with someone with symptoms

 Associates will not work if they have symptoms

 Signage to encourage six-foot social distancing will be installed

 In accordance with Illinois Farmers Market Association guidelines, apples at farmers markets will be sold by the bag; customers will not handle fruit.

Starting in late August, Gala, McIntosh and some Blondee apples will be the first of 14 varieties ready for picking. By early September, Jonathan, Empire and Cortland apples will be available, followed by Liberty, Fuji and Ultra Gold varieties. In October, Braeburn, Enterprise, Candycrisp, Gold Rush, and Granny Smith will be available for picking.

Growing an orchard is a year-round endeavor, but we were fortunate again to have some dedicated high school and college students and retired folks to help out, said Steve. The orchard employed 15 high school and college students over the past year to assist with pruning in the winter and orchard maintenance in the spring through fall seasons.

While some of our excellent employees are returning or starting college this year to pursue degrees in engineering, business, journalism, finance and information systems, we are looking forward to their return during the winter break to assist with pruning, added Steve.

Liberty Apple Orchard is conveniently located near Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Troy and Highland, yet still situated in a rural setting. With over 1,000 large trees, the orchard provides plenty of room for social distancing and a healthy and happy outing for families, said Lugene. And there is no access fee to visit the orchard and enjoy the sights and fragrances of autumn, added Steve. As in past years, the Millers objectives are to provide high quality local fresh fruit, an educational experience for children and families, and community participation and outreach.

As part of this goal, Liberty Apple Orchard also offers opportunities for class or group field trips to pick apples and learn about growing an apple orchard (call ahead for arrangements: 618.659.9217), fundraisers for your youth group, mission group, or school, and a source of healthy snacks for your fall festival/Halloween celebration.

In addition to providing a local U-Pick opportunity, Liberty Apple Orchards produce is available at Dierbergs in Edwardsville, Local Harvest in Tower Grove and, on Saturday mornings, at the Land of Goshen Farmers Market in Edwardsville and the Tower Grove Farmers Market.

Liberty Apple Orchard plans to expand its assistance to food banks in the Metro-East and St. Louis areas by partnering again with the St. Louis Area Foodbank, a non-profit food distribution organization serving 26 counties in Illinois and Missouri.

Liberty Apple Orchard is located just a few miles east of Edwardsville. From the Meyer YMCA in Edwardsville, go east on Goshen Road approximately two miles, turn right on Staunton Rd., cross the Bike Trail, turn left on Kuhn Station Rd. The orchard and schoolhouse are down the road about one-fourth of a mile on the right. From St. Louis via I-55, take exit 23, travel east on Route 143 for one-fourth mile, turn right on Staunton Rd. and proceed for about a mile. At the T with Goshen Rd. turn left and then take the first right back onto Staunton Rd. Cross the Bike Trail and turn left onto Kuhn Station Rd. The orchard is down the road on the right.

For further information on the ripening schedule and times and dates for special events, follow us on Facebook (libertyappleorchard), our website (www.libertyappleorchard.com), or call 618-659-9217.
Glenda McKays miniature dolls and masks mirror her Athabascan heritage in images of dancers, hunters and harpoons.

McKay is one of 450 artists who juried into the Santa Fe Indian Market that annually engulfs the Plaza with artists and collectors. Cancelled due to the pandemic, this years event is virtual at swaia.org through Aug. 31.

McKays feathered, fossilized ivory masks and intricately beaded dolls in tiny fur mukluks echo the spirit of her ancestral ceremonies and culture.

Born in Chugiak, Alaska, the artist says, I was pretty much raised in Denali before it was ever a park.

She learned how to bead and make tourist dolls at five from her grandmother and aunts. They took her to what is now Denali National Park, where she learned to make her own snares to hunt rabbits, squirrels and foxes. She learned to tan hides and use every part of the animal. The women also taught her to gather bark, roots and berries to eat or use as medicine and natural dyes.

My grandmother was very afraid the Russians would invade us, McKay said.

Those fears were rooted in history. The European discovery of Alaska came in 1741, when a Russian expedition led by Danish

navigator Vitus Bering sighted the Alaskan mainland. Russian fur hunters swarmed into Alaska. The native Aleut population suffered greatly after being exposed to foreign diseases and violence.

McKays father was a bush pilot. Her grandmother ran medicine and supplies by dogsled, what McKay calls the original Iditarod.

At first, the artist showed her work at craft fairs and bazaars. She learned to hunt moose and caribou for survival because the grocery stores were far from her isolated homeland. Eventually, she worked in a gift shop, where she sold her work on consignment.

Everything changed when a cruise ship brought a woman from Phoenixs Heard Museum into her life.

She heard people talking about my dolls, McKay said. The woman invited the artist to show her work at the museum.

Id never been out of Alaska,McKay said. I said, Wheres the Heard? 

Once there, she looked up from her booth to the sight and sound of 150 artists applauding her work.

Then Disney World chose her for a five-year exhibition at the Epcot Center.

In 2013, she received a fellowship to Santa Fes School for Advanced Research.

This year, she is showing a trio of masks carved from fossilized walrus ivory.

Her Miniature Athabascan Spotted Mask is shrouded in mystery. It features whale baleen inlays, sprouts grouse feathers and beluga whale sinew ties.

Theres no real story behind it, she said. The mask is so old that theres no stories.

Her culture uses masks in ceremonies. The native people host feasts, where they act out skits and create masks to welcome visitors. McKay finds the fossilized ivory on Alaskas beaches. A friend sends her the whale baleen and beluga sinew.

Her Bearman Mask reveals a creature that is half bear, half human.

They would have a ceremony before a hunt, she said. The hunter would dance around the fire so he could transform from man to bear to become one with the animal spirit.

Her Half Man Mask is part nod to the disabled.

We believe that our handicapped people are the most powerful because they can live with us with their handicap, McKay said.

The hunter dances with a disabled person to become more powerful, she explained.

At the end, they put the two masks together to make them more powerful.

Her miniature Seal Man waves the animals flippers in each hand.

Hes praying for the hunt, McKay said. Hes going through the transference to become one with the seal.

Once they take the seal, the hunters give it a drink and a breath so that they will come back and bring more animals, McKay said.

Her full-sized Harpoon Head and Sheath depicts a ravens eyes for the accuracy of the throw.

Its also an emergency whistle, she added, in case a polar bear approaches.

McKay created the sheath from brain-tanned moose, otter and deer hide. She embellished it with both bead and quill work. The tiny Venetian and Czech beads date back 100 to 200 years. She added Russian trade beads in honor of her mother and grandmother at the top. A fossilized seal tooth dangles from the bottom to connect the hunter with its spirit.

McKay juried into the Santa Fe Indian Market 10 years ago. She says it comprises at least 50, if not 75%, of her annual income.

Its going to be different, she said of the virtual market. Im hoping for the best. I usually have 10-15 people deep at my booth just to listen to stories.
Navigating Michigans vote by mail process could pose challenges to college students and first-time voters who already struggled to cast a ballot on time before the pandemic.

Students and political organizers across the state said college-age voters are more motivated to participate in the upcoming Nov. 3 election but are generally confused about how to vote by mail. This years elections are the first experience many Michigan residents will have with absentee voting since changes to the state Constitution expanded the option to everyone, and election officials are further promoting absentee voting as a safe alternative to avoid COVID-19 exposure at polling places.
New Delhi: India has assistance to Mauritius to deal with the oil spill which included a 10 member response team from the Indian coast guard and 30 tonnes of technical equipment including oil 10,000 absorbent pads.

The assistance, in response to a request by the Mauritius government, was sent on India Air Force's C17 Globemaster. The equipment includes Ocean Booms, River Booms, Disc Skimmers, Heli Skimmers, Power packs, Inflators, Blowers, Salvage barge and 10000 oil absorbent pads.

The oil absorbent pads are manufactured by India using grapheme, an allotrope of carbon and have been supplied by Indian Oil Corporation.

Notably, the equipment has been provided by the Indian Coast Guard. The coast guard is the nodal body under India's National Oil Spill-Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP).

Wion had first broken the news on August 8 that India is exploring avenues to help Mauritius to deal with the oil spill. As an initial response, Indian Oil (Mauritius) Limited (IOML) sent a barge Tresta Star towards the site and was able to evacuate 1000 tonnes of fuel oil from a tank by August 10.

To this effect the Ministry of External Affairs released a statement on Sunday saying, "Indias assistance is in line with its policy to extend humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to its neighbours in the Indian Ocean region, guided by the Prime Ministers vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region)."

The statement further said, "The urgent assistance reflects the close bonds of friendship between India and Mauritius and Indias abiding commitment to assist the people of Mauritius in need."

Last month on July 25, bulk carrier vessel MV Wakashio ran aground on a reef in the southeastern part of Mauritius. The vessel carried around 4000 metric tons of fuel and the spill threatens to impact the entire ecologically sensitive region.

India has been reaching out to countries of the Indian ocean amidst the COVID pandemic. This includes assistance to Mauritius with essential medicines that included a special consignment of Ayurvedic medicines.
Yesterday, the Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York (NYCPBA) announced that it is endorsing President Trump. This endorsement doesnt seem like a surprise, given that Trump stands for enforcing the law against rioters, looters, and arsonists, whereas Joe Biden seems indifferent, at best, about doing so.

In fact, however, the NYCPBA hasnt endorsed a candidate in a presidential race for at least 36 years. Thus, its endorsement of Trump is significant  a sign of the times.

NYCPBA President Patrick Lynch told Trump:

Many times, people say that a union like ours, law enforcement groups, give endorsements. Not in the New York City PBA, sir. In the New York City PBA, sir, you earn the endorsement and youve earned this endorsement. Im proud to give it.

Lynch criticized local and state government leaders  all Democrats, of course  for passing this false narrative that New York City police officers and law enforcement are evil. They blame us for societys ills, he added.

Democrats have been doing this kind of thing for a while. It was standard practice at the Obama-Holder DOJ. But with the rise of BLM and the recent rash of violence it has encouraged and engaged in, the NYCPBA has finally had enough. Lets hope that other important police unions follow its example and strongly endorse Trump.

To be honest, Trumps record on law and order could be better. He supported, and caused the passage of, legislation granting lenient sentences and early release to many federal felons. In addition, some his nominees for the U.S. Sentencing Commission are too soft on criminals (a subject, perhaps, for a future post).

Still, theres no comparison between Trump and Biden-Harris on these issues. Harris strongly supports BLM. By selecting Harris as his running mate, Biden has confirmed that he has no intention of standing up to that movement or, indeed, to any other major element of the left.

If those concerned about the breakdown in order the Democratic left tolerates  and, in fact, helps perpetrate  needed a wake up call, Harris nomination supplied it.

Via Karen Townsend at Hot Air.
PROTEST: Palestinians in the West Bank city of Nablus protest against the Israel-UAE deal. Photo: Majdi Mohammed/AP

Israel's historic peace deal with the United Arab Emirates could be the first step in forging a bold, Nato-like alliance against the Iranian regime, according to the Jewish state's former foreign affairs chief.

Dore Gold, Israel's director general of foreign affairs from 2015-2016, said he saw potential parallels between the agreement and post-war Europe.

Under the terms of the peace deal, overseen by US president Donald Trump, the UAE will sign a series of trade deals and normalise relations with Israel, which in return must suspend its controversial plans to annex parts of the West Bank.

"I think there's an analogy here to what happened in western Europe after the Second World War," said Mr Dore, who served as an adviser to Israeli prime ministers Ariel Sharon and Benjamin Netanyahu when he was effectively their national security adviser.

"You had former adversaries, France and Germany, being able to pull together under the America umbrella and form an organisation called Nato. I see the issue of a mutual threat [Iran] providing the basis for cooperation between former enemies."

His comments offer a sobering dose of reality of what lay behind Israel's surprise decision to strike the unlikely new alliance, its first with a Gulf state.

Iran is the arch-enemy of Israel but also a growing concern for the Gulf states, in particular the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Mr Gold added the UAE had a "very big problem with Iran", in part due to the regime's takeover in 1971 of a cluster of islands near Emirati territory in the Persian Gulf: Abu Masa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs.

However, while Israel stands to benefit hugely from normalised relations with a Gulf state, the deal has also laid bare bitter tensions within the Muslim and Arab world.

Although Egypt, Oman and Bahrain have welcomed the deal, Turkey and Iran have condemned it as a betrayal of the Palestinians, who have long demanded that "normal" relations with Israel only take place after the creation of a Palestinian state.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president, has threatened to recall his ambassador from the UAE in protest, while the Iranian regime described the deal as an act of "strategic stupidity".

It was speculated that when Mr Trump said he hoped more Arab countries would follow the UAE he was referring to Saudi Arabia, but the kingdom is yet to address this.

Mansoor Abulhoul, the UAE's ambassador to the United Kingdom, said the prospect of Israeli annexation of the West Bank had spurred them on to negotiate the world's first peace deal between Israel and a Gulf state.

Israel had been planning to annex up to 30pc of the West Bank, which is claimed by the Palestinians as their own land, but the proposals drew condemnation from across the Arab world as well as from Western allies. In response, the Emiratis said they felt an urgent need to engage with the Israelis to avoid what they regard as an illegal land-grab from Palestinian communities.

It appears a secretive office opened by Israel in the UAE in 2015 played a key role in laying the groundwork for the agreement.

Israel set up a discrete task force in the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi, manned by the senior diplomat Rami Hatan.

At that time, the UAE had no formal diplomatic relations with Israel - but sources said it was here that ideas began to form about an alliance.

The disclosure suggests that while Mr Trump has declared himself the architect of the UAE-Israel deal, some of the work was already under way a year earlier.

Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency, has also been credited with nurturing the UAE-Israel relationship. Yossi Cohen, the director of Mossad, is said to have secretly visited the UAE several times before the deal was announced. And the key breakthrough - the agreement to delay annexation in return for normalised relations in Israel - was reportedly made by the UAE ambassador to the US during a meeting in late June. The idea was then pounced upon by Jared Kushner, Mr Trump's senior Middle East adviser.

Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, said he was also hopeful the peace deal will lead to a fresh crackdown on Iranian funding of its proxy groups in the region.

"You can see their fingerprints all over the Middle East," he said, referring to Iran's funding of groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon.

"It would be of common interest to try and block the presence of Iranian terror in the region and to block the funds they deliver to their proxies."

While Israel has framed the peace accord as a golden opportunity to improve diplomatic and trade relationships with Arab countries, the UAE stressed that its most urgent goal was to prevent the annexation process.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
Over the past week, Israeli forces have carried out repeated night-time attacks on targets linked to Hamas.

The Israeli army has said it carried out air attacks against Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip on Sunday in response to rocket attacks and firebombs sent into Israeli territory attached to balloons.

The raids come after clashes broke out on Saturday evening along the Gaza-Israeli border, the army said.

The Israeli army said dozens of Palestinian rioters burned tyres, hurled explosive devices and grenades towards the security fence and attempted to approach it.

Over the past week, Israeli forces have carried out repeated night-time attacks on targets linked to Hamas, the group that governs the Gaza Strip.

Earlier tonight, rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel. In response, our Air Force just struck Hamas terror targets in Gaza, including a military compound used to store rocket ammunition. We will continue to operate against any attempts to harm Israeli civilians.  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 16, 2020

The army said that among the targets hit were a military compound and underground infrastructure belonging to Hamas.

Early on Sunday, the Israeli army also said two rockets had been fired into Israel from Gaza and intercepted by its Iron Dome defence system.

These aggressive policies aim to exacerbate the crises our people in Gaza are enduring to paralyse their daily life and to disrupt the efforts of combating coronavirus amid international and regional silence, Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesperson for Hamas, said in a statement earlier this week.

200814180547098

Israel has closed the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) goods crossing with the Gaza Strip.

Following Saturdays clashes and rocket-fire, Israels military decided to entirely shut down the fishing zone of the Gaza Strip, immediately and until further notice, starting this morning [Sunday], a military statement said.

The Palestinian territory has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007. Israel cites security threats from Hamas for its land and naval blockade.

The Gaza Strip has a population of two million, more than half of whom live in poverty, according to the World Bank.

Despite a truce last year backed by the United Nations, Egypt and Qatar, the two sides clash sporadically with rockets, mortar fire or incendiary balloons.

Hamas has accused Israel of not fully complying with the deal. Israel, which deems Hamas a terrorist organisation, shuns direct negotiations and has never publicly acknowledged the truce.

On Wednesday, Israel reduced the area where it permits Palestinians to fish from 24km (15 miles) to 13km (eight miles), calling it a response to the balloon launches.
Plus, Bill's Message of the Day, who are the most admired people in America?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Gardas oversight body has said it is very concerned about an eviction incident in Dublin that was attend by gardai.

The Policing Authority questioned the appropriateness of the Garda presence as the force commissioned a probe into the events at the property on Berkeley Road in Dublin.

Social media footage of the incident appeared to show masked men wearing black evicting several people from the house before boarding it up.

The statement from the Garda Siochana is welcome and important in that its recognition that there are lessons to be learned from the incident is an acceptance that all was not right with the Garda actions on the day Policing Authority

Several gardai were at the scene as the incident unfolded on Wednesday.

The Garda said an investigation into alleged criminal damage at the premises had been launched.

Deputy Commissioner John Twomey has also asked for an urgent external report on the Garda role in the incident so the organisation can learn lessons.

In response, the Policing Authority said: The Policing Authority was very concerned by the material in public circulation relating to an eviction in Dublin on Wednesday last.

That concern was about the appropriateness of the Garda presence and of some of the things that appeared to have been said, and about the fact that circumstances were allowed to develop where the impression was conveyed that the Garda Siochana had an active role in the event.

The impression was also conveyed that the Garda concern for vulnerable people so amply demonstrated in the context of the health emergency was not evident in this case.

I have requested an urgent lessons-learned report on this recent incident Deputy Commissioner John Twomey

The chairperson of the authority had a number of contacts and conversations with the Acting Commissioner John Twomey about these issues on Thursday and Friday.

The statement from the Garda Siochana is welcome and important in that its recognition that there are lessons to be learned from the incident is an acceptance that all was not right with the Garda actions on the day.

Earlier, the Garda said it was very aware of current public discourse around the incident.

It said the forces purpose at evictions was not to be an integral part of the event, but to prevent breaches of the peace and ensure the safety of all persons involved.

Mr Twomey has appointed an outside superintendent to examine all the circumstances of the incident.

An Garda Siochana is a learning organisation, he said.

I have requested an urgent lessons-learned report on this recent incident. If, where An Garda Siochana can learn from this experience, we will do so to ensure that we continue to provide the best policing service going forward based on our tradition of policing by consent.
MARTYR: The mother of Alexander Taraikovsky, who died amid clashes protesting the election results, cries at the coffin during his funeral in Minsk, Belarus, yesterday. Photo: Sergi Grits/APhunt

Deep in the Belarusian countryside, burly men with sun-burned cheeks stood outside their quarry with home-made posters reading "We stand for free and fair elections" mounted on top of the machinery.

They were on strike for the first time in their lives in what could be the most significant week in the nation's post-Soviet history - and another turning point in relations between Europe and Russia.

Small-town, working-class Belarus, once loyal to Alexander Lukashenko, the president of 26 years, has turned its back on Europe's last dictator following wide-spread election fraud at last Sunday's voting, savagery by riot police and horrifying stories of torture in Belarusian jails.

Read More

With the opposition ranks swelling in the capital Minsk, it is the heavy industrialised towns like Hrodna that could spell the end of the continent's longest-serving leader in the coming days.

To handyman Roman Vydra, in his mid-40s, a chubby man with a broad face, official results that gave Mr Lukashenko an 80pc win at the polls were a personal insult.

"No one thought the vote-rigging would be so brazen," he told The Telegraph, standing in his tracksuit and oversized blue t-shirt near one of the loaders under the afternoon sunshine. "I don't know a single person who voted for the current president."

While middle-class activists and intelligentsia marching in Minsk may not trouble Mr Lukashenko and his inner circle as he hangs on to power, factory floors cleared of workers rising up in the name of democracy leaves the strongman facing an uncomfortable reality.

Employees at tractor works, quarries, bus depots and oil refineries in Belarus have all downed their tools. Workers at dozens of state-owned factories across the country have either walked out or threatened industrial action unless authorities meet their demands: hold a new, fair election, stop police violence and release thousands of people detained at anti-government demonstrations last week.

With state-paid workers turning against him, President Lukashenko, the country's leader of 26 years, is losing his main electoral base as well as billions of dollars in revenue that he has used to maintain Belarus' mighty security apparatus and secret services.

The working-class revolt in Belarus has more than echoes of anti-Communist protests in eastern Europe in 1989 when workers tipped the scales to help bring down the Soviet Union.

Belarusian protesters are on the cusp of breaking a decades-old status-quo in the region with Belarus serving as essentially the buffer zone between Russia and European democracies.

In the medieval town of Hrodna, just 15 kilometres away from Poland where electoral fraud of the scale seen in Belarus would be unimaginable, workers spoke of monthly salaries under 330 and the way that outright lies on state TV, which portrays Belarus as a workers' idyll, clash with the reality of declining living standards near the EU border.

At a quarry, several dozen men in tracksuit trousers and overalls stood by the side of the road, smoking cigarettes and waving white balloons at the passing cars.

"We've been cheated for such a long time, and now enough is enough," said Mr Vydra, the handyman, who conceded that he and his friends did not care about elections in the past until they saw last Sunday's vote-rigging and the ensuing crackdown.

Last week's unrest began when protesters against Sunday's election result were met with a staggeringly vicious police response.

Riot police and special forces in full gear would throw stun grenades at unarmed people and fire rubber bullets into crowds, killing three.

Belarusians with blood streaming down their faces fled the scene. Days later, protesters were released from detention, with bruises covering their bodies like full-body tattooes in a chilling testament of beatings and torture at the hands of law enforcement.

Nearly 7,000 people across the country have been detained, and hundreds have been injured and beaten up while in custody. A 16-year old man detained at a Minsk protest was taken to hospital from jail on Saturday after he fell into a coma from beatings.

The scenes of police violence earlier this week have stunned the nation of nine million people, drawing comparisons to the country's history as a major battlefield in the Second World War.

Hrodna, a quiet town of 370,000 people, with baroque cathedrals, was plunged into urban warfare for several nights in a row as riot police in full gear chased away anti-Lukashenko demonstrators.

Just a kilometre away from Hrodna's picturesque bridge overlooking two medieval fortresses, middle-aged men came out of the Neman cigarette factory to discuss an upcoming walkout during their lunch break. Standing in the air smelling of tobacco, the several dozen men spoke about a car accident provoked by riot police that shook residents to the core.

On Tuesday night, riot police officers threw themselves onto a car of a local family and started thrashing it with truncheons as punishment for honking in support of the protests. An armoured vehicle rammed into the car from the back, hurting a five-year-old girl who was in the back, local media said. "What we saw on our streets was open warfare. How can you forget it and move on?" said Rashid Latykov, who came out of the factory building to buy a pack of Minsk cigarettes from a nearby kiosk. "Our country has been seized by a gang."

Earlier that afternoon the cigarette factory workers held a union meeting which started with a call to stand up to show if they have voted for opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: the entire room of people in Neman's blue uniforms got up and clapped.

The woman, who spent summers in Roscrea, Co Tipperary as a teenager, has fled Belarus after reported threats.

Read More

But nothing, perhaps, cuts deeper for Mr Lukashenko than unrest a the iconic Minsk Tractor Works, which accounts for the 10pc of global tractor production. There is a saying in Belarus that outsiders know the country for two things: potatoes and tractors. Asked about the dangers of coronavirus earlier this year, the president said "Tractors will heal everything."

At the plant workers marched across the city centre on Friday after the prime minister refused to speak to them publicly during a visit.

On Thursday, several hundred angry workers confronted the local mayor outside the gate of the BelAz heavy machinery plant in a Minsk suburb.

The country's eight largest enterprises that have staged walkouts this week brought in a combined 10.5bn in revenues last year, according to Russian news website The Bell.

Once scared of losing their jobs, workers in Hrodna say they have passed the point of no return.

"That violence has changed anything - I can't stay silent," Larisa Rybak, a petite woman in blue-and-black overalls of the Hrodna Azot fertiliser plant, told the Telegraph as she walked out of the plant's gate at the end of her shift to join a march into the city centre.

At 54, Mrs Rybak, who makes about 440 a month, is nearing state pension age in an economy with dim prospects, but she feels compelled to be part of the movement on the cusp of toppling President Lukashenko:

"We have finally woken up, and we won't leave till he goes."

As the clock struck 5.30pm, she and several hundred men and women in Hrodna Azot overall set off from the factory to join a 30,000-strong rally in the centre, chanting "Long live Belarus!" and flashing peace signs.

In Minsk yesterday, thousands of demonstrators rallied at the spot where a protester died in clashes with police. They called for Lukashenko to resign and some stripped off their shirts to display deep bruises they said came from being beaten by police.

It was the seventh consecutive day of large protests against the results of the August 9 presidential election in which election officials say Mr Lukashenko won a sixth term in office. Opposition supporters believe the figures have been manipulated.

The president (65) rejected suggestions that foreign mediators become involved in trying to resolve the country's political crisis.

Many of yesterday's protests centred around the funeral of Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester who died on Monday in the capital of Minsk under disputed circumstances.

Belarusian police said he died when an explosive device he intended to throw at police blew up in his hand. His partner, Elena German, said that when she saw his body in a morgue on Friday, his hands showed no damage - though he had a perforation in his chest she believes is a bullet wound.

About 5,000 demonstrators gathered in the area where Mr Taraikovsky died. They laid a mass of flowers in tribute, piling into a mound about 1.5 metres high as passing cars blared their horns.

In central Minsk, a group of soldiers even appeared to side with the protesters. The soldiers, who were protecting government buildings on Independence Square, gestured to lower shields at the request of the crowds. As they did so, people rushed to embrace them in gratitude.

Some police forces across the country also appeared to endorse the protests. Footage from Zhabinka in western Belarus showed an officer handing flowers to the demonstrators. In Lida, also in the west, police cars were filmed honking - a symbol of the past week's protest.

Thanks to years of privileged wages and benefits, Lukashenko can still count on the support of most of his security state. But with few obvious moves, and none without significant risk, he will need a lot of luck to manage the stormy seas ahead - luck he was seeking to burnish with his talks with Putin.

The self-styled dictator has historically shown himself to be a canny operator, manoeuvring from crisis to crisis, and often by playing Russia off against the west. Recent signs suggest he has lost his touch - and connection with reality.

Yesterday, the country's election committee published its version of the final results from the election. These updated figures increased Lukashenko's supposed percentage to 80.1 pc, against 10.1pc for Ms Tikhanouskaya

The poll figures are absurd, said one protester. "Not even his supporters believe it."

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
Coronavirus: Rome nurse's message goes viral.

A frontline nurse in Rome has attacked those who don't care about Italy's covid-19 precautions and those who deny the existence of coronavirus in a strongly-worded social media post that has gone viral.

The no-nonsense message by Marco Bellafiore, a nurse at Rome's Umberto I hospital, rails against people that don't respect the anti-contagion measures, asking them bitterly to "come here and tell me everything is ok, that there is no covid, that tonight we'll go dancing."

Bellafiore, who has been on the frontline since the start of lockdown, without any holidays, takes direct aim at those who "don't care" in his message and reminds them that "it is us, not you" sweating in a "sauna suit in 30 degrees".

The post, written in Roman dialect, has been shared over 10,000 times and attracted thousands of responses, both positive and negative.
(@FahadShabbir)

US President Donald Trump wrote to Syrian President Bashar Assad proposing direct dialogue between the two nations to secure the release of freelance journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared while reporting in Damascus eight years ago, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Friday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th August, 2020) US President Donald Trump wrote to Syrian President Bashar Assad proposing direct dialogue between the two nations to secure the release of freelance journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared while reporting in Damascus eight years ago, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Friday.

"President Trump wrote to Bashar Al-Assad in March to propose direct dialogue. No one should doubt the President's commitment to bringing home all U.S. citizens held hostage or wrongfully detained overseas.

Nowhere is that determination stronger than in Austin Tice's case," Pompeo said.

Friday marked the anniversary of the Tice's August 14, 2012 disappearance in Syria.

Pompeo said Tice will soon spend his 3000th day in captivity and his release and return home are "long, long overdue."

The US government has offered a $1 million reward for information leading to Tice's release. Earlier this year, his mother, Debra Tice, said she had credible information that her son was still alive, according to media reports.
Property warranty deeds signed by a deceased person or a person missing in Mexico since the early 2000s are just some examples of how a scheme worked to facilitate the transfer of property.

The Texas Department of Public Safety launched an investigation and interviewed numerous witnesses and victims and reviewed hundreds of government documents involving notaries suspected of forging property deeds over the last three years.

Authorities identified the suspects as Rosalinda Sosa Moreno, 40; Irma Saenz, 60; Reyes Adolfo Mancha, 51; Liza Lozano Vela, 43; Lorena Guadalupe Campos, 48; and Joanna Carrera, 39. Moreno appears to be the mastermind behind the alleged scheme, authorities said.

An arrest affidavit states that Moreno and Saenz worked for Alarcons Law Firm at the time of the incident. DPS said the law firm was in charge of all United Independent School District property taxes.

Each suspect was charged with forgery. Below are a list of allegations made by DPS:

Passed away

On Oct. 12, 2016, Campos notarized property warranty deed Lot 8 Blk 3 Pueblo Nuevo Save & Except 0.0506 ACS. The property warrant deed shows that Campos notarized the document from Laura Calderon to Luis Lopez.

DPS said the original property warranty deed has Roberto and Lorenza Gonzalez as the original owners. The document shows that Roberto and Lorenza Gonzalez signed and authorized the sale of their property. A DPS special agent discovered that Lorenza Gonzalez passed away on March 7, 2002. Therefore, she could not have signed or authorized her signature, authorities said. Roberto Gonzalez lives in Wyoming and has not been back to Texas, according to court documents.

READ MORE: Operation yields Laredo stash house with 13 immigrants

When questioned about the incident, Campos stated she did not remember Calderon signing the document.

Campos also stated that Campos notarized the document because Luis Lopez is Campos ex-brother-in-law, states the affidavit.

DPS also spoke to Calderon. She provided a voluntary statement saying that she has never met with Campos. DPS alleged that Campos did not identify the person signing the property warranty deed as required by state law. Campos allegedly facilitated that said deed be transferred without proper or lawful authorization.

The affidavit states the property had a value of about $21,320 but was transferred to the grantee for $10 consideration, which is significantly less than the value of the property and less than the filing fee of $30 at the Webb County Clerks Office.

Missing in Mexico

On Aug. 5, 2014, Saenz notarized a property warranty deed for Lot 69 Blk 2 Rio Bravo Annx, City of Rio Bravo, Texas.

Irma Saenz is a Texas notary that was working at the Alarcons Law Firm at the time of the incident. Alarcons Law Firm is in charge of all United Independent School District property taxes, states the affidavit.

The property warranty deed shows that Yvette Janet Martinez signed and authorized the sale of her property, according to DPS. Authorities said the deed shows Martinez signing the document in 2014.

READ MORE: LPD: Man allegedly waited outside Dillards to snatch purse from woman

(The special agent) investigated the date of sale and it shows that Yvette Janet Martinez went missing in 2002 in Mexico and has never been found. Therefore, Yvete Janet Martinez could not have signed or authorized her signature, states the affidavit.

On July 3, 2018, Saenz told DPS that the document was already signed by Martinez when Saenz notarized the document. Saenz did not identify the person signing the property warranty deed as required by state law. Saenz allegedly facilitated the deed to be transferred without proper or lawful authorization.

The property had a value of $47,000 but was transferred to the grantee for $10 consideration.

Moreno offers property

On March 23, 2015, Texas notary Moreno notarized a property warranty deed on property Lot 7 Blk 9 Colorado ACS Sur 11 8 5.0 ACS in Webb County. DPS said the property warranty deed shows that Moreno notarized the document from Jesus Sosa Santos to Rolando Palacios.

The original property warranty deed has Alberto Benavides as the original owner. DPS said the document shows that Benavides signed and authorized the sale of Benavides property. But Benavides provided a written statement saying that he never signed or sold his property.

DPS spoke to Palacios about the document. Palacios stated that Moreno had approached his wife several times offering to sell the property. Palacios then stated that he met with Santos Longoria to purchase the property. DPS investigated the signature on the property warranty deed issued out to Jesus Sosa Santos. Jesus Sosa Santos is related to Rosalinda Moreno.

READ MORE: Laredo police: Man assaulted, robbed elderly paletero

Moreno did not identify the person signing the property warranty deed as per state law. Moreno allegedly facilitated the deed to be transferred without proper or lawful authorization. DPS said the property was valued at $51,630 and was transferred to the grantee for $10 consideration, an amount significantly lower than the worth of the property and the filing fee of $30.

Lost stamp allegation

On June 30, 2015, Texas notary Carrera notarized a corrected property warranty deed on property TR 30 POR 42 La Presa 0.380 Acres in Webb County. Carreras allegedly notarized the document from Francisca C. Vasquez to Martin and Maria Camacho. The document shows that Vasquez signed and authorized the sale of her property. But Vasquez stated that she never signed or sold the property. She added that she never met with Carrera.

Martin and Maria Camcho stated to authorities that Moreno filled out the property warranty deed. The Camachos also stated that they have never met with Carrera. DPS met with Carrera regarding the property warranty deed. Carrera claimed that she had lost her notary stamp.

But the investigation revealed that Carrera did receive another notary stamp, but Carrera never reported her notary stamp lost or stolen. She did not identify the person signing the property warranty deed as required by state law, according to DPS. Authorities said she facilitated the deed to be transferred without proper or lawful authorization.

DPS said the property had a value of about $7,500 but was transferred to the grantee for $10 consideration, which is less than the property value and the filing fee of $30 with the Webb County Clerks Office.

Benavides property

On Oct. 3, 2014, Texas notary Lozano Vela notarized a property warranty deed on property Lot 7 Blk 9 Colorado ACS SUR 11 8 5.0 ACS in Webb County. The property warranty deed shows that Lozano Vela notarized the document from Alberto Benavides to Jesus Sosa Santos.

The documents show that Benavides signed and authorized the sale of Benavides property. Benavides provided a written statement saying that he never signed or sold his property. Benavides stated that he has never met Vela about the document.

Lozano Vela stated that Rosalinda Moreno could have brought another person with the same name and identification, but Lozano Vela could not remember. Longoria is related to Moreno. Lozano Vela did not do her job duty as a notary in identifying the person property warranty deed as required by state law, according to DPS.

Liza Lozano Vela facilitated that said deed be transferred without proper or unlawful authorization, the affidavit states.

The affidavit further adds, The property has a value of about $51,630, according to the Webb County Appraisal District but was transferred to grantee for $10 consideration, which is significantly less than the worth of the property and less than the filing fee of $30 at the Webb County Clerks Office.

READ MORE: Police investigating Facebook posts trying to sell school-provided Chromebooks in Laredo

Sanchezs property

On Aug. 27, 2014, Texas notary Mancha notarized a property deed on property Lot 72 Blk 9 Colorado ACS SUR 1 18 5.0 ACS. Mancha was working at the Law Library at the time of the incident. The property warranty dee shows that Mancha notarized the document from Rene Sanchez and Ofeliz Sanchez to Raul E. Rodriguez.

Authorities said the document shows that Rene Sanchez and Ofelia Sanchez signed and authorized the sale of their property. They provided a statement to DPS saying that they never signed or sold their property. Ofelia Sanchez added she had never met Mancha.

Mancha stated to DPS that Moreno brought the warranty property deed to him and asked him to notarize and sign the document without the Sanchezs signatures. Mancha added that he notarized the document because Moreno told Mancha that Rene and Ofeliz Sanchez were related to Moreno.

Rodriguez stated that he never met with the notary, Mancha, and wanted nothing to do with the property. Mancha did not identify the person signing the property warranty deed as required by state law. Mancha allegedly facilitated that said deed be transferred without proper or lawful authorization.

Records state the property had a value of $45,300 but was transferred to grantee for $10 consideration.
The political crisis in Rajasthan may have ended with Sachin Pilots return to the Congress fold with his loyalists but the differences between the two sides remain. Senior Congress leader in the state, Hemaram Choudhary, who stood with Sachin Pilot during the standoff with the Gehlot camp, has lashed out saying the 101 MLAs, who had camped with Gehlot, were not the true loyalists of the Congress party.

He alleged that the MLAs seen to be in Gehlots camp were trying to safeguard their own personal interests while those supporting Sachin Pilot and branded rebels, were actually fighting for the betterment of the party. Choudhary was talking to the media at his residence in Barmer.

Taking a dig at chief minister Ashok Gehlot, Choudhary said that Gehlot had stated that Congress is his mother but it is not correct. He said that Congress is the mother of all Congressmen and Gehlot is not the only son of Congress. He further said that when one son is trying to capture the mother and the others remain hungry, then the other sons have to plead before the mother for their rights and they did the same.

Choudhary said that they have pleaded before the Congress leadership. He added that several things were not right since the party came to power in the state and added that when they tried to raise issues related to the party and the public, they were ignored after which they were forced to take such a step.

Choudhary claimed that the party high command has heard and sorted out their issues with an assurance that such a situation will not continue. He expressed faith that the three member committee formed by the party brass will sort out their issues.

Choudhary said he was shocked with the language used to target him. He said Gehlot had stated that those leaders who had not accepted money should return back to the Congress fold. Choudhary said Gehlot should now explain his allegation, now that they have returned. I have a forty-years long political life with a clear image and I have never faced any allegation. My people already knew this and now, I hope that even the CM is satisfied, he said.

Referring to Sachin Pilot, Choudhary said the leader who revived the party in the state was criticised badly. It is unfortunate, he said.
Headlines warning of an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases have led to fears of a 'second wave' across Europe - but death rates are plummeting - and that's true even for Ireland's 'red-listed' countries.

The trend is the same across France, Spain and Portugal, as latest figures show a dramatic fall in the number of deaths.

And it could be very good news for our long-term prospects in coming through the health crisis, according to Professor of Medicine at California's Stanford University, Jayanta Bhattacharya.

Speaking to the Sunday Independent this weekend, Professor Bhattacharya explains exactly why deaths are falling - despite an increase in case numbers.

A younger age profile

"The set of people who are getting infected are different to the set who were infected earlier.

"Now the virus is infecting people who are younger with much lower risk. Children face higher risk from dying from the flu than they do from Covid.

"In fact, up until age 25, your risk of dying from the flu is higher than your risk of dying from Covid. So it's important to keep it all in context. We wouldn't stop young people from living their lives for fear of getting the flu.

Healthier people are getting the virus

"If the host is different - even with the same virus - you have a very different outcome," he said. "If you are a relatively fit and healthy 65-year-old then you don't face as much risk."

Better treatment

"Overall, worldwide, we are doing a much better job at managing patients who get it. We have learned a lot in these past six months.

"In the early days, we were over-using ventilators. We have also learned a lot about immune response.

"So, for example, there is an old drug called Dexamethasone which has been found to be very effective in preventing death in people who have severe viral pneumonia. We are using that now to treat patients with Covid-19."

More already had Covid than previously thought

"Far more people had it than we thought had it.

"At least half the population who get it experience almost no symptoms - many have no symptoms at all."

Increased testing

"Also when you test more, you are going to pick up all the people who have fewer symptoms.

"Early in the course of the disease, we reserved the test for very sick people and so we said 'the death rate is really high'. But now we have more testing resources, we test larger populations and that includes many of the people who wouldn't have been tested.

"And they are not that sick. We used to look at the tip of the iceberg and say 'gosh, it's a tiny number of people but they are all very, very sick or dying' but there is this vast iceberg of people underneath the water who were sick, and who had been infected, but didn't face any consequences."

Superhero 'T-Cells'

"There is emerging evidence that many people have a pre-existing immunity.

"Coronavirus is a cold virus and new evidence suggests that a lot already have cells that can fight off Covid- 19 - even if they weren't previously exposed to it.

"They are called T-Cells (They have T-Cell mediated immunity). It's fairly common. This partly explains why so many people are asymptomatic. So the herd immunity threshold could be much lower than we think."

Herd immunity means the fraction of a population that would need to be infected so the disease doesn't spread and it could be as little as 20pc.

"If that is true, then it is really good news and we are closer to the end of the epidemic than we might think."

Professor Bhattacharya made global headlines when he and his colleagues carried out a groundbreaking study which found that the number of people already infected with coronavirus may be tens of times higher than previously thought.

The study from Stanford tested samples from 3,330 people in Santa Clara County, California, and found the virus was 50 to 85 times more common than official figures indicated.

Speaking about the focus on deaths, the professor said it is important not to lose sight of the bigger picture.

In discovering more about the disease, he used the analogy of a group of blind men feeling an elephant: "One says: 'I feel a hard tusk', another says 'I feel a trunk', another 'a leg'.

"Our problem is that we have focused on this one thing - the tusk [Covid deaths] - and we have lost sight that there is this huge elephant there - which is the population as a whole.

"Between 99.7pc and 99.8pc of the people who get it survive it and many have mild symptoms or are asymptomatic."

On how we will look back in hindsight, he says the reaction has been "crazy".

"I've never seen anything like it," he says.

"We have become so focused on one thing that we have forgotten everything else. I think we will look back and see the lockdowns as the biggest public health mistake in history."
As politicians debate the future of San Francisco policing, there is another discussion going in the station houses: the record number of officers resigning.

In the first six months of the year, 23 sworn officers resigned, Police Department records show. Of those, 19 took jobs at other law enforcement agencies, both in California and elsewhere.

By comparison, 26 officers resigned in all of 2019. And only 12 officers resigned in 2018.

If the police exits continue at the current pace, the SFPD is on track to lose nearly twice as many cops this year as it did last year and close to four times as many as in 2018.

This is just the beginning. Dozens are actively in the hiring process with other agencies, said Tony Montoya, president of the Police Officers Association.

The members are upset that the social experiment being conducted in San Francisco is failing, and they would rather work someplace that values them, said Montoya, a constant critic of City Halls calls for police reform, which after the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis has taken the form of shifting money from the police budget to social causes.

Members have gone to places like the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office, Pleasant Hill, Beverly Hills, Petaluma, Palm Springs, Placerville, Long Beach, Idaho, Texas, Arizona, Montoya said.

Police Chief Bill Scott said there has been an uptick in officers leaving this year but that many of the applications to leave predated the national unrest after Floyds death.

Its a tough job, and for many officers its also long commute to and from work, Scott said in a recent interview. If there are opportunities closer to home, people are going to take them.

Interviews with officers who have left, or are planning to leave, suggest a combination of reasons are at play. But many cited the frustration of working under Proposition 47, a statewide criminal justice reform measure approved by voters in 2014 that reduced many nonviolent felonies, such as hard drug possession and theft of less than $950, to misdemeanors that can be cited with little or no jail time.

The high costs of housing, raising a family and taxes in the Bay Area are also big reasons for the exits.

I was getting a great paycheck, but 20% went to taxes, said one former San Francisco officer now working at a police department in Texas who asked not to be named for privacy concerns. Here I got a bigger house, a more affordable lifestyle and a commute that went from two hours each way to 15 minutes.

Its also nice working at a place where everyone isnt mad at you, the officer said. In San Francisco, everyone was mad. The homeowners would get mad because you didnt move the homeless who were sleeping in front of their house. Then, when you tried to help the homeless, someone would start yelling about police brutality.

And everyone had a cell phone camera on you, he said.

Another officer, who also asked not to be named because he is planning to leave the SFPD, said that given the expected budget cuts, calls for pay freezes and more defunding, San Francisco just doesnt feel like a place to be for the long haul.

Officers applying at other law enforcement agencies need to give the SFPD permission to share their personnel files with those agencies. The SFPD, however, doesnt track personnel file-viewing inquiries, so it is impossible to get an accurate count of how many officers are looking elsewhere.

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.

Meanwhile, an additional 31 officers have either retired this year or told the department they will retire by years end. Add in the 23 officers who have left already, and the SFPD will be down at least 54 people. That might be hard to make up, as the last police academy had only 19 cadets. Most classes are budgeted for 55 people.

Upshot: The city is 159 full-duty officers short of the City Charter mandate of 1,971.

Chief Scott declined to comment on how he plans to handle the exits and academy shortages, but it may not be much of an issue at City Hall these days.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed has proposed pulling $120 million from the police and sheriffs departments and putting the money into programs that support the citys underserved black community, a move the chief supports.

Longtime Police Commission member Petra DeJesus said she is confident the department will adjust  even benefit  from the changes.

Change is a difficult and sometimes heightens peoples fears on how it will affect them personally, DeJesus said. I hope that the changes may help the department recruit applicants that want to be a part of the new direction and change.

Or they can go someplace else  its all about choices.

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
Standing across from boarded-up businesses Thursday evening on the suddenly not-so-Magnificent Mile, Chicago police Superintendent David Brown said the city put an extra 1,000 cops on the street in recent days in the hope it would prevent looters from again rampaging through downtown.

And on Friday, more response plans came into focus, with Brown promising better intelligence and rapid deployment of police resources to defend the city. The Chicago Police Department is ready, he said, to make arrests and head off the kind of destruction that shocked the city this week.

But not everyone is so sure.

Days after one of the biggest crises Mayor Lori Lightfoot has faced, some city officials wondered out loud about City Halls ability to handle another wave of looting like the one that hit in the early morning hours Monday. Scrutiny of Lightfoot has grown, with questions remaining even after Fridays announcement of a new plan, including why new defensive tactics werent already in place after looting earlier this year amid unrest after the killing in Minneapolis of George Floyd.

Without them, Chicago was caught flat-footed. City Hall and law enforcement sources familiar with the situation said there was no specific plan in place to deal with the kind of problem that unfolded rapidly downtown, when seemingly coordinated caravans of looters began ransacking stores.

Southwest Side Ald. Raymond Lopez, 15th, said the repeat incident is alarming.

I think the mayor, her public safety office, the superintendent, are not ready, not prepared, and are not learning from the mistakes and the lost opportunities for the first riot and protest so we fell victim a second time, Lopez said. What worries me is Im seeing all the same bad decisions being made again. Were setting ourselves up for a three-peat Chicago doesnt want.

Authorities have said a call for looting may have spread over social media in the wake of the shooting by police of a 20-year-old in Englewood, though they have not released the posts they base that claim on.

Brown on Monday said 400 cops were dispatched to prevent looting after police noticed the online threat. But many officers who were part of that response scrambled from other parts of the city as the problem was escalating.

It took until Friday for Lightfoot and Brown to announce detailed plans to prevent another such episode: Police will start a 20-person unit to monitor social media around the clock; they will redeploy faster in the face of a looting threat; they will work with the city to put in place measures for a geographic lockdown, such as raising bridges over the river; and they will work with state and federal partners to maximize the criminal cases looters will face.

Asked at the Friday announcement of the plans why it had taken until then to formulate such a strategy, Lightfoot disputed criticism that her administration has been slow to react.

Its not what took so long. When we see new challenges and threats to our city, we have to be nimble, we have to adjust, she said.

Ald. Brian Hopkins, whose 2nd Ward includes much of the area looted last weekend, said he supports the plan presented Friday by Lightfoot.

What was outlined today, I felt, was necessary and appropriate, and it seems like we are moving in the right direction to take the necessary steps that this doesnt happen again, Hopkins said.

But Hopkins, who was critical of the Lightfoot administrations handling of last Sunday nights troubles, expressed some reservations.

One of the problems with this mayor that weve come to recognize is her words and her actions are not always fully in alignment, Hopkins said.

The tumultuous chain of events that preceded the looting began about 2:30 p.m. Aug. 9 when 20-year-old Latrell Allen was shot by Chicago police in the South Sides Englewood neighborhood, allegedly after he fired first.

Not long afterward, authorities said misinformation spread over social media that police had shot and killed a 15-year-old boy.

Several hours later, about five minutes before midnight, police said they first got word about a social media post about caravans of vehicles that might be headed toward downtown for looting.

Around the same time, police said they learned break-ins were occurring near 87th Street and the Dan Ryan Expressway. And some 35 minutes later, close to 12:30 a.m. Monday, groups of vehicles were arriving downtown, their occupants scattering and raiding stores.

City officials said Lightfoot herself became engaged in the early hours of Monday morning.

Traffic jammed the streets as looters jumped out to break windows of high-end retailers along the Magnificent Mile, in the Gold Coast and other areas. Some looters were seen calmly hauling stacks of clothes and other goods on foot.

This was an incredibly chaotic situation and it evolved rapidly, Chicago police spokeswoman Margaret Huynh said in an email.

Undermanned police repeatedly pulled up in squad cars with their blue emergency lights flashing to shoo away groups of looters, only for them to return to the stores when the cops left. Stores were broken into more than 2 miles outside the Loop, including at a Best Buy on the North Side.

By about 4 a.m., the looting began to dissipate. Shattered glass, broken mannequins, shoe boxes and trash were strewed on downtown streets.

By sunrise, the sounds of bells blared throughout an otherwise quiet downtown. Officials by then had raised bridges over the Chicago River, cutting off vehicle movement.

Two police supervisors, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to speak to the media, pointed to a lack of organization on the part of Chicago police to effectively manage the unrest as it escalated.

One of them who worked downtown during the looting said mobilizing 400 cops can be difficult to attempt at the drop of a hat. It can take 45 minutes to mobilize large groups of officers, and it typically only happens in response to a situation that has already begun.

You cant move resources until you see something concrete, said the police supervisor. It could be nonsense  Thats a huge undertaking.

The supervisor said there was no time for the department to plan on which officers were doing what.

They only had like 15 minutes of warning, the supervisor said. (The looters) didnt care who was there.

At Fridays news conference, Lightfoot and Brown promised police would be ready to more rapidly deploy from other parts of the city at any sign of trouble. Police did not detail how they planned to make that happen.

Another issue in the early hours of Monday, several sources said, was a failure to raise downtown bridges sooner to cut off access to some of the citys top shopping areas on the Near North Side.

Huynh, the police spokeswoman, said officers on the scene wanted the bridges raised immediately after they arrived, but referred questions to the Chicago Department of Transportation. That departments spokesman, Michael Claffey, said the city right away deployed 30 employees to raise all 14 downtown bridges, but the bridges did not begin to go up until 4 a.m.

Lightfoot and Brown said that issue would be addressed as well, with police better coordinating with city officials to make a decision on raising them quicker and limiting access to downtown.

On last Sunday night, Hopkins said, what the city seemed to try was a step late, and little seemed to work.

We waited for the looters to get tired, the stores and shelves to be empty, and the looting stopped, he said. We simply had no ability to stop it ourselves, period.

It was an endless game of whack-a-mole where the moles never really got whacked, he said.

Police did make about 100 arrests. No defendants who had appeared in court so far have directly mentioned the Englewood incident, and did not appear to be from the neighborhood.

Adam Bercovici, a security consultant and former Los Angeles Police Department lieutenant, stressed that officers need to take an aggressive stance against looters, and the officers need to be quick on their feet and organized in those situations, something CPD now pledges it will be.

You need to have arrest circles or arrest teams that come in and take specific looters or ringleaders into custody, Bercovici said. If its a straight looting, criminal stuff, you need to just grab those people that you think are the ringleaders and get them out of there.

If you dont organize it, if you dont train for it, youre basically throwing hundreds of people against hundreds of people and you end up having  some chaos, Bercovici said.

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In the wake of the latest round of looting, businesses in the downtown area expressed concern to city officials about the unrest. The head of a prominent local property management firm sent Lightfoot a scathing letter saying ensuring the well-being of residents has been made exponentially more difficult in recent months due to the lack of responsiveness from city officials.

In the letter, Steven P. Levy, president of Sudler Property Management, said Chicago homeowners his company represents dont feel safe.

From Hyde Park to the Gold Coast to Edgewater, residents across the city are adjusting their daily routines out of fear, Levy wrote to Lightfoot.

Lightfoot on Friday said she fully understood the gravity of the situation, and that no resident or business owner should feel unsafe living or working here.

Kimberly Bares, CEO of the Magnificent Mile Association, said shes implored the city before and after Monday mornings looting to maintain permanent resources of cops in the Central patrol district, which includes the Loop, and the Near North patrol district that covers the Magnificent Mile, Streeterville and other parts of downtown. Officials Friday said they would increase police deployment numbers.

At times late this week, North Michigan Avenue has been flooded with cops.

To avoid a repeat of the destruction from earlier in the week, Brown said the Police Department was prepared to throw as many officers as it takes to protect downtown and the retail corridors in the neighborhoods.

Chicago does not belong to looters and thieves, Brown said Friday. Chicago belongs to the good people who work hard every day to earn an honest living.

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With the country moving forward into the Unlock 3.0 phase, green shoots are slowly emerging in the retail sector. The field, which employs around five crore people and accounts for 10% of the GDP, has started hiring across major cities.

According to the latest data from American employment-related search engine Indeed, four out of the top five cities, including Bengaluru, have seen hiring activity in the sector during July.

While Chennai has seen the highest double-digit growth (11%) in hiring activity, Pune (7.5%) and Bengaluru (5%) have seen single-digit year-on-year growth in retail jobs in July. Kolkata also witnessed positive momentum. Among the major metros, only Mumbai saw a fall in hiring in the retail sector with a contraction of 7.7% over the same month last year.

Bengaluru holds the largest share of jobs in the retail sector nationally, with 12% of all such jobs located in the city. It is followed by Mumbai at 8% and Chennai at 6%. Kolkata and Pune stand next with 4.5% and 4% of retail jobs respectively.

Follow live updates on the coronavirus here

"The need for steady jobs in retail continues. In the wake of the pandemic, essential services continue to drive demand and we see a movement of offline retailer jobs to the online space. However, despite the temporary slump in the sector, retail will be one of the foremost drivers of employment as we slowly move into Unlock 3.0," Sashi Kumar, Managing Director, Indeed India, told DH.

Overall, the sector has seen 22% decline in the number of postings during this period. Job searches, on the contrary, dropped by 7%. Pre-pandemic, retail job searches were growing at 7% between February 2019 and February 2020. By the end of March this year, retail remained one of the few sectors in India where business continued to operate.

"The pandemic has impacted businesses across the globe. It has given us a vital lesson of reinventing in these times," Arvind Mediratta, MD & CEO, Metro Cash & Carry India, said.

The company, which has not resorted to layoffs or pay cuts during the lockdown, is among those that have recruited in this period. It has hired a fresh batch of management trainees.

Data from Indeed reveals that the top five retail job titles clicked by job-seekers are store manager, retail sales associate, branch manager, teller and cashier. The top five titles that are being hired are branch manager, retail sales associate, store manager, teller and logistics associate.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are living in Los Angeles far removed from their former lives as senior members of the British royal family.

Theyre no longer making public appearances on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II but that doesnt mean theres any shortage of adorable pictures of the couple.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry didnt let the rain dampen their spirits on a royal tour

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in Australia | Phil Noble  Pool/Getty Images

RELATED: Meghan Markle: 5 Photographs of the Duchess of Sussex With Her Mother, Doria Ragland

In the fall of 2018, Meghan and Harry embarked on a 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, and Tonga. It marked their first major tour since their royal wedding on May 19, 2018.

A lot happened on the tour. The biggest thing being the couple announced theyd soon be a family of three. Just as the tour got underway, Meghan and Harry shared the news they were expecting their first child, the now-1-year-old Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

With the world abuzz about the royal baby announcement, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved forward with their jam-packed schedule.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got cozy under an umbrella

The forecast wasnt on their side during a visit to Victoria Park located in Dubbo, Australia. However, that didnt stop the Meghan and Harry from sharing some downright adorable moments together.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Dubbo, Australia, on a 2018 royal tour | Ian Vogler  Pool/Getty Images

At one point, Meghan protected Harry from the rain with an umbrella while he addressed the crowd. Neither of them seemed to mind the weather as they smiled through the speech.

During the same visit to Victoria Park, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex huddled together under an umbrella as the rain continued to fall.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Victoria Park | Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage

RELATED: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry: Their Relationship in Photos

Meghan and Harry endured more rain in New Zealand. Again, they didnt let it dampen their spirits.

On a more casual visit to Auckland, New Zealand, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex showed up wearing rain boots. Armed with an umbrella, they stood together and were all smiles.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in New Zealand | Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Prince Harry and Meghan Markles umbrella photo goes viral in 2020

All of Meghan and Harrys previous photos involving an umbrella led up to one viral moment. As the countdown began on their final engagements as senior royals, they showed up at the Endeavour Fund Awards.

A rainy evening on March 5, 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at the Mansion House. Striding past photographers protected from the rain by an umbrella, Meghan and Harry beamed at each other.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend the 2020 Endeavour Fund Awards | Samir Hussein/WireImage

RELATED: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: 5 Photos of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex Before and After Their Royal Wedding

Taken by royal photographer Samir Hussein, the snapshot quickly went viral, becoming an image of resilience. Hussein, who has photographed royals for more than a decade, spoke with Us Weekly about the photo.

This is probably the most iconic photo Ive taken, he told the publication. And, according to him, factors came together to create an image he only had seconds to capture.

Its a one in a million when all the elements you could wish for as a photographer come together, Hussein said. Perfect timing, great lighting, strong symbolism and amazing subjects make this a magical photo I am extremely proud of, he added.

RELATED: 11 Times Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Showed PDA
A 31-year-old man from Dallas, Texas, was sentenced last week to 57 months in prison for crimes related to the hacking of a major tech firm in New York.

Tyler C. King (31), from Dallas, Texas, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for crimes related to the hacking of an unnamed major tech company based in New York.

In November, King was accused and convicted of computer fraud and aggravated identity theft, and in June he also pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice charges for having provided fake evidence during his trial.

According to the investigators, the man gained access to the technology firm in 2015 with an accomplice, Ashley St. Andria, who was an employee of the company.

Once gained access to the companys network, the duo created admin accounts to access to internal resources, including emails of senior executives, personnel files, financial documents, and other proprietary information.

After the IT staff at the company detected the intrusion, it disabled the fraudulent admin accounts, but King and St. Andria once again gained access to its networks and stole business records.

While on the companys network, King and St. Andria created unauthorized administrator accounts that gave them access to proprietary company information, including real-time access to the emails of senior company executives, personnel files, and financial records. reads the press release published by the DoJ.

In response to the company shutting down the fake administrator accounts, King regained access to the network with the assistance of St. Andria, stole proprietary business records, and  through a series of sophisticated steps, including the use of password-cracking programs  bypassed the companys security measures. In doing so, King illegally used the credentials of two company employees based overseas. The jury convicted King of conspiring to commit computer fraud, computer fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.

King was also condemned to 2 years of supervised release, a fine of $15,000 and over $21,000 in restitution.

Tyler King hacked into a major technology company, damaged its systems, stole its data, and laughed about it, all from the comfort of his sofa in Texas. He will now serve 57 months in federal prison, stated U.S. Attorney Grant C. Jaquith. Those interested in hiding behind their keyboards to steal information and damage property should take todays sentence as a stark reminder that computer hacking is a serious business with serious consequences. I thank the FBI for its exceptional work in bringing King to justice.

Kings accomplice, Ashley St. Andria (31) of Irving, Texas, pled guilty to computer fraud on August 15, 2018 and was sentenced to time served, and 2 years of supervised release, in March 2020.

Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs  hacking, D-Link)
Minsk: Minutes after Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko vowed to stand firm against protesters he reviled as "rats, trash and bandits," anti-government demonstrators staged their biggest protest yet after the fraud-tainted presidential election result.

Tens of thousands of protesters  some estimates put their number at more than 100,000  turned out in the centre of Minsk, dwarfing a rally of Lukashenko's supporters earlier in the day.

It appeared to be the largest protest in the history of Belarus, a former Soviet republic that Lukashenko has ruled since 1994.

As the crowd gathered in the Belarus capital around a Soviet-era obelisk on Victors Avenue, many chanted for Lukashenko to leave and waved the traditional white and red flag, which became a symbol of the opposition after the president replaced it with a more Soviet-looking national flag soon after he came to power.
'If we get a hundred rupees somehow, should we feed our children first, pay rent first, or deal with loans?' a resident of a slum in Chembur said

A few days after the nationwide lockdown began on 24 March, 33-year-old Anita Salve, heard a knock on her door.

Authorities from Jana Small Finance Bank arrived in Chemburs PL Lokhande Marg, where Salve lives, demanding that she repay her personal loan of Rs. 40,000.

She called up Yogini Pagare, another resident of her neighbourhood, to seek advice.

Pagare fields about ten calls a week from women like Salve. She is associated with Nirdhar, a grassroots organisation that tackles various issues faced by women who live in the slums of Chembur and Govandi.

Pagare, in the conversation with Salve, asked her to put her on the phone with the bank employees who had arrived at her doorstep. Salve recalled, "Then, the employees fled. They knew that we would cite the rules laid down by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)."

The RBI issued a circular on 23 May stating that borrowers do not have to repay loan installments till 31 August. Despite this, some creditors have been making weekly rounds in different bastis across Mumbai.

Pandemic-induced income crunch

Many women at the basti on PL Lokhande Marg are employed as domestic workers, and their employment is uncertain in the present circumstances. To supplement their income, they usually undertake tailoring, or other such work that can be done from home. The COVID-19 pandemic has put a stop to most of their extra income.

Before the pandemic, Salve ran a small tea and coffee stall at the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at Kurla. Her husband has abandoned her, making her the sole earner of the house, and caregiver to their two children. As she can no longer continue her business, she worries about the cash crunch she faces. She has been forced to borrow meagre amounts from several neighbours in order to make ends meet.

If we get a hundred rupees somehow, should we feed our children first, pay rent first, or deal with loans? Salve said.

While Salve's income took a hit during the lockdown, her landlord continued to demand that she should pay her rent. This was despite directives by the Maharashtra housing department on 17 April stating that landlords cannot evict tenants and must defer rent until 16 July.

The monsoon has made it even harder for her, as she also has to spend nights emptying her home of flood water. Poor drainage systems and blocked pathways make it difficult for her to move around in her neighbourhood.

A few weeks ago, Salve developed a cold and fever. She was turned away from the local government hospital, and so, she went to a small private clinic and was prescribed medication. Her cumulative debt to the clinics doctor has crossed Rs. 3000 till date.

Where can I get the money from? she asks.

Under the Prime Ministers Garib Kalyan Package, the third and last installment of Rs. 500 was supposed to be transferred to Jan Dhan account holders on 6 June. However, Pagare said that the majority of women in her neighbourhood are yet to receive even the first installment, that was due in April.

Demands for loan repayments against government orders

Under microfinance loan regulations, loans are given out to groups of women, where each woman takes on the risk and surety of completing repayments on behalf of the rest. Pagare explains that since many people, especially migrant families, have returned to their villages in different parts of the country, the burden of repayment has fallen on the women who have not been able to leave.

On 26 June, Pagare and Salve, along with five other women, visited the Mumbai Suburban Collector's office at Bandra. They were assured that microfinance companies threatening debtors will have their licenses cancelled if found guilty. But the fight hasnt stopped.

Recovery officers threaten that they will fine women who havent repaid loans and seal their houses, claimed Pagare.

Pagare further explained, Different companies mark out their territories, so youll find 100-150 families in one section of a mohalla who have loans from the same company." This means that ones neighbourhood determines whom one can get a loan from. Women have difficulties approaching other lenders.

Pagare asserts, We want companies to stop sending representatives to threaten and intimidate us. Its very harmful to our self-respect.

Salve and Pagare also say that loan moratoriums be extended until 1 January, given the deteriorating economic condition of poor families. They also demand that if a woman has repaid 70 percent of her loan, the rest should be waived. They want this to be extended to all women in their mohalla, regardless of whether they took loans from banks or microfinance companies.

Pagare and some others now travel across neighbourhoods in Chembur and Govandi to raise awareness about their demands. They have also been educating women about the directives of the RBI. They allege that microfinance company officials consciously chose to not inform women that they did not need to repay loan installments until 31 August. Pagare has conducted meetings in her own neighbourhood, and in surrounding areas such as Bainganwadi in Govandi and PMGP Marg Colony in Mankhurd. In these meetings, she advises women to refrain from taking micro-loans in the future.

For women in Mumbai's slums, means of ensuring financial stability are now especially scarce. With the loan moratorium period nearing its end, they have been left even more vulnerable. Health and financial crises loom ahead of them. Many believe that starvation is more likely to kill them than COVID-19.

Indeed, Salve remarked, "The company officials have been asking us why we could not repay loans if we had enough to eat. But now, we have no money even for food."

This article was first published in Citizen Matters, a civic media website and is republished here with permission. (c) Oorvani Foundation/Open Media Initiative.
(Alliance News) - Health experts in Ireland are to consider renewed coronavirus restrictions amid surging case numbers.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin described the situation as "deeply concerning" after 200 cases were reported on Saturday a the largest daily increase since the start of May.

On Sunday, 66 further cases were reported. More than two thirds of the confirmed cases over the weekend relate to individuals aged under 45.

Martin, deputy premier Leo Varadkar, Green Party leader and government minister Eamon Ryan, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and acting chief medical officer Ronan Glynn met on Sunday to discuss the situation.

Three countries in Ireland a Offaly, Kildare and Laois a are already subject to localised lockdowns after they experienced a spate of outbreaks linked to meat plants.

Glynn will join fellow members of the National Public Health Emergency Team on Monday to discuss the situation.

He said there had been about 1,100 new cases of Covid-19 in the last 14 days, with every county in Ireland affected.

The plan to reopen schools at the end of the month will be among the moves reviewed by NPHET at the meeting.

On Sunday, Glynn warned that reckless behaviour could undermine efforts to suppress Covid-19.

The comments come after social media footage emerged of scenes from Dublin city centre venue Berlin D2 on Saturday that showed people dancing in close proximity and a man standing on a bar appearing to pour alcohol into the mouths of revellers below.

Restaurateur Jay Bourke, who is involved with the restaurant, told RTE he was mortified by the footage. The scenes were branded "outrageous and appalling" by the Licensed Vintners Association.

Glynn said: "NPHET will meet tomorrow to review and discuss the case figures that have been reported in recent days and will make any necessary recommendations to Government which are required to protect the vulnerable, continue with the resumption of healthcare services and ensure the safe reopening of our schools.

"The phased reopening of the country has afforded people the opportunity to socialise with each other again.

"However, some are doing this recklessly and undermining the efforts of the majority of people around the country who are following public health advice.

"This cannot continue. This pandemic isn't over just because we are tired of living with it.

"We must all learn to behave and interact in a new way over the coming months so that Covid-19 cannot take root again in our communities. Please avoid crowds, reduce your social contacts, keep your distance from others, wash your hands and wear face coverings."

Earlier on Sunday, Martin tweeted: "Yesterday's #COVID19 numbers were deeply concerning and this morning I discussed the evolving situation with the Tanaiste, Green Party Leader, Health Minister and acting CMO.

"It's essential that we adhere to the public health guidance and maintain social distancing to suppress this virus #HoldFirm," he added.

The total number of Covid-19 cases in Ireland since the outbreak began now stands at 27,257.

There were no further deaths reported over the weekend, with Ireland's toll remaining at 1,774.

By David Young, PA

source: PA

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Australia is on the brink of signing multi-million dollar agreements to purchase potential coronavirus vaccines even though the candidates have not yet passed clinical trials.

With more than 170 teams of researchers worldwide racing to find a vaccine, Australian officials are keen to secure access and a production license for Melbourne-based manufacturer CSL.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Sunday two preliminary agreements had already been signed with vaccine candidate developers.

University of Oxford researchers with samples from coronavirus vaccine trials. Australia is understood to be on the cusp of securing the vaccine candidate with a license to produce it

Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca is developing the vaccine candidate with Oxford University

'We have signed two nondisclosure agreements, which are effectively pre-contractual agreements indicating that we're in highly advanced discussions with vaccine manufacturers,' he said.

Mr Hunt said he was optimistic about the search for and ability to distribute a future vaccine.

'There's still no guarantee, but there is real progress,' he said.

It is understood one of the agreements is with British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca for the University of Oxford's adenovirus-based vaccine candidate that is now undergoing testing.

CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA: 27,244 Victoria: 20,269 New South Wales: 4,273 Queensland: 1,161 Western Australia: 692 South Australia: 473 Tasmania: 230 Australian Capital Territory: 113 Northern Territory: 33 TOTAL CASES: 27,244 ESTIMATED ACTIVE CASES: 269 DEATHS: 897 Updated: 5.31 PM, 11 October, 2020 Source: Australian Government Department of Health Advertisement

The potential vaccine may be secured as soon as the first half of next year with CSL able to mass produce batches within weeks.

There are hopes the vaccine could be ready for use by the start of 2021.

The University of Oxford and the drug company AstraZeneca are working on the experimental vaccine called ChAdOx1 nCoV-19.

Thousands of people in the UK, United States, Brazil and South Africa have volunteered to take part in clinical trials, including musical legend Andrew-Lloyd Weber.

As recently as July 20, researchers announced the initial results of 1,077 people were promising, suggesting that the vaccine is both safe and triggers an immune response, according to the BBC.

The next stage in the vaccine trial is to expand it to thousands more people and to increase the dose.

If the human trials are successful, the supply pact would give CSL a licensing agreement to mass produce the vaccine.

Mr Hunt said Australia was talking to a number of foreign governments and drug companies about securing early access to potential coronavirus vaccines.

Worldwide there are 29 vaccine candidates undergoing clinical trials including seven in phase three human studies.

Three have been identified by Australia as promising.

Acting chief medical officer Paul Kelly said Australia's health advisory committee was 'increasingly optimistic' about vaccine candidate progress.

'The recent publication in peer reviewed journals of several phase one and two vaccines, and the progression of the University of Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech, and Moderna candidates to phase three trials represents a key milestone in the development process,' Professor Kelly said.

Mr Hunt said there were lead Australian candidates as well as international candidates.

'We're making significant progress,' Mr Hunt said.

Musical legend Andrew Lloyd Weber, 72, volunteered to help test the vaccine and got his jab on Friday, saying he'd 'do anything to get theatres open again'

There has never before been a vaccine for a coronavirus however that does not mean that one will not be found for COVID-19.

Critics have raised concerns over the rapid pace of vaccine development, as under ordinary circumstances a vaccine candidate must go through many years of rigorous trials to make sure it is safe and effective.

Australian National University Medical School Professor Peter Collignon warned there was only a 50-50 chance of finding a candidate that's 90 per cent effective.

'You get a pretty good idea of safety in phase one and two, but what's really important is efficacy, which you never know until phase three when you roll it out to tens of thousands of people,' he told the Daily Telegraph.

An electron microscope picture of the sars-cov-2 coronavirus particles taken at a medical research facility in Fort Detrick, Maryland, US. More than 170 teams worldwide are racing to find a vaccine

University of Oxford researchers studying the novel coronavirus in June. Medical experts have sounded a note of caution saying a vaccine may not be completely effective

'We're going to vaccinate millions, in fact billions of people, so you need to make sure you're onto a winner before you start mass producing doses.'

Dean of Health Sciences at Melbourne's Swinburne University Professor Bruce Thompson has previously told Daily Mail Australia there was no guarantee even a working vaccine would be effective at suppressing the virus.

Mr Hunt said the government's medical advice was that researchers worldwide had made progress so that a genuine vaccine was likely to be developed.

'The question will be whether they are what are called full vaccines or partial vaccines. That hasn't been determined yet,' Mr Hunt said.

A full vaccine confers total immunity but a partial vaccine may only lessen the severity of symptoms.

Mr Hunt said any vaccine would be nationally funded for everyone in the country.
Vivian Byerly, a rising fifth grader at Greensboro Day School, had written the message while enjoying a 'Pirate Day' with her third grade class in 2019

A North Carolina fifth grader made an unlikely pal when her message in a bottle was found by a fisherman more than 4,000 miles away.

Vivian Byerly, a rising fifth grader at Greensboro Day School, had written the message while enjoying a 'Pirate Day' with her third grade class in 2019.

'When we finished learning about the coastal plains region of North Carolina the class voted to celebrate by having pirate day,' third grade teacher, Susan Ferguson, explained to Fox 8.

While the class did a number of activities to resemble pirates, the teacher shared that the youngsters truly enjoyed writing the messages.

Some wrote theirs and sealed them with glue, while others chose to seal their messages with wax.

'With the thought being whoever may find their bottle would have a little bright spot, or a little inspiration in their day,' Ferguson shared.

Vivian decided to go with a quote.

Vivian with her third grade class enjoying their pirate day with their teacher, Susan Ferguson (right)

The messages were taken on a boat participating in the annual Reelin' For Research fishing tournament and dropped off into the Gulf Stream - 60 miles off the coast

'Be strong because things will get better. It may be storming now but it never rains forever,' she wrote.

'If you get this message please write back,' Vivian added, providing her teacher's email address.

The messages were taken on a boat participating in the annual Reelin' For Research fishing tournament and dropped off into the Gulf Stream - 60 miles off the coast.

Vivian was shocked to see an email in her inbox, 15 months later.

The letter traveled more than 4,000 miles to Morocco in North Africa, found by a fisherman

He had his nephew translate the message and the two quickly emailed Ferguson

'At first I thought it was spam and then when I read the content I was really surprised and excited,' Ferguson said.

The bottle and the knife that the fisherman used to open it

The letter had traveled more than 4,000 miles to Morocco in North Africa, found by a fisherman who was not proficient in English. He had his nephew translate the message and the two quickly emailed Ferguson.

'Hello Vivian. How are you? I wish you are fine. I'm writing to tell you that my uncle, whose job is a fisherman, and found today your letter inside the bottle,' the nephew wrote.

Ferguson responded, and asked the pair to send pictures of themselves. They obliged, sending a photo of the uncle with his nephew, the knife they used to open the bottle, the uncle holding the letter and a picture of a goat the family planned to sacrifice for Eid al-Adha.

'It's really cool that one bottle traveled 4,000 miles in a little over a year,' she said.

But the bottle's message has been most profound, especially given the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the globe.

According to the family's email, the bottle was found near Guelmim, Morocco

'It was a little bit like looking back in time, at a time before, you know, 2020,' said Bryan Byerly, Vivian's father.

'It's kind of strange that this quote got delivered now,' Vivian said. 'At all times where the world's at now.'

She continued talking to the family in Morocco.

'When I first wrote the message I was not aware how tough this year would be.'

For the Byerlys, the experience is proof that hope is something all humans can share, regardless of where we call home.

'These crises we're going through right now are temporary, and things will get better soon,' Bryan said. 'There will be vaccines in the near future, and things will just calm down, and we won't be so divided and I'm really grateful for that.'

The young girl shared: 'This whole thing has been exciting, but I think that someone else should be able to experience it.'
A junior agriculture minister has heavily criticised unacceptable practices in the meat industry and said all workers in food plants need the "full protection of the State".

Green Party Senator Pippa Hackett said workers in food meat plants should be entitled to sick leave and the practice of "hot-bedding" should be ended amid controversy over work practices in processing facilities, where there have been a number of outbreaks of Covid-19 in recent weeks.

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The HSE will this week roll out a testing regime similar to nursing homes, with serial testing of workers over the next four weeks, with the aim of turning results around within 24 hours. It follows dozens of outbreaks across the meat processing industry, associated with 1,400 cases.

Ms Hackett, who is Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity, strongly hit out at unacceptable practices in the industry, including the lack of sick pay for workers.

"I don't think this is acceptable and although the meat plants are operating within the legislation, this is a very poor signal to send out. These workers are essential frontline workers, a part of Irish society, and they deserve dignity, respect and the full protection of the State," Ms Hackett told the Sunday Independent.

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She said the outbreak in meat plants was "concerning on many levels, not only from a public health perspective, but also the vulnerability of those workers in these plants".

She said that although hot-bedding - where more than one worker in accommodation shares a bed - was not widespread, the practice itself is unacceptable and "something that should not be allowed to continue.

"Apart from dignity and respect of the workers themselves, the risk of the spread of Covid must be very high," she said.

"We will have to listen to the public health advice, and concerns from unions and workers themselves, but I think many of these have now been highlighted, so it is up to Government and the relevant agencies and authorities to ensure proper measures are put in place.

"Hopefully any such measures will reshape the future of the sector going forward, with benefits across the board for public health and for workers' rights, which should benefit Irish society as a whole also."

Ms Hackett said she now expects unannounced inspections by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) will be "the norm going forward" after it emerged last week that the majority of inspections carried out by the HSA are pre-notified.

Siptu, which represents more than a third of the 15,000 workers in the industry, has claimed as many as 90pc of processing plant workers cannot receive sick pay.

Divisional organiser Greg Ennis, who warned of the potential for further outbreaks in May, said: "We need to bring in legislation, like that which was recently passed in Germany, wherein only directly employed labour can be used in meat processing and abattoirs."

A spokesman for Meat Industry Ireland (MII) said: "MII had a constructive meeting with Siptu on Monday, August 10. At the meeting, Siptu shared a document which we have referred on to our members as requested.

"We will discuss the matter further with Siptu at our next meeting."

Agriculture Minister Dara Calleary told the Sunday Independent: "Our priority at the moment is serial testing. We're going to consider all issues and look at an appropriate forum to do that, the engagement between the meat industry and Siptu is very important in terms of pay and conditions."

A HSE spokesperson said: "We are drafting a plan to test in meat plants.

"A letter will shortly go to them to commence the process of data collection in advance of testing.

"A schedule will then be built and testing starting during the week commencing 17 August. This is a large and complex logistical exercise, but similar to those we run for nursing homes."
Hudson Countys Catholic high school administrators are holding firm on offering in-school learning this fall and their students and parents are overwhelmingly opting to be there for it.

Both the schools and parents decisions reveal a discrepancy between private and public school interest in experimenting with a return to normalcy.

While nearly all St. Peters Prep and St. Dominic Academy parents are choosing to send their kids back this fall, according to administrators, half of those in Jersey Citys public schools said they never intended to. In Union City, the district expected about 40% to opt for remote schooling based on a survey and in Weehawken, 19% already have, administrators said.

A majority of Hudson Countys school districts are now starting remotely in September, most of which made the decision after Gov. Phil Murphy confirmed they were allowed to do so on Wednesday.

Both St. Peters Prep and St. Dominic Academy heard Murphys announcement and decided they would still proceed with their plans for a hybrid model.

As of now Im comfortable with it as is our administration and our board of trustees, said St. Dominic Academy Head of School Sarah Degnan. If we need to make any changes we will be able to make them.

Her school is much smaller than the public high schools here. It enrolled 229 students last year while Bayonne High School, for example, had 2,534.

But a desire for the true high school experience and a trust that the schools can keep students safe are the primary factors Degnan said she believed are behind the overwhelming buy in from parents.

I think they have a lot of faith in our ability to do this successfully, she said.

At St. Peters Prep more than 90% of students plan to return to the building, said President Michael Gomez.

Most parents and students want the true Prep experience, which is in person, he said.

He said he had not heard much from his teachers about their thoughts on making a return.
Trump says he 'knew' UNSC vote on Iran, vows to use nuclear deal snapback

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 15 August 2020 11:39 PM

US President Donald Trump says he "knew" that his resolution against Iran would be rejected in the UN Security Council.

At the Saturday news conference at his Bedminster resort in New Jersey, Trump did not mention whether he knew his agenda to extend an arms embargo on Iran would be rejected without the need for Russia or China to use their veto powers.

Even US traditional allies -- Germany, Britain and France -- abstained from endorsing the resolution, revealing the depth of US alienation on the world stage.

"Well we knew what the vote was going to be but we'll be doing a snapback, you'll be watching it next week," Trump said after the worst US defeat in the history of the Council.

He further vowed to use the snapback mechanism embedded within the Iran nuclear deal, which he quit in 2018.

"We'll be doing a snapback," Trump said. "You'll be watching it next week."

When asked whether he would participate in a summit on Iran, called by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the US president said: "Probably not."

The US humiliating defeat at the Security Council on Friday was part was the Trump administration's attempt to extend an arms embargo on Iran, set to be lifted under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, clinched in 2015.

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New Delhi: Infosys on Friday said there had been an "inadvertent trade" by the portfolio management services of Bela Parikh, spouse of the company's independent director Bobby Parikh.

Following this, a penalty of Rs 2 lakh has been imposed on Bobby Parikh, Infosys said in a regulatory filing.

Detailing out the inadvertent trade by a designated person, Infosys said the portfolio management services of Bela Parikh had bought 2,754 shares during the open trading window period "without the knowledge of Bobby Parikh and without obtaining pre-clearance of trade".

Bobby Parikh is the joint holder of that account.

"Parikh has confirmed that he was not in possession of any Unpublished Price Sensitive Information (UPSI). The Audit Committee of the company was notified of this matter," it added.

Based on Bobby Parikh's submission, the Audit Committee has concluded that this was an inadvertent trade made without intent to violate the company's insider trading policy or the Sebi's Prohibition of Insider Trading Regulations, 2015 (PIT Regulations), the filing said.

"However, the Audit Committee has determined that there was a violation of the company's Policy and PIT Regulations and has therefore imposed on Mr Parikh, a penalty of Rs 2,00,000 which amount shall be remitted to Investor Protection Education Fund (IPEF) in line with the PIT Regulations," it said.
Michael Ilesanmi and Angela Deem have always seemed like an odd matchdue to their cultural differences, age gap, and constant fightingto some 90 Day Fiance fans. But, in a new sneak peek of an upcoming episode of TLCs 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After, 54-year-old Angela and 31-year-old Michael opened up about what made them so drawn to each other.

At a marriage counseling session in Nigeria in advance of their upcoming wedding in Michaels home country, Angela revealed details about her past relationships that made her appreciate Michael all the more. Of course, Michael and Angela also differed when it came to their feelings about who should hold the cards in a marriage.

Angela Deem and Michael Ilesanmi | Angela Deem via Instagram

Michael and Angela had to attend counseling in order to get married in Nigeria

On their way to their marriage counseling session, Michael explained to his bride-to-be that getting approval from counselors at the marriage registry was a key step before they would be able to have a wedding in Nigeria.

Angela didnt quite understand why they had to go to therapy just to get married.

This is a waste of damn time, the 90 Day Fiance star told her younger fiance. Nobody can counsel us. Hell, we cant even counsel ourselves.

Michael requested that Angela stay calm and stop her temper from flaring during their counseling session and interview.

Try not to get upset, mad, in the presence of them, he warned her.

Well, you try not to say s*it thats gonna make me mad, Angela retorted.

When the couple arrived, the marriage counselors, Adeyemi and Grace, explained that they would be deciding whether Angela and Michael were legally eligible to tie the knot, based on their compatibility and shared values.

Grace told 90 Day Fiance producers that they had to make sure the couple had aligned their purpose for marriage.

We will see if they met the criteria for marriage in Nigeria under the law, she explained.

RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: Angela Deem and Michael Ilesanmi Dish About Sex Toys, Polygamy, and Side Chicks in New Happily Ever After Sneak Peek

Angela shared that she was first married when she was just 17 years old

The counseling session began with Michael and Angela talking about how theyd met. Michaels face lit up as he described how drawn he had been to Angelas profile on social media.

Next, Grace asked Angela about her first marriage, many decades earlier.

In a rare vulnerable moment, the 90 Day Fiance star told the counselors that Michael was nothing like her first husband, whom she described as often harsh and uncaring. Angela revealed that she was only 17 when she first got married in Georgia, and she divorced her ex just three years later.

I definitely see love and compassion from him that I didnt get from my husband, Angela said of Michael, looking at him adoringly.

Angela seemed to allude to hurt that her ex-husband had caused her when she shared that she had never felt her love was reciprocated.

It was my first love, I think, the 90 Day Fiance star told the counselors thoughtfully, and then I found out that thats not love from his side.

The 54-year-old told 90 Day Fiance producers that she was determined to be fully herself with Michael, because she didnt want to settle at this point in her lifeespecially after having toxic relationships early on.

In past relationships, I might have tolerated this one, that one, Angela admitted. But from the beginning, with Michael, Ive been honest with him. Bossy, yes. Controlling, maybe. I want him to know who I am, because Im not settling for less.

Grace also wanted to know if Angela considered Michael the one and her soulmate. So this is the love of your life? she asked her.

Smiling widely, Angela took Michaels hand and responded simply, Hed better be.

RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: Fans Call Angela Deem Out For Her Jealousy Issues On Social Media; She Tells a Fan to Get Off Michaels D*ck

The couples counselors argued that Angela should be submissive to Michael in marriage

After agreeing to a monogamous, rather than polygamous, marriage to Michael, Angela began to push back against the counselors suggestion that she be submissive to her husband to keep him happy.

Grace encouraged Angela to satisfy Michael sexually so his eyes wouldnt wander. She also advised the 90 Day Fiance star to be a good homemaker.

Make him happy, Grace told Angela. When he comes back, the food is ready. Total submission.

Angela was respectful, but skeptical, when it came time for her to answer. Although the 90 Day Fiance star assured Michael that she would treat him well, she made it clear that she didnt agree with traditional gender roles and power dynamics.

Hes got to understand where I come from, too, Angela said. And I am not a Nigerian woman. When I say that, I say that with all due respect, but there will be nobody over meOf course Im gonna want to make him happy, but I will treat you like I would treat myself.

Michael and Angela were approved for marriage in Nigeria

Michaels bride-to-be was a little more blunt with 90 Day Fiance producers than she was with her counselors about how she ultimately felt about Nigerian gender roles.

You know, I hear that so much when Im in Nigeria that I just [nod] like this, she said, but in my mind, Im going, f*ck no.

Meanwhile, Grace told producers that she felt Angela should learn to be more submissive to Michael if she wanted to make her marriage work.

All men has ego, she asserted. They want to be on top. If youre not read for a man to be on top, your marriage will not work.

Despite their disagreements with Angela on certain matters, Adeyemi and Grace approved the couple for marriage in Nigeria. They wished them a happy married life and sent them on their way.

While she was relieved to get through the interview with the approval of the marriage registry, Angela insisted that she was an American woman through and through at heart and wouldnt change her ways. She added ominously that she didnt expect Michael to marry her if he wanted her to do so.
Are the big five using their dominance to shut out rivals? That is the key question, says Prosenjit Datta.

Photograph: Reuters

Has Big Tech become too powerful?

Should Facebook, Google (Alphabet), Apple, Microsoft and Amazon be broken up?

After US Senator Elizabeth Warren put forward her proposal, the idea has gathered traction on both sides of the US political divide.

Antitrust hearings are taking place against the big five companies.

In India, the hearings have generated only passing interest.

After all, the companies are US-headquartered and it is easy to overlook the implications of the various potential outcomes of the hearings in the US for the Indian technology ecosystem and policymakers.

First, here is the background to the hearings.

The US has a long history of antitrust action to ensure that no private company becomes too powerful.

The first US Antitrust Act was the Sherman Act, enacted in 1890 and later bolstered with the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC) and the Clayton Act.

Antitrust hearings in the past broke up Standard Oil and AT&T and put restrictions on others such as IBM and Microsoft from extending their dominance.

The US Antitrust cases initially focused on how market dominance would lead to higher price for consumers.

Later, a more nuanced view emerged.

Focusing just on the price paid by consumers is a useless measure in the technology industry where basic services are often free (Google, Facebook) or the cheapest (Amazon).

In the case of Microsoft and Apple, platform dominance leads to issues of preferential treatment to own products.

The current case against Big Tech is unique equally for the issues that are important as well as those that are irrelevant.

The question of oligopoly or price fixing or overcharging the consumer does not arise.

As mentioned, Google and Facebook give away basic services free, Amazon ensures consumers pay low prices.

Equally, there is fierce competition between the five tech companies in different areas (Microsoft vs Google in search engines, OS and cloud, Microsoft vs Amazon in cloud and Artificial Intelligence, Facebook vs Google vs Amazon for a share of the advertising pie, Apple vs Microsoft vs Google in a gamut of mobile applications).

The key issues are as follows.

First, whether the big five are using their dominance to shut out rivals.

Amazon has driven smaller sellers to bankruptcy by copying their stuff and introducing them at cheaper prices under home labels.

Facebook bought up Instagram and WhatsApp when they were still small.

Apple, Microsoft and Google all use dominance to squeeze users of their ecosystems dry.

Also, while their services to consumers are often free or low priced, they collect loads of data that are then monetised leading to worries about privacy and data misuse.

There are three potential outcomes of the hearings: An order to maintain status quo, an order to break up the companies or the third option -- to place curbs on them and force them to share innovations with rivals.

Either way, the implications for India and other countries will be significant.

If the status quo is maintained, it would mean the two tech camps -- one based in Silicon Valley and the other in China (Alibaba, Baidu, Tencent, among others) would maintain their balance of power and every other country would be part of one or the other.

If Big Tech is broken up, while the Chinese would gain, it would also open up opportunities for the Indian tech companies -- and those from other countries -- to play at the highest end of the tech market on a far more equal footing, whether in the area of Artificial Intelligence platforms or social media ecosystems or mobile applications.

The third option -- forcing the big tech companies to share their patents for free and putting restrictions on their operations, though unlikely, would also help innovation and the rise of newer tech companies.

The Bell Labs ruling allowed patents for inventions such as the transistor and lasers to be available freely to engineers in US companies, which allowed the rise of start-ups such as Fairchild Semiconductors and Intel.

The restrictions placed on IBM gave a chance for Bill Gates and Paul Allen to build Microsoft.

Two decades later, antitrust hearings against Microsoft kept it from being too dominant on the Internet front and allowed the rise of Google and others.

For the Indian policymakers, the hearings are also important because it throws up issues on data collection and privacy.

More importantly, it could lead to a better understanding of dominance, something that Indian regulators have not had to deal with seriously, despite the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act (MRTP Act) of 1969 and the current Competition Commission of India Act.

Till the mid-1980s, monopolies and oligopolies in any industry in India happened because of government policy -- by virtue of the licences issued.

At best, the cases dealt with price fixing and unfair market actions.

The only real case of market dominance came up when telecom players complained that Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) used its dominance in other sectors (petrochemicals, refining) to offer free services in telecom to enter the market.

However, the Competition Commission of India (and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) had ruled in favour of RIL because it was a new entrant in telecom.

The hearings in the US could help Indian regulators understand the nuances of the issue better -- if they so desire.

Prosenjit Datta is former editor of Business Today and Businessworld and founder and editor of Prosaicview, an editorial consultancy.

Feature Production: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
Political conventions have long felt like relics of a bygone era -- antiquated nominating necessities packaged in pageantry and funny hats, all made for the promise of massive television audiences.

But there will be no rooms for even metaphorical smoke to fill this year. The conventions will feel like products of this precise moment -- reflecting the limitations imposed by COVID-19, the unease and unrest that has rocked American communities and the unique circumstances of the two presumptive presidential nominees who will still be seeking to showcase their messages to a national audience.

Heres a look at five reasons that the 2020 Democratic National Convention and Republican National Convention will be unlike any other such events:

Virtually there

Balloons and streamers are out; Zooms and livestreams are in. Aside from pro forma platform approvals and the actual presidential and vice-presidential roll-call votes, there will hardly be any action at all in either Milwaukee or Charlotte, despite years' worth of preparations in both cities.

All of the major speakers -- including former Vice President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump -- will be speaking at remote locations, with most appearing in almost entirely empty rooms. The actual look and feel will be different for the two conventions, but leaders in both parties have cast the challenges as potential opportunities to broaden the conventions' reach across the country.

Expect fewer elected leaders making shorter speeches, no traditional "keynote" addresses, and virtual watch parties -- with production tweaks drawing inspiration from how sports are being televised in the age of social distancing. Planners in both parties say to expect surprises, and theyre not even referring to the endless array of technological and logistical snafus that could present themselves.

Also unknown: How many viewers at home will find conventions without cheers, jeers and colorful displays to be a satisfying experience.

Story continues

Biden and the left

Former Vice President Joe Biden captured the Democratic nomination despite the progressive movement, not because of it. Then COVID-19 changed everything -- sidelining, among many other things, much of the expected intra-party drama that surrounds the run-up to a typical convention.

Now, emboldened by inequities revealed by the economic, health care and racial crises gripping the nation, the left will have some sway. While major speaking slots are crammed with establishment faces and even a few Republicans, Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are among the convention headliners. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will also speak -- though shes only scheduled for one minute.

Bidens team crafted a platform in coordination with progressive leaders, but some are saying they will vote against it anyway. The selection of Sen. Kamala Harris to join the ticket marks a few different milestones, though she has never been close to the partys left.

More broadly, after five months in which Biden was by design a less-than-regular participant in the news cycle, he and his party will be the national focus for a sustained period of time.

A party that is still grappling with its identity in the age of a pandemic and of Trump will be under fresh scrutiny, under unpredictable circumstances.

The Trump show

It wont be nearly the show that the ultimate showman wanted. But, after first announcing a new venue and then settling for a virtual option, the convention that will nominate Trump for a second term will assuredly have Trumpian touches.

An acceptance speech at either the White House or Gettysburg would break precedent and keep lawyers busy assuring compliance with ethics laws. Beyond that, Republicans are scrambling to put together in weeks what Democrats have been working on for months.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the BOK Center on June 20, 2020 in Tulsa, Okla. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images, FILE)

Meanwhile, a record-breaking number of boldfaced Republican names are choosing not to participate. This convention is not expected to feature any former presidents or former presidential nominees, but it will feature plenty of people named "Trump."

The presidents first convention was a wild affair -- memorable for First Lady Melania Trumps apparent plagiarism of a chunk of her speech, jeers Sen. Ted Cruz earned with his advice to "vote your conscience," and Trumps dark and uncommonly long acceptance speech.

How Trump fills the hours this month will be clues to how he hopes to frame the race ahead.

Focus on COVID-19

Both Democrats and Republicans spent months hoping they would still be able to hold in-person conventions this summer. The fact that neither parties can is a powerful reflection of the times and an admission that the coronavirus is still raging nationwide.

Republicans mostly hoped they could get away with a traditional event without many safety precautions, whereas Democrats drafted dozens of proposals attempting to guarantee attendees safety, including plans for extensive rapid testing and health screenings. No one knew what the state of the virus and transmission rate would be in mid-August.

Fast forward to the here and now, and the sad facts and tough politics around the virus will be front and center for the next two weeks.

Democrats are pulling no punches. Both Biden and Harris have laid the economic destruction and death toll from COVID-19 in America squarely at the presidents feet. That means voters could spend yet another convention season talking health care and wrestling with the reality of income inequity in the nation.

Should Republicans seek to sidestep those tough conversations, they will run the risk of looking out of touch.

PHOTO: Joe Biden listens as Sen. Kamala Harris spoke at her official unveiling as his running mate, in Wilmington, Del., Aug. 12, 2020. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times via Redux)

Big picture, as is the case with every incumbent, its nearly impossible to run on anything but your record. Unfortunately for the president, recent polls show voters struggling to trust his team and his ability to handle the crises of the moment.

Still, Trump will work hard to turn a page on COVID-19 and present a nation under control, on the mend and ready for rebound.

Ethos of equity

Presidential elections are the stuff of textbooks, but Americans this year didnt wait to make history.

In the run-up to these conventions, both activists and average citizens took to the streets (and every boardroom) and demanded racial equity with more concrete and concentrated vision then the nation had seen in decades.

PHOTO: Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign event at the William 'Hicks' Anderson Community Center in Wilmington, Del., July 28, 2020. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Hardly any politician, except perhaps Trump, is talking about issues of criminal justice, racial discrimination and the countrys past in the same way they were six months ago.

And, as both parties are very aware, one of the deciding factors of this race could be whether those who marched in June are willing and committed to vote in November too.

Some young, independent voters are uneasy about a Democratic ticket that features a tough-on-crime, former senator next to a former prosecutor. Democrats worried about getting out the vote know they still need to convince some in their potential base that their leaders represent real change.

Its going to be a tightrope to navigate with Trump and Republicans telling older, whiter independent voters that all Democrats want is to defund the police.

Watch for Democrats to play up the fact that their convention lineup has a racial, ethnic and generational spread that reflects the actual diversity of America in this moment.

5 reasons why this year's DNC, RNC will be unlike any others in US history originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The Bono Regional Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe aka Abronye says the 120 Ministers under President Nana Akufo-Addos government are far better than the 86 Ministers during former President Mahamas regime.



According to him, it is better to have a large number of Ministers without receiving double salaries than to have a lean one receiving double salaries.



Mr. Mahama, in 2019, challenged the fat size of Ministers under Akufo-Addo's administration saying there can be no justification for some of the ministerial portfolios created by this administration.



But Abronye DC is utterly surprised that John Mahama would complain about the number of Ministers in the current government.



Mahama should stop telling President Akufo-Addo what to do because he was given the mantle and he did nothing. He should bow his head in shame and allow the President to keep on with his good works, he said on UTVs late News.



Touting the achievements of the 120 Ministers of the current administration, he stated, Now the 120 Ministers have brought One District One Factory for Mahama to say he will continue when given the nod. The 120 Ministers have generated revenue for us to enjoy free electricity and water; the 120 Ministers have generated revenue to pay off NHIS debt.



. . so between the 120 and the 88 who received double salary, which of them are more important? he questioned.

Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/[email protected]









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Democratic vice-presidential nominee Senator Kamala Harris, during her maiden address to the Indian-American community, reflected on her proud Indian heritage and recalled how her mother always wanted to instill in her a "love for good idli".

Harris, 55, who is the first black to be selected as a vice-presidential candidate of a major party, took a trip down the memory lane, mentioning her "long walks" in Madras (now Chennai) with her grandfather who would tell her about the "heroes" responsible for the birth of the world's largest democracy. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, 77, scripted history by selecting Harris, an Indian-American and an African-American, as his running mate in the presidential election on November 3.

Born to a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, California senator Harris, if elected, would be second in line of succession after Biden. "Today on August 15, 2020. I stand before you as the first candidate for vice president of the United States of South Asian descent," Harris said in her address organised by Indians for Biden National Council.

Joined by Biden, she greeted Indian Americans on the occasion of India's Independence Day. "To the people of India and to Indian Americans all across the US, I want to wish you a happy Indian Independence Day. On August 15, 1947, men and women all over India rejoiced in the declaration of the independence of the country of India," Harris said during the virtual inaugural meet of the council.

Harris was born on October 20 in 1964, at Oakland in California. Her mother Shyamala Gopalan migrated to the US from Tamil Nadu in India, while her father, Donald J Harris, moved to the US from Jamaica. "When my mother, Shyamala stepped off the plane in California as 19 years old, she didn't have much in the way of belongings. But she carried with her lessons from back home, including ones she learned from her parents, my grandmother Rajan, and her father, my grandfather P V Gopalan. They taught her that when you see injustice in the world, you have an obligation to do something about it," Harris said.

"Which is what inspired my mother to march and shout on the streets of Oakland, at the height of the civil rights movement, a movement where leaders including Dr Martin Luther King Jr, were themselves inspired by the non-violent activism of Mahatma Gandhi," she said. Harris said it was during those protests that her mother met her father. The rest, as they say, is history, she said.

"Growing up, my mother would take my sister Maya and me back to what was then called Madras because she wanted us to understand where she had come from and where we had ancestry. And of course, she always wanted to instill in us, a love of good idli," Harris said. "In Madras I would go on long walks with my grandfather, who at that point was retired. We would take morning walks where I'd hold his hand and he would tell me about the heroes who are responsible for the birth of the world's biggest democracy. He would explain that it's on us to pick up where they left off. Those lessons are a big reason why I am who I am today, Harris said explaining the deep influence of the Indian heritage on her.

"Our community is bound together by so much more than our shared history and culture," she said. The reason there is a kinship between everyone who are a product of the South Asian diaspora, no matter how diverse our backgrounds may be, "is because we also share a set of values: values forged by overcoming colonial past, not only in one nation but in two, Harris said.

"Values like tolerance pluralism, and diversity and reflecting on the past 73 years it's remarkable how much progress, people have made in the fight for justice. And should be proud. But we wouldn't be if we didn't commit ourselves to building an even better future. So, I hope you celebrate today, and then tomorrow, I hope you join me in getting to work," she said.
The annual bonfire festival in the city of Kyoto was held on a much smaller scale on Sunday to avoid large crowds amid the coronavirus outbreak.

"Gozan Okuribi" takes place on August 16 to send off the ancestral spirits who are believed to return home during the Bon holidays.

Bonfires forming the shapes of kanji characters and symbols are lit on the slopes of five mountains surrounding Japan's ancient capital. The tradition is said to date back more than 300 years.

Fires were lit at fewer spots than usual for this summer's festival. The character meaning "large" is normally made up of dozens of fires, but there were only six this year.

People wearing face masks gathered on a riverside with a good view of the spectacle.

A man said this year's festival is different, but he is grateful that it went ahead, and he maintained social distancing.

A high school student said she appreciates the tradition and she hopes her ancestors will watch over her.
Anthony Fauci, top US infectious disease expert, expressed hope that the Covid-19 vaccine should be made available by the end of this year, beginning of 2021, in a safe way. In an interview with American news broadcaster PBS, Fauci said it shouldnt take later than the start of the next year to get the vaccine. Fauci added that even half an effective vaccine would be good enough to bring the world back to normalcy within a year.

Although President Donald Trump has said a vaccine may be ready by election day on November 3, Fauci is of the opinion that it may take until well into 2021 for shots to reach the general public.

Also read: Covid-19 - Victoria extends state of emergency as deaths top 300

On the Russian vaccine candidate, the expert said that just because there is a vaccine does not mean it should be administered to the public. You need to be looking if a vaccine is safe and effective, he told the PBS.

Russias decision to approve a coronavirus shot before crucial tests have raised questions over its safety and efficacy, raising worries that politics will trump public health in the quest for a vaccine against the deadly contagion.

Russia, however, has dismissed concerns about the vaccine, describing it as Western jealousy. President Vladimir Putin had vouched for its efficacy and said that one of his daughters has already been given the shot and felt better afterwards.

The country plans to start mass inoculations as soon as October. Experts believe Moscows plan could put pressure on other governments to rush ahead of regulators and skip key steps in order to push a vaccine out in the market, putting public health at risk.

(With inputs from agencies)
Pakistan and India both won independence from British colonial rule in August 1947.

But the Kashmir issue, a dispute rooted in the region's colonial history, remains a flashpoint 70 years on.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both countries scaled down their independence festivals this year  August 14 for Pakistan and August 15 for India  but the respective leaders still raised Kashmir in their messages to citizens.

A new journey?

On August 5, 2019, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi revoked the special status of Indian-controlled Kashmir and later split it into two union territories.

India's move sparked outrage in Pakistan. It downgraded diplomatic relations with India, expelled the Indian high commissioner and suspended trade."This one year is a year of the new journey of development for Jammu and Kashmir," Modi said at the Red Fortin Delhi on Saturday, adding that refugees, women and the Dalit in the region now receive more rights and enjoyed more dignity. Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan, in his televised speech on Friday, expressed solidarity with the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir and pledged that Pakistan would continue to call for international support and extend diplomatic and moral support to the Kashmiris' struggle for their right to self-determination. One day before India celebrated the first anniversary of revocation of Indian-controlled Kashmir, Pakistan side published a new map which claims all of Kashmir as its own territory.

"The new journey," Modi referred to hasn't brought peace and calm to Kashmir. Just ahead of India's Independence Day, a group of fighters opened fire on police in Srinagar city, Indian-controlled Kashmir, killing two Indian policemen.

Since June, four high-ranking politicians from Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been killed by militants in Indian-controlled Kashmir, showing how tense the situation still is in the region.According to the Indian Defense Ministry, from April to June, India and Pakistan have exchanged heavy fire and targeted each other's positions almost every day across the Line of Control (LoC) dividing Kashmir, despite an agreement in 2003 to observe a ceasefire.The Coalition of Civil Society said at least 229 people, including 32 civilians, have been killed in Indian-administered Kashmir in the first half of the year.

Kashmir powder keg

The Kashmir dispute has raised particular concern because India and Pakistan crossed the nuclear threshold in 1998. As the two nuclear powers spar, there are fears the situation could spiral out of control."Nine countries have nuclear weapons, but Pakistan and India are the only ones rapidly increasing their arsenals," said Professor Alan Robock of Rutgers University-New Brunswick.Pakistan and India currently each have about 150 nuclear warheads at their disposal, with the number expected to climb to more than 200 by 2025."Such a war would threaten not only the locations where bombs might be targeted but the entire world," Robock warned.

Observers believe India-Pakistan relations have further deteriorated since last year, reaching their lowest point in more than a decade. The Hindu newspaper argued the reality was that relations could get even worse. In late June, the countries expelled half of each other's embassy officials in tit-for-tat moves. Anti-Pakistan sentiments in India have been running high as Modi has frequently used anti-Pakistan rhetoric to please his political base.The Economist in a special report authored by Max Rodenbeck, the Economist South Asia bureau chief, pointed out that the long mutual animosity has distorted the two countries' domestic politics and damaged their development dividend.The neighbors both have populations of more than 100 million people, but annual trade only reached 2.06 billion U.S. dollars in 2018, barely 0.1 percent of India's total trade.

The escalation of tensions in 2019 have further reduced the already low bilateral volume of trade to near zero.

Rodenbeck said both sides should be more rational to think about the pain and costs caused by Kashmir-related issues.COVID-19 cases are still climbing in both two countries and local authorities on Friday reported that one in five prisoners at the largest jail in Indian-controlled Kashmir has tested positive for the coronavirus. Nobody can turn the clock back and rewrite the history, but observers hope both sides refrain from unilateral action that may complicate the current critical situation in the region.

(CGTN)
By AFP

DUBAI: The Israeli and UAE foreign ministers inaugurated Sunday direct phone services between the two countries in their first announced call after an agreement to normalise relations, said an Emirati official.

The UAE's Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Israel's Gabi Ashkenazi "inaugurated a phone link between the United Arab Emirates and the state of Israel, and exchanged greetings following the historic Peace Accord signed by the two countries," tweeted Hend al-Otaiba, director of strategic communications at the UAE's foreign ministry.

Shortly after, Ashkenazi tweeted that the two "decided together on the establishment of a direct communication channel ahead of the signing of the normalisation agreement between the two countries and... to meet soon".

READ| Iran threatens 'dangerous future' for UAE after Israel deal

Phone links for the public were also functioning between the two countries.

The Israel-UAE deal, announced by US President Donald Trump on Thursday, is only the third such accord Israel has struck with an Arab country, and raises the prospect of similar deals with other pro-Western Gulf states.

Trump said leaders from the two countries would sign the agreement at the White House in around three weeks.

Under the deal Israel pledged to suspend its planned annexation of West Bank territories, a concession welcomed by European and some pro-Western Arab governments as a boost for hopes of peace.

But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed Israel was not abandoning its plans to one day annex the Jordan Valley and Jewish settlements across the occupied West Bank.
Property warranty deeds signed by a deceased person or a person missing in Mexico since the early 2000s are just some examples of how a scheme worked to facilitate the transfer of property.

The Texas Department of Public Safety launched an investigation and interviewed numerous witnesses, victims and reviewed hundreds of government documents involving notaries suspected of forging property deeds over the last three years.

Authorities identified the suspects as Rosalinda Sosa Moreno, 40; Irma Saenz, 60; Reyes Adolfo Mancha, 51; Liza Lozano Vela, 43; Lorena Guadalupe Campos, 48; and Joanna Carrera, 39. Moreno appears to be the mastermind behind the alleged scheme, authorities said.

An arrest affidavit states that Moreno and Saenz worked for Alarcons Law Firm at the time of the incident. DPS said the law firm was in charge of all United Independent School District property taxes.

Each suspect was charged with forgery. Below are a list of allegations made by DPS:

Passed away

On Oct. 12, 2016, Campos notarized property warranty deed Lot 8 Blk 3 Pueblo Nuevo Save & Except 0.0506 ACS. The property warrant deed shows that Campos notarized the document from Laura Calderon to Luis Lopez.

DPS said the original property warranty deed has Roberto and Lorenza Gonzalez as the original owners. The document shows that Roberto and Lorenza Gonzalez signed and authorized the sale of their property. A DPS special agent discovered that Lorenza Gonzalez passed away on March 7, 2002. Therefore, she could not have signed or authorized her signature, authorities said. Roberto Gonzalez lives in Wyoming and has not been back to Texas, according to court documents.

When questioned about the incident, Campos stated she did not remember Calderon signing the document.

Campos also stated that Campos notarized the document because Luis Lopez is Campos ex-brother-in-law, states the affidavit.

DPS also spoke to Calderon. She provided a voluntary statement saying that she has never met with Campos. DPS alleged that Campos did not identify the person signing the property warranty deed as required by state law. Campos allegedly facilitated that said deed be transferred without proper or lawful authorization.

The affidavit states the property had a value of about $21,320 but was transferred to the grantee for $10 consideration, which is significantly less than the value of the property and less than the filing fee of $30 at the Webb County Clerks Office.

Missing in Mexico

On Aug. 5, 2014, Saenz notarized a property warranty deed for Lot 69 Blk 2 Rio Bravo Annx, City of Rio Bravo, Texas.

Irma Saenz is a Texas notary that was working at the Alarcons Law Firm at the time of the incident. Alarcons Law Firm is in charge of all United Independent School District property taxes, states the affidavit.

The property warranty deed shows that Yvette Janet Martinez signed and authorized the sale of her property, according to DPS. Authorities said the deed shows Martinez signing the document in 2014.

(The special agent) investigated the date of sale and it shows that Yvette Janet Martinez went missing in 2002 in Mexico and has never been found. Therefore, Yvete Janet Martinez could not have signed or authorized her signature, states the affidavit.

On July 3, 2018, Saenz told DPS that the document was already signed by Martinez when Saenz notarized the document. Saenz did not identify the person signing the property warranty deed as required by state law. Saenz allegedly facilitated the deed to be transferred without proper or lawful authorization.

The property had a value of $47,000 but was transferred to the grantee for $10 consideration.

Moreno offers property

On March 23, 2015, Texas notary Moreno notarized a property warranty deed on property Lot 7 Blk 9 Colorado ACS Sur 11 8 5.0 ACS in Webb County. DPS said the property warranty deed shows that Moreno notarized the document from Jesus Sosa Santos to Rolando Palacios.

The original property warranty deed has Alberto Benavides as the original owner. DPS said the document shows that Benavides signe and authorized the sale of Benavides property. But Benavides provided a written statement saying that he never signed or sold his property.

DPS spoke to Palacios about the document. Palacios stated that Moreno had approached his wife several times offering to sell the property. Palacios then stated that he met with Santos Longoria to purchase the property. DPS investigated the signature on the property warranty deed and issued out to Jesus Sosa Santos. Jesus Sosa Santos is related to Rosalinda Moreno.

Moreno did not identify the person signing the property warranty deed as per state law. Moreno allegedly facilitated the deed to be transferred without proper or lawful authorization. DPS said the property was valued at $51,630 and was transferred to the grantee for $10 consideration, an amount significantly lower than the worth of the property and the filing fee of $30.

Lost stamp allegation

On June 30, 2015, Texas notary Carrera notarized a corrected property warranty deed on property TR 30 POR 42 La Presa 0.380 Acres in Webb County. Carreras allegedly notarized the document from Francisca C. Vasquez to Martin and Maria Camacho. The document shows that Vasquez signed and authorized the sale of her property. But Vasquez stated that she never signed or sold the property. She added that she never met with Carrera.

Martin and Maria Camcho stated to authorities that Moreno filled out the property warranty deed. The Camachos also stated that they have never met with Carrera. DPS met with Carrera regarding the property warranty deed. Carrera claimed that she had lost her notary stamp.

But the investigation revealed that Carrera did receive another notary stamp but Carrera never reported her notary stamp lost or stolen. She did not identify the person signing the property warranty deed as required by state law, according to DPS. Authorities said she facilitated the deed to be transferred without proper or lawful authorization.

DPS said the property had a value of about $7,500 but was transferred to the grantee for $10 consideration, which is less than the property value and the filing fee of $30 with the Webb County Clerks Office.

Benavides property

On Oct. 3, 2014, Texas notary Lozano Vela notarized a property warranty deed on property Lot 7 Blk 9 Colorado ACS SUR 11 8 5.0 ACS in Webb County. The property warranty deed shows that Lozano Vela notarized the document from Alberto Benavides to Jesus Sosa Santos.

The documents show that Benavides signed and authorized the sale of Benavides property. Benavides provided a written statement saying that he never signed or sold his property. Benavides stated that he has never met Vela about the document.

Lozano Vela stated that Rosalinda Moreno could have brought another person with the same name and identification, but Lozano Vela could not remember. Longoria is related to Moreno. Lozano Vela did not do her job duty as a notary in identifying the person property warranty deed as required by state law, according to DPS.

Liza Lozano Vela facilitated that said deed be transferred without proper or unlawful authorization, the affidavit states.

The affidavit further adds, The property has a value of about $51,630, according to the Webb County Appraisal District but was transferred to grantee for $10 consideration, which is significantly less than the worth of the property and less than the filing fee of $30 at the Webb County Clerks Office.

Sanchezs property

On Aug. 27, 2014, Texas notary Mancha notarized a property deed on property Lot 72 Blk 9 Colorado ACS SUR 1 18 5.0 ACS. Mancha was working at the Law Library at the time of the incident. The property warranty dee shows that Mancha notarized the document from Rene Sanchez and Ofeliz Sanchez to Raul E. Rodriguez.

Authorities said the document shows that Rene Sanchez and Ofelia Sanchez signed and authorized the sale of their property. They provided a statement to DPS saying that they never signed or sold their property. Ofelia Sanchez added she had never met Mancha.

Mancha stated to DPS that Moreno brought the warranty property deed to him and asked him to notarize and sign the document without the Sanchezes signatures. Mancha added that he notarized the document because Moreno told Mancha that Rene and Ofeliz Sanchez were related to Moreno.

Rodriguez stated that he never met with the notary, Mancha, and wanted nothing to do with the property. Mancha did not identify the person signing the property warrant deed as required by state law. Mancha allegedly facilitated that said deed be transferred without proper or lawful authorization.

Records state the property had a value of $45,300 but was transferred to grantee for $10 consideration
There are about 451 cases in regional Victoria, out of 7671 active cases across the state, and 81 cases within disability services. Mr Andrews said the extension of the state of emergency until September 13 would ensure authorities could enforce restrictions. Since August 2, Victoria has also been under a four-week state of disaster, which may be reviewed. Mr Andrews implored people in regional Victorian centres to get tested, following stable case numbers in the regions after days of growth.

Loading There are now 158 active cases in Geelong, 49 active cases in greater Bendigo, and 27 active cases in Ballarat. Mr Andrews said while the numbers in regional areas were stabilising, there was still some growth in previous days. If there is one ask is a takeaway from today's briefing, if people in those regional cities  can come forward and get tested, that is the really important part of us keeping the numbers in regional Victoria low, he said. We want to keep them low and drive them down even further. Mr Andrews also said residents will not necessarily be moved out of a residential care facility in Albert Park, which caters to people with mental health and behavioural issues, where there are now more than a dozen positive cases.

Police were called to the facility on Sunday, after multiple nearby homeowners said people living in Hambleton House were again on the streets. Loading Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said the rest of the facilitys residents would be shifted to Alfred Health, St Johns in Berwick and St Vincents Hospital. These are unique units hospitals have to support people with mental health issues and challenging behaviour, she said on Sunday afternoon.

Some residents are positive and some are negative, but we are concerned about the welfare of those individuals. She said the residents would likely be in specialised care units for a number of weeks until it was safe for them to return.

Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said authorities were also investigating an outbreak at Frankston Hospital, but didn't yet have detailed case numbers. For all healthcare workers infections, it is not clear how they have been acquired, Professor Sutton said. But it is a stress obviously for those involved and there is furloughing or quarantine for close contacts, obviously other healthcare workers as well as their families." Professor Sutton also expressed optimism about the global progress being made towards a vaccine. He said while he still did not expect a vaccine to be ready to be available within six months, the work on vaccines across the world was a huge, collaborative effort. Stage three trials - where people had been given the vaccine with the belief they would likely be exposed to the virus in public settings - are now underway internationally.

Well get a picture of that level of protection in the next couple of months, Professor Sutton said. The fact there are vaccines in phase three development is very encouraging. But we have to prepare ourselves for the long-haul if there isnt a vaccine available. Production is happening, and those pharmaceutical companies are betting on making millions if not hundreds of millions of doses without knowing its a vaccine they can use. There are parallel processes (of testing and production) so the vaccine will be ready to go on the first day its given approval.

Loading There were 303 COVID-19 cases announced on Saturday, with only four deaths across the state. When it comes to a COVID-19 vaccine in Australia, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said he was "genuinely optimistic" a vaccine will be on the international market by 2021, with the federal government close to reaching a deal to produce it in Australia. Mr Hunt said on Sunday he had been cautious in the past that attempts to create a vaccine would be successful but he said the latest medical advice was that there had been great progress. "The world is moving closer to a vaccine, and it's unlikely that it will just be one, it's likely that it will be many," Mr Hunt told Sky News Australia.




Haiti - Covid-19 : More than double of confirmed cases and more than triple of suspected cases in 24h





NOTE : As the Ministry of Public Health did not make daily data on the Covid-19 situation in Haiti available this morning, the 11:00 am bulletin could not be updated. The Ministry having returned with several hours of delay this information, we proceed in this special bulletin to this update ...



According to the Ministry of Public Health, 48 new cases of Covid-19 would have been confirmed in Haiti in 24 hours the day before (+21), for a total of 7,879 cases throughout the national territory (41.54% of women and 58.46% ) since the first case (March 19, 2020 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30319-haiti-health-origin-of-the-first-2-cases-of-covid-19-in-haiti.html ).



Deaths : unchanged in 24 hours, national total at 196



Healings :: 5,235 people (unchanged in 24 hours), previous (+112 in 72 hours)



Healing rate : 66.44% (-)



Active cases : (less deaths and recoveries) 2,248 (+48 in 24 hours), the day before: (-95)



Imported cases : 152 cases since the reopening of airports and +43 since the last report dated July 9 (109) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31348-haiti-flash-152-cases-imported-since-the-reopening-of-airports.html (update not available)



Suspected cases investigated since March 19 : 21,344 cases (+482 in 24 hours), previous (+129)



Cases tested since the start of the pandemic : 20,624 (unchanged in 24 hours as of August 12), the day before (+505)



People currently hospitalized : (information not available)



People in intensive care currently : (information not available)



People currently treated at home : (information not available)



Cases confirmed by department :

West: 5,523 cases (+28), the day before: (+12)

Artibonitis: 461 cases (+2)

Center: 387 cases (unchanged)

North: 391 cases (+4), the day before: (+6)

South-East: 227 cases (+2), the day before: (+1)

South: 214 cases (+2)

Northeast: 195 cases (+2), the day before: (+1)

North-West: 186 cases (+2)

Grand'Anse: 159 cases (unchanged), the day before: (+1)

Nippes: 136 cases (+4)



Location of cases :



Ouest : 5,523 cases (+28)

Delmas : 1,342 cases (+6)

Port-au-Prince : 1,122 (+8 ), the day before : (+2)

Petion-ville : 823 cases (+5), the day before : (+1)

Tabarre : 669 cases (+3)

Croix-des-Bouquets : 532 (+2), the day before : (+3)

Carrefour : 421 case (+4), the day before : (+2)

Petit-Goave : 147 cases (unchanged), the day before : (+3)

Cite Soleil : 92 cases (unchanged)

Cabaret : 72 cases (unchanged)

Leogane : 69 cases (unchanged)

Kenskoff : 58 cases (unchanged)

Archaie : 43 cases (unchanged)

Gressier 40 cases (unchanged), the day before : (+1)

Anse a Galet : 35 cases (unchanged)

Grand Goave : 14 cases (unchanged)

Cornillon : 13 cases (unchanged)

Ganthier : 12 cases (unchanged)

Thomazeau : 9 cases (unchanged)

Fonds-Verettes : 6 (unchanged)

Pointe a Raquette : 3 cases (unchanged)



Artibonite : 461 case (+2)

Saint Marc : 157 cases (unchanged)

Verettes : 111 case (unchanged)

Gonaives : 103 cases (+1)

Gros Morne : 18 cases (unchanged)

Marchand Dessalines : 16 cases (unchanged)

Petite Riviere de lArtibonite : 14 cases (unchanged)

LEstere : 9 cases (unchanged)

Saint Michel : 9 cases (unchanged)

Desdunes : 6 cases (unchanged)

Marmelade : 6 cases (unchanged)

Ennery : 5 cases (+1)

Grande Saline : 3 cases (unchanged)

La Chappelle : 2 cases (unchanged)

Anse Rouge : 2 cases (unchanged)



Centre : 387 cases (+unchanged)

Mirebalais : 148 cases (unchanged)

Hinche : 133 cases (unchanged)

Boucan Carre : 30 cases (unchanged)

Lascaobas : 25 cases (unchanged)

Belladere : 18 cases (unchanged)

Thomonde : 12 cases (unchanged)

Savanette : 6 cases (unchanged)

Saut-dEau 5 cases (unchanged)

Cerca la Source : 4 cases (unchanged)

Maissade : 3 cases (unchanged)

Cerca Cavajal : 2 cases (unchanged)

Thomassique : 1 case (unchanged)



Nord : 391 case (+6)

Cap Haitien : 241 case (+3), the day before : (+5)

Limbe : 31 case (+2)

Pignon : 18 cases (unchanged)

Grande Riviere du Nord : 14 cases (unchanged)

Milot : 13 cases (unchanged)

Plaine du Nord : 12 cases (+1), the day before : (+1)

Borgne : 11 case (unchanged)

Limonade : 10 cases (unchanged)

Plaisance du Nord : 9 cases (unchanged)

Quartier Morin : 8 cases (unchanged)

Pilate : 8 cases (unchanged)

Acul du Nord : 5 cases (unchanged)

Port Margot : 5 cases (unchanged)

Dondon : 3 cases (unchanged)

Bahon : 1 case (unchanged)

Saint Raphael : 1 case (unchanged)



Sud-Est : 227 cases (+2)

Jacmel : 172 cases (+2), the day before : (+1)

Cote-de-Fer : 14 cases (unchanged)

Bainet : 13 cases (unchanged)

Vallee de Jacmel : 7 cases (unchanged)

Thiotte : 7 cases (unchanged)

Marigot : 5 cases (unchanged)

Belle Anse : 4 cases (unchanged)

Cayes Jacmel : 3 cases ((unchanged)

Anse-a-Pitre : 2 cases (unchanged)



Sud : 214 cases (+2)

Cayes : 122 cases (+1)

Aquin : 22 cases (+1)

Saint-Louis du Sud : 11 case (unchanged)

Les Anglais : 10 cases (unchanged)

Port-Salut : 8 cases (unchanged)

Torbeck : 7 cases (unchanged)

Chardonnieres : 6 cases (unchanged)

Camp-Perrin : 6 cases (unchanged)

Port a Piment : 5 cases (unchanged)

Tiburon : 4 cases (unchanged)

Coteaux : 3 cases (unchanged)

Chantal : 2 cases (unchanged)

Ile-a Vache : 2 cases (unchanged)

St Jean du Sud : 2 cases (unchanged)

Cavaillon 2 cases (unchanged)

Roche a Bateau : 1 case (unchanged)

Maniche : 1 case (unchanged)



Nord-Est : 195 cases (+2)

Ouanaminthe : 62 cases (+2)

Caracol 37 cases (unchanged)

Trou du Nord : 28 cases (unchanged)

Fort Liberte : 25 cases (unchanged)

Mombin Crochu 18 cases (unchanged)

Terrier Rouge : 8 cases (unchanged), the day before : (+1)

Perches : 5 cases (unchanged)

Mont Organise : 5 cases (unchanged)

Ferrier : 2 cases (unchanged)

Carice : 2 cases (unchanged)

Capotille : 2 cases (unchanged)

Ste-Suzanne : 1 case (unchanged)



Nord-Ouest : 186 cases (+2)

Port de Paix : 110 cases (unchanged)

Saint-louis du Nord : 21 case (unchanged)

Bombardopolis : 13 cases (unchanged)

Mole Saint-Nicolas : 12 cases (unchanged)

Jean Rabel : 12 cases (+1)

Bassin Bleu : 5 cases (unchanged)

La Tortue : 5 cases (+1)

Chansolme : 4 cases (unchanged)

Baie de Henne 2 cases (unchanged)

Anse-a-Foleur : 2 cases (unchanged)



Grand'Anse : 159 cases (unchanged)

Jeremie : 126 cases (unchanged), the day before : (+1)

Anse dHainault : 16 (unchanged)

Chambellan : 7 cases (unchanged)

Dame Marie : 3 cases (unchanged)

Pestel : 2 cases (unchanged)

Irois : 2 cases (unchanged)

Bonbon : 1 case (unchanged)

Moron : 1 case (unchanged)

Roseaux : 1 case (unchanged)



Nippes : 136 cases (+4)

Miragoane : 63 cases (unchanged)

Fond des Negres : 20 cases (unchanged)

Baraderes : 12 cases (unchanged)

Plaisance du Sud : 10 cases (+4)

Anse a Veau 7 cases (unchanged)

Petite Riviere de Nippes : 6 cases (unchanged)

Petit Trou de Nippes : 6 cases (unchanged)

LAsile : 5 cases (unchanged)

Paillant : 4 cases (unchanged)

Arnaud : 2 cases (unchanged)

Grand Boucan : 1 case (unchanged)



NOTE : "unchanged" means that there is no new data available: it may be no new cases, unreported or incomplete cases or delay in transmission data at the Ministry ...



Distribution of confirmed cases by age group :

0-9 years: 222 (+2)

10-19 years: 270 (+1)

20-29 years: 1,538 (+16)

30-39 years: 2,303 (+10)

40-49 years: 1,436 (+11)

50-59 years: 941 (+4)

60-69 years: 702 (+2)

70 years and over: 467 (+2)



Distribution of deaths by age group :

0-9 years: 8 deaths (unchanged)

10-19 years: 3 deaths (unchanged)

20-29 years: 10 deaths (unchanged)

30-39 years: 13 deaths (unchanged)

40-49 years: 23 deaths (unchanged)

50-59 years: 37 deaths (unchanged)

60-69 years: 37 deaths (unchanged)

70 years and over: 65 deaths (unchanged)



Death : 196 deaths (unchanged in 24 hours)



Death rate : 2.49% (-)



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31555-haiti-covid-19-daily-report-august-16-2020.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30319-haiti-health-origin-of-the-first-2-cases-of-covid-19-in-haiti.html



Covid-19, new definitions in Haiti : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31110-haiti-covid-19-daily-report-june-24-2020.html



S/ HaitiLibre


















Here we are again, scant months from a national election, and we are being bombarded with TV ads forand against--the various candidates. The ads are bound to get dirtier the closer we come to the Day of Reckoning (Nov. 3). It is a wonder that anyone is brave enough to run for any elected office in this nation. After both sides are done trashing each other, many of us wish we still were ruled by a monarchy. Maybe, if we asked really nicely, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II would take us back.

But here we are in a democratic republic. I think it was Ben Franklin who said something to the effect that a democracy was a terrible form of government, BUT all the others were so much worse. Franklin was the Founding Father I liked most. He is credited with the invention of the platform rocking chair, the volunteer fire department and the lightning rod: all of which are useful.

We Americans have had a wonderful variety of colorful political parties and movements in the past. Unfortunately, most of them have fallen by the way side over the years.

For example, there was:
New Delhi: Five women were rescued after a fire broke out at a clinic located in a three-storey building in northwest Delhi's Pitampura area on Sunday (August 16, 2020).

The fire broke out at the clinic and the smoke later engulfed other floors of the building, a Delhi Fire Service official said.

A woman was rescued from the clinic which is located in the basement of the building, while four others were rescued from a house on the second floor, said Delhi Fire Service Director Atul Garg.

No one was injured in the incident, he added.

The woman rescued from the clinic has been identified as Swati (27). The other four are Laxmi Kansal (52) and her two daughters Pridhi Kansal (25) and Malika Kansal (23), and their relative Asha Rani, fire officials said.

The fire department said it received information about the blaze around 11 am and seven fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The cause of the fire is being ascertained.
Beijings Promotion of Election Candidates It Controls Most Advanced in Canada, Author Says

Hidden Hand co-author says the CCPs influence runs very deep in Canadian institutions

The Chinese regimes strategy of using members of the diaspora who are under its control to run for political office is more advanced in Canada than other countries, says Australian scholar Clive Hamilton, whose new book chronicles how Beijing uses elites in target countries to extend its influence abroad.

The Chinese Communist Party always goes where power lies, Hamilton, a professor of public ethics at Charles Sturt University in Canberra, told The Epoch Times in an interview.

Author Clive Hamilton speaks at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in A Conversation on Chinese Influence in Australia and Beyond in Washington on Oct. 18, 2018. (Wu Wei/Epoch Times)

His latest book Hidden Hand, co-authored with Mareike Ohlberg, senior fellow in the Asia Program at the German Marshall Fund, examines the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in North America and Europe, and the many tacticssome new and some oldthe Party uses to advance its power and reshape the world.

The CCP has greatly enhanced its strategy to grow its influence abroad over the last two decades, Hamilton says, but some of these tactics have been in its armoury since even before the communists came to rule China in 1949.

One such tactic was developed when the CCP retreated from cities during its struggle with rival Nationalist Party and continued its fight from the countryside in the pre-1949 era. Lessons learned from this strategy, dubbed using the countryside to surround the cities, were later employed in other arenas by the CCP.

This slogan should not be understood only in the literal sense; the idea is to go to areas where the CCPs enemies are weak or not well represented, organize the population there, and then use them to encircle the enemys strongholds, Hamilton and Ohlberg write in their book.

Hamilton says this tactic is currently being used in Europe, where the CCP is consolidating its influence in the periphery of the European Unions citadel, Germany.

The CCP has been working hard to establish influence in Southern EuropeItaly and Greeceand a number of Eastern and Central European countries, he says. Its surrounding the EU and exerting influence from the edges.

In some other countries targeted by the CCP, such as Canada and Australia, the tactic can be seen in how the regime attempts to develop influence over municipal, provincial, or state-level politicians.

Mao Zedong (L), with Zhou Enlai, leaders of the Chinese Communist party, pictured in 1935. (Keystone/Getty Images)

According to Hidden Hand, the CCPs connections with these local politicians are leveraged to pressure national governments.

In his famous CBC interview in 2010, then-head of Canadian Security Intelligence Service Richard Fadden said cabinet ministers in two provinces, as well as some municipal politicians in British Columbia, were suspected of being under the influence of foreign governments. He hinted that China is the most aggressive of the countries trying to gain influence in Canada.

The Globe and Mail later revealed one of the provincial cabinet ministers Fadden was referring to was then-Ontario cabinet minister Michael Chan. Chan has since filed a lawsuit against the Globe for their reports.

On an annual basis, Beijing has been hosting a cocktail reception at the yearly convention of Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM). Last year, the CCPs sponsorship was heavily criticized by Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West who said it was inappropriate for the regime to pay to have access to municipal officials. UBCM eventually decided to end the practice amid a public outcry, despite the support of several B.C. mayors for the foreign sponsorship to continue.

Most Advanced in Canada

Fadden said in his 2010 interview that foreign interference in many cases involves foreign governments going after members of their diaspora, in some cases somebody whos second, third generation, so that theres the old country connection.

A relationship is then formed with the individual, and the individual is offered trips back to the home country, he explained.

When the individual later assumes a position of power, he said, all of a sudden decisions arent taken on the basis of the public good but on the basis of another countrys preoccupations.

Hamilton says that while people of Chinese ethnicity are underrepresented in politics in the West and more should be done to encourage them to get involved, the CCP is taking advantage of the democratic process and enticing candidates from the community whom it can control to run for local office. Attempts to call this out are dismissed by allegations of racism, he says.

A general view of the closing ceremony of the second session of the 12th National Committee of CPPCC, a United Front organization, at the Great Hall of the People on on March 12, 2014, in Beijing. (Getty Images)

The CCP started employing the strategy of pushing ethnic Chinese to run for political office as far back as 2005, according to Hidden Hand.

The book adds that CCPs United Front organizations, which are mandated by the CCP to increase its influence abroad, are increasingly following the advice laid out in 2010 by a CCP strategistbuild ethnic Chinese-based political organizations, make political donations, support ethnic Chinese politicians, make political donations, support ethnic Chinese politicians, and deploy votes to swing close-run elections.

Hamilton says the program is in use in a number of countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and many countries in Europe, but is most advanced in Canada.

Part of the reason, he says, is that the United Front organizations seem to be more entrenched in Canada. Another factor is the role the flow of money played with the diaspora coming to Canada, which happened earlier than other places like Australia, he says.

The diaspora was accompanied with a lot of money flowing into Canada, particularly in Vancouver and Toronto, and the money brought political influence.

Hamilton says one way to tell if a candidate is under the influence of the CCP is to see if they avoid saying anything critical of the regime. Another likely giveaway is if the candidate is a prominent member of the United Front groups that serve Beijings interests.

Very Deep in Canadian Institutions

In the book, Hamilton and Ohlberg write that the CCPs influence networks are so entrenched among the elites in Britain that the country has passed the point of no return, and any attempt to extricate itself from Beijings orbit would probably fail.

In the case of Canada, Hamilton says the country is in deep trouble because of the elites, and this applies to the networks of close contacts that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has in business and politics.

Theres been a gradual buildup of uproar in Canada at the way in which the business political elite has become entangled with the Chinese political and corporate elite, as a result of which Canadas diplomatic dealings with China have been embarrassingly submissive, he says.

The kind of intimidation and bullying that Canada has been subject to from Beijing is shameful for any nation with a modicum of self respect.

Beijing is currently holding Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor behind bars on espionage charges, and has given the death penalty to four Canadians on drug chargesmoves that came about after Canada arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on an extradition request from the United States. The regime has also blocked importation of Canadian agricultural products, and regularly rebukes Canada for not releasing Meng.

A recent poll by Nanos Research showed that more than half of Canadians think Ottawa should be taking more aggressive actions to pressure China to release Kovrig and Spavor, while another poll by Angus Reid found that only 14 percent of Canadians have a positive view of China.

In this kind of environment and the strong shift in the public sentiment, as well as the increased exposure of the China guard in the media, the elites are finding it increasingly difficult to appease Beijing, Hamilton says.

He adds, however, that he has learned not to underestimate the power of Beijing forces abroad.

They might be quiet now, but they will come back, he says.

If Canada is going to reassert its independence, then this is not something that will be done in a month or two. This is a 10-year struggle, because the influence of the CCP runs very deep in Canadian institutions.

Elites

Hamilton says the CCP carefully examines and identifies where the centres of political, economic, and cultural power lie, and who the most powerful people are in those areas. It will then create a profile of each person, and find a way to approach them and bring them under its influence.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping applauds after unveiling a sculpture during the opening ceremony of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Beijing on Jan. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

The CCP preys on their weaknesses, it appeals to their desires and their hopes, he says. Theyve been a kind of very willing victims of this kind of manipulation.

The CCP is also very good at disguising its operations, Hamilton says, so it has been able to continue its influence-wielding operations behind the scenes for years.

[It conducts the strategy] by hiding behind ideas like people-to-people exchanges, engaging in international cooperation and harmony, such as win-win cooperation and building economic linkages, he says.

Hamilton says the first step in untangling from CCPs influence is to expose it and shed light on its practices; the second is holding to account political and business leaders acting as apologists for Beijing; and the third is enacting foreign interference laws as Australia has done.

The laws, passed in 2018, include tougher penalties for espionage activities and require agents acting on behalf of foreign political actors to publicly register their names.

A foreign interference law will make it much more difficult for the CCP to engage in its foreign interference activity, he says. It means that the CCP has to go deeper into the shadows, and many of its United Front activities become illegal.
Houston is the former home of the late Dr. Raj Kamble, a leading anti-caste activist and beloved figure in the international community of Dalits  those branded as untouchable. He experienced caste-based discrimination throughout his life but fought back and spoke out around the globe and throughout a 40-year career. . On this second anniversary of his death, his legacy and commitment to Dalit freedom continues to inspire caste-oppressed people and our allies to stand up for justice and speak out against caste discrimination.

Caste is a system of exclusion that affects more than 260 million people worldwide, determining every aspect of their lives from employment to relationships and religion. Caste was established in Hindu scripture where at birth, every child inherits his or her ancestors caste, which determines social status and assigns spiritual purity in a hierarchy. The Brahmins are the priestly caste who are the top and benefit the most from caste while Dalits are sentenced to the bottom of this system and have endured centuries of repression. Although banished under Indian law, the systemic discrimination continues  in India and in South Asian communities in nations all over the world, including here in the United States. and we face segregation, exclusion and violence compounded by a punishing culture of impunity and silence.

Many of us from caste-oppressed backgrounds suffer the effects of caste in our everyday lives. The recent lawsuit filed by California against Cisco, alleging caste-based discrimination has inspired many Americans of South Asian descent in Texas to speak up about caste oppression in our state. Our experiences confirm findings in the Equality Labs survey on caste in the United States. Discrimination based on caste is a harsh reality among South Asians in America. Caste affects not only professional opportunities, but also relationships, community institutions and places of worship.

The survey reports that 1 in 4 Dalits have faced physical and verbal assault in the United States. In Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin, community members have reported being subjected to caste-related insults by dominant caste people in public.We need our fellow South Asians to do better.

Two out of three Dalits have experienced workplace discrimination. These testimonies reveal dominant caste people will openly boast about their caste privilege and supposed biological superiority while using slurs to diminish Dalits. Many Dalits resort to hiding their identities, because if their caste is discovered, they face demotions, harassment and even termination, which in turn can mean losing a hard-won H1-B visa. For these reasons and more many stay silent, particularly since many human resources departments lack cultural competencies in caste and are not equipped to identify and stop caste discrimination. In this scenario, the Cisco case is critical because it identifies employment discrimination. Since the Cisco case broke, Equality Labs has received an additional 250 complaints of caste discrimination among employees from many more tech companies in the U.S.

Our report also shows that over 40 percent of Dalit and caste-oppressed respondents felt discriminated against in American educational institutions. Testimonies reveal that such prejudice often manifests as caste-based derogatory jokes and slurs, housing discrimination and visible hatred toward caste-oppressed and indigenous people of South Asia.

Caste-oppressed students who have seized opportunities offered by Indias affirmative action programs (meant to redress centuries of historical wrongs committed against caste-oppressed and Indigenous South Asians) face a special stigma. On American campuses, these policies are used against Dalits to shame, disregard and exclude them, plus prevent their professional advancement. Many hide their caste position because they do not want their competency to be questioned  especially within alumni networks dominated by the privileged castes.

Discrimination also runs rampant among young families. According to a Dalit mother in Austin, when her children revealed that they were caste-oppressed Buddhists, mothers in dominant caste families no longer invited her children to playdates. Dalit families are often shunned by those of the dominant caste and often end up building relationships outside the South Asian American community or with other caste-oppressed communities. It is a double isolation, for the pain of migration includes both the pain of leaving our homeland but also of exclusion from the broader Indian American community. Many Dalits want to protect their children from caste-related biases, which makes them leave these networks all together.

Religious institutions may seem like spaces safe from this kind of discrimination  but not everybody feels welcome. Caste has its origin in Hindu scripture, yet is found in all South Asian faiths. As a result, Dalit people report varying forms of religious discrimination, including physical violence and not being allowed entry into dominant caste led temples, churches and gurdwaras.

Casteist practices also invade personal relationships. No matter how deeply people might deny that they harbor bias, caste is one of the first criteria people mention when looking for a partner. Intercaste romantic relationships are often met with severe objections.

Dalits and other caste-oppressed people often report being rejected by their partners because their families refuse to accept them. Sometimes, Dalits are dismissed outright, even before a possibility of romance can be entertained. Progressive South Asian people might in one breath talk about racial justice yet in another talk about the need for good family backgrounds, wheatish complexions and how lucky they are because their partner is not Dalit or Adivasi or something horrible like that.

Can you imagine how I feel as a Dalit person when I hear these things?

The Ambedkar International Mission paved the way for Dalit American civil rights groups like Equality Labs, Ambedkar Association of North America and the powerful Ambedkarite Buddhist Association of Texas. Caste-oppressed Texans and our allies are standing up all over the state to call out networks of caste privilege.

The groundbreaking Cisco case has high stakes for Texas as South Asian Americans have emerged as an influential voting bloc. Texas candidates of South Asian descent are running for county, state and federal office this year including Sri Preston Kulkarni and Donna Imam, who are vying to become among the first South Asian American members of Congress from Texas. In such an environment, caste and religious biases must be addressed.

As we speak out about caste discrimination, South Asian politicians in Texas and throughout America must address this critical issue. South Asian Americans have a responsibility not only to address historical wrongs in the United States but also to acknowledge the violence of caste perpetuated in our communities today. We cannot show up for justice for others when we have unfinished wrongs in our own community to tackle. We ask all people of conscience to rise up with us. Start by breaking the silence and learning more about caste.

Finally, we ask all organizers to sign the petition and stand with caste-oppressed Americans today. Each of these steps supports the national movement to have caste designated as a protected category in our civil and human rights laws. Together, we can work together to end caste bias and discrimination in our communities today.

Zwick-Maitreyi is the research director of Equality Labs, an Ambedkarite South Asian power-building organization.
Washington

The U.S. Postal Service is warning states coast to coast that it cannot guarantee all ballots cast by mail for the November election will arrive in time to be counted, even if mailed by state deadlines, raising the possibility that millions of voters could be disenfranchised.

Voters and lawmakers in several states are also complaining that some curbside mail collection boxes are being removed.

Even as President Donald Trump rails against wide-scale voting by mail, the post office is bracing for an unprecedented number of mail-in ballots as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The warning letters sent to states raise the possibility that many Americans eligible for mail-in ballots this fall will not have them counted. But that is not the intent, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said in his own letter to Democratic congressional leaders.

The post office is merely "asking elected officials and voters to realistically consider how the mail works, and be mindful of our delivery standards, in order to provide voters ample time to cast ballots through the mail," wrote DeJoy, a prominent Trump political donor who was recently appointed.

The back-and-forth comes amid a vigorous campaign by Trump to sow doubts about mail-in voting as he faces a difficult fight for reelection against Democrat Joe Biden.

Though Trump casts his own ballots by mail, he's repeatedly criticized efforts to allow more people to do so, which he argues without evidence will lead to increased voter fraud that could cost him the election. Meanwhile, members of Congress from both parties have voiced concerns that curbside mail boxes, which is how many will cast their ballots, have abruptly been removed in some states.

At the same time that the need for timely delivery of the mail is peaking, service has been curtailed amid cost-cutting and efficiency measures ordered by the DeJoy, the new postmaster general, who is a former supply-chain CEO He has implemented measures to eliminate overtime pay and hold mail over if distribution centers are running late.

The federal watchdog of the Postal Service has opened an inquiry into operational changes at the agency that have delayed mail deliveries across the country, a spokeswoman said Friday. That comes after Sen. Elizabeth Warren, of Massachusetts, and eight other Democrats sent a letter requesting a review.

The Post Office released copies of the warning letters it sent to all 50 states and the District Columbia on its website. While some states were given a less stringent warning, the majority were told the situation could be more dire.

The laws, the letter said, create a "risk that ballots requested near the deadline under state law will not be returned by mail in time to be counted."

The mass mailing of the warning letters was first reported by The Washington Post.

Many state officials criticized the move.

"This is a deeply troubling development in what is becoming a clear pattern of attempted voter suppression by the Trump administration," Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said in a statement. "I am committed to making sure all Virginians have access to the ballot box, and will continue to work with state and federal lawmakers to ensure safe, secure and accessible elections this fall."

Kim Wyman, the Republican secretary of state in Washington state, where all voting is by mail, said sending fall ballot material to millions of voters there is a "routine operation of the U.S. Postal Service."

"Politicizing these administrative processes is dangerous and undermines public confidence in our elections," she said. "This volume of work is by no means unusual, and is an operation I am confident the U.S. Postal Service is sufficiently prepared to fulfill."

Meanwhile, the removal of Postal Service collection mail boxes triggered concerns and anger in Oregon and Montana.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

In Montana, postal officials said the removals were part of a program to eliminate underused drop boxes. But after the outcry, which included upset members of Congress, the officials said they were suspending the program in Montana. It was unclear if the program was suspended in other states.

At least 25 mail boxes were removed in mid-July in Montana with another 30 scheduled to be taken away soon, said Julie Quilliam, president of the Montana Letter Carriers Association. She rejected the claim that the boxes were removed because of low usage.

"Some of the boxes scheduled to be removed from downtown Billings are nearly overflowing daily," Quilliam wrote in a Facebook message.

All three members of Montana's congressional delegation  two of whom are Republican  raised concerns about the removal of mail boxes in letters sent to Postmaster DeJoy.

"These actions set my hair on fire and they have real life implications for folks in rural America and their ability to access critical postal services like paying their bills and voting in upcoming elections," said Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat.

Republican Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Greg Gianforte, also a Republican, raised similar concerns in letters to DeJoy about the effect the removal of the mail boxes might have on delivery times. All three asked for information on how the agency decided which boxes to remove and whether any more removals were planned.

"During the current public health crisis it is more important than ever the USPS continue to provide prompt, dependable delivery service," Gianforte said.

Postal Service spokesperson Ernie Swanson said the Oregon removals were due to declining mail volume and that duplicate mail boxes were taken from places that had more than one. The Postal Service said four mail boxes were removed in Portland this week.

"First-class mail volume has declined significantly in the U.S., especially since the pandemic," Swanson said. "That translates to less mail in collection boxes."

Separately, the National Association of Letter Carriers, which represents 300,000 current and retired workers, endorsed Biden.

The union said Trump has been hostile to the post office and has undermined it and its workers while Biden "is  was  and will continue to be  a fierce ally and defender of the United States Postal Service," said union president Fredric Rolando.
In August of 2020 we asked if Canadas energy dividends were in trouble. Of course that was before energy prices and energy stocks were dominating the headlines. At the time Canadian oil prices were about $30 a barrel and energy dividends were under a lot of pressure due to collapsed earnings.

Today, that price has more than doubled and it is eyeing that $70 range. Youll notice when you compare the Western Canadian Select price to Brent (closer to $80) just how much Canadas energy dividends and earnings would benefit from not having to discount relative to world price!

Source: Bloomberg Canada

he West Texas oil price is currently near $78 while Brent (Global) is above $80.

Of course those higher oil prices are wonderful for Canadian oil producers, mostly operating or active in the Canadian oil sands, but many of the producers also have global operations. They have already become free cash flow gushers. And the stock market is starting to take notice.

Over the last year, the returns for the TSX Capped Energy Index is more than 125%.

Source: Google

On my site, I had suggested last October that investors consider Canadian oil producers.

I offered 

The Canadian energy sector has been beaten up. Foreign investors have given up and so have many Canadian investors. Where there is incredible pessimism there can be incredible rewards. But there is certainly no guarantee that the pessimism for the Canadian energy patch is not deserved. That said, it is also certainly possible that the pessimism has jumped the shark. There may be incredible value in the energy sector for Canadian investors.

Canadian investors who went against the flow were rewarded handsomely, and it was not as big a risk as many would think. The macroeconomic and energy-specific story was quite simple.

Economic activity and energy usage was certain to pick up as we made our way through the pandemic. Canadian energy producers were made more lean and mean by the tough years in the energy patch. They had already spent the required amounts (CAPEX investments) to make their oil projects viable and profitable at lower oil prices. If prices do get to $50 a barrel and more, they have a license to print money.

Canadas Largest Energy Stocks Comparison

Ticker Company Price Market Cap P/E Dividend Yield EPS ENB Enbridge 51.00 103B 17.02 6.61% 3.00 TRP TC Energy 48.30 47.5B 29.84 5.62% 1.63 CNQ Canadian Natural Resources 48.27 57B 14.01 3.83% 3.44 Su Suncor 21.56 32B 27.33 3.00% 0.79 IMO Imperial Oil 41.06 29B N/A 2.35% -0.53 CVE Cenovus Energy 10.57 21.3B 302 0.53% 0.04 PPL Pembina Pipeline 40.01 22B N/A 6.27% -0.87 ???.?? (Hidden, click for access) ?????? (Hidden, click for access) ?????? (Hidden, click for access) ?? ??.?? ?.??% ?.??%

As you can tell from the chart above, if youre a risk averse dividend investor, Canadas pipelines are a much more stable bet (although potentially with much less of an upside) over the medium- and long-term.

Personally, I was convinced of the value of Canadas pipelines by the private newsletter that I subscribe to called Dividend Stocks Rock. Mike Heroux  the man behind DSR  is a CFA and has been studying Canadas dividend players for several decades. His free webinars on the value of the mid-stream pipeline companies (theyre not building any more of them) versus the mercurial nature of the oil companies themselves really made sense to me.

The Energy Stocks Reality  And Long Term Strength of Energy Dividends

The story on energy stocks has evolved, in that our green desires do not match the energy reality. Today there are reasonable fears of an energy crunch that could turn into an energy crisis.

The green energy transition will take a decade or two. In the meantime we have increasing demand for oil and gas and greatly decreased CAPEX  theres little desire to look for more oil and gas. In fact, its politically unfashionable to suggest that we need more oil and gas, or to spend the time and money necessary to find and produce more oil and gas.

That sets up a secular and positive trend for traditional oil and gas. It is an unfortunate reality.

The story goes back to the most basic economic principle  supply and demand.

On the bullish side, Eric Nuttall, portfolio manager at NinePoint Partners suggests it is a generational investment opportunity. Eric often reminds us that the free cash flow that many of these companies produce is beyond generous, it is ridiculous. They can quickly pay down debt, buy back shares and return more value to shareholders by way of generous dividend increases.

For the record, year to date Nuttalls energy fund has returned over 145%, iShares XEG is up about 65% into the first week of October.

The Big Oil Stocks Idea

Looking at returns for Canadas Big 3 oil stocks over the last year have been eye-opening.

Here is the portfolio income chart from that post, with a hypothetical starting amount of $10,000. It is an equal weight portfolio of The Big 3.

Source: Portfolio Visualizer

The big oil stock consideration was and is Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ), Suncor (SU) and Imperial Oil (IMO). In Million Dollar Journeys post on the top Canadian Dividend Growth Stocks youll find The Big 3.

In August of 2020 I noted that the dividends had held up reasonably well.

Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) had maintained its dividend and offered a yield of almost 6.3%.

Imperial Oil (IMO) has maintained its dividend and at the time delivered a yield of almost 3.8%.

After a dividend cut of 55% Suncor (SU) was down to a yield of 3.7%.

But the free cash flow is now feeding sweet dividend increases, or should we say dividend gushers.

In April CNQ increased its dividend by 10.6%.

In July IMO increased its dividend by 22.6%

I have seen analyst reports that suggest Suncor will increase its dividend to its prior state within a year (or so).

The oil and gas sector has the potential to be the greatest source of dividend growth within the Canadian market. Of course Canadian investors are also keeping an eye on Canadian bank stocks.

Regulators had forced the banks to suspend dividend increases and share buybacks during the pandemic. Those restrictions will likely soon be removed, many expect double digit dividend growth for Canadian banks and financials.

What if You Had Invested In the Big 3 Oil Stocks?

From that time of that post you would have seen some generous and growing income (had you purchased or continued with The Big 3. That said, you would also have total returns that would have almost tripled the rate of return compared to the TSX Composite.

Source: Portfolio Visualizer

Youll also see the pipelines in there. Those are my two pipe holdings, Enbridge (ENB) and TC Energy (TRP). Youll find those companies in the portfolio that focuses on Canadian Wide Moat Stocks and are stellar Canadian dividend all stars.

Back in 2020, I had suggested that I would stick with being a toll taker, collecting tolls and dividends by way of those pipelines that move the oil and gas around North America. Of course, Enbridge and TC Energy are much more diversified and do have energy producing operations as well.

But the energy producer story just became too overwhelming and obvious for me. While I was late to eat my own cooking, I started to build positions in the iShares XEG and more recently into Nuttalls Ninepoint energy ETF.

We are enjoying some nice returns. But more important than the dividend and total return potential is the fact that we (my wife and family) are hedged against any energy crunch and crisis.

Escalating prices at the pump are most likely not a risk (for us). In fact, well likely have any energy costs covered with additional exceptional gains in the bank. And I certainly hope we do not run into an energy crisis.

My guess is that the greater theme of ongoing higher prices for oil and gas continue, and this may turn out to be a very solid and profitable portfolio bolt-on. Its part of the explore within the core and explore portfolio approach. And again, Id add the word hedge in concert with the explore notion.

I would factor in the energy producer exposure with our other commodities allocation that includes gold, gold stocks and the larger baskets of commodities.

I will not get side-swiped by inflation or stagflation.

Bigger Not Better

While investing in The Big 3 was a very solid strategy, it underperformed the index and that Ninepoint fund. There is more torque in many of the smaller companies and especially in the mid-to small-cap names.

You might consider those funds. If youre a stock selector and like the idea of energy exposure you might research some of the names that you find in those funds and any small cap lists.

While there have been some quick gains for the sub sector, it is still early days if the longer term thesis holds out. And of course this is a volatile sector and the risks are also generous. OPEC could turn on the taps and flood the market with oil. Though this week they stuck to the plan of a modest increase of 400,000 barrels a day for the month of November.

Many of the calls these days are for oil in the $80-$100 range at some point in 2022.

Of course, that stable or increased demand depends on continued economic strength and recovery. That is not a given.

Im happy to hedge and accept those risks with 5% of my allocation  as I enjoy taking my tolls and collecting those healthy energy dividends.
https://www.aish.com/jw/s/A-Safety-Net-for-Holocaust-Survivors-during-COVID-19.html

It is our responsibility to take care of survivors and offer them peace in their final years.

Joel Fabian, an 81-year-old Holocaust survivor in Willingboro, N.J., was making ends meet by cleaning doctors' and lawyers' offices. Then the pandemic hit and he lost his three cleaning contracts.

That was a big loss financially. When the offices shut down, they no longer needed my services, Fabian told Aish.com. One practice has reopened but with strict cleaning protocols that require certification and special equipment which he doesnt have.

Fabian, a Berlin native who survived the Theresienstadt concentration camp as a child, receives a restitution stipend from Germany every three months. He also has retirement savings but not enough to make up for income lost because of COVID-19. Fortunately, a nonprofit organization that supports thousands of Holocaust survivors across the United States is helping to bridge the gap, providing assistance with everything from groceries to utility bills.

Its called KAVOD-Ensuring Dignity for Holocaust Survivors. John and Amy Israel Pregulman created the Memphis- and Denver-based organization in 2015 after learning that one-third of an estimated 80,000 survivors in the U.S. struggle to meet their basic needs during emergencies. They are very good at hiding poverty. Amy and I have been in many survivors apartments and noticed that they didnt have anything, says John, a professional photographer who has documented nearly 1,200 survivors since 2012.

Many have to choose between heat or food, medicine or rent. Add in the crisis of this years pandemic, and vulnerable survivors are suffering even more.

Preserving Dignity for Courageous Souls

Our survivors are getting older and are having bigger financial stresses. We only have a few years left with these courageous individuals and we feel it is our responsibility to take care of them and offer them peace in their final years. They have been through enough and as a human community, we are responsible, declares Amy.

John and Amy Israel Pregulman with a survivor

KAVOD, which means honor and respect in Hebrew, partnered with Seed the Dream Foundation to co-create the KAVOD Survivors of the Holocaust Emergency Fund (SHEF) initiative in 2019. More than 20 philanthropists and foundations have joined Seed The Dream Foundation in the coalition to match local Jewish federations dollar-for-dollar to create accessible money to cover urgent, emergency unmet needs. These include food, rent support, home repairs, emergency transportation, and medical, dental and vision care.

Needs during the pandemic have ranged from air-conditioning units for a couple in a sweltering walk-up apartment in New York to a back-order of hearing aids for 34 survivors in Cleveland, Ohio.

KAVOD SHEF partners with caseworkers to identify needs, then gives money through Jewish agencies in 27 major cities. We have always functioned as a secondary resource to fill the gap in emergencies, says Amy. Its really making an impact for the communities and for the agencies.

Gail Belfer, director of Holocaust Survivor Services and Advocacy for Jewish Family & Children's Service of Southern New Jersey, would agree. Our nurse heard about this organization on NPR  we reached out and spoke to Amy. It was unbelievable to hear theres no catch, a philanthropic foundation providing dollars to Holocaust survivors. There are Holocaust survivors that need more than the Claims Conference can provide. Also they may have needs that arent covered by the Claims Conference guidelines.

Belfer realizes it would be challenging to provide emergency services without KAVOD SHEFs support. Our clients may be in their most vulnerable time, she says, and were trying to prevent re-traumatization.

COVID Stressors Evoke Flashbacks

When COVID hit in March, Fabian started having flashbacks  and not only because he is a Holocaust survivor. He also spent 21 years in the U.S. Army as a medic and licensed practical nurse. He served on the front lines in the Vietnam War. The sense of isolation and a loss of control brought up old images.

When you restrict like this, your mind goes wandering, he says, adding his appreciation for the emotional as well as material support from Jewish Family & Childrens Service. They call me at least twice a week and check on me constantly.

Fabians daughter, Robin, lives with him, but he misses his social life. A saving grace is regular Cafe Europa social support Zoom meetings for survivors.

He also benefits from thinking of others. I have a friend who lives by himself, and I check up on him every day by phone just to keep him going. I know what its like to be isolated.

Lucky for Life

Fabian was just 4 when the Nazis forced him, his parents and two younger sisters from their Berlin home to Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia. A few months later, they eluded death. Somehow a German rabbi convinced Nazi wardens to delay putting them on a train bound for Auschwitz until Fabians father returned from a forced work detail in Berlin. The children hid in a large laundry basket while the drama played out.

Joel Fabian with a nurse at a sanatorium in Davos, Switzerland, where he is recovering from tuberculosis he contracted in Theresienstadt.

After the train left Theresienstadt for Auschwitz, their names never appeared on another list for deportation. Most Holocaust survivors will tell you the same thing: We happened to be at the right place at the right time, says Fabian.

The Allies liberated Theresienstadt when he was 7. His father, Dr. Hans Erich Fabian, was a lawyer and judge in Berlin before their expulsion. The elder Fabian took a group of survivors back to Berlin, where he became president of the first Jewish community and founded a Jewish newspaper. He also started the first synagogue to open there after the war, and it is now the largest synagogue in the city.

Meanwhile, young Joel spent two years in a Swiss sanitarium to recover from tuberculosis. By the time the family reunited, tensions were boiling in Berlin as the Cold War heated up.

The Fabians seized a chance to emigrate to the U.S. in 1949. When they arrived under the Displaced Persons Act, Dr. Fabian declared to the press that the Germans were still Nazis at heart and the 7,500 Jews still in Berlin were in desperate straits.

Joel Fabian often has relived the horrors of those years by educating thousands of schoolchildren about the Holocaust and life as a child survivor. But like much else during the pandemic, his talks are on hold now.

As much as Fabian enjoys giving back to society, he also appreciates receiving the help he needs. He praises Gail Belfer, Jewish Family & Childrens Service and by extension, KAVOD SHEF. You wake up in the morning and dont have to wonder where your next meals coming from. Its a terrific program and I cant say enough about it. These people are on the front lines. Theyre the unsung heroes, the people who step up and help without any fanfare.
Vietnam has 54 ethnic groups, of which 53 minority groups represent just 14 per cent of the population. Few could name them all.

In an effort to inspire young people to dig a little deeper into the many and varied cultures found throughout Vietnam, young designer Nguyen Minh Ngoc has put together emojis of all 54 ethnic groups, complete with details on each.

Nguyen Minh Ngoc

Most people know Vietnam has 54 ethnic groups, said 27-year-old Ngoc.

But when I ask my friends about how ethnic minority people dress or what their customs are, most dont know. They dont even know their names.

If we look at the 54 groups as our Vietnamese kin, then we need to know more about them.

That encouraged me to create emojis of ethnic minorities' costumes, to introduce them to young people.

The young see emojis all the time online, so using them struck Ngoc as the perfect way to shine a light on the ethnic minorities and their clothing and cultures.

Emojis are like a hieroglyphic language, so can be used to communicate with others, he said.

People see emojis all the time when chatting online, and thats why I used them to show ethnic groups.

He spent four months on the 54 ethnic groups' costumes, which he found an interesting experience despite the enormity of the task.

There was always one more group Id never heard of and knew little about, he said.

I was excited by the project, as the more groups I covered the more surprises I found.

The designer put a great deal of effort into learning about each groups costumes and cultures.

The most difficult part of the project was finding documents describing the groups, he said.

Some have plenty of documents relating to them, while others have few.

Such groups as the Hoa, Cham, Khmer, and Thai have many sources of information about their traditional costumes and cultures. They have not only one but many different outfits, to wear on certain occasions as appropriate.

For some groups, however, there is very little information to be found, because there are only a handful of people left in a particular group or they may live in remote areas.

Sometimes information on one group actually gives you information about another. For example, some websites use images of the Mong to show the Chut people.

I had to be very careful in my research and cross-check many times before selecting a signature outfit to show.

Ngocs emoji series has attracted more than 12,000 likes and 6,000 shares after he posted the project on Facebook.

Im happy to hear that many feel the emojis are not only endearing but also useful, he said.

Ive been touched by people from ethnic minorities commenting on the post and thanking me for introducing their group to others.

I also saw comments pointing out mistakes in the emoji of their ethnic group, which will help me fix them and make them more accurate.

He now intends to create emojis about other aspects of life in Vietnam.

I have a number of ideas for the next series, he said. Vietnamese cuisine is a special cultural feature that Id like to work on.

Breathtaking landscapes around Vietnam, such as Haa Long Bay and Son Doong Cave, are also something Ive been thinking about, while traditional musical instruments would be an interesting topic too.

VNS

Dishes from clams, a highlight in Vietnams cuisine Hanoi is in the middle of summer with temperatures reaching above 40 degrees Celsius at times. The hot weather makes it hard to enjoy food, but for baby clams and some cold beer, I can make an exception.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The World Health Organisation is raising funds globally for people to get the Covid-19 vaccine free of cost. Currently India is only in the first phase of vaccine trials and it will take at least a year for the vaccines to be finalised, according to WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan.

Addressing reporters here on Saturday, she said, 8 vaccines are being developed by different companies in India. Normally, it takes five to ten years to develop a vaccine. However, due to the pandemic, it will now take up to one and half years at least.

No vaccine has come to the stage of producing data to WHO on its success as yet. Only after WHO gets the clinical trial data of vaccines, a licence of authorisation will be given. On the rising number of Covid-19 deaths in the State, Soumya Swaminathan said the death rate in Tamil Nadu is low and early diagnosis is vital to saving lives. Wearing mask and maintaining social distance will be the new normal for the next one year. All departments of the State government have played a role in Covid-19 containment, she said.

Second wave

Stating that measures like lockdown are only temporary, Soumya said, Preventing a second wave of infection is a high priority. No country is able to stop the virus growth and cases again grow after the restrictions are lifted. We must work on keeping the number of cases low.
Gov. Pete Ricketts handed out a veto Saturday that can't be subject to an override attempt, since the Legislature is out of session.

Ricketts vetoed a bill (LB1060) that would add to the definition of race in the Nebraska Fair Employment Practice Act. It says: Race includes, but is not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles; and protective hairstyles includes, but is not limited to hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists.

Black women have said that in some workplaces, to be accepted, they are expected to wear their hair more like people with naturally straight hair, said Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, who introduced the bill. But getting their hair to look like that involves heat and chemical straightening that can cause damage and health concerns.

One woman testified at a hearing for the bill that when her son applied for a job in Sarpy County, he was told he did a good interview and had good credentials, but to continue in the job process he would need to cut his dreadlocks.

Ricketts said the new definition of race would apply in all discrimination cases under the act, and covers features based on mutable characteristics that can't be attributed to one racial group. Hairstyles are easily changed, he said, and those included in the bill  locks, braids and twists  are not exclusively worn by one race.

"While I agree with the goal, I object to the form of the bill," he said. "It needs to add protections for employees based upon their immutable hair texture and to also add protections for employers centered on health and safety standards."

Employers would be unable to uniformly apply their grooming policies without fear of violating the fair employment act, he said. And since the changes would apply to state agencies and political subdivisions, it would preclude law enforcement from being able to maintain longstanding personal grooming policies.

"I am deeply disappointed by Gov. Rickett's decision to veto my priority bill," Cavanaugh said. "This bill had 15 testifiers in support and none in opposition, no cost to the state, and created important protections for women of color in the workplace. It is unfortunate that the governor and his office never reached out with any of his concerns."

Ricketts said there is a need to provide protections for African Americans and others so their unchangeable hair textures cannot be used as a reason for workplace bias or discrimination.

He is committed to working with the Legislature early in the 2021 session to achieve that, he said, but in the manner he has put forth.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7228 or jyoung@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSLegislature

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Following fierce public backlash, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum has reversed course and will host the annual September 11 Tribute in Light despite previously announcing the events cancellation.

On Thursday, the museum released a statement citing the ongoing coronavirus pandemic as the reason this years lights would not shine through the skies of Lower Manhattan.

This incredibly difficult decision was reached in consultation with our partners after concluding the health risks during the pandemic were far too great for the large crew required to produce the annual Tribute in Light, the statement read.

However, the decision was met with immediate outrage by local elected officials, service members and various others within the New York City community.

In response to the public outcries, the museum issued a new statement on Saturday saying that after consulting with key stakeholders, the annual tradition will go on as planned next month.

For the last eight years the 9/11 Memorial & Museum has produced the Tribute in Light and we recognize the profound meaning it has for so many New Yorkers. This year, its message of hope, endurance, and resilience are more important than ever. In the last 24 hours weve had conversations with many interested parties and believe we will be able to stage the tribute in a safe and appropriate fashion, said 9/11 Memorial & Museum president and CEO, Alice M. Greenwald.

Tribute in Light shines 88 different lights -- 44 for each tower of the World Trade Center -- four miles into the sky, and can be seen from 60 miles away. The lights are sourced from the Italian company Spacecannon.

Throughout my tenure as Mayor, the Tribute in Light was a powerful symbol of New Yorks recovery after 9/11. I am pleased that once again it will shine this year as a beacon of our citys resilience, said Michael Bloomberg, chairman, 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

The museums prior concerns regarding the health and safety of installing the exhibit with a large crew amid the pandemic have been addressed by New York state, which will provide health personnel to ensure a safe, clean environment.

This year it is especially important that we all appreciate and commemorate 9/11, the lives lost, and the heroism displayed as New Yorkers are once again called upon to face a common enemy. I understand the Museums concern for health and safety, and appreciate their reconsideration. The state will provide health personnel to supervise to make sure the event is held safely while at the same time properly honoring 9/11. We will never forget, said Governor Andrew Cuomo.

BACKLASH FOLLOWING CANCELLATION

Upon the announcement of the events cancellation, politicians, labor leaders and local organizations took matters into their own hands, devising plans to save the beloved annual ceremony or host their own.

A bipartisan group of City Council members, including Minority Leader Steven Matteo (R-Mid-Island) and Councilman Joe Borelli (R-South Shore), said they were confident that the workers needed for the massive light display could be sourced from local unions after coordinating with the AFL-CIO New York City Central Labor Council.

The group of City Council members also sent a letter to President Trump inquiring as to whether he could provide federal assistance for an alternate installation plan. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

AFL-CIO New York City Labor Council President Vincent Alvarez told the Advance/SILive.com that he was confident that local workers could safely handle the displays installation.

Our position is that we must have the tribute and the lights lit on 9/11, he said. We stand ready, willing, and able to do what we can in that effort. New York Citys union workers -- they can do this safely and professionally.

Assemblywoman Nicole Mallitoakis also blasted the decision to cancel the annual tribute, and offered her assistance to the museum, as well as Manhattan-based company Michael Ahern Production Services, which owns the displays artistic copyright. The company did not respond to a request for comment.

I do not support this decision and am greatly saddened by it, she said. I find it hard to believe that there isnt a way to continue this annual Tribute in Light memorial to honor the victims of 9/11. The installation of these lights poses no greater risk than many of the other activities taking place on a daily basis in our city.

Meanwhile, two local organizations -- the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and the citys Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) -- announced their own versions of the display, but neither were able to provide any logistical details.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation announced its Towers of Light tribute in a Friday press release, in which chairman and CEO Frank Siller said the organization would do whatever it could to ensure a version of the display goes forward.

The twin beams of light that shine over lower Manhattan in silent tribute to those lost on 9/11 are an iconic symbol of hope, visibly showing that light will always triumph over darkness, he said.

The SBA posted to Facebook that it would host its own Tribute in Light ceremony on Sept. 11, but did not respond to a request for comment regarding the logistics.

The 9/11 attacks was an act of war on our nation, and the Tribute in Light remembrance paid tribute to the nearly 3,000 innocent victims who were murdered that day, as well as all of the people that continue to die from 9/11-related ailments and illnesses, Mullins said. These victims include members of the NYPD, PAPD, FDNY and other first responders, as well as all of the people who went to work that day and died for our country.

Its currently unclear as to whether the Tunnels to Towers Foundation and/or the SBA will move forward with plans to host their own ceremonies now that the museum has reversed course.
Channel Seven's long-running drama Home and Away usually calls Sydney's Palm Beach 'home' for filming.

But each year the show travels interstate for 'away' shoots to showcase other parts of Australia to local and international viewers.

While the show planned to film scenes in the Northern Territory this year, production were forced to get 'creative' amid COVID-19 travel restrictions.

'Thinking outside the square! Home and Away was filmed in Blue Mountains after border restrictions prevented the show being filmed in the Northern Territory. Pictured: Ray Meagher

'Corona isn't going to get in the way of us telling beautiful stories to the audience,' Lucy Addario, a series producer told The Sunday Telegraph this week.

Finding an alternate location for their 'away' shoot, the cast and crew have been filming in the Blue Mountains, an hour away from Sydney.

'Creatively it made us think outside the square,' she continued.

The series shot a few episodes in Alice Springs in 2016, with Addario telling the publication: 'The story dictates whether or not we leave the Bay.'

The episodes filmed in the Blue Mountains will be played out on Seven this week, with the show's love-birds Bella (Courtney Miller) and Nikau (Kawakawa Fox-Reo) on the run from the law.

Home And Away usually films its indoor scenes at Seven's Eveleigh Studios and Palm Beach for its exterior beach scenes.

'Corona isn't going to get in the way of us telling beautiful stories to the audience,' Lucy Addario, a series producer told The Sunday Telegraph this week. Pictured: Kawakawa Fox-Reo

Home and Away continues to be impacted by COVID-19, after the show was temporarily suspended in March due to safety fears

The soap stars were practising social distancing when they returned to the set on May 27 after a nine-week break.

'Back at it,' wrote Georgie Parker (who plays Roo Stewart) while sharing photos of her co-stars practising social distancing between takes.

Social distancing! It comes as the stars of the soap were practising social distancing when they returned to the set on May 27 after a nine week break.

'Warming up for socially distant acting,' she cheekily added underneath the photo, which showed Summer Bay newcomer Cameron Daddo.

Strict hygiene measures are being implemented to ensure the safety of the cast and crew, including regular temperature checks.

Scripts have also been rewritten to allow for social distancing between the actors.
A day after 42-year-old army jawan was cremated by his family in his hometown in Nainital, Indian Army authorities on Monday denied that he succumbed to injuries suffered in Galwan Valley clash but died of colon cancer for which he was undergoing treatment at command hospital in Chandimandir.

On Sunday, the jawan identified as Havildar Bishan Singh, a native of Haldwani, was cremated by his family members. They claimed that he died during treatment after suffering injuries during the Galwan Valley clash with Chinese troops in June this year.

The denial was given by the Army in a statement issued by it stating, Reports in a section of media on the death of Hav Bishan Singh of 17 KUMAON attributing it to Galwan are not true.

The individual was a case of Colon Cancer admitted to GH Leh on 29 June. He was later shifted to CH Chandimandir on 03 July and passed away at 1:30 AM on 15 August 20.

Clarifying the development, Singhs younger brother Jagat Singh, who retired from Indian Army as Naik in 2014, said, He had suffered internal injuries in Pangong Lake clash on May 5 and not in the Galwan Valley

His son while speaking to media persons on Sunday got confused between the two and mentioned Galwan instead of Pangong Lake where he was posted with his unit 17 Kumaon, said Jagat.

Jagat Singh however, insisted that his deceased brother didnt inform them about the colon cancer earlier and was perfectly fine. I only got to know from the doctor on August 11 when I went to visit him at the army command hospital in Chandimandir where he was undergoing treatment and later succumbed.

Editors note: An earlier version of the story went by the familys claims and said the soldier died due to his injuries. The error is regretted.
A rare 'firenado' warning was issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) due to a raging wildfire Saturday near Loyalton in California.

The California wildfire grew to 2,300 acres and was first reported on Friday afternoon. It has been battled by about 300 firefighters from California agencies and the U.S. Forest Service.

It started in Sierra County in the Tahoe National Forest, NBC News reported. The firenado warning was issued shortly before 3 p.m. that day.

Wendell Hohmann, the NWS forecaster who penned the term "firenado," said it was the first time to his knowledge that a tornado warning of this nature was issued. "It's probably the first time it's been issued outside of a thunderstorm environment," he said in a Sacramento Bee report.

Washington Post meteorologist Matthew Cappucci also had the same thoughts, explaining the event. He stressed that the warning is not "firewhirls."

In his tweet, Cappucci said that the Loyalton even is a "rotating smoke plume" that was absorbed into a cloud. The phenomenon could produce a real fire-induced tornado, he said.

While rare, firenado does happen. They are caused when hot air from fire becomes twisted by wind changing direction.

It is much like the more common land tornado, except firenado combine winds with smoke plumes. This creates especially unsafe conditions.

Forecasters warned residents who live nearby to stay out of the fire zone. By 3:30 p.m., the fire clouds saw some signs of weakening, said Reno NWS.

The warning was put down eventually, but forecasters are still asking people to stay alert as the wildfire still behaves in an extreme way. NWS said that kind of fire behavior might continue well into the evening.

Erratic Fire Behavior

"The big concern is that it's extremely erratic fire behavior," said John Mittelstadt, a Reno-based meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Mittelstadt said the firefighters have no way of finding out what the winds are going to do and how strong they will likely be.

As of Saturday evening, the Loyalton fire has already burned down thousands of acres of land.

Only five percent of the blaze has been contained, and it roared over a ridge, moving towards Highway 395. The Nevada Highway Patrol detoured drivers off the 395 before the California border, said a CBS San Francisco report.

Evacuations Ordered

The Loyalton Fire is mainly burning through Sierra County. Officials from Tahoe National Forest said most of the blaze is taking up grass, sage, and juniper.

They warned that a smoke column would be seen throughout the Sierra Valley and North Reno.

For residents living near Highway 70, they were required to get away from the area. The area is closed from Highway 49 to Highway 395.

The Chilcoot area and Scott Rd were among those required to move away from the danger zone.

Firenado Before

Back in 2018, the term "firenado" first came to California's consciousness because of the fatal Carr fire. It destroyed over a thousand homes and killed eight people in Northern California.

Mittelstadt described it as a "huge, huge tornado" that had wind gusts reaching 100 mph. "That was the granddaddy," he said.

According to Mittelstadt, Saturday's firenado has wind gusts, which reached about 60 mph.

California is looking at a scorching few coming days as a heatwave continues to scorch the region.

On Friday, the extreme temperatures caused rolling blackouts across California as the state's power grid was overwhelmed.

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FILE - In this Aug. 5, 2020, file photo Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, left, is escorted to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office on Capitol Hill in Washington. The U.S. Postal Service has sent letters to 46 states and the District of Columbia, warning it cannot guarantee all ballots cast by mail for the November election will arrive in time to be counted, The Washington Post reported Friday, Aug. 14. DeJoy, a former supply-chain CEO and a major donor to President Donald Trump and other Republicans, has pushed cost-cutting measures to eliminate overtime pay and hold mail until the next day if postal distribution centers are running late. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) (Carolyn Kaster/AP)
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- The dramatic and welcome decision by the United Arab Emirates to normalize relations with Israel is indisputably a win for both countries and for the Trump administration, which helped broker the deal. Theres an even bigger victory to be had, though, if all sides seize this opportunity to promote real peace in the region.

The three parties involved will be tempted to bask in this moment. Though Israels informal ties with the UAE have been strong for years and the deal merely brings them into the open, its nevertheless a breakthrough: proof, especially if others such as Bahrain and Oman follow the UAEs lead, that Israel can establish relations with Arab countries before a final settlement with the Palestinians. Beleaguered Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will gratefully accept the reprieve from his political difficulties. So will U.S. President Donald Trump, who is eager to showcase some evidence of his dealmaking skills ahead of the November election.

For its part, the UAE has earned itself goodwill on both sides of the aisle in Washington  which will be useful in the struggle against its real geopolitical foe, Iran  as well as the chance to buy advanced weaponry from the U.S. But the leader of the UAE, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, could achieve much more. He traded recognition for a promise from Netanyahu to suspend his threat to annex a third of the West Bank, as originally envisioned under the Trump administrations Middle East peace plan. Furious Palestinian leaders say that was merely a fig leaf. It doesnt have to be.

The UAE now has a real chance to play peacemaker. Though Netanyahu says annexation has only been suspended temporarily, the fact is that he cannot afford to alienate MBZ, as the ambitious crown prince is known. If the latter is interested in pursuing peace, he should have little difficulty coordinating with Egypt and Jordan, the only other Arab countries to have normalized relations with Israel, and most important, with the U.S. MBZ already has good relations with the Trump administration. A Biden White House should be even more supportive of a real peace effort.

Story continues

Israeli hardliners will say the deal shows that they dont need to make peace with the Palestinians  that joint interests in technological and economic development, and especially in thwarting Irans ambitions, will inexorably push Arab nations and Israel together. Theyre wrong. Normalizing ties with other Arab countries will not eliminate the Palestinian problem. In fact, by giving up on annexation, Netanyahu is effectively admitting that Israel cannot simply impose its will in the West Bank. Any move now to restart the process of annexation, or even to stonewall peace efforts, would risk a break not just with the UAE but its partners.

Palestinian leaders, too, should see that they have to deal with the Israel they have, not the one they want. Rather than continuing to fulminate, they should work with the UAE to develop concrete and realistic counter-proposals to the Trump plan, and push to reinvigorate talks in which theyre full and constructive partners. If they do, what might otherwise be a limited bilateral agreement could herald a real breakthrough.

Editorials are written by the Bloomberg Opinion editorial board.

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Ireland's approach to stopping the spread of Covid-19 is "probably not working", according to a public health expert.

Professor Anthony Staines, who lectures in health systems at DCU, said gardai need to be given stronger powers to shut down gatherings where there is a risk of viral spread.

He said the HSE's full capacity of 15,000 tests a day should be fully used.

Professor Staines also said he is very worried after seeing footage recorded at Berlin D2 on Dame Lane in Dublin city.

"We had 200 cases yesterday which was a serious warning to us.

"I mean the question is then is what to do about it.

"We have a policy at the moment which is probably not working.

"We have seen some bizarre episodes. We saw the pouring of the vodka in the Dublin bar last night.

"And That's the kind of thing that will spread the virus," said Professor Staines.

Recklessness

The DCU professor's comments follow Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn's warning against public recklessness undermining Ireland's response to Covid-19.

The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) are meeting tomorrow to discuss the surging coronavirus cases.

Dr Glynn said: "NPHET will meet tomorrow to review and discuss the case figures that have been reported in recent days and will make any necessary recommendations to Government which are required to protect the vulnerable, continue with the resumption of healthcare services and ensure the safe reopening of our schools.

"The phased reopening of the country has afforded people the opportunity to socialise with each other again.

"However, some are doing this recklessly and undermining the efforts of the majority of people around the country who are following public health advice.

This cannot continue. This pandemic isnt over just because we are tired of living with it.
The Bulandshahr police have arrested two people in connection with the death of US scholar Sudeeksha Bhati, 19, who died in a road accident on August 10.

The suspects were identified as Deepak Solanki, a resident of Gulaothi, and his accomplice Raju, a resident of Bulandshahr dehat. The police have recovered the Royal Enfield motorcycle used in the accident.

The police said its investigation revealed this was a case of road accident and not of harassment.

Santosh Kumar Singh, senior superintendent of police, Bulandshahr, said on Sunday the police scanned over 350 bikes from nearby areas and questioned over 1000 persons before zeroing in on them.

The police scanned 12 CCTV cameras and found Sudeeksha and her cousin going on a bike at 8.25 am. The same camera captured an Enfield rider Solanki at 8.17 am on the same route. About 150 metres ahead, Solanki picked up his accomplice Raju from near Arif Hospital. The duo stopped at a petrol pump for fuel and Sudeekshas bike crossed the way, he said. The two bikes were moving in the same direction. The two motorcycles travelled 10.5 kilometres in 9 minutes on a busy road. This shows that both the motorcycles were speeding, he said.

Solanki admitted that he was riding the motorcycle on August 10 when the accident took place, said police. Solanki said that a tempo traveller going ahead suddenly applied brakes because a bullock cart was in its way. The bullock cart owner Kamal Singh was also traced who said that he was going with his wife Saroj to sell wheat in the Aurangabad Mandi.

We have seized the Royal Enfield motorcycle used in the accident. The suspect had also modified the motorcycles number plate, silencer, indicator, etc, said police.

On August 10, Bhati, who was due to return to the United States, had gone to Bulandshahr with her uncle Satyendra and cousin on a motorcycle to meet her relatives.

Sudeeksha Bhati, a tea sellers daughter, was a district topper in Bulandshahr in 2018. She had scored 98% in her Class 12 examination in 2018 and was awarded a scholarship to study at Babson College, Wellesley, Massachusetts.

The family had alleged that she was harassed by two men before she died in a tragic road accident.

Her uncle Manoj Bhati earlier told reporters that the two men started performing stunts near them and would overtake them, then let them pass. At one point, the men stopped their bike just in front of their two-wheeler. Manoj Bhati said he applied the brakes but nevertheless, lost control. Sudeeksha sustained injuries and died later.
Somali, AU Forces Capture Shabab Stronghold

By Mohamed Olad Hassan August 15, 2020

Somali government troops, backed by African Union (AU) forces, have taken control from the al-Shabab militant group of a strategic town in the Lower Shabelle region, freeing dozens of children in the process, residents and official said.

The town of Kuntuwaarey, in the southwest of Somalia, located 208 kilometers from the capital, Mogadishu, has for many years been a strategic stronghold for al-Shabab.

The "Somali National Army, backed by units from the African Union peacekeepers, have taken control of this strategic town from the militants," said Isaq Ali Subag, the minister of internal security for the region.

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HRW considers the deadly attacks possible violations of humanitarian law

Subag said al-Shabab had been using the town as a base to launch attacks on cities and towns in the region that are controlled by the Somali government.

"The militants have used the city as a military base from which to organize attacks they carry out in other parts of the region, and to run courts in which they impose taxes and other unfair sentences to innocent people," he said.

Children freed

Following the capture of the town, the joint troops carrying out house-to-house searches freed 33 children from the militants, according to Somali military commanders.

"The 33 rescued children were held in an al-Shabab-run center in the town. They told us they were forcibly taken from their parents," Colonel Isma'il Abdi Malin told government military radio. "The militants were indoctrinating the children to draft them into their ranks."

Al-Shabab has lost control of several towns in the past, but still controls large swathes of territory in rural areas and in the major cities, including the capital, Mogadishu. It remains capable of carrying out targeted assassinations and suicide attacks.

Danab offensive

Somalia's U.S.-trained elite forces, known as Danab, along with Ugandan troops from the African Union Mission in Somalia, entered the town Friday, facing resistance from al-Shabab fighters. They killed at least four senior al-Shabab militants, including the group's financial coordinator and operations commander, government military radio reported Saturday.

"The militants' financial coordinator in the region, Mohamud Ahmed Gaboobe, and its operations commander in the town were among those killed during the military operation," the radio service said.

Witnesses told VOA on the condition of anonymity they saw about a dozen non-African military personnel supporting the Somali and AU forces as they moved into the city.

Residents said many of the al-Qaida-aligned militants had begun withdrawing from the town early Friday as the troops advanced

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The Nepalese prime minister also congratulated Modi for India's recent election to the UNSC as a non-permanent member

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart KP Sharma Oli held a telephonic conversation on Saturday, in the first high-level contact after bilateral ties came under severe strain following the issuance of a new political map by Nepal in May.

Oli called up Modi and greeted the government and people of India on the country's 74th Independence Day, an official statement said in New Delhi.

It said Oli also conveyed to Modi his congratulations for India's recent election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Modi offered India's continued support to Nepal in its fight against the pandemic and recalled the civilizational and cultural links that the two countries share, it said.

"The leaders expressed mutual solidarity in the context of the efforts being made to minimise the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in both countries. Prime Minister offered India''s continued support to Nepal in this regard," the statement said.

It said Modi thanked Oli for his telephone call.

In Kathmandu, Nepal's Foreign Ministry said Prime Minister Oli appreciated Prime Minister Modis renewed priority to neighborhood as spelled out in his Independence Day address.

Asserting that all leaders of the region have a big responsibility for the development and prosperity of their people, Prime Minister Modi said the more peace and harmony there will be in the region the better it will be for humanity.

"Today, neighbours are not only those with whom we share geographical boundaries but also those with whom our hearts meet... In recent times, India has strengthened its relations with all countries in the extended neighbourhood," Modi said in his Independence Day address.

Prime Minister Oli said he looked forward to meaningful bilateral cooperation. He also recalled his earlier conversation with Prime Minister Modi on 10 April, the ministry said in a press release.

During the telephonic conversation, Oli highlighted the efforts of the Government of Nepal against the pandemic and to protect the life of the people.

While underlining the need for early development of an anti-COVID vaccine, Prime Minister Oli expressed hope that scientists around the world, including in India, would be able to develop it that would be able to control and prevent the disease from spreading further.

The two Prime Ministers agreed to continue discussions on bilateral matters in the future, according to the Nepalese Foreign Ministry press release.

The telephonic conversation between the two leaders came two days before Indian Ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Nepal's Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi is scheduled to hold talks under a bilateral framework.

It is not known whether issues relating to the border row figured in the talks between Modi and Oli.

The ties between the two countries came under strain after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated an 80-km-long strategically crucial road connecting the Lipulekh pass with Dharchula in Uttarakhand on 8 May.

Nepal protested the inauguration of the road claiming that it passed through its territory. Days later, Nepal came out with the new map showing Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as its territories.

In June, Nepal's Parliament approved the new political map of the country featuring areas which India maintains belong to it.

In its reaction, after Nepal's lower house of parliament approved the bill, India termed as untenable the "artificial enlargement" of territorial claims by the neighbouring country.

India said Nepal's action violates an understanding reached between the two countries to resolve the boundary issues through talks.

Oli has been asserting that Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura belong to Nepal and vowed to "reclaim" them from India.
Actor Sushant Singh Rajputs lawyer, Priyanka Khimani, has spoken about his business partnership with girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik. Rhea, Showik and members of their family have been named in an FIR registered by Sushants father, KK Singh, accusing them of misappropriating his finances, among other allegations.

In an interview to India Today, the lawyer, who began working with Sushant in 2019, said, The company that was set up in 2018, there was no involvement of Rhea or Shouvik Chakraborty in it. He wanted to do so much, something in virtual reality, augmented reality, educate children, provide scholarship, space, ability to make all of these things happen. When Sushant and I talked about setting up the company, it was to give him the ability to do all of these things.

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

She added, Any company requires the minimum role of individuals as director and promoters for being setup. At that point of time, given that the both of them were together, it was a question of setting something up. I dont think for Sushant the goal was to create a business partnership. For Sushant, it was that this is the business that I want to do. It didnt matter who he did it with. And since there were certain people in his life, it was simpler to set it up in this fashion. If you see the records, three people are equal shareholders and everyone has put money as investment in the most routine manner one would set up a company. We took decisions that were sound and thought through, but we didnt take decisions that would impact anybody in the larger scheme. Rhea and her brother had invested to get the business kickstarted.

Previously, the lawyer hired by Sushants father had told Pinkvilla in an interview that Rs 15 crore were siphoned of his account, during his stay with Rhea. He had said, 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?

Also read: Sushant Singh Rajputs personal lawyer calls connection with Disha Salian bizarre and illogical

Sushant died on June 14, at the age of 34. Several law enforcement agencies such as the Mumbai and Patna police, the Enforcement Directorate, and the Central Bureau of Investigation have been involved in investigating the case. Rhea and Showik were recently questioned by the ED.

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

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It took illusions, interactive sorcery within their creations, and even a levitating cake for a Cypress area couple to win the third season, third episode of Netflixs popular cooking show, Sugar RushThe Perfect Illusion.

Tom and Caty Johnston, who run their family-owned business Suzybeez Bakery on 13802 Fleur De Lis Blvd. in Cypress, took the top prize in the fast-paced competition show that pits four teams of pastry chefs against each other. Show host Hunter March announced the couple had impressed judges Candace Nelson and Adriano Zumbo for the $10,000 prize.

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It was an awesome experience! Caty said.

The couple has owned Suzybeez for four years and was surprised to be invited to compete on the show.

They reached out to us last year on Facebook, but I was getting ready to have a baby in three weeks and there was no way, she laughed. She told them to call back the following year, never believing theyd hear from them again, but they did.

Im assuming they found us on our social media, she said. Having a second opportunity to do the show seemed incredible so they sent in a written submission, a video interview, and she also had to name a partner to help her on the show.

That was going to be my husband since he does the majority of the baking at the bakery now, she said.

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They found out in January of this year that they would appear on the show  and then silence.

They called us two days before we were to fly out to California that we would be on the show and we would tape in late February, she said.

The show is a competition with four teams of two pastry chefs that are timed to finish their project and meet the qualifications for each challenge. With each round, a team that falls short of the assignment is eliminated.

The first round, the teams were tasked to make a cupcake or mini-cake with a realism challenge or illusion.

We made mini terracotta pots with a layered carrot cake inside and a chocolate carrot on top, she said. The illusion was good enough for them to advance and escape elimination.

Youre trying to beat the clock and you only get three hours for the first two rounds, she said. Any time that you save in the first two rounds you can bank for the third and final round if you advance.

The second-round challenge was to create something magical and interactive. The challenges were taken from the theme for the show, The Perfect Illusion, and all missions were based around a magical idea.

The second round we did fudge brownies that had coffee ice cream inside a clear isomalt dome so it looked like a magic crystal ball, she said.

When the judges broke it open, they had used cinnamon smoke so when it was cracked open it puffed smoke out of the ball.

That creativity won them the second round and a choice between $1,500 cash or an additional 15 minutes in the final round. They took the cash.

Round three was the cake round and judges wanted to see something extraordinarily magical; the cake had to be three feet tall, and part of the cake had to be levitating and not touching any other part of the cake.

That was something we had never used before in cake decorating, she said.

The producers flew in the man who had created the trick with the magnets to teach the teams how to use the magnets.

I think he was from England and he showed us all how to use it before the show, she said. I told my husband he was in charge of that, she laughed.

The trick works by using the repelling force of two magnets. Electromagnets can be very strong and push one another away completely allowing the weight of the top tier to remain in place. Since theres no friction in place, once its set in motion the top tier can do a slow spin and will continue to turn unimpeded.

The magnets are hidden inside the portions of cake and it takes a steady hand to put the top layer into position so that it levitates.

That part was a real challenge. We did a magicians bag with a tiered cake coming out of it and two magicians buddies were in it throwing tricks out. Gold coins, scarves, and things like that were on the cake and next to it was the magicians top hat levitating over the cake, she said.

They won the whole competition with that cake.

It never crashed and her husband Tom got it right on the first try.

Hes not a decorator, hes really the baker but he did that perfectly, she said.

Another advantage the Johnston team had is they specialize in butter cream.

I would say 90 percent of our cakes are frosted butter cream with fondant accents. We get our cakes as smooth as fondant but with butter cream which most people like anyway. The other teams used almost entirely fondant.

They had three hours for the competition, and they had banked an additional 20 minutes from the earlier rounds. It seems like a long time, but baking for a three-foot cake, cooling it, preparing the frosting and fondant, designing, and finishing elements takes a long time. They finished with two minutes left on the clock.

To speed up the cooling of the cakes, they used blast freezers that are set at -25 degrees.

You put your cake in there and it cools them down in about two minutes, she said.

They won the top prize of $10,000 plus the $1,500 from the earlier round. They dont collect the money until 90 days after the show airs which will be in October.

We have another baby on the way so it will help with those expenses and well put some of it back into the bakery itself, she said.

The couple returned home in early March, just in time for the coronavirus pandemic and were faced with yet another challenge.

They were nervous that the show wouldnt air especially when they kept contacting the producers and didnt hear anything back.

We didnt even find out until the week before it aired, she said.

They immediately adapted to the situation by flipping their business model to a curbside delivery and has survived the early months and now find themselves busier than ever.

Each week they produce more than 60 custom cakes and also keep a front case at the store fully stocked with sweets.

The couple bought the business in 2016 and have plans to expand to another location in the future.

To view the episode, go to Netflix Sugar Rush Season 3 Extra Sweet and episode three, The Perfect Illusion to see the couples win.

For more information on Suzybeez or to place orders, visit their Facebook at www.facebook.com/SuzybeezBakery/ or call them at 281-807-5777.

dtaylor@hcnonline.com
Muzaffarpur boiler explosion: PM Modi announces ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for kin of deceased

Makes me feel better: 84-year-old Bihar man claims to have taken 11 Covid vaccine shots

Bihar elections: JDU expels Industry Minister Shyam Rajak

India

oi-Deepika S

Patna, Aug 16: Ahead of the 2020 Assembly Elections in the state, Bihar Industry Minister Shyam Rajak was expelled by the Janata Dal (United). Rajak is also a national general secretary of the JD(U).

JD(U)'s chief spokesperson Sanjay Singh said he has been expelled for six years over anti-party activities. Shyam Rajak has been sacked from the state cabinet and he has also been expelled from the party for six years for his anti-party activities, Singh told PTI.

Speculation was rife that Rajak may leave the JD(U) as he was not happy with his party and Industries Secretary S Siddharth with whom he had differences over running the department.

Bihar becomes 8th state to have COVID tally of over one lakh

The JD(U) giving more weightage to party leader Arun Manjhi who is touring the Phulwari Sharif assembly segment that Rajak represents is said to have miffed him, sources said.

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He was apprehensive that the JD(U) may not give him the nomination in the state polls due later this year, they added. Rajak may join his old party, the RJD, on Monday, the sources said. He could not be reached for comments.

Rajak, who also served as a minister in the RJD government, had left the Lalu Prasad-led party in 2009 to join the JD(U).
Doctors around the world are stretching thin to go beyond their duties and helping out as many people in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Tech-savvy doctors have switched to telemedicine to consult patients, while some are putting in severe physical efforts.

Doctors of Shri Krishna Hospital in Kakkinje, Belthangady taluk in Dakshina Kannada have opted for a rather adventurous method of treatment to those in need - garbed in personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, doctors are trekking to remote villages in the remote areas of Western Ghats.

Medical director of the hospital, which is located at the foot of the Western Ghats in Belthangady, Dr Murali Krishna Irwathraya pointed out that theirs was the only healthcare institution within a 40km-radius in the Charmadi area.

representational Image

Speaking to The Times of India, Dr Murali Krishna said, "Our ambulances can be booked with a phone call. Since doctors are generally disinclined to work in rural areas, we are a small team of doctors working at our 30-bed facility. One of the doctors is my wife Dr Vandana M Irwathraya. Many patients visit our hospital from distances as far as 25km. We also have a dedicated ambulance to ensure that accident victims are brought to the hospital without delay."

He said there have been instances when doctors had to trek for a kilometre wearing PPE kits since the terrain is such that the ambulance cannot go all the way to the patients homes. We provide general body check-up, dressing, nebulisation and ECG services on such visits. All staff deployed on these visits are provided PPE kits, Dr Murali Krishna added.
Srinagar: A group of cow vigilantes attacked and injured a 48-year-old shepherd in a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir after his son drove a few cows away from their pastureland.

Mohammad Asghar was beaten up by nearly 20-strong mob in the Garri Gabbar village. He received serious injuries and is currently under treatment at a hospital. The incident occurred a few days ago when cows allegedly strayed into Asgars fields and started eating and damaging his crop.

Asghars son drove the animals away from the field but, according to the mob, one cow received injuries on the back. This angered the community members and a headman of the village asked Asghar to report to an uphill village for a meeting.

Malik Abbas, an activist, told News 18 that when Asgar and his cousin Javeed arrived for the meeting, they were pounced upon by dozens of cow vigilantes and thrashed.

Now, an alleged video of Asghar being beaten up by a large number of people has gone viral. Senior People's Democratic Party leader Nayeem Akthar along with Guftar Ahmad, an influential tribal leader from Jammu, have asked police to investigate the case.

Shocked to see this video of Reasi where one Mohd Asger R/o Gahri of Arnas was beaten up by some hate-mongers today. Request @JmuKmrPolice, @DCReasi1 to kindly take note of this matter. Those who are taking law in hands should be behind bars @islahmufti @ShujaUH @rifatabdullahh pic.twitter.com/Tu02rO5OZZ Guftar Ahmed ( ) (@GuftarAhmedCh) August 15, 2020

Will the government please come out with a response? Has any action been taken as it appears that someone in Khaki uniform was on spot? https://t.co/J2VFACXDMd Naeem Akhtar (@shangpal) August 16, 2020

The video shows cow vigilantes raising objectionable slogans like, `Desh Ke Gadroon Ko Goli Maroo sa*** Ko, as they constantly hit Asgar on the head and body in full public view. A cop tries to intervene but not before Asghar's shirt is torn and he receives multiple injuries. He lies there gasping in pain while the cop urges the mob to stop.

More than 60 people beat him with sticks and bare hands. His condition is very bad. You cannot imagine what he has gone through, said Mushtaq Ahmad, Asgars brother.

Rashmi Wazir, SSP Reasi, said police have registered two FIRs. In one, they have booked Asgars son for allegedly hurting the sentiments of a community by injuring a cow with a sharp-edged object, and in another, a case has been filed against people who attacked Asgar.

It was after I persisted and talked to higher-ups that they lodged an FIR against the people who attacked Asgar, said Abaas Ali, a local tribal activist.

Abbas said Asghar's son is only 16 years old and a case has been slapped against him. ''Why was the case not slapped on first day? Why now? The counter FIR filed by the majority community is based on a blatant lie,'' he said.

SSP Wazir said some community members lodged a complaint in the police station after a cow was hit with a sharp-edged weapon.

We registered a case under prevention of Animal Cruelty Act. It was not as if a stone was thrown. It was a cut mark. She was found in a condition where somebody had deliberately caused her injury with a sharp-edged weapon.

Wazir said there was another case registered against people who took the law into their hands and beat up the father of the accused. It is a far off area. Police rushed to the spot and brought situation under control,'' she said, adding that she has given directions to make arrests as well.

She said situation has been brought to normal after police spoke to the elders in the village. ''There is no tension in the area now.''

This is not the first incident where gau rakshaks have beaten up marginalised Gujjar community members. In April 2017, a 70-year-old Gujjar man and his family were beaten up and his tin shed smashed by a mob after he was accused of smuggling animals.

Meanwhile, police have taken cognizance of another incident in Jammu where a seemingly spiritual leader has made derogatory remarks against a particular religion.
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We had a person who was on the roof notice a crack in the Papa turret, she said. Then Mama had issues. We were able to temporarily fix them with straps but we didnt know how long that would work. It could have been a dangerous situation if we didnt fix it.
Hours after criticising West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for skipping a tea party at Raj Bhavan on Independence Day, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed his displeasure again on Sunday.

Banerjee had called on Dhankhar at Raj Bhawan in the morning along with senior bureaucrats and police officials soon after attending the Independence Day parade at the Red Road, which she later termed as a courtesy visit. The chief minister had also said she will not be able to attend the Raj Bhavan programme scheduled to be held in the evening.

After posting four tweets along with photographs and videos from the event late on Saturday, a miffed Dhankar took to Twitter again on Sunday morning.

Glimpses of At Home reception hosted on Independence Day at Raj Bhavan. CM and executive @MamataOfficial set bad precedent by not attending. Another painful instance of distancing from Constitution. Law & order further nosedived with rise in political violence & killing, the governor tweeted.

He also said the Raj Bhavan At Home was well attended and wrote about the guest list which included Calcutta High Court chief justice TN Radhakrishnan, justice Sanjib Banerjee, justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji, Congress Abdul Mannan, left leader Sujan Chakraborty, top brass from defence and para military and dignitaries among others.

In his earlier tweets, the governor said Banerjees absence from the event had stunned him. Absence of CM and officials @MamataOfficial on occasion of Independence Day celebration at Raj Bhawan has like many startled and stunned me. We need to rise to occasion as respect to freedom fighters who gave their all to secure for us freedom and democracy. I am at a loss for words, Dhakhar had tweeted after the party.

The vacant seat meant for CM @MamataOfficial at celebration of Independence Day at Raj Bhawan speaks volumes -has created unwholesome situation that is not in sync with rich culture and ethos of WB.

There is just no rationale for this unbecoming stance, Dhankhar tweeted along with a photograph where he was seen sitting next to the vacant chair meant for Banerjee.

He said that the traditional At Home programme was organised keeping in mind the Covid-19 protocol of maintaining social distance and less than 35 people were invited. ...It would have been befitting if CM and officials @MamataOfficial had participated. Their action not in sync with sanctity of occasion, he tweeted.

The Banerjee-led government and the governor have crossed swords on several occasions before this.
It is not just China and or Russia that gets only the fear being exuded from the USA.it is the whole world right now and it is very very obvious as you sit on the outside of the USA

Two perfect new examples and I mean perfect, as they fit perfect to what is happening. Did I say perfect?

BEDMINSTER, N.J.  U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he could exert pressure on more Chinese companies such as technology giant Alibaba after he moved to ban TikTok.

Source: Trump Says Looking at Pressuring Other Chinese Companies After Bytedance  The New York Times

And nothing says fear and scared of losing power as this next link

The Trump administration will be following up on its promise to stop at nothing to extend an arms embargo on Iran, said the US ambassador to the UN, Kelly Craft, said after UN Security Council voted not to adopt a resolution that aimed at prolonging the blockade. Under Resolution 2231, the United States has every right to initiate snapback of provisions of previous Security Council resolutions, Craft said in a statement on Friday. In the coming days, the United States will follow through on that promise to stop at nothing to extend the arms embargo.Resolution 2231, addressed by Craft, endorsed the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, from which the Trump administration unilaterally withdrew in May 2018.

Source: US to Follow Through on Promise to Stop at Nothing to Extend Iran Arms Embargo in Coming Days  Sputnik International

Except I still remember that the USA is the one who pulled out and reneged upon the Resolution 2231.not Iran and not the other members and I remember that the other members asked many times for the USA to quit playing games.now we still play games and we are the ones who walked away!

So we act like Iran is and are terrorist, when we actually fit the bill much better as terrorists, and we are trying to sever ties with more huge Chinese companies:

It is all fear, fear of competition, control and losing

I must say a word about fear. It is lifes only true opponent. Only fear can defeat life. It is a clever, treacherous adversary, how well I know. It has no decency, respects no law or convention, shows no mercy. It goes for your weakest spot, which it finds with unnerving ease. It begins in your mind, always  so you must fight hard to express it. You must fight hard to shine the light of words upon it. Because if you dont, if your fear becomes a wordless darkness that you avoid, perhaps even manage to forget, you open yourself to further attacks of fear because you never truly fought the opponent who defeated you.  Yann Martel

I think that sums up America pretty good.fear is not always a good driving force. Fear causes us to sometimes go around the true fight and showing what you are made of. Not looking very good right now.fear has taken over America

Somewhere I lost the plot and or the USA lost the plot:

I think it is a bit of both. I woke up and grew up and the US went to sleep and regressed. Then something woke the US up and they went into panic mode. Instead of meeting the issues being laid out in front of us legally, morally and methodically. We chose the low road of fear and definitely allowed greed to guide that fear

Fear can be used to better yourself and facing fear is a good thing. I have had to face my fears many times and do what is right and not walk a path around those fears

I just faced a big issue for me. I had to repair the roof of our barn and I am here to tell you that I am scared to deaths of heights. I mean so scared that I get weak and shake uncontrollably. I have to meet this fear head on and while it will never go away, I have to embrace it and hold its hand while I do what has to be done. I am fixing the roof of the barn and yes, fear of heights, has made my work harder. But I am taking it one step at a time and using it to accomplish what I have to do.I am almost done fixing the roof

There is a right way and a wrong way:

There two ways to deal with things in the world. As a country like America, they can either follow the rule of law and allow competition, other countries and people to be what they want to be and to fight square on face to face. E.g.  Amazon is losing to Alibaba, then Amazon needs to do what it can to be better than Alibaba. If GM cannot compete then GM needs to change. If Iran does not bow down and kiss your feet? Then you need to reassess how you approach them. Always look at how you are creating the situation first, then maybe you will see the errors you have made. If Russia wants to work with you? Then look in the mirror and see how the hate you are spewing is clouding your judgment. This is on and on with millions of things daily around the world

The other way we can do things with the world is, Act like we are the cats meow! and treat everyone like crap

Looks like we have decided that, Treating everyone like crap! is the answer:

That is the way to isolation, which leads to more fear and more fear applied the wrong way.leads to more decisions that lead to more isolation and more fear. Not even greed of money can stop the inevitable decline of our country

Everyday, the distance between the USA and the rest of the world gets farther and farther. Every attack upon a company by the US Gov shows the world what we are about. Every sanction applied illegally, shows who we are in face value. Every treaty we break, every handshake we break, every country we attack, every sanction we apply? All lead to a cumulative effect and the end result is one of total lost trust in the USA

I am telling you that fear and greed are huge deterrents to a good life and right now they both rule America and her actions around the world

Something changed in the USA and well maybe it was always there? I guess I chose to ignore it for a very longtime. Yet so did the whole world and now I watch the world waking up to what the US is really about

WtR

What is causing the US disquietude against the world?
Now that its official, Im grateful to Joe Biden for allowing me back into the winners circle of political prognosticators. After a long streak of losses in 2016, all the result of underestimating Donald J. Trump, Id be especially happy for predicting Kamala Harris as his running mate, if it hadnt been such a Captain Obvious selection.

Kamala Harris was the safe bet for Biden, the most palatable of some very unpalatable potential selections. And Bidens Rose Basement strategy is all about making safe and politically correct moves.

Biden, of course, had boxed himself in by telling the world that hed only select a woman as his running mate. That checked one box on the identity politics scorecard. His campaign then went to great lengths to signal that hed further narrowed the field by limiting his selection to a woman of color.

Undoubtedly there are more than a few male Democrats who wonder why their sex disqualified them despite the fact that they were better prepared and qualified to hold the leadership of the free world in the unfortunate circumstance where they might be called upon.

Ordinarily vice presidential selections are a momentary blip on the political radar screen. They gin up excitement for a moment, as Sarah Palin did in 2008, but ultimately dont have much impact on the outcome of the race. People vote for the top of the ticket.

Kamala Harris had already failed the Democrats test to be their standard bearer for 2020. She launched her campaign in front of a large crowd, she generated a lot of media hoopla and garnered $40 million for her war chest. She grabbed the endorsement of some of the farthest left members of Congress and famously lit into Joe Biden for his segregationist coddling past.

Of course Biden got his revenge, ripping into Harris at the Detroit debate over her version of Medicare for All, which he said would cost taxpayers $3 trillion and eliminate private insurance. Even a broken watch is correct a couple of times a day.

At another debate Harris had to remind Joe Biden that his claim that the only African-American woman ever elected to the United States Senate had endorsed him simply wasnt true. She, of course, was referring to herself as she stood just a few feet from Biden.

When the dust had settled from those debate dust ups, Joe Biden was poised to finish fourth in Iowa, the nations first test, where he garnered less than 15% of the vote and had an even more dismal showing in the first primary where he collected less than 25,000 Democratic votes or about 8%.

Kamala Harris never made it that far. She withdrew from the race in the early part of December, strapped for cash having blown through a huge wad of it, and mired in single digits in the polls.

What a difference a few months makes.

Now Harris is in the media spotlight again. She may stay there longer than most vice presidential selections do. Its not because of her star-power, but rather because there will be increased scrutiny on account of Joe Bidens increasingly evident frailties.

Bidens very evident cognitive problems will cast more focus onto his running mate. And while Biden jokes about being an old guy, the fact is that, if elected, he would be older when inaugurated than the countrys oldest president was when he left office. Coupling that with questions about Bidens mental and physical health raises serious concerns in the minds of many voters.

Biden picked a younger, reliably left-wing running mate. Harris voting record in the Senate ranks her as the most liberal senator, no small feat in light of the fact that Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren were also vying for the title.

The immediate media focus on her profile doesnt even begin to ask the questions about her socialized medicine plan that Biden himself said would cost $3 trillion and eliminate private insurance. Or about her promise to ban fracking which would cost Pennsylvanians thousands of jobs and billions of dollars. Or her support for the Green New Deal or a myriad of other genuflections to the radical left.

Biden and Harris will both be nominated this week by a party convention without any delegates present. Next week the Republicans will do the same with President Trump and Vice President Pence.

For the first time, both major party nominees will deliver their acceptance speeches without visiting their conventions.

Its going to be another odd twist to an already very odd year.

CHARLIE GEROW is a Republican strategist and CEO of Quantum Communications. He and Democrat Mark Singel write opposite each other weekly in PennLive. They can be seen each Sunday morning at 8:30 on CBS-21s Face the State.
Almighty God,

you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin,

and also an example of godly life:

Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work,

and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God,

now and for ever.

Amen.
Update:

The Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the man fatally shot inside a vehicle Saturday on the West Side.

Izaiah Riojas, 22, was pronounced dead of a gunshot wound at 12:50 a.m.

San Antonio police said several people had been playing with a gun inside the vehicle.

Jaime Riojas, 19, was arrested and charged with manslaughter in connection with the incident.

RELATED: S.A. teen shot to death outside his own home

Original:

According to SAPD, a man died after several people were playing with a gun on the West Side early Saturday morning.

Police responded to the scene around 12:38 a.m. near Rosemont at Bethel Place located at 500 S. Acme Road.

Officials say, the 22-year-old male was shot in the back after a group was playing with a gun inside a vehicle.

The man got out of the vehicle, ran toward the apartment complex and collapsed outside, according to SAPD.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Charges are pending and the investigation is still ongoing.
Google Messages users can either choose to delete a message completely or send it as an SMS.

Google has been steadily rolling out RCS chats in its Messages app around the world, which has greatly improved the functionality of the companys chat app. Now, word is that the company has updated its Messages app adding a clever trick that gives RCS chats a fallback mechanism in case a message doesnt go through.

According to a report by Android Police, Google has rolled out an update to its Messages app, which ensures that users get an alternate route to send their message if the RCS chat message fails to send or is stuck in sending loop. This involves sending the message as a conventional SMS.

When an RCS message takes an unusually long time to send, users can tap on the message, which will give them two options. While one of the options will enable users to delete the message completely, the other one will enable them to send the message as an SMS or MMS instead.

Interestingly, this is not a new update. The publication notes that the feature was available in the Google Messages app at least a few releases ago. However, it went unnoticed until now. That said, new or old, the feature definitely makes it easy for users to send their messages.

Separately, Google had released a major update to its Messages app back in May this year. The update enabled users to send iMessages-like reactions in the RCS messages. The reactions included love, laughing, surprised, sad, angry and dislike.
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Christians should be among those most deeply concerned about the divided state of our nation. Left vs. right, masks vs. no masks, reopen vs. stay-at-home, virtual school vs. in-person, race, politics, police, abortion, religious liberty, not to mention the remainder of whats certain to be a brutal presidential campaign.

The issues range from essential to non-essential. On the essential matters, we mourn and vow to fight deception. On the non-essential matters, we mourn and hope to overcome division. Gods people can neither stay on the sidelines nor run away from the struggle. Instead, knowing there is no hope outside of Christ, we ask God to mercifully and powerfully mobilize His people to advance the true and good.

If Christians are to speak with clarity, courage, and confidence and be voices of truth and love in a world of noise and echo chambers, we will need to be prepared. But even perfectly crafted arguments cannot replace, as Chuck Colson said, the church being the church. Speaking cannot replace being. To be the people God calls us to be, we must rely on prayer.

Each Wednesday morning between August 12 and November 4, which is the morning after the 2020 election, the Colson Center will host a national prayer time, via webinar. We invite you to join us, each week, to pray first and foremost for Gods mercy, that He would revive His church, that He would bring about renewal of righteousness, that He would empower us to courageously offer protection for the most vulnerable, to champion reconciliation across our deepest divides, and that He would allow us to be instruments in the sustaining of religious freedom and the national recovery of the family.

Each prayer time will feature a devotional challenge and prayer by Christian leaders such as Os Guinness, Joni Eareckson Tada, Focus on the Family president Jim Daly, Woodside Bible Pastor Chris Brooks and Watermark Church pastor Todd Wagner, as well as Ed Stetzer from the Billy Graham Center and Heritage Foundation president Kay Cole James.

Due to Zoom capacity, there will be limited live spots each week available to all who register. However, each weeks recording will be sent to anyone who signs up. Come to BreakPoint.org for more details.

In Ephesians, Paul tells us we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. When people see us as their enemies, its difficult to remember they arent our enemies.

We can only, as Paul instructs, put on the full armor of God  faith, truth, righteousness, peace, salvation, and the word of God  praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints (v. 18).

According to the book of Acts, the earliest church activity was prayer. Thousands of people, from completely different backgrounds, came together in one mind and one heart in prayer with one accord (Acts 1:14; 2:4247). What happened? The Holy Spirit moved and the world was never the same.

Every spiritual revolution in history started with this kind of unified, persevering prayer. From the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts to the Great Awakenings to the Businessmans Revival to the Welsh Revival, in story after story, we hear the same thing. People prayed and Gods Spirit moved. On the other hand, every Christian in history who persevered in righteousness, despite temptation or persecution, did so through prayer.

Our prayer cannot force Gods hand, of course. But, our only way forward is to seek His will together. Our prayers dont control God, but rather invite Him in to change hearts and minds, including our own. God is always working in our lives whether we realize it or not, but something powerful and world-changing happens when people pray for Gods Spirit to move.

The great Jonathan Edwards urged his fellow pastors to be much in prayer and fasting, both in secret and with one another.  [I]t is Gods will that the prayers of His saints shall be great and the principal means of carrying on the designs of Christs Kingdom in the world. When God has something to accomplish for His church, it is with His will that there should precede it the extraordinary prayer of His people.

Paul tell us to pray for all things at all times (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and specifically to pray for our leaders, both spiritual and secular. This is what the world needs from the Church right now, instead of the outrage we are too often known for. So thats what we will do, together, each Wednesday until the election. I hope you will join us.

Originally posted at breakpoint.org
A former AMP executive who was allegedly subjected to serious sexual harassment by her boss, Boe Pahari, has spoken out for the first time to express anger that he was promoted to chief executive of AMP Capital while she had been left traumatised and her career prematurely shortened.

Julia Szlakowski said she was moved to break her silence on the events of 2017 after AMP continued to downplay the behaviour of its new AMP Capital chief executive. AMP has described the complaint as being "low level" and "about comments made and language used by Boe".

Former AMP Capital institutional director Julia Szlakowski.

Details of Ms Szlakowski's seven-page complaint, which have not previously been made public, allege Mr Pahari insisted she fly to London for a meeting, then accompany him to an exclusive nightclub with his Ferrari club friends. At 3am he allegedly insisted she extend her stay in the UK and keep it secret from the company. If she refused to accept his offer to buy her clothes he allegedly told her she was "humiliating" him and effectively accusing him of having a "limp dick".

After an investigation, Mr Pahari was penalised by AMP with a 25 per cent reduction in his annual bonus which amounted to $500,000. AMP insiders have told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald that this was approximately the same sum paid to Ms Szlakowski to settle her complaint.
5/20

Phil Cooper of A-Grade Club Supplies in Croydon has been left with around 1000 footballs that would have normally been kicked around Victoria due to the coronavirus pandemic. Credit:Eddie Jim
Boris Johnson was last night facing calls to delay this week's GCSE results as the exam fiasco worsened.

He is facing growing anger from his own party over the 'huge mess' surrounding the A-level results of millions of teenagers.

Lord Baker, who introduced the GCSE system, said Thursday's results announcement should be delayed by two weeks to allow the grades to be revised.

It is feared that millions of pupils could see their scores downgraded by a government algorithm used to allocate marks after exams were cancelled due to coronavirus.

Professor Tina Isaacs, who sits on regulator Ofqual's advisory group, warned that Thursday, when GCSE results are due to be released, could see 'another wave' of grades that do not reflect those given by teachers.

'Ofqual's role is to carry out Government policy. And when policy shifts every 12 to 24 hours, Ofqual then has to deal with it as best as it can,' she told BBC Breakfast.

'Hence the changes to the appeals process, which now Ofqual has taken off the board so that it can give as much consideration to it as possible given the timeframe.

'The GCSE results are due out on Thursday, so we're going to have another wave of potentially, not marked down, but potentially student grades that do not reflect the grades their teachers gave them.'

Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced calls to delay this week's GCSE results on Sunday night as the exam fiasco worsened. Pictured: Students hold up signs including one reading 'A* in Classism, Get rid of Gavin' outside the Department of Education in London on Sunday

Lord Baker described the algorithm that predicted A-level results as flawed and accused ministers of presiding over a system that had already produced 'hundreds of thousands of unfair and barely explicable downgrades'. Pictured: Benita Stipp (centre) and Mimi Ferguson (left) react as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level results on Thursday

Calls grew for official A-level results to be scrapped in favour of teacher-assessed grades  as in Scotland. Pictured: Pupils check their classes as they return to St Paul's High School in Glasgow, Scotland, for the first time since the start of the coronavirus lockdown on Wednesday

The Prime Minister is facing growing anger from his own party over the 'huge mess' surrounding the A-level results of millions of teenagers. Pictured: A girl holds up a sign reading 'Gavin Williamson Destroying our Future' while another holds up a sign saying 'judge potential not postcode'

It comes as several leading Conservative politicians piled pressure on Boris Johnson ahead of this week's GCSE results.

Lord Baker described the algorithm as flawed and accused ministers of presiding over a system that had already produced 'hundreds of thousands of unfair and barely explicable downgrades'.

He added: 'If you are in a hole, stop digging.'

Robert Halfon, chairman of the Commons education committee, also conceded a delay might be necessary.

'Unless they have fair appeals and unless [exams regulator] Ofqual make clear their model won't disadvantage unfairly, then perhaps this is one route they may need to consider,' said the Conservative MP.

Poole MP Sir Robert Syms added that he would be 'happy' for GCSE students to be awarded their teacher-assessed grades and that 'most Conservative MPs would be'.

He added: 'A number of these students have been working since March very hard, not only in preparation for if exams had happened but still doing coursework, and a lot of that would be a very good indication of their true ability.

'And what the appeal process should do is take into every account these young people are not an exam board number, they are real people who deserve fairness and a chance to have their futures put in a solid position very quickly.'

Paymaster General and Cabinet Office minister Penny Mordaunt said she was 'seeking a further meeting today' with the Department for Education after speaking with students and parents about exam results.

'I will be supporting colleges in their appeals, working to ensure those who have the grades on appeal can go to uni this year if that is what they want,' she tweeted.

'This group of young people have lost out on so much already, we must ensure that bright, capable students can progress on their next step. Delaying a year won't be an option, and it shouldn't be an option. For many it will mean falling out of education.'

Ms Mordaunt added: 'I have also made my views on GCSE results known to DfE. Will be posting updates later today.'

David Laws, executive chairman of the Education Policy Institute, has called for a delay to the publication of GCSE results.

The former Liberal Democrat minister added: 'It's clear this week that England faces a crisis of confidence in its exam grading, which is causing distress to students and uncertainty for schools, colleges and universities.

Lord Baker, who introduced the GCSE system, said Thursday's results announcement should be delayed by two weeks to allow the grades to be revised. Pictured: Students wearing coronavirus face masks hold up signs saying 'sack Tory exam cheats' while calling for the Education Secretary to be sacked

'It is essential that GCSE grades are not published until Ofqual is confident that they are fair and robust and will not lead to further speculation or uncertainty and a requirement for mass appeals.

'Ofqual has tried hard to maintain the overall credibility of the exams system this year but this seems to have come at a very high price to fairness to individual students.

'In making a choice between guarding exam standards and fairness to individual students, it is much more important to prioritise fairness to students.

'We also need to avoid our entire education system being clogged up with appeals - and it is very unlikely that Ofqual has the capacity itself to deal with mass numbers of such appeals.'

Labour urged the Prime Minister, who is due to go on holiday to Scotland this week, to take personal charge and 'get a grip' on the issue, ahead of GCSE results day.

Shadow education secretary Kate Green said the option of awarding pupils their GCSE results based on teacher-assessed grades should be kept on the table.

It is feared that millions of pupils could see their scores downgraded by a government algorithm used to allocate marks after exams were cancelled due to coronavirus

Asked whether GCSE results day should be delayed, Ms Green told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'The Government need to make progress on this, tell us what they're doing, tell us when they're going to be able to give us absolute assurance that this algorithm is reliable or that they've found an alternative way of grading students that is reliable, and this cannot be allowed to drag on - these young people are desperate to know about their futures.'

On allowing students to receive their teacher-assessed grades, she added: 'I recognise that it is not perfect, you can back that up, of course, with an appeals system which can include looking at the mock results if they're available and if they're felt to be robust.

'I think in these exceptional circumstances that these students are in this year, the fact that their education has already been so disrupted, we have said teacher-assessed grades should be the basis for the A-level results.

'It may be that if there's no other fair method of determining the GCSE results, we'll have to look at that, keep that option on the table for them too.'

The Government had promised a so-called 'triple lock' policy to allow unhappy pupils to appeal. But last night the details were mired in confusion.

Ofqual issued guidance on Saturday setting out the criteria for students to make appeals on the basis of their mock exam results, only for it to be take down hours later.

In a brief statement it said the policy was 'being reviewed' by its board and that further information would be released 'in due course'.

Ministers faced warnings that Thursday's results will be even more controversial than the A-level grading

The extraordinary reversal caught the Department for Education completely on the hop.

Lord Baker, who brought in GCSEs in 1988, said: 'I urge the Education Secretary to instruct Ofqual not to release the GCSE results this Thursday as their algorithm is flawed.

'The A-level results have produced hundreds of thousands of unfair and barely explicable downgrades.

'They have helped smaller private schools but hit the brighter students in a poorly performing state school. It is not surprising that various parties are considering legal actions.

'The GCSE results should be postponed for two weeks. The Government can then decide either to accept the predicted grades or invite heads to resubmit new predictions which should not exceed 3 per cent of their performance in 2019.'

It has emerged that the Ofqual chairman had chaired a body that warned algorithms could be 'harmful'

On the A-level appeals fiasco, Mr Halfon said: 'That is a huge mess. Goodness knows what is going on at Ofqual. It is the last thing we need at this time.

'This is just unacceptable. Students and teachers are incredibly anxious  particularly the students who are worried about their future.

'This has got to be sorted out. Ofqual shouldn't put things on websites, take them away, sow confusion. This is just not on and it has got to be changed.'

Tory MP Robert Syms called on the Government to scrap the algorithm and return to teachers' predicted grades.

'I have spoken to a lot of Tory MPs and I haven't found one who hasn't remonstrated with the whips about how this has been handled,' he said. 'People voted for Boris to run the country, not an algorithm.'

Students burned their exam results outside the Department for Education and demanded that Education Secretary Gavin Williamson resign

Another Conservative MP said the party WhatsApp group was full of fury, with many MPs warnign of a 'shambles'. Ruth Davidson, the former Scottish Tory leader, said Mr Williamson's algorithm system went against every sense of 'natural fairness'.

Angela Rayner, Labour's deputy leader, tweeted: 'The PM needs to get a grip and hold a press conference in the next 24 hours on what he and the hapless Education Secretary are going to do to stop this chaos.'

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, urged the Government to go back to teacher assessments 'to stop the chaos, rather than prolong this nightmare.'

Downing Street and the Department for Education did not respond last night when asked if they were considering delaying GCSE results day.

A No 10 spokesman said that Mr Johnson had full confidence in all members of his Cabinet.
A surge in anti-social behaviour has led to calls for the Government to set up Nightingale Taskforces.

These dedicated teams  composed of police officers, lawyers, mental health professionals and local authority workers  would be tasked with tackling troublemaker hotspots.

Dame Vera Baird, the Victims Commissioner, and Baroness Helen Newlove  whose husband Garry was murdered by a gang of youths in 2007  have written to Home Secretary Priti Patel to demand more effective action.

Dame Vera Baird, the Victims Commissioner, and Baroness Helen Newlove (pictured)  whose husband Garry was murdered by a gang of youths in 2007  have written to Home Secretary Priti Patel to demand more effective action

Their move is the latest bid to cut the number of cases of loutish behaviour, which have soared by up to 140 per cent in some areas over recent weeks. Dame Vera told The Mail on Sunday: Its getting worse and affecting the most vulnerable.

The bedrock problem is theres no resource to tackle anti-social behaviour before it gets worse.

We need local teams to tackle this and weve called them Nightingale Taskforces.

Dame Vera said that the 'bedrock problem' is that there aren't any resources to tackle anti-social behaviour before it gets worse

The campaigners also accuse the Government of failing to act on all but one of the recommendations of Baroness Newloves 2019 report, Living a Nightmare, which successfully called for an end to call charges on the polices non-emergency 101 crime-reporting number.

The National Police Chiefs Council revealed in April that there had been a 59 per cent year-on-year surge in reports of anti-social behaviour incidents to 178,000 over four weeks, although it was believed many of those cases were linked to breaches of Covid-19 regulations.

But figures shared with The Mail on Sunday now reveal a huge spike in cases even following the easing of lockdown. One factor is thought to be the increased number of young people spending time at home.

A Government spokesman said: We are carefully considering the Victims Commissioners recommendations.
Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden offered his condolences to President Trump following the death of his younger brother Robert yesterday, aged 71.

The former Vice President said in a tweet that he and wife Jill were sad to learn of Robert Trumps passing, whose death was announced by the president on Saturday evening.

Mr. President, Jill and I are sad to learn of your younger brother Robert's passing. I know the tremendous pain of losing a loved one  and I know how important family is in moments like these, Biden wrote. I hope you know that our prayers are with you all.

Joe Bidens first wife, Neilia, and their 13-month-old daughter were killed in a car accident in 1972 after a tractor trailer broadsided their Chevrolet station wagon just days before Christmas. Forty-three years later, his son, Joseph Beau Biden, who survived the crash, tragically died of brain cancer.

Biden's running mate, Kamala Harris, joined him in sending her 'deepest condolences and prayers to the entire Trump family at this difficult time' on Sunday.

'Losing a loved one is never easy but know that we are thinking of you,' the US Senator added.

The former Vice President said in a tweet that he and wife Jill were sad to learn of Robert Trumps passing, whose death was emotionally announced by the president on Saturday evening.

Robert Trump's death was announced by the president in an emotional statement Monday, in which he called his younger sibling his 'best friend'

WHAT HAPPENED TO JOE BIDEN'S FIRST WIFE, DAUGHTER, AND SON? In 1972, just one month after winning his first Senate race, Biden received a phone call telling him his wife and college sweetheart Neilia,and their 13-month-old daughter Naomi, had been killed in a car accident on their way to buy a Christmas tree in Hockessin, Delaware. Neilias station wagon was struck by a tractor-trailer as she pulled out from an intersection. Biden's sons Beau and Hunter survived the accident and were taken to the hospital; Beau with a broken leg and other wounds, and Hunter with a minor skull fracture and other head injuries. Biden considered resigning from his newly-elected post to care for his sons full-time, however Senate Majority Leader at the time, Mike Mansfield, persuaded him not. Both of the boys made a full recovery from the accident, but tragedy would strike once more 43 years later. On May 30, 2015, the former VPs eldest son, Beau, who became Delaware Attorney General, died at age 46 after a two-year battle with brain cancer. Joe Biden picked then-president, Barack Obama, to deliver his eulogy. During the emotive speech, Obama said: He did in 46 years what most of us couldnt do in 146. He left nothing in the tank. Advertisement

Robert Trumps death came just one day after the president visited him in hospital in New York.

In an emotional statement, President Trump wrote: 'It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight.

He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace.'

Robert, who reportedly took blood thinners, had recently been suffering from brain bleeds brought on by a fall, according to a close friend of the family who spoke to the New York Times.

According to the source, Robert had been unable to speak over the phone in recent weeks.

Rudy Giuliani, the president's lawyer, was among the first to pay tribute to Robert.

'Robert Trump has a big heart,' he tweeted. 'As a former Mayor I know how much he did to help New Yorkers in need.

'We have lost a really good man. My love, prayers and condolences to the #Trump family.'

Eric Trump then tweeted fond memories of his uncle, describing him as 'an incredible man' who was 'strong, kind and loyal to the core.'

Ivanka Trump followed with a tribute on Twitter on Saturday night saying: 'Uncle Robert, we love you. You are in our hearts and prayers, always.'

Donald Trump Jr tweeted Sunday morning: 'Uncle Rob, we love you and we will miss you. RIP.'

Robert Trump had no children, but he helped raise Christopher Hollister Trump-Retchin, the son of his first wife, Blaine Trump.

Besides the president, he is survived by his second wife, Ann Marie Pallan, and his sisters, Maryanne Trump Barry and Elizabeth Trump Grau.

His brother Fred Trump Jr. died in 1981.

Robert is pictured right with sister Maryanne and brother Donald in 1990

Donald Trump Jr paid his respects to his uncle tweeting Sunday morning: Uncle Rob, we love you and we will miss you. RIP'

Ivanka Trump tweeted Saturday night: 'Uncle Robert, we love you. You are in our hearts and prayers, always'

Giuliani, the president's lawyer, was among the first to send his condolences to the family and said Robert 'had a big heart'

The youngest of Donald Trump's adult children, Eric, then tweeted a tribute to his uncle, saying he was 'an incredible man'

Robert's death came one day after the president visited him in hospital in New York City, where he was said to be suffering from a serious condition.

Trump had been scheduled to travel to his country club in nearby Bedminster, New Jersey for the weekend, but made a stop in Manhattan first to check in on his sibling.

The president was seen leaving the heliport after flying in from New Jersey.

Hospital security guards were seen blocking off access to a street outside the medical center ahead of the president's visit earlier this afternoon.

Trump was wearing a protective face mask as he arrived at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center in Lennox Hill late Friday afternoon.

Robert had been admitted to the hospital and was described as 'very ill', however details of his illness are still not officially confirmed.

During a White House press briefing after his visit to his brother's bedside, the president said his brother was 'having a hard time' but did not elaborate on why he had been hospitalized.

Robert, the youngest of the five Trump siblings, was previously hospitalized for 10 days at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York in June.

He was admitted to the neurosciences intensive care unit where he was treated for a 'serious condition', the Daily Beast reported.

Robert is the youngest of the five Trump siblings born to Fred and Mary Anne MacLeod Trump. Pictured left to right: Donald, Fred Jr, Robert, Maryanne, and Elizabeth

Around the same time, Robert had filed a lawsuit against his niece Mary Trump, seeking to block her from publishing a tell-all book on the president.

Mary is the daughter of the brothers' eldest sibling, Fred Trump Jr, who struggled with alcoholism and died in 1981 at the age of 43.

Robert filed for an injunction claiming the explosive book, 'Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man', violated the terms of a confidentiality agreement she signed nearly two decades ago.

Mary is the daughter of the brothers' eldest sibling, Fred Trump Jr, who struggled with alcoholism and died in 1981 at the age of 43

In a statement to The New York Times in June, he accused his niece of attempting to 'sensationalize and mischaracterize' their family relationship for her own financial gain.

'I and the rest of my entire family are so proud of my wonderful brother, the president, and feel that Mary's actions are truly a disgrace,' Robert said.

The explosive memoir was eventually released last month after a judge agreed to lift a temporary restraining order preventing Mary from publicizing or distributing her work.

The judge said the confidentiality clauses in the 2001 agreement, 'viewed in the context of the current Trump family circumstances in 2020, would offend public policy as a prior restraint on protected speech'.

The younger Trump had openly voiced his support for his brother over the years.

In an interview with Page Six ahead of the 2016 presidential election, Robert said he supported his brother's campaign '1,000 per cent'.'

He was later seen celebrating Donald's victory at the New York Hilton where the then president-elect delivered his acceptance speech.

Robert also spoke out in support of his brother during a brief, but rare interview at LAX airport last December, when Trump had been at the center of an impeachment trial.

When asked how his older sibling was doing, he told the cameraman: 'I think he's doing fantastic,' before getting into the his car.

Robert had also held a senior position in the family business, but unlike his brother, he has generally maintained a low public profile.

He previously served as an executive for Trump Organization where he managed the real estate portfolio outside of Manhattan.

In 2016 Robert told Page Six that he was 'gainfully retired'.

Robert was married to socialite Blaine Trump (pictured) for 25 years until their 2007 divorce. Until his death, he lived in Long Island with wife Ann Marie Pallan

Left to right: Blaine Trump, Robert Trump, Donald Trump and Ivana Trump are seen at the Pierre Hotel New York in 1987

He was married to socialite Blaine Trump for 25 years until their 2007 divorce, and until his death served on the board of directors of ZeniMax Media.

The couple's split was widely reported in the tabloids following reports that Robert had been living with his mistress - and now wife - for two years.

Prior to his death, he was based in Long Island where he lived with wife Ann Marie Pallan, his former secretary, who he reportedly married in March.

Despite their split, Robert was said to have remained on good terms with his ex-wife, who reportedly attended Trump's inauguration in 2017.

Robert also has two older sisters.

Elizabeth Trump Grau, 78, is a retired executive from Chase Manhattan Bank, and Maryanne Trump Barry, 83, is a retired federal judge.

As the youngest of the five Trump siblings, Robert was shielded from the pressures placed on the eldest, Fred Jr, and then Donald.

He was never groomed to take over the family real estate company, and was considered by those who knew him to be the inverse of the brash, self-promotional brother who eventually did.

After graduating from Boston University, he first went to work on Wall Street, instead of immediately joining the family business.

But he eventually went to work for his brother as a senior executive at the Trump Organization.

'You could consider him the quietest of Trumps,' said Michael D'Antonio, a Trump biographer.

'He was glad to stay out of the spotlight.'

In a rare but brief interview in December, Robert said his brother had been doing 'fantastic', when asked how the president was holding up during his impeachment trial. He is seen above in December 2019

Jack O'Donnell, a former Trump Organization executive who worked closely with the Trump family, told the New York Times that Robert was someone with a natural ease and good humor that his older brother lacked.

'He was dignified, he was quiet, he listened, he was good to work with,' O'Donnell said.

'He had zero sense of entitlement. Robert was very comfortable being Donald Trump's brother and not being like him.'

The pair were not always close.

In 1990, a year after Trump had put Robert in charge of the opening of the Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Trump furiously attacked Robert over problems with the slot machines.

People who knew him said Robert was devastated by the fight with Trump, and the rift between them took years to heal, the New York Times said.

He reconciled with his brother when Trump decided to run for president, according to a person close to the family.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

(Bloomberg) -- United Parcel Service Inc and FedEx Corp. said they would not be able to carry mail-in ballots like the U.S. Postal Service, which is warning of potential delays ahead of the November election, Reuters reported.

State ballots must be postmarked to be considered valid and only the U.S. Postal Service is allowed to do that, United Parcel Service told Reuters. FedEx said it does not accept individual ballots, according to the report.
SPRINGFIELD  The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 at Baystate Health facilities has dropped by nearly 50% over the week.

Officials are reporting that 16 people who have tested positive for the disease are being treated at one of the four hospitals in Western Massachusetts. One of those patients has been admitted to a critical care unit.

A week ago 30 people who were confirmed to have COVID-19 were hospitalized at Baystate Medical Center, officials said.

The number of people hospitalized on Sunday is similar to numbers from previous weeks. On Aug. 2, there were 20 people admitted with COVID-19 at Baystate hospitals and on July 26 there were 13 people hospitalized.

The infections are far fewer than those that occurred in April and May when more than 100 people were hospitalized daily with the disease.

Baystate Medical Center in Springfield is treating 15 of the patients while the other person infected has been admitted to Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield. Baystate Health also operated Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer and Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield.

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For most modern parents  even eSafety commissioners  the clock is TikToking for when we might be asked by our kids if they can go on social media. The go-to app at the moment for kids is the hugely popular video sharing platform TikTok, and my own moment came the other day when one of my third-graders asked if she could download it because one of her eight-year-old friends was posting dance videos to the platform.

These are tough calls for parents, and especially those of our generation who dont necessarily understand the increasingly important role that social networking sites like these play in the social lives and identity development of our kids.

TikTok is the latest go-to app for kids. Credit:AP

This makes the decision even harder. On the one hand you dont want them being excluded and missing out on having fun with their friends, but you have to be mindful of the risks.

In the end, my answer was no, which, while exacerbating my daughters highly attuned FOMO (fear of missing out), was the right decision for her at her young and impressionable age.
Houston Police Department

One man was fatally shot and at least one other wounded Saturday night in a rolling bar fight that erupted in gunfire outside a Houston dance hall, according to police.

Police found Christopher Rizo, 44, dead on the sidewalk following a shooting outside El Mercado Rodriguez at 2820 Fulton St. By the time officers arrived around 9:40 p.m., another shooting victim had already been taken to a hospital, Houston police Commander Caroleta Johnson said.
Dubais popular desert safari has been ranked the worlds top tourism experience with leading travel company OceanAirs camel riding and desert BBQ offering winning the top global award for Experiences in Tripadvisors 2020 Travellers' Choice Awards.

An initiative of Tripadvisor, one of the worlds largest travel platforms, and its subsidiary company Viator, a renowned tours and activities platform, the 2020 Travellers' Choice Awards saw OceanAirs much sought after activity, the Premium Red Dunes & Camel Safari with BBQ at Al Khayma Camp taking the No.1 spot in the Top 5 experiences worldwide. The Awards recognise the world's top experiences featuring tours and activities as decided by Tripadvisor and Viator travellers. Winners are determined using a system based on the millions of reviews and ratings of travellers around the world over a 12-month period.

Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: Our world-class propositions and experiences showcase the diversity of the destinations offerings and this latest accolade not only reaffirms the citys position as a must-visit destination but is a timely positive development in the current situation, as it complements our ongoing global campaign to increase consideration for Dubai as the first choice for international travellers. Dubai Tourism congratulates OceanAir for this significant achievement, as well as for the package of experiences it provides to attract tourists to the city. The Award is testament to the strength of the relationships we have built with our stakeholders and partners, both in the domestic and key international markets, as we continue to work closely to achieve the strategic goal of making Dubai the worlds most visited city.

Essam Salah, OceanAir Travels, Co-Founder and CEO, said: As we constantly strive to provide the best travel experience to our guests, we are delighted at winning the top award for the worlds best tourism experience, and is a reflection of our continuous cooperation with Dubai Tourism and its efforts to promote Dubai in international markets. OceanAir would like to dedicate this Award to the government and people of the UAE and extends its heartfelt thanks to all guests for their endorsement of our desert offering, and to the companys dedicated team of tourism professionals for working hard to ensure that visitors are able to enjoy the best handpicked destination experiences in Dubai.

Jasem Al Shehhi, OceanAir Travels, General Manager, assured that the company is going ahead with its future projects to expand in safari projects and heritage restaurants serving locals and tourists alike, focusing specifically on sustainable tourism projects and preserving environments, which is one of the vital sectors that Dubai Tourism places special priority on, ahead of preparation for Expo 2021. He pointed out that OceanAir established Al Khayma Company, which refers to one of the pillars of the old Emirati house that still exists in the present time, as part of the companys efforts to create a sustainable tourism environment.

For international travellers it would be unthinkable to visit Dubai and not experience its famous desert safari featuring the adventures in dunes and sand, riding camels, handling falcons, and enjoying traditional Bedouin hospitality at a delicious barbeque buffet dinner under a starlit night. Rising demand for adventure travel experiences is demonstrated in the increased popularity of desert safaris among all visitor demographics, an activity that was enjoyed by 41 per cent of all international visitors, according to Dubai Tourisms Annual Visitor Report 2019.

OceanAir specialises in offering desert safari packages for visitors and residents of all age groups with its award-winning Premium Red Dunes & Camel Safari with BBQ activity taking guests to the heart of the Dubai desert at its Al Khayma Camp, which is designed to let every traveller experience primitive desert life in a natural habitat. All experiences arranged by OceanAir are underpinned by stringent precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of guests and staff in line with protocols that are in place in Dubai to combat the pandemic.

The Top 5 Experiences in the World that won the Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards

1. Premium Red Dunes & Camel Safari with BBQ at Al Khayma Camp  Dubai, United Arab Emirates

2. Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class in Tuscan Farmhouse  Florence, Italy

3. Luxury Small-Group Canal Cruise in Open-Air Boat  Amsterdam, Netherlands, bookable from $22

4. Discover Berlin Half-Day Walking Tour  Berlin, Germany

5. Northern Ireland Highlights Day Trip Including Giant's Causeway from Dublin  Dublin, Ireland. - TradeArabia News Service
Chief executive of NHS Providers Chris Hopson (pictured) said 'years of underfunding' for PHE and public health more generally have left the country unprepared to deal with a pandemic

Ministers have been accused of seeking to deflect attention from their own handling of the coronavirus crisis after reports Public Health England is to be broken up.

The Covid-19 response work of PHE is to be merged with NHS Test and Trace to form a new body designed to deal with pandemics.

Other aspects of its operations - such as tackling obesity - could be handed over to councils and family doctors.

Scientists and NHS trusts said if ministers are unhappy with PHE's performance they have only themselves blame as it is directly under ministerial control.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock is to announce a new Institute for Health Protection will become 'effective' from next month, although the merger will take until next spring to complete, according to the Sunday Telegraph.

It comes amid repeated reports ministers have been frustrated with PHE, with Boris Johnson complaining of the country's 'sluggish' response to Covid-19 - a comment widely thought to have been aimed at the organisation.

Chief executive of NHS Providers Chris Hopson said 'years of underfunding' for PHE and public health more generally have left the country unprepared to deal with a pandemic.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock (pictured) is to announce a new Institute for Health Protection will become 'effective' from next month, although the merger between PHE and the NHS Test and Trace will take until next spring to complete

He said unlike other health bodies such as NHS England, PHE - which replaced the Health Protection Agency (HPA) in 2013 under the Conservatives' NHS reorganisation is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.

He said: 'This gives ministers direct control of its activities. So whilst it might be convenient to seek to blame PHE's leadership team, it is important that the Government reflect on its responsibilities as well.'

His comments were echoed by Dr Amitava Banerjee, associate professor at the Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, who said the move is a 'huge concern' in the midst of a global health crisis.

He said: 'If PHE has fallen short, responsibility lies firmly with the current Government and health ministers.

'Rather than a rash restructuring, a sensible approach must involve a rapid enquiry to establish lessons learned for future waves and future pandemics.'

Boris Johnson (pictured) has complained of the country's 'sluggish' response to Covid-19 - a comment widely thought to have been aimed at PHE

Professor Dame Til Wykes, of the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, said merging PHE with a 'failing' Track and Trace service does not provide much confidence for the future.

'PHE has had a 40 per cent decrease in its budget so carving it up will just mean too little resource spread even further,' she said.

'Producing this disruption in the middle of a pandemic is a complete diversion.'

Dr Michael Head, a senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, poured scorn on suggestions Baroness Harding, the Conservative peer and former TalkTalk telecoms boss who heads Track and Trace, could head up the new body.

He said the idea 'makes about as much sense as (chief medical officer) Chris Whitty being appointed the Vodafone head of branding and corporate image'.

And Dr Chaand Nagpaul, British Medical Association council chairman, said: 'We already have public health expertise in this country which is of the highest quality but despite the hard work of our colleagues in the last six months, substantial budget cuts and fragmentation of these services over years have hampered the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

'We must absolutely not allow PHE and its staff to shoulder the blame for wider failings and Government decisions.

'Public Health England should be part of a fully-integrated Public Health and NHS both locally and nationally.

Dr Chaand Nagpaul (pictured), British Medical Association council chairman, said: 'We must absolutely not allow PHE and its staff to shoulder the blame for wider failings and Government decisions'

'We also believe that Public Health doctors must be able to voice their views and policies independently in the interests of the public's health and without ministerial constraints.

'With more than 1,000 new UK cases of Covid-19 being recorded for the fifth day in a row, we must seriously question whether now is the right time for undertaking such a seemingly major restructure and detract from the very immediate need to respond to the pandemic.'

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: 'Public Health England have played an integral role in our national response to this unprecedented global pandemic.

'We have always been clear that we must learn the right lessons from this crisis to ensure that we are in the strongest possible position, both as we continue to deal with Covid-19 and to respond to any future public health threat.'
The third stage of the research on the world's first registered vaccine against the novel coronavirus 'Sputnik V', may begin in 7-10 days, according to reports.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in this research of the vaccine created by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry, as per Tass news agency,

"On Monday, we will present the first version of the protocol on post-registration research," Alexander Gintsburg, Director of the Gamaleya National Research Center, was quoted as saying.

"Given this great interest and attention of the public and the press, I think that the Health Ministry won't delay the process and will approve the protocol within a week. So, I believe within seven or ten days at maximum everything will begin," Gintsburg added.

Gintsburg said several tens of thousands of people were expected to be involved by the third stage. The research will be conducted in the Moscow Region.

Meanwhile, Russia has begun production of the first batch of vaccines against Covid-19, its health ministry said in a statement released on Saturday.

The world's first registered vaccine against the novel coronavirus was announced by President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday during an online meeting with government officials.

The vaccine Sputnik V, which is named after the space satellite launched by Moscow in 1957, was created by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, alongside the Russian Direct Investment Fund.

Russia will offer the vaccine to other countries once its own citizens are vaccinated, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said Wednesday, adding that doubts over the effectiveness of the vaccine are unfounded.

So far, Russia has tallied a total of 917,884 cases, with 15,617 deaths and 729,411 recoveries.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 22:11:54|Editor: huaxia

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TEHRAN, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Sunday that the United States cannot invoke the snapback mechanism under the UN Security Council of 2231, official IRNA news agency reported.

Washington has officially announced its departure from the Iranian 2015 landmark deal and "has no right to invoke snapback clause," Zarif was quoted as saying.

"They (the Americans) think that if they say something loud and repeat it again and again, it will bring them a right," Zarif said with reference to the U.S. persistance on triggering snapback which means restoration of all pre-2015 UN sanctions against Iran.

The United States has said it would invoke snapback sanctions against Iran, after its attempt to extend arms embargo against Iran failed. Enditem
16.08.2020 LISTEN

All continuing students of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), technical universities and some other colleges are to return to school on August 24 to complete the academic year.

This is according to the latest update given by the President, Nana Akufo-Addo on Sunday, August 16, 2020.

He announced, Through online learning portals, almost all continuing students in our universities have completed their studies for the academic year with the exception of the University of Cape Coast, University of Health and Allied Sciences, technical universities and some other colleges. After extensive stakeholder consultations, the decision has been taken for continuing students of these tertiary institutions to return to school on 24th August to finish their academic year.

Just as was done for final year students who returned to school, government through the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service will ensure that all these tertiary institutions are disinfected.

 citinewsroom
Failure to extend Iran arms embargo 'not an option,' says US diplomat after UNSC defeat

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 15 August 2020 8:37 PM

The US ambassador to the United Nations says failure to extend the Iran arms embargo is "not an option," after the country saw its biggest defeat in the UN Security Council ever.

Kelly Craft made comments after Washington was embarrassed at the world body with no other country except the Dominican Republican backing its anti-Iran resolution.

"The United States has acted in good faith throughout this process and made clear to all parties that failure was simply not an option," she said in a statement to the Council.

The US is further trying to use a snapback mechanism embedded within the Iran nuclear deal, which President Donald Trump unilaterally quit in 2018.

"Under Resolution 2231, the United States has every right to initiate snapback of provisions of previous Security Council resolutions," Craft claimed. "In the coming days, the United States will follow through on that promise to stop at nothing to extend the arms embargo."

The diplomatic fiasco at the UNSC was, meanwhile, labeled as "disappointing but not surprising," by Trump's National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien.

Speaking to Fox News, he warned that there would be some, "severe measures up at the UN," acknowledging that, "We lost today, but this is not over yet."

Even US traditional allies -- Germany, Britain and France -- abstained from endorsing the resolution, revealing the depth of US alienation on the world stage.

The UK argued that London abstained, "because it was clear that it would not attract the support of the Council and would not represent a basis for achieving consensus"

"Nevertheless, we stand ready to work with Council Members and JCPOA participants to seek a path forward that could secure the support of the Council," further claimed UK ambassador to the UN Jonathan Allen.

This is while other signatories to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, argue that the US cannot use the JCPOA's snapback mechanism simply because it is not part of the deal anymore as Trump decided.

"Having withdrawn from the JCPOA, the US is no longer a JCPOA participant and therefore ineligible to demand the Security Council invoke a snapback," Chinese ambassador to the UN Zhang Jun said in a statement. "The overwhelming majority of the Security Council members believe that the US attempt has no legal basis... Should the US insist regardless of international opinion, it is doomed to fail like today."

The arms embargo on Iran is set to expire on October 18 under the Iran nuclear deal, signed in 2015.

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Decisions loom for parents in Hamilton and Haldimand-Norfolk about whether to send their children back to school during the COVID-19 pandemic. But there remain more questions than answers about how students, staff and families will stay safe in September.

Hamiltons Catholic school board set Monday as the deadline for families to decide whether their children would be attending classes in person for the first time since March or participating in distanced learning from home.

Thats a tight turnaround for parents and guardians who got their first look at the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Boards detailed return-to-school plan on Friday.

Among Catholic families in Hamilton who took part in a back-to-school survey, roughly one in three respondents said they were uncomfortable with the idea of students returning to class full-time.

Parents in the public system have had a few more days to wrestle with the question after the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board released its plan on Aug. 10. Starting Monday, parents of elementary school students have five days to register their children for remote learning. High school students can contact their school between Aug. 31 and Sept. 4 to explore timetable changes.

The Catholic plan makes no mention of the board pushing the province to cap elementary class sizes at 15 kids, unlike Hamiltons public board, which passed a motion last week calling on the Ford government to fund smaller classes.

High school students in Hamilton will attend classes in groups of 15, with in-person instruction combined with remote learning.

These plans may be complicated by education minister Stephen Lecces announcement last week that school boards can access almost $500 million in contingency funds  money typically set aside for long-range projects  to hire more staff and lease additional classroom space to allow for physical distancing and smaller class sizes.

The Ontario Public School Boards Association said that late decision now leaves board staff scrambling to revise their plans with full-time classes set to resume across Ontario on Sept. 8. Though Lecce also said boards can now choose to stagger reopening such that only certain grades start on each day of the first week of school.

All students in Grades 4 to 12 must wear face masks indoors, while masks are optional but encouraged for younger students. Lecce said students should try to stay one metre apart, while public health guidelines for the general public say a two-metre distance is the minimum needed to prevent the transmission of the novel coronavirus.

Parents are worried

In Haldimand-Norfolk, families with children in English-language public schools have until Aug. 23 to complete an online survey outlining their back-to-school plans, while Catholic parents need to state their intentions by Aug. 19.

The survey asks parents to select the learning choice for each student in their family as well as to identify their technology, transportation and child care needs, said Grand Erie District School Board spokesperson Kim Newhouse.

Similar attendance surveys conducted by school boards across the province have found that most families will be sending their kids back to school, with about a quarter of respondents saying they will opt for online learning.

But some parents told the Spectator they are making that choice because they need to get back to work, not because they are confident in their school boards reopening plan. Whether opting to continue distance learning or cautiously return to the classroom, many parents voiced concerns about their childrens physical and mental health, as well as the effect on teachers and support staff of trying to educate students while guarding against the spread of the virus.

Trustee Rick Petrella said the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board has a comprehensive and well-developed reopening plan that addresses critical items like how to handle suspected COVID-19 cases and confirmed outbreaks, as well as transportation.

It will be up to teachers to enforce mask use and ensure kids play safely at recess, including by sanitizing playground equipment. Families can choose in-class or distanced learning for their children, but not both.

Gaps remain, however. The board does not yet know which high school courses will be available for online learning during 46-day quadmesters, how high school lunches will work, how students will transition from in-class to online learning in case of illness or safety concerns, or how crowded classrooms and buses will be, since that depends on how many families choose to keep their kids home.

Students who do go back to school next month will see assemblies, field trips and some extracurriculars replaced by daily health screenings, frequent handwashing and sanitizing of surfaces, and teachers lecturing from behind medical masks.

This is a very unique back-to-school experience for all of us, with plans evolving daily. As we get more information and finalize details, we will continue to share it, Newhouse said.

 With files from Fallon Hewitt and Jacob Lorinc
Carbon Fiber Bike Market Research Report by Type (Mountain Bikes and Road Bikes), by Application (Bicycle Racing and Bicycle Touring) - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19

New York, Aug. 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Carbon Fiber Bike Market Research Report by Type, by Application - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913731/?utm_source=GNW



The Global Carbon Fiber Bike Market is expected to grow from USD 2,477.75 Million in 2019 to USD 3,653.16 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.68%.



Market Segmentation & Coverage:

This research report categorizes the Carbon Fiber Bike to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Type, the Carbon Fiber Bike Market studied across Mountain Bikes and Road Bikes.



Based on Application, the Carbon Fiber Bike Market studied across Bicycle Racing and Bicycle Touring.



Based on Geography, the Carbon Fiber Bike 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 Carbon Fiber Bike Market including Colnago Srl, CUBE-BIKES, Giant Manufacturing Co. Ltd., LOOK Cycle International SAS, MARMOT BIKE, Merida & Centurion Germany GmbH, SwiftCarbon, Trek Bicycle Corporation, TYRELL BIKES, and XDS Bikes.



FPNV Positioning Matrix:

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Carbon Fiber Bike 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 Carbon Fiber Bike Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Carbon Fiber Bike Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Carbon Fiber Bike Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Carbon Fiber Bike Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Carbon Fiber Bike Market?

6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Carbon Fiber Bike Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913731/?utm_source=GNW



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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.



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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




During his six full terms representing Delaware in the U.S. Senate, Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, was often regarded as Pennsylvanias third U.S. senator. A native son of the Keystone State, Biden spent his early childhood in Scranton. That background, conventional wisdom holds, makes him a formidable candidate in Pennsylvania against President Donald Trump, who carried the state by less than one percentage point in 2016.

Scranton, however, is a poor gauge of Pennsylvanias electoral mood. Scrantonians maintain a tribal allegiance to the Democratic Party, but their citys insular politics no longer reflect other parts of Lackawanna County or even the surrounding region. Northeastern Pennsylvania increasingly trends Republican. Its working-class voters  especially in populous Luzerne County, immediately south of Scranton  ensured Trumps state victory in 2016. They no longer believe that Democrats represent their social and economic interests.

In addition to reliably blue Philadelphia, Bidens Pennsylvania base is now Chester County, just minutes from his residence across the state border in suburban Wilmington. Pennsylvanias wealthiest county could play an outsized role in the 2020 election, as Luzerne did in 2016, when that county accounted for almost 60% of Trumps winning margin.

Biden is depending on the suburban Philadelphia county to cut into Trumps northeastern advantage. Its a battle of voting margins: Chester Countys affluent suburbanites, who detest Trump, vs. Luzerne Countys blue-collar voters, who are repelled by the Democratic Partys leftward direction. Chester County, which favored Hillary Clinton in 2016, illustrates the Trump eras suburban revolt. Once a GOP stronghold, the county is populated with aging ex-Republicans and young professional Democrats who believe in the virtues of their political resistance and have voted accordingly.

Consider recent election cycles. In 2017, Democrats won four county-level offices for the first time since 1799. In the 2018 midterms, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan became the first Democrat to represent the county in Congress since 1855. In 2019, Democrats took control of county governance for the first time ever. Finally, in another milestone this May, Democrats surpassed Republicans in county voter registration. As a recent New York Times analysis of Federal Election Commission data showed, in the second quarter of 2020 numerous county zip codes served as a major state-level source of individual donors for Bidens campaign.

Chester Countys political transformation was an inevitable consequence of demography. By the late 1980s, suburban sprawl and rapid population growth began to erase the areas agricultural, conservative past. Even in 1990, when the GOP held a 2-1 county majority, The Inquirer reported how this growth compelled Republicans to register more voters to retain their local power.

 READ MORE: Biden is beating Trump big in Pennsylvania. Will anything change that?

Over time, the countys booming private sector continued to attract affluent residents who propelled Democratic gains. And so, by 2008, Barack Obama became the first Democrat to win the county since Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Today, progressive sensibilities prevail among county voters who reside in wealthy enclaves with some of the states top schools. Like everyone else, theyre enduring the pandemic, but the Rust Belts working-class discontent and Philadelphias urban unrest are distant concerns. Instead, these voters face the rising costs of the areas luxury housing and the inconvenience of its congested roads.

Luzerne County presents a dramatic contrast. Once the center of Pennsylvanias anthracite coal industry, Luzerne played a pivotal role in Americas labor movement. This history fueled loyalty to the Democratic Party, which, with few exceptions, enjoyed generations of support. Luzerne handily supported Obama in the 2008 and 2012 elections. By 2016, however, many voters questioned the Democrats commitment to their concerns. People felt left behind and felt the deck was stacked against them, John Yudichak, who represents Luzerne in the state Senate, told Ben Bradlee Jr. for his book The Forgotten. He added, When Trump used the word rigged, that resonated.

Four years later, the sentiment endures. On paper, Biden looks like a perfect DNA match to Luzernes voters: pro-labor, Catholic, and a native of the region. But from the Hazleton area to the Wyoming Valley, county residents, many of whom are still registered Democrats, associate Bidens party with policies, from trade to immigration, that they see as detrimental to their communities. The question that will perhaps determine the outcome of the 2020 election is how closely they associate old Uncle Joe with the newly woke version of the Democratic Party.

Its clear that many of these voters already feel culturally betrayed by their former political guardian.

Its clear that many of these voters already feel culturally betrayed by their former political guardian. Just last year, Yudichak switched from Democrat to independent, and the GOP won a majority of county council seats in Novembers election. This year, Jim Bognet, a Republican, is running a competitive campaign against Rep. Matt Cartwright, the Democratic incumbent who represents most of the region in Congress. Voter statistics confirm that Luzerne is hardly Biden territory. As The Inquirer recently reported, since 2016 the countys GOP registrations increased by 11,600 voters, while Democratic registrations stayed about the same.

According to the RealClearPolitics polling average, Biden has a five-point lead over Trump in Pennsylvania. The state remains competitive electoral territory  though its really a contest of voter enthusiasm in two crucial counties. Luzerne voters reject Bidens Middle-Class Joe persona as contrived and believe that Democrats progressive direction imperils the nations future. Conversely, Chester voters, disgusted by Trump, view Biden as a leader who could restore national stability. In November, both counties will help determine Pennsylvanias electoral outcome  and perhaps who wins the White House.

Charles F. McElwee is a writer based in Hershey. He originally wrote this for RealClearWire.
CHICAGO (AP)  Indiana State Police agreed Friday to stop blocking roads to a prison where federal executions resumed last month and are set to continue, backing down after anti-death penalty activists said in a lawsuit the roadblocks impeded their free speech rights.

During the first three federal executions in July following a 17-year hiatus, troopers shut main roads to the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana, where all federal executions are carried out by lethal injection. Two are planned this month and two in September.

A joint notice filed in Indianapolis federal court says state police will no longer prevent demonstrators from convening near an intersection across from the sprawling prison. In return, the Aug. 4 lawsuit seeking court intervention will be dismissed.

During the executions last month, the obstructed roads forced demonstrators to gather nearly 2 miles (3 kilometers) from the prison, which the lawsuit argued prevented them from mounting credible protests.

Plaintiff Abraham Bonowitz, director of Death Penalty Action, welcomed the change in procedures by the Indiana State Police.

This is a victory for the First Amendment," he said Friday. "But it is troubling that it took a lawsuit to allow us to shine a spotlight on the outrageous behavior going on behind the razor wire."

Fridays filing says the resolution of the dispute is not an admission that state police, the only named defendant, accepted the lawsuit allegations.

The Indiana State Police will continue to provide a safe environment for people who are expressing their views on the First Amendment, ISP spokesman Sgt. Matt Ames said after word broke about the Friday filing.

Backers of the death penalty say the Trump administration's resumption of executions is bringing justicetoo long delayed to victims and their families.

But capital punishment opponents accuse President Donald Trump of pushing for executions to help him claim the mantle of law-and-order candidate.

Story continues

He just wants to be able to say he has executed more people than any president in well over half a century during the run-up to the November election, said Bonowitz.

With one more execution, bringing the total so far this year to four, more executions will have been carried out in 2020 than in the previous 57 years combined, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Death Penalty Information Center.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons, which wasn't named in the lawsuit, did set aside a fenced-in area within the prison for protesters. But the lawsuit said it was too restrictive and isolated, making it impossible for protesters to be seen by and interact with members of the public and media. The filing didnt indicate that those federal procedures would change.

The first of the executions on July 14 was of former white supremacist Daniel Lewis Lee. Two others, Wesley Purkey and Dustin Honken, were executed later the same week.

The executions of Christopher Andre Vialva and William Emmett LeCroy are scheduled for late September.

LeCroy was convicted of raping and killing a 30-year-old nurse in 2001. Vialva who would be the first Black person put to death since the resumption of federal executions was convicted in the 1999 kidnapping and killing of an Iowa couple in Texas.

The only Native American on federal death row, Lezmond Mitchell, is scheduled to be put to death on Aug. 26. Keith Dwayne Nelsons execution is set for the same week.

Mitchell was convicted of killing a woman and her 9-year-old granddaughter. Nelson was convicted of kidnapping a 10-year-old girl in Kansas, raping and then strangling her.

The victims of Lee, Purkey and Honken, who were white, also included children. LeCroy and Nelson are also white.

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Explaining AP style on Black and white: https://apnews.com/afs:Content:9105661462

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Follow Michael Tarm on Twitter at http://twitter.com/mtarm
New Zealands government has quashed harmful and dangerous rumours about its recent outbreak of coronavirus.

Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield confirmed 13 new cases on Sunday.

All but one of Sundays cases were community transmissions and appeared to be linked to a cluster in Auckland where the most recent outbreak started, Dr Bloomfield added.

The remaining person was a traveller returning from abroad and staying in managed quarantine.

The new cases bring the number of active cases in New Zealand to 69.

Health minister Chris Hipkins wants people to stop sharing harmful rumours about New Zealand's COVID outbreak. Source: Getty Images (file pic)

The Auckland cluster started from a family of four that had travelled to Rotorua, Dr Bloomfield confirmed on Tuesday.

Health minister Chris Hipkins on Sunday urged New Zealanders to stop sharing rumours and vile slurs about the origin of the second wave.

Not only was it harmful and dangerous, it was totally and utterly wrong, Mr Hipkins said.

One of the rumours is the virus was spread due to a woman unlawfully entering a quarantine facility.

I want to say this again. It did not happen. It was fully investigated, and that investigation concluded that it was completely false. There have always, and always will be, rumours, he said.

But this one smacked of orchestration, of being a deliberate act of misinformation.

Pacific health leader Dr Colin Tukuitonga has been speaking with the family.

He told The New Zealand Herald the family were shell-shocked after finding out they had the virus.

Police and military personnel check vehicles leaving Auckland. Source: Getty Images

They were a little embarrassed that it had happened to them, Dr Tukuitonga told the paper.

He added comments on social media have turned nasty.

Mr Hipkins urged New Zealanders to think twice before sharing unverified stories.

with AAP

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cuyahoga County Public Library continues efforts to address the many needs of children as the coronavirus pandemic drags on. Educational support, digital services and meal programs all remain available, though with a few necessary modifications.

Libraries continue to evolve to meet the needs of local communities in our rapidly changing world.

The kids are coming to us, and were a safe place for them, notes Robert Rua, assistant director of marketing and communications. While they are here, we try to address what we can for them.

Grab-and-go summer lunches end Aug. 28, though the after-school Kids Cafe opens Aug. 31. Rua explains that children who rely on the school cafeteria during the academic year sometimes miss the midday meal during summer.

Kids Cafe provides the sustenance needed to help students focus on after-school educational programs at various branches.

A partnership with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank makes both summer lunches and the Kids Cafe possible. Dining is first-come, first-served while supplies last. The programs are open to Cuyahoga County residents 18 and younger.

Hours and branch locations vary, so a phone call or a visit to the library website is recommended. The hours currently listed for the Kids Cafe may change as the library and the food bank work to coordinate schedules. Social distancing measures are in place.

Beginning Sept. 1, the libraries will offer students and parents assistance in navigating digital platforms, such as Google Classroom, that are being employed in remote learning. The libraries are currently surveying area school districts to better understand the various platforms used in the virtual education environment.

The technical help will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Parents and students should call their local branch to schedule a 30-minute session with a reference staff member.

The library systems established K-8 homework centers have also been impacted by the pandemic, though educational support will be available in modified form.

Students needing help with homework can interact with trained professionals in one-on-one phone or in-person formats at the Brooklyn, Brook Park, Garfield Heights, Maple Heights, North Olmsted, Parma, South Euclid-Lyndhurst, Southeast and Warrensville Heights branches. Further details can be obtained by calling the branch of your choice.

Rua points out that cardholders can also access free tutoring through Tutor.com, which is available on the librarys student resources page. Live tutors are available from 10 a.m. to midnight daily, except on major holidays.

The website also features 24/7 access to worksheets, videos and tutorials in math, science, English, social studies, foreign languages and more.

The Cuyahoga County Public Library continues to work to ensure that all members of the public have digital access. The library is partnering with PCs for People -- a nonprofit organization that refurbishes computers and provides them to low-income households at little or no cost -- in an August tech drive at 10 branches.

Theres such a need for devices and support, comments Rua. So many people are entering into this remote learning environment for the first time.

Laptop and desktop computers manufactured within the last seven years can be donated at participating branches during business hours. Curbside drop-off dates are also available for those who wish to remain in their vehicles. All data will be completely expunged prior to redistribution of the devices.
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Linkedin Tri Indah Oktavianti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, August 16, 2020 14:33 521 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e6598f 1 City Independence-Day,independence,national-anthem,transjakarta,Indonesia-Raya,August-17-Independence-Day Free

City-owned bus operator Transjakarta announced that it will play the national anthem "Indonesia Raya" inside of buses and at bus stops from 10:17 to 10.20 a.m. on Monday.

Passengers using the bus service around that time will be able to participate in commemorating Indonesia's independence proclamation, Transjakarta spokesperson Nadia Diposanjoyo said in a written statement on Sunday.

All Transjakarta staff members stationed at bus stops will be wearing the national flag bearer uniform while the bus crew providing services in the first corridor serving Blok M in South Jakarta to Kota in West Jakarta will be wearing national heroes costumes.

She added that the company would conduct both an offline flag ceremony with a limited number of participates at its headquarters and an online ceremony for staff on duty.

The operational hours during Independence Day [Monday] will be from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m, Nadia said.

Many of this years Independence Day festivities have been canceled or scaled down due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Previously, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Wishnutama Kusubandio said the government would encourage public participation in singing the national anthem Indonesia Raya by activating sirens at 10 a.m. on Monday.
An Afghan man walks past a wall painted with photo of Zalmay Khalilzad, US envoy for peace in Afghanistan, and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the leader of the Taliban delegation, in Kabul, Afghanistan (REUTERS)

From loudspeakers mounted on village mosques, the residents of the district of Andar, in central Afghanistans Ghazni, learned last month of the coming of the Islamic Emirate: music was now forbidden, along with smartphones, brightly coloured clothes, unshaven beards, long hair, and even medical clinics where women might be attended to by male staff. I have seen people stoned to death, hands amputated, and people flogged, one resident of the north-eastern province of Badakshan told Radio Free Afghanistan. Women are flogged if they go out without male guardians.

Early this coming week, negotiators from the Taliban and the Afghanistan government will meet in Doha to begin talks intended to bring an end to decades of fighting in the countryand allow United States President Donald Trump to reduce his countrys troop presence in the country from 8,600 to less than 5,000 before elections are held in November.

For New Delhi, this is bad news. An entropic Afghanistan could provide shelter to jihadists threatening India, ranging from jihadist groups focussing on Kashmir to organisations like the Islamic State. The worse news is this: India doesnt have a lot of options.

The reasons for the United States pushing forward with its exit-plan, even at the cost of allowing the Taliban a significant share of power, arent opaque. Since 9/11, the country has spent a staggering $755.7 billion on the war, and $120.7 billion for reconstructiona total of $876.4 billion. The stable, self-sustaining Afghan nation-state the United States hoped to birth is nowhere near realisation. Planners in Washington have long concluded there are cheaper, more effective means to protect their country from terrorist attack than an expansive military presence in Afghanistan.

As Western forces in Afghanistan began to draw down in 2011, the Islamic Emirate  the state ruled by the Taliban before 9/11  resurrected itself. Experts Bill Roggio and Alexandra Gutowski estimate that the Taliban now control 75 of the countrys districts, to the governments 133, while 187 are the site of contestation. Four and half million Afghans live under de-facto Taliban rule, to 15.1 million under government control, and 13.2 million in contested zones.

The Doha talks, the United States hopes, will accommodate the Taliban within the walls of the Afghan nation-state it createdin other words, to package its military defeat a politically-acceptable form.

Little imagination is needed to see why things reached this point. The Afghan national security forces just did not have the resources to hold territory across the country. India commits some 325,000 troops  not counting paramilitary forces and central police  to protect the Line of Control and engage in counter-insurgency duties in the 1,01,000 square kilometre Jammu and Kashmir state. Afghanistan has similar numbers for its 662,225 sq. km terrain that is far harsher than Kashmir, and largely road-inaccessible.

Forced to commit large numbers of its limited troop strength to defending cities from attack, Afghanistans forces moreover lack the kinds of hardware and mobility needed for offensive operations against the Taliban. They have no capacity, either, to target the Talibans safe-havens across the border in Pakistan.

The under-resourced Afghan state, finally, just doesnt have the cash to sustain the war it is engaged in fighting. Funding from the United States for the Afghan National Security Forces has declined steadily, from a high of over $10 billion in 2011, to 4.1 bn. in 2020.

India just doesnt have the staggering resources needed to help Afghanistan keep the war going. That leaves its policymakers facing some hard choices. New Delhi could open talks with the Taliban, and see what can be salvagedor provide limited funding to anti-Taliban factions, as it did before 9/11, and hope for the best.

For a rational appraisal of Indias options, its important to have some ideas of where the Afghan nation-state is likely to head. Faced with pandemic-related economic crisis of their own, Afghanistans international allies are likely to find it even more difficult to raise adequate funding in the future. Big-ticket projects intended to fuel growth in Afghanistan, like Chinese and Indian investments in mining, have gone nowhere. Though the international community is profoundly unlikely to allow the Afghan state to collapse, the chances that it will blossom into a robust entity are low.

In contrast, the Talibans principal source of hard currency opium, and its derivative, heroin  is relatively recession-proof. The last reliable data, gathered by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in 2018, suggested the Taliban raised some $29 million in opium taxes. Even though the gross value of the Afghan opiate economy fell by two-thirds in 2017-2018, from $6.6 billion to $2.2 billion in 2018, it was still worth between 6 and 11 percent of Afghanistans GDP and it exceeded the value of the countrys officially recorded licit exports of goods and services.

The Taliban also earn significant revenues, scholar Mathew Dupee has noted, from illegal mining operations, as well as taxing trucks carrying minerals extracted by legitimate operators up to $2,000 per cargo.

Even though these revenues are small, compared to those of a nation-state, it is important to remember that the Taliban is not one  and does not aspire to be one. Ideologically committed to Islamic neo-fundamentalism, the Taliban has shown little interest in emerging as a provider of services in the areas it controls. Instead, it has contended itself with the imposition of what it sees as Gods law, through that cheapest of technologies, raw fear.

For the most part, it seems probable, the future Afghan state will exercise some control of major urban population centres, ceding control of the countryside to the Taliban, as well as to the patchwork of warlords and narcotics cartels who compete with the Islamists for control of resources.

Indeed, the degree of control the Taliban will exercise over its own field commanders is an open question: scholars like Antonio Guistozzi have long pointed to the emergence of a New Taliban, funding their local operations through crime networks, with little or no interest in the organisations central authority.

The peace deal being hammered out in Doha may seduce an earlier generation of Taliban Greybeards, tired of fighting, and corrupted by the businesses they now own in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Few commanders on the ground, though, are unlikely to swap their little empires for an uncertain share of the exceedingly small national pie.

In New Delhi, many hope negotiating with the Taliban might give India at least a foot in the door of the new Afghanistan. Indias decision to fund anti-Taliban warlords before 9/11, dialogue advocates suggest, led the organisation to retaliate by sheltering organisations like the Jaish-e-Muhammad, and facilitate the hijacking of an Indian Airlines jet to Kandahar in 1999. Given New Delhis limited means in Afghanistan, the argument goes, diplomatic outreach to the Islamists who will now gain legitimacy and political salience is key.

Theres never any harm in exploring options, but the odds such a dialogue will yield dividends are vanishingly low. The Taliban continues to fight alongside Pakistani jihadists, including cadre of al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, and is enmeshed with the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorates most important proxy, the Haqqani Network. These linkages are both organic to the Talibans ideology, and to its capabilities as a fighting force.

New Delhis best bet, therefore, will be to invest in the anti-Taliban relationships it cultivated before 9/11, ensuring as best it can that its time-tested allies in Afghanistan survive the war without end which lies ahead
School officials in Oklahoma say a student knowingly attended classes with the coronavirus on the first day of school, thinking it was safe to do so because the child was asymptomatic.

The student at Westmoore High School in Moore, just south of Oklahoma City, was "under the understanding that since they were asymptomatic ... they did not need to quarantine for the full 14-day-period," school officials told NBC affiliate KFOR of Oklahoma City on Friday.

Westmoore High School in Moore, Okla. (Google Maps)

The Moore Public School District did not respond to requests for comment by phone or email Sunday. It said in a letter to parents that school nurses have "completed tracing within our school to identify students and staff who may have been potentially exposed to the virus through close contact."

The student was identified following an anonymous tip Thursday, the first day of classes, according to KFOR. The child's parents told the school that they had "miscalculated" the end of their child's quarantine and thought it was safe to go to school.

Moore schools announced that another student had also tested positive for the virus and that 22 students who had come in contact with the two students are now quarantining.

"We will do absolutely everything within our power to safeguard and protect our students and our staff," school spokesperson Dawn Jones told KFOR.

"I don't know why people do things, why they make certain decisions, what they know to be true and inform us of," Jones said.

Oklahoma has recorded nearly 48,000 cases of COVID-19, including more than 650 deaths, since the start of the pandemic.

CORRECTION (Aug. 16, 2020, 6:50 p.m. ET): An earlier version of this article referred to the student diagnosed with COVID-19 as "he." The student's name and gender have not been made public. A photo caption also misspelled the name of the school. It is Westmoore High School, not Westmore.
NIGERIA: The Oyo State Police Command has announced the escape of the prime suspect in connection with the serial ritual killings of over five persons in Akinyele, Moniya in Ibadan. Recall that the prime suspect, 19-year-old Sunday Shodipe, was paraded before newsmen on July 17.



The State Commissioner of Police, CP Joe Nwachukwu Enwonwu, disclosed this to newsmen through a statement released by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Olugbenga Fadeyi, on Sunday, August 16.



According to the statement, Shodipe escaped from police custody on August 11.



The statement in part reads-



''The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP. Joe Nwachukwu Enwonwu, psc wishes to state that, the prime suspect in the serial killings at Akinyele Local Government Area, Moniya Ibadan of Oyo State, one Sunday Shodipe m 19 years who was arrested and paraded along with two others at the Oyo State Police Command on 17th July, 2020 and later charged to court but remanded in Police custody escaped from lawful custody on 11/08/2020.



Consequent upon this, the CP wishes to implore the general public to be on the lookout, arrest and immediately inform the Officers and men of the Command when sighted for immediate handing over for further action.



He further seizes this opportunity to appeal to any member of the public with credible information as to the where about of the assailant not to hesitate in passing same to the Oyo State Police Command to assist in the apprehension of the offender who is now at large.''

Source: LIB









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Lockdown did some funny things to people's eating habits. Take Glanbia's first-half results, for example. Lots of people took up baking bread, others did a major weekly shop with a view to home cooking - for the first time in years.

Yet while Glanbia's global performance nutrition division took a bit of a hammering with consumer brands, its US cheese division had a stand-out performance.

It seems instead of munching protein bars or healthy drinks from convenience stores near the office, people were getting stuck into US-style cheddar cheese and pizzas.

Once the poster boy performer in the Glanbia's portfolio, the performance nutrition business is stuttering somewhat and it isn't just about the impact of the pandemic.

Like many other major corporations, first-half results are difficult to read because the virus surge blindsided everybody. Unless you were in the supermarket business or Netflix, it was a pretty tough time all round.

Having said that, the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (ebitda) in the performance nutrition business fell by 58pc to 19.6m in the first six months of the year. This was largely driven by a 15.6pc fall in constant currency revenues which came in at 532m - compared to Davy Stockbrokers' expected figure of 576m.

Margins within what should be a high- margin consumer business continued to fall from 5pc to 3.7pc.

To put it in perspective, back in 2016 this division turned in first-half ebitda of 81.7m on revenues of 505m. Scroll on to 2019 and ebitda was just 46.9m on the back of higher revenues of 620m in the first half.

Increased competition, exchange rates and a greater shift to online sales, have all posed problems for the business, in what is otherwise a massive growth category.

Covid-19 came along at a time when management were working hard to address these issues. It has become another problem to deal with in what, just a few years ago, looked like the main driver of future growth within the group.

There had even been speculation that Glanbia plc might consider hiving off this unit into a separate listed company at one stage. It doesn't look like it now.

Glanbia correctly identified performance nutrition as a key growth area and got in relatively early and very bravely by taking on the US market. It was such a good idea, that lots of others have jumped in - which impacts on pricing.

Most of these challenges were priced into a massive fall in Glanbia's share price between March 2019 (18.60) and April 2020 (7.77). Since then, it has had a reasonably good run under the circumstances and is trading around 9.36.

Covid challenges aside, there are still some real issues to fix when it comes to the performance of its performance nutrition.

Take-up of rural broadband will be key to the end cost

The Government is finally going to publish the National Broadband Plan it has signed with the company entrusted with the roll-out of the scheme. But alas, only a redacted version of the 3,000-page contract will be set free for public consumption.

It is all rather sensitive at the Department of Communications, where publishing the document is akin to disclosing the Secrets of Fatima.

Despite delays, cost, ups and downs - and that's just the contract negotiations - the broadband plan is set to go ahead and it will be most welcome in those rural households currently in the broadband equivalent of the Gobi Desert. Many suffer poor mobile signal to begin with, never mind fibre broadband.

The big issue will be how many of those households will welcome the scheme by actually taking up the contract for broadband. The plan is to have broadband available to 540,000 households.

Eir decided to pull out of the project and instead went ahead with providing fibre to several hundred thousand premises in less remote locations. Eir and Siro now say they have passed 700,000-800,000 premises between them, although there are some overlaps in the numbers.

Eir declined to say publicly what percentage of rural households where fibre was available had taken up a contract. But there was speculation the figure was as low as 25pc.

In recent weeks, Eir chief executive Carolan Lennon confirmed that the take-up had increased on the back of remote working triggered by lockdown. Added to that there is an expectation of a 'mini-exodus' of people from cities like Dublin to rural areas as part of a drive for a change of lifestyle.

These factors should be good news for Granahan McCourt, the company charged with rolling out the network and then selling the broadband afterwards.

The greater the take-up, the better it will be for Granahan McCourt. Given that the unpublished contract includes some financial claw backs for the state if things go particularly well, this could also spell good news for the Exchequer.

Either way, the cost to the state will be significant. The precise criteria for triggering a claw-back will be eagerly awaited in the 'redacted' contract due to be published in the coming weeks.

Apple case was not quite a moral victory for tax experts

One of the arguments in the contentious Apple Inc Vs European Commission 13bn state aide case, was that the money was never really owed to Ireland. Tax experts here, who drummed up structures like those used by Apple, always maintained we weren't gaming the system by depriving other countries of tax.

They said the problem lay with the US corporate tax system which allowed American companies to avoid paying tax on all foreign earnings until such time as they brought the money home.

When they did, they faced a corporate tax bill of 35pc.

US president Donald Trump reformed the tax system there and provided an incentive for companies like Apple to repatriate profits by allowing a 15pc rate followed by a subsequent reduction in the ongoing rate from 35pc to 21pc.

Sure enough an Irish-registered subsidiary of Apple, paid dividends of $250bn (211bn) up the corporate chain last year, which was all subject to US tax. It would have paid around $37.5bn in tax on the repatriation and says it plans to use the rest for investment in the US.

The massive repatriation from Apple won't necessarily undermine its investment rationale in Ireland, but does bolster the argument from tax experts that Ireland merely exploited clear gaps in the American system.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko Moscow military assistance if necessary as demonstrators held the biggest protest yet against what they call Lukashenko's rigged re-election.

The protest in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, attracted around 200,000 people, a Reuters reporter estimated. At least two protesters have died and thousands have been detained in demonstrations since last Sunday's vote.

People carried red and white flags and chanted "Lukashenko step down" and "We won't forget or forgive."

Opponents of Lukashenko, in power for 26 years, say the vote was rigged to disguise the fact that he has lost public support. He denies losing, citing official results that gave him just over 80% of the vote.

The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin had told Lukashenko Moscow was ready to assist Belarus in accordance with a collective military pact if necessary and that external pressure was being applied to the country.

It did not say where from.

Shortly before the opposition protest, there was tight security as Lukashenko's supporters gathered in central Minsk for the first time since the election to voice their support for him and watch him give a fiery speech.

Lukashenko, under pressure from the European Union for cracking down on his opponents, said NATO tanks and planes had been deployed 15 minutes from the Belarusian border. NATO said it was closely monitoring the situation in Belarus, but that there was no military build-up at the country's western border.

Lukashenko, who has alleged a foreign-backed plot to topple him, said Belarus was under pressure.

"NATO troops are at our gates. Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and our native Ukraine are ordering us to hold new elections," he said, adding that Belarus would "die as a state" if new polls were held.

I have never betrayed you and will never do so, he said.

The Belarusian army would hold drills from Aug. 17-20 in the west of the country, Russias RIA news agency reported.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.16

By Nargiz Ismayilova  Trend:

The export of Azerbaijani products to Moldova rose 11.8 times from January through July 2020 compared to the same period of 2019, Trend reports citing the statistical bulletin of the State Customs Committee (SCC) of Azerbaijan.

According to the SCC, the value of export of Azerbaijani products to Moldova in the reporting period made up $3.4 million, while a year earlier this figure was $288,000. The share of Moldova in the total export of Azerbaijan increased to 0.04 percent of the total export.

In the first seven months of this year, foreign trade operations between Azerbaijan and Moldova surpassed $5.4 million, having risen 1.9 times over the year.

Reportedly, the amount of import of Moldavian products to Azerbaijan dropped by 28 percent, amounting to $2 million. Moldovas share in the total import of Azerbaijan did not change.

The foreign trade balance of the two countries for the specified period was positive and amounted to over $1.4 million.

The SCC added that Azerbaijan's foreign trade turnover amounted to $9.1 billion from January through July 2020.

(1 USD = 1.7 manat on Aug.16)

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @IsmailovaNargis
Sunday Shodipe, a 19-year-old arrested in Oyo State for his alleged involvement in the rape and murder of some female residents, has escaped from police custody.

This was made known in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES by the states police spokesperson, Olugbenga Fadeyi, on Sunday.

Mr Fadeyi said the suspect, who allegedly committed his dastardly acts in Akinyele Local Government Area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, was arrested and paraded along with two others at the Oyo State Police Command on July 17.

He escaped from police custody on August 11.

Consequent upon this, the CP wishes to implore the general public to be on the lookout, arrest and immediately inform the officers and men of the command when sighted for immediate handing over for further action.

Mr Fadeyi did not explain how the suspect managed to escape and why the statement is coming days after he escaped from police custody. He also did not say if any police officers have been detained for their complicity in the escape.

He declined to comment when PREMIUM TIMES called him for further explanation.

The police, however, urged youths/mobs from taking laws into their hands by carrying out jungle justice when suspected criminals are arrested, but such suspect(s) should be handed over to the Police.

PREMIUM TIMES reported various rape cases and killings in Akinyele area of Ibadan during COVID-19 lockdown with Nigerians on social media calling for justice.

At least three women were raped in the area with two months.

One of such cases was Barakat Bello who was murdered after the assault. Another was Grace Oshiagwu who was also killed after the assault in the same local government.

Barakat Bello

Apart from the Ibadan rape cases, many more women suffered from such violence across the country.

Protests were then held in different parts of the country against rape and sexual assault.
By Trend

Investme - Azerbaijani online search portal on investments has been launched, the project's manager Emin Sultanov told Trend.

"The mechanism of work is quite simple. Following the registration, purchase requests are made, and the Investme representative contacts the investor to confirm the purchase of shares," he said.

Sultanov said that the platform doesn't allow automatic purchases at this stage, although the purchase itself is carried out online.

"In the near future, well implement automatic verification of the buyer and purchase without phone confirmation," the manager said.

The official launch of the portal is scheduled for the end of the week. Investme was initially set up by BTB Kapital Investment company.

"For now, work is underway to select more shares, which will be exhibited at the portal in the first place," Sultanov said.

Speaking about the volume of investments in this project, Sultanov stressed that over 1 million manat [$590,000] was invested in it.

"We work with existing legal entities. These are companies that are engaged in construction, sale of goods and other services," he said. "I would also like to note that the demand for financing start-ups has grown, and we are taking measures to create conditions for meeting it."

"We receive inquiries from foreign investors who want to invest in Azerbaijani projects and companies, so we hold negotiations and mull legal issues," Sultanov said.

"The main conditions for using Investme are are business planning and transparency of accounting. These are important conditions, as investors want to know into which projects their investments are made and which shares are worth to buy," Sultanov concluded.

(1 USD = 1.7 AZN on July 1)

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
DJERUSALEM Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that a deal to establish full diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates proves that Israel doesnt need to retreat from occupied land sought by the Palestinians in order to achieve peace and normalization with Arab states.

Israel and the UAE announced Thursday they were establishing full diplomatic relations in a U.S.-brokered deal that required Israel to halt its contentious plan to annex occupied West Bank land sought by the Palestinians. Netanyahu has insisted the annexation plans are only on temporary hold at the request of the United States.

The UAE, like most of the Arab world, long rejected official diplomatic ties with Israel, saying recognition should only come in return for concessions in peace talks. Its accord with Israel breaks that long-held tenet and could usher in agreements with other Arab states, undermining an Arab consensus that was a rare source of leverage for the Palestinians.

According to the Palestinians, and to many others in the world who agreed with them, peace cant be reached without conceding to the Palestinians demands, including uprooting settlements, dividing Jerusalem and withdrawal to 1967 lines, Netanyahu said in a video statement. No more. This concept of peace through withdrawal and weakness has passed from the world.

The Palestinians want the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip for their hoped-for state, and peacemaking with them since the 1990s has been based on withdrawal from those lands to make way for a Palestinian homeland. Israel captured the territories in the 1967 Mideast war, although it withdrew its troops and settlers from Gaza in 2005.

But what has been a wall of Arab support for the Palestinians and their demands has begun to crack in recent years, in large part because of the shared enmity of Israel and other Arab states toward Iran and Iranian proxies in the region.

The Palestinians bristled at Netanyahus remarks.

Peace should be established on the basis of the Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital. This is the Arab and international consensus and anything else has no value, said Nabil Abu Rdeneh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Netanyahu also reiterated Sunday his interpretation of the UAE deal: that annexation was only being suspended and that it was still on the table, so long as it was done in coordination with Washington. UAE officials have indicated that the deal means annexation has been shelved entirely.

After President Donald Trump released his Mideast plan earlier this year, which was favorable to Israel, Netanyahu said he would forge ahead with annexing parts of the West Bank. Netanyahu backed away from moving forward with annexation last month in the face of fierce international opposition and misgivings by White House officials.

But Netanyahu, who has seen his popularity plummet over his handling of the coronavirus crisis, has faced searing criticism from settler leaders and their representatives in parliament over the annexation backtrack, and he has tried to reassure them that he remains committed to the move.

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
Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday named Ajay Maken as the partys general secretary incharge of Rajasthan in place of Avinash Pande, who was appointed to the post over three years ago.

Gandhi also named Maken, Ahmed Patel (Rajya Sabha member and Congress treasurer) and KC Venugopal as the three members of a panel the party has formed to look into issues raised by former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot and 18 rebel Congress lawmakers, whose rebellion against chief minister Ashok Gehlot threatened the state government.

The development came two days after the Congress government won a floor test in the House, bolstered by the return of Pilot and his supporters to the party fold after a tumultuous month. The Congress hopes the outcome will bring down the curtain on a month-long political crisis.

In a statement, Venugopal, the Congress general secretary in charge of the organisation, said Gandhi constituted the three-member panel to oversee and ensure the smooth resolution of recent issues in the state.

On August 10, Pilot met former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Delhi in the midst of the crisis triggered by his rebellion. Their interaction appeared to have found a breakthrough. And later that night, the party announced the setting up of the panel to look into issues raised by the 42-year-old Pilot and the 18 rebel legislators, who protested Gehlots style of functioning and alleged that Pilot was sidelined in the state government.

Before that, on July 14, Pilot was sacked from the posts of the deputy chief minister and the state Congress president after his revolt, which was in the offing for some time. Gehlot and Pilot have had differences on a number of issues since the formation of the Congress government in December 2018.

Reacting to Sundays developments, Pilot said: I am thankful to the Congress president and Rahul Gandhi for forming the committee, which will look into the issues we have raised.

Following the August 10 meeting, Pilot announced a truce and returned to Jaipur after a month. Gehlot, too, sent out a message to his loyalists that the two groups should work together to strengthen the party. They met at a Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting a day ahead of the floor test, shook hands and flashed victory signs.

According to Congress leaders, the three-member committee will hear all sides and also go into the details of the political turmoil before submitting its report, including a solution to the issue, to the Congress high command.

The committee will also discuss the possible changes in the organisation and in the government. Gehlot did not fill three positions in his cabinet that felt vacant after Pilot and two MLAs loyal to him were removed in mid-July. The post of the state Congress president was immediately filled though with the appointment of Govind Singh Dotasara, believed to be a Gehlot loyalist.

A Congress leader, who did not want to be named, said removing Pande was one of the demands of the Pilot camp. Pande, who took charge on May 4, 2017, was considered close to the chief minister. Normally, a leader is in charge of a state for three years.

Another senior Congress leader, who too spoke on the condition of anonymity, said : While the removal of Pande could be seen as a setback to Gehlot, the appointment of Maken would not necessarily mean that Pilot would hold sway.

Pandes replacement, 56-year-old Maken, is a seasoned politician. He resigned as the Delhi Congress president in January 2019 on health grounds. Maken, a two-time MP and a former Union minister, was appointed to the post in March 2015 after the partys decimation in the assembly elections. Prior to that, he held the post of Congress general secretary incharge of the communications department.

The Congress high command rushed Maken and the partys media department head, Randeep Singh Surjewala, to Jaipur on July 12 to deal with the crisis. The two remained stationed in the state till August 14, the day Gehlots government won the vote of confidence.

State Congress president Dotasara, who is considered close to Gehlot, said Pande worked in the state for more than three-and-a-half years and contributed to the Congresss assembly election win. On Makens appointment, Dotasara said: Rajasthan will benefit from his experience.

Political analyst Narayan Bareth said the Congresss decision showed that the high command did not want any delay. The (three-member) committee looks balanced...Pandes removal was on the cards as his three years were over.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, August 16, 2020 13:14 521 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e6032f 1 National djoko-tjandra,bribery,bribery-case,korupsi,graft,graft-convict,Interpol,Interpol-fugitive,red-notice,Napoleon,Napoleon-Bonaparte,Bareskrim,Polri,kasus-suap Free

The National Polices Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) has named two police generals, Insp. Gen. Napoleon Bonaparte and Brig. Gen. Prasetyo Utomo, the latest suspects in connection with graft convict Djoko Soegiarto Tjandra.

PU [Prasetyo Utomo] and NB [Napoleon Bonaparte] have been named suspects for accepting bribes [from Djoko Tjandra], National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Argo Yuwono said on Friday as quoted by tempo.co.

Napoleon was previously removed from his post as the National Polices international relations division head for his alleged involvement in removing Djokos red notice status, allowing the graft convict to freely enter the country despite being on the most-wanted list since 2009.

National Police chief Gen. Idham Azis also removed Brig. Gen. Nugroho Wibowo from his post as the National Central Bureau (NCB)-Interpol Indonesia secretary in relation to the red notice status removal. Nugroho, however, has not yet been named a suspect in the case.

Meanwhile, Prasetyo, who served as head of the Civil Servant Investigator Supervisory and Coordination Bureau, has been accused of issuing a letter that allowed Djoko to travel within the country while he was still on the run.

The police have confiscated a total of US$ 20,000, letters and several pieces of digital evidence from the two generals during the course of the investigation.

Bareskrim also named Djoko and businessman Tommy Sumardi as suspects for bribing the two police generals. They were charged under Article 5 (1) and Article 13 on the Corruption Eradication Law, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

After being at large for 11 years, Djoko  a graft convict of a high-profile Bank Bali corruption case in 1998  was finally arrested in Malaysia on July 30. He fled the country after being sentenced to two years in prison in 2009 and was ordered to return Rp 546 billion ($54 million) to the state by the Supreme Court.

Previously, Djokos lawyer Anita Kolopaking and a prosecutor named Pinangki Sirna Malasari were named suspects for allegedly helping Djoko while he was on the run. (trn)
Matt Rourke

The youngest GOP member ever elected to the House of Representatives, U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, is serving as the "honorary chair" of President Donald Trump's 2020 reelection campaign in New York.

Trump is a climate denier who has blamed China for the hoax of global warming. He is now running for re-election. The GOP supports this. It was bad enough in 2016, but we now have evidence of Trump harming our Environmental Protection Agency and air and water protections at every turn.




In this respect, he reiterated his call for unity and moderation on the part of the Congress of the Republic to face the critical moment that the country is going through.





"I call for unity and moderation on the part of Congress. We are working together, we are doing it this time, and I believe this is the only way to fight the pandemic at this very critical moment," the President of the Council of Ministers expressed.





Regarding the announcement made by Union por el Peru (Union for Peru) party to introduce a censure motion against Education Minister Martin Benavides, the Cabinet chief pointed out that Congress has the instruments to carry out its supervision and control functions.





In this regard, he noted that the Executive Branch is awaiting the Parliament's decision but reiterated the call for unity in order to work together to tackle this pandemic.





The Prime Minister explained that State ministers need to focus on their work in this time of health emergency. He underscored that the education sector case is a very delicate matter.





(END) RMCH/RMB

Peruvian Prime Minister Walter Martos on Sunday affirmed that the only way to fight the coronavirus pandemic in the country is through concerted efforts from authorities.Published: 8/16/2020
(Newser)  Kamala Harris, welcome to 2020 politicsand the need to refute a conspiracy theory in just your second public interview since joining Joe Biden's campaign. "They're going to engage in an attempt to distract from the real issues that are impacting the American people," Harris said of the Trump administration in a Grio interview released Sunday. "And I expect that they will engage in dirty tactics. And this is going to be a knockdown, drag-out. And we're ready." This after President Trump last week mentioned a Newsweek op-ed that cast doubt on her eligibility to be vice president or president because her parents were not "naturalized" citizens when she was born in Oakland, Calif., in 1964. Trump called the author, a Chapman University professor, "very highly qualified."

story continues below

But the AP, which dug up her birth certificate, reports that she is Constitutionally eligible because she was born American, is at least 35, and has lived in the US for at least 14 years. The Hill reports that White House chief of staff Mark Meadows was asked on CNN's State of the Union whether Harris was eligible: "Sure," he told host Jake Tapper. "This is not something that we're going to pursue. Actually, Jake, you and a number in the media, you all have spent more time on it than anybody in the White House has talking about this." To be fair, Trump didn't endorse the theory, but floated it in a "just-asking-questions" style he's also used to promote Obama birtherism, per CNN. The Grio quotes Harris as calling it "lies" and "deception." (Meanwhile, Newsweek's editors have sort of backtracked.)
As people and friendships get divided over talks of intolerance, hate crimes and racism across the globe, more and more incidents highlighting peoples misuse of power keep surfacing online. The latest incident coming to light is one that has left Indians frothing at the mouth over the (mis)treatment of religious idols in Bahrain.

A video showing a woman inside a shop in Bahrain has gone viral on Twitter, wherein she can be seen throwing Ganesha idols on the floor, as she questions the salesman why the Hindu idols have been put on display.

Not only that, at one point in the video which has now gone viral, the woman can he heard saying something along the lines of This is a Muslim country, not an infidel one. One by one, she gets her hand on every idol and smashes them on the floor before she walks all over them and continues with her outburst.

The so called religion of peace and tolerance. #Bahrain https://t.co/YNjqkkKe42  Ratul Biswas (@staar_lord) August 16, 2020

Let us not forget that the Taliban had destroyed many Buddha idols previously. While Islamists are celebrating the womans actions, Indians on social media are calling it a hate crime and expressing their displeasure over the incident.

Heres what people are saying.

#Bahrain

The vandelisers of Ganesha Murthy must be put behind bars.  Sanjay Gadiyar (@sanjay_gadiyar) August 16, 2020

This is from Bahrain 



Freedom of practice where they are in majority #Bahrain https://t.co/8ofHJsZTqE  Sandesh Bishnoi (@SandeshBishnoi4) August 16, 2020

This happened in #Bahrain! Disrespecting and Vandalizing our Lord Ganesha's Murti.



This just shows how little they can think!



It's Shameful!!!



No religion teaches envy and disrespecting others beliefs.



This is Highly condemnable! pic.twitter.com/3BwdtqgCHJ  Vedant Lalwani (@vedantlalwani01) August 16, 2020

We want her to be jailed. It's a hate crime.  KUNAL DUTT  (@kunaldutt204) August 16, 2020

You think this is happening only in Bahrain but the truth is it is also happening in some states of India like Bengal,Kerala,Assam. YOU DONT WORRY  Historic Bridge (@Bergspyder909) August 16, 2020

Breaking of Ganapati Idols by throwing on floor, is a bad and sad news for #Bahrain . This lady must be punished as per local laws. @MEAIndia Kindly take it up.



This act will jeopardise image of Bahrain  in India  and among Hindus  world wide https://t.co/zXhBjpEOhd  Amit Kumar Kaushal  (@amitkau) August 16, 2020

When we even joke about them, other Hindus apologize to them.



When they break our idols, other Muslims celebrate and praise that person!



This is Secularism.



So now, even if our Hindu brothers or sisters insult their religion, we will also celebrate it. No more apologizing.  Raj (@DharmaPersona) August 16, 2020

As per latest reports, the 54-year-old woman in the video was tracked down and taken into custody for vandalism and hurting the sentiments of another religious community.
A sex worker has been arrested and charged over the death of a businessman after his body was found in a hotel room.

Anthony Brady, 52, was discovered dead in a room at the Sunshine Tower Hotel in Cairns at about 4pm on Friday after his family reported him missing the previous day.

The police investigation into his disappearance - which involved officers combing through drains and shrubs close to his last sighting at a nearby Caltex petrol station - led to the arrest of Madeleine Joan Lewin, 32, at Manoora on Sunday morning.

Lewin faced Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday charged with the manslaughter of the Brisbane man - who had flown to Cairns a week before on a business trip.

Madeleine Joan Lewin, 32, was allegedly was the last person to see Brisbane businessman Anthony Brady - who was found dead on Friday afternoon - alive. She has since been charged with his manslaughter and faced Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday morning

Mr Brady was captured on CCTV in a Cairns service station on Wednesday night prior to his death

She had previously been named only as a person of interest on Saturday as police released images of a woman they allege was the last person to see him alive.

Mr Brady had been staying 650m away from the Sunshine Tower Hotel at the Cairns Plaza Hotel on the city's Esplanade, The Courier-Mail reported.

Mr Brady was reported missing by his family after failing to catch a flight home from his work trip on Thursday.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding Mr Brady's death are continuing as police look through CCTV seized from businesses in the area as part of an investigation.

Police had initially traced Mr Brady's movements but the trail went cold after he visited the service station on Sheridan Street on Wednesday night.

Mr Brady's cousin Ian Brady has spoken out on behalf of the devastated family.

Anthony Brady, 52, was discovered dead in a room at the Sunshine Tower Hotel (pictured) in Cairns' CBD

'All I will say is he was a great cousin, a loyal and loving husband and a man who loved his job,' he told the Courier Mail.

Detectives from State Crime Command's Homicide Squad have travelled to Cairns to assist with the investigation.

Acting Detective Inspector Jason Smith said a post-mortem examination was being carried out that would 'reveal more information to police' about the death.

Mr Brady was reported missing on Thursday. His cousin has described him as 'a loyal and loving husband and a man who loved his job'

Police had traced Mr Brady's whereabouts to a service station on Sheridan Street before the trail went cold (Pictured is a woman police had believed could help with the investigation)

Mr Brady arrived in far north Queensland on Monday and stayed at the Cairns Plaza Hotel (pictured). Those with information relating Mr Brady's case have been urged to come forward

'The circumstances of the death appear suspicious at this stage, however we're keeping an open mind.

'We currently have four homicide investigation officers here in Cairns assisting with the investigation,' he said.

Anyone with information regarding Mr Brady's death have been urged to call Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
H2spot.net scored 48 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2.5/5.0 Stars by Social Team

This CoolSocial report was updated on 12 Nov 2012, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want.

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PAGE TITLE TOKO KOMPUTER ONLINE | Surabaya | Jual Komputer, Harga Murah, Terpercaya DESCRIPTION Toko Komputer Online, Surabaya, jual berbagai macam perlengkapan komputer seperti hardware, software, accecories, cooling dan perlengkapan modding dengan harga bersaing. Bisa kirim ke seluruh Indonesia. KEYWORDS toko komputer online, jual komputer, Web Store Computer, toko komputer surabaya, komputer rakitan, rakitan, pc rakitan, pcrakitan komputer online, komputer, computer, notebook, toko komputer online surabaya, termurah, terlengkap, terpercaya, laptop, aseso OTHER KEYWORDS



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DOCTYPE HTML 4.01 Transitional CHARSET AND LANGUAGE English ISO-8859-1English DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER LiteSpeed (PHP/5.3.13) OPERATIVE SYSTEM

Character set and language of the site. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) The language of h2spot.net as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Type of server and offered services. Operative System running on the server.

Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world.

Referring domains for h2spot.net by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines.

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The URL of the found Facebook page. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. The type of Facebook page. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users.

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A special accommodation facility with more than a dozen positive COVID-19 cases will be investigated after vulnerable clients were seen breaching quarantine and wandering throughout the local community without face masks.

On Saturday, residents of Albert Park's Hambleton House in Melbourne's inner south-east had been seen in nearby streets and entering businesses despite an active outbreak, and had to be returned to the site by police.

There are now more than a dozen COVID-19 cases connected to Hambleton House in Albert Park. Credit:Paul Jeffers

There was a strong police and security presence at the facility again on Sunday morning after several neighbours claimed to have seen residents moving outside their accommodation without face masks.

More than 10 residents of Hambleton House, a privately run service that provides care and housing for those with mental health issues or behavioural problems, have moved to Melbourne hospitals.
" " Yes, the story about 50 Cent is true. Click through our article to find out more about it. See more music pictures.  MARIO ANZUONI/Reuters/Corbis

Who among us hasn't been fooled? Balloon Boy. Gay Girl in Damascus.

Alien autopsy. War of the Worlds. Aborted fetal cells in face creams (oh wait, that one's true). Jen is pregnant. Paul is dead. A Nigerian prince needs your help.

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The big hoax has never been easier to achieve, and these days, a little cynicism is only smart. But in a strange twist, it turns out the cynics  and everyone in their address books  might be missing some really great stuff.

Even the craziest stories can turn out, on occasion, to be worthy of a mass-forward. Here, 10 tales that can't be true  the irony is too perfect, the romance too romantic, the absurdity over the top. And yet, here we are.

Did you hear the one about Elvis meeting with Nixon in the Oval Office? One of them showed up in a velvet suit, and that's probably the least ridiculous part of the story.
In the original Goldfinger book, Ian Fleming had Auric Goldfinger say, Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action. Enemy action is whats on the table as Black Lives Matter and Antifa mobs are terrorizing suburban neighborhoods. What were random stories about threatening protests in quiet neighborhoods are now the enemies routine behavior.

Weve already seen a record number of people buying guns for the first time as theyve watched the Democrat-run leftist mobs destroy urban America. With the suburbs now under attack, its probably these same people will push for Trumps re-election with a mandate to return law and order to Americas streets.

Americans accept non-violent free speech in public spaces. Democrats even seem willing to tolerate violence and looting in commercial areas. Its inconceivable, though, that any Americans, especially those college-educated suburban moms who have looked askance at Trump, will accept threatening protests on their childrens doorsteps.

The first house call from threatening protesters was in November 2018, when an Antifa mob surrounded Tucker Carlsons home, terrorizing his family. The Carlsons eventually had to move. The suburban mob attacks then went dormant for a while, but 2020 has seen a frightening resurgence.

On March 2, a Black Lives Matter mob descended on the home of Jackie Lacey, Los Angeless first black district attorney. Her husband, David, met the mob on his porch with a gun and told them to back off. Californias hard-left Democrat Attorney General Xavier Becerra didnt indict the trespassers; he filed misdemeanor charges against Lacey.

Almost three months later, on June 28, in St. Louis, Mark and Patricia McCloskey were filmed outside their home wielding guns after hundreds of Black Lives Matter protesters broke down the fence to their gated community and marched onto their property. Significantly, a Soros-funded, Democrat prosecutor didnt indict the trespassers; she indicted the McCloskeys.

The next mob assault on a neighborhood happened only a month later, on August 2, when 200 protesters stormed the community in which Seattles Police Chief Carmen Best lives. For the neighbors, especially the moms, it was terrifying:

It was not peaceful. They were here to intimidate. Scare people. Scare children. There were children out there and they were asking them what schools they went to. They were yelling the most horrible things youve ever heard in your entire life, said wife Jamie.

Seattle responded by stripping funds from the police, leading to Bests resignation.

Just last week, only a few days after the attempt to get to Bests house, the mob appeared in a Fort Collins, Colorado neighborhood. Unfortunately for the Antifa types, they picked the wrong neighborhood. It was Trump country, and the residents fought back.

Bu now, the mob had done its A-B testing. It had learned that MAGA neighborhoods are dangerous because people defend themselves, but Democrat-leaning suburbs are perfect for intimidation because the residents are meek and the politicians supportive. On Saturday, therefore, there were four reports about BLM and Antifa making terrifying raids on suburban communities.

One mob action was in (or near) St. Paul, Minnesota. John Thompson, a candidate for the Minnesota House of Representatives, stormed the neighborhood thats home to Bob Kroll, President of the Minneapolis Police Departments union. Thompson then led a shrieking, obscene mob, as stunned residents watched. Thompsons son, incidentally, was shot a couple of years ago and may well have survived because the police found him.

John Thompson, who recently won his Primary for 67A in St. Paul, goes off and screams at neighborhood children, residents, and neighbors of Police Union Leader Bob Kroll.



"F*CK, Hugo Minnesota!"



BLM protesters gathered today outside Kroll's home. pic.twitter.com/1vTaiTQsML  Alpha News MN (@AlphaNewsMN) August 15, 2020

(Read more at Power Line about Thompsons raid.)

In Washington, D.C., an aggressive mob of protesters showed up at Postmaster General Louis DeJoys home:

The group has made it to the Postmaster Generals house in Northwest DC.

USPS has wanted 46 states they cant guarantee delayed mail-in ballots will be counted. All this as accusations swirl the President is intentionally blocking funding for USPS. pic.twitter.com/dPWvqBWepm  Kolbie Satterfield (@KolbieReports) August 15, 2020

Protesters in Seattle stopped the pretense of targeting just one person and openly marched through a neighborhood demanding that the white residents give up their homes and their money:

Seattle BLM protesters march through residential neighborhoods and demand white people give up their homes.



Give up your house. Give Black people back their homes. what are you going to do about it? Open up your wallets.pic.twitter.com/btRzqos0IR  Katie Daviscourt (@KatieDaviscourt) August 14, 2020

In Portland, an Antifa mob marched through a residential neighborhood, violently attacking police officers as they went:

A large group of militant antifa wearing armor and carrying shields have shut down a street in north Portland. They are trying to march to the police union hall, the place they broke into and set on fire last week. A police line stops them from continuing. pic.twitter.com/jD4YohjKfw  Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) August 15, 2020

And what do the Democrats think? House Representative Ayanna Pressley, a member of AOCs squad, can be considered representative of the Democrat view. She said that BLM and, by implication, Antifa need to continue targeting Republican politicians (and everyone else who stands in their way):

UNHINGED: Squad member Democrat Rep. Ayanna Pressley calls for targeting GOP officials with unrest in the streets pic.twitter.com/WmHartKDDz  Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) August 15, 2020

No matter how far left suburban moms are, they love their children and will protect them. Faced with leftist enemy action, theyll buy guns and its just possible that they might vote for Trump. (Remember, if you want to avoid an even more violent resistance, you need to work to give Trump an overwhelming victory, with both the Electoral College and the popular vote.)

Image: Antifa 8973 ag, by cantfightthetendies; CC BY 2.0

Correction: Colorado Springs corrected to Ft. Collins
Speaking for the first time about his high-profile dispute with developer Johnny Ronan over the 1.5m-a-year rent for the iconic Bewley's cafe on Grafton Street, the cafe's owner Paddy Campbell said it wasn't "personal" but "very much about business".

Campbell was back in Ireland this weekend - after winning one of Italy's most prestigious cultural prizes for a stunning nine-metre bronze sculpture, Life and Death, in the main piazza of the town of Vicchio, near Florence.

As Bewley's cafe prepares to reopen its doors on August 27, Campbell said there is a lot of expectation from people, shocked at the thought that it might close for good. "I hope that it will bring life back into the city, it is an iconic part of Dublin so hopefully it will stimulate the city centre," he said.

Asked about his involvement in the day-to-day running of the business, the colourful 77-year-old artist and businessman insisted: "I am in my twilight years, I will be very much in the background. But we are trying to do a good job for the public and bring life back into the city.

"My own life is intertwined with art and culture and Bewley's is an expression of that. I love the place. We have a tremendous legacy. We have taken over that responsibility and we have to pass it on. It is something you don't own, you are only minding it for the future and we have to maintain its integrity, spirit and ethos."

He said that while the "essential character" of the cafe itself won't change "what's on offer will change considerably", as the historic business reopens in stages before hopefully getting back to normal later in the year.

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Campbell bought the coffee shop, founded in 1927, from the Bewley family and other shareholders in the 1980s and although he remains the owner of the business, it is now run by his son Col.

Campbell has spent the last 25 years between his home in Dublin and Italian art capital Florence, where he went to perfect his technique as an artist and sculptor.

"I was always good at painting and drawing and later I decided to see if I had something to say and, if I did, could I make it a career," he said. To improve as a painter, it was suggested that he take up sculpture and "I discovered I had a gift for it".

He recently became the first non-Italian winner of the Giotto e l'Angelico prize - an award of national significance in Italy - which is given to an artist considered to have made an important impact on art and culture, particularly in the Tuscany region, the cradle of the Renaissance and home of Giotto, Fra Angelico and others. He was presented with the prize at a ceremony on July 26.

His striking Life and Death sculpture, dedicated to the victims of the Fascist regimes during World War II, now adorns the main piazza of Vicchio and contains gunmetal used in the war for the two figures representing Life and Death.

"I feel humbled and privileged to speak in sculpture for those whose lives have been taken or torn apart by the terrible things done to them in acts of war and terrorism," he said.

"Some of my clearest early memories were from my childhood years spent in my widowed grandmother's tiny farmhouse in the hills of Co Tyrone. What I gained from this was a particular insight into the tribal nature of sectarianism which had festered in the two factions of the local population and was destined to become my legacy as an artist."

In 2010 Campbell was asked by the Mayor of Vicchio to create a sculpture to replace one originally installed in 1923 to commemorate the town's World War I dead, which had been taken down and used to make ammunition for World War II.

Life, a female figure, is the earthly grieving survivor, longing to be reunited with the spirit form of Death. The two figures are almost touching, but remain separated.

"It is very special to me to have been awarded this prize, which so many other great Italian artists have received," said the sculptor.

"I have spent much of the past 25 years working in my studio in Florence, and I have been influenced by the great artists of the Renaissance. Art and culture have a deeper effect on society than gold and silver, and awards such as this are important in recognising this."

Campbell is also very proud of two major public pieces in Ireland, The Spirit of Love in Bantry Bay and The Day That Changed Ireland installed in Shannon Airport in 2015.

The latter commemorates a moment in the Ireland v England rugby match with Paul O'Connell being hoisted into the air by Donncha O'Callaghan and John 'The Bull' Hayes.

"I was at the match and I remember the moment, but forgot about it for 10 years until I was asked about making a piece for Shannon Airport and then it came back to me. It was a very challenging project," he said.

Bewley's has also become a challenging project for Campbell.

After he sold the building, it was eventually acquired by developer Johnny Ronan with an agreed leaseback deal which saw Bewley's pay a yearly rent of 1.5m. In 2015 he embarked on a 12m refurbishment of the building that went on for almost two years.

"It started out as a refurbishment, but we had to redo everything from the drainage to the rooftop - it required major surgery, not just a facelift," said Campbell.

Then in May as the Covid-19 crisis deepened, the 110 staff were warned that it was planned to close the cafe permanently.

Bewley's and Ronan's company Ronan Group Real Estate (RGRE) disagreed over a claimed 750,000 in rent arrears, as well as Bewley's calls for a reduction in the 1.5m yearly rent roll.

"There is a real likelihood that the cafe will generate substantial and unsustainable losses into the future and we need to take urgent steps to address that situation," Col Campbell told the workforce.

A stalemate developed when RGRE chief executive Rory Williams indicated that the developer wasn't "in a position to subsidise the Campbells' business".

Following court proceedings, Bewley's agreed to pay the back rent. Now Bewley's is preparing to reopen, a move welcomed by both Bewley's and Ronan's property group.

Although he won't be taking an active role, Paddy Campbell is back home in preparation for the reopening, combining it with his love of art.

"Bewley's has been very much associated with literature, but visual art is now becoming more and more important and it is great for me to be associated with both," he said.
In an article published on August 13, the newspaper said the coronavirus has shown how companies have to face risks as supply chains rely on each single country.

Therefore, Telsa is not alone in choosing Vietnam. In recent years, the Southeast Asian nation has become a popular option for companies that want to expand their production network in Asia.

The virus is intensifying the trend, according to the article. ASEAN countries, including Vietnam, see themselves in a good position to benefit from the trend.

The article cited an analysis by consultancy firm BCG as saying that Southeast Asia is moving towards the centre of globalisation.

The trade volume between Southeast Asia and Europe as well as the America is expected to increase more than US$20 billion by the end of 2023. Meanwhile, the movement of goods between Southeast Asia and China is set to expand more than US$40 billion.

Vietnam, which has a population of around 100 million, is said to have particularly good prospects of taking advantage of the development.

The International Monetary Fund forecast that the country can expect economic growth of almost 3% this year, the article said.

The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) that has become effective since August 1 is a reason that makes Vietnam more attractive to foreign investors.

The article said Marko Walde, Chief Representative of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Vietnam, expressed his belief that Vietnam will not only become more attractive as an investment destination, but will hold great importance in the development of alternative supply chains.

Apart from Europe, Vietnam has joined countries such as Japan, Canada and Mexico in a free trade area with since 2018 through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The country has also participated in the negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), including China and Australia. Another free trade agreement with the US is also under discussion.

Vietnam's openness to globalisation has helped the country to lure numerous big corporations.

Apple moved around one third of its production of wireless headphones to Vietnam. Meanwhile, Google and Microsoft have accelerated their plans to relocate part of their hardware production to the country. As for Samsung, Vietnam has been an important production location for years as more than half of its phones are made in factories in the country, the article said.
Donald Trump claimed Sunday morning that Kamala Harris is the most liberal lawmaker in Congress  even more so than progressive Senator Bernie Sanders.

'She is super liberal,' the president insisted in an interview with former Fox News commentator Eric Bolling on his show 'America This Week' on Sinclair. 'I have actually heard that she is the most liberal person in Congress. More liberal than Bernie Sanders.'

Trump didn't miss his opportunity to issue another round of attacks on Senator Harris after Biden announced last week she will be running on the Democratic ticket as his vice president.

'Kamala's a socialist,' he continued in the one-on-one pre-recorded interview, adding that presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden had been 'brought over' to the far-left.

Comparing the vice presidential candidate to Sanders comes as the progressive Vermont senator prepares to throw his support  and in turn the support of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party  behind Biden and Harris amid concerns from far-left factions over some of Biden's middle-of-the-line stances.

President Donald Trump assured Sunday morning in the wake of Joe Biden choosing Kamala Harris as his running mate that she is 'the most liberal person in Congress'

'[She is] more liberal than Bernie Sanders,' Trump said during an interview. 'Kamala's a socialist,' he continued, adding: 'She's really going to be running it'

During an interview with former Fox News host Eric Bolling (pictured) on his show 'America This Week' on Sinclair, Trump said Kamala is 'not a person that's liked' and claimed 'people will fall out of love with her very quickly'

Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden (right) announced last week that he selected California Senator Kamala Harris (left) as his running mate

Senator Bernie Sanders (center), and in turn the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, is throwing support behind Biden, a more middle-of-the-line Democrat, and Harris with a slew of media appearances and during a speaking slot at the Democratic Convention on Monday

'She's really going to be running it,' Trump added of Harris, assuring Bolling: 'She is a disaster.'

'She's not a person that's liked,' he lambasted the first black woman ever to appear on a major party's presidential ballot. 'I think people will fall out of love with her very quickly.'

Trump also pointed to the primary elections earlier this year, where Harris earned little support from Democratic voters.

She was one of the seven candidates who withdrew from the race after states began to certify candidates for ballot spots  meaning she didn't even make the ballot in most states.

Trump has pointed to Harris earning only 2 per cent of the vote in elections where she appeared on the ticket, and claimed Sunday that primary elections 'the ultimate accurate poll.'

Since Biden announced Harris last week, Trump has had some choice words for the half Indian, half Jamaican former California prosecutor, including calling her 'mad' and 'nasty.'

'She's the worst in the Senate. She was the nastiest of anybody in the Senate. She was the worst, meanest person,' Trump reiterated to Bolling. 'I've never seen anything like it.'

Sanders is appearing for a round of virtual television interviews on several Sunday morning programs ahead of his Monday speech for the Democratic National Convention.

The independent Vermont lawmaker and former 2016 and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate will make a speech at the all-virtual event ahead of former first lady Michelle Obama's remarks.

Also representing the progressive wing of the party will be New York City Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has a 60-second speaking slot on the second night of the four-night convention.

On Tuesday, Ocasio-Cortez will also share the virtual stage with Biden's wife, Dr. Jill Biden, and former President Bill Clinton.

AOC was an organizer from Sanders' campaign in the 2016 presidential race before launching her own political ambitions.

Sanders, a self-proclaimed Democratic socialist ran for the Democratic presidential primary in 2016 and 2020. He is shown here during a debate where he appeared on stage with both Harris and Biden

Biden vowed virtually from the time he became the last man standing in early April that he would choose a female running mate and received pressure in recent months to choose a woman of color in the midst of months-long nationwide Black Lives Matter protests.

During Trump's interview with Bolling Sunday morning, the president lashed out against Democratic-run cities for continued unrest from the protests and riots sparked from outrage between the black community and law enforcement.

He said he was forced to act federally to stop some unrest because 'Democratic-run cities' do not give enough power to police officers and other state and local level law enforcement.

'They have to respect law enforcement and they have to give law enforcement back their strength, back their teeth, back their power to protect people,' Trump said.

Trump secured this week the endorsement of the New York Police Department, which is the country's largest police union.

In the wide-range, yet shorter-than-usual Trump interview, the president urged that football should return in the fall, but only if players don't kneel for the American flag or the National Anthem.

'My answer: play football,' Trump said when asked about the potential of players contracting coronavirus when in such close proximity to one another.

But he added: 'If I see them not standing for our national anthem, I won't be watching. And you know what? A lot of other people agree with me.'

Trump has been sparing with the NFL since he took office over players kneeling for the Star Spangled Banner and presentation of the American flag.'

'They make millions and millions of dollars. They've got a great life. Think of it,' Trump said of players protesting racial injustice and police brutality by kneeling on the field. 'Their life is not bad. And they have to respect our country.'
Vaishno Devi stampede: Nothing but mismanagement was the cause for this tragic accident: Survivors blame

It was like a free for all: Survivor on Vaishno Devi stampede

Vaishno Devi Temple re-opens for 2,000 devotees

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Jammu, Aug 16: Pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Vaishno Devi in the Trikuta Hills of Jammu and Kashmir' Reasi district resumed today after remaining suspended for nearly five months in view of the coronavirus pandemic, officials said on Saturday. The yatra was suspended on March 18.

Ramesh Kumar, the Chief Executive Officer of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVSB) said the pilgrimage will resume from Sunday, and in the first week there shall be a cap of 2,000 pilgrims each day of which 1,900 would be from Jammu and Kashmir and the remaining 100 from outside. The situation will be reviewed thereafter and decisions will be taken accordingly, he said.

No Vaishno Devi pilgrim stranded at Katra, clarifies Shrine board

"People will be allowed to undertake the pilgrimage after registration only through online in order to avoid any assembly at the yatra registration counter."

The pilgrims will be required to install Aarogya Setu App on their mobile phones.

Wearing face masks and face cover is mandatory and they will have to undergo thermal scanning at yatra entry points, the SMVSB CEO said.

Children below 10 years, pregnant women, persons with comorbidities and those above 60 years have been advised to avoid the pilgrimage, he said, adding the advisory for this group will be revisited when the situation normalises.

Kumar said traditional routes -- from Katra to Bhawan via Banganga, Adhkuwari and Sanjichhat -- will be used for going up and Himkoti route-Tarakote Marg will be used for coming back from Bhawan.

COVID negative report of the pilgrims from outside Jammu and Kashmir and also from the red zone districts of the Union Territory will be checked at the helipad and yatra entry points at Darshani Deodi, Banganga, Katra.

"Only those with negative reports will be allowed to move towards Bhawan. Ponies, pithus and palkis will not be allowed to ply on the tracks initially," he said.

Nepal's President Bidhya Devi Bhandari ratifies constitution amendment bill

"For the ease and comfort of pilgrims, all supplementary facilities set up by the Board like battery operated vehicles, passenger ropeway and helicopter services will ply by strictly following social distancing norms and other precautionary measures," Kumar added.

Booking and sitting of pilgrims in Atka Aarti area and Shradha Suman Vishesh Pooja will not be allowed till further orders.

"Cloakrooms will be allowed to open but blanket stores will remain closed, initially. All these measured will be reviewed fortnightly," the CEO added.

A massive sanitization campaign has been launched by the Shrine Board right from Katra to Bhawan before the resumption of the pilgrimage.
I understand the fear many teachers have regarding returning to the classroom this fall. It is the fear of the unknown, especially for older teachers. I also understand the deficiency of adequate learning from teaching remotely. Our Public Education Department has adopted both hybrid and remote plans to begin this school year.

However, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield recently told Congress that its in the public health best interest for K-12 students to get back to face-to-face learning.

Redfield said, Theres really very significant public health consequences of the school closure. Were seeing an increase in drug use disorder, as well as suicide in adolescent individuals. So, I do think its really important to realize, its not public health versus the economy about school opening  its public health versus public health.

The CDC has issued school reopening guidelines, which include social distancing, masks and hygiene measures. Studies from Iceland, Sweden and Germany found no increased risk of infection among or from students returning to the classroom.

In January 2018, the Quality Counts Report released by Education Week magazine ranked New Mexico next to last nationally in education. Kids Count, a project of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, also gave New Mexico a poor grade for its public education system.

Recognizing the deficiencies in remote learning and due to the COVID pandemic, our Public Education Department has requested a reprieve from federal student testing and accountability requirements for the 2019-20 school year. In essence, they are projecting failure of distance learning.

With this continuing poor showing in mind, it is time to consider creative methods to get our kids back in the classroom and improve our student outcomes. Teachers unions oppose returning too soon. Some local unions have blatantly politicized not returning until their police are defunded. Will the teachers unions funding of mainly Democrat politicians who make the rules in New Mexico continue as a restraint on better solutions?

To encourage face-to-face education, the Trump administration is considering some form of financial assistance to parents wishing to get their kids back in the classroom this fall.

The U.S. Supreme Court just sanctioned the use of public funds for private tuition. In May, using the CARES Act funds, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos created a $180 million voucher program for private and religious schools. DeVos is additionally trying to redirect CARES Act funds to enable low-income students to attend private schools.

Some private and parochial schools continuing normal classroom activities with CDC guidelines are reducing tuition costs to encourage enrollment.

With 40% of our workforce having school-age children, this could solve several problems. If both parents work, they can continue to work and not leave one parent behind with a child for remote learning from home. Nationally, that figure is about 27 million parents. In addition to increasing family income, it will also benefit the students learning process. A creative win-win.

Tom Wright of Santa Fe is a director of Adelante Now, a nonprofit working to improve academic outcomes in New Mexico.
They followed some of the same advice New York is giving to schools: keep students at least six feet apart from one another, reduce the number of students in buildings at one time, keep children in smaller groups, require students to wear face masks, and wash and sanitize hands and equipment.

To open successfully, a community needs three things, according to Dr. Thomas A. Russo, chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalos Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences:

 Low community infection rates.

 A good plan that accounts for all aspects of a school day.

 The ability to carry out the plan.

New York can check the low community spread box  the seven-day average infection rate has hovered around 1%.

School districts submitted their detailed reopening plans at the end of July, and now they are working to implement them.

"The key thing at the end of the day is, can you execute the plan?" Russo said. "Can you get buy-in for everyone to wear masks? Can you get buy-in from people to distance and behave appropriately?"
Inc. magazine today revealed that Pineland Cogentes is No. 630 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

Despite the epic challenges of COVID-19 and the disruptions to our families and general economic conditions, our Company has experienced substantial growth. Through our collective efforts, we have helped school systems deliver remote educational opportunities for its students, hospitals maintain unprecedented demand on their IT systems, and offices move their staff to a remote workforce model, to name a few engagements. Customers have seen our services as essential as they navigate through troubled waters. We are honored and humbled that we have achieved this distinct national ranking as number 630 of the fastest-growing 5,000 privately held companies in the United States for 2020. None of this would have been possible without outstanding employees and loyal customers. Our future is bright as we continue to focus on our mission of providing world-class customer service through industry-leading IT solutions that make every client feel that they are our only customer. - Steven McComas, CPA, CGMA, and CEO

Not only have the companies on the 2020 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists as well. The 2020 Inc. 5000 achieved an incredible three-year average growth of over 500 percent, and a median rate of 165 percent. The Inc. 5000s aggregate revenue was $209 billion in 2019, accounting for over 1 million jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are also being featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 12.

The companies on this years Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business, says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism.

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held virtually from October 23 to 27, 2020. As always, speakers will include some of the greatest innovators and business leaders of our generation.

With five offices located throughout Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia, Pineland Cogentes provides unparalleled technology services and solutions to businesses throughout the southeastern United States. Through their managed technology and cyber-security services, Pineland Cogentes is able to provide customers with the peace of mind to know that their systems simply work and that their data is being protected by industry best of breed solutions against ever evolving threats.

CONTACT:

Mary Caroline Tracy, Marketing Manager

(404) 424-8585

mc.tracy@pinelandcogentes.com

http://www.pinelandcogentes.com

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

The 2020 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.

For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/.
Australia is poised to sign a multimillion-dollar deal with a British pharmaceutical giant to purchase and produce up to 30 million doses of its potential COVID-19 vaccine, in an agreement which would also support New Zealand and South Pacific nations.

The Morrison government is expected to sign off on a deal with the British drugmaker AstraZeneca to secure the University of Oxford's adenovirus-based vaccine as soon as the first half of next year.

The University of Oxford samples from coronavirus vaccine trials are handled inside the Oxford Vaccine Group laboratory. Credit:AP

The supply pact would allow Melbourne-based domestic vaccine manufacturer CSL to produce the vaccine under a strict licensing agreement if human trials of the drug in Britain prove successful.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Sunday he had previously been cautious that attempts to create a vaccine would be successful but the latest expert medical advice was there had been great progress.
How the Abraham Accord Might Impact the Middle East

By Patsy Widakuswara August 15, 2020

From behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office Thursday morning, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a "historical peace agreement" between the United Arab Emirates and Israel to commence "full normalization of relations." Part of the deal includes Israel's commitment to suspend annexation of Palestinian lands in the occupied West Bank.

The agreement is called the "Abraham Accord" after the father of monotheistic religions founded in the Middle East  Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

"I wanted it to be called the Donald J. Trump Accord," Trump said to aides' laughter. "But I didn't think the press would understand that."

In a statement, the White House said the "historic breakthrough" was made possible by Trump's "leadership and expertise as a dealmaker." Hours later, national security adviser Robert O'Brien told White House reporters that he wouldn't be surprised if the president is eventually nominated for a Nobel Prize.

How historic?

The deal marks the first Gulf country and the third Arab country to have full diplomatic relations with Israel since Israel's declaration of independence in 1948. Egypt signed an agreement in 1979, and Jordan in 1994.

While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded the deal, Emirati officials were more circumspect.

"Is it perfect? Nothing is perfect in a very difficult region," said senior UAE official Anwar Gargash. "But I think we used our political chips right."

For years the UAE and Israel have had under-the-table contacts, which can now be conducted openly. The deal could lead to stronger economic, political and cultural ties not only between the countries' governments but also among their people.

"Already some prominent Emiratis have been posting on Twitter about going to the beach in Tel Aviv," said William Todman, an associate fellow in the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

But while the deal is a significant step in improving Israel's relations with Arab states and will open possibilities for the two countries, Todman said the importance shouldn't be overstated.

"The UAE was never at war with Israel. And so, in terms of a step towards regional peace, I think that that part is currently being exaggerated," he said.

Israeli annexation

Trump administration officials refuse to clarify how long Israel will suspend annexation of Palestinian land in the West Bank as a result of this deal, and under what circumstances the U.S. would support Netanyahu returning to annexation plans.

"Somewhere between a long time and a short time. That's what temporary means," said Jared Kushner, White House senior adviser in charge of the Middle East Peace Process.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Melech Friedman confirmed that the issue could be revisited.

"It's not off the table," Friedman said. "It's just something that will be deferred until we give peace every single chance."

The administration officials' statements appear to protect Netanyahu's domestic interest.

"Israel for its own domestic political reasons will have to couch this as a suspension, and not totally forswearing it," said William Wechsler, director of the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East and Middle East Programs at the Atlantic Council.

However, Wechsler added, it's unlikely that Israel would restart annexation discussions once full normalization has occurred.

Annexation suspension at this point "makes a lot of sense from the Israeli point of view" Wechsler said, adding that in the long term, control over Palestinian land will put Israel in the bind of choosing between a Jewish identity versus a liberal democratic state where Palestinians have the same citizenship rights as Israelis.

Palestinians have reacted with anger, with a spokesperson to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas calling the deal "treason."

Palestinian analysts say there will be no changes on the ground.

"There is no suspension," said Dana El Kurd of the Palestinian policy network Al-Shabaka. "Annexation and the theft of Palestinian land continues unabated, as it did before the Israeli government pointed to a date in the calendar as 'annexation' day and will continue to do so after."

El Kurd said normalization of relations with Israel was one of the few remaining bargaining chips the Arabs had.

"They just squandered it for literally nothing in return," he said.

Will other Arab countries follow?

Once it has studied the outcome of the UAE deal with Israel, Bahrain could be the next country to follow. Bahrain hosted the Trump administration's 2019 "Peace to Prosperity" economic summit to promote its Middle East peace plan.

Bahrain would "probably want to wait to understand the reaction from their own populations to images of Netanyahu in Abu Dhabi or Emirati officials in Jerusalem," Wechsler said.

Other possibilities include Oman and Morocco. And while Saudi Arabia is not officially party to the agreement, the kingdom's close ties with the Emiratis and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's direct contacts with Jared Kushner indicate their approval.

But Saudis are unlikely to follow anytime soon.

"I would think that given all of the challenges they face, normalization with Israel might be a consideration only after the transition of power in Riyadh is complete and Mohammed bin Salman becomes King," Wechsler said.

Overall, considering decades of hostility with Israel, all Arab countries will move forward very cautiously.

"There remains significant opposition to Israel in the Gulf countries," said Todman of CSIS, adding that "normalization is betrayal" in Arabic trended on Twitter in a number of Gulf states including Saudi Arabia on the day of the announcement.

Meanwhile Indonesia, with the world's largest Muslim population and traditionally a vocal defender of Palestinian rights, also trod carefully. In a series of phone calls with her counterparts from United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, foreign minister Retno Marsudi reiterated Jakarta's position that the solution of the Palestinian-Israeli question "must be based on relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the internationally agreed parameters, including the two-state solution."

What it means for Iran

The deal, which Tehran has condemned as an act of "strategic stupidity" between Israel and UAE, is seen as a further consolidation of American allies in countering Iran's influence in the region.

In the short term, this deal will not have much impact on Tehran, said Alex Vatanka, director of the Iran program at the Middle East Institute. But if the dialogue between UAE and Israel is followed by other Gulf countries, or if normalization expands beyond economic and cultural ties to some kind of military relations, there could be significant geopolitical impact.

While Iran said the deal will only strengthen the "axis of resistance"  Tehran's military approach of resistance using proxies in the region  the strategic dialogue option currently endeavored by the UAE could emerge as an alternative to sway public opinion in the "Arab Street."

Vatanka said the deal is "a strong, powerful alternative" that has now come to the public. "Everyone can see it, and everyone can judge it for what it is."

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New Delhi, Aug 16 : A 33-year-old man was killed when he was hit by a speeding vehicle in south Delhi's Hauz Khas area, police said on Sunday. The driver of the erring vehicle drove away after the accident.

"On August 14 night, an MLC was received at Hauz Khas police station regarding an accident near Jija Bai College. The injured, Farooq Ahmed, was got admitted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre, where he died during treatment on Saturday evening," said Atul Thakur, DCP, south Delhi.

A case under Sections 279 and 337 of the IPC was registered at Hauz Khas police station. Later, Section 304 was added in the FIR after the victim's death.

The bereaved family members staged a protest outside the police station and met senior police officers to demand strict action against the accused driver.

The police said it had scrutinised CCTV footage and got vital clues about the vehicle that sped away after hitting the victim, leaving him in a pool of blood.

"Multiple teams are working on the case," the officer said.
Congress calls for parliamentary panel to investigate Facebook and WhatsApp employees relations with right-wing party.

Indias main opposition Congress party has called for a parliamentary panel to investigate what it has described as favourable treatment by Facebooks India team towards the countrys governing right-wing party.

Citing a report published by the Wall Street Journal on Friday, the party said employees of Facebook and WhatsApp overseeing Indian content had refused to bar a legislator from Prime Minister Narendra Modis party who had posted incendiary comments to protect the companys commercial interests.

Facebook deleted the posts instead, the Congress party said.

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The WSJ report said hateful posts by at least two other senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) politicians were also deleted after the newspaper made queries about them with the social media company.

Congress party demands the setting up of a joint parliamentary committee to probe the relations of Facebook and WhatsApp employees with the ruling party, Ajay Maken, spokesman of the Congress party, said at a news briefing on Sunday.

The WSJ report said Facebooks top public policy executive in India, Ankhi Das, refused to apply the companys hate speech rules to some BJP politicians and other Hindu nationalist individuals and groups.

Maken urged the company to launch an internal inquiry into its Indian oversight team. This is an issue of Facebooks global credibility, he said.

BJP & RSS control Facebook & Whatsapp in India. They spread fake news and hatred through it and use it to influence the electorate. Finally, the American media has come out with the truth about Facebook. pic.twitter.com/Y29uCQjSRP  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 16, 2020

On Twitter, the former Congress party president, Rahul Gandhi, said the BJP and its ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) control Facebook and WhatsApp in India.

They spread fake news and hatred through it and use it to influence the electorate. Finally, the American media has come out with the truth about Facebook, Gandhi posted.

In response, Communications and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad accused the Congress of weaponising social media data before last years parliamentary elections.

Facebook said it banned hate speech and content that incited violence and enforced these policies globally without regard to anyones political position or party affiliation.

While we know there is more to do, we are making progress on enforcement and conduct regular audits of our process to ensure fairness and accuracy, it said.

Facebook Incs WhatsApp, which counts India as its biggest market with 400 million users, is waiting for regulatory clearances to launch a payment platform.

The company recently invested $5.7bn in Reliance Industries digital unit, with the aim of serving tens of millions of small shops across India.
GEORGINA, ONT.An Ontario First Nation is turning to a drone delivery company for contact-free shipments of protective equipment and testing supplies in an effort to bolster enhanced protections against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Drone Delivery Canada, a company based in Vaughan, Ont., will initially make small shipments of roughly 4.5 kilograms at a time to Georgina Island First Nation in Lake Simcoe during a pilot project funded by the federal government.

The company also has the ability to send packages of about 180 kilograms in larger unmanned aircraft if needed.

William McCue, a councillor with the First Nation, says their community has upheld lockdown rules for longer than the rest of the province, and the use of drones will help supplies continue to roll in while people stay isolated.

At the beginning of the pandemic we had a total lockdown of the community, said McCue. We tend to wait maybe three weeks or more before we go into the various phases that the province implements.

With the drone delivery system set to begin in the coming weeks, McCue said his community is in a better position to handle a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even though Georgina Island is relatively close to multiple urban centres, McCue says the logistics of ferrying in supplies mean it can take a week for protective supplies to ship to his community.

Shipments can be further delayed by rough waters or inclement weather during harsh winters. With a drone service, shipments can be delivered to a depot on the island every hour, even with rain or snow.

I think the community will feel more at ease knowing there is another avenue for us to obtain supplies without (contact), said McCue.

If successful, he said drones could eventually be used to deliver everyday items like insulin and groceries to remote communities throughout the province.

Michael Zahra, CEO of Drone Delivery Canada, said his company found multiple opportunities to get involved with pandemic responses after COVID-19 first became a worldwide crisis.

First Nations communities and remote communities have always been one of the markets that weve been addressing since day one, said Zahra. With the pandemic, we had a significant increase in inbound inquiries from First Nations communities and in health care ... like hospitals, labs and senior homes.

The company operates out of a control centre in Vaughan where staff monitor the operations of their unmanned fleet, and are able to intervene in special circumstances like weather events or unforeseen issues around air traffic.

He described the service to Georgina Island as a backup to the communitys regular supply chain, with the added benefit of less contact.

Drone Delivery Canada is also setting up a similar service for the Beausoleil First Nation in the Georgian Bay, and has previously delivered health-care products for a logistics firm out of Milton, Ont.

Unmanned aircraft have been used as a tool to respond to the pandemic around the world. In United States, various firms are using drones to deliver personal protective equipment to limit person-to-person contact. In Dubai, drones have been used to spray disinfectant on streets.

And in multiple Asian and European nations, drones have been used to monitor whether citizens are complying with social distancing.

Back in Canada, Zahra said the pilot project with the Canadian government is meant to explore whether there could be wider uses of drone technology in remote environments.
Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries have received a $1 billion loan as a help to secure the COVID-19 vaccine developed by China. It happened through a digital-get-together on LAC countries' foreign ministers and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

According to CNN, China becomes the dominant force in LAC amid the United States' retreat from its global leadership role and virus wrecking on lives and incomes. China played a significant role in the region ever since the pandemic arrived in late March.

The Chinese government donated at least 150,000 masks and several hazmat suits to Brazil. In Argentina, it donated at least 50,000 testing kits, ten ventilators, and 100,000 medical masks. Also, Peru received donations of dozens of defibrillators, ventilators, monitors, and ultrasound scanners.

Meanwhile, Chinese billionaire Jack Ma's foundation donated 50,000 testing kits; 100,000 masks; and five ventilators separately to Mexico.

The governments who received help from China stated their appreciation for the action through a Twitter post of Mexico's Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard saying, "Thanks to China for its unwavering support during this pandemic!!!" The statement was posted after medical supplies arrived in June. On the other hand, Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez thanked China in a July letter.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Agency for International Development dedicated $141.4 million as a COVID-19 response in Latin American and Caribbean countries since March. The agency also sent more than 1,800 ventilators to seven states and plans on giving more in the future. According to an agency spokesperson, the agency has pivoted and redirected existing programs to respond to the pandemic in the Latin America region.

Latin America and the Caribbean countries became the latest contest zone for expressing influence between the two most powerful nations of the world, as per MSN. The U.S. and China lean to a classic pursuit of self-interest through cooperation.

According to government statistics, Brazil's exports to China have increased each month since January. In addition, the billions of dollars that China recently invested have carried huge favor across LAC. However, amid China's substantial investments, the U.S remains LAC's top overall trading partner and a vital source of foreign direct investment.

Margaret Myers, who helped compile the count, said, "The U.S. still has such strong ties economically speaking that are quite diverse. There are long-standing cultural ties that are so critical, plus familiar ties that China doesn't have." Myer expressed her opinion on a public display of gratitude from LAC to China. She thinks that LAC is trying to get any help that they can.

As per CNN, it is not up to China or the U.S. to decide who will have the most influence throughout Latin American and the Caribbean countries. LAC knows well the consequences of colonialism and external interference. It is similarly happening in the United States and Europe. LAC is not strangers to the political and economic bullying that goes with them.

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Tens of thousands of Belarusian opposition supporters have gathered in Minsk this afternoon to join a 'March for Freedom' over President Alexander Lukashenko's disputed re-election.

Chanting 'Leave!', the protesters marched down Independence Avenue following an opposition call for the biggest rally yet in a week of demonstrations since the vote.

Columns of demonstrators raised victory signs and held flowers and balloons. Many wore white, the colour that has come to symbolise the opposition movement. Those marching included a group of veteran paratroopers in uniform berets.

Tens of thousands of Belarus opposition supporters attend a rally in central Minsk on August 16

A woman Belarus opposition supporter with a drawing of a former white-red-white flag of Belarus used in opposition to the government punches the air during a demonstration in central Minsk on August 16

'The elections were valid. There could not be more than 80 percent of votes falsified. We will not hand over the country,' he said

Demonstrators held placards with slogans such as 'We are against violence' and 'Lukashenko must answer for the torture and dead'.

Protesters walked through the city carrying a 100-metre-long red-and-white flag, once the state flag and now used to represent opposition to the current regime.

They chanted 'Long live Belarus!' and called for Lukashenko to 'Leave!' as cars honked horns in support.

People take part in a protest against the presidential election results demanding the resignation of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and the release of political prisoners

Former Belarusian paratroopers take part in a protest against the presidential election results demanding the resignation of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and the release of political prisoners, in Minsk, Belarus, on August 16

Members of the Belarusian diaspora and Ukrainian activists attend a rally in support of Belarus people protesting vote rigging in the presidential election, in the center of Kiev on August 16

The protests came as Lukashenko held a rally for supporters in central Minsk, urging them to save the country from destruction.

As mass protests continued against his rule, Lukashenko spoke on the capital's Independence Square, blasting his opponents as 'rats'.

Speaking to supporters, he said: 'I called you here not to defend me... but for the first time in a quarter-century, to defend your country and its independence.'

Lukashenko, under pressure from the European Union for cracking down on his opponents, said NATO tanks and planes had been deployed 15 minutes from the Belarusian border.

NATO said it was closely monitoring the situation in Belarus, but that there was no military build-up at the country's western border.

The strongman who has ruled Belarus for the last 26 years is facing the greatest challenge to his leadership from a growing protest movement fanned by a brutal police crackdown.

'I'm not a fan of rallies but alas, it's not my fault I had to call you to help me,' the 65-year-old said as some 10,000 supporters waved national flags and shouted 'Thank you!' and 'Belarus!'

Members of the Belarusian diaspora and Ukrainian activists attend a rally in support of Belarus people protesting vote rigging in the presidential election, in the center of Kiev on August 16

Supporters of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko wave communist party and national flags as they take part in a rally in Minsk today

Wiping his brow, the president standing at a podium in a short-sleeved shirt, insisted on the legitimacy of last Sunday's presidential poll in which he claimed victory over popular opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.

'The elections were valid. There could not be more than 80 percent of votes falsified. We will not hand over the country,' he said, as Tikhanovskaya has called for fresh elections after the official count gave Lukashenko 80 percent and her 10 percent.

He referred to the country's history and the successes of his rule.

elarusian President Alexander Lukashenko addresses his supporters gathered at Independent Square of Minsk

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko wipes his face as he addresses his supporters gathered at Independent Square of Minsk, Belarus

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko takes off his coat prior to delivering a speech to supporters gathered at Independent Square of Minsk, Belarus

'We built a sovereign independent country for the first time in our history,' he said, reminiscing about the 'difficult years' of the 1990s.

'What do you want now?' he asked supporters.

He warned of a threat from neighbouring NATO countries as well as from the opposition movement calling for new elections, as the crowd shouted 'No!'

'If we kowtow to them, we will go into a tailspin and will never stabilise our aircraft,' he said.

Lukashenko, who has alleged a foreign-backed plot to topple him, said Belarus was under pressure and voiced concerns over Nato military exercises taking place in neighbouring Poland and Lithuania.

'NATO troops are at our gates. Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and our native Ukraine are ordering us to hold new elections,' he said, adding that Belarus would 'die as a state' if new polls were held.

'I have never betrayed you and will never do so,' he said.

Thousands of people attend a rally in support of the Belarusian Opposition to demonstrate against police brutality and the presidential election results, in Minsk on Sunday

Belarus airborne veteran shouts as he carries a poster reading 'We are against violence!' during an opposition rally in central Minsk on August 16

Belarus airborne veteran shouts slogans during an opposition rally in central Minsk on August 16

'We will perish as a state, as a people, as a nation,' he said, as security staff stood nearby with his teenage son Nikolai.

Lukashenko called the rally ahead as the opposition movement called for nationwide 'March of Freedom' protests and tens of thousands gathered in Minsk.

On a nearby street, his opponents shouted 'Leave!'

Lukashenko earlier spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin who told the Belarusian leader that Moscow stood ready to provide help in accordance with a collective military pact if necessary, the Kremlin said in a statement.
The Office turned some cast members including Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, and Jenna Fischer into superstars. Never wanting to use gimmicks to draw in viewers, producers of the sitcom always sought to keep a reality feel on the show.

Since the NBC comedy was a bona fide hit, the network began pressuring producers to bring on A-list celebrities for guest appearances. The Stress Relief episode set to air after the Super Bowl seemed to be the ideal time to promote a big-name cameo.

Jenna Fischer and Steve Carell of The Office | Justin Lubin/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

NBC wanted celebs to visit Dunder Mifflin

In Andy Greenes book The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s, writer Lee Eisenberg recalled having some potential candidates in mind for a celeb spot on the show.

The network was insistent that we get celebrities, and that was really complicated, Eisenberg told Greene. I remember wanting Matt Damon or Ben Affleck to be on it.

The Office writer even considered some storylines that could work with either of the Good Will Hunting actors.

RELATED: The Office: John Krasinski Kept One Memento When He Thought The Show Was Going to be Cancelled  and its Not the Teapot

I was like Okay, well get somebody who has a blue-collar feel to be running a warehouse, Eisenberg recalled. Or theyre gonna go up against Michael somehow. Its Matt Damon or Ben Affleck versus Michael Scott.

Greg Daniels comes up with a solution

Showrunner Greg Daniels went toe-to-toe with NBC over the issue, maintaining that having a Hollywood personality on the show would take away from the rural roots of the sitcom.

His point was How does that fit into a show based in an office in Scranton, Pennsylvania? producer Randy Cordray said of Daniels. What would celebrities be doing interacting with a paper company office in Scranton, Pennsylvania?  That makes no sense.

Daniels ingenious idea of having a movie within a movie met the networks demands, yet kept the integrity of the sitcom. By having celebs Jack Black, Jessica Alba, and Cloris Leachman appear in a bootleg film that Andy Bernard (Ed Helms) brings in, Daniels solved the problem.

RELATED:The Office: How This Actor Knew He Was Being Written Out of the Show

Andy had access to stream a movie on his laptop and so we created this movie, Cordray explained. That was our way of satisfying the network creative people and putting promotable star talent into the Super Bowl episode.

Not following in the footsteps of Will & Grace

NBCs popular show Will & Grace often highlighted A-list stars as part of a storyline. While the strategy often resulted in high ratings, the production team at The Office never wanted to follow suit.

The Office always shied away from stunt casting, writer Halsted Sullivan told Greene. At the time, Will & Grace would have someone like Cher or J.Lo on every episode, and the episode [would be] about that person. What we didnt want to do is have some stunt casting.

Daniels solution gave the network what it was asking for while staying true to the tone of The Office.

RELATED: The Office: Why The Production Team Said This Season Was Extra Brutal

We had Jack Black and Jessica Alba in that stand-alone movie so we could promote them, Sullivan explained. They were in the show, but at the same time, at no point did our characters get outshone by these big movie stars.

Stress Relief was a hit, pulling in 22.9 million viewers and ranking as one of the The Offices greatest episodes.


Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 16:44:23|Editor: huaxia

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BISHKEK, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyzstan will step up exporting ecologically clean agricultural products, President of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbai Jeenbekov said Saturday.

In a regular interview with state radio, Jeenbekov said such products are of high demand in every country.

He noted that especially developed countries with a high standard of living are interested in such clean products.

"We prepared our laboratories and became ready to enter the international level. Neighboring China is a big market for us," said the president.

The Kyrgyz president stressed that in order to enter foreign markets, it is necessary to produce and increase the volume of food that meets the requirements. At the same time, he noted that for this it is necessary to improve the production technology and provide a sufficient amount of raw materials.

"To enter the external market, we have projects for the construction of logistics centers; funds have already been found," Jeenbekov said.

Earlier, the country's Ministry of Agriculture reported that the agriculture sphere showed good results amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The ministry said that since the beginning of the year, exports of domestic agricultural products reached more than 400,000 tons, which is 90,000 tons higher than in the same period last year, and the volume of gross agricultural output increased by 1.8 percent. Enditem
One hundred students at Gulfport High School in Mississippi were sent home to quarantine for 14 days after a teacher came down with COVID-19 symptoms.

Nearly 1,000 students and staff were quarantined in the Cherokee County, Ga., School District, and two high schools closed until the end of the month because of exposure to the coronavirus.

And the Georgia school where photos of a crowded hall went viral, North Paulding High, was closed after nine people tested positive for the virus. It is to reopen this week using a hybrid model.

"That, honestly, puts a knot in my stomach just thinking of it," West Seneca Superintendent Matthew Bystrak said of the photo of teenagers shoulder to shoulder in the school hallway, most without masks.

With high-profile examples of how not to do it, the question looms: Can schools in New York State open safely?

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said if it can be done anywhere, it can be done in New York.

It has been done elsewhere.

When Finland and Denmark reopened their schools, their countries did not see an increase in infections, and a community college in Ohio has had no cases reported since reopening three months ago, according to news reports.

They followed some of the same advice New York is giving to schools: keep students at least six feet apart from one another, reduce the number of students in buildings at one time, keep children in smaller groups, require students to wear face masks, and wash and sanitize hands and equipment.

To open successfully, a community needs three things, according to Dr. Thomas A. Russo, chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalos Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences:

 Low community infection rates.

 A good plan that accounts for all aspects of a school day.

 The ability to carry out the plan.

New York can check the low community spread box  the seven-day average infection rate has hovered around 1%.

School districts submitted their detailed reopening plans at the end of July, and now they are working to implement them.

"The key thing at the end of the day is, can you execute the plan?" Russo said. "Can you get buy-in for everyone to wear masks? Can you get buy-in from people to distance and behave appropriately?"

Carrying out the plans will cost money. The average school district of 3,600 students would spend an extra $1.77 million on new supplies, equipment and staffing, according to the Association of School Business Officials. While schools are applying for Cares Act funding, there has been no agreement on another federal aid package that would help schools and municipalities.

A report by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health on risk reduction strategies for schools details the familiar wearing of masks and social distancing, but it also says schools should establish and reinforce a culture of health, safety and shared responsibility.

"Public health interventions only work when there is training and reinforcement," states the Schools for Health report.

New York State United Teachers has called for schools to be safe for students and teachers. And Buffalo Teachers Federation President Philip Rumore has made clear that if teachers dont have confidence in the districts reopening plan, he will seek a court injunction to stop the schools from reopening.

Cuomo said Friday that schools can open if they have the proper precautions in place. "They can open, it doesn't mean they must open," he said. "They can open if they are safe."

What happened elsewhere

In Israel, there was early compliance, and infection rates dropped in the spring during an effective lockdown. Then schools opened in mid-May. It went well for a couple of weeks. But shopping malls, outdoor markets and gyms had opened as well, according to the New York Times.

Children were wearing masks, and social distancing was happening in schools where it was possible. But then, according to the Times, a heat wave hit, and mask-wearing requirements were loosened.

One Israeli school had more than 100 positive cases and was closed. More than 240 schools were shuttered and more than 22,500 teachers and students were quarantined, according to news reports.

In schools in Cherokee County, Ga., more than 900 were quarantined as of last week due to exposure to someone infected with the virus. Masks are recommended, but not mandatory, in Georgia.

"We anticipate, as we have communicated throughout this process, there will be additional quarantines and school closures as we operate during this pandemic," the Cherokee County School District superintendent said in a statement last week.

Schools that shut down in-person learning after reopening had something in common, according to UB's Russo.

"They violated all three of those principles," Russo said, starting with the first one. "They started off with high level of community spread when they opened their school."

The seven-day percentage rate in Georgia when some schools opened in the first two weeks of August was 9% to 13%, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"Inevitably when you have a high level of community spread, there's going to be a number of individuals in the school that are going to be infected," Russo said.

And not everyone in Georgia is following the recommendation to wear face masks.

"The major thing that we are dealing with, is we have people here that dont believe it's there and dont want to wear a mask and thats causing us more problems and causing more concern," said Lisa Morgan, president of the Georgia Association of Educators, a nonprofit association for teachers, administrators and support professionals which is an affiliate of the National Education Association. "I'm afraid you're going to be hearing about Georgia for quite a while."

Morgan, who taught kindergarten for 17 years before being elected president of the association that represents more than 20,000 educators and related staff in Georgia, said the schools that are not having problems are those that have chosen to open with virtual learning.

Morgan said she started watching the children's infection rate rising through the summer in Georgia, as overall infections were increasing.

Low infection rates in New York

But in New York, the seven-day rolling average infection rate has been 1% since June 8, and in Western New York the rate has been 1% since June 10.

The state Health Department refused to release the infection rate of COVID-19 in children, though other states do provide that information to the public. The department said it is investigating 246 cases and two deaths involving people under 20 years old with symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease and toxic shock-like syndrome, possibly due to COVID-19.

In Erie County, 2.8% of those 19 and younger tested had the coronavirus in the four weeks ending Aug. 8, according to the county Health Department. The overall rate for the same period was 1.4%.

Part of the difference in the rates can be attributed to the low number of children tested, 6,320, compared to a total of 80,939 in all age groups, according to the county Health Department. Also, many children were tested because they had symptoms of COVID-19 or were exposed to someone who tested positive. Adults are tested for a variety of reasons, including having symptoms, because it is required for their jobs or in advance of a medical procedure.

Most schools in Western New York plan to open in September with children in school buildings two or three days a week, then learning remotely the rest of the week. A few private schools, like Park School, Nichols School and Elmwood Franklin School, will have in-school classes five days a week.

But West Seneca and Maryvale school districts, as well as the Charter School for Applied Technology, will start the school year with all students at home. Bystrak, the West Seneca superintendent, said there are many reasons for requiring remote learning for all students at least until Thanksgiving, including the availability of staff and substitutes, the effect of a hybrid model on the educational program and the possibility of a second wave of the virus when the weather cools.

But he also saw the photo of students jammed into the hallway in the Georgia high school, with few masks in sight.

"I'm not going to lie. Im definitely fearful of having a performance like that in one of our buildings, unintentionally," Bystrak said.

That wasn't the main reason West Seneca decided to go all virtual, but was one of the many factors that created a tipping point, he said.

Challenges ahead

There will be challenges in reopening schools, and expect a bump in cases of COVID-19.

Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein said infection rates are likely to increase as schools and colleges reopen and more people come together in shared space.

"In addition, as typical of the fall season, we anticipate that more children and adults will develop respiratory symptoms, leading to more people tested for COVID-19 and more cases identified. Our contact tracing team is prepared to work closely with school districts to break the chains of transmission within school settings," she said.

UB's Russo agreed.

"There's going to be some breakthrough," he said, adding that faster test results are key to containing an outbreak.

Hamburg schools Superintendent Michael Cornell said there no doubt will be challenges and some difficulties throughout the year, but he agrees with the governor that if any state can reopen schools, it is New York.

"I think hes right, 100% correct," Cornell said. "The infection rate is low. I think to a large degree weve normalized mask wearing and distancing in our lives."

"Lets not forget that weve been trying to perfect traditional schooling since the days of Dewey, and I dont know that weve quite perfected it yet," he said.

"I think we need to try and see if we can make this work. We also have to have all the safeguards in place," Russo said. "At the end of the day, we sort of control our own fate with this virus."
Lebanese President Michel Aoun has said it would be "impossible" for him to resign following calls for him to leave office over the deadly explosion in Beirut.



His comments came after the Lebanese government stepped down on Monday night in the wake of the blast that killed more than 170 people and injured more than 6,000 others.



Speaking about the possibility of his resignation, Aoun said in a recorded interview with French network BFM Saturday: "This is impossible, because this would lead to a power vacuum. The government resigned. Let's imagine that I was to resign. Who would ensure the continuity of power?



"If I were to resign, one would need to organize elections right away. But the current situation in the country does not allow the organizations of such elections," he added.



When asked about the investigation into the explosion, Aoun cited its complexity, saying it "won't be able to be finished very quickly as we wished it to."



The President added that he has asked the judicial council to supervise the probe and called for an "independent magistrate" to investigate.



The massive blast that hit Lebanon's capital on August 4 damaged much of the city and sparked violent protests against the authorities.



Less than a week after the explosion, Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab described it as a "disaster beyond measure" during an address in which he announced his resignation and that of his government.



In his speech, Diab took aim at Lebanon's ruling political class for fostering what he called "an apparatus of corruption bigger than the state" and said his government had chosen "to stand with the people" by stepping down.



While suggesting that members of his Cabinet had "fought valiantly and with dignity," he added: "Between us and change is big powerful barrier."



Lebanon had already been struggling economically in the months before the blast, with its currency losing approximately 70% of its value since last October and the World Bank forecasting that half of its population would become poor in 2020.



Last weekend, the international community pledged around $300 million in aid to Lebanon during a donors' conference hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and attended by US President Donald Trump and other heads of state.

Source: CNN









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.

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Critical theory is not biblical justice, it locates evil in the wrong place: Tim Keller explains

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Acclaimed theologian Tim Keller recently addressed the issue of critical theory which has become popularized in some Christian circles.

In a lengthy essay published at Life in The Gospel, the former pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan articulated the differences in the many theories of justice presently swirling in culture, including postmodernism.

"There have never been stronger calls for justice than those we are hearing today. But seldom do those issuing the calls acknowledge that currently there are competing visions of justice, often at sharp variance, and that none of them have achieved anything like a cultural consensus, not even in a single country like the U.S. It is overconfident to assume that everyone will adopt your view of justice, rather than some other, merely because you say so," Keller wrote.

Though the Bible established a comprehensive vision for justice, because of the failures of some contemporary Christians to see the work of justice as part of their vocation as followers of Jesus, secular models for justice have gained ground and are distorting Christian faith and practice.

Central to understanding what is truly just is sharing a common understanding of what it means to be human and why we were created.

"The secular view is that human beings are just here through chance. We are not here for any purpose at all. But if that is the case then there is no good way to argue coherently on secular premises and beliefs about the world that any particular behavior is wrong and unjust. Human rights are based on nothing more than that some people feel they are important."

Yet Scripture depicts the human world as a profoundly inter-related community and as such, those who are godly must live for the strengthening of the community, he continued, noting that this extends to how people deal with their wealth.

"To treat all of your profits and assets as individualistically yours is mistaken. Because God owns all your wealth (you are just a steward of it), the community has some claim on it. Nevertheless, it is not to be confiscated. You are to acknowledge the claim and voluntarily be radically generous. This view of property does not fit well with either a capitalist or a socialist economy," he explained.

The theologian extensively unpacked postmodern critical theory which has taken off in some quarters of evangelicalism. Resistance to critical theory has in part fueled the formation and launch earlier this year of a new network of theological conservatives within the Southern Baptist Convention who insist that the theory is diametrically opposed to the Gospel.

He elaborated that postmodernism is incoherent and that it holds that the explanation of every unequal outcome in power, wealth, and well being are never the result of individual actions or to cultural differences or to differences in human abilities, but only structural, systemic injustices in society. In this view, truth is impossible to know outside of its relationship to power.

"If all truth-claims and justice-agendas are socially constructed to maintain power, then why arent the claims and agendas of the adherents of this view subject to the same critique? Why are the postmodern justice advocates claims that 'This is oppression' unquestionably, morally right, while all other moral claims are mere social constructs? And if everyone is blinded by class-consciousness and social location, why arent they? Intersectionality claims oppressed people see things clearly  but why would they if social forces make us wholly what we are and control how we understand reality?" he offered.

"The Postmodern account of justice has no good answers for these questions. You cannot insist that all morality is culturally constructed and relative and then claim that your moral claims are not. This is not a flaw that only Christians can see, and this may therefore be a fatal flaw for the entire theory," Keller said.

Postmodern critical theory also holds that any evil is instilled in humans by society and any pathology can then be fixed by revamping social policy.

"But biblically we know we are complex beings  socially (both individual and social creatures made in the image of a Three-in-One God), morally (both sinful and fallen, yet valuable in the image of God), and constitutionally (we are equally soul-spirit and body). The reasons for evil and for unjust outcomes in life are multiple and complex," he said.

"The Bible teaches that sin is pervasive and universal. We are each members of a race or nationality that contains much unique common grace to contribute to the world. But every culture also comes with particular sinful idolatries. No race or people group is inherently more sinful than others. But in this postmodern view of justice groups are assigned higher or lower moral value depending on their power, and some groups are denied any redeeming characteristics at all. To see whole races as more sinful and evil than other races leads to things like the Holocaust."

The distinctly secular theory of justice locates evil in the wrong place, he added, seeing all injustice as occurring on a human level, demonizing human being instead of recognizing evil forces  "the world, the flesh, the devil" operating in every human being (Ephesians 6:12).

"Adherents of this view also end up being utopian  they see themselves as saviors rather than recognizing that only a true, divine Savior will be able to finally bring in justice. When dealing with injustice we do confront human sin, but in addition 'we wrestle not [merely] with flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12),'" he said.
About 300 international university students will return to Adelaide in September to help revive the nations education sector which has been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said the pilot program would be used to test the management of the wider return of students to help an industry that underpinned thousands of jobs.

Its being done with the utmost safety requirements in place, Senator Birmingham said.

All of the quarantine requirements, all of the testing requirements, all of those factors have been built in with this having been approved by state and federal authorities to make sure everyone can have confidence that this is not going to pose any risk.

Premier Steven Marshall said South Australia was looking forward to welcoming back students from overseas.

International students are an important part of our community, adding to our states vibrancy and multiculturalism, he said.

South Australias handling of COVID-19 has put us in the ideal position to be a first-mover in bringing back international students.

The flight from Singapore for South-East Asian students is expected to arrive in Adelaide in early September, in a test run for a return nationally.

The final-year students are expected to follow a strict hotel quarantine regime, the same as that in place for repatriated Australians, to be paid for by the universities.
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Kim Kardashian, 39, and Kanye West, 43, have been focusing on family time in the hopes of salvaging their crumbling marriage.

And earlier this week, Kim, Kanye, and their four-children enjoyed a 'glamping' (glamorous camping) trip at the luxurious Dunton River Camp in Colorado, as reported by TMZ on Saturday.

Sources close to the couple alleged that they 'rented out the entire 500-acre former cattle ranch,' which cost them a startling $43,000 per night.

Glamping: Earlier this week, Kim, Kanye, and their four-children enjoyed a 'glamping' trip at the luxurious Dunton River Camp in Colorado, as reported by TMZ on Saturday.

All to themselves: Sources close to the couple alleged that they 'rented out the entire 500-acre former cattle ranch,' which cost them a startling $43,000 per night

Arrival: The family reportedly arrived to Dunton River Camp on August 9 by private jet, after vacationing in the Dominican Republic the week prior

The family reportedly arrived to Dunton River Camp on August 9 by private jet, after vacationing in the Dominican Republic the week prior.

Kim, Kanye, and their four children, daughters North, seven, and Chicago, two, and sons Saint, five, and Psalm, one, were allegedly in the company of Kim's eldest sister Kourtney, 41, and her son Mason, 10.

Kanye has since returned to his ranch in Wyoming, while Kim made her way back to their Los Angeles abode, the outlet alleged.

Working it out: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have been focusing on family time in the hopes of salvaging their crumbling marriage; Kanye and Kim pictured in 2019

The secluded camp ground is nestled deep in the San Juan Mountains, one hour outside Telluride, which ensured total privacy for the struggling couple during their stay.

Guests who stay at Dunton River Camp, which is only open from June to October, are able to explore the property on horseback.

With the property to themselves, the family had unlimited access to all eight camping tents, which sit on a '640 square foot wooden platform anchored to the bedrock' and include 'amenities you would expect in a luxury hotel,' according to the official Dunton River Camp website.

Privacy: The secluded camp ground is nestled deep in the San Juan Mountains, one hour outside Telluride, which ensured total privacy for the struggling couple during their stay

Full access: With the property to themselves, the family had unlimited access to all eight camping tents

Have it all: Each tent includes all the 'amenities you would expect in a luxury hotel,' according to the official Dunton River Camp website

Luxe: Each white canvas tent comes with a '6 footer soaker tub with shower,' instant access to hot water, double vanities for getting ready, and convenient towel warmers

Each white canvas tent comes with a '6 footer soaker tub with shower,' instant access to hot water, double vanities for getting ready, and convenient towel warmers.

The tents are decorated with a Southwestern aesthetic in mind, from the large cowhide rugs to the Navajo style bedding.

Kim and Kanye also had Dunton River Camp's historic Farm House and a large communal 'lounge tent' at their disposal.

Stability: Each tent sits on a '640 square foot wooden platform anchored to the bedrock'

Southwestern: The tents are decorated with a Southwestern aesthetic in mind, from the large cowhide rugs to the Navajo style bedding

Communal: Kim and Kanye also had Dunton River Camp's historic Farm House and a large communal 'lounge tent' at their disposal

Besides all of the extra space, they would also have access to all of the various hiking trails, campfire set-ups, relaxing hot springs, and the 'trout-rich' Dolores River.

Located next to the Dolores River is a sauna that the property's website describes as 'a wonderful spot for you to relax and cleanse your body after a big hike or strenuous mountain bike ride.'

There is also a vast yoga deck and a relaxing outdoor spa.

Lots to see: Besides all of the extra space, they would also have access to all of the various hiking trails, campfire set-ups, relaxing hot springs, and the 'trout-rich' Dolores River

Explore: Guests who stay at Dunton River Camp, which is only open from June to October, are able to explore the property on horseback

Dunton Hot Springs: Four miles along the river lies the Dunton Hot Springs, which is described as 'a romantic 1800s ghost town set in an extraordinary alpine valley'

Four miles along the river lies the Dunton Hot Springs, which is described as 'a romantic 1800s ghost town set in an extraordinary alpine valley.'

In the Hot Springs village, there are a total of 13 charming log cabins, which feature a plethora of rustic inspired decor and warm tones.

There is a vast library located in the village, which features a roaring fireplace and plenty of cozy nooks.

Cozy: In the Hot Springs village, there are a total of 13 charming log cabins, which feature a plethora of rustic inspired decor and warm tones

Lounging: Within the cabins and throughout the village there are plenty of places to relax

Breakfast: The size of dining areas range from cabin to cabin

Visitors are easily drawn to the 'life-worn saloon,' which has a fully functioning bar set-up and a large dining room where the chef prepares 'food of startling quality.'

For those wanting to blow off some steam, there are billiard tables located inside the saloon.

In order to achieve maximum tranquility, guests are encouraged to venture to the property's bathhouse, which is tucked inside a gorgeous cabin.

Get your read on: There is a vast library located in the village, which features a roaring fireplace and plenty of cozy nooks

Bathhouse: In order to achieve maximum tranquility, guests are encouraged to venture to the property's bathhouse.

While lounging in the hot springs, guest can look out at picturesque ghost town from the floor-to-ceiling.

Even with the trip to the Dominican Republic and their Colorado 'glamping' getaway, the state of Kim and Kanye's marriage remains unknown.

'Kim is focused on healing her relationship with Kanye and has been busy taking care of their kids and him,' shared an Us Weekly insider Thursday.

Saloon: Visitors are easily drawn to the 'life-worn saloon'

Fill 'er up: The saloon, as its name suggests, has a fully functioning bar set-up

Dine: There is also a large dining area complete with rustic furnishings and light fixtures

'She has been helping and supporting him a ton while hes been struggling with his mental health and wants him to know and feel that she is there for him through thick and thin,' the source explained to the magazine.

'The quarantine has been hard on Kanye and, in turn, has been difficult for her too. Their marriage definitely faced some hardships and was just hanging on with Kanye not being able to fully be present for their family, but ultimately Kim wants to keep everyone together and work things out for their kids.'

Kim and Kanye wed in 2014, during a ceremony held in Florence, Italy.

Unknown: Even with the trip to the Dominican Republic and their Colorado 'glamping' getaway, the state of Kim and Kanye's marriage remains unknown

'They had a good family week in the Dominican Republic,' an insider dished to People magazine over this past weekend.

'Kim and Kanye are getting along. They both seem much happier,' continued the insider on August 9, the day the family arrived in Miami.

A source shed light on Kim's state of mind: 'Between the kids, work, and dealing with Kanye's bipolar episodes, it's been hard for her to think clearly.'

Focused: 'Kim is focused on healing her relationship with Kanye and has been busy taking care of their kids and him,' shared an Us Weekly insider Thursday; Kim pictured on Instagram on August 13

Kanye praised Kim's mother Kris Jenner on Twitter this Tuesday just weeks after denouncing her on Twitter as 'Kris Jong-Un.'

'My mother in law Kris Jenner ... makes the best music playlist,' wrote Kanye, who slammed her multiple times on Twitter last month.

During the Caribbean trip a The Sun insider said Kim 'offered to fully support a 2024 run for president if he got help and listened to the political consultants they hired.'

However the source also claimed that he refuses to budge from the idea of running this year, saying: 'Kanye seems set on what he calls "God's plan" - that he becomes president. He's saying it's a higher calling.'
After Israel and UAE announced normalisation of diplomatic relations, the two Middle East countries have now taken the next step towards strengthening their bilateral ties with corporate deals. According to reports, firms from Israel and the UAE have recently signed a deal to partner on COVID-19 research and testing.

Read: Iran's Army Chief Says Tehran's Approach To UAE Will Change After Deal With Israel

The next step for the two countries

As per reports, the agreement was signed between UAE Apex National Investment company and Israel's TeraGroup. Both companies signed a strategic commercial agreement regarding COVID-19 research and virus testing.

This deal between the two firms is the first of its kind after the two nations announced the move to normalise their diplomatic relations and is a stepping stone towards further partnerships in the realm of trade and economy.

Read: Israel Shuts Gaza Fishing Zone After Overnight Fighting

According to reports, the COVID-19 research deal was signed in Abu Dhabi during a press conference and comes just days after the countries announced that they had reached an agreement on diplomatic ties with the help of the United States.

The foreign Ministers of both countries recently opened a dialogue with each other on August 16. Israel's Gabi Ashkenazi after the call is reported to have stated that he and his UAE counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed had agreed to meet in-person soon in order to sign agreements pertaining to investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications and other issues. The United Arab Emirates has now become the third country in the Middle East to establish diplomatic relation with Israel, after Egypt and Jordan.

Read: Telephone Service Begins Between UAE And Israel As Ties Open

Read: Mauritania Supports Deal Between UAE And Israel To Improve Relations
RTHK: Belarus leader says Putin to help as pressure builds

Vladimir Putin has offered to help ensure Belarus's security, according to its president Alexander Lukashenko, as pressure builds on the strongman leader and opposition protesters prepare for a show of force Sunday.

Thousands demonstrated in the capital Minsk Saturday after main election challenger Svetlana Tikhanovskaya asked supporters to rally over the weekend and keep alive a movement that poses the biggest challenge to Lukashenko's hold over the ex-Soviet country.

Many gathered at the spot where Alexander Taraikovsky, 34, died on Monday during protests against an election the opposition says was rigged to give Lukashenko another term in office.

Demonstrators heaped flowers at the spot and the crowd chanted "Thank you!" and raised victory signs. Police kept a low profile.

Many held up photographs of protesters beaten during the crackdown, while one man stood in his underwear revealing the purple bruises on his thighs, buttocks and back.

Later thousands protested outside the Belarusian state television centre, complaining that their broadcasts backed Lukashenko and gave a skewed picture of the protests.

Around 100 staff came out of the building to join the crowd, and said they planned a strike on Monday.

"Like everyone we are demanding free elections and the release of those detained at mass protests," said one employee, Andrei Yaroshevich.

Riot police later arrived at the centre and blocked off the entrance to the building.

The opposition is planning a major show of force on Sunday with a "March for Freedom" through the streets of central Minsk.

Facing the biggest challenge to his rule since taking power in 1994, Lukashenko called in Moscow's help and spoke on the phone with Putin Saturday, after warning there was "a threat not only to Belarus".

He later told military chiefs that Putin had offered "comprehensive help" to "ensure the security of Belarus".

The Kremlin said the leaders agreed the "problems" in Belarus would be "resolved soon" and the countries' ties strengthened.

While Lukashenko periodically plays Moscow off against the neighbouring EU, Russia is Belarus's closest ally and the countries have formed a "union state" linking their economies and militaries. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2020-08-16. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who has led his partys relentless attack on the government over the border stand-off with China, hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue on Sunday once again.

Everybody believes in the capability and valour of the Indian army. Except the PM: Whose cowardice allowed China to take our land, Gandhi tweeted.

Gandhi and the Congress have been critical of the government over the handling of the situation on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China after 20 Indian Army soldiers, including an officer, were killed on June 15 by the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) in Ladakhs Galwan Valley. He and his party have been questioning the government over its claim that China did not occupy or intrude into India.

Congress had criticised PM Modi for not naming China in his Independence Day speech on Saturday, asking the government to tell people how it proposes to push back Chinese forces occupying Indian territory.

We all are proud of our armed, paramilitary and police forces. We 1.3 billion Indians and all Congress workers are proud of them. Whenever there has been an attack on us, they have given a befitting reply to the attackers, Congress chief spokesperson, Randeep Singh Surjewala, told reporters after the flag hoisting ceremony at the party headquarters.

But we must also think why our rulers are scared of taking Chinas name. Today, on the Independence Day, when China has occupied our territory, every Indian should ask the government how it proposes to push the Chinese forces back and protect our territorial integrity. Why are those who are sitting in power scared of mentioning Chinas name? he asked.

Surjewalas comments came after the Prime Minister, in his Independence Day speech, delivered a sharp message to China and Pakistan, declaring that the armed forces deployed along the borders with the two countries have given a fitting reply to those who sought to challenge Indias sovereignty. However, he did not name the two countries.

On Friday, Gandhi had claimed that the country will have to pay a huge price.

GOI is scared to face up to Chinese intentions in Ladakh. Evidence on the ground indicates that China is preparing and positioning itself. PMs personal lack of courage and the medias silence will result in India paying a huge price, he had tweeted.
O le Gunnar Solskjaer has told Manchester United they must spend as negotiations for Jadon Sancho continue.

The Norwegian has told Ed Woodward he wants the players to turn his team into Premier League title contenders next season.

Sancho is his primary target  but he wants to strengthen in midfield and defence to build on their third place finish in his first full campaign.

Ahead of Sundays Europa League semi final against Sevilla, he warned United will go backwards if they dont invest.

Its a race, said Solskjaer. You can see teams building. Were always looking at the squad and player logistics.

Manchester United via Getty Images

It is definitely about quality  and it is going to cost money to get in players who are better than the ones we already have.

We still have a way to go to get to the level of the teams at the top of the Premier League. They are too far ahead of us.

We are still growing, getting better of course, but we are not the finished article. Nowhere near.

Solskjaer has made giant strides this term, securing a return to the Champions League and reaching three semi finals.

He believes Sancho can be a superstar at Old Trafford and the clubs iconic No7 shirt is waiting for the winger.

But United remain locked in negotiations, with Borussia Dortmunds 108million valuation a major sticking point, along with the players wages and agent fees.

In Pictures | Jadon Sancho training with Dortmund | 10/08/2020 1 /9 In Pictures | Jadon Sancho training with Dortmund | 10/08/2020 Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images

Jack Grealish and Donny van de Beek are among other targets on Solskjaers radar, while they have also been linked with defender Gabriel Magalhaes.

Solskjaer believes United will need greater strength in depth to mount a genuine title challenge at the same time as competing in the Champions League.

But he also wants to instil a winning mentality into his side by triumphing in the Europa League.

We want to go as far as we possibly can in this tournament, he added. I think we all realise we are in a special moment in history.

In Pictures | Man United train ahead of Europa League semi-final 1 /32 In Pictures | Man United train ahead of Europa League semi-final Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images

We still have a way to go to get to the level of the teams at the top of the Premier League. They are too far ahead of us.

We are still growing, getting better of course, but we are not the finished article. Nowhere near.

We want to go as far as we possibly can in this tournament. I think we all realise we are in a special moment in history.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has congratulated President of Indonesia Joko Widodo.

"Dear Mr President,

I convey my most heartfelt congratulations on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan to you and through you to the friendly people of Indonesia on the occasion your countrys national holiday  the Independence Day," Azerbaijani president said.

"It is gratifying to see the current level of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Indonesia and the ties within international institutions, and particularly in the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Non-Aligned Movement," the head of state wrote.

"I wish to note that the people of Azerbaijan stands in solidarity with the people of Indonesia in the fight of COVID-19 pandemic faced by the mankind," Azerbaijani president wrote.

"On this remarkable day, I wish you strong health, happiness and everlasting prosperity to the friendly Republic of Indonesia," Azerbaijani president said.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
When I heard that Beirut's blast was a result of negligence, the first thought that crossed my mind was, "How will Iran and Hezballah account for Allah allowing such a disaster to happen to devotees of jihad?"

After all, both are nominal theocracies and therefore see theological underpinnings in everything -- yet, theologically speaking, the Beirut blast put them into an utterly untenable position. Iran sees itself as a God-obeying country, as does its satellite Lebanon, controlled by Iran-minded Hezballah. So how to explain that God permitted the Beirut disaster to happen?

This is a problem known in the West as Theodicy, or "justification of God." In a nutshell, it attempts to reconcile two seemingly irreconcilable facts -- that God is both good and all-mighty on one hand, and there is evil in the world on the other.

At first, there was silence from the ayatollahs -- I dare say, stunned silence. Yet, ten days later, they did make a shot at theodicy -- in the form of a speech by Hezballah's spiritual leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Caught in a theologically tight place, Nasrallah used a two-pronged argument. Firstly, it was likely Israel's attack rather than negligence of Lebanon's pro-Iranian overlords that caused the blast. So, God and, by extension, Iran and Hezballah are off the hook. The problem of theodicy does not even arise -- as always, its all Israel's (and therefore, Satan's) fault.

Secondly, the blast could have been far worse than it actually was -- because God intervened and prevented it from being too bad (I kid you not: "by God's mercy the explosion was less destructive than it could have been"). The blast is not a disaster, but a blessing; rather than being angry at Him and Hezballah, one should be grateful. Hezbullah's connections in the ultimate high place made the blast much more tolerable. In fact, the blast is the cause for joy at God's mercy rather than a reason to suspect that He is not entirely behind Hezballah and Iran.

As Mark Twain observed, "I would rather tell seven lies than make one explanation." For Nasrallah, honestly "explaining" the Beirut blast is impossible; so not surprisingly, he follows Mark Twain -- to a fault.

Phto credit: YouTube screen grab (cropped)
Hero missionary doctor celebrates 20 years in Africa, continues serving hundreds each day Ceasefire in Sudan leads more patients to seek care at Christian hospital

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Its been nearly 20 years since award-winning American Catholic missionary Dr. Tom Catena arrived in Africa. Next month, Catena will complete his second decade of service as he has become one of the continents most important people.

Catena, a 55-year-old native of upstate New York, is the only surgeon serving 1.3 million people in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan, a region hit hard by government bombings against rebel-controlled communities.

The Duke University graduate and former U.S. Navy doctor told The Christian Post in an interview that he originally traveled to Kenya in the early 2000s and only planned to stay for one year.

But one year turned into two, and two turned into three, and before he knew it, he found himself being called in 2008 to help open and run a new hospital in a war-torn region of Sudan in desperate need of help as they faced genocidal violence and starvation.

Once I came here, I just kind of stuck, Catena said. It was difficult and challenging. But even in the worst of times here, there is no place else Id rather be.

Even when things are really bad and the fighting is serious and [were] in fear of being killed or have problems with the staff or logistics, I really feel like I want to stay here, he said.

Catena has all the reasons to stay now as he got married three-and-a-half years ago. Additionally, he and his wife, a local from East Nuba, are in the process of adopting a 1-and-a-half-year-old boy from South Sudan and are expecting his arrival any day now.

I am more or less here to stay, Catena told CP.

Catena's days begin at 6 a.m. and he attends mass before he goes to work at The Gidel Mother of Mercy Hospital supported by African Mission Healthcare.

The hospital has over 435 beds and also supports six clinics throughout the Nuba Mountains.

The hospital, Catena said, sees about 200 to 500 patients per day depending on the time of year and whether fighting is ongoing or not.

There is a wide range of emergencies that we see, he said.

Everything comes here. Everything from tropical illness to malaria and pneumonia and diarrhea to Tuberculosis, leprosy, all manner of cancers, surgical problems.

Although the hospital itself was targeted directly by bombing raids in 2014, there hasnt been much active fighting in the rebel-controlled area for the last few years. While fighting escalated in 2011 following a breach in a former ceasefire, Catena said there has been a new ceasefire in place since October as negotiations with South Sudan are ongoing.

As a result, Catena said the hospital is seeing an increase in patients who are coming over from the government-controlled areas.

Since the ceasefire was signed in October, it has gotten much busier because people that were on the government-controlled area can cross over into our territory and access our hospital, he said. During the previous eight years in the civil war, they could not cross over to us and seek care.

Being the only surgeon in a region with over 1 million people suffering from various illnesses or injuries, Catena shared the secret to managing his time with hundreds of patients to see and surgeries to perform.

A lot of it is just trying to see who is really in the worst shape and focus on that person or people and work backward from there, Catena said. In terms of time management, it's a lot of trying to cut corners when we can and keep things moving forward.

Most of the work can be done by nurses. If it's a wound that needs to be dressed, I dont dwell on that patient and just try to keep moving to the next one, he continued.

The secret really is to just keep moving forward. You meet with each patient one at a time, but you really try to get the nuts and bolts of the problem and try to just keep moving forward to the next person. Otherwise, there is just no way to get through to see everybody.

Catena said even though he tries to be in bed by 10 p.m. each night, he's always on call for any surgical emergencies that arise.

Since the hospital has an operating budget of about $1 million a year, Catena will return to the United States in April and stay for just over a month to take part in the already-launched fundraising campaign Nuba2020.

The campaign, run by African Missions Healthcare, seeks to raise money to help keep The Gidel Mother of Mercy Hospital running.

We charge patients a very small fee. It is maybe 20 cents per visit. It cant come close to covering the costs of running the hospital, Catena stressed. We have to raise almost all that money from individual donors. The goal for the fundraising campaign is raising running costs for a few years to give us a little bit of breathing room. We cant raise money every year and just barely scrape by. We have to have a little bit of cushion to make sure that we can go along for 10, 20, 30 years.

Part of the goal of the campaign is to raise money to start a school to train nurses, midwives and clinical officers, Catena said.

There are very few healthcare professionals in the Nuba Mountains, Catena explained. I mean, maybe eight or nine clinical officers in all of the Nuba Mountains. There are maybe 30 trained nurses and three trained midwives. We really need to increase this number of trained health personnel.

Catena said they would ideally like to expand the number of clinics that the hospital sponsors in the Nuba Mountains from six to 10 or more.

I can guarantee anybody that wants to support us that whatever they give will go directly to the work here in the Nuba Mountains, he said. There is no other agenda or anything else going on.

After 20 years in Africa, Catena did not rule out the possibility that he could one day return to the United States to work if the opportunity is right. He said he doesnt want to return to the U.S. to continue his family practice but did express interest in one-day teaching in a universitys global health program.

When asked if hed ever return to the U.S. permanently, he replied, Maybe when I get older and this life is too tiresome. It takes a lot of energy to work here. Maybe I would be looking at something where I am not so actively involved with patient care all day, every day. Maybe in the future, but it depends on the family and other things.

In 2016, Catena was the focus of the documentary Heart of Nuba. And in 2017, he won the prestigious Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity.

Those wishing to donate to the Nuba2020 Campaign can do so by clicking here.
&Ever Middle East, a joint venture between Kuwaits NOX Management and German company &ever, in partnership with German engineering companies SAP and Viessmann, has opened the first commercial indoor vertical farm in the Middle East.

Kuwait, a country that previously relied on European and overseas imports for most of their leafy greens and herbs, can now locally grow up to 250 varieties of greens and herbs using dryponics technology.

The facility, with approximately 3,000 sq m growing (or faming) space, has a daily output capacity of up to 550 kg of salad, herbs, and cresses. The products are available in all leading retailers and co-operatives under the brand name &ever Kuwait.

The farm produces high-quality and sustainable crops indoors, which increase the nutritional quality and decrease environmental impact. The cutting-edge vertical farming method uses 90 percent less water compared to traditional farming, 60 percent less fertilizer, and zero pesticides. Using a sustainable farm to fork model, the technology is able to preserve the plants nutritional value until the produce reaches the customer, said the statement.

Previously, Kuwaits restaurants imported all of our greens and herbs, mainly from Europe, said Faisal AlMeshal, Director of Strategy and Business Development, NOX Management. Our JV with &ever and the partnership with SAP and Viessmann on this indoor farm is enabling the local farming supply chain to save on costs and logistics, to minimise waste, and to make a better choice for the planet. Our customers have enhanced experiences with tastier and fresher produce.

This knowledge exchange complements Germany and Kuwaits trade ties. Bilateral trade is 1.3 billion, and Germanys private sector invests 14.6 billion in Kuwait, according to Germanys Federal Foreign Office.

Germany and Kuwait are strong partners not only in politics but also in business, said Stefan Mobs, German Ambassador to Kuwait, who recently participated in a virtual media roundtable about the farms success hosted by the German Business Council Kuwait.

I welcome the innovative business idea of German company &ever specifically here in Kuwait. Both countries are seeking new ways in difficult times. Even better to work together!

Climatised rooms

The farm has partnered with Viessmann Refrigeration Solutions to develop highly efficient climatised rooms which are used in its indoor vertical farm. The technology is 40% more energy-efficient than other indoor vertical farming systems when it comes to energy use for climatization, said the statement.

&ever built its operating system, &ever Cloud, using the SAP Business Technology Platform -- SAP HANA in-memory platform and SAP Cloud Platform. Farmers can monitor, analyze, and adjust hundreds of data points on plant health, airflow, light, carbon dioxide levels, humidity, and temperature in real-time.

Technology is the foundation for transforming customer experiences in restaurants and agricultural production in Kuwait, and for fostering diversified economic growth and sustainable agriculture worldwide, said Andy Froemmel, Managing Director, SAP Kuwait. Digitally transforming Kuwaits agricultural sector supports New Kuwait 2035 goals, and helps to foster the local innovation economy and job creation.

&ever is ready for global roll-out

Building on the global deployment capabilities of its key partners, &ever will scale its operations quickly and globally. Our vision is to bring better tasting greens with high nutritional value to more and more people, says Mark Korzilius, Founder of &ever. We have an interesting pipeline of opportunities around the globe, adds Dr Henner Schwarz, CEO of &ever. We hope to be able to travel internationally again soon to get our next farms live as quickly as possible.

The German Business Council Kuwait is a non-profit organization and business platform, founded in 2005, in order to promote and cultivate relations between German speaking individuals and companies with their counterparts from the host country and the region. - TradeArabia News Service
Romania's areas with the highest coronavirus caseloads are Bucharest City - with 8,479 cases, Suceava County - with 4,915, Arges County - with 4,508, Brasov County - with 3,932 cases, and Prahova County - with 3,153, the Strategic Communication Group (GCS) informs on Sunday.

The counties with over 2,000 illnesses are Bacau, Dambovita, Galati, Iasi and Vrancea.With 154 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases, Bucharest City tops Romania's ranking by the rise in the number of illnesses since the last report, followed by the counties of Prahova (96), Arges (58), Valcea (53), and Brasov (51), the GCS said.
Even as the coronavirus rages around the country, there are continuing signs that Connecticut is in a much better place than it was a few months ago. Cases are down. Deaths have declined dramatically. By some metrics, were in position to return to something resembling our former reality, before the pandemic hit, even as we stick to wearing masks and maintaining social distance guidelines.

That this coincides with the looming start of a new school year had many thinking that we could cautiously proceed with a regular September, plus or minus some COVID-related realities. Gov. Ned Lamont has encouraged schools to open five days a week for full-time learning, and parents of young children had been hoping for many reasons to see that become a reality.

Few like the idea of a resumption of the springs distance learning. It makes everything about the process harder, especially for children on the cusp of falling behind. Teachers are out of their element, and parents are forced to change their schedules to stay at home and supervise when they might otherwise be at work. The economic challenge is severe, but so are the social and educational drawbacks.

But the dangers of the virus are real, too. And even with Connecticuts relatively good position, a growing number of school districts are now opting for a hybrid model to start the year, where children are in school part of the time and learning from home the rest. The specifics vary by town, and there remain serious drawbacks to this approach. But its an understandable reaction to a fluid situation, and everyone involved needs to show some patience.

A hybrid plan would have only half the number of students in a classroom at any time. That would allow for legitimate social distancing and reduce exposure to more people. Unlike a full-time distance-learning plan, it would allow children to get to know their new teachers in person, at least for a time, and experience something like a normal school day. And while its far from perfect for parents, it offers a bit of a break for families that may have spent most of the last five months quarantined in close quarters.

Still, frustration has been high. The scheduling challenges are serious, and not all parents can handle the new reality without help. Any child care contingency plans that increase exposure to more people would seem to defeat the purpose of limiting classrooms to small groups.

Unfortunately, there is no perfect answer. The virus is still out there, and teachers, faculty, parents and even students are at risk. We can all wish the nation did a better job investing in public health measures and taking the risks seriously from the outset, and we can make sure we plan better for the next inevitable crisis. But this is where we are now.

And plans can change. If districts current plans, hybrid or otherwise, dont work out, they can be rethought as the year goes on. Full-time school could still happen in most towns. Everyone, from the governor on down, needs to display some patience as the world feels its way through this new reality.
Two police forces have been slammed after they refusing job applications from candidates who believe people cannot change biological sex.

A woman who enquired about a role at Norfolk Constabulary was told the job would not be suitable for her because of her 'gender critical' views.

Her application to another force in the southeast was unsuccessful after she made it clear she does not believe a person can physically transition to the opposite sex.

She was told her views would likely fail the behavioural competency test and her views did not constitute 'the behaviours expected' of a member of the force.

Two police forces in Norfolk Constabulary have been slammed after they refusing job applications from candidates who believe people cannot change biological sex [File photo]

Campaigners have criticised the police for deciding 'which views are acceptable and which views are not', reported The Telegraph.

It comes as a police officer of 16 years in her 30s anonymously emailed 26 forces that were advertising for future constables asking whether her 'gender critical' views would be a hindrance to her application.

She wrote: 'I must point out that I am gender critical, which means that whilst I am firmly against abuse and discrimination to trans people, I do not believe you can change your biological sex.'

Of the 14 forces that responded, two suggested her application to a constable job would be unsuccessful, including one from her own employer in the southeast.

A police officer of 16 years in her 30s anonymously emailed 26 forces that were advertising for future constables asking whether her 'gender critical' views would be a hindrance to her application [File photo]

She responded: 'I'm monumentally outraged that you couldn't get a job doing what I do, and that my own job is in danger, because of what I believe  which is a belief that I think most people in this country hold.'

In response to Norfolk Police advising her views could not be upheld in the force, she said it would not mean that she would act with intolerance or abuse towards transgender people.

She suggested she knew several people who held gender critical views in the force and asked if their jobs would be safe hypothetically.

A recruitment adviser asked her to provide details of gender critical officers so they could be investigated.

Hertfordshire police called for public help after a victim was left traumatised by a late-night assault in Bishops Stortford in December [File photo]

Trans campaigner Debbie Hayton said the police 'are there to uphold the law, not to decide which views are acceptable and which views are not'.

Norfolk Police said: 'Our objective as a police force is to always ensure our officers and staff continue to police in a way that builds trust and confidence by providing a service that is inclusive and unbiased for all.'

It comes after Hertfordshire Police were criticised for putting political correctness ahead of public safety after issuing an appeal for witnesses following a sex attack.

The force failed to mention that the wanted man was wearing womens clothing in the attack in Bishops Stortford in December.

Former police officer Harry Miller of the Fair Cop group, which combats police interference in free speech, said the force had displayed favouritism towards one community and fear of the trans lobby group.
A screenshot from Google Street View

SINGAPORE  A 25-year-old woman was charged in court on Friday (14 August) with allowing a man into her house to study during the circuit breaker period. Meanwhile, a warrant of arrest was issued for the man, who failed to show up in court.

Mika She Yuan Wei, a Malaysian, is accused of allowing Chiew Chin Wooi, also 25, into her residence at Edgedale Plains, on 8 and 9 May, to study and take an examination. She is said to have done so between 8.40am and 4.50pm on 8 May, and 9.35am and 4.40pm on 9 May.

She faces two charges of allowing a person who does not live in the same residence into her flat for this alleged breach.

After allegedly allowing Chiew into her house on the second day, She purportedly met another person, an Ang Hui Shian, at Punggol Waterway Point. She is said to have met Ang between 4.45pm and 6pm to pass her a birthday gift.

She was charged for meeting a person outside of her residence in relation to this alleged meeting. It is unclear if Ang had been dealt with for involvement in the incident.

Shes plead guilty mention has been fixed for 24 September.

Man did not return to Singapore

During Shes arraignment on Friday, a Ministry of Health prosecutor told the court that the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said that Chiew has not returned to Singapore. His whereabouts were not revealed in court.

District Judge Adam Nakhoda then issued a warrant of arrest for Chiew.

Chiew was expected to be charged with three counts under the Infectious Diseases Act and three counts under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.

These are related to leaving his residence, not wearing a mask while outside of his residence, and possibly exposing others to the risk of contracting the disease.

If convicted of any circuit breaker breach, She will face up to six months in jail or a maximum fine of $10,000.

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore

Story continues

Other Singapore stories:

Man charged for posting online threats on judge who nixed repeal of Section 377A

EPL files police complaint after tracking online abuse of Brighton player to a person in Singapore

COVID-19: Singapore and Japan in talks to finalise limited business travel by September
Islamabad, Aug 16 : Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed its Paris operations under an alternative arrangement, it was reported on Sunday.

On Saturday, a flight carrying 260 passengers left the French capital for Islamabad, a month and half after the European Union Air Safety Agency (EASA) had suspended the national carrier's authorisation to operate in its member states for six months, The Express Tribune reported.

The plane also has 2.5 tonnes of cargo on board.

The pakistani flag carrier has made alternative arrangements to resume its operations in European countries through special charter flights.

Following the EASA's move, the UK Civil Aviation Authority also withdrew PIA's permit to operate from of its airports in Birmingham, London and Manchester.

Later, the US also imposed a ban on flights of the national flag carrier for six months citing dubious licences.

The national carrier has reached an agreement with a Portuguese airliner to resume UK flights.

The Portuguese airliner will operate an Airbus A330 with a capacity of more than 300 seats for the PIA.

According to Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar, the government is utilising all technical and diplomatic means to lift the ban and the PIA would restore its normal flight operations in two months.

The European air safety regulator had imposed the ban in the wake of the grounding of 262 Pakistani pilots whose licences were termed "dubious" by the aviation minister.

The European regulator recently rejected PIA's appeal and decided to maintain the ban on its flights till December 31 Sarwar said the government would file another appeal against the decision on August 31.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Airlines Pilots Association (PALPA), the union for PIA's pilots, had alleged that the announcement of the "dubious" licence holders was a planned government move against the pilots to cut their headcount, reports The Express Tribune.

"The malicious efforts of some at the helm of affairs with a mindset to cut the pilots down to size have resulted in PIA being reduced to an airline on paper," the union said in statement.

It also rejected the government's list of pilots with licences deemed dubious, and pointed out that it was full of discrepancies, demanding a judicial investigation.

The 262 pilots - 109 commercial and 153 airline transport pilots - were grounded on June 26, pending conclusion of inquiries against them.
Take masks. Questions included: Do all students wear masks? For how long each day? If we give them mask breaks, how many is safe and where can it be done? What do we do about students who cannot wear a mask because it is developmentally inappropriate or they have a health condition? By what process must a family go to seek a mask waiver and permission to use another face covering? Who in the school system decides? What kind of masks should we order for teachers and staff? Can we get enough of what we need?
Interior minister Patel says migrants see France as racist, Mail reports FILE PHOTO: Britain's Home Secretary, Priti Patel, speaks to the media in Reading

LONDON (Reuters) - The British minister in charge of security and immigration told fellow lawmakers that migrants crossed the channel to Britain because they believe France is a "racist country", media reports said on Sunday.

Home Office minister Priti Patel made the comments in a conference call with lawmakers after a rise in the number of people travelling from France to Britain in small inflatable dinghies, reports in several of Britain's newspapers said.

The Mail on Sunday quoted a government source as saying that Patel made clear the views were those of migrants and not her own.

The French government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Asked for a response to her comments, the Home Office said on Sunday that Patel was frustrated by the increasing number of boats crossing the Channel and was working to have legislation ready once Britain has left the transition period from the European Union at the end of this year.

Britain and France have agreed to work together to close down the migrant route after hundreds of people, including some children, made the crossing from makeshift camps in northern France across one of the world's busiest shipping routes.

Britain had indicated it would be willing to pay if the two countries could come up with a shared plan to work together.

(Reporting by Kate Holton; Additional reporting by Gus Trompiz in Paris; Editing by Alison Williams)
The United States will pay the price if it acts against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the official representative of the Turkish leader, Ibrahim Kalin, wrote on Twitter. Thus, he commented on the statement made in December 2019 by the US presidential candidate, Joseph Biden. The former vice president expressed concern about the approach of the current American administration to Erdogan.

In December 2020, Biden held a meeting with the editors of The New York Times, but a video recording of the meeting gained immense popularity on the Turkish segment of Twitter on August 15. "What I think we should be doing is taking a very different approach to him [Erdogan] now, making it clear that we support opposition leadership," added the former US vice president.
This is not the kind of lesson any Canadian university should be teaching today.

Carleton Universitys criminology department announced last week that starting in the 2021-22 academic year it will end all student placement opportunities with police and prison authorities because its convinced they have rotten institutional structures seething with racism.

What an anti-intellectual, pedagogically-stunned decision. It illustrates perfectly the damage that can be done when an obsessive ideology triumphs over common sense and the common good. Its contrary to the interests of Carletons criminology students. Moreover, it does a profound disservice to Canadian society. In these fraught days of entirely justified anti-racism protests, this country could benefit from university graduates equipped with the experience thats needed to reform police and correctional services.

But gosh: were sure the professorial cadre running Carletons Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice are pleased with themselves as they march around campus. Many observers outside their ivory tower, however, will be troubled.

In its pitch to attract new enrolment, the criminology departments website informs prospective students about the glorious job prospects theyd enjoy after graduation. The first thing the website says is that employment possibilities in criminal justice are found traditionally in law enforcement, probation, parole and correctional services.

To which we can only reply: Huh? Isnt that precisely what the criminology department is now actively working against  having its graduates become police or work in prisons?

Such illogic leads to another question: why wouldnt the people running Carletons criminology department want their socially enlightened graduates to score jobs in policing and the correctional system? After all, that would be the best way to overhaul the public agencies and institutions Carletons criminology profs maintain are in such need of change. And even if no Carleton criminology grad should ever deign to soil his or her hands with a police or prison-services job, certainly having direct knowledge of how they work would be beneficial if the grads became social workers, counsellors or involved in law reform.

Whatever their noble intentions, the people running the criminology department will make it harder for their students to find meaningful employment and effect meaningful societal change. Perhaps doctrinal purity is all that matters to them. But if they possess inquiring minds, they should re-examine the dubious defence of their actions.

In explaining themselves, the Carleton criminologists wrote that race-based violence committed by police and other institutions is not merely the result of a few bad apples  but the result of rotten institutional structures and social formations rooted in racism and colonialism. Thats why they want such institutions to be off-limits to students.

This newspaper agrees that systemic racism does exist in many of the nations police departments and, sadly, many other public institutions. We disagree that its their defining characteristic or renders them illegitimate. There may be institutional racism in our health-care system, too. But a medical school would be wrong to bar its students from working in a hospital.

There are growing public concerns that large segments of Canadas university community are divorced from reality and have lost their sense of necessary balance. Whatever else theyve accomplished, Carletons criminologists have proven such worries are well-founded. Thats quite a lesson, but surely unintended.
Inaccuracies with Victoria's new speed cameras may have resulted in motorists across the state being fined incorrectly, with more than 200,000 incidents under review.

The T-Series mobile cameras, which can detect speed across six lanes and book multiple drivers at once, are being reviewed by the road safety camera commissioner after camera operators reported major problems with the high-tech devices.

The T-Series Mobile in-vehicle camera detects speed across six lines. Credit:Sensys Gatso Group

Camera operators, who say they were not adequately trained to control the cameras, are set to vote for industrial action over a pay dispute with private contractor Serco.

The operators could turn on the hazard lights of mobile speed camera vehicles to alert the public to their presence and place signs on the roadside to mark their locations if they proceed with industrial action.
The Virginia Association of School Nurses (VASN) welcomes Governor Northams plan to re-open schools and we look forward to seeing our students returning to school.

However, some school districts in Virginia do not employ a single school nurse. In fact, unlike more than half of the states in our great nation, Virginia still does not have legislation requiring the hiring of school nurses.

Though the current pandemic has certainly magnified the necessity for school nurses, we know that this is not a new situation. Did you know that it was a school nurse who first identified the H1N1 virus in 2009? Professional school nurses are the only staff that can provide surveillance via screening, assessing, and referring students/staff with possible COVID-19 symptoms.

Skilled registered nurses in schools can provide health assessments that go well beyond the capabilities of an unlicensed staff member. School nurses are administrators who manage the health needs of our school communities and assist other employees to manage medication administration, health care delivery, and so much more. School nurses also help to ensure appropriate supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), proper spacing and health-focused cleanliness, and recommended strategies for virus containment.

To ensure Virginia is truly prepared for these re-openings, the VASN recommends that a registered school nurse (RN) be employed in all schools throughout the Commonwealth. We make this strong recommendation following extensive discussions with state leadership, guidance from public health experts, and recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the National Association of School Nurses.

We are calling on all parents, citizens, PTAs, and administrators to join us by contacting the Virginia Board of Education and your local school board to demand this commonsense correction to a long overdue oversight. We are also asking for Virginia residents to urge their state representatives to lend their support to Sen. Jennifer Kiggans SB 5004, which requires each local school board to employ at least one full-time school nurse position in each K-12 school in Virginia.

Your kids deserve it.

GINA A. BELLAMY

President, Virginia Association of School Nurses

RICHMOND
Palestinians protested in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Saturday against the United Arab Emirates after it announced an historic deal with Israel to open up diplomatic relations.

Protesters burned pictures of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Mohammed Dahlan, a former Fatah strongman in Gaza who now resides in the UAE.

"We are objecting to the agreement between the Emirates and Israel, mainly because it is trying to distract the attention from the real problem, the continued Israeli occupation and the system of apartheid against the Palestinian people." said Mustafa Barghouti, member of Palestinian Liberation Organisation executive committee.

"It supports Netanyahu and his plans to annex big parts of the West Bank and destroy the potential for two state solution and for peace in this region," he added.

The agreement would see the UAE and Israel establishing diplomatic relations in exchange for Israel suspending its proposed annexation of the West Bank.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the annexation plan was on temporary hold, appearing to contradict statements from Emirati officials who said it was off the table.
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California was hit by more blackouts on Saturday as a heat wave baking the state in triple-digit temperatures continued to strain the electrical system.

Power is being brought back to 220,000 customers across the state after a brief outage, according to the authority that operates the power grid.

The California Independent System Operator (California ISO) said in a statement that the brief rolling blackouts throughout the state were caused by the failure of a power plant and the loss of wind power.

California ISO said it ordered the end of rolling blackouts about 6.48pm, when wind power increased.

California was hit by more blackouts on Saturday as a heat wave baking the state in triple-digit temperatures continued to strain the electrical system

Power is being brought back to 220,000 customers across the state after a brief outage, according to the authority that operates the power grid

California ISO ordered the first rolling outages in nearly 20 years on Friday when it directed utilities around the state to shed their power loads.

The states three biggest utilities - Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric - turned off power to more than 410,000 homes and businesses for about an hour at a time until the emergency declaration ended 3 1/2 hours later.

The move came as temperatures around the state hit triple digits in many areas, and air conditioning use soared.

The power grid is mostly stressed during the late afternoon and early evening because of higher demand and solar energy production falling.

The state tried to prepare for the expected rise in electricity use by urging conservation and trying to buy more power. But a high-pressure system building over Western states meant there was less available.

A power outage caused a pump to fail at a wastewater treatment plant in Oakland, resulting in a sewer backup and the release of some 50,000 gallons of raw sewage into a waterway, the East Bay Municipal Utility District said.

People flocked to Windansea Beach in La Jolla during a record-setting heat wave that has covered much of the southwestern United States

Coastal cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles sweltered in 86 and 98 degrees, respectively

The district said the outage began around 5pm Friday, more than an hour before the rolling outages occurred, and sewage began to spill early Saturday.

The agency said the sudden outage affected its ability to connect to backup power at the plant and during that time, workers were dealing with flooding while trying to restore power.

The agency warned boaters to stay away from the Oakland Estuary as it investigates the accident.

The state remained gripped by the heat wave Saturday, with several records either tied or broken, according to the National Weather Service.

The last time the state ordered rolling outages was during an energy crisis in 2001. Blackouts occurred several times from January to May, including one that affected more than 1.5 million customers.

The cause was a combination of energy shortages and market manipulation by energy wholesalers, infamously including Enron Corp., that drove up prices by withholding supplies.

A map of all the fires currently hitting the state and region

Counties up and down the state reported scattered outages, although the city of Los Angeles, which has its own power generating system, wasnt affected.

The heat wave brought brutally high temperatures, increased wildfire danger and fears of coronavirus spread as people flock to beaches and parks for relief.

A thunderstorm rolling from the Central Coast to inland Southern California also brought dry lightning that sparked several small blazes, wind and flash flooding in the high desert.

Records were set in Lake Elsinore, where the mercury hit 114; Riverside at 109 and Gilroy at 108, according to the National Weather Service.

The high in Borrego Springs, in the desert northeast of San Diego, was 118. Coastal cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles sweltered in 86 and 98 degrees, respectively.

Several cities opened cooling centers, but with limited capacity because of social distancing requirements.

San Francisco's Department of Emergency Management issued simultaneous tweets urging residents to prepare for power outages and to protect themselves from the coronavirus during the heat wave.

'Stay home when possible. If it feels too hot indoors, seek cooler temps outside, keep physical distance, wear a face covering,' the department tweeted.

Hundreds of thousands of Californians were plunged into darkness during a heatwave on Friday evening as companies cut power to homes after the state's Independent System Operator declared a Stage 3 energy emergency. The sun is seen setting in Asuza

The blackout was underway Friday as most of the state was issued Stage 3 emergency

LIGHTS OUT: South Pasadena has gone dark after Cal ISO declared a statewide Stage 3 Electrical Emergency, prompting rolling power outages https://t.co/alu4T00hpw pic.twitter.com/yogVInMjmm  CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) August 15, 2020

California's Independent System Operator worried that a high-demand for power would overwhelm the system. Their emergency announcement forced energy companies to shut off power to hundreds of thousands of homes

Cities and towns across the state were affected by the rolling shutoffs. Homes as far north as San Fransciso were plunged into darkness. Meanwhile, residents in San Diego - at the southernmost point of California - also had their power cut

The scorching temperatures are a concern for firefighters battling blazes that have destroyed several homes and erupted near rural and urban foothill neighborhoods, driving through tinder-dry brush.

In addition to the possibility of heat stroke and other hot-weather illnesses, health officers were concerned that people will pack beaches, lakes and other recreation areas without following mask and social distancing orders - a major concern in the state that has seen more than 613,000 coronavirus cases.

Israel saw a COVID-19 resurgence after a May heat wave inspired school officials to let children remove their masks, Dr. George Rutherford, an epidemiologist at the University of California, San Francisco, told the San Francisco Chronicle.

'People will want to take off their masks when its hot,' Rutherford said. 'Dont do it.'

There are also currently 13 wildfires raging across the state, with the hot weather causing catastrophic conditions for firefighters. Pictured: a brush fire in the Lake Hughes area of the Angeles National Forest
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New Roads, LA (70760)

Today

Overcast. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 74F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph..

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Cloudy with periods of rain. Thunder is possible early. Low 38F. SSW winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%.
The Pacific Islander family who sparked a second wave of coronavirus in New Zealand has been inundated with online abuse in recent days as a fresh outbreak of new infections grows.

New Zealand recorded 13 new cases on Sunday, five days after an Auckland family sparked a stage three lockdown across the city by testing positive.

All but one of the 13 latest cases is linked to the one cluster in Auckland, which has grown to 49.

The other was a child in quarantine who arrived from Afghanistan earlier this month.

Pacific health leader Dr Colin Tukuitonga has been regular contact with the family at the centre of the cluster since they tested positive on Tuesday.

The family, consisting of three adults and a young child are now in quarantine at isolation facility, where they're extremely distressed over the vile comments and rumours being posted about them for unwittingly spreading the virus.

Thirteen new cases were recorded in New Zealand on Sunday. Pictured is a woman in downtown Auckland on Saturday night, where the city is under stage three restrictions

There are also rumours a young woman linked the family snuck into a managed isolation facility, which officials have since insist are false.

'It's not easy. The comments on social media have turned nasty,' Dr Tukuitonga told the New Zealand Herald.

'They were shell-shocked that this had happened and they were a little embarrassed that it had happened to them.'

The family were New Zealand's first locally transmitted cases of coronavirus in 102 days.

The cluster was sparked by a frozen storage facility employee who passed the virus onto three family members, which spread into the community.

Dr Colin Tukuitonga (pictured) said the family at the centre of the Auckland outbreak are struggling with the vile comments and abuse targeted at them on social media

New Zealand Health Minister Chris Hipkins issued a stern warning to online trolls targeting the family.

'At a time we are fighting a pandemic, this sort of behaviour is designed to create panic ... and is completely unacceptable,' he told reporters.

'It's clear there are people out there who are pushing it hard and my message to them is stop doing it.'

He urged Kiwis to only obtain information from official sources and to think twice before sharing unverified information

'Please treat the information you are receiving on social media as a rumour,' Ms Hipkins pleaded.

The outbreak in Auckland sparked stage two restrictions across the rest of the country. Pictured are Kiwis social distancing while waiting to enter the Te Papa National Museum in Wellington on Saturday

Of the 69 active cases in New Zealand, 49 are from the community outbreak in Auckland.

The other 20 were detected in managed isolation and quarantine facilities.

Auckland is under stage three lockdown until August 26, where residents can only leave their homes for essential purposes.

The rest of New Zealand will remain under stage two.

More than 63,231 COVID-19 tests have been processed across the last three days, which the minister described as an 'exceptional effort'.

At least 13 coronavirus cases are linked to the Americold frozen storage facility (pictured above), where a worker tested coronavirus positive after falling ill on July 31
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 10:49:16|Editor: huaxia

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WUHAN, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- No new confirmed, asymptomatic or suspected cases of COVID-19 were reported in central China's Hubei Province Saturday, the provincial health commission said Sunday.

The commission said as one asymptomatic case in the city of Yichang was released from quarantine, Hubei had cleared all its asymptomatic cases Saturday.

By Saturday, Hubei had two confirmed imported COVID-19 cases and 114 close contacts under medical observation.

Hubei has reported a total of 68,139 confirmed COVID-19 cases, and 63,625 cases have been cured and discharged from hospitals. The disease has claimed 4,512 lives in the province. Enditem
The advanced Russian Su-30SM fighter jets were overkill, critics said, and much more than the tiny republic of Armenia needed for its defence. But the previous government in Yerevan had committed to purchase up to a dozen from Russia on extremely favourable payment terms, despite maintenance and training costs. The last thing the new government of prime minister Nikol Pashinyan needed was more trouble with the Kremlin, which had been the primary patron of his predecessor.

But the fighter jets took on a whole new significance in April, when Armenias neighbour and arch-rival Azerbaijan also announced its intention to purchase Su-30SM fighter jets, manufactured by Russias Sukhoi Aviation at a cost of around $50m each.

By mid-July, when fighting broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the fighter jets derided by some as a gratuitous boondoggle were scrambled into action, screeching over the conflict zone.
By PTI

IMPHAL: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday said detractors of his government should first seek details under the RTI Act before criticising its policies and programmes.

"Rather than criticising everything, anyone who has a grievance and doubt should seek proper information through RTI and get the facts correct," he said, addressing an Independence Day programme here, The chief minister also said strict action will be taken against private and government healthcare facilities that deny admission and necessary treatment to COVID-19 patients.

He appealed to people not to castigate health professionals treating coronavirus patients.
A Georgia state trooper has been fired and charged with murder after fatally shooting a 60-year-old black man during a traffic stop earlier this month.

The trooper, Jacob Thompson, 27, who is white, was booked for felony murder and aggravated assault by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation stemming from a traffic stop he made on 7 August over a broken tail light.

During the stop in Sylvania, Georgia, Mr Thompson allegedly fired his weapon at Julian Lewis, a 60-year-old black man, and killed him.

At around 9pm, the trooper followed Mr Lewis and signalled to him to pull over for an apparent broken tail light, according to a Georgia State Patrol incident report.

Mr Lewis continued to drive, leading Mr Thompson to manoeuvre his patrol vehicle to force the car sideways. Mr Lewis' car came to a stop in a ditch.

Mr Lewis had both hands on the steering wheel as the trooper got out of his car and drew his firearm, according to the report.

Mr Thompson stated that Mr Lewis appeared to drive his car towards him, prompting the trooper to shoot Mr Lewis. The 60-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a bureau statement. It took around four hours to notify his family.

Mr Lewis had reportedly gone out to purchase a grape soda for his wife.

Mr. Lewis was no threat as a 60-year-old man just trying to make it home from a convenience store run, Francys Johnson, a lawyer representing the Lewis family, told the New York Times.

Mr Johnson told the Times that he believes the swift decision to fire and charge Mr Thompson was a direct result of the recent wave of protests against police brutality after the killings in police custody of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Breonna Taylor in Louisville, and others.

Oftentimes justice is so delayed in these kinds of cases, Mr Johnson told the Times. I cant think of another case that has moved so swiftly.

Mr Lewis' wife, Betty Lewis, told the Times in a statement her husband was too good to die as he did" and said she wants "justice for Julian."

Keith Barber, the lawyer representing the state trooper, told The Associated Press last week that his client has an excellent character, and he believes he will be exonerated.
Photograph: Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP/Getty Images

Speculation is growing over whether Donald Trump might pardon Edward Snowden after the US president told an interviewer that the exiled former intelligence operative was not being treated fairly.

Related: Edward Snowden on 9/11 and why he joined the army: Now, finally, there was a fight

The comments came as the Kentucky congressman Thomas Massie, a Republican, made a surprising call on Friday for Snowden to receive a presidential pardon.

Massie, whom Trump has previously attacked, tweeted that Trump should pardon Snowden, 37.

Snowden disclosed highly classified information from the National Security Agency in 2013. He revealed the news covertly to the Guardian at the time, then did interviews with this outlet after he fled to Hong Kong, before retreating to Moscow to avoid extradition to the US.

He has remained in Russia ever since.

Snowdens leaks triggered a scandal in the US over the extent and scope of US surveillance of Americans and of people overseas. He became a hero to many liberals and libertarians, but an enemy to many others who saw his disclosures as a betrayal. The revelations inspired movies, books and documentaries.

Trump himself mused this week on Snowden, in an interview with the New York Post.

There are a lot of people that think that he is not being treated fairly. I mean, I hear that, Trump told the newspaper.

He added: Many people are on his side, I will say that. I dont know him, never met him. But many people are on his side.

Trumps comments reflect a remarkable softening in his views about a man he once deemed a traitor worthy of execution, the Post reported.

Trump has pardoned or commuted the sentences of other controversial figures during his first term in office. He commuted the sentence of his longtime ally Roger Stone on seven felony crimes, sparing him a 40-month jail term for crimes aimed at aiding the Trump campaign. He also pardoned the anti-immigrant Arizona lawman Joe Arpaio, sparing the controversial former sheriff after he was convicted of criminal contempt.

Story continues

Related: Trump faces surprise call from Republican congressman to pardon Edward Snowden  live

In 2016 a petition was started, urging the then president, Barack Obama, to pardon Snowden.

The campaign, organized by the American Civil Liberties Union, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, included a petition signed by technologists, law professors and celebrities. At a news conference, Snowden appeared by remote video link, thanking the organizers and arguing that his fate will have a broader impact.

If we are to sustain a free society through the next century, we must ensure that whistleblowers can act again, and safely, as a check on future abuses of power, Snowden said.

The Pardon Snowden petition reached a million signatures in 2017 and was delivered to the White House.
IRGC warns US against future of UAE-Israel deal

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Sat / 15 August 2020 / 16:29

Tehran (ISNA)  The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in a statement on Saturday strongly condemned the agreement between the Zionist regime and the United Arab Emirates on normalizing of relations, describing the move as a strategic mistake, historical foolishness and a poisonous sword on the body of the Islamic Ummah.

"The agreement will not serve the Zionist regime's interests, but rather build a dangerous future for the US and supporters of the agreement after the project on building a new Middle East collapses," the IRGC said in the statement.

"The agreement designed by the terrorist regime of Israel and the anti-human United States on the normalization of relations between the illegitimate regime and the UAE is the highest treason against the Palestinian Cause and the holy Quds," according to the statement.

"Hatching such an act of treason serves the goal of legitimizing the illegal Zionist regime, weakening the Palestinian resistance front, sending the Palestinian cause to the back of minds and also paving the way for the implementation of the "deal of the century" and new Middle East projects, the IRGC said, describing it a sinister action which is doomed to failure.

Describing the UAE move as clear treason against Islamic Ummah's joint aspiration, the statement noted, "The move also made the World of Islam be filled with hatred against the rulers of the UAE".

The IRGC further advised the UAE to revise its measure and respect the will of its Arab Muslim nation in support of the oppressed Palestinians, emphasizing, "The UAE rulers should await strong reactions by people to this historical humiliation sooner or later. Their people along with other Muslim nations will not let Palestine's justice-seeking cries die in psychological operations and deceitful images broadcast by Zionist and Imperialist media".

End Item

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Un uomo di 60 anni di Fano (Pesaro e Urbino) e stato trasferito nel reparto di terapia intensiva nell'ospedale Marche Nord di Pesaro.

L'uomo e stato contagiato dal figlio rientrato nei giorni scorsi dalla Croazia, Paese dove si registra un boom di contagi e divenuto osservato speciale, visto che il ministero della Salute ha imposto il tampone entro 48 ore per chi torna in Italia dalla Croazia, oltre che da Malta, Spagna e Grecia.

A riportare la notizia e la stampa locale. La comunicazione e del Gores, l'unita di crisi regionale, che probabilmente ha voluto lanciare un messaggio ai giovani per far capire loro che non contagiarsi significa innanzitutto difendere i propri cari.

Proprio nella provincia di Pesaro Urbino negli ultimi giorni e stato registrato un vero e proprio boom di contagi. E se le Marche da tempo avevano le terapie intensive vuote, ora tornano a fare i conti con un malato grave.

 Riproduzione riservata

(Unioneonline/L)
Season 2 of The Umbrella Academy is rife with pop-culture anachronisms. Many fans noticed a majority of the jokes touching on music, movies, and events that had yet to happen in 1963. Still, theres one pop culture reference from season 2 not many people are talking about.

[SPOILER ALERT: Spoilers for The Umbrella Academy Season 2 ahead.]

DAVID CASTANEDA and AIDAN GALLAGHER | CHRISTOS KALOHORIDIS/NETFLIX  2020

Klaus forms a cult based on 2019 pop culture

In season 2, the Hargreeves siblings travel back to 1963. As time travelers from the year 2019, they have a wealth of knowledge regarding what happens throughout the course of history.

As such, pop culture influenced many of the jokes showrunners peppered in to season 2 of The Umbrella Academy.

Take Klaus (Robert Sheehan) for example. He becomes the leader of Destinys Children, a cult with a belief system built on quotes from songs by artists like Gloria Gaynor and the Backstreet Boys. Of course, the people of 1963 dont realize that  but The Umbrella Academy fans enjoyed picking out Klaus absurd use of lyrics for prophecy.

Diego makes a Star Wars joke

While Klaus probably had the most pop culture references in season 2, other characters, like Diego (David Castaneda) made some as well.

After he attempted to go after Lee Harvey Oswald and stop John F. Kennedy from being assassinated, Diego was put in a mental facility. During a group session, Diego got into an argument with one of the doctors and made a reference to Star Wars, which had yet to be created.

Im a grown-a*s man Dr. Moncton, Diego refuted. After pointing out Diegos opposition to his father, Diego replied: Yeah, why dont you tell that to Luke Skywalker? I know you dont get it, but that is an excellent reference.

Of course, Diego was referring to the turmoil between Luke Skywalker and his father, Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker. Naturally, no one from 1963 understood the reference  and they wouldnt until 1977.

Number Five tips his hat to The X-Files

When Five (Aidan Gallagher) first arrived in the 60s, he connected with Elliot (Kevin Rankin), a kind, caring man who was slightly obsessed with the supernatural. He had been tracking each arrivals of the Hargreeves siblings, believing them to be aliens.

Five taunted Elliot slightly, asking if he knew anything about Area 51 or Roswell. Excited by the prospect of new information, Elliot asked Five for the truth.

Its all true, yeah? Elliot inquired. UFOs  crop circles?!

Fans of The X-Files appreciated Fives anachronistic response. Well, the truth is out there, he said with a smirk.

There are several mentions of The X-Files in The Umbrella Academy

As it turns out, Fives aside wasnt the only X-Files reference in The Umbrella Academy.

The writers [of The Umbrella Academy] really like The X-Files, one fan wrote on Reddit. They cited a few times in the series where showrunners included nods to the sci-fi drama series. The Majestic 12 [is] the syndicate, and the mention of the Roswell incident,[and] Fives quote of the truth is out there.'

This fan noticed another subtle nod to The X-Files.

The music played during one of the first episodes [is] the same [song] that played during the funeral of Scullys father. Theyre referring to Bobby Darins Beyond the Sea, which was featured in episode 1 of season 2.
16.08.2020 LISTEN

After months of extensive and thorough investigations, the Economic and Organized Crime Organisation-EOCO has cleared the Former Upper West Regional Director of Health, Dr Osei Kuffuor Afreh of any financial malfeasance during his tenure in office.

This followed a petition filed by a group known as the Concerned Citizens for Upper West who catalogued a number of allegations against the then Regional Director of Health Services bordering largely on financial malfeasance and abuse of office for private gain.

The verdict of the investigative body is contained in a report that was read out to the parties which involved the petitioners and Dr Osei Kuffuor Afreh on Wednesday, 12th August 2020 at the Regional Offices of the EOCO in Wa, the Upper West Regional Capital.

The report by EOCO seems to have corroborated a similar report by the Regional CID in the region whose report equally found all the allegations to be false and cooked up in an attempt to soil the reputation of Dr Osei Kuffuor Afreh and to further the selfish and parochial interest of some high office holders in the region who could not have their way with the stern and principled leadership style of the then Regional Director of Health Services.

Prior to these reports and findings by the state agencies, a private investigation by a local media house in Wa, Radio Waa had equally uncovered the motivation behind the frivolous and false allegations against Dr Kuffuor Afreh and had sent a copy of their investigative report to the Office of the President as well as the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service.

It is worthy of note that EOCO rather cited the Concerned Citizens of Upper West for breach of the Companies Registration Act as the group has not been registered to operate and conduct itself in the manner in which it has been doing. The group has therefore been asked to through its Conveners to take steps to regularise their conduct or cease to operate henceforth.

The findings as contained in the report have undoubtedly re-enforced the integrity of Dr Osei Kuffuor Afreh and shamed his detractors especially the Concerned Citizens of Upper West and its financiers who have only succeeded in denying the Upper West Region of the sterling leadership, commitment and dedication of one fine Medical Practitioner and Administrator.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP)  Five months after her daughter was shot to death by police, Breonna Taylor's mother said she is trying to be patient while waiting to hear if the officers will be charged. But it's hard, she said, when every day feels like the day her daughter died.

Tamika Palmer appeared with civil rights attorney Ben Crump on the steps of Louisville city hall on Thursday, a day after meeting with Kentucky's attorney general.

Palmer said "every day is still March 13," the day police carrying a warrant burst into Taylor's home and shot her.

Palmer has hoped for months for charges against the officers who were there, but also said her daughter's case should be an example for police reform around the country.

"There definitely shouldn't be another Breonna Taylor, anywhere," she said. "At this point it's bigger than Breonna, it's bigger that just Black lives. It's about bridging the gaps between us and the police."

Palmer and other family members met Wednesday morning with Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, who is in charge of the investigation into police officers' actions the night Taylor was killed. The FBI is also investigating the shooting.
The North Dakota Department of Health is declining to answer some basic questions related to the coronavirus pandemic, citing a state law that gives the department a broad ability to withhold information.

Last week, the Tribune asked the department how many of the statewide COVID-19 hospitalizations are in the two Bismarck hospitals.

The inquiry was prompted by news that a Mandan long-term care facility was opening a unit to care for some COVID-19 patients. A letter from the facility, Sunset Drive Prospera Community, informed families of residents that hospitals in our community are at maximum capacity and are not able to meet the increased need for patients requiring a hospital bed due to COVID-19 or other emergent health care issues."

A health department spokeswoman declined to answer how many COVID-19 patients are hospitalized in Bismarck. When asked why she would not release the information she cited a law related to the disclosure of records that states: To protect the integrity of disease control records, to ensure their proper use, and to ensure efficient and proper administration of the department's disease control function, it is unlawful for any person to permit inspection of or to disclose information contained in disease control records, including results of laboratory tests, or to copy or issue a copy of all or part of any such record except as authorized by rules.

The Tribune is not seeking names of patients or any information that would violate privacy. The only information requested was the number of patients.

Coronavirus hospitalizations rose for a fifth straight day on Friday to 65. With Burleigh and Morton counties as the state's hot spot, the public has concerns about hospital capacity. Sanford Health in Bismarck had 20 COVID-19 patients as of Friday, Dr. Michael LeBeau, president of Sanford Health Bismarck told the Tribune. A CHI St. Alexius spokeswoman did not respond to requests for that information.

Journalists in Fargo and Grand Forks have also been unsuccessful in getting answers from the health department about the number of COVID-19 patients in their cities, according to North Dakota Newspaper Association attorney Jack McDonald.

Similarly, the department declined to release information on any companies that have refused to cooperate with requests from health officials during the coronavirus pandemic. The Associated Press requested the information after The Forum reported that GPK Products ignored recommendations by state epidemiologists in May to shut its plant down for two weeks when at least 10 people tested positive for COVID-19.

The spokeswoman said state law does not allow disclosure of information contained in disease control records, The Associated Press reported.

The law seems to be so broad that it can be interpreted to withhold information that does not jeopardize anyone's privacy. Withholding information about the number of patients hospitalized in a certain city doesn't serve any public purpose and in fact hampers the ability of state residents to fully understand the situation. If the department can release the statewide total, what sense does it make that a city total would be protected information? And when state officials, including Gov. Doug Burgum, often use the word "transparency," that's hypocritical.

The department ought to take a commonsense approach to balance the publics right to know with legitimate privacy concerns. When the Legislature convenes in January, lawmakers ought to consider refining that law to better protect the public's interests. In the meantime, the department should not classify something like hospitalization numbers as disease control records.

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Papua New Guinea first started producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) in April 2014 when the flagship $19bn PNG LNG project came on-line months ahead of schedule. With the project exceeding export expectations, the focus has now shifted to two new projects, which would more than double the countrys LNG production capacity if they come to fruition. However, as the government is determined to reap more economic and social benefits from resource projects than ever before, as of June 2020 an agreement has yet to be reached with investors on the fiscal terms that would allow both proposed developments to proceed in tandem.

PNG LNG operates as a joint venture between three PNG companies and three multinational firms. US energy major ExxonMobil has the lead stake in the project, at 33.2%, and was responsible for overseeing its construction. PNG-based, Australian Stock Exchange-listed firm Oil Search has a 29% share, while PNGs national oil company Kumul Petroleum has 16.8% and Australian energy company Santos owns 13.5%. The remaining minority stakes are divided between JX Nippon Oil and Gas Exploration, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Japans JX Holdings, with 4.7%, and PNGs state-owned Mineral Resources Development Company, with 2.8%.

Projected Growth

An economic impact assessment conducted in 2008 by external consultant ACIL Tasman estimated that GDP would more than double as a result of the project, from PGK8.6bn ($2.5bn) in 2006 to an average of PGK18.2bn ($5.4bn) per year when the project came on-line. ACIL Tasman also estimated that oil and gas exports would more than quadruple compared to 2006 levels, and that the project would create 7500 full-time jobs in the construction phase, 20% of which would go to PNG nationals, as well as 850 full-time-equivalent positions once production began.

Perhaps most importantly for a lower-middle-income country facing significant developmental challenges and fiscal constraints, the assessment predicted that PNG LNG would result in significant revenue for the government and landowners, with taxes, royalty payments, levies and equity participation expected to total $31.7bn over a 30-year period.

Story continues

Tangible Results

Since PNG LNG began production in 2014, it has provided LNG on long-term contracts for four major clients in the Asia-Pacific region: China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec); Japans Osaka Gas Company and Tokyo Electric Power Company; and Taiwans CPC Corporation. It has also signed medium-term supply contracts with BP Singapore, PetroChina and Unipec Singapore, a subsidiary of Sinopec. As of April 2019, PNG LNG was committed to supplying a total of 7.9m tonnes per year to overseas clients through medium- and long-term agreements, with a total capacity to produce 8.3m tonnes per year.

The project is widely considered to be a technical success that has exceeded initial export expectations. It has also had a positive impact on employment and local supply chains. Around 86% of the 3200-strong production workforce is made up of PNG nationals, while 250 local businesses and 16 landowner groups provide ancillary services. However, there is some debate around whether the expected fiscal and social benefits have yet materialized.

Related: Libya's Oil Blockade Will Help Clear The Global Supply Glut

From a 2012 budget projection of receiving $22bn in revenue over the projects lifespan to 2040, the government halved its forecast to $11bn in November 2018. In its assessment, it identified 11 favorable tax concessions granted to the joint-venture partners as one of the reasons for the downgrade. In a 2017 analysis, the World Bank noted that the joint-venture partners had negotiated a complex web of exemptions and allowances that effectively mean that little revenue is received by the government and landowners. In light of this, the current administration has insisted that future projects must offer more benefits for the state.

Papua LNG

Upon his election in May 2019, Prime Minister James Marape took over talks on two new large-scale energy projects, one of which involves the expansion of the PNG LNG plant through the development of the Pnyang gas field. The other project, which is known as Papua LNG and led by French multinational Total, involves the commercial development of the Elk and Antelope gas fields. The two proposed projects are connected, and combined would add three new LNG processing units  known as trains  to the existing two trains at PNG LNG. One of the new trains would be fed by the Pnyang expansion and the other two by Papua LNG. By sharing infrastructure at the PNG LNG plant, it is estimated that stakeholders could save $2bn-3bn in construction costs. Altogether the two projects would almost double the countrys LNG export capacity, with Papua LNG alone adding 5.5m tonnes per year to existing capacity at the PNG LNG plant.

In April 2019 a gas agreement for the $13bn Papua LNG project was struck by the previous administration led by then-Prime Minister Peter O Neill. Prime Minister Marape quickly signaled his intent to review the agreement and indicated that the government would seek to renegotiate if it felt that the fiscal and social returns for the state were insufficient. Subsequently, there were a number of closed-door discussions between the government and Total, which culminated in a September 2019 statement by the government that the project had been cleared to proceed after the French energy giant had made substantial new concessions on potential future benefits not previously available to the country under the signed agreement.

Pnyang Expansion

With Papua LNG cleared to proceed, the focus then turned to negotiations for the Pnyang expansion led by ExxonMobil. Since the projects will share infrastructure under the current plans, front-end engineering and design work on Papua LNG is not expected to progress until the status of the Pnyang expansion is made clear. However, the government publicly broke off talks in late January 2020, casting doubt over the future of both projects. In a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange after talks collapsed, Oil Search said the fiscal terms requested by the government meant that the joint-venture partners were unable to obtain a return on their investment that made the project investable and bankable.

According to international media, the government was seeking a revenue share in excess of the 45-50% it agreed for the Papua LNG project and well above the share negotiated in 2008 for PNG LNG. This stance is consistent with Prime Minister Marapes pledge when he assumed office to ensure that the oil and gas sector is beneficial to our country as well as our investors.

Related: Big Oil Forced To Change Strategy After The Oil Price Crash

However, the government may face difficulties as it seeks to maximize the benefits from its natural resource wealth without deterring the international capital and expertise required to extract and commercialize it. In the absence of the Pnyang expansion, the two-train Papua LNG project would likely be delayed and costs would increase. The Bank of America estimated that first production would be delayed by 18 months, meaning that it would begin in 2026.

Nevertheless, there is some hope that the Pnyang project could still be revived. In late February 2020, Oil Search signaled that the joint-venture partners were willing to resume talks with the government, as they unanimously agreed that the synchronized three-train expansion was the most efficient way to develop Papua LNG and Pnyang. In its first quarter of 2020 report published in April, Oil Search confirmed that talks had formally resumed, although no public updates on the negotiations had been made as of June 2020.

Global Changes

However, these negotiations are taking place against the backdrop of significant disruption to the global energy market, as a result of the global outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020. Spot LNG prices in North Asia fell to record lows of below $2 per 1m British thermal units (btu) in April 2020 on the back of a supply glut and falling demand. Global LNG exporters are expecting low prices until at least 2022. As a result, energy companies must carefully evaluate the risks and rewards of any exploration and production activities to ensure adequate returns on investment.

The LNG industry has been in an extended phase of capacity expansion since 2016, mainly driven by new developments in Australia, the US and Russia. As such, analysts have warned that PNG risks falling behind its competitors if investment decisions are not reached soon on its two major projects. Given the waves of new LNG that have recently been sanctioned, PNGs expansion is slipping further to the back of the queue, Angus Rodger, research director at global energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie, said. From both a macro-pricing and a contractor-quality-and-pricing perspective, trailing in the wake of the biggest wave of new LNG supply the industry has ever seen is not ideal.

According to consultancy firm Rystad Energy, the estimated $8.40 per 1m btu breakeven price for Papua LNG makes it one of the most expensive projects in the global pipeline compared with other developments in Qatar, Mozambique, the US and Canada. In light of this, it is hoped that stakeholders in the Pnyang expansion can reach an agreement to unlock the countrys potential.

By Oxford Business Group

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:

Read this article on OilPrice.com
Thousands of teenagers were left angered after almost 40 per cent of predicted grades were downgraded by the regulators moderation algorithm, leaving many missing out on their first-choice universities.

Student Curtis Parfitt-Ford has launched a legal bid against Ofqual to force them to come up with a fairer system.

Despite getting the grades he was predicted, he said he could not stand by and watch his friends and cohort getting the grades they dont deserve, which in turn made his grades meaningless.

His crowdfunding page has amassed more than 15,000 in donations in less than two days and he is being represented by a legal team with lawyers from Leigh Day and Foxglove.

The Government is playing politics with our futures, the 18-year-old from Ealing, west London, told PA news agency.

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Whatever happens this is going to affect thousands of students.

In a 22-page letter to Ofqual, Mr Parfitt-Fords legal team described the model used to determine grades as irrational, arbitrary, fails to take account of relevant considerations and claimed it was unlawful.

On Saturday, just hours after it published its criteria for appeals based on mock exam results, Ofqual said the policy was being reviewed by its board and that further information would be released in due course.

This latest turn of events has been met with confusion and dismay among students and families.

Mr Parfitt-Ford described the now-suspended appeals process as ridiculous and insane, but said he was glad that it was being reviewed.

I wish they did it before releasing the policy in the first place, he added.

We are desperately trying to get clarity, with GCSE results due we fear this could potentially become even more chaotic, we are desperately hoping the Government will make a U-turn by then.

We are not going to stand by and watch as potentially millions of GCSE students futures are affected by this.

Meanwhile, the Good Law Project is supporting six students over a judicial review of Ofquals failings.

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Data from Ofqual shows independent schools saw an increase of 4.7 per cent in the number of students securing the top A or A* grades from 2019, compared to 2 per cent for state schools and just 0.3 percentage points for further education colleges.

We are fighting for justice for those A Level students whose results have been downgraded - through no fault of their own but because of a system that is unfair & unlawful



Pls support our legal action here: https://t.co/me2v8K2xkW  Good Law Project (@GoodLawProject) August 15, 2020

One of the students taking legal action, whose name was given as Michael, saw his grades fall from a predicted BBB to EEE, which left him disheartened.

Michael said: Teachers are entrusted with the task of predicting students grades and considering they are in a far better position to determine what level students are working at, it is abysmal to think that the Government, whose job it is to lead this country in the right direction, has allowed an algorithm to determine the futures of thousands of students.

This injustice cannot and should not stand, and we are urging the Government to rethink this decision.

The Good Law Projects crowdfunding bid to cover legal costs has reached more than 41,000 (45,000).

Jolyon Maugham, director of the Good Law Project, said: If you dont go to a successful school you dont deserve to succeed either  strip away all the science and thats whats delivered by the system Ofqual and Gavin Williamson have put in place.

Its not fair, its not good enough and hard-working students should not have to stand for it.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi is debating bringing the House back from August recess as early as next week to address problems relating to the United Postal Service (USPS), according to CNN and Politico.

The House chamber is currently in recess, with no votes scheduled on legislation until 14 September. Members of the House could be called back for a vote in the next couple of weeks if Democratic leadership feel its necessary.

Yes there are discussions to bring the House back to address the Postal Service crisis, timing not clear yet. Next week and week after (are) being discussed, one Democratic aide told CNN after a Saturday call with party leadership.

Several lawmakers have publicly pushed Ms Pelosi to make the call.

I called Speaker Pelosi today and asked her to call the House back into session immediately to deal with the crisis at the post office. Trump is attempting to sabotage the USPS, Representative Jim Cooper, a Democrat of Tennessee, tweeted on Saturday.

He added: We need to subpoena the Postmaster General, and if he fails to appear, we should send the Sgt at Arms to arrest him.

Representative Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat of Michigan, also tweeted that she would support returning to Washington DC to address the USPS crisis.

Enough is enough: the House Oversight Committee, which oversees the US Postal Service, should come back to Washington as soon as possible to hold a public hearing with the Postmaster General, she wrote.

The House Oversight Committee introduced a bill this past week that would forbid the USPS from making changes to its service that Democrats believe could impact mail-in ballots for the November election. Legislators were also considering a requirement that each mail-in ballot would need to be labelled as first class to ensure swift delivery.

All of this comes after Postmaster General Louis Dejoy, a Donald Trump appointee and supporter of the president, has made sweeping changes in a bid to help the USPS save money amid a decline in revenue. Changes included adjusting delivery policies and overtime pay for workers, which could impact the speed in which people receive their mail.

But Democrats have accused the postmaster general of making these changes to undermine a states attempt to switch to mail-in voting for the upcoming election.

Ms Pelosi and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat of New York, released a statement on Friday imploring Mr Dejoy to quickly reverse his operational changes that have led to delays and service reductions for too many Americans and threaten to undermine our democracy.

The president has repeatedly slammed mail-in voting and claimed it would cause massive voter fraud. Its been brought up to Mr Trump multiple times that hes voted by mail in past elections, which he said is allowed but not for voters to do it universally.

During a CNN interview on Sunday, host Jake Tapper told White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows that there is no evidence of voter fraud through mail-in ballots.

Theres no evidence there is not either, Mr Meadows said. ... What the president is against is changing the process to mail-in ballots to everybody.

The President of the United States is not going to interfere with anyone trying to legitimately cast their vote, he added.

Nine states currently have universal mail-in voting in place where voters automatically receive their ballot in the mail. In some of these states, such as Colorado and Utah, this has been part of their voting system for years without complaints from lawmakers. Other states have implemented mail-in ballots by having voters request their ballot by a specific date.

Mr Trump appeared to confirm on Fox News this week that he is against Democrats funding proposal for mail-in ballots and the USPS in order to make the voting method more difficult ahead of the November election.

They need that money in order to have the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots, Mr Trump. If they dont get those two items, that means you cant have universal mail-in voting because theyre not equipped to have it.

Democrats have pushed for mail-in ballots as an option in the upcoming election to allow voters to cast their votes from their home amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 16) Six regional officers of the embattled Philippine Health Insurance Corporation have filed their leave of absence amid the ongoing probe on the agency.

The six are regional vice presidents Paolo Perez, Valerie Hollero, Datu Masiding Alonto, Khaliquzmman Macabato, Dennis Adre, and William Chavez, whose leave of absence will take effect on Monday, August 17.

In a letter dated August 15, the PhilHealth officials said they decided to go on leave in response to the Department of Justices call and as a way of supporting the ongoing investigations into the state health insurer.

The ongoing Senate and House of Representatives investigations into graft and corruption at PhilHealth demands full cooperation from all its officers and staff. This is necessary to help determine and assign culpability in the most expeditious manner," the regional vice presidents said.

"This will give investigators a free hand in finding out those responsible and finally bring them to account," they added.

The names of the six Philhealth regional vice presidents were mentioned in the Senate hearing last week. PhilHealth spokesperson Dr. Shirley Domingo told CNN Philippines Newsroom Weekend that some of these officials have notified their supervisors that they will be on leave for five days.

In a statement, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Malacanang considers the officials move as the right and proper thing to do.

However, he reiterated that the concerned officials are not part of the so-called PhilHealth mafia.

Meanwhile, Department of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he is pleased that the regional vice presidents heeded his call, in order to preclude any suspicion that their presence may lead to a suppression of evidence and thus hamper the conduct of [the] investigations.

The Justice Secretary urged other PhilHealth officials who have already been tagged in the ongoing congressional inquiries, as well as those identified by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Council, to take a temporary leave to enable the Task Force PhilHealth to freely perform its mandate.

PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica also echoed this call, saying all the other involved PhilHealth executives should make the move in the name of justice and transparency.

According to Belgica, the PACC has submitted its initial report on the alleged corruption to Task Force PhilHealth, which was created by President Rodrigo Duterte to investigate the agency, and is headed by the Justice Department.

He said the task force has one month to file charges against erring PhilHealth officials before the Office of the Ombudsman.

House public accounts committee chairman Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor, meanwhile, also welcomed the Philhealth executives decision, saying in a text message that their leave "will give investigators a free hand in the conduct of audit and in establishing the fraud committed within the organization."

Defensors committee will resume hearings on Monday on the alleged anomalies within PhilHealth.

CNN Philippines Correspondent Xianne Arcangel contributed to this report.

READ: Task force starts lifestyle checks on former and current PhilHealth officials
ISLAMABAD - Pakistani health officials on Saturday launched a seven-day vaccination campaign against polio as part of efforts aimed at eliminating the crippling disease amid a steady decline in fatalities and infections from the coronavirus, which had recently overwhelmed the countrys fragile health system.

The anti-polio campaign, which began amid tight security, aims to vaccinate as many as 34 million children across Pakistan, including former Taliban strongholds bordering Afghanistan, a government statement said.

Medical workers participating in the drive against polio were seen adhering to social distancing regulations as they wore face masks and gloves while going house-to-house to avoid a spike in coronavirus cases.

I am hopeful that parents will continue to realize the importance of vaccinating their children during this campaign, said Faisal Sultan, an adviser to the prime minister on health issues.

According to Rana Safdar, who heads the governments polio program, similar campaigns against polio will be launched in October, November and December.

Earlier Saturday, Pakistans military said Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist, praised Islamabads success in the fight against coronavirus in a telephone call to the countrys army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa. It said Gates also discussed the resumption of the drive against polio.

Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria are the three countries in the world where polio  a disabling and life-threatening disease caused by the polio virus  is still endemic. The non-profit Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has helped Pakistan and other places worldwide fight the disease.

Pakistan had hoped to eliminate the disease by 2018, when only 12 cases were reported. But there was a surge in new cases the following year. Since January, Pakistan has reported about 100 new polio cases from various parts of the country, including the northwestern region bordering Afghanistan.

Pakistani Taliban and other militants regularly stage attacks on polio teams and security forces escorting them because they claim the anti-polio drive is part of an alleged Western conspiracy to sterilize children or collect intelligence. Attacks on polio teams increased after it was revealed that a fake hepatitis vaccination campaign was used as a ruse by the CIA in the hunt for al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden was killed by U.S. commandos in 2011 in Pakistan.

Pakistan halted the drive against polio in March and resumed it last month amid a decline in infections and fatalities from COVID-19.

On Saturday, Pakistan reported only 9 new deaths from the new virus in the past 24 hours, increasing the countrys total of COVID-19 deaths to 6,162. So far, Pakistan has reported 288,047 cases and officials say about 93% of the patients recovered since February, when the country reported its first confirmed case.

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KAMPALA  Ugandas sugar exports declined by 54% decline amid continued trade wars with neighbouring East African countries.

Data from Bank of Uganda indicates that for the month ending June, Uganda exported 14,991 tonnes of sugar, fetching $7.4m (Shs27.3b) down from 23,212 tonnes, which fetched $11.4m (Shs42.3b) in May.

The decline is blamed on Tanzania and Kenya continuing to restrict Ugandas sugar.

Kenya in July 2020 banned sugar imports, opting to solve challenges facing the countrys sugar industry.

The ban means that at least 35,000 tonnes of sugar exports from Uganda will be locked out of Kenya, which is expected to increase Ugandas stockpile, according to Uganda Sugar Manufacturers Association.

Tanzania, which had previously completely banned exports from Uganda, only allows in about 20,000 tonnes of sugar.

Ugandas biggest sugar producer remain Kakira Sugar Works with an annual production of 180,000 tonnes while Kinyara Sugar Works produces 120,000 tonnes. Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited produces about 100,000 toones.

According to Ministry of Trade, Uganda produces 510,000 tonnes of sugar out of which 360,000 tonnes are consumed locally.

The surplus, which has now grown to 170,000 tonnes, is exported within East Africa, Comesa and DR Congo.

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FRANKFURT A German-Brazilian couple kept apart by coronavirus restrictions have been reunited after Germany eased border controls for unmarried couples who can prove their relationships preceded the pandemic.

Florian Mehler, 41, from Wiesloch near Frankfurt, had not seen his girlfriend Renata Alves, 40, since she returned to her native Brazil in January after visiting him in Germany.

We had to get so much paperwork together, unbelievable," said Mehler after he hugged Alves at Frankfurt airport. I did ask myself why couples didnt count, as the love we have is the same as with married couples. But now she is finally here!"

Most European Union borders have been closed to non-EU travellers since March, unless they are essential workers or married to an EU resident.

Berlins decision to allow people from countries it considers a high coronavirus risk, such as Brazil, to join their German partners followed a social media campaign under the hashtags #LoveIsEssential and #LoveIsNotTourism.

The campaign, organised by the association of binational families and partnerships, also held a small rally in Frankfurt on Aug. 1 which Mehler attended.

Alves took a coronavirus test at the airport and will stay at Mehlers home until the results come in.

If it is negative we will get out and about a bit. And show her the parts of Germany that she hasnt seen yet," Mehler said.

After meeting online a year ago, Alves had visited Mehler in Germany twice, and he flew to see her in Brazil once. She has the necessary documents to move to Germany and look for a job.

My country is like one big risk but I am healthy," said Alves, who spoke to her boyfriend via FaceTime every day while they were apart.

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
Rs 18,980 crore was deposited into farmers' bank accounts, said the Maharashtra chief minister

Maharashtra chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said that his government has made 29.50 lakh farmers in the state debt-free by depositing Rs 18,980 crore into their bank accounts. The government will focus on farmers and the working class as it tries to transform Maharashtra into a welfare state, he added.

Mr Thackeray, who hoisted the national flag at Mantralaya in south Mumbai on the occasion of 74th Independence Day, directed the administration to ensure better health facilities to remote areas of the state. Stating that the government has started the process of unlocking the state cautiously in a staggered manner, Mr Thackeray also noted that Maharashtra has increased Covid-19 tests on a big scale.

He said the government also procured 418.8 quintal cotton, highest in the last 10 years. The chief minister observed that schools could not be reopened in the state due to the Covid-19 threat, but the government took steps to see education is being imparted to students through Google Classroom initiative. Maharashtra has become the first state to take such a step in the country, he added.

The Chief Minister said that around 66,300 industrial units have resumed operations after the government set in motion the process of unlocking. He said more than 16 lakh workers have returned to their workplaces. The government has signed MoUs worth around Rs 16,000 crore with investors from 12 countries and more agreements worth Rs 8,000 crore will be inked, Mr Thackeray said.

The government also launched MahaJobs portal to ensure that locals, Marathi people get employment, he added. Mr Thackeray said the government will lay stress on providing proper healthcare facilities in both the urban and remote areas in the state. The chief minister hailed Covid-19 warriors, such as doctors, nurses, policemen and others for and also extolled cops who have been announced the Presidents Medal and bravery awards.

The Sena chief said the work on Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, that will connect Mumbai to Nagpur in Vidarbha, has been fast-tracked, and added that townships will be set up at 24 places along the expressway.
"PIA is in contact with European Union Air Safety Agency (EASA) to allay their concerns and take necessary corrective measures along with filing an appeal against the decision on August 31," Dawn news quoted Khan as saying on Friday, adding there is room for the appeal against the EASA ban and the government will file it.

Islamabad, Aug 15 (IANS) Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to Europe are likely to restart in the next two months as the government is utilising all technical and diplomatic means to resolve the ban issue, Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan said.

The EASA suspended PIA's authorisation to operate in EU states after the grounding of 262 Pakistani pilots whose licences were termed "dubious".

Following the move, the UK Civil Aviation Authority also withdrew PIA's permit to operate from three of its airports in Birmingham, London and Manchester.

The minister said PIA was currently managing European flight operations through "court sharing" arrangements, under which PIA flies passengers to Istanbul and subsequently they travel to Europe and London.

Flight operations to London are being carried out through a Portuguese airliner.

However, he said, these were temporary arrangements and PIA would restore its flight operations in two months, Dawn news reported.

Regarding the necessity of grounding PIA pilots, the Minister said that steps being taken by the government were aimed at ensuring the highest level of flight safety in PIA operations.

The flag carrier remains committed to maintaining the highest standards and quality in its air operations, he added.

--IANS

ksk/
The Stormont Executive is gunning for the thousands of work from home civil servants who have not returned to their offices following the lifting of the coronavirus lockdown.

Politicians see their absence from major city and town buildings as having a catastrophic effect on the economy with restaurants, coffee shops and bars all suffering from lost trade.

Assembly sources say the crisis has reached tipping-point with Economy Minister Diane Dodds writing to the head of the civil service, David Sterling to outline government concerns.

Many of the buildings housing Northern Ireland's 23,500 civil service staff are operating at under 30% capacity.

This has led some senior politicians to float the idea of moving staff out of sought-after offices in the centre of Belfast where rent is at a premium.

One asked: "What's the point in paying huge rent for buildings in the city centre when hardly any civil servants are in them?

"They either use them or lose them, because it would be more cost-effective to move to cheaper offices in other parts of Belfast."

Staff from the Department for Communities are understood to be most at risk from the proposal which could save millions of pounds for an Executive needing to cut costs because of the impact of Covid-19.

More than 1,000 civil servants are based in the Great Northern Tower next to the Europa Hotel in central Belfast, most of whom remain at home.

Sunday Life has also learned that ministers are in the process of setting-up a High Street Taskforce to examine ways to get shoppers back into abandoned city and town centres. This was discussed in-depth at an Executive meeting on August 6.

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In her letter to civil service chief David Sterling, Mrs Dodds writes: "While the taskforce will consider practical help that can be provided from a range of departments, one of the greatest drivers of footfall in Belfast city centre would be if Northern Ireland Civil Service staff are back at work.

"This would reassure businesses considering bringing their employees back to offices in the city centre. The sandwich bars, cafes and other stores would benefit greatly from increased footfall. I would be most grateful for an update."

A second Executive source told this newspaper that several ministers are growing increasingly frustrated at the "slow pace" of civil servants returning to the workplace.

"Safety should be the watchword, but it's a bit rich for government to tell private companies to get back to their desks while many of our 23,500 civil servants are sitting at home," explained the insider.

"Ministers realise that it will take time to get staff back but planning must be put in place. It will be interesting to hear what David Sterling thinks."

Suggestions by politicians to move civil servants from under-occupied high-rent buildings in the centre of Belfast to cheaper offices on the outskirts of the city mirror plans being put in place by the Tory government in London.

The Treasury is eyeing a mass sell-off of its buildings in the centre of the capital, worth millions of pounds, because many are operating at less than half capacity.




For years it has wooed shoppers with decadent party food and melt-in-the-middle Belgian chocolate puddings.

But now Marks & Spencer is set to take on the big supermarkets by promoting 'everyday prices' on staples such as cheese, porridge and ham.

The retailer will this week launch a major television advertising push to transform its image from upmarket food hall to family supermarket.

It wants to convince price-conscious households to do their regular food shop at its stores  or through its Ocado doorstep delivery service, which launches next month.

M&S will use its 'Remarksable' marketing strapline to push sales of essentials such as bread, milk, cheese and eggs.

Marks & Spencer is set to take on the big supermarkets by promoting 'everyday prices' on staples such as cheese, porridge and ham. The retailer will this week launch a major television advertising push to transform its image from upmarket food hall to family supermarket (pictured, people queueing to enter M&S store in Brixton, south London)

It wants to convince price-conscious households to do their regular food shop at its stores  or through its Ocado doorstep delivery service, which launches next month

M&S has spent 18 months making sure it can out-do supermarket rivals  particularly Waitrose, whom it will replace as Ocado's food partner  on price and quality when the delivery service is launched.

Customers will be able to get a bag of six apples for 1.50 at M&S. A similar pack costs 1.75 at Waitrose, according to research by industry magazine The Grocer. Shoppers will be able to pick up two pints of milk, a bottle of olive oil and ten rashers of bacon for 85p, 2.40 and 2, respectively.

The closest matched products would cost 89p, 2.50 and 2.25 at Waitrose, the magazine found. Researchers have found average prices on a sample of 70 basic M&S products to be eight per cent cheaper than Waitrose, with 36 per cent selling at the same price.

The M&S ad campaign will run for three weeks to coincide with the launch of the Ocado deliveries on September 1. M&S started putting its products on Ocado's website earlier this month.

M&S has spent 18 months making sure it can out-do supermarket rivals  particularly Waitrose, whom it will replace as Ocado's food partner  on price and quality when the delivery service is launched (pictured, shoppers queue outside M&S Foodhall in south London, March 20, 2020)

They are currently badged as 'not in stock' unless customers have already secured delivery slots in September.

Customers will be able to choose from 6,000 items on its website, compared to 4,000 products on Waitrose's website.

Bosses have also put together 750 additional product lines for the launch, boasting 'bigger pack sizes' and more 'cupboard stables'.

M&S has also introduced more ingredients for cooking meals from scratch, and a bigger selection of organic and frozen fruit and vegetables.

The 'Remarksable' marketing slogan was first used on its value ranges last year in a bid to highlight its lower prices.

The retailer is replacing Waitrose as Ocado's delivery partner as part of plans to double the size of its food business over five years.

M&S has faced declining clothing sales for years despite high-profile collaborations with the likes of TV presenter Holly Willoughby.

So its bosses have decided to go all-in on its grocery business, which has proved to be an enduring success over the past two decades.
Seoul/New Delhi, Aug 16 : The preorders of Samsung Galaxy Note 20 have almost matched its predecessor in South Korea despite the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The Galaxy Note 20 preorders in the last seven days were about 90 per cent of the Galaxy Note 10 over the same period, according to officials from local mobile carriers and Samsung Electronics.

The pre order sales for the Note 10 reached about 1.3 million units last year, the largest among Samsung's flagship Galaxy devices.

But then, the preorder period was 11 days, while mobile carriers boosted marketing with fat subsidies to attract more customers with the commercialization of 5G networks.

Industry insiders said the preorder result for the Note 20 appears to be positive considering the virus outbreak and less marketing activity from local mobile carriers, report Yonhap news agency.

By model, the high-end Note 20 Ultra reportedly accounted for 65 per cent of the preorders.

Mystic bronze appears to be the most selected colour for the device.

In India, Samsung said that the pre-registration for its 'Make in India Galaxy Note20 smartphone crossed more than 5 lakh this year, which is more than double the figure the company achieved last year with Galaxy Note10.

The 6.7-inch Galaxy Note20 (8GB+256GB) was launched at the original price of Rs 77,999 while the 6.9-inch Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G (12GB+256GB) is available for Rs 104,999 in the country.

"We are very excited as the latest series has received an overall good response from the audience and the pre-registration for the devices were double than that of Galaxy Note10 last year," Aditya Babbar, Director, Mobile Business, Samsung India, told IANS.
An Offaly County Councillor wants to bring a major new TikTok facility to Offaly.

Fine Gael Councillor, Noel Cribbin, is seeking a meeting with IDA Ireland to open discussions on the location of the global social media giant's new 500m Data Centre.

Cllr Cribbin says he has been in contact with both Minister for Land Use and Biodiversity, Pippa Hackett, and representatives from Bord na Mona (BnM), in a bid to open the talks.

Referencing the potential in the Midlands to house data centres for a range of multinational companies, Cllr Cribbin said, TikTok is seeking a location for a 500 million data centre in Ireland.

He commented, "now is the time to showcase the many advantages of choosing the Midlands for this enterprise. We have a massive landbank in the possession of BnM, the area is already on its way to becoming Irelands first Green Energy Hub and North Offaly is fast becoming the wind farm capital of Ireland."

"These advantages, combined with proximity to Dublin, its ports and airports, and from there access to the entire European market, make the Midlands an ideal location for multinational companies eager to establish bases in Ireland  now the only English-speaking nation in the EU."

Cllr. Cribbin added, "with the terrible impact of job losses in BnM on the area in the last months, we have a great opportunity to showcase the fabulous opportunities that exist here. It is now time to get some payback for the residents of North Offaly, who have witnessed job losses, the setting up of wind farms and now the devastation of the coronavirus. It is time to see an injection of jobs and prosperity into the area."

"I have contacted Minister Hackett and BnM representatives to seek a meeting with IDA to open discussions on the TikTok data centre investment. It is time that global companies became aware of all that North Offaly has to offer and I intend to do everything in my power to ensure that happens," Cllr. Cribbin concluded.
Sent the 8-5 favourite, Time To Dance delivered in the $12,500 first trial for the Guardian Gold Cup & Saucer on Saturday (Aug. 15) at Charlottetown Driving Park.

Trainer-driver Marc Campbell grabbed control of the race with Time To Dance past a :27.2 first quarter but yielded for the pocket into the stretch first time as Simple Kinda Man rushed for the lead before a :54.3 half. Screen Test, tracking that move, then raced uncovered up the backstretch and drew alongside Simple Kinda Man by three-quarters in 1:23.1.

Into the stretch Simple Kinda Man clung to a slim lead while Screen Test continued to dig into the pacesetter to the outside. Time To Dance found room through the passing lane and dove inside, sliding by Screen Test and Simple Kinda Man to win by two lengths in 1:52.4. Father Ofthe Year also qualified for the final, finishing fourth.

A four-year-old gelding by A Rocknroll Dance, Time To Dance won his sixth race from 18 starts this season and his 13th from 47 overall, earning $82,863. Brent Campbell and Matthew McDonald own the $5.40 winner.

Zero Rate won the $2,300 Mayors Pace in 1:57.1 for driver Kenny Arsenault, trainer Michael Gallant and owners Billy MacKinnon of Stratford and Calvin Larkin of Mermaid.

The first $3,000 elimination of the Birthplace Of Confederation Series saw Arc Light and Marc Campbell win in 1:54.4 over Berazzled, Falls Creek and Jordies Hope. Those four will advance to the pacing mares final on Gold Cup and Saucer night.

J K Express had a lifetime best performance in the Allan (Kitten) Livingston and Ian (Cat) Smith Memorial, as driver Jason Hughes toured the oval in 1:54.3.

(with files from Red Shores)

To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
Anti-corruption activist and former conservative lawmaker Ahmad Tavakoli says two years ago after consultation with the Supreme Leader he proposed a plan for transparency in Khamenei's office but his plan was not welcomed.

In an interview published by reformist Etemad newspaper on Sunday Tavakoli has said that the reason for proposing the plan was "people's expectations" and "more sensitivity" about the entities under the supervision of the Supreme Leader's Office. However, he has not disclosed which official of the said Office opposed the plan.

Tavakoli has claimed that Khamenei himself welcomes transparency "but his staff  for any reason  do not welcome it". He has also claimed that after the plan was turned down he has not had the opportunity to discuss it with Khamenei again.

The Office of the Supreme Leader consists of at least eight departments, seven special bureaus and a number of media and publication institutions that publish his writings and manage his social media accounts and websites in different languages.

Since Khamenei was elected by the Assembly of Experts as Supreme Leader in 1989 following the death of the founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini has never published any reports on its organizational chart, functions and manner of supervision of massive economic entities under the direct supervision of the Leader.

The entities under Khamenei's supervision such as the Mostazafan Foundation (Foundation for the Deprived), Astan-e Qods-e Razavi which administrates and manages the Shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad and its huge assets and the Housing Foundation control a huge portion of the Iranian economy. Some critics claim the assets and funds under the control of these organizations make up around 60 percent of the Iranian economy.

Tavakoli who is the founder of Transparency and Justice Watch has emphasized that there is corruption in some of these entities including the Mostazafan foundation.

The Mostazafan foundation has a turnover of 360,000 billion rials, Tavakoli who is also an economist and a member of the Expediency Council has said and maintained that if the Office of the Surpreme Leader makes its own activities transparent "entities such as the Mostazafan Foundation can no longer refuse to be transparent".

Referring to people's huge distrust of the authorities of the Islamic Republic Tavakoli has said: "We are like the guy crying wolf [who nobody believes] and must accept that people's trust to us authorities has hugely declined in comparison with the past".
WATERBURY  A local motel was damaged and two people were arrested during a Friday night protest, where more than 100 people gathered in support of the establishment being shut down, according to police.

The group gathered around 5:30 p.m. in the area of the Big Apple Motel at 428 West Main St. Police officers were dispatched to monitor the protest.

The focus of the protest, which began late Friday afternoon and continued late into the evening, was the motel, which opened a few years ago and racked up a slew of complaints ranging from criminal mischief to drug overdoses, according to the Republican-American.

Police said protesters were there to call for the hotel to close down.

The owner of the establishment, Aijaz Ahmed, told the Republican-American he takes many precautions to screen guests, adding that he refuses rooms to people he views as suspect. He said he works with police when there is an issue.

By 7 p.m. Friday, police said, the crowd grew to a group of more than 100 people. Police said protesters were blocking some of the nearby streets.

Police said some of those in the group became violent, adding that several individuals were on the roof seen trying to damage the electronic billboard sign while others were breaking the front windows on the business.

Some of those protesters allegedly went inside the business through broken windows and started to damage property, according to police. The department said when officers went inside the motel to check for any potential injuries, the group of protesters headed back into the street.

According to the Republican-Americans coverage of the protest, a handful of individuals climbed onto the roof and pulled the motels electronic sign from the front of the building. The news organization reported that another group broke at least one window and some people stormed the motel lobby.

Officers identified one boy, who they say threw a metal object through the front window of the business before running away, who was taken into custody in the area of Willow Street and West Main Street.

The 16-year-old was charged with second-degree criminal mischief.

Later, near the hotel, police said a man allegedly picked up a rock, made eye contact with a patrol sergeant and threw the rock at the sergeant. The rock missed the sergeants head, and the suspect allegedly took off running and officers gave chase. He was taken into custody in the area of Willow Street and West Main Street.

The man, identified by police as 20-year-old Angel Troche, of Waterbury, was charged with criminal attempt at assault on a public safety officer. He was held on a $5,000 bond.

Around 11 p.m., the crowd cleared the area.

Police said the motels front windows, electronic motel sign, a television, a vending machine, two small digital signs and surveillance cameras were damaged during the protest.

The investigation remains open, and anyone with information is asked to call 203-574-6941.
India has sent 30 tonnes of technical equipment and material on board an IAF aircraft to Mauritius to help the country contain an oil spill on its pristine south-east coast.

A 10-member Indian Coast Guard (ICG) team specialising in containing oil spill has also been deployed to Mauritius to extend necessary technical and operational assistance, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Sunday.

A Japanese bulk carrier struck a coral reef off the coast of Mauritius in late July and leaked hundreds of tonnes of oil in the environmentally sensitive region days later.

On Saturday, Mauritian authorities said the ship, MV Wakashio, broke apart. Last week, Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth declared a state of environmental emergency and sought international assistance to deal with the situation.

"In response to a request of the government of Mauritius for assistance in dealing with the environmental crisis due to oil spill on its south-east coast, the government of India has dispatched over 30 tonnes of technical equipment and material on board an IAF aircraft to Mauritius to supplement the country's ongoing oil spill containment and salvage operations," the MEA said in a statement.

The MEA said India's assistance is in line with its policy to extend humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to its neighbours in the Indian Ocean region and guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of security and growth for all in the region.

It said the urgent assistance reflects the close bonds of friendship between India and Mauritius and New Delhi's abiding commitment to assist the people of Mauritius in need.

"The specialized equipment, consisting of ocean booms, river booms, disc skimmers, heli skimmers, power packs, blowers, salvage barge and oil absorbent graphene pads and other accessories, is specifically designed to contain the oil slick, skim oil from water, and assist in clean up and salvage operations," the MEA said.

India has also sent Mauritius essential medicines and other materials to help it in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. A special consignment of Ayurvedic medicines and a medical team were part of the assistance.
New York, Aug 16 : Researchers have found the likely order in which Covid-19 symptoms first appear -- fever, followed by cough, muscle pain, and then nausea, and/or vomiting and diarrhoea.

Knowing the order of the Covid-19 symptoms may help patients seek care promptly or decide sooner than later to self-isolate.

According to the study, published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health, recognising the order of symptoms also could help doctors plan how to treat patients, and perhaps intervene earlier in the disease.

"This order is especially important to know when we have overlapping cycles of illnesses like the flu that coincide with infections of Covid-19," said study author Peter Kuhn from the University of Southern California in the US.

"Given that there are now better approaches to treatments for Covid-19, identifying patients earlier could reduce hospitalisation time," said another study author Joseph Larsen.

Fever and cough are frequently associated with a variety of respiratory illnesses, including Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

But the timing and symptoms in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract set Covid-19 apart.

"The upper GI tract (i.e., nausea/vomiting) seems to be affected before the lower GI tract (i.e., diarrhoea) in COvid-19, which is the opposite from MERS and SARS," the scientists wrote.

The authors predicted the order of symptoms this spring from the rates of symptom incidence of more than 55,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in China, all of which were collected by the World Health Organization.

They also studied a dataset of nearly 1,100 cases collected from December 11, 2019, through January 29, 2020, by the China Medical Treatment Expert Group via the National Health Commission of China.

To compare the order of Covid-19 symptoms to influenza, the researchers examined data from 2,470 cases in North America, Europe and the Southern Hemisphere, which were reported to health authorities from 1994 to 1998.

According to the researchers, the order of the symptoms matter.

"Knowing that each illness progresses differently means that doctors can identify sooner whether someone likely has Covid-19, or another illness, which can help them make better treatment decisions," Larsen noted.
US president also casts doubt that he would join in Russias call for a summit of world leaders to defuse Iran tensions.

US President Donald Trump has announced that he intends to move next week to trigger a snapback of international sanctions against Iran at the United Nations.

Trump plans to use a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers as grounds for this snapback, in spite of having withdrawn the US from the accord in 2018.

Trump made the announcement as he dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putins call for a summit of world leaders to discuss increasing Iran tensions, saying he probably would not participate.

Well be doing a snapback, Trump told reporters on Saturday, one day after the UN Security Council rejected a US bid to extend a UN arms embargo on Iran.

Youll be watching it next week.

The US has threatened to trigger a return of all UN sanctions on Iran using the snapback provision in the 2015 nuclear deal.

Diplomats have said the US would face a tough, messy battle in any such move.

1/ I think there may be something to learn by comparing @realDonaldTrump's current threat to attempt "snapback" under #JCPOA and UNSCR 2231 with his decision not to do so in May 2018, when he withdrew from the deal but did not snapback all previous UN sanctions. A long thread.  Jarrett Blanc (@JarrettBlanc) August 15, 2020

In a social media post, Jarrett Blanc, a former US Department of State official who had been involved with the Iran nuclear deal, warned about the consequences of Trumps intentions.

The cost will be a devastating loss of UNSC authority that will damage the US role in the world for the foreseeable future  but the Trump Administration manifestly is not too worried about damage done to the country rather than to its own ambition, he wrote.

US humiliation

The US lost its bid on Friday to extend the UN arms embargo after Putin proposed a summit of world leaders to avoid confrontation over the American snapback threat.

Probably not, Trump said when asked whether he would participate in the Putin-backed summit.

In the Security Council vote, Russia and China opposed extending the weapons ban, which is due to expire in October.





Eleven members abstained, including France, Germany and the UK, while the US and the Dominican Republic were the only yes votes.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday that the US suffered a humiliating defeat at the Security Council.

I dont remember the United States preparing a resolution for months to strike a blow at the Islamic Republic of Iran, and it garners only one vote, Rouhani said in a televised speech.

But the great success was that the United States was defeated in this conspiracy with humiliation.

Its a serious mistake; we regret that, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Saturday of the Security Council vote in a news conference during a visit to Poland.
New Delhi, Aug 16 : Diversified conglomerate Aditya Birla Group will focus on conservation of cash and strengthening its business relationships in the near term.

In a letter to the shareholders of Hindalco Industries, an Aditya Birla Group company, Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla also said that the group will also emphasise the safety of its teams and assets.

"In these turbulent and dynamic times, the Group's near term focus is to hold the ship steady and to see it through the turbulence - by emphasising on conservation of cash, the safety of its teams and assets, and strengthening its business relationships," Birla said.

He also said that the group is also closely examining the evolving changes in the business environment and their implications, to position itself well for leveraging the opportunities through and after the economic revival.

The Chairman said that over a longer historical arc, the Aditya Birla Group has witnessed dramatic disruptions across periods, businesses, and geographies but has come out stronger always.

"A wide range of insights and experiences accumulated over diverse situations, allows the Group to fortify its businesses from both the immediate and the lingering effects of economic pain, caused by the pandemic," he said.

He said that the group's businesses proactively created 'Business Continuity Plans' working through different scenarios. Over the last few months, business models have been re-assessed, to identify strategic and tactical opportunities to improve effectiveness, prune avoidable costs as well as prepare for the new normal, Birla told the shareholders.

About the new opportunities ideated and explored in Aditya Birla Group, he said that the retail business has made an "emphatic" foray into masks, chemical business is producing disinfectants, and the fibre business is now manufacturing anti-bacterial fibre.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, August 16, 2020 14:13 521 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e64ec8 4 News Bali-tourism,travel,foreign-tourists Free

Following news of the government's plans to attract foreigners to work from Bali, an official from the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry said that such a program would be impossible to implement at the moment.

"[Inviting] foreigners to work from Bali would be impossible at the moment as the borders are still closed; they're also unable to exit [their own country]," the ministry's marketing deputy, Nia Niscaya, said during a webinar on Friday as quoted by kompas.com.

Nia added that even foreign embassy employees were not allowed to leave Jakarta. The plan is targeted at government officials and encourages them to have meeting, incentives, convention and exhibition (MICE)-related activities in Bali.

"We were asked by our leaders to conduct activities in tourist destinations, particularly Bali. [It's called] work from Bali as Bali's main local income is tourism," Nia added.

Read also: Indonesia still evaluating when to reopen Bali and other tourist hot spots

Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan had said during a virtual meeting with the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) on Thursday that regulations for a work from Bali plan was currently in the works.

"Foreigners who are IT experts can work from Bali. It's something we're currently considering; not just considering, but we have pushed [the idea]. We [are currently working on] the regulations," Luhut said as quoted by kompas.com.

However, he added that the government had not set an exact date for the program as it was still focusing on stimulating domestic tourism to help revive the industry.

"We won't be welcoming foreign tourists until the end of this year," Nuhut added. (kes)
Israeli military carries out fresh aerial, ground attacks against Gaza Strip

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 15 August 2020 1:47 AM

The Israeli military has launched fresh aerial and ground attacks against targets across the besieged Gaza Strip, in the latest of a series of attacks carried out overnight this week.

Late on Friday, the Israeli warplanes, helicopters and tanks once again bombed positions in the blockaded enclave, claiming that they were positions held by the Palestinian resistance movement of Hamas.

In a statement issued following the attacks, the Israeli military said that the raids were carried out in response to a number of alleged incendiary balloons sent from Gaza to the occupied territories, and targeted "naval force compound, underground infrastructure and observation posts" belonging to Hamas.

According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, at least a pregnant woman and a three-year-old child sustained injuries in the attacks and were taken to hospital for due treatment.

Friday's attacks on sites allegedly used by Hamas were the sixth such night-time aggression this week.

The Israeli regime every so often launches strikes against positions in the blockaded enclave, accusing the resistance groups there of launching rockets.

Gaza has been under Israeli siege since June 2007, which has caused a decline in living standards.

Israel has also launched three major wars against the enclave since 2008, killing thousands of Gazans each time and shattering the impoverished territory's already poor infrastructure.

The crippling blockade has caused a decline in the standard of living as well as unprecedented levels of unemployment and unrelenting poverty in the Gaza Strip.

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Warsaw, Aug 16 : Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak and visiting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed an agreement for the expansion of the US military presence and the creation of a regional headquarter in Poland.

They signed the so-called Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), a legal framework that deepens military cooperation between the two countries, Xinhua news agency reported.

The core of the new agreement consists of the opening of a base in Poland for the 5th Corps of the US Army, which is expected to open in 2021. The total number of American soldiers in Poland will increase by 1,000 to around 5,500.

Blaszczak told Polish Press Agency that the deal will cost Poland around 113 million euros (US $134 million). "Like other countries with a United States military presence, Poland guarantees and pays for military quarters, sustenance, a yearly allowance of fuel, storage of select equipment and armaments, and infrastructure," he said.
By Frank J. Matthews:

As a youngster growing up in Ohio and then in north Alabama, I saw images from Birmingham in the 1960s that were both sad and frightening. I remember the mood in my family when we learned of the bombing of 16th Street Baptist Church and when fire hoses turned on peaceful protesters.

The backstories behind all those events was even more alarming. Decades after the Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves, some communities still celebrated white supremacy, built monuments to segregation, and sought to oppress blacks by tormenting and killing them because they were different.

Although those days have passed, the constant reminders of legally sanctioned oppression of Black people still linger throughout the South and especially in Birmingham. Now it is time for a change.

Several weeks ago, the City of Birmingham successfully removed a monument to the confederacy from Linn Park. But while the statue of Confederate soldiers has been removed, the very name of that same park and the library nearby, hold fast to the celebration of the confederacy.

While I commend the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board for taking the first step in renaming the park, I look forward to the day when that action is final. I also look forward to seeing the Birmingham Library Board take similar action in renaming the research library.

My passion for this work is more than a mere effort to bring change in the states largest city that was once synonymous with segregation and strife. I am driven to see this effort through because I have been blessed by the work of those who were before me, such as Rev. Shuttleworth and Congressman Lewis.

I came to know Rev. Shuttleworth after meeting him during the trial of Bobby Frank Cherry, one of the men convicted of killing the four little girls in the bombing of 16th Street Baptist Church. One day while talking with Rev. Shuttlesworth near the confederate memorial in Linn Park, I asked him why he never sought to have it removed. He told me if he had done that, 500 Klansmen would come and try to kill him.

That was about 18 years ago. Today, times have definitely changed.

I recently proposed changing the names of both the park and the library to honor individuals whose legacy is more in keeping with the Birmingham of today and the Birmingham of our future.

Linn Park should be named in honor of the recently deceased Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis and the Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth, leader of the Birmingham Campaign in the Civil Rights Movement. The research library should be renamed in honor of Americas first Black President, Barack Obama, and Mr. James Armstrong, a veteran and quiet activist who led in the desegregation of Birmingham City Schools.

By placing these names on the park and the library, we will educate and remind generations to come of true and rich history, unlike the history presented through the current names.

In 1980s, Linn Park was named in honor of Charles Linn, a confederate naval officer and former Birmingham businessman. John Henley, Linns son-in-law was a confederate captain. His name is on the citys research library, along with the name of his in-laws. They were all major players in Birminghams early business community.

The tide for change has already taken afoot in other areas of the state.

Just recently, the Board of Trustees for the University of Alabama System voted to change the name of Nott Hall on the University of Alabama campus. That building was dedicated in 1922 in honor of Josiah Nott, a scientist, and physician who defended slavery and held slaves himself.

The honor, at the time, was accepted and welcomed. Besides, the University of Alabama was built to serve the states elite white men, who met certain criteria. In changing the name, the Board of Trustees acknowledges that although the university still is a majority white institution, it seeks to reflect a diverse culture that does not celebrate oppression of any race of people.

IIts time for Birmingham, a city recognized as a leader in the new South, to get rid of the racist and oppressive holdovers in parks, buildings, and other monuments.

Matthews is a longtime Birmingham activist.
Top election officials in the state warned this week that they will need more money to run the November general election, and it will likely take weeks to tabulate the results, much like in the June primary. The state Board of Elections is taking what steps it can to help things run smoothly, as is the state Legislature. But President Donald Trump said this week that he doesnt plan to provide the U.S. Postal Service with funding explicitly because he doesnt want mail-in voting to flourish. And the decisions of Trumps new postmaster general are already delaying mail service in the five boroughs. Keep reading for the rest of this weeks news.

New York City school reopening faces resistance

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that based on a survey sent to public school parents, about 75% want to send their kids back to school in September. The other 25% explicitly backed remote learning only. Some parents and teachers disputed the meaning behind those numbers. De Blasio also announced that every school will have a certified nurse on-site. However, the reopening plan still faces opposition by unions representing both teachers and administrators, who are asking to delay the start of in-person school  which is currently Sept. 10  until at least the end of September. Union leaders say school staff dont have enough time to prepare under the current timeline and still lack guidance on the details of reopening. The New York State Nurses Association joined the call, saying that schools statewide should postpone any return to classrooms. But their concerns are not stopping de Blasio, who said he is still moving ahead with reopening on Sept. 10, while schools Chancellor Richard Carranza continues to say the city isnt moving too quickly.

Courts weigh in on evictions

About a week ago, Gov. Andrew Cuomo didnt explicitly extend the moratorium on evictions earlier this month, but he did give the courts the authority to continue the pause. That left in limbo about 14,000 New Yorkers who had eviction warrants against them before the start of the pandemic and therefore were not covered by a state law that protects tenants from eviction if they faced financial hardship during the pandemic. The states chief administrative judge issued a memo providing new guidance, protecting those who were facing eviction before the pandemic until at least Oct. 1. The memo states that no one can be kicked out of their homes until then, although the approximately 200,000 pending eviction cases from before March 17 will be allowed to proceed in the meantime.

Zucker in the hot seat

The state Legislature held a hearing on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on hospitals as part of a series of hearings on the pandemics effects throughout the state. Like recent hearings on coronavirus deaths in nursing homes, state Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker once again found himself on the receiving end of lawmakers questions. He was asked about numerous reports that, during the height of the crisis, hospitals ran low on personal protective equipment, nurses had to wear garbage bags when they ran out of gowns and doctors had to wear the same N95 and/or surgical mask for days. The New York State Nurses Association sued the state Health Department in April over insufficient personal protective equipment. But Zucker refuted all those reports, saying hospitals had an adequate supply of protective equipment the entire time. He said that in every conversation the state had with hospital staff, none ever complained about a shortage. When asked about whats being done to prepare hospitals for a second wave of the virus, Zucker said hospitals must have a 90-day stockpile of equipment by Sept. 30.

De Blasio dials up threats of layoffs

After weeks of floating the possibility due to New Yorks Citys dire financial straits, de Blasio has doubled down on the prospect of laying off 22,000 public employees on Oct. 1 unless the city gets some form of new aid to close its budget shortfall. He was hoping for money as part of a federal aid package, but that seems increasingly unlikely now that talks in Congress have stalled, and lawmakers have gone on recess until September. De Blasio has also pleaded with the state Legislature to allow the city to borrow money and take on short-term debt, but state lawmakers have remained reticent. Prior to the mayors announcement about the layoffs, he had already reached out to a number of city agencies to let them know how much their budgets would be slashed through layoffs and to determine who would be fired to hit that number.
Some want direct government aid. Others want tax breaks. Many want protection against lawsuits.

Nursing homes have been the center of Americas coronavirus pandemic, with more than 62,000 residents and staff dying from Covid-19 at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, about 40 percent of the countrys virus fatalities. Now the lightly regulated industry is campaigning in Washington for federal help that could increase its profits.

Some of the countrys largest nursing-home companies  including those with long histories of safety violations and misusing public funds  have assembled a fleet of lobbyists, many with close ties to the Trump administration.

Eliezer Scheiner, a nursing-home owner and major donor to President Trump, recently retained Brian Ballard, a friend of the president who used to lobby on behalf of Mr. Trumps business. Genesis Healthcare, the largest nursing-home chain in the United States, hired two former top White House aides, including Jim Schultz, a former special assistant to Mr. Trump. LifeCare Centers of America, whose Kirkland, Wash., facility had the countrys first coronavirus outbreak in March, brought on four former Republican Senate aides. The industrys main trade group enlisted Haley Barbour, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee.
Almanza, 67, known as el senor de los cacahuates, (the man who sells peanuts), died three days after he was run over by a car pursued by Chicago police the night of Aug. 2, according to police spokeswoman Kellie Bartoli. Now, after a memorial service in Chicago, his family is hoping to be able to send his body back to his birthplace to be buried.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib announced in a Twitter post Saturday night that she voted against the Democratic Party's 2020 platform and nominated for president Sen. Bernie Sanders, who suspended his campaign in April.

Why it matters: Democratic activists are pressing the DNC and former Vice President Joe Biden to enact bold policies and transform the party into a political force they feel meets the political moment, Axios' Alexi McCammond notes. Tlaib said she voted no to the platform, which is expected to pass, because it doesn't include a plan for a single-payer health care system. "We need a platform that works to rid our society of oppression and greed," she added. "[T]his platform does not do enough."

A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted.

Go deeper: Democrats announce full list of convention speakers
Russia has reached an agreement in principle to conduct clinical trials of its controversial coronavirus vaccine in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, according to the head of its sovereign wealth fund.

The Russians are working with a pharmaceutical company in the kingdom and have shared data from Phase I and Phase II trials with Saudi partners, the chief executive officer of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev, told Arab News. The company wasnt identified.

Well really engage with Saudi scientists and the Saudi Health Ministry, Dmitriev said. We believe that Saudi will be a very strong partner for our joint work on the Sputnik V vaccine.

Earlier this month Russia approved a coronavirus shot before crucial tests have shown its safe and effective. The plan is to begin mass inoculation soon. A local association of multinational pharmaceutical companies has called the rushed regulatory approval risky.

Russia also shared its data with the UAE and is expecting to start its trials there later in August, Dmitriev said. Additionally, it plans to conduct clinical trials in the Philippines and Brazil as well as at home, he said.
Embattled Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, speaking at a rally of his supporters in Minsk ahead of a planned opposition protest on Sunday, rejected calls to hold a new presidential election and accused NATO of massing on his country's western border.

Lukashenko addressed his supporters near the Government House in Independence Square hours before tens of thousands of opposition protesters began gathering in the same area of the capital chanting Leave!.

The opposition March for Freedom marked a week-long display of dissent against Lukashenko  dubbed Europes last dictator  since last Sundays vote, which protesters say were rigged.

The strongman, who has ruled Belarus for the last 26 years, is facing the greatest challenge to his leadership following a post-electoral police crackdown in which at least two people have died.

"I'm not a fan of rallies but, alas, it's not my fault I had to call you to help me," the 65-year-old said as some 10,000 supporters waved national flags and shouted "Thank you!" and "Belarus!".

Wiping his brow, the president standing at a podium in a short-sleeved shirt, insisted on the legitimacy of last Sunday's presidential poll in which he claimed victory over popular opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.

"The elections were valid. There could not be more than 80 percent of votes falsified. We will not hand over the country," he said, as Tikhanovskaya has called for fresh elections after the official count gave Lukashenko 80 percent and her 10 percent.

NATO troops are at our gates

Lukashenko warned of a threat from neighbouring NATO countries, claiming the military alliance had deployed tanks and planes 15 minutes from the Belarusian border.

"NATO troops are at our gates. Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and our native Ukraine are ordering us to hold new elections," he said.

A spokeswoman for the Brussels-based military alliance however denied Lukashenkos claim, saying there was no NATO buildup in eastern Europe.

Story continues

NATO member Lithuania also denied it posed a military threat to neighbouring Belarus. "The Belarus crisis is a political one, and any allegations by the Belarus leadership about foreign countries' interference or about threats they pose are an attempt to shift blame and justify its own actions," said Lithuanian Defence Minister Raimundas Karoblis

At the rally on Independence Square Sunday, Lukashenko said Belarus would "die as a state" if new polls were held.

"I have never betrayed you and will never do so," he said.

Often emotional in state TV appearances, the president had already alleged a foreign-backed plot to topple him.

He then asked his supporters, many of them bused into the capital, according to local journalists, if they wanted new elections. "No!" the crowd shouted.

"If we kowtow to them, we will go into a tailspin and will never stabilise our aircraft," he said.

"We will perish as a state, as a people, as a nation," he said, as security staff stood nearby with his teenage son, Nikolai.

Protests at state TV building

His address came a day after thousands demonstrated in Minsk after Tikhanovskaya's call for protests.

Many gathered at the spot where Alexander Taraikovsky, 34, died last week during protests against the election result.

Demonstrators heaped flowers at the spot and the crowd chanted "Thank you!" and raised victory signs. Police kept a low profile.

Many held up photographs of protesters beaten during the crackdown, while one man stood in his underwear revealing the purple bruises on his thighs, buttocks and back.

Later thousands protested outside the Belarusian state television centre, complaining that their broadcasts backed Lukashenko and gave a skewed picture of the protests.

If Russia intervenes, that would be the worst

Facing the biggest challenge to his rule since taking power in 1994, Lukashenko called in Moscow's help and spoke on the phone with Putin Saturday, after warning there was "a threat not only to Belarus".

He later told military chiefs that Putin had offered "comprehensive help" to "ensure the security of Belarus".

The Kremlin said the leaders agreed the "problems" in Belarus would be "resolved soon" and the countries' ties strengthened.

While Lukashenko periodically plays Moscow off against the neighbouring EU, Russia is Belarus's closest ally and the countries have formed a "union state" linking their economies and militaries.

Lukashenko criticised Russia during his election campaign and Belarus detained 33 Russians on suspicion of planning riots ahead of polls.

Opposition protesters slammed Lukashenko for now seeking Moscow's aid and said they fear Russian intervention.

"It's obvious that our president can't deal with his own people any more, he's seeking help in the east," said Alexei Linich, a 27-year-old programmer.

"If Russia intervenes, that would be the worst. I'm really afraid of this," said Olga Nesteruk, a landscape designer.

'Will not give up the country'

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday that the European Union should support these demonstrations in Belarus.

"The European Union must continue to be mobilised in support of the hundreds of thousands of Belarusians who are protesting peacefully for the respect of their rights, liberty and sovereignty," Macron said on his Twitter feed.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday urged Lukashenko to "engage with civil society", during a trip to Poland, which has offered to act as a mediator.

Tikhanovskaya, a 37-year-old political novice who ran after other opposition candidates including her husband were jailed, has demanded that Lukashenko step down so new elections can be held. Tikhanovskaya left the country on Tuesday for neighbouring Lithuania, with her allies saying she came under official pressure.

She is also demanding authorities be held to account for the crackdown, which saw police use rubber bullets, stun grenades and, in at least one case, live rounds to disperse protesters, with at least 6,700 people detained and hundreds injured.

Officials have confirmed two deaths in the unrest, including Taraikovsky -- who they say died when an explosive device went off in his hand during a protest -- and another man who died in custody in the southeastern city of Gomel.

Call for 'free and fair' vote

On Friday authorities began releasing hundreds of those arrested and many gave horrific accounts of beatings and torture.

European Union ministers have agreed to draw up a list of targets in Belarus for a new round of sanctions in response to the post-election crackdown.

The leaders of the three ex-Soviet Baltic states  Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia  on Saturday condemned the crackdown and called for a new vote.

Lukashenko has dismissed the demonstrators as foreign-controlled "sheep" and "people with a criminal past who are now unemployed", repeatedly accusing foreign governments of plotting his downfall.

Tikhanovskaya on Friday announced the creation of a Coordination Council to ensure a transfer of power, asking foreign governments to "help us in organising a dialogue with Belarusian authorities".

She demanded the authorities release all detainees, remove security forces from the streets and open criminal cases against those who ordered the crackdown.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
International students and universities will be forced to stump up the cost of travel and quarantine as the federal government prepares for the first batch of students to arrive in Australia.

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham announced on Sunday that up to 300 students would start arriving in Adelaide as part of a pilot program to restart the international education sector which has been pummelled by the coronavirus pandemic.

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Universities are bracing for a potential $3 billion hit to their budgets from the COVID-19 outbreak. The Group of Eight - including the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne - account for 65,000 of the more than 100,000 Chinese students stranded overseas, while students from other key markets including India, Nepal and Vietnam have also been stuck at home.

The students will travel from Singapore on flights arriving by early September. The group also includes students from Hong Kong, China and Japan.
Peter Schwartz has been shaken by the events of the last six months. The futurist and senior vice president for strategic planning at Salesforce says theres never been an event like this in his nearly half century working as a scenario planner  which started in the early 1970s at the Stanford Research Institute and includes consulting jobs for the movies WarGames and Steven Spielbergs Minority Report.

But he is not at all surprised by a world-altering pandemic, and says that no one should be. The warnings have been coming from some of the strongest thinkers in his field for decades.

It is a profoundly different time, but not at all unexpected, Schwartz said during an early August interview. This was probably the most forecast discontinuity Ive ever seen. Ive written about it several times in the past. Many people have. This is not a black swan; this is a black elephant. This was a big elephant in the room, and we were just in denial about it.

Schwartz, 73, has moved operations from his downtown Salesforce office to his Berkeley Hills home, but he hasnt slowed down. Along with providing advice for business leaders and politicians, Schwartz contributed to a Deloitte/Salesforce scenario planning collaboration earlier in the pandemic, titled The World Remade by COVID-19, which brought together much of the old Global Business Network, a consulting group that included Andrew Blau, Stewart Brand, Kevin Kelly and Katherine Fulton.

The focus of our conversation was surveillance, but Schwartz also spoke to The Chronicle by video chat about his childhood interest in the future, reflections from some of the movies he worked on (including the underrated Sneakers) and the importance of diversity in predicting what comes next. The entire interview is available on The Chronicles Total SF podcast.

Q: In terms of future scenarios, is there anything like COVID-19 that youve dealt with in your career?

A: No. This is the greatest uncertainty that Ive ever experienced. I went through the oil crises of the 1970s, the financial crises of the 1980s, the wars of the 1990s, the (terrorist attacks) of the 2000s, the financial crisis of 2008. This dwarfs them all because of the magnitude and the ubiquity. The whole world is experiencing this, and it is an enormous crisis on the scale of a war. And the outcomes are by no means predetermined. The uncertainty is still very great.

Q: When youre sitting down thinking of scenarios, how much are you looking at data and research and how much is pure imagination?

A: Great scenarios are built out of both. Data matters a lot. This is not science fiction.  Ive helped write sci-fi movies. You have much less constraint in the world of sci-fi movies. In the world of scenario planning, you live in the world of facts. In this case, the dynamics of a virus are critically important. Policy choices that countries make and so on. These are all factual phenomena.

But if you really want to see the surprises, it takes imagination. How could those trends change? How could these forces combine in novel ways to produce surprising outcomes?

Q: How much do you fight your own bias? Is that a struggle?

A: Oh, thats a huge issue. All the time. Because were all biased.

Im naturally an optimist. Its easy to imagine how things go wrong. Its much harder to imagine how things go right.  I need people to challenge my thinking. Im American, Im white, Im 73, Ive had a particular set of experiences, I went through the 1960s, and it helped shape who I am.  I am biased, so the way I deal with that is to make sure that in any conversation, I have a multiplicity of points of view. People who are prepared to challenge each other and challenge me.

Every single time, with no exceptions, that Ive gotten the future wrong, its because there was an inadequate diversity of people in the room. It was not that it couldnt be seen; it was that we were just talking to ourselves.

Q: Surveillance could be one of the things that saves us, but over time, government surveillance has been seen as a bad thing by U.S. citizens. How is our relationship with surveillance evolving?

A: I think its a very important question, and one we dealt with in Minority Report. It was clearly a surveillance society. The thing we got wrong about it was that it was not Washington, D.C.  it was Beijing today.  I do think its a big issue, but I also think the honest truth is  for security reasons, for convenience reasons, and now for health reasons  gradually, we will accept much, much greater surveillance. And in the end we wont be too bothered by it because  in fact, for most people in most situations  it will be more beneficial than harmful.

There will be times when its abused, when data is stolen, when people are harmed by it. But for 99% of the people, 99% of the time, it will mean that you didnt have to show your ticket to get on BART; it means you didnt have to check out at the supermarket; it means that when somebody stole your kids bike, it will have been seen. Oh, and that unhealthy people will be detected before I get on the airplane.

Q: It seems like a pretty fast shift.

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.

A: The honest truth is we are taking these steps today out of necessity. (In the future) well have the choice. But my guess is that were going to be in a world with much greater electronic interaction. Much more digital in that respect, and our digital footprint will be everywhere.

 Were now in a global village where the truth is everything can be known about everybody. You can see my hot tub on Google Earth. (Fortunately, I wasnt in it when they took the last picture.) We actually are moving into that world of the global village, and we have to assume that everyone knows everything. And I think that will be the emerging reality.

Q: You mentioned that youre an optimist. When youre having an optimistic moment, what are you thinking about?

A: For most of us, this is the deepest crisis weve ever experienced. And it isnt going to end anytime soon. The economy is going to struggle; were going to see more illness, more death, and so on. I dont want to sugarcoat it in any way.

But crises in the right sense can induce remarkable change. It invites reimagination and reinvention. ... My hope is that if were sitting here and talking a year from now, a number of things will have happened. Well have new political leadership at the national level, and well have a kind of unifying response for the country and not a dividing response.

It will be a very different world, but I think  on the whole  likely for the better. Many of us are reimagining and reinventing. For me, thats the upside of this. Every crisis invites you to do that. To come out of it with new tools, new capabilities, new opportunities.

Is this the way I would choose to get there? Not at all. This is not my preferred scenario. But it is the reality of a terrible scenario that creates the necessity of invention that we can actually produce something far better than what we started with.

Peter Hartlaub is The San Francisco Chronicles culture critic. Email: phartlaub@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @PeterHartlaub
Novavax, Inc. NVAX announced that it has signed a Heads of Terms (Term Sheet) with the Government of the United Kingdom, which is looking to purchase 60 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate, NVX-CoV2373. The company will also collaborate with the UK government for a phase III study, which will evaluate the efficacy of the vaccine in the countrys population. The study will commence in the third quarter of 2020.

The above study will assess the ability of NVX-CoV2373 to protect from the symptomatic COVID-19 infection as well as evaluate antibody and T-cell responses. Novavax is looking to supply 60 million doses of NVX-CoV2373 to the UK government as early as the first quarter of 2021.

Notably, Novavax will expand its collaboration with FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, which will manufacture the antigen component of NVX-CoV2373. The FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies site in the UK is expected to produce up to 180 million doses annually.

We note that Novavax already has an agreement with the US government to deliver 100 million doses of NVX-CoV2373 as early as late 2020. In July, the company was selected for the U.S. governments Operation Warp Speed (OWS) and was awarded $1.6 billion by the federal government to support the late-stage development of its coronavirus vaccine candidate.

Shares of Novavax have skyrocketed 3248.7% year to date compared with the industrys increase of 3.9%.



In a separate press release, Novavax announced that it has entered into a development and supply agreement with the South Korean biopharmaceutical company SK bioscience to manufacture the antigen component of NVX-CoV2373, which will be used in the final vaccine product. Moreover, the companies signed a letter of intent with the Republic of Koreas Ministry of Health and Welfare to provide access to the vaccine for the global market as well as in South Korea.

Per the agreement, SK bioscience will manufacture the vaccine antigen component, using its cell culture and recombinant protein capability in South Korea beginning this month.

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Novavax also has a partnership pact with Takeda Pharmaceutical for the development, manufacturing and commercialization of NVX-CoV2373 in Japan. The company already has a deal with Emergent BioSolutions EBS to manufacture and supply its GMP vaccine product for use in its clinical studies.

We note that NVX-CoV2373 includes Novavaxs proprietary Matrix-M adjuvant to improve immune responses and stimulate high levels of neutralizing antibodies. The company initiated a phase I/II study on the candidate in May. In August, it released encouraging results on the first human trial of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate. The clinical trial data showed that the vaccine was generally well-tolerated and elicited robust antibody responses, numerically superior to what was seen in human convalescent sera (antibodies derived from blood donated by people who recovered from the illness).

Notably, Novavax received a total funding of $2 billion, roughly broken up into the U.S. Department of Defenses$60 million, the CEPIs $388 million and the U.S. governments OWS grant of $1.6 billion for developing NVX-CoV2373.

Significantly, all the above entities are financing several biotechs and large pharma companies including AstraZeneca AZN, Sanofi, Moderna MRNA, Inovio Pharmaceuticals and many universities to accelerate the development of vaccines against COVID-19.

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France objects to release of three men jailed for the murders of French nationals in Afghanistan.

France has objected to the release of three men jailed for the murders of French nationals in Afghanistan as part of Kabuls decision to release 400 Taliban prisoners as the last phase of fulfilling a condition set out in a deal between the Taliban and the US government.

The group of prisoners, whose release has begun, include two men who murdered Bettina Goislard, an employee of the UN refugee agency, in November 2003, and a former Afghan soldier who killed five French soldiers and injured 13 others in Kapisa province eight years ago.

France is particularly concerned by the presence, among the individuals liable to be released, of several terrorists convicted of killing French citizens in Afghanistan, the foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

The Afghan government and the Taliban are set to meet to launch an intra-Afghan peace process within days of the prisoner release being completed, a move that has drawn widespread condemnation after it emerged that many of the inmates were involved in attacks that killed tens of Afghans and foreigners.

It firmly opposes the liberation of individuals convicted of crimes against French nationals, in particular soldiers and humanitarian workers, it said.

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As a result, we have immediately asked the Afghan authorities not to proceed with the release of these terrorists.

Goislards family has also strongly denounced the move.

The release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners in return for 1,000 captive Afghan security personnel was agreed in a landmark deal between the US and the Taliban in February as a condition for intra-Afghan peace talks.

Disagreement over the release of the prisoners, who include individuals accused in connection with some of Afghanistans bloodiest attacks, has already delayed peace negotiations for months.

The Afghan government had released almost all the Taliban prisoners on the list, but authorities baulked at freeing the final 400.

Many of the inmates are accused of serious offences, with more than 150 of them on death row.

The list also includes a group of 44 fighters of particular concern to the US and other countries for their role in high-profile attacks.

Last week, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani agreed to release those 400 Taliban prisoners after an Afghan grand assembly, known as the Loya Jirga, passed a resolution to approve the move.

Thousands from across Afghanistan attend the Loya Jirga to discuss the 400 Taliban prisoners and the future of peace talks [Andalou]

Now, the Taliban have a choice  they must demonstrate they are not afraid of a comprehensive ceasefire. There is no great bravery required for war, but for peace, Ghani said while addressing the closing ceremony of the Loya Jirga.

At the extraordinary meet, more than 3,000 public figures from across the country backed the governments calls for a permanent ceasefire and international guarantees that the fighters would not resort to violence again.

It also called for both sides to commence the much-delayed intra-Afghan talks.

On Friday, the Afghan government said it had released the first 80 of the 400 Taliban prisoners in the run-up to direct negotiations between the two sides.

Talks are expected to be held in Qatar where the Taliban maintain a political office.
RiseUps latest summit took place online, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of adapting to the new normal amid the coronavirus pandemic

Related COVID-19 challenges drive first day of digital RiseUp Summit The RiseUp Summit concluded its 2020 round Saturday under the banner of Got Grit?

RiseUp from Home (RFH) lasted for three days and included 2,000 attendees spanning 30 nationalities, 269 startups, 22 workshops, 47 investors, and 105 speakers. The virtual event explored topics relating to building entrepreneurial resilience through 100+ keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and other virtual features.

Co-founder and CEO of RiseUp Abdelhameed Sharara said the virtual edition of the summit was testament to the innovation that emerges out of challenging circumstances, adding that Covid-19 has tested all businesses.

In our virtual Startup Expo, exhibitors customised their own virtual booths and interacted directly with potential clients and investors, while Startup Office Hours allowed participants to book consultancy sessions with industry experts, and Networking Circles gave people the opportunity to meet and interact, sharing ideas and resources on how to overcome current business challenges, Sharara added.

RFH represented a channel that bridged the gap between new stakeholders and the entrepreneurship ecosystem, bringing innovation to traditional markets and offering new investment opportunities to startups, Sharara underlined.

During the virtual event, Etisalat announced its collaboration with RiseUp to support entrepreneurs by sharing decades of knowledge and experience that will help them be more resilient in the face of challenges.

"Etisalat Business is always keen to support the SMEs and startup community in the Egyptian market through focusing on their needs and offering the best products and services that Etisalat can provide. Thus, due to the current global situation, and out of our responsibility to support our local entrepreneurial ecosystem, weve collaborated with leading entrepreneurial platform RiseUp. Our collaboration will benefit and support the ecosystem through an ongoing series of webinars that we have already initiated in RiseUp From Home, SME and SOHO business director at Etisalat Misr Mohamed Zohni said.

The Egyptian communications-platform-as-a-service (CPaaS) provider, and RiseUps official communications partner, announced that it will provide WhatsApp Business globally, where companies will connect and engage with two billion customers worldwide, raising the level of their communications and scaling their businesses.

CEQUENS also launched its CEQUENS Chat platform, where businesses can reach and engage with their customers on their preferred messaging app, including SMS, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp Business, Apple Chat, and Google Chat.

In a fireside chat about the future of banking in Egypt, vice chairman of Banque Misr Akef El-Maghraby announced that Banque Misr is developing its infrastructure to launch its first digital bank, which is expected to replace the traditional model, and accordingly is in talks with the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE).

The bank is also planning to launch a digital mobile application through which SMEs and start-ups can apply for loans without having to visit a branch, according to Akef.

During the fireside chat, El-Maghraby highlighted the phenomenal growth of the banks investment in SMEs, from EGP 2.5 billion four years ago, to EGP 36 billion today, extending their support to startups and SMEs with financial and non-financial services.

He added that the bank is also providing a dedicated team to support early-stage startups, fostering bright ideas, and scaling them to successful businesses.

CEO of Instabug, Omar Gabr, discussed their standing achievements as a software company that provides bug and crash reporting during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Over the past two years, Instabug revenues have grown by 120 percent. Our software is currently running on 2.5 billion devices, with 25,000 companies using it, helping them fix 700 million bugs in their applications. People staying home has increased traffic on our app by almost 80 percent since March, through applications like Houseparty, Instacart, and 9Gag, Gabr commented. He added that the company raised $5 million in May from Accel and Y Combinator and it targets becoming Egypts first Unicorn.

CEO of Homzmart Mahmoud Ibrahim said that from January to July 2020, Homzmart witnessed a 30x increase in monthly average number of users, and 13x growth in sales.

I am glad to share that not only were we able to increase our sales, but also enable listed sellers to increase their revenues by an average of 40 percent since they joined the platform to date, Ibrahim added.

Hatem Sallam, partner/chief growth officer at almentor.net and Hamdi Tabaa, co-founder and CEO of Abwaab, discussed the development of edutech in the MENA region and how it has supported the academic system during the pandemic.

Salaam highlighted how technology changed the education landscape in Egypt, providing access and convenience for users of different demographics to updated educational content online, which opened a new market that is continuously growing and drawing investment during these unprecedented times.

Within the past six months, the number of courses attended on our platform doubled, where 42,000 online professional development courses were attended by users, and 500,000 online courses were attended by secondary school students, where they were able to study and prepare for their final exams from the comfort of their home. This was in collaboration with the Ministry of Education in Egypt and sponsored by the National Bank of Egypt, said Salaam.

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Suburban housewives across America are mobilizing against Donald Trump after the president promised he would win their support come November.

Trump claimed in a tweet on Wednesday that 'suburban housewives' would vote for him because he ended a program allowing low-income housing to 'invade their neighborhood'.

He charged that his rival Joe Biden would reinstall that program in a 'bigger form' with Democratic Senator Cory Booker in charge.

'The "suburban housewife" will be voting for me,' the president declared.

The tweet drew swift backlash from critics who viewed it as a racist dog whistle, including some of the women he claimed would be happy about the program getting shut down.

In the days that followed, several Facebook groups have cropped up with self-identifying suburban housewives vowing to ensure that Trump doesn't see a second term.

Suburban housewives across America are mobilizing against Donald Trump after the president promised he would win their support come November

Trump claimed in a tweet on Wednesday that 'suburban housewives' would vote for him because he ended a program allowing low-income housing to 'invade their neighborhood'

In the wake of Trump's tweet, several Facebook groups have cropped up with self-identifying suburban housewives vowing to ensure that Trump doesn't see a second term

One group called Suburban Housewives Against Trump has racked up more than 8,100 members since it was created hours after the president's controversial tweet.

'Donald Trump used sexist language to describe us as "suburban housewives,"' the description reads. 'He also said that we'd be voting for him. He's wrong.'

The group was created by Loni Yeary Gentry, a stay-at-home mother of three from Florence, Kentucky.

Yeary Gentry told the Daily Beast her objective to give Trump critics in her largely conservative community a space where they could speak freely about the upcoming election.

She said she was surprised to find that group members included several mothers from her children's Catholic private school who she had assumed would be Trump supporters.

'I think people may make assumptions,' Yeary Gentry said. 'And I think that's something the president has done, unfortunately, is make assumptions that all white women are going to support him. And we're not.'

Loni Yeary Gentry, a mother-of-three from Kentucky, created a Facebook group called "Suburban Housewives" Against Trump on Wednesday that now has more than 8,100 members

Middle-age white women proved hugely important in the 2016 election, when Trump won 53 percent of votes in that category.

But recent polls suggest that Trump's support among suburban women is much lower than it was the last time.

A recent NPR/PBS poll showed 66 percent of suburban women said they disapproved of the job Trump is doing overall - with 58 percent saying they strongly disapproved.

Other polls have suggested that Trump trails Biden by up to 25 percentage points with female voters.

Mary Hayes, a mother-of-three from Virginia, founded a Facebook group called 'The Real Suburban Housewives for Biden/Harris'

Eager to win the crucial suburban vote this year, Trump has sent more than a dozen female surrogates to suburbs over the past year, using his 'law and order' stance to convince families that he is the candidate to keep their communities safe.

However, that strategy appears to be backfiring as suburban areas have become increasingly diverse.

That's an argument made by Mary Hayes, a black mother-of-three from Virginia who founded a Facebook group called 'The Real Suburban Housewives for Biden/Harris'.

Hayes said that Trump has managed to alienate a large section of voters in suburbs with racist comments meant to appeal to housewives like her.

Trump acknowledged the growing diversity of suburban areas when asked what he meant by his 'invasion' tweet at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

'What I mean is [Biden and Harris are] going to be opening up areas of your neighborhood, which they are already doing and now they want to expand it,' he said.

'And they will expand it. They are going to, in my opinion, destroy suburbia.'

Trump was referring to the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule, a policy created under President Barack Obama that aimed to prevent housing discrimination. Biden has pledged to reenact the rule.

Reacting to assertions that his tweet had racist undertones, Trump noted that 30 percent of people in suburbia are minorities.

'And just so you understand, 30 percent plus of the people living in suburbia are minorities,' he said. 'African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic-American. They are minorities, 30 percent.'

Trump acknowledged the growing diversity of suburban areas when asked what he meant by his 'invasion' tweet at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon (pictured)

Hayes responded to Trump's comments by telling the Daily Beast: 'He might as well have said: "The white housewife will be voting for me because I kept the low income [people], or the minorities, or however you want to say it, out of your neighborhoods."'

'You cannot want to get the vote of somebody and discard certain people in that same community,' Hayes added.

Some white women, the perceived target of Trump's tweet, also balked at his use of the term 'suburban housewife'.

'I guess I'm a suburban housewife, but I definitely don't feel that way,' Jaime Spataro, a mother from the Philadelphia suburbs, told the Daily Beast.

Spataro founded her own Facebook group, 'Suburban Housewives for Biden/Harris', which boasts more than 4,200 members.

'When I hear the term "suburban housewife", I think of a woman in a dress with an apron in the 1950s, vacuuming with a cocktail ready for her husband when he comes home after work at 5.30,' Spataro said. 'That's so antiquated and out of date.'

The creators of anti-Trump groups are hopeful that they will provide an arena for all of their peers to discuss political issues, rather than merely sharing liberal messages with people who already intend to vote for Biden.

They say they've already seen a shift among women who previously voted for Trump - and that many more of their peers are on the fence.

Yeary Gentry said even her mother, who hasn't voted blue since Jimmy Carter, has decided not to vote for Trump again this year.

'She didn't like him then, but she despises him now,' Yeary Gentry said. 'And she will vote for Biden this time.'

A Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll released Sunday found that 50 percent of US voters intend to vote for Biden this November, compared with 41 percent backing Trump

While various polls have signaled that Biden has a strong lead among female voters, its important to note that the same was said three months before the 2016 election, as well.

An ABC News/Washington Post poll from August 2016 found that Clinton was leading Trump among women by a margin of 23 points.

When it came down to it, however, Trump won more than half of the white female vote.

Many Republicans have insisted that this year's election will see another surge of 'silent' voters that go undetected until November 3 arrives.

Tiffany Blythe, a stay-at-home mom in North Carolina who intends to vote red in November, told the New York Times this week that she knows many Trump supporters who are nervous about talking about who they'll vote for.

For that reason, Blythe doesn't trust the polls forecasting a big win for Biden.

'I'm not buying it,' Blythe said. 'There are a lot of silent voters, and more will come out before the election. I think a lot of states are turning red from blue, but you don't hear about that in the media.'

Trump himself has repeatedly made that argument, including on Saturday when he told reporters: 'We have a silent majority the likes of which nobody has seen.'

But the woman behind the latest 'suburban housewives' Facebook groups are sending a clear message: We are not in your silent majority.
The pressure to produce something bold and meaningful is increasing. The Business Council wants the government to embrace a new way of thinking in which it nominates and backs 10 industries that can power the national economy for decades to come. The governor of the Reserve Bank, Philip Lowe, continues to urge the government to borrow and spend heavily on infrastructure. Perhaps the Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, will unveil a package to warm the hearts of Lowe and the nations peak business lobby group. But there are some problems attached to the pursuit of an economic recovery. How and when? To fully reopen our society and economy, we will need a vaccine or highly effective treatments that are available to all Australians. Its hard to see how that wont take a couple of years. The second outbreak not just here but in many comparable countries  most notably New Zealand, which looked to have eradicated COVID-19  tells us that we're presented with another series of unknowns, not just picking the right time to aim at getting back to "normal" but how to deal with a resurgence when it happens.

Loading So while were tip-toeing around each other, responding to the occasional outbreaks that appear to be a likely phenomenon, how full-throated can the renewed economic activity be? But there are other, more fundamental problems. The really worrying aspect of the coming economic challenge relates to the structural weaknesses in the pre-pandemic economy. For a wealthy, developed country, we rank very low globally in terms of economic complexity. Before the pandemic, our biggest exports were commodities  coal, iron ore and liquefied natural gas  followed by education and tourism. None of our top 10 exports were manufactures. The pandemic has knocked out tourism and the foreign component of education. Who can say when they will be restored to what they used to be, or if that is possible? Domestically, were largely reliant on services and construction.

This is the moment when the government should decide that its in our interests to present ourselves to the rest of the world as something more than a quarry and a beach with some schools thrown in. This was at the heart of the Business Councils message to the government: that we should take control of our own economic destiny and invest in industries that will more firmly place us closer to the centre of an ever more knowledge- and technology-based global economy. Even if concerns about the difficulty of pursuing a recovery while the coronavirus threatens to reappear and wreak havoc are set aside, a nagging question remains: does the government have any interest in resetting our economy? Frydenberg took some flak  and won some endorsements  a few weeks ago for mentioning that he would draw inspiration from the lower tax and deregulatory policies of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan as he prepared for recovery. There could be limits to that approach this time: you only get to deregulate once. And the labour-market well in Australia is pretty much dry, despite what some in the Liberal Party and business say. Wage pressures, the great bugbear for so much of the postwar period, are now non-existent.
Melvin Carter, the mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota, watched his city's twin, Minneapolis, burn this spring as people gathered in protest and fury over the death of George Floyd and the treatment of Black people at the hands of police. Carter knew his city's residents were aggrieved not only by decades of mistreatment, but also by the entrenched poverty that accompanied it.

"We have people in our community who work 60 hours a week and still scrape by to feed their children and pay their rent," Carter said. "Whole neighborhoods that are in deep poverty and doing the best they can."

A month before Floyd's death May 25, Carter's office had given 1,265 families one-time payments of $1,000 through a temporary program called the Bridge Fund. The emergency relief diminished some hardships, but it hasn't been nearly enough. Carter wants a longer-term solution.

As the pandemic devastates the bank accounts of American families, mayors like Carter are proposing guaranteed income experiments, or universal basic income, as a simple, scalable and equitable solution for families and local economies.

The March stimulus package known as the CARES Act, they say, showed that giving cash directly to people works. The $1,200 checks from the federal government, along with the Paycheck Protection Program  which helped employers make their payrolls  and the $600 weekly unemployment assistance payments, kept many people afloat.

But the assistance was limited, and weekly checks expired at the end of July. In their absence, these mayors said, the need for universal income has become more urgent because it could help address racial disparities that COVID-19 has aggravated.

Led by Mayor Michael Tubbs of Stockton, California, a coalition of 16 city leaders from across the country in June launched Mayors for Guaranteed Income, an initiative to promote monthly checks. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti signed on, as did Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto and others.

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Tubbs said on NBC's "TODAY" show in June that a guaranteed income is a step toward "abolishing poverty." But the money, unlike a universal basic income, would go only to those in need, not to everyone regardless of wealth.

Stockton has been piloting a program for around 18 months, providing $500 a month to 125 people. During the pandemic, about 45 percent of that money went to food, Tubbs said. Much of the rest went to other essentials, like rent. While the mayors' joint venture was in the works before the pandemic, they said the pandemic and the protests only strengthened their case.

Carter, who signed on to the initiative in June, said he believes it would help bridge the poverty gap permanently by providing direct, monthly cash payments to residents of his city in need every month. No strings attached.

An old idea with renewed attention

Universal basic income is a centuries-old idea that has long been floated but rarely implemented. The premise is simple: Give people money and trust them to use it for their needs. It has, in recent years, been taken out of economics theory papers and put to work in experiments in Kenya, Finland, Canada, Namibia and Brazil.

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Critics have long worried that aid recipients would spend lavishly or use the money as an excuse not to work. Finland's universal basic income pilot, which gave 2,000 unemployed residents monthly checks for two years, 2017 and 2018, failed in exactly this manner: Those who received basic income weren't picking up jobs faster, and they showed only a small boost in mental well-being and perceived economic security when compared to a control group.

It wasn't the impact advocates had hoped for, although experts say there were clear flaws in the program, including a rush to set it up, insufficient funding, diminishment of other benefits for those who received the cash and limiting of the trial to those who were already unemployed.

Over the years, guaranteed income has been endorsed across the ideological spectrum for different reasons, with champions from Martin Luther King Jr. and the Black Panthers to the conservative economist Milton Friedman and the right-wing political scientist Charles Murray, but it has never truly captured the attention of lawmakers. Americans on the whole haven't been particularly keen on the idea, which many say runs counter to U.S. ideals of hard work and self-made worth.

Yet as inequality and the cost of living have skyrocketed, it has started to draw the attention of the public. When 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, an entrepreneur, offered up a form of universal basic income as a central plank of his campaign during the primaries, Silicon Valley elites threw their support behind the idea, and Yang took the concept to a wider audience, arguing that it would bridge the gap as jobs continue to be automated away.

And then the pandemic hit, and with it came the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.

Image: Unemployment line (Nick Oxford / Reuters file)

"COVID-19 has shone a bright, hot light on our systemic failures," said Libby Schaaf, the mayor of Oakland, California. "Oakland has seen more than a doubling in homelessness, and I am terrified that once these eviction moratoriums expire, we will see a homelessness Armageddon."

Schaaf signed the Mayors for Guaranteed Income statement. In recent years, Oakland, once thought of as the working-class sibling to San Francisco, has become unaffordable for many who have called it home for generations: Along with rising homelessness, gentrification is in overdrive, the poverty rate is creeping toward 20 percent, and a housing crisis looms ever larger. Schaaf said a guaranteed income is "powerful in its simplicity."

Schaaf, who has been criticized by activists who say she is too cozy with developers, acknowledged that it's "not the end of the work," saying issues like housing costs and fair wages must still be addressed, but she said she believes that, in the meantime, a guaranteed income could significantly help people, especially as the pandemic persists.

An antidote to the racial wealth gap?

The coalition of mayors also said that the universality of the idea is crucial to its success and that lessons can be learned from the CARES Act.

"CARES was a pretty important moment of recognition that direct financial support to people is a really essential tool," said Dorian Warren, the president of Community Change, a Washington-based national organization that works to build power for low-income people of color. Still, a one-time payment sent to Americans under a certain income threshold can't lift up a person or a family the way a monthly check would, Warren said. Noncitizens didn't get checks, and supplemental unemployment assistance was tied to lost pre-pandemic employment.

"Americans needed an income floor before the crisis, they clearly need one during the crisis, and they need one after the crisis," said Warren, who has argued that universal basic income could function as something close to reparations for Black Americans.

Other post-mortems of the CARES act underscored the impact of unequal fund distribution. A study released in June by the Columbia University Center on Poverty and Social Policy found that had the CARES Act's benefits been equally distributed, they could have reduced poverty to pre-pandemic levels but that it left out many who needed it the most. Another study, published by Accountable.US in July, found that congressional districts with the highest Black populations got up to $13 billion less in paycheck protection funding than districts with the lowest percentages of Black residents. Now, experts say the government stimulus might actually widen already existing wealth gaps.

Warren said it's because of the failures of the CARES Act that the country needs help that is more universal and inclusive. He pointed to Mayors for a Guaranteed Income as a possible way to get there.

Schaaf of Oakland said a guaranteed income is "probably the most powerful policy antidote for racial disparities" that she could enact. "It all comes down to resources at the end of the day," she said.

Image: Libby Schaaf (Ben Margot / AP file)

But critics, including some on the left, say that a guaranteed income isn't a panacea and that it comes with the potential to drain already scant government funds for existing social services.

Indivar Dutta-Gupta, co-executive director of the Center on Poverty and Equality at Georgetown Law School, said cities don't have the luxury of choosing between pre-existing social services and a guaranteed income.

"People need both a minimum income and high quality public goods and services," he said in an email. "For any given need, such as having access to high quality early care and education or affording diapers for a baby, providing cash or the necessary good or service are not strong substitutes for each other."

Some conservatives, however, say they support universal basic income because they think America should choose between guaranteed income or a broader system of safety nets. Liberal critics often worry that universal basic income would lead to the defunding of other programs, while other policymakers criticize the price tag of sending checks to tens of millions every month.

Others worry that universal income might not reach those who need it the most, like youths who are homeless or housing-insecure, said Maurice Gattis, an associate professor of social work at Virginia Commonwealth University. Gattis said that prevention is crucial to solving poverty and that he believes a housing and health care guarantee would do more to help than a check every month.

The federal government's pandemic relief "exposed the gaps in our system," he said, and there is no reason to believe monthly checks would necessarily fill the gap. To get the stimulus checks as quickly as possible, you had to have a bank account. But that excludes those without checking accounts, not to mention those without permanent addresses where checks could be mailed.

Carter, St. Paul's mayor, understands the criticisms. He said he still feels the evidence points to the efficacy of guaranteed income.

"We are arguing for a route to a far more resilient and sustainable economy for the entire country," he said. "Doing nothing is absolutely not an option."
Satan will 'try to silence the Church': LA County seeks restraining order against John MacArthur

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Legal counsel for John MacArthur's Grace Community Church said that Los Angeles County is seeking a restraining order to stop the pastor from holding any in-person services on Sunday.

During a Thursday interview with The Daily Wires Andrew Klavan, MacArthurs attorney Jenna Ellis revealed that L.A. County is now seeking a temporary restraining order to prohibit Grace Community Church from "allowing any form of indoor worship and also outdoor worship that does not comply with its ridiculous mandates.

They are trying to restrain Grace Community Church and we, of course, will defend their constitutionally protected rights, she said.

This is not Pastor John and Grace Community Church defying the law, Ellis, who is also a senior legal adviser of the Trump 2020 presidential campaign, said. The law in America and the state of California is the Constitution and those protections. This is Grace Community Church standing on the side of the law against these overreaching tyrants that are defying their oaths of office when they are commanded, mandated by the Constitution to preserve and protect our right to free exercise of religion.

The order comes a day after the Thomas More Society filed a lawsuit against California officials on behalf of the church and MacArthur, who were recently threatened with fines and imprisonment for holding in-person worship services despite Gov. Gavin Newsom's most recent lockdown orders prohibiting church gatherings.

In the complaint, MacArthur and Grace Community Church accuse state government officials of selectively restricting gatherings amid the pandemic.

When many went to the streets to engage in political or peaceful protests purportedly against racism and police brutality, these protestors refused to comply with the pandemic restrictions. Instead of enforcing the public health orders, public officials were all too eager to grant a de facto exception for these favored protestors, the suit states in part.

California targeted the wrong groups. California first lifted restrictions on gatherings that occurred outdoors  blessing after-the-fact the illegal conduct of the George Floyd protestors. California then banned singing in worship services and then shut them all down  unless they could modify their services to operate identically to the now-legal protests.

The lawsuit further argues that it's time for California to recognize that disfavored religious minorities are not second-class citizens.

California has no such power to determine whether churches are essential, as the federal and state constitutions have already done so, the suit adds.

Speaking to Klavan, MacArthur noted that most people survive the coronavirus, adding: Let me say this: You have no chance of surviving death, ultimately.

The Church does not exist to protect people from flu, he said. It exists to protect people from eternal punishment and Hell, and we will continue to preach the Gospel because that is the message the world must hear. We are the stewards of the only saving message that rescues men and women from eternal judgment. That is a far higher calling than trying to protect a few people from the flu, realizing that all are ultimately going to die.

And our message alone provides through faith in Christ eternal life, he added.

When asked if he believes the government is openly hostile to the Christian faith, MacArthur said that the fact that Satan and all his forces constantly work against the Kingdom of God is a basic theological truth.

So we're not surprised by that, he added. The Apostle Paul said we don't wrestle against flesh and blood. It's not primarily human, but against principalities and powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies. Satan and all his agents, all his spiritual agents, and all his human agents work against the Kingdom of God. The Bible says the devil goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. The Bible says we shouldn't be ignorant of his devices.

So we get it, MacArthur continued. "The whole world, says the Apostle John, lies in the power of the evil one. So is there a massive supernatural conspiracy against the Kingdom of God? Of course, but that doesn't mean every person is violently against the Church. Satan works with those who will acquiesce to his leadership at whatever level they will acquiesce.

The pastor said the church is always going to have to fight spiritual battles, adding that Satan will find all kinds of ways to try to silence the Church.

And let me just pivot a little bit to say this: The Church in America has been so caught up in pragmatism; it has drunk the Kool-Aid of trying to devise a religion that non-religious people will like and accept, that it's afraid to be courageous because it might offend somebody, he concluded.




Haiti - News : Zapping...





Former President Boniface Alexandre's wife dies

"I salute the memory of Mrs. Celima Dorcely Alexandre, wife of the former President of the Republic Me Boniface Alexandre [died Friday August 14, 14 at Bernard Mevs hospital] I offer my most saddened condolences to the Alexandre and Dorcely families," Jovenel Moise.



Did you know?

Marie-Roseline Belizaire, a Haitian epidemiologist with the WHO, fought Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, before joining the fight against Covid-19 in the Central African Republic. On August 19, World Humanitarian Day, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will pay tribute to real-life Heroes like Marie-Roseline Belizaire...



350 years of the Cap-Haitien Foundation

Saturday August 15 was celebrated the Te Deum on the occasion of 350 years of the city of Cap-Haitien in the presence of Government Ministers, Directors General, officials of the PNH in the North and the highest local authorities. Launay Saturne, archbishop of Cap-Haitien, advocated unity among all Haitians.



President Jovenel Moise

"Cap is celebrating its 350th anniversary. There are not many reasons to celebrate in these times of pandemic, but Capoise pride will last forever. I believe that this city, with the support of its sons, will regain its former grandeur. The State will contribute its share, I will see to it," Jovenel Moise



Pradel Henriquez, Minister of Culture

"Cap-Haitien is celebrating its 350th anniversary on August 15. Formerly called Cap-Francais, or Cap-Henri and even often Cap, it is the second largest city in Haiti and the capital of the Nord department. The Ministry of Culture is proud to wish Capoises and Capois a happy birthday. We have a duty and a responsibility to work to make this highly historic city better known and to enhance its fabulous heritage. The Ministry of Culture and Communication takes this opportunity to also wish a happy birthday to the Tropicana Orchestra which remains and remains for us, a legend as a musical group. Happy feast also to the big cities which celebrate their patronage today, in particular Cayes, Petit-Goave, Port-au-Prince, Ouanaminthe... In this period of August, a special thought at Bois Caiman https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31536-haiti-history-229th-anniversary-of-the-bois-caiman-congress.html , one of the founding myths of our independence," Pradel Henriquez, Minister of Culture.



Laureate of the moot court competition

"Our congratulations to Rose Lumane Saint-Jean, 4th year student at the Faculty of Law, Economics and Management of Cap-Haitien, who won Friday August 14, the 5th edition of the moot competition on human rights organized by the Human Rights Office in Haiti. The State University of Haiti is proud of you Rose Lumane."



Death of Bouramah Ali Harouna:

Ronald Gerard D'Mezard, the Minister of Youth learned with dismay of the recent death in Dakar, of Bouramah Ali Harouna, Secretary General of the Conference of Ministers of Youth and Sports of La Francophonie (CONFEJES) a fervent defender of the youth entrepreneurship and a great friend of Haiti. In this painful circumstance, the DMezard Ministry extends its deep sympathies to the great family of CONFEJES, to the parents, relatives and friends of Bouramah Ali Harouna.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Fewer than 80 days out from the November presidential election, with COVID-19 numbers surging locally and safety precautions still in place in Lynchburg and its surrounding counties, area registrar offices are gearing up for their biggest day of the year.

But this November, things will look a little different  and many voters will have cast their ballots before that first Tuesday in November, according to Nelson County Registrar Jacqueline Britt.

Across the country, registrars are seeing a spike in requests for absentee ballots by mail, and the Lynchburg area is no different.

Lynchburg General Registrar Christine Gibbons said the office anticipates mailing out more than 7,000 ballots, with even more voters voting early in-person  with no excuse required.

Since the law changed July 1, Virginians are no longer required to submit a state-approved reason in order to vote absentee by mail or in person ahead of an election.

Starting Sept. 18  45 days before the November election  Virginians can vote in person at their local registrars office. Voters also can request ballots by mail. Ballots will be sent to voters in mid-September.

Currently, the Lynchburg office has more than 1,800 requests for absentee ballots. In 2016, the final count was under 3,000. Gibbons expects the numbers to surpass that in the coming weeks.

A similar surge is being seen throughout the area. In Campbell County, General Registrar Kelly Martin said the office has seen a huge influx of requests for mail-in ballots. In 2016, the office saw a total of 1,500 to 2,000  this year, numbers have already surpassed 1,200.

But in Campbell County, they have another problem on their hands: Martin is struggling to find election officials to work the polls in November. She said many of their workers are older retirees and more susceptible to COVID-19, and dont feel comfortable working this year.

With more than 300 spots to fill, she said the office currently has about 175 signed up to work.

Martin and many other general registrars said they are bringing on additional workers to help maintain safety precautions at the polls on Election Day.

Francine Brown, voter registrar in Amherst County, said her office is not yet fully staffed. She said the shortage was not because of COVID-19 but people retiring.

Currently the Amherst registrars office needs around 20 additional officials, and they are staffing extra to help monitor social distancing.

Bedford County Deputy Registrar Cindy Kanode said while her office is not seeing staffing shortages, it is bogged down by absentee ballot applications, which have already surpassed 2016 numbers.

In Nelson County, the registrars office has seen application requests far surpass the 2016 presidential election  with 740 approved by-mail applications as of this Friday, compared to a total of 337 people who voted by mail in 2016.

Britt said she expects this change is here to stay.

These changes in law are going to drive a different look for Election Day, Britt said. Were not looking at this with dread; we are looking at this as an exciting change in Nelson.

Some of the spike in requests for by-mail ballots could be attributed to absentee applications mailed to voters by a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit group that encourages voter participation.

Earlier this month, the Center for Voter Information caused some confusion in Roanoke with ballot applications to Roanoke Valley residents that included the wrong return address for local election offices.

While registrars in Lynchburg and its surrounding counties said they have been fielding calls about the applications, none of them have had similar issues, and verified the legitimacy of the applications. Voters are encouraged to confirm that the return address is accurate before sending theirs in, and to verify that their own information is correct on the forms.

All of our information was correct for Nelson, Britt said. We had a big response to that. A lot of people used those forms; they were probably happy for a prepaid envelope.

She reminded voters that if they send in an application for an absentee ballot, that they only have to do it once  even if they receive additional applications in the mail.

Gibbons said she hears concerns about mail-in ballots  people questioning their accuracy or accusing mail-in ballots of being fraud  but assured voters that there is a lot of work that goes into authenticating those ballots, that everything is done by hand, and the localities are doing their best for local voters.

I know all the registrars are doing the best that they can with the staffing that we have; we just ask for our communities to give us support, said Gibbons. If you have any questions dont hesitate to contact us; there is a lot of misinformation going around.

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Washington

Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, on Saturday pledged closer ties with India and a better deal for Indian Americans in a short, policy-laden Independence Day message. He will stand with India in confronting new threats its faces in its own region and along its own border, he said.

Kamala Harris, his running mate, struck a personal note. She spoke of her visits to Madras (as Chennai was called then), stories she heard from her grandfather of heroes of Indian independence and her mother Shyamala Gopalan Harriss efforts to instill in her a love of good Idli.

Bidens campaign had earlier in the day issued an expansive agenda on relations with India and the welfare of Indian Americans if he wins in November. The Biden administration will not allow China to threaten its neighbors with impunity and will have no tolerance for cross-border terrorism.

Biden built on it n a pre-recorded message played at a virtual outreach to the Indian American community to celebrate Indian Independence Day. Recalling his leading efforts to ratify the civil nuclear deal in 2008 as a senator, he said he had held then that if India and the United States became closer friends and partners the world would be a safer place

If elected president, I will continue to believe it, he went onto says and added that he will continue what I have long called for  including standing with India in confronting new threats it faces n its own region and along its border.

The former vice-president covered an entire range of issues for cooperation in the future over the next few minutes, such as trade, climate change and public health. And also have honest conversations on all issues as friends, which is diplomatese for discussing disagreements and difficult issues.

Biden spoke disapprovingly of rising hate crimes and crackdown on legal immigration in recent years  the sudden and harmful actions on H-1B, which for decades made America stronger and brought our nations closer.

The expansive agenda, address by Biden and Harris, and the participation of senior members of the campaign former deputy secretary of state Tony Blinken, former National Security Adviser to former vice-president Biden Jake Sullivan, speechwriter Vinay Reddy and Seema Sadanandan was part of the campaign efforts to woo 1.2 million Indian American voters who can help in closely fought swing states. Former US ambassador to India Rich Verma and former assistant secretary of state Nisha Biswal also participated in he discussions,

Harris spoke largely in personal terms. She spoke of her grandfather P V Gopalan and grandmother Rajam, and the values that her mother Shyamala Gopalan learnt from them  if you see injustice in the world you have an obligation to do something about it.

Growing up, Gopalan would take Harris and her sister Maya Harris to what was then called Madras so that they could understand where she came from what was their ancestry. And, of course, she wanted to instill in us a love of good Idli, said the presumptive vice-presidential nominee.

Harris has faced criticism among some Indian Americans  and a section of Indians  for not embracing her Indian-ness enough, and for projecting herself more Black. She wrote in her autobiography she and her sister were raised by their mother to be confident, proud black women.

On Saturday, Harris may have checked a few boxes for her critics as she spoke also of stories her grandfather told her about the heroes who were responsible Indias independence. He would explain to us that it was on us to pick up where they left off, she said, adding, those lessons are a big reason why I am who I am today.

Blinken, who is expected a top portfolio in a Biden administration such as secretary of state or national security adviser, took the vice-presidents pledge of closer ties with India further and suggested that cooperation between the two countries should extend even beyond the region to the world as large.

Blinken went to say the Biden administration will support a larger role for India in international institutions  including a permanent seat in a reformed UN security council. The US first extent support for Indias claim to a permanent during President Barack Obamas first visit to India in 2010.
Ryan McHugh, a delegate for Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, said he and some other supporters of the failed democratic socialist candidate will be voting against the party platform because it doesn't call for Medicare for All. But with the vote taking place online instead of on the floor of an arena with television cameras all around, it's unclear how many people will notice.

"If we have potentially 800 votes against the platform, I think that can show that, you know, we're not 100% down with this," said McHugh, who's from Dryden, in Tompkins County. "But I'm not sure how this can be publicized as adequately."

To hear Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo tell it, though, it's a good thing there's not more dissension, a good thing the party didn't have to sort out its future on the convention floor of a convention that has no floor.

"I don't know how you do a virtual floor fight," Cuomo said. "I think if there was ever a convention that would lend itself to a virtual process, it was this convention, where you just don't have the same level of controversy or indecision."

The show

What, then, is this virtual convention going to look like?
Contrarian Podcast and Breakout Point, today, and Dan David of Wolfpack Research was one of the presenters. He explained why he sees Remark Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:MARK) as a good short.

Remark's Stake In Sharecare, Ownership Of KanKan

He said one of the most popular bull cases for Remark Holdings issued by promoters like David Portnoy, is the company's 5% stake in Sharecare, a company popularized by Dr. Oz and worth up to $1 billion in an initial public offering. Remark has talked about the possibility of a Sharecare IPO for years.

The problem is that Remark Holdings' stake in Sharecare has been repossessed and is being held by the Kent County Sheriff in Delaware. The company had agreed to payments of $1 million but didn't make good on those payments. He believes there is no chance Remark will own a stake in Sharecare going forward.

Remark Holdings

Q2 2020 hedge fund letters, conferences and more

David also said the company claims to own the Chinese company KanKan, but he doesn't believe it does. He said Remark Holdings' agreements don't create contractual ownership. He said to comply with China's laws, which restrict foreign ownership of entities in industries the Chinese government sees as sensitive, Remark employs a structure known as a wholly owned enterprise and variable interest entity (VIE).

Questions About Their Filings

However, as part of that structure, the company has extended loans to the VIE's owner without a loan agreement to protect the interest of its shareholders. Wolfpack questions whether the agreements exist at all.

The contracts are not in the 10K filings like they are for other companies. David also said the SAIC filings for Remark Holdings show the Chinese VIEs are not consolidated in the financial statements.

The Chinese entities are reporting more than $1.85 million in cash on their balance sheets than Remark Holdings did on its consolidated balance sheet last year. If the VIEs were consolidated as Remark claims they are, it would not be possible for the VIEs to have more cash than the parent company.

Story continues

Remark's five Chinese entities reported almost $2 million more in revenue than Remark, which lost $20 million more than its Chinese entities.

Remark Holdings May Have Been Ready To File For Bankruptcy

David also argued that he believes the company was going to file for bankruptcy when COVID-19 hit. Instead, CEO Kai-Shing Tao used the pandemic to take advantage of the fear.

He said the company had $272,000 on its cash balance sheet at the end of 2019, but it defaulted on a $12.7 million term loan. He believes the move into thermal imaging technology is "just an elaborate stock pump" that won't result in any actual revenue or shareholder value.

Dan also believes the company is relabeling thermal imaging technology from the Chinese company Hikvision instead of creating its own proprietary technology as it claims. He shared pictures from Wynn Las Vegas that appear to show that the two systems are identical.

Remark Holdings also said that Hikvision was one of its suppliers. Further, the company said it was trying to sell to schools, but schools use federal funds, which means they can't use Hikvision products or do business with companies that use their products.

The company also claims its rPAD is proprietary, but David believes it's relabeled technology from the Chinese company Telpo. He noted that the user manual even states that it is Telpo technology.

Diluting Shareholders

David also pointed out that Remark Holdings diluted shareholders by 100% in the first half of 2020. It issued 50 million shares to Aspire Capital for 30 million to pay off a term loan it defaulted on multiple times and avoid bankruptcy.

Aspire never filed a 13D or 13G with the SEC, which means it had to have sold those shares right after acquiring them.

He also noted that Remark has issued 99.5 million of its 100 million authorized shares and has 17 million tied to exercisable warrants and options. In the company's own words, if all of its outstanding warrants and stock options were exercised, the total number of common shares it would be required to issue would greatly exceed the number of remaining authorization and unissued common shares.

Remark Holdings Pulls One Over On Shareholders

In a proxy statement for a vote needed to expand the number of authorized shares from 100 million to 300 million, the company said any nonvotes would be counted as no votes. However, after the vote was done, Remark Holdings counted those nonvotes as votes in favor.

After eight days and three lawsuits filed against the board, the company filed a new 8K claiming it made a drafting error when it said the nonvotes would be counted against the amendment in the proxy statement.

David also said the company was evicted from its headquarters in March 2020 for failing to pay rent since July 2019. It owes $1 million in unpaid rent and damages. Remark Holdings is also being sued by American Express.

David called Portnoy "a jackass" for allegedly misleading retail shareholders.

This article first appeared on ValueWalk Premium.

By Michelle Jones
Around 300 students peacefully demonstrated in Parliament Square, outside the Department for Education in Great Smith Street and opposite Downing Street.

Many of the protesters told the PA news agency the algorithm used to determine their final grades after exams were cancelled due to the pandemic had unfairly penalised students from underprivileged backgrounds.

Daisy Dewar, an 18-year-old care leaver, lost out on a scholarship to study medicine at the University of Nottingham after her grades were reduced from A*AA to BCC.





She told PA: My future has basically just been ripped out of my hands for no reason, I think because of my class and my household income, I think thats the reason Ive been affected so badly.

Ive had to overcome massive obstacles and school for me, I wanted to create a better future for myself from what I had been dealt.

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I dont really have a family, my mum died so I worked really hard to create a better future its all been thrown back in my face.

Now Im not really sure what to do, its really hard when youve put your absolute everything into trying to get better.

She added: Theyve said we can appeal but the grades I can appeal with if they had just given in the first place, I would have had my place. Its a bit too little, too late.

The demonstrators called for Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to resign, as well as for universities to honour the offers they had previously made to students.

One of the organisers was Ted Mellow, 18, from Wood Green, north London.

He told PA: Everywhere you look, people are either angry or confused and, quite frankly, thats the Governments fault.

Were not fighting so that everyone gets A*s and As because we know thats unrealistic, were fighting so that people get the grades they deserve.

Demonstrators marched with signs criticising exams regulator Ofqual and the Government, with some featuring reminders to vote at the next general election.

Bea Cornwell, 18, from Cambridge, was hoping to study French, Spanish and Arabic at Durham but lost her place after her grades were reduced.

She told PA: I was predicted on Ucas A*AA, I got an AA in French and politics and a B in Spanish, but in my January mock I was a mark off an A*.

The triple lock is BS because Durham already decided to reject me, they rejected me at 4pm on results day and I tried to reach out to them and said Im appealing, I shouldnt have got this grade, they said we dont care if you appeal.

The experience of the A-level students has prompted concerns about the fate of GCSE students, expected to receive their own results on Thursday.

A science teacher with GCSE pupils in London, who did not wish to give her name, told PA: This is going to be devastating particularly for the working class, including black and minority ethnic students.

Ive seen that up to two million GCSE kids are going to get downgraded potentially so Im so scared for them, my heart is breaking for these kids.
August 15, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - If there is one conclusion to draw from the agreement this week between Israel and the United Arab Emirates  with Israel temporarily suspending its threat to illegally annex parts of the West Bank, in return for full normalisation with the Gulf state  it is this: The peace industry is back in business.

But this time, unlike the interminable Oslo Accords signed a quarter of a century ago, there wont even be the pretence that Palestinians are needed for Middle East peace to proceed. This is a process that takes place over their heads, a dialogue from which they are entirely absent.

This peace process is not between Palestinians and Israel, Washingtons client in the region. It is between Israel and oil-rich Arab states loyal to the US. It is a process that allows them to end the pretence that they are enemies of Israel. It means that they can stop feigning support for the Palestinian struggle for a state  even one on the last remnants of Palestinians homeland.

This is a peace process that effectively rubber-stamps the occupation and the many dozens of illegal Jewish settlements Israel has built to steal Palestinian land over many decades.

This is a peace process that moves the ostensible goal posts from permanently ending the occupation to simply postponing  for a little longer  Israels ambition to permanently annex those Palestinian lands it has already stolen.

In short, this is a peace process in which Arab states, led by the UAE, formally join Israel in waging war on Palestinians.

Outside-in strategy

In that sense, this is a continuation of the process begun by Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trumps Middle East adviser and son-in-law, in developing the so-called deal of the century.

From the start, Kushner turned to the Gulf  to which he and the rest of the US political and economic elite have long been personally close  and sought to craft what became known as the outside-in strategy.

That meant recruiting as many Arab regimes as possible, starting with the oil-rich Gulf states, to sign up to the Trump peace plan and use their weight  and money  to strong-arm Palestinians into surrendering to Israeli diktats.

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A White House dedicated to the politics of the used-car lot was bound to imagine that economics could be used to bludgeon Palestinians into compliance. That was why Kushner held an economic conference in Bahrain early last summer, even before he had a peace plan to unveil.

Saudis next in line?

Sensing how this was playing out, the Palestinian Authority under Mahmoud Abbas refused early on to engage with the Trump plan, and soon cut off all ties to Washington. It made no difference. This was a peace plan that did not need the Palestinian people to be involved in the haggling over their future.

The Trump plan, unveiled earlier in the year, offered Palestinians the promise of an eventual state on shards of the West Bank, after Israel had been allowed to annex swaths of their territory.

Now, Israel has put this move on temporary hold in return for normalisation with the UAE. Kushner says other states are expected to follow. Bahrain and Oman are likely to be close behind.

The agreement states: The United States, Israel and the United Arab Emirates are confident that additional diplomatic breakthroughs with other nations are possible, and will work together to achieve this goal.

The real coup would be Saudi Arabia, which is presumably waiting to see how the deal with the UAE is received. It is hard to imagine, however, that the UAEs crown prince, Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, took this step without first getting the green light from Riyadh.

By contrast, the previous Saudi ruler, King Abdullah, championed a regional peace agreement in 2002 that offered Israel full recognition by the Arab states in return for Israel conceding Palestinian statehood in the occupied territories.

That offer exposed the true colours of Israel and Washington. Israeli leaders ignored the Saudi plan, and, taking their cue from Tel Aviv, US leaders refused to seize the opportunity to advance the bold Saudi offer as the basis for a peace agreement.

Biden jumps on board

Under Trump, things have rapidly worsened for Palestinians. Millions of refugees have been starved of aid; the US embassy has been moved to Jerusalem; Israels illegal annexation of the Syrian Golan Heights has been approved; and illegal settlements have continued to expand.

And yet, Israeli intransigence is paying off. The Gulf is ready to offer Israel normalisation not just without any meaningful concessions, but at the same time as the situation for Palestinians deteriorates significantly.

Trump has called the Israeli-UAE pact a historic peace agreement between our two great friends. Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, described the UAEs normalisation with Israel as a significant step forward for peace in the Middle East.

But anyone who imagines that this is simply a floundering, implausible last move by a lame-duck president  assuming Trump fails to win the presidential election in November  is likely to be in for a disappointment.

Joe Biden, his Democratic challenger, has also excitedly jumped on board. He described the agreement as a welcome, brave, and badly needed act of statesmanship, adding that the alternative  annexation  would be a body blow to the cause of peace.

Bitter victory

In one sense, this is a victory, even if a very bitter one, for the Palestinian leadership. They denounced the agreement. Palestinians belated refusal to engage with the Trump plan  after long colluding in a US-dictated Oslo peace process that was designed from the outset to negate their right to live in dignity in their homeland  has flushed the real US-Israeli agenda out into the open.

Even with the best interpretation of the Oslo Accords, Palestinians were never going to be allowed the semblance of a sovereign state, even on the remnants of their original homeland.

They were to have no control over their borders, their airspace, the electromagnetic spectrum, or their diplomatic relations with other states. And of course, they were most definitely not going to be allowed an army.

The peace process was always about keeping Israel in control of the entire space, with a segment of Palestinians allowed to live there as a caged, dependent people. They could either willingly agree to their subordination, or face further repression from Israel to crush their spirit.

Now, all of this is no longer being disguised, even if politicians and diplomats in Washington and the Gulf wish to mislead the rest of the world that this should still be called a peace process.

Signs that they may get away with this monumental deception were evident in the responses of major European capitals, which welcomed the agreement. Germany called it an important contribution to peace in the region, while Boris Johnson in the UK said it was hugely good news.

The message sent by Israel, the US and the UAE is that committing war crimes and violating international humanitarian law can pay handsome dividends over the long run.

A shared agenda

The gains in this deal for the UAE and the other Gulf states  assuming, as seems likely, that they follow suit  are simple. The Sunni Gulf has long wanted fuller integration into the US-Israeli security nexus in the Middle East.

The US, Israel and the Gulf states share a deep hostility towards Iran and its Shia coreligionist factions in the region  from Lebanon and Syria to Iraq and Yemen.

Israel opposes these Shia actors because they have proved most ready to resist it, as well as Washingtons imperial designs, centred on control over the regions oil.

The Gulf, meanwhile, as the birthplace of Sunni Islam and the supposed guardian of its honour, has a separate interest in securing its sectarian hegemony in the region. Gulf states have been developing close, if semi-covert, ties to Israel in recent years while engaging more actively in wars across the region, either through proxies in Syria and Iraq or directly in Yemen.

They have been keen to go public with normalisation so that they can gain greater access to US-Israeli intelligence and improved military technology, which would naturally flow from increased levels of trust.

Imperial agenda

Aside from the bland, positive diplomatic wording, the agreement does not veil this goal: A new Strategic Agenda for the Middle East will be developed to expand diplomatic, trade, and security cooperation. The US, Israel and the UAE share a similar outlook regarding the threats and opportunities in the region, as well as a shared commitment to promoting stability.

Repackaging its role in this entirely self-interested deal, the UAE can also still present itself as the champion of the Palestinian cause and the two-state solution, delaying annexation to another day.

The advantages to the Gulf run deeper still, however. Washingtons imperial agenda inevitably feeds and needs enemies, especially in an oil-rich region such as the Middle East, to justify endless wars and endless profits for its defence industries.

The Gulf states want to be on the right side of that military-industrial divide as the US moves into choppier waters ahead, facing oil shortages, a deterioration in the global climate, and the rise of China as a superpower.

Diplomatic coup

Washingtons interests in the deal, and Trumps, are similarly clear. Pushing ahead with annexation has proved much harder than the Trump administration expected. European and Arab capitals were adamantly opposed to a move that would deprive them of the two-state cover story that, for more than two decades, had allowed them to pretend they were committed to Middle East peace.

And it became ever harder for Israels prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to muster support from the Israeli public for annexation as the coronavirus pandemic rapidly changed priorities.

Months from a presidential election he is predicted to lose, Trump needed a diplomatic coup in the Middle East after promising so much and achieving so little with his much-trumpeted deal of the century. Now he has it.

This move will placate his large Christian evangelical electoral base, which is devoted to Israel and supports whatever it wants. Evangelical leaders lost no time in saying they were elated by the announcement.

It can also be spun, as his officials began vigorously doing from the outset, as an historic peace agreement  equivalent to the deals Israel signed previously with Egypt and Jordan. That can be used on the campaign trail to sell Trump to the wider electorate as one of the great US statesmen.

Sharpening the battle lines

But there are wider benefits for the bipartisan Washington foreign policy elite. They have long wished to cement ties between Israel and the Gulf states, having the US two most reliable regional allies publicly cooperating.

As the Gulf states have become more deeply and obviously enmeshed in wars across the Middle East  from Syria to Yemen  an agreement allying them to Israel helps Washingtons improbable narrative that they are really the good guys. It will sharpen the regions battle lines and, it is hoped, convey greater legitimacy on these theocratic dictatorships.

The US hopes, too, that the agreement with the UAE  and other Gulf states later  will once again provide a plausible cover story as Israel entrenches its occupation, steals more Palestinian land and intensifies its repression of Palestinians.

It will allow Washington to revive its bogus claims of being an honest broker, seeking the best for Palestinians, even if their leaders are supposedly too dimwitted to understand what is good for them.

Pitting the Palestinian leadership against the Gulf  as well as other Arab states, such as Jordan and Egypt, that dare not antagonise their oil-rich neighbours  will further isolate Palestinians. They can now be presented more convincingly as entrenched opponents of peace, at best  or, if they resist, as terrorists.

Netanyahu bailed out

Lastly, Netanyahu, who is in deep trouble at home, hopes this agreement can dig him out of his hole. He is up against a wave of protests that have rallied large sections of Israeli society, including on the right. He faces an unprecedented corruption trial. His handling of the Covid-19 pandemic looks increasingly catastrophic. The Israeli economy is imploding.

In this context, his focus on West Bank annexation alienated much of the Israeli public, and even failed to satisfy sections of the settler community, who want all of the Palestinian territories, not just large parts. A deal with the UAE  and implicitly one with the rest of the Gulf  allows him to climb down from an unpopular annexation plan.

Netanyahu has long declared himself Mr Security, the protector of Israels interests, and the only Israeli leader capable of making dramatic moves on the global stage. Here, he appears to have done both. It has even forced his political opponents to praise his achievement.

Netanyahu has managed to pull all this off while being able to argue that annexation is still on the table, placating his supporters among the settlers.

The agreement may yet set the stage for him to win a winter election he is widely reported to be preparing for.

No price to pay

The abandonment of annexation  temporarily or otherwise  will not, of course, interrupt Israels continuing capture of ever more Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank, nor its relentless campaign of ethnic cleansing.

Netanyahu has demonstrated to Israelis that he was right. Israel could violate international law, steal land, commit war crimes  and western and Arab states would stomach it all. Israel would have to pay no price for its behaviour.

Haaretz recalled on Friday that, when asked in 2018 whether concessions to Palestinians initiated in the Oslo Accords had gradually led to improvements in relations with the Arab world, Netanyahu responded that it was the exact opposite.

By first recruiting the West and Arab regimes to Israels side, he said, Israel would become so strong that it would force Palestinians to understand that they have no choice but to compromise with us  his term for absolute submission.

For Netanyahu, a strategic alliance with the Gulf  at the expense of Palestinians  has always been about more than just grabbing the occupied territories. It is central to his vision of an unreformed, maximalist, ethnic supremacist, Israeli state secure in the Middle East, serving as a regional hegemon alongside US global power.

Now, with this deal, Netanyahu believes he is in sight of the finishing line.

Jonathan Cook won the Martha Gellhorn Special Prize for Journalism. His books include Israel and the Clash of Civilisations: Iraq, Iran and the Plan to Remake the Middle East (Pluto Press) and Disappearing Palestine: Israels Experiments in Human Despair (Zed Books). His website is

www.jonathan-cook.net

.
An uncles poignant and loving tribute to his niece after she died following a seven-year battle with Hodgkin Lymphoma has led to life-saving stem cell and bone marrow donations.

Dr Melissa Baker, a single mum of two and forensic pathologist from Melbourne, died on January 16 - just two days after her 45th birthday.

In her memory, Melissas beloved uncle Max Tomlinson placed her photo and information about how to become a stem cell donor on his rear window in the hope of carrying on her hard work.

In memory of my beautiful niece Dr Melissa Baker. You can save a life, dont let Melissas be in vain. Order your swab kit now. Ideally men aged 18 to 45 with diverse backgrounds needed urgently. Order your kit now urthecure.com.au, it reads in white marker pen.

Melissas beloved uncle, Max Tomlinson, placed her photo and information about how to become a stem cell donor on his car's rear window. Source: Facebook

Melissas sister, Jenni Baker, recently posted a picture of Mr Tomlinsons car on Facebook while thanking a member of the public who tucked a yellow flower under his windshield wiper.

Melissa, whos kids are 13 and 8, waited for a bone marrow match for years after an initial six-month round of chemotherapy didnt work, Jenni, a Melbourne police officer, told Yahoo News Australia on Friday.

She underwent a bone marrow transplant using her own stem cells but it almost killed her when she developed a lung infection, her sister said.

Doctors told the 45-year-old, who had since developed cancer of the bone marrow as a result of the chemotherapy, she desperately needed a donor and so she began advocating for UR The Cure.

The volunteer-run charity works with the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR) to increase the number of donors  especially middle-aged people of diverse backgrounds.

Melissa, whos kids are 13 and 8, waited for a bone marrow match for years after an initial six-month round of chemotherapy didnt work. Source: Facebook

Reluctantly, in November 2019, she underwent a more risky half-match stem cell transplant where I was her donor, Jenni said.

The odds werent great but she had no choice.

Tragically, after 58 days in the hospital, most of which she spent on a ventilator, Melissa died on January 16.

Stem cell donors coming forward

Story continues

Jennis Facebook post about her uncles tribute has garnered more than 2,500 likes and hundreds of comments, many of which are people who said they had since signed up to be a stem cell donor.

I was a bone marrow donor for my dad. Unfortunately he passed just four months after the donation. I would do it again in a heartbeat for anyone who needed it, one woman wrote.

Beautiful! Tell your uncle I just ordered my kit! another said.

A woman named Amanda also commented, revealing she had been one of Melissas nurses.

I dont know if you remember me. I am one of the nurses who took care of your sister in the ICU. I always admired how much support Melissa had from you and your sister. Her life is definitely not in vain and the love she had from you all was so strong, she wrote.

Melissa Baker underwent a bone marrow transplant using her own stem cells but it almost killed her when she developed a lung infection. Source: Facebook

Hodgkin Lymphoma labelled the good cancer

Jenni said Melissa never thought in her wildest dreams this would happen and had at one point thought the cancer would be a battle she would have to fight throughout her life.

The 47-year-old police officer told Yahoo News Australia Melissa became upset when she was often told she had the good cancer because of Hodgkins higher success rate.

She was so mad about it she even made a blog called I Got the Good Cancer documenting her struggles and treatments.

And then everything bad that could have happened, happened, Jenni said.

Jenni (right) and Melissa (left) are pictured together in front of Parliament House. Source: Facebook

The mum-of-two spent last Christmas intubated and sedated in hospital but was able to squeeze her childrens hands when they came to visit.

When the tubes came out on Boxing Day, Melissa mumbled to Jenni, Im scared. This is really scary.

They were the last words Melissa said.

Just two days later Melissa was ventilated again until the tubes were removed on January 14 - her birthday - after deciding it was too cruel.

Fifty-two hours later she passed surrounded by her parents, siblings and children.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Im reaching out to help our elected legislators come to our aid in what has become a drastic gubernatorial overreach around the civil liberties of the citizens of New Mexico. I am not asking (anyone) to choose sides in the efficacy of the dangers of the current pandemic; Im only asking (we all) help take this issue out of the hands of the governor alone by allowing a full session of our Legislature to participate in these decisions as our representative system demands.

The New Mexico Constitution allows for an extraordinary session of the Legislature to be called in times of emergency. I hope that (many) will agree with me that this time of widespread private-sector unemployment, small business bankruptcies and the government branding of who is and is not to be recognized as essential to our economy definitely rises to the level of such an emergency.

Thus far our governor, now with the blessing of our Supreme Court, has decreed inconsistently enforced laws subject to her own personal whims in the name of public safety. Furthermore she enjoys the protections of a largely (complicit media) in laying the blame of the disastrous effects of her policies on the doorstep of the nameless, faceless, and otherwise unaccountable COVID-19.

Meanwhile, our economy is in tatters as New Mexicos small businesses gradually fall into bankruptcy and once-productive private-sector workers become dependents of the government in ever-growing numbers.

This is too much power for one person to wield with such impunity, and it drastically needs to be put in check by our Legislature. Let our representatives be heard in an extraordinary special session. If (they) agree with our governor, then hold them accountable to the electorate by making them go to Santa Fe and register that vote for all to see. This is too big of an issue for the peoples voices to go unheard.

The Constitution requires a 3/5th supermajority to call an extraordinary session. (New Mexicans can) go to www.nmextraordinarysession.com to see if (their) representative has signed on to the call for the extraordinary special session. If they have not, the site provides contact information (so the public can) contact them and find out why they have not yet done so.

(Our) representatives came to (us) with hat in hand, asking for (our) vote to let them represent (us), and it is time for them to make good on that agreement. The lives of our fellow New Mexicans are being damaged by the unilateral actions of our governor, and New Mexico is not a monarchy. Make (our) representative(s) go up and pick a side for all to see.
- Boy Abunda was recently interviewed by some prominent personalities in the country

- One of the questions thrown to him was about his silence about the issues of ABS-CBN

- The King of Talk initially stated that he is not really silent about the shutdown of the media giant

- According to Boy, it is invalid for other people to judge others who choose not to speak up

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Boy Abunda recently had an online conversation with some prominent personalities to talk about the controversial shutdown issue that ABS-CBN is facing.

KAMI learned that the King of Talk was straightforwardly asked to provide a reason why he seemed very quiet about what happened to the media giant.

Boy Abunda (Courtesy of Flickr)

Source: UGC

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The well-known television host initially stated that he is actually very vocal about his feelings with regards to the closure of his home network.

Boy then mentioned that he does not have a platform to voice out his opinions more often about the heavy issues being experienced by the Kapamilya network.

While admitting that he is also in pain because of what happened, he stressed that people have varied ways of expressing grief.

He even said that it is invalid for someone to judge other people just because they choose not to be very vocal about the issue.

The king right now has no home. The king is poor And I am serious. I dont have a platform. Had I been doing Tonight with Boy Abunda, I would have had a space where I would have voiced out my opinions about the Congressional hearings Boy quipped.

When Im in grief, I am quiet. When I am in pain, I am quiet. I dont like being fussed over Id like to be quiet But that is not tantamount to saying na hindi ako nasaktan Is it valid to judge others who chose not to? Thats a different level, he added.

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Boy Abunda is one of the most acclaimed television hosts in the Philippines. He is dubbed as the King of Talk of Philippines showbiz.

He got extremely emotional a few months ago while talking about his mother who passed away last year.

The celebrity also received intense words from Drew Olivar after he mentioned his mother in one of his statements.

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Source: KAMI.com.gh
This Chicago Blackhawks give up a short-handed goal on their first power play.

Patrick Kane clanks a wide-open shot off the post.

Alex DeBrincat bashes his stick in frustration after coming up empty on prime looks among his six missed shots through two periods.

Through three games, that has been the Blackhawks fortunes in a nutshell: Costly mistakes and missed opportunities.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 10:40:25|Editor: huaxia

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GAZA, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Israeli warcraft early Sunday attacked some military facilities that belong to the Islamic Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip after incendiary balloons were launched into southern Israel from the enclave Hamas rules.

Hamas security sources said that Israeli reconnaissance drones and warplanes hovered over the besieged coastal enclave and fired several missiles targeting posts and facilities that belong to al-Qassam Brigades, the Hamas armed wing.

The sources said that no injuries were reported, but the airstrikes caused severe damage to the facilities and destroyed some nearby houses in the Gaza Strip.

An Israeli army spokesman said in a press statement that Israeli fighter jets attacked a military post and military infrastructure that belong to Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

The statement said that all activities against Israel are severe, adding that the Israeli army will keep acting against those who harm the Israeli people.

Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have been going on for several days in response to hundreds of arson balloons carrying small amounts of explosives.

The Israeli army spokesman held the Hamas movement, which has been ruling the Gaza Strip since 2007, fully responsible for the recently renewed tension. Enditem
Parsi New Year, also known as Navroz or Nowroz, is celebrated to mark the beginning of the Iranian calendar. In Persian, Nav stands for new, and Roz stands for the day, which literally translates to new day. The tradition is believed to have been celebrated for the past 3,000 years, and is observed by Iranians and the Parsi community around the world. The most prominent Navroz celebrations take place in Maharashtra and Gujarat in India on account of a sizeable Parsi population living there. Navroz falls in the month of August, according to the Gregorian calendar. This year its being celebrated on August 16.

Why is Navroz celebrated in India in August?

Navroz is celebrated in March globally, however, in India, the Shahenshahi calendar is followed that doesnt account for leap years, hence Navroz arrives 200 days later, in August.

Navroz is also known as Jamshed-i-Navroz, after the Persian King, Jamshed. The king is credited with having created the Persian calendar, or the Shahenshahi calendar. Legend tells the tale of Jamshed saving the world from an apocalypse that came in the form of a winter, destined to kill everyone. The king used a throne studded with precious gems and rose to the heavens on the shoulders of demons where he shone brighter than the sun, and hence a new day was born, called Navroz.

On this day, people pray for everyones prosperity and good health as they spend the day decluttering their homes, minds and hearts of all things unnecessary. This is a version of spring cleaning that takes place a day before Navroz, and is known as Pateti.

The Parsi community dresses up in their traditional attire, decorate their homes and prepare delicious food including Prawn Patio, Mori Dar, Patra Ni Macchi, Haleem, Akoori, Berry Pulao, Patra ni Machhi and more. Parsis also visit the Fire Temple (Agiary) and offer fruits, sandalwood, milk and flowers on this auspicious day.

Although this year owing to the coronavirus pandemic, it might be a tad difficult to meet your friends and family and given that hopefully everyone is getting out of their homes only when needed, you can still spread the joy through these thoughtful messages, and wishes this Navroz:

* May you achieve success in everything you do in life, and all your heartfelt wishes come true. Heres wishing you a Happy New Year full of happiness & prosperity. Navroz Mubarak

* As the New Year begins, let us pray for a year of peace, happiness, and abundance. God bless you throughout this new year. Happy Navroz!

* This new year, I pray for you and your familys happiness and well-being. May you have a great year ahead. Navroz Mubarak!

* A new year brings forth 365 blank pages, remember to write the most beautiful chapter of your lives. Happy Navroz!

* All things bright and beautiful, all things fine and wonderful, all these are wished for you on this day and forever. Navroz Mubarak!

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Stitched in a Lithuanian shtetl, this family heirloom is miraculously unearthed right before my sons circumcision.

Imagine going back in time 150 years to a small shtetl known as Dorbian, in northwest Lithuania. A righteous woman named Dina Frankel, wife of Hesi Frankel, sews a linen pillow case on which each of her sons is placed during their circumcision. She stitches the family surname, Frankel, in red at the bottom right corner of pillow case. She intends this bris pillow to be an heirloom for her future generations.

The pillow case is bequeathed to her daughter Shoshana Rivka, my great grandmother, and it is used for the circumcision of each of her five sons, including my grandfather, Moshe, on March 9th 1913, the 30th of Adar I, 5673.

The bris pillow. The Hebrew letter lamed on the left is partially unraveled.

On the horizon is the Holocaust and the sun would soon set on European Jewry. One of Shoshana Rivkas sons, Shevach, made aliyah to the land of Israel in the 1930s and falls in active duty during the War of Independence in 1948.

Except for my grandfather, grandmother and one other relative, the remainder of my great grandmothers nuclear and extended family returned their exalted souls to their Creator. Also lost forever was the Frankel bris pillow.

From a crucible of great suffering, a shining ray of light emerged. My grandparents were betrothed and married in 1947 in the Bari refugee camp in Southern Italy. They survived the trials of the Holocaust and had the fortitude to rebuild anew. They planted the seeds whose precious fruits would be actualized by subsequent generations.

All of this ultimately leads us to the present, to the very special occasion of the bris of our newborn son.

I was preparing for the bris and reviewing the checklist: red wine  check, Kiddush cup  check, bris pillow

At that moment I vaguely remembered that about five years ago I received a package with some sort of pillow case from my mother. The contents originated from Israel from a Rivka Feldman  a woman I did not know. My wife, Zemirah, reminded me that we had instructions to use this pillow case if we ever had a boy. All this time the package remained untouched in the top shelf of my bedroom closet.

I took out the pillow case and examined it. I noticed that the last name of my maternal great grandmother was inscribed on it: Frankel. How could this be? Where did this come from? Who is this Rivka Feldman in Israel? This is impossible. Every tangible, physical item from Dorbian was destroyed. Nothing survived the War.

We started searching for answers. After examining family tree we discovered that Rivka Feldman is the widow of my great uncle Shevach whom perished in the Israeli War of Independence. Unbeknownst to us, he had brought the pillow case with him when he moved to Israel in the 1930s. Mrs. Feldman kept it safe over the years and was Gods messenger to deliver it to us.

At my sons bris

So last week we witnessed a small miracle, my son had his bris while being held on the pillow case sewn by his great-great-great Grandmother. They very pillow his exalted, holy ancestors were held when undergoing their circumcision. Its a testament to Divine providence and to the indomitable Jewish spirit. The Jewish people are indeed an eternal nation.

His forebears would have much nachas seeing how the nation of Israel thrives today as we welcome to the Jewish faith Eliyahu Dov Meir Eidelman, the newest member of our growing family.
With the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) drawing up optical fibre cables to the transgressions spots at Pangong Tso and Gogra-Hot Springs, the Indian Army has decided to stay put at dominant positions on the ridge-lines of the Kugrang River till such time China does not restore status quo ante on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Even though PLAs air activity over Ladakh and occupied Aksai Chin has become negligible, the Chinese army is present in strength across the 1,597-km LAC in Ladakh and showing no signs of any de-escalation.  While we can see the Chinese intent to turn transgressions into intrusions in both the friction spots, the Indian Army has been directed to foil this PLA design even if it means sitting on the forward positions for time to come, said a senior military commander.

National security planners are quite clear that the May transgressions by PLA in the Ladakh sector had the approval of Chinese Central Military Commission (CMC), headed by General Secretary Xi Jinping, as it involved both the Tibetan as well as Xinjiang Military district with troops being inducted from outside the Western Theatre Command.

Deciding to put an end to Chinese unchecked expansionism, the Indian Army draws parallel to the 1984 Operation Meghdoot to claim Saltoro Ridge and Siachen Glacier. We are used to sitting on heights since 1984. Even 36 years later, a full Indian brigade is sitting on the heights and guarding all the ingress points to Siachen glacier from any Pakistani attack. Any unilateral change in ground position on LAC is unacceptable to the Indian Army, said an Indian diplomat.

While Chinese diplomats talk about peace and tranquillity on the LAC, their interlocutors are making unacceptable demands on the Indian Army like asking removal of an old administrative base in Pangong Tso or coming down from heights in Kugrang ridgeline. It is these demands that are couched in diplomatic jargon of meeting India half-way.

Despite a number of meetings at both military and diplomatic level, the Xi Jinping regime is adamant on its positions and posture on LAC with all dialogues showing hardly any progress.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech virtually made it clear that India was ready for two front aggressionfrom the Line of Control with Pakistan to LAC expansion by China. The speech was also signal to both the neighbours that India will not back down and stand up to aggression on its own. And in both the cases, the border flare-ups have been coupled with the progress (in this case regress) in bilateral ties.

Whether China wants the $80 billion bilateral trade with India which is hugely tilted in favour of Beijing to steadily come down is a call that Xi Jinpings military ambition has to take. The ball is in the Chinese court, summed up another Indian diplomat.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio  A 26-year-old Cleveland man was arrested Friday, accused of receiving and distributing child pornography, the FBI says.

Benjamin Whitcomb was arrested at his Cleveland home, and he remains in federal custody, according to a news release from the Cleveland Division of the FBI.

Authorities first came into contact with Whitcomb on Aug. 7, when he began chatting with an undercover officer on an online chat room called Pedcast Chat, the news release says. Whitcomb, who used the screen names benshady69 and B Shady, said he would have access to two children that weekend and had previously played with them.

An investigation into benshady69 found that he had distributed 14 child pornography images and videos on June 3, the FBI says. A search warrant was executed at Whitcombs home on the day of his arrest.

Court records do not indicate that Whitcomb has any prior criminal cases in Cleveland or Cuyahoga County.

More Northeast Ohio crime and courts news:

InfoWars correspondent arrested on robbery, domestic violence charges in Portage County

Ohios lawsuit against drug distributors over opioid crisis set to go before a judge and jury this October

Owner of Strongsville agency, employees charged with conspiracy in foreign adoption cases
When talking about royalty, money problems might not be a subject that is brought up often. After all, royals live in palaces and mansions. Many also have staff members taking care of their households needs and desires.

However, after Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex decided to step down from their senior roles in early 2020, there have been some questions about their financial status. While many people believe they still would not be poor by any means, some fans now think the Sussexes could run into financial problems in the future.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry | Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle said they planned to become financially independent

In January 2020, Harry and Meghan announced their plan to step down from being senior members of the royal family. In their official statement, the couple also noted they would work to become financially independent.

Many folks took this to mean they would no longer be receiving money from the tax-funded Sovereign Grant, which pays for royals work expenses, including security and travel. However, Harry and Meghan did not specify exactly how they plan to achieve financial independent.

Harry and Meghan are reportedly being funded by Prince Charles estate

RELATED: Prince Charles Has Huge Regrets About Prince Harry and Meghan Markles Royal Exit, Source Claims

After Harry and Meghan settled down in Canada temporarily, it was reported that the couple was getting a lot of money from Prince Charles Duchy of Cornwall estate. According to the Daily Mail, Charles could be contributing a large sum to the Sussexes security bill.

Charles has agreed to pay a private contribution to the Sussexes, a source told the Daily Mail. It will not be revealed how much and what that is used for, but it is believed to be around 2 million [$2.5 million]. It would not be a surprise if it went into meeting the bill for security. However, the Prince of Wales does not have an infinite amount of money. The total income from the Duchy of Cornwall is annually around 21million [$27 million].

Some people believe Harry has been using money inherited from his mom, the late Princess Diana, as well. Diana was worth around $31.5 million when she passed away in 1997. Her two sons each inherited $16 million after they turned 30 (for Harry, that was in 2014).

Why some fans think Harry and Meghan will run into money problems in the future

EXCL: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle take out $9.5m mortgage on huge 9 bed, 16 bath pad  with a stripper pole https://t.co/NUWrvhOR3J  Katy Forrester (@katyshowbiz) August 13, 2020

RELATED: Both Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Reportedly Ignored Warnings From Friends About Their Relationship

Although it does not seem like Harry and Meghan will be impoverished anytime soon, some fans think they often live above their means, which could potentially means running into money problems down the line.

For one thing, the couple has been criticized for their extravagant spending in the past couple of years. Meghan reportedly spent anywhere from $300,000 to $500,000 worth of new clothes in her first year as a royal (including $100,000 worth of outfits for a three-day trip to Morocco in early 2019). Meghan and Harry both also found themselves in hot water when it was revealed they had spent $3 million in taxpayers money to refurbish their home.

[Harry and Meghan] seem to want a billionaire lifestyle, one person wrote on Reddit. They dont have the money. Money is going to be the real sticking point over time. Many a British royal has run into trouble because they want a lifestyle beyond their means.

Another fan added, They have enough money to lead very comfortable lives and do good. Some of the lower-profile members of the BRF provide an example. They could do this and even still hang with celebrities! But it really does appear that they want a 0.01% lifestyle and friends, which inevitably means hanging with some very shady people.

Of course, these are merely speculations, and only time will tell what exactly will happen to Harry and Meghan
Big Tech's institutional bias against conservatives was once relegated to the realm of conspiracy theories. Today, it's an immutable fact, and Big Tech doesn't even seem to be interested in hiding it anymore.

For example, as some have seen, try searching for "socialism and racism." The results inexplicably include search results for "capitalism and racism." Searchers will first see things like the below:

Some people try to explain this away as having been caused by some inexplicable algorithmic logic. When Alex Berenson highlighted this curious search result on his Twitter feed, a detractor suggested that it's "an algorithm and it suggests other results that are frequently Googled with or like yours. Most of the time it's very helpful especially if you don't quite know how to spell something."

That theory collapses with minimal effort. For example, if you search for "capitalism and racism" but happen to misspell capitalism, the "helpful" engine helps you get to your intended destination:

However, if you search for "socialism and capitalism" and happen to misspell "socialism," it takes you right back to search results for "capitalism and socialism" and the same articles:

Curious how that happens, huh? It's almost as if the algorithm isn't designed to "help" me find what I'm looking for, so much as it is trying to "lead" me to find something that someone else wants me to find.

Google's public liaison, Danny Sullivan, feebly attempts to explain this oddity on Twitter:

By default, Google automatically looks for related words, often useful as creators might not use the same words as searchers. That's what's happening. The label is to explicitly alert searchers, in case they wish to restrict the expansion.

Well, what follows might be even harder to explain, because it seems evident beyond doubt that American Thinker has become a victim of Google's search engine bias.

Every so often, I'll search for an article of mine on American Thinker on my phone, and if it's fairly recent, I'll just try searching for the name of the article. But I began to notice something curious in the results.

For example, I tried searching for a recent article of mine that was somewhat widely seen, titled "Social Distancing Is Snake Oil, Not Science." A search came up with results, but the results were other sites that had reproduced the article, not the original publisher.

This is exceptionally curious because my Google search history is laden with things that might turn up American Thinker items. Is the algorithm trying to help me or keep me from seeing a particular website?

So I tried with the DuckDuckGo app and made the search again, this time including even fewer words:

Well, what do you know? The American Thinker article is the first one to pop up.

So I tried another, one from last week, which experienced a fairly sizable readership (thank you!), titled "Lockdowns Never Again: Sweden Was Right, and We Were Wrong":

Again, several websites that steal the original content appear, but not the original publisher, which undoubtedly would be recognized by any honest algorithmic program as the site most associated with that sequence of words.

Once again, using the DuckDuckGo app:

And magically, the original publisher, which has undoubtedly experienced far more hits than these other websites reproducing it, appears first.

And, as I now write this, I noticed something I didn't notice when I took the screen cap of this particular search. Do you notice what website appears second? The pro-life and pro-family website LifeSiteNews. Do you know what website also doesn't appear in the same search on Google? LifeSiteNews.

I wonder why that is!

Big Tech has thrown away and burnt whatever mask it once had, pulling out all the stops to destroy the prospects of a Trump presidency by suppressing search results that it doesn't want you to see. Any effort by Big Tech to feign political impartiality, at this point, should be met with the derision that anyone trying to peddle that lie deserves.
'The station of the quivering lip' is an image that has stayed with me since January 25, 2013. It is a night neither I, nor any of my colleagues and friends, will ever forget. A horrible night. A violent night. A desperately sad night.

At around 9.35pm, as the rain battered the ground, I got a call from my superintendent: had I heard about Adrian Donohoe? I had not. I listened as he told me that my detective, our colleague and friend, was dead. He said that Adrian had been shot by armed raiders at Lordship credit union while on a cash escort.

The words were clear, but my brain couldn't process them. The shock and disbelief were immense. I just froze. I felt like I couldn't breathe. Then I got dizzy and I started shaking. Hearing the news was like being punched in the gut. My friend was dead, but after the initial shock I then felt an enormous pressure because I knew I was going to have to spring into action. I was going to have to lead the team in the investigation. That was a heavy load.

A young man out doing his job had been killed. Shot dead in cold blood. A garda, killed on duty. The impact of those words was phenomenal. It was inconceivable to me that Adrian had been taken from us. Only the day before he had stuck his head into my office to "see how things were going" and "what needed to be done".

That was typical of Adrian, always enthusiastic and interested, a dedicated and dependable detective, a kind and gentle human being. He was a very considerate man. Just an A1 person. One of the good guys.

I arrived at Dundalk garda station just after 10pm. Everywhere I looked, uniformed and plain-clothes gardai were either crying openly or fighting back the tears, with their fists clenched and the tell-tale quivering lip. The quivering lip that indicates pure emotion, pure anger and sadness. It is unmistakable.

Expand Close Murderer Aaron Brady. Photo: Ciara Wilkinson / Facebook

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We just could not believe it. Adrian didn't deserve that. Gardai don't deserve that. We are good to the public. We are there to protect them. To keep the peace. To be taken out in that fashion was simply unbelievable.

My colleagues were transformed that night by raw grief and anger. The emotion coated the station. It was on the walls, the floor, the roof. It was in the air. Adrian's murder had changed to atmosphere. The murder of a garda leaves a mark. Forever.

As the news sank in, it was hard to breathe. The first person who approached me was one of my detective sergeants, a brilliant officer called Kieran Reidy, who said, barely able to contain his anger: "If Adrian had the Uzi, this would not have happened."

He was referring to an application I'd made to senior management to have the Uzi machine gun restored to the detectives working on the Border and, in particular, to Dundalk detectives.

Expand Close Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. Photo: Ciara Wilkinson / Facebook

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Whatsapp Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. Photo: Ciara Wilkinson

We felt strongly this was important because Border policing is unique and we knew the Uzi commanded respect - and therefore afforded our officers more protection. You may wonder why that is. The answer is simple: the Uzi is a semi-automatic weapon, it breeds fear. The criminals knew the Uzi had been out of our hands along the Border region.

Aaron Brady and his gang would not have committed this horrific crime, taken on the guards, if they knew Adrian was armed with an Uzi.

I was very upset with the rejection of my application to have the gun reinstated. But senior management said no. This is something that angers me greatly in the aftermath of the murder.

On that night at Lordship credit union, Adrian was armed only with a standard issue handgun.

He didn't stand a chance against the full-barrel shotgun the raiders were carrying. It was like bringing a sword to a gunfight. Useless.

We were all distraught, but we had to get to work. Our friend was murdered and we were the only people who could solve this case and get justice for our friend. We had to throw ourselves into the work and be professional in our response.

It gave some respite from the white-hot anger the grief was wrapped up in. We knew we had to work quickly if we were going to find out who had committed this horrific crime. The decisions made in the early stages of an investigation are crucial. They set the standard for the weeks and months ahead. Get the basics wrong at the start and your case is in deep trouble.

I didn't get to the scene until 3am. There was so much to do beforehand. Setting up the team, talking to the coroner. Then I had to get witness statements from the people who were robbed. We also had to get the cars taken from the scene and brought to Santry for examination. These jobs are of the utmost importance and can result in a treasure trove of evidence.

On my car journey to Dundalk, I'd phoned certain people to start the ball rolling. I needed a good team of detectives in a well-set-up incident room. We focused on that, the job at hand.

Make sure everything is done perfectly. No shortcuts. As hard as it was, we had to channel our grief and fury and turn it into something productive.

Finally I got out to the crime scene at Lordship. It was where the evidence trail would start. It was a bitterly cold January night. It had been raining heavily all evening. The chill became even more biting at the sight of the Garda tent preserving the ground where Adrian lay.

Attending the murder of a friend is not something you ever forget. From that moment, it was terribly, horribly real. I was struck on the night and in the days that followed by the number of gardai from different divisions that turned up at Dundalk garda station to lend a hand. They wanted to be there for their colleague, offering their time freely. They were there on their days off, on their annual leave, any spare hour they could give us. It was a huge mark of respect.

They didn't want money. They didn't want overtime. Because the guards are a family. Adrian was family. And when a family member is the victim of such a terrible crime, this is what you do. You pitch in. You help. I can honestly say I have never been as proud to be a guard as I was in the days and weeks after Adrian's murder. The Irish public should be very proud of gardai. We are among the best in the world. I have experienced the abilities of other police forces around the world and can say without hesitation that we are in the top bracket when it comes to policing.

The workload was relentless, but we were driven by the memory of Adrian. We had to catch his killers.

That is the reality of an investigation like this. I knew if I was going to get the job done I would have to swallow my emotions. Not put them to the back of my mind. I had to bury them deep inside me to work professionally. I have a high standard and I don't deviate from that. No matter what. The highest standards must apply. Always.

Each of us knew that if it had been one of us killed, Adrian would have been as determined as we were. It was especially difficult to be investigating the murder of one of our own, but it united us, doing the same job as Adrian, with the same motivation and sharing his understanding of what exactly it was like to police the Border.

It raised a camaraderie that was very special and that, crucially, got the job done.

I have to stress this could not have been solved without the professionalism and dedication of the team. The team in Ireland and our colleagues in Homeland Security in the States. Without them, Brady would still be drinking pints in Yonkers.

Finally, five years after the murder, in March 2018, I arrested our chief suspect and charged him with Adrian's murder. When put to him, Brady denied any involvement with a confidence and smugness - it was like he had it all worked out.

But we were confident, too. We had all worked so hard to get the investigation to the point of an arrest, we had invested everything. We used up every ounce of our energy and our skills to get this man.

Looking into his face as I charged him with murder is something I will never, ever forget. Brady's arrest meant so much to us all - in fact, it meant everything.

He thought he was going to get away with it. I knew by him and his reputation he was never going to admit anything. People like him never do. Brady never had any remorse for his actions. Not after he did it. Not when we questioned him or when I charged him. He never will. Because he has no moral compass. He had nothing within himself to do the right thing. But that didn't matter. We conducted a professional investigation and we got our man.

We knew how good our case was. We believed in it. It stood the test of time. Why? Because everything was done honestly, correctly and we never gave up. No matter what obstacles we encountered.

The trial began in January and lasted six months. It withstood the interruptions of a global pandemic and introduction of new social norms.

When the verdict was delivered on Wednesday the relief was immense. Relief that the determination and grit of Adrian's colleagues to do him proud had secured a conviction. The verdict comes seven years after the devastating loss of a fine man and a dedicated garda and will hopefully bring some solace to Adrian's family and friends.

His colleagues will be forever grateful for the assistance and support provided by US Homeland Security and the agents that worked tirelessly alongside us to bring Adrian's murderer to justice.

Firm friendships have formed through mutual respect and understanding and our shared commitment to the administration of justice.

The investigation is far from concluded - this was just the first stage. I, however, had made my mind up to retire once we had someone charged for Adrian's murder. I was weary of it all. I had investigated 12 murders in eight years in Louth, it was enough.

Adrian has many fine colleagues in Dundalk and further afield who will keep the investigation fires burning and who will, I have no doubt, bring others to justice.

On the evening I charged Aaron Brady, I handed in my resignation papers. I'm one of the lucky ones. I did my time and then chose my time to leave. I helped convict Adrian's killer, which was all-important. I got out.

Adrian didn't. The regret is deep and never ends. I hope no other family ever experiences what the Donohoes have experienced. No garda's family should have to face that.

Support. Protection. That's our duty to them, while they do their duty for us. Let no one forget that.

Pat Marry is a retired detective inspector who has worked on some of the most infamous murders in Ireland, including those of Rachel O'Reilly and Mary Gough.
The multi-hour livestream event, dubbed "Ascension," will find Blaine attaching himself to multiple helium balloons and attempting to float across the Hudson River from New Jersey to his native New York.

"This stunt has been 10 years in the making. Let's turn worry into wonder and take magic to new heights," Blaine teased in a recent tweet.

The exclusive performance, sponsored by Verizon, will be made in partnership with YouTube Originals, which has increasingly been investing in live events as well as celebrity- and personality-driven programming.

While Blaine's magical performances have long been broadcast over network television, his stunts have also attracted millions of magic hobbyists and enthusiasts online.

His card tricks with Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos have garnered over 3 million views on YouTube, while his "spitting out frogs" performance featuring Drake, Stephen Curry and Dave Chappelle attracted over 1.5 million viewers on the video-sharing platform.

Elsewhere, over 30 million people have watched Blaine working his magic with TV host Jimmy Fallon and the Roots during a 2016 episode of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon."

Aside from mounting his new "Ascension" event, Blaine performed multiple magic tricks in April during the one-hour special David Blaine: The Magic Way on ABC.

According to Deadline, the program attracted some 3.67 million viewers on the network channel.
The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the education sector globally. Classes have been suspended to enforce social distancing and educational institutions, from schools to universities, have shifted to online methods of teaching and evaluation. As the number of cases continues to rise, there is no certainty about when normalcy will be restored. This has encouraged some sort of a permanent tilt, if not a complete shift, to online education. The new National Education Policy (NEP) approved last month also talks about being ready for digital and online education, although it adds a rider that the digital divide must be eliminated to fully benefit from such methods.

An HT analysis based on unit-level data from a 2017-18 National Statistical Office (NSO) survey has highlighted caution against a sudden push towards online education in India.

Any such policy will run the risk of excluding a significant section of students. A number of students, who, in theory, have access to online teaching will have to depend on inconvenient methods such as using mobile phones instead of computers.

Also read: Students climb trees, hills to attend online classes in Odisha, says minister

A wholesale shift to online education is not just dependent on access to devices and the internet. It is also about nuances. For instance, shifting to online methods can be far more difficult in humanities than engineering, or in government institutions than in private ones.

Three-fourths of students in India did not have access to the internet at home, according to a 2017-18 all-India NSO survey. The share of those who did not have computers, including devices such as palm-tops and tablets, was much greater--89%. Access to these facilities was higher among students at higher levels of education. But even at the highest levels, a large share of students did not have access to these facilities. As expected, access to the internet and computers is directly related to household incomes.

To be sure, internet access must have increased since the 2017-18. According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the number of internet subscribers increased from 446 million to 719 million between 2017 and 2019. The bulk of this growth has come from wireless connections (272 million out of 273 million). While mobiles can be useful in listening to online lectures, they are not the ideal medium when it comes to writing exams or even assignments.

Lack of access to the internet and devices has also created a gap in digital literacy. As many as 76% of students in India in the 5-35 age group did not know how to use a computer. The share of those who did not know how to use the internet was 74.5%. Once again, this gap rises with a fall in income levels. 55% of students among the top 20% of households by monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE) knew how to use a computer and internet while these proportions were only 9% and 10% among the bottom 20%.

Given the interrelationship between class background and choice of courses, professional courses are better suited for a shift to online methods. 54% of humanities students (at the graduate level or higher, including diplomas) did not have access to the internet and 81% did not have access to computers.

Also read: Over 58,000 secondary school students in Prayagraj lack gadgets for online studies

These shares were just 30% and 44% for engineering. At the same level of enrolment, the share of students in private unaided and aided institutions with computer at home (36% and 30% respectively) was higher than in government institutions (25%).

To be sure, even these numbers are likely to overestimate the number of students who may benefit from online education. This is because having a computer or internet facility at home is not a guarantee of uninterrupted access to it. In May, an HT report highlighted how most Delhi University (DU) students lacked resources to take online exams. It showed how two siblings, whose father is a daily wager, were worried about their final-year exams as the keypad of the phone they shared was not working and the internet was slow.

The NSO survey will show their household as having access to the internet, although this access was hardly helpful for them.

For such families, a sudden shift to online education can also strain their spending capacity. Rough estimates suggest pursuing online education can be very costly for the poorest households. For example,they show that playing a 480p video (or a video with a resolution of 854x480 pixels) on YouTube can consume about 264 MB of data per hour. Five hour online lectures for five days a week on the platform would then mean consuming 26.4 GB data a month.

According to TRAI, the average revenue realisation per subscriber per GB for wireless data in the December quarter was 8.45. This translates to a monthly cost of 204.9 at July 2017-June 2018 prices when the education survey was conducted. This cost is almost a quarter of the bottom 20% of households average MPCE according to the survey, 900, and only 4.4% of the top 20% of households MPCE, 4641.

NEP emphasises on preventing drop-outs.If India has to focus on online learning, it would do well to ensure students have access to devices and internet connections.
Iran says US 'has never been so isolated' defeat at UNSC to extend arms ban

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 15 August 2020 9:59 AM

Iran says the United States has "never been so isolated" in the UN's 75-year history after Washington suffered a humiliating defeat at the Security Council as its resolution to extend an arms embargo on Tehran was overwhelmingly rejected.

In the 15-member UNSC vote on Friday, the US received support only from the Dominican Republic for its anti-Iran resolution, leaving it far short of the minimum nine "yes" votes required for adoption.

Russia and China voted against the resolution and the remaining 11 council members, including France, Germany and the UK, abstained.

"In the 75 years of United Nations history, America has never been so isolated," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi tweeted. "Despite all the trips, pressure and the hawking, the United States could only mobilize a small country (to vote) with them."

He also noted that Iran's "active diplomacy" and the "legal force" of the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), defeated the US at the Security Council.

In another post on his Twitter account, Mousavi advised the US administration to learn from its total failures and stop shaming itself at the United Nations.

The administration of US President Donald Trump had circulated its resolution to keep in place the UN arms embargo on the Islamic Republic, which is set to expire on October 18 under UNSC Resolution 2231 that enshrined the JCPOA.

Washington had threatened that if the resolution failed, it would try to trigger the so-called snapback of the UN sanctions, which had been in place against Iran prior to the nuclear deal's inking.

This is while the US forfeited its right to invoke the provision in 2018, when it pulled out of the JCPOA.

UNSC vote 'no to unilateralism'

Also on Friday, Iran's Ambassador to the UN Majid Takht-Ravanchi took to Twitter to say the UNSC vote against the US proposal has a clear "message: No to UNILATERALISM."

"The result of the vote in #UNSC on arms embargo against Iran shows  once more  the US' isolation," he tweeted.

"US must learn from this debacle. Its attempt to "snapback" sanctions is illegal, and was rejected by int'l community, as was evident today."

Speaking to IRNA news agency, Ravanchi stressed that the Security Council's vote demonstrated that Washington's claims about the snapback mechanism was baseless.

"The Americans' effort is a failed policy, from which they must learn a lesson. The policy has shown that they are isolated in the world and that even their closest partners have not sided with them," he said.

The Americans "make bizarre arguments and say that JCPOA and Resolution 2231 are two different issues. Anyone with the least familiarity with international law, UN affairs and Security Council resolutions knows that the JCPOA is part of Resolution 2231," he emphasized.

Iran's UN envoy further said that the 2018 US withdrawal from the nuclear deal "was legally wrong, because implementing Resolution 2231 is a commitment of the US, not a Democrat government."

He also thanked Moscow and Beijing for voting against the US resolution, saying their votes shows "the depth of friendship" between nations of Iran, Russia and China.

Iran's Ambassador to the UK said the United States was seeing tables being turned on Washington with its "maximum pressure" campaign against the Islamic Republic.

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The Amman International Film Festival will take place between 23 and 31 August

The Amman International Film Festival has revealed the film line-up for its inaugural edition to take place between 23 and 31 August.

Three films by Egyptian directors have made it to the final selection and will compete for the Black Iris Award.

Two feature-length films, The Profession by Ramez Youssef and Noum El-Deek by Seif Abdalla, will be screened within the Arab Documentary category, while The Trap by Nada Riyadh will compete in the Short Narrative section of the festival.

In addition, the film Luxor by Zeina Durra will be screened during the festival's closing ceremony outside the competitive segments. The film is a coproduction between Egypt (Mohamed Hefzy and Mamdouh Sabaa), the UAE, the UK and Jordan.

The Amman International Film Festival was originally scheduled to take place in April this year, but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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).

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

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Two bodies have been found this evening after a desperate search for two missing teenage brothers who vanished in the Irish Sea off the Lancashire coast.

Muhammad Azhar Shabbir, 18, and Ali Athar Shabbir, 16 went missing near to the pier in Lytham St Annes at around 6.40pm yesterday after being cut off by the rising tide.

A 15-year-old boy, a cousin of the two boys, is being treated in hospital after he managed to swim to the shore.

A rescue operation was launched by HM Coastguard after a 999 call reporting that the three teenagers, all from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, were in difficulty in the water near to St Annes Pier.

But Lancashire Police and the coastguard announced earlier today that the search had been called off after crews were unable to locate the two missing brothers.

This evening, the force revealed that two bodies have now been found around a mile away from where the brothers went missing.

While police are yet to formally identify the bodies, a spokesperson for the force said its officers believe they are that of the two missing brothers.

Police earlier called off the search for West Yorkshire brothers Muhammad Azhar Shabbir, 18 (left) and Ali Athar Shabbir, 16 (right) after they went missing yesterday. Today, police involved in the search for the brothers say two bodies have been found

Two bodies have today been found in the search for two missing teenager brothers who vanished in the sea off the Lancashire coast

Muhammad Azhar Shabbir, 18, and Ali Athar Shabbir, 16 went missing near St Annes Pier on Saturday evening

Coastguard, police and RNLI crews continued to search for the teenagers today, but Lancashire Police called off the search earlier today

In a statement, Lancashire Police said: 'Our HM Coastguard and RNLI colleagues searching for missing brothers Muhammad Azhar Shabbir, 18, and Ali Athar Shabbir, 16, from Dewsbury have sadly found two bodies this afternoon.

'Whilst they have yet to be formally identified, they are believed to be Muhammad and Ali.

'Their family have been notified and are continuing to be supported by a specially trained officer. Our thoughts remain with them.'

Officers also revealed the 15-year-old boy being treated in hospital is a cousin of Muhammad and Ali.

Lancashire Police said searches to find Muhammad and Ali, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire may resume later

Coastguard rescue teams from Lytham and Fleetwood and the coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Caernarfon attended the scene on Saturday after they received a 999 call just before 6.40pm, said HM Coastguard.

They were joined by RNLI lifeboats from Lytham St Annes and Blackpool, and independent rescue service Southport Lifeboat, together with Lancashire Police and North West Ambulance Service.

The RNLI said it was all-weather lifeboat in Lytham searched 'through the night' for the brothers, before it was joined at first light by two more vessels.

Coastguard helicopters were deployed yesterday, but were eventually called off during the search.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said earlier today: 'Our HM Coastguard and RNLI colleagues searched the water well into the night and resumed early this morning.

'They have unfortunately been unsuccessful and both Muhammad and Ali remain missing.

'Their family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.'

Emergency workers were searching into last night to try and find the missing 16-year-old and 18-year-old

RNLI lifeboats from Lytham St Annes and Blackpool, and independent rescue service Southport Lifeboat joined the Coastguard and police yesterday in the desperate search

The search for two teenagers began on Saturday night after they went missing at around 6.40pm

Having launched a search yesterday, police urged people not to help out at the scene

Last week five bodies were pulled from waters around the country in the space of 48 hours.

Last Sunday a mother in her 30s drowned at Waxham in Norfolk after she jumped into the sea to rescue her son and his friend, who had got into difficulty in a kayak.

Less than two hours later the body of 12-year-old Ava Gray was found in the River Leven, near Balloch Bridge in Scotland, following a lengthy search.

On Monday a Sussex man's body was pulled from the water off Lancing beach, the RNLI announced a second body was found the following day.

There was further tragedy on Monday as the body of man in his 60s was pulled from the water in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.

Police are treating the death as unexplained but not suspicious.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged Virginia-based tech firm Boontech and its Chief Executive Officer, Rajesh Pavithran, in a $5 million fraud case.

The charges relate to an initial coin offering (ICO) wherein the company raised $5 million from 1,500 financial specialists in exchange for Boon Coins, reported Bitcoin news. Pavithran and the company, in exchange, assured to develop a platform that connects job-posting employers and freelancers.

The SEC order states that the alleged offences were committed between November 2017 and January 2018. Boontech failed to register the offering (Boon Coins), which were "offered and sold as investment contracts and were, therefore, securities.

The US federal government agency also found some false and misleading statements made by Pavithran and his company, including claims like Boon Coins were stable and secure.

Furthermore, Pavithran and Boontech also claimed that their platform eliminated volatility inherent in the digital asset markets by using patent-pending technology to hedge Boon Coins against the US dollar, when in fact Boontech had no such patent-pending technology.

The order also finds that Boontech and Pavithran misrepresented to investors that Boontechs platform was faster and more scalable than its competitors because it was built on Boontechs own blockchain when in reality the platform was being developed on the same public blockchain as its competitors.

Investors are entitled to truthful disclosures from issuers of securities, whether digital or otherwise, SEC Enforcement Divisions Cyber Unit Chief Kristina Littman said. Pavithran and Boontech defrauded investors by convincing them to fund this endeavour based on the allure of innovation that simply did not exist, she further added.

The SEC also found that Pavithran and Boontech violated the antifraud and registration provisions of the federal securities laws.

Boontech, in its defence, did not admit or deny the findings and agreed to settle the charges by consenting to the issuance of the order, which requires Boontech to disgorge the $5 million raised in the ICO plus prejudgment interest of $600,334.

The order also requires Boontech and Pavithran to destroy all Boon Coins, issue requests to remove Boon Coins from any further trading on all third-party digital asset trading platforms, and refrain from participating in any future offerings of digital asset securities.

Further, the order requires Pavithran to pay a penalty of $150,000, and bars him from serving as an officer or director of a public company.
The drama around Parth Pawar, the son of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, continued on Sunday  five days after his granduncle and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar publicly rebuked him.

A day after a meeting between selected members of the Pawar family at Baramati, it is still unclear if the family drama has been resolved. On Sunday, Pawar reached his Modi Baug residence at Pune in the afternoon and was reportedly scheduled to go to Baramati.

He had a telephonic conversation with Ajit Pawar, his nephew, after which the NCP chief reportedly cancelled his Baramati visit.

It is believed that that both (Pawar and Ajit) had a positive conversation pertaining to Parth. We are hoping that things have sorted out, said an NCP insider.

Pawar had ticked off Parth for deviating from the party line over the Ayodhya temple construction issue and for demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Sushant Singh Rajput death case. The former Union minister called his grandnephew immature and said he doesnt care about what Parth says.

The senior leaders statements gave rise to speculations over Parth wanting to quit the party and seeking a discussion over the issue with other family members before reaching on to a decision.

On Saturday evening, a meeting was held at the Baramati home of Shrinivas Pawar (Parths paternal uncle), where the young leader, along with his parents Ajit and Sunetra, as well as Shrinivass wife Sharmila were present. The details of the family meeting were kept under wraps as Ajit and Parth maintained complete silence on the issue. Both of them also stayed at Baramati till Sunday evening.

A day after Pawars public rebuke, Parth went to Silver Oak, the senior leaders south Mumbai home, on August 13, where the young politician had a discussion with his aunt Supriya Sule (Sharad Pawars daughter) for over two hours, but could not meet his granduncle.

The party chief can never accept a stand other than the party line, only because Parth is his nephews son. Instead of making unnecessary statements, he (Parth) can work a lot in the Maval parliamentary constituency as the party is in the government and his father is a deputy chief minister and finance minister as well said another NCP leader.

Senior NCP leader and Member of Parliament (MP) Praful Patel said there is no family feud.

There is no issue such as Sharad Pawar versus Ajit Pawar. Parths issue is not a big one and there is no dispute. I have personally met members from the Pawar family, had discussions with them and it is not a big political issue. It is being given unnecessary importance, Patel told reporters in Nagpur on Sunday.

Bharatiya Janata Party parliamentarian from Pune, Girish Bapat, also said that it was a family issue and also ruled out any possibility of his party inducting Parth.

Patel also said that the NCP is now bigger than the Congress in the state and the NCP chief has become the biggest leader. He further said that the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government is stable and mocked those saying that it will fall. They are astrologers who know nothing, said the former civil aviation minister.

This is not the first time where the rift in the Pawar family has come out in the open. Parth lost the Lok Sabha polls to sitting Shiv Sena parliamentarian Shrirang Barne last year. Soon after the results, Sharad Pawar started promoting Rohit Pawar, the son of his other nephew, Rajendra. With Pawars encouragement, Rohit successfully contested the Assembly elections from the Karjat-Jamkhed constituency in Ahmednagar district.

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Congress national general secretary Avinash Pande on Sunday expressed his gratitude to all party workers for their support during his tenure as the Rajasthan in-charge. Senior party leader Ajay Maken has been appointed as the new general secretary in-charge for Rajasthan, replacing Pande.

Pande said that his tenure as the in-charge of Rajasthan Congress Organization has been satisfactory and that he had a very positive experience working with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, former state Congress president Sachin Pilot and other senior party leaders. As a result of people's unity, the Congress government was formed in 2018. Party workers worked with full enthusiasm in wards, blocks and districts of the state, he said in a statement and wished a bright future for the party in the state.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has also set up a three-member committee to resolve the issues raised by party rebels in Rajasthan. Senior party leader Ahmed Patel, Ajay Maken and general secretary organisation KC Venugopal have been made members of the panel.

The appointments come in the wake of a rebellion in the Rajasthan government with former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot and 18 other MLAs revolting against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Though the rebellion was quelled and a truce reached with Pilot and the other MLAs, the party leadership has announced the three-member panel to help in the smooth resolution of the issues raised by them.
OTTAWAFor only the second time in 12 years, Marc-Andre Bernier and his underwater archeology team at Parks Canada will not be heading north this month to explore the wrecks of the doomed Arctic expedition of Sir John Franklin and his crew.

Bernier said last summer was the teams most successful visit ever, excavating cabins and a stewards pantry on Erebus, and bringing 355 artifacts to the surface for restoration and study. Robot cameras were used to probe inside the HMS Terror for the first time since it was discovered four years ago.

The plan was to return again later this month, when Arctic conditions are normally best for this kind of work, and keep going.

But because of COVID-19, access to the wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror in waters off King William Island in Nunavut is closed to all but local Inuit Guardians keeping watch on the sites and those with harvesting rights in the surrounding waters.

It is quite disappointing, said Bernier, the manager of underwater archeology.

The two ships, with 129 men on board, left England in 1845 to pursue the dream of finding and mapping the Northwest Passage. They would never return.

The whereabouts of the ships were a global mystery until 2014, when Parks Canada divers, helped by Inuit guides, located Erebus in 2014, and then Terror two years later, about 100 kilometres further north, in the coincidentally named Terror Bay.

While missing one more year of exploration when the wrecked ships have already lain in their watery graves for more than a century and a half may seem like no big deal, every year that passes brings more risk that some of the secrets contained within may never be revealed.

We are concerned about Erebus, said Bernier.

That ship, the only one divers have been inside of as yet, is close to the surface, and sometimes if the waves are high enough, the top of the ship is fully exposed. Some years, said Bernier, they return to find extensive damage already done to the ship. Others they come back and nothing has changed at all.

The break, said Bernier, could give them more time to research and begin preservation and restoration work on the objects already recovered. Like a pair of epaulettes left in a box under the bed of the cabin belonging to Lt. James Walter Fairholme, and a brush with hairs still in it that can be analyzed for DNA.

But that work too has been delayed by COVID-19.

The archeology team was sent home in mid-March when most federal buildings were closed. The date of return to their labs is still not known, said Bernier.

The team has been able to use the photos and videos taken on both ships to work on mapping them out. Terror, which is more protected than Erebus because it lies in deeper water, hasnt been mapped fully at all yet, so that work is underway this summer. Diving into the ships takes precision and the maps are needed to do it properly.

Dives to Erebus can last as long as three hours but the deeper, and much colder waters around Terror will limit exploring that ship to about 30 minutes a day, said Bernier.

Bernier said the information gleaned from every object, every trip below the water, helps fill in gaps in the story. Since Fairholmes epaulettes were found in his cabin but none of his clothes, Bernier wonders whether he decided they were expendable when he packed to leave the ship forever.

There are other questions. Why were the belongings of a Terror crew member found on Erebus? Did Terror get abandoned first and the remaining men move to Erebus before it too got trapped in the ice and sank?

Bernier said on Erebus, the plates in the pantry were still neatly stacked in their racks, a coffee pot still in it place, pencils and pencil boxes remaining on their shelves.

It suggests the ship was neither abandoned quickly, nor did it sink suddenly, since a sudden influx of water would have caused more damage.

Thats what we have to do now, is try to make things fit, he said. That will help us understand what happened, whats the timelines.

For the archeology team, theyre just biding their time now until next year when they hope the pandemic is over and they can once again return to the North for the exploration that will make their careers.

For an archeologist, this is a once in a lifetime, he said.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 13:46:08|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese health authority said Sunday that it received reports of 19 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on the Chinese mainland Saturday, including four locally transmitted ones in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The remaining 15 cases were imported ones from outside the Chinese mainland, the National Health Commission said in its daily report.

One new suspected COVID-19 case, also imported from outside the mainland, was reported in Fujian Province, and no deaths related to the disease were reported on Saturday, the commission said.

Of the imported cases, five were reported in Shanghai, three each in Guangdong and Shaanxi, two in Tianjin, and one each in Fujian and Sichuan, the commission said.

On Saturday, 56 COVID-19 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovery, the commission said.

By the end of Saturday, a total of 2,278 imported cases had been reported on the mainland. Of them, 2,094 had been discharged from hospitals after recovery, and 184 remained hospitalized, with no case in serious condition. No deaths from the imported cases had been reported.

As of Saturday, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the mainland had reached 84,827, including 618 patients who were still being treated, with 34 in severe conditions.

Altogether 79,575 people had been discharged after recovery, and 4,634 had died of the disease on the mainland, the commission said.

There were still three suspected COVID-19 cases on the mainland, it added.

According to the commission, 19,933 close contacts were still under medical observation after 1,290 were discharged on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, 16 new asymptomatic cases, including 11 from outside the mainland, were reported, and one asymptomatic case was re-categorized as a confirmed one.

The commission said 319 asymptomatic cases, including 176 from outside the mainland, were still under medical observation.

By Saturday, 4,406 confirmed cases including 69 deaths had been reported in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), together with 46 confirmed cases in the Macao SAR and 482 cases including seven deaths in Taiwan.

A total of 3,488 COVID-19 patients in the Hong Kong SAR, 46 in the Macao SAR, and 450 in Taiwan had been discharged from hospitals after recovery. Enditem
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said it is especially important this year to commemorate the lives lost and heroism displayed in the Sept. 11 attacks as New Yorkers are once again called upon to face a common enemy.

The announcement came days after the National September 11 Memorial & Museum canceled the Tribute in Light over concerns the coronavirus might spread among crews creating twin columns of light to represent the World Trade Center in the Manhattan sky.

Newsweek apologizes for op-ed on Harris

NEW YORK  Newsweek has apologized for an op-ed that questioned Sen. Kamala Harris U.S. citizenship and her eligibility to be Joe Bidens running mate, a false theory that President Donald Trump has not dismissed.

This op-ed is being used by some as a tool to perpetuate racism and xenophobia. We apologize, read Newsweeks editors note on Friday.
Chinese fishermen told not to approach Senkakus as Beijing seeks to avoid frictions

August 16,2020 | Source: The Japan Times

Local Chinese authorities facing the East China Sea have instructed fishermen not to approach the disputed Senkaku Islands after the summer fishing ban concluded Sunday, part of an apparent push to ease tensions with Japan.



Before the suspension in nearby waters ended, fishermen said they had been told by the city governments of Fujian and Zhejiang provinces not to sail within 30 nautical miles (55 km) of the uninhabited islets. The Senkakus are controlled by Japan but also claimed by China, which calls them the Diaoyu.



While China has ratcheted up pressure on Japan by constantly sending its vessels into or near Japans territorial waters to challenge the status quo, Beijing may be trying to avoid excessive friction with Tokyo, regional experts said.



The Senkakus have long been at the center of conflict between the two countries, but Beijing has been eager to prevent its relations with Tokyo from deteriorating in the midst of escalating tensions with the United States, they added.



A 40-year-old fisherman said the isles are actually controlled by Japan, adding I dont want to go there that much.



In August 2016, a group of China Coast Guard vessels and as many as 300 fishing boats crowded around the islands. Some of them repeatedly intruded into Japanese waters despite a flurry of high-level protests from Tokyo.



Until earlier this month, Chinese vessels had also been spotted near the Senkakus for 111 consecutive days, the longest streak since Japan put the islets under state control in 2012.



Tokyo has urged Beijing to take measures to keep Chinese fishing boats from entering Japans territorial waters through a diplomatic channel, sources close to bilateral ties said.

 THE JAPAN TIMES LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Theme(s): Fishing Craft, Gear and Fishing Methods.
Sir Cameron Mackintosh has made 200 staff redundant from his West End theatres, the latest blow to an industry already on its knees since the start of lockdown.

Yesterday, English theatres were allowed to open for the first time since the start of lockdown, but with a majority of seats remaining empty to ensure social distancing, many owners say it is not financially viable.

Sir Cameron, 73, who owns eight West End venues and has produced hits such as Les Miserables, Phantom Of The Opera and Hamilton, issued redundancy notices last week after being unable to reopen any of his theatres.

Sir Cameron Mackintosh has made 200 staff redundant from his West End theatres, the latest blow to an industry already on its knees since the start of lockdown

Boris Johnson recently pledged 1.57 billion to keep the arts sector afloat but Sir Cameron, together with his long-time collaborator Andrew Lloyd Webber, has urged the Government to do more.

Before last weeks decision, Sir Cameron warned: We are likely have to push back our openings until next summer, causing further devastating losses to both the theatre industry and Londons economy  to which I have already contributed more than 1 billion in tax.

As a staunch Conservative, I have always admired Boriss Churchillian spirit and so it would be a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions if history was to mark him down as the Prime Minister who presided over the closing down of one of Britains cultural and economic treasures for longer than the Black Death.

A spokesman for Sir Cameron, who was knighted in 1996 for services to musical theatre, said: It is a very sad time for everyone affected by this thankless situation, one we could never have imagined would have been forced upon the industry.
INTO general secretary John Boyle said: I have written to the Minister for Education calling for priority access to testing to made available to any asymptomatic teacher who requests it.

Schools say they will need access to rapid Covid-19 testing when the academic year gets under way if they are to remain open and function properly.

Primary schools are concerned that delays in waiting for Covid-19 tests could leave staff out of work for long periods when adequate cover is not available. If principals cannot source adequate cover they fear this could lead to parents receiving texts at short notice asking them not to bring a child to school.

North Kildare Educate Together National School principal Pat Crowe said this would be a "worst-case scenario" but is realistic because pupils can no longer be moved around schools and mixed with other class groups when a teacher is unwell and unable to attend work. His call for access to rapid testing has been echoed by the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO).

The HSE did not comment when asked if teachers were to be given rapid access to Covid-19 tests.

A spokesman for the Department of Education did not say if teachers would get rapid access to tests but outlined the scenario that will apply if a member of a school's community displays Covid-19 symptoms. He said they will be asked to self-isolate and contact a GP who will assess if a Covid-19 test is necessary.

INTO general secretary John Boyle said: "I have written to the Minister for Education calling for priority access to testing to made available to any asymptomatic teacher who requests it."

He also wants the establishment of a routine surveillance system and a repeated testing-and-tracing regime for the education sector from the start of the academic year.

In addition he has called for early clarification of the approach to be taken by the HSE in a school in the event that a pupil or staff member tests positive for coronavirus.

"Our members are keen to ensure incidences of infection in schools are taken seriously in order to break community transmission," he said.

There is concern that adequate cover will not be available later in the school year when teachers develop symptoms associated to Covid-19 and need a negative test result to attend work.

At second level, there is concern about access to substitute teachers for specific subjects. The Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland said this issue is a long-standing one and called for incentives to entice qualified people back into teaching in Ireland.

A Department spokesman said measures are being adopted to increase the supply of teachers including offering extra hours to 2,800 teachers.
Canada celebrates Indias Independence Day; Niagara falls lit up in tricolour

Celebrations on India's 74th Independence Day were conducted in the North American country of Canada. The Niagara Falls, considered one of the natural wonders of the world, was illuminated in the Indian tricolour of saffron, white and green to mark the occasion. Visuals of the stunning sight were shared by the Indian diplomatic mission in Toronto. Meanwhile, a tricolour rally was also conducted from Surrey to Toronto. Over 200 cars reportedly participated in the 'tiranga yatra'. The rally was reportedly organised by a group called Friends of India - Canada.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also wished India on the special occasion. He issued a statement saying the two countries have strong, longstanding and vibrant ties with the shared traditions of democracy and pluralism. Trudeau said that the 1 million-strong community of Canadians of Indian descent makes important contributions. The two countries work closely at international organisations like the United Nations, Commonwealth and the World Trade Organisation, he said. Trudeau looked forward to deepening ties in areas like trade and investment, education and skills training, science and innovation, and climate change 'for the benefit of the people in both the countries'. Watch the full video for more. ...read more
The West Bengal government is contemplating to grant industry status to the states USD 20 billion logistics sector for seamless development of various infrastructure projects, an official said on Saturday.

The state is working on framing a logistics policy and it may require about Rs 1,000 crore to implement it in the short term, the official told PTI.

The Union government too has been formulating a national policy aiming to reduce logistics cost from the present 14 per cent of Gross Domestic Product to less than 10 per cent by 2022.

The status of industry will help the logistics sector smoothly develop infrastructure. The conversion of agricultural land to develop logistics related infrastructure will be easier. Getting access to land banks, state funding, incentives and single window support will also be easier, the official said.

On the proposed logistics policy, he said, The West Bengal government may need a funding requirement of USD 120- 150 million (Rs 1,000 crore approx) to lay the initial groundwork to implement it in the short term.

The authorities have suggested to set up a nodal agency, Logistics Development Council, with representation from both the industry and the government, for implementing the policy, the official said.

The state is also contemplating to earmark 500 acre of land for logistics development, out of which 100 acre may be brought out from rehabilitated land with multimodal connectivity.

West Bengal is uniquely poised in its positioning as it has the advantage of multimodal logistics capabilities such as water, roads and railways, state Finance Minister Amit Mitra had said last week.

The state government has primarily identified five prominent locations - Tajpur, Dankuni, Malda, Siliguri and Durgapur - that have the potential to emerge as logistics hubs catering to industrial areas located within 100-150 kilometre.

The state government encourages the development of a Freight Village in Sankrail on the outskirts of Kolkata where contiguous land parcel of over 100 acre is available with multimodal connectivity, sources said.

The state will explore tapping international funding agencies to complement its own budgetary allocations for logistics sector development, they said.

The West Bengal government anticipates a funding need for the development of the sector over the next 1015 years to fully implement the initiatives under this policy.

The West Bengal government will also give impetus on skill development to create job opportunities for women in the sector. PTI BSM NN NN

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Fast-food chain Domino's is planning on expanding its supply chain centre in Naas, Co Kildare, as part of an investment that could be worth up to 8m (8.9m).

The UK arm of the company revealed the plan in its results for the 26 weeks ended June 28. In a presentation published last week, Domino's said the first phase of its extension in Naas would be completed by the autumn of 2021.

During an analyst call, Domino's said the completion of the new facility would be followed by the refurbishment of its existing one in the Co Kildare town, where it employs around 60 staff.

A spokeswoman for Domino's confirmed the company's plan to invest in Ireland.

"We're expanding our supply chain centre in Naas to include a new production facility and once opened in autumn 2021, we'll then upgrade our existing distribution facility, increasing our capacity to support the future growth of the business in Ireland," she said.

"As we approach our twentieth anniversary in Naas, this investment illustrates our ongoing commitment to our teams and the surrounding area."

It is understood that the investment in the facility will be in the range of 6m to 8m. It is also understood that several jobs from its current site are expected to transfer to the upgraded facility.

In the results, Domino's reported a fall in sales in Ireland. Sales here were down 3.6pc, excluding stores opened near another outlet in so-called split territories, against what the company said was a "strong comparative".

The performance here contrasts with the UK where the company saw sales increase 4.8pc, excluding splits.

The group said underlying pre-tax profits dropped 4.6pc to 47.6m (52.8m) in the 26 weeks to June 28 after it was hit by 6.2m (6.8m) in Covid-19 costs.
The carcass of a wild elephant was found in the jungles of Surajpur district in Chhattisgarh on Sunday, a forest official said.

The villagers have spotted the body of tusker in Pratapur forest range of Surajpur forest division. Experts and senior forest officials have been sent to the spot and an investigation has started, additional principal chief conservator (APCF), wildlife, Arun Kumar Pandey told Hindustan Times.

The officer added that the body has been sent for autopsy. The cause of death is yet to be known and we will be able to tell anything only after an autopsy report, said Pandey.

This is the eighth elephant death in the state in the last three months.

In June, six elephants died in four districts of the state. While the carcasses of two tuskers were recovered from the Pratappur forest range in Surajpur district, another elephant was found dead in neighbouring Balrampur district.

Two elephants were electrocuted in Dharamjaigarh under Raigarh district and a calf died after getting stuck in a marshland in Dhamtari district.

One elephant died in July in Jashpur district of the state.

Following the fatalities, the state forest department in July issued orders to divisional forest officer (DFO) of Dharamjaigarh in Raigarh district, where maximum elephants were electrocuted in the last ten years, to take necessary steps to contain such incidents. The order said that the forest department should ensure that the 11 KV electric line, which has been instrumental in causing the deaths, should be 7.5 meters above the ground-level and insulated electric wires should be used in these areas.

The department also directed the forest officers to coordinate with Chhattisgarh State Power Corporation and find out each and every illegal connection or live wire in these areas.

As per the Chhattisgarh forest department, in the last decade the state has recorded an increase in the wildlife population including elephants, whose number rose from 225 to 290.

Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel recently issued necessary guidelines for the monitoring of wild animals in the state forests and improving measures for their conservation.

North Chhattisgarh is home to around 240 wild elephants, which roam in plains of the state. Several reports of human-elephant conflicts have surfaced in the last few years in the region.

A Union environment ministry report released last week said at least 500 people and 100 elephants die in India due to human-elephant conflict annually.

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A devastated father has revealed his eight-year-old daughter has been left 'destroyed' by her mother's tragic death.

Police allege Daiane Pelegrini, 33, was stabbed to death at her Oatlands home in Sydney's north-west by David Tran, 25, on August 3.

He has variously been described as the nursing student's ex-lover and friend.

Ms Pelegrini's former partner Marcelo Ataide had to break the news to their daughter, Marcela Pelegrini de Ataide.

The trio fled to Australia from Porto Alegre in Brazil in 2016 in search of a better life.

Police allege Daiane Pelegrini (pictured), 33, was stabbed to death at her Oatlands home in Sydney's north-west

Ms Pelegrini's former partner Marcelo Ataide had to break the news to her eight-year-old daughter, Marcela Pelegrini de Ataide (Pictured with Ms Pelegrini when she was younger)

Ms Pelegrini was separated from her husband, Marcelo, and he shared a powerful message about violence in the wake of her death

'Daiane wanted to have a new life for Marcela because where we used to live, in Porto Alegre, started getting really dangerous,' Mr Ataide told The Daily Telegraph.

Now Marcela is having to come to terms with her mother's death.

Mr Ataide had to pick up his daughter from school on August 3 and tell her Ms Pelegrini had been rushed to hospital with severe injuries.

David Tran, 25, allegedly climbed up the balcony of Ms Pelegrini's home before stabbing her in the chest when she walked in

'Marcela said "Mum is going to be OK, she just went to the hospital and the doctors are going to take care of her. She's a nurse, so she's going to be all right",' he said.

But hours later the shattered father had to fight through sobs to tell the eight-year-old her mum died of her injuries.

'The way that she looked and the way that she cried, I dont know how to say it but its indescribable. She was destroyed,' Mr Ataide said.

While the pair have struggled adjusting to life without Ms Pelegrini, Marcela is fully aware of what happened to her mother.

Mr Ataide also had the painful task of scrubbing the house where Marcela and Ms Pelegrini lived as it was stained with her blood.

Ms Pelegrini's friend Vivian Robain recalled their harrowing final video calls where the young mother said a mystery man had lurked outside the home.

Each day she spoke on video chat with Ms Robain, her best friend back in her hometown Lajeado, in the Brazilian countryside.

Ms Robain told Daily Mail Australia those calls had recently taken on a worrying quality - including reports of a man outside her house for more than three hours, three days before she died.

Now Marcela is having to come to terms with her mother's vicious death (pictured together when Marcela was younger)

The late Daiane Pelegrini (above) has been described as a 'wonderful mother' and 'warrior woman' by her grieving best friend, Vivian Robain

Ms Pelegrini confided in Ms Robain that she was being 'chased' by a man, something that worried her best mate deeply.

'This she told me and we talked for days on the subject until she went to police and said I could be calm,' Ms Robain said.

'She reported (to police) that she was being chased,' said Ms Robain, who added she was 'afraid because someone was bothering her'.

Daiane Pelegrini in one of her daily video calls with her best friend Vivian Robain, who lives back in her native Lajeado, Brazil. Ms Robain said there was troubling news in recent calls

'She said to me the day she (contacted) the police that (the man) was in front of the house for more than three hours.'

Court documents allege that student David Tran broke into Ms Pelegrini's unit about 4.30pm on August 3 intending to cause her 'fear of physical or mental harm'.

Within 20 minutes, Tran had allegedly stabbed her to death, court documents claimed.

Tran allegedly injured Steven Qoqos, who Ms Pelegrini was allegedly seeing, during a scuffle but he managed to escape and raise the alarm with neighbours.

Police will allege in court that Tran had sent Ms Pelegrini threatening messages prior to the incident.

Mr Qoqos has declined to comment but has since changed his Facebook picture to a cryptic Christian message: 'Love is a sacrifice'.

Tran was arrested and charged with murder, using a carriage service to menace and harass, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and entering a dwelling with intent to cause a serious indictable offence - stalking or intimidating.

He did not apply for bail during a brief court appearance on Wednesday and it was formally refused. Tran will return to court in September.

Ms Pelegrini had reportedly started seeing another man recently, Steven Qoqos, who was allegedly injured during the incident (above, left)

Ms Pelegrini had moved to Sydney for a chance for a 'better and safer life' with her husband - who she has since separated from. Instead she found tragedy

The homicide rate in Brazil is more than 30 times that of Australia's, according to a 2018 United Nations report.

In a moving message, Ms Pelegrini's ex-husband said he urged people to call for help if they felt threatened by violence, and warned that it happens around the world.

'If you know something that's happening, don't think it's going to stop at that stage. It can be worse,' Mr Ataide told Daily Mail Australia.

'Call the police. Call friends. Call many, many times. Call the police ten times a day if it happens, ten times a week if it happens.

'Thirty times a month if need be, but call the police every day that it happens.'

A GoFundMe has been set up to help Marcela and Mr Ataide adjust to life without Ms Pelegrini.

'We have another family history that was devastated by one more case of femicide!' the fundraiser says.

'Please, help to support this single father with all cost that he will have with that tragedy.'
Reverend Christian Kwabena Andrews, flagbearer and founder of Ghana Union Movement (GUM), has appointed Alhaji Abu Grant Lukman as his running mate for the December 7 general elections.

Rev Lenin B. K. Trotsky, Political Scientist of GUM, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that Lukman came with vast experience and acumen from the private sector that would help canvass massive votes for the party in the upcoming elections.

He said Rev. Andrews, affectionately called Osofo Kyiri Abosom, settled on Alhaji Lukman after wide consultation with the rank and file of the party and key stakeholders such as within the Muslim and Christian communities nationwide.

Ghana goes to the polls on 7th December 2020 and the Movement believes that with the appointment of Alhaji Lukman, a renowned entrepreneur and a Muslim, who hails from the Northern Region would pull a huge crowd for GUM, a newly formed political party.

GUM is a movement of unity and political pluralism and the Flagbearer, Rev Christian Kwabena Andrews, had called on Christians and Muslims, chiefs, imams and pastors to join hands and support its agenda for a democratic change, for a new Ghana.

Rev Andrews, who is also the founder and General Overseer of Life Assembly Worship Centre, had promised to build a territorial polity based on united and all-inclusive political pluralism, similar to the Charter of Medina which was approved by all and signed by the Prophet Mohamed.

That is why Christian Kwabena Andrews the flagbearer of GUM has chosen his running mate who is a Muslim for the establishment of political pluralism in Ghana to accommodate all, irrespective of their political affiliations, Rev Trotsky, said.

He explained that GUM is a movement uniting all Ghanaians irrespective of their political associations to take the country back from failed governance and policies of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

---citinewsroom
DUBAI (Reuters) - The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthi movement in Yemen said on Sunday in a statement carried by state news agency SPA that it had intercepted and downed a ballistic missile launched towards civilian targets in southern Saudi Arabia.

Cross-border attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi forces have escalated since late May, when a truce prompted by the coronavirus pandemic expired. In late June, missiles reached the Saudi capital Riyadh. The coalition has retaliated with air strikes.

Al Masirah TV, run by the Iran-aligned Houthis, said on Sunday that Saudi-led coalition air strikes had damaged fuel tanks in a factory in Houthi-held territory.

On Thursday the coalition said it had intercepted and downed an armed drone and two ballistic missiles launched towards southern Saudi Arabia.

Yemen has been mired in conflict since the Saudi-led coalition intervened in March 2015 to restore the Yemeni government ousted from power in the capital Sanaa by Houthi forces. The Houthis say they are fighting a corrupt system.

(Reporting by Nafisa Eltahir and Lisa Barrington; Editing by David Goodman and Catherine Evans)
Covid-19 vaccines being developed by UKs Oxford-AstraZeneca and United Statess Moderna-NIAID are the top candidates India is looking at for possible acquisition discussions, senior government officials aware of the countrys vaccine strategy said, adding that a group of experts spearheading the process will hold a crucial meeting on Monday with the heads of pharma firms involved in the development of some of the candidates.

The government will also closely track the progress of candidates being tested by the Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech and Ahmedabad-based Zydus Cadila. Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) has struck a production and clinical trials deal with AstraZeneca for the AZD1222 vaccine, which has till now been tested in the most number of people among the close to 200 options across the world.

Also read: Govt to focus on protecting health care staff from Covid-19

According to one of the officials, India is at present waiting for trial data for the Russian candidate, which last week became the first coronavirus vaccine to be approved in the world. For now, we are looking at the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, which is in co-production with Serum Institute of India for the Indian market, and the Moderna vaccine, which has also entered phase 3 trails, this person said, asking not to be identified.

Nine other vaccine development programmes  including ones in Germany and Israel  are also being looked at, this person added. These were part of discussions that were held at top government levels.

Also read| Covid-19:What you need to know today

According to a second official, who too asked not to be named, the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration will hold its second meeting on Monday and discuss with granular details of procurement processes and pricing with the heads of several pharma firms, including SII, Bharat Biotech and Zydus Cadila .

Headed by Niti Aayogs VK Paul and co-chaired by Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan, the panel will meet at around 3.30pm, according to the health ministrys meeting notice that was seen by HT. Adar C Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, Krishna Ella, MD of Bharat Biotech, and Pankaj R Patel, chairman of Zydus Cadila, have been invited for the meeting.

The members of the panel include department of biotechnology secretary, Renu Swarup, director general, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dr Balram Bhargava and department of pharmaceuticals secretary, PD Vaghela.

Also read: High exposure to Covid-19 in urban areas, find sero surveys

At present, there are 29 vaccines in clinical trials  a multi-step process to establish safety and efficacy of a shot. There are 138 more that are in pre-clinical phases, which includes development and animal trials. The Covid-19 pandemic has infected 21.7 million people around the world in less than nine months since it first began spreading. At least 770,000 people have died.

The once-in-a-century outbreak has triggered a dash for vaccines, with the first of options expected by early or mid next year. The process usually takes 10-12 years.

According to the first official cited above, the government is closely following data emerging from these candidates. The Russian vaccine, Sputnik V, is in its second phase of trials but little is known about how it performed in the first phase, although Russian President Vladimir Putin said it was safe while announcing it had been approved.

Also read: Russias new Sputnik launch raises risks in dash for Covid-19 vaccine

According to an expert associated with trials of the Bharat Biotech vaccine candidate Covaxin, there is steady progress in all 12 sites where shots are being given to people. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, this week also started about six healthy volunteers on 2nd dose of the vaccine candidate.

There is no fixed time line as not all volunteers are given a shot in a single go. The doses are given in batches; once all the doses are administered then only we will be able to run blood tests and analyse the changes. The data analysis will take at least 2-3 weeks and I would say anything concrete cant be said before a month about the safety of the vaccine candidate. However, there was no immediate adverse reaction observed, said this person, asking not to be named.

Pharma major Zydus Cadila has also started phase 2 clinical trials to establish efficacy of its indigenously developed vaccine candidate, ZyCov-D. The phase 2 trial began on August 6. Results from the phase 1 trials are not in the public domain yet.

Click here for complete coronavirus coverage

The first official also said that states have been told that vaccine will not be available in the next few months and they should focus on 3Tstest, trace and treat  to rein in the outbreak and mitigate its spread.

There is no alternative to ramping up testingas we have done in Delhiquickly tracking people who have come in contact with the Covid positive patients and ensuring proper treatment for those who have tested positive, this person said.

In his meeting on August 11 with 10 states that account for more than 80% of Indias active Covid cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked them to follow the National Capital Region (NCR) model and increase daily testing rates. Delhi has tested 68,532 per million of its population thus far, the highest proportion in the country. India has tested 21,989 per million.

Dr Amita Jain, head, microbiology department, King Georges Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, said: A vaccine will be needed to check the disease spread but we dont know when an effective vaccine be available for use even though all our efforts are being directed towards making it happen as soon as possible. A good vaccine is the most cost-effective way of preventing a disease.
U.S. condemns Chinese military exercises in Taiwan Strait

ROC Central News Agency

08/15/2020 12:42 PM

Washington, Aug. 14 (CNA) The United States State Department on Friday said it "strongly objects" to China's attempts to "coerce" Taiwan, one day after the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) announced that it had recently conducted military exercises in the Taiwan Strait.

In a statement to CNA, a State Department spokesperson said the U.S. has consistently conveyed to China that it "strongly objects to its attempts to coerce Taiwan."

"We urge Beijing to honor its commitments to pursue a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue, return to dialogue with the democratically elected representatives of the people on Taiwan, and cease military provocations, as well as efforts to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and economically," the statement said.

The U.S. response came a day after Zhang Chunhui (), a spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theater Command, said China had "recently" carried out combat exercises in the Taiwan Strait, according to the state-run newspaper China Daily.

In a statement quoted by the website, Zhang condemned "negative acts by some foreign nations" which he said sent misleading signals to "separatist forces" and posed a threat to regional peace and security.

Zhang's comments were apparently in reference to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar's visit to Taiwan earlier this week.

Azar's visit, the first by a U.S. Cabinet official since 2014 and the highest level since 1979, drew criticism from China, which views Taiwan and the mainland as a part of one country and opposes it having official contacts with other nations.

On Monday, the second day of Azar's Aug. 9-12 visit, two Chinese warplanes briefly crossed the Taiwan Strait median line into the Taiwan half of the waterway, according to Air Force Headquarters.

Relations between the U.S. and China have been tense in recent months, amid conflicts on issues including the COVID-19 pandemic, trade and human rights.

On Thursday, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) issued its own condemnation of the Chinese military exercises, saying the country would never yield to provocations by Beijing and that any acts of intimidation will be strongly opposed.

(By Stacy Hsu and Matthew Mazzetta)

Enditem/cs

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Colombo, Aug 16 : Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne said that security agencies received 97 warnings prior to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks that targeted churches and luxury hotels in the island-nation and claimed the lives of over 250 people.

Addressing a gathering at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, he said that despite receiving the warnings, those who were responsible had overlooked its graveness and severity and failed to prevent the carnage, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported on Sunday.

"Last week, we seized over 1.5 kg of high explosives and some 90 odd detonators from Mannar. In addition, the military has also taken a few remote control devices. If we also overlooked those incidents, none of these would have been recovered.

"We will never leave room for separatism from the North to rise nor extremism from the East to spread fear and destruction in this country ever," Gunaratne said, adding that national security and defence were paramount for country's development.

He said without securing them, it was impossible for a country to progress and develop.

"I assure you that there will be no room for separatism in this country now and ever." On April 21, 2019, three churches in Negombo, Batticaloa and Colombo and the hotels -- Shangri-La, Cinnamon Grand, Kingsbury and Tropical Inn -- in the capital city were targeted in the series of coordinated suicide bombings, which apart from the victims also injured more than 500 people.

Sri Lankan authorities attributed the attacks to little-known local Islamist extremist groups, National Thowheeth Jama'ath and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim.

However, the Islamic State terror group claimed the attacks.

The unprecedented attacks raised serious doubts on the security and intelligence networks of the country.

The Criminal Investigations Department had arrested 119 suspects, of which 40 continued to be in custody, while the Terrorist Investigation Division has arrested 78 others.

The attacks completely paralyzed the island nation for a few weeks, while its important tourism industry took a massive hit.

After a number of countries issued travel advisories against visiting Sri Lanka, tourism dipped by 70.8 per cent last May, according to statistics released by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

The country received just 1.9 million visitors in 2019, an 18 per cent drop compared to the year before.
Cargo Inspection Market Research Report by Industry (Agriculture, Metals and Mining, and Oil, Gas, & Petrochemicals) - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19

New York, Aug. 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Cargo Inspection Market Research Report by Industry - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913753/?utm_source=GNW

The Global Cargo Inspection Market is expected to grow from USD 3,285.78 Million in 2019 to USD 4,236.60 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.32%.



Market Segmentation & Coverage:

This research report categorizes the Cargo Inspection to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Industry, the Cargo Inspection Market studied across Agriculture, Metals and Mining, and Oil, Gas, & Petrochemicals.



Based on Geography, the Cargo Inspection 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 Cargo Inspection Market including Aim Control Group, Alex Stewart International, Alfred H Knight Group., ALS Limited, Bureau Veritas, Camin Cargo Control., Cotecna, CWM Survey & Inspection, Intertek Group, Peterson and Control Union, SGS Group, and Swiss Approval International.



FPNV Positioning Matrix:

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Cargo Inspection 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 Cargo Inspection Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Cargo Inspection Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Cargo Inspection Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Cargo Inspection Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Cargo Inspection Market?

6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Cargo Inspection Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913753/?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.



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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




Technicians at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida work to install the spacecraft adapter (SA) cone to the Artemis I Orion spacecraft inside the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building on Aug. 10, 2020. Credit: NASA.

SpaceCast Weekly is a NASA Television broadcast from the Johnson Space Center in Houston featuring stories about NASA's work in human spaceflight.

They include the International Space Station and its crews and scientific research activities, and the development of Orion and the Space Launch System, the next generation American spacecraft being built to take humans farther into space than they've ever gone before.

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The authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have halted the investigation in tens of thousands of cases alleging human rights violation against the government and security forces before the region was converted into a Union Territory (UT) last year August.

The authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have halted the investigation in tens of thousands of cases alleging human rights violation against the government and security forces before the region was converted into a Union Territory (UT) last year August.

The government had abolished the Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on 5 August last year after the central government abrogated Article 370 in the region.

While over 10,500 cases were lodged with the SHRC till last year August, there were at least 2,500 to 2,600 cases which were being heard on daily basis, said former secretary of JKSHRC, Nazir Ahmad Thokar. He said that a large number of cases were also not actively pursued by the complainants.

The forces in Kashmir have been accused of custodial killing, as well as, fake encounters. Human Rights groups have blamed Indian forces for custodial disappearances.

"In areas where government forces are engaged in counter-insurgency operations against armed groups fighting for independence or for the State to join Pakistan, the entire civilian population is at risk of arbitrary detention, torture, even death," noted one of the reports of Amnesty International.

In their statements, both Army and Police have said that they were a disciplined force. While the government forces have dismissed several complaints of abuse of power against them levelled by the local people, the army personnel earlier found involved in human rights violations couldnt stand trial before the civilian authorities.

Since the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the government has dismissed the complaints of human rights abuses including those who alleged torture at the hands of government forces. Even though there were many detractors of the SHRC and critics were wary of its functioning as previous governments have been known to turn down recommendations by it, its former members said that the authorities acted on several orders which were issued by us.

The government's decision to halt the probe in these cases comes as the police and the Indian Army are inquiring into allegations of "fake encounter" in southern Kashmir's Shopian after death of three "civilians" of Rajouri.

There are several fresh cases which have come to the fore in Jammu and Kashmir since the Commission was abolished, but there is no forum available for the people to approach now, said former SHRC member, Abdul Hamid Wani. There were some cases in which we had recommended action to the government and they acted on them, he added.

Human rights activist, Mohammad Ehsan Untoo, said that he had filed at least 500 cases at the SHRC, that the commission was hearing before it was abolished. "I had filed over 41,000 cases before the Commission since it was constituted in 90s. In nearly 40,000 cases people had either been given jobs or compensated for the violations which were committed by the forces. In some cases they recommended action against the police and army officials as well, he said.

Untoo said that the SHRC had its own investigation wing and it was hearing the cases on daily basis and also made officials accountable by issuing warrants against them. This helped provide relief to the people.

The SHRC had a staffing of nearly 100 officials including a separate investigation wing comprising of several police officials which was headed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) rank officer.

Officials said that the government was unlikely to set up a separate commission in Jammu and Kashmir citing the stance of the ruling BJP which has often blamed Kashmiris for tarnishing the image of security forces.

Constituting a separate commission or handing over the cases to the NHRC seems not to be the priority of the current government, said a senior official of the law department. The government, however, has issued a string of orders which range from speeding up granting of domicile certificates to the non -state residents and changing the names of public offices in Jammu and Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir law secretary Achal Sethi said that the department was awaiting orders from the government on the opening up of cases which were pending with the SHRC. We have not received any specific directions from the government over the issue, he said.

Former chairman of the SHRC, Justice (retd), Bilal Nazki, said that the human rights body would settle the cases in two-three months. The government has to either amend the Central human rights act to set up a separate Human Rights Commission office here or open the office of NHRC here, he said.

Untoo said that it was not possible for the complainants to travel all the way to Delhi to file the cases before the NHRC.

The decision on the change in laws has to be taken by the government. Now, the NHRC has the jurisdiction over Jammu and Kashmir and fresh cases can be filed online or before their office in Delhi, said Sethi.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 16:15:08|Editor: huaxia

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JERUSALEM, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military said on Sunday that it struck Hamas sites in Gaza and closed the fishing zone around the Palestinian enclave after rockets and firebombs were fired into Israel.

The strikes were carried out by Israeli war jets and aircraft before dawn in the southern Gaza Strip.

An Israeli military spokesperson said in a statement that the targeted sites included a warehouse for rocket ammunition belonging to Hamas, an Islamist Palestinian group that runs Gaza.

The military said the attack was a response to the attacks of explosive balloons in southern Israel.

Two rockets were launched overnight by Gaza's militants at southern Israel, both intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-rocket system, according to the army.

Also on Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz ordered the closure of the fishing zone around Gaza "until further notice," saying the measure was a response to the rocket fire.

The violence came amid weeks of tensions, which according to Palestinian and Israeli commentators was triggered by Israel's refusal to allow the transfer of Qatari money to the besieged Palestinian enclave.

Israel and Hamas had fought three rounds of war with occasional bursts of violence in between. Over the past months, both sides kept an unofficial cease-fire. Enditem
Coleen Rooney and her husband Wayne are reportedly fearful they will be quizzed over the fake gender selection story she invented as part of an elaborate sting.

The WAG, 34, planted the story that they were considering gender selection to have a baby girl as part of a series of false narratives about their family on her Instagram.

Coleen later released a statement saying that the story was among three viewed only by Rebekah's account, after restricting access to everyone but her in order to get to the bottom of who was selling stories about her.

Concerned: Coleen Rooney and her husband Wayne are reportedly fearful they will be quizzed over the fake gender selection story she invented as part of an elaborate sting

Becky has strenuously denied that she was the source of the leak, and is now seeking 200,000 damages for libel after failing to receive an apology from Coleen.

The Rooney's are now apparently concerned that they will be questioned on whether they ever mentioned gender selection to anyone, as well as intimate inquiries about their personal lives.

A source told the Sun: 'The gender selection rumour is likely to be the focus of the case.

It's... Rebekah Vardy's account! Coleen later released a statement saying that the story was among three viewed only by Rebekah's account

'It throws up all sorts of questions. Becky's lawyers will be within their rights to ask intimate details about Coleen and Wayne's marriage and physical relationship.

'They could ask whether it was true at any stage, whether Coleen had spoken to friends about it. While Coleen wants to avoid that, it's something she's prepared to go through to try to win.'

Coleen, who is currently enjoying a break from the drama on a family holiday in Barbados, apparently plans to stand by her claims that the stories were leaked from Becky's Instagram account.

Family time: Coleen, who is currently enjoying a break from the drama on a family holiday in Barbados, apparently plans to stand by her claims

A spokesman for Coleen told the publication that they wouldn't be making a public comment at this time. MailOnline contacted them for comment.

Coleen was accused of leaking stories to the press by Rebekah earlier this month, after she told in a bombshell legal document how she had been left suicidal by the accusation that she had leaked stories about Coleen and her family.

She also claimed in the document drawn up for her libel battle against Coleen that the stress of the scandal had left her fearful of losing her unborn baby and suffering panic attacks that made her too scared to leave her home.

The I'm A Celeb star complained of being made a 'scapegoat' by her rival seeking to blame her for stories appearing when in the past Coleen had approved of her friends leaking gossip about her.

The document says Rebekah believes she 'has deliberately been made a scapegoat (sic) by the Defendant (Coleen) for past 'leaked' stories.'

It points to previous stories about Coleen and Wayne with some 'in particular about their marriage, which have in fact come from the Defendant's friends, at times even with the Defendant's approval.'

Denial: Coleen was accused of leaking stories to the press by Rebekah earlier this month (Rebekah pictured with husband Jamie)

The paper states that Sun journalist Dan Wootton had said on talkRADIO on October 19 last year that Coleen had 'manipulated the media to tell stories about her own life'.

Wootton added that he had 'written many, many stories' about her marriage and 'lots of other things around the Rooneys' that had come directly from friends of Coleen including some told 'with her (Coleen's) approval', says the document.

He went on to say on talkRADIO that nothing had ever come from 'any of the Vardys', it adds.

Claims: Rebekah describes in her document how Coleen's public denunciation of her on Instagram while she was seven months pregnant had 'gravely injured her reputation'

Rebekah describes in her document how Coleen's public denunciation of her on Instagram while she was seven months pregnant had 'gravely injured her reputation'.

Detailing how Coleen had 'caused her enormous distress and very extreme embarrassment', she disclosed how she had been bombarded with abuse on social media.

Rebekah said that the widespread damage to her reputation was illustrated by research showing her name had become a more popular search term than 'Brexit' on Google in the UK on the day the scandal broke.

She also claimed that it led to her name appearing 276,822 times on Twitter on the same day, more than triple the number of mentions of Boris Johnson who had had his name published only 80,704 times.

The full statement: Coleen made these shock claims on Instagram after discovering she had been betrayed by someone close to her and she concluded that it was Rebekah's account

Coleen made headlines around the world last October when she made her devastating claim that Rebekah had been leaking stories about her and her family to the Sun newspaper.

She released the statement: 'It's been tough keeping it to myself and not making any comment at all, especially when the stories have been leaked, however I had to. Now I know for certain which account / individual it's come from.

'I have saved and screenshotted all the original stories which clearly show just one person has viewed them. It's . Rebekah Vardy's account.'

Rebekah immediately denied the claims and has since been fighting to clear her name and demands Coleen withdraw the claims against her.
A series of clashes between far-right militia, pro-Confederacy groups, and anti-fascist counter-protesters erupted across the country on Saturday.

At Stone Mountain Park, Georgia  home to the Stone Mountain Confederate Memorial  heavily armed far-right protesters attacked anti-fascist protesters with pepper spray.

In Kalamazoo, Michigan, a rally organized by the alt-right group Proud Boys also turned violent after the group started punching counter-protesters.

Four arrests were also made in Portland after a small group of alt-right demonstrators started shooting paintballs at counter-protesters.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

A counter-protester raises his hands in front of a far right militia as various militia groups stage rallies in downtown Stone Mountain, Georgia, U.S. August 15, 2020. REUTERS/Dustin Chambers

Clashes between far-right militia, pro-Confederacy groups, and antifa counter-protesters erupted at Stone Mountain Park, Georgia, on Saturday.

Videos on social media showed a small number of heavily armed far-right protesters attacking anti-fascist protesters with pepper spray and yelling at them. Some fistfights also broke out.

Related: What historians, activists are saying about statue removals

At one point, a man with a "Don't Tread on Me" flag and an assault weapon pointed his gun on the crowd, according to the Daily Beast.

The confrontation prompted police in riot gear and members of the National Guard to disperse the crowd. It is unclear whether any arrests were made.

Maura Sirianni 11Alive (@MauraSirianni) August 15, 2020

A far-right paramilitary group called Three Percenters militia initially asked to hold a 2,000-person rally at the park on Saturday but were denied by police.

In preparation, authorities closed off entry points to the monument, suspended bus services, and asked locals to avoid the city center.

Stone Park wasn't the only place that saw tense confrontations in the country on Saturday.

Story continues

In Kalamazoo, Michigan, a rally organized by the alt-right group Proud Boys also turned violent after the group started fighting with counter-protesters.

The First Congregational Church hosted a gathering of anti-racism counter-protesters.

"The Proud Boys, they not only have hatred for Jewish people and Muslim people, but they're also very hateful of anybody who doesn't look like them or act like them," Rev. Nathan Dannison, the church's pastor, told local outlet MLive.

The mask-less Proud Boys, who were chanting and waving American, Trump, and Gadsen flags, were later dispersed by police in riot gear.

One Black local reporter who was filming the scenes at the protest was arrested by police but was later let go. Police said, "a few arrests" were made, according to local affiliate WOOD-TV.

Four arrests were also made in Portland after a small group of alt-right demonstrators started trading paintballs and pepper spray with counter-protesters.

In Oregon's state capital, Salem, scuffles also broke out between several groups of differing ideologies.

Stone Mountain Park is home to the Stone Mountain Confederate Memorial, a giant granite carving that depicts Confederate figures Gen. Robert E. Lee, Confederate President Jefferson Davis, and Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson mounted on horseback.

The memorial, which is the largest Confederate monument in the US, has become a point of friction over the years.

Calls for its removal first came after the Charleston church shooting in 2015 but intensified in recent months following the death of George Floyd.

Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams once called the carving "a blight on our state," according to the Daily Beast.

Read the original article on Insider
This has been quite a week in the US immigration space. There was some good news for Indians, who were stuck in India due to the June 22 proclamation that banned entry to the US till December.

So what are these updates? Are they all really good news, especially with elections around the corner?

Starting with the latest first. The US Consulates in India that were closed due to COVID-19 will start operations from August 17 across major cities. Priority is to process student visas and academic exchange visitors received before August 12 before beginning routine appointments.

Applicants for processing of visas such as H-1B and H4 too can request for appointment as per the guideline issued by the US embassy. But  only if they have reason to believe that they qualify for one of the exceptions listed by the US Department of State (DoS) on August 12.

Before getting to the exceptions, the move itself is welcome as the embassies have been closed for around five months since March mid due to COVID-19. While the consulates will get around to processing H-1B or other non-immigrant visas such as H4, J-1, L-1 and H-2B sooner or later, it is not clear when that would be.

But we are hopeful and this is at least a beginning, said Vinod*, a techie, who is waiting to get his H-1B stamped and does fall under the exception provided by DoS.

Now looking at exceptions, H-1B and L-1 visa holders have to tick a few boxes before they would be allowed to enter.

One of them is, if they return to the same employer they were working with before the pandemic. Employees like Vinod, who have been working with the same employer for more than decade, more than qualify.

But, this obviously leaves many out. For the rest come more conditions. Tech workers or senior managers travelling to the US need to prove that they indeed contribute to the recovery of the US economy in the post COVID-19 world. They need to be working in the areas such healthcare, critical infrastructure support or food and agriculture.

Even then, their eligibility would be decided by the consular officer and hence leaves a lot of room for subjectivity that might not benefit these workers at all.

There is also an additional requirement that these workers should receive 15 percent more than the prevailing wage rate. Stuart Anderson, Executive Director, National Foundation for American Policy, an immigration policy think tank, said in his Forbes article that these exceptions are unlikely to stop lawsuits being filed. For, the article states, the conditions such as wage rates are not mentioned in the US regulation and could be challenged.

What is more interesting is that these exceptions come right after the US tech giants backed the lawsuit filed against the June 22 proclamation on July 15. The lawsuit to some extent seemed to have played a role in tweaking the non-immigrants entry into the US, said Vinod, who was keenly following the lawsuit over the last month.

The third and final update was around reopening the H-1B lottery. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) move to re-open the lottery was a surprise. For, H-1B, the coveted highly skilled immigrant visa, gets its 85,000 quota filled in a matter of few days after opening.

For FY21, where the electronic registration was implemented for the first time, it should have been finished by June 2020. But it was not the case and the USCIS had to select applicants by lottery for the second time. These applicants have time till November 16 to file their petitions. This lag has probably come at the back of COVID-19 and uncertainty around immigration during the time of elections.

This is rare and probably the first time since 2010 during the global financial crisis when applications were not filled even 211 days into the year.

These three updates do bring hope to those stuck overseas. But also caution as there is no guarantee that your visa would be approved. The USCIS in a statement to Moneycontrol has stated that the applicants should submit relevant evidence to establish their motive to travel to the US.

So there is every possibility of getting rejected, or filing additional evidence for their H-1B petition to pass through. With elections set on November 3, there are still uncertainties abound for the skilled workers and their employers.

*Names changed to protect identity.
DUBAI, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Mauritania, a member of the Arab League, said it supported the United Arab Emirates in its decision to sign an accord with Israel to agree to normalise relations, UAE state news agency WAM said on Sunday.

"The UAE possesses absolute sovereignty and complete independence in conducting its relations and assessing the positions it takes in accordance with its national interest and the interests of arabs and muslims," WAM quoted a statement from Mauritania's foreign ministry as saying. (Reporting by Dahlia Nehme Writing by Lisa Barrington Editing by David Goodman )
Actor Priyanka Chopra joined the Jonas family in wishing her brother-in-law, Joe Jonas, a happy birthday. Joe, who recently welcomed his first child with wife Sophie Turner, celebrates his birthday on August 15.

Priyanka took to Instagram stories and shared a picture from a film premiere, and wrote, Happy Birthday Joe! This photo has been hand picked by yours truly! Have an amazing day! Priyankas husband, and Joes brother, Nick Jonas, wrote in his Instagram post, Youre the funniest person I know and I love celebrating you. I feel so lucky to have you as my brother. I love you so much. Happy birthday @joejonas.

Meanwhile, Sophie also took to social media to wish her baby daddy a happy birthday. She wrote alongside a monochrome picture of the two of them, Happy birthday to my love/bub/baby daddy. Kevin Jonas wrote, Happy birthday @joejonas love you man. Hope you have an incredible day!!

Also read: Priyanka Chopra honours fearless women leaders in special Independence Day video. Watch

Priyanka, Sophie, and Kevins wife Danielle have all featured in Jonas Brothers music videos. Together, theyre known as the J-Sisters. Priyanka told Indulge Express in an interview that the word J-Sisters came to being at her bachelorette party. Might have been me. It actually happened at my bachelorette. It started as a joke that if they are Jonas Brothers, we can be Jonas Sisters, since there were all three of us (Danielle, Sophie and Priyanka). It just became a thing, she said.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 23, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tanzanian Gold Corp. (TSX: TNX); (NYSE American: TRX) (Tanzanian Gold or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has signed a flexible financing agreement for up to US$14 million of unsecured convertible debentures (the Financing) with institutional investors Riverfort Global Opportunities PLC. and YA II PN, Ltd. (collectively, the Investors). The Company has also strengthened its balance sheet by converting US$8.4 million of outstanding gold loans and convertible loans into common shares.



The proceeds from the Financing will be utilized for a significant expansion of the Buckreef Project oxide mining and processing operation, the advancement of a Feasibility Study for the larger sulphide mining complex, the continuation of multiple drilling programs, and general corporate purposes.

Tanzanian Gold has developed a scope of project to expand the oxide processing plant to the range of 40 tonnes per hour (tph) as the basis for regulatory approval. Details of the plant expansion will be announced in the immediate future.

The Financing enables Tanzanian Gold to continue building shareholder value as the Company enters substantial new phases in the process of building a substantial mine at the Buckreef Project.

The Financing will be structured in multiple tranches: (i) US$7.0 million will be advanced between close and the effectiveness of a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and (ii) US$7.0 million will be advanced over time at the Companys election upon reaching certain milestones. For more information on the terms and conditions of the Financing please refer to our EDGAR filings.

Mr. James E. Sinclair, Executive Chairman of Tanzanian Gold, commented, The past 18 months of work from a talented team at Buckreef and our entire organization represent an incredible period of progress and value creation for our Company. We have dramatically grown our resource base at very low cost, increased the scale and scope of what we now feel will be the next major mine in Tanzania, and have begun to unlock the tremendous blue-sky potential that exists with our continuing exploration and development programs. Critically, we have now become a gold producer. The Financing announced today will ensure the rapid expansion of production, and by the end of the term of this agreement, we expect to reach our goal of becoming cash flow positive.

Gold Loans and Convertible Loans

In advance of the Financing, Tanzanian Gold simplified and strengthened its balance sheet by converting previously existing convertible debt and gold loans into common shares as per the latest quarterly financial statement as follows:

Subsequent to May 31, 2020, the Company settled US$3.8 million of principal amount of outstanding gold loans through the issuance of 13.8 million common shares, and

Subsequent to May 31, 2020, the Company settled US$4.6 million of principal amount of outstanding convertible loans through the issuance of 11.0 common shares.

Main Features of the Financing Agreement

The first tranche of US$7.0 million is essentially a low-cost equity financing as the Investors will seek to convert the debenture into common shares. To help maintain an orderly market for the Companys shares, there are limitations on the number of shares the Investors can trade at any given moment. The second tranche is essentially a low-cost unsecured debt financing as dilutive conversions of the debentures into common shares are at the discretion of the Company. Investors can convert into common shares at any time at a fixed conversion price.

The Company expects that the size of the first tranche will fund orders of long lead items for the oxide plant expansion. The additional tranches provide the Company with additional financial support and flexibility to complete the plant expansion and other related expenditures. Furthermore, the Company believes that this approach to funding an expansion helps de-risk the project for the Companys shareholders without diluting significant upside.

About Tanzanian Gold Corporation

Tanzanian Gold Corporation is building a significant gold mine at the Buckreef Project in Tanzania. The Company commenced production at its oxide plant in June 2020. Tanzanian Gold is now moving ahead to significantly expand its oxide plants processing capacity. An ongoing drill program has, to date, more than doubled the size of Measured and Indicated Resources to 2.036 million ounces. NI 43-101 compliant exploration mining targets have the potential to add up to another 2 million ounces. Tanzanian Gold is simultaneously advancing on three value-creation tracks:

Increasing production by expanding capacity at its oxide processing plant, which will operate separate and stand-alone during the full life of the larger sulphide mining and processing operation; Advancing Final Feasibility for the sulphide operation utilizing a plant substantially larger than previously modelled, targeting annual gold production of 150,000 to 175,000 ounces; and Considering an underground gold mining component at Buckreef. The Company has started ultra-deep drilling and completed a Level 1 stope design. The Company will start infill drilling to upgrade ounces currently in the Inferred category.

Respectfully Submitted,

James E. Sinclair

Executive Chairman

For further information, please contact Michael Martin, Investor Relations, via email at m.martin@tangoldcorp.com , direct line 860-248-0999, or visit the Company website at www.tangoldcorp.com .

The Toronto Stock Exchange and NYSE American LLC have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors - The United States Securities and Exchange Commission limits disclosure for U.S. reporting purposes to mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. We may use certain terms on this news release, such as reserves, resources, geologic resources, proven, probable, "measured", "indicated", or "inferred" which may not be consistent with the reserve definitions established by the SEC. U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our SEC filings. You can review and obtain copies of these filings from the SEC's website at h tt p :/ / www. s ec . gov/edgar.s h t m l .

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements and forward-looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed in the Company's documents filed from time-to-time with the British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario provincial securities regulatory authorities.

Certain information presented in this release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including risks inherent in mineral exploration and development, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any projected future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Investors are referred to our description of the risk factors affecting the Company, as contained in our SEC filings, including our annual report on Form 20-F for more information concerning these risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, that the Company will be able to build shareholder value, that the Company will be successful in its expansion at the Buckreef project, that it will be able to build a mine, and that the Company will be able to achieve positive cash flow.
Taking command early, Da Little Beast downed his competition despite broken equipment to win in the $5,793 second preliminary of the Golden Boy Stakes on Saturday (Aug. 15) at the Miami Fair.

By the quarter in :31.1, Da Little Beast held firm on the lead with Munchie Chris attempting to challenge from first over through middle fractions of 1:03.1 and 1:35. However he and the rest of the field gave futile pursuit to Da Little Beast in the stretch as the three-year-old In The Irons gelding strode to a six-length score in 2:09.1. Stablemate Two Shoes took second with Getitdonebud third.

A homebred for trainer Arthur Rey, Da Little Beast won his fourth race from six starts, earning $9,387. Dean Rey drove the $2.60 winner.

The Reys returned to take the $5,918 second preliminary of the Silk Lace later, this time with owner-trainer Lorraine Rey sending Miso Classy to a 2:08.3 victory.

Baylor Out Babe led to the quarter in :32.1 but yielded for the pocket when 1-5 favourite Follow Your Nose circled for the lead. Miso Classy sat third passing a 1:05.2 half but caught cover from Runaway Heiress moving up the backstretch.

Runaway Heiress advanced to pressure Follow Your Nose by three-quarters in 1:37.1 but began to lose ground into the final turn, forcing Miso Classy three wide. Follow Your Nose kicked to a two-length lead into the stretch but started to tire as Miso Classy hit her best stride, lunging for the lead late to win 2:08.3 by a neck. Runaway Heiress finished nine lengths behind in third.

Driven by breeder Dean Rey, Miso Classy won her first race from five starts, earning $7,897. The three-year-old filly by In The Irons paid $10.80 to win.

In the $2,450 Horses & Geldings Open Pace, Tito Santanna strolled to a 2:02.4 victory to give trainer Trevor Williams one of his three wins on the card. The odds-on favourite sat second to a :29.3 first quarter before moving for the top heading to a 1:02.1 half. Despite first-over pressure from Senga Savannah, Tito Santanna continued to lead by three-quarters in 1:33.1 and held firm through the stretch in progress to a one-and-a-half length win over Saskabush Steve and Senga Savannah, both of whom finished second in a dead-heat.

A seven-year-old gelding by Santanna Blue Chip, Tito Santanna won his fourth race from 12 starts this season and his 19th from 89 overall, earning $107,107. Michel Rey drove the $3.90 winner.

Williams went to then win in the following two races. He sent Gray Zee ($2.70) to a 2:01.1 victory in a $1,900 conditioned pace and won the nightcap with Outlaw Kismet ($18.50).

Sprinttothefinish sped around the track and turned away a late challenge from Tami Blue to take the $2,350 Fillies & Mares Open Pace in 2:06.3. The four-year-old Armbro Baylor mare pushed for the lead from the pylon post and took the field through a clip of :31.1, 1:03.1 and 1:33.4. Tami Blue tipped first over past the half and made slight gains towards the leader through the mile, eventually ranging alongside the pacesetter spinning into the stretch. However Sprinttothefinish fought back to the inside and edged to a half-length win over Tami Blue with 2-5 favourite Somewhere Ideal third.

Owned, trained and driven by Cory Manning, Sprinttothefinish won her second race from six starts this season and her fifth from 13 overall, earning $9,131. She paid $11.50 to win.

Before the card, Millies Million won the $4,120 Kindergarten Stake in 2:16.3. The two-year-old Armbro Baylor filly owned and trained by Richard Bey led Moonshine N Melody through fractions of :36.2, 1:10.1 and 1:43.1 in progress to a one-length victory. Michel Rey drove the winner.

To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Miami.

To view the results for Saturday's non-wagering event, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Miami (Special).
New York

Newsweek has apologized for an op-ed that questioned Sen. Kamala Harris' U.S. citizenship and her eligibility to be Joe Biden's running mate, a false and racist conspiracy theory which President Donald Trump has not dismissed.

"This op-ed is being used by some as a tool to perpetuate racism and xenophobia. We apologize," read Newsweek's editor's note on Friday, which replaced the magazine's earlier detailed defense of the op-ed.

"We entirely failed to anticipate the ways in which the essay would be interpreted, distorted and weaponized," read the apology, signed by Josh Hammer, opinion editor, and Nancy Cooper, global editor in chief. But they ended the note by saying that the op-ed would remain on the site, with their note attached.

The op-ed was written by John Eastman, a conservative attorney who argues that the U.S. Constitution doesn't grant birthright citizenship. Eastman sowed doubt about Harris' eligibility based on her parents' immigration status. Harris' mother was born in India and her father was born in Jamaica.

Newsweek earlier defended the piece, arguing that Eastman "was focusing on a long-standing, somewhat arcane legal debate" about the 14th Amendment and not trying to "ignite a racist conspiracy theory around Kamala Harris' candidacy."

But the theory is false. Harris, who was tapped by Joe Biden to serve as his running mate on the Democratic ticket, was born in Oakland, California, and is eligible for both the vice presidency and presidency under the constitutional requirements. The question is not even considered complex, according to constitutional lawyers.

Trump built his political career on questioning a political opponent's legitimacy. He was a high-profile force behind the "birther movement"  the lie that questioned whether President Barack Obama, the nation's first Black president, was eligible to serve.

Only after mounting pressure during his 2016 campaign did Trump disavow the claims.

Asked about the matter at the White House on Thursday, Trump told reporters he had "heard" rumors that Harris does not meet the requirement to serve in the White House. The president said he considered the rumors "very serious."
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-15 05:15:40|Editor: huaxia

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LIMA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Peruvian authorities reported on Friday that 400 police officers have died and about 24,000 others have been infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Minister of the Interior Jorge Montoya explained that the law enforcement officers were infected while carrying out their duties, which included enforcing health measures mandated by the government.

"There is control of the personnel who are presenting symptoms of this virus, not only in Lima but at the national level," Montoya said during a visit to the Emergency Division of the Peruvian National Police in Lima.

The minister said that the health crisis has caused the collapse of hospitals, so that the government has expanded care at the Police Hospital.

Montoya added that police officers will double their efforts to enforce preventive health measures as the country returns to all-day Sunday curfews beginning on Aug. 16.

He also urged the Peruvian people to abide by the health measures established by the government.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, around 14,000 law enforcement officers have returned to work so far after recovering from COVID-19. Enditem
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 16)  Filipino YouTube star Emman Nimedez has died after battling cancer.

The online content creator died at 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, while he was confined at St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City, his girlfriend Peachy Santos said on Facebook.

Nimedez first revealed to his fans last May that he has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow.

Santos said last Thursday that Nimedez was rushed to the ICU and was in critical condition due to kidney failure and blood complications.

Fans and fellow vloggers expressed their condolences to the family of Nimedez on social media.

Nimedez rose to fame in 2017 for his parody videos of K-drama shows, with 1.23 million YouTube subscribers to date.
New Delhi, Aug 16 : Five women were rescued by a Delhi Fire Service team after a clinic in a building in Delhi's Pitampura caught fire on Sunday morning, an official said.

One of the women was rescued from the clinic, and the four others from the building's second floor.

"We received a fire call at 11 am at Rajdhani Enclave in Pitampura and rushed seven fire tenders to the spot. The building has a basement and three storeys. The four women were stuck on the second floor," said Atul Garg, Director, Delhi Fire Service.

Those rescued were Swati, 27, Laxmi Kansal, 52, Pridhi Kansal, 25, Malika Kansal, 23, and Asha Rani.
A restaurant in China has apologised for its controversial policy of asking diners to weigh themselves before entry in an overzealous response to a new national campaign against food waste.

The beef restaurant in the central city of Changsha was heavily criticised on Chinese social media as soon as it unveiled the policy on Friday.

Customers were asked to stand on scales and scan their data into an app that recommended food choices based on their weight and the dishes' calorific value, according to a report by the state-run China News Service.

A restaurant in China has apologised for its controversial policy of asking diners to weigh themselves before entry

The beef restaurant in the central city of Changsha was heavily criticised on Chinese social media as soon as it unveiled the policy on Friday

President Xi Jinping this week urged the nation to stop wasting food, as the coronavirus pandemic and serious flooding last month have led to a rise in food prices.

In response, regional catering groups have urged customers to order one dish fewer than the number of diners at a table - an attempt to overturn the ingrained cultural habit of ordering extra food for group meals.

Signs were displayed in the beef restaurant reading 'be thrifty and diligent, promote empty plates' and 'operation empty plate' - referring to the nationwide campaign - according to photos published in local media.

President Xi Jinping this week urged the nation to stop wasting food. Above, a sign encouraging people not to waste food is seen at a restaurant in Handan in China's northern Hebei province

In a swift backlash, hashtags related to the incident have been viewed over 300 million times on the social platform Weibo.

The restaurant said it was 'deeply sorry' for its interpretation of the anti-waste campaign.

'Our original intentions were to advocate stopping waste and ordering food in a healthy way. We never forced customers to weigh themselves,' it said in an apology posted online on Saturday morning.

Chinese state media has also waged war on viral binge-eating videos, known as 'mukbang', while livestreaming platforms have promised to shut down accounts promoting excess eating and food wastage.
On one hand, mobile gamers got Call of Duty Season 9 and on the other hand tech giant Huawei is tipped to bring a new wearable despite being in the middle of US-China trade war.

It was a day of updates and rumours in the world of technology today. On one hand, mobile gamers got Call of Duty Season 9 and on the other hand tech giant Huawei is tipped to bring a new wearable despite being in the middle of US-China trade war.

So, heres everything that made headlines in the world of tech today:

Huawei working on a 2nd-gen smart glass wearable device

Called as Huawei Eyewear II, the wearable is second-gen products and will be launching soon. Reports reveal that this one might be more stylish in looks and include more functions. The new version may also come with an upgraded smart assistant but with a reduced weight of 20 grams.

Chrome to save your phone's battery even more but there's a catch

Google is experimenting with meta tag that will switch websites to energy-saving mode, which means reducing the frame rate, slow down of script execution or in general, toning things down so it uses less resources and save more battery.

Google Messages has a cool trick that reroutes RCS message via SMS

Word is that the company has updated its Messages app adding a clever trick that gives RCS chats a fallback mechanism in case a message doesnt go through. Reports state that Google has rolled out an update to its Messages app, which ensures that users get an alternate route to send their message if the RCS chat message fails to send or is stuck in sending loop. This involves sending the message as a conventional SMS.

Huawei in a tight spot as its Android licence with Google just expired

The licence that allowed Google to work with Huawei on maintaining current phones ended this Thursday. However, the real motive behind the extension of the license is said to be the time given to US for acquiring new equipment. They mostly relied on Huawei equipment for now.

Trump is considering pardon for Edward Snowden

The Republican president's comments followed an interview Trump gave to the New York Post this week in which he said of Snowden that "there are a lot of people that think that he is not being treated fairly" by US law enforcement. US authorities for years have wanted Snowden returned to the United States to face a criminal trial on espionage charges brought in 2013.

Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition 5G unofficial renders give a closer look at the design

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G renders reveal matte-finish back panel, a familiar rectangular camera module, and a flatter display on the front. It has metallic frames on the sides. The phone will not come with the 3.5mm headphone jack, a new normal for Samsungs premium smartphones. The volume and power buttons are located on the right side.

Call of Duty Mobile Season 9 available for download

Call of Duty Mobile Season 9 is finally here. The latest update brings new content, modes, bug fixes, and improvements among others. The CoD Mobile Season 9 update is available to both Android and iOS users. The latest season is available through an update on Google Play Store (for Android). The update is over 1GB in size
A lack of reliable, consistent internet access has been an issue for many in Worcester for years, but the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic, forcing employees and students to work and learn from home, has put a spotlight on the issue.

With the final decision on Thursday to have Worcester Public Schools students learning remotely at least through November, and with some companies asking employees to keep working from home as the wait for a vaccine continues, internet access is among top concerns in Worcester this fall.

This is not just an issue for our students trying to log into virtual classes. Its an issue for our employees working from home, patients and doctors trying to engage in telehealth, even for court hearings, the wellness check for children and families that are court-involved, Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty said Thursday, speaking during a virtual forum regarding the citys internet challenges, hosted by the Worcester Regional Research Bureau. Internet connectivity is no longer a luxury. It hasnt been for a very long time.

Earlier this summer, the research bureau published a report examining challenges the city faces with internet connection. The report pointed to a regional monopoly, lack of infrastructure investment and a prioritization of profits over service, as roadblocks for Worcester and suggested that municipal broadband could be the answer.

The report, citing U.S. Census Bureau data, determined around 67% of city households had a broadband internet subscription and 18% had no internet access.

This is a longterm issue that will require public pressure, public funding and political commitment over the years to come, Petty said. Municipal broadband, while providing faster and cheaper service for residents, the mayor said, would cost tens of millions and take years to complete.

Last month, Petty, City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. and Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Maureen Binienda sent a letter to Charter Communications, which serves customers through the brand Spectrum, admonishing the company for its service. The city leaders asked Spectrum to provide affordable service, writing, Our students should not be penalized for having the misfortune of living in a city served by your company.

The City of Worcester, the Worcester Public Schools, and our philanthropic partners have dedicated funds to help close... Posted by Joe Petty on Monday, July 20, 2020

Petty and Binienda have said Spectrum has assigned an employee to work with the city and that discussions are ongoing.

In a statement to MassLive, a spokeswoman said We have responded to Worcester officials and remain in contact with the city, but did not respond to questions asking if the company would improve Spectrum Internet Assist program speeds or offer other services to customers in the city.

We are continuing negotiations with Charter for a better, low-cost option for our families in our city, but theres still outstanding issues with their proposal. Were working together with them, Petty said.

When schools abruptly switched to remote learning in the spring as coronavirus spread through the community, a number of students did not have internet access at all, had spotty service, or did not initially receive Chromebooks from the district to ensure they could complete online schoolwork.

With the new school year starting Sept. 15, the district plans to have a Chromebook in the hands of each student by the first day of school. Hot spots are also available for families that need access to the internet, said Binienda, which students can pick up with a Chromebook.

There are about 600 instructional assistants in the district, Binienda said. The district has ordered Chromebooks for those employees as well.

Spectrum will now allow the district to pay for internet for students, which would cost $24 per student per month, Binienda said. That price reflects residences that are already wired for internet. If an address isnt wired, theres an additional cost that the district would not be able to cover, Binienda said.

The district has 17,000 families, Binienda said. If 10,000 needed to be connected to the internet, Binienda offered as an example, 5,000 would be covered by hot spots already purchased by the districts, leaving 5,000 more to be covered at the price of $24 each month.

To keep the hot spots running from Aug. 28 through the end of the school year is costing the district $750,000, Binienda said. The superintendent said shes hopeful the 5,000 hot spots will cover all the students in need of internet connection.

What I dont know right now is how many may have lost their internet maybe during the summer, Binienda said. When principals are calling, because we want to be one-on-one on with Chromebooks, for the families to come in, theyll also be asking them about connectivity.

Petty called the hot spots a partial solution and said there have been discussions about building out the city wireless network to improve cell service and WiFi.

The schools need to distribute 14,000 Chromebooks over the next few weeks, said Petty, who is also the chair of the Worcester School Committee.

More communication with Spectrum is needed, Binienda said.

The lack of internet access for some students highlights an equity gap in the community. In a letter to parents and families regarding the upcoming school year, Binienda wrote the district is committed to equity and will continue to take action to ensure all students have access, resources and high-quality instruction.

Timothy Murray, the CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber has heard anecdotally that businesses with employees working from home are also struggling with the internet.

The topic is one the chamber has been focused on for several years, Murray noted, pointing to reports the chamber had prepared on small cell technology and fiber connectivity in 2018 and 2015, respectively.

Murray said the issue needs a sustained effort from city hall, which has the most leverage. Murray said he hopes there could be a city ordinance that would allow carriers to install 5G.

Were asking all of the carriers to step up and Spectrum plays a role in that, youve got AT&T, Verizon, and theres several other companies, Murray said. I can tell you that Verizon and AT&T are very anxious to install 5G across the city. Theyre prepared and ready to make that investment. Unfortunately, its getting the ordinance done is taking longer than we would have liked.

Murray said he hopes the ordinance can come through in September.

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A soldier with the Texas Army National Guard died Thursday during a training accident at the Fort Hood base.

Sgt Bradley Moore, 36, of Mansfield, Texas, was a noncommissioned officer with the Texas Army National Guard, according to the Texas Military Department State Public Affairs Office.

Officials said Moore died while conducting land navigation training at the base, where other deaths and incidents of violence have occurred in recent months.

'We are devastated by this tragic loss of one of our Soldiers,' said Maj Gen Tracy Norris, the Adjutant General for Texas.

'The military is a family, and the entire Texas National Guard mourns with Sgt Moore's loved ones left behind.'

Sgt Bradley Moore (pictured), 36, died Thursday during a training accident at the Fort Hood base. His cause of death is unknown. Moore's death is the latest in a string of suspicious deaths at the base

Moore's cause of death is undetermined at this time; however, no foul play is suspected.

The incident is under investigation and further information will be released as it becomes available, according to the Texas Military Department State Public Affairs Office.

Moore's death comes more than a week after Army leaders delayed the planned transfer of Fort Hood commander, Maj Gen Scott Efflandt.

Moore's death comes more than a week after Army leaders delayed the planned transfer of Fort Hood commander, Maj Gen Scott Efflandt (pictured)

The delay came as a team of investigators prepare to head to the base to determine whether leadership failures contributed to multiple murders and acts of violence at or near the base earlier this year.

Efflandt was slated to go to Fort Bliss, which is near El Paso, and take over leadership of the 1st Armored Division.

The Army said in a statement that he will now stay at Fort Hood, as Army leaders consider whether there were systemic problems at the base, and who should be held accountable.

Army Spc Vanessa Guillen, 20, was killed and dismembered by a fellow soldier. She had been missing since April, and her remains were found and identified last month.

The soldier suspected in Guillen's slaying, Spc Aaron Robinson, shot and killed himself early last month as police were trying to take him into custody.

A civilian, Cecily Aguilar 22, of Killeen, was arrested and charged with allegedly helping Robinson dispose of Guillen's body.

Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said members of the independent panel will arrive at the base by the end of the month to begin their review.

The 3rd Cavalry Regiment, which is stationed at Fort Hood, is also conducting a routine internal investigation into the matter.

Army Spc. Vanessa Guillen, 20, was killed and dismembered by a fellow soldier. She disappeared from the base on April 22

Texas authorities have charged 28-year-old Brandon Michael Olivares, left, in connection to the May killing of Pfc. Brandon Rosecrans

In addition to those murders, the body of another Fort Hood soldier, Pvt. Mejhor Morta, was found last month by Stillhouse Hollow Lake, a reservoir near the base

McCarthy was asked whether anyone, including leaders, will be disciplined or fired.

He said that the independent panel will look into the 'command climate of the installation,' to determine if there is a 'sexual harassment-type toxic environment that exists'.

McCarthy said that will help the Army 'better understand more broadly, is it 3rd ACR (Armored Cavalry Regiment) or is it larger? Is it the entire installation?'

In addition to Guillen's murder, Texas authorities recently charged 28-year-old Brandon Michael Olivares in connection to the May killing of Pfc Brandon Rosecrans, according to a release from the Harker Heights Police Department.

A team of investigators are preparing to head to the base to determine whether leadership failures contributed to the murders and acts of violence at or near the base this year

Olivares was already in the custody of the Bell County Sheriff's Office on unrelated charges and was given an additional murder charge for the killing after a warrant was issued on August 5.

Harker Heights Police said that an investigation revealed that the pair had been traveling together in Rosecrans's vehicle before the suspect allegedly shot him.

Olivares' bond has been set for $1,000,000.

Authorities retrieved the victim's vehicle on May 18, just a few miles from where his body was found. It was found burning.

In addition to those murders, the body of another Fort Hood soldier, Pvt Mejhor Morta, was found last month by Stillhouse Hollow Lake, a reservoir near the base.

In June, officials discovered the remains of another missing soldier, Gregory Morales, about 10 miles from that lake.

Once the independent panel's investigation is done, McCarthy said that if the panel's conclusions 'point to leaders or individuals, in particular, of course we will take the appropriate accountability' measures.

The five members of the independent review panel are: Chris Swecker, a North Carolina lawyer and former FBI inspector; Jonathan Harmon, a lawyer and graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point; Carrie Ricci, a lawyer for the Department of Agriculture and a retired Army officer; Queta Rodriguez, a former Marine who works with veterans' services; and Jack White, a lawyer and West Point graduate.

Brig Gen Matt Eichburg has been assigned to temporarily command the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss 'until further notice,' according to Army Col Cathy Wilkinson.

Normally an Army division is headed by a two-star major general, but on rare occasions one-star brigadier generals can be put in command.
Photo credit: Chip Somodevilla - Getty Images

From Esquire

Robert Stewart Trump, brother of President Donald Trump, died on Saturday night in Manhattan.

In a statement released by the White House late Saturday night, the President said "It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight. He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace."

The statement did not include a cause of death. According to the New York Times, the president's brother had been taking blood thinners and expriencing brain bleeds since falling earlier this year. On Friday, President Trump visited his brother at New York Presbyterian Hospital.

Just landed in New York to see my brother, Robert. Were going for New York on November 3rd. Were going to Reduce Taxes, Increase Law Enforcement, and bring it back BIG TIME! #MAGA pic.twitter.com/VIxo7yWyQs  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 14, 2020

Robert Trump was born in 1948, the youngest of New York City real estate developer Fred Trump's five children. He was much quieter and less brash than his younger brother. He attended Boston University and upon graduating went to work on Wall Street before eventually joining the Trump Organization as a senior executive alongside the president. According to Jack O'Donnell, a former Trump Organization employee, the differences between the brothers' personalities created a wedge between them, eventually leading to a falling out over the ill-fated Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City.

After decades of estrangement, the two reconciled in 2016 with Robert telling the New York Post, I support Donald 1,000 percent. If he were to need me in any way, Id be there. Robert made good on that promise when in June he filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Trump family to try and halt the publication of Mary Trump's tell-all book. That attempt was ultimately unsuccessful, and Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the Worlds Most Dangerous Man was released in July.

Story continues

Robert Trump is survived by his younger brother President Trump, his second wife, Ann Marie Pallan, and his sisters, Maryanne Trump Barry and Elizabeth Trump Grau.

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India discussed "misuse" of the darknet and modern technology for drug trafficking during a recent webinar conference of BRICS nations, a government statement said on Sunday. The anti-narcotics agencies of this multi-nation grouping also discussed steps to curb increased instances of drug trafficking through the maritime route, it said.

The 4th session of the BRICS anti-drug working group, under the chairmanship of Russia, was held on August 12 and the Indian side was represented by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Director General Rakesh Asthana.

The BRICS comprises Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa and India.

"Fruitful exchange of opinions concerning the drug situation in the BRICS states, the international and regional trends of illegal trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, as well as the impact of various internal and external factors on the situation took place during the summit," a statement issued by the Union Home Ministry said.

"The common points emerged during the discussions include need for real-time information sharing among the member states and need to curb increased drug trafficking through maritime routes," it said.

It added that the "misuse of darknet and other advanced technologies for drug trafficking was one of the key focal areas of the meeting."

Darknet refers to the deep hidden internet platform that is used for narcotics sale, exchange of pornographic content and other illegal activities by using the secret alleys of the onion router (ToR) to stay away from the surveillance of law enforcement agencies.

The NCB had busted a first-ever such case after it apprehended a narcotics vendor based in Uttar Pradesh in February who allegedly used the darknet to ship hundreds of psychotropic drug parcels abroad in the garb of sex stimulation medicines.

The member nations adopted a communique that covered all the points discussed in the meeting, the statement said.

"The growing economic might of BRICS countries, their significance as one of the main driving forces of global economic development, their substantial population and abundant natural resources form the foundation of their influence on the international scene and are the driving forces behind the grouping," it said.

"Among other areas of collaboration, matters pertaining to drug trafficking is an important area of cooperation among the BRICS member states," it added.

The Indian side at the conference included NCB Deputy Director General (operations) B Radhika, NCB Deputy Director (operations) KPS Malhotra, First Secretary (trade) in the Indian Embassy at Moscow Vrindaba Gohil and under secretary (multilateral economic relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs Vaibhav Tandale, it said.

Also Read: Russia produces first batch of coronavirus vaccines

Also Read: India erred in imposing lockdown restrictions; entered, exited too soon, says Abhijit Banerjee
Many college administrators have said students dont like taking classes remotely (sometimes called distance education) and would prefer to be in the classroom.

The state college system, based in Lincoln, is made up of Wayne State, Peru State and Chadron State Colleges.

Hickey, a history professor who said he has been at Wayne State since 1978, notified college leaders Friday that he would teach remotely whether they approved or not. He also said he has hired an attorney. Hickey said Saturday that the college informed him that his courses will be taught on campus by other faculty members.

This is a scandal to us  that theyre playing hardball with senior faculty and putting them at risk, Hickey said. He said it was his understanding that only two professors were given the chance to teach remotely out of 11 who requested it, but he acknowledged that he wasnt sure if those numbers were accurate.

Another Wayne State history faculty member, 63-year-old Joseph Weixelman, said he, like Hickey, had his request rejected. Weixelman said he has a preexisting condition, multiple sclerosis, and that medications for that disease suppress the immune system.
A large wildfire burning across three eastern Sierra Nevada mountain counties exploded into a highly dangerous fire tornado Saturday, around the time federal forecasters issued a dire and unusual warning.

The Loyalton Fire started Friday at about 4:30 p.m. near Mount Ina Coolbirth in Sierra County, and on Saturday morning it had burned 2,000 acres in the area. By late afternoon, the wildfire had grown to an estimated 20,000 acres and was raging in parts of Sierra, Lassen and Plumas counties.

As the fire grew amid extreme heat and intense winds, it sent up a tall column of smoke that appears to have formed into a fire-fueled tornado  similar to the one seen during the 2018 Carr Fire in Redding. The National Weather Service in Reno observed the menacing smoke column and detected rotation on radar, prompting it to issue an hour-long tornado warning shortly after 2:30 p.m.

It may be the first time the weather service has issued a tornado warning for a wildfire.

Now Playing: Videos show fire tornado near Redding Video: Courtesy of CAL FIRE

We really dont have any other product for that type of situation, said Wendell Hohmann, a meteorologist for the weather service. We decided to put a tornado warning out on it and emphasize the significance.

Hohmann said the formation of the fire tornado was aided by high temperatures and atmospheric instability.

That instability that then promotes fire growth promotes that column to build up like it did today, he said. And then, secondly, we had the right wind conditions, so the storm was able to rotate.

The fire was 5% contained and had not destroyed any structures or injured people as of 5 p.m., said Joe Flannery, a spokesman for the Tahoe National Forest, where part of the fire was burning. But various evacuation orders were in place across the three counties as the blaze tore through a basin dotted with grass, sagebrush and juniper.

Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California

It is burning in an area that hasnt seen fire for quite some time, Flannery said.

Hundreds of firefighters were battling the fire, but their jobs were made even harder by the fact that the area had not burned in a long time as well as steep, rocky terrain and some barbed wire on range land, he said.

J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris
By Trend

The value of trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Belgium amounted to $185.4 million over first five months of 2020, compared to $143.6 million during the same period of 2019, Trend reports with reference to Kazakhstans Statistics Committee.

The share of Belgium in total value of Kazakhstans trade turnover was 0.5 percent during the reporting period of 2020 which is compared to 0.4 percent during the same period of 2019.

Kazakhstans export to Belgium amounted to $141.4 million over the period from January through May 2020, compared to $53.9 million during the same period of 2019.

Belgiums share in total volume of Kazakhstans export amounted to less than 0.6 percent during the reporting period of 2020 which is compared to 0.4 percent during the same period of 2019.

In turn, Kazakhstans import from Belgium amounted to $43.9 million over the reporting period compared to $53.9 million during the same period of 2019.

Belgiums total share in Kazakhstans import was 0.3 percent during the reporting period of 2020 which is compared to 0.4 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).

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Syracuse, N.Y. -- Despite having to adjust because of the coronavirus, Mary Nelson found a way to host her backpack giveaway Saturday for the 19th straight year.

Volunteers put school supplies in around 8,000 to 9,000 backpacks that will go to students who need them.

Im feeling so good, Nelson said, everything went so smoothly.

Normally, the event would be held with various areas designated for various agencies, sponsors and volunteers and an area would be set aside for distribution for kids coming to get the backpacks.

But because of the coronavirus, the 50 or so volunteers had to wear masks and work in shifts, the event had to be as socially distanced as possible and kids could not directly grab their backpacks.

Instead, the Syracuse City School District designated a point person who knows the number of kids who need backpacks at each school and the district will distribute the backpacks.

On Saturday, some kids walked by the event, which was held at Nelsons house on the South Side. She had to tell them they could not grab their backpacks quite yet.

Typically, Nelson said, the event is like her own personal state fair. But on Saturday, the coronavirus reduced the typical size of the event, giving Nelson time to cook for the volunteers. Nelson said rather than being tired as she has after past backpack giveaways, she was energized after this one.

Working with the district has taken some of the worry away that kids who need backpacks wont get them. Sometimes, she said, kids who need them cant attend the giveaway.

She still hopes to still give out another 1,000 or 2,000 backpacks to reach her goal of 10,000 this year, she said.

In addition to school supplies, she said a shipment of cleaning supplies, like sanitizer and soap will be arriving in a shipment from Jacksonville, Florida to give to schools.

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.
National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, on Saturday described as unfortunate a statement credited to President Muhammadu Buhari that he could have used the military to undermine the integrity of the electoral process during the 2019 general election. Secondus said it was unbecoming for a president who claimed to have gotten majority of the votes in 2015 to insinuate compromising the integrity of his re-election in 2019. He stated that the statement by Buhari tended to give credence to allegations that his re-election in 2019 was via the military and the undermining of the democratic process.

In a related development, the Department of State Services (DSS) summoned former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na'Abba, over allegations of hate speech.

In an exclusive chat with THISDAY, Secondus stated, "What the president said was speaking the obvious truth; his utterances were confirming the basic truth known to all Nigerians. He used the military to retain power.

"Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. The basic truth known to all Nigerians was that he used the military to retain power. He did not win the presidential election."

The PDP national chairman said it was a sad commentary that Buhari could contemplate using security agencies to undermine the electoral process.

Secondus stated, "The presence of the military was more than the voters at the polling stations. Never before had military presence been felt at polling stations as was the case in the 2019 presidential election."

He said Nigerians were aware that in the 2019 presidential election, such despotic and oppressive tactics were deployed to circumvent the electoral process and the wish of the citizens.

"As a party, the PDP hopes this is not a foreplay of what the APC and Buhari presidency are planning to exert in the Edo and Ondo governorship elections scheduled for September and October 2020, respectively?" he stated.

Secondus alleged that Nigerians witnessed the overrunning of Ekiti, Osun, Kogi, Bayelsa, and Kano states by APC during elections in those states, using compromised security officials and thugs.

In Kogi State, for instance, he alleged, a police helicopter was used to disperse the electorate, who were on the queue to perform their civic duties on Election Day. He also recalled that Mrs. Salome Abuh, a frontline PDP woman leader, was burnt to death by members of APC in the Kogi State election and till date, no member of the president's party had been interrogated or arraigned for her murder.

Secondus said Nigerians had never witnessed the level of electoral impunity seen under the Buhari administration.

But the PDP chairman said the president must advise his party to allow INEC to carry out its responsibilities without interference in Edo and Ondo states.

A governorship aspirant on the platform of PDP in Delta State, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, also condemned Buhari's statement on the 2019 elections as uncivil. Onuesoke stated that despite Buhari's attempt to make Nigerians believe he did not use the military in the 2019 presidential election, the citizens were aware that such tactics were deployed. The former aspirant advised Nigerians to free themselves from the APC bondage and vote the party out in subsequent elections, beginning with the elections in Edo and Ondo states.

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Meanwhile, no official reason was given for Na'Abba's invitation to the DSS national headquarters at the time of filing this report. But it was widely believed that it might not be unrelated to his comments last week on the killings in Southern Kaduna.

A brief statement by the NCFront Head of Public Affairs Bureau, Dr. Tank Yususa, said, "Please, be notified that the DSS on Friday sent an invitation to NCFront co-chair and former Speaker of Nigeria, Rt Hon Ghali Umar Na'aba, after his very profound interview on Channels Television on Thursday with regard to the NCFront agenda to bring about a new Nigeria that works for all.

"However, our leader, Ghali Umar Na'aba, has decided to honour the DSS invitation and, therefore, shall be visiting the DSS headquarters in Abuja on Monday at 12noon. All NCFront organs, structures and allies nationwide are, by this notice, put on the alert as eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."
Shilong:

The ruling Congress suffered a blow in the bypolls to two tribal autonomous district councils in Meghalaya, winning just two of the six seats they contested levelling score with each of the two regional parties, United Democratic Party and the Hills State Peoples Democratic Party.

The BJP which fielded candidates in all the seven seats also failed to impress tribal voters in the state with six of them for feiting their security deposits. The Congress won one seat each in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council respectively while the Hills State Peoples Democratic Party (HSPDP) and the United Democratic Party (UDP) clinched two seats each in the KHADC only.

Ricky Shullai, nephew of state NCP chief and former deputy speaker Sanbor Shullai, won from the Laban-Mawprem constituency in the city. The HSPDP won from Nongspung-Sohiong in East Khasi Hills district and Pariong-Mawthadraishan in West Khasi Hills district.

The Opposition UDP which also fielded candidates in all seven seats won only two seats - from Nongkrem and Mairang-Nongkhlaw constituency respectively. The by-elections also saw two former chief executive Members -- Lamdihok Sumer of the Congress and H S Shylla ofthe UDP - getting re-elected to the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council and Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council respectively.

The bye-election was necessitated after seven out of the eight legislators resigned from the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council, following the passing of a legislation preventingthem from holding two elected posts. The Prevention of Disqualification (Members of Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) (Amendment) Act, 2015 seeks to end holding of dual posts by the MLAs.

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BAY CITY, MI -- Police in Bay City are refuting social media comments of an officer-involved shooting early Sunday morning.

The incident began shortly before 2:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 16 when officers with the Bay City Department of Public Safety were dispatched to the 600 block of East Midland Street for a report of a large fight.

Officers arrived on scene and heard gunshots being fired. Police found a 27-year-old Saginaw resident thatd been shot and immediately began to provide aid.

The suspect -- a 27-year-old Bay City resident described as standing 5-feet-11 inches tall, 150 pounds, with black curly hair and tattoos on his face, neck and chest -- fled from the scene in a bright red Chevrolet Avalanche with larger chrome rims.

In a statement released about the incident, police also address information online about the incident, which in part has stated an officer was involved in the shooting incident.

There is false information being spread on social media about officers being involved in this shooting, the statement reads. Officers were arriving at the scene when the shots were fired by the suspect. No officers fired their weapon in this incident.

Officers with Essexville Department of Public Safety, Hampton Township Department of Public Safety, deputies with Bay County Sheriffs Office and Michigan State Police troopers assisted Bay City officers at teh scene.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Bay City Department of Public Safety at 989-892-8571 or Bay County Central Dispatchs non-emergency number at 989-892-9551.
Katsina Governor Aminu Masari, says Nigerians should not blame President Muhammadu Buhari for the incessant bandits attacks in his home state and the Northwest because he has done all it takes to ensure security in the region, but rather the military that is yet to transform them into reality.

Masari, who was speaking at presentation of a N10 million economic empowerment cheque to 1,000 women and N7 million scholarship support to 701 students in the Rimi Local Government Area by a philanthropist, Alhaji Salisu Mamman Kadandani, said he couldnt understand why the military has not done more to help the region since most of their Service Chiefs were Northerners.

He noted the bandits are camouflaging and living within the people, stating proper citizen education will help to redress the situation.

He said: We know them and their parents. To identify a bandit in rural communities is not a difficult task because you know his business, his farmland capacity and his livestock.

And if one day he buys a new motorcycle amounting to over N200, 000 then you must know that he is selling peoples lives.

Masari also performed a foundation laying ceremony for a 350- capacity Assembly Hall at Kadandani community Day secondary school in Rimi local government.

Addressing residents of Kadandani, the Governor spoke on the needs for private sector participation in efforts to restore the lost glory of education in the state.

He commended the contributions of Kadandani to the educational pursuits of those in domain which he said, could not be quantified.

He restated the need for wealthy people and corporate organisations to contribute their quota to revamping education in the state.

Kadandani, who is chairman of Continental Foundation, explained the empowerment was meant to increase access to wealth by the rural womenfolk in Rimi local government.
Mistrust among political actors is contributing to electoral violence in the country, the Chairman of the National Peace Council (NPC), Most Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante, has said.



He said there was a trust deficit in Ghanas electoral processes, especially on the part of political parties.



That, he said, gave room for political parties holding on to political vigilantism to protect their interests.



Advocacy workshop



He was addressing an advocacy workshop on Vigilantism and Related Offences Act at Akyawkrom in the Ejisu Municipality.



The workshop, which was organised by the Ashanti Regional Peace Council with funding from the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), was to sensitise participants to the Act that outlawed political vigilantism.



It was attended by representatives from political parties, the clergy, Muslim leaders, EC, Police, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the media drawn from the Ejisu Municipality, Juaben and Effiduase Asokore districts.



State institutions



Most Rev. Asante observed that the situation where the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Ghana Police Service were always perceived to be in bed with the ruling party while working against the interest of the opposition was not helpful.



He, therefore, stressed the need for ruling parties to ensure the independence of state institutions to avert needless suspicions when in opposition.



He said it was time political parties worked together for sustainable peace in the country, adding that the very people whose mandate they sought would suffer the consequences of electoral violence.



As key stakeholders competing to lead the development of the country, politicians owe Ghanaians the duty to prioritise national interest ahead of that of their parties.



Political parties should begin to engage one another beyond elections at the local and national levels for the collective development of Ghana, he counselled politicians.



Peace



Most Rev. Asante said the quest for peace should be paramount for all Ghanaians and urged the participants to influence their respective organisations in the fight against political violence.



A Member of the Ashanti Regional Peace Council, Rev. Anthony Naah, said the region remained vulnerable to intermittent communal violence, chieftaincy disputes and electoral violence.



He said such disturbances often escalated during elections and called for collective efforts from stakeholders to protect the peace in the region and Ghana as a whole.





Source: Graphic.com.gh









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First, we need to invest directly in communities of color and low-income households. Building on Oklahomas recent decision to expand Medicaid, we should restore refundability of the states Earned Income Tax Credit, which benefits over 200,000 working families, and raise our minimum wage. Oklahomas current minimum of $7.25 per hour leaves families far short of covering basic living expenses. We should follow our neighbors in Arkansas and Missouri by raising the minimum to $12 per hour, which would increase wages for 414,000 Oklahomans. To further ease the burden on those at the bottom, we also need to address mass incarceration, which has devastated communities of color, revise the states education funding formula to send more dollars to schools with high rates of poverty, and confront wealth inequality by establishing an endowment of financial assets for every child born into poverty.
Victoria recorded 16 deaths and 279 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday as the State of Emergency is extended for another month.

Eleven cases were linked to aged care facilities, and there are now 2075 active infections in aged care, Premier Daniel Andrews said.

The deaths take the total number nationally to 395 and the toll in Victoria to 309.

Victoria's State of Emergency will remain in place until 11:59pm on Sunday September 13.

Mr Andrews refused to reveal when Melbourne's draconian stage four lockdown would be lifted, but said he is 'cautiously optimistic' that restrictions are working.

Premier Daniel Andrews refused to reveal when Melbourne's draconian stage four lockdown would be lifted, but said he is 'cautiously optimistic' that restrictions are working

Only 4732 Victorians have contracted influenza this year, compared to 47,180 at the same time last year

It's likely the sudden drop in flu cases was sparked by social distancing measures and face masks stopping the spread. Pictured: the Geelong Waterfront in regional Victoria

'I think it is too early to provide an affirmative picture,' he told reporters during a press conference on Sunday morning.

'We have to wait and see what tomorrow's numbers are. On my part at least, there is a cautious optimism and a sense of real hope that this strategy is working at the we are seeing numbers fall.

'You have structures and rules that work at a macro level but ultimately, those rules are only as good as the many millions of individual choices and decisions that individuals make everyday.'

Meanwhile, the state has seen an 85 per cent decrease in the number of flu cases this year due to Melbourne's draconian stage four lockdown.

Only 4732 Victorians have contracted influenza this year, compared to 47,180 at the same time last year, the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said on the best medical advice he had received, Victoria is on a path to progressive reduction

It's likely the sudden drop in flu cases was sparked by social distancing measures and face masks stopping the spread.

An extra 200,000 flu vaccines were distributed across the state this year, while the Federal Government handed out more than two million doses of the flu jab in Victoria to date.

Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said the drop in flu cases was a silver lining to the COVID-19 pandemic.

'After a horror flu season last year this is good news and we hope these numbers continue to stay low as Victorians follow the current restrictions in place and stay home,' Ms Mikakos said.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said on the best medical advice he had received, Victoria is on a path to progressive reduction.

What is the difference between a State of Emergency and State of Disaster? Victoria has been in a state of emergency since March 16, 2020. This is a declaration that is made under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008, where there is a serious risk to public health. The Act grants powers for the Chief Health Officer. These include the power to quarantine people, prohibit mass gatherings and impose other restrictions on the movement of people. A state of disaster addresses matters beyond public health issues. It is intended to deal with emergencies such as natural disasters, explosions or terrorism, but it can also be used to deal with 'a plague or an epidemic'. It was used in Victoria in January during the bushfire crisis, but the declaration was limited to specific areas that were in danger from the spread of bushfire crisis. The declaration of a state of disaster gives the police minister responsibility for directing and co-ordinating the activities of all government agencies. The minister may also allocate government resources as necessary to respond to the disaster. SOURCE: University of Sydney Advertisement

'There is a long way to go. There will be good days, there will be bad days. There will be days when the numbers are up and days when the numbers are down,' he told Sky News' Sunday Agenda program.

'But the signs now are that the trend is of progressive reduction.'

He said the most important thing now is contact tracing to make sure each new case in Victoria is followed up.

Mr Hunt also said the government is in advanced negotiations with a range of different companies with regards to a vaccine.

'I am now on the basis of our best advice genuinely more optimistic, I think the work is moving closer to a vaccine.'

'All our advice has been 2021 is the most likely anything that occur. Before then, then that would be an outstanding result, not just for Australia but for the world.'

It was not immediately known how many of Sunday's deaths were linked to existing outbreaks or involved nursing homes, amid increasing concerns for some facilities.

Reports on Sunday said specialist medical teams had entered the Doutta Galla facility at Yarraville after 19 residents tested positive for the virus on Saturday.

As late as Friday, Doutta Galla reported that no further staff or residents had tested positive but said further testing was underway.

Premier Daniel Andrews has refused to rule out taking over more coronavirus-ridden private aged care facilities struggling to provide adequate care.

After sending in public hospital nurses to Glenlyn Aged Care in Fitzroy, Florence Aged Care in Altona North and Kalyna Aged Care in Delahey, the premier on Saturday said the government was ready to take over more sites if needed.

'I can't rule out that we will add to that list,' he told reporters in Melbourne.

'If we are asked to step in then that is exactly what we do.

Victoria state saw an 85 per cent decrease in the number of flu cases this year due to Melbourne's draconian stage four lockdown. Pictured: A nurse at a drive through testing clinic in Geelong

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said on the best medical advice he had received, Victoria is on a path to progressive reduction

Sunday's deaths take the total number nationally to 395 and the toll in Victoria to 309. Pictured: Nurses at a Drive through testing facility on August 14 in Geelong

'That's all about making sure residents get the best care.'

The state recorded a further four deaths and 303 new cases on Saturday.

As Victoria continues to track down thousands of coronavirus cases with an unknown source, Prime Minister Scott Morrison again pointed to community transmission as the driver of aged care deaths.

'At the end of the day, the reason we are having this challenge is because there's widespread community transmission in Victoria,' he told Sydney's 2GB radio on Saturday.

'We're not having those problems in NSW or in Queensland or elsewhere.'

Mr Morrison said he and the special task force set up in Victoria to respond to the state's aged care crisis were working hard to stay on top of the problem.

About 70 per cent of Australia's coronavirus deaths have been among aged care residents.
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The Delhi government has prohibited idol immersion in public places, large congregations and community celebrations on Ganesh Chaturthi this year. Community celebrations are not permitted as large gatherings are not allowed under the guidelines issued by the Delhi government in view of the pandemic, according to a Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) official.

Idol immersion in the Yamuna was banned following an order by the National Green Tribunal in 2015.

Last year, the Delhi government had created aritifical ponds at public places for people to immerse idols. This too, cannot be done this year as large gatherings will increase the risk of virus transmission, the official said.

According to the DPCC, idol immersion will not be allowed during the upcoming festival in the Yamuna or any other water body, public place, ponds or ghats.

A fine of Rs 50,000 will be imposed on the violators, it 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 pollution control body has asked residents to perform the idol immersion ritual in a bucket or container inside their home.

According to the 'Unlock 3' guidelines issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, religious functions and other large congregations such as Ganesh Pooja and immersion procession are not permitted and the same should be ensured, the DPCC directed municipal corporations and district magistrates.

It has asked idol makers and sellers to use natural material as described in the holy scripts -- such as traditional clay -- to make idols.

The use of baked clay and plaster of paris is prohibited, it said.

Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on August 22.
PARIS (Reuters) - French Prime Minister Jean Castex paid tribute on Friday to the six French aid workers who where killed by a group of gunmen on motorcycles in Niger, likening the attack to the 2015 militant attacks in Paris that shook the country.

The six worked for international aid group ACTED and were accompanied by a Nigerien guide and a driver, who were also killed during the ambush on Sunday.

"It's very likely the same hatred, the same cowardice, the same inhumanity that was at work in Niger and at the Bataclan," Castex said in front of the repatriated coffins of the six at Paris's Orly airport. The Bataclan was the concert venue where 90 people were killed in one of the coordinated attacks by Islamist militants in the French capital in 2015.

"We haven't yet been able to put a name to the organization behind this heinous crime" in Niger, he said, adding that it had "all the appearances of a terrorist attack."

The aid workers were driving through a giraffe reserve, a popular destination for expatriates 65 km (40 miles) from Niger's capital Niamey in an area considered safe by the government.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the assault. But France and other countries have warned people against travelling to parts of Niger where militants including Boko Haram and an affiliate of Islamic State operate.

France's counter-terrorism prosecutor has opened a murder investigation in the case.

(Reporting by Mathieu Rosemain; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
MEET the Ballymena drug baron who provided safe houses for Chinese triads to secretly deliver hundreds of thousands of pounds of cannabis to Northern Ireland.

George McFall (46) pocketed regular four-figure cash sums for providing the addresses, with Holywood-based Asian businessman He 'Alex' Li (36) arranging the shipments.

Once the packages arrived at the properties, they were distributed by the UDA to dealers in Co Antrim, Belfast and north Down.

Drug chiefs McFall and Li will be sentenced at Belfast Crown Court tomorrow, having pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis, possessing cannabis, money laundering and possessing criminal property.

One of their Ballymena street dealers, 28-year-old Samuel Adair, will join them in the dock, having admitted conspiracy to possess cannabis and possessing cocaine.

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The trio were arrested following a lengthy PSNI investigation into cannabis sold by the UDA and supplied by Chinese triads.

Detectives' big break came when a July 2017 search of a house in the Harryville district of Ballymena uncovered a laptop filled with details of drugs transactions. The device was called 'George's computer' and was linked to McFall's mobile phone.

Online conversations going back six months showed how packages were sent to addresses provided by him, with large sums of cash transferred to bank accounts in return.

After McFall was arrested, a search of his home at Ballymoney Road in Ballymena uncovered 20,000 stuffed in a Tesco bag containing his fingerprints.

Follow-up raids in the town and Larne led to He Li's arrest and the discovery of 350,000 of cannabis.

A further 33,000 was found in the Chinese national's Holywood home, hidden inside a freezer, microwave and wardrobe.

Sources with detailed knowledge of the racket told Sunday Life how McFall, an unemployed dad-of-seven, used drug dealing to lead a lifestyle far beyond his means.

One said: "He was able to afford to spend three weeks in France watching Northern Ireland at Euro 2016.

"He travelled over in a minibus with his mates and was all over the papers and local TV at the time.

"People were asking how a jobless father-of-seven could afford a trip like that, which would have cost thousands of pounds. Now we know."

McFall used addresses occupied by low-level criminals, paying them 100 to take receipt of packages of cannabis sent by triad gangs.

He also preyed on drug addicts, many of whom were quick to offer up their homes in return for some desperately needed cash.

Our source added: "The criminals were a bit smarter. They would get the package sent to a nearby house, wait around until they saw the delivery driver and then sign for it on the street pretending that they lived in the house. But the addicts didn't take any precautions. They just signed for the packages regardless."

McFall's lucrative drugs distribution network began to crumble when UDA members in Ballymena showed up at the houses with Chinese mobsters to collect the cannabis parcels.

Our source said: "That's when the penny dropped for some of the folk whose homes they had been using.

"Once they saw known UDA members calling, they guessed the parcels contained drugs. Word soon reached the police and George McFall was lifted."

UDA figures in Co Antrim are known to be furious with McFall for leaving so much incriminating information about the drug dealing on his laptop.

It was his carelessness that collapsed the entire operation.

"They've been calling McFall Ballymena's dumbest criminal because if it wasn't for the laptop the police would have nothing," said a source.

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"He led them straight to 'Alex' (He Li), who was thlie brains behind it all and the link to the Triads.

"What sort of idiot keeps six months of drugs transactions stored on a laptop called 'George's computer' and links it to his iPhone? He's as thick as mince."




A star-studded crew of musicians including Billie Eilish, John Legend and Common will perform during the Democratic National Convention's four nights of mostly virtual programming, organizers said Friday.

Leon Bridges, Jennifer Hudson and Billy Porter are also set to make appearances during the convention in support of Joe Biden's push for the presidency. The DNC is scheduled to run from Monday to Thursday.

"It will truly be a convention across America, and these incredible artists will help us tell the story of where we are as a country today under Donald Trump's failed leadership, and the promise of what we can and should be with Joe Biden as president," Stephanie Cutter, DNC program executive, said in a statement.

A 57-member youth choir has assembled for a Monday night performance of the national anthem, organizer said.

Nightly programming is scheduled to air from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. The musical acts will perform across all four nights, according to the DNC.

The festivities are slated to wrap up Thursday with Biden accepting the nomination, along with his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris of California.

 Tribune News Service

Girl, 8, gunned down at birthday party

An 8-year-old girl was shot and killed during a backyard birthday party for a teenager at an Ohio home, authorities said.

Akron police said several shots were fired shortly before midnight Friday in the Sherbondy Hill neighborhood. The 8-year-old was found wounded and was taken to Akron Children's Hospital, where she later died, police said.

Authorities identified the girl Saturday as Mikayla Pickett, a student at Portage Path Community Learning Center, according to an Akron Public Schools spokesperson. The Summit County medical examiner's office plans an autopsy.

Willie Walker, 62, told the Akron Beacon-Journal that he was hosting an outdoor birthday party for his 15-year-old grandson in his backyard when the shooting occurred. Walker, who has lived at the home for 32 years, said he was inside when the gunfire started.

"All hell broke out," he said. "I don't know what the hell happened."

Walker said three or four people apparently showed up at the property and started shooting at family members and friends who were at the party. Police officers found multiple shell casings at the scene, he said.

"I don't know know how many shells they took," he said. "A lot of them."

No arrests were immediately reported.

 Associated Press

Woman survives shark attack

A woman has survived a great white shark attack on Australia's east coast after her surfing companion repeatedly punched it until it let her go.

Paramedics were called to Shelly Beach at Port Macquarie, about 250 miles north of Sydney, Saturday morning after the 35-year-old woman was attacked while surfing.

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She was taken to a local hospital with serious leg injuries, but has since been flown to a nearby bigger hospital where she will undergo surgery.

New South Wales state police said the woman and a man were surfing when she was bitten on the right calf and the back of her thigh. Her companion then punched the estimated 10-foot shark until it let her go.

"We've had some really serious and tragic shark encounters over the past couple of months along the coastline, so to paddle out of your own safety zone, into an area where you know there is a large shark, I think is amazing ... a tremendous act of bravery," state Surf Life Saving chief executive Steven Pearce said.

Beaches in Port Macquarie have been closed for 24 hours as authorities attempt to track the shark.

There have been five fatal shark attacks in Australian waters in 2020.

 Associated Press

King's dog believes Trump 'a bit too evil'

Now that would be truly horrifying.

Stephen King's dog, Molly, who he called "the Thing of Evil," reportedly thinks this year's presidential debates could get a little cannibalistic.

"Molly, aka the Thing of Evil, has decided that Trump is just a bit TOO evil," the famous horror author wrote in a tweet. "She is supporting Joe Biden. Because, she barks, 'He's the lesser of two evils, and at debate time I expect him to BITE Trump.'"

King, who knows a thing or two about evil, has been a strong Trump critic for years.

 Tribune News Service
When a homeless mans story about how a stray cat saved him from heroin addiction was made into an award-winning film, he and the producer were all smiles.

But now, weeks after Bob the Cat was fatally run over, owner James Bowen has had a bitter falling out with the man who immortalised him on the big screen  which could be played out in court.

Producer Adam Rolston has privately accused the former busker of fraudulent online fund-raising  over a failed scheme to raise 160,000 for a cafe for cats which never opened, and for a baffling call for 250k in donations for a memorial to Bob launched within hours of the cats death.

Famous street cat called Bob's owner James Bowen, 41, is raising funds for a 250k memorial to the cat, pictured, who died after he was hit by a car in June

He emailed private messages to Mr Bowen as concern grew among fans about his pleas for cash  including another fund-raiser, for 10,000 to pay for Mr Bowens wedding to his Polish fiancee.

Mr Bowen, 41, who says he is still mourning the cat who saved his life before books and films about him paid for his 500,000 house in Carshalton, Surrey, has in return claimed Mr Rolston and others have exploited him. Extraordinarily, Mr Bowen published the accusations on his own Facebook page. In turn, Mr Rolston has threatened to sue the former addict.

The first tale of Bob the street cat, then seven more, have sold 8million copies in 40 languages. Bob saved my life, said Mr Bowen. Its as simple as that.

Mr Rolston then turned the story into hit film A Street Cat Named Bob, which won Best British Film at the UK 2017 National Film Awards.

But two months ago, Bob, 14, died and some fans were surprised that just hours later Mr Bowen launched fresh online appeals for donations.

Producer of award-winning film, A Street Cat Named Bob, Adam Rolston, left, has privately accused Bowen of fraudulent fund-raising saying it rang 'alarm bells'

Critics noted that four years ago the Daily Mail revealed he raised 160,000 for a cat cafe which never opened, yet donors did not get refunds.

Spokesmen said Mr Bowen had been confused and the cash eventually went to charities.

Then last week producer Mr Rolston emailed him: The fact is that the Cat Cafe WAS fraudulent. You were lucky there were not more serious consequences... So to see the GoFundMe page go up the very next day after Bob passed away, trying to raise the baffling sum of 250k, of course rang alarm bells for us.

Mr Bowen responded publicly by saying: They have never done anything but accuse and judge me to humble and shame me for my alcoholism and drug dependency issues so they keep me eating crumbs from their banquet...

Film: Still from award-winning film A Street Cat Named Bob (2016), starring Luke Treadaway as James Bowen and his pet cat that tells the true story of how a stray cat saved Bowen from his heroin addiction

As a result producer Mr Rolston warned him: If you carry on  you will be facing severe legal action.

Mr Bowen last night refused to comment, saying claims his fundraising was inappropriate were baseless.

Mr Rolston told the Mail: James is understandably going through a very tough time after the death of his closest friend, Bob, and followers, friends and colleagues are concerned about his well-being.

Mr Bowens fundraising appeal for A tribute in memory of Streetcat Bob had nearly reached 110,000 last night. His 10,000 plea for wedding cash last night hit 3,500.

On film: Luke Treadaway, left, as James Bowen in 2016 movie, and the real owner with producer Rolston and the late Bob
Chiefs of the Kusaug traditional area in the Upper East Region have urged the running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, to maintain the decency she has exhibited so far in politics ahead of the 2020 elections in December.

The chiefs noted that peace and decency were the virtues of Prof. Opoku-Agyemang even before she was chosen as the running mate to John Dramani Mahama.

Therefore it was imperative for her not to lose those virtues but conduct a clean campaign to maintain the prevailing peace the country, they stressed.

The chiefs made the admonishment when she paid a courtesy call on them at their palaces to introduce herself to them as part of a two-day tour of the Upper East Region.

Zug-Raan Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, the Paramount Chief of the Kusaug Traditional Area said that the winner of the election has already been made by God and therefore all politicians must be civil in their campaigns.

He noted that chiefs were not allowed to be involved in politics but however wished her success in her campaign endeavours.

Naba Abilia Belwin, the Chief of Zebilla, touted the peaceful nature of Prof. Opoku-Agyemang and said she could change the face of politics in Ghana.

He admonished the running mate to advise her supporters to conduct themselves appropriately during the campaign season.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang explained that peace and unity were important ingredients for accelerated and sustained development and assured that the NDC was a peaceful party.

She, however, appealed to traditional authorities to use their influence to ensure that politicians and their supporters conducted their electioneering campaigns with a high sense of decency.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang was accompanied by Mr. Alex Segbefia, the former Minister of Health and Deputy Campaign Manager of the party for the 2020 elections; Mrs. Mawuena Trebarh, her spokesperson; Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu and former Deputy Minister of Education; Mrs. Emelia Arthur, former Deputy Western Regional Minister; Mr. Isaac Adongo, MP for Bolgatanga Central; Hajia Lardi Ayii Ayamba, MP for Pusiga among other party executives.

The places visited on her first day in the included Bolgatanga Central, Bawku Central, Zebilla, Garu, Tempane and Pusiga.

---citinewsroom
The Western Massachusetts delegation to the state Legislature has seen a lions share of turnover during the most recent election cycles. With the death of Rep. Peter Kocot, the resignation of Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, the retirements of Reps. Thomas Petrolati, John Scibak, Stephen Kulik and now Reps. Aaron Vega and Jose Tosado, the region is faced with representation that may lack some of the wisdom of experience and impact of seniority that went along with their service.

In the 5th Hampden District, Aaron Vega decided not to seek reelection after serving in the House for eight years.

The district serves Holyoke, a city that has undergone transitions of its own in recent years. The school system is in state receivership and continues to face challenges in digging its way out.

The city has a vibrant health care sector with the presence of Holyoke Medical Center, Providence Hospital, the Soldiers Home, the Holyoke Health Center and Baystate Healths Education Center. If plans proceed, the city may also become home to a new $43 million behavioral health facility through a partnership with Baystate Health and Kindred Healthcare.

The Holyoke Mall at Ingleside faces new challenges brought to all of the nations retail sector by the COVID-19 coronavirus. Still the city has experienced growth in recent years, including last falls arrival of the $5.6 million Amazon distribution center that delivered more than 200 jobs. And, as the marijuana industry takes hold, Holyoke has welcomed growing operations to into their empty factories and warehouses.

Holyoke Community College has risen to the entire regions challenges to meet the demands of developing a workforce for the future. Its culinary center and other programs, many done in concert with the regions other community colleges, contribute to growth of the region.

To fill Vegas seat, voters are faced with choosing among Holyoke City Councilor David Bartley, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission staffer Patrick Beaudry and longtime Vega aide Patricia Duffy.

In these unprecedented times we feel the district needs leadership that can step into the role and move swiftly to have an impact. The Republican believes Duffy is best suited to make that happen. Through working with Vega, Duffy has developed contacts and an understanding of Beacon Hill that is critical to make even-handed decisions based on community needs during the pandemic and in the long term.

Duffy has a strong command of the issues and has specific ideas on how to address specific challenges. Duffy understands the critical needs in education and appreciates the role that HCC can play in innovating adult learning. She also understands the vital relationship necessary between the health care industry and the Legislature. She is also cognizant of the strong relationships needed with community organizations and advocacy groups.

The Republican commends Beaudry for being willing to step forward and run for public office. He demonstrates a good understanding of the citys and our regions needs from his work with the regional planning agency. We hope this will not be the last time we see him as a candidate. While Bartley has experience in city government, we believe his temperament, as demonstrated in a meeting with our editorial board, might not be suited for a role on Beacon Hill.

For state representative for the 5th Hampden District, The Republican endorses Patricia Duffy.
The loans given to poor people and tribals by moneylenders in violation of rules were declared zero by Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday.

In his address on the occasion of Independence Day from Motilal Nehru Stadium in Bhopal, Chouhan said, The loans given by moneylenders to the poor people against the rules and at higher rates of interest till August 15, 2020, are being declared zero.

Similarly, the government has decided that the scheduled tribes living in scheduled areas dont have to repay the loans given by moneylenders till August 15, 2020, contrary to the rules, said Chouhan.

Also read: Wanted UP MLA Vijay Mishra arrested from Madhya Pradesh district

The chief minister also announced that all the government programmes will now begin necessarily with puja of girls in the state as welfare and safety of the girls is the priority of the government.

At least 1,000 new Krishak Utpadak Sangathans will be created in the state in the next three years and will be given a capital grant, credit guarantee and training under the Atmanirbhar Madhya Pradesh campaign. A large number of food processing units will be set up in the state, said Chouhan.

Start Your Business in Thirty Days scheme will be started for easy establishment of new industries in the state. A Pharma Park will be developed in the state under the Pharma Park scheme of the Government of India, he added.

Chouhan also said under vocal for local campaign, Ek Jila Ek Pehchan Yojana will be launched for the development of each district in the state. Under this, the major product and speciality of each district will be developed and information about it will be disseminated globally, he added.

Chouhan also unveiled the statue of Bharat Mata at the Shaurya Smarak built in Bhopal in honour of those who have sacrificed their lives for the country.
MIAMI - Tropical Storm Josephine was expected to weaken as it skirts islands in the Caribbean, and Tropical Storm Kyle was moving away from the continental United States, forecasters said Saturday night.

Threats to land continued to be minimal for both storms, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Centers 11 p.m. advisories.

Josephine was centred 135 miles (220 kilometres) north-northeast of the Leeward Islands and was expected to pass north of the islands within the next day, forecasters said. Kyle was 590 miles (950 kilometres) southwest of Cape Race, Newfoundland, Canada, and was forecast to move off towards the east over the weekend.

Both storms had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph) and gradual weakening was forecast through Sunday. Kyle was projected to become a post-tropical low Sunday morning.

No coastal watches or warnings were in effect for either storm. Josephine was forecast to bring 1 to 3 inches (3 to 8 centimetres) of rain to parts of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Its been an active Atlantic hurricane season and forecasters predict several more named storms are on the way.

So far this year, Cristobal, Danielle, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, Isaias, Josephine and Kyle have set records for being the earliest named Atlantic storms of their respective place in the alphabet. Only Hanna and Isaias this year have developed into hurricanes.

Before Kyle, the earliest K-named storm was Katrina, which formed Aug. 24, 2005, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach.

Isaias killed two people in the Caribbean earlier this month. Several others across multiple U.S. states were then killed when the storm made landfall in North Carolina and moved through the East Coast, leading to floods, tornadoes, fires, and widespread power outages.

Last month, Hurricane Hanna slammed the Texas Gulf Coast with high winds and rains that flooded streets and knocked out power across the region.
Sudan and Egypt on Saturday reiterated importance of reaching a binding agreement regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) with commitment to negotiations to resolve the dispute, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

"It has been stressed on the necessity of the negotiations to reach a binding agreement in a manner that preserves the interests of the three countries according to the Declaration of Principles signed in 2015," said a joint Sudanese-Egyptian communique issued after joint talks between Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly in Khartoum.

"It has also been on the necessity of reaching a conflict resolution mechanism and a coordination mechanism among the three countries on the filling and operation of the GERD," said the communique.

The two countries stressed the importance not to adopt any unilateral measures before reaching the binding deal on the filling and operation of the GERD.

In the meantime, Sudan and Egypt voiced commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation in all fields.

The Egyptian prime minister arrived in Khartoum earlier on Saturday, leading a high-level delegation, for an official one-day visit to Sudan to review bilateral cooperation in all fields. Enditem
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the proposal to expand the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in 173 border and coastal districts from where one lakh new cadets will be inducted, an official statement said on Sunday. The expansion of the NCC was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech on Saturday.

He said the NCC will be expanded in border and coastal districts so that these areas "get trained manpower for disaster management, and the youth will also get skill training for making their career in the armed forces".

The defence ministry's statement said Singh has approved the NCC proposal "for a major expansion scheme".

"More than 1,000 schools and colleges have been identified in border and coastal districts where NCC will be introduced," it said.

A total of one lakh cadets from 173 border and coastal districts will be inducted into the NCC, it said, adding that one-third of them will be girls.

"As part of the expansion plan, a total of 83 NCC units will be upgraded (Army 53, Navy 20, Air Force 10) to impart NCC training to the cadets in the border and coastal areas," the ministry noted.

The Army will provide training and administrative support to NCC units located in border areas, it said.

The Navy will provide support to NCC units in coastal areas and the Air Force will provide support to those located close to its stations, it added.

The NCC is a youth development movement managed by the armed forces. It also provides exposure to cadets in a wide range of activities, with a distinct emphasis on social services, discipline and adventure training.

It is open to all regular students of schools and colleges on a voluntary basis.

The NCC expansion plan will be implemented in partnership with state governments, the ministry said.

Addressing the country from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Modi had said, "About 173 districts in our border areas, our coastal areas share their boundaries with some or the other nation's border or coastline. In the coming days, NCC would be extended in those border districts for the youth there."

"We will train around one lakh new NCC cadets from bordering areas, and we will work towards the idea that amongst those, one-third of them are our daughters," he had said.

Also Read: Russia produces first batch of coronavirus vaccines

Also Read: India erred in imposing lockdown restrictions; entered, exited too soon, says Abhijit Banerjee
The planned construction of a Greek yogurt factory in the Wolser 1 industrial zone sparked a number of reactions from the public.

In addition to the 16 complaints registered in Bettembourg, the mayor of Dudelange, Dan Biancalana from the Luxembourg Socialist Worker's Party (LSAP) confirmed in an interview with RTL that his municipality also received a total of six complaints from associations and individuals alike.

Some even submitted complaints in both Bettembourg and Dudelange.

Similar to Bettembourg, most of the concerns in Dudelange revolve around the water consumption of the factory as well as the processing of wastewater, but also the traffic which the site would create.

In a second phase, the municipality of Dudelange intends to analyse the submitted complaints within the framework of the commodo/incommode procedure. It will also cooperate with an engineering office to work out an assessment within the next three weeks. According to Biancalana, who is much more in favour of the project than his colleagues in Bettembourg, it is nevertheless necessary to seriously address the issue of road traffic.

One of the main reasons for Dudelange's support of the FAGE project is the number of jobs it would generate: about 100 in a first phase and up to 200 later on, according to Dudelange's mayor. A potential new factory in the area would be all the more welcome after the announcement by US company Guardian to potentially lay off up to 200 employees over the following months.

Biancalana also stated that FAGE's officials have already begun discussions with Luxlait. There have even been rumours about significant developments in the case with the Greek producers apparently being very interested to use Luxembourgish milk in their factory. This despite substantial criticism by environmental organisations that the project would not be of any benefit to the local market.
A Tauranga street was supposed to be named after Prime Minister Jacinda Arderns distant cousin but it has been misspelt as Arden for 60 years.

Forty-six years ago, Graeme Ardern made a promise to his late father to fix the typo on the Gate Pa street, but now he fears he will die before doing so.

The street names in the surrounding suburb were all named after families who lived in the area historically, with the PMs cousin, Mary Ardern, marrying into the Murray family who owned much of the land.

Graeme Ardern promised his father Robert, who is Marys great nephew, in 1974 that hed have the mistake fixed, but his father died of a heart attack in April.

Ardern says his father often spoke about the typo and wanted to see the name changed.

The Murray family have been great and very supportive in regard to changing the name. They told me they all knew the name was spelt wrongly and it would be great to see the Ardern name finally spelt correctly.

It was not until 2019 that Ardern put his plan to alter the name into motion. He'd struggled with injury and ill health, including having a quadruple heart bypass and a stroke, but wanted to keep his promise to his father before it was too late.

In January 2020, Tauranga City Council sent residents of Arden St a letter requesting permission to change its name. Of the 17 houses on the street, 80 per cent needed to agree, however five said no.

That included resident of 16 years, Lois Takarangi.

This is the street Ive lived in for years, says Lois.

Theres a lot that goes into changing your address and if they waited 50 years to do so it cant have been that important.

Ardern is appealing to residents to reconsider, saying it would mean the world to him.

"It would be a promise fulfilled.

Tauranga City Council general manager of corporate services Paul Davidson says it has found documentation that showed the intention had been to name the street Ardern, not Arden.

"The Ardern family had a strong link to the area," he says.

Were disappointed we were not able to help the (them).

However, we can understand that some residents might prefer to avoid having to change their street name on official documents and with multiple service providers.

Matt Shand/Stuff
New Delhi: India sends assitance to Mauritius to contain the oil spill on its south-east coast and to deal with the environmental crisis arising off it, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Sunday (August 16, 2020). On the request on the island nation, India sent 30 tonnes of technical equipment and material on board an IAF aircraft.

A 10-member Indian Coast Guard (ICG) team specialising in containing oil spill has also been deployed to Mauritius, the statement said.

"In response to a request of the government of Mauritius for assistance in dealing with the environmental crisis due to oil spill on its south-east coast, the government of India has dispatched over 30 tonnes of technical equipment and material on board an IAF aircraft to Mauritius to supplement the country's ongoing oil spill containment and salvage operations," the MEA said in a statement.

India has also sent Ayurvdeic medicines and a medical team as part of the assistance to help it in dealing with the coronavirus crisis.

"The specialized equipment, consisting of ocean booms, river booms, disc skimmers, heli skimmers, power packs, blowers, salvage barge and oil absorbent graphene pads and other accessories, is specifically designed to contain the oil slick, skim oil from water, and assist in clean up and salvage operations," the MEA said.

India's move comes as a part of its policy to extend humanitarian assistance and provide disaster relief to its neighbours in the Indian Ocean region and also as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the security and growth of all region, the MEA further said.

Last week, Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth declared a state of environmental emergency after a Japanese bulk carrier struck a coral reef off the coast of Mauritius and leaked hundreds of tonnes of oil in the region which is considered environmentally sensitive.

On Saturday, Mauritian authorities informed that the ship, MV Wakashio, has broken apart and the nation appealed to the international community for assistance to deal with the situation.
The inaugural session of Sri Lanka's new Parliament will be held on August 20 during which President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will present the policy statement of his government for the next five years, it was announced on Sunday.

The Secretary-General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake has informed all MPs to attend the first sitting of the 9th Parliament which is scheduled to commence at 9.30 am on 20th August 2020," a statement said.

The new Parliament meets after the People's Party (SLPP) led by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his younger brother and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa registered a landslide victory in the August 5 general election, securing a two-thirds majority in the 225-member Parliament.

The SLPP government has 150 members in the House and the combined Opposition strength is limited to 75.

At the inaugural session, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is due to present his policy statement of his government for the next five years. President is not a member of Parliament but constitutionally allowed to attend sessions.

Commenting on the age of lawmakers, Neil Iddawela, the deputy Secretary-General of parliament, said, There are five of them who are under 30 years of age; 21 of them are between 30 and 40 years of age; 60 are between 40 and 50; 54 of them are between 50 and 60 years; 9 are between 70 and 80 years and 3 of them are between 80 and 90 years.

Out of the 225 elected members, 75 are newcomers. The women's representation has dropped to 10 from the 13 in the previous assembly, officials added.

Two of the elected MPs are currently in jail. Both have sought permission to attend the inaugural session, officials said.

The inaugural session of Parliament was originally scheduled for May 14. However, the elections had to be postponed twice due to COVID-19.

The session will be held with strict COVID-19 health protocols.

Sri Lanka, one of the very few countries in Asia to hold a general election amidst the pandemic, has reported 2,890 coronavirus cases and 11 fatalities.

(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 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.




In the Book of Strange New Things, author Michael Faber wrote, There was a red button on the wall labelled EMERGENCY, but no button labelled BEWILDERMENT. Americans have careened from emergency to emergency in the past four years but what has shaken citizens to the core is the bewilderment that comes with a leader who is driven more by personal grievances than by the needs of his people.

This lack of focus has resulted in an inadequate response to a pandemic that is killing 1,000 Americans every day. It has plunged the nation into the worst economy in our history and it has heightened tensions along racial lines. America is divided and the president encourages that division as a matter of political strategy.

The only time in our history that comes close to this level of confusion was the election of 1920  exactly 100 years ago. Professor Joe Powers writes about that year. There were 100,000 dead following World War I and the failure to address the Spanish Flu cost another 650,000 lives. The economy had slid into a deep recession and Americans were left weary by all the turmoil.

Not much was expected when Warren Harding took the oath of office, but his leadership restored the nations physical and economic health in short order. Powers writes that: The pandemic subsided, the streets calmed, the economy revived and the Twenties roared.

That sound you heard rising from Wilmington, Delaware and wafting throughout the nation last week was a sigh of relief. As in the 1920 race, voters who were crying out for leadership shifted their gaze toward a seasoned, earnest team committed to compassionate solutions to the challenges of the day.

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris made history with a biracial, bigender ticket that generated immediate enthusiasm among Democrats and Trump-weary Republicans alike. The ticket generated $26 million in donations within 24 hours. Most pundits agree that Harris has already energized two key demographics: suburban women and minority voters. Turn out in both of those groups will be key to victory in the fall.

What was striking about the Biden-Harris introduction was the sheer professionalism of their remarks. Both were direct without being childish. Both talked about their families and what matters most to them in life. Both demonstrated a genuine admiration for their running mate and exuded a confidence about the future that was believable and suddenly within our grasp.

Biden acknowledged that Harris was a tough prosecutor. The president, predictably, resorted to name calling. Shes nasty, he said. No, said Biden, just tough enough to take a punch and throw one if necessary. The ticket is too far left, was the knee jerk Republican campaign response. But the reality is that Biden and Harris laser-focused on average working families and the core kitchen table values that are overwhelmingly mainstream.

In a strong indictment of the current administration, Harris was at her best: The presidents mismanagement of the pandemic has plunged us into the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and were experiencing a moral reckoning with racism and systemic injustice . . . America is crying out for leadership. Yet we have a president who cares more about himself than the people who elected him . . . the case against Donald Trump and Mike Pence is open and shut.

Another highlight was the humanizing way that Harris depicted Biden riding the rails between Washington and Delaware every day to care for his two young sons. And this last jab: Trump inherited the longest economic expansion in history from Obama and Biden. And then, like everything else he inherited, he ran it straight into the ground.

For his part, Biden put to rest any notion that he was tired or ill-prepared. His speech contained equal parts indignation and possibilities. He presented himself as one whose life experiences could be applied immediately to resolving the pandemic and undoing some of the damage it has caused. On issues as diverse as climate change, civil rights and foreign relations, Biden was not only prepared; he was masterful.

As we move into the homestretch of this campaign, we would do well to remember that we are in this together. Rob Reiner posted something worth repeating:

The battle lines have been drawn. Its the Union vs The Confederacy. Its decency vs cruelty. Its justice for all vs justice for the privileged. Its the battle for the soul of our nation. And our Union will win again.

Mark S. Singel is a former Democratic Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania. He and Republican Charlie Gerow can be seen at 8:30 a.m. each Sunday on CBS21s Face the State.
Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks before a training session for precinct captains at the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees in Las Vegas, Nev., on Feb. 21, 2020. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Biden Clean Energy Plan Supports Unions and Environmental Justice

Former Vice President Joe Biden has earned praise from union leaders for advancing a clean energy plan featuring infrastructure, auto, transit, construction, and energy projects designed to benefit organized labor.

The proposed plan to build a modern, sustainable infrastructure and an equitable clean energy future also includes appeals to environmental justice that resonate with progressive policy advocates. However, free market policy analysts have expressed concern about the impact Bidens plan will have on energy and labor costs.

Biden, who is expected to become his partys nominee for president on Aug. 20, rolled out his plan on July 14. He first joined forces with his former rival Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to form a unity task force that served as the foundation for many of the green energy proposals and union favors included in the final Biden plan.

The task force, co-chaired by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), proposes to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and recommends eliminating emission from power plants by 2035 as a major step toward achieving this goal.

The Biden clean energy plan embraces the task forces timelines and its anti-carbon policy prescriptions. Biden seeks to achieve a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and to place the United States on an irreversible path to achieve net-zero emissions, economy-wide, by no later than 2050.

Social Justice

The BidenSanders task force emphasizes the need to provide people of color and low income Americans with clean energy job opportunities that could offset the disproportionate impact climate change has on those communities.

The task force goes on to state that Democrats believe we must embed environmental justice and climate justice at the heart of our policy and governing agenda.

In a similar vein, the official Biden clean energy plan seeks to ensure that environmental justice is a key consideration in where, how, and with whom we buildcreating good, union, middle-class jobs in communities left behind, righting wrongs in communities that bear the brunt of pollution, and lifting up the best ideas from across our great nationrural, urban, and tribal.

The concept of environmental justice appears to have gained traction among progressive policy advocacy groups in the past few years. The Equitable and Just National Climate Platform, which formed in October 2018, is working to take full advantage of the opportunity created by the 2020 presidential election for environmental justice and national environmental advocates to jointly develop and infuse new and equitable climate and energy ideas into the national policy conversation.

The Center for American Progress, a Washington-based nonpartisan policy institute, marked the one-year anniversary of platform details it co-authored with other progress groups in a recent press release.

Now more than ever, it is clear the country cannot address the climate crisis in a vacuumit must be tackled comprehensively with solutions that advance racial, economic, and environmental justice, even as they curb carbon pollution and other greenhouse gas pollution driving the climate crisis, it states.

But David Kreutzer, a senior economist with the Institute for Energy Research (IER), a Washington-based organization that favors free-market energy policies, sees a political agenda at work in this appeal to environmental justice in the Biden plan and elsewhere that he said doesnt square with sound public policy.

The environmental, social justice angle is a cynical hijacking of minority grievances to promote an elite agenda, Kreutzer said. We know forcing green policies on consumers significantly increases energy prices, which disproportionately impact poorer people.

The further stifling of economic growth, which these programs will do, condemns disadvantaged groups to extended poverty. Note the impact of Trumps pro-growth tax and regulation cuts. Until the COVID crisis, minority unemployment was at record low levels, and wages at the lower end grew the fastest.

Prioritizing Union Jobs

The task force recommendations include several overt appeals to organized labor that are also folded into Bidens clean energy plan.

The task force, for instance, states: All jobs in the clean energy economy should provide an opportunity to join a union. Democrats will restore and protect workers rights to organize and bargain collectively. We will build a diverse pipeline of talent in the clean energy economy by increasing access to industry-based credentialing programs and registered apprenticeships.

The Biden plan calls for federally funded projects to prioritize Project Labor and Community Workforce Agreements and for these projects to employ workers trained in registered apprenticeship programs.

In his plan, Biden also expresses support for legislative efforts that will make it easier for workers to organize a union and collectively bargain with their employees.

The Biden plan also says his green energy initiatives will empower workers to organize unions and bargain collectively with their employers as they rebuild the middle class and a more sustainable future.

Federal Government as a Union Advocate

Sean Higgins, a research fellow at The Competitive Enterprise Institute specializing in labor policy, sees a massive giveaway to unions at work in the BidenSanders green energy plan.

Taxpayer dollars will be used to prop up an industry, green energy, that struggles to compete without the federal governments assistance through subsidies, regulations ortypicallyboth, Higgins said.

Its the green version of having a 1950s-style industrial policy. Ensuring that all union leaders demands are met first and foremost will drive the energy industrys labor costs up even further, necessitating even more federal assistance.

Business leaders will likely agree to this if the taxpayer subsidies are sufficient enough that it makes up the difference. In short, taxpayers will be paying more for energy while being told we feel better about this.

The fact that the task force seeks to establish the federal governments role as promoting and facilitating collective bargaining and helping the parties bring their negotiations to a rapid and successful conclusion is also noteworthy, Higgins said, because it means the federal government would not only be defending or protecting the right to collectively bargain, but taking sides.

In other words, he said, theres an explicit promise for the federal government not to be a neutral arbiter but rather a pro-union advocate. In practice, this will likely mean the administration will tie green energy subsidies to promises that businesses leaders not oppose organizing bids and forgo union elections. Whether a majority of those workers actually want a union will be a secondary issue.

Youd think that if a majority of rank-and-file workers were truly eager to collectively bargain, as union advocates like Sanders are fond of claiming, that none of this would be necessary. Yet the aggressive efforts by Sanders and others to promote collective bargaining suggest otherwisethat they know workers interests lay elsewhere, and so they have to be forced into unions for their own good, he said.

The Competitive Enterprise Institute is a libertarian think tank based in Washington.

The Epoch Times contacted the AFL-CIO seeking comment on the Biden plan, but didnt receive a response. The Service Employees International Union did respond, however, and referred The Epoch Times to its statement released on Twitter.

@JoeBiden is making the creation of good, #union jobs a key part of his plan to tackle climate change as we #BuildBackBetter. And he knows that we cant talk about the policies without talking about the communities of color who have been most impacted by corporate polluters.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers has also released a statement, from Lonnie R. Stephenson, the unions president, praising Bidens plan. The statement reads in part as follows:

This plan will spur a renaissance in American manufacturing while creating numerous good jobs for electricians by using the power of the federal government to encourage demand for electric vehicles. It will also put Americans to work rebuilding our aged transportation infrastructure, including investing in our railroads, which means more good rail jobs. These are vital jobs that our nation needs more than ever. And by strictly enforcing prevailing wage, workplace protections, and supporting the right of workers to organize unions and bargain collectively, the plan ensures that these will be good, middle-class sustaining jobs.

Labor Strikes in the Energy Sector

Iain Murray, a vice president for strategy and senior fellow with the Competitive Enterprise Institute, envisions a potential scenario where labor strikes in the energy sector could have significant implications for vulnerable communities.

Having the right to organize comes with a right to strike, he said. If energy generating industries are on strike, electric reliability will suffer. In other countries where energy workers have gone on strike, there have been tactical strikes aimed at inflicting pain on the public to put pressure on employers to settle. If, for instance, wind farms had to shut down due to a strike during peak times for a/c, many thousands of customers could find themselves without a/c on hundred-degree days, meaning they would demand the company settle and get their employees back at work. Extended strikes could have very real human consequences.

Murray also expressed concern that making all green jobs union jobs will make them much more expensive, ensuring fewer of them and making the projects more expensive.

While the BidenSanders clean energy plan highlights the need to help disadvantaged communities, Kreutzer, the IER economist, anticipates that the policy proposals would actually harm people most in need of new opportunities.

Economic freedom powered by our growing energy dominance has proven to be the best anti-poverty program ever, he said. Bidens plan, with its bizarrely nostalgic echo of programs from the Great Depression, move the country and its hardworking people in the exact wrong direction.
The Minister of Health Chris Hipkins has confirmed this afternoon that COVID-19 testing is free.

It has also been confirmed that testing for the approximately 6000 workers at the Port of Tauranga will begin on Monday.

During the question and answer time at todays Ministry of Health COVID-19 update, the Minister was asked about urgent clinics charging in some cases hundreds of dollars for a visit to have COVID-19 testing, even when the person presenting was symptomatic.

It should not be happening, says Hipkins. COVID-19 tests are free. The Government is paying for those to make sure they are free.

We have been very clear on that, in fact weve gone as far as to have posters printed up which will be put in all GP practices up and down the country to make it clear that you should not be charged for a COVID-19 test.

The General-Director of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield added that if there are specific examples brought to his attention [of people being charged for COVID-19 testing] he will ensure it is followed up.

Testing to begin at Port of Tauranga

The Minister was also asked when would there be a COVID-19 testing station for the Port of Tauranga.

Hipkins replied that he understood that there was a mobile testing site at the Port of Tauranga. He was quickly corrected by the General-Director of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield.

Thats going in tomorrow [Monday], says Dr Bloomfield.

We do acknowledge that that will take a little longer to get through than the testing at the other ports and border entry points, says Hipkins.

So we will certainly exercise a good degree of flexibility there to recognise that thats going to take a bit longer.

During the live national Sunday COVID-19 update question and answer time, Dr Bloomfield received a text from the Bay of Plenty District Health Board chief executive.

Theyve been working very closely with the port, says Dr Bloomfield. Theyve made a building available. There are eight nurses going in tomorrow, as well as admin and IT support.

They will be testing now through the week for as long as they need to. And likewise, in terms of testing at both the Tauranga and Auckland port, putting a priority on port workers who may have had, or been more likely to have had contact with crew from ships in particular. So that would be the pilots, stevedores and others.

On Friday the Minister of Health made an order under section 11 of the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 in accordance with sections 9 and 14(3) of that Act requiring nearly 6000 people with links to the Port of Tauranga to be tested for COVID-19 by no later than 11.59pm on August 17.

This order includes everyone who has worked at the port, including shipping agents, stevedores, drivers picking up or delivering cargo, contractors, suppliers of goods and services, classification societies, government agency employees and any crew members who may have come ashore.

The Road Transport Forum  RTF  chief executive Nick Leggett responded on Saturday afternoon saying that the interpretation of the Ministry of Health Order was causing mayhem at ports for trucking operators.

This panicked reaction over a weekend threatens to bring the supply chain to a halt, says Nick in a press release. Ports of Auckland and Port of Tauranga are putting alerts out on social media saying truck drivers have to be tested. But there doesnt seem to be the capacity to test them in this panicked timeframe. This is a complete mess.

The BOPDHB released a message of reassurance for Port of Tauranga workers early on Saturday evening.

Staff have been working over the weekend with port staff, to set up a testing station on-site at the port, to ensure sufficient capacity to test all required workers, says BOPDHBs Interim CE Simon Everitt.

We will be prioritising port staff who have been on-board a vessel in the last 14 days and/or those who have been in direct contact with crew, says Simon. Testing will begin next week.

Port of Tauranga staff will be contacted by their company to allocate them a testing slot.

If a staff member is unwell or has symptoms, please seek treatment from their GP and remain off work.

Workers have already been getting tested at their GPs practice. Some also took to social media saying that they found they were expected to pay $234 for a COVID-19 test despite saying they were workers at the Port of Tauranga, and that they also had family members who they thought were displaying COVID-19 symptoms. They said they had been told that because they were not displaying symptoms that they had to pay for testing.

The Second Ave Accident and HealthCare in Tauranga say there is no charge for patients presenting at Accident and Healthcare for covid swabs, but these people need to be symptomatic or have been given a directive to get tested.

In the first instance, we ask you to please contact your own GP for testing, says an Accident and HealthCare spokesperson. If you do not have a GP, please phone Healthline on 0800 358 5453 who will assess you and advise where to go for testing if required.

All consultations with general practice for suspected COVID-19 are free. Testing is free to anyone presenting with symptoms of COVID-19 and for those who have been identified as a close contact or are required to be tested as directed by the Ministry of Health.

COVID-19 testing is also free for specific groups of people who need surveillance testing as identified by the Ministry of Health. These people do not need to have symptoms. As practices are busy testing people who have symptoms we often set up separate testing facilities for these groups.

We acknowledge the uncertainty that workers have being feeling about how to organise their tests, says a BOPDHB spokesperson.

We ask that people be patient as they will be able to get tested over the next week, and that people wait for further instructions from their employers, and allow general practices to focus on testing those people who have symptoms of COVID-19 and require testing.
By PTI

PANAJI: Police raided a rave party going on at a small-time Bollywood actor Kapil Jhaveri's villa in Vagator village in North Goa, and arrested 23 people, including the actor and three women foreign nationals, officials said on Sunday.

The raid was conducted by the crime branch and narcotics worth over Rs nine lakh were seized from the party that was going on amid the COVID-19 pandemic on Saturday night under the Anjuna police station limits, they said.

"Jhaveri and three foreign nationals- two women from Russia and another from Czech Republic- were arrested under stringent Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, for allegedly possessing banned substance during the police raid," Superintendent of Police Crime Branch Shobhit Saxena said.

"Nineteen others were arrested for violating the rules related to social distancing," he said.

During the raid, drugs like cocaine, MDMA, charas and other chemical substance were recovered from the party venue, he added.

Another crime branch official said that Jhaveri himelf had organised the rave party at his villa.

Most of the 19 others were domestic tourists who had come to the coastal state on a vacation, he said.

Saxena said that Jhaveri has acted in a few Bollywood films and currently lives in Goa.

Some of his films include "Dil Pardesi Ho Gaya" and "Ishq Vishk".

According to Saxena, further arrests in the case would be made as the investigation progresses.

Judicial Magistrate First Class in Panaji on Sunday remanded Jhaveri (40) along with three foreigner women in five days of police custody, he said.

Goa Director General of Police Mukesh Kumar Meena in a tweet said, "Zero tolerance to #Drugs and Ensuring Public Safety #goapolice Crime Branch busted a late night party in Anjuna. 23 persons including 3 foreigners were arrested and narcotic drugs worth over Rs 9 lac were seized."

Goa Forward Party MLA Vinod Palyekar, who represents Siolim constituency, which covers Vagator village, claimed rave parties were happening in the coastal belt in full swing.

"Local police stations are bribed," he alleged in a Facebook post, adding "its high time that Anjuna police station be fully revamped including the police inspector."

"The state needs full time Home Minister as Chief Minister Sawant's focus is on mining transportation. CM has failed in curtailing crime in the state. Lobo (BJP MLA Michael Lobo) can perform better as Home Minister," he added.
Gaurav Chopraas parents are undergoing treatment for Covid-19 at two hospitals in New Delhi, he has revealed. The actor, who is presently in Mumbai, has not yet travelled to the capital as the family is waiting for his brothers Covid-19 test results. However, he is ready to leave any time.

In an interview with The Times of India, Gaurav said, This is a very tough time for our family and normally, I would not have spoken about it because it is personal. But, I feel that it is important to make people aware of how coronavirus spreads.

My mother has been battling advanced stage pancreatic cancer for the past three years. Almost miraculously, she emerged stronger from it, and was doing okay. However, over the past few months, she had not been keeping well and was hospitalised. My father was looking after her in the hospital. And then, she tested positive for Covid-19. A few days later, my dad, too, tested positive. My brother, who has been looking after my parents, is also undergoing tests now, he added.

Gaurav wanted to travel to Delhi to be by his familys side but they did not want to risk him getting exposed to the virus as well. He is currently awaiting the results of his brothers Covid-19 test, so he can take a call accordingly.

I have not travelled to Delhi, because my family has asked me to wait till my brothers Covid-19 test results come. Since we will be staying in the same house, they fear that I will also get exposed. For now, I am managing everything from here. But, my bags are packed and I am ready to leave any time, he said.

Also read | Kareena Kapoor Khan says son Taimur brings out the best and worst in her: Even I lose patience sometimes

On Saturday, Gaurav shared a picture of his parents, along with a heartfelt note. The ones who bring you into this world. The ones who teach you , raise you , make you who you are. You are a part of them. A reflection. Carrying forward their thoughts and values. Your identity itself is given and nurtured by them. Right now both are fighting in different hospitals. And we are fighting the war with them. For them. . If theyre not worth fighting your best for , what is ?! And yes we are. We will. Till they are fine. . Kindly excuse my absence - their son, he wrote.

Gaurav has acted in shows such as Dil Kya Chahta Hai, Adaalat and Sadda Haq. He also participated in the popular reality show Bigg Boss 10.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
The head of Victorias hotel quarantine inquiry has refused Opposition Leader Michael OBrien leave to appear at the probe's public hearings, rejecting the application as a challenge to her independence.

Hearings resume on Monday, with Doherty Institute genomics expert Professor Benjamin Howden to present data showing the link between Melbournes quarantine hotel outbreaks and the second surge of the coronavirus.

COVID-19 has so far killed 309 people in Victoria and on Sunday the state recorded 279 new cases and 16 deaths.

Victoria's hotel quarantine inquiry hearings, chaired by Justice Jennifer Coate, resume on Monday. Credit:James Ross-Pool

The states opposition will play no part in the hearings, with inquiry chair Jennifer Coate rejecting Mr OBriens argument he has a "direct or special interest" in the probe on behalf of Coalition voters. Mr O'Brien also submitted that his participation would "enable a different voice to be heard" and ensure the inquiry's findings were seen to be above politics.
This article is part of the On Tech newsletter. You can sign up here to receive it weekdays.

Many of us think of Amazon as that button we click to make our stuff magically arrive without the fuss of physical stores. Let me change your minds a little.

Amazons e-commerce warehouses, package distribution centers and hubs for back-end computing gear occupied more than 190 million square feet of space in North America at the end of 2019. Thats bigger than the footprint of Krogers nearly 2,800 supermarkets.

In short: To operate in cyberspace, Amazon needs the brick-and-mortar equivalent of one of Americas largest grocery store chains.

This is a fun fact for nerds. Youre welcome. Im also mentioning it because I want us to think about e-commerce not as a purely online activity, but one that affects our real world, too, in both constructive and potentially harmful ways.
LOS ANGELES - Firefighters struggled to contain three wildfires near Los Angeles on Saturday as forecasters warned that the risk of new fires was high with temperatures expected to spike and humidity levels to drop across California.

In Northern California, the National Weather Service warned responders to beware of a rare fire tornado.

A huge forest fire that prompted evacuations north of Los Angeles flared up around noon, sending up a cloud of smoke as it headed toward thick, dry brush in the Angeles National Forest. Although it was burning into forest land, evacuation orders remained in effect for the western Antelope Valley because erratic winds in the forecast could push the fire toward homes, fire spokesman Jake Miller said.

Fire crews managed to stop the fires movement down to the desert floor when it flared up Friday afternoon. In one dramatic moment, several firefighters ran to safety when a longhorn bull that was apparently escaping the blaze charged at them.

The Lake Fire was just 12% contained as of Saturday morning, and after threatening more than 5,400 homes, it had charred more than 23 square miles (59.5 square kilometres) of brush and trees. Fire officials said 21 buildings had been destroyed, including at least five homes.

Firefighters were struggling in steep, rugged terrain amid scorching temperatures. The National Weather Service warned temperatures could hit 111 degrees (44 Celsius) in the Antelope Valley Saturday, and winds gusting 15-20 mph (24-32 kph) was expected later in the afternoon.

In addition to that, we have a very unstable air mass over the Lake Fire thats going to allow for a pyrocumulus (cloud) development later today so that will create extreme fire behaviour, meteorologist Matt Mehle said.

Many areas of the state saw record-breaking heat through the weekend, with triple-digit temperatures and unhealthy air predicted for many parts of the state. There also was a chance of isolated thunderstorms worsening the fire threat by creating dry lightning and strong downdrafts, fire officials said.

North of Lake Tahoe, the Loyalton Fire has burned 31 square miles (80 square kilometres) east of Reno, Nevada. Weather service officials said the fire was showing extreme behaviour such as gusty winds and blowing smoke similar to a deadly Northern California fire that destroyed more than 1,000 homes and killed 8 people. That fire was just 5 per cent contained Saturday night.

There was also no containment of a blaze that blackened foothills above the Los Angeles suburb of Azusa. It churned through 2.3 square miles (5.96 square kilometres) of brush on Thursday and was moving away from homes. Evacuation orders issued to residents were lifted early Friday.

Azusa police said they were looking for a homeless man suspected of starting the fire. He was identified as Osmin Palencia, 36, and was last known to be living in a riverbed encampment near the site where the fire started.

Police said Palencia was believed to be violent and urged people to use caution if they see him.

Another blaze came dangerously close to a neighbourhood in the city of Corona, east of Los Angeles, before crews controlled it. And a Northern California fire in the community of Sloughhouse, near Sacramento, burned about 500 acres (202 hectares) before firefighters stopped its forward spread.
8-Year-Old Girl Killed During Shooting at Ohio Birthday Party: Police

Police said armed individuals showed up at a teenagers birthday party in Ohio, opening fire and killing an 8-year-old child.

The incident took place at 11:48 p.m. on Friday in Akron at the home of a 62-year-old later identified as Willie Walker. He was holding the party for his 15-year-old grandson, he told the Akron Beacon Journal.

All hell broke out, Walker told the Akron Beacon Journal. I dont know what the hell happened.

Police in Akron identified the victim has 8-year-old Mikayla Pickett. Meanwhile, police spokesman Michael Miller told Fox News that no arrests were made, and a motive in the case isnt clear.

Walker said that he didnt know the child who was shot and killed.

I dont know know how many shells they took, Walker told the news outlet. A lot of them.

He said three to four individuals with guns showed up and began shooting.

Police in Akron confirmed there was a large gathering of people and teens at Walkers home when the shooting unfolded, the Akron Beacon Journal reported.

The police department is now pleading with the community to identify the perpetrators.

You dont have to be impacted directly by the violence to care about what happened, Miller told FOX8 in Cleveland.

Youre at a loss for words when people like that are impacted, families of victims that young are impacted, Miller said of this investigation. Weve seen an uptick with violent crime involving children.

Those with information about the incident can call the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at (330) 375-2490 or (330) 375-2TIP. You can also call Summit County Crimestoppers at (330) 434-COPS.
https://www.aish.com/jw/me/United-Arab-Emirates-Jews-and-Israel-7-Facts.html

UAE and Israel reach a historic accord to normalize ties between the two nations.

Israels recent historic peace agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on August 13, 2020, has focused attention on the UAE, a small Arab nation made up of seven individual emirates located in the Arabian Peninsula, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain.

In recent years, these emirates have become increasingly tolerant towards Jews, and Jewish life is flourishing in the region once again for the first time in centuries. Here are seven key facts about the UAE and the Jewish community.

Medieval Community

The area that today forms the seven emirates of the UAE was once home to a Jewish community. In the 12th Century a Jewish sage living in Spain, Rabbi Benjamin of Tudela, undertook a massive decade-long trip throughout the Middle East, visiting Jewish communities in the Land of Israel and elsewhere. He visited Ras Al Khaimah, which is today one of the seven emirates in the UAE, and which has the longest history of habitation in the country.

There, he was welcomed by Jews living in a town called Kis. Though no trace of the town nor the Jews who once lived there remain today, Rabbi Tudelas account is a valuable record of Jewish life in the Arabian Peninsula.

Troubled Land and Jewish Expertise

The UAE gained independence from Britain in 1971, and has been plagued by human rights abuses. Capital punishments and harsh corporal punishments are common, and the seven emirates uphold an uncompromising brand of Sharia law. Islam is the official religion of the country. Human Rights Watch, an organization that monitors human rights worldwide, notes that the government continues to arbitrarily detain and forcibly disappear individuals who criticize authorities and that foreign workers have few rights. The UAE also participates in Saudi Arabias fighting force taking part in Yemens civil war and has conducted scores of unlawful attacks in Yemen.

For years, Israelis were formally barred from visit the UAE, and even non-Israeli Jews reported feeling uncomfortable visiting the emirates. However, as the UAE developed its infrastructure and industry, they quietly turned to some Jewish scientists for assistance. Historian Judith Friedman Rosen notes that her father, Gerald Friedman, was a German Jewish Holocaust survivor who moved to Israel and became a leading petroleum sedimentologist. Despite the UAEs formal ban on admitting Israelis, Friedman was allowed to work and conduct research in the emirates. He wasnt the only one, Rosen observes: Historically, the UAE has quietly welcomed Israeli and Jewish experts in agriculture, agronomy and water for decades.

Growing Jewish Life

The UAE has grown in prominence and population since gaining independence, and in recent years has emerged as a major international tourist destination. The Louvre Museum in Paris even has a branch in Abu Dhabi now. In 2010, New York University opened a campus in the country. As more and more international travellers and business people flock to live and work in the UAE - people from over 200 nations now call the UAE home - a small but thriving Jewish community has sprung up. Hundreds of Jews now live in the emirates.

New York businessman Eli Epstein has been travelling to Dubai for work for over thirty years. In 2018 he told Bloomberg News that back then he was told to try to avoid using my last name because it sounded too Jewish. Today however, Epstein explains, Weve come a long way in terms of Jews being accepted in the UAE.

For years, Epstein and other Jews living in Dubai gathered in one anothers homes to hold Jewish services. In 2015, they rented a house to function as an unofficial synagogue. The house provided a roomy space for services, a kosher kitchen, and a few rooms so Jews who lived too far away to walk could stay over Shabbat and holidays. Though the Jews didnt mark their building in any way and kept relatively quiet about this unofficial synagogue functioning in the Muslim UAE, in recent years theyve felt confident enough to be more open in their observance. In 2018, Eli Epstein even donated a Torah scroll to the unofficial synagogue - and spoke with reporters about this gift.

David Zabinsky moved to Dubai from the US in 2015, and recently told the Saudi newspaper Al Arabiya that hes learned about his Jewish religion after joining the flourishing Jewish community there. Hes begun celebrating Shabbat and Jewish holidays. Ironically enough, and perhaps beautifully, its taken me moving to Dubai to become a more observant Jew than I ever was in the US, he notes.

New Chief Rabbi

In 2019, the UAE got its first ever Chief Rabbi. The tightly controlled country granted that title to Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, the University Chaplain and Executive Director at the Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life at New York University (NYU).

Rabbi Yehuda Sarna

As the leader of Jewish life at NYU, Rabbi Sarna was first invited to visit the UAE in 2010 when his university opened a branch there. At first, he was skeptical. When it was suggested in 2010 that I start visiting NYU in Abu Dhabi (in the UAE), where we also have some Jewish students, I said Ill go only if its safe enough for me to go dressed the way I dress, as an Orthodox Jew, he recalled. They said come, and I walk around there with a kippah and tzitzit. Ive gone every year...twice a year exactly as I am now and has not had any problems.

Rabbi Sarnas duties as UAE Chief Rabbi include travelling several times each year to the UAE and helping the Jewish community there thrive. Its a voluntary position and Rabbi Sarna sees great opportunities there. What we see is the first emergence of the first new Jewish community emerging in the Arab world for centuries, he observed.

Anti-Semitism

Despite the tolerance many Jews have experienced in the UAE, troubling instances of anti-Semitism occur there.

In 1999, a British University with an outpost in the UAE, the University of Lincolnshire and Humbershide, revealed that theyd been banning books that mentioned Jews from their UAE campus. Any book by a Jew - as well as any book that mentioned Jews in their bibliographies - were banned from the schools UAE campus. There is a small amount of censorship which applies to all universities in the UAE, a university official explained, and Jews were considered persona non grata in the Muslim state.

That same year, the British Council, a government-run organization promoting British culture overseas, also admitted that their libraries in the UAE similarly censored any mention of Jews. They were merely cooperating with local political, religious (and) moral publishing laws by removing books that mentioned Jews from UAE libraries, they explained.

In 2000, Harvard Divinity School accepted $2.5 million from the Zayed Center, a research organization founded by Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the dictatorial late ruler of the UAE (and the father of the current ruler, Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan). The Center which bore his name was meant to promote education about Islam and religious dialogue. Three years later, a Harvard Divinity student named Rachel Fish researched the Zayed Center and led a call for Harvard to reject the funding and the Zayed Centers odious, anti-Jewish statements.

The Zayed Center ran programs with titles such as Zionist Collusion with the Nazis and Jewish Control of the American Government and Media. Its executive director called Jews the enemies of all nations. The Center issued a report stating the lie that Zionists, not Nazis, were responsible for the Holocaust. The Center donated money to notorious anti-Semites, including Thierry Meyssan, the French writer who claims that the USA orchestrated the September 11 attacks. Sheikh Zayeds wife donated $50,000 to a Holocaust denier. Eventually, Harvard rejected the funding and Sheikh Zayed ordered the center closed.

New Synagogue and Kosher Food

Model for Abahamic House in Abu Dhabi

The UAE designated 2019 a Year of Tolerance in the country. A series of interfaith events brought Christians, Muslims and Jews together across the country. The Muslim nation even hosted a major international conference on battling anti-Semitism, and encouraged participants to sign a pledge to fight anti-Jewish hatred. In 2020, this was followed up with a major announcement: a new Abrahamic House of Fraternity would be built in Abu Dhabi, to be completed in 2022. This compound would include space for a synagogue - the UAEs first official synagogue in living memory.

Elli Kriel at Kosher Fest 2019 in New Jersey with UAE Consul General to NY, H.E. Abdalla Shaheen. (Courtesy: Elli Kriel)

This high profile recognition of the UAEs Jewish community also provided the impetus for another first: the establishment of the first kosher catering business in the Arabian Peninsula, Ellis Kosher Kitchen, set up in May 2020. Elli Kriel, originally from South Africa, moved to Dubai in 2013 when her husband took a job there. Shes cooked kosher food for visiting Jewish travellers for many years. Now, after the Year of Tolerance, she felt brave enough to publicly open a kosher business. I realized there was an opportunity to do more and in a very adventurous moment, I decided to take the plunge, she explained. The simultaneous recognition of our (Jewish) community also bolstered my confidence. I dont think it would have done it before then. https://english.alarabiya.net/en/features/2020/05/28/First-Jewish-kosher-service-launches-in-UAE-making-Gulf-food-history-

Kriels customers arent only Jews. She notes that kosher food is acceptable to eat by religious Muslims, and shes found a welcoming embrace from the UAEs Muslim consumers, as well as her fellow Jews. She recently offered a Ramadan menu to Muslim customers, and has been selling food to a diverse range of expats living in the UAE. Shes also working on a new cookbook, reimagining traditional Emirati dishes for kosher cooks.

Peace with Israel

On August 13, 2020, Israel and the United Arab Emirates revealed a major surprise peace plan that would lead to full normalization of relations between the two nations. This would make the UAE only the third Arab nation after Egypt and Jordan, to sign a peace treaty with Israel and formally recognize the Jewish state.

 This deal is a significant step towards building a more peaceful, secure and prosperous Middle East, Pres. Donald Trump explained when the unexpected agreement was announced. Now that the ice has been broken, I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates lead.

That night, Tel Aviv City Hall was lit up with the colors of the UAE flag, alternated with the blue Jewish star of the Israeli flag. Tel Aviv City Hall tweeted out images of the flags, as well as the message in Arabic: We send love from Tel Aviv.
UN Security Council rejects US draft resolution to extend arms embargo on Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New York, August 15, IRNA -- UN Security Council on Friday rejected the US draft resolution to extend arms embargo on Iran causing a major setback for the US Administration being rebuffed by the UNSC for the first time.

The US draft resolution aimed to extend Iran arms embargo which is expected to be lifted on October 18 under the terms of a 2015 Iran nuclear deal (known as JCPOA) endorsed and made into law by UNSCR 2231.

When the resolution was put on vote, only two of the 15 Council members voted for the resolution  one of them was the United States itself. Two members voted against the resolution and 11 others abstained.

82 days left to US Presidential elections, it seems that the Trump administration has tied its fate in the foreign policy to the extension of Iran arms embargo.

The United States, which unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA two years ago, is endeavoring to prevent the lifting of Iran arms embargo.

In its latest effort, the US proposed a draft resolution to the UN Security Council asking the member states to extend the arms embargo on Tehran.

The US, then, took back its 13-page draft resolution and came up with a watered down context of the draft one day later which was only four paragraphs. The new version was still contrary to the UNSCR 2231.

The voting was held online. Russia and China, which had signaled their objection to the draft from the very beginning, voted against it and the European and NAM member states of the UN Security Council also abstained so that the US faced a humiliating defeat.

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Abe has increasingly sought to whitewash Japans brutal past since taking office in December 2012

Tokyo: Japan on Saturday marked the 75th anniversary of its surrender in World War II, with Emperor Naruhito expressing deep remorse over his countrys wartime actions at a somber annual ceremony curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Naruhito pledged to reflect on the wars events and expressed hope that the tragedy would never be repeated. There was no word of apology from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who gave thanks for the sacrifices of the Japanese war dead but had nothing to say about the suffering of Japans neighbours.

Reflecting on our past and bearing in mind the feelings of deep remorse, I earnestly hope that the ravages of war will never be repeated, Naruhito said in a short speech at the event in Tokyo marking the 75th anniversary of Japans surrender on Aug. 15, 1945.

Amid virus fears and worries about the fading memories of the fast-aging war generation, about 500 participants, reduced from 6,200 last year, mourned the dead with a minute of silence. Masks were required, and there was no singing of the Kimigayo national anthem.

Naruhito has promised to follow in the footsteps of his father, who devoted his 30-year career to making amends for a war fought in the name of Hirohito, the current emperors grandfather.

Abe has increasingly sought to whitewash Japans brutal past since taking office in December 2012. He hasnt acknowledged Japans wartime hostilities during Aug. 15 speeches, which had previously been a nearly 20-year tradition that began with the 1995 apology of Socialist leader Tomiichi Murayama.

Abe, in a largely domestic-focused speech, said the peace that Japan enjoys today is built on the sacrifices of those who died in the war. He pledged that Japan will reflect on lessons from history and will not repeat the war devastation. He listed damage inflicted on Japan and its people, including the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, massive firebombings of Tokyo and the fierce battle of Okinawa.

Abe pledged to play a greater role in tackling global problems. Under his goal of turning Japan into a beautiful and normal nation, Abe has steadily pushed to cleanse Japan of its embarrassing wartime history and build up its military by stretching the interpretation of Japans war-renouncing constitution. It includes acquiring greater missile defense capability in the face of a growing military threat from North Korea and China.

Remembering those days, I strongly feel we should never wage war, said Shoji Nagaya, 93, who traveled from Hokkaido in northern Japan to commemorate his brother who died of illness while serving in China. But politicians today seem to have different views than ours, and I really hope that they will not head to a wrong direction.

Abe stayed away from the shrine that honors convicted war criminals among the war dead. He sent a religious offering through a lawmaker, a gesture meant to avoid angering China and South Korea, which consider the Yasukuni shrine a symbol of Japans militarism. Abe last visited Yasukuni in December 2013.

Four members of his Cabinet did visit the shrine, the first ministerial visit in four years. Among them was Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, the son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi who repeatedly visited the shrine on different occasions, including his last visit as serving prime minister on Aug. 15, 2006, that sparked criticism from China and South Korea.

We decide how we want to pay respects to the war dead. This should not be a diplomatic problem, Internal Affairs Minister Sanae Takaichi, an ultra-conservative who shares Abes historical views, told reporters after praying at the shrine.

Repeated Yasukuni visits by Japanese government officials indicates that on the issue of history, Japan has not completely abandoned militarism, said Wang Shaopu, a Japanese studies professor at Jiao Tong University and honorary president of the Japan Society of Shanghai.

Japans invasion of China has brought huge disaster to the Chinese people. Under these circumstances, if Japan doesnt face up to historical issues, how could we be sure that japan will follow the path of peace in the future?

Kosaburo Tanaka, a martial arts association manager, traveled from Osaka to give thanks for Japans postwar peace. Japan hasnt been in any war over the last 75 years and we were able to live peacefully. I think thats all because of the spirits that rest here in Yasukuni. They protect the peace.

Nobuko Bamba a retiree whose grandmother, uncle and aunt died in the March 10, 1945, U.S. firebombing of Tokyo, thinks both sides of history should be remembered.

There are many people who dont know anything about the war, not only the suffering of the Japanese people, but there are also things that Japanese people did, bad things, Bamba said. Unless we teach these things to future generations, I dont think war would end.

She prayed for her uncle, whose remains have never been found.
Sero surveys conducted by the states to determine the extent of exposure to the Sars-CoV-2 virus that causes the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) have detected high antibody positivity rates among the population in cities such as Mumbai and Delhi and low rates in primarily rural states such as Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. The findings are good news for the cities because the high positivity rates signal a lower risk of reinfection, and conversely, they should worry the states in the hinterland where cases are beginning to spike.

In Mumbai, the positivity rate was 57% in three slums; it was 0.7% in six districts of Bihar and 0.5% in three districts of Chhattisgarh, according to state government officials.

Also read: Govt to focus on protecting health care staff from Covid-19

Sero surveys are being conducted in select districts by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) and state governments to detect how many people have developed immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies to the coronavirus disease and to gauge the extent of infection through random sampling.

Experts said a low sample size could be a reason for under and overestimation of the prevalence of antibodies. Higher antibody positivity rates indicate a lower possibility of reinfection. Lower rates shows that the possibility of Covid-19 spread is still high.

Also read| Covid-19:What you need to know today

Delhi and Mumbai, the two major cities to have completed the sero surveys, have shown different results. While in Mumbai, 57% of the persons surveyed in three slums showed IgG antibodies, in Delhi it was 23.48%. To be sure, the Delhi survey was more comprehensive.

This is suggestive of infection during mid-June, and since then, we have seen a decent increase in the number of cases. That means more people are exposed to the virus, and the disease prevalence could be higher, said Dr Jugal Kishore, head of the community medicine department of Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi.

Click here for complete coronavirus coverage

Delhi has conducted a second survey the results of which are expected in the coming week.

On July 28, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), along with the government think tank NITI Aayog and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), published the results of the survey conducted in three wardsM-West (Tilaknagar and Chembur), F-North (Matunga, Sion and Wadala) and R-North (Dahisar and Mandapeshwar) -- of Mumbai.

Of the total sample size of 6,936 persons, 4,232 were tested in the slums and 2,702 in non-slum residential areas. While in the slums, 57% of the individuals surveyed had once been infected with Covid-19, the proportion was only 16% in non-slum residential areas, the findings showed.

Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha

The prevalence of the virus in slums is high due to the densely populated areas. In non-slums, there is better social distancing and maintenance of hygiene which helped to stop the spread of the virus to a larger number of people, said Suresh Kakani, additional commissioner, BMC.

Bihar performed its first sero survey in six districts, each having a sample size of 400, between May 17 and May 20, when the number of Covid cases in the state was not high because of the low testing ratio of 1,500 per million population. According to baseline data from the first survey, the overall serological positivity rate was 0.7% in the six districts of Bihar. This meant that only 17 out of a total 2,400 people surveyed developed antibodies (immunity) against Sars-CoV-2, said Dr Pradeep Das, director of the ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Agamkuan, in Patna. The second of sero survey in the state will start from August 17.

In Chhattisgarh, the survey was conducted in Bijapur, Kabirdham and Surguja districts in July with a sample size of about 400 people in each district. The results showed that the antibody positivity rate was 0.5%, which a health department official said could be because of a large number of false negatives. The reliability of the test is said to be about 60%, meaning there is a high chance of false negativity in 40% cases. So unless mass testing is done in a very short time, we are not giving priority to this test, said a Chhattisgarh health official, requesting anonymity.

In Odisha, the sero survey conducted in the Covid hotspot district of Ganjam found that 31% of 2,830 people tested had developed antibodies and in Bhubaneswar, it was 1.4% of the 951 tested. Puri had zero positivity. The survey was conducted in July in four districts. Its a good sign as 31% people in Ganjam did not show symptoms and have recovered. In case of Bhubaneswar, the numbers would be higher if the Sero survey is done by the end of this month as the cases are shooting up in Bhubaneswar now, said Dr TM Mohapatra, a microbiologist and former advisor to ICMR.

Not a happy situation

The Kerala health department started a sero survey with the help of the ICMR in three districts, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad, from the last week of May, but the results have not been declared as the findings are not as encouraging as Delhis, said a state health official.

Around 1,600 samples were collected from each district over a period two months, which included police personnel and health workers at high risk of infection, apart from the general population. Virus load, nature of infection and asymptomatic behaviour are quite different in different areas. In Delhi and Mumbai, cases are on the decline because of the herd immunity. But in Kerala, things are not that rosy. Cases are yet to peak here, the health official quoted above said. State health minister KK Shailaja has warned that the daily cases may cross 15,000 by September from 45,000 now.

In Telangana, where the sero survey was conducted by the central governments National Institute of Nutrition on May 30 and 31 with sample sizes of 600 in each of three districts (Jangaon, Kamareddy and Nalgonda), state health minister Eatala Rajender claimed the survey showed no community transmission.

Director of Public Health G Srinivasa Rao said the sero-prevalence survey showed four positive cases out of 1,200 samples in rural areas and 15 positive cases out of 500 samples in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits, indicating that there was no community transmission.

Jharkhands sero surveym conducted in 10 high Covid-19 districts in June, showed an antibody positivity rate of 0.63%. The sample size in each district was a little over 400, which included health workers.

Planning health interventions

In other states such as Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, sero surveys are under way in select districts and the results are expected by the end of August.

We are collecting 3,750 samples from each (of four) districts to find out the extent of the Covid-19 infection among the people, Andhra Pradesh health commissioner Katamaneni Bhaskar said. A Haryana government official said the results would come out after they perform random IgG tests on about 1,000 samples in each of 22 districts of the state.

In Pune, a Covid hotspot in Maharashtra, the first sero survey on 1,550 people was conducted by Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) with the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU). The results of the survey are expected this week. Two other sero surveys by the government-run Sassoon Hospital and the National Institute of Virology (NIV) are expected to start soon.

Results of the ICMR sero survey of a few districts in West Bengal and Assam conducted in May are yet to be announced. Some states such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim have not conducted any sero surveys.

After completing a pilot sero survey around mid-May, to check the level of exposure to the Sars-CoV-2 virus,ICMR on May 31 sent an advisory to all states to perform periodical sero surveys.

ICMRs sero survey results have shown a disease prevalence rate of 0.73% across India, but that was in May. India ended that month with 190,000 cases; it currently has over 2.5 million.
The inquiry into Mr Keelty's disclosures also meant he was under ACLEI scrutiny when he was appointed in December 2018 to a three-person panel by the federal government to advise it on whether ACLEI should be expanded into a new national integrity body with broader jurisdiction. Multiple sources close to Mr Keelty say he is furious at ACLEI and the AFP's handling of the disclosure issue. Since leaving the AFP in 2009, Mr Keelty has worked as an adviser to companies, wealthy families, policing agencies and governments. In September 2018, he was appointed by the federal government as the Inspector-General of the Northern Basin water system, an integrity role that has since expanded to include the Murray-Darling Basin. Portrait of Ben Roberts-Smith by the artist Michael Zavros at the Australian War Memorial. Credit: Mr Keelty told The Age and Herald he had offered the support to Mr Roberts-Smith after a request from a security industry contact who had worked alongside Mr Roberts-Smith for billionaire media mogul Kerry Stokes. Mr Stokes, the executive chairman of Seven Group Holdings, is Mr Roberts-Smith's employer. There is no suggestion Mr Stokes endorsed the actions of Mr Keelty. The confidential information that Mr Keelty disclosed to Mr Roberts-Smith included the existence of three highly sensitive and confidential referrals to the AFP about Mr Roberts-Smith's alleged criminal conduct. These referrals are subject to Commonwealth secrecy provisions designed to ensure that suspects are unaware they are under investigation.

A series of inquiries Two of the 2018 referrals to the AFP were made by the office of the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force as part of its long-running inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by special forces in Afghanistan. The Inspector-General made classified complaints to the federal police about late May 2018 alleging that SAS comrades of Mr Roberts-Smith had claimed that he had participated in the execution of prisoners in southern Afghanistan. Around the same time as these referrals, a female lawyer separately complained to the AFP that she had been allegedly punched in the face by Mr Roberts-Smith while she was conducting an affair with the married war hero. Seven Network chairman and Ben Roberts-Smith's boss Kerry Stokes. Credit:Philip Gostelow In his written statement, Mr Keelty confirmed passing on information about police activity in June 2018. But he stressed that the only reason he had sought information from serving officers about the AFP's interest in Mr Roberts-Smith was to "de-conflict" with his former agency and avoid compromising any active inquiries.

Mr Keelty also said the information he gave Mr Roberts-Smith had been publicly reported at the time of the pair's June 2018 meetings. However, when pressed, he was unable to find any media reports. The earliest reports confirming police interest in Mr Roberts-Smith were published later in 2018, well after Mr Keelty's dealings with him. Mr Keelty said in his statement that Mr Jabbour had told him via text message about June 15, 2018, that "something was on its way" relating to incoming referrals to the federal police about Mr Roberts-Smith. According to Mr Keelty, that text message arrived while he was at his first meeting with Mr Roberts-Smith. Five days later, Mr Keelty again called Mr Jabbour, who told him to speak to AFP Assistant Commissioner Neil Gaughan, the senior officer overseeing the referrals from the defence Inspector-General to the AFP. "I rang Jabbour initially but he said that Gaughan would have the progress, if any, of the referral to the AFP," Mr Keelty said in his statement. "It was Gaughan who told me that three letters of complaint had been received" by the federal police about Mr Roberts-Smith. However, Mr Gaughan disclosed the contact from Mr Keelty to the AFP's internal affairs unit, according to multiple sources. In a statement, the AFP declined to comment other than saying it had referred the disclosures to the corruption watchdog ACLEI in June 2018. Mr Jabbour declined to comment.

Mr Keelty said that prior to meeting Mr Roberts-Smith, he had told then-commissioner Andrew Colvin that, "I was asked to reach out to BRS [Ben Roberts-Smith] who was in 'a world of hurt' following public allegations that he was involved in potential improper conduct while deployed overseas." Mr Keelty claimed that "Colvin agreed to the approach and made no reference to current investigations only to say there is 'stuff running around' and that he, Colvin was not in a position to approach BRS". Mr Colvin declined to comment other than stating the case had been referred to the corruption watchdog. ACLEI confirmed in a statement that the AFP had notified it on June 21, 2018, of allegations that Mr Roberts-Smith had been told sensitive information about the federal police's interest in him. ACLEI said that a week later, on June 27 that year, former Integrity Commissioner Michael Griffin launched a joint covert investigation with the AFP into the alleged leak. 'An eminent Australian' Asked why Mr Keelty gave welfare support to a person he didn't know and who might be under potential investigation by the policing agency he once led, Mr Keelty said: "You are viewing him [Roberts-Smith] as a [an alleged] war criminal. At the times we met, I was viewing him as an eminent Australian who had been publicly vilified. I was not concerning myself with anything other than welfare."

Loading Referrals to police must be handled secretly to allow proper evidence collection and ensure the safety of complainants. The AFP war crimes inquiries gathered evidence, including from eyewitnesses, that led to the AFP submitting a brief of evidence against Mr Roberts-Smith earlier this year. The brief alleges Mr Roberts-Smith is involved in the execution of prisoner Ali Jan in September 2012. There is no suggestion Mr Roberts-Smith did anything wrong in meeting Mr Keelty. He has denied any involvement in war crimes or assaulting a woman and is suing this masthead for reporting the allegations. The Age and Herald are also not suggesting Mr Keelty acted with intent to compromise the AFP inquiry. Mr Keelty said that he had advised Mr Roberts-Smith "about the AFP process that a referral is not a guarantee of an investigation". Mr Keelty said that while he was told by AFP officers of the three Roberts-Smith referrals, he was not told if they were still in the assessment phase or had progressed to full-blown inquiries.
Sanjay Dutt recently announced on social media that he will taking a short break from work to undergo medical treatment. Dutt never revealed his ailment but it is being widely reported that he has been diagnosed with cancer. An official confirmation in the regard from the actor's team or his family remains to come forth.

Many from the film industry expressed their sorrow about Dutt's health. Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor even visited the Panipat actor at his residence a few day after he announced his 'short break' from work on social media.

Now, Dutt's close friend Paresh Ghelani has also lent support to him in this difficult time. Ghelani and Dutt have been close for years. If you have seen 2018 blockbuster hit Sanju, based on Dutt's life, Ghelani aka Kamli's role was portrayed by Vicky Kaushal.

Extending his best wishes to Dutt for his treatment, Ghelani wrote on Instagram, "Brother @duttsanjay. Hard to imagine just few days ago we were talking about how we shall enjoy the next phase of our lives and we were talking about how we have been blessed to be able to ride, walk, jog, crawl, and enjoy the journey thus far; we are where we are. I still believe we are blessed and I know journey forward is going to be as beautiful and as colorful as it has been. God has been kind. nakupenda kaka (sic)."

In his post, Ghelani mentioned, "We know the braveheart you are. You will win this. She hai tu sher (You are a tiger)."

Meanwhile, Dutt also visited the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital with his sister Priya on Saturday.

Dutt's next release is Mahesh Bhatt directorial Sadak 2, premiering on OTT on August 28.
On 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After, Syngin Colchester and Tania Maduro have finally arrived back in South Africa. After Syngins brother ends up in the hospital with a blood clot, Syngin decides to go home to see his family.

The trip is a source of tension for Syngin and Tania, since Syngin cant wait to go home, and Tania is concerned about how things will go. Syngins been making quite a few weird comments that would make anyone in Tanias position a little worried.

Syngin Colchester and Tania Maduro arrive in South Africa

Syngin Colchester and Tania Maduro | syngin_colchester via Instagram

Syngins brother, Dylan, fell on his knee, and only a few days later, he was in the intensive care unit with a blood clot in his lung. Syngin knows that hes needed at home, and he chooses to return to South Africa to see his brother.

When Syngin finally lands back home, his mother, Charmain, and sister, Charys, are there to greet them. Syngin seriously couldnt be happier if he tried, and he tells producers that its almost like he wishes he never left.

Its super cool to be back in South Africa. You know? Im excited, it definitely feels like Im coming home. I wish almost I never left, Syngin tells the cameras while Tania is standing right there.

Syngin and Tania go to see Dylan, and Syngin makes more strange comments

RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: Why Tania Maduro Wants Syngin Colchester to Settle Down

Syngin and Tania make the drive to see Dylan, who is at home recovering. When they get there, Syngin gives his brother a big hug, and its clear they missed each other. Dylan tells his brother that the blood clot was the worst thing hes ever experienced.

During the visit, Syngin takes the time to tell his brother about his time in the United States with Tania. America for me has been a really crazy experience, Syngin tells Dylan. When I left you here that day at the airport, I was like, unsure even Am I going to get married? Whats going to happen? And I went there, done it, stayed longer. But I know its not all sunshine and roses, you know? Theres a lot of s*** thats going on, a lot of stuff you have to pay.

Dylan asks if Syngin has made any friends, and he says he hasnt connected with a friend yet. Syngin also says, Theres a lot going on. Its not the perfect life at all.

Tania tells producers that Syngin has been complaining about America since hes been here. Its clearly a sore subject, and she says its concerning for her.

Syngin says hes having so much fun, that he may never go home

Syngin has been making all sorts of weird comments that would have anyone in Tanias position wondering whats up. Will Syngin return with Tania back to the United States? Or will he choose to stay in South Africa?

In a brand-new sneak peek, Syngin has drinks with some friends, and he makes another comment that makes some fans wonder if Syngin will be returning home with Tania or not. He starts knocking back some drinks, and his friend asks him if hes having fun.

Im having a lot of fun right now brother, Syngin tells him. So much f****** fun that I might never go home. His friend questions that, and Syngin makes a strange face. Why does Syngin keep making comments like this? It makes fans wonder whether Syngin is feeling conflicted about staying with Tania or returning home to South Africa for good.

Syngin has been making some strange statements here and there, and it makes it seem like he could be questioning what to do with his future. Will he return to the United States with his wife? Or could he choose to stay in South Africa? Only time will tell.
(Ross May / Los Angeles Times)

Hey boomers, it's not your imagination. Finding a job in today's COVID economy is harder than ever, especially for "older Americans," i.e. workers 55 and older.

Let's start with the grim statistics (just to get them over with).

According to the "Older Workers Report" released Aug. 5 by the Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis Retirement Equity Lab (ReLab), nearly 3 million workers ages 55 to 70  about 7% of workers in that age group  have left the labor force since mid-March, about 50% more than the 1.9 million older workers who left the labor force after the Great Recession began in late 2007. And unless the labor situation changes posthaste, the report expects an additional million "older workers" to be out of a job before the end of the year.

The sobering prognosis? More than half of unemployed older workers are at risk of "involuntary retirement" due to the pandemic because they can't find a new job, according to the report, and that spells bad news for all of American society moving forward.

"A total of 4 million people potentially pushed into retirement before they are ready will increase old-age poverty and exacerbate the recession," the report said, concluding that "Congress should increase and extend unemployment benefits for older workers, discourage withdrawals from 401(k)s and IRAs, lower Medicare eligibility to 50 and create a Federal Older Workers Bureau."

Nice suggestions, but since Congress has been preoccupied lately with TikTok and deadlocks, maybe it's best for unemployed older workers to move to Plan B: Improve your chances of getting rehired.

Author, speaker and personal finance expert Kerry Hannon can't do much about congressional action, but she has plenty to say about how the older crowd can improve their chances in the job market.

The author of "Great Jobs for Everyone 50+," "Never Too Old To Get Rich," and the soon-to-be-released "Great Pajama Jobs," believes older workers ("I like to say experienced") have taken a bigger hit in COVID-19 furloughs and layoffs in part because they usually have higher pay and beefier benefits than their younger counterparts, making them attractive targets for strapped companies looking to trim their costs.

Story continues

Author, columnist and personal finance expert Kerry Hannon, has published 14 books including the bestselling "Great Jobs for Everyone 50+," "Never Too Old to Get Rich: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting a Business Mid-Life" and the soon-to-be-released "Great Pajama Jobs. Your Complete Guide to Working from Home." (Elizabeth Danitzke)

The good news? When the economy starts recovering, older workers might have an advantage with employers because they will require little or no training and can hit the ground running, especially since employers will likely be working with fewer staff, Hannon said.

Unfortunately, it's also likely those experienced workers will be hired at a lower wage than their previous jobs, Hannon said, noting research by Richard Johnson at the Urban Institute, who wrote in his May 14 blog Urban Wire: "After the Great Recession, workers ages 62 and older were about half as likely to become reemployed as their counterparts ages 25 to 34. And when unemployed older workers found a new job, they earned barely half as much as they did on their previous job."

So what's an older worker to do?

Plenty, Hannon said. Working remotely could be a boon for employees who want the focus on their work product rather than their looks, and in job interviews older workers can play up their demonstrated work ethic, time management skills and maturity.

No question the challenges are greater for older workers who have lost a job. Employers may worry about their increased vulnerability to COVID-19 if they return to the office, their potential for higher healthcare costs, their ability to work with younger colleagues and whether their technology skills are up to date. But Hannon thinks those issues can be overcome with the right preparation. Here are her 11 tips for success:

1. Consider your skillset



A layoff is a good time to consider whether you want to try something new, Hannon said. Look at your skills, make a list of your interests and strengths  ask friends and family for suggestions if you aren't sure  and then look at what jobs might fit the bill. "So often in this age group, people flat-line intellectually; they're not learning something new and get stuck in their ways," she said. "They want to replicate the old job and do what they were doing before, at the same basic salary, and that's a problem because they really need to think about how to take their past experience and transfer it to something new."

2. Self-evaluate and grow



Do not devolve into a panicked state, sending out the same stale resume to dozens of companies and despairing when no one responds. This is the time to beef up your skills, take a few classes and start volunteering with an organization you really care about, so when prospective employers ask what you've been doing, you can show them you've been busy honing your skills and saving the world.

3. Get LinkedIn



Employers are going to do a Google search on prospective hires, and their first and most important stop will likely be your LinkedIn profile. "If you don't have a [profile], you'll look ridiculous," Hannon said. "You need to have a really sharp LinkedIn profile because it really shows who you are." LinkedIn lets you personalize your background and skills while mentioning your volunteer experiences and any new skills you've added since you left your last job. Use a current photo and include videos, articles or presentations  anything that can help employers learn about you and your personality.

4. Customize your resume



"Your resume is not your obituary; it's an advertisement," Hannon said. "Put your skills at the top and stick to the last 10 years." Include a relatively recent CAR story. That stands for a situation that lays out "your challenge, your action and the result" you achieved, ideally a challenge that addresses a problem your prospective employer might face. "You need to customize your resume for whatever jobs you apply for and be very shrewd," she said. "You need to pick a handful of employers where you really want to work, do all the research you can on the company and be very specific about using the words they use in the job description on your resume." Don't focus on achievements from 20 years ago. If you must include any truly stellar moments from years gone by, do it in a brief paragraph at the end.

5. Start sleuthing



Once you've identified the companies where you'd like to work, go on LinkedIn and other sites to find out everything you can about the job and the people who work there. Specifically, you are trying to find someone you know or someone who can make an introduction, because the reality is "employers hire who they know," Hannon said. "I like to say, 'Networking' is just one letter away from 'not working.'"

6. Make a connection



Don't fret about appearing needy; now is the time to tell everybody you know that you're looking for work, because you never know who can help. One of Hannon's clients made dinner for his son and his son's friend, who asked him what he was doing these days. "I'm looking for a job," the dad said, and the friend replied, "You should talk to my mom." The mom didn't get him a job, but she did introduce him to his future boss. "You just never know when somebody can help you," Hannon said.

7. Update but don't overdo



"There's no question that ageism is alive and well," Hannon said, "and people do judge a book by its cover," so it makes sense to update your look with more stylish glasses and clothes but don't go overboard. If you make more drastic changes, like growing a beard, getting Botox or coloring your hair, be sure your LinkedIn photo matches the new you and never make big changes just before an interview; too many things can go wrong.

8. Get physical



The most important change you can make to your look is via exercise, Hannon said, even if it's just walking the dog for 20 minutes every day. When you're physically fit, it doesn't just improve your frame of mind, it gives you energy and a positivity that shines through in an interview. "It's subtle, but when you exercise, it does things to your attitude; it gives you a can-do spirit, where you want to be around that person. It's the best thing you can do to fight ageism. All that energy and positivity comes through even on a Zoom interview, because you just spark."

9. Know thy interviewer



Once you get an interview, find out everything you can about your interviewer. Here's where LinkedIn can really help you again, because it lists personal interests as well as work backgrounds. These personal tidbits are particularly important today, when we can't meet in someone's office. Back then you could search around the room for clues  a photo of children or a beautiful dog. Mention you love dogs too and, boom, you've made a connection. These "ice breakers" need to be authentic, Hannon said, "but anything you can do to enrich information about yourself can help future employers see whether you would fit into the workplace culture."

10. Be curious



Ask a lot of questions during an interview, Hannon said, and start with the phrase, "Something I'm really curious about ...." because curiosity is appealing. "It's the key to an active mind, and it goes a long way to fighting ageism," she said. "It shows you're looking forward and not stuck in the past."

11. Consider salary options



It might be tough to get back to your old salary, but with a solid work history and skills, you can negotiate other options, such as flextime, extra vacation or the ability to work from home. Be open to new opportunities, Hannon said. "We get frozen in place and change is really scary, but this is a great time to redefine how we think about work. We need to make work a part of our lives, not our entire lives."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
FORT WORTH, TEXASDoctors at Parkland Hospital in Dallas reported the first baby in the U.S. known to have contracted the coronavirus while in the womb.

Baby Alexa Figueroa tested positive for COVID-19 less than 24 hours after being delivered six weeks early by mother Wendy Figueroa on May 2, according to Star-Telegram media partner WFAA-TV.

Doctors delivered the baby prematurely after Wendy Figueroa tested positive when she was 34 weeks pregnant.

We immediately separated baby from mother. Mom was wearing a mask during delivery to reduce transmission, said Dr. Mamarambath Jaleel, who runs the Parkland Neonatal ICU, told WFAA.

After baby Alexa tested positive, doctors tested the placenta, which also came back positive.

Having the testing positive of the placenta, the most likely explanation was the transmission of infection was when the baby was in the mothers womb, Dr. Jaleel said.

A day or two later, Alexa developed a fever and required supplemental oxygen, Jaleel told WFAA. According to Jaleel, 128 pregnant women at Parkland have tested positive for COVID-19. Six of the babies later tested positive, but only Alexa got sick, Jaleel said.

Wendy Figueroa was unable to hold Alexa for three weeks after giving birth.

I could not see my daughter. They took her from me. I could only see her from far away. I could not hold her. I cried, Figueroa told WFAA. She cried for 20 consecutive days waiting to hold Alexa for the first time. While she waited, Parkland officials set up an iPad on Alexas incubator during the day so that Wendy could watch her daughter.

When I held my daughter for the first time at that moment nothing else mattered, Figueroa said.

Both mom and daughter eventually recovered from the coronavirus.

Transmission between mother and baby is rare, Parkland Health & Hospital System OB/GYN Dr. Wilmer Moreno told KXAS-TV.

An article about the case was published in The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal on July 10.

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OTTAWADerek Sloan became a Member of Parliament in October 2019 promising to fight for a Canada where, even when people disagree, we can learn to respect each other and work together.

Less than a year later, Sloans unlikely bid for the Conservative Party leadership has shown little evidence of building any bridges.

Sloan has failed to secure the endorsement of any sitting MP or senator. He even faced an attempt by his colleagues to expel him from the caucus over a campaign video that questioned if the federal chief public health officer, Theresa Tam, was working for Canada or China.

His campaign has cribbed policies from U.S. President Donald Trump, promising to cut Canadas contributions to the World Health Organization, list antifa as a terrorist organization and pull out of the Paris Accord.

Hes a social conservative whose most detailed policy plank is to restrict access to abortion, and has drawn criticism for comments about LGBTQ people.

The MP for Hastings-Lennox and Addington has also vowed to dramatically reduce immigration, with policy that closely mirrors that Maxime Berniers failed far-right political splinter group, the Peoples Party of Canada. Sloan has railed against the idea of mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations and suggested that the required use of face masks is a form of political control.

Of the four candidates vying for the partys leadership on Aug. 21, his campaign might be the longest shot  and he has very likely known that for some time.

So what is Derek Sloans endgame?

Thats not something hes been willing to share with the Star. Sloans campaign did not respond to numerous interview requests in July and August.

The 35-year old MP was born outside Waterford, Ont., and is married with three young children. Hes a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a Protestant denomination that observes Saturdays as the Sabbath emphasizes the second coming of Jesus Christ.

In an interview with the Canadian Adventist Messenger shortly after his election, Sloan said he believed God was leading him and had placed (him) in the riding at an opportune time.

I have been keeping my eyes open for Gods leading in my life and will see how that materializes in Ottawa and how that manifests itself over the next couple of years, Sloan told the magazine.

After attending an Adventist school in California, Sloan briefly ran a liquidation furniture outlet in Oshawa before getting a law degree from Queens University.

Sloan told the Messenger that he became aware of certain trends that were going on and decided to defend religious liberty with his law degree.

(I) began to be more drawn to politics and began to be more concerned about the trend of intolerance toward people who hold nonmainstream views, Sloan said. That includes people, obviously, of a religious persuasion, but it also includes others as well.

Sloan has carried that concern with freedom of expression into his leadership campaign, with vows to end cancel culture in both Canadian society and the Conservative party.

His platform has shades of Berniers 2017 leadership pitch  resolutely pro-gun, it proposes significant reductions in annual immigration rates, scrapping environmental regulations and cutting foreign aid in favour of investment at home.

But Sloans approach also appears to have been influenced by Brad Trost, the former Saskatchewan MP who placed a surprising fourth in the partys 2017 leadership convention. Trost, who did not run for the Conservatives in 2019 after losing a battle for the Saskatoon-University nomination, has endorsed both Sloan and another leadership contender, Leslyn Lewis.

Like Trost, Sloan appears to be targeting Chinese Canadians for support  hes the only candidate whose website includes a Mandarin translation of his platform. In the 2017 race, social conservative candidates did well both in Saskatchewan and the GTA suburbs, especially Scarborough and Mississauga. Sloan may well tap into those constituencies.

Sloan has also been endorsed by Campaign Life Coalition, an anti-abortion group that has some weight with the partys social-conservative wing.

Managing his campaign is Paula Iturri, a former aide to outgoing leader Andrew Scheer. Iturri has spoken to the Star throughout the campaign, she did not respond to numerous emails in July and August. Ottawa newspaper The Hill Times reported that Daniel Paolini, a member of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Partys executive, is also assisting Sloans campaign. But compared to rivals Lewis, Erin OToole and Peter MacKay, Sloans campaign team appears quite small.

Despite the smaller operation, the Sloan campaign managed to raise roughly $739,000 during the first six months of 2020  well behind the rest of the pack, but not an insignificant amount of money.

Most Conservative insiders believe Sloan will be the first name knocked off the ranked ballot in the Conservatives run-off election. But a strong showing on that first ballot, between 10 and 15 per cent support, would show whoever ends up leader that he has to be taken seriously.

I do think that hes not in this to light all the bridges on fire. Hes a brand-new MP, its not going to be in his interest to torch everything, said Kate Harrison, a conservative commentator and vice-president with Summa Strategies in Ottawa.

Hes got a bit of political shelf life, in terms of the new leader kind of listening to him and taking him seriously perhaps on some items, said Harrison. Theres certainly an audience in the party for (Sloans) message, so whoever the winner is, you cant ignore somebody like Derek.

Sloans pursuit of becoming his partys social conservative standard bearer has been complicated, however, by Lewiss strong performance; the Toronto lawyer has appealed to both social conservatives and a broader constituency within the Conservative movement.

This is the first time were seeing a more well-rounded, thoughtful social conservative candidate in the race that has made an effort to move beyond social conservative issues in Lewis, Harrison said.

Theres definitely some groundswell and momentum for that.

Its unlikely, however he finishes in the Aug. 21 vote, that the next leader will be coming to Sloan for party policy. Hes also unlikely to be the most popular member in caucus once all this is behind the party.

But that was probably never the point. Sloans campaign has shifted the overall conversation in the race, kept social conservative issues front and centre, and boosted his own national profile within the movement in the process. That begins to look like something of an endgame for the rookie Ontario MP.

Nearly 270,000 members of the Conservative Party of Canada are eligible to vote for the partys next leader. To be counted, the ballots  on which party members rank the candidates in order of preference  must be received by Aug. 21 at 5 p.m. EDT.

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The idling school bus fumes are turning your stomach into an even thicker knot of nerves. Your clammy palm tightly grips the hand of a loved one, as if trying to hold onto the last days of summer.

But you arent a child. You are a parent in Ontario whose mind is racing, thinking about all the unknowables as you prepare to send your kids back to school this September.

Shraddha Pai, a computational scientist and research fellow at the University of Torontos Donnelly Centre, is one such parent who says shes feeling very nervous about sending her 11-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son.

Though masks have proven to slow the spread of COVID-19 in a hospital setting  and just this past week the American Academy of Pediatrics released new guidelines stating that children as young as two can safely wear them  kids returning to schoolyards across the province from kindergarten through Grade 3 wont be required to wear them.

The lack of mask mandate makes us very nervous, said Pai, referring to Ontarios back-to-school plan, and theres no question in her mind that she will be masking her eight-year-old.

For parents who are opting for in-person teaching, or feel their hand is being forced, there are still a lot of questions about how to prepare their children. Fortunately, Morgan Livingstone, a child life specialist at Sunnybrook Hospital, and Dr. Jacqueline Wong, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at McMaster Childrens Hospital, have some answers  from how to ease mask anxiety to what alternatives are safe and available.

Whats the best way to make your child comfortable with wearing a mask?

Mnemonic devices are the key here, and the one to engrave in your mind is the four Ps: play, practice, preparation and patience.

The patience comes last, because youre going to need a lot of it, Livingstone says in a phone interview.

When it comes to practice, both experts underscore that you dont simply want to have your child wear a mask inside and consider that a job well done.

You should be putting masks on their toys, on the family dog, and offering play opportunities that help to normalize this new task, Livingstone explains.

Its also important to understand how long you can hold your childs attention without creating a negative association with the mask, she adds.

You know, start with five minutes, then extend by one minute each day. Or, if you need to start smaller, thats fine too. Reasonable and measurable goals are a great way for kids to see progress if this is a particularly difficult thing for them.

Seeing parents, older siblings and other relatives in masks will also help normalize the behaviour.

Wong adds that its important to recognize and address kids frustration: If theyre worried they wont look cool, if theyre uncomfortable, make sure (you) acknowledge these feelings and look for solutions together.

On the flip side, she says, its equally important to offer positive reinforcement when you see or hear from someone, such as a teacher, that your child has made progress.

That will help your child work through whatever negative feelings they are having.

What if your child messes up?

Its inevitable: kids are going to lose their masks. Instead of getting mad, Livingstone says, we should prepare for these bumps in the road. Packing an extra mask is the first line of defence.

When they do mess up, use it as a teachable moment, she says. You can even encourage games where they need to correct you.

Wong suggests designating one pocket of the childs backpack for a backup mask in a ziploc bag.

For younger kids, if opening a sealed bag is tricky, Livingstone recommends a breakaway lanyard  the kind that doesnt pose a strangulation risk: Theyre a great way to encourage your kid to have their mask on their body at all times.

How can anxious parents talk to kids about masks without scaring them?

Its important for parents to express their feelings in a way that encourages children to do the same.

So (parents) can say: Im very hopeful that when you practise this, youll be more comfortable and confident to wear your mask in the classroom, Livingstone says.

Too much talk, however, can lead to anxiety. So instead of dwelling on the things you cant control, such as what other students are doing, she says parents should focus on what they can control.

Pai, for instance, found a way to incorporate daily COVID-19 updates into family time: We watch the evening news as a family every night, and we sort of ask and encourage the kids to ask questions.

Family activities, such as sewing masks for others in the community, can also emphasize the importance of wearing them.

Kids will still worry, but Livingstone and Wong say thats OK.

A lot of the time, worry helps us actually to do things better and more effectively, Livingstone says. When we worry about COVID-19, it actually might help us to want to wear that mask a bit longer.

Encouraging children to talk about their concerns is a healthy norm that we should be embracing, she adds. Having a worry cup or a worry monster in the house  that you can feed your worries to  can help.

Is there different advice for kids with developmental challenges?

Finding the right mask might take a bit more time and patience for kids with sensory sensitivities, but Wong says a comfortable fit is the key: The kids are less likely to fidget.

Livingstone suggests starting with a simple Im touching your face and youre touching my face game, tracing with a finger from the nose, around the mouth and to the chin. This way, she says, they can see that its not threatening and it wont hurt them.

You can build from there to having the child touch masks with different textures until you settle on one.

Its important to keep it fun and focus on exposing them to different sensory experiences, slowly and in a cumulative way.

What about really young kids?

Vernon Kee, who has a four-year-old entering kindergarten this fall in Toronto, finds that when his daughter is struggling to learn something new, it helps to create games with goals.

You can give an award for going a certain time without fidgeting, or play a game where they are superheroes and if they touch their mask they lose their superpowers.

In a now-viral tweet, the young girl learned to put her mask on in less than a minute. There are still hiccups but, as Livingstone advises, they use them as teachable moments.

Habits are hard to break, he says in an email interview. She has also learned to call us out if we touch our mask, so it can be a game we all play.

Social stories that your child creates can also enforce routines. Livingstone suggests a storybook that sets out exactly how your childs morning will look: I wake up, I get dressed and wash my hands and put my mask on as I leave the house.

If your child is getting used to a disposable mask, Livingstone recommends what some of her young cancer patients do: use markers to create fun designs.

Super red kissy faces. Funny moustaches. Toothless smiles. Anything you want we can make it fun through play.

While wearing the mask is non-negotiable, Wong says allowing them the opportunity to choose the pattern, the colour, designs  makes it more fun and gives them some power in this decision making.

Does a reward system make sense?

It works for Kee, whose daughter must wear her mask to get screen time. But Livingstone cautions some kids will feel punished if they dont get the reward, and you might have to keep upping the ante.

One option, she says, is a reward for the whole family, such as a movie night. For younger children, a chart to collect stickers for mask wearing or hand washing is another possibility.

Are there mask alternatives?

After 20 years of medical practice, Livingstone says its quite normal for families to seek options to cloth or disposable masks.

There are several: elastic around the head instead of behind the ears; versions that can settle on the back of the neck; ones that can attach to a headband.

If none of those work, Wong also mentions face shields and gaiters, which fit around the neck and can be pulled up over the face.

How can I control the risk in the school environment?

Masks are not the be all end all, Wong cautions. Theyre part of a bundle of precautions.

Washing your hands, practising physical distancing and covering our face when we can are all important, she says. Prolonged exposure in enclosed spaces, that increases risk. But doorways, hallways, bathrooms are all lower risk because theyre transient.

Parents cant control every situation and thats OK, says Wong. There are going to be unknowns, because these are unprecedented times.

Correction  Aug. 16, 2020: This story has been edited to correct a quote by Dr. Jacqueline Wong.
Infosys said the portfolio management services of Bela Parikh had bought 2,754 shares during the open trading window period

New Delhi: Infosys on Friday said there had been an "inadvertent trade" by the portfolio management services of Bela Parikh, spouse of the company's independent director Bobby Parikh.

Following this, a penalty of Rs 2 lakh has been imposed on Bobby Parikh, Infosys said in a regulatory filing.

Detailing out the inadvertent trade by a designated person, Infosys said the portfolio management services of Bela Parikh had bought 2,754 shares during the open trading window period "without the knowledge of Bobby Parikh and without obtaining pre-clearance of trade".

Bobby Parikh is the joint holder of that account.

"Parikh has confirmed that he was not in possession of any Unpublished Price Sensitive Information (UPSI). The Audit Committee of the company was notified of this matter," it added.

Based on Bobby Parikh's submission, the Audit Committee has concluded that this was an inadvertent trade made without intent to violate the company's insider trading policy or the Sebi's Prohibition of Insider Trading Regulations, 2015 (PIT Regulations), the filing said.

"However, the Audit Committee has determined that there was a violation of the company's Policy and PIT Regulations and has therefore imposed on Mr Parikh, a penalty of Rs 2,00,000 which amount shall be remitted to Investor Protection Education Fund (IPEF) in line with the PIT Regulations," it said.
At least 21 Taliban militants were killed and seven others injured in clashes that erupted in two Afghan provinces, army authorities said on Sunday.
The federal government is blocking three out of four applications for Australians to leave the country while the borders are closed, amid concerns they could spread coronavirus when they return home.

MPs from across Sydney, including Liberal Dave Sharma in Wentworth in the eastern suburbs, independent Zali Steggall in Warringah, and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and fellow Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek in the inner west, have been fielding numerous requests for assistance from residents stuck here because of the travel ban.

Donna Burton was refused permission to go to England for her only daughter's wedding. Credit:Steven Siewert

Mr Sharma said federal government MPs were starting to raise concerns internally about the travel ban, which he described as a "pretty extraordinary restriction on people's liberty".

"This is an extreme measure for extreme times but it cannot be something we contemplate keeping in place for the long term," Mr Sharma said. "There's no other country of which I'm aware that is imposing an exit permit system, like we've got in Australia."
Kabul, Aug 16 : At least 21 Taliban militants were killed and seven others injured in clashes that erupted in two Afghan provinces, army authorities said on Sunday.

In Badghis province, 12 militants were killed and one injured after an airstrike was launched in support of ground forces in Qarchaghi village of Qadis district, Xinhua news agency quoted the Afghan National Army Special Operations Corps as saying in a statement.

In the eastern Ghazni province, nine Taliban militants were killed and six others wounded when security forces attacked their position in Chahar Dewar locality of Andar district.

The targeted militants were preparing to attack security checkpoints in the region.

The national security forces continued in cleanup operations across Afghanistan since early this year as daily violence and clashes have been continuing in the war-torn country.

The Taliban group is yet to make comments on the report.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that India and Mauritius enjoy a unique friendship based on shared cultural and linguistic heritage, and robust cooperation in many areas.

He was responding to Mauritius' Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth's greetings to him on India's 74th Independence Day, which was celebrated on Saturday.

"Happy Independence Day India. God bless the Government and the people of this great nation. Jai Hind," the Mauritius PM tweeted.

Modi in his reply said, "Thank you for your greetings, Prime Minister P K Jugnauth! India and Mauritius enjoy a unique friendship, based on shared cultural and linguistic heritage and robust cooperation in many areas."
Mexico will need up to 200 million coronavirus vaccine doses, according to a senior government official, and inoculation of its 120 million inhabitants could start as early as April if clinical trials and regulatory approvals for pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca Plc go as planned.

In partnership with the governments of Mexico and Argentina, AstraZeneca initially plans to produce 150 million doses in early 2021 and eventually make at least 400 million doses for distribution throughout Latin America. AstraZeneca is among those working on Covid-19 vaccine candidates now in development around the world.

Mexicos government also has said it is considering other options for bringing a vaccine quickly to its population, the second-largest in Latin America.

Also read| Covid-19 vaccine trial likely to conclude by Nov, production may start in early 2021: AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca will be able to produce between 30 and 35 million vaccines per month, Martha Delgado, a Mexican deputy foreign minister, told Reuters in an interview on Friday.

The vaccine could require two doses to be effective, Delgado said.

If we need 200 million, were going to be vaccinating for a long time, Delgado added.

Last-stage so-called Phase III trials are expected to conclude by November or December, after which AstraZeneca will seek government approvals if the vaccine is found to be safe and effective. If that goes smoothly, Delgado estimated the first vaccines in Mexico could be administered in April.

Mexicos death toll of 55,908 stands as the worlds third highest, behind the United States and Brazil. Latin Americas 6 million cases and more than 237,000 deaths make it the worlds hardest-hit region.

To ensure all Mexicans have access to a vaccine, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors government is in talks with other pharmaceutical laboratories in different stages of developing a vaccine.

Astras production isnt going to be enough for Mexico. We need to supplement that with a couple of more vaccines, Delgado said.

Mexicos government has completed memorandums of understanding with French drugmaker Sanofi, Johnson & Johnsons Janssen unit and Chinese companies CanSino Biologics Inc and Walvax Biotechnology Co Ltd.

CanSino and Walvax are interested in producing a vaccine in Mexico for delivery to the Latin American market.

Mexicos health authorities are evaluating the Phase I and II clinical trials of those four companies and will determine the viability of Phase III studies in Mexico in the coming weeks, Delgado said. The earlier phase trials represent an initial test of a vaccines safety and effectiveness among small numbers of subjects.

To save time, Mexicos federal health regulator COFEPRIS will start analyzing AstraZenecas completed studies and accelerate approvals if Phase III is successful.

This is the countrys strategy to diversify our possibilities of having access to the vaccine as soon as possible ... and obviously at an affordable cost for the country, Delgado said.
Police in The Hague arrested 27 people as the rioting continued for the third night in a row, with youths setting a storage building alight and hurling stones and fireworks at officers into the early hours of Saturday morning.

The unrest started earlier this week as temperatures spiked in the Netherlands, while local authorities banned residents from opening fire hydrants to cool down.

More than 20 people were arrested the previous night amid local riots.

Officers said they arrested people for offences including public violence, incitement and threatening behaviour.

Riot police guarded firefighters as they extinguished a store shed that had been torched amid the unrest.

Recommended Dutch riot over right to cool off from fire hydrants amid heatwave

A neighbourhood in the city of Utrecht also saw disorder and arrests on Friday.

As the riots broke out in two neighbourhoods that are home to many immigrant families, right-wing populists are using the disturbances to argue to deportations and bolster anti-migrant rhetoric in the Netherlands.

This week has been the hottest week since the Netherlands started records, with a seven-day average of 33.1C. The previous record was 32C in 1972.
It is a fact that should provoke reflection among Republicans that five of the seven justices on the current state Supreme Court were either appointed or reappointed by a governor named Christie.

Chris Christie was responsible for four and Christie Whitman for one.

So Republicans have no one but themselves to blame for that unanimous decision last week that permitted our Democratic governor to add what could be as much as $9.9 billion to one of the biggest borrowing tabs in the Union.

But theres at least one Republican who can say, I told you so.

Thats Leonard Lance, the former state legislator and Congressman from Hunterdon County whose father was among the framers of our 1947 constitution.

That constitution has one of the strongest debt-limitation clauses in the country. It states that the people have a right to vote on state borrowing done in any manner.

Back in the Whitman administration, Lance outraged his fellow Republicans by opposing a scheme for pension bonds that was, as our English friends like to say, too clever by half.

The idea was the state would sell bonds for $2.7 billion and invest the money with Wall Street at a higher rate than the debt service on the bonds.

But a few years later, the internet bubble burst and much of the bond proceeds disappeared. But were still paying the bonds back.

We still owe $5 billion on $2.7 billion of bonding, Lance told me last week. Were paying $500 million a year from now till 2029.

We are indeed. But the Supreme Court under the first Governor named Christie, Whitman, ruled the borrowing did not have to go to the voters because the borrowing had already occurred.

As for the decision last week by the Supreme Court dominated by appointees of the second governor named Christie, Lance said he could understand why the judges permitted some borrowing for the current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30.

The pandemic was a significant, terrible event that could not have been anticipated, he said. Therefore I would permit debt without voter approval for the current fiscal year.

But as for fiscal 2021, Further general obligation debt should go to the people for their approval.

If it were voted down, then the governor would have to modify his budget, Lance said.

Thats because the general obligation in that sort of debt is the ability of the creditors to demand a statewide property tax in the event the state cant pay the debt back.

I predict our debt rating is going to go down, he said. Were second only to Illinois.

Second from the bottom, that is. A prime reason is the pension problem that the first Christie punted on.

The state is required to make a payment of more than $4 billion into the funds in the next budget. But if the state borrows that $4 billion or more, weve got a classic case of robbing Peter to pay Paul.

The only thing standing in the way is Steve  Sweeney, that is. The Senate President has made pension reform his top issue ever since he was a mere senator from Gloucester County.

Once he became Senate President, Sweeney cooperated with the second Governor Christie to enact some reforms that were badly needed - but still insufficient to bring the pension funds into balance. More is needed, Sweeney said.

I think reforms have to come and should be looked at, Sweeney told me last week. If not now, when?

Good question. A lot of Democrats would no doubt answer, Not in an election year. The governorship and all 120 legislative seats are on the ballot in 2021.

Gov. Phil Murphy has made unionized public employees his main focus, so dont expect him to be pushing the Path to Progress pension and benefits reform program that Sweeney has assembled with bipartisan support.

But the governors got a problem: The court left the purse strings in control of the Legislature. Any authority for bonding has to be approved by a four-member committee consisting of the heads of each house and of each budget committee.

Sweeneys already signaling that committee will not be too quick to add to the states debt burden.

Were looking at numbers that are better than anticipated, he said. We gave authority for $9.9 billion but now we dont need that. We want to get a budget done borrowing the least amount of money possible.

This should make for a fun confrontation as Murphy prepares the new budget he will introduce to the legislators on Aug. 25.

Will the Democrats finally institute the sort of pension reforms that even the Republicans failed to enact? Or will they push us even further into debt?

Lance said he fears this borrowing binge will just lead to another in the following fiscal year.

This is a great state. This is an affluent state, he said. We should not be a banana republic.

He certainly warned his fellow Republicans.

Lets hope the Democrats will listen this time.
Virgin Australia's owner-in-waiting Bain Capital faces a fracturing relationship with one of the airline's key unions, which could threaten support for the sale at next month's creditors meeting and jeopardise $200 million in government assistance offered to get the airline flying again.

The spat emerged ahead of a hearing in the NSW Federal Court on Monday, in which two major Virgin bondholders will try to force administrator Deloitte to put their alternative proposal for Virgin to a vote of creditors on September 4.

Virgin bondholders will be in court on Monday pushing for their proposal for the airline to be put to a vote for creditors. Credit:Ryan Pierse

With Virgin and its unions starting negotiations over a restructure announced earlier this month which will see 3000 jobs go, or a quarter of its workforce, Transport Workers Union national secretary Michael Kaine said on Sunday that the union remained concerned about Bain's intention to appoint former Qantas executive and Jetstar boss Jayne Hrdlicka as a board member at Virgin.

He said the response the union had received on the make up of the board was unsatisfactory, which has the potential to threaten workers' support for the Bain deal at the second creditors meeting next month. Virgin's workers will be a crucial voting block at the meeting, accounting for around 9000 of its 12,000 creditors.
michael barbaro

From The New York Times, Im Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily. Today: For the first time in nearly 30 years, an Arab country has established full diplomatic relations with the state of Israel. Mark Landler on what it says about the changing dynamics of the Middle East. Its Tuesday, August 18. Mark, tell me about this dinner.

mark landler

Well, so it was March of 2018. My recollection was it was kind of a rainy night. And it was a dinner at a restaurant called Cafe Milano, which is in Georgetown. And this is one of these classic Washington watering holes. The Trumps go there. The Obama administration, top officials used to go. Its an Italian restaurant, you know, full of power brokers. And one of the most faithful and well-heeled customers of this restaurant is a diplomat whose name is Yousef Otaiba. And Otaiba is the United Arab Emirates ambassador to Washington. So hes not necessarily a diplomat from one of the worlds biggest countries. But he has transformed himself into one of the most well-connected and influential ambassadors in Washington. And one of the ways he has done this over the years is by developing this network of contacts among administration officials, both Democratic and Republican people on Capitol Hill and members of the media, which is how yours truly got to find himself at Cafe Milano that night in March. Otaiba had put together a dinner with a senior Trump administration official, who oversaw the administrations policy toward Iran, as well as a number of other senior journalists and one other guest, who was the ambassador to the United States from Bahrain  which is another Persian Gulf kingdom. So we sat down for what was kind of a classic Yousef Otaiba evening. But early in the evening, we realized, or we were told by the owner of the restaurant, that there was another important person dining there that night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel.

michael barbaro

Huh.

mark landler

Who is in town in Washington that week for the annual meeting of AIPAC, which is a big pro-Israel lobbying group. And he was dining there that night with his wife Sara. So in this private room where we were gathered with Otaiba, a group of us began to say, well, wouldnt it be interesting slash fun to invite Netanyahu to come say hi to the group.

michael barbaro

Now why would that be interesting and fun?

mark landler

Well, interesting because the idea of the prime minister of Israel coming in to meet with two diplomats from Gulf Arab countries would really be actually sort of a small landmark. These are countries, after all, that dont recognize Israel, that have spent years denouncing Israel, the very notion of a Zionist state, that are huge champions of the Palestinians. And so the idea that Netanyahu would come in and greet and make small talk would be kind of a big deal. So with Otaibas agreement, one of the guests at the table slipped out and made his way across the restaurant, introduced himself to the prime minister, and said, you know, gee, when youre finished with dinner, why dont you and your wife come over and say hi to Yousef Otaiba and his guests? And Netanyahu said he would.

michael barbaro

What happens next?

mark landler

Well, so toward the end of the evening, as promised, the door opens. And Prime Minister Netanyahu and his wife Sara walk in. And its initially a somewhat stilted affair. People stand up. No one is quite sure what to do. Hes not really going to sit down and join us for dessert. But its really clear right away that Netanyahu wants to use this moment to drive home a point. And the point he wants to drive home is that Israel and the United Arab Emirates have reasons to be friendlier with one another. And the way he does it is by showcasing their shared enemy, which is Iran. And so Netanyahu, as he has done publicly and privately scores of times, goes into a fairly familiar diatribe about Iranian misbehavior, Iranian misdeeds, and how Israel and the Gulf countries need to ally themselves against this threat from Iran. Otaiba nods throughout this. Hes in agreement with everything that Netanyahu is saying. And so on the surface, it feels like a rather innocuous conversation. But the interesting moment comes a little bit later when Sara Netanyahu, who has a big personality, suddenly interjects to the ambassador, we would love to welcome you to Jerusalem. And Otaibas reaction is very polite and very charming. And he nods. But hes somewhat noncommittal. He doesnt say, oh, yes, sure, Ill be there.

michael barbaro

Right.

mark landler

He just sort of suggests that it would be lovely if that happened. And on that kind of note, this meeting breaks up. And Netanyahu and his wife take their leave. The door closes. And then we all sit back down to digest what just happened.

michael barbaro

My sense is that this kind of exchange is quite taboo and they would not have wanted that interaction reported, for example.

mark landler

Well, indeed. And after Prime Minister Netanyahu left, the ambassador looked around the table and said, you realize that if you guys report this, Im going to be in a lot of trouble back home. Now the ground rules for this dinner were that it was off the record. This is the way that Otaibas dinners are always run. So none of us went into that dinner with the expectation that we were going to be reporting things out of it. But it must be said that Washington is a leaky town. And there were 10 reporters sitting around a table. So the fact of this dinner and the encounter between Otaiba and Netanyahu did leak out. And it was reported on by the A.P. in the Israeli press, in the Arab press. So it sort of falls into the category of an open secret, which in an odd way is a metaphor for the closer ties between the Gulf states and Israel. Everyone knows its happening. You just dont really see it out in the open.

michael barbaro

Right. But just to be clear, it was not reported by Mark Landler, upstanding journalist who honors off-the-record agreements.

mark landler

It was not. And I should say at this moment, that I contacted Ambassador Otaiba and asked him, in light of this weeks news, whether he would be fine with me sharing this anecdote publicly. And he said he would, which is why I am able to tell it to you today.

michael barbaro

So Mark, its now very clear that whatever you observed at that dinner has continued on and led up to this week.

mark landler

Yeah, thats right. And its actually led us to a really remarkable outcome in the annals of Middle East diplomacy. The United Arab Emirates announced it would normalize relations with the state of Israel, thus joining a very small number of Arab states to have recognized Israel. And it was in no small part a deal brokered by the Trump administration.

michael barbaro

Mhm. Just a few moments ago, I hosted a very special call with two friends, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed of the United Arab Emirates, where they agreed to finalize a historical peace agreement.

mark landler

And they agreed 

archived recording (donald trump) After 49 years, Israel and the United Arab Emirates will fully normalize their diplomatic relations.

mark landler

 to actually formalize a normalized relationship between them. And then afterwards, President Trump called the cameras into the Oval Office for what he declared, not using hyperbole, as a huge deal.

michael barbaro

Mhm.

archived recording (donald trump) This is a truly historic moment. Not since the Israel-Jordan peace treaty was signed more than 25 years ago has so much progress been made towards peace in the Middle East.

mark landler

Because it is, in fact, a pretty huge deal.

michael barbaro

And when you say normalize, what does that actually mean, to normalize the relationship between these two countries?

mark landler

Well, on a very concrete level, it allows for certain things to happen. It allows for you to open an embassy and have an ambassador. It allows for flights to originate and fly between the countries. It deepens trading relationships. It also allows you to align yourselves much better strategically. And that becomes a big issue when youre talking about confronting Iran. Whether its sharing intelligence, or working together diplomatically, or simply consulting one another, its much easier to do that when you have a traditional diplomatic relationship. It allows you to present a united front against a common foe.

michael barbaro

But Mark, beyond formalizing a normal relationship between the two countries, what does this deal actually do? And what did both sides get and give up?

mark landler

Well, first of all, it accomplishes something that Israel has long sought, which is to increase the list of its Arab neighbors that recognize it and have normal relations with it. From Israels perspective, having the U.A.E. in its corner is extremely important, because the U.A.E. has a great deal of influence over Saudi Arabia. And Saudi Arabia is the big actor in this sphere. It is the leading Arab country in the Gulf. Its the country that Israel most wants to obtain recognition from, most wants to normalize relations with. So thats on the one hand. On the other hand, from the perspective of the United Arab Emirates, whats key to this deal is that Israel has agreed not to annex occupied Palestinian territories in the West Bank. If you recall, Prime Minister Netanyahu had said he planned to annex these territories.

archived recording (benjamin netanyahu) That Israel will retain security control in the entire area west of the Jordan River, thereby giving Israel a permanent Eastern border.

mark landler

With or without a peace agreement with the Palestinians.

archived recording (benjamin netanyahu) This is something weve longed to have. [APPLAUSE] We now have such a recognized boundary.

mark landler

And integrate them into the state of Israel. This is something that the Arab states, including the U.A.E., profoundly opposed. And so in a major quid pro quo, the U.A.E. basically said, if you dont annex, we will normalize. So each side got something. And each side gave up something. In that sense, it was a sort of a classic diplomatic trade off.

michael barbaro

So lets talk about the motivations that led the players here, the people you had seen at that dinner 18 months ago, to make this deal. Because as you said, at the time, it didnt necessarily seem like something that would happen. So what happened between that dinner and this week that got both countries to this point?

mark landler

Well, the U.A.E. had always been open to a closer relationship with Israel. But there were several things holding it back. And the most important of these was the plight of the Palestinians. As long as there was this consensus in the Arab world that the Palestinians were being oppressed by Israel, there was no way that the U.A.E. could draw closer to Israel, even though it was interested in doing so because it felt very much that they had this common enemy in Iran. And so really the most important thing that changed was, frankly, the diplomacy of the Trump administration. The Trump administration came into the region and tried to broker a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians that was tilted very heavily in favor of Israel. It contemplated the existence of a Palestinian state, but one that would be extremely fragmented with very little authority, very much a vassal state of Israel. And it was an offer that the Palestinians rejected out of hand. They refused to come to the table and sort of left the peace process at a standoff. What that in turn did, though, is precipitate Prime Minister Netanyahu to declare, Im not going to wait for a peace deal. Im going to go ahead and annex these settlement areas on the West Bank. These are places where Jewish settlers have built housing. Im going to annex them into the state of Israel with or without a peace deal.

michael barbaro

Right.

mark landler

Netanyahu had come off a very difficult year, if you recall.

archived recording Benjamin Netanyahu, who heads up the right-wing Likud party, has given up trying to form a new Israeli government.

mark landler

There were multiple indecisive elections.

archived recording (benjamin netanyahu) [SPEAKING HEBREW] archived recording (translator) Since receiving the mandate, Ive worked nonstop, both openly and secretly, to form a broad national unity government. This is what the people want. And this is also what Israel needs.

mark landler

He was unable to put together a true governing majority. He finally worked out a deal with his primary opponent to rotate the job of prime minister. On top of all of this, he is facing trial on corruption charges.

michael barbaro

Right.

mark landler

And there is a real question over his future.

archived recording (benjamin netanyahu) [SPEAKING HEBREW] archived recording (translator) Elements in police at the General Attorneys office have allied with left-wing media. I call them the Just Not Bibi Gang  in order to stitch up unfounded and hallucinatory cases against me. Your objective is to topple a strong right wing prime minister.

mark landler

So you have this prime minister who is somewhat cornered politically in a way where he really, really needs to appeal to his right flank, the right wing in Israel. And the way that he set out to do that was to take this very aggressive position on annexation. Thats very popular with the right. Its very popular with the settler movement. And he had decided that this was going to be his course. This was going to buy him a political lifeline. What he discovered, however, was that the Europeans were opposed to this, the Arab states were opposed to this, including his potential future allies in the Gulf. And actually, interestingly enough, the Trump administration wasnt thrilled with it either. In part because the U.A.E. and others were telling the United States, this is a red line for us. We cant support your peace efforts if Israel takes this step. So quietly, Jared Kushner basically told Netanyahu, cool it. Hold off on this. Dont do this right now. The reason that was kind of the precipitating moment is, for the U.A.E. and the other Gulf Arab states, this was an unacceptable step. They simply could not countenance the idea of Israel doing this. But the fact of Netanyahus being so provocative in saying he was going to do this actually presented the U.A.E. with an opening. It gave them an opening to make Israel an offer. And in fact, Yousef Otaiba, our character from the dinner at Cafe Milano, is the guy who delivers the message. In June, he writes a letter thats published by a leading Hebrew language newspaper in Israel, in which he basically tells the Israeli government that their choice is annexation or normalization. He basically says, and I quote, Israels decision on annexation will be an unmistakable signal. Annexation is a misguided provocation of another order. So hes sort of laying down a red line. If you guys do this, forget about ever having normalized relations with the U.A.E. And that is a really important moment in this story. Because it clarifies the choice for the Israeli government. It also clarifies the choice and the opportunity for the Trump administration. Because the next thing that happens is that the Trump administration gets involved in trying to broker precisely this quid pro quo, this deal, this trade off. And without the letter, its unlikely this ever would have happened, at least not now.

michael barbaro

It sounds like youre saying that somewhat counterintuitively because, at least publicly, Netanyahu is pushing for the annexation of the West Bank  that maybe secretly he was grateful to have an opportunity to stop doing it.

mark landler

Thats right. It was almost an escape hatch, if you think about it. He gets out of a situation that increasingly looked like it had no reasonable escape. And in so doing, he actually gives himself a very different kind of legacy. Netanyahu was on his way to being remembered as a long-serving leader who presided over a period of frustration and lack of progress in peace negotiations with the Palestinians. Instead, he will now be remembered as the Israeli prime minister who actually won normalization of relations with a key Gulf Arab country, a very different outcome than one would have predicted for him even a week ago.

[music]

michael barbaro

Well be right back. So Mark, what does this deal mean for the Palestinians? Not annexing the West Bank would seem to represent a kind of achievement for the Palestinians. But it really just brings the situation back to where it was before Netanyahu announced that aggressive move, that annexation of the West Bank.

mark landler

Well, its a very mixed bag for the Palestinians. Because youre right. They are avoiding what would be a disastrous outcome, which is losing up to 30 percent of the territory that would have one day been part of a Palestinian state. On the other hand, what the symbolism of this deal is is really very bad for the Palestinians. Because what it shows is that the U.A.E. is willing to normalize relations with Israel in the absence of a deal that would give the Palestinians statehood. That had always been the prerequisite for recognition of Israel by many of these Arab states, that it had to have made a deal with the Palestinians. It had to have embraced the two-state solution. It has not embraced the two-state state solution. Indeed, the two state solution looks further away than ever. And yet, the U.A.E. has gone ahead and done this deal. So what it says, in very blunt terms, is that the Arab states have other priorities on their agenda that are bigger than defending the interests of the Palestinians. And so from the Palestinians point of view, it is a betrayal. Its a loss of leverage. This was after all the great point of leverage that the Palestinians had with Israel. If Israel ever wanted to be recognized by its neighbors, it needed to work out a deal with the Palestinians. Now its clear it doesnt have to do that anymore. And it makes their situation, if possible, more hopeless than ever.

michael barbaro

So finally, Mark, what is the motivation of the Trump administration, which as you said, has nudged this along during the past 18 months or so since that dinner. Why have they wanted this?

mark landler

Well, Id say theres a number of reasons. Start with the fact that their Middle East peace efforts, which are led by the presidents son-in-law, Jared Kushner, have stalled. So this was a way to jump start a process that had really become paralyzed. Secondly, the Trump administration has spent three years cultivating these Gulf Arab countries  not just the United Arab Emirates, but of course the Saudis. They do this, in part, for financial reasons. Its a chance to sell a great deal of very expensive advanced weaponry. It would allow the U.A.E. to purchase higher grade, more sophisticated weapons from the United States because many of those weapons are restricted to countries that recognize Israel. So it actually creates yet another market for high end American weapons. So thats one more reason. And a third reason, frankly, is perhaps the simplest of all. President Trump is lagging in the polls. Hes facing the voters in two months. He needs a couple of big wins. And this is a big win. Presidents like to make history in the Middle East. And this gave the president a chance to do that at a time when not much else seems to be going well for him. So its a complicated series of factors  economic, political, and strategic.

michael barbaro

So Mark, as someone who has been covering diplomacy for a really long time and has seen these other big symbolic events along the way when it comes to Israel and its former enemies 

archived recording (bill clinton) On behalf of the United States and Russia, co-sponsors of the Middle East peace process, welcome to this great occasion of history and hope.

michael barbaro

 I think about, for example, the famous handshake at the White House between Yasser Arafat, Yitzhak Rabin.

archived recording [CHEERING]

michael barbaro

Bill Clinton brought them together.

archived recording (bill clinton) Today the leadership of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization will sign a declaration of principles on interim Palestinian self-government. It charts a course toward reconciliation.

michael barbaro

Because sometimes these events have mattered. Sometimes they have very quickly dissolved. What is the significance of this one, in your mind? Because Im mindful that its been a number of years since that handshake and since one of these moments that seem to really matter.

mark landler

So unlike the handshake between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders at the White House, or the Camp David accord between Anwar Sadat of Egypt and Menachem Begin of Israel in 1978, this deal feels more pragmatic, less perhaps historic and symbolic, more a product of calculation than of making history. Each side getting something, each side giving up something. A deal that was sort of cooked up out of bad circumstances. And yet this one, I think, will matter, because it isnt just about the U.A.E. and Israel  two relatively small, if very important countries. Its a deal that actually changes the dynamic throughout the entire region in some of the ways weve discussed. It makes matters considerably worse for the Palestinians. But it also makes matters considerably worse for the Iranians. Remember, the point behind this is developing a united front against Iran. And for Iran to face the Gulf states and Israel in any semblance of unity is a much bigger problem for them than if the Arabs and the Israelis hated each other. So I think it changes the equation there. Also, by removing the prospect of annexation, at least for now, it actually removes a huge potential bone of contention between Israel and the West  not just the Europeans, but the United States. So its one of these deals that on the face of it seems perhaps not as momentous as some of the other ones weve talked about. But in terms of its knock-on effects, it really is quite significant. It has the potential to realign the region. People who follow Middle East politics always feel like to talk about forces that realign the region, that change the underlying dynamics. And the truth is, many events dont really do that in the end. This one may actually have the potential to do it.

[music]

michael barbaro

Mark, I know that you had spoken to this ambassador from the U.A.E. you had dinner with and sought his permission to tell us this story, for which we are grateful. I wonder what else he said to you about this deal.

mark landler

Well, beyond giving me permission to talk about it, I basically sent him a note saying, you know, it looks like you might be going to Jerusalem after all, an outcome that back in that restaurant in Georgetown in 2018 seemed very far away.

michael barbaro

Mark, thank you very much. We appreciate it.

mark landler

Thank you, Michael.

michael barbaro

Well be right back.

archived recording (SINGING THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER) O say can you see, by the dawns early light. What so proudly 

michael barbaro

Heres what else you need to know today. During the opening night of the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee  a virtual event because of the pandemic  a series of high profile Republicans, including former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman and former presidential candidate John Kasich, endorsed Joe Biden, saying that President Trump had let down the country and their party.

archived recording (john kasich) Joe Biden is a man for our times, times that call for all of us to take off our partisan hats and put our nation first for ourselves and, of course, for our children.

michael barbaro

Later in the evening, Senator Bernie Sanders, Bidens former rival for the Democratic nomination, pleaded with his supporters from 2016 and 2020 to throw their support behind Biden.

archived recording (bernie sanders) My friends, I say to you, to everyone who supported other candidates in the primary, and to those who may have voted for Donald Trump in the last election, the future of our democracy is at stake. The future of our economy is at stake. The future of our planet is at stake. We must come together, defeat Donald Trump, and elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as our next president and vice president. My friends, the price of failure is just too great to imagine.

michael barbaro

In the nights keynote speech, former First Lady Michelle Obama called for a new era of empathy and character, and said that restoring both would require removing Donald Trump from office.

archived recording (michelle obama) So let me be as honest and clear as I possibly can. Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country. He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job. But he is clearly in over his head. He can not meet this moment. He simply cannot be who we need him to be for us. It is what it is.

michael barbaro
Claudette Halabi cried out from beneath the rubble of her house for an hour before she died. The neighbors couldn't save her.

PHOTO: A woman grieves alongside the coffin of Claudette Halabi, who was killed by the Beirut Port explosion, during her funeral procession in Beirut, Aug. 11, 2020. (Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)

"We kept hearing the screams. I heard her voice. But we couldn't do anything. It still hurts," said Johnny Khawand (pictured below), near the remains of her Beirut building. The thundering blast at the port earlier this month had crushed its three floors.

PHOTO: Johnny Khawand, 40, stands amongst the remains of his kitchen in his home in Karantina, Aug. 13, 2020. (Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)

Khawand, born 40 years ago in the same neighborhood, stayed up all night for the rescue operation. Four died in that building alone, among them Claudette, a widow in her 70s he knew since he was a kid.

PHOTO: Buildings damaged by the massive Beirut port explosion in Karantina, Beirut, Aug. 13, 2020. (Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)

In one of Beirut's poorest neighborhoods, Karantina, near the port, people are still reeling from the explosion that flattened homes and killed many neighbors who felt like family.

Everyone knows everyone. Everyone cried when they recalled the explosion.

PHOTO: Abdou Batrouni sits on the balcony of his home that was damaged by the port explosion in the Karantina neighborhood of Beirut, Aug. 13, 2020. (Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)

Two weeks later, the neighbors are struggling to find the money to rebuild, without help from the state in a city that was already deep in economic collapse.

The warehouse explosion killed at least 172 people, wounded thousands and ravaged entire districts. It shattered walls and ripped out balconies in Karantina, a neglected part of the capital.

The cluster of streets, with a slaughterhouse and a waste plant, saw one of the bloodiest massacres of Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war.

PHOTO: Cranes surround the remains of blast site at the port in Beirut, Aug. 12, 2020. (Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)

Many said the blast did more damage in a few seconds than 15 years of war. With the wreckage at their doorsteps once more, families who have spent decades in Karantina have camped out in their apartments. They sleep on the floor or on ripped couches, without doors or windows, not sure how to go on.

PHOTO: A man looks at the remains of his home in the neighborhood of Karantina, Beirut, Aug. 12, 2020. (Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)

"I'm in a nightmare I can't wake up from. I still can't believe I'm looking at my mother's coffin," said Claudette's son, George Halabi, who flew in for her funeral.

At the church cemetery, the blast blew the doors off family mausoleums, sending up a stench that encircled mourners.

Story continues

PHOTO: People attend the funeral of Claudette Halabi, who was killed in the port explosion, at a cemetery that was also damaged by the blast, in Beirut, Aug. 11, 2020. (Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)

"It's a crime against all of Lebanon," Halabi said. "My mother survived the war."

Like many Lebanese, he blamed the sectarian elite that has ruled since the war for pushing the country to ruin.

With the blast under investigation, officials have pointed to a huge stockpile of explosive material stored in unsafe conditions at the port for years.

PHOTO: Tony Matar, 68, sits on a chair in the living room of his home in Karantina, Beirut, Aug. 13, 2020. (Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)

Months before the warehouse blew up, a currency crash wiped out Tony Matar's savings from his family's linens store.

"Our life's savings are in this house," said Matar, 68, whose grandfather was born in Karantina. "It was a paradise."

The shockwaves brought doors, closets and chairs crashing on his daughter, Patricia, 25. She had traveled to Beirut for her sister's wedding, and her broken bones will take months to recover.

"Every time I come back home, I relive that moment. I remember how my daughter fell and I cry," said Tony's wife, Souad, clad in black.

Her mother had died from cancer just days before. "I didn't even have time to mourn her," she said. "Can you imagine I thanked God she passed away? So that she did not have to see this."

PHOTO: Elie Batrouni, 9, lies on a bed next to a damaged window at his home in Karantina, Beirut, Aug. 13, 2020. (Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)

Abdou Batrouni, a fisherman, lost his small savings, stashed in a closet in a bedroom that was blown to pieces.

His family has relied on donations and young volunteers who flocked to help from across the country. He and others said no officials visited the district, historically a place where refugees settled, which later also became home to some Syrian families and migrant workers.

Batrouni's wife had shielded their two sons, 9 and 3 years old, with her body. They got out without a scratch, but he found one of the boys, Elie, crouched down, yelling, "I don't want to die, I don't want to die."

PHOTO: The remains of a house in Karantina, Beirut, Aug. 12, 2020. (Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)

"Now if I just clap, he gets startled and bursts into tears," Batrouni said. The first night, they all slept next to each other on a mattress at the doorless entrance.

Around every corner, neighbors told stories of loss, but also bravery. A man who threw himself on his daughter needed dozens of stitches. A woman carried her elderly mother and hid her between two closets.

PHOTO: Qatfa Bassil stands by a doorway in her damaged home in Karantina, Beirut, Aug. 13, 2020. (Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)

PHOTO: A broken framed photograph of Marguerite Dirany and her husband Elie hangs on a wall in her home in Karantina, Beirut, Aug. 12, 2020. (Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)

"We all grew up together, we saw each other get married," said Hoda Jouni, who runs a mini market. "We lost everything."

'We lost everything': Grieving Beirut neighborhood struggles to rebuild originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday announced to launch a special scheme under which school students will be able to learn in their respective localities in view of the suspension of classes due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Addressing people during Independence Day celebration at Police Parade ground here, Baghel said Gandhian thinking of serving humanity and Nehruvian institutions and infrastructures enabled his government to fight against Coronavirus.

After hoisting the Nation Flag, Baghel received the guard of honour from the joint parade of various security forces.

The online education platform Padhai Tunhar Duar scheme launched by the state government earlier during the lockdown yielded better results and around 22 lakh children are getting its benefit, he said.

Taking the initiative further, we are now starting the Padhai Tuhar Para scheme to teach children with the help of community in their localities and villages, the chief minister said.

Besides, a Bluetooth-based programme Bultu Ke Bol will be introduced for providing study materials to students in remote areas who do not have access to internet facility, he said.

Highlighting various measures taken by his government in the battle against COVID-19, Baghel said 37 health centres are being constructed while 30 hospitals, 3,383 beds, 517 ICU beds, 479 ventilators have been provided for the treatment of patients.

A total of 155 isolation centres have been developed in the districts where about 10,000 beds are available.

The testing facility, which has reached 6,500 per day, will be enhanced to 10,000 per day. At present, 1,900 health and wellness centres are there in the state and the target is to increase them to 3,100 by the next year, he said.

Gandhian thinking of serving humanity and Nehruvian institutions and infrastructures enabled us to fight against Coronavirus. Following their footsteps, we succeeded in saving the economy during the coronavirus-induced lockdown, he said.

Baghel further said the Mukhyamantri Slum Swasthya Yojana will be launched in urban areas under which people will be provided health facilities at their doorstep through 70 mobile medical units in all the 14 municipal corporations.

Similarly, Radhabai Diagnostic Centre Scheme will also be introduced under which pathology and other testing facilities will be provided at concessional rates, he said.

To increase the participation of women in the administration and to protect their interests, it will be mandatory to include women representatives in the committees to be set up for new appointments and promotions in the state, he said.

Speaking on his governments strategy to tackle the Maoist menace, he said, I had earlier said that our priority would be to restore mutual trust and goodwill between the affected parties (in naxal-hit areas). Development works will be carried out to meet the aspirations of locals there.

He said decline in naxal incidents and ongoing development in tribal areas are a symbol of the success of our strategy.
Australia's tourism industry is haemorrhaging billions as industry operators urge states to open their borders and warn the costs of coronavirus lockdown will be 'astronomical'.

Before the pandemic hit, Australia's 'visitor economy' earned roughly $152 billion per year according to Tourism Research Australia (TRA), a government department under the aegis of Austrade.

It employed about five per cent of Australia's workforce with 666,000 direct employees and a further 370,000 providing indirect goods and services in 2018-19, TRA says in a report on its website.

A tourist enjoys the white sands of the Whitsundays, Queensland. Domestic tourism spending dwarfs international tourism giving hope to Australia's industry if internal lockdowns lift

Pictured: police stop and question drivers at a checkpoint on the Victoria-NSW border last month. Tourism operators are losing billions of dollars per month but some say domestic tourism could fix this if internal border restrictions were lifted in states other than Victoria

That all changed in March after China failed to close its borders, allowing the new coronavirus to escape and become a global pandemic instead of a regional problem.

On March 20, Australia's international borders were closed to non-citizens, wiping out $45 billion worth of international tourism.

For more than 300,000 Australian businesses that make up the tourism sector, the pandemic was a disaster.

Domestic tourism offered the industry some hope.

In 2019, Australians spent $107 billion on domestic overnight travel and daytrips, dwarfing the international tourism market.

NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern won wide praise for eliminating the coronavirus with a rapid lockdown after the first case was found on February 28. The recent Auckland outbreak has spooked Australian tourist operators worried that elimination will mean continued quarantines

Australians spent $107 billion on domestic overnight travel and daytrips in 2019, and $65 billion on overseas holidays, dwarfing the overseas visitor spend and giving tourist operators hope. Pictured: snorkelers swim with a turtle at Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef

Australia's coronavirus numbers are spiking but the wave is driven by Victoria's outbreak

As the pandemic prevented Australians from holidaying overseas, the $65 billion spent on foreign destinations would now have to be spent within Australia, potentially boosting tourism operators.

On March 21, however, domestic travel restrictions began as Australia moved to contain the dangerous virus.

Ever since, Australia's internal travel restrictions have inhibited domestic tourism to varying degrees, fluctuating between total state and territory border shutdowns to open borders with quarantine requirements.

Coronavirus restrictions cost Australia's tourism industry billions Monthly domestic tourism spending fell by $11.8 billion in April and May of this year, according to Tourism Research Australia figures released on Friday. According to the National Visitor Survey, spending fell by $7 billion or 91 per cent in April this year to $666 million compared with $7.6 billion in April last year showing the extent of the damage caused by the pandemic. There were 9.6 million fewer domestic overnight travelers in April, a drop of 86 per cent on April last year, while visitor nights fell by 81 per cent. May saw a further fall of $4.8 billion or 82 per cent this year to $1 billion compared with $5.8 billion in May last year, showing lesser falls than April thanks to the easing of covid-19 restrictions. There were 6.3 million fewer domestic travelers in May, a drop of 67 per cent on May last year, while visitor nights fell by 11.9 million, a significant reduction in falls as people began to travel once more. Tourism has been one of the industries hardest hit by the coronavirus so far, with Australian Bureau of Statistics data showing the accommodation and hospitality sector shed 27 per cent of its jobs between March and May, the TRA reported. Source: Tourism Research Australia website reports Advertisement

Australia's Trade Minister Simon Birmingham urged states and territories to loosen their travel barriers to other low-risk jurisdictions.

'We need Australians to help fill the void until our international borders re-open again,' he said on Friday.

'We want Australians to make the most of what our country has to offer by not just going on a road trip but by booking an experience as well, whether it be taking a surf lesson in Byron Bay, making your own whisky in Tasmania, kayaking through Nitmiluk Gorge or learning indigenous art skills in Ceduna.'

Nurses in Auckland on Thursday. New Zealand went for more than 100 days before four new cases were found in Auckland on August 11 throwing the country back into lockdown. Thirteen more cases were found Sunday bringing the new outbreak to 69 active cases in NZ

As some jurisdictions such as Western Australia, the Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory are almost virus-free, tourism operators are urging them to open their borders.

UTS tourism lecturer David Beirman said while Victoria has to be isolated, other states should be able to travel.

'We simply can't keep it up,' he said.

'By global standards there is no real medical reasons why we shouldn't be travelling between states. The EU is one big travel bubble and most EU countries have greater exposure to COVID-19 than Victoria.'

However the virus resurgence in New Zealand is rippling fear through the industry.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was widely praised for eliminating the virus early with a swift, sharp lockdown after the first case was found on February 28.

The country had reported no new cases from an unknown source for more than 100 days, internal restrictions were lifted on June 8 and Kiwis returned to normal life with only external border controls in force.

Tourists watch the sunset at Uluru last year. Industry bosses want a coronavirus suppression strategy to preserve income from tourists flying in from infected countries. Some economists say this will only cause more economic disruption and prefer elimination.

A worker wears a face shield and mask at Doutta Galla Aged Services Yarraville Village in Melbourne on Sunday. Victoria's case numbers rose by 279 on Sunday to 16,764

International tourism numbers have fallen to zero because of the coronavirus pandemic

That all changed on August 11 when four cases were found in Auckland from an unknown source.

The outbreak has mushroomed - despite a snap lockdown - and 13 new cases were found on Sunday for a total of 69 active cases.

Auckland is now under Level Three lockdowns with restaurants and bars closed while the rest of New Zealand is on Level Two with most restrictions eased.

With a vaccine still many months away, Australia's tourism industry has watched in horror, realising that if Australia eliminates the virus, loosening travel restrictions would mean a resurgence as it is now endemic worldwide.

CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA: 27,244 Victoria: 20,269 New South Wales: 4,273 Queensland: 1,161 Western Australia: 692 South Australia: 473 Tasmania: 230 Australian Capital Territory: 113 Northern Territory: 33 TOTAL CASES: 27,244 ESTIMATED ACTIVE CASES: 269 DEATHS: 897 Updated: 5.31 PM, 11 October, 2020 Source: Australian Government Department of Health Advertisement

Back in February there was still a chance to contain and eliminate the virus globally if international borders were closed and travel restrictions implemented. At that stage the virus had only killed 361 people in China, and had spread to 23 countries with just 151 confirmed cases.

However the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on February 3 that nations should not close their borders.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at the time that there was no need for measures that 'unnecessarily interfere with international travel and trade', warning that closures between states could have negative economic and social effects, and praised China.

As of Sunday night there were more than 21.6million cases worldwide, 769,470 deaths and no chance of eradicating it globally until a vaccine can be found.

International travel and trade has been devastated.

Health experts have questioned the WHO's decision, and a petition calling for for Dr Tedros' resignation gathered hundreds of thousands of signatures, to no effect.

The chance has now been lost, with the virus entrenched in so many nations that re-infections are likely unless strict 14-day quarantines are adhered to, which makes international tourism all but impossible.

Even if the virus is eliminated within Australia, and a virus-free travel bubble can be implemented, border restrictions will remain for infected nations - which means a majority of the rest of the world.

University of Auckland's senior lecturer in epidemiology Simon Thornley said small businesses would lose their livelihoods in a protracted lockdown if New Zealand's eradication strategy was maintained.

'The costs of trying to maintain eradication are just going to be astronomicalI don't believe that it's sensible,' he told Time Magazine.

The World Health Organisation has called the elimination strategy an 'unrealistic goal'.

Australia's deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth said elimination was impossible.

Australia's tourism minister has urged people to go out and experience Australia to make up for the lack of international tourists. Pictured: camel rides at Cable Beach, Broome

Cape Leveque Beach on the Dampier Peninsula, Western Australia, north of Broome

'We are not in a position in Australia to achieve elimination where global transmission is increasing,' he said in July.

'It is impossible to completely seal the borders of any country  even an island continent such as Australia  and nor should we try to. Returning travellers, freight vessels and associated crews will continue to come from countries with widespread transmission.'

Employer groups such as the Ai Group are also keen for suppression instead of elimination.

'Pursuing an elimination strategy would require us to close ourselves off from the rest of the world indefinitely and it would require draconian restrictions on Australian citizens and businesses,' Ai Group chief executive Innes Willox told the New Daily.

However other medical experts and epidemiologists disagree and say eradication is possible.

Australia's Whitsunday Islands have some of the whitest beaches in the world due to the silica

Australia's Great Barrier Reef is a wonder of the world and can be seen from space

University of Queensland virologist Associate Professor Ian Mackay said in July that there is no reason why Australia could not aim for elimination, given how close the country got before the Victorian outbreak.

'I think we could have got rid of it in the first lockdown. We were almost there,' he told newsGP, the medical news outlet for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

'For some reason, [elimination] wasn't on the cards. If it had failed, it would have been egg on the face of the politicians.

'New Zealand took a different approach, stuck to it and achieved that. We could have done that and we still can. It will save us money, heartache, lockdowns and businesses having to stop.'

Hikers walk the Overland Track to Cradle Mountain, Tasmania

Economists have also argued that elimination would be a better strategy overall for the economy.

Grattan Institute health economist Stephen Duckett said last month that a 'go hard, go early' approach would be less costly than a long, drawn out 'yo-yoing' suppression with ongoing uncertainty and disruptions.

'This current 'yo-yoing' strategy means the virus will circulate through the community for a long time with inevitable flare-ups that, if lucky, would be controlled with contact tracing and local lockdowns,' Dr Duckett told the New Daily.

University of New South Wales economics professor Richard Holden also told the New Daily that elimination would cost the economy less overall.
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Linkedin (Kyodo News) Beijing  Sun, August 16, 2020 14:28 521 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e651ea 2 World North-Korea,Japan,World-War-II Free

North Korea on Saturday urged Japan to "make a sincere apology and reparation" for the "sexual slavery" inflicted on Korean women, as it marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the peninsula from Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule.

"The Korean people clearly remember the past crimes of Japan," said a statement issued by a spokesperson for the Korean Committee on Measures for the Sexual Slavery for Japanese Army and Drafting Victims.

If 200,000 Japanese women had "been forced into sexual slavery by foreign troops...the Japanese people would never forget it," said the statement carried in English by the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

"The Japanese authorities should keenly realize their national responsibility for the inhuman crimes against the Korean people and make a sincere apology and reparation before it is too late," it added.

In recent years, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has voiced eagerness to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "without conditions" in hopes of making a breakthrough over the issue of Pyongyang's abductions of Japanese nationals in the 1970s and 1980s.

The latest statement, however, indicated that North Korea has little intention to go ahead with such a summit unless Tokyo accepts Pyongyang's demands it pay post-war compensation, some foreign affairs experts say. Japan and North Korea do not maintain diplomatic ties.

Read also: Japan's Abe, on WW2 anniversary, vows not to repeat war, sends offering to shrine

The women are euphemistically called "comfort women" and were forced to work in Japanese military brothels during World War II. Victims came from the Korean Peninsula, the Philippines, mainland China, Taiwan and Japan.

The matter remains a source of much tension between Japan and South Korea, but the neighbors have also been embroiled in spats over trade controls and compensation for wartime labor, some of it forced.
Dr Ghada Al Qassim, President of the Bahrain Medical Society (BMS), announced today that doctors on the frontlines draw their strength and dedication from God first, alongside the support and assistance from the Bahraini community.

The solidarity of our society acts as the ultimate driving force that supports doctors in their fight against COVID-19; which in turn, contributes to the swift return of normal life.

One could not stress enough on the importance of following the national guidelines set by the Bahraini authorities. This without a doubt is a national duty that falls on each member of this respected society Al Qassim explained.

Support shouldnt be simply theoretical or through slogans in the media, but should be driven by a sense of responsibility for the safety of the whole community. Not only that, but such support should be reflected in ones commitment to follow all precautionary measures set by the National Taskforce For Combating the Coronavirus, aiming to prevent the transmission and spread of the disease. Dr Al Qassim said.

In light of this, BMS expressed its strong approval of all actions and precautionary measures implemented by the COVID-19 Taskforce, specifically those in regards to religious gatherings and occasions.

On behalf of all BMS Board Members, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for Team Bahrain, which has ensured that the country leads the race in fighting this deadly pandemic, following the highest standards set by World Health Organisation (WHO).

Dr Al Qassim went on explaining that the pandemic has already lasted for a long time and comes with implications and challenges to all sectors within the community. Yet their still remains hope, especially with the recent development of a trail vaccine.

It is crucial to continue imposing precautionary measures to fight the virus, and work hand in hand with the general public to prevent gatherings, be it for religious or social purposes. This is an imperative step to ensure that the efforts and sacrifices doctors and medics have made since the beginning of the crisis are not simply wasted, she added.

Bahrain has witnessed many incidents of the virus outbreaks during family and other gatherings, in which one person transmits the infection to dozens of people, leading to a vast increase in death cases.

Al Qassim underlined that such situations could be prevented if the general public abides by all governmental guidelines. She went on commending the contributions of NGOs, government organisations, companies, banking and commercial sectors in showing full commitment to precautionary measures.

The BMS President closed her statement by stating that Bahrains COVID-19 efforts comply with The World Health Organizations requirements, receiving international appraisal and recognition from many countries. These accomplishments should not be underestimated, as many countries have eased their precautionary measures only to be hit by the second and third waves of this deadly pandemic.

It is crucial to do all that is possible to prevent such situations from occurring in the Kingdom, and we can only do this with your everlasting support.
Robert Trump, the younger brother of President Donald Trump, dies at the age of 71. The family remained private to Robert Trump's cause of death.

Robert Trump, the younger brother of Pres. Donald Trump, has been very supportive during his brother's first bid for the presidency. It is not a surprise anymore why Pres. Trump mourned for the passing of his brother on Saturday at the age of 71.

The president announced on Saturday, "It is with a heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight. He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace."

According to a published report in CNN News, Robert Trump had been admitted to New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. However, the family did not disclose or even gave details as to the cause of his death. Moreover, a reliable source who has knowledge about Robert Trump's condition told the news outlet that he had been sick for several months.

Pres. Trump also declined to give any comments about the illness of his brother when asked during the White House Briefing. Pres. Trump said instead, "I have a wonderful brother. We have a great relationship for a long time, from day one, so a long time ago. And he's in the hospital right now."

Later Friday as he decided to go to New York to visit his brother as he headed to New Jersey for the weekend, he told the reporters that his brother is having a tough time. It can be remembered that Robert Trump was hospitalized in June in an undisclosed condition.

Robert Trump was one of the four siblings to the president and was born in 1948. He had served as the executive vice-president of the Trump Organization.

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The condolence book for the former leader remained open at the Vietnamese Embassy in Brunei on August 14-15.

At the ceremony, Erywan Pehin Yusof, Second Minister for Foreign Affairs of Brunei, expressed his sympathy to the Vietnamese Government and people over the passing of the former Party chief.

Ambassadors of foreign countries in Brunei also came to the ceremony to pay their respect to the late leader.

A similar ceremony was held by the Vietnamese Embassy in Bangladesh from August 14-16.

Former Party General Secretary Phieu passed away at 2.52am on August 7 at his home in Hanoi after a period of illness.

Vietnam observed two days of national mourning for the leader on August 14-15.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- More than half of public school students in the United States will return to school remotely when they start the 2020-2021 school year, a new report found.

According to a comprehensive, ongoing survey conducted by Burbio.com, a data service that aggregates school and community calendars nationwide, 52% of students in kindergarten through 12th grade are expected to start the school year learning online.

Forty-four percent will be attending in-person either every day or certain days of the week, and 4% of students are in school districts that havent finalized plans.

We have seen a dramatic shift to online only learning in the past three weeks, said Burbio co-founder Julie Roche. Large districts such as Chicago, and Sun Belt cities such as Houston and Miami -- along with large suburban districts such as Fairfax County, Virginia, were all setting plans to return with in-person learning and shifted to fully remote.

*** CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS IN NEW YORK ***

Burbios data set consists of more than 80,0000 K-12 school calendars across all 50 states and is dynamically updated as events are added or changed. Burbio is actively monitoring districts representing over 35,000 schools, including the 200 largest school districts in the United States.

According to the report, the size of the district is a big factor in the approach it is taking to start school. Of the 200 largest school districts, 66% are virtual, the data sets show.

Of the 44% of school districts returning for some form of in-person learning, about 19% of students nationwide will be attending a hybrid format, where students only attend certain days. And 25% plan to go to school every day -- which means a quarter of K-12 students in the United States will be attending school daily to start the year.

We expect this situation to stay fluid for the entire academic year and we will continue to measure it, said Roche. Many districts have thresholds for Covid-19 levels that could result in converting back to remote learning. Other districts are planning to revisit the on-line decision as soon as September and could convert to in-person models.

The largest school district in the country, New York City, is planning to offer blended learning, returning kids back to the classroom for in-person instruction two to three times a week and remote learning the rest of the time. -- a plan announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio and city Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced last week that all schools across New York will be able to open with in-person learning in September.

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With or without air conditioning, face masks will be required in Staten Island classrooms

FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the UAE had made a huge mistake in reaching deal to normalise ties with Israel.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has summoned Irans charge daffaires in Abu Dhabi in response to a speech by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani over its agreement to normalise ties with Israel, according to state media.

Rouhani said in a speech on Saturday the UAE had made a huge mistake in reaching a deal to establish diplomatic relations with Israel and called it a betrayal by the Gulf state.

They [the UAE] better be mindful. They have committed a huge mistake, a treacherous act, Rouhani said of the agreement announced on Thursday.

Emirati state news agency WAM reported on Sunday that the UAEs foreign ministry summoned the charge daffaires and gave him a strongly worded memo.

The UAE foreign ministry said the speech was unacceptable and inflammatory and had serious implications for security and stability in the Gulf region.





WAM also said the foreign ministry reminded Iran of its duty to protect the UAE diplomatic mission in Tehran.

Meanwhile, the secretary general of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) also condemned threats by Irans president and other Iranian officials towards the UAE over its agreement with Israel to normalise relations, the GCC said in a statement late on Sunday night.

There was no immediate response from the Iranian government.

Iranian media reported that a small group of protesters gathered in front of the UAE embassy in Tehran late on Saturday to protest against the agreement, which makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state  and the third Arab country after Egypt and Jordan  to have full diplomatic ties with Israel.

Israel and the UAE announced they were establishing full diplomatic relations in a US-brokered deal that will see Israel delay plans for annexation of land it already illegally occupies that is sought by the Palestinians for their future state.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted the annexation plans are only on temporary hold at the request of the United States.

After US President Donald Trump released his Middle East plan earlier this year, which was rejected by the Palestinians, Netanyahu said he would forge ahead with annexing parts of the West Bank.

Separately on Sunday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and his UAE counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, launched a telephone service between the two countries.
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Moldovan Prime Minister Ion Chicu said at a government meeting on Wednesday that the construction of a gas pipeline from Romania to Chisinau had been completed, and the official commissioning was scheduled for August 27 to coincide with the country's Independence Day

CHISINAU (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th August, 2020) Moldovan Prime Minister Ion Chicu said at a government meeting on Wednesday that the construction of a gas pipeline from Romania to Chisinau had been completed, and the official commissioning was scheduled for August 27 to coincide with the country's Independence Day.

"An important energy infrastructure facility has been completed, which will further strengthen our independence - we are talking about the Iasi-Ungheni-Chisinau gas pipeline. The main goal of this project is to strengthen the country's energy security. On August 27, we celebrate Independence Day, on this day we will commission the gas pipeline, I have sent an invitation to Romanian Prime Minister Ludovic Orban to take part in this event," Chicu said.

The Moldovan prime minister noted that this project could become an alternative for gas transit through Ukraine.

In May 2015, Moldova and Romania signed a memorandum of understanding on the implementation of projects to unite the gas and energy networks of the two countries. In particular, the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline was set to be extended to Chisinau. The groundbreaking ceremony for the project happened in February of last year.

Moldova is currently buying gas from Gazprom under an agreement signed back in 2008 that ties gas prices to global oil prices.
Kevin Hart took to Instagram earlier this month to publicly defend friend and fellow comedian Ellen DeGeneres amid her 'toxic' workplace scandal.

And on Saturday, Hart, 41, and DeGeneres, 62, looked extra chummy as they enjoyed a sit down lunch at Rosewood Miramar in Montecito.

Meanwhile, Kevin's pregnant wife Eniko, 35, hung out on a nearby beach with their son Kenzo, two, and Kevin's daughter Heaven, 15, whom he shares with ex Torrei Hart.

Besties: Kevin Hart, 41, and Ellen DeGeneres, 62, looked extra chummy as they enjoyed a sit down lunch at Rosewood Miramar in Montecito

Casual: Ellen kept casual for her lunch date with Kevin in a Hawaiian print button down, some grey joggers, and a pair of slip on sandals

For their lunch date, Kevin and Ellen sat at a table for two with an impressive ocean view.

Kevin sported a patterned button down shirt and a pair of shorts, while Ellen rocked a blue Hawaiian shirt and a pair of grey capris.

Ellen slowly sipped on a glass of white wine as Kevin engaged in animated conversation with her.

The Jumanji star was seen using various hand motions and even leaned closer to Ellen in order to clearly communicate his points to her.

Great listener: While at their table, Ellen slowly sipped on a glass of white wine as Kevin engaged in animated conversation with her

Taking the reigns: After Kevin completed his passionate spiel, Ellen took control of the conversation.

Farewell: The duo shared a warm embrace following their lunch outing

After Kevin completed his passionate spiel, Ellen took control of the conversation.

At one point, Ellen had one hand rested on the arm of her chair, while the other remained aimed in Kevin's direction as she spoke.

The talk show host's signature bleach blonde hair looked noticeably undone and she wore a silver watch on her wrist.

She had a white cloth napkin resting in her lap as she and Kevin waited for their food to arrive.

Good company: The pair appeared to be pulling apart following their hug

Safety first: The superstars put on their face masks after lunch

Babysitting: Meanwhile, Kevin's pregnant wife Eniko, 35, hung out on a nearby beach with their son Kenzo, two, and Kevin's daughter Heaven, 15, whom he shares with ex Torrei Hart

After finishing her meal, Ellen was spotted making her way down the steps of the restaurant's patio.

The duo were seen sharing a warm embrace as they bid each other farewell following their lunch.

Kevin's wife Eniko appeared to be having a great time away from her husband as she romped on the beach with her blended family.

The 35-year-old showcased her baby bump in a tropical print two piece swimsuit.

Nice view: For their lunch date, Kevin and Ellen sat at a table for two with an impressive ocean view

Beach fashion: Kevin sported a patterned button down shirt and a pair of shorts

Keeping it simple: The talk show host's signature bleach blonde hair looked noticeably undone and she wore a silver watch on her wrist

She wore her curly, raven hair down and she had a pair of gold studs fastened to her ears.

Her son Kenzo, whom she welcomed with Kevin in 2018, looked undeniable adorable in a pair of yellow and pink swim trunks.

Kevin's daughter Heaven looked every bit the teenager in an oversized Nirvana tee and a black cloth face mask.

Kevin also has a 12-year-old son named Hendrix, whom he also shares with ex Torrei Hart, who did not appear to join Eniko and his siblings for their beach day.

Expecting: The 35-year-old wife of Kevin Hart showcased her baby bump in a tropical print two piece swimsuit.

Darling: Kenzo, whom Eniko welcomed with Kevin in 2018, looked undeniable adorable in a pair of yellow and pink swim trunks, while Kevin's daughter Heaven looked every bit the teenager in an oversized Nirvana tee

Ellen's public outing with Kevin comes nearly two-weeks after the Ride Along actor voiced his support for her on Instagram.

In recent months, Ellen has been accused of racism, bullying, as well as fostering a 'toxic environment' behind the scenes of her hit talk show.

An official investigation into the allegations, made by past and present employees, was launched by WarnerMedia earlier in the month.

In the Instagram post, which included a photo of him on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Hart wrote that it was 'crazy to see [his] friend go thru what shes going thru publicly.'

Defense: Kevin Hart took to Instagram earlier this month to publicly defend friend and fellow comedian Ellen DeGeneres amid her 'toxic' workplace scandal; post made by Kevin on August 4 on Instagram

Crazy: In the Instagram post, which included a photo of him on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Hart wrote that it was 'crazy to see [his] friend go thru what shes going thru publicly'; Eniko, Kevin, Ellen, and Ellen's wife Portia de Rossi pictured in 2017

'I have known Ellen for years and I can honestly say that she's one of the dopest people on the f*****g planet.'

While Hart maintained that his post was not 'meant to disregard the feelings of others and their experiences' he stressed that DeGeneres has 'treated my family and my team with love and respect from day 1.'

Hart also seemed to call for the end of 'cancel culture', writing: 'The internet has become a crazy world of negativity....we are falling in love with peoples down fall. Its honestly sad...When did we get here? I stand by the ones that I know and that I love.'

It appears Hart is returning a favor to DeGeneres, who was one of the few stars to publicly defend him last year, amid his backlash, when his past homophobic comments resurfaced after he was announced as the Oscars host.

Accusations: In recent months, Ellen has been accused of racism, bullying, as well as fostering a 'toxic environment' behind the scenes of her hit talk show; Ellen pictured in 2019

Quality time: The comedian took to Instagram to share a family photo that included his wife Eniko, their son Kenzo, two, and his daughter Heaven, 15, and son Hendrix, 12, from his first marriage
She recently returned from an outdoor getaway celebrating her Riverdale co-star Madelaine Petsch's 26th birthday.

And Camila Mendes was back to business as usual on Saturday afternoon as she grabbed coffee in Los Angeles.

The 26-year-old actress put her toned legs on display in a pair of color blocked leggings, while trekking down the sidewalk with friends.

Caffeine fix: Camila Mendes was back to business as usual on Saturday afternoon as she grabbed coffee in Los Angeles

She paired her leggings with a bright orange crop top that hung off her shoulders.

Mendes slipped her feet into a pair of black trainers and she had a single silver chain around her neck.

Camila had her favorite black Fendi bag tucked under her arm and she kept the majority of her famous face concealed with a cloth mask.

Her raven hair was parted to one side and rocked its natural wave as it flowed down her back.

Athleisure: For her coffee run, the 26-year-old actress put her toned legs on display in a pair of color blocked leggings

In good company: Camila was joined by two friends as she made her way on foot to a nearby coffee shop

The Riverdale star only removed her mask from her face, while taking sips from her iced latte.

Earlier in the week, Camila gave fans a look at the birthday getaway she planned for her pal and castmate Madelaine Petsch on Instagram.

'put on my overalls and surprised @madelame with an early bday getaway @outdoorsy #travelpartner,' she captioned, while sharing a photo of herself and Madelaine in front of a blue Revel van.

For the photo op, Mendes sported a pair of black denim overalls, a white tee, and a pair of light pink Converse All Star sneakers.

Getting out of town: Earlier in the week, Camila gave fans a look at the birthday getaway she planned for her pal and castmate Madelaine Petsch on Instagram; Camila and Madelaine pictured on Wednesday

Madelaine posed on the van's ladder in a pair of black high waisted jeans and white tank top.

She had her auburn hair tied up into a ponytail and she rocked a pair of vintage inspired cateye sunglasses.

When she is not escaping the city with friends, Camila is hunkered down at her Los Angeles home or running errands with beau Grayson Vaughan.

Lockdown summer: When she is not escaping the city with friends, Camila is hunkered down at her Los Angeles home; Camila pictured on Instagram on August 8

Mendes and Vaughan were first spotted together in May, six months after Mendes broke up with her Riverdale co-star Charles Melton after a year of dating in December.

The actress had just graduated from the prestigious New York University Tisch School of the Arts when she was cast in Riverdale in 2016.

Mendes had graduated alongside Cole Sprouse, who was cast as Jughead on the hit CW series.

The show was picked up for a fifth season, though due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no word when filming may begin.
An embarrassing recruitment debacle at Norway's $US1.1 trillion ($1.5 trillion) wealth fund has reignited a debate over who controls the world's largest sovereign investor.

Norges Bank, which oversees the fund, failed to eliminate the risk of conflicts of interest tied to the new CEO's personal wealth and his firm's use of tax havens, according to its watchdog. On Friday (Norway time), Norway's biggest opposition party, Labor, came out against his appointment.

Nicolai Tangen, the London-based hedge fund manager selected by Norges Bank to run the wealth fund, is the man at the centre of the controversy. Credit:AP

The government has now acknowledged the time might be ripe to consider some changes to the whole process.

Both Norges Bank and Norway's government insist the recruitment process didn't breach the Central Bank Act. But the episode has exposed some glaring weaknesses in the governance structures surrounding a wealth fund that holds significant chunks of global stocks, bonds and real estate.
Republican president-elect Donald Trump (R) hugs his brother Robert Trump after delivering his acceptance speech at the New York Hilton Midtown in the early morning hours of November 9, 2016 in New York City.

Robert Trump, the younger brother of President Donald Trump, has passed away, the White House said in a statement late Saturday.

"It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight," the president said in the statement. "He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again."

There were conflicting reports about whether he was 71 or 72, according to NBC News.

The president traveled to New York City on Friday to visit his ailing younger brother who was back in hospital.

It is not clear what the cause of his death was. The White House did not disclose Robert Trump's illness and the date of his most recent hospitalization.

He was one of Trump's four siblings and recently filed a lawsuit to block the publication of a book by their niece, Mary Trump. The tell-all memoir, "Too Much and Never Enough, How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man," was published ahead of schedule after Robert failed to stop its release.
The Pioneer Woman star Ree Drummond is known for her comfort food. She cooks everything from cheesecake to chicken fingers. She loves eating good food just as much as she loves cooking it. Heres what the Food Network star said about the first time she ate beef in three years.

Ree Drummond used to be a vegetarian

Ree Drummond and Daphne Oz on The Chew | Ida Mae Astute/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images

Drummond used to be a vegetarian before she met Ladd. During an interview with CBS Sunday Morning host Alina Cho, Ladd says the fact that Drummond was a vegetarian could have been a deal-breaker because he loves meat. It would have been, said Ladd. It probably would have been. Cuz theres just no way we could have survived 25 years with her not eating any steak.

Drummond started out not eating meat, but she eventually gave in one night during a date with Ladd. And years later, one of her first recipes on the wildly popular Pioneer Woman blog was a post on how to cook steak. Back in 2018, Drummond gave the keynote speech at the Cattle Industry Convention.

Ree Drummonds reaction to having beef for the first time in 3 years

The first time Drummond had beef in three years was on her sixth date with Ladd. (She had been a vegetarian for seven years, but there was a moment three years prior when she slipped up and had a beef meal.)

The day had been stressful, so she welcomed the taste of beef after all these years. Drummonds ex-boyfriend wouldnt stop calling, and she accidentally ran over her dog, Puggy Sue. Ladds dinner was a treat considering what she had been through. Heres what Drummond said about her first piece of beef in three years:

We shared a Marlboro Manprepared meal of rib eye steaks, baked potatoes, and corn. Id been a vegetarian for seven years before returning home to Oklahoma and hadnt touched a speck of beef to my lips in ages, which made my first bite of the rib eye that much more life-altering. The stress of the day had melted away in Marlboro Mans arms, and now that same man had just rescued me forever from a life without beef. Whatever happened between the cowboy and me, I told myself, I never wanted to be without steak again. Ree Drummond, Black Heels to Tractor Wheels

Ree Drummond says her last meal would be beef tenderloin

Ladd must have cooked an impressive meal. Drummond stop being a vegetarian. She also says she would choose beef as her final meal. The Food Network star tells Taste of Home she would have beef tenderloin if she had to choose her last meal.

When it comes to side dishes, Drummond says she would have creamed spinach and mushrooms sauteed in red wine. She would also have a glass of red wine with her meal. Another side she would include is macaroni and cheese. Drummond wouldnt just have plain macaroni and cheese; she would make sure to spice things up. With bacon and caramelized onions, says Drummond. Kind of like my fancy mac and cheese.

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Kanye West on Saturday congratulated Sen. Kamala Harris on being selected the Democratic vice presidential nominee this week, adding that his late mom and the senator would have been friends.

West, who is busy with his own run at the White House right now, dubbed himself the future president in his tweet and said its all love and respect for Harris. He added: Its an honor to run against you.

I know my mom and Kamala Harris would have been friends  congratulations on being the democratic Vice President nominee   all love and respect from the future president  Its an honor to run against you pic.twitter.com/5NYcyq9Gob

 ye (@kanyewest) August 15, 2020

Also Read: Kim Kardashian Asks Media, Public for 'Compassion' as Kanye West Lives With Bipolar Disorder

Wests kudos come after presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden chose Harris as his running mate earlier this week despite the barbs the two exchanged during the Democratic debates.

After being one of the few celebrities to publicly champion President Trump, West is now looking to become the 46th commander-in-chief as a write-in independent candidate with the help of GOP strategists, according to The Hill.

The rapper met with White House advisers Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump last week, according to The New York Times, drawing speculation that he was colluding with the Trump campaign in hopes of pulling Black votes from Joe Biden. His campaign team is now working to get him on the ballot in several states, including Iowa, Virginia and Minnesota.

Also Read: Kanye West Campaign Rally Leaves Attendees Stunned With His Bizarre Statements

But Wests first campaign rally in Charleston, South Carolina, in July concerned family, friends and fans attending, who were bewildered by his ramblings. At one point, he said that famed abolitionist Harriet Tubman never actually freed the slaves, she just had them work for other white people.

He also broke down in tears as he paid homage to his late mother, Donda, saying my mom saved my life when his father suggested she have an abortion.

West has a steep hill to climb in order to make it to Pennsylvania Avenue, with oddsmakers giving him a one in 500 shot of winning the election.

Read original story Kanye West Calls Himself Future President, Tells Kamala Harris Its an Honor to Run Against You At TheWrap
Mousavi: Iran's active diplomacy defeats US

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Aug 15, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi reacted to the US historic failure against Iran and said Iran's active diplomacy together with the legal strength of its nuclear deal led to the US defeat for the nth time.

During the 75-year-old history of the United Nations, it was unprecedented for the US to become so isolated, Mousavi wrote in his Twitter account on Saturday, adding that despite all travels and pressures, the United States could win the cooperation of only a small country.

Last night, Iran's active diplomacy as well as the legal strength of the nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) defeated US in the United Nations Security Council for the nth time, he noted.

The US draft resolution aimed to extend Iran arms embargo which is expected to be lifted on October 18 under the terms of a 2015 Iran nuclear deal (known as JCPOA) endorsed and made into law by UNSCR 2231.

When the resolution was put on vote, only two of the 15 Council members voted for the resolution  one of them was the United States itself. Two members voted against the resolution and 11 others abstained.

82 days left to US Presidential elections, it seems that the Trump administration has tied its fate in the foreign policy to the extension of Iran arms embargo.

The United States, which unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA two years ago, is endeavoring to prevent the lifting of Iran arms embargo.

In its latest effort, the US proposed a draft resolution to the UN Security Council asking the member states to extend the arms embargo on Tehran.

Earlier, Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi in a Twitter message said: "The result of the vote in #UNSC on arms embargo against Iran showsonce morethe US' isolation."

"Council's message: NO to UNILATERALISM. US must learn from this debacle. Its attempt to "snapback" sanctions is illegal, and was rejected by int'l community, as was evident today," Takht Ravanchi added.

9376**1416

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A man looks out at vehicles stuck along a flooded street after heavy rains hit the area in Linyi, in China's eastern Shandong Province, on Aug. 14, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Heavy Rain Hits Yangtze River Again, Inundating Cities and Leaving Many Homeless

Flooding as a result of heavy rainfall in Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces caused the Yangtze River to overflow in recent days, inundating cities in Chinas western regions.

The Yangtzes water level in Chongqing city may exceed the safety level on Aug. 19, which means an embankment breach could happen at any time, according to state-run broadcaster CCTV, which cited officials.

Chinas cabinet-like State Council said at a press conference on Aug. 13 that rainfall in areas along the Yangtze and Huai rivers have reached their highest levels since 1961.

A woman uses a bike to cross a flooded street after a sudden rain in Beijing on Aug. 9, 2020. (NOEL CELIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the countrys deputy minister of emergency management, Zhou Xuewen, unintentionally revealed that more than 4 million people were evacuated from their homes during floods this year.

Rainfall has begun to move north to the areas where the Yellow, Hai, Songhua, and Liao rivers lie. The Yellow River has experienced flooding since Aug. 11, but authorities have kept mum about its impact.

Two Floods

The Yangtze River Committee of Chinas Water Resources Ministry announced on Aug. 16 that a new flood peak formed in the Jialing River, a main Yangtze tributary, and entered the Yangtze near Chongqing, a sprawling city with more than 30 million residents.

The peak of the Jialing river flooding is expected to trigger another flood peak in the Yangtze on Aug. 19, according to the committee.

The upper-stream area of the Yangtze River is also under threat from heavy rain, Chongqing authorities said on Aug. 16. Flooding from the Jialing River and the Yangtzes upper stream may cause the latters water level to top its safety limit on Aug. 19.

Meanwhile, low-lying areas of Meishan, Guangyuan, and Deyang cities in Sichuan Province and Chongqing have been swamped by floodwaters since Aug. 13, according to videos that residents shared with The Epoch Times.

Flooding has also been reported in Lueyang, a county in Shaanxi Province. At 4:10 p.m on Aug. 16, the county government ordered all residents, regardless of rural areas or urban areas, to move to at least the third floor of buildings that have more than six stories.

The government also listed nine residential compounds that it said were too old to defend against possible flooding.

More cities in Sichuan, such as Chengdu, Ngawa, and Mianyang also reported severe flooding on Aug. 16.

Meanwhile, heavy rains also caused flooding along parts of the Yellow River, specifically in Linyi city in Shandong Province and Longnan city in Gansu Province. Stormwater submerged villages and sparked mudslides.

Its unclear how many people were affected; there was no information about any deaths or missing persons.

Impact

While heavy rain has caused historic flooding since June, authorities have refused to disclose the total fallout from the disaster. Residents told The Epoch Times that authorities have prohibited people from posting information online and blocked people from entering villages hit by mudslides.

During the press conference, Zhou did concede that, nationwide, more than 63 million people have been affected by floods this year, with over 4 million forced to leave their homes.

A man looks at a flooded street after a sudden rain in Beijing on Aug. 9, 2020. (NOEL CELIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Of those who lost their homes, Zhou said 17,500 of them were rescued or evacuated by firefighters; more than 3.98 million people were left to escape the flooding on their own.

Zhou also said two-thirds of the land in Jiangxi Province was submerged by floods before the harvest.

According to Chinas Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ministry, the entire country has 42.13 million hectares (about 104.1 million acres) of relatively good-quality farmland. Much of it is located in the drainage basin regions of the Yangtze, Huai, and Yellow riverswhere the most severe flooding has occurred his year.
The citys mayor says police face unprecedented circumstances and challenges in fighting crime amid the pandemic.

At least four people have died among 18 people people shot in a spate of shootings during an extremely violent night across the US city of Cincinnati, according to local media and police.

The bloodshed in the Ohio city of about 300,000 began when three people were shot at about midnight on Saturday (05:00 GMT) in the Walnut Hills neighbourhood.

Soon after, at about 12:30am (05:30 GMT) on Sunday, police were called to the Avondale area and found 21-year-old Antonio Blair with gunshot wounds. He was taken to University Hospital and died there, police said in a statement. Three other gunshot victims were also taken to the hospital.

Officers then responded to a report about gunshots in the Over-the-Rhine neighbourhood at 2:15am (07:15 GMT) where 10 people had been shot, police said. One man, 34-year-old Robert Rogers, died at the scene and another, 30-year-old Jaquiez Grantat, died at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

Local news outlets reported the shootings took place within 60 to 90 minutes of each other.

Assistant Police Chief Paul Neudigate told reporters they seem to be separate independent incidents but horrific and tragic.

Police did not immediately provide details about the fourth fatal shooting but confirmed that it occurred on the citys West End, where television news reports indicated that one person was shot later on Sunday morning and was pronounced dead at the scene.

No suspect information was immediately available in any of the cases.

 Stop the killing in our communities 

Neudigate described the series of incidents as one extremely violent night in the city of Cincinnati.

Why? Thats going to be the question, he said.





Later in the day, Cincinnatis police chief called the spike in violence unacceptable.

I am calling on all citizens of this great city to say enough is enough! We must not sit by silently and say we cant do anything to end gun violence, Eliot Isaac said in a statement. We all have a moral obligation to stop the violence and stop the killing in our communities.

Police said the department would shift officers from other assignments to beef up the number of uniformed officers in the affected communities and would call on federal prosecutors and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to focus on repeat shooters and aggressively bring illegal gun charges.

Increase in 2020 violence

The New York Times in July reported that an analysis of 25 large cities across the United States showed that while overall crime dropped by about five percent in the first five months of 2020, compared with the same period last year, homicides had risen by about 16 percent.

Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley on Sunday called the most recent incidents senseless gun violence that ruined lives and will cause immeasurable suffering at a time the city was facing unprecedented circumstances and challenges in fighting crime during the coronavirus pandemic.

He said the city had seen an uptick in cases as people gather in private homes and public places when the bars close.

Guns are far too prevalent at these gatherings. Please do not attend gatherings because you could end up as an innocent victim, he said in a statement.

He stressed, however, that those firing were responsible for the shootings  which he called attempted or actual murder  and pledged to bring them to justice.

I am also calling on everyone to help put an end this culture of resolving personal disputes with guns as well as to reduce the far too prevalent availability of illegal guns on our streets, he said.

The very sad reality is people are getting in trouble when they have nowhere to go and nothing to do.
I expect to be provoked, in a good way, by Entitled: How Male Privilege Hurts Women by Kate Manne, a philosophy professor at Cornell University. Over the years, I have become increasingly aware of the ways the world is oriented around the needs of people like me, and the way this disadvantages others. The first step to mitigating this damage is better understanding how these forces work. Having previously read Mannes writing in places like The New York Times, Im looking forward to learning more.
As speculation mounted about her chances of being tapped as Joe Biden's running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., began introducing some eye-catching legislation.

One measure boosted research for uterine fibroids, a condition that threatens pregnancies and disproportionately affects Black women. Another toughened a measure to ban police chokeholds following the killing of George Floyd. In the same stretch, she used her Senate perch to push for greater voting access.

All those issues are of deep concern to the Black activists whose skepticism of Harris helped doom her own presidential campaign but who were gaining influence in the Democratic Party amid a season of racial reckoning. Harris turned to some of those activists, meeting with them repeatedly as she crafted the Senate provisions. And by the time Biden was in the final throes of his arduous selection process, many of the same critics who had looked with suspicion at Harris's past work as a prosecutor were suddenly pulling for her as a fellow Black woman.

"Senator Harris has reflected that had she had the opportunity to make certain choices that she made back in the '90s when she was the district attorney, if she had the opportunity to make those choices in the Black Lives Matter era, more than 20 years later, that may have shifted," said Alicia Garza, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Garza said she met with Harris for over an hour and discussed "some of the challenges of this moment, some of the policy that we needed to see her champion in this moment, and it was an important and a good meeting," Garza said.

It helps, she added, that Harris suggested she might not embrace the same policies today.

The coming together of Harris and her former critics marked an extraordinary behind-the-scenes drama that played out amid the months-long speculation over who presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden would pick as his running mate, and whether he would choose a Black woman as many in the party were demanding, according to people familiar with the process.

Harris, back in the Senate after dropping out of the presidential primary in December, used her legislative perch to prove her bona fides while also reaching out to activists to hold private meetings in which she sought to show that she had changed over time.

Many Black leaders, for their part, held impassioned strategy sessions and energetic discussions, eager to apply just enough pressure on Biden while also debating how strongly to push specifically for Harris.

And inside the Biden campaign's search apparatus, when negative stories about Harris were being pushed from some fellow Californians, Black leaders pushing for Harris began feverishly reaching out to their contacts in the state to quell those concerns about her, according to a person familiar with the situation who was granted anonymity to discuss campaign dynamics.

A Harris spokesperson declined to comment for this story.

The Biden campaign has been happy, and somewhat relieved, with Harris's introduction. It raised an impressive $1 million an hour for the first 48 hours after announcing the ticket; that $48 million total compares favorably with the $60 million that Biden raised in all of 2019.

Biden aides say his selection of Harris was not based on race, but rather on his comfort with her as a governing partner. At the same time, they say the candidate recognized the resonance of selecting a woman of color (Harris's father emigrated from Jamaica and her mother from India).

"He understands the Black community, and he listens," said Symone Sanders, a senior Biden adviser. "He knows that representation matters. He said himself that he picked Senator Harris because she was qualified - but he also said that he knows the power of seeing a Black woman who is a daughter of immigrants ready to take the second-highest office in our country for so many Black girls out there."

The political landscape has shifted seismically since Biden in March pledged to pick a female running mate. Covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, ravaged the country, particularly Black and Latino communities.

And the current racial reckoning gained momentum in May when a tape surfaced of Ahmaud Arbery's brutal killing in Georgia surfaced, then exploded weeks later when the killing of George Floyd at the hands of police sparked days of protest.

Biden, for his part, had made a series of tone-deaf comments about Black Americans that handed President Donald Trump a potential wedge to drive between his candidacy and minority voters. During the primary, Harris and Biden had tangled over his early Senate record, when he opposed federally ordered busing and worked with segregationist senators.

Later, Biden had to scramble to clean up a remark he made on "The Breakfast Club," a radio show with a large Black audience, when he told listeners that if they were considering supporting Trump, then "you ain't black." At another point he rebuked a Black reporter who asked him about his cognitive strength by saying, "Are you a junkie?"

Initially, it was far from clear that Harris could offset such missteps. Many activists were deeply unhappy with her tenure as a prosecutor and attorney general in California, saying she'd missed opportunities to reform the criminal justice system.

Detractors, for example, attacked her decision to criminalize the parents of truant students, saying it hardened racial disparities. Harris said that few parents were actually jailed under the policy, and that it rather allowed her office to identify families in need of assistance and help them.

When Harris released her broad criminal justice plan in September, some activists argued it should go further. At one Democratic debate, moderator Linsey Davis asked Harris why she hadn't done more on criminal justice when she was California's attorney general, the crowd cheered the question.

"There have been many distortions of my record," Harris responded.

LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, said that after her presidential campaign ended, Harris made a conscious effort to reach out and tackle these issues head-on.

"She was willing to put out the olive branch and really be able to show that she was not only seeing herself as a member of the community, but was willing to work and to take some leadership and direction from that community," Brown said.

Brown had backed Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., in the primary, but she later urged Biden to pick a Black woman as his running mate, and she suggested Harris had evolved. "The bottom line is, I think that we all have an arc of leadership," Brown said.

In the early months of her campaign, Harris struggled with how to talk about her role as a prosecutor. She opted for a slogan that played on that job - "Kamala Harris for the people" - but she simultaneously downplayed it, in part because some advisers worried it would alienate progressives.

About six months in, she pivoted, deciding to run on her record and frame it as an effort to reform a broken justice system from inside.

Now that she is the presumptive vice-presidential nominee, some allies say her greater acceptance by civil rights advocates is coming less from Harris's overtures than from a greater understanding of where she has always stood.

Glynda Carr, co-founder of Higher Heights for America, cited Harris's pointed questioning of Brett Kavanaugh during his Supreme Court confirmation hearing in September 2018. "Do I think as a leader, she's shifted? No, because you know, she's had these breakthrough moments," said Carr, whose group endorsed Harris in the primary. "Give her a hearing, and the world is like, 'Yes! Kamala Harris!' "

At the same time, the moment of racial reckoning has prompted some activists to recognize what they acknowledge has sometimes been a knee-jerk distrust of prosecutors. "In our community, if you're a prosecutor, there's an immediate side-eye," said Angela Rye, a former director of the Congressional Black Caucus.

As Harris became more deeply involved with police reform in the wake of Floyd's killing, her detailed understanding of the criminal justice system was increasingly seen by activists as a plus. She went out of her way, for example, to change language in a Democratic bill that originally banned most police chokeholds but not the type used by Minneapolis police to subdue Floyd. Harris made sure that tactic was covered in the bill.

As Harris mended fences with Black activists, a group of influential African American women in Washington mobilized a campaign to pressure the Biden campaign to select a Black woman.

Moments after he pledged to select a woman on the debate stage, Donna Brazile, a powerful figure in the Democratic Party, received a text from her longtime friend and ally Melanie Campbell, head of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, asking her to join an effort to push for a Black running mate.

Brazile initially declined. A seasoned campaign operative herself, she did not want to dictate from the outside what a presidential campaign should do.

But later that night, she said, she thought about the campaign paraphernalia in her basement, including buttons from the 1984 Democratic presidential campaign. That year, nominee Walter Mondale made history by choosing Geraldine Ferraro as the first woman on a major presidential ticket.

Yet Brazile, who worked on that campaign, did not recall the moment fondly. "Walter Mondale considered everyone but a Black woman," Brazile said.

The next morning, Brazile joined the effort. She and others drafted a letter to Biden's campaign that was ultimately signed by about 200 civil rights leaders. She met with Biden and talked to members of his running mate selection committee.

By July, it was clear Biden was considering several Black women, and he reached out to ask if Brazile's group favored one of the prospects over the others.

"There was a lot of hesitation, because we didn't want to play that game of picking and choosing between friends," Brazile said. "But yes, we did have to turn that corner eventually." Brazile told Biden's team that Harris was the top choice of many in the group.

After Biden formally announced his running mate, some analysts described Harris as a "safe" pick, which was jarring to many of those who pushed for her.

"Really? When did we ever have a Black woman nominee? How is that safe?" Campbell said. "I can say the decision was not just historic, but game-changing."

But Garza said her support for Harris is conditional.

"Now that there is this level of representation on the ticket, that is expected to translate into substance," Garza said. "I can already tell you that there are going to be some fights."
As Military Cyber Policies Change, Should Others Do the Same?
An IFA leader who lives a few miles from the Covid-19 outbreak at a Golden mushroom plant said the community was in shock since the cluster was confirmed.

Erica O'Keeffe, South Tipperary IFA chairperson, said news of the outbreak came as "a huge shock" to everybody living in the area.

The IFA leader was speaking after it was confirmed that all operations at Walsh's mushroom plant in Golden were suspended earlier today (Friday August 14) following the outbreak.It is understood that eleven people have tested positive for Covid-19.

The Irish Army has been called in to assist the HSE in the village of Golden following the outbreak.

A testing centre is being constructed by the HSE with the assistance of the Irish Army on the grounds of Golden Church.

It is expected that the remaining 150 workers will be tested over the next twenty four hours.

Erica O'Keeffe, who lives in Cashel, said her thoughts were with the workers and their families during this difficult time.

"This is just such a huge shock for everybody living in the area. Our thoughts are with the families concerned and it is of paramount importance that everything is done to contain the outbreak and protect public safety," she said.

Army called in to assist HSE in Covid outbreak in Golden
















In the Japanese context, it can be scandalous to make such a proposal, said Narushige Michishita, director of the Security and International Studies Program at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo. People get freaked out when people start speaking about strikes.

But given the increasing risks around Japan, including North Koreas expanding nuclear arsenal and Chinas muscle-flexing during the pandemic, Mr. Michishita and other security analysts said it should be only natural for the country to consider bolstering its defenses. In a poll this week by NHK, the public broadcaster, half of respondents said that Japan should acquire weapons that could stop missile attacks before they are launched from enemy territory.

That approval rating is better than Mr. Abes at the moment: According to a recent NHK poll, only 34 percent of those surveyed approve of the cabinets current performance, the lowest rating since Mr. Abe returned to power as prime minister in 2012. (He served a first term from 2006 to 2007.)

That figure is largely a matter of public dismay over the administrations mixed messages about the coronavirus, with the government promoting subsidized domestic travel in July even as cases were rising. Mr. Abe has also contended with persistent rumors about his health as he has dialed back public appearances.

The current discussion about acquiring long-range missiles was prompted by the governments decision in June to cancel a plan to buy an American missile defense system, known as Aegis Ashore, that would have been deployed in northern and western Japan. The governing party said it would need to explore alternatives after the cancellation of the system, which would have served as a shield to intercept incoming missiles.

Mr. Kono said that though Aegis Ashore represented a good form of defense for Japan in principle, the cost of hardware adjustments, necessary to ensure that rocket boosters would not fall on Japanese territory, would be prohibitive. Given that expense, he said, I dont think its worth it.
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

The last time Santa Fe County had an election, it took workers several days to count all the ballots, with an unprecedented number of them mailed in by voters.

Next election, theyll have even more. A lot more.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic first struck New Mexico, county clerks have been pushing for more voters to use mail-in ballots rather than voting at traditional polling sites, which officials argue is a safer option given the severity of the pandemic.

A large number of voters took that advice for the June primary election, as Santa Fe County mailed out a staggering 39,000 ballots to voters beforehand.

Counting those ballots, however, proved challenging. County Clerk Geraldine Salazar and other election workers said the 13 workers on staff were much fewer than normal, leading to a bottleneck of ballots to be counted.

We hadnt experienced that many (ballots) before, she said. We need more work stations, we need more election workers.

On top of the late count, 316 absentee ballots in Santa Fe County arrived too late to be counted, according to a previous Journal article.

The First Judicial District Court granted the clerks office more time to count ballots, but Santa Fe County was still the last in New Mexico to release any voting results from election night.

Judy Williams from the League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County said county officials were put in a difficult position, especially since the state Supreme Court ruled against making the election by mail only.

It was the first time that there were massive absentee ballot submissions, Williams said. I know that the county clerks people were really working like crazy.

Salazar said theres still some concerns about Election Day in November.

We are very overwhelmed, she told county commissioners Tuesday. Its very stressful. I still havent recovered 100% from the primary election.

Salazar told the Journal that stress comes from preparing to send out applications for even more mail-in ballots in the next election.

Santa Fe is one of several counties in the state mailing out absentee ballot applications to voters ahead of the election. Salazar said the county will send around 90,000 applications, more than double the number of mail-in ballots in June.

To better prepare for the high number of ballots, the county plans on increasing work stations and hiring 30 workers to count ballots, Salazar said. Voters can also drop off ballots at the county clerks office or at any polling site.

State lawmakers also approved a change to election law, moving up the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot to Oct. 20.

Alex Curtas, spokesperson for the Secretary of States Office, said this was to give counties more time to count ballots and prevent votes from being sent too late to be counted.

In the middle of election planning, the nonprofit Center for Voting Information sent out almost 400,000 absentee ballot applications to voters in New Mexico, around 29,000 of those going to Santa Fe County, Salazar said.

While these applications are valid, Salazar said they have led to confusion for some voters, especially since the county plans on sending out applications on Sept. 14.

It causes confusion for the voter and some of them call me upset, she said.

Despite the new rules and additional resources, Salazar said theres no guarantee they wont have another late night in November.

If we feel that we need more time and we need to go to district court to extend our time, then we will, she said.

Williams said voters cant always expect the quick turnarounds for voting results that existed before the pandemic.

I dont think the countrys going to fall apart if we get results the next morning, she said. That might be the price of whats going on.
Statistics showed that in 2019, Russia spent over 5 billion USD on importing fresh fruits, along with 1.3-1.5 billion USD on processed vegetable, fruits and nuts, more than 2 billion USD on meat, over 2.4 billion USD on fisheries products.

Illustrative image (Source: VNA)



Many Vietnamese products are Russians favourite, especially wooden furniture and farm produce. The market also has high demand for tropical vegetables and fruit.

In the first two months of 2020, Vietnam earned 8.2 million USD from exporting vegetables and fruit to Russia, up 246.1 percent year on year, including 6.7 million USD of processed products, a rise of 293.5 percent over the same period last year.

At the same time, Vietnam is Russias top supplier of coffee in 2019, with 154.3 million USD, making up 24.5 percent of the countrys total spending on the product.

According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, in the first two months of 2020, export revenue of Vietnams afro-forestry-fisheries products to Russia reached 68.5 million USD, up 0.3 percent year on year, with sharp a rise seen in exports of vegetables, fruit, rice, and peppercorn.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien advised businesses to focus more on the Russian market to make full use of the market potential and the sound strategic partnership between the two countries.

He said that the ministry has directed relevant agencies to guide and support enterprises in administrative procedures in line with requirements of importers.

However, he pointed out that exports to Russia only account for about 1.6 percent of Vietnam total exports of agricultural products. He noted that although many Vietnamese products meet requirements of the Russian market, but they face barriers in export procedures.

Specifically, Vietnamese products have been charged with high tax rate in the market, and high logistics cost has also impacted competitiveness of the products. Technical barriers, currency exchange and low level of products processing have also been obstacles of Vietnam.

Experts held that in order to increase exports to Russia, Vietnam should promote the processing industry. Meanwhile, State agencies and businesses should work more closely together, with more support from the State in policy.

They advised businesses to stay active in giving proposals and voicing their needs to State agencies./.
New Delhi, Aug 16 : As a fallout of the Rajasthan turmoil, Congress General Secretary in-charge of the state Avinash Pande has been replaced by former Union minister Ajay Maken who was special observer for the state during the crisis.

Close Sonia Gandhi aide Ahmed Patel will be the senior most member on the committee to oversee the "smooth resolution" of Rajasthan affairs, said a party release Pande has been removed after a complaint by former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot who has made a truce with the party. The Rajasthan political crisis had a happy ending with the rival camps of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Pilot coming together.

Pande who was alleged to be siding with the Chief Minister, has become the first casualty of the crisis.

Patel who has been the main troubleshooter, will be in the committee along with Maken and K.C. Venugopal.

Pilot had revolted against the Gehlot government and had returned to Jaipur only last Monday as he buried his differences with the Chief Minister, thus marking an end to the over month-long political uncertainty in the state.

Meanwhile, the Gehlot government on Friday won the motion of confidence moved by the Congress by a voice vote on the opening day of the special Assembly session, which has now been adjourned till August 21. The Gehlot government is now safe for at least six months, as the opposition can't move a no-confidence motion within the next six months.
T J S George By

Narendra Modi, of course, has gifts of leadership that put him above his challengers. But even his admirers will agree that the weaknesses of the Congress are a big factor behind his success. Consider how the Congress reacted to his victory in 2019. Rahul Gandhi resigned as Congress president, but the party was too confused to get out of its dynastic fixation. It refused to accept his resignation. How did the confusion end? By choosing Sonia Gandhi as interim president.

Interim of course meant indefinite. Feeling embarrassed, she said last week that a new party president would be elected in the not too distant future. Read this alongside the report that there is a clamour for Rahul to return to the helm. In the circumstances, dont dismiss the recurring reports that the Congress Party is on ventilator. The good news is that ventilators are rather efficient these days. Especially when used by a Grand Old Party that is renowned for its ability to die and yet live on, to expire without becoming diseased.

When the party failed to win a single seat in the last Delhi elections (63 out of its 66 candidates lost their deposits), Congressmen refused to read the message. One leader said that the new zero was not a defeat because in the 2015 election too it scored zero and therefore there was no loss. Logic that beats all logic.

It was left to Sharmistha Mukherjee to bring sanity back to the scene. In her customary no-nonsense tone, the daughter of Pranab Mukherjee said that the party was decimated in Delhi because of inordinate delays in decision-making, a lack of strategy and unity at the state level, and demotivated workers. These were facts known to all, but acknowledged by the fewest of the few. Result: Yesterdays leaders rule with ideas from the day before yesterday.

At one point, Congressman Sandeep Dikshit, a respected name in Delhi, accused the partys senior leaders of failing to find a new president for the party. Shashi Tharoor has been repeatedly airing the demand that the party elect a president. He said that dozens of party leaders are saying privately that there must be internal elections within the Congress. Many Congress leaders are scared that if such elections end up with a non-Gandhi president, groupism will knock down the party. That may well be the case. But wont it be better for groupism to play itself out while the Gandhis are around? The Congress can grow only when it stands on the strength of internal electoral fidelities.

Today the Congress is in a respectable position only in a few states. In Punjab and Chhattisgarh, it is relatively comfortable. In Rajasthan, a tired, old wire-puller has managed to stay in power, dirtying the name of the party in the process. In Maharashtra, it hangs on the tails of the Shiv Sena. In Puducherry, it not only takes help from the DMK, but also agrees to cope with a Governor who imagines that she is some kind of a super chief minister. It is a pathetic plight for a party which at one point could boast that even a broomstick would be elected if it had a Congress ticket.

In the few spots where it has power, Congress does not enjoy a good name. Thats because it flaunts only the Gandhi name. It does not flaunt names that could have brought it more legitimacy, names like Mallikarjun Kharge, Manmohan Singh, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, A K Antony. There are other ignored names that could have brought it a touch of youthful glamour  Milind Deora, Jitin Prasada, Deepender Hooda. Ignoring them, the party almost lost one of its shining stars, Sachin Pilot.

Karnatakas Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao, holding the presidentship on an interim basis till last March, had to plead for an elected party chief in the state. Our workers and leaders are in a state of confusion, he said. In Kerala, young voices are not heard in the Congress.

Sonia Gandhi herself has now realised that her sell-by date is over. But her party is nowhere near internal elections despite Shashi Tharoors proddings. This may seem like an internal Congress party problem. In fact, it is a problem that concerns all of India. Democracy has become a bit of a farce with the BJP having an unhealthy majority in Parliament, leading to the Prime Minister pursuing an authoritarian line with no one to question him effectively. The alternative to a meaningful opposition is a one-party dictatorship.

T J S George
The President of Nigerian Traders Union in Ghana, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nnaji, yesterday decried Ghanaian authorities closure of shops owned by Nigerians doing business in the country.

Nnaji, who made this known in a telephone interview with newsmen urged the Federal Government to intervene in the matter.

He said that shops belonging to Nigerian traders in Accra were locked up by Ghanaian authorities who demanded cash payment of $1 million from them before the shops would be opened.

According to him, an inter-ministerial task force went round on August 10 to identify shops owned by Nigerian traders and request for registration of business taxes, resident permit, standard control and Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC) registration.

Most of our members do not have the GIPC registration, because it requires one million dollars cash or equity and they gave us 14 days within which to regularise.

As of Thursday, they had moved to another area and started locking up shops of Nigerian traders. Nigerian life in Ghana matters. This is livelihood of Nigerians being destroyed by Ghanaian Authorities. This is not being perpetrated by a trade union, but Ghanaian authorities. They demanded that we must employ a minimum of 25 skilled Ghanaian workers and must not trade in commodities that Ghanaian traders have applied to trade in, Nnaji said.

The humiliation of Nigerians is getting out of hand. We are calling on the Nigerian government to come to our aid. We have legally registered our businesses and we pay taxes, Nnaji said.

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US, Poland Sign Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement

By VOA News August 15, 2020

The United States and Poland signed a recently negotiated Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) Saturday in Warsaw.

Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak inked the deal after meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda.

"The agreement will enhance our military cooperation and increase the United States military presence in Poland to further strengthen NATO deterrence, bolster European security, and help ensure democracy, freedom, and sovereignty," U.S. President Donald Trump said in a statement.

The deal supplements an existing NATO Status of Forces Agreement, and it also allows U.S. forces access to additional military installations in Poland.

About 4,500 U.S. troops are currently based in Poland and about 1,000 will be added, as both counties agreed and announced last year.

Last July, the Pentagon said that about 12,000 troops would be withdrawn from Germany, from which some 5,600 would be stationed in other countries in Europe, including Poland.

The relocation of U.S. troops is in line with Trump's demand to reduce American forces in Germany.

Also Saturday, Pompeo met with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Poland's capital, where he honored the centennial of the Battle of Warsaw, State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said.

Pompeo and Morawiecki discussed a new draft bilateral agreement to cooperate in the development of Poland's civil nuclear power program, which the two countries initialed this week.

Besides defense cooperation, Pompeo and Morawiecki discussed the support for the people of Belarus, measures to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, securing 5G networks, and improving regional energy and infrastructure through the Three Seas Initiative.

Pompeo said Saturday at a news conference in Warsaw that the U.S. is following developments "closely" in Belarus after last weekend's disputed election and a clampdown on subsequent protests.

The top U.S. diplomat also said the U.N. Security Council's failure Friday to extend a U.N. arms embargo on Iran was "a serious mistake."

The U.S. effort to extend the embargo failed because of opposition from China and Russia, and a decision by Britain, France, Germany and eight other council members to abstain from voting.

In a statement Saturday, Pompeo lauded Lithuania for designating Hezbollah as a terrorist group and prohibiting its affiliates from entering its territory.

"Lithuania's decisive action, which follows Germany's own ban on Hezbollah on April 20, recognizes there is no distinction between Hizballah's so-called 'military' and 'political' wings," the statement said.

Poland was the last leg of Pompeo's four-nation tour of eastern and central Europe, during which he visited the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Austria, and met with the countries' leaders.

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New Video Of Belarus Protester's Death Appears To Contradict Official Version Of Events

By RFE/RL August 15, 2020

New video published by the Associated Press on August 15 showing the death of a Belarusian protester appears to contradict the official version of events.

The death of Alyaksandr Taraykouski on August 10 has become a rallying cry for the protest movement against President Alyaksandr Lukashenka in the wake of a disputed election and harsh crackdown that has drawn international outrage.

The Associated Press published a video made on August 10, which shows Taraykouski wobbling with a blood-stained shirt before he collapses to the ground several meters from a line of riot police at Pushkinskaya subway station in the capital, Minsk.

Riot police then go straight toward him and surround the body of the 34-year-old.

According to the official version of events, an explosive device blew up in Taraykouski's hands as he was trying to throw it at police, but nothing like that can be seen in the video.

Taraykouski's relatives have said they do not believe he had an explosive device.

Earlier, Taraykouski's death from other angles were published on Telegram channels and Euroradio.

Those videos show Taraykouski with his hands up around 10 meters from a line of riot police when there is a flash from the direction of the police. Taraykouski falls to the ground seconds later.

Thousands of protesters on August 15 paid their respects to Taraykouski at a memorial Pushkinskaya subway station, where for days people have laid flowers.

Taraykouski's family urged protesters not to attend a funeral church service and instead gather near the subway station where he died.

Despite the plea, hundreds gathered outside the church service waving flags and photos of Taraykouski.

Hundreds of others entered the hall, where the ceremony took place, to lay flowers and wreaths.

At least two people have been killed, hundreds injured, and thousands detained in protests since the controversial August 9 election that saw Lukashenka, in power since 1994, declared the winner.

Opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya has called for more peaceful rallies.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/video- contradicts-official-belarus-version-of -protester-death/30785761.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.

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Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams recently published a proposed policy for public comment regarding the rapid deployment of communications networks in South Africa.

This policy paves the way for the long-awaited Rapid Deployment Guidelines developed by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).

Among other provisions, the proposed policy aims to expand the existing rights of network operators to access private property to construct network infrastructure.

This includes not only erecting cellular masts but also rolling out fibre cables.

Any infrastructure built on private land still belongs to the network that built it.

Landowners are also entitled to reasonable compensation where network infrastructure denies them the use of that land.

Reasonable access fees may be charged in cases where more intrusive electronic communications networks or facilities, such as masts, are erected on the property. In such cases any access fee must be reasonable in proportion to the disadvantage suffered and must not enrich the property owner or exploit the electronic communications network service licensee, the policy states.

The proposed policy also tries to ensure that landowners dont cause damage to the infrastructure.

If such electronic communications networks or facilities are damaged due to the fault of a property owner, reasonable compensation agreed to between the property owner and the electronic communications network service licensee is payable, the policy states.

Similarly, if the networks cause damage to the landowners property, it must provide reasonable compensation for the damages.

The policy also outlines that dispute procedures must be in place for landowners and network providers alike to address various objections on either side.

Have your say

The proposed policy is open for public comment until 21 August 2020.

For those interested in providing their input, the proposed policy is embedded below.

Public participation platform Dear South Africa lets you submit your comments directly to the chief director of telecommunications and IT policy at the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies.

Dear South Africa has submitted over 55,000 responses to the proposed policy, the majority of which (94%) are negative. The charts below summarise how people responded, and which regions of South Africa respondents are from.

Property rights and health concerns

To get an idea of the main issues respondents are raising in their submissions to the department, MyBroadband constructed a word cloud of the comments and suggestions that were submitted.

The word cloud shows that the biggest concern people raised was that of property rights, with health concerns a close second.

5G safety questions

Similar to when LTE technology started being rolled out, and 3G technology before that, activists have made allegations that 5G technology is unsafe.

These allegations have extended to false claims that 5G caused the coronavirus, or weakened peoples immune systems to make them more susceptible to the coronavirus.

There have also been disinformation campaigns surrounding anti-vaccine conspiracies involving Bill Gates and implanting tracking chips inside every human on Earth.

While some activists and conspiracy theorists have made wild allegations, others simply stated that no studies have been conducted regarding the safety of 5G technology.

The South African Minister of Health, Zweli Mkhize, was asked this question in parliament and he stated that several studies have been done internationally on the effects of 5G radiation and published in accredited scientific journals.

Mkhize explained that the World Health Organisation acknowledges two bodies that have produced electromagnetic fields exposure guidelines that countries must adhere to: The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (2020) guidelines for limiting exposure to Electromagnetic Fields, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

The conclusion of Mkhizes statement was as follows:

Tissue heating was identified as the main mechanism of interaction between radiofrequency fields and the human body. Radiofrequency exposure levels from current technologies resulted in negligible temperature rise in the human body. As the frequency increases, there is less penetration into the body tissues and absorption of the energy becomes more confined to the surface of the body (skin and eye). Provided that the overall exposure remains below international guidelines, no consequences for public health are anticipated.

Mkhize also provided a full list of references to studies on the health effects of electromagnetic radiation. His response to parliament is also embedded below.

Cutting through the red tape

South Africas rapid deployment guidelines for telecommunications networks have languished in bureaucratic purgatory for more than ten years.

In 2008, the former Minister of Communications, Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, published Proposed Guidelines For Rapid Deployment of Electronic Communications Facilities.

However, the proposed guidelines were seen in certain spheres as an attempt to hijack the rapid deployment regulations to influence undersea cable landings in South Africa.

These guidelines from 2008 would have vested total authority in the Minister to decide which undersea cables may be landed and operate in South Africa.

They also stipulated that for an undersea cable to qualify for authorisation, African entities must have a combined equity ownership of 51% in the cable.

In effect, the guidelines would have blocked the SEACOM cable from landing and operating in South Africa. The arrival of SEACOM in South Africa is credited with a drastic reduction in the cost of bandwidth, leading to the launch of uncapped ADSL in 2010.

The former Ministry of Communication eventually withdrew these proposed guidelines on 11 August 2011 and set ICASA with the task of developing the Rapid Deployment Guidelines.

There the Rapid Deployment Guidelines got stuck for the better part of a decade.

Industry insiders have said that ICASA councillors did actually develop draft regulations, but due to a lack of political will and political interference, ICASAs draft guidelines never saw the light of day.

There was another attempt in 2015 to develop Rapid Deployment Guidelines, but it never progressed further than a discussion paper.

Ndabeni-Abrahams publication of a draft policy and policy direction for the rapid deployment of networks came as a welcome surprise to those in South Africas telecommunications industry.

Proposed policy and policy direction

The proposed policy and policy direction on the rapid deployment of electronic communications networks and facilities is embedded below:



Health Ministers response to questions of 5G safety



Now read: What the 5G spectrum delay means for mobile networks
August 15, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - The Western establishment narrative managers always follow the same patterns. Just like they fixated on Hong Kong protests, while ignoring those in US-aligned France or Israel, now theyre cheering on protests in Belarus.

Imperialist pundit and Obama administration Cold Warrior Michael McFaul recently tweeted the following:

Belarusians, inside and outside of the country, have reached out to me this week to ask why the West is so indifferent to their courageous fight for democracy. I cant explain. Can you?

I am not highlighting this tweet because it is remarkable (except for the extremely dubious claim that anyone ever reaches out to Michael McFaul). I am highlighting it because it is completely unremarkable.

New on MoA:

Belarus - A U.S. Sponsored Color Revolution Is Underwayhttps://t.co/aQMnrMmMPc pic.twitter.com/HJkFvKNZnE  Moon of Alabama (@MoonofA) June 16, 2020

Two months ago, Moon of Alabama published an article titledBelarus  A US Sponsored Color Revolution Is Underway, documenting all the telltale signs that the Moscow-aligned nation would soon be overrun with protests in opposition to its Soviet-style government. Heres an excerpt from that June 16 article:

On August 9 Belarus will hold presidential elections. Lukashenko will do his best to win again.

Color revolutions are usually launched over controversial elections. The results are publicly put into doubt even before the election begins. When the results finally arrive, Western media will claim that they diverge from the expectation it created and therefore must have been faked. People will be pushed into the streets to protest. To increase the chaos, some sharp shooters may be put to work to fire at the police and at protesters like it was done in Ukraine. The revolt ends when it is flogged down or when the US favorite candidate is put into place.

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Last year the US National Endowment for Democracy financed at least 34 projects and organizations in Belarus. The US does not do that out of charity but to put its finger on the scale.

All the usual imperial narrative management operations were in place in the lead-up to the nations election this month, and now were seeing CIA cutouts like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the National Endowment for Democracy cheering on the protests and condemning the Belarusian government in sync with the US State Department.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, speaking to RFE/RL in Prague, said Washington has been watching the violence in Belarus, with "peaceful protesters being treated in ways that are inconsistent with how they should be treated." https://t.co/Fi7vYrIvEk  Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (@RFERL) August 12, 2020

We support the protesters and condemn the brutal government crackdown against them, said the government with no self awareness whatsoever.

So its all unfolding according to the same old patterns. A formula that is so tired and repetitive that those with an ear to the ground can predict them before they happen.

Again, I am not highlighting McFauls tweet because it is unusual. I am highlighting it because, in our insane world that is dominated by a 'The Blob'-reminiscent empire which constantly works to absorb or destroy all nations which are not aligned with it, it is completely normal and mundane. Its one of nearly infinite tweets, articles and TV clips I could have chosen from as an example of the way establishment narrative managers consistently twist the story of whats happening in our world in favor of the US-centralized empire and against governments which have resisted absorption into its gelatinous folds.

In fact, lets simplify things by translating McFauls post into its original generic template format:
HAIFA, Israel, Aug. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Elbit Systems' THOR, a multi-rotor Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) mini Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), successfully completed a series of environmental qualification tests ahead of the delivery of more than a thousand of units to an army in Southeast Asia. As announced on October 6, 2019, the Company was awarded a $153 million contract to provide a networked multi-layered UAS array to an army in Southeast Asia, including more than 1,000 THOR VTOL mini-UAS.

created by dji camera

The environmental qualification tests measured the operational durability of the THOR VTOL mini-UAS under a range of extreme environmental conditions and its capability to withstand the physical stress requirements under the MIL-STD-810. The tests demonstrated the capability of THOR to maintain operability in temperatures varying from minus 40C up to 65C, withstand hard gusting rain and rough vibrations, and resist penetration and damage from blowing sand and dust.

The THOR VTOL mini-UAS is designed for surveillance and reconnaissance missions over land and at sea. Electrically propelled, THOR is capable of carrying up to three kg of payloads and has a flight duration capability of up to 75 minutes of operation, a maximal range of 10 kilometers and a flight ceiling of up to 2,000 ft.

About Elbit Systems

Elbit Systems Ltd. is an international high technology company engaged in a wide range of defense, homeland security and commercial programs throughout the world. The Company, which includes Elbit Systems and its subsidiaries, operates in the areas of aerospace, land and naval systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance ("C4ISR"), unmanned aircraft systems, advanced electro-optics, electro-optic space systems, EW suites, signal intelligence systems, data links and communications systems, radios, cyber-based systems and munitions. The Company also focuses on the upgrading of existing platforms, developing new technologies for defense, homeland security and commercial applications and providing a range of support services, including training and simulation systems.

For additional information, visit: https://elbitsystems.com/, follow us on Twitter or visit our official Facebook, Youtube and LinkedIn Channels.

Contacts:

David Vaaknin VP, Brand & Corporate Communications Tel: 972-77-2946691 Cell: 972-52-8000403 [email protected] Dana Tal-Noyman Manager, International Corporate Communications Tel: 972-77-2948809 Cell: 972-54-9998809 [email protected]

This press release may contain forwardlooking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the Israeli Securities Law, 1968) regarding Elbit Systems Ltd. and/or its subsidiaries (collectively the Company), to the extent such statements do not relate to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions about future events. Forwardlooking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company, which are difficult to predict, including projections of the Company's future financial results, its anticipated growth strategies and anticipated trends in its business. Therefore, actual future results, performance and trends may differ materially from these forwardlooking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation: scope and length of customer contracts; governmental regulations and approvals; changes in governmental budgeting priorities; general market, political and economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates or sells, including Israel and the United States among others; changes in global health and macro-economic conditions; differences in anticipated and actual program performance, including the ability to perform under long-term fixed-price contracts; changes in the competitive environment; and the outcome of legal and/or regulatory proceedings. The factors listed above are not all-inclusive, and further information is contained in Elbit Systems Ltd.'s latest annual report on Form 20-F, which is on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forwardlooking statements speak only as of the date of this release. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.

Elbit Systems Ltd., its logo, brand, product, service and process names appearing in this Press Release are the trademarks or service marks of Elbit Systems Ltd. or its affiliated companies. All other brand, product, service and process names appearing are the trademarks of their respective holders. Reference to or use of a product, service or process other than those of Elbit Systems Ltd. does not imply recommendation, approval, affiliation or sponsorship of that product, service or process by Elbit Systems Ltd. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as conferring by implication, estoppel or otherwise any license or right under any patent, copyright, trademark or other intellectual property right of Elbit Systems Ltd. or any third party, except as expressly granted herein.

SOURCE Elbit Systems Ltd.

Related Links

https://elbitsystems.com/


Pick up a kids book in aid of frontline workers, and find yourself absorbed in a very prescient pandemic read

Fiction

1. The Pull Of The Stars by Emma Donoghue is published in hardback by Picador. Available now

Emma Donoghue wrote this startling and extraordinary novel before the coronavirus pandemic hit  but it couldnt be more prescient. The Pull Of The Stars takes place across three days in 1918, where on a makeshift, thoroughly understaffed maternity ward in Dublin, Nurse Julia Power is trying to support pregnant women through labour, while Spanish Influenza goes about its insidious, fatal work. Eerie comparisons with Covid aside (like the often bizarre and confusing government messaging, outrage of public coughing, and conspiracy theories etc.) Julias observations on the odds pregnant women in poverty already face, and the havoc wreaked on their bodies from having too many children, too young, is devastating  and fascinating  to read.

Donoghue deftly weaves in politics, policy, the impact of war, feminism, violence and the minutiae of changing bed pans and sterilising instruments, while dealing with dismissive male doctors and birthing babies. And thats all alongside the awful things happening in Irish convents and childrens homes. But throughout, the pragmatic, thoughtful Julia keeps the overwhelming darkness shes tackling, in abeyance  just about. A powerful, persistent, highly detailed and incredibly moving book that speaks through time. Donoghue is an absolute marvel of a writer.

9/10

(Review by Ella Walker)

2. Miss Bensons Beetle by Rachel Joyce is published in hardback by Doubleday. Available now

The latest book from the bestselling author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is about an expedition to find the golden beetle of New Caledonia. Set in the stultified 1950s, Miss Bensons Beetle considers female friendship in the unlikeliest of situations. Miss Benson, a frumpy, middle-aged domestic science teacher hiding a lifetimes worth of emotional scars from herself, suffers one slight too many and behaves in a completely irrational manner. This prompts her to revive a childhood dream, in a now or never moment to find the golden beetle. She advertises for an assistant and an unlikely candidate steps forward  Enid Pretty. The pair have nothing in common, but through a series of sometimes farcical, sometimes poignant adventures together, a redemptive bond is created between the women. But danger is never far away. To survive, the pair need to find their best selves. While a little uneven in tone, youll find yourself willing the pair to succeed, escape the chains of their previous lives, and find their true self worth.

7/10

(Review by Bridie Pritchard)

3. My Darling from The Lions by Rachel Long is published in paperback by Picador. Available August 6

My Darling From The Lions is the debut collection from poet Rachel Long. Founder of the Octavia Poetry Collective for Womxn of Colour, Long focuses on womens experiences, race and heritage, all intertwined in the recurring motif of hair and wigs, used in the title of one of the collections three sections  A Lineage of Wigs. The collection also covers relationships, religion, family and school, skilfully highlighting the tension between the latter when describing day-long hair styling in Jail Letter: Mum, my scalp burns!/Ungrateful! Look at you, beautiful as Winnie Mandela!/I dont know who this is/but it doesnt sound like someone Ben Clark will fancy. Longs use of dialect is one of her strongest points (Gross, init, but I werent about to say no to 300 quid), while one of the most effective poems, 8, uses form to indicate a skipping and speeding memory of abuse.

6/10

(Review by Laura Paterson)

Non-fiction

4. X+Y: A Mathematicians Manifesto for Rethinking Gender by Eugenia Cheng is published in hardback by Profile Books. Available now

This book does not so much rethink gender as (temporarily at least), remove it from the equation, thus sidestepping any issues of gender-based discrimination. Where it is useful though, is in shifting the debate in a way that allows a comparison of characteristics often associated with male or female, while avoiding the need to constantly qualify any statements with the awkward tag of not all women or not all men. As the author herself states, this is a reframing of the debate, as inspired by her background in category theory. Her major shift is in the creation of the terms congressive and ingressive as useful shorthand for traits that might roughly be summarised as caring and sharing, as opposed to competitive and individualistic. In the end, however, Chens (very practical) solutions seem to rely on individuals without power, learning to be more assertive, and those with it, learning to act in ways that are more inclusive; rather than on any kind of structural change.

7/10

(Review by Lucy Whetman)

Childrens book of the week

5. Thank You, Heroes: A Celebration Of Our Key Workers by Patricia Hegarty and Michael Emmerson is published in paperback by Little Tiger. Available now

Bright, colourful and bold, this sing-song ode to frontline key workers is uplifting, inspiring and a celebration of the people who put their lives at risk for the benefit of the rest of us  and its not just relevant to life in a pandemic. From hospital staff to delivery drivers, volunteers and care workers, this short, snappy, diverse book shouts loudly and proudly about those whose work wed be utterly lost without, and simultaneously captures a moment in time, recalling the Thursday night claps, teachers teaching over zoom, and supermarket workers wearing masks. Even better, all publisher profits on UK sales are being donated to NHS Charities. A fun read, and a brilliant cause.

8/10

(Review by Ella Walker)

BOOK CHARTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING JULY 25

AUDIOBOOKS (FICTION AND NON-FICTION)

1. Too Much and Never Enough by Mary L. Trump

2. Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

3. Shadowplay by Joseph OConnor

4. Mythos by Stephen Fry

5. Why Im No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge

6. Becoming by Michelle Obama

7. Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection by Arthur Conan Doyle

8. The Worlds Worst Parents by David Walliams

9. Atomic Habits by James Clear

10. Dracula by Bram Stoker

(Compiled by Audible)
When Stacey Abrams was running for Georgia governor, she had an impressive list of social changes she wanted to make. People paying their bills didnt make the cut.

Abrams was $228,000 in debt during her 2017 campaign for Georgia governor, including $50,000 to I.R.S. Despite that, she managed to loan her campaign $50,000. She also owed $76,000 in credit card debt and $96,000 for Yale Law School.

Abrams claimed that family obligations and a misunderstanding of how credit cards worked as the reason for her financial mess. This from a woman who is a tax attorney who wanted to be the vice president of the United States.

Abrams claims the concept of handling money seemed to escape her. She wrote that when she was at Spelman College, she got her first credit cards but was unaware that they would be yoked to something called a credit score. She also learned that if you dont pay your rent, you get evicted, the way she was in 1994 from the Oaktree Apartments in Decatur, GA like she and her sister, Andrea, did.

In a continuing effort to blame others for her failings, Abrams claimed some of her financial problems stemmed from when she helped her parents in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit Mississippi. She is one of six children, including a sister, Leslie Abrams Gardner, who was appointed to a federal judgeship by Barack Obama. How did her parents debt become only hers to carry and how was it still around twelve years later in 2017, especially when she was able to loan her campaign $50,000?

Abrams, a tax lawyer, who graduated from Yale in 1999, with $96,000 in student loan debt owed, still had repaid none of it almost twenty years later when she ran for governor. She even got jammed up by the I.R.S. in 2010 when she declared her parents as dependents on her tax filing.

She justified this in an interview:

Abrams, 44, has talked publicly about her struggles with mounting credit card debt dating to when she was a student at Spelman College. And she said she "stretched every penny I had" to help her parents after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005. She cited those expenses in her decision to work out a payment plan for the $54,000 she owes the IRS. Shes also said a previous federal income tax lien of nearly $30,000 was filed erroneously in 2010 when she was trying to claim her parents as dependents as they faced mounting medical issues. "While delaying tax payments wasn't my smartest move, it allowed me to take care of the parents who'd sacrificed so much for me and my siblings..."

She neglected to mention that when she was hired out of law school in 1999 by a law firm in Atlanta, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, that paid her $95,000 a year, but Abrams she still wasnt paying her bills.

On Abrams Financial Disclosure Statement filed for her run for Georgia governor, Section X shows she listed receipts of $909,006.89 in money received from twenty different companies.

Since there was nothing listed in Section X on her 2015 filing, it was curious what the listings were two years later. An email received from the GA Govt Transparency & Campaign Commission said: Section X deals with payments by the state [sic] of Georgia to an entity that is controlled by (or substantially owned by) a candidate. (Robert Lane document)

Another email explained that the money listed on the X Section of her statement was received from the Department of Community Affairs and given to the Small Business Credit Cooperative Inc. (SBBCI) and the Trade Credit Guaranty Corporation (TCGC). It also said: There were no payments directly paid to Stacey Abrams at any time. (GA Dept. of Community Affairs document) Word play at its finest.

Both SBBCI and TCGC received money from the state to distribute by a company called NOWaccount Network Corporation to companies seeking loans. Abrams was originally identified as an officer for the NOWaccount Network when it was filed with the state but Abrams was no longer listed as such in 2018. (NOWaccount Network Corp document)

That organization loans money to approved entities. The twenty companies listed on Abrams Financial Disclosure received almost a million dollars in 2016 from NOWaccount.

Stacey Abrams helped incorporate Nowaccount in 2010 and received a salary of $80,000 as senior vice president and $60,000 a year through 2015, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 

But she was also an officer in both the SSBCI and TCGC from 2016 to 2018. (Small Business and Trade Credit docs) In other words, she controlled the money Nowaccount received, helped decide who got the money and how much they would get. Of the twenty companies who got money via Abrams, eight companies were dissolved between 2016 and 2018.

A request for a list of companies that did not repay their loans was ignored. (Dissolved 2016-2018 document) The SBBCI was a one-time program that terminated in September 2017.

Few elections have cost more than the one Abrams ran against Brian Kemp. The cost of Abrams race for governor exceeded $100 million and was financed by out-of-state money from mega-donors like George Soros and Tom Steyer. As of April 2020, Abrams was still under investigation for ethics violation pertaining to the campaign money she received. Despite losing by 55,000 votes, she insists that she won, in the mode of Hillary Clinton.

She started paying IRS $1,000 a month toward her $50,000 debt in 2017 but magically all her debt disappeared by May 2019. Did she use her campaign money to pay off all $228,000?

Despite her financial problems, Abrams was able to buy a townhouse in Atlanta in 2004 for $246,300 and a house in Stone Mountain in 2019 for $370,000. (Property documents)

Whats interesting is that in 2019 she was slapped with her seventh tax lien against her non-profit, Third Sector Development, since 2014. Between then and 2016 the Georgia Labor Dept. issued $13,000 in tax liens for unpaid employment contributions. In a Daily Caller story: Abrams has blamed third-party-clerical errors for all the issues.

Also from the 02/13/19 story: Nonprofit work has paid Abrams handsomely over the years. Third Sector Development and Voter Sector Institute -- two groups founded by the Democrat (Abrams) -- have paid her nearly half a million dollars over the course of three years. Both organizations raked in $12.5 million in donation between 2013 and 2016. However, she has remained quiet on the sources of the donations.

Although Abrams considered herself a contender for Bidens VP, no one else did. Biden insiders talked to the New York Post about her:

No one takes Stacey seriously. And her public campaigning for the job seems more like a hostage negotiation than an actual attempt to get the job, a Biden insider told The Post. Biden is an old school guy and will always be. Picking Stacey would be like picking [Sarah] Palin. He doesnt need to throw a Hail Mary. He wants a good governing partner. Internally, her star has fallen with the onset of the coronavirus as concerns grow about her preparedness. Stacey isnt ready on day one. Even she knows that and its why shes engaging in this dance. She might get perfunctorily better, but shes not a serious pick for him. And her campaign is viewed as much as promotion for her book as it is for being chosen as Bidens VP, the insider continued, referring to Abrams forthcoming book Our Time Is Now.

So it sems that Joe Biden could have done worse. Though perhaps not by much.

Susan Daniels has been a licensed private investigator in OH for twenty-seven years. She uncovered the phony Connecticut social security number Barack Obama has been using for more than thirty years. Notes in italics represent doucmentation int he author's possession.

Image: Wikapedia
The United Arab Emirates on Sunday unblocked Israeli websites and direct international phone lines with Israel in a first step following the U.S.-brokered normalization deal announced last week, Israeli officials said.

Why it matters: The U.S. and Israel have tried for years to get the UAE and other Gulf states to establish direct phone service. The Obama administration asked the UAE to do so in support of special envoy George Mitchells peace initiative and again during Secretary of State John Kerrys peace initiative, but the UAE refused.

Between the lines: This move was in the works for several weeks and was pushed by Israel foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi, Israeli officials told me. Officials see it as a positive sign that the UAE wants to move quickly in turning the normalization announcement into practical steps.

Ashkenazi spoke Sunday with his Emirati counterpart Abdullah Bin Zayed to inaugurate the opening of direct phone services.

The UAE foreign ministry said both ministers stressed their commitment to implementing the normalization deal. The Israeli foreign ministry said Ashkenazi and Bin Zayed agreed to establish a channel of communication and meet as soon as possible.

The fact that the phone call was made public is also important.

Previous Israeli foreign ministers had a relationship with their Emirati counterparts, but their phone calls were kept secret and were even placed under a gag order by Israeli military censors.

This is the first time both Israel and the UAE have issued press statements about the phone call.

Go deeper: How the Israel-UAE deal came together
Inside Hook

One of the ongoing challenges of the pandemic relates to the N95 masks that are essential for keeping medical workers safe from infection. The logistics of buying and shipping massive quantities of N95 masks have been the stuff of gripping news stories. Why do so many masks need to be purchased? One reason is that they can be very difficult to clean in a sanitary way that also leaves the masks undamaged.

At least, thats been the conventional wisdom until now. But a new study suggests that high-end medical supplies might not be needed to sanitize N95 masks for re-use. Instead, something much humbler and easier to come by will do the task just fine: a $50 electric cooker.
Susan B. Anthony is perhaps the most widely known suffragist of her generation and has become an icon of the womans suffrage movement. Anthony traveled the country to give speeches, circulate petitions, and organize local womens rights organizations.

Anthony was born in Adams, Massachusetts. After the Anthony family moved to Rochester, New York in 1845, they became active in the antislavery movement. Antislavery Quakers met at their farm almost every Sunday, where they were sometimes joined by Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison.

In 1848 Susan B. Anthony was working as a teacher in Canajoharie, New York, and became involved with the teachers union when she discovered that male teachers had a monthly salary of $10, while the female teachers earned $2.50 a month. Her parents and sister Marry attended the 1848 Rochester Womans Rights Convention.

Anthonys experience with the teachers union, temperance, and antislavery reforms, and her Quaker upbringing, laid fertile ground for a career in womens rights reform to grow. The career would begin with an introduction to Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

On a street corner in Seneca Falls in 1851, Amelia Bloomer introduced Susan B. Anthony to Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

Meeting Elizabeth Cady Stanton was probably the beginning of her interest in womens rights, but it is Lucy Stones speech at the 1852 Syracuse Convention that is credited for convincing Anthony to join the womens rights movement.

In 1853 Anthony campaigned for women's property rights in New York State, speaking at meetings, collecting signatures for petitions, and lobbying the state legislature. Anthony circulated petitions for married women's property rights and woman suffrage. She addressed the National Womens Rights Convention in 1854 and urged more petition campaigns. In 1854 she wrote to Matilda Joslyn Gage that I know slavery is the all-absorbing question of the day, still we must push forward this great central question, which underlies all others.

By 1856 Anthony had become an agent for the American Anti-Slavery Society, arranging meetings, making speeches, putting up posters, and distributing leaflets. She encountered hostile mobs, armed threats, and things thrown at her. She was hung in effigy, and in Syracuse, New York her image was dragged through the streets.

Anthony and Stanton founded the American Equal Rights Association and in 1868 became editors of its newspaper, The Revolution. The masthead of the newspaper proudly displayed their motto, Men, their rights, and nothing more; women, their rights, and nothing less. Also that year, the Fourteenth Amendment passed, recognizing that those born into slavery were entitled to the same citizenship status and protections as free people. The amendment did not, however, grant universal access to the vote.

Stanton, Anthony and others formed the National Woman Suffrage Association and focused solely on a federal womans suffrage amendment. In an effort to challenge suffrage, Anthony and her three sisters voted in the 1872 Presidential election. She was arrested at her Rochester, New York home and put on trial in the Ontario County Courthouse, Canandaigua, New York.The judge instructed the jury to find her guilty without any deliberations, and imposed a $100 fine. When Anthony refused to pay a $100 fine and court costs, the judge did not sentence her to prison time, which ended her chance of an appeal. An appeal would have allowed the suffrage movement to take the question of womens voting rights to the Supreme Court, but it was not to be.

From 1881 to 1885, Anthony joined Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Matilda Joslyn Gage in writing the History of Woman Suffrage. This extensive work focuses solely on white women suffragists, and does not include any suffragists of color.

In 1890, the National Woman Suffrage Association merged with the American Woman Suffrage Association, which argued for state-by-state enfranchisement of women (among other differences). Elizabeth Cady Stanton was the first president of the new group, the National American Woman Suffrage Association, but Anthony was effectively its leader. Anthony became NAWSA president in 1892. Carrie Chapman Catt replaced Anthony as president of the organization when she retired in 1900.

Susan B. Anthony died on March 13, 1906, of heart failure and pneumonia at her Rochester home. She was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery, also in Rochester.

As a final tribute to Susan B. Anthony, the 19th Amendment was named the Susan B. Anthony Amendment. It was ratified in 1920. Susan B. Anthony is also the first non-fictional woman to be depicted on U.S. currency: from 1979 to 1981 and again in 1999, her portrait was on the United States dollar coin.

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People flash the three-finger salute as they gather for an anti-government protest at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday. EPA-Yonhap



Thousands of protesters rallied against Thailand's government in Bangkok on Sunday with tensions rising in the kingdom as a pro-democracy movement gathers steam.



Thailand has seen near-daily demonstrations for the past month by student-led groups denouncing Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha  a former military chief who led the 2014 coup  and his pro-establishment administration.



By Sunday afternoon, protesters  who are demanding major democratic reforms  had taken over the busy intersection around Bangkok's Democracy Monument, which was built to mark the 1932 revolution that ended absolutism.



"Down with the dictatorship," they chanted, many holding signs critical of Prayut's pro-military government. Others held pigeon-shaped cutouts representing peace.



Tensions have risen over the last two weeks with authorities arresting three activists. They were released on bail after being charged with sedition and violating coronavirus rules.



They were told not to repeat the alleged offences, but one of them  prominent student leader Parit Chiwarak  arrived at the protest venue on Sunday flanked by cheering supporters.



Partly inspired by the Hong Kong democracy movement, the protesters claim to be leaderless and have relied mostly on social media campaigns to draw support across the country.



"Give a deadline to dictatorship" and "let it end at our generation" were the top Twitter hashtags in Thailand on Sunday.



The protesters are demanding an overhaul of the government and a rewrite of the 2017 military-scripted constitution, which they believe skewed last year's election in favour of Prayut's military-aligned party.



A rally last week  attended by some 4,000 demonstrators  also called for the abolition of a law protecting Thailand's unassailable monarchy, and for a frank discussion about its role in Thailand.



Super-rich King Maha Vajiralongkorn sits at the apex of Thai power, flanked by the military and the kingdom's billionaire business elite.



The draconian "112" law can see those convicted sentenced to up to 15 years in jail per charge.



During Sunday's demonstration, which drew a diverse crowd of all ages, many said they agreed with the students' demands.



"We can't let the students walk on this difficult path alone," a 68-year-old woman told AFP, declining to provide her name.



Growing discontent



But the increasingly bold pro-democracy movement also has its detractors.



Standing at one corner of the monument's intersection were dozens of royalist protesters carrying portraits of the king and queen to counter the anti-government demonstrators.



"Long live the king," shouted the royalists dressed in yellow shirts  the king's colours.



Prayut last week described the protesters' demands as "unacceptable" for Thailand's majority, calling the pro-democracy movement "risky."



He struck a more conciliatory tone in a televised speech later, appealing for unity and saying the "future belongs to the young."



Thailand has long seen a cycle of violent protests and coups, with the arch-royalist army staging more than a dozen putsches since 1932.



The growing discontent also comes as the kingdom goes through one of its worst economic periods since 1997 because of the coronavirus pandemic.



Millions have been left jobless, and the crisis has exposed the inequalities in the Thai economy, which is perceived to benefit the elite, pro-military establishment. (AFP)




Theres a strong buzz in Patna that the industry minister in the Nitish Kumar cabinet may resign ahead of the upcoming state polls, however the minister maintains that he is with the party.

Shyam Rajak, a sitting MLA from the reserved Phulwari assembly constituency in Patna district, is likely to join the RJD, say reports.

Rajak, in his mid sixties, is likely to resign from the post of industry minister and also as a MLA on Monday before he formally switches sides, said people familiar with the development.

When contacted by HT, Rajak said he was very much in the JD(U) and denied the reports that he was joining any other party. I am still in JD(U). But, yes, I will never compromise on my dignity and respect, he said, indicating a possible political manoeuvre for the polls scheduled in October-November,.

Rajak has been unhappy with the JD(U) leadership, say the people quoted above, for not being given much prominence as a minister. Him representing a constituency having a sizeable Muslim population is said to be another reason for which he wants to leave the JD(U)-BJP combine, said people in the know of development.

Incidentally, Rajak had switched to the JD(U) in 2009 after leaving the RJD and had won from the Phulwari seat as a JD(U) nominee in the 2010 election. The possible exit of the minister from the JD(U) will be viewed as a setback to the CM and the NDA ahead of the polls.

In another development, the RJD on Sunday expelled three sitting MLAs, including son of former union minister MA Fatmi, for six years on charges of anti-party activities.

The three MLAs expelled from the RJD are Faraz Fatmi , Maheshwar Prasad Yadav and Prema Choudhary.

We have expelled the party MLAs on charges of being involved in anti party activities as per provisions of the partys constitution. The decision was taken by RJD chief Lalu Prasad, said Alok Mehta, RJDs state general secretary.

Mehta, however, did not comment on reports that the three sitting MLAs facing the axe were all likely to join the JD(U).

The party took the decision based on their activities in recent times, he said. Faraj Fatmi , a RJD MLA from Keoti in Darbhana, is son of former union minister M A Fatmi who had switched to the JD(U) before the 2019 parliamentary polls.

Faraj has been vocal against the RJD for sometime even as Maheshwar Yadav, MLA from Gaighat in Muzaffarpur, has slammed the RJD leadership including leader of the opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on many occasions in the past.

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Commissioners with the Nebraska Travel Commission were in Gering Friday for one of the boards regular meetings. Executive Director John Ricks said that while there have been some positive signs for the states tourism industry, recovery is still a work in progress.

I think a ballpark figure for total visitor expenditures is down 50% from last year, he said. The coronavirus pandemic has made a significant dent in our industry.

Ricks said a month-and-a-half ago they were talking about the start of a recovery and how long it would take to get back to pre-virus numbers.

We thought we were actually in a recovery, Ricks said. Thats why during this commission meeting today we spent a lot of time talking about closely tracking industry projections. The state lodging tax is also down, thats only a part of the overall tourism picture.

Tourism is the third largest economic sector in Nebraska, behind agriculture and manufacturing. Tourism takes in not only direct venues, but also the ancillary businesses that support them.
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Brawls between Antifa and far-right Proud Boys broke out on the streets of a Michigan city on Saturday, as protests turned violent across the United States this weekend.

From Portland in the west to Miami in the east, via Michigan, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis and Chicago, Americans took to the streets on Saturday to demand change.

In Michigan, a rally by the far-right group Proud Boys turned violent in downtown Kalamazoo, with demonstrators clashing with anti-racism protesters at a vigil organized by the First Congregational Church.

'The Proud Boys, they not only have hatred for Jewish people and Muslim people, but they're also very hateful of anybody who doesn't look like them or act like them,' said The Rev. Nathan Dannison, the church's pastor.

Addressing the gathered crowd, Dannison urged those present to commit themselves to non-violence and non-aggression, MLive reported.

Kalamazoo, Michigan, saw street fights between rival rallies on Saturday as Proud Boys clashed with anti-racism activists

In Kalamazoo, Michigan, anti-racism protesters attending a church-organized rally fought with Proud Boys in the streets

Members of the far-right Proud Boys group clash with anti-racism protesters in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Saturday

Police did not arrive to separate the rival warring factions until almost 2pm, by which time downtown Kalamazoo was chaotic

Punches were thrown and people were being shoved and kicked to the ground in the Michigan city on Saturday

'Let's work together to remain peaceful and manifest positive energy with each other, to take care of each other, to take care of our own selves and our own safety, and to defend one another,' Dannison told the crowd.

Shortly thereafter, chanting, mostly mask-less Proud Boys marched toward the park's entrance, waving American, Trump, and Gadsden flags and other symbols.

Violence broke out soon after, with Proud Boys attacking counter-protesters with fists, kicks, and shoves.

Police arrived around 2pm to try and separate the rival protests.

In Chicago, police used pepper spray and batons to repel hundreds of demonstrators, who took to the streets calling for the defunding of police.

One protester was seen apparently bashing an officer over the head with a skateboard.

Officers then ripped umbrellas and bikes from protesters' hands and sprayed the crowd with a chemical irritant, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

The demonstrations began at Chicago's iconic Bean before the group traveled to Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive.

Multiple arrests were witnessed at the scene, NBC 5 said.

The group then continued to Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street, heading toward Chicago's Loop as city bridges remained lifted, preventing them from crossing the Chicago River.

A heavy police presence was seen in the area with several officers both in front and behind the marching demonstrators and other lines of officers blocking streets.

The group chanted things like 'no justice, no peace' as they called for defunding the police, removing police from the city's public schools, and abolishing Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Police pepper spray Black Lives Matter protesters in Chicago on Saturday evening at the end of a day of rallies

Large numbers of Chicago police officers, many on bicycles, swarmed the center of the city to kettle protesters

Protesters were forced to run for cover as the Chicago police and SWAT teams unleashed pepper spray at them

BLM activists ran away from officers down LaSalle street, as Chicago police tried to enact mass arrests

Chicago police prevent demonstrators from marching towards the freeway, raising their batons to keep the crowd at bay

Activists calling for an end to police presence in Chicago's schools, among other things, confronted officers on Saturday

About 200 anti-police brutality protesters marched in the neighborhood of Bronzeville, in Chicago, on Saturday

Drawbridges to the downtown of Chicago were raised, to prevent protesters from entering the central areas

In Portland, day 80 of protests against systemic racism and police brutality saw gunshots fired.

Saturday began with a noon counter-protest, as around 30 right-wing demonstrators gathered in front of the Justice Center to support police.

A seemingly equal number of protesters arrived there to oppose them, Oregon Live reported, and skirmishes broke out between the opposing demonstrations.

The pro-police protesters maced and fired some kind of pellet guns toward counter-protesters, the site reported.

A fight breaks out between Black Lives Matter protesters and demonstrators with the Open Up Oregon Rally protest

A man holds aloft a sign in Portland, Oregon, on Saturday during the 80th day of demonstrations in the city

Members of the Proud Boys, an alt-right, pro-Trump group, face off with activists in Portland, Oregon on Saturday

With his Proud Boy tattoo proudly on display, an alt-right counter-protester aims his paint ball gun at anti-racism protesters

The Proud Boys face off against Black Lives Matters protesters using mace and a paint ball gun in Portland on Saturday

One of their number then fired a gun twice from a car as they left a parking garage counter-protesters chased them into, the site said.

A witness on the KOIN live stream said a protester had thrown a bottle at the car carrying right-wing protesters before the shots were fired.

In Georgia, supporters of the Confederate flag argued and tussled with Black Lives Matter activists at Stone Mountain, just outside Atlanta.

Inside the park is a huge rock featuring the Confederate Memorial Carving, which depicts Civil War generals Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee, plus Jefferson Davis.

The park was closed on Saturday after several far-right groups, including militias and white supremacists, announced plans to rally, and a broad coalition of leftist anti-racist groups organized a counter-demonstration.

The militia-backed protesters were met by hundreds of counter demonstrators eager to shout them down. That group included mainline civil rights organizations like the NAACP but also far-left anarchists and socialists, some of whom arrived with assault weapons and were as heavily armed as the militia.

Saturdays demonstration drew a large police presence from around the metro area and the Georgia State Patrol, but they stayed on the periphery of the protests, and there were no arrests.

In Minneapolis, crowds gathered to remember George Floyd at the spot where he was killed, on May 25.

The four white police officers involved in the death of the black man are due to go on trial next year.

Women pray in front of a large portrait of George Floyd in front of Cup Foods, where he died, at the George Floyd Memorial

A vigil was held commemorating the life of Floyd and calling for the pressure to be maintained, for police to reform

On the other side of the country, in Miami, a protest was held to demand justice for a man who died in ICE custody.

Kuan Hui Lee, 51, from Taiwan, had been held by ICE since January and died on August 5 at Kendall Regional Medical Center, where he had been in critical condition with a diagnosis of a massive intercranial hemorrhage.

Activists held a vigil for Lee, demanding the abolition of ICE and waving placards reading: 'Detention is Death'.

And in Virginia, heavily-armed Black Lives Matter supporters, who also proclaim their defense of the Second Amendment, marched through Richmond.

A Black Lives Matter affiliate, which calls for the defense of the Second Amendment, protests on the streets of Richmond, VA

Demonstrators pose for photo during an open carry rally in Richmond, Virginia on Saturday afternoon
WARSAW, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak and visiting U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed an agreement on Saturday for the expansion of the U.S. military presence and the creation of a regional headquarter in Poland.

They signed the so-called Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), a legal framework that deepens military cooperation between the two countries.

The core of the new agreement consists of the opening of a base in Poland for the 5th Corps of the U.S. Army, which is expected to open in 2021. The total number of American soldiers in Poland will increase by 1,000 to around 5,500.

Blaszczak told Polish Press Agency that the deal will cost Poland around 113 million euros (134 million U.S. dollars). "Like other countries with a United States military presence, Poland guarantees and pays for military quarters, sustenance, a yearly allowance of fuel, storage of select equipment and armaments, and infrastructure," he said.
Russia has said that it has manufactured the first batch of COVID-19 vaccine named 'Sputnik-V', which the country claims to be the world's first inoculation. The development comes days after Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement saying that the vaccine is "quite effective" and gives "stable immunity".

The country's health ministry said in a statement on Saturday, as quoted by Russian news agencies, that the first batch of the indigenously developed coronavirus vaccine, developed by the Gamaleya research institute has been produced.

The vaccine 'Sputnik-V' has been named after the Soviet-era satellite launched into space in 1957.

Also Read: Coronavirus update: Russia starts production of COVID-19 vaccine

Putin had, on August 11, announced that Russia has approved a vaccine against coronavirus despite the human trials not yet being completed. This has drawn a sceptical response from many countries and researchers alike.

Experts across the world were swift to express concerns regarding the speed of the country's work, with several nations voicing scepticism. Researchers in the US, France, Spain and Germany have all called for caution.

Terming the apprehension "groundless", Russia's Health Minister Mikhail Murashko told the Interfax news agency on Wednesday that the country's "foreign colleagues are sensing the specific competitive advantages of the Russian drug and are trying to express opinions that... are absolutely groundless."

Also Read: First coronavirus vaccine: Why teh world doubts Russia's claim

Murashko further stated that the first batch of the COVID-19 vaccine will be available "within the next two weeks, primarily for doctors." Meanwhile, Russian officials have said that the mass vaccination will start in October this year.

However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said it was holding talks with the Russian authorities about carrying out a review of the vaccine. It is because Russia's inoculation is not among the organisation's list of six vaccines that have made it to Phase 3 human clinical trials, which comprise extensive testing in humans.
By Mark Peterson





Two things have set my mind recently to writing about traditional social class and discrimination between classes. The first was a video I was asked to make for the Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles  it was a video, actually four videos, about Pak Ji-won and his lesser-known disciple, Pak Je-ga. More on that below. The second occurred when I binge-watched "Crash Landing on You" in the last few weeks  it was the "throw-away fact" (incidental mentioning) that the main female protagonist, Seri, was born "illegitimately." This brings up the topic traditionally termed "seoja"  a child born between a "yangban" aristocratic father and a commoner or slave mother.



The reason filming videos about Pak Ji-won and Pak Je-ga brings up the subject is that Pak Je-ga was a seoja. He was one of the successful seoja because he lived at a time when the king and the court allowed a limited number of seoja to take and pass exams.



For most of the 1390-1910 Joseon Kingdom, a seoja could not take the exams, and therefore could not hold a government office  and lest you say, well, he could be a lawyer or doctor or businessman, no, those occupations had limits as well, and nothing  nothing!  provided a good livelihood, stipend, wealth, power and prestige like passing the exam and having a government position. It was what all yangban aspired to.



Traditional Korean society was strictly hierarchical, even "vertical" one might say. There were basically three distinct social classes. The yangban were at the top, the commoners were in the middle and the slaves on the bottom. When registering for the census every three years one would re-affirm one's status in that one had to register based on the last census and thus there was little to no social mobility. But there were people in the gaps.



There were what I like to think of as "lesser yangban." Some histories, written from the perspective of the traditional upper-class yangban, looked down their collective nose at the "clerks"  the "jungin" or "hyangni." And the implication is that they were non-yangban. But they had all the trappings of yangban  they had government positions, albeit lesser positions. Their homes, and clothes, were nicer. And they had "jokbo"  the prized genealogical books. Now, yangban would never intermarry with the jungin or hyangni. Never. So, though the jungin and hyangni could never pretend to be true yangban, they occupied the lesser government offices  the jungin were lawyers, doctors, accountants, scientists and interpreters in the central government, and there were exams for each of those five specialties: law, medicine, accounting, science (meaning either astronomy or geomancy) and translating/interpreting. In the countryside, the hyangni were clerks at the magistracy and they were literate and mediated between people desiring government intervention, a lawsuit or an appeal to the government.



From the perspective of the yangban, the jungin and the hyangni were definitely not yangban. But from the perspective of the commoners and the slaves, the jungin and hyangni were in the same place as the yangban, wore clothes like yangban, lived in houses like yangban, and had government stipends  from the lower perspective, they were yangban!



In such a strictly hierarchical society where one could not marry outside of one's own social class, what happens when a yangban man "takes up with" a commoner or slave woman? It's clear that a yangban man could not legally, legitimately marry a woman of a lower class, but after marrying a yangban woman legally, he could take a "secondary wife" (some say "concubine"). This was not a "mistress"; a mistress is a secret liaison. The secondary wife moved into the house and was known by everyone.



A seoja was a child born to the yangban father and the commoner or slave "secondary wife." Through most of the Joseon period, the seoja could not take the all-important civil service exams. Some inherited property, were protected by their yangban father, and were able to maintain a yangban lifestyle. Others, maybe in the second and third generation, fell to commoner  or in some cases even slave  status.



Pak Je-ga was a seoja. But in the late 18th century, by a special provision, he was able to pass the exam and became a teacher and research scholar in the government. He went to China and was impressed with what he saw and encouraged Korea to follow China's example in such things as using carts and developing roads that could handle cart traffic. He was active in the "Silhak" movement, which was aimed at social reform.



And Seri in "Crash Landing," though a "seoja" (or technically, "seonyeo"  illegitimate daughter) and clearly suffering from discrimination, still, like Pak Jega in the 18th century, was able to succeed in modern Korean society. Which leads me to the question, how are the "seoja" of Korea today faring in modern society? Are they still discriminated against? Do they have to try harder, like Seri, to overcome this discrimination?





Mark Peterson (markpeterson@byu.edu) is professor emeritus of Korean, Asian and Near Eastern languages at Brigham Young University in Utah.


Phoenix

Zita Robinson, who's 77 and diabetic, has been careful around her granddaughter since the coronavirus pandemic took hold.

A door connects Robinson's apartment in Phoenix to the main house where 8-year-old Traris "Trary" Robinson-Newman and her mother live, but it mostly stays shut. Their only physical contact is if Trary walks in with her back toward Grandma. Then Robinson will kiss her own hand and lightly touch Trary's back  "like I'm sending her a kiss with my hand."

"It's very hard," Robinson said. "We live together, but we live apart."

Not hugging Grandma is hard for Trary, too: "It's like I can't see her anymore."

The separation Trary and her grandmother experience in their home is becoming a bigger issue as children go back to school. Many public schools nationwide are starting remotely in the fall, but if classes resume in person later this year, the chasm could grow between generations who live together.

Millions of people 65 and older, one of the populations most vulnerable to the virus, live with a school-age child. For those households, the new school year means reconsidering interactions from family dinner to bedtime hugs.

While studies so far suggest children are less likely to become infected with COVID-19 or only experience mild symptoms, data isn't conclusive on whether infected kids easily spread the disease. In a Georgia school district that has reopened classrooms, possible exposure has forced more than 1,200 students and staff into quarantine and two high schools to close.

If a grandchild does bring the virus home, grandparents of color are at higher risk than their white counterparts, experts say.

As of 2018, the U.S. had 51 million seniors, with 3.3 million, or 6 percent, living with at least one child between 5 and 18, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation study. The situation is far more prevalent among communities of color: 19 percent of Asian and Pacific Islander seniors live with a school-age child, 17 percent of Hispanics, 13 percent of American Indian or Alaska Natives, and 11 percent of Black people. Just 4 percent of older whites live with a school-age child.

"I think there hasn't been a lot of attention to the ripple effects on older people who may live in the same household," said Tricia Neuman, one of the report's authors.

People of color are already at greater risk from the virus because they're more likely to be essential workers who can't work from home, among other factors, Neuman said. They more often live in multigenerational households because of cultural norms, sharing expenses or getting help with child care.

That could become more prevalent as COVID-19 clobbers the U.S. economy. Living with extended family increased during the Great Recession in 2009, according to Jaia Peterson, deputy executive director of Generations United, an advocacy group focused on intergenerational issues.

Malia Letalu lives in a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house in Santa Clara, Calif., with her husband, four children  ages 9, 5, 2 and 3 months  and her mother and stepfather. Letalu, who is Samoan and Filipino, decided to live with her parents a few years ago so she could help if they got sick. They're in their mid-60s and have several health conditions between them, including diabetes and heart disease.

But Letalu won't separate them from her oldest kids if school transitions to both remote and in-person learning later this year.

"I guess you could say it's for emotional reasons," Letalu said. "If there really was a possibility of exposure at the school ... then I would definitely social distance them and quarantine them inside. I would also take us all to go get tested."

Yoma Villalobos, whose parents live with her in Phoenix, worries about big changes at home if the virtual lessons for her 12-year-old and 9-year-old sons at the start of the school year become a mix of in-person classes.

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If that happens, she will have them shower and change clothes when they get home from school. The boys hate wearing masks, but Villalobos thinks they might use them if it meant protecting their grandparents, who they kiss and hug each morning.

"We're such a close family. For us, eating together is our thing," said Villalobos, who is Latina. "If we were to change our dynamic, that changes the whole family."

Being in the same house can make it tempting to bend the rules on social distancing or wearing masks. Peterson of Generations United advises families to agree on what rules to stick to and find unique ways to connect.

"I also believe when something happens, and families get creative ... those can be some of the strongest memories for children and positive memories," Peterson said.

Grandparents who are primary caregivers face a more dire situation. Chris Svaldi, 71, helped raise her 8-year-old grandson and got permanent custody of him two years ago. He will return to his private Catholic school Aug. 24 in Montrose, Colo., with fewer than 10 students so they can practice social distancing, Svaldi said. Still, she's pushing COVID-19 worries to the back of her mind.

"I can't allow myself to go there because if I do, I struggle a little bit with anxiety," said Svaldi, who is white. "It would affect the way I raise him, and I don't want him to be a kid who's afraid of everything."

It's crucial for "grandfamilies" like Svaldi's to be prepared for the worst, whether it's COVID-19 or some other calamity, Peterson said. With grandparents raising grandchildren, there can be legal matters at stake, too. They may be the last option before foster care. Plus, COVID-19 is probably already on children's minds.

"It's better to be open about it so that children have a chance to ask questions and know there's a plan, versus if there's any hesitancy to talk about it because they don't want to bring it up," Peterson said.

Robinson, the grandmother in Phoenix who isLatina, reminds herself that being separated from her granddaughter by doors or walls is better than being separated by a hospital.

"I would never want my loved ones to be in that situation," she said. "I'd rather listen to her laugh out there than having to go through something like that."
Chinese envoy asks U.S. to change course over Iran nuclear issue

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 14:49, August 15, 2020

China's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun on Friday asked the United States to change course over the Iran nuclear issue and return to the right track of multilateralism.

In an explanation of vote after the Security Council rejected a U.S. draft resolution that sought to extend the arms embargo against Iran, Zhang said the voting result once again shows that unilateralism receives no support, and bullying will fail. Any attempt to place one's own interest above the common interests of the international community is a dead end.

The draft only received two votes in favor. China and Russia voted against it, and the remaining 11 Security Council members, including the European allies of the United States, abstained.

In recent years, Zhang said, in pursuing unilateralism and "America first," the United States has abandoned its international obligations and withdrawn from multilateral agreements and international organizations, shattering its own credibility.

China urges the United States to abandon unilateralism and stop unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction. The United States should adopt a reasonable and realistic attitude, and return to the right track of observing the Iran nuclear deal and Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the 2015 deal between Iran and the six powers of Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States, he said.

The United States unilaterally announced its withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in May 2018 and later re-imposed sanctions on Iran.

Diplomacy is the only right way forward, and preserving and implementing the Iran nuclear deal is of vital importance, said Zhang, asking for efforts to facilitate dialogue and consultation among relevant parties.

China will continue to work with the international community to jointly uphold the Iran nuclear deal and Security Council Resolution 2231, and it will always be on the side of international fairness and justice, world peace and stability, and multilateralism, and work hard for the political settlement of the Iran nuclear issue, he said.

The U.S. draft resolution is about re-imposing sanctions on Iran and a continuation of the policy of maximum pressure, and has no legal ground and common sense, Zhang said, noting that the overwhelming majority of the Security Council members have expressed reservations about the draft and believe that the U.S. attempt has no legal basis.

Under Resolution 2231, the arms embargo against Iran expires on Oct. 18, 2020.

The United States has repeatedly claimed that it will invoke the "snapback" mechanism within the Security Council should its draft resolution fail to pass, Zhang noted.

Having withdrawn from the Iran nuclear deal, the United States is no longer a participant of the deal, and therefore ineligible to demand the Security Council invoke a snapback, he said.

Should the United States insist in disregard of international opinion, its attempt is doomed to fail again, he said.

Under Resolution 2231, any participant state to the Iran nuclear deal can notify the Security Council about an issue that it considers a significant violation of the agreement. The UN sanctions in place before the adoption of Resolution 2231 in July 2015 would then resume 30 days after the notification, unless the Security Council adopts a resolution to decide otherwise.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 06:19:40|Editor: huaxia

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CAIRO, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Egypt recorded Saturday 116 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total infections in the country to 96,336, Egyptian Health Ministry said.

It is the 14th day in a row for Egypt's COVID-19 daily infections to fall below 200, after they started to exceed 200 on April 23.

Meanwhile, 17 patients died from COVID-19, taking the death toll in Egypt to 5,141, Health Ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said in a statement.

He noted that that 977 other patients were cured and discharged from hospitals, increasing the total recoveries to 58,835, emphasizing Egypt's close cooperation with the World Health Organization in combating the pandemic.

The most populous Arab country announced its first confirmed COVID-19 case on Feb. 14 and the first death from the highly infectious virus on March 8.

From the first week of July, daily fatalities and infections in Egypt started to gradually decline along with rise in daily recoveries.

Last week, Egypt decided to ban anyone from entering the country without a recent PCR test that proves they are free from COVID-19, except for tourists coming via direct flights to the airports of Sharm El-Sheikh, Hurghada, Taba and Marsa Alam.

Egypt and China have been working together on fighting the pandemic through exchanging medical aid and expertise.

In early February, Egypt provided aid to China to help with its fight against COVID-19, and China later sent three batches of medical aid to the North African country. Enditem
BANGKOK  They gathered at a monument celebrating Thai democracy. They raised their hands in defiance below a giant image of the king dressed in coronation regalia.

At least 10,000 protesters, many first-time participants in political rallies, gathered in Bangkok on Sunday, demanding change in a country where military tanks have tended to shape politics more than the ballot box has.

The nearly eight-hour protest, which filled a broad avenue in the heart of the city with black-clad people, was the largest rally in Thailand since a coup in 2014, one of a dozen successful putsches in the country in the last nine decades.

A state of emergency instituted because of the coronavirus made the demonstration technically illegal, and every participant could have been arrested simply for showing up. The police stood by, however, some idling behind a Mercedes-Benz showroom.
Kimberly Karol, president of the Iowa postal workers union, said its disappointing to see how ongoing changes to the service are causing delivery delays.

We are beginning to see the results back the mail up, Karol said. Its not going to break the service, but its just going to slow the service down.

Karol noted that relaxing delivery standards and closing post offices with low retail volume have been discussed for years. But those kinds of overt steps require public notification and comment.

She worries the current changes could have a similar effect but are being done without community input. And she wants voters to know  get those ballots in with plenty of time to spare.

We have the infrastructure and we have been handling election mail for hundreds of years and thats not going away, Karol said. Its just a matter of making sure that we communicate and let everyone know that this is a year where you really want to make sure you put your ballots in the mail early.

Across the Missouri River, David Black is retired but still serves as president of the Nebraska Postal Workers Union.
Joe Biden commented and took the credit from Trump's efforts on the Israel-UAE Peace Deal, mentioning the joint effort with then president Obama.

The Democrat made these comments as news of the deal panned out with Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed who sent press brief that these middle eastern states will have normal working relations restored. But Biden's statement sought to lessen the impact of this significant development and historic step which sidelines the positive track of Trump's efforts, reported Fox News.

According to the statement which cites the diplomatic headway which was part of Trump's entreat, Israel will stay at point. This meant the Jewish state will not declare sovereignty in the areas that was part of the White House for lessening the conflict in Arab states. Under it, all these enmities will be expanded ties in the Middle East, cited White House.

Biden called the step as a link to the divisions plaguing the middle east. He cited the UAE recognition of Israel as a statesmanship needed to bridge the widened divide more than ever.

Biden further added weight to Obama and his contribution by calling Israel a vital cog in the Middle East. He mentioned Israel and its strategic experience including it as an economic partner, should be considered an asset.

He then incepts that the peace deal of Arab and the Israeli state is a product of the several administrations to lessen the enmity existing in the current Middle East. It highlights the Obama-Biden administration as the prime motivator in the Arab Peace Initiative.

Also read: World War 3 Looms as Iran Rattles Sabers With the US in a Heated Row in the Middle East

Biden mentions when he was spending time with their leaders as they built up the ground work to reach this agreement. He expressed gratification at its success and said how American diplomacy can make a difference, especially with the back work he did.

He further talked about getting together and reaching goals that matter for the common good. He repeated the usual theme that the Arab states and Israel have a stake in reaching lasting peace in the Middle East, noted New York Times.

Prattling on about the ill-effects of annexation that will be a detriment to reach a lasting peace, he said that if elected, it would be against his agendas. He also said that both Israel and Palestine need to be considered equal as states, calling the Israel as integral to region.

He added that the middle east should be synergistic and connected to point to a better future. He talked about building up what peace will mean for his presidential win and how it will contrast to Trump's.

Envoys from the UAE and Israel will be coming together to sign agreements that will interweave their economies and industries to benefit everyone.

Trump on Thursday said he talked with Israel and the UAE, and said both will start the process. He cited the UAE's move as a positive step for everyone.

Even as Biden undermines the Israel-UAE Peace Deal, Trump called it the Abraham accord as it reflect the stake of everyone in its success.

Related article: What Israeli Defense Technology Can Do to Stop Iran's Small Attack Boats

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Some parents in Ottawa say they're still struggling to decide whether to send their children back to class next month or keep them home to learn remotely.

The deadline to make that decision for children in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) is tonight at midnight. As of Saturday afternoon, more than 70 per cent of parents had submitted the required form.

Yet, information about what the next school year will look like continues to change.

The board sent an email to parents Saturday stating that it would have an updated back-to-school plan by end of day Wednesday.

The surprise announcement came after the board held an emergency meeting Friday night that addressed the controversial return to class for high school students.

Parents feel rushed

Jennifer Howse's 14-year-old daughter, Charlie, will be starting Grade 9 at Canterbury High School in September. Howse is waiting until tonight's deadline to submit the form stating whether her daughter will return to the classroom or not.

"It's stressful," she said. "I want to make sure that I have as much up-to-date information as I can before I push the button to make that final decision."

Howse said she's most likely going to send her daughter to school but that she reserves the right to reverse that decision if something changes that worries her.

Her biggest concerns are around the fact the school board waited until mid-August to release its plans and how much information is being given to parents to make their decisions.

Submitted/Christine Moulaison

Christine Moulaison has four children in elementary school but hasn't made a decision whether to send her kids to school because her eldest daughter has Type 1 diabetes.

"We want to make sure that nothing compromises her health," she said.

Moulaison's youngest child is starting kindergarten where the kids in his class will be between the ages of three and six-years-old. She doesn't believe children that young will be able to follow all public health rules.

Story continues

Her family is weighing its options, including possibly keeping some children home while sending others to school.

"I'm not going to rush in and put a decision in and then wonder what I'm doing," she said. "I know a lot of parents have that concern. Am I doing the right thing? Is it the right decision?"

She said she'll likely end up enrolling her three eldest children for in-class learning, but plans to change that decision if the city's COVID-19 infection rate surges between now and September.
iCEV hosted its first-ever virtual conference, CTE Inspired. Over 9,700 participants gathered from every state in the U.S., the Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Philippines and England to discover innovative tools and methods for their CTE classrooms.

iCEV hosted its first-ever virtual conference, CTE Inspired, August 4th and 5th. Over 9,700 participants gathered from every state in the U.S., the Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Philippines and England to discover innovative tools and methods for their CTE classrooms.

CTE Inspired featured 44 workshops led by over 90 educational and industry professionals from 22 states. Conference sessions were divided into 11 content specific strands. Sessions focused on iCEV and its features, seven subject areas, pedagogical concepts, funding sources and emphasized distance/hybrid learning. Additionally, five businesses and associations who host their industry certifications on the iCEV testing platform led sessions spotlighting their certifications and demand for qualified workers in their respected industries. For more information about the content shared during the conference, please visit iCEV's blog.

iCEV was honored to have Dr. Marley Morris join the conference as the keynote speaker for CTE Inspired. As a true educator, Dr. Morris has held a variety of positions from an agricultural teacher to a principal and currently serves as the CTE director of Galena Park ISD. Setting the stage for the conference, Dr. Morris shared his experiences in tackling the pandemic, his perspective on the future of CTE and encouraged attendees to embrace changes within the ever-evolving field.

Continue to press forward, said Dr. Morris. There is no neutral, only forward or reverse. Lead the change for your students.

Since countless in-person conferences were canceled this year, educators attended CTE Inspired for professional development credit. In addition to professional development credit, teachers had the opportunity to sharpen their skills, obtain resources, and discover new classroom strategies. Attendees described the conference as informative and engaging. One attendee, Donna Martz said, I enjoyed the conference and feel like I gained a lot from it.

Team iCEV would like to thank each of our attendees and speakers for participating in CTE Inspired. Your attendance was instrumental in making this conference a success. To our speakers, your thought-provoking and insightful experiences allowed the conference to be filled with innovative ideas, which will facilitate the future of CTE. As Dr. Morris said during the keynote address, We are in this together.

About iCEV

With 36 years of experience, iCEV specializes in providing quality Career & Technical Education (CTE) curriculum and education resources for several major subject areas via its online platform, iCEV: Agricultural Science and Technology, Family & Consumer Sciences, Business Education, Marketing Education, Trade and Industrial Education, Health Science, Law Enforcement and Career Exploration. Through iCEV, students can earn industry certifications across multiple areas of CTE to prepare them for educational and career success. iCEV is the most comprehensive online resource for CTE educators and students offering learning-on-demand features, video clips streaming and testing and grading capabilities to any device with Internet capabilities. For more information, visit http://www.icevonline.com.
AMHERST  For more than a quarter century  and likely longer  there has been ongoing debate at the University of Massachusetts and on college campuses across the country about the propriety of romantic relationships between faculty and students.

Congressional candidate and Holyoke Mayor Alex B. Morse isnt the first to be caught up in the debate. He is, though, facing claims raised just weeks before the Sept. 1 primary in which he hopes to unseat U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, one of the most powerful Democratic members of Congress.

The recent controversy involving claims that Morse dated UMass students while he was a part-time lecturer there is the latest chapter in an ongoing campus discussion about what constitutes a proper relationship between faculty members and students.

Morse has been on the spot since the Massachusetts Daily Collegian reported Aug. 7 that the College Democrats of Massachusetts, and its chapters at UMass and Amherst College, disinvited Morse from future events, both online and in person.

The candidate has made clear in multiple interviews this week that no student he dated was among members of the classes he taught. He maintains all of his relationships have been consensual and his actions were not in violation of any policies for UMass faculty.

UMass has launched an investigation into whether Morse, by dating students, violated the campuss consensual relations policy as well as federal Title IX rules regarding sexual harassment. The university also announced it will not rehire him as an adjunct instructor of urban government and politics, a post he had from 2014-19.

I have never abused my power as a mayor or as a guest lecturer at UMass, Morse told The Republican in an interview this week.

He said the students with whom he had relationships did not talk with him about internship or jobs. He would not say if the partners work on his campaign.

Im not going to go into every little detail, he said.

Morse has maintained hes been a victim of a political hit job. He claims involvement by Neals campaign, an allegation the congressman has denied.

College students are adults, and adults can have consensual relationships, said Morse, who is 31.

I became mayor at 22. I became a UMass faculty at 25. Theres nothing wrong with a young person dating adults who are students and who are not in your class, he said.

The campus consensual relationship policy does not outright ban any romantic relationships between faculty and students, but such relationships are strongly discouraged. The only relationships that are banned are those where the faculty member has direct involvement with the students instruction, evaluation, advising, grading or employment.

Eve Weinbaum, an associate professor with the UMass Labor Center and president of the Massachusetts Society for Professors, the faculty union, said this week that the existing UMass policy does not forbid faculty from ever becoming involved with students, but everyone knows such relationships are discouraged.

Because the power dynamics are very hard to avoid, even in a consensual relationship, she said in an email.

Its not absolutely prohibited by university policy unless the faculty member has direct authority over the student, she said. If thats the case then sexual relationships are not allowed. That would include several scenarios: a student is in ones course or lab, a student in an activity the faculty member advises, a student who works for the faculty member, or anyone the faculty member supervises, advises, grades or evaluates in any way.

The policy, she said, is intended to avoid any possibility of coercion, and also any conflicts of interest that can arise when there is confusion between personal and professional relationships.

She said she did not have any information about the allegations against Morse and was not speaking to them directly.

M.J. Peterson, professor of political science and secretary of the UMass Faculty Senate, echoed Weinbaums response about the existing policy not banning student-faculty relationships, except in cases where the faculty has direct supervision over the student.

That is a fairly broad definition, but does not cover every possible way a student and a faculty member could come into contact with one another, she said in an email.

Peterson, who emphasized she was not speaking about Morse or the allegations against him, also said: It is fair to say that academic norms have shifted considerably in recent decades, and particularly in the last few years, towards stronger disapproval of consensual relationships regardless of the age difference between the parties.

This shift in higher education tracks with parallel developments in other types of organizations.

The issue of UMass faculty being involved with students dates back at least to the early 1990s, when the subject first came to light publicly.

In 1993, a UMass English professor was quoted in Harpers Magazine, a national publication, saying that there are times when a sexual relationship between an older, seasoned professor and a younger, inexperienced college student can be beneficial to the student.

This caused a stir on campus, and when campus officials sought out policies regarding faculty dating students, they found there werent any.

Then-Chancellor David K. Scott said in a memo at the time: I think it is important for us to have a consensual relations policy. In fact, I think it is unfair to individuals and to the institution not to have one.

The first policy, adopted in 1997, recommended against faculty getting involved with students, but stopped short of an outright ban. It recommended that any faculty member involved with a student should immediately separate themselves from any and all academic oversight of the student.

At the time UMass was adopting its policy, the world was still six months or so from learning about President Bill Clintons affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

The affair and the 24/7 news coverage leading up to the Clinton impeachment hearings several months later caused Americans to reexamine issues of sexual affairs in the workplace, of consent and coercion, and of the unequal dynamics of power between supervisors and those being supervised.

In 2017, allegations that movie producer Harvey Weinstein raped and sexually abused several actresses sparked the #MeToo movement, and universities across the country began to revisit their policies regarding faculty dating students. A 2018 article in Inside Higher Ed said several colleges took the step of banning all student-faculty dating, even where no supervisory relationship existed.

In April 2018, UMass adopted a new policy that strongly discouraged any relationships between faculty and students, even when both parties willingly consent.

Dating or sexual relationships between faculty and students ... are problematic in many ways because of the unequal power dynamic between the parties. The integrity of the faculty when it comes to evaluating students work can be undermined and trust in and respect between the faculty and students can erode, the policy said.

Faculty were also barred from entering into any sexual relationship with a student for whom the faculty has any responsibility for supervision, evaluation, grading, advising, employment or other instructional or supervisory activity.

Each of the Five Colleges has policies against faculty having relationships with students.

The two womens colleges, Smith and Mount Holyoke, forbid any romantic or sexual relationships between faculty and students. Period.

At Amherst and Hampshire colleges, such relationships are strongly discouraged but not outright banned. Faculty members involved with students are supposed to remove themselves from any instructional, advisory or supervisory capacity over the student.

Since the absence of this person may deprive the student of educational advising or career opportunities, both parties should be mindful of the potential costs to the student before entering into a relationship, the Amherst College policy reads.

Hampshires policy reads along the same lines, noting: Students have a right to an academic, professional, and socially engaging community and such relationships undermine the likelihood of such a community by introducing the possibility or perception of favoritism, abuse of power, and conflict of interest.

The Mount Holyoke policy, adopted two years ago, removes any of the gray areas found at UMass, Amherst or Hampshire, and spells things out in black and white. Relations between faculty and students jeopardize the learning environment for that student and others, it says.

Such relationships are prohibited regardless of whether the staff person is directly supervising or evaluating the student, and regardless of the age of the student. ... Staff members engaging in such relationships put at risk themselves, the students, and the educational mission of the College.
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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Aug. 16, 2020 | MAYFIELD

By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 16, 2020 | 02:35 PM | MAYFIELD

A fugitive from Colorado was arrested in Mayfield Saturday.



The Mayfield Police Department says officers responded to a home on North 11th Street. A tip had come in that a man, wanted out of Colorado, was staying there.



Upon officers' arrival, contact was made with 36-year-old Micah Wade Wilson. Wilson was placed under arrest on the Kentucky charge of fugitive from another state.



Wilson is wanted out of Colorado for a parole violation and warrants for failure to appear on the original charges of robbery and burglary.
A woman who was "almost inevitably" facing jail for racially abusing a doctor trying to treat her has had her case adjourned because she is pregnant.

Adjourning the case against Shauna Quinn to January 29 next year, Judge Patrick Lynch QC warned her that if there were negative reports from the probation and community addiction teams, "you are going to prison".

Last January 24-year-old Quinn was handed a four-month prison sentence at Lisburn Magistrates Court after she admitted using disorderly behaviour at the accident and emergency department at Lagan Valley Hospital, a sentence which she appealed on Wednesday at the County Court.

Prosecuting counsel Eoin McDonald told the court that when the doctor called Quinn to be triaged at the busy emergency department on September 26 last year, she shouted out, "I'm not going to be seen by a black doctor. I won't go with that n*****".

Quinn was warned about her behaviour, but she continued to shout at staff and remained in the hospital until the police arrived.

Defence solicitor Tony Caher said that his client, from Aspen Park in Dunmurry, was due to give birth to her child in December and that since becoming pregnant she has been in regular contact with the community addiction nurse.

He added that Quinn had split up with and moved away from her previous boyfriend, who was "arrested on an almost weekly basis", and is now "totally focused on the child and making sure that the child will come into the world in the best of health".

Judge Lynch said although "the court's view in relation to this sort of activity in hospital is that imprisonment is just about inevitable", because of Quinn's pregnancy, "I'm prepared to put the case back to give her a chance".

He told the defendant, who appeared at court via videolink from Mr Caher's office: "I'm giving you a chance simply because of your current condition.

"If you go back in any way whatsoever in terms of committing further offences, you know you will go to prison.

"You are being given a chance to prove yourself."
Cardiac Rhythm Management Market Research Report by Product (CRTs, Defibrillators, and Pacemaker) - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19 The Global Cardiac Rhythm Management Market is expected to grow from USD 15,462.

New York, Aug. 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Cardiac Rhythm Management Market Research Report by Product - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913745/?utm_source=GNW

44 Million in 2019 to USD 23,862.41 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.49%.



Market Segmentation & Coverage:

This research report categorizes the Cardiac Rhythm Management to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Product, the Cardiac Rhythm Management Market studied across CRTs, Defibrillators, and Pacemaker. The CRTs further studied across CRT Pacemaker and CRT- Defibrillators. The Defibrillators further studied across ICDs, T-ICD, and s-ICD. The Pacemaker further studied across External Pacemaker and Implantable Pacemaker.



Based on Geography, the Cardiac Rhythm Management 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 Cardiac Rhythm Management Market including BIOTRONIK, Boston Scientific Corporation, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Medtronic plc, Physio-Control, Inc., Schiller AG, St Jude Medical, and Zoll Medical Corporation.



FPNV Positioning Matrix:

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Cardiac Rhythm Management 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

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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 Cardiac Rhythm Management Market?

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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001








INFORMATION, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has come out guns blazing against the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCBC), describing the bishops as genocidal and evil-minded for publishing a Pastoral Letter that incites the public and makes unsubstantiated allegations against Government.





The controversial Pastoral Letter, which was signed by ZCBC president Archbishop Charles Ndlovu, Archbishop Alex Thomas (ZCBC deputy president), and bishops Paul Horan (ZCBC secretary and treasurer), Michael Bhasera (Masvingo), Albert Serrano (Hwange), Rudolf Nyandoro (Gokwe) and Raymond Mupandasekwa (Chinhoyi), was published on Friday and is ridden with political undercurrents.





In the letter, the bishops accuse the Government of human rights violations, while repeating fatigued and unproven allegations against President Mnangagwas administration. The letter also appears to incite Catholics and other peace-loving Zimbabweans to overthrow the Government, as it makes reference to a famous statement by the late American politician and civil rights leader John Robert Lewis that the march is not over, in what appears to be a reference to the failed 31 July protests. In a hard-hitting address at her offices in Harare yesterday, Minister Mutsvangwa said the Pastoral Letter seeks to sow seeds of war.





The Government of Zimbabwe calls upon the Catholic congregation to ignore the specious Pastoral Letter. Bishop Christopher Ndlovu is leading a coterie of Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops along the wrong path of bygone petty tribalism, narrow regionalism and the debunked and defeated racial antagonism. Its evil message reeks with all the vices that have perennially hobbled the progress of Africa. It trumpets petty tribal feuds and narrow regionalist agendas. That he (Archbishop Ndlovu) hopes to sow seeds of internecine strife as a prelude to civil war and national disintegration.





Minister Mutsvangwa likened Archbishop Ndlovu to Rwandan bishop Athanase Seromba, the infamous Rwandese Catholic Archbishop who was tried and sentenced to life imprisonment by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda for inciting genocide.





Such was the horrendous and abominable conduct of the Rwanda Catholic Church that Pope Francis, the global head of the worldwide Catholic Church had to make a formal Papal visit to Kigali in 2017. The reason was to offer a contrite apology for the heinous crimes of the Rwanda Catholic Clergy. With nefarious cynicism to history, Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu is inching to lead the Zimbabwe Catholic congregation into the darkest dungeons of Rwanda-type genocide.





She castigated the bishops for relying on unsubstantiated claims against Government, noting that there is neither evidence nor named victims to back-up the claims of human rights abuses.





The letter is full of generalised accusations. By way of contrast, the meticulous Catholic Peace and Justice Commission of the anti-colonial, anti-racist epoch collated, compiled and published dossiers of specific crimes committed by the colonial settler minority regime. The Archbishop and his flock of misled Catholic bishops have none of that diligence. Instead they wallow in generalised and baseless accusations. Absolutely no shred of reported evidence of so-called victims.





In the letter the bishops attempted to stir up emotions and divisions by making reference to the Matabeleland disturbances of the 1980s. Minister Mutsvangwa castigated the bishops for attempting to abuse the disturbances for their own ends while ignoring the 1987 Unity Accord that brought an end to the period after the unification of Zanu and PF-Zapu to form Zanu-PF.





He (Archbishop Ndlovu) wants to posit as the leader of the righteous Ndebele minority by fanning the psychosis of tribal victimisation. Concurrently, he sows sins of collective guilt on the Shona majority. That way he seeks to numb the spirit of collective national vigilance against the known and proven enemies of the populace of Zimbabwe. His transgressions acquire a geopolitical dimension as the chief priest of the agenda of regime change that is the hallmark of the post-imperial major Western powers for the last two decades.





Addressing Zimbabweans directly, Minister Mutsvangwa said: Fellow Zimbabweans, Gukurahundi is indeed a dark spot in the tortuous task of nation building by Zimbabwe. The two parties of that needless chapter of history need to be hailed for seeking peace and unity as they avoided the abyss that could have been a full-blown civil war. Happily, we ended up with the 1987 Unity Accord. She also accused the bishops of having a warped view of history.





The letter seeks the revival and continuation of the perennial vices of division. It has a selective and warp-sided reading of history. The errant and evil bishop has a nauseating mental amnesia of the blight of minority settler rule and its baggage of exploitative racism against the totality of the black majority of Zimbabwe. The levity of his mental amnesia is worsened by the fact that he tears off pages of the progressive crusade for justice and democracy that has hitherto been the shining virtue of the Catholic Church in Zimbabwe.





Minister Mutsvangwa said the bishops chose to ignore risks posed by Covid-19 to incite people to demonstrate yet the World Health Organisation daily announces strictures to assist national Governments to fight and contain the pandemic.





In the face of all that, our narrow-minded bishop pontificates against Covid-19 rules. Even when America, his much-admired paragon of democracy and justice is complying. Recently President Trump had to call off the National Convention of his Republican Party slated for Jacksonville, Florida, she said. It was unfortunate that in the eyes of the reckless Archbishop, pride of place was accorded to the crusade against the governing and ruling party of Zimbabwe.





The cause of national health in face of a pandemic is of no consequence. By calling people to march in the midst of the pandemic the bishop relishes the prospect of mass deaths. To him maybe that speeds up the ascent of the populace of Zimbabwe to their biblical judgement of heaven or hell. And behold, Pastoral Letter Bishops Conference of 14th August 2020 does not bother to invoke the repeated Papal calls for a global ceasefire in regions of war and strive.





The minister said the Pastoral Letter goes against the Popes call on nations to concentrate effort and resources to the fight against global pandemic. Pope Francis recently implored the United Nations Security Council to pass a resolution 5 July 2020. This noble aspiration of the Pope as head of the global Catholic Church is cited nowhere in the offending Pastoral Letter of the hate-mongering Archbishop Christopher Ndlovu. For Gods sake, why ignore the letter and spirit of the supreme Archbishop in the Vatican? If wars and strife can be wished away, how about a mere political uprising under the guise of an ill-fated mass demonstration?





She said during the liberation struggle, Catholic bishops gained fame for protecting peoples rights unlike the ZCBC which is pushing political interests.





Who can forget the venerable Bishop Lamont of Mutare and his brave defiance of the illegal and racist rule of Ian Smith and his 1965 Unilateral Declaration of Independence?





How Bishop Lamont of the Carmelite Missionary Order in Zimbabwe went on to be a victim of a probably contrived car accident, his incarceration and eventual deportation. Yes, that brave man of the cloth could only return to Zimbabwe after 1980 in the wake of the victory of the National Liberation Movement.





She challenged Zimbabweans not to be fooled by the call that The march is not ended.




Have you ever thought of homeschooling your children?

I was homeschooled my whole life, and I absolutely loved it. My brother Jake, the genius of the family, went to preschool, and when it was time to test for kindergarten, my mother was told that he had auditory processing problems and would need to be in a special needs class. My mom knew he was brilliant, and she strongly believed that if one can read and write well they can do anything; so she decided to homeschool him instead. While Mom was teaching Jake English phonograms, so he could read, I was nearby playing with my dolls, but I, too, was learning the phonograms and began reading at age 3.

In the late 1980s, homeschooling resources were scarce, so my mother became very resourceful and figured it out. Heck, we didnt even have a computer until 1994. My mom was one of the founding members of the South Plains Christian Home Educators Association.

Being homeschooled was wonderful. No matter what we were studying, Mom found a way for it to be experiential. Wed go to the local butcher and get fetal pigs to dissect. Other homeschooled kids would come over, and my brother would show them how you can inflate the pigs lungs with a straw. Growing up in Lubbock, we lived very close to Texas Tech University. If we were studying bugs, Mom would call the entomology lab at Texas Tech, and we would go tour it. When we studied clouds and weather, we went to the meteorology lab at Texas Tech. When I was 15 and we were studying anatomy and physiology, we even went through the cadaver lab at Texas Tech. She didnt let anything stop her from giving us a great education. She was more concerned that we loved learning than making sure we were always spot on in every subject for our grade level. I hated math but eventually learned it, but I loved Ancient Egyptian history, so I studied it for eight years and even knew how to read hieroglyphs.

One day we had an adventure, and we went to South Plains College to take the entrance exam just to see what it was like. Mom was 47. Jake was 15. I was 12. We all passed! Jake decided he wanted to start taking classes, and he started college at 15.

My two favorite memories of being homeschooled happened around what we were learning in history. When I was 6 and Jake was 9, we were studying the Revolutionary War. Mom took us to a carpenter who cut out the silhouette of long rifles, replete with bayonets, out of raw wood. Jake and I also made 3 point  Revolutionary Era hats. Several times a week, anyone of us would yell, the British are coming. Then we would grab our wooden muskets, run around our neighborhood yelling, The British are coming, take cover behind a bush or a tree and take aim. My second favorite memory was when I was 9, and Mom was teaching eight other girls my age American History using the American Girls dolls and curriculum. When we were studying WWII, my mom met a Jewish concentration camp (Dauchau) survivor, Helene Shiver, and asked her to come tell her story to us. This sweet old lady came and sat in my living room and shared her experiences of the horrors of being rounded up from her home in Bulgaria where her wealthy family was hosting a party of family and friends. Helene was 13, and her entire family and all the party attendees were sent to concentration camps, and she never saw any of them again. More than 100 of her family members died in concentration camps, and she was the lone survivor. My mom and the other moms had asked her to share whatever she wanted. It was awful, and I cry every time I remember it. She showed us her feet where her toes were mangled and curled under from years of wearing the same pair of boots while she was a young, growing girl. She showed us the number tattooed on her arm and the scars on her body where the Nazis bored holes in her bones for medical research. She spoke of how the American soldiers saved them from the concentration camp, and she married the American serviceman who rescued her. I am forever grateful for the lesson she taught us.

Homeschooling is certainly not for everyone, but I believe you know if it is right for your children. With everything going on in the world today, and if you are not happy with the academic performance of your school district, I highly recommend homeschooling your children. No one knows your child better than you, and you can make THE difference in their education. They will be better for it. www.thsc.org is a wonderful organization that provides a wealth of information for homeschool families, and my super-teacher mom and I would be happy to help you in any way we can as well.

Do not be afraid. You can do this.
The latest season of Farmer Wants a Wife is approaching its final episodes.

But during filming earlier this year, some of the contestants were reportedly less than thrilled to have made it so far into the competition.

According to Woman's Day, several women were frustrated by the end of the series because they hadn't had enough private time with the farmers, and were unable to develop romantic feelings as a result.

Wives revolt! During filming of Farmer Wants a Wife earlier this year, some of the contestants were reportedly less than thrilled to have made it so far into the competition

Some women were said to be so upset they hadn't been eliminated from the show that they asked producers to let them leave.

'[The contestants] felt no sparks with the farmers,' an insider told the publication, adding that they didn't think it was fair of the men to 'keep all the women there'.

At one point during filming, a handful of contestants apparently confronted the farmers, accusing them of 'wasting their time'.

Not happy: According to Woman's Day, several women were frustrated by the end of the series because they hadn't had enough private time with the farmers, and were unable to develop romantic feelings as a result

The source added that the disgruntled ladies felt they didn't have a chance to form a meaningful connection because the farmers were always 'surrounded by women'.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Seven for comment.

It comes after unconfirmed reports that host Natalie Gruzlewski is on the verge of quitting over the reality show's focus on drama this year.

Wife doesn't want a farmer? Some women were said to be so upset they hadn't been eliminated from the competition that they asked producers to let them leave. Pictured (left to right): farmers Sam, Alex, Nick, Harry and Neil

The Channel Seven series was once considered a wholesome alternative to the likes of Married At First Sight and The Bachelor; however, the current season has been embroiled in MAFS-style scandals from the get-go.

'Very conservative Natalie is not happy - she expected it to be like the old days,' New Idea claimed last week.

'[She] has also reportedly protested the "tone of the show's promos and publicity, which replicates Married At First Sight".'

Despite Natalie's rumoured grievances, the new season of Farmer Wants a Wife has been a hit with viewers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Farmer Wants a Wife continues Monday at 7.30pm on Channel Seven
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In 2019, a Policy One-Pager produced by the Robert Graham Center reported that the percentage of the active U.S. physician workforce in primary care practice declined from 32 percent in 2010 to 30 percent in 2018. Although family physicians represent 4 in 10 primary care physicians, in several states, a large percentage of family physicians are older than 55 years and anticipated to transition to part-time practice or retire by 2030. The immediate prospects for replacing them are poor. Graduates of 14 U.S. allopathic medical schools that were newly accredited since 2002 and had at least one graduating class by 2015 were actually 40 percent less likely to enter family medicine than graduates of the 118 previously existing schools.

Recognizing the imperative to not only maintain, but expand the family medicine workforce to meet the populations needs, the Workforce and Education Development team of Family Medicine for Americas Health recommended adoption of a shared aim known as 25 x 2030: to increase the percentage of U.S. medical students choosing family medicine from 12 percent to 25 percent by the year 2030. Supported by the American Academy of Family Physicians and seven other national and international family medicine organizations, the America Needs More Family Doctors: 25 x 2030 collaborative was officially launched in August 2018.

In an editorial in the January 15 issue of American Family Physician, Dr. Jacob Prunuske, a member of the 25 x 2030 Steering Committee, described the collaboratives guiding principles, benefits to physicians at all levels of experience, and how family doctors in the trenches can support progress toward this ambitious aim:

Recruit before medical school. Encourage children and young adults to not only go to medical school, but to become a family doctor. Active recruitment is especially valuable in underserved or rural communities and for those underrepresented in medicine.

Change the medical school experience. When you have the opportunity to work with medical students, say yes. If you must say no, reflect on what it would take to get you to say yes, and share your reflections with your health care system, institution, or the 25  2030 working groups so that they can address barriers to teaching. As preceptors for medical students, family doctors not only teach family medicine principles, but also serve as mentors and role models. Embrace this role. Debunk myths and counter negative stereotypes of family medicine. Family doctors provide high-value care by delivering high-quality outcomes while controlling costs. Medical students need this experience with practicing family doctors to combat the alternative messages of other specialties.

Advocate for family medicine. Legislative leaders need to hear about the value of family medicine from voters. Respond to advocacy calls, and advocate at the local, state, and national levels for changes that support family medicine. Share your advocacy efforts with your patients and tell them why these issues matter to you, them, and all of us.

Embrace change. Patient expectations, technology, and health systems will evolve. Rather than react, help guide these changes to fit the principles of family medicine.

An excellent resource for interested medical students is a 2016 AFP article, Responses to Medical Students Frequently Asked Questions About Family Medicine, which answers common questions about the importance of the specialty, residency and fellowship training, procedural skills and scope of practice, economic realities, and future prospects. The article advised students that the best way to know if family medicine is the right fit for you is to work with family physicians in action, by doing a rotation with a family physician in practice. The trouble with this advice, though, is that a lot of my colleagues are unhappy or just plain miserable, worn down by caring for too many patients in too little time and being consumed by tedious desktop medicine tasks rather than the face-to-face interactions that are the reason they went into primary care in the first place. To recruit more students into family medicine, we will need to make dramatic changes to unhealthy and unsustainable work environments.

Kenneth Lin is a family physician who blogs at Common Sense Family Doctor.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
The Interboro School Board issued a letter in response to the resignation of school board member Christine Alonso.

Alonso, a Glenolden Republican who served on the board since 2018 and most recently as its treasurer, resigned Thursday amid calls by the Delaware County Black Caucus, other elected officials and others for her behavior stemming from a counter-protest to an Aug. 1 Black Lives Matter march in Ridley Township.

On video, Alonso was heard saying, Im so racist, I fought for this country and every single one of you, but youre right, Im the racist. I fought for you. I fought for you. Stay over there, ho. Stay over there. Go get your welfare check. I know you aint got a job. Go get your f welfare check.

Alonso said her PTSD from serving in the Army in Iraq has been worsened by the coronavirus pandemic and she was following doctors recommendations to step down from her professional roles to focus on healing.

She denied allegations of racism but expressed regret at her actions at the rally in Ridley Township.

In a letter to the Interboro community, dated Aug. 13, the same day Alonso tendered her resignation, board President William L. Phelps Jr. along with board members Justin Shivone, Jack Evans, Edward Harris, Jennifer Varricchio, Glenn Goldsborough, Kelly Joseph and Danielle Fagan issued their response.

The Interboro School Board and District is a diverse and inclusive community that condemns discrimination, hatred and violence of any kind, they wrote. The actions of the past several weeks have caused unfortunate divisions in our community to rise to the surface.

Ms. Alonsos actions by her own admission displayed at a minimum a lack of judgement and professionalism and at a maximum are interpreted as discriminatory, the letter continued. We agree and do not condone those actions. Additionally, we do not condone the hatred and bullying on social media that were directed at Ms. Alonso and us as board members.

This situation, they continued, has caused an unfortunate distraction at a time when we could least afford to have one as we are dealing with this pandemic and trying to find a way to safely educate all of the students of the district.

They spoke of Alonsos time on the board.

During her time on the board, Ms. Alonso was an excellent board member who contributed her lifes experiences and brought new perspectives to the thought process of the board, the joint letter read. At no time was there ever any hint of racism or discrimination in any of her comments or actions. The board respects and thanks Ms. Alonso for the service she provided not only to our community but to America as a whole.

However, they continued, we ask Ms. Alonso to reflect and consider the best interest of the district during these challenging and unprecedented times.

They then referred to the district mission statement, reading, Interboro School District provides a challenging and supportive learning environment for all students to succeed academically, socially and emotionally while becoming college and career ready citizens within a global community.

The letter then concluded, As a board and district we will work tirelessly to continue to fulfill this mission for the betterment of our students and community. We ask all members of the community to work with us as partners for the success of our district.
The last season of Vanderpump Rules ended with fractured friendships and fired cast members. Longstanding friendships crumbled, as many cast members insisted there was no turning back.

While most of the cast has remained relatively low-key during the pandemic, four couples from the show are still close friends and recently shared photos and videos from their group vacation. Randall Emmett and fiance Lala Kent fired up the private jet to take the friends to Lake Mead, Nevada.

Tom Schwartz, Katie Maloney-Schwartz, Stassi Schroeder |Casey Durkin/Bravo

Stassi Schroeder, who was one of the fired cast members from the show and fiance, Beau Clark joined the trip. Also invited were Jax Taylor and wife Brittany Cartwright and Tom Schwartz and wife Katie Maloney-Schwartz.

Emmett shared a video of the group in-transit on the jet, sharing that the friends tested for COVID-19 before embarking upon the voyage. The boys are back! he wrote and tagged Taylor, Clark, and Schwartz. And yes we all tested negative for covid!

The friends ditch luxury for camping

The friends rented a houseboat once they arrived at their destination. Cartwright, Maloney-Schwartz, and Kent shared videos on their Instagram story of relaxation on the lake. Schroeder, who is pregnant, added to her story, Im half way there. 20 weeks. Shes wearing a pink bikini and Clark sits in front of her.

Clark shared videos of the houseboat, equipped with a slide. Cant wait to use this slide, he wrote. He drove the boat on what appeared to be an abandoned lake. Clark also joked about how maybe he should try out for Naked and Afraid as he panned the camera over rocky terrain.

RELATED: Vanderpump Rules: Peter Madrigal Says the Show Wont Work Without Its OG Ensemble Cast

Clark admits in an Instagram post that he needed this getaway. I needed this. (WE ALL TESTED NEGATIVE FOR COVID AND ARE QUARANTINED ALONE ON A HOUSEBOAT), he wrote. Schroeder received a significant amount of backlash after she was fired from the show. She was dropped from sponsorships, her podcast and tour were also canceled.

A campfire and s mores completes the day

Later that night, the group shared videos of the friends gathering wood for a beachside campfire. Taylor is seen shirtless and scampering on the beach, picking up kindling. Cartwright captured a video of her husband gathering wood and is heard giggling in the background.

RELATED: Vanderpump Rules: Beau Clark Expected to Quit After Stassi Schroeder Firing

As night falls the friends gather around a roaring fire for ghost stories and s mores. A few of the friends share the video Cartwright shot of everyone sitting around the campfire looking cozy.

These are the days! someone is heard yelling in the background as the song, These Are Days by 10,000 Maniacs is heard playing.

Several friends are noticeably missing

Cast trips usually used to include friends Tom Sandoval, Ariana Madix, Scheana Shay, and Kristen Doute. While Shay didnt seem to have a dramatic fallout with the cast, she was busy moving into her new San Diego home with boyfriend Brock Davies.

RELATED: Vanderpump Rules: Scheana Shay Says She Talks to Stassi Schroeder More Now Than in the Past 5 Years

Meanwhile, Sandoval and Madix separated from some of the cast, especially from Taylor. Sandoval and Schwartz are still partners in TomTom and close friends. But Madix shared a video of Sandoval and their rescue pup happy at home.

Doute, who was also fired from the show was at home. Shes been estranged from Maloney-Schwartz and Schroeder since last year. Doute shot video of her dogs, sharing that the heat was pretty extreme in Los Angeles. Too hot for the puppies, she wrote.
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: Two persons were booked for raping and killing a 13-year-old girl in the district of Lakhimpur Kheri of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. The two accused were arrested for the crime that had taken place on Friday.

However, police refuted the reports of grievous injuries on the tongue and eyes of the victim claiming that her post-mortem report stated that the death was due to strangulation after rape. However, the incident brought the Yogi Adityanath government in spotlight yet again and a scathing attack from the opposition over law and order situation of the state.

The post mortem report of the 13-year-old girl (whose body was found in a field in Isanagar), confirms rape: Satyendra Kumar, SP Lakhimpur Kheri https://t.co/6peOBSa0vO pic.twitter.com/SRAKCnJ8PE

 ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 16, 2020

According to local police sources, the girl had gone to her fields on Friday afternoon. When she did not return home, her family started looking for her and found her body in a sugarcane field. Lakhimpur Kheri SP Satyendra Kumar said that the men have been booked under Section 302 (murder) and Section 376 (D) (gang rape) of Indian Penal Code besides the POCSO Act and the SC/ST Act.

The SP said that strict action would be taken against the culprits under the National Security Act (NSA). Kumar said that the post-mortem report of the minor confirmed it was a case of rape.

DSP (Dhaurahra) Abhishek Pratap claimed that two culprits were arrested on Friday night. He added that two youths identified as Sanjay Gautam and Santosh Yadav were arrested on the basis of the complaint filed by the father of the deceased.

However, earlier, reports were doing rounds that the eyes and tongue of the victim had been inflicted with injuries by the accused while committing the crime. However, the the DSP said that post-mortem conducted by a panel of doctors showed no such thing.

Lakhimpur Kheri: Body of a 13-year-old girl found in a field in Isanagar. Satyendra Kumar, SP Lakhimpur Kheri says, "FIR registered. Two accused have been arrested. Post-mortem report awaited. Investigation is underway." (15.08.2020) pic.twitter.com/VlAKN2AY0g

 ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 16, 2020

Meanwhile, the state government came in under fire from the opposition over the law and order situation.

While Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said the incident had shaken humanity, he accused the state government of shielding all those culprits who were committing rape, kidnapping and murder in the state with impunity.

                    .            .



, ,             ? #NoMoreBJP  Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) August 16, 2020

Senior Congress leader Jitin Prasada too called it an inhuman act. "This is an extremely saddening incident. In this episode, the police must initiate such a strong action that it becomes a deterrent for criminals," said Prasada.

                   -               ?             ,       Mayawati (@Mayawati) August 15, 2020

Terming the incident as very saddening and shameful, BSP supremo Mayawati had on Saturday demanded strict action against the guilty. "What is the difference between the SP government and the present BJP government if such incidents keep happening. The BSP demands that the government should initiate strong action against the guilty in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident and also in the Azamgarh incident," she said in a tweet
A San Francisco federal judge ordered that all individuals at an immigration center be tested for COVID-19 immediately as more than half contracted the virus and it was revealed officials intentionally refused to conduct tests.

On Friday, around 40 of the 104 detained residents at Mesa Verde ICE Processing Center in Baskersfield had tested positive for COVID-19.

By Saturday, that number had risen by 11 to at least 54 detainees infected since initial tests were ordered early last week.

District Court Judge Vince Chhabria ordered that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to administer quick-result testing to all detainees and staff who remain at the Mesa Verde center, Los Angeles Times reports.

'Im ordering that it be done immediately, and nobody stop working until theyre completed,' Chhabria told ICE lawyers and GEO Group, the private contractor in charge of the facility.

Emi MacLean, Deputy Public Defender of San Francisco, said the federal judge based his decision on the 'deliberate indifference' of ICE and GEO Group.

A San Francisco federal judge ordered that all detainees and staff at the Mesa Verde ICE Processing Center in Baskersfield, California (pictured) be tested for coronavirus

'Theres no question that this outbreak could have been avoided,' said Chhabria.

Earlier this month, a COVID-19 outbreak struck the detention center as two entire dorms were exposed to the virus. As many as 69 detainees from those dorms were isolated as a result.

Chhabria's ruling also required that the 140 employees as Mesa Verde center undergo tests that begin with their next shift and will continue weekly.

A cohort of organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Northern and Southern California, filed a class-action lawsuit in April against ICE and GEO Group.

Those groups have taken legal action on behalf of the detainees, who they said have been mistreated by officials who refused to implement public health guidelines.

Pictured: An inmate sews protective masks at Las Colinas Women's Detention Facility in Santee, California, where cases have risen across the state

A lawsuit by a group of organizations has been filed on behalf of detainees against ICE and GEO Group to ensure proper health protocols are met. Pictured: Inmates gather outside of tents at the Federal Correctional Institute (FCI) Terminal Island prison in this aerial photograph taken above Los Angeles

'They are acting with deliberate indifference toward the lives of people detained in these facilities, and potentially further exposing individuals,' ACLU Attorney Angelica Salceda told Bakersfield.com.

'In these facilities, people are not able to engage in social distancing, they dont have the appropriate protective equipment, for example, to protect themselves, there are many medically vulnerable individuals who continue to be detained.'

The lawsuit originally sought to make sure ICE and GEO group were taking the necessary precautions to ensure detainees' health.

As hearings continued, ICE reportedly insisted that they only test detained individuals who showed symptoms and said none had so far.

But in June, a staff member obtained a COVID-19 test outside of work and proved positive. As many as 14 others would eventually report positive results taken outside of the Mesa Verde center.

Pictured: Emir MacLean: 'The detention center is not safe for anyone who is there'

The first confirmed COVID-19 infection of a detainee was recorded on July 31.

The Mesa Verde center, which at the time housed 350 individuals, had reduced the number of individuals to around 120 at that time.

'Then the real crisis started,' said MacLean. 'They didnt have a plan. They didnt act.'

However, a crisis was already in the works because of officials' apparent refusal to provide testing because of 'housing restrictions,' LA Times reports.

In an email, Janese Mull, the acting field office director in at ICE's San Francisco office, said agency lawyers had suggested Mesa Verde center conduct universal testing for all detainees.

Brooke Sanchez Othon, a clinical operations specialist who's healthcare company provided services to ICE, dismissed the notion all together.

Sanchez Othon reportedly told Mill that the proposal to test all detained individuals was already denied 'due to the housing restrictions we face.'

'Testing all detainees will potentially cause the same housing issue we had last week but on a larger scale,' she wrote.

'Completing the testing is not the issue it is just what we will need to do with the results once they are received.'

A healthcare official pushed back at the idea of conducting COVID-19 tests on detainees because of 'housing restrictions'. Pictured: A Sheriff's deputy and on-site nurse give medications to an inmate at Las Colinas Women's Detention Facility

Pictured: An inmate cleans a jail cell at Las Colinas Women's Detention Facility in Santee, California, amid a surge in cases

Part of the problem with only administering COVID-19 tests when patients are symptomatic is that it completely ignores the asymptomatic variable.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 40 per cent of infections are asymptomatic and the infectiousness of asymptomatic individuals relative to symptomatic was 75 per cent.

MacLean added that symptomatic detainees were placed in one dorm, while all others were ushered into a separate another - including those who who had been exposed.

'The detention center is not safe for anyone who is there,' said MacLean.

'The level of inaction and lack of concern for the individuals in their custody is stunning and outrageous.'

As of Sunday, ICE reports the Mesa Verde center of having 13 current cases under isolation, but the data was last updated Thursday and don't appear to show the numbers from Friday.

Of the more than 13,500 undocumented immigrants tested for COVID-19, around 3,567 have tested positive.

The facility first began testing the first week of August, but those test results have not come back.

California is one of several states that has become overwhelmed by its testing process that has concerning lags in reporting and results.

Recently, another round of COVID-19 testing at the Mesa Verde center found that out of 70 individuals, 32 were confirmed positive.

'We are really scared that we will never return to our families outside,' Hugo Lucas, a current Mesa Verde detainee, told lawyers, LA Times reports.

'I have my daughter who is 14 years old, and I cant tell her whats going on because Im too scared for her,' he added.

The organizations backing the lawsuit said they will keep pressuring ICE and GEO Group to improve the safety and health conditions inside the facility.

'If ICE and GEO cant guarantee the basic safety of the people in their custody, through regular testing and adequate medical care, we need to consider whether they should be allowed to detain anyone at all,' said ACLU Northern California senior attorney Sean Riordan.

As of Sunday, California has recorded more than 622,000 cases and 11,200 deaths since January.

There are 7,873 new cases, 77 new deaths and currently 5,027 hospitalizations related to COVID-19.

More than 1,600 patients have been placed in intensive care units.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 16)  Local government units do not need "big brothers" that will look over their shoulders as they respond to the pandemic, a member of the House of Representatives said on Sunday.

In a statement, Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice said local communities have enough manpower already capable of understanding national government initiatives and protocols set forth in addressing COVID-19.

Erice noted that what the local governments need are "clear and sensible policies" such as proper provision of logistics and facilities including testing capacity, isolation facilities, a singular tracing system, and the expansion of healthcare facilities for severe and critical COVID-19 patients.

Last Wednesday, the COVID-19 inter-agency task force assigned Cabinet members to areas under strict community quarantine to help in monitoring their healthcare system and compliance with treatment standards.

The task force's Resolution No. 62, series of 2020 said that the big brother model was designed to "further streamline" government response, with different Cabinet members assigned to various parts of Metro Manila.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, who co-chairs the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and assigned to monitor Quezon City with Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, defended the program.

He said its implementation would pave way for a better coordination of policies between the national and local level.

But other lawmakers were not as amused with this approach. Senator Nancy Binay previously called it an "ill-prepared" plan, while Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon warned that assigning Cabinet secretaries to localities may only lead to "overstepping of authority."

"There is a thin line that separates supervision and control. It is always a subject of overreach by the national government," Drilon said in a statement on Friday.

The government announced Saturday that Cebu City and some other areas in the Visayas will remain under general community quarantine on August 16 to 31.

President Rodrigo Duterte is set to address the nation on August 17, Monday, to discuss the new community quarantine classification of Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
A Democratic congressman from New Jersey is asking the states attorney general to open a criminal inquiry into what he calls President Trumps attempts to sabotage the election by undermining the United States Postal Service.

In a letter on Friday, the congressman, Bill Pascrell Jr., pointed to slowdowns in mail delivery, the removal of mail-sorting machines and Mr. Trumps statement this week that he opposed Democratic demands for additional funding for the Postal Service and election security because of his opposition to mail-in voting.

Mr. Trumps actions threaten the plans, announced Friday by New Jerseys governor, Philip D. Murphy, to conduct the upcoming general election almost entirely with mail-in ballots to protect poll workers and voters from the coronavirus, Mr. Pascrell wrote in the letter to New Jerseys attorney general, Gurbir S. Grewal.

I call upon you to open a wide-ranging investigation of Trumps actions to interfere in our elections and to empanel a grand jury for the purpose of considering criminal indictments for Donald Trump, U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, members of the United States Postal Service (USPS) Board of Governors, and any other officials in the Trump government that are participating in or have participated in the subversion of New Jersey state elections, Mr. Pascrell wrote.
NEW MILFORD  John Maxwell OBrien, a retired professor of history, spent a year as the resident director of the City University of New Yorks study abroad program in England in the late 1960s.

It was a turbulent time in America. Student protests against the war in Vietnam, drug use and a resistance against the establishment were becoming more common in the U.S. But in England, students still followed the rules  for the most part.

OBriens new book, Aloysius the Great, follows the life of Aloysius Gogarty, a young American professor whos pressured into becoming a resident director of a study abroad program.

But thats where the real story ends, and Aloysius fictional story begins. Aloysius the Great is part satirical comedy, as well as an examination of academic life, with a love story threaded in between. The result is the adventure of an American in England.

Gogarty departs, resentful of the task foisted upom him and disturbed at having to leave behind a woman hes recently become infatuated with, OBrien said. In England, Gogarty finds himself on a runaway roller-coaster of rebellious students, drugs, sex and academic politics. He continues to court his inamorata from afar, and his alcoholism spirals out of control.

I got the idea for the story based on my time in England, but the rest of the story is exaggerated, fictional, he said. The characters are loosely based on people I met and things that happened while I was there. Its a seriocomic tale of an alcoholic professor who becomes resident director of an American study abroad, and what happens to him while hes there.

The students under Gogartys care are a challenge. One discovers narcotics and is arrested, which brings plenty of trouble for the visiting professor. Another student tries to seduce him. In reality, OBrien said, English students were much more restrained.

In 1968, there were (protests) going on on France, and some of those sparked occurrences in England, he said. But for the most part, the English students were very reserved.

Gogarty gets help coping with his problems from an Oxford counterpart, and together they consume epic quantities of alcohol while concocting outlandish schemes to address these challenges, OBrien said.

He also found ways to incorporate his favorite author, James Joyce, and says most of the books chapters parallel episodes from Ulysses. Many characters come from that book, or were people significant in Joyces life, OBrien said.

When my story happened in England in 1967-68, I came back to New York, and all I could think of was how bizarre and ironic and funny the whole thing was, he said. I said, some day I will have to write about this. One day, I looked in the mirror, and theres this old geezer looking back at me, and I realized, If youre going to write that book, youd better do it. So I did.

Other writing adventures

Aloysius the Great is his first novel, but not his first writing. OBriens been writing for many years. Academically, his study of Alexander the Great and a subsequent biography began as an investigation of the great warriors successes and failures.

The author began his teaching career in 1964 at Queens College as an assistant professor. He retired from that job a few years ago at the age of 80.

I wrote a thesis about Alexander the Greats alcoholism, he said. It was an enormous challenge. I got interested in it when another professor at Queens College was talking about Alexander, and he said, During the last 17 years of his life, while he was conquering one civilization after another, there was a remarkable deterioration in his character. He got progressively worse, while he was piling up one victory after another. Nobody knew why. ... So in 1978, I started looking at all of the examples of the change for the worse for Alexander the Great. I saw a pattern, and I said Thats it!

OBrien wrote several articles about his findings, which were picked up by the New York Times. He was interviewed by the Times, then appeared on radio and television programs in the U.S., France, England and Australia.

I was on a merry-go-ground; I became famous for my thesis on Alexander the Great, he said. Then in 1992, I published a biography on him ... and thats how it all started.

He also wrote an article on alcoholism for the Oxford Dictionary. That was a big accomplishment, he said.

OBriens book, Alexander the Great: The Invisible Enemy: A Biography is available at academic.oup.com.

See through the hypocrisy

In the book, Gogarty eventually comes to terms with his drinking, which is illustrated in the book by an encounter with a bartender in Scotland. His friend, the Oxford professor named Mountjoy, is a terrible influence on Gogarty, but he is able to come to terms with the friendship and his own failings.

I had so much fun writing their conversations, OBrien said, adding that he made a similar friend in England during his time there. The conversations between them were just hysterical.

OBrien offered advice to people thinking of writing their own novel. There are a lot of tips I could give, but I read a book by John Braine, called Writing a Novel, and it was different from all the others. ... It was nuts and bolts  write a certain amount of words per day; when you describe a scene, envision it as if the characters are up on a stage, to make it more dramatic. Write it like a play or a movie.

You have to let the reader feel theyre right there with the story, up on the stage, he said.

So far, Aloysius the Great is well-received. There are 18 judges on Amazons review list, and all 18 gave the book five stars, OBrien said. Thats amazing.

He has published poetry in literary journals and wrote a short story on disabilities, which was also published. Above all, OBrien is enjoying life.

I was a history professor at Queens College for 50 years, so I spent half a century in the academic world, he said. Theres so much hypocrisy in that world, and I was waiting to write about it.

If people have been to college, they can relate to Aloysius and if they havent, they can look at their own jobs, and realize how you can get too caught up in whats going on around you, he said. In the book, the characters were humble enough to laugh at themselves and see through that hypocrisy.

OBrien lives in New Milford with his wife, Dorothy.

Aloysius the Great is published by Propertius Press. To order a print copy or e-book, go to http://bit.ly/AloysiusTheGreat.
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The mother of hero PC Andrew Harper has written a letter to Harry Dunn's alleged killer urging her to return to the UK.

Debbie Adlam - who became friends with Harry Dunn's mother Charlotte Charles -said she wrote the letter the day after the anniversary of her own son's death because 'there is too much suffering going on to sit and do nothing'.

Mr Dunn was killed when his motorbike crashed into a car outside a US military base in Northamptonshire on August 27 last year.

Anne Sacoolas, the wife of an intelligence officer based at RAF Croughton, claimed diplomatic immunity following the crash and was able to return to the US, sparking an international controversy.

Mrs Adlam's son was killed 12 days earlier after he tried to stop three thieves fleeing as they stole a quad bike in Stanford Dingley, Berkshire.

She asked Sacoolas to consider how both families had experienced their 'world falling apart'.

Mother of PC Andrew Harper Debbie Adlam has written a letter to Harry Dunn's alleged killer urging her to return to the UK after becoming friends with the 19-year-old's mother Charlotte Charles

Anne Sacoolas (pictured), the wife of an intelligence officer based at RAF Croughton, claimed diplomatic immunity following the crash and was able to return to the US, sparking an international controversy

In the letter to Sacoolas, who was charged in December with causing Mr Dunn's death by dangerous driving, Mrs Adlam described the two families' losses as 'immeasurable'.

The letter reads: 'On August 15 last year my son Andrew was dragged for over a mile by thieves stealing a quad bike.

'Andrew was a young police officer who had just got married 4 weeks earlier.

'I will not go into details of Andrews injuries, suffice to say they were horrific as were Harry's.

Mr Dunn (pictured) was killed when his motorbike crashed into a car outside a US military base in Northamptonshire on August 27 last year

PC Harper was killed responding to a call about a stolen quad bike in Stanford Dingley, Berks, last August

'As a mother yourself, can you begin to imagine if what happened to Andrew and Harry had happened to one of your children?

'Charlotte and I have to live through having to face this reality every day and night.'

Mrs Adlam wrote that the devastation to both families had been 'overwhelming', adding that their worlds had 'changed beyond recognition in so many ways'.

The letter continued: 'Harry's family are going through the most awful time and lots of us are trying our best to support them.

'Charlotte is a mother like you and me. It is all about our children.

'Harry's family are languishing, left to find a way to to deal with the fact that you left without any apparent concern for those left behind to pick up the pieces.

'Things will inevitably get worse for them but I imagine for yourself and your family too.

The 28-year-old Thames Valley Police officer (pictured with his wife Lissie) was caught in a strap dangling from the back of a Seat Toledo driven by Long, and dragged to his death

Henry Long, 19, (left) and 18-year-olds Jessie Cole (centre) and Albert Bowers (right) were sentenced for the newlywed's manslaughter

'You too have children, they will want to feel loved and respected as they grow, but by allowing the current situation to carry on you risk them spending their lives in the shadow of what is happening now and how it has been handled.

'They could experience more negativity than you may have realised if things are not looked at and handled in a sensitive and decent manner for all concerned.'

PC Harper's mother previously said that 'something needs to change' after those responsible for her son's death were handed 16-year and 13-year sentences at the Old Bailey on July 31.

Henry Long, 19, and 18-year-olds Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers were sentenced for the newlywed's manslaughter.

The 28-year-old Thames Valley Police officer was caught in a strap dangling from the back of a Seat Toledo driven by Long, and dragged to his death.

Mrs Adlam (left) wrote that the devastation to both families (Harry Dunn's mother Charlotte Charles, right) had been 'overwhelming', adding that their worlds had 'changed beyond recognition in so many ways'

His mother has called for 'Andrew's Law' to be implemented, meaning a minimum of 20 years in prison for anyone who kills a police officer.

She concluded her letter to Sacoolas by saying: 'I am sure you were scared at the time and perhaps badly advised, but it is not too late.

'This is not going to go away, so please bring an end to this current situation and give Harry's family and your own a better future.

'You all deserve to live more peacefully than anyone can possibly be at the moment.'

Explaining her reasons for writing the letter, Mrs Adlam told PA: 'My son Andrew died a year ago. It's been a horrible year.

'But when I looked at Charlotte's situation, I saw a mother who was hurting just like me.

'I don't know if this letter will do any good, or even whether Mrs Sacoolas will ever read it, but we are all mothers and I felt it was important to at least try to help resolve the situation in my own little way.

'It all seems so needless and senseless.

'It is time for Mrs Sacoolas and the US government to do the right thing.

'My family and I have drawn strength from the support we have had from the whole nation and I just want to give a little back.

'The situation Charlotte is in is unimaginable and it's time to bring her and her family's suffering to an end.'

Ms Charles told PA: 'I am blown away by Debbie's love and support.

'For another mother who is suffering as intensely as she is, her unselfish act in writing this letter just shows the power of the human spirit and how kind people in this country really are.'
Word on the grapevine claims that Samsung could be set to bring back the 3.5mm headphone jack on the Galaxy S21 series, after ditching it for the Note 10, S20, and Note 20 lineups. Apparently, the company may do that to gauge how much it influences sales.

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Samsung finally joined the crowd by removing the headphone jack on the Galaxy Note 10 series last year, and on with succeeding flagships. It appears, however, that the company is mulling a decision to bring back the headphone jack, and as soon as next year.

According to tipster @MauriQHD, Samsung is contemplating bringing back the headphone jack on next year's Galaxy S21 series. The source tweet implies that the company is willing to do so for at its 2021 flagships at least, starting with the S21 series, to gauge how much influence it has on sales.

While there's no concrete evidence as to how true this isit's mere hearsay at this pointthis would be a sound decision by the company. Samsung received plenty of flak for removing the headphone jack from the Note 10 last year, and bringing it back would ensure plenty of media goodwill.

This isn't the first time something like this is happening either; Sony just brought back the jack on the new Xperia 1 II after ignoring it for two years, for instance. Samsung removed the SD Card slot from the Galaxy S6 in 2015 and brought it back the following year, too.
A Vietnam war veteran has told an inquiry he is trapped in a life of loneliness after his wife of 25-years contracted COVID-19 and died following a trip on the Ruby Princess cruise.

Brisbane retiree Graeme Lake, 72, made the confession via video link on Friday and admitted he no longer has anyone to cook for or speak to since the passing of his partner Karla in March.

'My life's finished, I'm just stuck here now,' he said.

The NSW government commissioned an inquiry into the Ruby Princess after its 2,700 passengers were allowed to disembark from the cruise ship in Sydney before results for COVID-19 were received.

More than 900 cases and twenty-eight deaths have been linked to the cluster.

Mr Lake and four of his friends contracted the virus while Mrs Lake lost her life because of it, The Australian reported.

A Vietnam veteran (pictured, Graeme Lake with his late wife Karla) has told an inquiry he is trapped in a life of loneliness after his wife of 25-years contracted COVID-19 and died following a trip on the Ruby Princess cruise

The Berejiklian government commissioned an inquiry into the Ruby Princess after its 2,700 passengers were allowed to disembark from the cruise ship in Sydney before results for COVID-19 were received

Mr Lake and his partner had been on more than 20 cruises prior to the Ruby Princess.

The pair decided to make the trip this time around to celebrate Mrs Lake's 75th birthday.

Mr Lake called himself 'old fashioned' as he believed it was his responsibility to look after his family and bring them home safely while on holiday.

'Well I didn't do that, I failed badly,' he said.

The pair had no idea anybody was sick onboard at the time.

Mr Lake said it was the first cruise he had been on where the captain did not interact with guests at a party.

The inquiry heard the 72-year-old later took this as an indication the captain might have known there was 'sickness around'.

Mr Lake said he would immediately have isolated his wife in a cabin if a doctor or captain had informed him at the time.

Only a day after the cruise, Mrs Lake was experiencing breathing difficulties and was taken to a Queensland hospital and placed in isolation.

Mr Lake fell ill and joined her a couple of days later. While he slowly recovered in the bed beside her, his lifelong wife did not.

The war veteran told the inquiry he still thinks about the couple's decision to go on the cruise.

'I still took her away, she's smiling, she's happy, she's enjoying herself, she's relying on me to do everything for her, which I've been doing for the last few years.'

Bret Walker SC was tasked with examining the Ruby Princess' departure, arrival and disembarkation and conducted 21 days' of hearings from April to July.

Pictured: Cruise ship passengers disembark from Ruby Princess in Sydney on March 19

Pictured: Ruby Princess docks in Port Kembla, south of Sydney, amid a police investigation

After hearing weeks of evidence, the Special Commission of Inquiry on Friday released its findings.

The report noted that on March 10 the Communicable Diseases Network of Australia amended its guidelines such that everyone on board the ship with newly-defined suspect cases should be tested.

But when a risk assessment was conducted on March 18, those making decisions did not have the updated definition of a 'suspect case'.

'This was a serious and material error,' the commission found.

Despite the respiratory symptoms of numerous of those aboard and uncertainty surrounding test results, 2700 passengers were permitted to disembark as the voyage had been deemed low risk by NSW health authorities.

This is because only 0.94 per cent of passengers presented to the ship's medical centre with flu-like symptoms - not the one per cent required to mandate NSW Health intervention - and none had visited virus-hit countries China, Italy, Iran or South Korea.
Male, Aug 16 : Maldives has received a total of 3,054 foreign visitors since the resumption of international travel last month, it was reported.

Maldives Immigration said on Saturday that the arrivals were recorded between July 15 and August 13, reports Xinhua news agency.

Majority of them were from the UK and US.

The arrivals fall drastically short of the 10,595 visitor count projected by a study from the Maldives National University.

The Maldives government hopes to attract a total of 850,000 tourists by the end of this year.

State media reported that flights to the Maldives have increased since July.

Maldives initially suspended issuing visas on-arrival, effectively closing its borders to foreign visitors, on March 27 as a precaution against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The nearly four-month border closure crippled Maldives' tourism sector which contributes over a quarter of GDP and is a major source of employment and foreign exchanges.

So far, Maldives has reported a total of 5,572 confirmed coronavirus cases, with 22 deaths.
The family of a critically ill man who tested positive for Covid-19 while in hospital had to wait six days to find out whether they, too, were infected with the virus.

The family was told that their father tested positive on August 4, but his children had to wait until August 10 before they were told their test results were negative.

The Health Service Executive says the average turnaround time between test and contact tracing is currently three days.

Read More

The country's testing efficiency is coming under renewed scrutiny ahead of schools returning next month and the influenza season fast approaching. Two leading scientists have called on the Government to introduce a coherent Covid-19 testing strategy.

Immunology experts Professor Kingston Mills and Professor Paul Moynagh said the Government appears to have no clear Covid-19 testing strategy and repeated a call for an independent group to oversee the swabbing, testing and tracing of suspect cases.

One family member, who did not wish to be identified, said they wanted to highlight the unacceptable delays in the testing system. Their father is one of eight patients currently in an intensive care unit in Irish hospitals.

The sick man's family were gathered around his hospital bed when doctors broke the news he had tested positive for Covid-19, having had several negative tests results. The family had to leave immediately, but were told they had to wait until they were contacted by contact tracers before they could be tested.

The man's wife and his children were tested for Covid-19 on Thursday, August 6. While his wife and son received their results on August 8, his daughters did not receive theirs until August 10. They were forced to isolate from their own families during those six days.

"Our family did not deserve the wait of six days. It was not just about knowing whether we had contracted the virus or not. It was the distress it caused to our father, who was critically ill and upset to know whether he had given the virus to his wife and his children," said his daughter.

Delays in testing have been a recurring issue in recent weeks as cases of Covid-19 have increased.

Time lags of several days have been revealed in reporting the results of tests to staff at a creche in Meath following a confirmed case there earlier this month. There were also reports of parents being formally notified of an outbreak in a south Dublin creche three days after a case there was confirmed.

The Government was also criticised for the delay in introducing serial testing of workers in meat factories, announced by Taoiseach Micheal Martin last week, a fortnight after the first outbreak. The outbreaks were the major contributor to a spike in confirmed cases and have resulted in two weeks of restrictions in Kildare, Laois and Offaly.

The number of Covid-19 cases have been increasing steadily, with more than 800 cases in two weeks, and 67 new confirmed cases reported on Friday.

Figures released by the HSE revealed the numbers of samples taken at community test centres for Covid-19 soared from 426 at the beginning of August to 3,438 in 10 days - a reflection of the spike in cases since the August bank holiday weekend.

A voluntary contact tracing centre at University College Dublin, stood down earlier this summer, was reactivated last weekend to deal with a backlog caused by the outbreaks.

Paul Moynagh, professor of immunology at Maynooth University, said the Government was "reacting" to outbreaks as they occurred. "My point would be that we are being told a number of times by the HSE that we have a robust agile system that we can stand down at any time and ramp up as it is needed. What is clearly there is evidence to the contrary. And if this is not the case, then we need to ask why," he said.

Read More

"That is why we need a strategy. We need a group overseeing this. What is the plan? How many are we going to need to test? What is going to happen in clusters in schools? Are they going to test less people in the community? How are we going to cope when we see more cold and flu symptoms? Are we going to test everybody? Are the testing criteria going to become more strict?"

Professors Moynagh and Mills were members of an expert task force on Covid-19 testing that reported to the National Public Health Emergency Team last April. Both said they did not receive any feedback on their expert report, which called for an expert group to oversee strategy and the coordination of the testing regime, which has not happened.

Prof Mills said community testing did not seem to be streamlined. The three-part testing process involves swabbing, testing the swab, and returning the results via contact traces. "The actual time of taking the test is fairly quick. But it is getting that swab to the laboratory and getting the result of that test to the GP or the patient is the slow bit," he said.

Having "dropped the ball" on nursing homes and, more recently, meat plants - where it was clear that workers' living conditions were conducive to the spread of the virus - the health authorities had to "get their act together" to test weekly every meat factory worker in the entire country. "This is much more helpful than testing people at random," he said.

Random testing at airports - a measure promised but not yet delivered by the Health Minister Stephen Donnelly two weeks ago - was "pointless", he said. "Unless you test everybody, there is no point in randomly testing people who come into the airport," he said.

Dr Gabriel Scally, a public health expert, said by adopting a zero Covid-19 strategy to eliminate rather than suppress the virus, a testing system could be properly designed. "There are plenty of innovative approaches to testing in the community (pooled testing, testing of sewage) that could help in achieving zero Covid," he said.

"However, widespread testing in workplaces and the community would be a nonsense as long as there is no significant public health control on individuals coming onto the island of Ireland. It would be like mopping up the water on the floor but never fixing the hole in the roof."

The Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 has called for more ambitious targets on testing and tracing times and said the HSE's turnaround time for end-to-end testing should be one day at most.

A HSE statement said it is working to improve turnaround times.

"Over the past seven days, the median end-to-end turnaround time for community and hospital tests combined from referral to the completion of contact tracing is, approximately three days."

The HSE said it is developing a new testing and tracing model to be in place next month, with a dedicated management structure and new recruits. It hopes to agree a "memorandum of understanding" with UCD for contact tracing.
Baby Elephant whose birth was live-streamed by a safari park in Mexico named Zoom after the video chat app launched amid the coronavirus pandemic for virtual communication is being planned to be released in the wild in Africa in later stages of life. Born in Puebla, southeast of the Mexican capital, the baby elephant is the sixth sibling born in a herd of elephants rescued from the poachers in Namibia nearly 8 years ago, according to reports.

Director of Africam Safari, where the calf has taken birth and was live-streamed, Frank Carlos Camacho was quoted as saying in a news agency report that the park aimed at raising the calf appropriately and then returning it in the wild in Africa once it was capable of surviving on its own. He insisted that the wild animals belonged in the wild, and the authorities in the park intended to send it to Africa among the herd of similar origin. It was only for a short duration that the calf will be held captive in limited space in the park.

Read: Elephant Found Dead In Chhattisgarh

Read: Elephant Contingent Seen Marching With Complete Discipline; Watch

Pandemic made the job 'difficult'

However, Camacho stressed that the COVID-19 pandemic has made the job difficult as the tourism industry suffered a major backlash in the wake of the pandemic. Zoom was witnessed playing with the other elephants in the safari park, as per the reports. Camacho reportedly said that the birth of an elephant was extremely rare to be ever witnessed by humans. He added, that the birth was useful for gauging scientific information, measuring times, fluid volumes, among other factors. Further, he insisted that the park has set its goal and aims for it despite the current scenario.

In an attempt to prevent the worldwide poaching of the ivory and other parts of the elephant, on the eve of World Elephant Day, Singapore destroyed over 8.8 tonnes of seized ivory. It included the contraband tusks obtained from more than 300 African elephants, as per the reports. Singapore also launched a Center for Wildlife Forensics to identify the specimens involved in the illegal wildlife trade of Elephants.

Read: Elephant Kills Range Officer In MP's Panna Tiger Reserve

Read: Hyderabad Zoological Park Celebrates World Elephant Day With Special Ragi Cakes; See Pics

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Cradling their newborn son in their arms, Charlie Gards parents have finally found happiness again.

Devastated by Charlies death and drained by their heart-breaking legal fight for his life, Connie Yates and Chris Gard feared they might never have another chance to be parents.

But the couple bravely decided to try for another child - and today they are ready to introduce Oliver Gard to the world.

Neither parent can take their eyes off Oliver, already known as Ollie, who was born on August 5 weighing 8lb 6oz.

His every gurgle, every expression holds them transfixed and they told how his arrival has finally helped them to heal.

Connie Yates and Chris Gard feared they might never have another chance to be parents. But on August 5 Oliver, affectionately known as Ollie, was born (pictured with his mother)

Connie, 34, said: Its like we can smile again now and truly mean it, rather than just plastering on a smile to get through the day.

Her fiance Chris, 36, said: Losing Charlie was like someone had thrown a hand grenade at us and our lives.

It felt like part of us died with him, like all our smiles had gone, and it was impossible to imagine we would really be happy again.

Ollie has lit up our lives. We are so, so lucky.

Rewind three years and lucky was the last word that would have come to mind.

Connie and Chris were caught at the centre of a heart-wrenching legal and medical fight over their beloved first child Charlie, who suffered from a rare genetic condition.

Charlie Matthew William Gard was born healthy on August 4, 2016, but became ill when he was two months old.

He was admitted to hospital in October that year, and remained in hospital for the remaining nine months of his life, until he was transferred to a hospice.

The pair became stuck in a heart-wrenching legal battle over their beloved first son Charlie (pictured) two months after he was born on August 4, 2016

Doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London said his condition was incurable and wanted to withdraw his life-support.

But Connie and Chris fought desperately to be allowed to take him to the US for experimental treatment and took their case to the High Court and the Supreme Court.

Tragically, as the case raged on Charlies body grew weaker and the couple were finally forced to concede that further treatment was no longer possible.

Charlie died in a hospice on July 28, 2017, just a week before his first birthday.

Connie and Chris marked the third anniversary of his death this year with a butterfly release at his graveside.

One of the delicate insects refused to fly, so they returned a week later and released it to celebrate what would have been his fourth birthday.

And while they were stood at the graveside, Connie felt her first contraction  the first sign that Charlies younger brother was ready to be born.

Connie said: I wasnt due yet and the contraction wasnt painful, so I thought it was Braxton Hicks [also known as false labour pains].

They carried on but they still didnt hurt, so I just ignored them.

Chris said: The timing was incredible. Charlie was born at 9.44am on August 4, 2016, and Connies contractions started just before 10am on August 4, 2020.

Things like that make me think Charlie has a hand in whats happening, that hes still looking out for us.

Their one-bedroom flat in Bedfont, south west London, is filled with mementoes of Charlie

Connie was scheduled for a caesarean a week later, but by the following day her contractions were stronger and more frequent so they went to hospital.

Once they arrived at the Queen Charlottes and Chelsea specialist maternity hospital in West London, a check-up convinced doctors that Connie was in labour and should be taken for a caesarean immediately.

She was given an epidural but then saw her unborn babys heartbeat suddenly disappear from the monitor.

Connie said: Im not sure what happened, as I could still feel the baby moving. I didnt say anything to Chris because I didnt want to worry him.

But the doctors were so fast, they were wonderful. The whole team at Queen Charlottes were amazing from the moment I got the positive pregnancy test.

They went above and beyond for us, from the geneticist who carried out all the tests to the midwife who stayed on after her shift ended so she could be with us. They were all wonderful and we are so grateful.

Connie and Chris are full of praise for the care they received at Queen Charlottes, but their experiences with Charlie have made them understandably wary.

Connie, a care worker, said: Because we were in an intensive care ward with Charlie for so long, we have seen all the things that can go wrong. Not just for us but for the other families who were there.

Were trying not to worry, and to enjoy this time with Ollie, but its natural to be anxious.

Charlie's younger brother Oliver stood a one-in-four chance of being born with the same condition, RRM2B, which saps energy from muscles and organs

Charlie suffered from RRM2B mitochondrial depletion syndrome, a rare genetic condition which sapped energy from his muscles and organs.

His younger brother stood a one-in-four chance of being born with the same devastating illness, but tests in the womb showed he was free of the syndrome.

Inevitably, despite the tests, his parents worry that they could face tragedy again.

But they are determined to cherish every moment with Ollie, and to give him the carefree, happy childhood that Charlie never got to experience.

Chris, a postman, said: We never got to hear Charlie laugh, to say his first words or to see him take his first steps, or go to school.

We have all that still to come with Ollie. We are just in awe that hes alive and hes here. Its really magical.

Even when he cries and weve had no sleep, we dont mind. Charlie was on a ventilator for so long that it was really rare to hear him cry at all.

Connie added: Were absolutely loving every second, every cry, every moment and even every dirty nappy.

We appreciate him more than we ever would have if it wasnt for losing Charlie.

Their one-bedroom flat in Bedfont, South West London, is filled with mementoes of Charlie, including photographs, sketches and casts of his tiny hands and feet.

When they brought Ollie home last week, they immediately showed him a photograph of Charlie to introduce him to his big brother.

But they are adamant that Ollie will never be just Charlie Gards brother.

Connie said: Ollie will be his own person, and we dont want him to feel like hes a replacement for Charlie. We will always tell him about Charlie, and when the time is right we will explain everything to him.

The grief of losing a child is different to anything else. Time doesnt make a difference.

You learn to live without them but you never forget. We will never forget Charlie, he will always be in our lives.

Chris said: It is bittersweet because obviously we would love Ollie to meet his older brother. Our two beautiful boys.

But it feels like Charlie is here with us. There was a time when I was worried I might not love another baby the way I loved Charlie.

That feels stupid now. As soon as I saw Ollie all those fears disappeared and I realised you can love again.

We really are so lucky. Some parents who lose children never get this chance to have another child.

But just because we have been this blessed, it doesnt mean we will forget about Charlie, or that we will stop campaigning in his name.

The couple raised 1.3million to help Charlie, which they have now given to the Charlie Gard Foundation, set up to help other families.

They are also committed to a campaign for Charlies Law, to give parents more involvement in life-and-death decisions if their child is seriously ill.
After Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, head of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust, recently tested positive for Covid-19, Shiv Sena on Sunday asked if Prime Minister Narendra Modi will go under quarantine as he came in close contact with the Mahant during the bhoomi pujan ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on August 5.

In his weekly column RokhThok in Senas mouthpiece Saamana, MP Sanjay Raut questioned if the PM will follow the quarantine regulations.

75-year-old Mahant Nritya was present on the stage on August 5 at the bhoomi pujan ceremony of the Ram Temple. It was clearly seen that he had not covered his face with a mask. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat came in contact with the Mahant. PM Modi held his hand with reverence. So, will our PM will also be quarantined, Raut asked in his column published on Sunday.

Also read: PM Modi leads tributes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee on second death anniversary

Raut also took potshots at the BJP union minister of state Arjun Ram Meghwal, who had made claims that a particular brand of the ubiquitous Indian snack, papad, had a role in boosting the immunity and antibodies that could help cure Covid-19. India is stuck in the wave of Bhabhiji Papad, while in Russia a vaccine has been found for Covid-19... This is a lesson on atmanirbharta (self-reliance) shown by Russia. We, on the other hand, will keep giving speeches on Atmanirbharta, the Sena leader said in a veiled jibe referring to PM Modis speech on Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The Sena leader, who recently visited New Delhi after a gap of few months said that the capital is in the grip of Covid-19.

At present, Amit Shah is also in isolation after contracting the infection. Even former president Pranab Mukherjee has been tested positive for the virus and his health is also in a worrisome state. At present, all cabinet members, bureaucrats, parliament members are vulnerable to falling prey to the lethal infection. Even during riots and war, Delhi was not so frightened as it is today. The city seems to be a bit more scared now. Although the fear of PM Modi and Shah was already mongering, but the fear of coronavirus is more, Raut said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 10:48:14|Editor: huaxia

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URUMQI, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region reported four new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Saturday, all in the regional capital Urumqi, the regional health commission said Sunday in its daily report.

The region also registered five new asymptomatic cases in Urumqi Saturday.

By Saturday, Xinjiang had 401 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 128 asymptomatic cases, and 10,450 people were still under medical observation.

From July 15 to Saturday, a total of 425 people were discharged from the hospital after recovery, and 108 asymptomatic cases were dismissed from medical observation in Xinjiang. Enditem
The president of Nigerian Traders Union in Ghana, Mr Chukwuemeka Nnaji, yesterday decried the closure of shops owned by Nigerians doing business in that country by Ghanaian authorities.

Nnaji who made this known in a telephone interview urged the federal government to intervene in the matter.

He said that shops belonging to Nigerian traders in Accra were locked up by Ghanaian authorities who demanded cash payment of $1million from them before the shops would be opened.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that an inter-ministerial task force went round on August 10 to identify shops owned by Nigerian traders and requested for registration of business taxes, resident permit, standard control and Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC) registration.

He said, "Most of our members do not have the GIPC registration, because it requires one million dollars cash or equity and they gave us 14 days within which to regularise.

"As of Thursday, they had moved to another area and started locking up shops of Nigerian traders.

"Nigerian life in Ghana matters. This is livelihood of Nigerians being destroyed by Ghanaian Authorities. This is not being perpetrated by a trade union, but Ghanaian authorities.

"They demanded that we must employ a minimum of 25 skilled Ghanaian workers and must not trade in commodities that Ghanaian traders have applied to trade in.

"The humiliation of Nigerians is getting out of hand. We are calling on the Nigerian government to come to our aid. We have legally registered our businesses and we pay taxes".
Demonstrators protest California Gov. Gavin Newsom's continued statewide shelter in place order outside of San Francisco City Hall on May 1, 2020. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

California Megachurch Wins in Court, Resumes Indoor Services Despite Lockdown Order

A state judge in California put Gov. Gavin Newsoms emergency order from July prohibiting indoor church services during the coronavirus pandemic on hold after a Los Angeles-area megachurch filed a lawsuit.

The decision comes as thousands of Christians in the state continue to attend in-person religious services in open defiance of Newsom. Other churches and religious coalitions have filed their own lawsuits against the governor for his lockdown orders.

The legal complaint was filed Aug. 12 with the Los Angeles County office of the Superior Court of the State of California by the Chicago-based Thomas More Society, a public-interest law firm specializing in religious freedom issues.

According to an NBC News summary, Newsom ordered almost all establishments, including churches, to shut down March 19. On June 18, Los Angeles was permitted to conduct reduced-capacity indoor operations at houses of worship, but reported cases of the CCP virus, which causes the disease COVID-19, began to increase.

In July, most indoor activities were once again banned. Places of religious worship in the state are now restricted to a maximum of 25 percent of building capacity or 100 attendees indoors, whichever is lower, and singing and chanting are forbidden.

The plaintiffs are Grace Community Church of the Valley and its pastor, John MacArthur. The main defendants are Newsom, Attorney General Xavier Becerra, and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, all Democrats.

Newsoms office didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.

Hours after Grace Community Church, which has a large seating capacity, filed suit to invalidate what it claims are unconstitutional pandemic mitigation-related restrictions on churches, Los Angeles County filed an application for a temporary restraining order to compel the church from conducting indoor services.

The church received a cease-and-desist letter from county lawyers on July 29, warning that violating state and county health orders is a crime punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and imprisonment of up to 90 days. Each day of indoor services counts as a separate offense, according to the letter, which was described in the legal complaint.

But on Aug. 14, Judge James Chalfant turned the county down, finding that the county must demonstrate why it should be allowed to infringe on the constitutionally guaranteed rights of churches to freely exercise religion. A full hearing in the case is scheduled for Sept. 4.

For the time being, Chalfant directed the church to have its congregants wear face masks and maintain social distancing during indoor services.

MacArthur responded to the court ruling in a statement provided by the Thomas More Society:

I am very grateful the court has allowed us to meet inside and we are happy for a few weeks to comply and respect what the judge has asked of us because he is allowing us to meet. This vindicates our desire to stay open and serve our people.

This also gives us an opportunity to show that we are not trying to be rebellious or unreasonable, but that we will stand firm to protect our church against unreasonable, unconstitutional restrictions.

Lawyer Charles LiMandri, who represented the church-goers, described the court ruling as a great victory for all citizens constitutional right to freedom of religion, and praised MacArthur for his love of God and country [that] motivated him and all the Grace Community Church elders to resist the unjust government shut-down orders targeting people of faith. Their devotion and patriotism has brought about a result that respects the legitimate interests of both the church and state.

The lawsuit filed by Grace Community Church accuses the officials of hypocrisy.

The American people have witnessed how the onerous restrictions imposed on them by public officials to allegedly fight the COVID-19 pandemic simply do not apply to certain, favored groups.

When people took to the streets to engage in political or peaceful protests purportedly against racism and police brutality, these protestors refused to comply with the pandemic restrictions. Instead of enforcing the public health orders, public officials were all too eager to grant a de facto exception for these favored protestors.

This favoritism has caused a huge loss of confidence by the American people in their government leaders, public health officials, and the pandemic restrictions.

Golden State policy violates common sense, the complaint suggests.

It is time for California to recognize that disfavored religious minorities are not second-class citizens  [and] to explain how it can justify banning worship to prevent the spread of a disease (with an overall mortality rate of 0.02%), while it is fine for protestors to spread that disease like wildfire.
The Uttar Pradesh government has extended by three months the detention of physician Kafeel Khan under the National Security Act for his alleged provocative speech during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests.

IMAGE: Dr. Kafeel Khan is in jail since January 29, 2020. Photograph: ANI Photo

Khan was arrested in January for delivering the speech at Aligarh Muslim University on December 10, 2019.

It is the second time his detention under the stringent law has been extended by another three months, this time beyond August 13.

Under the National Security Act, people can be detained without a charge for up to 12 months if authorities are satisfied that they are threat to the national security or law and order.

In an order dated August 4, 2020, the UP Home Department said the NSA was invoked against Khan on February 13, 2020, on the orders of the Aligarh District Magistrate.

The matter was then sent to the advisory council, which in its report, said there are 'enough reasons' to keep Khan in jail following which orders were given on May 6, 2020, to extend his detention under the NSA by three months, that is till August 13, 2020, the order said.

According to the report of the UP advisory council and the report obtained from District Magistrate, Aligarh, Governor Anandiben Patel using the powers vested in her, directed that the detention of Kafeel Khan be further extended by three more months.

"As a result, Kafeel will remain in jail till November 13, 2020," the order said.

Khan was booked under IPC section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion).

According to the FIR registered against him, his speech threatened to disrupt the harmony between the communities and was also likely to create a law and order situation.

Later, IPC sections 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) and 505(2) (statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill will between classes) were added to the FIR, police said.

The doctor is currently lodged in Mathura jail.

Khan had hit the headlines for the first time in 2017 after the deaths of several kids due to lack of oxygen cylinders at Gorakhpur's Baba Raghav Das Medical College, where he worked as a pediatrician.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 21:57:46|Editor: huaxia

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A visitor wearing a face mask admires artist Emil Nasritdinov's paintings during an exhibition at Dubovy Park gallery in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Aug. 15, 2020. (Photo by Roman/Xinhua)

Karataev noted that the country is making all-out efforts to prepare for a possible second wave of COVID-19.

BISHKEK, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyzstan reported on Sunday 211 new COVID-19 infections in the last 24 hours, bringing the total tally in the country to 41,856, according to the country's health ministry.

Twelve of all the new cases are medical workers, raising the tally of contracted medical workers to 3,030, Deputy Minister of Health Mademin Karataev said at an online meeting.

Meanwhile, two new deaths were reported over the past day, bringing the death toll nationwide to 1,495, Karataev said.

The total number of recoveries has reached 34,306, with 355 new recoveries registered in the last 24 hours, he added.

Karataev noted that the country is making all-out efforts to prepare for a possible second wave of COVID-19.

"Nobody can give guarantee and say that there will be a second wave or not. We are more afraid that in the autumn-winter period other seasonal respiratory diseases will begin, and we are very concerned about what kind of 'bouquet' will come from COVID-19 and influenza," he said. 
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump greeted the Democratic presidential ticket of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris this past week with a litany of distortion and falsehoods, raging against cases of voting fraud where they didnt exist and declining to quash conspiracy theories about Harris eligibility for office.

Trump also misrepresented Bidens position on taxes, again minimized the coronavirus threat and exaggerated his own record on the economy.

A look at some of the past weeks rhetoric and the facts:

ON BIDEN-HARRIS

TRUMP: If Biden would win ... hes going to double and triple everybodys taxes.  news conference Wednesday.

THE FACTS: Trump is exaggerating. Wildly so.

Biden would raise taxes, primarily on the wealthy. But a July estimate by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget finds that the increase is a small fraction of what Trump claimed. The former vice-presidents plan would raise taxes for the top 1 per cent of earners by 13 to 18% of after-tax income, while indirectly increasing taxes for most other groups by 0.2 to 0.6%, the nonpartisan group said.

To put that in perspective, tax collections would increase by $3.4 trillion to $3.7 trillion over the next decade. That is a lot of money. But its not a doubling or tripling. The government is on pace to collect $47 trillion over the next decade, so the Biden plan would be roughly be a 7.8% increase in revenues.

___

TRUMP, asked about social media claims that Harris is not eligible to run for vice-president because her parents were immigrants to the U.S.: I heard it today that she doesnt meet the requirements. ... I have no idea if thats right. I would have assumed that the Democrats would have checked that out.  news conference Thursday.

TRUMP, asked about the subject again: I have nothing to do with it. I read something about it, Trump said Saturday during a news conference. He added: Its not something that bothers me. ... Its not something that we will be pursuing. Asked point blank if Harris is eligible, Trump replied: I just told you. I have not got into it in great detail.  news conference Saturday.

THE FACTS: Harris, a senator from California, is without question eligible.

Harris, 55, was born in Oakland, California, making her a natural-born U.S. citizen and eligible to be president if Biden were unable to serve a full term. Her father, an economist from Jamaica, and her mother, a cancer researcher from India, met at the University of California, Berkeley, as graduate students.

The Constitution requires a vice-president to meet the eligibility requirements to be president. That includes being a natural-born U.S. citizen, at least 35 years old and a resident in the U.S. for at least 14 years.

I cant believe people are making this idiotic comment, Laurence Tribe, a Harvard University professor of constitutional law, told The Associated Press in 2019, when similar false claims emerged about Harris during her presidential run.

She is a natural born citizen and there is no question about her eligibility to run, Tribe said.

Harris is the first Black woman and Asian American to compete on a major partys presidential ticket. Trump in past years indulged in the false conspiracy theory that President Barack Obama was born abroad.

___

TRUMP CAMPAIGN: Not long ago, Kamala Harris called Joe Biden a racist and asked for an apology she never received. -- statement Tuesday from Katrina Pierson, Trump 2020 senior adviser.

THE FACTS: She never called Biden a racist.

Pierson appears to be referring to Harris remarks during a Democratic primary debate in Miami in June 2019 when the California senator challenged Bidens record of opposing busing as a way to integrate schools in the 1970s.

Harris prefaced her criticism by telling Biden at that time, I do not believe you are a racist. I agree with you when you commit yourself to the importance of finding common ground.

She then went on: It was actually hurtful to hear you talk about the reputations of two United States senators who built their reputations and career on the segregation of race in this country. It was not only that but you also worked with them to oppose busing.

There was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools, Harris said. She was bused to school every day. That little girl was me.

It was a breakthrough moment for Harris at the candidates first debate, stunning Biden, who responded that he did not praise racists and provided a hairsplitting defence of his position on busing. But she did not accuse him of being racist.

___

SOCIAL SECURITY

TRUMP: At the end of the year, the assumption that I win, Im going to terminate the payroll tax ... Well be paying into Social Security through the general fund.  news conference Wednesday.

THE FACTS: Under Trumps proposal, Social Security would lose its dedicated funding source.

Payroll taxes raise about $1 trillion annually for Social Security, and the president was unconcerned about the loss of those revenues. Trump campaign officials stressed that the general fund consists of assets and liabilities that finance government operations and could do so for Social Security. The general fund is nicknamed Americas Checkbook on the Treasury Departments website.

The risk is that the loss of a dedicated funding source could destabilize an anti-poverty program that provides payments to roughly 65 million Americans. It also could force people to cut back on the spending that drives growth so they can save for their own retirement and health care needs if they believe the government backstop is in jeopardy.

A 12.4% payroll tax split between employers and workers funds Social Security, while a 2.9% payroll tax finances Medicare. The Social Security tax raised roughly $1 trillion last year, according to government figures. Over a 10-year period, Trumps idea would blow a $13 trillion hole in a U.S. budget that is already laden with rising debt loads.

Trump announced a payroll tax deferral through the end of the year, part of a series of moves to bypass Congress after talks on a broader coronavirus relief bill that has stalled. He says he will make it a permanent tax cut with the help of Congress. Democrats have described that idea as a nonstarter.

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Thursday suggested to reporters that Trump misspoke when he said he would eliminate the payroll tax if reelected. She said the president would only push to make the payroll tax deferrals permanent. But Trump clearly said that he would eliminate the payroll tax four times at his Wednesday press briefing and even answered a question about permanently rescinding it.

___

TRUMP, asked how the general fund can sustain the payments: Were going to have tremendous growth. ... You will see growth like you have not seen in a long time.  news conference Wednesday.

THE FACTS: It is highly unlikely that economic growth would be enough to offset the loss of the payroll tax. Trump has a record of making wildly improbable growth projections. He suggested that his 2017 income tax cuts would propel economic growth as high as 6% annually. That never happened. Growth reached 3% in 2018, then slumped to 2.2% and the U.S. economy crumbled into recession this year because of the coronavirus.

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VIRUS THREAT

TRUMP, on COVID-19: Nobody understood it because nobody has ever seen anything like this. The closest thing is, in 1917, they say  right? The great  the great pandemic certainly was a terrible thing, where they lost, anywhere from 50 to 100 million people. Probably ended the Second World War; all the soldiers were sick.  news briefing Monday.

THE FACTS: He got the year wrong for the Spanish flu, as he routinely does, and may have overstated deaths from it. The pandemic spread from early 1918 to late 1920. It killed an estimated 50 million worldwide, with about 675,000 of the deaths in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

That pandemic did not end World War II, which came two decades later.

___

TRUMP: Were still in the pandemic, which will be going away, as I say, it will be going away. And they scream, how you can you say that? I said, because its going to be going away.  interview Thursday on Fox Business Network.

THE FACTS: No matter how many times he says it, the virus is not going to just magically disappear.

The virus is now blamed for more than 166,000 deaths and more than 5.2 million confirmed infections in the U.S.  easily the highest totals in the world. In the past week, the average number of new cases per day was on the rise in eight states, and deaths per day were climbing in 26, according to an Associated Press analysis.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the governments top infectious diseases official, has warned that increased cases across the South and West in particular put the entire country at risk. On Thursday, for instance, the rate of positive virus cases in Texas soared to the highest levels of the pandemic, with nearly 1 in every 4 coronavirus tests coming back positive. Nevada had its biggest daily jump in coronavirus fatalities to date.

In February, Trump asserted coronavirus cases were going very substantially down, not up, and said it will be fine because in April, supposedly, it dies with the hotter weather.

Fauci says there certainly will be coronavirus infections in the fall and winter.

___

TRUMP, on whether he still thinks kids are essentially immune from COVID-19: Yeah, I think that, for the most part, they do very well. I mean, they  they dont get very sick. They dont catch it easily.  news briefing Tuesday.

THE FACTS: They arent immune, and he ignores racial disparities among those kids who get infected.

Although its true that children are less likely than adults to develop COVID-19, the CDC has nevertheless counted more than 250,000 infections by the virus in Americans younger than 18, or roughly 7% of all cases. Racial disparities in the U.S. outbreak also extend to children, with Hispanic and Black children with COVID-19 more likely to be hospitalized than white kids.

The total number of kids who have been infected but not confirmed is almost certainly far higher than the CDC figures, experts say, because those with mild or no symptoms are less likely to get tested. Trump also glosses over the fact that kids can spread disease without showing symptoms themselves.

The CDC in May also warned doctors to be on the lookout for a rare but life-threatening inflammatory reaction in some children whove had the coronavirus. The condition had been reported in more than 100 children in New York, and in some kids in several other states and in Europe, with some deaths.

Two recent government reports laid bare the racial disparities.

One of the CDC reports looked at children with COVID-19 who needed hospitalization. Hispanic children were hospitalized at a rate eight times higher than white kids, and Black children were hospitalized at a rate five times higher, it found.

The second report examined cases of the rare virus-associated syndrome in kids. It found that nearly three-quarters of the children with the syndrome were either Hispanic or Black, well above their representation in the general population.

___

ECONOMY

TRUMP: The manufacturing sector is booming and the production index is at the highest reading since October of 18, which was an extraordinary period of time.  news conference Wednesday.

THE FACTS: The pandemic crushed U.S. factories and the damage persists. There is no boom.

Even after three months of job gains, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the manufacturing sector has 740,000 fewer jobs than before the outbreak. All the factory hiring gains under Trump have disappeared. There were 257,000 more manufacturing jobs on the day Trump became president than now. More important, the jobs recovery has shown signs of stalling. Just 26,000 factory jobs were added in July, down from 357,000 added jobs in June.

The sector has been recovering. Yet after increases in production in June, the Federal Reserve said U.S. factory output was running 11.1% below pre-pandemic levels. Trump cited one component of an index composed by the Institute for Supply Management that indicates factory production grew in July as well. It was the best reading since August of 2018, not October as claimed by the president. But that same report showed that manufacturers are also cutting back on employment, suggesting that a boom has yet to begin.

___

TRUMP, on tariffs on China: Weve taken in tens of billions of dollars from China. We never took 10 cents from China, never -- not even 10 cents.  news conference Monday.

THE FACTS: Its false to say the U.S. never collected a dime in tariffs on Chinese goods before he took action. They are simply higher in some cases than they were before. Its also wrong to suggest that the tariffs are being paid by China. Tariff money coming into the treasury is mainly from U.S. businesses and consumers, not from China. Tariffs are primarily if not entirely a tax paid domestically.

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MAIL VOTING

TRUMP: Universal mail-in voting is a system riddled by fraud and corruption.  news conference Wednesday.

THE FACTS: Voting fraud actually is very rare.

The Brennan Center for Justice in 2017 ranked the risk of ballot fraud at 0.00004% to 0.0009%, based on studies of past elections.

Five states relied on mail-in ballots even before the coronavirus pandemic raised concerns about voting in person.

Trump is simply wrong about mail-in balloting raising a tremendous potential for fraud, Richard L. Hasen, an elections expert at the University of California, Irvine, School of Law, wrote recently. While certain pockets of the country have seen their share of absentee-ballot scandals, problems are extremely rare in the five states that rely primarily on vote-by-mail, including the heavily Republican state of Utah.

___

NEW YORK VOTING

TRUMP: You just look at what happened with the Carolyn Maloney race. They should do that race over, by the way. ... When you look at the ballot, the ballots that are missing, and the ballot frauds  nobody knows whats going on with that race, and yet they declared her a winner.  news conference Wednesday.

THE FACTS: Theres no evidence of fraud in the Democratic congressional primary in New York City that was won by Democratic Rep. Carolyn Maloney. Nor did Trump offer any proof of fraud.

New York State decided to allow anyone to vote by mail in the June primary because of the 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 by elections officials took weeks, leading to a legal dispute over nonfraud issues, such as missing postmarks. 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 problems with their signature.

New York Citys Board of Elections ultimately certified the results six weeks after the election.

___

Associated Press writers Amanda Seitz in Chicago, and Lauran Neergaard, Aamer Madhani and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report.

___

EDITORS NOTE  A look at the veracity of claims by political figures.

___

Find AP Fact Checks at http://apnews.com/APFactCheck

Follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheck
Belarusians chanting "Step down!" filled the centre of the capital Minsk on Sunday in the biggest protest so far against what they said was the fraudulent re-election a week ago of longtime president Alexander Lukashenko.

Russia said it would offer Lukashenko military help if necessary, but there was no visible police presence at the protest, which attracted around 200,000 people, a Reuters reporter estimated. At least two protesters have died and thousands have been detained in a crackdown since the vote.

The atmosphere was celebratory, with people carrying the red and white flags used in Belarus after the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union before Lukashenko restored the Soviet version four years later.

"We all want Lukashenko to step down," said a 31-year-old worker who gave his name as Alexei. "For now we are asking, but we will get sick of asking."

Opponents of Lukashenko, in power for 26 years, say the vote was rigged to disguise the fact that he has lost public support. He denies losing, citing official results that gave him just over 80% of the vote.

The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin had told Lukashenko Moscow was ready to assist Belarus in accordance with a collective military pact if necessary and that external pressure was being applied to the country.

It did not say where from.

Shortly before the opposition protest, there was tight security as Lukashenko's supporters gathered in central Minsk for the first time since the election to watch him give a fiery speech.

Lukashenko, who has alleged a foreign-backed plot to topple him, said NATO tanks and planes had been deployed 15 minutes from the Belarusian border.

"NATO troops are at our gates. Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and our native Ukraine are ordering us to hold new elections," he said, adding that Belarus would "die as a state" if new polls were held. "I have never betrayed you and will never do so."

NATO said it was closely monitoring the situation in Belarus, but that there was no military build-up at the country's western border.

The Belarusian army would hold drills in the west of the country from Aug. 17-20, Russia's RIA news agency reported.

'JOIN US'

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Lukashenko's opposition rival in the contested election, fled to neighbouring Lithuania on Tuesday. She had called for the huge "March of Freedom" through Minsk and in other towns and cities on Sunday in support of an election recount and is forming a national council to facilitate a power transfer.

Maria Kolesnikova, an opposition politician who has allied with Tsikhanouskaya, referred to Lukashenko as "the former president", said he should quit, and appealed to state officials to abandon him.

"This is your final chance to overcome your fear," she said. "We were all scared too. Join us and we will support you."

Thousands of people took part in anti-Lukashenko protests in other towns and cities.

State employees, including some police officers and state TV staff, have come out in support of the protests and some of the country's biggest state-run plants, the backbone of Lukashenko's Soviet-style economic model, have been hit by protests and walkouts.

Around 5,000 people attended an earlier pro-Lukashenko protest, a Reuters reporter estimated. The Belarusian Interior Ministry put the number at 65,000.

'MOTHERLAND IN DANGER'

"The motherland is in danger!" one speaker told the crowd, who chanted: "We are united, indivisible!"

"I'm for Lukashenko," said Alla Georgievna, 68. "I don't understand why everyone has risen up against him. We get our pensions and salaries on time thanks to him."

Russia is watching closely as Belarus hosts pipelines that carry Russian energy exports to the West and is viewed by Moscow as a buffer zone against NATO. Lukashenko and Putin have spoken twice this weekend.

The first leader of independent Belarus who helped oversee the Soviet breakup told Reuters Lukashenko, a one-time manager of a Soviet-era collective farm, had been badly shaken but could still hang onto power with Kremlin backing.

Stanislav Shushkevich, 85, an old opponent of Lukashenko, dismissed the idea of Russia sending in troops to prop Lukashenko up, saying he had a large, obedient army and well paid loyalists around him.

The Czech prime minister urged his EU counterparts to help, recalling the crushing of Czech protests by a military invasion led by Moscow in 1968 as well as the peaceful overthrow of communism in 1989.

"Belarus must not experience what we had in 1968," Andrej Babis tweeted. "(The) EU must be active, support Belarusians (and) not to be afraid to stage a similar velvet revolution model (as in) 1989.

The EU is gearing up to impose new sanctions on Belarus in response to the crackdown.

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Sudhir Suryawanshi By

Express News Service

MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena has praised Russia for developing the first vaccine against COVID-19, while it criticised the BJP-led government and its ministers for promoting Bhabhiji Papad to cure infected patients.

Shiv Sena MP and executive editor of party mouthpiece Saamana, Sanjay Raut in his weekly column, said that the India needs a strong governance like Russia that has shown the world what is leadership meant for.

"Russia is the first country to develop a vaccine against coronavirus. But many developed countries including USA are not giving credit and raisingissues over the same. If this vaccine was developed there, then would the WHO raise suspicions the same way it is doing now," asked Raut adding that India would have been more self-reliant (Aatmanirbhar) by developing the first vaccine.

Raut said that despite many BJP ministers falling ill to COVID-19, party leaders are still promoting unscientific approach to the matter. "AYUSH minister Shreepad Naik was promoting various Ayurvedic medicine under the scheme to fight against COVID-19, but he himself got infected with it. Even his medicinse did not work out in curing him," he said.

"Even another union minister Arjun Meghwal promoted Bhabhiji Papad to get cured from COVID-19. But after few days of his announcement, he himself got infected with this virus and got admitted into a private hospital for treatment. The pandemic situation has exposed various union ministers who were promoting quake and unscientific things since the past several years," he added.

Raut also raised doubts regarding quarantining of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat after Ram Janma Bhoomi trust chief Nrutyagopal Das got infected with COVID-19 after Bhoomi pujan ceremony at Ayodhya.

"Now, as per the protocol will PM Narendra Modi also get quarantine or undergo the swab test? Modi was with this Das and there were other people also. This shows our casual approach and preparedness to fight against COVID-19," he said.
Democratic vice-presidential nominee Senator Kamala Harris, during her maiden address to the Indian-American community, reflected on her proud Indian heritage and recalled how her mother always wanted to instil in her a 'love for good idli'.

IMAGE: Democratic US vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks to reporters during a campaign event in Wilmington, Delaware. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters

Harris, 55, who is the first black to be selected as a vice-presidential candidate of a major party, took a trip down the memory lane, mentioning her 'long walks' in Madras (now Chennai) with her grandfather who would tell her about the 'heroes' responsible for the birth of the world's largest democracy.

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, 77, scripted history by selecting Harris, an Indian-American and an African-American, as his running mate in the presidential election on November 3.

Born to a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, California senator Harris, if elected, would be second in line of succession after Biden.

"Today on August 15, 2020, I stand before you as the first candidate for vice president of the United States of South Asian descent," Harris said in her address organised by Indians for Biden National Council.

Joined by Biden, she greeted Indian Americans on the occasion of India's Independence Day.

"To the people of India and to Indian Americans all across the US, I want to wish you a happy Indian Independence Day. On August 15, 1947, men and women all over India rejoiced in the declaration of the independence of the country of India," Harris said during the virtual inaugural meet of the council.

Harris was born on October 20 in 1964, at Oakland in California. Her mother Shyamala Gopalan migrated to the US from Tamil Nadu in India, while her father, Donald J Harris, moved to the US from Jamaica.

"When my mother, Shyamala stepped off the plane in California as 19 years old, she didn't have much in the way of belongings. But she carried with her lessons from back home, including ones she learned from her parents, my grandmother Rajan, and her father, my grandfather P V Gopalan. They taught her that when you see injustice in the world, you have an obligation to do something about it," Harris said.

"Which is what inspired my mother to march and shout on the streets of Oakland, at the height of the civil rights movement, a movement where leaders including Dr Martin Luther King Jr, were themselves inspired by the non-violent activism of Mahatma Gandhi," she said.

Harris said it was during those protests that her mother met her father. The rest, as they say, is history, she said.

"Growing up, my mother would take my sister Maya and me back to what was then called Madras because she wanted us to understand where she had come from and where we had ancestry. And of course, she always wanted to instil in us, a love of good idli," Harris said.

"In Madras I would go on long walks with my grandfather, who at that point was retired. We would take morning walks where I'd hold his hand and he would tell me about the heroes who are responsible for the birth of the world's biggest democracy.

"He would explain that it's on us to pick up where they left off. Those lessons are a big reason why I am who I am today," Harris said explaining the deep influence of the Indian heritage on her.

"Our community is bound together by so much more than our shared history and culture," she said.

The reason there is a kinship between everyone who are a product of the South Asian diaspora, no matter how diverse our backgrounds may be, 'is because we also share a set of values: values forged by overcoming colonial past, not only in one nation but in two', Harris said.

"Values like tolerance pluralism, and diversity and reflecting on the past 73 years it's remarkable how much progress, people have made in the fight for justice. And should be proud.

"But we wouldn't be if we didn't commit ourselves to building an even better future. So, I hope you celebrate today, and then tomorrow, I hope you join me in getting to work," she said.
An Embraer Phenom 300MED medevac private jet. Embraer

Embraer has a new air ambulance concept for its Phenom 300E private jet aircraft.

Designed by engineering firm umlaut, the concept allows for two stretchers to be placed in the passenger cabin alongside three passenger seats, with Aerolite technology powering the flying medical suite.

The $9.65 million light jet is part of a best selling aircraft family at Embraer with over 550 orders placed since its inception.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer just unveiled a new air ambulance platform for one of its private jets, the Phenom 300E.

The flying medical suite can transport patients with capacity for two stretchers in the largest configuration and the latest medical technology onboard. The concept was designed by the engineering firm umlaut to be used with tech from Aerolite, which specializes in aeromedical equipment.

Private jets have long been used in medical transport as they offer an unparalleled level of convenience and privacy compared to commercial airliners. Instead of relying on airline timetables, private aircraft can transport patients around the globe on a moment's notice.

In-flight doctors and nurses will often ride along on these flights, administering care during the journeys.

Boasting advancements in speed and range, the latest addition to Embraer's Phenom line-up costs $9.65 million and can fly nearly the width of the US without having to stop for fuel. The Phenom 300 family itself has gained over 550 orders and is a staple of private jet operators around the world.

Take a look inside.

Embraer's new air ambulance concept was designed using the Phenom 300E, the enhanced version of the Phenom 300.

An Embraer Phenom 300MED medevac private jet. Embraer

Read More: I flew on a $10 million Embraer Phenom 300E and I now understand why it's the most popular private jet in the world

The Phenom 300 is a favorite among charter operators thanks to its low operating costs, long-range capabilities, and high cruising speeds, as Business Insider's David Slotnick found on a recent demonstration flight with AirShare.

Story continues

David Slotnick/Business Insider

Read More: I took a flight on a $10 million private jet, and it shows why one business case for private-plane ownership makes perfect sense

Its top speed is 495 miles per hour while it can climb as high as 45,000 feet  high enough to actually see the curvature of the Earth.

David Slotnick/Business Insider

Source: Business Insider

And those who've flown on it say that cabin is incredibly spacious, for a light jet.

David Slotnick/Business Insider

Source: Business Insider

The 300E builds upon that platform with improvements like faster cruise speeds and a high tech cabin.

An Embraer Phenom 300MED medevac private jet. Embraer

Source: Business Insider

The 300's younger sibling can fly at 521 miles per hour with a range of 2,200 miles, nearly enough to fly non-stop coast to coast in the US.

An Embraer Phenom 300MED medevac private jet. Embraer

Source: Business Insider

And the jet only requires one pilot to fly it instead of two, putting it in the category of personal private jet.

An Embraer Phenom 300MED medevac private jet. Embraer

Read More: The 8 best 'personal' private jets that only require one pilot to fly

Introducing the air ambulance concept expands Embraer's potential customer base as an entire segment of the private aviation industry is dedicated to medical flights.

An Embraer Phenom 300MED medevac private jet. Embraer

Air ambulance flights are highly lucrative, with insurance often helping pay the bill.

An Embraer Phenom 300. Embraer

Those aircraft, however, need to be reliable and ready to go at a moment's notice since medical emergencies can occur suddenly, two boxes the Embraer jet easily checks off with the aircraft a best-seller for the company.

An Embraer Phenom 300MED medevac private jet. Embraer

Source: Business Insider

Despite its small size as a light jet, the cabin is large enough to house up to two stretchers...

An Embraer Phenom 300MED medevac private jet. Embraer

Or one stretcher and one incubator.

An Embraer Phenom 300MED medevac private jet. Embraer

The medical equipment only takes up one side of the plane with three club seats for passengers and the in-flight caregivers.

An Embraer Phenom 300MED medevac private jet. Embraer

Embraer worked with engineering firm umlaut to design the cabin that could house medical technology from Aerolite.

An Embraer Phenom 300MED medevac private jet. Embraer

Onboard nurses and physicians won't be performing surgeries or invasive operations at 45,000 feet but they'll need to keep the patients stable for the potentially long journeys.

An Embraer Phenom 300MED medevac private jet. Embraer

Medical emergencies can happen anywhere and that often means lengthy, multi-stop trips to get patients home or to the best hospital to handle a particular ailment.

An Embraer Phenom 300MED medevac private jet. Embraer

The aircraft's unseen amenities also help when transporting patients as the cabin altitude on the Phenom 300E is a mere 6,600 feet  1,400 feet lower than most commercial airlines  which reduces jet lag and lessens the negative effect of flying on the body.

An Embraer Phenom 300MED medevac private jet. Embraer

Source: Business Insider

With a price tag of $9.65 million  not including the medical equipment  the Phenom is also great value for money compared to similar light jets with smaller and less capable cabins.

An Embraer Phenom 300MED medevac private jet. Embraer

Read the original article on Business Insider
A group of residents from Dharavi has written to the state government, seeking clarification on the redevelopment plan in Indias largest slums amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

The residents group, Peoples Responsible Organisation of United Dharavi (Proud) has demanded that their apartments be constructed taking into consideration the social distancing norms. Dharavi has reported more than 2,600 cases of Covid-19 since April.

The residents have also sought a clarification on the percentage of buildable land being offered for the rehabilitation of the locals, who are majorly slum-dwellers.

When asked on the issue, state housing minister Jitendra Awhad said, We are of the opinion that now is the best time to go ahead with the redevelopment but all the concerns of all stakeholders will be looked into before the revamp. We are, however, yet to decide if the contract will be given to the same company which won the bid earlier or to go for re-bidding. We are taking a legal opinion on it and will take a decision soon.

Residents have claimed that social distancing and issues of density have become even more important after the outbreak of Covid-19 and have insisted that the slum dwellers be made aware of the plans being drafted by the state government.

Hariram Dilliwala, general secretary of Proud, said, We are still struggling to overcome the Covid-19 outbreak and are also trying to figure out how we can ensure better social distancing if something like this happens again at Dharavi. Hence, the government has to ensure that we are not thrown into vertical slums in the name of redevelopment. There should not be a scenario wherein we have 14-15 apartments on one floor, as social distancing is an important factor now.

Proud has sought clarity on the usage of common spaces.

We have written to the state government and sought clarity on what is the internal layout of our approved apartments is in relation to the number of apartments on each floor and the number of people who will use the buildings common spaces, to ensure social distancing norms. Also, we need clarity on how tall the buildings will be and the number of residents who will use common lifts etc. The government should give us all such details, said Dilliwala, a resident of Dharavi from the past 40 years.

Another resident, Radhakrishnan Perumal, said that the locals have appointed an architect to represent their concerns.

We do not mind the company the government appoints for our redevelopment, but we want to see what our future locality will look like. We have appointed an architect, who will represent us. We cannot afford the architects fees and hence the services by him will be taken from the potential developer, said Perumal.

According to Ameer Chand, the architect appointed by Proud, focus should be on ensuring that Dharavi does not become a claustrophobic vertical slum.

Enforcing redevelopment on the basis of improper plans is of no use. The new normal [social distancing norms] needs a new approach. Careful and detailed planning will ensure that the current horizontal density or congestion within the slum clusters of Dharavi is not getting translated into a claustrophobic vertical slum, he said, adding that state needs to transparently give out the rehabilitation details of the project.

The government must specify the percentage of land they will allocate for the residents of Dharavi. It is also extremely unfair to not let the residents see their to-be-redeveloped house plans beforehand. Mere carpet areas should not be the benchmark for deciding liveability, said Chand.

Successive governments have been planning the redevelopment of 535-acre land in Dharavi since the 1980s, but nothing has been materialised so far. In 2018, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) was set up to implement the 22,000-crore Dharavi Redevelopment Project, which aims to transform Indias largest slum pocket, located on prime land in the heart of Mumbai, into a plush township by offering 350 square feet homes to slum dwellers post redevelopment. The same year in November, bids were floated and won by Sec Link Technology Corporation (STC), backed by the royal family of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

However, the firm was not given the project after an alleged technical glitch occurred, when the Devendra Fadnavis-government acquired 45-acre railway land adjacent to the area. The railway land was not mentioned in the original tender and the government was of the opinion that the tender to the UAE firm should be cancelled and the bids be re-floated. So far, no call has been taken on the redevelopment project, even though STC has threatened to move the high court against the government if the project is taken away from them.
People across the Bay Area woke to a wild mix of thunder, lightning, high winds and heavy rain early Sunday morning, as thunderstorms moved across the region before sunrise.

Dry lightning was in the forecast, but the thunderstorms were more severe and wet than expected and, at the end of a week marked by dry heat, the weather was a surprise for many. The weather was also unusual for California, which sees little storm activity in the summer months.

Hundreds of lightning strikes were recorded, National Weather Service forecaster Drew Peterson said at 5 a.m. "Were seeing nonstop continuous lightning across the Bay Area, especially the west side, not as much on the east side," he said.

At 5:30 a.m., new storms were firing over the ocean and moving toward the San Mateo peninsula. More storm activity is expected through 8 a.m. with the NWS warning of fallen trees and power lines, power outages, wildfire potential and difficulty driving in winds.

The combination of lightning and high winds brought a high risk for wildfires and Peterson said several fire starts have already been reported this morning.

"This is the worst thing we want to see in terms of fire weather," said Peterson. "The entire region is being inundated by lightning strikes. Were probably getting widespread reports of fire strikes. The problem is the vegetation is really dry and we still have really dry air near the surface. Any lightning strikes that hit the ground are likely to start a fire "

He added that the thunderstorms and the heat are two separate air masses, with the storm moving across the region at about 10,000 feet while the hot air is only a few hundred feet above the Earth's surface.

Gusty winds arrived ahead of the storms and continued to howl into the morning, with the highest winds speeds recorded including a 66 mph gust atop Atlas Peak in Napa, a 48 mph wind speed on Mount St Helena in the North Bay and a 45 mph gust on Mount Tamalpais in Marin County.

A Red Flag Warning for severe wildfire danger is in effect for the entire San Francisco Bay Area and surrounding regions through Sunday. Thunderstorms remain in the forecast through Monday, Peterson said.

Even though the storms delivered a burst of cooler air, clouds and rain, the heat wave is expected to continue through Wednesday as the hot air mass remains settled across California.

Coastal areas are forecast to be in the 70s, locations along the bay in the mid-80s to low-90s and inland spots in the high-90s to low-100s.

Amy Graff is the news editor for SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com.
<! President Buhari and Lai Mohammed >

The new National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Code and Memo threatening to sanction any broadcast that denigrates, disrespects, insults, and abuses president, governors, lawmakers, and other elders and leaders in authority, must be withdrawn urgently.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari today urged him to instruct Mr Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture to do so.

SERAP also asked President Buhari to instruct Mr Mohammed and the NBC to immediately rescind the fine of N5m imposed on Nigeria Info 99.3 FM radio station.

The fine was imposed following comments by a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Obadiah Malafia, in which he alleged a serving governor is a commander of Boko Haram.

Malafia later said he picked up the information from the market and apologised to the DSS last week.

The NBC thereafter issued a stern warning to journalists and broadcast stations.

It stated: To denigrate our governors, lawmakers, elders and leaders in abusive terms is not our culture. We respect our leaders as a positive cultural value. The Commission may be compelled to impose sanctions where stations fail to curb this practice.

In SERAPs letter dated 15 August and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: Rather than pushing to enforce a culture to respect president, governors, lawmakers, elders, and other leaders, Mr Muhammed and the NBC should use their entrusted public office and mandates to promote a culture of public debate, access to information, transparency and accountability in government.

Nothing can be more destructive to peoples exercise of basic human rights, and to democratic politics than the suppression of the media, and media freedom. The alleged cultural codes, which Mr Muhammed and the NBC are now using to punish journalists, broadcast stations and other Nigerians are patently contrary to the public interests.

The implementation of the code and the memo would further deter meaningful citizens engagement, and have a chilling effect on Nigerians human rights, particularly the rights to freedom of expression and access to information, undermine the idea of representative democracy, as well as make public officials less responsive to the people.

The letter, a copy of which was sent to Mr Lai Muhammed, read in part: We would be grateful if the requested action and measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then that the measures have been taken, the Registered Trustees of SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you to do so in the public interest.

Our requests are entirely consistent and compatible with the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended), and the countrys international legal obligations, including under the UN Convention against Corruption, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, to which the country is a state party.

SERAP is seriously concerned that the implementation of the code and the memo would lead to unjust punishment and self-censorship among journalists and the media, and exacerbate the growing level of impunity for attacks on media freedom.

Self-censorship would undermine media freedom and the right to receive and impart information, public debate and further impair the ability of Nigerians to hold to account public officials and politicians accused of grand corruption.

SERAP is concerned that the action by Mr Muhammed and NBC has further undermined public trust in government and politicians, as it shows that public officials are taking for granted their entrusted public functions, and accountability to Nigerians.

The speed at which the code and the memo have been issued and applied may lead to public suspicion that the authorities are deliberately pushing to undermine the ability of journalists and the media to report on public interest issues, such as the growing poverty, widespread violence and killings, poor quality education, poor infrastructure and lack of access of millions of Nigerians to basic public goods and services.

SERAP is concerned that rather than addressing these matters of public interest and revelations of massive allegations of corruption and mismanagement in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), your government is devoting time and energy to stop the media and journalists from reporting on the issues.

Transparency would build trust and confidence in the government. The public interest in transparency and public monitoring of the use and management of the countrys natural wealth and resources by politicians outweighs any perceived cultural injunctions of respect for president, governors, lawmakers and other leaders.

The Board of NBC has denounced the code as illegal.

Related
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 16)  A recent survey by the Social Weather Stations revealed that joblessness among adults in the country has reached a record high of 45.5 percent.

According to the National Mobile Phone Survey conducted from July 3-6, 2020, the figure was a 28-point increase from 17.1 percent in December 2019 and marked a new record high from the 34.4 percent logged in March 2012.

"The estimated numbers of jobless adults were 27.3 million in July 2020 and 7.9 million in December 2019," the SWS reported.

The SWS said that in July 2020, there were around 60 million adults in the workforce, compared to 45.5 million in December last year.

The pollster defined "adult" as a person 18 years old and above, and "labor force" as adults who presently have a job or are looking for a job.

Adults who are jobless consist of those who voluntarily left their old jobs, are seeking jobs for the first time, or lost their jobs due to economic circumstances beyond their control.

The survey revealed that half of those polled lost their jobs during the COVID-19 crisis.

The SWS said those who lost their jobs during the crisis was highest in Balance Luzon (23 percent), followed by Visayas (19 percent), Mindanao (19 percent), and Metro Manila (18 percent).

The joblessness rate was also up in all age groups, as well as among men and women, and in both rural and urban areas.

The survey was conducted using mobile phone and computer-assisted telephone interviewing of 1,555 adult Filipinos.
The Liberals submitted today at the Bucharest Electoral Bureau their party's list of candidates for the Capital City's General Council, with Chairman of the National Liberal Party, Prime Minister Ludovic Orban, and leader of the Bucharest organization Violeta Alexandru attending.

Ludovic Orban said on this occasion that the reason for the "major failures" of the Social Democratic administration was not the administrative organization or the lack of resources, but the fact that the people at the helm of the Capital and the sectors' administrations "had nothing to do" with the interests of the Bucharesters."The causes for the major failure of the PSD administration reside neither in the structure of the administrative organization, nor in the lack of resources, but in the fact that the people at the helm of the Capital and the sectors' administration had nothing to do with the interests of the Bucharesters, they just squandered public money, or - some of them - had no idea how to spend the money, and as regards the Capital City Hall, they simply threw away hundreds and hundreds of millions of euros with no concrete improvement in the living standards of the people of Bucharest," he said.Asked about the need for a new law of the Capital City, Orban said that "this is possible also with the current administrative structure, it is possible in any administrative structure that would result from a legislative change. It's a good farmer that makes a good farm, it's the quality of the people, the quality of the teams that determines the performance of the local governments, and we, the Liberal Party, support performance in the local administration."The Liberal leader added that Bucharest does not have an urban masterplan because of the "mobsters behind PSD"."Bucharest needs such experts in town planning. Bucharest does not have an urban masterplan and the mobsters behind PSD are trying to replace the masterplan with all kinds of zonal urban plans either for sectors, or for areas, in order to satisfy various illegitimate interests and destroy the face of Bucharest. We have experts in town planning, education, health, we have experts in investment, infrastructure, urban mobility, air quality, in environment. We have extremely serious projects that pertain to both the General Council of the Capital City and the government. The government has partnered for Bucharest with Nicusor Dan, with the team of candidates for the General Council and the local sector councils," said Orban.
Prison officials and security forces have arbitrarily detained and tortured prisoners for years in the notorious regional prison known as Jail Ogaden. Ethiopia's new Prime Minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed, should urgently order investigations into the horrific situation, and the government should ensure regional security forces and officials are held accountable.

Kenyan Journalist Yassin Juma is due to appear in court on August 18, his first session after he contracted Covid-19 at prison in Ethiopia.

This is according to Mr Abdulletif Amee, one of the three Ethiopian lawyers defending Mr Juma without any legal agreement.

The journalist was to appear in court on August 13 but the hearing was adjourned after Addis Ababa police reported that he had contracted the virus.

The Kenyan national was arrested in Addis Ababa in July and is facing charges including incitement and involvement in violence, plotting to create ethnic violence and plotting to kill senior Ethiopian officials.

These are the same charges levelled against several opposition politicians after deadly protests erupted on July 1 following the assassination of popular Oromo musician Hachalu Hundessa.

Mr Juma is under quarantine within Sostegna Police Station, where he was being held following his arrest.

Illegal detention

On August 5, Ethiopia's Federal First Instance Court ordered Mr Juma's release on a bail of 3,000 birr ($85) after prosecutors failed to provide concrete evidence for his case.

However, Ethiopian police ignored the order and the Addis Ababa Police Commission appealed against it, raising questions about the court's supremacy.

In a report issued Saturday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Ethiopian authorities have been detaining dozens of opposition members and journalists for prolonged periods and often without charges since late June 2020, raising serious rights concerns.

"Though credible and thorough investigations into complex abuses and events take time, Human Rights Watch believes that in several cases, police authorities sought to stretch or ignore legal requirements to prolong suspects detentions beyond what was justified by law."

HRW said police authorities have "repeatedly appealed or seemed to ignore bail orders, requested more time to investigate or transferred suspects between police authorities, some with overlapping jurisdictions, without informing relatives or counsel"

After police declined to release the journalist, he appeared in court on August 11 alongside 10 other suspects.

That was his fifth appearance without any specific charges pressed against him.

"A month after one of the most violent spates of unrest in the country's recent history, police and prosecutors need to publicly account for all detainees' whereabouts, comply promptly and fully with court bail orders and ensure easy and regular access to lawyers and relatives for those not released."

Worrying trend

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In response to HRW's inquiries, the office of the federal attorney-general said criminal investigations could move between various authorities depending on the location or nature of the crime, but did not comment on how this may affect the time a person spends in custody.

Laetitia Bader, HRW's Horn of Africa director said investigative authorities' actions raise concerns that "they have not moved on from past practices of arresting first and investigating later".

The rights group called on Ethiopian authorities to promptly bring credible charges based on clear facts and evidence against the detainees or ensure their release.

"The drama of exchanging suspects between authorities like an object seriously affects human dignity" Abdulletif told the Nation.

"This is illegal and only a tactic aimed to keep suspects in jail. Those acts disrespect the work of the judiciary and causes people to lose faith in the administration of justice"

Next week, the court is expected to pass a ruling on the appeal police filed.

"During the previous hearing, we argued that the appeal by Addis Ababa police had no legal basis and should be rejected," Mr Juma's lawyer said.

"Following last month's unrest, police have so far arrested over 9,000 people, including government officials, according to HRW's new report.
A nearly 10 pound rock that police say was thrown at officers during overnight protests that began Aug. 15, 2020. (Portland Police Bureau)

Portland Officers Injured After Protester Throws 10-pound Rock, Police Say

Police in Portland, Oregon, said two officers were hospitalized Saturday after a large rock was thrown at them by protesters.

According to the Portland Police Bureau, demonstrators and agitators threw objects at officers. But one of them was a nearly 10-pound rock.

Portland Fire & Rescue treated two Portland Police members injured by rocks thrown by individuals in the crowd. Both of them went to the hospital for further treatment, the PPB statement said. They said the person was in a group of people with the word press on their clothing.

In the statement, authorities described what the demonstrators were doing.

Some of the crowd chants included, kill a cop, save a life, What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now! If we dont get it, burn it down!' the department said.

The Proud Boys group faces off with Black Lives Matter activists in Portland, Ore., on Aug. 15, 2020. (Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

Later in the evening, police said that members of the crowd started launching mortars at police officers.

Rocks that were thrown at police in Portland and injured police officers on Aug. 15, 2020. (Portland Police Bureau)

Dents left in a police car from rocks that were thrown at police officers on Aug. 15, 2020. (Portland Police Bureau)

For the next twenty minutes people in the crowd increased their violent actions toward police officers who were standing behind cars fifty feet or more away from the crowd. Officers reported having rocks, frozen eggs, glass bottles, and frozen water bottles thrown at them, the department added. Officers reported people were shining green lasers at them, which is against the law in Oregon. Somebody spray-painted over a security camera on the Penumbra Kelly Building.

Police said that only smoke was deployed, not gas. Officers also declared a riot.

Meanwhile, it added that more than 60 calls for police service were not answered around Portland because officers were busy with riot control.

Portland police chase demonstrators during a Black Lives Matter protest in Portland, Ore., on July 26, 2020. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)

Call types ranged from theft, vandalism, suspicious activity, hazards, hit and run, burglary, violation of restraining order, alarms, stolen cars, harassment and many others, the department said.

Earlier in the day, police said they made four arrests overnight as they dispersed a protest that was headed toward the offices of the police union.

Demonstrations, often violent, have happened nightly in Portland for more than two months following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. Participants have repeatedly broken into the offices of the Portland Police Association, vandalized them, and set fires.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Officials at the Department of Justice have been monitoring celebrities, politicians, asylum seekers and members of the public who criticise Direct Provision on social media.

The Department of Justice compiled daily reports of social media posts discussing Direct Provision, how much traction they had and whether or not they were critical of the Government.

Marian Keyes, Christy Moore, Hozier and Roderic O'Gorman, the new minister who will have responsibility for Direct Provision, all had their comments against Direct Provision recorded and included in the reports.

Read More

Ms Keyes told the Sunday Independent: "It would be better if the Government put their resources into dismantling Direct Provision and all its attendant horrors instead of simply monitoring opposition to it."

Surveillance of social media appeared to start at the height of Covid-19 in March, when campaign groups and asylum seekers were warning that the virus could easily spread within the accommodation centres. Direct Provision centres have recently emerged as one of the main sources of outbreaks of Covid.

The documents, which were released under Freedom of Information, show social media reports were compiled by the Department of Justice from March to June.

The department made a note of asylum seekers and campaigners who criticised Direct Provision, and also which groups supported them or retweeted the comments.

The reports listed news articles about Direct Provision shared online by journalists. It reviewed the comments section under articles, analysing how much criticism of the Government they contained.

A department report from early May said news articles had received "some attention... however the comments were not negative towards the Department or the Government but rather against asylum seekers, with many calling for deportations".

The reports noted the amount of times Direct Provision was compared to Magdalene laundries or mother and baby homes. Officials also noted tweets and retweets of articles in late March by Roderic O'Gorman, who was then the Green Party spokesman on justice and equality.

In June, a report said Ms Keyes had tweeted a petition against Direct Provision "to her 211,000 followers". Christy Moore and Hozier also had their tweets recorded.

Most reports recorded the online activity of the Movement of Asylum Seekers of Ireland (MASI), a group of asylum seekers campaigning for an end to Direct Provision.

One report said MASI had been "capitalising" on increased attention on Direct Provision while another noted calls for Ireland to copy Portugal and grant asylum seekers full citizenship rights during Covid. "Of course MASI also shared this," the report said.

MASI said it was "appalled" the Department of Justice had "dedicated civil servants monitoring our tweets".

It said: "Irish taxpayers and asylum seekers would be better served by the Department addressing its disgraceful treatment of asylum seekers."

The Department of Justice said it started a new policy of monitoring social media during Covid-19 to improve its communications strategy.

The department said it has also started monitoring tweets about An Garda Siochana, prisons, family law, domestic violence and family courts. It said monitoring social media allowed it to "correct any inaccuracies raised, investigate complaints and respond accordingly".
Labor's Bill Shorten delivered a pertinent description of the low-paid, casualised aged-care workforce as "doing the work of angels and being treated like fruit-pickers". This is the problem at the heart of the profit-driven aged care sector. - Ray Alexander, Moss Vale Morrison has asserted time and again that the government had a plan. Even if there was a plan it was obviously an awful one given COVID-19 deaths in aged care facilities in NSW during the first wave. Plans should also never be static documents; they need to be constantly updated to remain plans. Whatever update occurred, it was woefully inadequate, given the terrible outcomes in Victorias aged care sector during its second wave. - Ian Caddy, Cheltenham I just hope that euthanasia is legalised by the time I need aged healthcare, as I dont want my last act to be illegal. - Tim Schroder, Gordon Don't tinker with tertiary, fund it I know my thinking is out of date, but I remember when the sole function of the then well-funded TAFE and university systems was to train and educate the Australian population ("Training days: new boss holds license for change", August 15-16). Now it seems their main functions are to operate as businesses, make lots of money, educate wealthy foreigners, assist the immigration program and, as a sideline, squeeze in educating and training locals. - Paul Doyle, Glenbrook

Aim for elimination It is very unlikely that the best way forward with this pandemic is to aim for a balance between health and economic outcomes. In the past, it was believed that there had to be trade-offs between cost and quality, in cars for instance, and between profit and safety in the manufacturing industry. Not so. Aiming for zero defects and zero accidents produces the best outcomes. To be able to keep our economy open we should aim for elimination of community transfer as the new norm, especially when we get to very low or even zero new cases. We will need constant vigilance and continued use of a range of medically advised risk minimisation practices until a vaccine is in widespread use or we have a cure. - David Hind, Neutral Bay Rocks in our head I know that our states levy some mineral royalties, but on any measure youd have to ask whether the miners share of our wealth is deserved and reasonable. If only wed been smart enough to do as Norway did by claiming their natural resources for their people, we too would have an enormous Sovereign Wealth Fund  a handy thing to have had to cushion our economy through a pandemic. - Charles Kent, Hunters Hill Foxing clever

No longer a fox on the run, Peter cops it sweet (Linfox heir entered Queensland legally, August 15-16). - Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook Indigenous insult How dare the state government attempt to block the Indigenous from claiming land rights? Particularly now, when it has moved to shut down any public protests, as we recently saw with the "Black Lives Matter" movement ("Land rights claims impeded by state", August 15-16). - Peter Mahoney, Oatley With respect to the State standing over Aboriginal people for land that the Parliament determined they should have back in 1983, begs a larger question. Who is the State acting for? If not the Parliament, nor the government of the day, then who? Certainly not me, or many of your readers who would agree that it is a small portion of what was taken and long overdue. - Kathryn Ridge, Manly Vale Australia has an appalling history of disrespect towards Indigenous culture and knowledge. Imagine the French government allowing a mining company to blow up their 20,000-year-old Lascaux caves? - Cassi Plate, Currarong

Whistled delight I remember it well: August 15, 1945 ("A rolled gold triumph for the good and great over the absolutely evil", August 15-16). We were living in Junee, I was two weeks off my eighth birthday, it was a Saturday, and we were intrigued by a chorus of railway steam engine whistles all cock-a-doodle-doing non-stop. My parents turned on our lovely AWA wireless and we learned that the war against Japan had ended. I decided to join in the celebration. So I got Dads railway whistle  an Acme Thunderer, which I have still  and walked down to the town centre and joined the chorus, thundering along with the engines steam whistles. - Tony Griffiths, Terrey Hills Cynicism to blame Nick Greiner laments the lure of authoritarianism ("Our straight man in Trumpistan", August 15-16) but part of the reason this is occurring is due to the cynicism of our politicians, as described by George Megalogenis ("Cold war of words won't stop the virus", August 15-16), and their obsession with Thatcherite free markets. Let's not forget, it was Greiner's government which accelerated the race towards privatisation in NSW, particularly with toll roads and electricity. - Chris Yates, Pennant Hills Greiner as Consul-General to New York? Really? What a peachy job when you already have such a great pension, have enjoyed so many prestigious positions and, at 73, are well past retirement age. In this time of job losses and uncertainty for the younger generation, how about freeing up such a job for an up-and-coming young diplomat? - Toni Lorentzen, Fennell Bay

Woodwind banned The move to ban woodwind instruments from school bands is a disgrace and underlines the total inconsistency of the NSW State Government approach to containment ("COVID school rules to be tightened", August 15-16). There is zero evidence of any cases being generated from infected children playing woodwinds. The decision is administrative speculation, not science-based. Juxtaposed against this is the strong case evidence community and school team sport produces. This decision will yet again displace band directors from their main source of income. The government has assessed it affects a minimal group of voters just so they can say they are doing something. A cynical position with zero impact for the greater good. - Gary Bigelow, Teralba I am a supporter of clear guidelines but I have to wonder if the Premier is shooting at shadows here. The suggested changes to music ensembles in NSW schools come as restrictions in England around singing, woodwind and brass instruments are being eased in response to new research by Public Health England. - Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls Where's the bright web? With so much focus on fake news, truth and malign interference with democratic processes, I suspect there is a widespread craving for reliable and authentic information online. It is perplexing and infuriating that the billionaire social media opportunists do not seem to recognise the potential, let alone the benefits. Surely Google or Microsoft or Facebook or Apple might be motivated to counter the insidious dark developments we hear about. Where is the Bright Web of enlightenment? Where is the Troogle search engine, dedicated to algorithmically validating research, news or advertising claims? Where are the tools which provide easy access to sites which cherish authentic information? With the unprecedented wealth and power of social media, why does so much easy effort go into gaming the shallow, self-delusory foibles of humanity, with its worrying collateral effects? - Larry Matthews, Ballina

Face up to it, Premier Is the reluctance to mandate the wearing of masks a case of Gladys saving face? - Fran Kirby, Castle Hill Your correspondent asks of Gladys Berejiklian, regarding masks, "how can someone who held out for so long about the Powerhouse Museum and demolished a stadium be so weak?" (Letters, August 15).

The answer is easy. No developer interest. - Trevor Sheridan, Charmhaven Sure bet? I've never been a gambler but I'd be willing to bet a motza that, despite all the evidence emerging at the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authoritys inquiry, Crown will be found fit to hold a licence for its new casino at Barangaroo ("Crown fails in bid to dodge grilling over China arrests", August 15). - Karen Coleman, Waterloo
Can Kerala's high health and social standards help the state tap the emerging opportunities in the digital healthcare sector in the post-COVID-19 days?

An expert committee of the Kerala State Planning Board thinks so. In a report on the 'Initiatives in Healthcare Industry in Kerala' submitted to the state government last week, the committee argues that Kerala is best suited for providing remote working opportunities for knowledge workers in the lifesciences and IT sector and developing a range of innovative industries in the healthcare space. Medical equipment and connected devices development and manufacturing have been identified as the thrust areas.

The suggestions become significant in the backdrop of the Central government's plan to give a national wide push in digital health. "Kerala's achievements in health and social sectors will provide the springboard for the State's successful entry into a range of innovative industries in the healthcare sector", Jayan Jose Thomas, chairperson of the expert committee and member, State Planning Board says.

According to the report, Kerala's potential for future growth in connected devices arises from its role as an early adopter as well as a developer of such technologies. "The adoption of IT-enabled or connected devices for healthcare is likely to be high in Kerala because of its health conscious population and the relatively widespread use of mobile phone and internet in the State. At the same time, Kerala has well-established strengths in the IT sector. There is potential for the emergence of a number of startups and high tech firms in Kerala, which benefit from the State's strengths in IT and healthcare. Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) has already devised plans to support startups in the IT, healthcare and related areas", the report points out. "Kerala should devise strategies to nurture entrepreneurs capable of setting up high technology firms in the health sector across the State. Given the critical importance of the medical devices sector on the one hand, and the large dependence in the country now on imported medical devices, Kerala can contribute significantly to the national efforts to build technological and manufacturing capabilities in this sector", it added.

The committee also points out that in the medium to long term, Kerala has the potential to become a leading centre of research and high-end manufacturing in the areas of diagnostics, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, as well as of medical devices. "In addition to the existence of some leading research institutions and the availability of skilled labour, one of Kerala's key strengths in the above-referred areas is the State's health infrastructure itself. The wide network of hospitals, health professionals and patients (who are educated and health conscious) across Kerala provide an enabling environment, including a rich source of data, for researchers in all fields relating to health", the report says.

The committee has recommended the establishment of life sciences clusters in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode and Kannur due to the presence of research institutions, infrastructure and in the case of Kozhikode and Kannur, their relative proximity to Bangalore (as firms in high technology areas considering a shift out of an overcrowded Bangalore may consider setting up their bases in these cities).

In the post-COVID era, Kerala can build on the 'work near home' facilities or co-working spaces offered by the state government in 100 towns across the State to emerge as a preferred wellness and healthcare destination, attracting tourists as well as professionals who choose to remote work from the State, the report says. "Across Kerala, there are numerous towns and villages, which provide safe public places, clean and hygienic living spaces, and modern amenities, including good IT infrastructure. With good planning by local self-governments, these towns and villages could attract not just tourists but also professionals who remote work from Kerala -- including IT workers, creative professionals, researchers, architects, legal professionals, and management analysts", the committee notes.

Also Read: COVID-19 in Kerala: Cops using call records of patients for contact tracing, says CM Pinarayi Vijayan

Also Read: Russia produces first batch of coronavirus vaccines
In 2016, turnout among Latinos was 47.6%, compared with 65.3% for non-Hispanic whites and 59.6% for non-Hispanic Blacks. Read more

A coalition of nonprofits, community, and advocacy groups has organized to educate Latino voters, kicking off a series of efforts before the November general election with a live, online information session Thursday evening called Count the Latino Vote.

Leaders from Phillys Colombian, Venezuelan, and Mexican communities talked about what it means to cast a vote in a U.S. election, how the process could lead to increased Latino representation in local, state, and federal governments, and addressed mail-in ballot requests  now available in both Spanish and English. City staffers showed how to navigate the states www.votespa.com website.

Leity Rodriguez-Largo, who has led the community group Accion Colombia since 2006, said the coalition aims to address the lack of political representation on the issues that affect the different Latino communities, as well as the typical low voter participation among these populations during elections.

In some countries in Latin America, voting isnt mandatory. In others, the election process is seen as fraudulent and corrupt, Rodriguez-Largo explained. So, the people who become naturalized citizens in this country are very skeptical.

With 58.9 million Latinos living in the United States and a projected eligible voter count of 30 million to 32 million people, Latinos are roughly 13% of the electorate. But, low voter turnout is a problem for these communities across the country: In 2016, turnout among Latinos was 47.6%, compared with 65.3% for non-Hispanic whites and 59.6% for non-Hispanic Blacks.

Yet in a February poll by Univision Noticias and the Latino Community Foundation, 73% of Latino registered voters said they would almost certainly vote in the presidential election. They listed lowering the cost of health care, improving incomes, and creating more jobs as the most important issues.

The current outreach effort in Philadelphia is a continuation of a 2016 initiative by a group of seven politically unaffiliated organizations to educate Latinos about the voter registration process and the rights a voter has at polling places. Four years ago, the group used targeted Spanish-language messaging in flyers and postcards. Now, they will only rely on Facebook and WhatsApp.

Juan Giarrizzo, who heads the recently created advocacy group Gente de Venezuela, said the Venezuelan community has grown extensively during the last five years in Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia region. (In the United States overall, the number of Venezuelans has more than tripled between 2000 and 2017, according to the Pew Research Center.) He said Venezuelan Americans need to vote in order for the Venezuelan experience to have U.S. representation.

We need all Hispanics in the city, and the state, to understand that politics are not our enemy, he said.

Thursdays 45-minute presentation was broadcast in Spanish and Spanglish on Facebook via community radio Dos Puntos and Philatinos.

Rodriguez-Largo said the coalition is still interested in adding more nonprofit and community groups of Central American and Caribbean Latino backgrounds. She believes members of the different Latino communities are paying more attention to the November elections due to the effects of the pandemic.

I think that, in this moment, the community [of Latinos] is a little bit more aware about the importance of being represented in the government.
U.S Sen. Kamala Harris was announced as the Democratic vice presidential nominee on August 11, 2020. Immediately after the announcement, numerous rumors about Harris circulated on the internet.

Extramarital affair

Harris has been married to her husband, attorney Douglas Emhoff, since 2014. However, articles and memes online state that years prior, Harris had an extramarital affair with former San Francisco Mayor and California Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, with some people claiming that Harris' political success was achieved by being Brown's "mistress"

A headline from Teaparty.org read "Flashback: Kamala Harris Launched Her Political Career In Bedroom As Mistress Of Married Mayor Willie Brown."

The narratives are misleading and exaggerated. Harris dated Brown in the mid-1990s, but Brown had been estranged from his wife since 1981.

Also Read: Joe Biden Picks Kamala Harris as Running Mate for 2020 Election, Becomes First Black Woman VP Nominee

Brown did appoint Harris to two political posts in 1994 while he served as Speaker of the California Assembly, but that was years before Harris won her first election in 2003.

Harris was already working as an assistant district attorney in Alameda County when she took on the appointments.

Harris' relationship to Brown was never a secret, even though it may not be well known outside political circles.

Brown talked about their past relationship in a piece that was published by the San Francisco Chronicle on January 26, 2019, just a day before Harris launched her presidential campaign.

Brown admitted they dated more than 20 years ago. He also said he may have influenced Harris' career by appointing her to two-state commissions when he was Assembly speaker.

Brown also said he helped Harris with her first race for district attorney in San Francisco and he also helped the careers of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, and other politicians.

History of their relationship

The history of the relationship and political appointments Brown gave Harris was also reported in news outlets for years. In 2019, Los Angeles Magazine reported that Brown was a fixture in California politics for years as he served as speaker of the state assembly for 15 years.

Brown was known as an unofficial deal-maker and influencer. He met Harris in 1994 when she was an assistant district attorney in Alameda County. Brown was 60 years old at the time and had been separated from his ex-wife Blanche Brown since 1981.

Brown appointed Harris to two political positions. The first position was a six-month appointment to the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board. The second appointment was a role on the Medical Assistance Commission.

At the time, Brown had a reputation for filling many openings with his associates. When Harris resigned from the Appeals Board, he replaced her with his longtime friend Philip S. Ryan.

Harris ended their relationship in 1995, shorty before Brown was sworn in for his first of two terms as mayor of San Francisco. She did not run for political office until after her relationship with Brown ended.

In 2003, Harris made a successful bid for the office of San Francisco district attorney and she was elected to serve as the attorney general of California in 2011. She was elected in 2016 to serve in the United States Senate representing the state of California.

Related Article: Fact Check: Did President Trump Donate to Sen. Kamala Harris' Past Election Campaign?

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So much hangs in the balance with this upcoming election. One crucial area of concern is the threat to recent alternate institutionbuilding by conservatives, traditionalists, and right-libertarians.

Clearly, many longstanding institutions, such as universities, no longer serve our needs; rather, they often undermine our visions of the good life, liberty, and the well ordered state. If leftists win in November, they will assuredly not just prevent further institution-building on the right, but also dismantle whatever conservatives have already built. If Trump wins, we get four more years to create, build, and prepare against whatever further erosion of our rights to free association and free speech the left has in store for us.

Progress in institution-building has already been going on for several decades. In the political sphere, hundreds of think-tanks, pressure groups, and citizens' organizations have appeared with conservative or libertarian perspectives.

One area in which conservatives have been building alternative institutions for some time is education. Charter schools that permit greater leeway than ordinary public schools and school choice policies that promote attendance at private schools through taxpayer-subsidized vouchers have been making small inroads into the mainstream for some time. According to the Center for Education Reform, students attending charter schools increased nearly sevenfold from 2000 to 2015, from approximately 400,000 to over 2.7 million. Furthermore, all 50 states now have some form of school choice, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Homeschooling may not be an institution per se, but it is advancing toward such status, building infrastructures, creating a culture, and developing networks. The number of homeschooled students doubled between 1999 and 2012. And the number of private schools with a "classical learning" orientation is exploding. For example, Thales Academy, an organization based in North Carolina, started its first campus in 2007 and now has eight, with three more planned to open in the next two years (and for the first time, two of them will be in states other than North Carolina).

In higher education, a few new colleges have been founded, but a more common innovation is the emergence of independent academic centers that are separately funded by private donors and are independent of departmental supervision. Many of them have conservative or right-libertarian tendencies. And the National Association of Scholars formed in 1987 to give conservative academics an alternative professional association to the increasingly leftist American Association of University Professors.

The internet was a great step forward for conservatism and aligned perspectives, allowing for the proliferation of ideas locked out of the mainstream media. The Internet has enabled conservatives to create their own information network of websites, social media, and podcasts. Without it, there is no conservative populism: no Tea Party, no Trump presidency. The heightened "cancel culture" of late has resulted in the creation of new platforms, such as Gab and Parler as alternatives to Twitter.

Furthermore, as the senior citizens organization American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) grew increasingly liberal, several conservative alternatives have been founded, including the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) and the 60 Plus Association.

Despite those advances, the movement is still fragile. All existing progress is threatened should the Democrats retake national control. There is no longer any question that they are not liberal, but radical; the Bernie Sanders wing of the party is now in control. Democrats consistently have given their seal of approval to street rioters intent on tearing down society to its core and remaking it according to a vision that is antithetical to our core values: at one Senate hearing, eight Democrat Senators refused to condemn Antifa.

Old-time machine Democrats have been tripping over themselves to appeal to the extreme left. Joe Biden's campaign platform and advisers could just as easily belong to radical Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In fact, AOC is his adviser on environmental matters.

Leftist changes are coming at a dizzying pace, from so many different directions, in ways great and small. A recent incident in Montgomery County, Maryland shows what is likely to happen should Democrats retake power. Officials there ordered private schools to remain closed due to the COVID-19 virus while allowing public schools to reopen for the new school year. Fortunately, the Republican governor stopped the order, but the intent to force students out of the independent private schools and into the Democrat-controlled public system was obvious. To the left, such failures are viewed as mere temporary setbacks; they are on the "right side of history," and progress can only move in one direction.

Much of the battle over institutions is about the control of information. The mainstream media no longer make even a slight pretense of being an accurate source of news. Recent attempts to control information by the media, by social network companies, and by government itself seem like something out of a dystopian novel or dissident literature from behind the Iron Curtain  or, frighteningly, suggest an alignment with the Chinese Communist Party.

The left is already exerting great influence through corporate interference in politics and information. For instance, high tech giant Google used its monopoly power over internet revenue to force the website The Federalist to eliminate its comments section (thus inhibiting the free exchange of ideas).

In a country run by Democrats, this "cancel culture" will only get worse. They have made it clear this summer that dissent is impermissible. Socialism or communism, whichever label you want to give the redistributive social justice now openly favored by the left, is not just an economic ideology. It goes beyond mere compliance and demands submission. We all know how past examples have turned out  with shocking body counts of recalcitrants and innocents alike.

And they have many weapons at their disposal to end conservative institution-building: regulation, taxation, isolation, the power of the government purse strings, direct control over health care and education, and executive orders  just for starters. Democrats have shown little concern about civil law and the Constitution, ordering police to stand down in the midst of violent law-breaking and giving voter rights to illegal aliens. It is possible, even likely, that with a few strokes of the pen: AMAC  gone; the National Association of Scholars  gone; Thales Academy  gone.

We have been forced into this position by a feckless Republican Party that refuses to push back against the relentless pressure of the left. Hopefully, enough voters recognize the enormousness of what is at stake, and we will avoid handing the keys to the empire to the barbarians. If we do retain the White House and (at least) the Senate, then let the institution-building begin with all urgency. And we should use any and all advantages to limit their ability to incapacitate our attempts to create our own organizations in the future.

Jay Schalin is the director of policy analysis for the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal.
MAG Real Estate Development, the real estate arm of Dubai-based MAG Group, has announced the sale of the first batch of villas in the MAG City project, one of the most prestigious projects launched by the group in Al-Midan District at Mohammed bin Rashid City.

Located closest to the most famous tourist destinations in the city, it is just a drive away from the city centre, 13 km from Jumeirah Beach, and 20 km from Dubai International Airport.

This confirms the group's leading position in the local real estate market and its commitment to providing the best investment options and meeting the needs and requirements of their clients, said a statement from the developer .

The "Mag City" project is a one of its kind in the region in terms of diversity of residential units and the price, with a townhouse villa priced at AED1.19 million ($326,084) onwards at a rate of AED685 ($186) per sq ft, stated the developer.

It includes an exclusive collection of townhouses, which vary between two bedrooms and a hall, three bedrooms and a hall, four bedrooms and a hall.

The sale of the first group of "MAG City" project reflects the remarkable demand of citizens and residents looking for distinct options for real estate investment, said a top official.

Despite the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic globally and the exceptional circumstances that ravaged various sectors, MAG Real Estate Development has succeeded in overcoming the current crisis by adopting flexible and proactive practices to keep pace with the requirements and the needs of investors, remarked CEO Talal Moafaq Al Gaddah.

The sale of the first group of villas in the "MAG City" project reflect the company's professionalism in taking into account the economic and financial trends of investors and to provide exclusive offers at unprecedented prices. Due to robust demand, we will launch a second group of villas in the coming days.
New Delhi, Aug 16 : While restrictions on movements and lockdowns in most parts of the country have been eased, health experts have stressed that the threat of coronavirus has increased and people need to take care of themselves more than ever before.

Now, greater responsibility lies with the people to maintain precautions and carry out any outdoor activities with the utmost vigilance and precautions, the experts said. It is possible that the combination of ease of travel restrictions and reopening of offices, public places like malls and cafes can contribute to the increased risk of Covid-19.

According to Dr Jyoti Mutta, Senior Consultant, Microbiology at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute in New Delhi, people need to understand that the 'Unlock' was ordered due to the country's economic reasons.

"Now it should be individuals' responsibility to follow the rules and guidelines on their own but it is unfortunate to see people not wearing masks and ignoring social distancing," Mutta told IANS. "Coming back to daily routine life is the need of the hour but the risk is still not over. We have even witnessed a low rate of infections in some areas as well, and that is due to following precautionary measures with discipline," she added.

Mutta also said that now in Unlock, wearing masks, maintaining social distance, practising hand hygiene are crucial measures to control the spread of the infection.

Dr Navneet Sood, a Pulmonology Consultant at Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital in New Delhi, told IANS: "It is disappointing to see that a section of society is not following norms. It doesn't mean that the risk is over and we can move in public places freely. It is understood that being in lockdown for such a long time affected people in many senses, financially, mentally, emotionally, but the risk is still out there, so we need to control unnecessary movements and take every possible precautionary measure." According to Dr Nikhil Modi, Senior Consultant, Respiratory, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in New Delhi, though people may understandably find it challenging, the best way to protect yourself and others is to stay home. The doctor said that people need to prioritise safety and precautions over our requirement of socialising.

Speaking on the new way of socialising, Modi told IANS: "If you are socialising with other people outside of your household, it's best to do it outside in open air, where there is more airflow and room for respiratory droplets to disperse.

"While outside, people should still maintain at least six feet of physical distance from others and wear a mask. As healthcare experts our recommendation would be against stepping out of the house until absolutely necessary, that is in case of a medical emergency or an avoidable circumstance," Modi concluded.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Overcast. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High near 40F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

Overcast. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low around 5F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.
As India marked its 74th Independence Day on August 15, Indian Mission and posts joined in the celebrations with enthusiasm and gusto.

The India High Commission of Pakistan in a tweet a video of Charge d'affaires Gaurav Ahluwalia unfurling the National Flag with the High Commission family singing the national anthem.

As Charge d'affaires Gaurav Ahluwalia unfurled the National Flag, rose petals from the unfurled Tiranga showered their blessings while the High Commission family sang the national anthem. Jai Hind reverberated in the skies.@DrSJaishankar @MEAIndia @PMOIndia#AatmaNirbharBharat pic.twitter.com/bDWTgPdL6l  India in Pakistan (@IndiainPakistan) August 15, 2020

Read: Independence Day: National Flag Unfurled At New York's Times Square For The First Time

Meanwhile, the India Mission in France celebrated the countrys 74th Independence Day with Ambassador Jawed Ashraf hoisting the national flag in Paris.

EoI,Paris celebrated 74th #IndependanceDay,Indian Ambassador @JawedAshraf5 unfurled the national flag and read out President's address. He also felicitated members of Indian community for their humanitarian services extended during the time of Covid-19.#AatmaNirbharBharat pic.twitter.com/wPGNmtOMn0  India in France (@Indian_Embassy) August 15, 2020

Read: PM Modi Thanks World Leaders For Extending Wishes On India's 74th Independence Day

The India Embassy in Saudi Arabia also shared a tweet stating that Ambassador Dr. Ausaf Sayeed hoisted Indias National flag amidst a small gathering of embassy officials and prominent members of the Indian Community.

Ambassador Dr. Ausaf Sayeed unfurled the #Tricolour in the presence of the Embassy officials and select members of the Indian Community, and addressed the gathering on the occasion of the 74th Independence Day@drausaf #IndependenceDayIndia2020 #AatmaNirbharBharat @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/cSrjxFta2m  India in SaudiArabia (@IndianEmbRiyadh) August 15, 2020

In Kabul, Afghanistan Ambassador Vinay Kumar delivered the Presidents address and also spoke about the benefits of Yoga and Pranayama, both of which he stated would help boost peoples immunity amidst the congoing coronavirus pandemic.

(1/2) #AatmaNirbharBharat On the occasion of 74th Independence Day, Ambassador @vkumar1969 unfurled the National Flag at the Embassy premises and delivered the Hon'ble President of India's address to the nation. pic.twitter.com/3MjAYbMFod  India in Afghanistan (@IndianEmbKabul) August 15, 2020

(2/2) He further spoke about the need of performing Yoga and Pranayama for immunity boosting in these difficult times of COVID-19 pandemic. pic.twitter.com/qmNqoUFIwA  India in Afghanistan (@IndianEmbKabul) August 15, 2020

Indian Embassy in Maldives also joined in the festivities and celebrated Indias indomitable spirit', reiterating the call for a self-reliant nation.

Celebrating #India's indomitable spirit, the ideals that inspired our freedom struggle and reiterating the call to build a self-reliant #AtmaNirbharBharat, the tricolour was unfurled at High Commission of India,Male' on the 74th #IndependenceDayIndia2020. @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/gs6Fc09kE8  India in Maldives (@HCIMaldives) August 15, 2020

Read: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Hoists Flag On Independence Day, Lauds COVID-19 Warriors

Read: Pandya Brothers Hardik & Krunal Wish Their Fans On The Occasion Of 74th Independence Day
U.S. Welcomes Lithuanias Ban of Hizballah as a Terrorist Organization

Press Statement

Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

August 15, 2020



Lithuania is demonstrating true leadership in Europe, and within the European Union, by labeling Hizballah as a terrorist organization in its entirety and banning Hizballah affiliates from entering its territory. Lithuania's decisive action, which follows Germanys own ban on Hizballah on April 30, recognizes there is no distinction between Hizballah's so-called "military and political wings. We urge other EU member states to stand firm against this terrorist organization, both at the national and EU level, with the objective of preventing Hizballah financers and members from operating on their territory.

At the bidding of its patron state Iran, Hizballahs terrorist attacks in the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East have resulted in the wanton killing of hundreds of people and caused the misery of many thousands more. In Lebanon, Hizballah undermines sovereignty and governance, seeking to protect its arms and finances at the expense of the Lebanese people. Hizballah has no role to play in a constructive civil society, and it is to Lithuanias great credit to have taken this important step to further constrict Hizballahs activity in Europe.



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The novel coronavirus has now killed more than 768,000 people worldwide.

More than 21.3 million people across the globe have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new respiratory virus, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The actual numbers are believed to be much higher due to testing shortages, many unreported cases and suspicions that some national governments are hiding or downplaying the scope of their outbreaks.

The United States is the worst-affected country in the world, with more than 5.3 million diagnosed cases and at least 169,423 deaths.

PHOTO: (FILES) In this file photo taken on April 30, 2020, a postal worker sort mail at a Los Angeles, California, facility. (Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images)

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing today. All times Eastern. Please refresh this page for updates.

10:45 a.m.: 7 million tests conducted in New York state

New York state has conducted 7 million diagnostic tests for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a press release Sunday.

For the ninth straight day the percentage of positive cases in the state was below 1%. The state saw an additional 607 coronavirus cases and now has a total of 425,508 cases statewide.

Cuomo praised the "hard work of New Yorkers" for the decline in new cases.

"For more than a week, we've seen our positivity rate stay below 1 percent, and to date New York has done 7 million teststhese are remarkable accomplishments that New Yorkers should be proud of," Cuomo said. "But, we must not become complacent and risk slipping backwards  everyone must remember to wear their masks, socially distance, wash their hands regularly, and stay New York Tough."

Six deaths were recorded in the state on Saturday, increasing the New York death total to 25,250, the release stated.

3:52 a.m.: Rate of COVID cases in children 'steadily increasing'

The CDC has issued guidance to inform pediatric healthcare providers and said that while it is unclear whether children are as susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2 compared with adults and whether they can transmit the virus as effectively as adults, recent evidence suggests that children likely have the same or higher viral loads compared with adults and that children can spread the virus effectively in households and camp settings.

Story continues

"The number and rate of cases in children in the United States have been steadily increasing from March to July 2020," the CDC's updated guidelines read. "The true incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children is not known due to lack of widespread testing and the prioritization of testing for adults and those with severe illness. Hospitalization rates in children are significantly lower than hospitalization rates in adults with COVID-19, suggesting that children may have less severe illness from COVID-19 compared to adults."

"While children infected with SARS-CoV-2 are less likely to develop severe illness compared with adults, children are still at risk of developing severe illness and complications from COVID-19," the statement continued. "Recent COVID-19 hospitalization surveillance data shows that the rate of hospitalization among children is low (8.0 per 100,000 population) compared with that in adults (164.5 per 100,000 population), but hospitalization rates in children are increasing.

The CDC also said that while children do have lower rates of mechanical ventilation and death than adults, on in three children who are hospitalized with COVID-19 complications in the United States were admitted to the intensive care unit -- the same rate for adults.

3:04 a.m.: Off-campus sorority house quarantined after 23 test positive for COVID-19, OSU says

Oklahoma State University officials announced Saturday that 23 people in an off-campus sorority house have tested positive for COVID-19.

According to a news release, Oklahoma State University officials learned Friday night of 23 positive coronavirus cases at the university's Pi Beta Phi chapter, an off-campus sorority house. The release states rapid antigen testing was performed at an off-campus health care facility.

Due to the nature of this situation, the entire chapter house is in isolation or quarantine and will be prohibited from leaving the facility, the news release states. One member of the sorority who lives elsewhere is among those who tested positive and will also remain in isolation.

Everyone involved is being monitored by Oklahoma State University and Payne County Health Department officials, and the release states contact tracing is being conducted to further protect the campus community.

University officials said the services of a third-party contractor have been enlisted to disinfect the facility and will do so again after the two-week isolation and quarantine period.

What to know about coronavirus:

How it started and how to protect yourself: Coronavirus explained

What to do if you have symptoms: Coronavirus symptoms

Tracking the spread in the U.S. and worldwide: Coronavirus map

12:11 a.m.: Georgia governor issues new order to let some cities impose mask mandates

Georgia governor Brian Kemp issued a new order which renews existing restrictions for gatherings, sheltering in place, and businesses.

He said that local education leaders will continue to have full authority on how best to educate students and keep them safe in school.

In late July, I asked Georgians to do Four Things for Four Weeks to stop COVID-19," Kemp said in a statement issued on Saturday. Without a mandate, our citizens answered the call, and we are making progress. In Georgia, our statewide case numbers have dropped 22% over the last two weeks, and daily hospitalizations have decreased by 7% in the last seven days. We are on average testing over 31,000 Georgians daily at 180 SPOCs while maintaining a low rate of transmission. The positivity rate is on the decline, and the mortality rate continues to fall."

Kemp continued: While encouraged by the data, we cannot grow complacent. This Executive Order extends the shelter in place order for the medically fragile, continues the ban on large gatherings, and maintains health and safety protocols for Georgia businesses. This order also protects Georgia businesses from government overreach by restricting the application and enforcement of local masking requirements to public property. While I support local control, it must be properly balanced with property rights and personal freedoms. As always, we encourage citizens to wear masks, watch their distance, wash hands, and continue to follow the guidance provided in the Executive Order. Together, we will protect the lives, livelihoods, and personal freedoms of all Georgians.

ABC News' Ahmad Hemingway and Joshua Hoyos contributed to this report.

Coronavirus updates: CDC says rate of COVID cases in children 'steadily increasing' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Sunday, August 16, 2020

Trump Steal 2020?

--bSad Truth about Our Testing -

-- Kamala Take You Guns?



@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @



1) How Trump Stole 2020: The Hunt for America's Vanished Voters









(New York, NY  July 8, 2020)  Four-time New York Times bestselling author and investigative journalist Greg Palast is back with How Trump Stole 2020: The Hunt for America's Vanished Voters, a cautionary expose that details the existential threat to our electoral system. The book takes an in-depth look at voter suppression and how minority votes across the country are silenced through voter purging, discarded votes and mail-in ballot impropriety. These unscrupulous practices threaten the rights that all Americans have to free and fair elections, a core value upon which our Democracy is built



Media Contact, Ilene Proctor



310-858-6643 Cell: +1 310-721-2336



E-mail: ilenepr@sbcglobal.net



ilene@taghollywood.com



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2) Solving the COVID-19 Testing Crisis



From: Joyce L. Gioia, CMC, CSP -- The Herman Group







The Sad Truth about Our Testing



As deaths in the United States surpass 160,000 and the number of cases has now exceeded 5 million, we still have relatively too little testing going on. As you should know by now from these Herman Trend Alerts, without adequate testing, our control of this raging infection is impossible. I define adequate testing as testing in sufficient numbers with results timely enough to allow us to identify positively infective folks and trace their contacts to stop the spread. But onto this horizon arrives some great testing news.



Name: Joyce L. Gioia, CMC, CSP



Title: Certified Speaking Professional and Management Consultant



Group: The Herman Group



Dateline: Austin, TX United States



Direct Phone: 336-210-3548



Main Phone: 800-227-3566



joyce@hermangroup.com



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3) Kamala Harris Wants to Confiscate Your Guns, Veiled and Direct Threats Over Time



From: Alan Gottlieb -- Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms







Senator Kamala Harris, VP Candidate with Joe Biden, is now having her various views and activities scrutinized again. One massive issue that concerns those who still espouse Second Amendment rights is Kamala Harris' various veiled and direct threats of outright confiscation of personal firearms. During her run for the Democratic Presidential nomination, Harris said if during her first 100 days in office Congress didn't pass acceptable "mandatory gun buyback" legislation, she would use "Executive Action" to ban guns. This amounts to a single person overriding all institutions, including states, in her bid for "outright gun confiscation" on her own terms.



Name: Jerry McGlothlin



Group: Special Guests



Dateline: Hickory, NC United States



Direct Phone: 919-437-0001



jerry@specialguests.com



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4) Success Performance Solutions Welcomes Dr. Diane Hamilton, Cracking the Curiosity Code



Ira S. Wolfe -- Success Performance Solutions







Studies show that curiosity drives nearly every skill that shows up on every must-have job skill list, says Success Performance Solutions founder and workforce trends expert Ira S Wolfe. It is the DNA behind many of the essential skills promoted for the modern worker: critical thinking, emotional intelligence, adaptability, collaboration, and even empathy. Curiosity it seems is the career currency of the day: necessary for staying relevant, for advancing your career, for keeping the robots at bay from taking your job. We simply can't perform well or grow our skills without it.



And yet parents, business leaders, and our current education system do every possible to immunize curiosity in our kids and workers. We talk about innovation, growth, and STEM but do everything possible to stifle it, says Dr. Diane Hamilton.



Name: Ira S Wolfe



Title: Chief Googlization Officer



Group: Success Performance Solutions



Dateline: Wind Gap, PA United States



Direct Phone: 484-373-4300



Main Phone: 800-803-4303



Cell Phone: 717-333-8286



iwolfe@super-solutions.com



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5) Computer models of "apocalyptic" or extreme situations, such as nuclear war, extreme drought, etc.

Dr. Robert Reuschlein, Empire and Climate Expert







My empire and climate theories are really based on the economic and temperature changes brought about by military spending and global evaporation patterns. Military spending increases divert research and capital resources away from manufacturing production, which clearly shows up in the manufacturing jobs loss statistics. Land warms up three times as fast as oceans thanks to the lower water availability over land triggering an energy imbalance that takes 27 years to warm up and 27 years to cool off in the 54-year world cycle. This global temperature cycle drives a similar economic cycle and war politics cycle. I have charted 56 major headline grabbing cyclic world events including peaks and valleys of temperature, economics, social movements, wars, pandemics, hurricanes, volcanoes, blizzards, droughts, floods, and severe winters among other extreme events.



Name: Dr. Robert W. Reuschlein



Title: Economics Professor



Group: Real Economy Institute



Dateline: Madison, WI United States



608-230-6640



bobreuschlein@gmail.com



@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @



6) 'Book Title Generator' Wins 2020 International Book Award in Business Public Relations Category



From: Book Title Generator by Scott Lorenz -- Book Publicist











Plymouth, MIWith more than 30-Five Star Reviews, book marketing specialist Scott Lorenz's book, Book Title Generator: A Proven System in Naming Your Book, has added another plaudit to the list by garnering a 2020 International Book Award in the Business Communications/Public Relations category. With over 2,000 entries vying for the top prizes in the 11th Annual International. Book Awards, the competition was stiff for a judging panel which prides itself on a commitment to supporting all areas of the publishing industry.



Reactions to Book Title Generator, released about two-months ago, have been universally positive from authors, publishers and other industry professionals. This timely book is proving a major assist for authors in one of the most vital aspects in creating a bestseller; coming with the right title. Lorenz, President of Westwind Book Marketing, believes his experience in book marketing is a big gain for authors wanting their books to stand out from the pack and gain traction online.



"I am an author, and I have been writing for over 10 years. This book is exactly what I have been looking for all this time. Scott Lorenz understands the creative side while delving into the marketing side of naming a book. It explains how to set yourself up for success." Iris, Amazon Reviewer, 5 Stars



Strategies put forth by Lorenz hold true for aspects of online marking beyond the book world, which could prove valuable for authors seeking to showcase their professional services. Many author's employ a book as an entree for seminars, speaking engagements, consulting or marketing a specific expertise.



Lorenz's three-decades of book marketing show within the pages of Book Title Generator, where he lays out a multi-prong strategy urging the use of high-tech tools, researching bestsellers by genre and choosing "title keywords" which get a book ranked on search engines and Amazon. Having seen and experienced the pitfalls of book marketing, the book thoughtfully ushers you through the reality maze of numbers, alliterations, idioms, keywords and everything else which has to be considered in your quest for the perfect book title.



"Are you an 'unpublished writer'? Dig in! Author and book publicist Scott Lorenz defines a sensible set of proven methods by which to tackle the naming of your book. Straight shooting and to the point, Lorenz provides expert advice on how to find the perfect title. Do you want your book title to be a success? Listen up!" Northcoaster, Amazon Reviewer, 5 Stars



A number of famous books began with less than optimal titles and Lorenz explains how, with a new title, they rose to prominence. As a student and lover of book titles, Scott Lorenz brings three decades of book marketing experience to bear on a vital aspect in shepherding your book towards bestseller status. Book Title Generator is designed for authors and publishers as a surefire method to uncover that coveted, memorable and winning book title!



Purchase from Amazon or ask the author for a review copy



https://www.amazon.com/Scott-Lorenz/dp/B0892HRS3R/ref=sxts_b2b_sx_reorder?13532-932a-4991-b4db-5eb2f173b52a&pd_rd_w=K6OZe&pd_rd_wg=FJh5r&pf_rd_p=55e3f870-f610-46d5-a6bd-2adc9a5c4c7c&pf_rd_r=TH3D6CWS950C5YENV57Q&qid=1597606941&s=books&sprefix=book+title+%2Cstripbooks%2C130&sr=1-1-f5ebfd8e-82c1-4b4e-97d5-2aa47aa18b69



Name: Scott Lorenz



Group: Westwind Communications



Dateline: Plymouth, MI United States Direct Phone: 734-667-2090



scottlorenz@westwindcos.com



@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @



7) The 2020 Yearbook of Expert, Authorities & Spokespersons  Free Download







Mitchell P. Davis won the Georgetown University Bunn Award for Excellence in Journalism and graduated from their business school. Started his PR business in 1984 with publication of the Talks Show Guest Directory. Served on the board of the National Association of Radio Talk Show Hosts. Now in it's 36 annual edition the Yearbook of Experts, Authorities & Spokespersons has been requested by tens of thousands of journalists.



435 experts index by thousands of topics.



Read or download free at www.ExpertBook.com



 Or purchase from Amazon of $8.95 https://www.amazon.com/Yearbook-Experts-Authorities-Spokespersons-2020/dp/B08CP9DKDH/ref=sr_1_1



Interview Mitch Davis the publisher at (202) 333-5000



ExpertClick@gmail.com



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*The Stories, Science and Strategy to Help Men Build and Maintain a Life Worth Living http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234680



*Black Communications Professionals Disparately Impacted Due to COVID-19, New Survey Finds http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234679



*WAX Blockchain - Leading the Digital Collectibles Industry http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234678



*US Shale Oil Executives Strike Black Gold in Firms? Red Ink http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234677



*Uplevel your House from a Closet to a Home http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234676



*Fire at Four Seasons Disrupts Weddings, Protesters http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234673



*?Kamikaze Academics? and a Cardinal, Revolutionary Principle of Jesus http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234672



*People are on the Move http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234670



*Routine or Exception? http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234669



*Automation or Autonomous? http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234668



*Vote In-Person From Gregg Fraley -- Best Keynotes on Creativity & Innovation http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234667



*Who Are South Florida?s At-Risk and Homeless Veterans Served by SSVF http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234666



*Do you need a dental implant? A Michigan dentist is looking for patients to help train dentists in the latest techniques http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234663



*[WEBCAST] Cracking the Curiosity Code with Dr. Diane Hamilton http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234660



*MDB Communications Announces Work-From-Anywhere Policy and DC-Relocation http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234659



*Chaos - Or Opportunity? http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234655



*Weekly Subscription News: Suits, Spikes and Studios http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234654



*Extreme Situation Forecast http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234650



*Former Israeli mayor on UAE peace deal: ?Don?t read too much into it? (Fox Business) http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234647



*Kamala Harris Wants to Confiscate Your Guns, Veiled and Direct Threats Over Time http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234645



*Against idols of success: from self-indulgence to creative service http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234644



*Innovation Women Speakers: August 14, 2020 http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234643



*Sloane & Co. Helps Revlon Fend Off Suit http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234641



*Free Fax Cover Sheets http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234637



*Heartline Study: Can this reduce the risk of strokes from atrial fibrillation? http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com/234634
Many would say the work of God brought Bishop-elect David L. Toups to Southeast Texas.

But it was the word of God that confirmed the move for the Gulf Coast native set to be ordained Friday as the sixth bishop to lead the Diocese of Beaumont.

Romans 8:28, Toups said during a recent phone interview with The Enterprise. For those who love God, all things work together for the good.

It was during a conversation with current Bishop Curtis Guillory that Toups disclosed the scripture as his mothers favorite and the first he was taught as a child.

And Bishop Guillory said, wait a minute, thats my motto as a bishop, Toups said. It was a beautiful moment confirming the popes appointment. The beautiful scripture that has led my family all these years has also led Beaumont all these years. We call it a Godincidence.

It was announced in early June that Guillory would retire and Toups, 49, would take his place.

But despite his birth in Seattle, Washington, theres nothing northern about him.

I only lived there 9 months, he said, But your birthplace follows you.

Toups was raised in his fathers hometown of Houma, Louisiana, but joked, it doesnt reflect my genealogy at all.

When he was 16, Toups family of five relocated to Florida. It is there where he found his calling  but not immediately.

I was your stereotypical college kid in a fraternity, dating, living a college lifestyle, the former pre-law student said. But I always kept coming back to my faith and the Sunday mass my parents had instilled in us.

He was half-way through his college career in 1991 when he decided to enter the seminary.

I said, Lord you may be calling me to a whole-hearted lifelong service so Im going to go into the seminary to figure out. When I had my adult experience of giving my heart to the Lord, I just decided at that moment that there was nothing I could do but to serve him as a priest.

He was ordained in 1997, and has since served as an associate pastor, pastor and recently as rector and president at a major seminary for the Southeast. When his Beaumont appointment by the pope was announced, Toups was serving as a priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

But thats just a summary of his resume.

Ive been all over, he said. Ive had a varied experience as a priest  a broadening experience working for a national church, a regional church and working on the ground level training future priests.

Its that experience, he believes that will help him handle issues faced in recent years by the Catholic Church.

In early 2019, the denomination was rocked by scandal when it released a list of priests credibly accused of having been involved in the molestation of children and young adults.

Of the 286 living and deceased priests named in Texas, 13 were with the Diocese of Beaumont.

My job in the church has been on the proactive side, Toups said. I want to continue to reach out to anyone who has been hurt in any way. Thats not the message of Jesus Christ. Caring for persons that have been hurt remains a priority for me.

I have been training the next generation of priests. Ive had this wonderful opportunity to ensure the goodness, soundness and holiness of the next generation of priests. I see the beauty and joy and vision and wholehearted dedication of these young men.

Current issues also remain a priority for the incoming bishop.

In daily mass, in my prayers, I pray daily for an end to the coronavirus, for peaceful resolutions to the protests that our country is experiencing and for the healing of racial divisions, he said. At this moment in history, I feel like we are all in the same boat together.

We all are struggling with how to handle the coronavirus. We all are struggling with financial difficulties. So many are suffering with isolation and separation. The church finds itself in the same boat with all of humanity. Theres something very beautiful to this solidarity

Following Fridays ordination, which will be the first to occur in St. Anthony Cathedral Basillicas 53-year history, Toups said he looks forward to meeting those in the nine counties served by the Diocese of Beaumont and getting involved in the community.

I come with lots of energy and zeal, and hope to share that with our local church and whole civic community as the leader of our Catholic Church.

But there is one more thing the lifelong Southerner is anticipating.

A good old-fashioned Texas/Louisiana crawfish boil, he said with a laugh.

mbatson@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/mo_bats
60%

Website gbcdecatur.org uses latest and advanced technologies. It is very popular on the web, it's within the 1 million most visited websites of the world at position 423959 by Alexa. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 1937 bytes (1.89 kb uncompressed) and 862 bytes (0.84 kb compressed).

This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-11-23, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want.
(CNN)  Susan Bailey, a 57-year-old retired nurse from Florida, has had all her jabs and gets a flu shot every year. She's a vocal Joe Biden supporter  and one of a growing number of people globally who say they wouldn't take a coronavirus vaccine even if one becomes available soon.

"I'm not anti-vaccine. My kids were both vaccinated with everything, but I would not take a Covid vaccine today," Bailey told CNN.

"I have underlying health issues ... I would want to see enough studies in a long-term period of what the ramifications are for the vaccine."

Bailey said she doesn't trust US President Donald Trump, and that consensus around a vaccine among the world's top scientists and at least six months of testing would be just "a start" in persuading her to take it. "It's much too soon for me, I'd have to say, 18 months."

Her trepidation is echoed by a significant proportion of adults all over the world, who reject the extreme views of the anti-vaccine community, but say they have major concerns about a coronavirus jab.

Neil Johnson, a physicist at George Washington University who is studying vaccine skepticism on social media, told CNN the four most common objections are: safety; whether a vaccine is needed; trust of the establishment and pharmaceutical companies; and perceived uncertainty in the science.

To see how widespread hesitancy is, he suggests asking your family and friends whether they would take a Covid-19 vaccine if one were available now.

"I would be surprised if you ask 10 people and you get all 10 jumping and saying yes without adding any caveats," he said.

Doubts over Covid-19 vaccine

Scientists say vaccines are our most effective tool in combating infectious diseases, preventing 6 million deaths every year. Numerous studies have proven that they are safe. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top US epidemiologist, said that widespread uptake of a coronavirus vaccine could end the pandemic and a study in The Lancet medical journal found that it was the only way to fully end lockdowns.

Yet an Associated Press/NORC Center for Public Affairs online poll from May indicated half of Americans would hesitate to take or refuse a vaccine, and a study by King's College London last week found similar results in the UK.

The polling varies. A CNN poll from May found two-thirds of Americans would personally try to get a vaccine if one were widely available at a low cost. Preliminary results of a 19-country survey by campaign group Convince (Covid-19 New Vaccine Information, Communication and Education) show that about 70% of British and US respondents would take one, according to Scott Ratzan, co-leader of Convince and Distinguished Lecturer at City University of New York School of Public Health.

Yet the ultimate goal of vaccines is to create herd immunity, meaning that enough of the population is immune to make the spread of infection rare. A vaccine could be 70% to 75% effective, Fauci said in June, but if only two-thirds of the population were vaccinated, it is "unlikely" that herd immunity would be achieved.

A study published by the University of Hamburg in June found that 71-74% of people in Europe and the US would need to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity  observing that "current willingness levels in France, Germany and the Netherlands, in particular, may prove insufficient to reach this threshold."

Johnson said this was a "massive issue"  and possibly an even bigger one than the polls indicate.

"What the question probably should have said is, will you have the Covid vaccine, will you be first to have it? And of course, I think that the answer for that will be no, I'll wait 'til everyone else has had it.

"There's always doubt among the anti-vax[xers], but there's now a sufficient doubt among this undecided population.

"I'm very, very concerned, I don't think public health has had this challenge [before] ... because there haven't been social media and these kinds of online influences."

Global spread of vaccine hesitancy

While vaccine skepticism has historically been an issue in Europe and the US, there are signs of doubts spreading. In Brazil  where British, Chinese and US firms are conducting trials  a small fringe of dissenters railed on social media against the "China vaccine." Protests also took place against trials in South Africa, Reuters reported.

Johnson told CNN that in Africa, misinformation is spreading about the program being used as a cover to sterilize swathes of the population. "The fear about that is actually huge in developing countries now," he said.

Opinions are shifting across the globe. A 2018 survey by the Wellcome Global Monitor found that 95% of people in South Asia believe vaccines to be safe, higher than any other region. But there have been recent controversies. In the Philippines, a measles outbreak last year was linked to a sharp decline in vaccination uptake after the 2017 suspension of a dengue vaccine program when it was found that it could have had potential adverse effects.

An April report in The Lancet said that Japan's 2013 decision to stop recommending the HPV vaccine could result in almost 11,000 preventable deaths from cervical cancer. The World Health Organization said in 2017 that "unsubstantiated allegations" about the vaccine were affecting coverage in several countries and could "result in real harm."

In a 2016 survey by the Vaccine Confidence Project at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, just 3% of Indonesians thought vaccines were unsafe. But a regional survey in January showed 15% of parents would be reluctant to take a Zika vaccine. Research led by Auliya Suwantika, a pharmacology professor at Padjadjaran University, found that national immunization coverage had declined in recent years, with just 58% of children fully vaccinated, well below the government's 93% target.

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a reduction in vaccinations worldwide, largely attributed to school closures and fears of visiting clinics, but the researchers said "vaccine hesitancy may present a next obstacle."

Countering the objections

Several polls and surveys, including a US Reuters/IPOS poll in May, found that the speed of development was the biggest concern with the coronavirus vaccine. Most vaccines take 10 to 15 years to develop.

"There's clearly cause for concern; the emphasis on speed, on rushing a new vaccine," Jeremy Ward, who published a study on vaccine hesitancy with French research consortium Coconel in The Lancet in May, told CNN.

France saw a surge in vaccine skepticism in 2009, with only 8% uptake during the swine flu epidemic. The top concern was speed, despite the fact there was existing knowledge around flu vaccines, said Ward. In May  when France was in lockdown and its outbreak escalating  Coconel found that around a quarter of the population would still refuse to take a vaccine.

"I think the main factor is trust in institutions," said Ward. He said coronavirus debates in France had become highly politicized. Coconel's study found that those who had voted for a far-left or far-right candidate, or didn't vote at all, were much more likely to say that they would refuse a vaccine.

Russia this week rubber-stamped its Sputnik V vaccine  a reference to the 1957 Soviet Union satellite  before it had even started a Phase 3 trial, in which a vaccine is tested on thousands of people. China also skipped Phase 3, approving an experimental vaccine for military use in June.

Ratzan told CNN the skepticism was "not helped at all by the 'warp speed' proclamations by President Trump or now the Sputnik 'Space Race' vaccine."

His research suggests that Russia could have more vaccine refusers than any other country.

The US Food and Drug Administration said this week that it will not cut corners in vaccine development, and France's health minister said the country would not approve one that has not passed Phase 3 trials. The UK government told CNN that its trials follow a predefined pathway with high standards, and the speed was down to extra investment and support.

With some vaccines, development has been sped up by combining stages. Some have been safety tested on animals and humans in parallel and others undergone simultaneous Phase 1/2 trials, meaning they're tested for the first time on hundreds of people instead of smaller groups.

Mistrust often stems from misinformation disseminated by anti-vaxxers  or even Russia, according to the US State Department and the European Union. This filters out through all kinds of communities, from wellness to parenting to political groups.

Ratzan said the issue isn't just the inaccurate information, it's the growing lack of trust in institutions. "I think we're starting to see these two factors really wear down the public psyche and vaccine acceptance along with it, which is a huge concern," he said.

An earlier CUNY School of Public Health Covid-19 study found that just 42% of likely vaccine refusers in New York would be swayed by approval from the FDA or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Several surveys and reports found hesitancy among Black and ethnic minority communities, which are disproportionately affected by the virus.

A survey by Northeastern, Harvard, Rutgers and Northwestern Universities found that 52% of African American respondents are likely to seek a vaccine, compared with 67% of whites.

"Looking at our community surveys in New York City, Black Americans are more distrustful, and with good reason," said Ratzan. He highlighted the infamous Tuskegee case, in which Black men were unknowingly made part of an 40-year experiment from 1932 in which they were not told they had syphilis or given sufficient treatment.

He also referred to fears around sterilization. Reports indicate people with Mexican-sounding names were more likely to face forced sterilization in California between 1909 and 1979.

Time to prepare

Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO's Health Emergencies Program, said in a Thursday briefing: "People need to be allowed to have a conversation about vaccines, and have a proper conversation. It's not a one-way street. It's not about shoving things down people's throats. It's about having a proper discussion, good information, good discussion on this  and people will make up their own minds."

"I think science and government have a job to do that is to make the case. I think communities and people have a job to do, which is to listen to that case, and hopefully the result of that will be a widely accepted successful vaccine that could bring this pandemic to an end," Ryan said.

Experts say we need a strategy for when a vaccine is produced, covering who will receive one first, how and where it will be distributed, possible different options, and how concerns will be addressed.

In June, Fauci said there was an extensive plan for reaching out to the community, but details have not been released.

Ward emphasized that this is not just about convincing people a vaccine is safe but about doing everything possible to ensure it really is. "When you produce a new vaccine with such speed, it's not just communication, it's also transparency and making the right decisions," he said.

Johns Hopkins University has produced a plan for readying populations for a vaccine, which covers informing expectations; earning public confidence; ensuring availability; communicating in personal terms; and establishing independent bodies to ensure public ownership.

Community groups including the National Black Church Initiative have been working to ensure sufficient numbers of African Americans participate in vaccine trials. Ratzan said involvement from respected community members was vital to ensure people feel "they're being listened to, their concerns are met, and that the vaccine they are getting is held to the highest standards of safety and efficacy."

The timeline is vital. Ratzan added that with a new medicine, 18 months could be spent working with companies, medical groups and doctors and thinking about branding, social media or text campaigns. "We don't have any of that now," he said.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Vaccines are safe. But huge numbers of people around the world say they wouldn't take a Covid jab."
Murali Krishnan

New Delhi The Supreme Court has urged the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (NCDRC) to ensure timely disposal of cases before it after the top courts attention was drawn to a matter adjourned by the NCDRC for nearly a year.

The apex court did not pass any concrete directions to the NCDRC, leaving it to the administrative authority of the president of the body, justice (retd.) RK Agrawal to ensure that allocation of work and disposal of cases take place in a streamlined manner.

We consider it proper and appropriate to request the president of the NCDRC to look into the grievance and to take an institutional decision on the administrative side, a division bench headed by justice DY Chandrachud said on Friday.

The NCDRC is a body established under the Consumer Protection Act to hear consumer complaints. It hears appeals against various State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commissions. The NCDRC, as per the Consumer Protection Act of 2019, is also empowered to hear cases directly if the value of the good or services involved is more than Rs 10 crore. Appeals against decisions of NCDRC go to the Supreme Court.

The top court was on Friday hearing one such appeal filed by an Uttar Pradesh-based jewellery retailer, LM Jewellers, against an order passed by NCDRC on February 28, 2020 adjourning a complaint filed by it to January 5, 2021.

The petitioner submitted that the adjournment of the case for nearly a year defeats the purpose of the Consumer Protection Act which is to ensure speedy resolution of consumer cases.

The petitioners counsel, Nikhil Jain, contended that such orders were being passed by the NCDRC as a matter of routine and a pattern had emerged of granting long adjournments. He pointed out another case in which the NCDRC, on February 26, 2020, adjourned the hearing of a case to March 3, 2021, when a request for adjournment was made on the grounds that the arguing counsel was unwell.

The Supreme Court noted that the functioning of various tribunals has been hampered by lack of adequate infrastructure and judges, prompting such tribunals to order long adjournments.

This court is cognizant of the fact that several tribunals suffer from a lack of adequate infrastructure including of judges to discharge adjudicatory functions. Hence, the presiding judges allocate dates on the basis of a realistic assessment of when cases can be disposed of when they are listed for final disposal, the bench, which also comprised justice KM Joseph, observed.

But it allowed the petitioner to raise the issue before the president of NCDRC so that appropriate steps can be taken to ensure speedy disposal of cases.

This is an issue on which it is only proper and appropriate that this court (Supreme Court) should defer to the administrative authority of the president of the NCDRC to ensure that the allocation of work and disposal of cases takes place in a streamlined manner, the Supreme Court said.
By Press TV

August 15, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - A report that the United States has seized Iranian fuel cargoes aboard ships bound for Venezuela is false, an informed Iranian source has told Press TV.

The informed source explained on Friday that the fuel shipments in question had already been purchased and paid for and that neither the vessels carrying them nor the shipments themselves were related to Iran.

The Wall Street Journal had on Thursday cited US officials as saying that the US government had for the first time seized vessels allegedly carrying Iranian gasoline to Venezuela. It said the US had recently seized four vessels, called Luna, Pandi, Bering, and Bella, on the high seas and they were being transferred to Houston, Texas.

Irans Ambassador to Venezuela Hojjat Soltani had already rejected the report as another lie and an instance of psychological warfare.

Neither the tankers are Iranian, nor their owner or flags have anything to do with Iran, he said in a Twitter post on Thursday.

Soltani said that the fake news aimed to cover up the failure of the US administrations policy toward Iran.

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Iran sent five ships carrying Iranian fuel to Venezuela in May and June to help revive oil refineries in the South American country, which is suffering from a severe fuel shortage as a result of US sanctions.

The Iranian shipments  sent on Iranian-flagged vessels and operated by Iranian crew  drew the ire of the United States, which has imposed draconian sanctions on both Iran and Venezuela with the aim of choking off their oil revenues.
HCM City detects 152 illegal entries since May

Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have so far busted 152 illegal entries since May.



According to the municipal Central for Disease Control (CDC), most of the illegal migrants are from China (72 percent) and Cambodia (11 percent), with the remains being citizens of Vietnam and the Republic of Korea.

Illegal Chinese migrants caught while entering HCM City (Photo: VNA)





Upon being detected, all of them were quarantined and tested for COVID-19 in line with regulations.



One of them was tested negative for the virus and became Patient 912 in Vietnam. The patient, who is a Chinese citizen, illegally entered Vietnam via the northern border area together with seven others. They travelled to HCM City between July 27 and 29 and were arrested on July 30. The group was tested negative for three times. The fourth test showed the one negative case on August 12.



As of August 14, the southern economic hub recorded 72 COVID-19 cases, including 61 recoveries.



There were 51,217 locals, who returned from Da Nang city  the latest COVID-19 hotspot in Vietnam  from July 1, filing medical records and tested for the virus. Of the total, six received positive results and 50,292 were proved negative.
If this app is deployed on a large scale enough, Bluezone will help save huge social resources and cost to fight Covid-19 epidemic in Vietnam, as well as help the economy resume operation under the new normal state.

According to the Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Information and Communications, on August 13, from 17 Covid-19 infection and suspected cases whose cell phones installed with the Bluezone application, Da Nang and Hanoi health authorities tracked 82 F1 and F2 cases who were not found out by the traditional way of investigating the patient's schedule.

Although this number accounts for a small part of the total number of cases that need to be traced, the results show that Bluezone - a solution that uses Bluetooth connectivity to save contact history in the community - is really effective in preventing Covid-19 pandemic.

In theory, if the usage rate in the community reaches 60% or more, this application can help the society and the economy maintain operation even when the Covid-19 epidemic does not end yet. Because when most people have a sense of protecting themselves and the community, they will install Bluezone on their phones to receive early warnings if they accidentally get exposed to a case of F0 or F1. As a result, new Covid-19 cases are controlled for complete and accurate exposure history, so infection cases that are lost in the community will be phased out. People can communicate daily in society without having to worry too much about the risk of infection while the authorities do not have to apply anti-epidemic measures such as social distancing or lockdowns.

Bluezone helps to save Covid-19 fighting costs

Thanks to the application of Bluetooth technology to detect close contacts (below 2 meters) within the time of 15 minutes, Bluezone accurately traces people who have been exposed to suspected and infected cases (F0, F1). This technology is being deployed by many countries around the world to prevent Covid-19.

Previously, to identify people likely to be exposed to F0 cases, the authorities had to use zoning method through cell stations, and subscribers in the same cell with the F0 were counted as possible exposure. However, the accuracy of this measure is not high, with the zoning scope in urban area of 200m and 400m in the rural area, so the number of cases of wrongly identified of "being exposed to F0" is very high.

This technology was used in the last Covid-19 outbreak in Da Nang City. Accordingly, about 800,000 people were identified to be involved in the blockaded areas. In addition, about 1.4 million people were identified to visit Da Nang during this time, then going to other provinces. In the case of each person contacting 10 other people upon arrival home, there will be about 14 million people suspected of being infectious. This number makes many provinces have to isolate suspected people, conduct tests many times that is costly, time wasting.

With the ideal scenario, when everyone is using Bluezone, the tracing of contact history of F0 cases in Da Nang will be much more accurate. The number of suspected cases will also drop thousands of times, from 14 million possibly down to a few thousand. Provinces and cities will save huge resources mobilized for epidemiologic investigation, quarantine facilities, testing for tens of millions of people.

Maintaining social activities and the economy despite the Covid-19 pandemic

Not only helping to save huge resources and costs for epidemic prevention, if it is deployed widely enough, Bluezone also plays a role in helping to maintain social activities and the economy even when the Covid-19 epidemic is still underway.

If using the methods of zoning based on mobile networks as mentioned above, when the number of people suspected of being infected in a locality becomes too large, the only solution is impose lockdown measures. After 2-3 weeks, if the number of new cases does not break out and all sources of infection are screened, the locality will remove quarantine measures. However, this measure causes great damage when all socio-economic activities are delayed and people have to stay indoors.

Currently, Singapore is the most successful country in the world in implementing a Covid-19 prevention solution using Bluetooth technology, with more than 45% of the population installing an application called TraceTogether on their smartphones.

Similar to Bluezone, TraceTogether helps Singaporeans remember where they went and who they have been with in the last 25 days. If they have ever been in contact with another TraceTogether user who is identified as an infected or suspected case, they will be immediately alerted to minimize the possibility of unintentionally infecting relatives or friends. Thanks to this app, although there are still restrictions on the number of people gathered together, everyday life in Singapore is still quite normal.

If Vietnam can deploy Bluezone applications with a high rate of users like Singapore, we can completely think about the possibility of recovering tourism services in Da Nang, the economy resuming normal operations, the society operating under the new normal state safely, effectively preventing the Covid-19 epidemic.

Bluezone is a Bluetooth-based app that helps determine if a person has come in contact with a COVID-19 patient, The contract tracing app, developed by tech firm Bkav, uses Bluetooth Low Energy, a wireless personal area network technology, to link with smartphones within a two-meter distance. If a user is positive for SARS-CoV-2 (known as person F0), health authorities can identify those who had close contact with that person (known as F1), and the system will alert them about the risk of infection. They will be also provided with instructions on contacting health authorities for assistance. The app is completely confidential, anonymous, and transparent, as it only stores data on the users phone and does not transfer users information or locations to the system.

Binh Minh
Varun_HexaGuy BHPian



Join Date: May 2017 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 300 Thanked: 1,489 Times

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Re: Tata Hexa XTA : Our new beast in Arizona Blue Sindbad turned one!





It's been an year of togetherness with the big boy and have made a whole lot of memories in such a short span! Sindbad turned one on April 12th 2018. Oh yeah, it took me more than 7-months to give him a name and realise that she's he! Me and Dad have enjoyed every minute spent with Sindbad together over the course of a year and three months. What were you guys thinking or worried about? Worried about taking this mammoth (forgive me Sindbad for calling you a Mammoth!) in bumper to bumper traffic and frequent city runs? Well, Sindbad has proved me wrong (or is it my dad who has accustomed himself to drive the big fella in the nick of the traffic? ). The ease of an Automatic has won over its Huge dimensions and all other odds and we don't dread about the traffic jams anymore. Just crawl in the traffic with the help of the creep function, turn the volume up and listen to some crazy music on the go.



The most obvious question which might've hit your head is, "How is a Tata running without any niggles in the initial days of ownership?" Well, Sindbad has inspired that confidence in me and dad that he'll age well. He has made a woe to age well like the Figo. Well, I don't expect him to age like a Jap since he's loaded with some cutting-edge tech, but I want him to be mechanically fit for the next 5-years atleast! Over the past one year, we've taken him to some of the worse roads where I cannot imagine taking my Italian Lady along. Despite throwing in some of the worse conditions right ahead of him, he just took over them like an hungry adult having a sumptuous breakfast! The ride quality over those roads is nothing short of a carpet ride. But I do feel with the revised tyre pressures, the ride quality has sort of, taken a small hit as it's more harsh at lower speeds and there's increased vertical movement over the potholes and the odds on the road. Apart from this minor complaint, I'm very happy with the Sindbad in this aspect.



We did have a couple of minor niggles which were sorted out with ease by the ASC folks. All the niggles or issues which we've faced over the past one year have been listed down below : Failed driver side puddle lamp on the D-Day last year. Well, this was working while I inspected the car a day before the delivery. Culprit : Fused bulb which was duly replaced when we visited the ASC on some other issue.

Fused bulb which was duly replaced when we visited the ASC on some other issue. Spare key, keyless entry not working. This was observed on the D-Day too. While I was scratching my head at the temple as to why the car wouldn't open despite pressing the unlock button a hundred times, it was then we realised that the key wasn't working. So, dad had pointed this out by calling our ASM who delivered Sindbad to us. Reason : While sorting out the issue during the PDI (refer Page-1), the pairing between the car and that key had lost in that process (I don't know how; experts pitch in your thoughts) and this issue was sorted out within a minute by the workshop manager who locked and unlocked Sindbad using both the keys simultaneously a half a hundred times to pair the spare key with Sindbad. This was done alongside the puddle lamp bulb replacement.

While sorting out the issue during the PDI (refer Page-1), the pairing between the car and that key had lost in that process (I don't know how; experts pitch in your thoughts) and this issue was sorted out within a minute by the workshop manager who locked and unlocked Sindbad using both the keys simultaneously a half a hundred times to pair the spare key with Sindbad. This was done alongside the puddle lamp bulb replacement. Sidewall damaged due to my negligent brother (a.k.a my accomplice in crime). It so happened one day that me and brother were in a mood to take Sindbad out but by that time, dad had already left for the office. Since the office was close by to our home-sweet-home , brother made a quick call to dad that we'll be dropping by in his office to swap the Italian Lady for Sindbad. He obliged (obviously, we were in majority and majority always wins) and we left for dad's office in the Italian Lady. Since my dad's parking lot was pre-occupied by Sindbad, we had to get the big boy out so that he can enjoy his day out with us and Italian Lady could rest for the day. For that, I quickly ran to my dad's cabin, grabbed the keys of the big boy, went downstairs, brother got in the driver's seat of Sindbad and drove him out in style. This is where we committed a mistake which we came to know after driving for half a kilometre. While taking out of the parking lot, my partner in crime oversteered the car which resulted in the rubbing of the rear right tyre against a kerb which caused a sidewall cut. Neither me nor my bhai sahab noticed it and we drove on. It was near a security check, the guard pointed towards something. What was that? In anxiety, we downed the window and then he said, "Saabji, gaadi ke tyre se hawa nikal rahan hain" and we stopped immediately to check out what it was. The unexpected had happened. The sidewall was cut and we decided to drive to a Tyre store which was hardly a kilometre from the place where we stopped. We hurried and reached before the whole tyre was deflated. Then, called and informed dad about this. Both of us heard a mouthful for our carelessness and we truly deserved it. Later, swapped our tyre to the spare and left towards the ASC. The ASC folks gladly welcomed us, saw the tyre and initiated a warranty claim right away without any questions asked! We were ready to pay for it but it ended up in a way completely unexpected! The only catch was there was no stock of the tyres and would take a few day's time as the tyre had to arrive from Chennai and to our bad luck no one had the tyre in stock in Hyderabad. On top of it, we had to leave for our Maiden road-trip in two day's time. After explaining our situation to out friendly manager, Mr.Narender at Malik Cars, Tolichowki, made a quick call to the showroom guys to send a TD car to the ASC ASAP! As soon as the car arrived, both Sindbad and TD car were lifted and they duly gave us the tyre from the TD car! We were like, "Who on Earth was complaining about the Tata's after-sales experience?" We, then left the ASC and once we were back from our road trip, me and my brother went to the ASC to get the new tyre. This was the sweetest ordeal we ever went through! At times it feels like as if this was infact an ordeal? This is by far, the best after sales experience we've ever experienced.

, brother made a quick call to dad that we'll be dropping by in his office to swap the Italian Lady for Sindbad. He obliged (obviously, we were in majority and majority always wins) and we left for dad's office in the Italian Lady. Since my dad's parking lot was pre-occupied by Sindbad, we had to get the big boy out so that he can enjoy his day out with us and Italian Lady could rest for the day. For that, I quickly ran to my dad's cabin, grabbed the keys of the big boy, went downstairs, brother got in the driver's seat of Sindbad and drove him out in style. This is where we committed a mistake which we came to know after driving for half a kilometre. While taking out of the parking lot, my partner in crime oversteered the car which resulted in the rubbing of the rear right tyre against a kerb which caused a sidewall cut. Neither me nor my bhai sahab noticed it and we drove on. It was near a security check, the guard pointed towards something. What was that? In anxiety, we downed the window and then he said, "Saabji, gaadi ke tyre se hawa nikal rahan hain" and we stopped immediately to check out what it was. The unexpected had happened. The sidewall was cut and we decided to drive to a Tyre store which was hardly a kilometre from the place where we stopped. We hurried and reached before the whole tyre was deflated. Then, called and informed dad about this. Both of us heard a mouthful for our carelessness and we truly deserved it. Later, swapped our tyre to the spare and left towards the ASC. The ASC folks gladly welcomed us, saw the tyre and initiated a warranty claim right away without any questions asked! We were ready to pay for it but it ended up in a way completely unexpected! The only catch was there was no stock of the tyres and would take a few day's time as the tyre had to arrive from Chennai and to our bad luck no one had the tyre in stock in Hyderabad. On top of it, we had to leave for our Maiden road-trip in two day's time. After explaining our situation to out friendly manager, Mr.Narender at Malik Cars, Tolichowki, made a quick call to the showroom guys to send a TD car to the ASC ASAP! As soon as the car arrived, both Sindbad and TD car were lifted and they duly gave us the tyre from the TD car! We were like, "Who on Earth was complaining about the Tata's after-sales experience?" We, then left the ASC and once we were back from our road trip, me and my brother went to the ASC to get the new tyre. This was the sweetest ordeal we ever went through! At times it feels like as if this was infact an ordeal? This is by far, the best after sales experience we've ever experienced. Fuel tank lid doesn't lock as the car is locked. Culprit - Failed fuel lid actuator which was replaced a couple of days back.

How will Sindbad age : Well, it's too early to comment on the same. But there are a few owners who've neared or touched the 1-lac kilometre mark in an year of ownership and their feedback is quite reassuring for me atleast! Only time will tell if Sindbad has aged gracefully or not.



How is the Big Boy Holding up? Extremely well, in my opinion. Apart from a couple of fit and finish issues here and there and a couple of minor niggles, he's doing fine.



Why have I bought Sindbad ? Well, many of my acquaintances and close friends have pitched in this question from the day Sindbad entered into our lives. I felt it was a question which I couldn't answer. Maybe this is the right time to answer it. Well, Sindbad does most of the things right for us atleast. Here are a few which he does right for us : Can cruise all-day long keeping all the passengers (even the ones in the third row) comfortable throughout the journey. This is where I love Sindbad the most. He is meant to munch miles in style like no other machine does.

comfortable throughout the journey. This is where I love Sindbad the most. He is meant to munch miles in style like no other machine does. Extremely spacious second and third row of seats. This was something very important as the Ertiga fell short in space with all the three rows occupied. Sindbad, infact has exceeded in this criteria.

Wanted an Automatic for the daily chores. The 6-Speed Torque Converter from Punch Powerglide is perfectly mated to the heart of Sindbad. There's no delay in the shifts. With light foot, the gearbox upshifts at ~1,800 rpm in Drive Mode. With slightly heavy foot, the gearbox, upshifts at ~ 2,300 rpm which is good for those overtakes.

A Good Music System. Well, Sindbad has come a winner in this aspect too The 10-Speaker JBL System is too good and probably is the Best Music System South of 30-lacs. It's just that all the doors and the boot door need a bit of dampening to complete that perfect entry-level In-Car Entertainment System. It's just that I'm worried about the additional weight the big boy will gain in this process. As such, he's on the heavier side, I don't want him to gain more weight!

Seats. A special mention to these seats. They're so good for the Long Drives. We've done almost non-stop stretches during our recent road trip (more on that at a later stage) where we stopped only for our Breakfast or Lunch breaks and the seats are extremely supportive These are, by far the best seats with respect to overall comfort and long-distance touring.

Sheer Road Presence. An Autowaala dare not attempt to squeeze right ahead of Sindbad.

Well, I can complement this big boy all day long for his merits. There are a few demerits which he has to work upon (atleast his latter generations will have a chance to correct these mistakes) : Overweight. Sindbad is on the heavier side and he is infact the heaviest car of the lot. He comes close to the Endeavour and Fortuner in this aspect. This issue has given rise to another issue; low power-to-weight ratios with respect to the Competition. While he is a MPV, I don't expect him to do a 0-100 run in less than 9-secs or something like that but the added weight is certainly not a boon for Sindbad. Even the higher power output of the engine doesn't help this. The additional power is nullified in masking the additional weight IMHO.

Small touchscreen. This is something which I really complaint about. While the Nexon owners do with a bigger Touchscreen with added features, we don't get a bigger touchscreen with added features despite paying double the cost of what Nexon owners pay (No offence to the Nexon owners). This 5-inch touchscreen is out of place in such a huge cabin and the Navimaps suck to be honest. I'm better off with Google maps for most of it. It's not that Google is very reliable (well, this guy got us stranded atleast half a hundred times on the name of "Shortest Route" during our recent Road Trip) but the Navimaps sucks; be it the User interface, dependability, GPS signals and the likes.

Well, I wanted Sindbad to celebrate his 1st Birthday in style. While I was planning for his Birthday gift during his Birthday week, due to some commitments, me and dad couldn't gift him what he deserved.



It was real long since Sindbad crossed the city limits of Hyderabad. So, after a lot of failed attempts, dad finally was convinced for a Road Trip this April. Next up was mom. She wasn't entirely with this idea but she got with the flow eventually. Then, dad and I informed my uncle about this. He was all ears and confirmed his presence right away!



Now that all of them were convinced, we had to set a destination where we'd be driving. Since, we had allotted 10-days for the road trip, we planned to cover as many places as possible. Here's the final list of places which we visited : Day-1 : Hyderabad to Bengaluru via Jogulamba Temple. Total Distance Covered : 610 Kms.

Hyderabad to Bengaluru via Jogulamba Temple. Total Distance Covered : 610 Kms. Day-2 : Bengaluru to Mysuru via Srirangapatna. After sightseeing in Mysuru, left for Ooty the same day. Total distance Covered : 290 Kms.

Bengaluru to Mysuru via Srirangapatna. After sightseeing in Mysuru, left for Ooty the same day. Total distance Covered : 290 Kms. Day-3 : Ooty sightseeing and rest for the day.

Ooty sightseeing and rest for the day. Day-4 : Ooty to Palani. After visiting Palani, we proceeded towards Kodaikanal. Total Distance Covered : 300 Kms.

Ooty to Palani. After visiting Palani, we proceeded towards Kodaikanal. Total Distance Covered : 300 Kms. Day-5 : Kodaikanal Sightseeing.

Kodaikanal Sightseeing. Day-6 : Kodaikanal to Madurai and sightseeing in Madurai. Total Distance Covered : 140 kms.

Kodaikanal to Madurai and sightseeing in Madurai. Total Distance Covered : 140 kms. Day-7 : Madurai to Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi. From Dhanushkodi, we headed towards Srirangam and called it a day Total Distance Covered : 447 kms.

Madurai to Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi. From Dhanushkodi, we headed towards Srirangam and called it a day Total Distance Covered : 447 kms. Day-8 : Srirangam to Tanjavur. After sightseeing in Tanjavur, we headed towards Chidambaram via Kumbakonam. Total Distance Covered : 174 Kms.

Srirangam to Tanjavur. After sightseeing in Tanjavur, we headed towards Chidambaram via Kumbakonam. Total Distance Covered : 174 Kms. Day-9 : Chidambaram to Bengaluru via Arunachala. Total Distance Covered : 346 Kms.

Chidambaram to Bengaluru via Arunachala. Total Distance Covered : 346 Kms. Day-10 : Bengaluru to Hyderabad. Total Distance Covered : 590 Kms.

Total Trip Distance : 3,177.7 Kilometres (home to home)



In the past one year of driving on the roads of Hyderabad, Sindbad had been a part of few incidents on the road unwanted : Incident-1 : This incident took place while we were returning from our maiden road trip last year (sometime in June). We were paying our toll charges near the Nellore Toll Plaza and while the booth incharge lifted the gate up, a Dzire guy rammed into Sindbad. Going by the sound from the accident, we were sure the rear bumper might've gone. But Sindbad surprised us big time. The Dzire guy who hit us, had a lot of damage. His bumper, bonnet and grill gave up in the incident. Seeing their damage, I was sure the rear bumper would've gone. But no, it only had a small mark from the Dzire.







This incident took place while we were returning from our maiden road trip last year (sometime in June). We were paying our toll charges near the Nellore Toll Plaza and while the booth incharge lifted the gate up, a Dzire guy rammed into Sindbad. Going by the sound from the accident, we were sure the rear bumper might've gone. But Sindbad surprised us big time. The Dzire guy who hit us, had a lot of damage. His bumper, bonnet and grill gave up in the incident. Seeing their damage, I was sure the rear bumper would've gone. But no, it only had a small mark from the Dzire. Incident-2 : This happened sometime in March 2018. This was a very weird incident one could ever be in. It so happened we were caught in a traffic jam. The traffic was moving at a slow pace. There was a Mercedes Benz E350 moving parallel to us in the right lane. All of a sudden, the driver of the Merc stopped. So we also had to stop. Soon, we see a person getting down from the co-driver seat of the Merc. It was all cool till then. Then another guy from the rear seat opens the door and slams it hard. As a result, the front right fender on my Sindbad was dented and we got poorer by another 5,000 bucks. Some pics of the damage and WIP pics of the repair :



The Dented Fender.



The fender after the tinkering job.



The smoked wheel cladding ready for a fresh coat of paint.



Inside the paint booth with all the body parts neatly covered.



Post denting and painting.



There's no paint mismatch between the fender and the rest of the exterior. I've compared the fender's repaint with the bonnet's actual paint.





This happened sometime in March 2018. This was a very weird incident one could ever be in. It so happened we were caught in a traffic jam. The traffic was moving at a slow pace. There was a Mercedes Benz E350 moving parallel to us in the right lane. All of a sudden, the driver of the Merc stopped. So we also had to stop. Soon, we see a person getting down from the co-driver seat of the Merc. It was all cool till then. Then another guy from the rear seat opens the door and slams it hard. As a result, the front right fender on my Sindbad was dented and we got poorer by another 5,000 bucks. Some pics of the damage and WIP pics of the repair : The Dented Fender. The fender after the tinkering job. The smoked wheel cladding ready for a fresh coat of paint. Inside the paint booth with all the body parts neatly covered. Post denting and painting. There's no paint mismatch between the fender and the rest of the exterior. I've compared the fender's repaint with the bonnet's actual paint. Incident-3 : This was more of a recap from the Nellore's incident last year. This time, a taxiwaala rear ended as Dad had applied sudden brakes as the car ahead of us had done the same. Damage to the guy who rear ended us was the same again. Front end of the car was completely gone in the incident. For us though, this time the damage was a bit more but that's something which we can live with.



The scratches on the left side of the cladding and at the end of the rear skid plate.



The scratched up rear bumper.



The scratches on the rear skid plate.

Services Done till-date : First free service at 5,000 kilometres or 3-Months (whichever is earlier). Apart from a usual inspection of the stuff around there's nothing much to do in this service.

Second free service at 10,000 kilometres or 6-months (whichever is earlier). Sindbad had done 6,000-odd kilometres during this service. We got the wheel alignment, balancing and tyre rotation done apart from the usual inspection and an oil change.

First paid service at 20,000 kilometres. Sindbad had done about 9,400 kilometres at the time of the service. All the jobs were done as prescribed in the owner's manual (I'm too lazy now to document all of 'em here!) and the repair job (detailed above) was also taken up during this service.

Kitna Deti Hain ? In city conditions, Sindbad manages to return a fuel efficiency of about 8 to 10 kmpl depending on the conditions. Out on the highways, with the cruise control active, he returns an average of anywhere between 15-17 Kmpl.



Accessories added till date :



Since Sindbad is quite loaded to the brim, we didn't add many accessories to it. These are the only accessories on my Sindbad : Mini 0806 Dashcam : Bought used from fellow BHPian a4anurag. I've been using it for more than 9-months and it's doing it's job well and I'm happy with the purchase.

I've been using it for more than 9-months and it's doing it's job well and I'm happy with the purchase. Coozo 7D Mats (Black) : The 3D mats which I had bought soon after the delivery were sliding off from their position and they needed regular wiping to keep 'em shining. Looked around a lot and finally zeroed onto these. These are doing the job for now and I'm very much satisfied with them. If anybody's interested in purchasing them, then please PM me.

Modifications and Accessories Planned : Blackening of all the chrome bits on the exteriors. After this tweak, the exteriors would look swell.

Addition of an Auto-Dimming Interior Rear View Mirror.

Addition of another Dashcam covering the rear end of the car.

Getting Sindbad detailed from a professional.

Sometime in June when dad was on his vacation to Leh, Sindbad was idle. So, I detailed him and spent close to 3-hrs on detailing him. Here's the end result :



That shine, I just love it!





That mirror finish! I just couldn't stop gleaming at the Big Boy for the next few days. That's me in the pic.



The big boy at the end. The end result was well worth it.



Here are some pics from our recent road trip :



Sindbad all set for his adventure!



At a petrol pump en-route Bengaluru.



Me trying my hands on a DSLR........



Always a poser for the pics!



Now dad joins in as well.



When we swapped our Sindbad for a Baggie



Two competitors in one click.



Sindbad gets a much deserved shower in Madurai.



Sindbad poses on the Pamban Bridge!



As I type this, Sindbad is 1-year, 3-months, 20-days and 14,320 Kilometres Young! Here's hoping that he'll turn only younger by the day.





Till next time,

Ciao It's been an year of togetherness with the big boy and have made a whole lot of memories in such a short span! Sindbad turned one on April 12th 2018. Oh yeah, it took me more than 7-months to give him a name and realise that she's he! Me and Dad have enjoyed every minute spent with Sindbad together over the course of a year and three months. What were you guys thinking or worried about? Worried about taking this mammoth (forgive me Sindbad for calling you a Mammoth!) in bumper to bumper traffic and frequent city runs? Well, Sindbad has proved me wrong (or is it my dad who has accustomed himself to drive the big fella in the nick of the traffic?). The ease of an Automatic has won over itsdimensions and all other odds and we don't dread about the traffic jams anymore. Just crawl in the traffic with the help of the creep function, turn the volume up and listen to some crazy music on the go.The most obvious question which might've hit your head is, "How is a Tata running without any niggles in the initial days of ownership?" Well, Sindbad has inspired that confidence in me and dad that he'll age well. He has made a woe to age well like the Figo. Well, I don't expect him to age like a Jap since he's loaded with some cutting-edge tech, but I want him to be mechanically fit for the next 5-years atleast! Over the past one year, we've taken him to some of the worse roads where I cannot imagine taking my Italian Lady along. Despite throwing in some of the worse conditions right ahead of him, he just took over them like an hungry adult having a sumptuous breakfast! The ride quality over those roads is nothing short of a carpet ride. But I do feel with the revised tyre pressures, the ride quality has sort of, taken a small hit as it's more harsh at lower speeds and there's increased vertical movement over the potholes and the odds on the road. Apart from this minor complaint, I'm very happy with the Sindbad in this aspect.We did have a couple of minor niggles which were sorted out with ease by the ASC folks. All the niggles or issues which we've faced over the past one year have been listed down below :Well, it's too early to comment on the same. But there are a few owners who've neared or touched the 1-lac kilometre mark in an year of ownership and their feedback is quite reassuring for me atleast! Only time will tell if Sindbad has aged gracefully or not.Extremely well, in my opinion. Apart from a couple of fit and finish issues here and there and a couple ofniggles, he's doing fine.Well, many of my acquaintances and close friends have pitched in this question from the day Sindbad entered into our lives. I felt it was a question which I couldn't answer. Maybe this is the right time to answer it. Well, Sindbad does most of the things right for us atleast. Here are a few which he does right for us :Well, I can complement this big boy all day long for his merits. There are a few demerits which he has to work upon (atleast his latter generations will have a chance to correct these mistakes) :Well, I wanted Sindbad to celebrate his 1st Birthday in style. While I was planning for his Birthday gift during his Birthday week, due to some commitments, me and dad couldn't gift him what he deserved.It was real long since Sindbad crossed the city limits of Hyderabad. So, after a lot of failed attempts, dad finally was convinced for a Road Trip this April. Next up was mom. She wasn't entirely with this idea but she got with the flow eventually. Then, dad and I informed my uncle about this. He was all ears and confirmed his presence right away!Now that all of them were convinced, we had to set a destination where we'd be driving. Since, we had allotted 10-days for the road trip, we planned to cover as many places as possible. Here's the final list of places which we visited :3,177.7 Kilometres (home to home)In the past one year of driving on the roads of Hyderabad, Sindbad had been a part of few incidents on the road unwanted :In city conditions, Sindbad manages to return a fuel efficiency of about 8 to 10 kmpl depending on the conditions. Out on the highways, with the cruise control active, he returns an average of anywhere between 15-17 Kmpl.Since Sindbad is quite loaded to the brim, we didn't add many accessories to it. These are the only accessories on my Sindbad :Sometime in June when dad was on his vacation to Leh, Sindbad was idle. So, I detailed him and spent close to 3-hrs on detailing him. Here's the end result :That shine, I just love it!That mirror finish! I just couldn't stop gleaming at the Big Boy for the next few days. That's me in the pic.The big boy at the end. The end result was well worth it.Here are some pics from our recent road trip :Sindbad all set for his adventure!At a petrol pump en-route Bengaluru.Me trying my hands on a DSLR........Always a poser for the pics!Now dad joins in as well.When we swapped our Sindbad for a BaggieTwo competitors in one click.Sindbad gets a much deserved shower in Madurai.Sindbad poses on the Pamban Bridge!As I type this, Sindbad is 1-year, 3-months, 20-days and 14,320 Kilometres Young! Here's hoping that he'll turn only younger by the day.Till next time,Ciao Last edited by Varun_HexaGuy : 2nd August 2018 at 17:22 .
Trafficking in persons for the purpose of forced labour, sexual exploitation and forced marriage, and organ removal is not a new phenomenon, but it is being exacerbated by COVID-19 and the lockdowns associated with it in countries across the world.

Last month, as the UN marked World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, there was a call to action from high-level officials at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe for all countries to redouble their efforts to combat human trafficking in light of the challenges posed by COVID-19.

A recent study by the International Labour Organization estimates there are about 25 million victims of human trafficking globally, and the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic impact pose unprecedented challenges for the most vulnerable.

In addition, COVID-19 shutdowns have meant there are less  and in some cases no  access to health care and social safety nets, including shelters and counselling services, and timely legal proceedings, which leaves victims in danger of further abuse. At the same time, traffickers are shifting their methods of recruitment and exploitation to online platforms, often targeting the most vulnerable, including children.

In May, a UN human rights expert set off alarm bells about the effects of COVID-19 lockdowns and a surge in violence against children, citing a spike in people trying to access illegal child pornography websites. In Canada, police forces are seeing a big jump in reported instances of online child exploitation since March when isolation measures began. Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams Internet Child Exploitation unit reported a 50 per cent increase to 243 reported instances. One quarter of all human trafficking victims are under the age of 18.

The best way financial institutions can keep up the pressure on traffickers is to continue to work to remove the one incentive all human traffickers have in common: Money.

Money can be used for good or used for bad and, unfortunately, COVID-19 has increasingly driven bad money online. Stopping bad money flows and knowing that can help mitigate human trafficking gives significance to the work anti-money laundering and financial investigative units are doing at banks in Canada and worldwide.

A 2017 report from Polaris on industry touch points, one of the largest holders of survivor data in the world, makes it clear the financial services industry is best situated to identify and report suspected traffickers, given that it is the industry most trafficking businesses used.

In Canada, a private-public partnership called Project Protect formed in 2016 between the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), law enforcement and major Canadian banks to detect, deter and stop human trafficking money trails, is having some success. As a direct result of the projects collective research on refining red flag indicators of human trafficking suspicious transaction reports to FINTRAC increased to 4,200 from 450 in 2017. This past year, FINTRAC provided 251 disclosures of financial intelligence directly related to human trafficking from suspicious transaction reports to police forces across Canada.

That success is helped by banks following the news, looking for individuals suspected of being involved in these types of crimes, and studying accounts for transactional behaviours similar to what has been seen in the past. In addition, banks actively evaluate new technologies and how they can be subverted by human traffickers, as well as how the banks can leverage the latest technologies to look for patterns of illicit financial transactions, especially those potentially related to human trafficking or child exploitation.

Initiatives such as Project Protect and the Financial Access Project  launched by the Liechtenstein Initiatives Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking to encourage international banks to set up projects to promote banking services to survivors of human trafficking  are ways in which financial services are helping banks around the world connect to make a difference. But there is more to do.

It is my personal goal and that of my peers in banking not only to make a difference in Canada, but in the world in the prevention of human trafficking.
A woman celebrating her birthday this weekend is believed to be the oldest person living in the US.

Hester Ford, from Charlotte, North Carolina, celebrated her 116th birthday with some of her loved ones around her.

The mother-of-12 is believed to be the oldest person to live in the US, Metro reports, and joins the very selective club of supercentenarians around the world who are 110 or older.

With 48 grandchildren, Hester heads a large family, which counts 200 great-grandchildren in total.

She marked the event with a drive-thru birthday party with some of her family members on Thursday ahead of her actual birthday, which fell on Saturday.

Hester Ford, from Charlotte, North Carolina, celebrated her 116th birthday this weekend, with some of her loved ones around her during a 'drive-thru' birthday party

Hester, who was born in South Carolina before the First World War in 1904 has become a celebrity in Charlotte, where she's lived for the past 59 years.

She is so well-known in her community that Charlotte's mayor, Vi Lyles, has declared August 15th Mother Hester Ford Day, in honour of her birthday.

Hester herself is confused as to how she's managed to live so long.

She became the US's oldest resident after the last title holder, New Yorker Alelia Murphy died at 115 years old in November 2019.

Alelia said she ate a banana for breakfast every day and did not require hospital treatment until 2008.

An undated family photo of young Hester. The matriarch has had 12 children, and counts 48 grandchildren and 200 great grandchildren amongst her current family members

Hester is the matriarch of a large family and can count 12 children, 48 grandchildren and 200 great-grandchildren amongst her living family members.

She married her husband John Ford when she was 14, in 1918. John, who was a steel worker, died aged 57 in 1963, meaning she has survived him for 57 years, and has lived twice as long as him.

At 116, Hester is the world's third-oldest living person after Japan's Kane Tanaka, who turned 117 on January 2 and Lucile Randon, a French woman who is 116 years old, and only seven months older than Hester, having been born on 11 February 1904.

Hester herself said she had no idea how she manage to live so long. She is the third-oldest person in the world

Hester celebrated her birthday with some members of her family and loved ones at a drive-thru birthday party

Hester celebrating her big day with one of her 200 great-grandchildren. Hester has lived twice as long as her husband John, who died aged 57 in 1963

However, there is some debate over Hester's exact date of birth.

She herself believes she was been born in 1905, which would make her 115, but new documents uncovered last year suggest she was born a year earlier in 1904.

If she was born in 1905 as she previously believed, Hester would still be the sixth oldest person in the world and would still be the oldest person to still be alive in the US.

The oldest person ever Jeanne Calment, from France, who lived to see 122 and 164 days and died on 4 August 1997.

The US's oldest resident ever was Sarah Knauss, from Pennsylvania, who lived to reach 119 years and died on 30 December 1999.
Russell Brand has been accused of 'mansplaining feminism' after he criticised Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's music video for WAP [Wet A*s P***y].

The comedian, 45, shared a video of himself discussing the hit song and whether it was a 'feminist masterpiece or porn'.

But on social media, many said it was ironic of Brand to criticise women for celebrating their sexuality when he used to boast of his own promiscuity.

Reacting to #WAP - Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's controversial new music video...

What do you think of this analysis...?

Full video: https://t.co/68ts6ZsZuw pic.twitter.com/hblm4kQvr4  Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) August 14, 2020

Prompting fury: Russell Brand has been accused of 'mansplaining feminism' after he criticised Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's music video for WAP

In the video, Brand says: 'If male hip hop tropes are about the potency of male sexuality... and then the female video is a sort of celebration of sexual potency

'Its an emulation of a template that already exists and was established by males.

'Is it equality if the template has already been established by the former dominator? The answer is no.'

The actor then goes on to compare the music video to the leadership style of Margaret Thatcher.

Controversy: WAP contains provocative lyrics about sex and desire with a number of very suggestive innuendos

Angry: Many on social media accused Brand of mansplaining and said how women use their bodies isn't up to him

He said: 'Was Margaret Thatcher a feminist icon? No, because the values that she extolled, espoused and conveyed were male values. She was a woman-man. She was a very, very powerful person, a brilliant politician.

'But her premiership did not lead to more opportunity for women, more success for women, conventional female values such as nurture, caringness, equality.'

Brand's comments sparked fury among many online who accused him of trying to mansplain feminism.

They said it was not his place to tell a pair of black women what they should be able to sing about.

Disagreement: A number of people shared their outrage at the actor's comments, saying he misunderstands modern feminism=

Explosive: He has come under scrutiny for slamming the video

Among the replies to his video were: 'Congratulations to Russell Brand for mansplaining to women how they should enjoy WAP and their own sexuality.'

Another said: 'I'm bored of men thinking it's their place to decide what is and what isn't female empowerment.'

Others also resurfaced an old interview where Brand admitted most of the child rearing at home is left to his wife and he refuses to change his babies' nappies.

Ironic: Others resurfaced an old interview where Brand admitted most of the child rearing at home is left to his wife and he refuses to change his babies' nappies

He said in an interview with The Times that he adopted a more 'mystical', 'religious' and 'reflective' attitude when it comes to parenting, leaving the most practical aspects to wife Laura Gallacher.

One person wrote on Twitter: 'Don't remember Russell Brand worrying about the "templates of the dominator" when he was "too religious" to change nappies?'

The song WAP contains provocative lyrics about sex and desire with a number of very suggestive innuendos.

In the video, the pair also bared flesh and twerked in a number of barely-there outfits.
On behalf of the Party, State, NA and the people of Vietnam, Chairwoman Ngan thanked King Norodom Sihamoni, President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and Prime Minister Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian National Assembly Heng Samrin and President of the Cambodian Senate Say Chhum for their condolences to Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong, other Vietnamese leaders and the family of former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu.

She said the Vietnamese Party, State, NA and people will join efforts with the Cambodian Peoples Party, State, National Assembly and people of Cambodia to nurture, foster and deepen the good neighbours, traditional friendship, comprehensive, sustainable and long-term cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia across fields, benefiting people of the two nations, and peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) and President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Heng Samrin (Photo: VNA)

For his part, Heng Samrin expressed his deep condolences over the death of Vietnamese former leader, stressing that former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu was a very good friend of Cambodia, who had directly involved in the building and development of Cambodia after the country escaped from the genocidal regime, and regularly promoted the strengthening of bilateral relations.

Heng Samrin affirmed that he will work to further promote the Cambodia-Vietnam relations, for the benefit of the two peoples, for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

He spoke highly of Vietnams attainments under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), and expressed his belief that the Vietnamese people will obtain greater achievements in its national building and safeguarding.

He highly appreciated cooperation and close coordination between the two countries in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Heng Samrin also congratulated Vietnam on its successful organisation of the 36th ASEAN Summit, highlighting the importance of the event in the context that regional countries are facing difficulties in responding to the COVID-19 crisis.

He expressed his belief that Vietnam will also successfully organise the 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 41), and affirmed that the National Assembly of Cambodia is ready to support and cooperate with the Vietnamese National Assembly to contribute to the success of the event.

He took this occasion to thank the Party, State and people of Vietnam for their help and support for the Cambodian Peoples Party, the State and people of Cambodia during their national liberation and their getting rid of genocide as well as the present national building and development.

NA Chairwoman Ngan praised Cambodia's efforts in the fight against COVID-19. She suggested the two countries continue to work closely and inform each other about policies and measures to prevent and control the pandemic.

Border localities of the two countries need to strengthen coordination in medical quarantine so as to both contain the spread of the disease and maintain border trade between the two countries, she said.

Applauding the two NAs ratification of the 2019 Supplementary Treaty and the Protocol on the Demarcation and Marker Planting of Land Boundary, and the signing of legal documents that acknowledging the progress in land border demarcation and marker planting between the two countries achieved 84 percent so far, Ngan said that these are very important basis for the two sides to build a border of peace, friendship and sustainable cooperation.

She proposed the two countries NAs continue working closely to support their governments to quickly complete the next relevant work.

NA Chairwoman Ngan thanked Cambodia for its contributions to Vietnams ASEAN Year 2020, and the 36th ASEAN Summits success, expressing her hope that Cambodia will continue to support ASEANs common perception, and closely coordinate with Vietnam to help the country fulfil its role as the ASEAN Chair 2020, the President of AIPA 41 in 2020, and the non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 term.

She affirmed Vietnam pledges to support and coordinate closely with Cambodia to successfully organise the 13th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 13) next year./.
Sharon Stone has revealed her younger sister Kelly has COVID-19, and is confined to a frightening-looking hospital room.

Taking to Instagram, the Hollywood actress, 62, posted a photo of a solitary room with a large yellow tube being fed into it, surrounded my PPE-clad doctors.

Revealing Kelly, 59, was being treated in the room, Sharon captioned the image: 'My sister Kelly, who already has lupus, now has COVID-19. This is her hospital room.

Worrying: Sharon Stone has revealed her younger sister Kelly has COVID-19, and is confined to a frightening-looking hospital room [the sisters are pictured in 2015]

'One of you Non-Mask wearers did this. She does not have an immune system. The only place she went was the pharmacy.

'There is no testing in her county unless you are symptomatic, & then its 5 day wait for results.

Can YOU FACE THIS ROOM ALONE? Wear a mask! For yourself and others. Please. [sic]'

It's believed Kelly is at a hospital in Miami, although she had been self-isolating in Montana with her husband.

MailOnline has approached reps for comment.

In pain: Kelly shared a selfie from her hospital bed, oxygen tubes connected to her nose

'CAN YOU FACE THIS ROOM ALONE?' Taking to Instagram, the Hollywood actress, 62, posted a photo of a solitary room with a large yellow tube being fed into it

Sharon wrote: 'One of you Non-Mask wearers did this!'

'My sister Kelly, who already has lupus, now has COVID-19. This is her hospital room': PPE-clad doctors also featured in the images at the hospital

Frightening: It's believed Kelly is at a hospital in Miami

Kelly took to Instagram herself to post a video from her hospital bed, lying in the dark, 'begging' her followers 'to know that this is real'.

'I am gasping... for every breath!' she said in the clip, uploaded in the early hours of Sunday morning. 'Please do this for the people that you love: stand behind more tests, more masks.

'Demand everyone wear masks. You never, ever want to feel like this. I promise you!'

Becoming tearful she added: 'I only have love. My heart is breaking for people who can't breathe!'

She took to Instagram herself to post a video from her hospital bed, lying in the dark, 'begging' her followers 'to know that this is real'

'I am gasping... for every breath!' Becoming tearful she added - 'I only have love. My heart is breaking for people who can't breathe!'

Two days before her hospital admission, Kelly shared a snap of herself with her husband, captioning it: 'This is us. March 13. Drove to our paradise in Montana. We thought covid wouldnt and couldnt find us.

'No shopping, no parties, barely saw a human. Now fighting for a breath. You dont want covid. [sic]'

Kelly - who is close with her older sister Sharon - has been vocal about a number of health issues during the pandemic, using her Instagram to promote the donation of blood plasma, as well as sharing information for those with depression and suffering hunger.

Two days before her hospital admission, Kelly shared a snap of herself with her husband, captioning it: 'This is us. March 13. Drove to our paradise in Montana. We thought covid wouldnt and couldnt find us'

Doing her bit: Back in April, Kelly posted to social media to reveal she had 'spent the day making masks'

'Thank you': Kelly was sure to thank those on the front line treating her condition

Sharon and Kelly have worked together on Planet Hope - a scheme they started in 1993 - after Kelly battled emotional and physical problems.

In 2015, Kelly was presented with an award for her philanthropy in Miami.

Her big sister flew from her base in Los Angeles to give her the award, saying at the time: 'Shes amazing, she really is. Shes dedicated so much time to helping others, and now she is fighting for her own life.'

Documenting her struggle: Kelly shared an image of her X-ray results

Sisters: Kelly - who is close with her older sister Sharon - has been vocal about a number of health issues during the pandemic, using her Instagram to promote the donation of blood plasma, as well as sharing information for those with depression and suffering hunger [pictured in 2013]

Philanthropy: Sharon and Kelly have worked together on Planet Hope - a scheme they started in 1993 - after Kelly battled emotional and physical problems [pictured in 2011]

She was referring to the chemotherapy treatment Kelly was undergoing at the time for her lupus condition.

Back in April, Kelly posted to social media to reveal she had 'spent the day making masks'.

Uploading a snap of herself wearing a checked one, she captioned the snap: 'I havent sewn in years. Flawed but fun & beautiful to create. Its no joke. Be safe. Wear a mask. I wear a mask for my family, my friends and you.  [sic]'

Honoured: In 2015, Kelly was presented with an award for her philanthropy in Miami [pictured]

Her big sister flew from her base in Los Angeles to give her the award, saying at the time: 'Shes amazing, she really is. Shes dedicated so much time to helping others, and now she is fighting for her own life'

'This is our friend Kevin': Jennifer Aniston warned of the dangers of COVID-19 in July by posting a graphic photo of a friend with the coronavirus hooked up to a ventilator in hospital. Kelly re-shared it at the time

In July, Kelly re-shared Jennifer Aniston's post about one of her friends, hooked up to a ventilator in hospital, having also contracted the coronavirus.

Jennifer used her fame and social media platform to encourage people to wear mask, captioning the image: 'This is our friend Kevin. Perfectly healthy, not one underlying health issue. This is Covid. This is real

'We can't be so naive to think we can outrun this...if we want this to end, and we do, right? The one step we can take is PLEASE #wearadamnmask.'

The actress, 51, went on: 'Just think about those who've already suffered through this horrible virus. Do it for your family. And most of all yourself. Covid affects all ages.'
Democratic vice-presidential nominee Senator Kamala Harris, during her maiden address to the Indian-American community, reflected on her proud Indian heritage and recalled how her mother always wanted to instil in her a love for good idli.

Harris, 55, who is the first black to be selected as a vice-presidential candidate of a major party, took a trip down the memory lane, mentioning her long walks in Madras (now Chennai) with her grandfather who would tell her about the heroes responsible for the birth of the worlds largest democracy.

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, 77, scripted history by selecting Harris, an Indian-American and an African-American, as his running mate in the presidential election on November 3.

Born to a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, California senator Harris, if elected, would be second in line of succession after Biden.

Today on August 15, 2020. I stand before you as the first candidate for vice president of the United States of South Asian descent, Harris said in her address organised by Indians for Biden National Council.

Joined by Biden, she greeted Indian Americans on the occasion of Indias Independence Day.

To the people of India and to Indian Americans all across the US, I want to wish you a happy Indian Independence Day. On August 15, 1947, men and women all over India rejoiced in the declaration of the independence of the country of India, Harris said during the virtual inaugural meet of the council.

Harris was born on October 20 in 1964, at Oakland in California. Her mother Shyamala Gopalan migrated to the US from Tamil Nadu in India, while her father, Donald J Harris, moved to the US from Jamaica. When my mother, Shyamala stepped off the plane in California as a 19-year- old, she didnt have much in the way of belongings. But she carried with her lessons from back home, including ones she learned from her parents, my grandmother Rajan, and her father, my grandfather P V Gopalan. They taught her that when you see injustice in the world, you have an obligation to do something about it, Harris said.

Which is what inspired my mother to march and shout on the streets of Oakland, at the height of the civil rights movement, a movement where leaders including Dr Martin Luther King Jr, were themselves inspired by the non-violent activism of Mahatma Gandhi, she said.

Harris said it was during those protests that her mother met her father. The rest, as they say, is history, she said.

Growing up, my mother would take my sister Maya and me back to what was then called Madras because she wanted us to understand where she had come from and where we had ancestry. And of course, she always wanted to instil in us, a love of good idli, Harris said.

In Madras I would go on long walks with my grandfather, who at that point was retired. We would take morning walks where Id hold his hand and he would tell me about the heroes who are responsible for the birth of the worlds biggest democracy. He would explain that its on us to pick up where they left off. Those lessons are a big reason why I am who I am today, Harris said explaining the deep influence of the Indian heritage on her.

Our community is bound together by so much more than our shared history and culture, she said. The reason there is a kinship between everyone who are a product of the South Asian diaspora, no matter how diverse our backgrounds may be, is because we also share a set of values: values forged by overcoming colonial past, not only in one nation but in two, Harris said.

Values like tolerance pluralism, and diversity and reflecting on the past 73 years its remarkable how much progress, people have made in the fight for justice. And should be proud. But we wouldnt be if we didnt commit ourselves to building an even better future. So, I hope you celebrate today, and then tomorrow, I hope you join me in getting to work, she said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 15:51:50|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Public Security has issued a major revision to the regulation on the procedures for police handling criminal cases.

The revision, following the revision of the Criminal Procedure Law in late 2018, introduces provisions implementing the requirement of judicial reforms and improving the standards of law enforcement of the police force.

The revision covers various areas of police work related to criminal cases, including the systems of compulsory measures, case-filing, investigation and the handling of property involved in criminal cases.

New articles were also brought in to implement the policy of "lenient penalties on suspects who admit their guilt and accept punishment," and specify the new requirement on obtaining evidence.

The current regulation was last amended in 2012, and the revised one will enter into force as of Sept. 1. Enditem
Several hundred women gathered in front of the Belarusian Embassy in Moscow on Saturday to protest against the violent crackdown on demonstrators in Belarus after the elections there.

Demonstrators dressed mainly in white, carried flowers, sang songs and read poems.

They held a long white ribbon that they called a "chain of solidarity," mirroring an earlier protest held by women in the Belarusan capital Minsk.

"This event is in solidarity with the women of Belarus who are coming out to protest peacefully with flowers and white clothes against violence. We are also against violence. As you might have noticed, there are many of us," said Masha, a young protester holding the ribbon.

Last Sunday's elections in Belarus saw long-standing President Alexander Lukashenko win over 80 percent of the vote and a sixth consecutive term in office, according to official but contested results.

An estimated 7,000 people were detained in Belarus the first days after the election as large crowds gathered in cities to contest the legitimacy of the vote.

Russian police in Moscow did not intervene to disperse the crowd during the Moscow protest on Saturday, and many cars passing by in traffic honked their horns in support of the protesters.

"I came to this protest of solidarity because throughout this week, I felt so much pain as I watched online (what is happening in Belarus)," said Ilya Silivyostrov, one of the few men in the chain.

"And I relate it to us (in Russia), because when our president loses his elections he will act in the same manner, so I can't stand to the side now," he added.

Many of the protesters compared the situation in Belarus to Russia.

"We see that the same things are happening in Russia and Belarus; we have plenty of political repressions here as well," said Svetlana Shafieva.

"I'm the mother of a political prisoner and I understand the Belarusian people and Belarusian mothers," she added.

Image credits: @steven_pifer/Twitter
The Reno office of the National Weather Service warned Northern California of a fiery tornado Saturday afternoon that had sprung up near a large, fast-moving wildfire in the Sierra.

Thats right: A firenado.

It is the first known issuance of a tornado warning for the climate phenomenon since it burst into Californias consciousness during the deadly Carr Fire in 2018.

Wendell Hohmann, the NWS forecaster who penned the tornado warning said that it was the first time to his knowledge of a tornado warning of this nature.

Its probably the first time its been issued outside of a thunderstorm environment, Hohmann said.

Just before 3 p.m., Hohmann, working from the Reno forecast office, observed a cloud forming in Lassen County by the 2,300-acre wildfire which started in Sierra County in the Tahoe National Forest. He and his colleagues knew it was capable of forming into a tornado and spreading fire around the area.

Winds hit 60 mph in the area, whipping up the cloud, posing an extremely dangerous situation for firefighters, according to the warning.

The Loyalton Fire to the east of the Sierra Valley exploded most impressively this afternoon, with a very large pyrocumulus and reports of fire tornadoes, the warning said. Due to the possibility of very strong fire-generated winds and extreme fire behavior with danger to fire personnel, a tornado warning was issued to heighten awareness in the area of the fire

Nonstop crazy lightning strikes hammer Bay Area amid severe thunderstorm warning

Dan Satterfield, a meteorologist who blogs about wild weather for the American Geophysical Union, wrote on Saturday: Fire tornadoes happen, but the issuance of a tornado warning on one is a first.

Hohmann and other forecasters decided that, though unconventional, the tornado warning was the most effective form of messaging to warn people in the vicinity of the bizarre phenomenon.

Forecasters warned area residents to stay out of the fire zone. By 3:30 p.m., the Reno NWS office said on social media that the fire cloud had weakened and the threat of a tornado forming was diminished. The tornado warning was allowed to expire, though forecasters warned that extreme fire behavior will continue into this evening.

Story continues

Later on Saturday, social media began to light up with video of a tornado near Halleujah Junction, several miles east. One observer, Barry Winston, posted video of the tornado in a time-lapse, showing it exploding in size.





The "Fire Tornado" #LoyaltonFire is less than 20 miles away.



Here's some photos my friend took on the road sometime this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/jR076cmVwR  Gingeroo #CA01 #WearAMask (@Destiny22Ginger) August 16, 2020





A fire tornado in California because it wouldnt be 2020 without one pic.twitter.com/5HbJVsugVm  Natasha Del Riego (@ndelriego) August 16, 2020





The first Fire Tornado to set off the fire tornado warning in history. Incident occurred today in Northen California. #LoyaltonFIRE pic.twitter.com/ISSzR5mVa2  SV News (@SVNewsAlerts) August 16, 2020

Evacuations ordered in Sierra County

The Loyalton Fire, which is mainly burning in Sierra County, has charred more than 20,000 acres since sparking on Friday near Mount Ina Coolbrith, which is east of Loyalton. Officials in the Tahoe National Forest, where the fire is burning, said the blaze is mainly consuming grass, sage and juniper and was 5% contained Saturday afternoon.

Fire behavior is extreme, and a smoke column will be visible throughout the Sierra Valley and North Reno, fire officials wrote around 4 p.m.

Mandatory evacuations are in place for several residents living near Highway 70, which is closed from Highway 49 to Highway 395. Highway 395 is closed from Hallelujah Junction to Border Town, federal officials said.

Loyalton Fire in Sierra County

Source: National Interagency Fire Center

Whats a fire tornado?

Before the Carr Fire, there had been only one documented case of a so-called firenado in the Canberra Firestorm of 2003 in Australia making this an extremely rare event, according to Neil Lareau, a scientist and professor at University of Nevada, Reno.

The event in 2018 in Shasta County was the second such event, scientists said at the time.

Lareau, who spoke to The Sacramento Bee in 2018, and two co-authors released a study documenting the fire tornado and the factors which contributed to its formation.

The tornado formed its spin because of a pre-existing wind condition called a shear, and because of clouds formed on top of the fire plume, Lareau said.

A fire-fueled thunderstorm cloud can form on top of the fires smoke plume, allowing the plume to grow vertically very quickly, he said.

When the plumes grow, a wind condition called shear happens near the ground. Shear is a wind pattern in which wind is blowing in two opposite directions very close to each other  Lareau compared it to a busy freeway with a center divider.

The wind blowing in opposite directions is what formed the tornados spin, Lareau said. He said its similar to how a paddle wheel, placed in the center divider of the busy freeway, would begin to spin rapidly.

Lareau said that much of the radar and satellite technology used in monitoring the event could have potential applications in a warning system.

Its not a panacea, Lareau said in 2018. There are a number of things to be done to mitigate fire damage in California. But minutes matter.
(Natural News) Dave Hodges of TheCommonSenseShow.com has posted a video that raises important new questions about the Millie Weaver arrest, including the fact that authorities are apparently claiming Weaver and her husband have been indicted under a secret grand jury indictment.

UPDATE: New information has emerged that appears to clarify many of the original questions posed in this article. See the new video below, Why Alex Jones fired Millie Weaver.

Is this the Soviet Union or something? Since when are U.S. citizens arrested after being charged under secret grand jury indictments?

Adding to the questions, Alex Jones of InfoWars also said in a video posted yesterday on Banned.video that Millie Weaver isnt even being officially told what shes being charged with.

Other media sources are currently reporting that the Portage County Jail in Ohio is claiming they have Weaver and her husband in custody, and they are claiming the following charges are included against them in a secret indictment: robbery, obstruction of justice, tampering with evidence and domestic violence. All these charges appear to be completely fictitious.

The Washington Standard cites Walter Fitzpatrick, who has engaged in many years of research and action against unlawful grand juries. Fitzpatrick explains:

Discussions at the Free Republic suggest were dealing with an Ohio State grand jury. If so, Mrs. Weaver has suffered false arrest and unlawful imprisonment at the hands of an unconstitutionally assembled collection of people appropriating the title of grand jury Millie Weavers grand jury, if it was an Ohio state grand jury, is a complete fraud. Her arrest can be quashed and she can be released to freedom right now. Incidentally, this is precisely the type and kind of jury fixing, jury tampering, jury rigging Millie addresses in the last 25 minutes or so of Shadow Gate.

Furthermore, there was no arrest warrant produced at the time of the arrest, and according to the public video of the arrest, it appears that there was only a single law enforcement officer present at the arrest.

Deep background sources informed me shortly after the arrest that Weaver was actually abducted by the deep state under a false arrest. This information appears to be consistent with what Dave Hodges is saying in the video below, where he wonders whether Millie Weaver and her husband are the first on-camera NDAA arrests in U.S. history.

The NDAA, put in place under Obama, allows the federal government to declare U.S. citizens to be enemy combatants and have them secretly indicted and secretly incarcerated, completely outside the rule of law. Perhaps thats why everything about this situation seems to be so strange its not taking place under constitutional law.

Not a fake arrest stunt for publicity

Its important to note that some internet observers think Millie Weavers arrest was faked or staged as a stunt to promote her new documentary file, ShadowGate. We do not believe this was staged. Its far more likely that the oddities of her arrest stem from the fact that this is the deep state trying to take out someone they see as dangerous because Millie Weavers new documentary is so damning and powerful.

So far, more than 40 people have uploaded her documentary to Brighteon.com, the free speech alternative to YouTube.

You can watch the entire documentary for free at the following link on Brighteon.com:

Brighteon.com/fde592b6-4efd-415a-8268-f29bf288ac65

That link is not allowed to be shared on Facebook and Twitter, as they have blacklisted the entire Brighteon.com domain.

The following alternative link may work for sharing, but probably only temporarily:

Brlghteon.com/fde592b6-4efd-415a-8268-f29bf288ac65

Share these links everywhere, and keep posting the documentary to as many alternative sites as possible. The best way to help Millie Weaver is to expose and take down Obamas deep state traitors who are still running many elements of the corrupt federal government.

And vote for Trump, since Trump is right now on the verge of exposing and taking down many of the most powerful swamp creatures who are behind all this treason and tyranny.

Remember: In 2017, I declared Obama to be a sleeper cell traitor to America, and in the years since, weve learned shocking details that prove that to be true.

#FreeMillie

UPDATE video from LibertyHangout.tv:
Ramallah, Aug 16 : Palestine has said that it will not allow the undermining of the Arab Peace Initiative and the resolutions of the UN, the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed an agreement with Israel.

"The address for achieving a just and comprehensive peace is Ramallah and the Palestinian leadership, headed by President Mahmoud Abbas, through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital in accordance with international legitimacy decisions, and peace will not be at any price," Xinhua news agency quoted government spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh as saying in a statement on Saturday.

Abu Rudeineh added that the independence of Palestinian leadership's decisions will not be compromised and that its national standards are "not for sale".

On August 13, Israel and the UAE reached the historic agreement, brokered by the US, to work towards a "full normalization of relations." As part of the agreement, Israel will suspend the annexation of Palestinian lands in the occupied West Bank, while it focuses on expanding ties with other Arab countries with other nations in the Muslim world.

The UAE and Israel will also immediately expand and accelerate cooperation regarding the treatment of and the development of a vaccine for coronavirus.

According to reports, this is the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab country in 25 years.

But, Palestine has slammed the peace agreement, saying it was "disgraceful" and a "blow to the Arab Peace Initiative and the decisions of the Arab and Islamic summits, and an aggression against the Palestinian people".
Luxury car manufacturers Mercedes-Benz India and Audi are hopeful that sales momentum will pick up in the upcoming festive season. The German automakers said they look forward to the overall business scenario improving gradually over the next few months.

The carmakers expect the introduction of digital measures and financial tools, comprising low EMO solutions, to help draw more customers.

The auto industry is among the worst affected by coronavirus-related disruptions in the economy and the approaching festive season is being anticipated to provide some cushion to companies.

Mercedes-Benz India Managing Director and CEO Martin Schwenk told PTI that the company is "confident of customer demand gradually coming back by the festive season as this is the time customers want to celebrate and that in-turn drives sentiment." He further added that "our month-on-month sales trend signals towards that revival of sentiments."

The automaker has taken a host of initiatives to boost customer sentiment and to bring back the confidence required, he added.

Also Read: Mercedes maintains the top spot in luxury car segment for 5th year in a row

"We are aiming to reach similar levels like previous years, though it will not be an easy task," Schwenk said when asked about sales expectations this festive season.

Similarly, Audi India Head Balbir Singh Dhillon said that traditionally the festive season has been a strong sales period for the auto industry.

While customer sentiment has been low during the lockdown, the silver lining is the pent-up demand that could materialise into sales over the period, he noted.

"We are seeing positive customer sentiment in the luxury car market and anticipate it to become even stronger with the upcoming festive season," Dhillon said.

The company's recently launched products -- A6, A8 L, Q8, and RS 7 Sportback -- would help in mustering new customers, he added.

"Adding to this cheer will be our upcoming cracking launches before and during the festive season, including the Audi RS Q8 amongst others," Dhillon said.

The company also anticipates its pre-owned car business to further pick up steam during the festive period.

"The company's pre-owned car business has seen growth in 2019 and we expect strong demand to continue in 2020," Dhillon said.

When asked which markets were doing better for the brand, Schwenk said, "We have seen that irrespective of the market category, wherever stability and normalcy has been restored and business is back, we have seen positive movement and sentiments developing."

Also Read: Audi launches flagship SUV Q8 in India; prices begin at Rs 1.33 crore

The revival of sentiments has been across metros and smaller markets, he added.

When asked how smaller cities and towns were performing for Audi, Dhillon said, "Our sales in tier-II and III cities are growing gradually and we expect it to pick up further during the festive season and through 2021."

The company continues to expand its footprint in tier-II and tier-III cities as these regions exhibit rising aspirations to own luxury cars, he added.

"The contribution to volume is increasing steadily in these cities. We also see a positive trend of customers in these cities who have an appetite for performance and lifestyle cars with new body styles," he added.

The company's digital initiatives are also taking it closer to customers in smaller towns, Dhillon said.

The automaker has taken the digital experience to the living rooms of its customers and is giving them the flexibility to purchase their preferred Audi car, he said.

Also Read: Business as usual, Mercedes launches SUV GLS worth a crore

Commenting on the overall dynamics of the segment, Deloitte India, Partner and Leader Automotive, Rajeev Singh said the luxury car market in India has so far seen a very slow start given the transition from BS-IV (Bharat Stage-IV) to BS-VI emission standards, followed by the pandemic and lockdown across major cities.

"However, we expect pent-up demand around the festive season carried over till the new year," he noted.

Most luxury car players have also strengthened their online channels keeping in mind the pent-up demand and have also come out with innovative ownership/payment options to attract customers, Singh said.

"While the overall luxury car market is likely to be flat to minus 5 per cent in FY20-21, it's better than the outlook for the overall passenger vehicle (PV) industry, which is likely to see a de-growth of 15 to 20 per cent," he added.

(With PTI inputs)
The statue of former prime minister Pierre Trudeau in a Vaughan park has been vandalized for the second time in two months.

The statue, in Pierre Elliott Trudeau Park near Bathurst Street and Clark Avenue, was sprayed with white paint and has the word pedo written on its base.

I am disappointed to learn acts of vandalism are taking place in our city as these actions do not reflect the values Vaughan stands for, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua tweeted Sunday.

In an attachment to his tweet, Bevilacqua said that the late Trudeau created opportunities for Canadians and newcomers, allowing them to live peacefully and free from discrimination.

These values must continue to be reflected in our city and country as we continue to build a fair, just and compassionate society, he added.

In 1971, the former prime minister declared that Canada would adopt a multicultural policy, leading to the Canadian Multiculturalism Act where the countrys diversity societal segments are recognized and respected.

The mayor also added that York Region police is taking immediate action and launching a probe.

Just two months ago, police said they received a call from a resident on June 18 reporting that the face of the statue was spray-painted black. Police said at the time that the incident was being investigated as a hate crime.
Anti-Biden Demonstrations in Milwaukee Start Sunday -- Schedule Released

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Randall Terry

Aug. 15, 2020

MILWAUKEE, Wisc., Aug. 15, 2020 /Standard Newswire/ -- Starting on Sunday, August 16, 2020, Randall Terry, founder of Operation Rescue, will lead peaceful activities at events as follows:

Sunday, August 16, Milwaukee*

Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist

8:15 AM  12:15 PM

812 N Jackson ST, Milwaukee, WI 53202



Sunday, August 16, Milwaukee*

Afternoon, various hotels hosting DNC delegates Monday, August 17, Milwaukee**

Morning, DNC Convention protest zone Monday, August 17, Oshkosh**

Afternoon, Pro-Trump Rally (TBA) Tuesday, August 18, Dubuque, Iowa

Dubuque Evening Rally

Details to be announced Wednesday, August 19, Iowa

Cathedral of Saint Raphael

10:00 AM  10:30 AM

231 Bluff ST, Dubuque, IA 52001 Sacred Heart Cathedral

12:30 PM  1:00 PM

422 E 10th ST, Davenport, IA 52803 Des Moines Evening Rally

Details to be announced. Thursday, August 20, Iowa

St. Ambrose Cathedral

10:00 AM  10:30 AM

607 High ST, Des Moines, IA 50309 Trinity Heights

2:00 PM  3:30 PM

2509 33rd St, Sioux City, IA 51108 Sioux City Evening Rally

Details to be announced Friday, August 21, Minnesota

Cathedral of the Epiphany

9:30 AM  10:00 AM

1000 Douglas St, Sioux City, IA 51105 Cathedral of the Holy Trinity

2:15 PM  2:45 PM

605 N State ST, New Ulm, MN 56073 Saturday, August 22, Minnesota

St Cloud Evening Rally

Details to be announced



Saint Mary's Cathedral

10:00 AM  10:30 AM

25 8th AV S, St. Cloud, MN 56301 Minneapolis Evening Rally

Details to be announced



Sunday, August 23, Minnesota

Cathedral of Saint Paul

7:15 AM  1:15 PM

239 Selby AV, St. Paul, MN 55102 Basilica of Saint Mary

11:00AM  12:45 PM

88 17th ST N, Minneapolis, MN 55403 *On Sunday, Aug. 16, actors at the Cathedral will show Biden whipping Jesus while Christ carries his cross; after Jesus falls to the ground, Biden will receive communion. This is to demonstrate the message of Jesus: "What you did to my brothers and sisters, you did to me." **On Monday morning, August 17, Mr. Terry and his family rock band - Insurrecta Nex - will be outside the DNC Convention site playing political parody songs, such as "CNN Sucks," "Trump's Gonna Thump 'Em," and "If You Vote for Joe, You Got Blood on Your Hands." The band will also play later on Monday at the Trump rally.

This schedule will be updated regularly at www.randallterry.com/tour-dates.html

Mr. Terry and a group of activists from four states are on a ten-state tour declaring a simple message: "No Christian can vote for Joe Biden with a clear conscience, because Biden has committed to kill babies by abortion AND force tax payers to pay for the killing."

"We are politely asking Archbishop Listecki to publicly state what be know to be true: It is a sin to vote for a pro-choice candidate. If you vote for someone you know is promoting child killing by abortion, you share in the guilt of the babies that will die."

Mr. Terry is also currently making a documentary, "In the Shadow of the Cathedral," discussing the tragedy of the number of abortion clinics that are located near Cathedrals and major protestant Churches.

Randall Terry states: "Silence equals consent. If Catholic Bishops and Evangelical Pastors do not publicly defend unborn babies in this election, their silence equals collaboration with Joe Biden and the abortionists."

Mr. Terry further states: "If Joe Biden becomes President, millions more babies will die, and the blood will be on the hands of those who voted for him to be President."



SOURCE Randall Terry

CONTACT: Randall Terry, 904-826-9989



Related Links

Original song "CNN Sucks" in Washington Post and Huffington Post: www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/08/01/todays-america-theres-cnn-sucks-band/



News Coverage from Ohio and Pennsylvania: www.randallterry.com/press.html
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center took to Twitter to share an image of a galaxy which has now left people amazed. Captured by NASAs Hubble Space Telescope, its named NGC 1614.

This eccentrically shaped galaxy (NGC 1614) ablaze with activity was captured by @NASAHubble. The galaxy resides about 200 million light-years from Earth and is nestled in the southern constellation of Eridanus (the River), read the caption given by NASA Goddard to this incredible image..

The image was also shared from NASAs main Twitter account. Peculiar, eccentric, and beautiful: thats what we call this galaxy that dazzles from about 200 million light-years away. Captured by @NASAHubble, its actually two galaxies merging to become one, they tweeted.

Along with the tweet, they shared a link to an article by NASA which details that the active galactic merger is the reason behind the galaxys peculiar appearance.

This eccentrically shaped galaxy (NGC 1614) ablaze with activity was captured by @NASAHubble. The galaxy resides about 200 million light-years from Earth and is nestled in the southern constellation of Eridanus (the River). More: https://t.co/dczZxWNsJ2 pic.twitter.com/KM3IGxPGMK  NASA Goddard (@NASAGoddard) August 16, 2020

Since being shared, the post has wowed people and their comments showcase the same.

Groovy, wrote a Twitter user. Wow, so great to see this. NASA you are an eye in space for mankind, expressed another. Its so unbelievable to imagine that ... thanks to NASA for sharing the picture, tweeted a third. Beautiful, wrote a fourth and many agreed.

What do you think of the image?

Also Read | NASA tweets beautiful pictures of Mars. They may make you gasp in wonder

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Anti-fascist activists showed up in strength to oppose the launch of an anti-mask group in Belfast city centre on Saturday.

A large police presence was on hand to keep the two groups apart as Yellow Vest Ulster activists held their first gathering at Cornmarket near Victoria Square Shopping Centre.

Belfast Antifa brought dozens of members to the event, some carrying the anti-fascist flag, the LGBT flag and the flag of the International Brigades, which fought Francos forces in the Spanish Civil War.

They also chanted fascist scum as a Yellow Vest speaker addressed the rally.

Announcing its launch on Thursday, the group posted on its Facebook page: Yellow Vest Ulster launches this Saturday in Belfast, Cornmarket.

Expect anti-lockdown and anti-globalisation speakers.

We must oppose the pandemic lockdown.

Small businesses are being ruined, mental health issues sky-rocketing.

We need to do what Sweden did: protect the vulnerable and (get) the rest of society back to work and study.

The Belfast Antifa page responded with a call for supporters, saying: The fascist Yellow Vest movement are holding a demo in Belfast city centre.

We would like to publicly call on all anti-fascist organisations and individuals to get out on Saturday and oppose them.

A Yellow Vest Ulster member said: We are here for democracy and civil rights. My mother and father marched for civil rights. We will not be silenced.

Another member of the Yellow Vest group from the Republic of Ireland read out a list of demands through a megaphone, including government action on health, housing and natural resources.

One activist who also spoke at the event described mask wearers as muppets.

A police spokesperson said: "Police were in attendance at a protest in the Cornmarket area of Belfast this afternoon. At this stage, no offences have been identified."
Patiala Punjabi University will hold its syndicate meeting on August 17 (Monday) after a gap of one year. The syndicate is the highest decision-making body of a varsity, and the meeting will be held online.

With the university yet to take a call on findings of inquiry reports related to allegations of corruption, nepotism and misuse of funds during 2007-2017, the state higher education department had given repeated directions to the varsity to hold a syndicate meeting at the earliest. The delay in holding the meeting has delayed action against officials and employees indicted in these reports.

A varsity official said they are under immense pressure from state government to decide and fix responsibility in these inquiry reports. The last syndicate meeting, in which administrative issues were taken up, was held on August 21, 2019, under the chairmanship of vice-chancellor (V-C) professor BS Ghuman.

The varsity has circulated a 250-odd page agenda for the meeting, prominently including discussions to decide key inquiry reports pending for the past two years.

The point related to inquiry reports has been prominently listed. It has been specifically mentioned that these reports were opened in the last meeting in 2019. Detailed discussion will be carried to finally decide on these reports. Among other agendas are promotions of teachers, approvals for recent appointments and other administrative decisions, an official said.

Punjab higher education secretary Rahul Bhandari, who is also a member of syndicate, said the agenda will be thoroughly discussed and taken to logical conclusion.

In addition, discussion will be carried out on administrative matters for the betterment of the financial situation of the university, he said. The V-C could not be contacted.

14 PROBES ORDERED IN APR 2017

Following the resignation of former V-C Dr Jaspal Singh in March 2017, the then secretary of higher education, Anurag Verma, was appointed the officiating V-C. Verma had received complaints on irregularities in the universitys functioning from 2007 to 2017. These included allegations of nepotism, corruption, and bungling of funds in the examination branch, among other issues.

On the basis of these complaints, Verma had ordered 14 internal inquiries in April 2017. The sealed reports of these inquiries were handed over to incumbent V-C prof Ghuman in December 2017. The V-C had formed a two-member committee, comprising former IAS officer Jagjit Puri and former IPS officer VK Kapoor, to investigate these internal inquiry reports. The panel had submitted its sealed findings to the university in July 2018, but no action has resulted.

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India brought back some basic services to Kashmir after its shutdown was deemed illegal, but now its restoring some of the services that many people elsewhere take for granted. Reuters reports the Indian government has reactivated 4G services in the Kashmiri areas of Ganderbal and Udhampur on a trial basis. The Supreme Court had deemed the indefinite shutdown illegal.

Its not certain if or when restrictions in other areas would be removed.

The Indian government applied blanket bans on internet access in Kashmir after it revoked partial autonomy in the region. The measure was meant to enforce security in the disputed territory, but it also cut off businesses and other facilities that needed at least some high-speed internet to thrive.

The restoration also comes at an important moment. With the world in the midst of a pandemic, fast mobile data could be vital for education, online shopping and Indias planned health ID cards. In that light, 4G service could represent a safety measure while its still risky to visit others.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) speaks during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing to examine the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, on Capitol Hill in Washington on Aug. 5, 2020. (Carolyn Kaster/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

To Keep Russiagate Hoax Alive, FBI Lied to Senate Intel Committee

Commentary

On Aug. 9, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) went on the Sunday Morning Futures show hosted by Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business Network and dropped a bombshell.

Graham revealed that in February 2018, FBI briefers had intentionally lied to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) when they claimed former MI6 spy Christopher Steeles main source still vouched for the allegations used to obtain a surveillance warrant on the Donald Trump presidential campaign through former adviser Carter Page.

In fact, Steeles source for most of his fake dossier and the Carter Page allegations, a man named Igor Danchenko, had strongly disavowed the Page allegations to the FBI more than a year earlier, in January 2017.

That Steeles top source had repudiated the Page allegations was first revealed last December when Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General Michael Horowitz released his stunning FISA abuse report.

Not until now, more than three years into the Spygate scandal, has the full depth of the FBIs commitment to promoting the Russiagate hoax been revealed.

How Far Were Spygate Plotters Willing to Go?

Let the truth fully sink in: The numerous Spygate plotters who were spread out among the Obama White House, the DOJ, the FBI, the CIA, the U.S. Congress, the State Department, and perhaps even foreign governments were so determined to advance what is now known to be a massive hoax that several top FBI officials deliberately deceived the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Graham is now loudly demanding the names of the FBI briefers who engaged in this deception.

The Senate Intelligence Committee has been rocked by one scandal after another, from former SSCI security chief James Wolfe caught leaking classified information to news reporters to the more recent embarrassing departure of the committees chairman, Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), following a raid on his home by the FBI as part of an insider trading investigation.

It was just two weeks ago when it was revealed that the FBIs supposed defensive briefing of Donald Trump and retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn was, in fact, set up as part of the FBIs counterintelligence investigation of the Trump campaign, called Crossfire Hurricane.

Its certainly enough of a scandal by itself that the FBI obtained its three renewals of the Page warrant by hiding from the FISA court the very relevant disavowal of the information by the person who supposedly gave it to Steele. But now the scandal has only grown worse because of the disclosure that the agency also made deliberately false claims about Steeles source to the U.S. Congress.

The question must now naturally arise: If the DOJ/FBI officials involved in this scandal were willing to engage in this kind of behavior to keep the spying moving forward, up to and including deliberately lying to U.S. senators, what else were they doing that hasnt come to light yet?

As I noted in a recent column, its looking increasingly like the Trump/Russia election collusion hoax was merely a cover story for something far more sinister.

At every crucial juncture where it could have been stopped by the normal checks and balances of the regular oversight process, the hoaxand the legal spying it engenderedwas advanced and maintained only through acts of deliberate fraud and suppression of evidence.

In their recent testimony before congressional committees, former Deputy Attorneys General Rod Rosenstein and Sally Yates both insisted they were kept out of the loop by their subordinates. Both also admitted that if they had known then what they know now, neither would have signed the Page surveillance warrant.

The top officials supposedly supervising this unprecedented government spying operation targeting a presidential campaignand subsequently a presidential administration itselfasserted under oath that their own subordinates went rogue and left them in the dark.

Steeles Most Amazing Magic Trick

Looking back to the early days of the Spygate scandal and all the patently absurd hype that surrounded supposed James Bond Super Spy Christopher Steele, it all now strikes me as comical.

When he wasnt grabbing names off unverifiable anonymous blog posts on the internet to stick them into his dossier (such as he did with entrepreneur Aleksej Gubarev), Steele was pontificating nonsense, such as when he babbled to State Department official Kathleen Kavalec that payments for Kremlin influence operations were being run out of the Russian consulate in Miami.

There is no Russian consulate in Miami, an anecdote that has come to pretty much summarize the quality of the work that Steele was doing for both the FBI and the Hillary Clinton campaign.

Thats nice work if you can get it, being paid big money by both the U.S. government political campaigns for opposition research nobody seems to bother to really check before running with it.

Of all the deceptive magic tricks Steele performed to help launch the Russiagate hoax, it appears his biggest was taking a low-level research assistant at the Brookings Institution and transforming him into a highly connected Kremlin source, supposedly deep in Putins confidence.

Like Steele himself, Danchenko seems to have spent little, if any time, in Russia for the past several decades, an issue I touched on in a recent column.

Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe stated under oath that the warrant to spy on Page wouldnt have been granted without the information supplied to the FBI by Steele, which he claimed came from Danchenko. There appears to have been no discernible effort made by the FBI to verify Danchenkos allegations before the warrant was submitted to the court in late October 2016.

It wasnt until three months later, in January 2017, that FBI agents tracked him down for an interview and learned that, at best, Steele had grossly exaggerated idle speculative gossip over drinks in a bar.

At worst, Steele had made it all up.

The mainstream media is still determined to pretend that Spygate is just a wild right-wing conspiracy theory. In fact, as the emerging documentary evidence continues to show, its the biggest political scandal in world history.

Their attempts to ignore it only calls their own journalistic credibility into serious question.

Brian Cates is a writer based in South Texas and the author of Nobody Asked For My Opinion  But Here It Is Anyway! He can be reached on Twitter @drawandstrike.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Dublin, Aug. 11, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Middle East & Africa Online Payment Methods 2020 and COVID-19's Impact" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Cash on delivery was the leading payment method preferred by online shoppers in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, and other countries in this region, as of 2019. The COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020, however, is changing this perspective, with online shopping platforms and regulators encouraging the use of cashless payment means during the pandemic. Their efforts are already showing results, as close to two-thirds of respondents to an April 2020 survey reported having reduced their use of cash since the outbreak. Mobile money, card, and contactless payments are among the payment methods that are benefitting from consumers turning their backs on cash.



Africa and Middle East's FinTech companies are contributing to the rise of digital payments across the region, with the help of millions of dollars raised during 2019, as the report shows. Some of the stars of the investment rounds include Interswitch and Opay in Nigeria, Tala in Kenya, and Dubai-based Network International which listed its shares on the London Stock Exchange at the beginning of 2019. Furthermore, Kenya's mobile money service M-Pesa is making a major contribution to the development of mobile payment transactions during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Report Coverage

This report covers the online payment market in the Middle East & Africa. It takes into account a wide definition of online payment, including payment methods used in online shopping and mobile payment, such as remote and proximity payments. In addition, information related to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID19) on digital payments in the Middle East, Africa, and worldwide was included in this report.

It features an overview of global online and mobile payment developments.

Information about regional development is included, covering online and mobile payment. A text chart summarizing the impact of COVID-19 news on digital payments in the Middle East & Africa and relevant news about major players, such as payment providers is presented.

The rest of the report contains country-specific information. The countries are grouped by sub-region (Middle East and Africa) are presented in the descending order of B2C E-Commerce sales.

Depending on data availability, the following types of market information are included: payment methods most used by online shoppers, number and value of online/mobile payment transactions, mobile payment usage, and consumer awareness of mobile payment services.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Management Summary

2. Global Developments

COVID-19 Impact on Online & Mobile Payment, May 2020

The Impact of COVID-19 on Payments Revenues, incl. Payments Revenues in 2019, Pre-COVID-19 Forecast, and Payments Revenues Forecast Under The Impact of COVID-19, in USD billion, 2020

Post-COVID-19 Forecast for Digital Commerce & Payments Spending, in USD trillion, 2020f & 2021f Compared to 2019

Share of Respondents Who View Contactless as a Cleaner Way to Pay, in %, April 2020

Payment Methods Most Used When Shopping Online During The Pandemic, in % of Online Shoppers, by Selected Countries, April 2020

Payment Methods Used For the First Time When Shopping Online During The Pandemic, in % of Online Shoppers, by Selected Countries, April 2020

Criteria for Choosing a Payment Method in Online Shopping Which Became More Important Since The Pandemic Outbreak, in % of Online Shoppers, by Selected Countries, April 2020

Online & Mobile Payment Platform Revenues, in USD billion, 2019e & 2024f

Mobile & Online Remote Payment Value, in USD billion, by Selected Regions, 2024f

Mobile & Online Remote Payment Value, in USD billion, by Digital and Physical Goods, 2024f

Payment Methods Preferred in E-Commerce, in % of Online Shoppers, by Selected Regions, January 2019

Share of Online Shoppers Who Had Abandoned a Shopping Cart Due to Their Preferred Payment Method Not Being Offered, in %, January 2019

Share of Mobile Shoppers Who Had Abandoned a Shopping Cart Due to Their Preferred Payment Method Not Being Offered, in %, August 2019

Online Payment Fraud Losses, in USD million, by Segment, 2023f

Online Payment Fraud Prevention Software Spending, in USD billion, 2020f & 2024f

Number of Digital Wallet Users, in billions, 2019e & 2024f

Breakdown of Digital Wallets by Provider's Main Industry, in %, 2019

Proximity Mobile Payment Users, in billions, and Penetration, in % of Smartphone Users, 2018 - 2023f

Value of Mobile Payment Transactions Authenticated via Biometrics, in USD billion, 2019e & 2024f

Overview of Mobile Money Statistics, incl. Number of Live Services, Registered Accounts, in millions, Active Accounts, in millions, Transaction Volume in millions, and Transaction Value, in USD billion, and Year-on-Year Growth, in %, by Region, 2019

3. Middle East & Africa

4. Middle East

5. Africa

Companies Mentioned



Interswitch Ltd

Jumia Technologies AG

Network International Holdings Plc

Noon AD Holdings

Opay

PalmPay Technology Co Ltd

Paytabs

Safaricom Plc

Visa Inc

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/j3zv9r

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ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 03:59:40|Editor: huaxia

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RAMALLAH, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Palestine on Saturday said that it will not allow the undermining of the Arab Peace Initiative and the resolutions of the United Nations, the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed an agreement with Israel, according to the official Palestinian news agency WAFA.

"The address for achieving a just and comprehensive peace is Ramallah and the Palestinian leadership, headed by President Mahmoud Abbas, through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital in accordance with international legitimacy decisions, and peace will not be at any price," said Palestinian President's spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh in a statement published on WAFA.

Abu Rudeineh added that the independence of Palestinian leadership's decisions will not be compromised and that its national standards are "not for sale."

Israel and the UAE have reached an agreement, brokered by the U.S., to work towards a "full normalization of relations."

Under the agreement, Israel said it has agreed to suspend the annexation of Palestinian lands in the occupied West Bank, while it focuses on expanding ties with other Arab countries.

Palestinians were outraged by the peace deal, considering it as "stab in the back." Enditem
On eighth anniversary of Marikana massacre, experts say panels proposals on policing should urgently be made public.

Johannesburg, South Africa  On the eighth anniversary of the killing of dozens of miners by South African police, experts are calling on the government to release a report on recommendations on policing to prevent a repeat of such incidents, at a time when the country is also facing an increasing number of protests.

On August 16, 2012, police shot dead 34 striking miners outside the Lonmin platinum mines on the outskirts of Marikana, in the countrys northwest, in what was the worst act of police brutality since the end of apartheid and became known as the Marikana massacre.

In 2015, a commission of inquiry appointed to investigate the incident requested among others that a panel of experts be set up to revise and amend public-order policing policies.

Chaired by retired judge Ian Farlam, the commission also tasked the panel to investigate the worlds best practices for crowd-management control without resorting to the use of weapons capable of automatic fire.

In July 2018, the panel of local and international members handed to the minister of police a 400-page report with 138 recommendations  but its members say that two years on, parliament has yet to see the reports content and it is still unclear whether any of the recommendations will be implemented.





Panel member David Bruce, an independent researcher on policing, said the panel honoured the provisions of the terms of reference in the Farlam report, including those referring to the demilitarisation and professional conduct of the police force.

Lizette Lancaster, a crime researcher at the Pretoria-based Institute for Security Studies, warned that what happened at Marikana can happen again if the recommendations put forth by the panel are not implemented.

She said the number of protests in South Africa has increased dramatically since authorities imposed in late March a strict lockdown to stem the spread of coronavirus in the country.

According to the ISS, 511 protests were recorded between March 27 and July 31, with the policing of lockdown curbs and crime being the leading cause of demonstrations, followed by labour-related concerns.

Citing a July 27 demonstration in Mamre, Western Cape province, during which hundreds of protesters barricaded roads with burning tyres, Lancaster said police were still ill-equipped to deal with protests including crowd control.

In Mamre, police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowds, with reports saying that at one point a police officer fired indiscriminately into the crowd.

Agreeing with Lancaster, Bruce said the panels recommendations have particular salience now because of the current waves of protests.





Overall, some 47 people were killed in Marikana between August 12-16, 2012, including miners, four security guards and two police officers.

Eight years later, there have been no convictions and campaigners say the failure to hold those accountable responsible is fuelling further police violence in South Africa.

According to the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI), the Independent Police Investigative Directorate registered more than 42,000 complaints against the police between 2012 and 2019. Of them, fewer than five percent led to any type of conviction, the human rights group said.

The brutality we witnessed at Marikana continues. The lack of accountability continues, SERI said in a Facebook post on Sunday marking the events eight years ago.

Low levels of trust

Adele Kirsten, director of Gun Free South Africa, said the Marikana anniversary is a strategic moment to make the panels report public.

She said its members wrote last month to the Minister of Police Bheki Cele calling for the release of the recommendations but they have not received any response.

The panel is also putting pressure on parliament, Kirsten said.

Another member of the panel, Themba Masuku, programme manager of the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum, said: We want the public to know the contents of the recommendations. They have a right to know what their tax money is being used for.

In 2018, a survey by Afrobarometer found that fewer people in South Africa trusted police than any other public institutions, with 66 percent of respondents saying they trusted the police not at all or just a little (41 and 25 percent, respectively).

One of the purposes of the panels work was that policing itself must become a positive government service, said member Gareth Newham, head of the justice and violence prevention programme at the ISS.

He added that the panel also considered the role of the top management of the police in the 2012 killings and also looked into political interference in the police.

For Lancaster, the fact that the panel probed questions of political interference into the massacre and the involvement of politicians who still hold positions of power means that government is not rushing to release the recommendations.

Lancaster said: The fact that the panel probed political interference during Marikana could make the release of the report a sensitive political issue since some of the political figures are still in positions of power.
Dani Dyer has given fans a glimpse of her burgeoning baby bump as she revealed she is suffering with crippling fatigue.

The mum-to-be, 24, looked radiant in a glamorous mirror selfie uploaded to Instagram on Sunday.

Dani, who is now 15 weeks pregnant, posed from the side in a figure-hugging pastel pink maternity dress which boasted belt detailing and a scoop neckline.

Glowing: Dani Dyer, 24, looked radiant in a glamorous mirror selfie uploaded to Instagram on Sunday

She wore her honey tresses in loose beach waves before clipping her bangs away from her face.

The media personality held on to the banister in the chic snap posted alongside a simple caption that read: 'Sundays [red heart emoji].'

But it comes after Dani revealed that she has been suffering with crippling fatigue and is still exhausted after getting 10 hours sleep.

Candid: It comes after Dani revealed that she has been suffering with crippling fatigue and is still exhausted after getting 10 hours sleep

She took to Twitter on Sunday to tell fans: 'Must be sleeping 10 hours a night and I'm waking up even more tired than before I went to bed how is that even possible.'

The ITV star also admitted she was struggling with migraines during the heatwave and just want to put her feet up in her 'granny knickers.'

She wrote: 'Never wanted the cold weather as much as I do now. This heat is way too much, doesn't help my migraines at all.

Staying positive: Dani recently said that she has started to 'embrace' the changes happening to her body

'Just wanna lay in bed with a fan on my face all day in my granny knickers and granny bra.'

Last month the former Love Island star announced that she was expecting her first child with boyfriend Sammy Kimmence - just three months after they rekindled their relationship.

'Little bubba can't believe you are going to be ours,' she wrote, 'Me and Sammy are so excited to start this next chapter in our lives, feel so lucky and grateful...2021.'

Dani recently said that she has started to 'embrace' the changes in her body.

She wrote: 'I've really started noticing the changes in my body and I'm definitely embracing it.

Joyful: Last month the former Love Island star announced that she was expecting her first child with boyfriend Sammy Kimmence

'Apparently at this stage I'm supposed to feel 'on top of the world' which I really hope for as the first few months have been really hard.

'I've had loads of messages from people so thought I'd share my experience so far.

'And honestly your responses and little tips have been amazing I really feel like it is like a little community on here and I love it lol.'

Dani also shared she'd like to call her baby Ariana if she has a girl, but admitted her boyfriend Sammy 'is not having it'.
O xford University says it has accepted more than 300 students who missed their grades due to Ofquals marking algorithm.

Nearly 40 per cent of teachers estimates for A-level pupils in England were downgraded by exam boards after exams were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It left many students missing out on their university places, including admissions to Russell Group universities such as Cambridge and Oxford which require top grades to secure an offer.

Oxford University said it has been looking carefully at the individual circumstances of all applicants who did not meet their grades this year, and has offered places to more than 300 students despite their downgraded results.

A spokesman said the number was far more than in previous year".

A Level Results 2020 - In pictures 1 /48 A Level Results 2020 - In pictures Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Emily Wallace reacts as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level results PA Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Sophie Lofthouse (left) and Hannah Walton-Hughes react as students at The Mount School, York, receive their A-Level result PA Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result LUCY YOUNG Ben Millett reacts with his father (back to the camera) as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level result PA Brenda Irabor, who achieved three A stars, reacts as students at Ark Globe Academy in Brixton PA Emily Wallace (left) uses hand sanitiser as students at Norwich School in Norfolk receive their A-Level results PA Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Twins Rosy (left) and Teddy Valentine react as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level result PA Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Emily Wallace reacts as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level results PA Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Sophie Lofthouse (right) and Hannah Walton-Hughes react as students at The Mount School, York, receive their A-Level result PA Benita Stipp (centre) and Mimi Ferguson (left) react as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level results PA Olivia Gaskin (centre, white top) reacts as students at Norwich School, Norwich PA A sixth form student looks at her A-Level results at The Crossley Heath Grammar School, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Halifa REUTERS Mimi Ferguson (left) and Benita Stipp react as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level results PA Sophie Lofthouse reacts as students at The Mount School, York, receive their A-Level result PA Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Helen Lee (left) and Sophia-Ellis Shipp bump elbows at Peter Symonds College, Winchester, as they receive their A-Level results PA Sixth form students are seen after receiving their A-Level results at The Crossley Heath Grammar Schoo REUTERS Lucy Young A sixth form student wearing a protective mask reacts after receiving her A-Level results at The Crossley Heath Grammar School REUTERS Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Daniellle Joseph at Peter Symonds College, Winchester, receives her A-Level results PA A sixth form student looks at his A-Level results at The Crossley Heath Grammar Schoo REUTERS Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young A sixth form student is embraced after receiving her A-Level results at The Crossley Heath Grammar Schoo REUTERS Twins Teddy (left) and Rosy Valentine react as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level results PA

"The overwhelming majority of these are UK state school candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds," he said.

"As a result our UK state school intake this year currently stands at 67.8 per cent  an increase of 5.7 per cent compared to 2019."

Three of its colleges, Worcester, Wadham and St Edmund Hall, have already confirmed all places offered to UK students will be secured irrespective of their A-level results.

"This years formal gradings are not adding to our knowledge of applicants ability to the extent that we could safely conclude that some of those previously selected for offers should now be denied their places," said Wadham College warden Ken Macdonald.

In its statement, St Edmund Hall said: "To alleviate the anxiety and uncertainty surrounding the appeals process, and uphold our strong strategic commitment to access, equality and diversity in our admissions process, the college has taken the decision to make offers unconditional for all applicants whose places were not originally confirmed."

Worcester College also confirmed it would be accepting all UK offer holders after "concerns" were expressed about the exams system.

Ofqual suspends criteria on A Level mock exam appeals hours after releasing policy

A statement on its website said: "At Worcester we made offers in 2020 to our most diverse cohort ever, and in response to the uncertainties surrounding this years assessment, we have confirmed the places of all our UK offer-holders, irrespective of their A-level results."

Data from Ofqual shows independent schools saw an increase of 4.7 per cent in the number of students securing A or A* grades from 2019, compared with 2 per cent for state schools and just 0.3 percentage points for further education colleges.

On Friday, nearly 3,000 Oxford University graduates called on the institution to show "kindness and generosity" to students whose grades had been "unexpectedly and unfairly downgraded by an algorithm".

In an open letter, they said: "It cannot be right that bright, hard-working young people from poorer backgrounds have been denied their chance to overcome odds that were already stacked against them."

It comes as Lord Kenneth Baker, the former Tory education secretary who oversaw the launch of GCSEs in the late 1980s, told Education Secretary Gavin Williamson that publication of GCSE results should be postponed for two weeks because of the "barely explicable downgrades of A-levels.

"I urge the education secretary to instruct Ofqual not to release the GCSEs results this Thursday as their algorithm is flawed," Lord Baker said in a statement.

"The A-level results have produced hundreds of thousands of unfair and barely explicable downgrades.

"They have helped smaller private schools but hit the brighter students in a poorly performing state school. It is not surprising that various parties are considering legal actions."

In a statement issued late on Sunday, the Department for Education said it was working with Ofqual to build "as much fairness into the appeals process as possible to help young people in the most difficult cases".

"Ofqual continues to consider how to best deliver the appeals process to give schools and pupils the clarity they need," a DfE spokesman said.
Here comes number four.

When I first encountered Teilhards seminal works, The Phenomenon of Man and The Divine Milieu, I felt that he had made an imaginative leap that touched on several things I had puzzled over. I was galvanized by his idea that consciousness was implicit in matter; that the life force driving the ever-increasing diversity and complexity of life on earth, had reached a point where humans, while remaining subjects of the process, are now the agents of evolutionary change, primarily in developing a world society.

In that role, we have the ability to change nature's tendency toward divergence into social convergence: transcending the many cultural, racial, sectarian differences that divide us to come together in an ascending spiral of love that he called the Omega Point, a term and idea that has appeared in print many times since he introduced it.

Its as much mythology as science; hope, rather than hypothesis. But he spoke positively: Science will, in all probability, be increasingly impregnated by mysticism. If youve read much in sub-atomic physics or cosmology, you wont find that statement too far outside the box.
But now, fighting flu proactively during the continuing pandemic presents significant challenges: not only how to administer the shot safely and readily, but also how to prompt people to get a shot that a majority of Americans have typically distrusted, dismissed and skipped.

With many places where the flu shot is administered en masse now inaccessible  including offices and plants that offered it free to employees on site and school health clinics  officials have been reaching out to local health departments, health care providers and corporations to arrange distribution. From now through Oct. 31, publicity campaigns will blast through social media, billboards, television and radio. Because the shot will be more difficult to access this year, people are being told to get it as soon as possible, although immunity does wane. There will be flu shot tents with heaters in parking lots and pop-up clinics in empty school buildings.

Because of the efforts, vaccine makers are projecting that a record 98 million flu shots will be given this year in the United States, about 15 percent more than doses ordered last year. The Kaiser Permanente health care system will be flooding more than 12 million of its members with flu shot reminders via postcard, email, text and phone calls.

Pharmacies and even supermarkets are expected to play a bigger role than they have in previous years. As of this week, Walgreens and CVS will have flu shots available. Walgreens will be hosting additional off-site flu vaccine clinics in community centers and churches. To reduce contact time, CVS is allowing patients to fill out paperwork digitally.

In New York City, which averages about 2,000 flu-related deaths a year, the health department has been reaching out to hundreds of independent pharmacies to administer the shots, because they are often located in outer-borough neighborhoods where the coronavirus has been rampaging. The health department has a detailed online flu vaccine locator.

Access is a problem for all adult vaccines, said L. J. Tan, chief strategy officer for the Immunization Action Coalition, a nonprofit group that works to increase vaccination rates, who was an early promoter of the term twindemic. Adults may think, If I can get the flu shot easily, I might consider it.
Faced with an uptick in coronavirus cases, Italy orders mask wearing in public from 6pm  6am.

Faced with an uptick in coronavirus cases, Italy orders mask wearing in public from 6pm  6am and a three-week closure of all dance venues.

France will propose face masks in workspaces as it grapples with a coronavirus rebound to more than 3,000 in the past 24 hours  a post-lockdown high for the fourth day in a row.

South Koreas new cases jumped to 279 on Sunday, rising above 200 for the first time in five months, due mainly to sporadic local infections in the greater Seoul area.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that stringent coronavirus regulations would be eased on Monday as the countrys infection rate falls.

Worldwide coronavirus cases surpassed 21 million, according to Johns Hopkins University, while more than 13 million people have recovered. At least 772,000 people have died.

Here are the latest updates:

Sunday, August 16

23:18 GMT  Lebanon registers new daily record of coronavirus infections

Lebanon has registered a record daily number of coronavirus infections, with 439 people contracting the virus and six fatalities.

The new infections bring to 8,881 the total number of people reported infected in the small country of just over 5 million. Some 103 have died because of COVID-19.

The latest development comes as the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of the Beirut explosion that killed more than 200 people and injured about 6,000 others.

Lebanons health sector has been challenged by the pandemic that hit amid a deepening economic crisis. The blast that hit in Beiruts center knocked out at least three hospitals in the capital and greatly increased pressure on those still operating.

21:00 GMT  Israeli, UAE firms sign deal on coronavirus research

An Emirati firm and an Israeli company have signed a pact to cooperate on research into COVID-19, UAE state-run news agency WAM has reported.

The deal between Emirati APEX National Investment and Israels TERA Group is considered an outgrowth of the normalisation deal between the UAE and Israel.

Under the agreement, the companies will cooperate on developing a device that will accelerate knowledge of the virus with high precision.

APEX works in the field of public investment, including the health sector, while the TERA Group, founded in 2003, works as part of the Israeli Weizmann Institute of Science, and has investments in research and development.

20:05 GMT  Jordan to isolate city near Syria after spike

Jordan will seal off a city near the Syrian border from Monday following the largest daily rise in four months in coronavirus cases, which officials say have come mainly from its northern neighbour.

The health ministry said half of the 39 cases recorded in the last 24 hours were from Ramtha city, near the Syrian border.

Officials say truck drivers and individuals entering Jordan from the Jaber border crossing with Syria are spreading the virus.

Ramtha will be isolated as of Monday with the authorities re-imposing restrictions on movement in the first such reversal of a provincial area since the authorities eased a nationwide lockdown last June.

19:40 GMT  Hundreds protest in Madrid against restrictions

Chanting freedom, hundreds of people have rallied in Madrid to protest against the mandatory use of facemasks and other restrictions imposed by the government.

Protesters held up home-made placards featuring slogans that included The virus does not exist, Masks kill and We are not afraid.

The demonstration drew a variety of attendees, including conspiracy theorists, libertarians and opponents of vaccination.

18:25 GMT  Nishikori tests positive ahead of US Open

Japans Kei Nishikori has said he has tested positive for COVID-19 while in Florida  just two weeks before the US Open, set to begin in New York on August 31.

The 30-year-old former world number four has been staying at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, and pulled out of the upcoming Western & Southern Open, a warm-up tournament for many before the Grand Slam.

This morning while still in Florida, I got tested for COVID-19 and tested positive, Nishikori said in a statement. I will have to pull out of the Cincinnati tournament at this time.

Nishikori added that he had very little symptoms and would go into self-isolation.

17:44 GMT  UN reports four new deaths in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon

The UN Palestinian refugee agency has confirmed four new COVID-19 deaths in camps in Lebanon, calling for vigilance in observing hygiene measures as infections rise across the country.

During the past 24 hours, four deaths have been recorded among Palestine refugees in Lebanon, UNRWA said in a statement.

This brings to eight the total number of Palestinian refugees who have died from the COVID-19 illness since Lebanon first recorded an outbreak of the virus in February.





17:35 GMT  Cases in France surpass 3,000 for second day

The French Health Ministry has reported 3,015 new coronavirus infections over the past day, the second day in a row in which new cases have surpassed the 3,000 mark.

However, the daily count was below the 3,310 cases reported on Saturday, when a new post-lockdown high was reached, the ministrys data showed.

17:20 GMT  Italy suspends discos and orders mask wearing at night in public

Faced with an uptick in coronavirus cases blamed in part on young partygoers, Italy has ordered the three-week closure of all dance venues.

In a decree signed by Health Minister Roberto Speranza, the government also said that from 6pm to 6am, the wearing of masks would be mandatory in public areas where groups could form.

Closed establishments had already been barred from operating. The new measure, to take effect on Monday and last through September 7, comes after wrangling between the government and regions over the nightlife sector, which employs nearly 50,000 people in 3,000 clubs across the country, according to the nightclub operators union SILB.

A worker, left, checks body temperatures of moviegoers to screen for possible infections of coronavirus on the opening night of an outdoor movie theatre in Rome, Italy [Riccardo Antimiani/EPA-EFE]

16:15 GMT  Holidaymakers arriving in Rome get virus tests

Holidaymakers arriving in Rome from four Mediterranean countries are immediately being tested for the coronavirus at Leonardo da Vinci airport.

Last week, Italys health minister issued an ordinance requiring tests for all travellers arriving in Italy from Croatia, Greece, Malta or Spain.

Travellers have the option of being tested instead within 48 hours of arrival at local public health offices closer to their home or destination in Italy.

Alessio DAmato, health commissioner for Lazio, the region including Rome, said at the airport that concern was mounting about the rising number of infections, especially since school will resume in Italy on September 14 for the first time since the pandemic began.

Tourists are seen near Pantheon in Rome, Italy [Massimo Percossi/EPA-EFE]

15:30 GMT  Former India opener Chauhan dies aged 73

Former Indian test opening batsman Chetan Chauhan, who had been diagnosed with COVID-19, has died from complications at the age of 73, the countrys cricket board (BCCI) has said.

Chauhan was admitted to hospital in July when he tested positive for the coronavirus and was on a ventilator when his health deteriorated over the weekend.

15:20 GMT  More than 200 protest in Brussels after mask order

More than 200 people have demonstrated in Brussels against coronavirus restrictions after the regional government mandated face masks in public.

Wearing a mask became compulsory on Wednesday for 1.2 million people living in the Brussels region, as Belgium battles one of the most serious coronavirus outbreaks in Europe.

The call to demonstrate was launched on social media by a group of citizens under the slogan Viruswaanzin, or viral madness in Dutch, a movement that first appeared in the Netherlands.

14:43 GMT  Qatar reports 271 new cases

Qatars Health Ministry has reported 271 positive cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours and one coronavirus-related death, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 115,080.

There are now a total of 3,093 active coronavirus cases while 111,794 people have recovered. The total death toll stands at 193.

14:00 GMT  Germany tracks down most travellers with COVID after test blunder

The German state of Bavaria has said it has tracked down most of the people returning from abroad who tested positive for the coronavirus but were not told about it.

Bavaria said in a statement that it had found 903 of the 949 people who tested positive from a total of 44,000 travellers returning to the country, while it could not locate personal data for 46 of the positive tests.

The tests had been carried out up to two weeks ago at special centres that were opened with great fanfare in the southern state, but problems with data entry meant that the travellers had been waiting for their test results for days.

Passengers stand in front of a coronavirus test centre at the international airport in Frankfurt am Main, Germany [EPA]

13:51 GMT  UK reports 1,040 new cases

The UK has recorded 1,040 new coronavirus cases, the government has said, the sixth day in a row there have been more than 1,000 infections in daily figures.

Another five people were reported to have died within 28 days of testing positive for the coronavirus.

______

Hello, this is Mersiha Gadzo in Toronto, Canada taking over the live updates from my colleague Arwa Ibrahim.

______

09:13 GMT  First large cruise line set to depart Genoa for Mediterranean tour

The first major cruise ship to set sail is poised to depart from Genoa, as Italys struggling travel industry hopes to regain ground after a bruising coronavirus hiatus.

The departure of the MSC Grandiosa from the northwestern port city at 7:30pm (17:30 GMT) represents a high-stakes test for the global sector in the key Mediterranean market and beyond.

The international cruise industry has also been battered by accusations of botched handling of the pandemic in its early stages and hopes new, tighter protocols will allow them to control the threat of coronavirus on board ships while still offering travellers the cruise experience they want.

08:52 GMT  The Philippines reports 3,420 new coronavirus cases, 65 deaths

The Philippines has recorded 3,420 new cases of the coronavirus and 65 additional deaths, the health ministry said.

The country has so far registered a total of 161,253 infections and 2,665 deaths, according to ministry data.

08:15 GMT  Indonesia reports 2,081 new coronavirus infections, 79 deaths

Indonesia reported 2,081 cases of the new coronavirus and 79 COVID-19 deaths, according to data from Indonesias COVID-19 governmental task force.

The total number of infections in the worlds fourth-most populous country is now at least 139,549 cases.

07:51 GMT  Russia reports nearly 5,000 new coronavirus cases

Russia reported 4,969 new cases, bringing its nationwide tally to 922,853, the fourth-highest in the world.

Russias coronavirus crisis response centre said that 68 people had died over the past 24 hours, pushing its official coronavirus death toll to 15,685, adding that 732,968 people have recovered.

07:25 GMT  Italy garbage dips with virus lockdowns, but plastics rise

Italy produced an estimated 10 percent, or 500,000 tonnes, less garbage during its coronavirus lockdown in March and April.

That decrease is enabling dumps in Italy  where rubbish collection in major cities often becomes a hot-button political issue  to absorb the estimated 300,000 tonnes of extra waste from protective masks and gloves this year, according to the Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research.

Substantially, the figures will balance each other by the end of this year, Valeria Frittelloni, the institutes head of waste management and circular economy, told the Associated Press.

06:32 GMT  NZ coalition partner calls for vote delay due to COVID-19

New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters called for a delay to the planned general election, given an abrupt reappearance of COVID-19 in the country, increasing pressure on Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to postpone it.

Last weeks resurgence of infections in the city of Auckland  after the country had been free of coronavirus for 102 days  was compromising the ability to hold a free and fair election on September 19, Peters, the leader of the New Zealand First party, wrote in a letter to Ardern.

The opposition National Party also wants a delay, hoping that Ardern, who had garnered much praise for crushing the pandemic, will lose some of her lustre once hardships caused by the Auckland lockdown begin to bite.

05:59 GMT  South Korea accuses religious sect leader over COVID-19 case surge

South Korea accused the leader of a religious sect of violating self-isolation rules and obstructing investigations into the countrys biggest outbreak of new coronavirus in five months.

The capital posted a record 146 new cases, out of which 107 were linked to Sarang Jeil Church led by Reverend Jun Kwang-hoon, a controversial pastor and an outspoken government critic.

The health ministry said it would file a complaint against Jun, accusing him of violating self-isolation rules by participating in a rally on Saturday and obstructing an epidemiological investigation by failing to submit a full list of church member names for testing and tracing.



Hello, this is Arwa Ibrahim in Doha, taking over the blog from my colleague Ted Regencia.



05:30 GMT  South Korea, US delay military drills over COVID-19 concerns

South Korea and the US will start their annual joint military drills on Tuesday, after what local media said was a two-day delay after a South Korean officer tested positive for the new coronavirus.

The scaled-down drills will start on Tuesday, considering the COVID-19 situation, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying on Sunday. US-based officers will not be mobilised amid restrictions on travel of US personnel to South Korea.

The combined drills are closely monitored by North Korea, and have been reduced in recent years to facilitate US negotiations aimed at dismantling Pyongyangs nuclear programmes.

04:43 GMT  Australias coronavirus cases ease

Australia, which was struggling with a coronavirus resurgence in two of its largest states, New South Wales and Victoria, has reported a further decline in the number of new infections.

New South Wales reported just five new cases, while Victoria, where masks became compulsory in July, reported 279 new cases on Sunday, and with 16 deaths.

The daily number of new cases this week has been well below the August 5 peak of 725. Victorias capital, Melbourne, remains under strict lockdown.

Amid fears of the spread of the coronavirus disease, protesters gather in Austalias city of Brisbane in support of asylum seekers, who are reportedly being detained at a hotel in the city [Darren England/EPA]

04:26 GMT  New Zealands COVID-19 outbreak grows

A new coronavirus outbreak in New Zealand is still growing, health officials said on Sunday, the country recording 13 new cases, bringing the total cases to 69 and putting the September general election in question.

After stifling the virus earlier this year and after 102 days without new infections, a resurgence last week in Auckland prompted an immediate lockdown of the countrys largest city.

The conservative opposition wants to delay a September 19 general election, citing safety. Opinion polls show Prime Minister Jacinda Arderns Labour Party winning the election if it were held on time; Ardern has said she would decide by Monday.

04:00 GMT  Philippine interior secretary tests positive of coronavirus again

Philippine President Rodrigo Dutertes interior secretary  a former military general designated by Duterte to lead the fight against the pandemic  has tested positive of the coronavirus disease for the second time.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Eduardo Ano said he began self-isolation on Friday after experiencing flu-like symptoms and that his test result on Saturday night confirmed he had been infected again.

As of Saturday, the Philippines reported almost 158,000 cases and 2,600 deaths linked to COVID-19.

03:36 GMT  Germanys confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 625 to 223,453

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 625 to 223,453, Reuters news agency reported on Sunday, quoting the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).

The reported death toll remained unchanged at 9,231.

03:05 GMT  Mexico reports over 6,300 cases, 635 new deaths

Mexico has recorded at least 6,345 new cases, pushing the total to 517,714, according to the countrys health ministry.

The health ministry also reported an additional 635 new fatalities, making a total of 56,543 deaths.

Another 7,685 patients have recovered, making a total of 418,164 or 80.7 percent of total cases.

02:38 GMT  China new local COVID-19 cases fall as Xinjiang cluster recedes

Chinas new locally transmitted coronavirus cases fell to four on August 15, a one-month low as a cluster in the western region of Xinjiang receded, Reuters news agency reported on Sunday, citing the countrys health authority.

All four cases were in Xinjiang, the National Health Commission said in a statement, down from eight cases nationwide a day earlier, and the lowest since July 16.

In mainland China, the total number of new confirmed infections stood at 19 as of the end of August 15, including imported cases involving travellers arriving from abroad.

Attendees enjoy a music festival in Chinas Hebei Province on Saturday. Large scale events are returning with China having contained the outbreak with most new cases arriving from overseas [Ng Han Guan/AP]

01:49 GMT  New cases soar to 279 in South Korea

South Koreas new coronavirus cases jumped to 279 on Sunday, rising above 200 for the first time in five months, due mainly to local infections in the greater Seoul area, according to Yonhap news agency.

The additional cases raised the countrys total caseload to 15,318, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of the new cases, 267 were local transmissions, and there were no additional fatalities reported, keeping the death toll at 305 and the fatality rate 1.99 percent.

The total number of people released from quarantine after recovering stood at 13,910, up nine from the previous day.

01:10 GMT  Brazil registers 41,576 new cases and 709 deaths

Brazil has registered 41,576 cases and 709 deaths due to the novel coronavirus, Reuters news agency reported quoting the health ministry.

Overall, the country now has 107,232 deaths and 3,317,096 confirmed cases.

00:30 GMT  Trinidad and Tobago ramps up measures against coronavirus

Trinidad and Tobagos government will implement tougher measures to reduce the spread of the coronavirus after the number of infections increased in August, the prime minister announced.

The nation registered a jump in COVID-19 cases in August after a gradual rise in July, and has now recorded 474 cases and 10 fatalities, according to Reuters.

The new measures, which will go into effect on Monday and last 28 days, include the closure of beaches and places of worship, as well as a ban on dining at restaurants and bars.

00:05 GMT  France plans masks at work amid coronavirus resurgence

France will propose face masks in shared workspaces as the country grapples with a coronavirus rebound in the past 24 hours to more than 3,000, according to Reuters.

The health ministry reported 3,310 new infections, marking a post-lockdown high for the fourth day in a row, and that the number of clusters being investigated had increased by 17 to 252.

The resurgence prompted the UK to impose a 14-day quarantine for people arriving from France, and led the authorities in Paris to expand zones in the capital where wearing a mask is mandatory outdoors.

__________________________________________________________________

Hello and welcome to Al Jazeeras continuing coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. Im Ted Regencia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

For all the key developments from yesterday, August 15, go here.
Moscow, Aug 16 : Russia has begun production of the first batch of vaccines against COVID-19, its health ministry said in a statement released on Saturday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday announced the world's first registered vaccine against the novel coronavirus, Sputnik V, which is named after the space satellite launched by Moscow in 1957.

The vaccine was created by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, a medical institute located near Moscow, Xinhua news agency reported.

Russia will offer the vaccine to other countries once its own citizens are vaccinated, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said Wednesday, adding that doubts over the effectiveness of the vaccine are unfounded.

So far, Russia has tallied a total of 917,884 cases, with 15,617 deaths and 729,411 recoveries.
COULD it be that government is so overwhelmed that it has conveniently forgotten the five-phase downgrade framework it adopted in May as its countermeasure blueprint against the COVID-19 pandemic? Or it simply is a question of fiddling while Rome burns given the plethora of contradictions, commissions and omissions that have played out since Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini announced the relaxation of the partial lockdown implemented towards the end of March, shortly after the kingdom recorded the first COVID-19 positive case.

The PM had announced then that the five phases had been designed on an incremental downgrading framework with Phase 1 representing the elementary level of suppression of an active situation while, ultimately, Phase 5 represented an advanced level where COVID-19 is completely neutralised with no new infections or re-infections. It is worth noting that neighbouring South Africa had adopted a countdown based downgrade framework from Level 5 down to Level 1.

Inform

The Eswatini framework also was to progressively inform the easing of the COVID-19 regulations implemented when the country went into partial lockdown. At the time of the announcement of the five-phase incremental downgrade framework in early May, the PM had indicated that the country was on Phase 2 and entering Phase 3.

Phase 2, the nation was told, involved the management of the pandemic through clinical and non-clinical means, while to move to Phase 3 meant the nation had done mass testing and identified all those infected for treatment. As for Phase 4, the PM had explained that the assumption was that a cure and vaccine would have been found and rolled out nationally to all those infected. It is anyones guess what phase the country is in right now ostensibly because government has seemingly abandoned the framework. But there still is no cure or vaccine for the disease although a number of countries have developed vaccines that, in the majority of instances, are presently on trial. But between early May and now there still has not been mass testing of emaSwati as envisaged in Phase 3. In fact there now appears to be contradictions when it comes to mass testing, suggesting that government had nullified this as counterproductive.

Solutions

The tendency of government, as I see it, has been to cut and copy solutions from elsewhere, including everything that the World Health Organisation (WHO) advised without even contextualising same to the dynamics on the ground. Indeed our so-called experts on health matters have not been helpful in exploring home ground countermeasures. For instance, while it may have been possible to successfully mount mass testing  including fumigating the entire country, a possibility not possible to most countries - given the small size of the population as well as that of the country from a contextual knowledge point of view, but our health experts were dismissive of this ostensibly because this was not a WHO recommendation.

Perhaps the country would never have gone into partial lockdown in the first place owing to this proactive approach, but also because people would have been sufficiently conscientised about the virus at the first instance had mass testing been undertaken; which would have involved comprehensive information dissemination. But our so-called health experts were either too lazy or uninterested to do the one thing education should have prepared them for, to think strategically from the context of localised knowledge instead of feeding off solutions from WHO and other countries. Why, there is an instance where a group of people who had been in contact with a person who had tested positive for COVID-19 were turned away from being tested for one reason or another.

Indeed there is a litany of inherent weaknesses and failures that have marred the national response to COVID-19, beginning with governments initial tentative approach in mobilising resources and, instead, abdicating this responsibility to donors. Indeed it would be interesting to relate government funding in this respect to funds raised through donors, both internal and external. The likelihood exists that donors by far outstripped government funding in the fight against the pandemic.

With COVID-19 positive figures and fatalities spiking at an incredible rate in the past few weeks, government is steamrolling ahead with plans to reopen schools. This is in spite of the fact that there are no longer facilities to admit more patients in the event of a bomb outbreak of the disease. It would appear that government is in a rush to normalise the abnormal. Hopefully this is not informed by political factors other than the desire to rescue the academic year in the interests of pupils as well as maximising economic activity. But these still need to be balanced against the potential loss of lives.

But in all this, it is the insensitivity displayed by the Ministry of Education and Training not empathising with parents over the issue of fees. Minister Lady Mabuza has nonchalantly ordered parents to pay full school fees. Apparently government does not care that some of these parents have been negatively impacted by COVID-19; they are either jobless, earning nothing or receiving half pay owing to the partial lockdown. Government has elected not to cushion parents by meeting them halfway even though schools have been closed since the partial lockdown was announced in late March. Talk about a nation on autopilot, this is it!
Manisha Koirala, who has proved her acting prowess with films such as Bombay, Khamoshi: The Musical, Dil Se and Company, was once dismissed as a terrible actress by Vidhu Vinod Chopra after an audition. As she turns 50 on Sunday, here is a blast from the past about how she proved him wrong and ended up bagging the film.

PTI reports that Manisha wrote about the incident in her memoir, Healed: How Cancer Gave Me a New Life. The film in question was 1942: A Love Story. I remember my screen test for 1942: A Love Story. Veteran filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra had called me to do a scene. But to my disappointment, at the end of it he remarked: Manisha, you were sh*t. Youre a terrible actress, she wrote in her book.

The warrior woman inside Manisha was challenged and she urged Vidhu to give her a days time and a chance to audition again. She said that she went home and continuously practised her lines so intently that her mother got distressed and advised her to not kill (herself) over a rejection. However, the actor was determined to turn things around in her favour.

Also read | Kareena Kapoor Khan says son Taimur brings out the best and worst in her: Even I lose patience sometimes

The next day, Manisha gave it her all at the audition, leaving Vidhu speechless. He then told her, If this is the heart and soul that you promise to put into each scene of my movie, I will sign you up instead of Madhuri Dixit. Manisha, yesterday, you were at zero. You are at a hundred today.

Manisha took a sabbatical from films after being diagnosed with cancer in 2012. She made her comeback in Bollywood in 2017 with Dear Maya, in which she played a reclusive woman who transforms after receiving love letters from an anonymous admirer. She will be seen next in the musical romance 99 Songs, which marks music composer AR Rahmans foray into production.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
SEOUL, South Korea  Health officials in South Korea reported 279 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, warning of a resurgence of infections, many linked to a church that has vocally opposed President Moon Jae-in.

South Korea had battled the epidemic down to two-digit daily caseloads since April. But the number of new cases has soared recently, with 103 on Friday and 166 on Saturday, most of them worshipers at the Sarang Jeil Church in Seoul, the capital, and another church in the surrounding province of Gyeonggi.

The church outbreaks have alarmed health officials. Tightly packed, fervent prayer services in some South Korean churches have made them particularly vulnerable to the virus.

When South Korea was hit by its first wave of the coronavirus in late February and early March, the epidemic spread mainly from the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in the central city of Daegu, about 150 miles southeast of Seoul. The church has been accused of being a cult by more mainstream churches. During the first wave of infections, the daily caseload across the country was as high as 909.
OTTAWAEven amid a global health crisis and unprecedented economic disruption, Erin OToole has national unity on his mind.

Eastern Canada  that is, east of Manitoba  does not understand the extent of the simmering anger in the Prairie provinces, the Ontario MP and Conservative leadership candidate says.

We have a lot of division in this country that I think much of it was caused by Trudeau government policies, and I dont think the government actually realizes how fragile things are, OToole said in a recent interview with the Star.

Particularly in Alberta and Saskatchewan, but we also have the Bloc Quebecois back in third-party status in Ottawa. A lot of those national unity things stem from the economic policies of the Trudeau government  (We need to) address rising dissatisfaction within parts of Canada.

In a Conservative leadership lacking a Western standard-bearer, the MP from a riding just east of Toronto has attempted to harness that alienated energy towards putting him in the partys top job. Hes been running an underdog campaign, hoping to spoil what was expected to be a coronation for Peter MacKay.

OToole and his team have run a disciplined, strategic race focused on cobbling together enough support from the disparate corners of the Conservative movement  westerners, social conservatives, Quebec members and anyone else who will lend their support.

They all respect him because he respects them, is how one of his supporters described the strategy early in the race.

To his detractors, it looks more like pandering.

OToole has attempted to project himself as a true-blue crusader, implying that his rivals  chiefly MacKay  are less conservative.

Whether that gambit was successful will be revealed when the party tallies the tens of thousands of mail-in votes on Aug. 21. But what is clear is that the persona OToole has projected throughout the campaign has surprised many who have watched the Durham MP throughout his political career.

His pledge not to pander to the Ottawa press corps was a head-scratcher for many journalists, whove known him as an accessible and affable contact within the Conservative movement.

His courtship of social conservative votes was not particularly surprising  he needs them to win  but it hasnt convinced the hardline anti-abortion crowd.

And his vow to take the fight to cancel culture and the radical left came as a surprise to those who viewed him as a more moderate voice from the Harper era.

With respect, I dont think you were paying attention, OToole told the Star.

A few years ago, when Trudeau took the name of Langevin off the Langevin Block  the Parliament Hill building that houses the Prime Ministers Office  I not only criticized him, I wrote a series of articles on this sort of trend of present-ism  judging the past by the morals of today  and how Trudeau is using these sort of things to write his political narrative. And I think its dangerous.

I may not have used the term radical left back then, but that sort of cancel culture, that sort of erasing history, Ive been talking about for a few years, he said. Everything Im running on in this campaign I ran on three years ago.

Am I more animated? Am I more frustrated? Am I more concerned about the future of the country?

Absolutely.

Born in Montreal, OToole served for 12 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, including on search and rescue missions and as a tactical navigator out of Halifax. After leaving the air force, OToole got a law degree at Dalhousie University and worked as a corporate lawyer. It was on the East Coast that OToole met his wife, Rebecca, with whom he has two children.

OToole comes by politics honestly  his father, John OToole, represented Durham as a Progressive Conservative MPP at Queens Park between 1995 and 2014.

When I was in the military, my dad ran in the Mike Harris 1995 Common Sense Revolution election, and thats where I really made the decision that one day I would love to run for office, OToole said.

I saw the role my dad had in the community, helping people. At Christmas, people would come by with cards thanking him for helping with something for the business or their farm. And I just saw the impact.

OToole ran and handily won a 2012 byelection after Conservative MP Bev Oda resigned in scandal, and held the seat through the Conservatives general election defeats in 2015 and 2019.

Hes pointed to his re-elections as proof he knows how to win as a Conservative in Ontario, a region where Andrew Scheers campaign failed to make gains in 2019 despite considerable effort.

Durham, however, is a much safer seat for the Conservatives than some ridings in the vote-rich GTA suburbs.

Asked what he thinks has been the biggest barrier to reaching those voters, OToole said the Conservatives have tried to fight the last two elections exclusively on the economy, rather than talking about a broader spectrum of issues that Canadians care about.

The fundamental thing that I think we were out of step on in the last two elections was the environment. Ive said that many times, he said.

We have to be able to show Canadians that our strength on the economy doesnt mean we ignore all other issues  If Canadians want to know what the Conservatives ideas are or plans are on the environment, on Indigenous reconciliation, on any issue that Canadians are looking for some leadership, we have to have a plan and an approach. We cant just run on the economy.

But this being a contest to win over the Conservative grassroots, leadership candidates have to tread very carefully when pitching environmental policy. When OTooles platform revealed he intended to have industrial emitters pay for their pollution  a similar idea to what Scheer proposed in the 2019 election  he was lambasted by competitors for supporting a modified version of Justin Trudeaus carbon tax.

Ditto for his original promise to end fossil-fuel subsidies, which his campaign document originally referred to as a form of corporate welfare. OToole beat a hasty retreat on that one, reversing his position the following day.

Those were rare missteps from his campaign, which has been staffed by veteran conservative activists and operatives, including many who also worked on OTooles 2017 leadership bid.

Leading the team is Fred DeLorey, a longtime Conservative hand who held senior positions in the party during Stephen Harpers tenure, and served as Premier Doug Fords director of field operations. Melanie Paradis, Jim Burnett and Dan Mader  who have all worked for the Ontario PCs or federal Conservatives in recent years  are serving as OTooles deputy campaign managers.

Walied Soliman, the Canadian chair of law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, chairs the campaign.

But one of the most notable additions to OTooles team has been Jeff Ballingall, the founder of conservative social media pressure group Ontario Proud and the chief marketing officer for the right-leaning politics website The Post Millennial.

Ballingall grew his network into a significant player in Ontario politics, which was widely seen as a factor in the 2018 defeat of Kathleen Wynnes Liberals, using quick videos and provocative language to boost his messaging across social media. Ballingall has attempted to replicate that success with a national Canada Proud account.

Ballingalls fingerprints can be seen on OTooles digital campaign, which has zeroed in on hot button political issues that make people mad on the internet. And its been successful  the OToole campaign has routinely led the rest of the pack in online engagement.

Whether that online engagement will translate into snail-mail ballots remains to be seen.

Nearly 270,000 members of the Conservative Party of Canada are eligible to vote for the partys next leader. To be counted, the ballots  on which party members rank the candidates in order of preference  must be received by Aug. 21 at 5 p.m. EDT.

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The French government is to call for face masks to be worn in all shared workspaces, as health officials reported a new post-lockdown high in daily coronavirus infections.

The public health agency on Saturday registered 3,310 fresh cases in the latest 24-hour period, continuing the upward trend of new highs not seen since April.

The number of clusters being investigated increased by 17 to 252, said Sante Public France.

The resurgence prompted Britain to impose a 14-day quarantine for people arriving from France, and led the authorities in Paris to expand zones in the capital where wearing a mask is mandatory outdoors.

Employment Minister Elisabeth Borne said she would propose on Tuesday at talks with employer and union representatives that masks be compulsory in collective workspaces.

A theme that appears in all scientific opinions is the value of wearing them (masks) when there are several people in a confined space, Borne said in an interview with French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche.

Doctors have increasingly called for masks to be required in the workplace while the HCSP, a body advising the government on health policy, issued a recommendation calling for masks to be compulsory in all common indoor spaces.

This week's upswing has taken the seven-day moving average of new infections above the 2,000 threshold for the first time since April, when France was in the middle of one of Europe's strictest lockdowns.

The number of people in hospital has trended downwards in recent weeks even as new Covid-19 cases have risen, with experts pointing to the spread of the virus among younger people.

However, the latest daily figures showed a slight rise in the number of hospital patients, at 4,857 against 4,828 a day earlier, as well as a rise in intensive care patients to 376 from 367.

(with Reuters)
My life stopped in just one moment on December 14, 2006, and I have been reliving the consequences of that day ever since. I was in my 20s and working overseas, travelling the first-class lifestyle, as a 4th engineer on the Westerdam cruise ship.

We were moored at the island of St Maarten in the Caribbean and I had the chance to go ashore.

We (four other crew members and myself) decided to chill out on the beach where the sand was white and the water a light turquoise, glistening in the sun. Very inviting, but with a cold current. We were on a tropical island, so I just had to go for a swim.

I thought I'd get the shock of the water away quickly but, as I ran and jumped in, I heard the strangest sound - the crack of my own neck breaking.

I had hit a hidden sand bank created by the waves. I knew something bad had happened, so I tried to get out. I was swimming but going nowhere. I looked and saw my arms floating dead by my side. I couldn't move, I was paralysed. In that moment my life changed.

My daily life now is a struggle for basic care needs. Unable to move or function without assistance, from going to the toilet and dressing to transferring from chair to bed and back again. Every day is the same, living a strict routine.

The day starts at 8am: shower, dressed, chair, then back to bed by 5pm to eat. Set up at 9pm for the night. To start again the next day.

Toilet every two days, walking the dog with my carer is my high point. The care is very difficult as I never know who is coming or how they will be. I have to go through everything with them every time, all over again.

They do come back, but they are only human. They move on with their lives, but you start over and over again. Each day is a living nightmare. The same thing that can take one person six minutes can take another six hours. It's been this way for almost 14 years now, with the possibility of 40 more.

You have to have such strength of mind, trapped within a broken body sitting for five hours in a chair waiting to start over and over again. So I started writing my thoughts down, I've compiled it together to bring to life the mindset within a body that is paralysed. Life standing still while time rushes by.

I grew up in Kent, just outside London, but my mum is a Quinn from College Road, Galway. We have a big family there and I have many fond memories of visiting Galway as a child. Early on flying into Galway. Meeting up with cousins Sinead and Olga in College Road. Going across the road to meet Edel and Charles, then playing in the park.

Catching crabs in the bay and watching scary movies with Ruth next door, Granny Quinn in College Road, and the huge Disney painting on a wall. Staying on the Greaneys farm, playing in the hay barn with my cousins, going out saving the hay with Auntie Jacinta. Going on holiday with Sarah.

Each house your auntie feeding you, and visiting two or three. Flying my extreme kites in Galway bay. As I got older, going out in Eyre Square and Salthill to visit my cousin's pub, O'Connor's bar. Not forgetting ice cream from the Bon Bon in Salthill with my uncle Joe. Having a beer in "the office" pub with my uncle and godfather Martin, and going to the Mayoral Ball in 2001 when he became the mayor of Galway. As well as visiting the usual tourist places like Connemara.

In life I had a "perfect moment". Standing waist deep in the tropical waters off a secluded island, two friends sunning themselves on the beach when a swarm of flying fish "flew" past. At that moment I was thinking about where I needed to be in life, I was there, I felt I had actually made something of myself.

Paralysis is the silence. With the mind running wild trapped in your own body. Tortured by your own mind. Wherever you go, you are there.

Starting each day again in never-ending pain and numb throughout with so many meds, I hit what I felt to be the end of my journey. I couldn't take any more. I wanted out. I needed this to stop. Yet paralysis was there to stop me - I couldn't do it! I looked up the Dignity in Dying assisted dying campaign. I planned my last wishes down to where I was to be laid to rest but couldn't find the courage to book a flight.

I had to choose life. I had no choice but to continue.

I stopped all but one of my medications (nearly 10 a day) with no more (or less) pain. A clearer mind, more sensation and core stability returned. The biggest part was that I could sweat; before this my body just didn't react to temperature change.

Now, with more awareness of my situation and my mind fog gone, I do not want to be sedated any more. I need to live a life. To put another antidepressant in my mouth again will be soul-destroying. Just to live through these days is all I want. The sea, the park, the river and woodland are all better avenues to free your mind but everything costs.

My basic care needs and mind-numbing routines minimise the possibilities of work and so I feel pointless and useless, just a constant burden. I have full sensation and feel everything, just no motor function.

The sensation throughout my body was 54pc on recovery - and now in the ASIA test, using pins and cotton wool, it's up to 92pc sensation.

But when the money stops, so does my independence: go home, this is you now.

My cousin Sarah and my aunts and uncles in Galway raised funds for equipment and physio by doing 10km on the Salthill prom.

With paralysis comes autonomic dysreflexia, a medical emergency that comes with spinal cord injury. This resulted last year in sending my blood pressure to 289/128 as a result of trapped wind, constipation and an ingrown toenail.

A tiny insight into nearly 14 years of isolation and frustration, into feeling like a burden, a failure, a parasite - and so pathetic. This leads to isolation as you stay away from people because it's easier that way, over time losing yourself in your own mind.

Being in a negative situation, your friends go, some slowly and some straight away, but some do come back stronger.

I'm a marine engineer with HND-level qualifications, NVQ 4/5 distinctions and "best craft student from all years!". To be so belittled and talked to like a baby because - "is this care for you or someone else" - I'm paralysed, my mind works fine!

I'm stopped at each turn. It's a struggle just to get basic care needs met. With technology I'm sure there is a way for my independence.

And life can be beautiful too. We only get one. Continue and one day you will succeed.

There are very few avenues for support in a positive way globally in the spinal online communities.

My book is something I feel I needed back then. To write the book along with this article, I have to use my thumb as my hands are paralysed. In every walk of life you are the only one who can make that change. People can guide you, but your life is down to you.

This life has broken me a few times but I am still here. I can't go - I've tried. I just need to make my life worth something, and why not push for the best!

Unbreaking My Life: One Man's Journey Through The Prison Of Paralysis by Alexander Thomas Smith is available from Amazon, Smashwords on Sony, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books and CreateSpace store.

@alextsmith25 on Instagram; #alexwillwalkagain on Twitter
An Alabama resident who claims to be a witch, a god and the last person to see missing mother Leila Cavett alive now sits in Broward County Main Jail.

Shannon Ryan, 38, of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, faces two counts of lying to a federal officer.

Though other news reports say U.S. Marshals arrested Shannon Ryan, the U.S. Marshals said Sunday afternoon they didnt make the arrest. The FBI held a press conference Thursday to distribute photos of Cavett and a timeline of her disappearance, but a spokesman said Sunday, We are not commenting at this time.

The FBI said Thursday the last record they have of Jasper, Alabama resident Cavett alive is the security camera video from July 25 at a Hollywood RaceTrac station. Her 2-year-old son, Kamdyn, was found the next day walking around a Miramar apartment complex, launching the investigation into his mothers disappearance.

Ryans an incessant poster on Facebook over the pages Shannon Ryan and Magnetic Kundalini, the latter of which is devoted to Witchcraft, Knowledge of Self, Kemetic Kundalini & Chakra meditation, Kemetic Science, Health, wellness, fitness, mentorship.

Ryans story of Cavetts disappearance

Among his many posts on Aug. 9 is a 51-minute video on Aug. 9 in which he stated what he claims he knows about what happened to Cavett. From one of Ryans side rants in the video, some in the North Alabama region in which Jasper and Muscle Shoals sit about 90 minutes apart blame Ryan for Cavetts disappearance.

I did some burglary, Ryan said. I sold drugs when I as younger. I went to prison, too. Thats the dirt I grew up out of that made me the god I am today.

Individuals love to try to hold you to a past frequency. You mean I cant change? I cant be transformed? I cant renewed? Yeah, but the minute something goes wrong, you say, This is who the (rhymes with truck) he is.

Ryan claims he met Cavett when she showed up at his house on a rainy night, filthy, pushing a similarly filthy baby carriage with goods, food and Kamdyn. After she told him a story Ryan said he didnt believe about being abandoned, he said he took her and her son into his home. Despite helping Cavett get a car, Ryan said, she stole from him twice.

I hexed her, Ryan said. Until you return my (stuff), everything you took, everywhere you go, people will try to take your son.

Ryan said he came down to Hollywood because one of his students was sick. When she got hospitalized with pneumonia, he said he called Cavett to take the students place on an unspecified project that would take him into the Keys and the Everglades. He said he called Cavett because shes a survivor. Im going out in the woods, the Everglades.

Cavett didnt show up for four days, Ryan said, in a truck she wanted to sell him. He said they met at the RaceTrac at 5800 Hollywood Blvd., and adjacent Walmart. They went to the beach between meals at Pollo Tropical and The Cheesecake Factory.

Cavett, Ryan said, wound up leaving from the RaceTrac with a carload of guys. Ryan says he spent much of the next day or two at the RaceTrac, using the WiFi. When he came back to her truck i the Walmart parking lot, police were there and questioned him.

I didnt know she was missing because I dont watch TV, Ryan said.

He posted on Facebook Saturday before being arrested, Anyone who thinks I have something to do with Leila missing can you please comment on this post. I want to demonstrate my powers and make all of you disappear off my timeline all at once. Dont get scared now.

This your five minutes of fame. I wont delete your comments, Witches Honor. Instead, Next full moon Im practice my first mass Hexing. Put your name in the pot since you so brave and big and bad and I dont have any real powers. Make me out a lie. May Jesus (Constantine) receive your prayers and the Blood of Christ (Grape Wine) protect you. See they are just words, anyone can say that (stuff).



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The climate emergency is not only threatening the planet but also has a major role to play if dormant viruses come back to life and result in another outbreak.

Scientists say there is a high possibility of dormant viruses coming back to life and increasingly plausible scenarios of epidemics unleashed by global warming.

The COVID-19 pandemic that has swept the globe and claimed over 760,000 lives so far almost certainly came from a wild bat, highlighting the danger of humanity's constant encroachment on the planet's dwindling wild spaces.

But the expanding ecological footprint of our species could trigger epidemics in other ways too.

Reuters

Climate change -- already wreaking havoc with one degree Celsius of warming -- is also emerging as a driver of infectious disease, whether by expanding the footprint of malaria- and dengue-carrying mosquitos, or defrosting prehistoric pathogens from the Siberian permafrost.

"In my darkest moments, I see a really horrible future for Homo sapiens because we are an animal, and when we extend our borders things will happen to us," Birgitta Evengard, a researcher in clinical microbiology at Umea University in Sweden told news agency AFP.

"Our biggest enemy is our own ignorance," she added. "Nature is full of microorganisms."

As ground thaws due to increased heat, once-frozen soil particles, organic material and microorganisms that had been locked away for millennia are carried toward the surface by water flows. And that is how these microorganisms will spread into present day environment.

Reuters

There are already examples of ancient, long-frozen bugs coming to life

Claverie's lab has successfully revived Siberian viruses that are at least 30,000 years old.

Pathogens such as smallpox or the influenza strain that killed tens of millions in 1917 and 1918 -- may also be present in the sub-Arctic region.

The revival of ancient bacteria or viruses remains speculative, but climate change has already boosted the spread of diseases that kill about half a million people every year: malaria, dengue, chikungunya, zika.
The cause of the fire that ignited nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate stored at Beirut's port remains unclear

Lebanese President Michel Aoun said the probe into this month's devastating blast in Beirut is ``very complex'' and would not be finished quickly.

Responding to calls that he step down, Aoun told French TV station BFMTV that it would be ``impossible`` because it would create a power vacuum. The interview, his first with foreign media since the Aug. 4 blast, aired late Saturday.

The cause of the fire that ignited nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate stored at Beirut's port remains unclear. Documents have emerged showing that the country's top leadership, including Aoun, and security officials were aware of the chemicals that had been stored there for years.

The blast killed 180 people and wounded more than 6,000. At least 30 people are still missing.

Aoun said the probe is divided into three parts. The first aims to determine the circumstances surrounding the cargo, the second where it came from and who shipped it and the third to find who was responsible for handling and securing it.

``We had the determination to reach conclusions quickly, but we found out that the issues are very complex and require time,'' said Aoun.

When asked about what measures he took when he learned of the explosives in July, Aoun said the information came to him ``very late,'' but his military adviser was reassured that those with direct responsibility were handling the matter.

``They all were informed,'' Aoun said, adding that he made sure those who could take measures to secure the area were in the loop.

Aoun said the FBI and French investigators were helping because ``they, more than us, have the capability and ability to find out the details of what got the ship here, what is the source and who owns it.''

A nine-member team of FBI investigators landed in Beirut on Sunday, according to a Lebanese aviation official.

Aoun, who is backed by the powerful Hezbollah militia, said he asked for satellite images to determine if there was an air raid, saying he hasn't ruled out the possibility of a foreign missile attack.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has denied his group has any role in the explosion and said any international probe would likely seek to clear Israel of responsibility in the port explosion, if it had a hand.

Israel has denied involvement and so far no evidence has emerged to suggest otherwise.

Many Lebanese want the probe taken out of the hands of their government, fearing that bickering among the long-entrenched political factions, notorious for corruption, won't allow any results to come to light that are damaging to their leadership.

Popular anger has swelled over the ruling elite's corruption, mismanagement and political uncertainty. Under pressure, Lebanon's government, also backed by Hezbollah and allies, resigned Aug. 10. For now, there are no formal consultations underway on who will replace Hassan Diab as prime minister and no likely candidate has emerged.

Asked about the public anger, Aoun said he shares the rage.

``They call me the father of the people,'' he said. ``I am one of them.''

But Aoun said ``it is impossible'' for him to step down because it would create a power vacuum. He also said the moment is not right to hold presidential elections.

``The political and popular atmosphere can't take new elections before restoring calm,'' he said. ``They would be emotional, and not a true representation of the people.''

Aoun was elected in 2016, breaking more than two years of deadlock in Lebanon, which remained without a president.

In light of last week's deal establishing full diplomatic relations between the Israel and United Arab Emirates, Aoun didn't rule out that Lebanon may one day make peace with Israel as well, once its unresolved issues were solved.

Asked if Lebanon too would reach a peace deal, he replied: ``It depends.''

``We have problems with Israel that we need to solve first,'' Aoun said.

Lebanon and Israel are technically still at war, and Hezbollah has engaged in occasional clashes along the border. Hezbollah and Israel last engaged in a full-fledged conflict in a 50-day war in the summer of 2006.

*This story was edted by Ahram Online.

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National Rum Day 2020 facts Rum - it is the universally loved drink that can be affordable, delicious and exquisite at the same time. Every year, this delicious drink is celebrated by millions across the world, who swear by the taste, health attributes and the sheer versatility of rum. And in the US, August 16 is celebrated as National Rum Day every year. As we prepare to celebrate National Rum Day, there are several fun facts on rum that people enjoy sharing on this day. Celebration national Rum Day 2020 is sure to be a fun way of enjoying a chill and fun Sunday. Here are some interesting facts on rum that every budding rum connoisseur should know.

The Worlds Oldest Spirit

While we are sure to agree that rum puts us all in a good spirit it is interesting to note that rum is actually the worlds oldest spirit. The first distillation of rum is dated back to the 1620s in the Caribbean and the oldest brand of rum that continues to survive is Mount Gay. It was first made in 1705 and continues to be distilled in Barbados today. The Best is Yet to Rum! On Rum Day 2020, Here Are the Wittiest Puns, Hilarious Memes and Jokes That Only Alcoholics Will Find Funny.

The Array of Cocktails That Began With Rum

Rum is the base of various famous cocktails across the world. While today we made a variation of this delicious drink that includes other alcohol bases, everything from the classic summer cocktail of pina colada and mojito to the refined daiquiri and the classic rum & coke, there are various variations in which rum is enjoyed worldwide.

The Health-Conscious Delight

If you have been one to keep a count on your calories but enjoy a weekend drink, then rum is your best friend. A 100grams of this delicious drink provides 231 calories with 0 fat and 0 carbohydrates according to the USDA.

The Different Shades of Rum

Rum is one of the few drinks that can be enjoyed in different shades and colours. From the classic white rum to the favorite dark rum, the different shades of the alcohol come from the different ageing duration, barrel type, ageing process, the ingredients used like cinnamon, caramel, etc. This is the reason that each kind of rum has its own distinct flavour and taste!

Puerto Rico and Its Role in Rum Manufacturing

While rum is consumed and manufactured in various places across the world, Puerto Rico has a special place in this history. Rum is made from sugar cane, and more than 80% of all the rum sources originate from Puerto Rico. This is the main reason that the worlds largest rum distillery (Casa Bacardi) is located on this island. National Rum Day 2020 Quotes: Funny Sayings About the Alcoholic Beverage to Share With Your Booze-Loving Friends!

We hope that this National Rum Day you enjoy your favourite rum drink and relish this ancient genius concoction that has as rich past as its taste! Happy National Rum Day!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 16, 2020 03:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Safecracking, outdoor dining, new services at the library, another ban of gay conversion therapy, and whats replacing the Arts, Beats & Eats this year.

Here is some of what you may have missed this prior week in local news and sports. Take a few minutes to catch up with whats been happening.
A father has left a brutal message for his late partner after she died in prison accused of killing their three-year-old daughter.

Tamara Gurney was charged with murder after the body of Iyla Lee Katterns was found in her home in Orange in NSW on August 1 2019.

The 41-year-old was in another room and falling in and out of consciousness after taking drugs at the time of the three-year-old's death.

Gurney was found dead in her prison cell in Silverwater Women's Correction Centre on August 9 after taking her own life.

Tamara Gurney was charged with the murder of her daughter Iyla Lee Katterns (pictured together)

Iyla's father Nathan Katterns had some choice words for his former partner.

'Rot in hell Tamara Lee Gurney, you cowardly monster,' he told The Daily Telegraph. 'You're not a mum, you're a monster.'

Mr Katterns won custody of Iyla over Gurney shortly before the little girl passed away after an 18-month legal battle.

He held a beach side vigil on the Gold Coast last weekend on the one-year anniversary of Iyla's death, with friends and family leaving out toys and surfboards in memory of Iyla.

Iyla's father Nathan Katterns (pictured together) called Gurney a 'cowardly monster' after her death in custody

Mr Katterns said he desperately misses his daughter and would do anything to get her back.

'I say a prayer for my daughter every day,' Mr Katterns said. 'I would give my own life for Iyla to still be alive.'

Gurney's death in custody will be the subject of a coronial inquest.

A source from Silverwater Women's Correction Centre said Gurney was not considered an at-risk prisoner before her death.

'It may have been the anniversary (of her daughter's death) that was too much,' the source said.
The outgoing Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Yahuza Bello, says the three COVID-19 testing centres established by the institution since the outbreak of the pandemic had tested no fewer than 27,831 samples.

Mr Bello said this on Sunday during the inauguration of the International Conference Centre (ICC) at BUKs College of Health Sciences, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital,Kano.

He added that out of the 27,831 tests conducted, over 13,000 samples were from Kano while others were from Jigawa, Yobe, Kaduna and Katsina states.

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The don also said the university had expended over N80 million to equip the three centres, adding that the institution is still sourcing resources to continue equipping the laboratories.

Mr Bello said the universitys molecular laboratories were rated among the best four in the country by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

NCDC has ranked the BUKs molecular laboratories as one of the four best laboratories in Nigeria.

This is because the university has spent millions of naira to equip them.

From the BUKs revenue, we have voluntarily spent N50 million to buy equipment for the laboratories.

The university has also continued to spend in making the testing centres state-of-the-art.

Even recently, when we opened another laboratory, we have spent about N31 million to buy equipment and Personal Protective Equipment, Bello said.

He commended the efforts of the state government in supporting the institution to establish the testing centres.

In his remarks, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State commended the efforts of the university in establishing the testing centres.

According to him, the centres contributed immensely to the reduction in cases of COVID-19 in the state.

Mr Ganduje said the testing centres had reduced the burden of taking samples to Abuja and Lagos which initially had made the response against COVID-19 difficult in the state.

He said the establishment of the BUK testing centres had given a boost to the testing capacity of the state and eased the fight against the virus.

(NAN)
Demonstrators are demanding new elections, an amended constitution, with some calling for reform of the monarchy.

Thousands of people have joined student-led rallies in Thailands capital calling for political reforms.

They are demanding a new election and an amended constitution.

And, as Al Jazeeras Wayne Hay reports from Bangkok, some Thais are touching a sensitive subject by calling for reform of the monarchy.
Kathmandu, Aug 16 : Nepal has registered a total of 102 deaths from the novel coronavirus so far, according to the Ministry of Health and Population.

"Death toll from the pandemic reached 102 after three new deaths were reported in the last 24 hours," Jageshwor Gautam, a Ministry spokesperson, told Xinhua news agency on Saturday.

On May 16, Nepal reported the first death from the pandemic -- a 29-year-old woman.

Till July 21, Nepal reported a total of 40 deaths.

The Ministry on Saturday reported 468 new cases, taking the total to 26,019.

But, after the lockdown was lifted on July 22 allowing almost all economic and social activities to operate largely without restrictions, the death toll also started to climb rapidly along with cases.

In just over three weeks since the lockdown was lifted, the deaths surpassed 100.

"After the lockdown was lifted, the pandemic spread among all groups of people including young, elderly and the people with existing conditions which resulted in high number of deaths," Gautam told Xinhua.

"Before the lockdown, most of the COVID-19 cases were confined among the Nepali migrant workers; most of them were in working age with relatively stronger immunity." According to the Ministry, infection rate is relatively lower now compared to that a month ago.

Infection rate now is 4-6 per cent compared to 8-9 per cent a month ago, the Ministry said.

But Gautam said that the spread of the pandemic among the people suffering from diabetes and kidney problems among others, contributed to a higher number of deaths in the recent days.

On August 12, the Ministry confirmed the record-high single day fatality of eight deaths due to Covid-19.

Along with the spike in deaths, the number of critical cases is also on the rise.

On Saturday, the ministry reported 102 critical patients who have been kept at intensive care units and those at ICU with support of ventilators.

According to Gautam, the main reason behind the resurgence of cases in Nepal in the recent days is that people are ignoring the call to stay at home and not using the face masks while going outside.

A recent survey by the Nepal Health Research Council in Kathmandu Valley showed that only 72 per cent of people surveyed were found to have used the face masks while going outside.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Algerians hit the beaches on Saturday after authorities lifted some restrictions imposed five months ago to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, as cafes, restaurants and large mosques also reopened.

The third worst affected country in Africa after Egypt and South Africa, Algeria has officially reported a total of more than 38,000 cases of the COVID-19, including 1,360 deaths.

It imposed a strict lockdown after the first infection was recorded at the end of February.

A partial lockdown remains in force in 29 of the country's 48 wilayas, or administrative councils, which also must observe a night-time curfew.

"The atmosphere at home was unbearable. The children were bored and I was fed up," said Soraya, a mother who was among the first to head to the beach with her children.

Her friend Fatima, children in tow, joined carrying a sun umbrella and sandwiches for everyone.

"I prepared everything at home so that we could spend the whole day at the beach," Fatima said, as one of her children tugged on her hand to make her stop talking and start walking towards the sea.

Despite the relaxed virus restrictions, Algerians must still wear masks outdoors or risk steep fines, and social distancing in the sea is compulsory.

Policemen wearing shorts patrolled the beaches on Saturday on foot or on quad bikes to make sure beachgoers followed the rules, and mounted police were due to keep watch throughout the summer.

The reopening of beaches "is very good news for a population that has been suffocating and who could lose its psychological balance", said a petition on social networks.

The petition urged authorities to open up to the general public two large Algiers beaches which in the past had restricted access.

Algeria eased five months of virus restrictions allowing some mosques to reopen to worshippers. By RYAD KRAMDI (AFP)

Large mosques -- closed since March 19 -- were also allowed to reopen on the condition social distancing could be maintained, but worshippers must wear masks and bring their own prayer rugs.

Women, children under the age of 15 and people deemed vulnerable are not allowed to enter.

The weekly Friday prayer, however, remains prohibited for all.

"Thank God," pensioner Abdelmalek said as he came out of a mosque.

"I noticed that people were respecting hygiene rules. It is a good thing because when we come to pray, we mean to do good... not something bad like contaminating others," he said.

Sociologist Zoubir Arous warned of the risk of a new spike in infections and said the reopening of beaches, mosques, restaurants and cafes was "hasty".

Authorities have warned they will reimpose restrictions if the number of cases rises.
Vietnam recorded 12 new COVID-19 cases, including a two-month-old, and one virus-related death on Sunday, according to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

The additional patients include eight in Da Nang, a touristy city on the central coast, one in Hanoi, and three imported cases who had been quarantined upon arrival at the airport.

All the domestic infections were traced to the beach city.

A two-month-old baby was confirmed as one of the 12 patients.

The infant lives in the same house as two other patients in Da Nang.

The three were recorded on Sunday and had been in close contact with another 35-year-old patient in the touristy city, who was already logged on Thursday.

One of the imported cases is a Vietnamese returning from Equatorial Guinea on July 29, the other two coming back from Japan.

Vietnams health ministry also reported the countrys 24th coronavirus-related death on Sunday morning.

The patient was an 82-year-old woman from Da Nang with a history of meningitis.

Her death was attributed to pneumonia caused by COVID-19, severe respiratory failure, septic shock, and meningitis as a pre-existing condition.

Vietnam announced nine recoveries on Sunday, all having been treated in Da Nang.

The Southeast Asian country has documented 962 coronavirus cases as of 7:00 pm on Sunday, with 336 imported patients and 626 local infections.

Twenty-four have succumbed to the acute respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus in Vietnam, whereas 456 patients have recovered from it to date.

The Vietnamese government has registered 486 community-based cases linked to Da Nang since July 25, when the beach city detected the first local transmission after Vietnam had spent 99 days reporting no domestic detection.

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HURON COUNTY, MI  A flood warning has been issued for Huron County after torrential overnight rainfall has closed some roads in the area.

The National Weather Service issued the flood warning until 2:15 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16 for central Huron County.

At 1109 AM EDT, local law enforcement reported flooding across much of northern Huron County, especially in and around Kinde and Filion, per the warning. Several area roads remain flooded. There are also a few road closures due to roads being washed out.

Ian Lee, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in White Lake, said the majority of the rain came between 1 a.m. and 8 a.m. Sunday.

Rainfall amounts include approximately eight inches in Kinde and Filion, as well as 3.4 inches in Elkton, 3.15 inches in Bayport, 2.41 inches in Caseville, and 2.5 inches in Tuscola Countys Cass City.

Along with Kinde and Filion, Sebewaing, Caseville, Port Austin, Port Hope, Pigeon, Elkton, Redman, Huron City, Grindstone City, Bay Port, Pinnebog, Port Crescent State Park, and Rapson are experiencing some flooding.

Excessive runoff from last nights heavy rainfall caused flooding of small creeks and streams, country roads, farmland, and other low-lying spots.

Residents are being advised to turn around when they come upon flooded roads.

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Mumbai, Aug 16 : BJP Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy on Sunday tweeted terming the death of late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput murder. Swami took to his verified Twitter to take a dig at Bollywood, Mumbai Police and the Maharashtra government when he made the comment.

"Sushant Singh Rajput's murder is Waterloo and Watergate for Bollywood, Mumbai Police and Maharashtra government. Fasten your seat belts as we are about to take off and bombard and won't give up till either guilty are brought to justice or justice is brought to the guilty," Swamy tweeted.

On Friday, the veteran politician had tweeted questioning the absence of the late actor's servant Samuel and the arrival of two ambulances after Sushant's death.

"Why were two ambulance? Who called them? If I don't get truthful answers we may get a clue why SSR loyal servant Samuel is missing. Is he alive or dead? Was one ambulance intended for him?" he had tweeted.

Right from the start after Sushant's death, Swamy has been vocal about the need for a CBI probe. He even wrote a couple of letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to hand over to the case to the investigative agency.

Last week, Swamy had taken a dig at the five doctors who performed the autopsy.

"CBI will find it worthwhile to grill the Dr. R.C. Cooper Muncipal Hospital the five doctors who did the autopsy. According to the Ambulance staff that took SSR's body to the hospital, SSR's feet was twisted below his ankle (as if it was broken). Case is unravelling!!" he had tweeted on Monday.

Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery
Modified On Oct 02, 2020 01:36 PM By Dhruv Attri for Mahindra Thar

If daily use and practicality were your concerns with the previous Thar, then this one has certainly addressed those issues

Update (02/10/2020): Mahindra has launched the second-gen Thar with prices beginning from Rs 9.80 lakh (ex-showroom). Read more about it here.

The new Thar gets several bits inspired from the Jeep Wrangler like removable doors and washable interior.

Will be offered in two variants: AX for adventure-seekers and LX series for the lifestyle buyers.

Gets a 2.0-litre turbo petrol and a 2.2-litre diesel engine with a choice of manual and, for the first time, an automatic transmission!

Shift on fly 4x4 manual shift transfer case with crawl ratio comes as standard.

Uses a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension instead of leaf spring units in the previous model.

Prices are expected to range between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 14 lakh.

It will take on the Maruti Jimny, Force Gurkha and similarly-priced compact SUVs like the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta.

After making us wait for what seemed like an eternity, Mahindra has finally given us a good look at the Mahindra Thar SUV. Unlike the agricultural first-gen Mahindra Thar that catered to a niche audience, the new one looks good to serve even city dwellers. Bookings will open once its launched on October 2.

It retains the iconic Jeep Wrangler-inspired seven-slat grille which is flanked by rotund halogen headlamps with LED daytime running lamps on the front fenders. The high set flat bonnet with exposed hinges, squared-off windshield and prominent bumper round off the front.

On the sides, it features massive wheel arches which are filled by 255/65 18-inch alloy wheels, side steps to enter the cabin that sits 226mm off the ground, and an oblong-shaped outside rearview mirror. Unlike the new breed of cosmopolitan SUVs, the Thars side indicators are affixed on the front quarter panel. The Thar will be available in a two-door configuration with a factory-fitted hardtop option for the first time. There are three roof options available -- a fixed soft top, a manually convertible soft top and a hard top -- depending on the variant you opt for. Colour options for the 2020 Thar comprise Red Rage, Mystic Copper, Napoli Black, Aquamarine, Galaxy Grey and Rocky Beige.

The rear end of the new Thar doesnt look a lot different than the previous one. It gets rectangular tail lamps and a spare wheel mounted on the tailgate. The resemblance of the new Thar to the Jeep Wrangler is quite uncanny. Lets compare the new Thars off-road stats against the old one.

Measurement First-gen Mahindra Thar 2020 Mahindra Thar Difference Ground Clearance 200mm 226mm +26mm Approach Angle 44 Degrees 41.8 Degrees -2.2 degree Breakover Angle 15 Degrees 27 Degrees +12 degree Departure Angle 27 Degrees 36.8 Degrees +9.8 degree Water Wading N.A. 650mm

If the changes outside seem evolutionary, the interior has undergone updates that are revolutionary. Gone is the spartan dashboard layout making way for a 7-inch touchscreen in the centre which gets both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Other noteworthy features include a multi-function steering wheel, multi-information display, manual AC, cruise control and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

If the changes outside seem evolutionary, the interior has undergone updates that are revolutionary. Gone is the spartan dashboard layout making way for a 7-inch touchscreen in the centre which gets both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Other noteworthy features include a multi-function steering wheel, multi-information display, cruise control and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

The piece de resistance, though, is a convertible soft top which promotes its placement as a lifestyle vehicle. Whats more? The interior can even be washed and wiped. Thats why the speakers have been mounted on the roof and the front power window switches have been slapped in the central console. All the switches in the Thar are weather resistant. The rear seats in the new Thar are forward-facing bench seats that get adjustable headrests as well.

The Thar features both a petrol as well as a diesel engine option for the first time. The petrol unit is a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that develops 150PS and 300Nm (320Nm with AT) while the diesel is a 2.2-litre unit that puts out 130PS/300Nm. Both engines get a 6-speed manual as standard while a 6-speed automatic transmission is a part of the options list with both the engines. A 4x4 system is natural for a Thar, so it is standard equipment for all powertrain combinations. Its a shift-on-the-fly 4x4 transfer case.

Another area where the new Thar has seen a massive improvement is with its suspension setup which utilises an independent front suspension with a multi-link unit at the rear. Its predecessor used a semi-elliptical leaf spring unit.

The new Mahindra Thar is likely to be priced in the range of Rs 10 lakh and Rs 14 lakh. While its primary rivals may be the Force Gurkha and the upcoming Maruti Suzuki Jimny, it will also take on similarly priced compact SUVs like the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta and Nissan Kicks.

Read More on : Thar diesel
The family of a British backpacker who was murdered in Thailand have welcomed a royal pardon which has seen the killers' death sentences commuted to life in prison.

Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun, also known as Wai Phyo, were found guilty of the rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and of killing David Miller, 24, after their battered bodies were found on a beach on the southern resort island of Koh Tao in September 2014.

David Miller's parents, Ian and Sue Miller, said they were 'grateful' to Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn for reviewing the sentences.

The couple have previously campaigned against the death penalty.

In a statement they said: 'We are grateful to His Majesty the King of Thailand for showing his clemency to the murderers of our son David.'

Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun's lawyer Nadthasiri Bergman said the pardon decree - which was published Friday and applies to all inmates on death row - was 'effective immediately'.

The migrant workers from Myanmar were jailed for the murder of David Miller (right) and the murder and rape of Hannah Witheridge (left) in 2014

Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun were sentenced to death for the murder of two British backpackers had their sentences commuted from death to life in prison on Friday

The parents thanked the Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn for showing his clemency to the murderers

The two men were convicted and sentenced in 2015 and the verdict was upheld by an appeals court in 2017 and the Supreme Court in August 2019 but have their sentences were change to life in prison on Friday thanks to a royal decree.

The convictions were mired in controversy with supporters of the two men arguing that they had been framed and that they had initially confessed to the crimes under duress.

Their sentences will be reduced to life imprisonment after a royal pardon decree was published on Friday, their lawyer Nakhon Chompuchat said.

'The two are eligible under a section in the royal pardon decree to get their death sentences reduced to life imprisonment,' Nakhon said.

'They will also have a chance to get their sentences reduced further on good behaviour.'

The decree published on Friday said the royal pardons were granted to commemorate the king's birthday on July 28 and to 'illustrate the king's clemency'.

'I can't find words to express how thankful we are,' Ye Zaw Tun, a brother of Win Zaw Tun, told AFP on Saturday following the decree.

'We knew this case was totally unfair, and we sometimes feel bitterness, but we want to say thanks for the royal pardon.'

A commutation of their sentence had been the pair's only remaining hope after their final appeal failed last year, with Thailand's top court ruling the evidence against them was clear.

Ms Witheridge, a University of Essex student from Hemsby, Norfolk, and Mr Miller, of Jersey, who had just completed a civil and structural engineering degree at the University of Leeds, met on Koh Tao while staying at the same hotel.

A cleaner heading home in the early hours of the morning of September 15 last year came across their battered bodies on Sairee Beach.

Ms Witheridge had been savagely raped and beaten to death and Mr Miller had been beaten unconscious and left to drown in the incoming tide.

Police recovered the murder weapon - a short-handled garden hoe - from a small garden bed nearby.

Following their murders, many in Thailand felt the two men accused of killing them had been given an unfair trial as low-paid migrant workers - an integral part of Thailand's workforce - are often regarded with contempt by its public.

Prosecutors said DNA evidence collected from cigarette butts, a condom and the bodies of the victims links the two suspects to the killings.

But lawyers representing the two men said DNA samples from the alleged murder weapon - a garden hoe - did not match that of the two suspects.

In 2015, Mr Miller's brother and his parents Ian and Sue spoke outside the Koh Samui Provincial Court in Koh Samui

Sue Miller, mother of murdered British backpacker David Miller, pictured outside court after the guilty verdict in 2015

The defence team also claimed DNA evidence was mishandled by police and the defendants' confessions were a result of 'torture or abuse that made them fear for their lives' in the context of 'systematic abuse' of migrants on Koh Tao.

The men told the court that they had had plastic bags placed over their heads so they couldn't breathe, were physically beaten and were threatened with being killed and their bodies dumped in the sea.

A bizarre re-enactment of the murders in which the suspects were paraded in front of the media was also 'staged under threat of violence', the lawyers added.

Thai police denied using force during their investigation.

After their initial sentences in 2015, Mr Miller's father Ian, mother Sue and brother Michael who attended the court hearing, spoke after the judges delivered their verdicts.

On the steps of the court, his brother said: 'We believe the result today was justice for David and Hannah.

'David always stood up for justice and justice is what was delivered today.

'We didn't know what to believe. It was easy to conclude they might be scapegoats. We heard the evidence and a group of activists has promoted their cause to the media.

The pair were initially sentenced to death for the murders after they initially confessed, though have later retracted their statements

'They had seven top lawyers and ultimately they obtained the best possible representation in court.

'We have attended the trial and gained respect for the court. We came to realise the police investigation was not the shambles it was made out to be.

'It is our opinion that the evidence against Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo is absolutely overwhelming.'

Following the murders, Koh Tao earned the nicknamed of 'death island' due to the number of western tourists who had died or gone missing there.

In 2012, 32-year-old Ben Harrington died in what Thai police said was a motorbike crash, but his parents said they became suspicious of the explanation when officers tried to cremate his body the following day.

Hannah (pictured right with a friend on Koh Tao shortly before she died) was backpacking in Thailand while studying at the University of Essex to be a speech therapist

A woman pays her respects to the murdered backpackers after they were found on the Thai beach early in September 2014

Despite years of inquiries about her son's death, including Freedom of Information requests submitted to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, no fresh details have been forthcoming.

Aside from Hannah and David, 2014 also saw the death of Nick Pearson , 25, from Derby, who was found floating in the ocean on New Year's Day. His parents believe he was murdered.

The following year Briton Christina Annesley , 23, was found dead from what Thai police described as mixing alcohol with antibiotics for a chest infection.

Then, 29-year-old Frenchman Dimitri Povse was also found hanged with officers describing it as a suicide.

However, Christina's family said no toxicology report was carried out, raising questions about her death, while Dimitri's family said he could not have hanged himself because his hands were tied behind his back.

Luke Miller, a bricklayer from the Isle of Wight, was then found dead in a pool on the island in 2016 with Thai police saying there was no evidence of foul play, despite his family saying they had received conflicting reports of events before his death.

In 2017, Belgian Elise Dallemagne was found dead in the jungle of Koh Tao in what police said was suicide by hanging - though her family rejected that explanation.

They believe she was murdered while trying to escape from a Buddhist cult.

The same year Russian tourist Valentina Novozhyonova , 23, vanished from her hostel along with her diving gear. No trace of her has ever been found, though the official Thai police account is that she died at sea.

Then, in June 2018, 47-year-old German Bernd Grotsch was found dead near his home on the island after what authorities described as a heart attack or snake bite.

But his family said at the time that they had not received an autopsy report and had suspicions about the death.
Actor Sushant Singh Rajputs lawyer, Priyanka Khimani, who started working with his in 2019, has said that he barely knew Disha Salian, who is said to have managed him briefly. Both Sushant and Dishas deaths were ruled suicides. They died within a week of each other, fuelling conspiracy theories.

In an interview to India Today, Priyanka said, I never met Disha. It is absolutely bizarre and illogical. I did not have any interaction or email exchange. I remember reaching out to Sushant that your name is being dragged into it when this news broke out. This is how much we knew her. I had no interaction with her.

Also read: Disha Salians father says she wanted to get married soon, had met Sushant Singh Rajput only once for an hour

Previously, Sushants friend and flatmate Siddharth Pithani had said that the actor was deeply distressed about being associated with Disha when news of her death first reached him. He met her only once in his life, Siddharth had told Zoom TV. She was Sushants manager for only a very small time. Siddharth added that Sushant kept crying the day he learned of Dishas death. His sister was there to take of him that time. She fed him, gave him water. His sister came over the day Rhea (Chakraborty) left. The following day this incident happened, and that affected him so much. He fainted also. His sister and me were in the same room. We all saw how badly it affected him.

Dishas family has called for an end to speculations around her death, and said that they trust the police on the matter. Her father confirmed that she barely knew Sushant. They had only met once along with his manager for about an hour, he told Mid-Day.

Sushants lawyer also said that she doesnt believe in the conspiracy theories surrounding his death, because in her opinion, Sushant was the sort of person who couldnt be influenced by external factors. She said, When I sit back and if I have to think to myself, deep down in my gut, as heartbroken I know I am, I know it was his decision. Thats what I am inclined to believe, he was a man who made his decisions. He would change his mind frequently. The man I knew, was the man who made his decisions. I never knew he was ever influenced by external factors. He didnt care about others opinions. If people knew him, these things wouldnt be discussed in the media.

Also read: Sushant Singh Rajputs friend Siddharth Pithani says actor cried, fainted at being associated with former manager Disha Salians death

Sushant died on June 14, at the age of 34. Several law enforcement agencies such as the Mumbai and Patna police, the Enforcement Directorate, and the Central Bureau of Investigation have been involved in investigating the case.

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

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A former camera assistant on The Ellen DeGeneres Show has claimed the program's environment could be compared to the film The Devil Wears Prada, in yet another attack on the 'toxic' environment on the hugely-popular star's set.

The anonymous former employee told the hosts of Australian radio show Stav, Abby & Matt that their year spent working there was tortuous, and that everyone stayed only to improve their resume.

'I worked there for a little over a year,' she said, speaking to the hosts on Tuesday. 'At the show there is a culture of competition. You are constantly reminded that the show is this behemoth, and it will be there with or without you.'

A former camera assistant on The Ellen DeGeneres Show has claimed the program's environment could be compared to the film The Devil Wears Prada, in yet another attack on the 'toxic' environment on the hugely-popular star's set

She said it reminded her of the 2006 film, in which Meryl Streep plays an offensive and demanding boss, rumored to be based on Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

'It's kind of like The Devil Wears Prada. Everyone is trying to make it to the [end of a] year.

'It's just a badge of honor to have that and have it on your resume.'

The woman, with an American accent, said it was 'really disappointing' that people were reluctant to believe the 'victims'.

She said the film industry was 'really hard', and that the show was regularly on a ten-hour day.

'But it's more than that. It's basic rights; being paid overtime, water on a hot day. If you ask for that, you're told, well, there's the door.'

She said it was 'really unfair' that people like Ashton Kutcher, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom weigh in on how the employees are treated.

A former camera assistant likened DeGeneres to the Meryl Streep character in the 2006 film

The former staffer told the Brisbane-based hosts that people were not allowed in the same room as the comedian, and that she had never even met her.

'Most people are told: "When Ellen enters the room, you and your entire crew need to leave."

'Sometimes her bodyguards come forward first and you kind of see them and you know to leave and that's it.'

In recent months DeGeneres, 62, has been accused of racism and bullying, as well as fostering a 'toxic environment' behind the scenes of her hit talk show.

An official investigation into the allegations, made by past and present employees, was launched by WarnerMedia earlier in the month.

The anonymous source said that DeGeneres probably has no idea of 'what's going on in her own show at all'.

'Ellen has no idea who most of the staff are,' she said. 'She really has no idea who we are.'

A former producer, Hedda Muskat, said DeGeneres was a 'toxic host,' and claimed the star once 'giggled' after executive producer Ed Glavin screamed at a crew member.

A past guest named Dana Dimatteo also previously claimed that Ellen 'snapped' out of her 'kind' character when the cameras stopped rolling.

Her wife, Portia de Rossi, has sprung to her defense, posting a photo with the hashtag: 'I stand by Ellen.'

Portia de Rossi, DeGeneres's wife, has spoken out in her defense against the accusations

Actor Kevin Hart has also spoken out to back his friend, with whom on Saturday he was spotted having lunch in Montecito.

Argentine polo player Nacho Figueras and DJ Samantha Ronson also publicly supported DeGeneres.

'She makes the world a better place for millions of people everyday and we cannot hit her because something may have not been perfect,' Figueras wrote on Instagram.

DeGeneres has apologized for the allegations in a letter sent to employees, and admitted that she had to take responsibility as her name was at the top.

She added that as her program has grown, she had 'not been able to stay on top of everything' and had instead 'relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I'd want them done.'

DeGeneres wrote: 'Clearly some didn't. That will now change and I'm committed to ensuring this does not happen again.'
NAIROBI  South Sudans efforts to undertake civilian disarmament are facing challenges due to prevailing pockets of insecurity in the youngest nation, an expert said on Friday.

Augostino Ting Mayai, political analyst at the Juba-based Sudd Institute, a think tank, said that its hard to undertake a successful disarmament process amid prevailing insecurity as South Sudan emerges from the more than six years of conflict. Its human nature for any of us to feel secure before we can hand down anything (arms) that protect us. Disarming the population without first putting in place guarantees, is going to be resisted because the government has not provided sufficient protection for the civilians, he told Xinhua in an interview in Juba. His remarks came after violent clashes broke out on Aug. 8 between the military and armed civilians when the latter attempted to conduct disarmament in the Tonj East area of Warrap state, leaving more than 148 people killed including soldiers. Mayai observed that the government should focus on holistic disarmament, rather than conducting in particular areas.

South Sudan since winning independence from Sudan in 2011 has been rife with persistent inter-communal violence which often manifests in form of cattle raiding, child abduction and revenge killings. Some of these local militias have often also clashed with government troops. You need to cover the entire country at the same time. Selective disarmament is going to face some challenges and push back. What we saw in Tonj is not that people dont want to hand over their arms to the government, it is just that the government has not provided enough security for them, added Mayai. The ubiquity of arms in the hands of civilians is definitely causing insecurity issues within the communities, and there is no question about it being an issue to handle. Nevertheless, one would not underestimate the daunting task of making that happen, he said.

Mayai noted that chronic poverty and other underlying issues such as local security matters are pushing the youth to retain their weapons. A disarmament practice that is put in the hands of army generals is not going to be sufficient, especially when the population knows that some of these generals are violent, he noted. As you are aware the youth will have to defend themselves because the people coming to them are known for violence and not a discussion that will lead to nudging these young people to hand down their arms, said Mayai.

He disclosed that disarmament takes incentives, adding that forceful disarmament is bound to inflame the situation. There has to be a government policy that integrates all the views from the community members, youth, community leaders, policymakers and NGOs. Its not going to be an overnight reaction to the violence by the government because without a strategic plan, you cannot succeed rather you will always inflame the situation, said the expert.

South Sudan is currently implementing the 2018 revitalized peace deal signed in Ethiopia to end more than six years of conflict since the outbreak in December 2013. The former warring parties despite forming the transitional unity government in February, are still yet to finalize unification of the army which is crucial to guarantee security.

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An anti-government protest in Thailand drew more than 10,000 people on Sunday, the largest political demonstration the kingdom has seen in years as a pro-democracy movement gathers steam.

Student-led groups have held near-daily protests across the country for the past month to denounce Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha -- a former army chief who led a 2014 coup -- and his military-aligned administration.

By Sunday evening the protesters -- who are demanding major democratic reforms -- had taken over the busy intersection around Bangkok's Democracy Monument, which was built to mark the 1932 revolution that ended royal absolutism.

Police closed off surrounding main roads to stop incoming traffic, and an official at Bangkok's Metropolitan Police Bureau told AFP the crowd size had grown to 10,000 by 6:00 pm (1100 GMT).

"Down with the dictatorship," the students chanted, many holding signs critical of the administration. Others held bird-shaped cutouts representing peace.

The peaceful gathering at Democracy Monument is the largest the kingdom has seen since Prayut staged a putsch in 2014.

Partly inspired by the Hong Kong democracy movement, the protesters claim to be leaderless and have relied mostly on social media campaigns to draw support across the country.

"Give a deadline to dictatorship" was the top Twitter hashtag in Thailand on Sunday.

They are demanding an overhaul of the government and a rewriting of the 2017 military-scripted constitution, which they believe skewed last year's election in favour of Prayut's military-aligned party.

Organiser Tattep Ruangprapaikitseree reaffirmed the call Sunday, adding that the government must "stop threatening the people".

"If there's no positive response from the government by September, we will step up," Tattep shouted to a sea of supporters holding up their mobile phones as flashlights.

Tensions have risen over the last two weeks with authorities arresting three activists. They were released on bail after being charged with sedition.

They were told not to repeat the alleged offences, but two of them -- prominent student leader Parit Chiwarak and human rights lawyer Anon Numpa -- arrived at the protest venue on Sunday flanked by cheering supporters.

A rally last week by around 4,000 demonstrators called for the abolition of a law protecting Thailand's unassailable monarchy, and for a frank discussion about its role in Thailand.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn sits at the apex of Thai power, flanked by the military and the country's billionaire business elite.

A draconian "112" law can see those convicted sentenced to up to 15 years in jail per charge.

During Sunday's demonstration, which drew a diverse crowd of all ages, many said they agreed with the student demands.

"We can't let the students walk on this difficult path alone," a 68-year-old woman told AFP, declining to provide her name.

- Growing discontent -

But the increasingly bold pro-democracy movement also has its detractors.

Standing at one corner of the monument's intersection were dozens of royalist protesters carrying portraits of the king and queen, shouting "Long live the king".

Prayut last week described the protesters' demands as "unacceptable" for Thailand's majority, calling the pro-democracy movement "risky" a day before Parit was arrested.

Sunday's massive turnout is meant to send a message to the government that "they cannot forever use legal mechanisms against the people", said political analyst Titipol Phakdeewanich of Ubon Ratchathani University.

"They can see that it's only used to serve the interests of the military and the establishment parties."

After the eight-hour rally, the activists linked arms and marched to a nearby police station to challenge authorities on arrest warrants that local media reported were issued for various leaders.

The police did not arrest anyone, and after a brief stand-off, the activists left.

Thailand has long seen a cycle of violent protests and coups, with the arch-royalist army staging more than a dozen putsches since 1932.

The growing discontent also comes as the kingdom goes through one of its worst economic periods since 1997 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Millions have been left jobless, and the crisis has exposed the inequalities in the Thai economy, which is perceived to benefit the elite, pro-military establishment.

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Letter carriers load mail trucks for deliveries at a U.S. Postal Service facility in McLean, Va., last month. President Donald Trump has repeatedly raised unsubstantiated fears of fraud involving mail-in voting, which is expected to be more widely used in the November election out of concern for safety given the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

First, they came for the mailboxes.

The once-fantastical notion of a political or military coup in the United States has long lingered in the American imagination. Older boomers might remember, for example, the book and movie Seven Days in May. Its a riveting plotline because, in a nation with a 231-year tradition of peacefully transferring power, a coup was always something that Cant Happen Here. Americans knowledge of how coups even work comes mostly from stories on NPR from faraway lands where soldiers seize a nations key chokepoints, as tanks roll onto the tarmac of the international airport and camouflaged men appear at the state TV station.

Now ... Its Happening Here.

Donald Trump and his loyalists have seized control of a key American chokepoint: the U.S. Postal Service, a vital institution thats existed in some form since before the Declaration of Independence and is shouted-out in the U.S. Constitution. Its a brazenly opportunistic move, taking the good-natured  and only in hindsight, naive  intentions of state and local officials to make it easier to cast ballots in a pandemic by encouraging voting by mail, and diabolically turning the plan on its head. Just as past tyrants might have burned bridges or wheat fields, Trump and his designated henchman  his wealthy donor Louis DeJoy  are vandalizing the post office in plain sight with the election less than three months away, disappearing mailboxes and throwing expensive sorters into dumpsters.

 READ MORE: SIGN UP: The Will Bunch Newsletter

Mail is sitting for a week to 10 days before theyre even scanned to go out, Nick Casselli, a postal workers union leader here in Philadelphia, told The Inquirers Ellie Rushing earlier this month. He has described local post offices with curtailed hours, workers barred from working overtime, and  most disturbingly  seven of those crucial sorters yanked out of a West Philadelphia facility. Some people in the citys most disadvantaged neighborhoods go days without a mail delivery.

Trump and DeJoy are arguably committing a felony in tampering with the U.S. mail for personal gain, in hoping to aid the presidents reelection. Like with any criminal racket, everyday citizens are getting caught in the crossfire. Sick people  especially veterans  are waiting on life-or-death medications, or disability checks are taking weeks to arrive. In a stressful year of coronavirus and double-digit unemployment, the mail problems are sending folks over the edge.

This is a nine-alarm fire for American democracy, and so Im doing something here that I usually work hard to avoid  writing about the same topic twice in one week. Because its that damn important. The Washington Post media columnist Margaret Sullivan (buy her book) wrote this weekend, if journalists dont keep the pressure on Postal Service problems, they will be abdicating their duty  and shes right.

One reason to keep hammering on the issue is that the idea of politicians so brazenly hijacking USPS is such an alien notion to most Americans that people arent thinking clearly, proposing normal democracy solutions to a problem created by authoritarianism. It was only a few months ago that many folks  myself included  pleaded for the Trump administration to listen to Democrats in Congress and agree to a multibillion-dollar bailout of the financially troubled USPS. Now, that makes no sense. It seems that we could give DeJoy $1 trillion and hed still be throwing letter sorters in the trash. Likewise, whats up with folks like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi or the perpetually concerned Sen. Susan Collins sending sternly worded letters to DeJoy, calmly making sure hes aware of the premeditated crimes hes committing in broad daylight?

Trump may be a narcissistic buffoon whos wrong about nearly everything, but unfortunately, there is method to the madness of slowing down the mail. As of right now, even after a week of bold, negative headlines about whats happening at USPS, a staggeringly high number of Americans plan to vote by mail in November  nearly half, according to some recent polls.

But like everything else in an America thats now divided not just politically but culturally, mail voters are not created equally. Arguably, postal voting is becoming this falls version of masks. Like facial coverings, mail ballots have been embraced with a religious fervor by liberals who want to show good communal citizenship and that they take the coronavirus threat seriously. But conservatives have absorbed a bombardment of lies from Trump and his state media Fox News that vote-by-mail is prone to fraud by big-city Democrats.

The numbers are remarkable. A recent poll from the Economist/YouGov found that 59% of Joe Bidens supporters currently plan to vote by mail, while the comparable number for Trump backers is only 18% (with 61% likely to vote the old-fashioned way: in person on Election Day, Nov. 3). This gives the president a couple of ways to thwart the will of the people, aided by USPS.

 READ MORE: How we stop Trump from stealing 11/3 by mail | Will Bunch Newsletter

First of all, dramatically slowed-down mail creates a scenario where voters who request mail ballots receive them very late in the election season, and where incoming ballots might arrive too late, by law, for county officials to count them. During primary season, when the stakes were lower and the USPS problems not nearly as severe, tens of thousands of ballots from Pennsylvania to California were tossed out as too late. Imagine this happening in November when there are more ballots  the vast majority for Biden  and slower mail. That scenario would surely aid Trump in the key states he so narrowly won in 2016  Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin.

The second possibility is more abstract but just as dangerous. Trump is trying to sow doubt in the minds of Americans about the integrity of the election so that he can discredit the result even if a final vote count sometime in November shows Biden as the apparent winner. Remember the poll: Trump has trained his voters to cast their ballots on Election Day  the results that will be tallied and released before most of the majority-for-Biden mail ballots are counted.

Even in a scenario where, say, 54% of the electorate backed Biden, Americans are likely to wake up on Nov. 4 with a partial result showing Trump ahead. If a wave of mail-in ballots then propels the Democrat into the lead, Trump and chorus on Fox News will declare it must be fraud  that urban Democratic machines somehow stuffed the mailboxes, or Russia or Iran, or that 400-pound guy in his bed intervened.

What then? Welcome to Belarus. Thousands and possibly millions of Americans will flood the streets demanding that Trump concede the election. Those protesters will be met by the state security force that Trump, like any wannabe dictator, has forged, consisting of those Homeland Security goons we witnessed in Portland, Ore., and corrupt police unions that have shown their white supremacist colors by racing to endorse a neo-fascist president. It will be an American civil war, and even though I dont see how Trump holds onto power (the military brass, after all, cant stand him), the damage to our democracy will be profound.

(Theres also a third deeply troubling scenario circulating, which is that the Trump wants to curb mail voting  and the able-to-be-audited paper trail it creates  because he wants more electronic votes that can be hacked and manipulated. I wont dive deep into those more complicated theories, but its important to consider.)

If throwing billions of dollars at the crooks Trump has installed at the top of USPS is a bad response to a coup thats already in motion, waiting to be walloped in the head on Nov. 4 is even worse. The people of the United States need to respond right now, in ways that are both well-organized and massive on a scale weve not seen before. Heres how:

Congress, end your recess and investigate. With the pandemic still raging and economic benefits expiring, it was a very bad idea for both houses to pretend normalcy and take an August recess. This weeks revelations mean that a) House Democrats should race back to Washington with the urgency that a coup by the opposition party requires (as I wrote this on Sunday morning, there was promising news), b) abandon your illusions that the new problems at USPS are because of lack of funding, and c) hold immediate hearings, preferably in prime time. If DeJoy wont appear, jail him for contempt. If evidence of criminality is revealed, impeach the postmaster general. The Constitution demands it. Leaders and activists, unite in an organized manner. The initial response to Trumps coup has been scattershot and sometimes contradictory (many remain locked into Mays message that voting by Trumps now-corrupted mail is safe). Form an emergency umbrella organization and give it a catchy name (how about the Committee of Concerned Citizens for the Post Office?  C3PO). Its goal? Educate the public on all of its voting options, and the best way to make sure ballots are counted in each jurisdiction. Create an infrastructure of mailings, texts, and hotlines to keep people informed and a souls to the polls operation for voters who need aid. Work with state and local governments to change laws and procedures to improve the vote counting. Citizens, hit the streets. On Saturday, a couple hundred folks rallied and chanted outside DeJoys D.C. apartment. Lets keep building on that. If you wait until Nov. 4 to react to Trumps plot against America, youll have waited far too long. Make a sign and stand in front of your post office today! People in Belarus are willing to be beaten for democracy, just as African Americans once were in Selma, Ala. How far will you go? And thats not all. If more people feel its necessary to vote on Nov. 3, we need more good citizens to volunteer to work the polls. And if you dont have a plan for how to ensure your vote counts, what are you waiting for?

Lets be honest: As the so-called Greatest Generation fades away, most living Americans have never been tested as citizens  not in the way were likely to be tested over the next three-and-a-half months. Hoping for the best is no longer an option  not when Trumps Seven Days in August scheme has already been initiated. Everyday citizens need to acknowledge this presidential coup, fight back, and keep remembering what the very first postmaster general, Benjamin Franklin, warned us  that America is only a republic if we can keep it.

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The Twitter logo is seen on a sign at the company's headquarters in San Francisco, Calif., on Nov. 4, 2016. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images)

Twitter Permanently Suspends Account of Vocal Trump Supporter Bill Mitchell

Bill Mitchell, host of the YouTube show YourVoice America and vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, has had his account permanently suspended by Twitter.

A Twitter spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement that Mitchells account, @mitchellvii, was suspended after he violated the platforms rules by using one account to evade the suspension of another account.

The spokesperson didnt elaborate.

According to the social media giants rules, accounts promoting violence, terrorism, child sexual exploitation, abuse, hateful conduct, suicide, sensitive media, or illegal or certain regulated goods or services will be banned. The rules dont mention anything about penalties for evading the suspension.

Google-cached pages of Mitchells Twitter account show him saying that Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.)who presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden picked as his running mateis not a moderate in a string of posts before his account was suspended.

The Biden/Harris ticket is making Bernie Sanders look like JFK, he said in an earlier post on Aug. 12.

In his last post on the social media platform, Mitchell had said: It is insane to think that defunding police will make neighborhoods safer.

Mitchell seems to have transferred his Twitter account over to Parler, a social media platform popular among libertarian and right-leaning voices, which is positioning itself as an alternative to Twitter by offering space for free expression without violence and no censorship. Twitter, along with other social media companies, continue to be accused of bias against conservative voices.

Mitchells profile shows he has been on Parler since Dec. 10, 2018.

He has responded to Twitters banning of his account in videos posted on Parler. He explains that he believes the ban was for posting opposition to government-enforced mask-wearing and his support of Trump.

What it looks like when Twitter deletes 5 years of work in a second because you support Trump 3 months before the election, he wrote in one post.

Other conservative voices on Twitter have also been turning to other social media platforms after similar bans to their accounts from the social media giant.

Parler received 500,000 user signups in June after Twitter banned popular conservative user accounts from its site.

According to user data acquired by Mediaite, Parler has seen a boost of around 50 percent in their user base, bringing the total number of users to 1.5 million after Twitter banned two popular conservative figures from its platform: Carpe Donktum, a well-known content creator whose content was often shared by President Donald Trump, and National Pulse editor Raheem Kassam.

Some high profile conservative are among those who have shifted to Parler, including White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Fox News Network host Laura Ingraham, and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.).

Technology companies shouldnt be able to put their thumb on the scale and reshape speech in our country. Features of the technology should apply equally to people regardless of viewpoint, Gaetz said when he announced that he was joining Parler.
The IDA, the agency responsible for the attraction and retention of inward foreign direct investment to Ireland, wants to identify at least five potential strategic sites in the Mid-West region around Limerick.

The agency is planning to engage engineers to scour the area for greenfield sites, each of which will need to be between 50 and 100 hectares.

The new sites across the Mid West, which are to be located close to Limerick, are to be suitable for accommodating the development of large-scale utility intensive industries such as bio-pharmaceutical and life sciences projects, the agency says.

As reported last week in the Irish Independent, the IDA is also looking for five potential sites in Cork across sectors such as life sciences and data centres.

A spokeswoman for the IDA confirmed the agency is looking to identify suitable sites for economic development across both the South West and the Mid West.

"IDA Ireland's Property Division regularly undertakes engineering assessments to identify landbanks suitable for future development from an access, services, zoning and infrastructure perspective," she said. "It is part of our long-term, strategic planning process."

Regarding the level of investment the new sites could represent for the region, the spokeswoman said it would be "impossible to quantify".

"There are many variables around cost of acquiring the land and level of investment needed to address infrastructural and services needs which would vary from site to site as well as future potential client investments," she said.

The IDA, whose chief executive is Martin Shanahan, has strategic sites in 12 regional locations across Ireland.
In recent years, some conservatives have also become convinced that the country is locking up too many people. In part that had to do with the cost, which was falling heavily on states. By one estimate, prisons alone cost U.S. taxpayers $80 billion every year. In 2018, a bipartisan bill passed Congress and was signed by Trump that granted judges more discretion in sentencing and boosted efforts for prisoner rehabilitation. The push to legalize or decriminalize marijuana use has also been linked to the push for racial justice in the criminal justice system: Black people are 3.6 times more likely than white people to be arrested for marijuana possession despite evidence that they use the drug at similar rates. Even the coronavirus pandemic has sparked debate about the role of incarceration and the potential for early release for non-violent offenders.
Why are we talking about testing again?

Access to testing is critical if we are to handle the virus. A recent surge in cases, especially in meat factories and other workplaces underlines how importing an efficient testing regime is.

Why is it important?

Until someone tests positive or negative for the virus there is no way of confirming they have Covid or proving they don't. Until people with symptoms are tested others are depending on them to act responsibly, to self-isolate and not do things like attend work or go shopping and risk potentially spreading the illness. But if there are delays accessing tests the risk of spread increases if people are not being responsible. Some people may also feel the need to take risks, especially if they only develop mild symptoms, as they need to work, or must perform everyday tasks where the virus can spread.

Is there a delay with tests?

Not at the moment, but it is hard to say with certainty that the country is in a place to cope with another surge of the virus. When it was at its worst earlier this year the HSE set a target of doing 15,000 daily tests. This was never met.

So why are meat factories at the centre of this?

There is certainly an issue about proximity and the numbers of people working together in these plants. In some cases the nature of the work also makes social distancing in confined spaces difficult.

There must be more to it than that?

Unions say there is. They have complained about the conditions some staff are working in at some plants and have concerns about overcrowding. The industry says it is not at fault for the Covid-19 clusters, saying that these can be attributed to the fact they are seen to be an essential service that stayed open during lockdown and cases of the virus started outside factories before being carried in. Politicians have been expressing concern about the living conditions in which some of these workers find themselves - such as shared or crowded accommodation - where the virus can be very troublesome.

So what are the numbers like in the locked-down counties now?

The huge jumps we saw at the start of the month have stalled, but the surges were significant. In Offaly there have been more than 100 positive cases this month. In July the county had averaged one positive case per day. There have been 50 cases in Laois this month alone - a 17pc increase on where the county was in July. Kildare has seen the biggest increases. There have been more than 100 cases there already in August.

So when are they going to get out of lockdown?

Initially the restrictions are in place for two weeks, so everyone in Laois, Offaly and Kildare will hope to have these lifted by next week, but during a council meeting on Zoom in Offaly last week councillors said they feared the restrictions would remain in place longer. Some blamed the Government for allowing an increase in cases to happen and said they opposed the lockdown but said would obey it. A decision on what happens next will be made this week.

And what's this about colour-coded counties?

Basically different colours will be applied to different regions depending on how it is coping with the coronavirus. The system is a bit like a weather warning but for Covid. The plan is to get the country to a blue phase - they think green is too optimistic a colour for us to use until we actually get a vaccine. As cases get worse regions will be labelled yellow, orange or red, depending on how many cases there are.
New Delhi: A day after the telephonic talk between Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nepal's ambassador to India Nilamber Acharya claimed that the ties between the two nations are "close and friendly" and that both sides can sit together in "proper times and solve any problem".

Speaking exclusively to WION, ambassador Acharya said, "Telephonic conversations confirmed that we have close ties, and we can sit together in proper times and solve any problems or discuss shaping our relations. Talks show we are close and friendly."

He pointed out that no matter the problem, big or small, it can be solved thorough a friendly dialogue.

"We may differ, or have a problem in one or two aspects of relations but that can't impact the entire spectrum of relationship. Our problem, small or big, we have to solve through friendly dialogue. We have a broad and wide comprehensive relationship. Might be a difference of opinion but that can't impact the comprehensive ties," he said.

On Saturday, both Indian and Nepalese prime ministers had spoken to each other and among other things discussed COVID-19 crisis. The Nepalese Prime Minister had also congratulated PM Modi on Indias recent election as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Reacting to PM Modi's Independence day speech, Acharya agreed that both the nations had a lot of things in common including aspirations for the future.

"Indian PM has rightly emphasised on century-old relations in the region and unleashing the potential of the future cooperation. India's Independence movement has inspired many movements in the world. We neighbours in south Asia have things in common, not only emotionally, culturally, socially, morally but spiritually as well. We have common aspirations for the future," he said.

PM Modi had in his Independence day speech called on "cooperation and partnership" in South Asia is needed and "peace and harmony" in the region will help in "welfare of humanity".

The Nepalese envoy elaborated on the shared cultural linkages in South Asia, saying, "Our cultural and social are not made today, generations and generations have contributed, these are strong and deep-rooted ties and we as people are close are in South Asia."

On Monday both sides will sit together to discuss New Delhi's development projects in the country. These are the first formal talks between the two sides months after the new Nepal map that irked New Delhi. The "scheduled oversight mechanism" will see India being represented by its envoy in Kathmandu Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Nepal by Foreign Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi.

India has been assisting Nepal in development of border infrastructure through up-gradation of 10 roads in the Terai area, developing cross-border rail links at Jogbani-Biratnagar, Jaynagar-Bardibas and establishment of Integrated Check Posts at Birgunj, Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, and Nepalgunj.
This week, Ismaili Muslims worldwide observe Navroz a festival celebrated in many Muslim communities and cultures, particularly those belonging to the Shia.Haft-seen is an arrangement of seven symbolic items whose names start with the letter "" pronounced as "seen" the 15th letter in the Persian alphabet; haft is Persian for seven.

New Delhi [India], August 16 : To usher the new year, Parsi and Irani community celebrate Navroz, the Parsi New Year as per Iranian Calendar. It begins at the stroke of the vernal equinox when the sun crosses the equator.

The festival which marks the celebration of Nowruz [which means New Day in Farsi] involves a time-honoured tradition which includes the gathering of the families around a ceremonial table known as the Haft-Sin. Young and old hold hands and count down to the New Year together and cheer Eide Shoma Mobarak, or Happy New Year.

The tradition Haft-Sin or Haft Seen (Persian for Seven Ss ) refers to seven items whose names start with S in Persian, which are placed on a table along with other things as part of Iranian New Year tradition. The Haft-sin table generally consists of the following seven items:

1. Sabzeh  wheat, barley, mung bean, or lentil sprouts are grown in a dish. It is a reminder of nature symbolises rebirth, renewal and growth after leaving behind a period of inaction in the winter.

2. Samanu  wheat germ sweet pudding.

3. Senjed  Persian olive symbolises love.

4. Serkeh  vinegar symbol of patience and longevity

5. Seeb  apple represents health and beauty.

6. Seer  garlic symbolises medicine and are believed to keep evil spirits and bad omens away.

7. Somaq  sumac which is also believed to be the spice of life. The reddish-purple powder is used as a spice in Middle Eastern cuisine to add a lemony taste to meat and salads, symbolizes the colour of sunrise and the triumph of good over evil.

Let us have a look at the items that are sometimes included in the special tradition ofHaft-Sin table :

Sonbol, which is a flower and a symbol of springs arrival, Sekkeh or the coins are also often added to adorn the table and is the symbol of wealth and prosperity. Saat or the clock is also kept on the Haftseen table and is a symbol of time.

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ALSO READ : Quick DIYs to get glowing skin this Navroz

The special table is also decorated with eggs, as a mark of fertility, a mirror which signifies self-reflection, the candle which signifies enlightenment. Other than the following items, the Haft-Sin table is also adorned with goldfish, as a symbol of progress, and a book as a symbol of wisdom.
On Sept. 1, Springfield School Committee Member Denise Hurst, Sean Mullan and Springfield City Councilor Orlando Ramos face off in the Democratic primary for the 9th Hampden District seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

There are no Republican candidates this year.

The candidates responded to a questionnaire from The Republican / MassLive. Their responses are below, with the candidates listed alphabetically.

Denise Hurst

Age: 40

Address: Parker Street, Springfield

Current job title or elected office: Vice President of Advancement and External Affairs; Springfield School Committee Member At-Large

Why are you running?

I am invested in making certain we have sound, effective and equitable policies. I have the interest and skill of being a good listener, the personal and professional experiences to be a good advocate and fight for our welfare.

For 20 years, I have worked as a social worker addressing child protection, mental health and substance-use. While serving on the Springfield School Committee, I have been a champion for equitable funding and quality public education.

My various board service and community engagement has afforded me the opportunity to advocate for critical legislation locally, statewide and nationally.

What is the most important issue facing the district, and how would you address it?

Quality education and employment opportunities are critical areas of consideration for the district. As we contend with high unemployment rates and retirements, I will underscore and fight to make it possible for students to truly graduate from high school College and Career Ready, and support pathways for non-traditional students. I want to ensure our community colleges and public higher education institutions are affordable and accessible for ALL. I will advocate for the expansion of vocational and training opportunities to create the viable workforce needed to support small businesses, one of the critical underpinnings for jobs and economic development.

The death of George Floyd has brought issues of social injustice, racism and police brutality against people of color to the forefront. What policies or bills would you suggest to create lasting change on these issues?

The change needed must be sustainable and embedded in the fabric of our day to day operations. I will advocate that all major institutions; education, health care, government, law enforcement, justice system, etc examine their current policies and laws for racist and oppressive practices, and call for immediate implementation of anti-racist policies and legislation. I would mandate public sectors, incorporate anti-racism, culturally responsive training and certification processes for law enforcement. I would support current bills being proposed in the legislature, specifically those in support of reforming qualified immunity.

Lets talk about economic and workforce development in the age of COVID-19. How would you help existing businesses that are too small to qualify for federal grants? How would you encourage new businesses to open in the district?

Small businesses are the backbone of this region. I believe we must expand grant funding access and low interest loans to the small businesses that do not currently meet the existing criteria. New businesses should be incentivized with start up funds, as well as incentives to provide opportunities for employment. These are efforts that should happen in collaboration with our local municipal governments to ensure a comprehensive model of support, sustainability and economic development.

A July announcement from Gov. Charlie Baker about free COVID-19 testing sites in eastern Massachusetts was criticized for leaving out the Pioneer Valley. Do you feel coronavirus testing and funding have been provided equitably to our region, and to your district in particular? If not, what needs to be done to change that?

From PPE, to testing sites, to free testing, Western Mass has been second fiddle. The allocation of resources to the western region has been inequitable and late in receipt of the much needed resources. Our local and statewide delegation must continue to advocate and demand our fair share and hold the Governor accountable for such decisions. In addition, Western Mass leaders should also demand increased representation on the task forces/advisory committees regarding the pandemic to ensure several voices are reflective of the diversity of the Pioneer Valley.

Sean Mullan

Age: 35

Address: Green Lane, Springfield

Current job title or elected office: Office Manager, Sacred Heart Church, Springfield

Why are you running?

I am running for state representative because I want to see state government work for, support, and empower everyday people. Ive had a lifelong interest in public service and policy. Until now, Ive felt best able to serve others by volunteering on campaigns and for other civic causes. When Rep. Jose Tosado announced his retirement, I saw a rare opportunity to serve the community and to advance the common good directly through government service.

What is the most important issue facing the district, and how would you address it?

Voters are primarily concerned about the uncertainty surrounding Covid-19, which is affecting all aspects of their lives. Everything employment to education has been impacted. As state representative, I will work tirelessly to ensure that my constituents receive the relief that they are entitled to. Constituent services will be at the core of what I do. I will also fight to ensure that the state makes available the resources necessary to provide people with the support they deserve and need.

The death of George Floyd has brought issues of social injustice, racism and police brutality against people of color to the forefront. What policies or bills would you suggest to create lasting change on these issues?

I support Rep. Liz Mirandas HD.5128, An Act Relative to Saving Black Lives and Transforming Public Safety. It would prohibit the use of chokeholds, tear gas, and rubber bullets. It would expand the AG Offices oversight of officer use of force, including an independent investigation of incidents that involve serious injury or death as well as the regular reporting of all such incidents. It would also require the termination of any officer found to have inappropriately used physical force and caused serious injury or death. The Act would also prohibit no-knock warrants.

Lets talk about economic and workforce development in the age of COVID-19. How would you help existing businesses that are too small to qualify for federal grants? How would you encourage new businesses to open in the district?

I support tax abatements and regulatory relief to small businesses at this time. The state is in a difficult fiscal position and has a limited number of tools at its disposal. Its capacity to help further is dependent upon federal monies being made available to the state in the next federal relief package.

The best way to encourage new businesses is to provide the infrastructure that they need to succeed. I would also like to see the implementation of a Gateway City rent-rebate program to facilitate targeted development, similar to the one implemented in downtown Taunton during the 2010s.

A July announcement from Gov. Charlie Baker about free COVID-19 testing sites in eastern Massachusetts was criticized for leaving out the Pioneer Valley. Do you feel coronavirus testing and funding have been provided equitably to our region, and to your district in particular? If not, what needs to be done to change that?

I do not believe that the states response to Covid-19 has been equitable to our region. After failing to have any Covid-19 testing sites outside of I-495, Gov. Baker has since announced two such sites in the area. A greater commitment and more attention are necessary, however. He needs to include more voices from Western Massachusetts in his decision-making process. Legislators from the area need to work together to ensure that the region receives the attention and funding it deserves.

Orlando Ramos

Age: 38

Address: Woodrow Street, Springfield

Current job title or elected office: Organizer & Business Representative for NASRCC (North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters; currently laid-off due to COVID pandemic); Springfield Ward 8 City Councilor; BA in public policy from UMASS Amherst, Masters of Public Administration from Westfield State University

Why are you running?

As a four-term City Councilor and two-term Council President, I am aware of the many COVID-related challenges currently facing cities and towns across Western Massachusetts. Although there is more work to do, many of the policies I have authored and supported here in Springfield have contributed to a steady decline in COVID-19 cases.

With so much uncertainty ahead of us, now more than ever, it is critical that we elect effective and experienced leadership to ensure success for Springfield and Chicopee in navigating this unpredictable pandemic. Having worked in the Statehouse for a decade, I am ready to go to Boston and get to work right away.

What is the most important issue facing the district, and how would you address it?

I, like many people, lost my job due to COVID. I understand the challenges that families in my district are facing. As someone who has been financially impacted, I worry about making ends meet. As a Dad, I worry about sending my daughter back to school. As someone who has experienced police misconduct, I care about police accountability. I am intimately familiar with what the people of my district worry about every day. Thats why my priorities as State Rep include; A Smart Response, Recovery and Resiliency Plan for COVID; A Safe Back-to-School Plan that protects our children, teachers and families; and Police Accountability.

The death of George Floyd has brought issues of social injustice, racism and police brutality against people of color to the forefront. What policies or bills would you suggest to create lasting change on these issues?

My accomplishments as City Councilor include: Bringing Police Body-Cameras to Springfield; Sponsoring a Police Commission Ordinance; creating a Police/Community Relations Committee; submitting changes to the police use-of-force policy; and authoring a Facial Surveillance Technology Ban. I have also been very vocal in scrutinizing the millions of dollars of taxpayer dollars spent on cases of police misconduct. These are just some examples of how I have always been at the forefront when it comes to police accountability. As State Representative, I will support these very same common-sense ideas at the State level.

Lets talk about economic and workforce development in the age of COVID-19. How would you help existing businesses that are too small to qualify for federal grants? How would you encourage new businesses to open in the district?

As City Councilor, I supported the citys Prime the Pump initiative which is now in its fourth round of applications and has provided $1.5Million to local employers impacted by the pandemic. I believe this initiative can be replicated on a much greater scale statewide. In addition, I would introduce the concept of developing a Special Committee at the State Level to look into how to assists Commercial Shopping Centers, Plazas, and Malls (many of which are occupied by small businesses) in the post-COVID economy.

A July announcement from Gov. Charlie Baker about free COVID-19 testing sites in eastern Massachusetts was criticized for leaving out the Pioneer Valley. Do you feel coronavirus testing and funding have been provided equitably to our region, and to your district in particular? If not, what needs to be done to change that?

No. I feel that Springfield, Chicopee and Western Mass in general, has historically been ignored by Boston. Having worked in the Statehouse for a decade, I saw this firsthand; and the COVID testing sites are another prime example of this. That is why it is essential that we elect effective leadership in this race. We need a voice who will speak up for our seniors, our small businesses and for all those who feel underrepresented. And thats why Im running!

This is one in a series of posts about the candidates who will appear on Western Massachusetts ballots on Sept. 1.
Vacationers arriving in Rome from four Mediterranean countries lined up with their suitcases at the city's main internationalairport to be tested for COVID-19 on Sunday.

Last week, Italy's health minister issued a ruling requiring the tests for all travellers arriving in Italy from Croatia, Greece, Malta and Spain.

Travellers have the alternative option of getting tested within 48 hours of arrival at local public health offices closer to their home or destination in Italy.

Vacationers coming from abroad have fuelled a new increase in coronavirus cases in Italy in recent weeks.

On Saturday, the daily number of new infections topped 600 for the first time since May.
Nationalise the airlines

At least 3,000 jobs will be lost. Virgin Australia would continue to operate, but as a smaller, leaner airline if the offer of private equity group BainCapital goes ahead. Virgin CEO Paul Scurrah would keep his position in the company and work with Bain to implement a restructuring and downsizing of the airline.

Deloitte was appointed administrator when Virgin went into voluntary administration in April with debts of almost $6 billion.

The airline would for the time being concentrate on domestic flights and short distance international routs such as New Zealand and possibly Bali.

Bains takeover is still subject to endorsement by creditors including its workforce. A group of bondholders whose loans to Virgin are unsecured may challenge Bain when the vote is taken this month.

Bain Capital plans to put Tiger Air, Virgins competitor to Qantas budget airline, JetStar, into hibernation. It was left open which of Tiger Airs regional services would be maintained by a new meaner and leaner version of Virgin.

The Australian Services Union described the job losses as shattering, saying, It will mean thousands of skilled workers leaving our critical aviation sector. And thousands of people losing their jobs at the height of this crisis when it is hardest to find work.

For months now, we have been calling for the Morrison government to urgently implement an aviation support package. It is beyond time for Morrison to step up and deliver, the union said.

Qantas has also been downsizing. It had already stood down 20,000 of its workforce in April, and in June announced that 6,000 of these workers would permanently lose their jobs.

Business in the aviation industry is down by ninety-seven per cent as a result of the pandemic and related government restrictions and is unlikely to pick up in the immediate future.

Virgin was already struggling prior to the pandemic, returning a loss of more than $300 million in the year 2018-19. It is saddled with billions of dollars in debt. The impact of the pandemic was the final straw. Virgin went to the government, begging bowl in hand, but all to no avail.

Capitalism on steroids

Bain Capital may lift the immediate fortunes of the airline, but with no guarantees of longevity. It has proven to be one of the leading global private equity institutions in the world.

Bain Capital is a private equity financial institution. It opened in Boston in 1984 and set out raising a fund of $37 billion from wealthy individuals. It now has offices in twenty countries and more than 1,000 employees, with more than $100 billion under management. As for the bloated profits and bonuses paid to executives, these figures are not in the public domain. Their profits are believed to run in the billions and executive bonuses in the hundreds of millions.

Retail outlets such as Toys R Us, Myer, Harris Scarf, and Dick Smith have all suffered in the hands of private equity takeovers.

Like other private equity outfits Bain Capital operates outside the normal regulatory framework that governs banks and other investment funds. It is not listed on the stock exchange, is not accountable to anyone except its own board, and does not need to report to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) or the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) or the Stock Exchange as required by other public financial institutions.

These private equity outfits are often referred to as capitalism on steroids, and for good reason. They move in like vultures and take over failing companies using mostly borrowed funds  what are referred to as leveraged buyouts. They use relatively little of their own money, relying on short-term loans from wealthy individuals and financial institutions such as superannuation funds and other managed investment funds.

Typically, they carry out ruthless restructuring, sack workers, slash wages and working conditions and sell off some of the assets. They then use the remaining companys assets as security, and borrow large amounts of capital to put the company on its feet. This debt is carried by the company, not the private equity institution.

The interest payments on the debt are tax deductible. They fund interest to their creditors from the sale of some assets or profits when generated. They pocket the remainder of the sale of assets as the owners of the business.

Once the company is running at a profit it is relisted on the stock market carrying a large debt. The shares are bought up resulting in a massive profit for the private equity. The company, when it is relisted, carries unsustainable debt and before long is in the hands of the receivers. At the same time its assets base has been substantially reduced.

There are variations on the main theme, but there is a pattern of private equity institutions bailing out within a few years of taking over a company.

Nationalise the industry

Aviation is a strategic industry. The long distances between cities and regional centres and being an island for trade in goods makes it even more important. Whats more, Australia requires a national airline that is controlled by government in the interests of the people and the national economy, and is available to the government during emergencies and international disasters.

The industry is notoriously prone to the repeated booms and busts of the capitalist economic cycle. (See page 2) It should not be left to the anarchistic markets to determine flight routes or the operation of airlines. In the hands of private equity, Virgins future is uncertain.

The industry should be planned on the basis of need, not on making a fast buck and abandoning routes that are not viable.

Both Virgin and Qantas should be nationalised to serve the strategic interests of Australias needs and ensure jobs are more secure with the backing only a government can provide.
TV actor Charu Asopa, who married Sushmita Sens brother Rajeev in a grand ceremony in 2019, has said that she does not know if they are still together. While Rajeev is in Delhi, Charu remains in Mumbai.

Responding to queries on a rumoured separation, Charu told Times of India, I dont know if we are together or not. All I can say right now is he is Delhi and I am here in Mumbai. I know only what you guys know. What will happen in future I am waiting for God to show me the path, I have left everything on him now. I think problems happen in everyones life, and we all go through ups and downs, its just that we are celebrities, so a lot is written about us. If there is a light at the end of the tunnel, I will surely see. And when I get to see it I will share it with everyone.

According to reports, Rajeev moved out of their house in May, following a fight. However, he has denied the claims. They have also deleted all their pictures together from Instagram.

She further told the daily, During this pandemic I have learnt a great lesson, how to live on your own and how to enjoy your own company. Iss pandemic aur lockdown meri khud ke saath dosti kara di hai (This pandemic and lockdown has helped me befriend myself)... Now, when I am staying all alone and enjoying my own company, I dont think it makes any difference to me now if I have someone with me or not. It doesnt bother me now because I have understood that I came into this world alone and I will go alone, I cant take anyone else with me. Woh kehte hain na hum chale, log judte gaye aur karwan banta gaya (As they say, I started walking, people joined me on the way and we were a group)... Its fine If people want to be together and its okay even if they dont want to be.

Prepping for her return to television in the show Akbar Ke Birbal, Charu shared a video from the sets on social media and wrote, Parde ke peeche Akbar ka bal Birbal.

Also read: Shweta Singh Kirti shares childhood pic of Sushant Singh Rajput: When you see injustice, fight harder

Earlier, responding to Rajeevs statement that Charu was being brainwashed by someone, Charu had said, Why did he leave me to live on my own during these tough times? This is the time for families to come together and be by each others side. But, Rajeev moved out and flew to Delhi a few days before our first wedding anniversary. Its been two months now. Why would he do that? Shaq ka koi ilaaj nahi hai (There is no cure for doubt).

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The Redmi K30 Ultra is the modern redefinition of value for money and it appears to already be a resounding success for Xiaomi, with the company confirming it took 100,000 orders for the device in just one minute when it went on flash sale.

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Xiaomi launched the Redmi K30 Ultra a few days ago alongside the Mi 10 Ultra. While the Mi 10 Ultra takes on the mantle of Xiaomi's super flagship, the K30 Ultra is more of a "flagship killer", as cliche as that sounds. It appears to be selling like hotcakes, too.

Xiaomi has announced on its Weibo account that the Redmi K30 Ultra is proving to be a wondrous hit sales-wise. The company says the phone went on one of its usual flash sales and sold a ridiculous 100,000 units in just one minute. That's a truly impressive statistic and shows just how much the Redmi K30 Ultra is wanted by the buying crowd.

It's no surprise, of course, as the Redmi K30 Ultra is probably Xiaomi's most interesting release since the Poco F1 was unveiled two years ago. Reports from a few days ago implied that the phone wouldn't be launched outside China, but those have turned out to be misguided. We expect the Redmi K30 Ultra to be released globally, either as the Mi 10T, or as a Poco offering.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday led tributes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his second death anniversary as he remembered the former prime ministers outstanding service to the nation.

Tributes to beloved Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. India will always remember his outstanding service and efforts towards our nations progress, PM Modi tweeted.

Union home minister Amit Shah and defence minister Rajnath Singh also paid tributes to Vajpayee.

Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji was the voice of patriotism and Indian culture. He was a dedicated politician as well as a skilled organiser who played an important role in the expansion of the BJP after laying its foundation and inspired millions of workers to serve the country, Shah said.

The country saw good governance for the first time under Atal jis prime ministerial tenure. While on one hand he did developmental works like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, PM Gram Sadak Yojana, National Highway Development Project, on the other hand he laid the foundation of a strong India with Pokhran trial and the victory in Kargil.

Today under the leadership Prime Minister @NarendraModi, the central government is on the path of good governance and poor welfare keeping Ataljis ideas in mind and is committed to make India a superpower in the world, he added.

I bow to former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji on his punyatithi. His tremendous contribution towards pubic life and Indias development will always be cherished. His vision for India will continue to inspire coming generations, Singh also tweeted.

Vajpayee served as Indias prime minister thrice  briefly in 1996, from 1998 to 1999 and then for a full five-year term between 1999 and 2004. He was the first leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party to become the prime minister.

Born on December 25, 1924, in Madhya Pradeshs Gwalior, he was a prominent writer and had authored a number of poems. The BJP stalwart retired from active politics due to his feeble health after resigning as the prime minister in 2004.

He died on August 16, 2018, at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in Delhi after a prolonged illness.
Four in 10 Australians dipping into their retirement savings under the second stage of the governments super withdrawal scheme had experienced no drop in income during the pandemic.

Recipients typically spent an extra $3618 during the first fortnight after receiving the lump sum compared with the same peoples average spending in a normal fortnight before the super withdrawal, analysis of banking data shows.

Nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) of the additional purchases were on non-essentials, including fashion, furniture, restaurants, alcohol and gambling.

On average, 12 per cent of increased spending in the two weeks after the super withdrawal was allocated to debt repayments.
The announcement that doctors are injecting Bay Area residents with trial vaccines sent a flash of hope across a bleak horizon: An end to the coronavirus pandemic was in sight.

Thats not necessarily wrong. But that horizon is a lot further off than most people think, infectious disease experts warn. And getting there wont be easy.

The first large-scale vaccine trials started late last month and began enrolling Bay Area participants last week. It will be months yet before scientists know whether any of the vaccines work. And the earliest products may be too weak or short-lasting to be game changers.

Then there are the logistics: Immunizing the world, or even just California, will involve an unprecedented rallying of public health resources, and a level of government and community collaboration that would be challenging even in the best of times  which these are not.

Theres a tendency to get into this waiting for a vaccine syndrome, where we think we can muddle through the winter and then sometime in 2021 a vaccine will come and save the day, said Richard Feachem, an epidemiologist and expert in global health at UCSF. But thats not likely.

Historical mass vaccination efforts, such as the drives to immunize people against polio in the 1950s and H1N1 in 2009, give some hints as to the scope of work that will be involved. But the coronavirus immunization campaign will be on an entirely different scale, infectious disease experts say.

About 4 million people will need to be vaccinated in the Bay Area alone to achieve herd immunity. To end the pandemic, billions of people will need to be immunized around the world. That will require vaccines from a variety of sources, and extraordinary global cooperation.

California is not safe until the U.S. is safe, and the U.S. is not safe until the world is safe, said Feachem. Were all in this together, we all sink or we all swim.

Difficult choices

The traditional questions around vaccine distribution are familiar: What, when, whom, how and why, said Stephen Shortell, former dean of the UC Berkeley School of Public Health and a current health policy professor there.

What vaccines do we get, and what are their side effects? When will we get them? Who will get them? And also where? How will they be given  nasal, oral, injections? One dose or two? he said. And theres still the why question for the doubters: Why should I get this vaccine?

Paul Chinn / The Chronicle 2009

Three vaccine candidates are in Phase 3 clinical trials in the United States, being tested on tens of thousands of people in the last step before possible federal approval. But those earliest attempts, even if theyre successful, likely wont be slam dunks.

That may bring the first big logistical question: Gamble on the first vaccines out of the gate, or wait a while longer for something better to come along?

Were in a kind of horse race here. Its reasonably likely that sometime in 2021, one or two or three of those horses will cross the finish line, Feachem said. The Food and Drug Administration has said vaccines must prove at least 50% effective at preventing COVID-19 to be considered for approval, but thats not enough to induce herd immunity, he said.

Suppose the first one is 55%  is that good enough for a massive rollout? Or do we wait for a better one coming along behind it? he said. That will be a tough debate.

Once vaccines are approved, further complicated questions arise. Who gets immunized first? Health care providers and other frontline workers are obvious, but then setting priorities gets tough. Its possible that the first vaccines wont be as effective in older people, who are more vulnerable to serious illness, so even though it would seem obvious to immunize them, that might not be practical.

What about teachers? Or essential workers who are more likely to be exposed to the virus? Should vaccines be delivered to communities of color first, since theyve been hit hardest?

The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, a nonprofit advisory group, has put together an expert panel to address those questions, but there is likely to be disagreement, and many of the answers will depend on the efficacy of the vaccines that ultimately are approved.

I expect in first half of 2021, there will be several good candidates, a few hundred million doses. Some very critical decisions have to be made in terms of how best to allocate those precious doses, said Bali Pulendran, a vaccine specialist at Stanford Health Care.

There isnt a textbook answer, he said. I cant say, This is how we did it the last time, because in recent memory, one cant think of this level of urgency to make this many vaccines and distribute so widely.

With H1N1 and polio, it was clear that children needed to be immunized first, because they were most likely to be infected, to suffer serious illness and to spread disease. That doesnt seem to be the case with the coronavirus  which is good, but complicates distribution, infectious disease experts said.

Logistics complications

In fall and winter 2009, millions of Americans were immunized against H1N1  many of them in massive vaccination clinics at schools and convention centers. At one clinic at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, about 16,000 doses were administered in a day.

Images from that clinic would make most people cringe now: The crowds are tightly packed inside, the lines stretch outside for blocks. No ones in masks, no ones 6 feet apart. But H1N1 wasnt as infectious as the coronavirus, and it didnt spread silently among people without symptoms.

In my whole career, Ive never seen anything like this, said Martin Fenstersheib, the health officer in Santa Clara County during the H1N1 pandemic, who came out of retirement to lead the countys coronavirus testing task force. H1N1 vaccination was complicated, but he anticipates coronavirus will prove more challenging still.

Paul Chinn / The Chronicle 2009

Mass immunization clinics may not be an option for the coronavirus, or at the very least theyll look quite different, he said. Public health officials say they may repurpose coronavirus testing sites and deliver vaccines at drive-through clinics, with everyone masked and people getting a shot in the arm through a car window cracked open.

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.

Before the vaccines even get to clinics, authorities will have to sort through other complex distribution logistics. Making enough vaccine for the world will require immense manufacturing efforts. Some of that has already started, even as the vaccines are still being studied. The need is so great that developers are willing to throw away millions of doses if their candidates fail.

And the challenge is in producing not only enough doses, but also a sufficient number of the glass vials to store them, and the syringes and other mechanisms that will be used to give them to people. As already evidenced in the lack of testing supplies in the United States, these may pose significant challenges.

The distribution of this vaccine when it comes, or vaccines, is going to be very complex. And there are bound to be some hiccups, Shortell said. Its not too soon to start modeling the distribution, thinking about worst-case scenarios.

For example, power failures caused by weather or fires, he said. Vaccines need to be kept cold. Every year, millions of doses are thrown away because the cold chain is broken when theyre delivered around the world, Feachem said.

Developing trust

A huge part of any vaccination campaign will involve trust  and that could prove especially complicated with the coronavirus, infectious disease and public health experts said.

Previous campaigns like polio and H1N1 were simpler: They saved the lives of or prevented permanent injury in children. And the vaccines themselves either had taken years to develop and prove safe, as with polio, or were built upon well-established vaccination technology, as with influenza.

Infectious disease experts said theyre not concerned about safety with the coronavirus vaccines being developed. Though research is moving extraordinarily fast, federal protocols to make sure theyre safe remain steadfast. And early trials show only minor side effects, such as fatigue or body aches that go away after a day or two.

Safety is a big concern, said Warner Greene, an infectious disease expert with the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco. If there is one screwup, if there appears to be any problem, it will defeat the purpose of creating the vaccine because people just wont take it.

The United States has a vocal anti-vaccination community that will likely rally against the vaccines, Feachem said. And many more people may be understandably hesitant about a new vaccine.

To reach herd immunity, public health officials will need to mount a campaign built on trust, he said.

The anti-vaccination brigade are sharpening their weapons now, and they are going to pounce all over any safety signals that are dubious, any reports of adverse effects, Feachem said. We need to be completely open and transparent about the vaccines. We need a process that people trust, and that is in no way political.

Erin Allday is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallday
With their characteristic sick Alinskyite tactic of targeting political opponents at their homes, a very socially undistanced mob of hysterics targeted the postmaster general, claiming that President Trump was conspiring to destroy the election through the dysfunction of the postal service.

Here's John Solomon's Just the News:

Crowds of protesters blowing horns and banging pots and pans showed up outside the Washington, D.C. home of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on Saturday morning, accusing the agency head of attempting to sabotage the 2020 election in favor of Donald Trump. The activist group ShutDownDC took credit for organizing the protest, writing on Saturday morning that they had "deliver[ed] democracy" to the postmaster. "Louis DeJoy, one of Donald Trumps big donors, is dismantling the U.S. Postal Service ahead of mass mail-in voting in the 2020 presidential election," the group stated. Lately, they claimed, DeJoy "has fired or reassigned much of the existing USPS leadership and ordered the removal of mail sorting machines that are fundamental to the functioning of the postal service." "Meanwhile, mail delivery is slowing down under other decisions made by DeJoy, such as eliminating overtime for postal workers," they added.

Which has got to be the biggest non-crisis ever. Anyone who thinks there's a problem with the postal service has a right and obligation to simply bypass the unreliable agency and voting the way people have done since voting was invented - by getting in line at a polling station, placing that involuntarily received mail-in ballot into the counting box, and demanding and taking a receipt.

That's how a lot of people are going to be voting, probably a lot more than either the authorities whipping up the hysteria about in-person voting, or their press cheerleaders are expecting. Trusting the postal service with our ballots runs a high risk that the vote won't be counted. Yet the mail-in voting champs are quite convinced we are all cowed by COVID at this late date, and wouldn't dare venture out to cast a ballot, so all there is is mail. Look for a lot of 'surprised by' stories from the press come Nov. 4.

It's bee ess. And now even the quarantine champs are admitting it, that voting in person is not a killer risk if done with reasonable precautions.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who somehow managed to hoodwink President Trump into shutting the whole country down earlier, is now making some perfectly reasonable recommendations.

According to Business Insider:

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the longtime director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said this week he believed Americans should be able to safely cast a ballot in-person, so long as they follow necessary social distancing protocols. "I think if carefully done, according to the guidelines, there's no reason that I can see why that not be the case," he told ABC News' Deborah Roberts during a National Geographic event Thursday. Fauci compared the safety of casting a ballot in person to that of an in-person shopping trip to the grocery store in "counties and cities that are doing it correctly." "They have X's every six or more feet," he added. "And it says, 'Don't leave this spot until the person in front of you left their spot.' And you can do that, if you go and wear a mask, if you observe the physical distancing, and don't have a crowded situation, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to do that."

Here's another, from a lefty think tank writing for RealClearPolitics, making its nod to the current conventional wisdom that mail-in voting is preferred, BUT:

Since healthy and safe elections are a priority for all Americans, the Brennan Center and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) have partnered to release Guidelines for Healthy In-Person Voting, a set of clear, non-partisan, evidence-based recommendations drawn from IDSAs expertise in infectious diseases and public health and the Brennan Centers in election administration. It provides a blueprint for election administrators so they can develop best practices for making polling locations as safe as possible during the pandemic.

The specific advice given is what you'd expect from reasonable people suggesting precautions - wear a mask, stand six feet away in lines, use hand sanitizer on commonly touched surfaces. Simple, nothing new here.

There's also a mountain of evidence from the primaries held in the U.S. in states such as Wisconsin, that standing in line to vote is no riskier than standing in line at the grocery store to purchase vegetables, carefully socially distanced, with masks in place. Worldwide, the evidence is even stronger. Here's a list of all the countries that held elections in the wake of COVID, and none have triggered new surges in COVID cases.

To take just one example, Singapore, which was one of the first nations to be hit by the coronavirus, yet only reported 27 deaths based at least in part on its use of hydroxychloroquine, held an election on July 10, yet experienced no COVID surge. According to the Straits Times, the tiny uptick it did get was pretty well exclusively from foreign laborers from places like Bangladesh and Burma, there to work in fields like construction, and living in common dormitories. This being Singapore, you can bet those guys didn't vote. The remainder were from people bringing it in from other countries.

Yet there's this whipped up hysteria from blue-state governors and the lefty minions attacking the postmaster general to claim that the postal service is the only valid agent for ensuring our elections. The mobs are particularly logic-challenged - why would anyone who doesn't socially distance at a protest at some guy's home seriously care about catching COVID at a voting booth? Reality: They don't care. Their agenda is leftist.

And so is that of the state of California. Take a look at this rubbish from Alex Padilla, the highly suspect California Secretary of State whose operation has registered illegal aliens to vote as well as Republicans as Democrats. He's a big champ of mail-in voting, and sent this flyere to most all voters, though I didn't get one. Here's what a member of my household got:

Image credit: Personal photo

Look at that bid to discourage in-person voting. "...so your location has most likely changed. (Note: Third world dictators do this all the time). If you decide to vote in-person, you must go to your assigned location. (In the last couple elections, they allowed people to vote from anywhere). Don't be surprised, lines may be long." (Rest assured, they are ensuring that, another third world dictatorship borrowing).

California instead wants us all to put our ballots in the mail, despite the mail service not being ready for it, and trusting the postal service. And its claims of perfect security via tracking are complete nonsense. A huge chain of postal workers passing our ballots from station to station is a very good recipe for fraud and all it takes is one to do it.

As for whether anyone steams the envelopes open and replaces ballots with leftist ballots in as the tracking goes through, well, nobody has a solution for preventing that.

And there have already been significant cases of postal mishandling and voter fraud as a result, the latest example in Michigan.

Here's the other thing. Tracking? What happens if your vote falls off the track? Who would you as a voter call? Nobody's going to care if there's a problem because such a problem isn't solvable anyway. What are they going to do, have a person cast a second ballot while not knowing what happened to the first?

It's a massive setup for fraud, and Padilla is all for it.

Anyone with a brain is going to bypass the postal service and stand in those artificially long lines to properly cast a ballot. That California doesn't want people to do this, and that lefties in Washington are attacking postal officials in their homes all suggests one big thing: The postal service shouldn't be involved in the least in this election. Voting in person, even as leftist authorities try to thwart us, yelling phony fears about COVID, is the only right way to do this.
Former Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, who heads the Congress fact-finding committee looking into the Pulakeshinagar riots, charged that the police had arrested innocent people including boys as little as 10-12 years in connection with the violence.

Some 400 people have been arrested, including boys as little as 10-12 years of age. One father died three hours after the boy was arrested, Parameshwara told a news conference. One Moulvi was arrested from KJ Georges constituency (Sarvagnanagar). Why are innocents being arrested? Not just minorities, everybody is living in an atmosphere of fear, he added.

Parameshwara, who served as Home Minister in the past, said the riot was an absolute failure of intelligence and the police. Wouldnt (the government) have the information if a police station was going to be burnt? You had no clue that people would gather? he said.

Earlier in the day, the committee members visited riot-hit areas and held talks with stakeholders there. We are yet to talk to many more people, after which we will submit a report to the KPCC president, he said. Prima facie, it looks like the violence was triggered by a social media post on Prophet Mohammed by one Naveen.

Parameshwara also took exception to some ministers blaming the Congress for the incident. On what basis are they saying all that? Why will we burn down the house of our own MLA? Nobody is saying action should not be taken against those involved in arson. Well be the last ones to protect them, he said, demanding a judicial inquiry by a sitting High Court judge.

The BJP is talking about a Dalit MLA being attacked. A Dalit MLA shouldve been given protection by the BJP government, Parameshwara said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: A total of 303 new positive cases and one death was recorded in Maharashtra Police force, in the last 24 hours. Total positive cases stand at 12,290 including 9,850 recoveries, 2,315 active cases and 125 deaths, said the Maharashtra Police. A spike of 63,490 cases and 944 deaths were witnessed in India in the last 24 hours. The Covid-19 death toll in the country is now nearing 50,000 and total cases have risen to 25,89,682 including 6,77,444 active cases, 18,62,258 discharged and 49,980 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Vaishno Devi Temple will reopen for public today, nearly 5 months after it was suspended due to COVID-19. Only 2,000 people will be allowed to visit the temple per day. A devotee says, "I'm happy that people can visit the temple once again," ANI reports. The National State of Disaster, which was declared in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been extended till September 15 in South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced. The government, however, has lowered the nationwide lockdown to Level-2 of its five-level strategic approach to deal with the pandemic, which has claimed over 11,000 lives in the country.

Here are the LIVE Updates on Covid-19:

 Chetan Chauhan Dies of COVID-19: Cricketer-turned-politician Chetan Chauhan died after testing positive for COVID-19 on Sunday. He was also the second minister in the Uttar Pradesh cabinet to succumb to the disease after Kamla Rani Varun. He was 73 years old.

 Fatality Rate Drops to 1.93%: Continuing the downward trend, India's COVID-19 case fatality rate on Sunday dropped to 1.93 per cent, which is one of the lowest globally, the Union health ministry said. This is a result of coordinated efforts of the Centre and state and UT governments, it said. The total number of recoveries in the country rose to 18,62,258 on Sunday, according to official data.

 WHO Team to Assist South Africa: A World Health Organisation (WHO) surge team will assist South Africa in bolstering its national COVID-19 response, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has said. The team comprises 43 members and 16 arrived in the country on Friday. Over the last three weeks, the number of new confirmed cases in South Africa has dropped from a peak of over 12,000 a day to an average over the past week of around 5,000 a day. The recovery rate has increased from 48 per cent to 80 per cent.

 Is Bolsonaro Blamed for Covid-19 Deaths by Public? Almost half of Brazilians think President Jair Bolsonaro bears "no responsibility at all" for the country's more than 100,000 dead from the coronavirus pandemic, the world's second highest death toll, according to a new Datafolha poll.

The poll was published on Saturday in Brazil's Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper and says 47% of Brazilians do not assign him any blame for the body count, whereas 11% do.

 Turkey Sees Spike After 45 Days: The number of new COVID-19 infections in Turkey hit its highest level in 45 days on Saturday, the country's health minister said as he announced 1,256 new cases.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Twitter that the number of seriously ill patients, mostly with underlying medical conditions, was also on the rise with 668 people.

 Annual Light Display Back in New York: The annual light display honoring victims of 9/11 is back on, officials announced Saturday, saying New York health officials will supervise this year's tribute to ensure workers' safety amid concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic. Governor Andrew Cuomo said:
The sixth Legislative Council (LegCo) of Chinas Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will continue performing duties after September 30, 2020, for no less than a year until the term of the seventh LegCo starts, according to a decision adopted at the 21st session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National Peoples Congress (NPC), Chinas top legislature.

Considering that Hong Kong is currently faced with a severe situation of the COVID-19 epidemic, the decision is reasonable and in line with the Constitution of the Peoples Republic of China as well as common international practice. Its essential for guaranteeing Hong Kongs early victory against the pandemic and efforts to achieve economic recovery and improve peoples livelihood.

Fairness and justice of an election cannot be ensured without a secure environment, and economic recovery and livelihood improvement won't be achieved without early containment of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Hong Kong has been suffering from a third wave of COVID-19 infections since July, and is confronted with a rather grim and worrying epidemic situation.

Since the turbulence triggered by the anti-extradition bill protests in 2019 and the outbreak of the COVID-19 have grossly encumbered the social and economic development of Hong Kong, the latest COVID-19 resurgence would inevitably aggravate the situation and add to the burden on the HKSARs economy and peoples livelihood, pose direct threats to citizens health and safety, and cast a greater shadow on the region's future development if Hong Kong fails to control the virus.

The decision to postpone the LegCo election and enable the sixth LegCo to continue performing its duties aims at stopping further spread of the pandemic caused by mass congregation as well as interregnum of legislature incurred due to the postponement.

The NPC Standing Committees decision is authoritative and necessary, and timely addresses the urgent problems faced by the HKSAR.

The decision is critical for the success of Hong Kongs epidemic prevention and control efforts, which ensures that the legislative body of the HKSAR can perform its duties in accordance with the law, helps the HKSAR government exercise governance effectively and maintain normal functioning of society, guarantees the legitimate rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents, and safeguards the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

Postponing the LegCo election when the pandemic is wreaking havoc in the city is absolutely necessary for Hong Kong and conforms to the general consensus among the international community. Such decision is also in line with the prevailing international practices in many countries and regions in the present situation.

From February 21 to July 26, a total of 68 countries and regions had deferred elections due to the COVID-19 outbreak, according to statistics from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), an intergovernmental organization.

Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the ruling party of Germany, announced in a statement in March that the scheduled April 25 conference for electing a new leader had been postponed indefinitely because of COVID-19.

The British government postponed the local and mayoral elections in England slated for May 7 for one year, as the government forecast that COVID-19 would be at its height in May.

The local government elections of Australias New South Wales (NSW) were postponed for a year due to the COVID-19 outbreak, which means the local government officials and councilors will be in office for an extra 12 months.

As it has been proven by practice, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on elections and the health and safety of peoples lives should never be underestimated or neglected. The threats posed by the pandemic must be tackled with powerful measures without delay.

The decision of the HKSAR Chief Executive to postpone the LegCo General Election after consultation with the Executive Council was completely out of the needs for science-based epidemic prevention and control. It also demonstrated the greatest concern for Hong Kong residents health and safety, as well as the sense of responsibility of the HKSAR government.

However, such a reasonable, justified, and legitimate decision which has won wide understanding and support from Hong Kong citizens has become a target of the slander and misrepresentation of the opposition camp, which has brazenly asserted that continuing with the election is more important than coping with the epidemic, in total disregard of the health and safety of the people in Hong Kong.

Certain Western forces have also seized the chance to collaborate with the opposition camp, trying to politicize the pandemic.

It seems that in the eyes of these Western politicians, it is legitimate for their countries to postpone elections for concerns over the pandemic, but the same scenario is unacceptable when it happens in Hong Kong.

The despicable double standards once again exposed the malicious intensions of the opposition camp and the Western forces behind it.

Sparing no effort to stigmatize the decision to postpone the LegCo election and provoke Hong Kong citizens dissatisfaction toward the Chinese mainland, these forces are just seeking control of Hong Kong by stirring up confrontation.

Such disgusting misdeeds of placing selfish political gains above the health and safety of Hong Kong citizens are not only widely denounced by people around the world, but doomed to failure. Those who plotted behind all the misconducts will only become notorious for what they have done.

At present, the Chinese mainland is making every effort to help Hong Kong fight the COVID-19 resurgence and protect its citizens. The health, safety, and well-being of the more than 7 million Hong Kong citizens concern all the Chinese people.

Hong Kong society should unite as one and combat the pandemic in a science-based and professional manner, so as to revitalize the city at an early date.

Its believed that with the utmost solicitude of the central government, the great support of the Chinese mainland, and the strong leadership of the HKSAR government, Hong Kong is bound to effectively contain the resurgence and provide the most powerful guarantee for the health and safety of its citizens and the prosperity and stability of the Hong Kong society.
The Nigerian senate has disclosed that it will be persuading President Buhari to sack the service chiefs over their abysmal performance in containing the insurgency in the north-east.

The Nigerian senate spokesman, Ajibola Basiru who revealed this in an interview with PUNCH, stated that although the resolution is advisory, it represents the views of Nigerians who elected them into office.

He said;
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Linkedin Moch. Fiqih Prawira Adjie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, August 16, 2020 09:44 521 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e582a3 1 City Jakarta-police,protest,omnibus-bill,omnibus-bill-on-job-creation,house-of-representatives,investigation Free

The Jakarta Police have apprehended seven alleged provocateurs at a rally protesting the controversial omnibus bill on job creation in front of the House of Representatives complex in Central Jakarta on Friday.

The police initially netted more than 100 people who allegedly infiltrated the rally to incite riots, Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Yusri Yunus said. Of those detained, seven faced questioning while the rest were released.

The seven people were apprehended for carrying items deemed suspicious, such as flags bearing the sigil of a so-called anarcho-syndicalist group, rocks and bottles that the police claimed resembled Molotov cocktails.



"[We suspect that] five of them are members of the anarcho-syndicalist group and one is a former member," Yusri told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.

"We are still questioning and investigating them."

Read also: Komnas HAM calls for stop to job creation omnibus bill deliberations

In April, the police claimed that the group had committed acts of vandalism and provocation to trigger social unrest across the island of Java amid public anxiety over the COVID-19 pandemic.



Thousands of protesters comprising students and laborers gathered at the legislative complex in Senayan on Friday to demand the House and the government end deliberation of the omnibus bill on job creation. They condemned contentious articles stipulating manpower affairs, fearing the bill, if passed, would take away workers' rights.

They protested outside the House during the annual Peoples Consultative Assembly meeting attended by the countrys executive, legislative and judicial branches. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo delivered his state of the union address at the meeting, held ahead of Indonesias 75th anniversary on Monday.
In two days, it will be time for Wyoming voters to finally cast their ballots in this years primary election. Some people may question how important this election is, given the focus on the election in November, when well decide who will serve as president for the next four years. But while Tuesdays primary might lack the star power and drama of a presidential contest, its in many ways just as important.

Why are elections to decide who serves in the statehouse or on the city council as important as who becomes our next president? Because many of the decisions that affect you the most arent made at the White House or on Capitol Hill. Instead, they are made at the Wyoming Capitol or in town halls, at school board meetings or the county commission chambers.

How much money will be spent educating your children? Thats a decision that rests in large part with the state lawmakers who will decide how to solve a massive budget shortfall. How should our state transition from a dependency on fossil fuels to a broader economic base? Thats a monumental question, and one that will be answered in large part by the 90 lawmakers in the Wyoming House and Senate.

Closer to home, what city services should be prioritized amid an economic contraction caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the energy downturn? Is it more important to repave roads or keep the public pool open? Should we replace an aging fire engine or buy new books for the library? Those are decisions made by members of the town or city council.

The reality is these local and state elected officials have a major influence over the communities where we live and work. And yet, many of us would have a hard time naming more than a few lawmakers or city council members. Were too focused on the national debate.

But if you want to see change in your community, or youre happy with the direction of things right now, its essential that you show up on Tuesday and vote. Its essential that you educate yourself on all of the races, from the county coroner to the U.S. Senate. Wyoming is facing unprecedented challenges in the form of a revenue decline so massive that laying off every last state employee wouldnt solve it. Its facing an energy downturn prompted by structural changes in how we power our country and a pandemic that has fundamentally altered our lives. Its more critical now than ever that intelligent, thoughtful and capable people are running our government.

And so its incumbent on all of us to make time to study up on the candidates. Then on Tuesday, remember to stop at your polling place to cast a ballot for elected officials who will play a critical role in our states future. Elections matter. Now more than ever.

Vote.

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New Delhi, Aug 16 : As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to upend lives, societies, economies and nations' around the world, an unplanned yet welcome change has been time to pursue passions and hobbies, including reading.

They say books help us escape from even the worst of times, they let us experience the impossible and sometimes take us on adventures, even when we don't have the time for one in our own lives. People are switching to reading to escape their current surroundings even temporarily or to bring a little comfort amid a grim reality. Young India is also utilising this time to prep for a bright future.

According to online marketplace Flipkart, self-help and fiction books as a category saw an increase in searches, with books such as '?Rich Dad Poor Dad', the 'Harry Potter' series, and 'Think and Grow Rich' being part of the top searches.

With students and exam applicants having much time in hand owing to the pandemic, it saw an increase in demand for UPSC and NCERT books, engineering entrance exams and MBA preparation books. This also led to ?the e-commerce giant to add 30 new publishers across categories such as academic books focused on State boards across India, government examination guides, K-12 among others, it told IANSlife.

"Flipkart witnessed highest demand for books from states such as Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Kerala, Assam and Odisha. Cities that topped consumer interest include Bengaluru, New Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Patna," it added.

Overall, 55 percent of the demand for books on the platform came from Tier 3 and plus cities in the past quarter. When it came to metro consumers, the preference inclined towards juvenile fiction, autobiography/biography, fiction and self-help books. Tier 1A and 1B regions reflected a similar trend showing heightened reading preference for autobiographies and biographies. Tier 3 and plus consumers looked for government test and other exam preparatory books on the platform.

As per Google Trends for search phrases like 'Books To Read' in India this year, the interest picked up considerably from February as a nationwide lockdown was announced in late March. Other popular searches on Google include 'Books to read during quarantine' and 'Top books to read 2020'.

(Siddhi Jain can be contacted at siddhi.j@ians.in)


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Midwives and doctors are at odds over a controversial move to ban women from having water births and hot showers while in labour in Victorian hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moves are afoot to temporarily cease the pain relief and birthing techniques due to concerns wet protective equipment could render healthcare workers more vulnerable to the virus.

Amanda Laver was hoping to have a water birth, but she was recently told by her midwife that the practice had been temporarily banned. Credit:Paul Jeffers

The Health Department recently updated its advice to Victorian maternity services, calling for the suspension of water immersion in labour and birth for all women.

It is really going to have an impact on everyone, as nobody is going to go against the recommendations of the Department of Health, said Melbourne obstetrician Dr Nisha Khot.
Senator Mitt Romney, R-Utah, offered rare Republican criticism of the Trump administrations coronavirus response on Friday, saying the federal government dismissed the viruss threat and failed to protect Americans as infections spiralled out of control.

Short term, I think its fair to say we really have not distinguished ourselves in a positive way by how we responded to the crisis when it was upon us, Mr Romney said in a video interview with the Sutherland Institute. And the proof of the pudding of that is simply that we have 5 per cent of the worlds population but 25 per cent of the worlds deaths due to Covid-19.

And theres no way to spin that in a positive light, Mr Romney added.

At least 166,000 people nationwide have died of coronavirus-related complications  about 21 per cent of the worldwide death toll. An additional 1,222 US deaths were reported on Friday and 1,218 were reported on Saturday as of late evening.

Here are some other significant developments:

- The number and rate of infections in children under 17 have increased since March, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said in recently updated guidance, underscoring the risk for young people and their families as schools weigh whether to reopen with in-person instruction. Although the virus is far more prevalent and severe among adults, the true incidence of infection in US children remains unknown because of a lack of widespread testing, according to the agency.

- The Food and Drug Administration granted emergency-use authorisation on Saturday to a saliva-based coronavirus test, developed by Yale University researchers, that aims to reduce turnaround times in commercial laboratories.

- New York continued to report progress against the virus after experiencing the countrys most severe outbreak in the spring. Hospitalisations reached their lowest point since 17 March, officials said. The state reported a record 88,668 tests on Friday, with fewer than 1 per cent coming back positive for the eighth consecutive day.

- Donald Trump said he opposes both election aid for states and an emergency bailout for the US Postal Service because he wants to limit how many Americans can vote by mail in November.

The president has sought to avoid responsibility for mounting a national response to the pandemic, leaving major decisions about containing the virus to state governors. At times, he has encouraged popular resistance to wearing face masks and following other guidelines recommended by health officials in his administration.

Mr Trump has also erroneously blamed coronavirus testing for the United States high death toll and caseload. Surges of infections across the south and west this summer outpaced the expansion of tests in many places, and rising positivity rates and hospitalisations made clear that the spread of the virus was accelerating.

In his Friday interview, Mr Romney said the administration did not ring all the alarm bells early on in the pandemic. He faulted officials for failing to put the federal government in charge of distributing personal protective equipment, manufacturing essential supplies and setting guidelines for businesses.

From the outset, there was a tendency on the part of the administration to dismiss Covid-19 as a threat, not to consider how serious it could become, he said, referring to the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The health impact of Covid-19 on our country and our response to it was really very, very disappointing.

This was not the first time Mr Romney has accused the administration of mismanaging the pandemic. In mid-May, he criticised the Trump administrations early coronavirus testing rollout, saying the administration had treaded water during February and March and that its actions were nothing to celebrate.

Mr Trump has defended the response, noting at a Thursday news conference that the administration had tapped manufacturers to increase production of masks, ventilators and other equipment.

Nationwide testing remains far below what health experts say is necessary to adequately track the virus and prevent new outbreaks.

Over the past two weeks, the seven-day average for tests administered daily in the United States has fallen sharply after increasing every month since the beginning of the pandemic. As of Friday, the country was administering an average of about 747,000 tests daily, down from a peak of about 823,000 in late July, according to data from the Covid Tracking Project.

The decline comes after coronavirus patients and health officials around the country have reported waiting a week or more for results  a delay that experts say effectively renders tests useless in controlling virus transmission.

Debate over the US testing dilemma flared on Friday when Ashish Jha, director of the global health institute at Harvards T H Chan School of Public Health, criticised Brett Giroir, the White Houses testing czar, over his handling of the crisis. Mr Giroir said in a recent call with reporters that he did not recommend a strategy of testing everyone on a frequent basis.

Admiral Giroir fundamentally misunderstands the purposes of testing, which is unfortunate, because he is our national testing czar, so you think he would have a better understanding, Mr Jha said in an interview with CNN.

He later said he thought Mr Giroir was a patriot and trying his best, but reiterated that the country needed to perform millions of tests per day to get a handle on the pandemic.

Mr Giroir responded that those numbers were unrealistic.

There is no physical way to do 5 million tests per day in this country, he told CNN. If there is a way to turn it from 1 million to 5 million today, let me know.

Everything that can possibly be done has been done, Mr Giroir added.

As part of the federal governments efforts to make testing faster and cheaper, the FDA granted emergency use authorisation on Saturday to a coronavirus test developed by Yale researchers. The technology is designed to reduce turnaround times in commercial laboratories.

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The diagnostic test, which is called SalivaDirect, does not require a swab or a special collection device; a sample can be collected in any sterile container, the FDA said. Nor does it require a separate step to extract nucleic acids, a process that is time consuming and relies on components that have often been in short supply.

Researchers at the Yale School of Public Health said the test is less expensive than traditional testing and offers comparable results. The school does not intend to commercialise the test, which does not rely on proprietary equipment. It can be assembled by labs across the country. The test is the fifth that the FDA has authorised that uses saliva as a sample.

Declines in testing make it harder to determine the extent of virus transmission and gauge the impact of public health measures, especially in hard-hit states.

In Arizona, reported infections and hospitalisations are down after skyrocketing in late June and early July, according to the states data. But testing has also slowed dramatically, dropping from daily highs of more than 23,000 last month to less than 12,000 for the past two weeks.

Bonnie LaFleur, a biostatistics research professor at the University of Arizona, said that while she has seen irregularities in some labs reporting of test results, the state was showing a positive downward trend in general.

Texas has also reported declines in both new daily cases and daily tests over the past few weeks, creating a clouded picture of the states success against the virus. Further complicating the situation, state health officials reported a batch of more than 124,000 test results on Thursday that they said was backlogged because of a technical error, according to the Texas Tribune. Officials said they were working to figure out when the tests were conducted.

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Similar problems have cropped up in California, where officials say a technical glitch created a backlog of as many as 300,000 records, causing an underreporting of cases since 25 July.

Other states severely affected by the summer surge in cases continued to report falling infection numbers. Florida reported 6,352 new cases on Saturday, the fewest the state has tallied on any Saturday since 20 June, according to tracking by the Post. Coronavirus-related deaths, however, continued to trend upwards in Florida, which reported 204 fatalities Saturday.

Nationwide, the United States continues to report more than 1,000 coronavirus-related deaths every day. Health officials reported 56,754 new infections as of Saturday evening  roughly even with the 56,555 cases announced on the same day the week before.

The Washington Post


By Liu Zhen





The US Air Force has deployed three B-2 stealth bombers to the tiny island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean for the first time since 2016, as China continues to ramp up its live-fire military exercises

The American B-2A nuclear-capable Spirit bombers took off on Tuesday from the Whiteman air force base in Missouri, flew across northern Australia and on to the militarised atoll that forms part of the British Indian Ocean Territory. The aircraft were refuelled in the air several times, according to information from the US military.







The last time the bombers were deployed to Diego Garcia, which lies about 1,200km (745 miles) south of the Maldives, was four years ago during a period of tension in the

after an international arbitration tribunal rejected Beijing's claims to the disputed waters.







Get the latest insights and analysis from our

on the big stories originating in China.







While the three bombers, with the call signs Reaper 11, 12 and 13, did not pass over sensitive areas of the western Pacific, South China Sea or

, their presence on Diego Garcia is a clear sign of the United States' military strength in the Indo-Pacific, observers said.







"The movement of air-based nuclear power is a demonstration of might," said Zhao Tong, a senior fellow at the nuclear policy programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Beijing.







"There doesn't need to be a strike."






BRISBANESix refugee advocates have been charged with nuisance offences following a protest outside a Brisbane hotel housing asylum seekers.

They were among about 400 demonstrators who on Aug. 15 marched through streets surrounding the Kangaroo Point Hotel where 120 asylum seekers have been housed for at least a year.

The asylum seekers were transferred from Australian detention centres on Manus Island and Nauru for medical treatment and have not been allowed into the community.

Four men and two women have been accused of 12 offences including disobeying a direction, public nuisance, and disrupting traffic.

Two reportedly glued their hands to the roadway. The group will appear in court at a later date.

Protest organiser Matthew Sheppard of Refugee Solidarity Brisbane/Meanjin told AAP that a Supreme Court decision on Aug. 13 to ban the protest due to COVID-19 transmission risk on Main Street, Kangaroo Point, and the Story Bridge did not stop the demonstration.

He said that asylum seekers, who in his view have been locked up in the hotel after being in detention for about eight years in total, should be allowed out while their cases are being assessed for refugee status.

Demonstrators immediate concerns are for them to be allowed to exercise outdoors. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the detainees have had much less freedom to move.

Ultimately though, protesters want the asylum seekers released into the Brisbane community by December.

We could have them in houses in the community overnight, Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul told AAP.

A number of the detainees have family members living in Brisbane, who they can only see from afar as they stand outside the hotel.

By Andi Yu
Belarus votes for Lukashenko amid destabilisation efforts

Belarus, a former Soviet republic in north-east Europe, held a presidential election on Sunday 9th August on which incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko was re-elected with 80.08 per cent of the vote. His closest rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, wife of a prominent opposition blogger, received 10.09 per cent.

President Alexander Lukashenko was re-elected with 80.08 per cent of the vote.

After the election, which Lukashenko called his toughest one yet in an interview with BelTA, violent protests broke out in several cities, including Minsk, the capital. These protests were condemned by both main candidates. In a video message released on her social media on Tuesday 11th August, Tikhanovskaya thanked those who participated in the election and asked her supporters not to take part in the protests.

I urge you to be prudent and to respect the law, said Tikhanovskaya in the video message. I dont want blood and violence. I ask you not to confront police and not to take to the streets.

Earlier, US government broadcaster Radio Free Europe noted that she does not really want the job [of President] and [vowed] to relinquish it quickly if she somehow was elected.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus Olga Chemodanova said in an official statement that the riots, which featured attacks on Soviet memorials and civic buildings, began after incitement from various internet resources.

The Communist Party released scans of several of these documents from accounts on Telegram, a popular social media app. These called for a Minsk Maiden, in reference to the 2014 far-right coup detat in Ukraine, instructed protesters to carry out such violence as to push the country past the point of no return.

Various Belarusian websites, such as news agency BelTA, the Communist Party of Belarus, and the Central Electoral Commission were also targeted with DDoS [distributed denial-of-service] and other cyber-attacks designed to bring them offline during the election and in days following.

The roots of the political conflict

While like many countries, Belarus has a National Assembly and a President, the country is quite unique as it lacks a strong Party affiliation. Lukashenko is an independent, along with 89 out of 110 members of the House of Representatives and 46 of the 64 members of Belarus upper house, the Council of the Republic. The Communist Party of Belarus, the main political party, holds the powerful Education Ministry as well as 11 of the remaining 21 National Assembly seats and 18 of the remaining 19 Council of the Republic seats.

The political conflict in Belarus at its core is not about this years election but the post-Soviet trajectory of the country. Stanislav Shushkevich, the Belarusian leader who signed the Belovezha Accords and tore apart the Soviet Union was removed during a corruption scandal in 1994 amidst widespread rejection of the bourgeois privatisation and de-Sovietisation process occurring in Belarus. Lukashenko, who had been the only Deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the Byelorussian SSR to vote against Shushkevichs Declaration of Independence, was elected President of Belarus on a policy programme of stopping privatisation and continuity with the Soviet era.

One of Lukashenkos first acts as president was to change the policy for the sell-off of state assets to require permission from the state-owned enterprise up for privatisation as well as government approval. This resistance to privatisation has continued to this day, with the World Bank estimating in 2018 that forty-seven per cent of Belarusian GDP and seventy-five per cent of its industrial output comes from state-owned enterprises, as well as half of the countrys jobs. The Soviet system of collective farms, or kolkhozes, also continues, with all agricultural land except for household plots being state owned.

This system has been described as the mini-USSR or market socialism and this is not without reason. Not only has the economy remained largely in state ownership, but the social values and welfare system of the USSR have been in large part preserved. Belarus has the most hospital beds per capita out of any country in the world, and unemployment hovers at around 0.5 per cent with a strong social security system.

More than ninety per cent of Belarusian workers are in trade unions, compared to only five per cent of workers in Estonia, eight per cent in Lithuania, thirteen per cent in Poland. Speaking at the 8th Congress of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus in February, President Lukashenko emphasised that the trade union movement is a full-fledged participant of the countrys development [] and the protection of rights of working people is a priority of our national development.

Adding to the quasi-Soviet image of the country, a referendum passed in 1995 with seventy-five per cent support which changed the flag and state emblem to their current designs reminiscent of the Soviet-era symbols: a red flag with traditional Belarusian ribbon; and an emblem surrounded by ears of wheat with a red star.

Belarus different path of development compared to the rest of the former Soviet republics has made it a continued target of the United States and monopoly capital, who wish to bust its state economy and buy up privatised assets like they did in Russia, Serbia, Poland and other former socialist countries.

The US State Department Belarus Bilateral Relations Fact Sheet 2020 records that official US policy towards Belarus is focused on promoting a market economy. The report continues, Belarusian authorities are reluctant to undertake systemic economic reforms necessary to create a market-based economy, with seventy per cent of the economy still under government control.

The small domestic opposition, including Tikhanovskaya, openly back this mass privatisation. In a pre-election interview with Radio Free Europe conducted on 5th August, Tikhanovskaya criticised the poor economic management in Belarus, saying that she would bring in a free economic system.

If Lukashenko can be said to be the last Soviet president, Tikhanovskaya and the opposition also hail from Soviet times  except from the other side. Opposition rallies always feature not the national flag but an old flag, a tricolour of white, red, and white. This flag, used briefly before the Great October Socialist Revolution, became infamous during World War II under Nazi occupation as the flag used by the puppet collaborationist government which annihilated entire villages and killed over one million Belarusians.

Therefore the political conflict in Belarus is not over an ordinary election campaign but a conflict between social systems and in whose interest Belarus is run. The widespread support for Lukashenko and the socioeconomic policy followed since 1994 comes from not only the benefit it gives working Belarusians, but who the opposition is. The socio-economic decline of Russia in the 1990s, and even more clearly, the civil war and fascist resurgence of the current Ukrainian government, which uses comparable symbols to the Belarusian opposition, further emphasise the benefits of the current course.

Communists urge steady course

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Belarus (CPB) issued a statement welcoming the election result, praising that Belarusian voters voted for Belarus, for their own future and the future of their children, the prospects for sustainable development of the social state, strengthening its economic potential, for social stability, peace, and the well-being of people. The CPB also noted that the election was conducted in a fair manner.

Before the election, the leaders of the Communist Parties of Belarus, Ukraine and the Russian Federation had issued a joint statement in support of Lukashenko highlighting the different path Belarus took after the dissolution of the Soviet Union compared to other republics.

Lukashenko and the Belarusian political path were also praised by Cui Qiming, Ambassador of the Peoples Republic of China to Belarus. In an interview with BelTA earlier this year the Ambassador praised the everything for the people policy of the Belarusian Government, noting that it adheres to the socially oriented policy of development and puts the care for the welfare of its citizens at the top of its national development. Ambassador Cui also praised the clear focus and continuity of Belarusian state policy, noting that the country has not abandoned its social and political traditions.

Chinese President Xi Jinping was also the first world leader to congratulate President Lukashenko on his re-election. Belarus-China ties have increased significantly in recent years, with Xi Jinping praising the two countries as iron brothers.

While the situation in Belarus is still developing as of time of writing, the protests have calmed dramatically and there is no evidence to suggest they pose a sustained or significant threat to workers or social progress in the country.
Speaking at the meeting, the deputy PM emphasised that despite changes in the structure of power sources and power sector development trends both at home and abroad, over the past few years, Vietnams power industry has made a concerted effort to ensure sufficient power for consumption, socio-economic development, defence and security.

However, the process of implementing PDP 7 for the 2011-2020 period, with a vision to 2030, has revealed many shortcomings that need to be addressed. Many coal-fired thermal power projects are behind schedule, leading to the risk of power shortages, especially during 2020-2025.

The official added that the power-use structure and demand have changed across economic sectors and regions, bringing about a need for reallocation and rearrangement. Meanwhile, clean energy has become an increasingly prevalent global trend, and Vietnam seizes huge potential for solar, wind and gas-fired power, but there remain obstacles in terms of legal and planning aspects.

Deputy PM Dung emphasised the significance of PDP 8, hailing it as a key factor in attracting investment in electricity development and a tool to manage and ensure the future direction and development of the power industry.

At the working session. (Photo: VGP)



He requested that PDP 8 must be developed in a scientific and well-organised manner, must address the limitations of the current PDP 7, and should be open, creating a space to mobilise and promote resources from across society.

On that basis, PDP 8 should put forward optimal plans, options and scenarios regarding total capacity in each period; deliver assessments and forecasts based on the trend of using clean energy and energy saving technologies; and determine the appropriate power structure to reduce system and infrastructure costs as well as ensuring environmental protection factors, the deputy PM held.

The plan also needs to arrange a space for electricity development in regions, based on their potential and socio-economic development conditions, while embracing the development of a modern power transmission system that operates safely, reliably and effectively, he stated.
SYDNEYA New South Wales male has become the latest COVID-19 fatality as the state recorded five new cases of infection.

The death of the man, who was aged in his 80s, takes the states toll to 54 with the national figure increasing to 396.

Of the five new cases reported up to 8 p.m. Aug. 15, three are linked to the Tangara School for Girls cluster.

There have now been 25 COVID-19 cases tied to northwest Sydneys Tangara School.

Health authorities are investigating two remaining infections including a man in his 40s from Western Sydney, who acquired the disease locally, and a close contact.

Tangara School for Girls in Cherrybrook, Sydney, Australia on Aug. 12, 2020. (Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

All current infections are connected to previously reported cases who visited four separate venues between Aug. 2 and 8.

The venues include a Crust Pizza in Concord on Aug. 6 and 7, between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.; Den Sushi in Rose Bay, on August 8 between 7.15 p.m. and 8.45 p.m., Cafe Perons in Double Bay on August 8 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. and Horderns Restaurant at Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, in Bowral, August 2 between 7.45 p.m. and 9.15 p.m.

People who were at those locations are recommended to get tested for the virus and self-isolate for fourteen days.

It comes as police fined a party bus operator overnight who allegedly transported 43 people from Penrith to Sydney.

The bus was pulled over at about 11.15 p.m. in the Sydney CBD following reports it was being driven erratically along Wheat Road.

Police questioned the 25-year-old driver about the number of passengers onboard, including several who were underage and appeared intoxicated.

A 17-year-old girl was arrested after allegedly being found with cocaine and will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

The driver was issued with a $5,000 (US$3,586) fine for failing to comply with a public health order.

Some 24,093 tests for COVID-19 have been conducted in the 24 hours to Saturday night.

As COVID-19 continues to circulate in the community, maintaining high rates of testing is vital at this time, and NSW Health urges anyone with even the mildest symptoms to come forward for testing, NSW Health said in a statement on Aug. 16.

By Sophie Moore
Scranton, PA (18503)

Today

Cloudy with periods of snow after midnight. Low around 25F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Snow accumulations less than one inch..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of snow after midnight. Low around 25F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
Rebel MP of the ruling YSR Congress K Raghu Rama Krishna Raju on Sunday alleged his two mobile phones were being illegally tapped for the past few months by the state Intelligence authorities of Andhra Pradesh.

In a letter to Union Home Secretary A K Bhalla, the Lok Sabha member from Narsapuram, also alleged he was getting threatening calls from strange numbers displaying codes of Romania, Denmark, Switzerland, South Korea and Spain.

"Kindly instruct the authorities concerned to investigate from when my phones are being tapped and identify the persons responsible for such criminal activities, the MP requested the Home Secretary. For the last few months, I am getting frequent disturbances and noises in my mobile phones and I reliably learnt that our state Intelligence department is tapping my phones, which is a blatant violation of Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution," he said in the letter, accessed by PTI.

Referring to the various parliamentary committees of which he is a member, Raju said there would be confidential and classified information shared and discussed in telephonic conversations with colleague MPs and Parliament staff.

Any leak of such confidential information would not only be a serious impediment to the performance of my duties and obligations but also would be detrimental to national interest, the MP, who is also chairman of the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Subordinate Legislation, averred.

Raju had been critical of the YSRC for some time now and had a verbal spat with the party legislators from West Godavari district.

The YSRC has approached the Lok Sabha Speaker seeking his disqualification while Raju got Y category security cover from the Central Armed Police Force after petitioning the Union Home Minister.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 09:52:40|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese health authority said Sunday that it received reports of 19 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on the Chinese mainland Saturday, including four locally transmitted ones in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The remaining 15 cases were imported ones from outside the Chinese mainland, the National Health Commission said in its daily report.

One new suspected COVID-19 case, also imported from outside the mainland, was reported in Fujian Province, and no deaths related to the disease were reported on Saturday, the commission said. Enditem
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A protest outside the Department for Education earlier this week. (Getty)

A-level students have launched legal action against Englands exam regulator Ofqual over what they describe as a ridiculous and insane marking system.

Thousands of teenagers were left angered after almost 40% of predicted grades were downgraded by the regulators moderation algorithm, leaving many missing out on their first choice universities.

Ofqual issued guidance on Saturday setting out the criteria for students to make appeals on the basis of their mock exam results, only for it to be taken down hours later.

In a brief statement, Ofqual said the policy was "being reviewed" by its board and that further information would be released "in due course".

A student receives his A Level results on Thursday. (Getty)

The Good Law Project is now supporting six students over a judicial review of Ofquals failings.

Data from Ofqual shows independent schools saw an increase of 4.7% in the number of students securing A or A* grades from 2019, compared to 2% for state schools and just 0.3 percentage points for further education colleges.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson last week gave a "triple-lock" commitment that students could use the highest result out of their teacher's predicted grade, their mock exam or sitting an actual exam in the autumn.

However, the Ofqual guidance said that if the mock result was higher than the teacher's prediction, it was the teacher's prediction that would count.

The Good Law Projects crowdfunding bid to cover legal costs has reached more than 41,000.

Jolyon Maugham, director of the Good Law Project, said: If you dont go to a successful school you dont deserve to succeed either  strip away all the science and thats whats delivered by the system Ofqual and Gavin Williamson have put in place.

Its not fair, its not good enough, and hard-working students should not have to stand for it.

It comes as more than 200,000 people have signed an online petition demanding the government takes action over the A-level results.

The Change.org petition wants all students receiving grades this year to be given those predicted by teachers.

Story continues

We call on Boris Johnson to intervene now and stop this, the petition reads.

No school is going to set a child up for something they cannot achieve, that would be senseless.

Uni places already hang in the balance. The govt has already u-turned on the date results will be available and childrens mental health is suffering.
In presence of Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the Netherlands on Saturday had a national commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the surrender of Japan in the WWII, at the Indies Monument here.

The official end of World War II for the Kingdom of the Netherlands was on Aug. 15, 1945, as the Japanese occupation of the former Dutch colony Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia, ended on this date.

The remembrance ceremony is organized each year on August 15 at the Indies Monument in The Hague to commemorate all victims of the Japanese occupation of then Dutch East Indies in World War II.

King Willem-Alexander laid a wreath during the ceremony, which was not public due to the novel coronavirus measures. In his speech, Rutte emphasized that the experiences of people who went through the Second World War in then Dutch East Indies need to be said, although many were told after their arrival back in the Netherlands that their war story was secondary to what had happened in the Netherlands during World War II.

"In the end, as a result, a lot remained unspoken," said Rutte. "Therefore it is important today that the stories continue to be told. Because it is more than looking back. It is also acknowledging. Year after year."

(CGTN)
The service for Beaumont Police Department Officer Sheena Dae Yarbrough-Powell drew thousands to gather around Calvary Baptist Church in Beaumont and watch her service online Saturday to honor her memory.

Officer Yarbrough-Powell and Officer Gabriel Fells were struck head-on by a car Aug. 9 traveling down the wrong side of U.S. 69 near MLK Boulevard. Yarbrough-Powell was pronounced dead at the scene and Fells was hospitalized until Wednesday.
Lucknow, Aug 16 : The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh is all set to double the number of high dependency unit (HDU) and intensive care unit (ICU) beds for Covid-19 patients by the end of this month.

A detailed plan has been prepared for all Covid-19 hospitals in Lucknow, including private facilities like Medanta and Apollo, with deadlines set for achieving the goals, taking the strength from the current 383 beds, under both categories, to 928 by August 31.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to act on the plan immediately in view of the rising Covid-19 cases in the state.

Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Avanish Awasthi, who has inspected these hospitals, said that work has already started and most of the additional beds would be available within one week.

"We have inspected the hospitals and many of them will be adding to their existing capacity. A new wing is coming up in Medanta Hospital which will be dedicated to Covid patients. The Apollo Hospital has also promised to provide 50 beds by the end of this month," he said.

Awasthi said that a new 25-bed wing, under construction till now, will also be readied at Sahara Hospital by August-end. A 320-bed wing is also being readied, of which 100 beds will be dedicated for Covid ICU.

The Chief Minister has also spoken to Defence Minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh and apprised him of the plan to increase beds in the city.

Singh said he would request the Union Health Minister to provide all aid to UP to control the spread of Coronavirus.

The existing 193 HDU beds in 11 hospitals will go up to 513 while ICU beds will increase from the current 190 to 415.

The Chief Minister has said that Level-2 and Level-3 beds should be increased across all districts though special attention has to be given to six districts where a high number of cases are being reported daily.
The widow of hero PC Andrew Harper says she 'won't fade away quietly into the background' as she fights for tougher sentences for 999 killers under 'Andrew's Law'.

Lissie Harper, 29, had been married to Andrew, 28, for four weeks before he was killed on duty by thieves.

She said that on the day her husband's killers were acquitted of murder her car 'was keyed' when she 'requested a retrial'.

Lissie Harper, 29, pictured, said supporters of her husband's killers had 'tried to intimidate her' but that she had 'no intention' of fading into the background

Lissie added: 'I can't be sure who did that but I do know that Andrew's killers and their supporters would probably rather I faded quietly into the background. But I've no intention of doing that.'

Designer Lissie said supporters of her husband's killers had 'tried to intimidate her' according to The Sun.

She is campaigning for Andrew's Law which would mean an automatic life sentence for anyone who kills an on-duty emergency service worker.

She said she has been subjected to a 'life sentence without Andrew' and that they had their honeymoon booked in the Maldives in September.

When they returned, they were going to try for a baby.

Lissie added that Andrew 'would have been a great dad' and one of the many things his killers' took from her was the opportunity to start a family.

Lissie, had been married to PC Andrew Harper, 28, for four weeks before he was killed on duty by thieves

Lissie is campaigning for Andrew's Law which would mean an automatic life sentence for anyone who kills an on-duty emergency service worker

Andrew was killed responding to a call about a stolen quad bike in Stanford Dingley, Berks, last August.

As he tried to apprehend the thieves, he stepped into the loop of a tow-rope attached to the back of the their car.

They then sped off, dragging him for more than a mile along country lanes.

She said that on the day her husband's killers were acquitted of murder her car 'was keyed' when she 'requested a retrial'

PC Harper was killed responding to a call about a stolen quad bike in Stanford Dingley, Berks, last August

The killers were found not guilty of murder instead being convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Henry Long, 19, got 16 years while Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both 18, received 13 years each.

With good behaviour, they will serve half that.

She said: 'It won't be long before they're out and they'll still be young.

Killers Henry Long, 19, pictured left, got 16 years while Jessie Cole, middle, and Albert Bowers, right, both 18, got 13 years each

'They will be able to get on with their lives  a privilege they have taken away from Andrew.'

This comes as PC Harper's mother Debbie Adlam met with Conservative MP John Howell last week to discuss enforcing 'Andrew's Law'.

She said: 'It would mean the world to me to know that Andrew made a difference. I know he did to thousands of people when alive.

'But I hope his legacy will be that he protected his colleagues in death.'
The operational costs of the metro are EGP 8 billion while revenues are EGP 4 billion

Related Egypt's Sisi inaugurates fourth phase of Cairo Metro's third line Egyptian Transportation Minister Kamel Al-Wazir announced on Sunday that fares for the first and second lines of the Cairo Metro would increase on Monday.

A ticket for a journey of between one and nine stops will cost EGP 5 instead of EGP 3, a ticket for 9 to 16 stops will cost EGP 7 instead of EGP 5, and a ticket for 16 to 40 stops will cost EGP 10 instead of EGP 7, Al-Wazir told Ala Masoolati television show on Sada El-Balad channel.

Fares for the third line of the metro had been increased by similar amounts in June 2019.

The metro lines consume electricity and have employees salaries to pay. Revenues cant cover their operational costs, he said, adding that first and second metro lines need to be renovated, like the third line.

The operational costs of the metro are EGP 8 billion while revenues are EGP 4 billion, according to Al-Wazir.

There are 5 million workers, engineers and technicians working in the metro, aside from the indirect workers who could double this number, he added.

The minister said that a new ten-year deal had been signed with an advertising company for EGP 110 million a year.

Earlier on Sunday, Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi inaugurated the new Adly Mansour metro station, part of a series of developments of the metros fourth line.

During the event, El-Sisi instructed Al-Wazir to set the appropriate prices for railway and metro services to ensure the continued efficient operation of the services facilities.

In May 2018, Egypt raised metro fares from a flat rate of EGP 2 per ticket to EGP 3-7 per ticket depending on distance covered, citing the need to raise funds for infrastructure development.

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By Trend

Pomegranate harvesting in Azerbaijan amounted to about 175,000 tons in 2019, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Pomegranate Producers and Exporters Association Farhad Garashov told Trend.

In 2018, 170,000 tons of pomegranates were grown in Azerbaijan, and 9,300 tons were exported, he noted.

The priority issue for 2020 is the increasing productivity, but there are some problems that farmers face, said Garasov.

"Difficulties are related to a lack of irrigation water, which negatively affects productivity. Moreover, the quality of the products that our farmers produce often doesnt meet the standards of the world market, and for this reason the association decided to start conducting agrotechnical trainings," the associations said.

Garashov added that the STEP project will create conditions for wider coverage of these trainings and increase the export potential of Azerbaijani farmers.

"In 2019, some of our producers and farmers had incomplete sales of pomegranate and crop losses. Until this time, there were no sales problems. So, as a result of our states policy, the work of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Agriculture, the State Customs Committee (SCC), the Food Safety Agency and other structures in uninterrupted operation gave an impetus to export operations and, in general, to the stability of the sales process," he said.

Azerbaijan Pomegranate Producers and Exporters Association has been operating since November 2016.

In 2019, the association was extremely beneficial, so the number of members of the organization increased almost 10 times.

By the end of 2019, the number of associations members grew to 345 compared to 34 in 2018. The association also works closely with international organizations on developing pomegranate production.

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(Newser)  There'll be no classes Monday after all in Arizona's JO Combs Unified School District. In "an overwhelming response," too many staff members said they don't feel safe going back yet, the superintendent wrote to families. Online classes are canceled, as well, the Hill reports, because of what Gregory Wyman called "a high volume of staff absences for Monday citing health and safety concerns." The district had decided to ignore Arizona's pandemic standards for deciding when students can safely return to class, per Reuters.

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"It was great to see JO Combs school district came together and used their collective power," said a kindergarten teacher and protest leader. "I'd love to see a nationwide sickout." Demonstrations on both sides of the issue have taken place recently in Arizona, with parents often demanding schools allow students to return. Wyman said he doesn't know when that will happen in his district. According to state data released last week, per the New York Times, no Phoneix-area county has reached all the required benchmarks for in-person learning to resume. (A school district in Georgia told 900 people to quarantine.)
A slugfest erupted between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday following a report in the Wall Street Journal claiming that Facebook ignored applying its hate speech rules to politicians of the ruling party in India.

IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attends Independence Day celebrations at the party headquarters in New Delhi. Photograph: @INCIndia/Twitter

Seizing on the report, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh of spreading "fake news" using Facebook and WhatsApp to influence the electorate, triggering a sharp counter-attack from Union IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad who reminded the opposition party of the Cambridge Analytica issue.

The Congress demanded a probe by a joint parliamentary committee into the charges mentioned in the report, saying they threaten the foundation of Indian democracy and need to be investigated.

Hitting back, Prasad tweeted, "Losers who cannot influence people even in their own party keep cribbing that the entire world is controlled by BJP and RSS.

You were caught red-handed in alliance with Cambridge Analytica and Facebook to weaponise data before the elections and now have the gall to question us," he said.

His strong reaction came after Gandhi took to Twitter to slam the BJP and RSS following the report and posted a screen grab of it.

"BJP & RSS control Facebook & Whatsapp in India. They spread fake news and hatred through it and use it to influence the electorate. Finally, the American media has come out with the truth about Facebook," Gandhi said.

In the report published on Friday, the United States newspaper cited interviews with unnamed Facebook insiders to claim that one of its senior India policy executives intervened in internal communication to stop a permanent ban on a BJP MLA from Telangana after he allegedly made communally charged posts.

There was no immediate comment on the issue by Facebook, for whom India is one of the fastest growing markets globally with over 340 million users.

Countering Gandhi's remarks, Prasad also said, "The fact is that today access to information and freedom of expression has been democratized. It is no longer controlled by retainers of your family and that is why it hurts."

Prasad's reference to Cambridge Analytica was about the allegations the Congress faced in 2018 that the UK-based firm offered the party data mining of Facebook posts to influencing voters in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Congress had rejected the charges.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who heads the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology, said the panel would like to hear from Facebook about the report.

"The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology would certainly wish to hear from Facebook about these reports and what they propose to do about hate-speech in India," he tweeted.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, reacting to Tharoor's comments, said the subjects which are permissible and are in accordance with rules of parliamentary standing committees could be raised.

But at the same time, he added that these panels should not be made a political platform by members to satisfy "ego of their respective party leaders".

Congress spokesperson Ajay Maken, at a virtual press conference, demanded a JPC probe into the charges that Facebook ignored its hate speech policy in dealing with BJP lawmakers.

"The Congress party demands a JPC probe to ascertain the charges on how Facebook is helping the BJP in elections and in spreading hatred and fake news in society. There should be a JPC probe on how Facebook is helping the BJP," he told reporters.

He said Facebook global should also hold a probe to ascertain the alleged links of some of its employees with the ruling party, to help protect its own credibility.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala tweeted: "Facebook-Whatsapp sinister connection to BJP Government exposed."
Actor Sanjay Dutt, one of the most beloved stars in Bollywood, announced earlier this week that he would be taking a break from work due to medical reasons. It was reported that the actor had been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer and would be seeking treatment in the US.

Positive vibes were sent his way, and his wife Maanyata Dutt in a statement said, I thank everyone who has expressed their well wishes for Sanjus speedy recovery. We need all the strength and prayers to overcome this phase. There is a lot that the family has gone through in the past years but I am confident, this too shall pass.

It was also reported by PTI that the actor would complete some last-minute dubbing for his upcoming release, Sadak 2. The film, a sequel to his 1991 romantic thriller, will be released on Disney+ Hotstar on August 28. It is just one of the many projects in the pipeline for the veteran actor.

Heres a rundown of his upcoming films:

Sadak 2 - Directed by Mahesh Bhatt, the film is slated for release on August 28 on Disney+ Hotstar. It also stars Alia Bhatt, Pooja Bhatt, Aditya Roy Kapur and others.



Torbaaz - The film, reportedly about child suicide bombers in Afghanistan, was recently announced as a part of Netflixs upcoming slate of releases. Nargis Fakhri stars alongside Sanjay, who reportedly plays an army officer in the film.



Bhuj: The Pride of India - Sanjay has a pivotal role in the upcoming war drama, also starring Ajay Devgn, due to release on Disney+ Hotstar.



KGF: Chapter 2 - Sanjays viking-inspired look from the upcoming South sequel was revealed on his birthday recently. The actor plays the villain in the film, which reportedly has a few days of filming left.



Shamshera - Sanjay collaborates once again with Ranbir Kapoor in the upcoming Yash Raj Films drama, after Ranbir played him in his blockbuster biopic, Sanju. Filming hasnt been completed.



Prithviraj - Starring Akshay Kumar and Manushi Chhillar, the historical drama has a significant amount of filming remaining, after the coronavirus pandemic halted production completely. Akshay has in the meantime commenced work on another project, Bell Bottom.

Also read: Sanjay Dutt diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer

According to India Today, the actor has Rs 735 crore riding on his future projects. In his social media announcement, he had written, Hi friends, I am taking a short break from work for medical treatment. My family and friends are with me and I urge my well-wishers not to worry or unnecessarily speculate. With your love and good wishes, I will be back soon.

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Donald Trump's brother Robert, 71, has died just one day after the president visited him in hospital in New York.

The president said in a statement on Saturday night: 'It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight.

'He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace.'

Robert, who reportedly took blood thinners, had suffered recent brain bleeds that began after a recent fall, according to a close friend of the family, who spoke to The New York Times.

Over the past few weeks, he had not been able to speak on the phone, according to the family friend.

Robert Trump, pictured with older brother Donald in 1999, was admitted to New York Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan in serious condition. The White House announced his death on Saturday

Trump arrived at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center on Friday afternoon to visit his ailing younger brother

Trump left Manhattan on Friday afternoon to fly to Bedminster, New Jersey, having said goodbye to his brother in hospital

From left to right: Robert, Elizabeth, Freddy, Donald and Maryanne Trump. Robert was the youngest of the five siblings

Rudy Giuliani, the president's lawyer, was among the first to pay tribute to Robert.

'Robert Trump has a big heart,' he tweeted. 'As a former Mayor I know how much he did to help New Yorkers in need.

'We have lost a really good man. My love, prayers and condolences to the #Trump family.'

Eric Trump then tweeted fond memories of his uncle, describing him as 'an incredible man' who was 'strong, kind and loyal to the core.'

Ivanka Trump followed with a tribute on Twitter on Saturday night saying: 'Uncle Robert, we love you. You are in our hearts and prayers, always.'

Donald Trump Jr tweeted Sunday morning: 'Uncle Rob, we love you and we will miss you. RIP.'

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden shared his condolences Sunday morning in a tweet addressed to Donald Trump saying 'Jill and I are sad to learn of your younger brother Robert's passing'.

'I know the tremendous pain of losing a loved one  and I know how important family is in moments like these. I hope you know that our prayers are with you all,' Biden added.

Robert Trump had no children, but he helped raise Christopher Hollister Trump-Retchin, the son of his first wife, Blaine Trump.

Besides the president, he is survived by his second wife, Ann Marie Pallan, and his sisters, Maryanne Trump Barry and Elizabeth Trump Grau.

His brother Fred Trump Jr. died in 1981.

Robert's death came one day after the president visited him in hospital in New York City, where he was said to be suffering from a serious condition.

Donald Trump Jr paid his respects to his uncle tweeting Sunday morning: Uncle Rob, we love you and we will miss you. RIP'

Ivanka Trump tweeted Saturday night: 'Uncle Robert, we love you. You are in our hearts and prayers, always'

Giuliani, the president's lawyer, was among the first to send his condolences to the family and said Robert 'had a big heart'

Eric Trump tweeted a tribute to his uncle, saying he was 'an incredible man' and praising his warmth and loyalty

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden shared his condolences Sunday morning in a tweet addressed to Donald Trump saying 'Jill and I are sad to learn of your younger brother Robert's passing'

Judge Jeanine Pirro shared this tribute on Sunday, remembering Robert as a 'true patriot and gentleman'

Trump had been scheduled to travel to his country club in nearby Bedminster, New Jersey for the weekend, but made a stop in Manhattan first to check in on his sibling.

The president was seen leaving the heliport after flying in from New Jersey.

Hospital security guards were seen blocking off access to a street outside the medical center ahead of the president's visit earlier this afternoon.

Trump was wearing a protective face mask as he arrived at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center in Lennox Hill late Friday afternoon.

Robert had been admitted to the hospital and was described as 'very ill', however details of his illness are still not officially confirmed.

During a White House press briefing after his visit to his brother's bedside, the president said his brother was 'having a hard time' but did not elaborate on why he had been hospitalized.

Robert has openly voiced his support for his brother over years. He is pictured hugging Donald on Election Day 2016

Robert, the youngest of the five Trump siblings, was previously hospitalized for ten days at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York in June.

He was admitted to the neurosciences intensive care unit where he was treated for a 'serious condition', the Daily Beast reported.

Around the same time, Robert had filed a lawsuit against his niece Mary Trump, seeking to block her from publishing a tell-all book on the president.

Mary is the daughter of the brothers' eldest sibling, Fred Trump Jr, who struggled with alcoholism and died in 1981 at the age of 43.

Robert filed for an injunction claiming the explosive book, 'Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man', violated the terms of a confidentiality agreement she signed nearly two decades ago.

In a statement to The New York Times in June, he accused his niece of attempting to 'sensationalize and mischaracterize' their family relationship for her own financial gain.

Robert is pictured right with sister Maryanne and brother Donald in 1990

Robert is the youngest of the five Trump siblings born to Fred and Mary Anne MacLeod Trump. Pictured left to right: Donald, Fred Jr, Robert, Maryanne, and Elizabeth

'I and the rest of my entire family are so proud of my wonderful brother, the president, and feel that Mary's actions are truly a disgrace,' Robert said.

Donald Trump statement on Robert's death 'It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight. 'He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. 'Robert, I love you. Rest in peace.' Advertisement

The explosive memoir was eventually released last month after a judge agreed to lift a temporary restraining order preventing Mary from publicizing or distributing her work.



The judge said the confidentiality clauses in the 2001 agreement, 'viewed in the context of the current Trump family circumstances in 2020, would offend public policy as a prior restraint on protected speech'.

The younger Trump had openly voiced his support for his brother over the years.

In an interview with Page Six ahead of the 2016 presidential election, Robert said he supported his brother's campaign '1,000 per cent'.'

He was later seen celebrating Donald's victory at the New York Hilton where the then president-elect delivered his acceptance speech.

Robert also spoke out in support of his brother during a brief, but rare interview at LAX airport last December, when Trump had been at the center of an impeachment trial.

When asked how his older sibling was doing, he told the cameraman: 'I think he's doing fantastic,' before getting into the his car.

Robert had also held a senior position in the family business, but unlike his brother, he has generally maintained a low public profile.

He previously served as an executive for Trump Organization where he managed the real estate portfolio outside of Manhattan.

In 2016 Robert told Page Six that he was 'gainfully retired'.

Robert was married to socialite Blaine Trump (pictured) for 25 years until their 2007 divorce. Until his death, he lived in Long Island with wife Ann Marie Pallan

Robert married his former secretary Ann Marie Pallan (center) in March. The two were rumored to be having an affair while he was married to first wife Blaine

He was married to socialite Blaine Trump for 25 years until their 2007 divorce, and until his death served on the board of directors of ZeniMax Media.

The couple's split was widely reported in the tabloids following reports that Robert had been living with his mistress - and now wife - for two years.

Prior to his death, he was based in Long Island where he lived with wife Ann Marie Pallan, his former secretary, who he reportedly married in March.

Despite their split, Robert was said to have remained on good terms with his ex-wife, who reportedly attended Trump's inauguration in 2017.

Robert also has two older sisters.

Elizabeth Trump Grau, 78, is a retired executive from Chase Manhattan Bank, and Maryanne Trump Barry, 83, is a retired federal judge.

Just like his older brother, Robert formerly served as an executive for the Trump Organization, but managed to keep a relatively low-profile. He is pictured above with ex-wife Blaine (in green), Donald, parents Mary and Fred, and sister Maryanne

Left to right: Blaine Trump, Robert Trump, Donald Trump and Ivana Trump are seen at the Pierre Hotel New York in 1987

Fred Trump with his son Robert, wife Mary Anne and Robert's wife Blaine at a gala in 1985

Blaine and Robert Trump at the Met Ball, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in 1983

Robert Trump and wife Blaine at Halloween AIDS fundraiser, hosted by Magic Johnson in 1993 at Tavern on the Green

As the youngest of the five Trump siblings, Robert was shielded from the pressures placed on the eldest, Fred Jr, and then Donald.

He was never groomed to take over the family real estate company, and was considered by those who knew him to be the inverse of the brash, self-promotional brother who eventually did.

After graduating from Boston University, he first went to work on Wall Street, instead of immediately joining the family business.

But he eventually went to work for his brother as a senior executive at the Trump Organization.

Robert Trump is pictured with his older brother Donald and then-girlfriend Melania Knauss

Trump put Robert in charge of the Atlantic City casino in 1989 - which sparked a huge row. The pair are pictured at a Casino Control Commission meeting in Atlantic City in March 1990

From left: Donald Trump; his father Fred Trump; Blaine Trump and her husband Robert Trump

'You could consider him the quietest of Trumps,' said Michael D'Antonio, a Trump biographer.

'He was glad to stay out of the spotlight.'

Jack O'Donnell, a former Trump Organization executive who worked closely with the Trump family, told the New York Times that Robert was someone with a natural ease and good humor that his older brother lacked.

'He was dignified, he was quiet, he listened, he was good to work with,' O'Donnell said.

'He had zero sense of entitlement. Robert was very comfortable being Donald Trump's brother and not being like him.'

The pair were not always close.

In 1990, a year after Trump had put Robert in charge of the opening of the Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Trump furiously attacked Robert over problems with the slot machines.

People who knew him said Robert was devastated by the fight with Trump, and the rift between them took years to heal, the New York Times said.

He reconciled with his brother when Trump decided to run for president, according to a person close to the family.

The soft-spoken, easygoing brother who backed the president until the end: Robert Trump shunned the spotlight in later life until he threw his support behind Donald and protected the family when he sued niece Mary over tell-all book

President Donald's younger brother, Robert Trump, a businessman known for an even keel that seemed almost incompatible with the family name, died Saturday night at the age of 71.

The youngest of the Trump siblings had remained close to the 74-year-old president and, as recently as June, filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Trump family that unsuccessfully sought to stop publication of a tell-all book by the president's niece, Mary.

In a rare but brief interview in December, Robert said his brother had been doing 'fantastic', when asked how the president was holding up during his impeachment trial. He is seen above in December 2019

Robert Stewart Trump was born in 1948, the youngest of New York City real estate developer Fred Trump's five children.

The president, more than two years older than Robert, admittedly bullied his brother in their younger years, even as he praised his loyalty and laid-back demeanor.

'I think it must be hard to have me for a brother but he's never said anything about it and we're very close,' Donald Trump wrote in his 1987 bestseller 'The Art of the Deal.'

'Robert gets along with almost everyone,' he added, 'which is great for me since I sometimes have to be the bad guy.'

Both longtime businessmen, Robert and Donald had strikingly different personalities.

Donald Trump once described his younger brother as 'much quieter and easygoing than I am,' and 'the only guy in my life whom I ever call "honey."'

Robert began his career on Wall Street working in corporate finance but later joined the family business, managing real estate holdings as a top executive in the Trump Organization.

Meet the Trumps: Donald, Fred Jr, Elizabeth, Maryanne and Robert, pictured from left to right in an old family photo. The president said in a statement on Saturday night, one day after visiting his brother in hospital in Manhattan: 'He [Robert] was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace'

'When he worked in the Trump Organization, he was known as the nice Trump,' Gwenda Blair, a Trump family biographer said. 'Robert was the one people would try to get to intervene if there was a problem.'

In the 1980s, Donald Trump tapped Robert Trump to oversee an Atlantic City casino project, calling him the perfect fit for the job.

When it cannibalized his other casinos, though, 'he pointed the finger of blame at Robert,' said Blair, author of 'The Trumps: Three Generations that Built an Empire.'

'When the slot machines jammed the opening weekend at the Taj Mahal, he very specifically and furiously denounced Robert, and Robert walked out and never worked for his brother again,' Blair said.

People who knew him said Robert was devastated by the fight with his brother, and the rift between them took years to heal, the New York Times said.

He reconciled with his brother when Donald decided to run for president, according to a person close to the family.

Fred Trump and Robert Trump are pictured together in 1985 at the Waldorf Hotel in New York City

A Boston University graduate, Robert Trump later managed the Brooklyn portion of father Fred Trump's real estate empire, which was eventually sold.

Once a regular boldface name in Manhattan's social pages, Robert Trump had kept a lower profile in recent years. 'He was not a newsmaker,' Blair said.

He was married to socialite Blaine Trump for 25 years until their 2007 divorce and was active on Manhattan's Upper East Side charity circuit.

The couple's split was widely reported in the tabloids following reports that Robert had been living with his mistress - and now wife - for two years.

In early March of 2020, he married his longtime girlfriend, Ann Marie Pallan, and they lived together in Long Island.

Despite their split, Robert was said to have remained on good terms with his ex-wife, who reportedly attended Trump's inauguration in 2017.

In 2016 Robert told Page Six that he was 'gainfully retired'.

He avoided the limelight during his elder brother's presidency, having retired to the Hudson Valley. But he described himself as a big supporter of the White House run in a 2016 interview with the New York Post.

'I support Donald one thousand percent,' Robert Trump said.

He was later seen celebrating Donald's victory at the New York Hilton where the then president-elect delivered his acceptance speech.

Fashion Designer Diane von Furstenberg and businessman Robert Trump are pictured together in 1973 at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City

Joan Rivers and Robert Trump attend American Ballet Theater (ABT) 65th Anniversary Spring Gala at Metropolitan Opera House on May 23, 2005 in New York City

Robert also spoke out in support of his brother during a brief, but rare interview at LAX airport last December, when Trump had been at the center of an impeachment trial.

When asked how his older sibling was doing, he told the cameraman: 'I think he's doing fantastic', before getting into the his car.

Robert Trump had no children, but he helped raise Christopher Hollister Trump-Retchin, the son of his first wife.

The eldest Trump sibling and Mary's father, Fred Trump Jr., struggled with alcoholism and died in 1981 at the age of 43.

The president's surviving siblings include Elizabeth Trump Grau and Maryanne Trump Barry, a retired federal appeals judge.

Authors Michael Kranish and Marc Fisher described Robert Trump as soft spoken but cerebral in 'Trump Revealed: The Definitive Biography of the 45th President': 'He lacked Donalds charismatic showmanship, and he was happy to leave the bravado to his brother, but he could show flashes of Trump temper.'
US Seizes 4 Vessels Carrying Gasoline From Iran To Venezuela, No Military Force Involved

Radio Farda August 15, 2020

The United States reportedly confiscated four vessels carrying gasoline from Iran to Venezuela this week, following federal prosecutors' calls for the tankers to be seized last month.

The four vessels, Luna, Pandi, Bering and Bella, were allegedly seized at sea in recent days. Recent reports indicate that the ships are now in Houston, Texas, although other sources maintain that the current whereabouts of the ships are not known yet.

The ships had turned off their tracking devices several weeks ago in an attempt to prevent monitoring by governments and tanker tracker companies.

According to the Associated Press, prosecutors alleged the four ships were transporting 1.1 million barrels of gasoline from Iran to Venezuela. But the tankers never arrived at the South American country, and subsequently went missing. Two of the ships later reappeared near Cape Verde, a U.S. official said.

The U.S. Department of Justice officials declined to comment on the development.

The news was initially met with shock in Iran and elsewhere, as Iran had shipped gasoline to Venezuela at least twice before over the past few months.

The seizure of the four ships appears to be part of the United States' efforts to pressure Iran back to the negotiating table over its controversial nuclear and missile development programs, its destabilizing activities in the region and its human rights violations.

Iran had been sending fuel and goods to help the regime in Venezuela, an adversary of the United States, remain in power.

The Wall Street Journal quoted a US official saying "the vessels had been taken over without the use of military force," but did not further elaborate.

Previously, the U.S. took legal action in an unsuccessful attempt to take control of the Iranian oil tanker Grace-1 detained in Gibraltar. However, per the Wall Street Journal, a federal judge in Washington last week gave the U.S. the title to the Grace-1, saying that federal prosecutors had provided enough evidence that the tanker and its fuel were assets of a designated terrorist organization.

After the U.S. issued warnings to international shipping companies not to work with Iranian and Venezuelan oil and tanker companies, the two countries, under pressure from insurers, were pushed to work with the illegal market.

Iran's ambassador to Venezuela, Hojat Soltani, pushed back on what would appear a victory for the U.S. sanctions campaign, tweeting on Thursday that neither the ships nor their owners were Iranian.

"This is another lie and act of psychological warfare perpetrated by the U.S. propaganda machine," Soltani wrote. "The terrorist #Trump cannot compensate for his humiliation and defeat by Iran using false propaganda."

According to AP, as commercial traders increasingly shun Venezuela, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's socialist government has been increasingly turning to Iran. In May, Maduro celebrated the arrival of five Iranian tankers delivering badly-needed fuel to alleviate shortages that have led to days-long gas lines in Venezuela, even in the capital city of Caracas, which is normally spared such hardships.

Oil-rich Venezuela has not been able to meet its domestic need for gasoline as production has plunged to an unprecedented low in seven decades.

The United States has increased pressure on ship owners to abide by the U.S. sanctions against Iran, Venezuela and North Korea. Last May, U.S. officials seized a North Korean ship carrying coal. The advisory issued by the Trump administration in May also addresses dangerous ship-to-ship transfers and ships turning off tracking devices, with Iran having used both methods for months.

According to U.S. prosecutors, one of the companies involved in the shipment to Venezuela and the attempts to evade U.S. sanctions, the Avantgarde Group, was previously linked to the Revolutionary Guard, which has been. designated by the U.S. as a terrorist group, news sources said.

U.S. officials added that the ships were being escorted by an Iranian naval intelligence ship and four other Iranian vessels that left the flotilla after U.S. authorities established contact with the owner of the tankers.

Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/us-seizes-4-vessels -carrying-gasoline-from-iran-to-venezuela-no- military-force-involved/30784483.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.

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58% of registered voters who support Joe Biden in the 2020 election say their vote is more in opposition to President Trump than in support of Biden, according to a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll out Sunday.

Why it matters: The Trump campaign has long insisted that the president's supporters are far more enthusiastic than Biden's, and that this will manifest in higher turnout during the election. Nearly three-quarters of Trump's supporters say their vote is more in support of the president than against Biden.

Yes, but: Biden overall maintains an 8-point lead in FiveThirtyEight's average of national polls, including a 50%-41% lead in the WSJ/NBC News poll.

By the numbers: 39% of respondents said they had positive views of Joe Biden's new running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, while 35% said they viewed her negatively. Her net approval of +4 is higher than that of Vice President Mike Pence (-5), Biden (-6) and Trump (-12).

The poll indicates Harris is more popular among women and voters of color. 45% of both groups said they view the senator positively, while men and white voters were less likely to have positive views on Harris, at 32% and 36% respectively.

A separate ABC News/Washington Post poll out Sunday finds that 54% of Americans approves of Biden's choice of Harris as his running mate, including 25% of Republicans, while 29% of Americans disapprove.

The big picture: Trump's approval rating in the WSJ/NBC News poll increased 2 points since July to 44%. But 53% of respondents still disapprove of his performance and 58% disapprove of his handling of the pandemic.

Methodologies: The WSJ/NBC News poll was conducted Aug. 9-12 and has a margin of error of +/- 3.27% for the full sample of 900 registered voters. The ABC News/Washington Post poll was conducted Aug. 12-15 and has a margin of error of +/- 3.5 for a random national sample of 1,001 adults.

Go deeper ... Axios-SurveyMonkey poll: Harris boosting Biden ticket with key voters
Pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in Jammu resumed on Sunday, nearly five months after being suspended on March 18 due to coronavirus pandemic.

However, there will be some restrictions including a cap on the number of people allowed to visit the shrine every day, keeping in view the safety guidelines to curb the spread of Covid-19 disease.

In the first week of the pilgrimage, 2,000 pilgrims will be allowed of which 1,900 will be from Jammu and Kashmir and the remaining 100 from outside the Union Territory. The pilgrims will be allowed to undertake the yatra only after online registration.

The government has come out with a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and the pilgrims are requested to follow the guidelines for their own safety and the safety of others, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board CEO Ramesh Kumar told ANI.

He added that those from Covid-19 red zones will be given permission for the pilgrimage only if they provide negative test reports. It will be mandatory for the pilgrims to wear face mask and install the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile phones before proceeding for the yatra.

The CEO added that the yatra will move in a unidirectional manner. The traditional route from Katra to Bhawan via Banganga, Adhkuwari and Sanjichhat will be used for going up and Himkoti route-Tarakote Marg will be used for coming back from the Bhawan, he said on Saturday.

Expressing happiness at the reopening of the temple for devotees, a pilgrim said that it was important to follow rules during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Im happy that people can visit the temple once again, Prashant Sharma, one of the first pilgrims to visit the shrine was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

The shrine management has laid out the rules clearly, and pilgrims are also following them properly. It is important to follow rules during the COVID-19 pandemic. If rules are not followed then the darshans will be closed soon, added Sharma.

A massive sanitisation campaign was launched by the shrine board right from Katra to Bhawan before the resumption of the pilgrimage.

The shrine board has said that the cap on the number of visitors to the temple will be reviewed after the first week and a decision will be taken accordingly.

(With inputs from ANI)

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Moldovan President Igor Dodon said on Friday that Chisinau had officially addressed Moscow with a request to supply the country with the Russian coronavirus vaccine when it is approved for export

CHISINAU (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th August, 2020) Moldovan President Igor Dodon said on Friday that Chisinau had officially addressed Moscow with a request to supply the country with the Russian coronavirus vaccine when it is approved for export.

Earlier this week, Russia registered the world's first COVID-19 vaccine, named Sputnik V and developed by the Gamaleya Institute. The Russian Ministry of Health has said that Sputnik V had undergone all necessary checks and proven to be capable of building immunity against the virus.

"We are communicating with countries that say they have already found a vaccine, in particular with Russia.

We are in touch and we officially asked our partners from Russia to supply Moldova with vaccines once they start exports and once international standards allow it," Dodon said in a video statement streamed on Facebook.

The president hopes that Sputnik V imports will eventually lead to mass vaccination of Moldova's population, which will be voluntary.

Moldova has imposed coronavirus-related restrictions until the end of August, banning mass events and closing educational facilities. The country has so far reported over nearly 29,000 COVID-19 cases, more than 20,000 recoveries and 878 related deaths.
Biden - Reuters

Barack Obama reportedly expressed private doubts about Joe Biden becoming the Democrat presidential nominee in 2020.

According to Politico the former president told one Democrat: "Don't underestimate Joe's ability to f... things up."

Mr Obama was also said to have spoken about his own understanding of the 2020 Democrat electorate in Iowa.

"And you know who really doesnt have it? Joe Biden," he reportedly said.

There were said to have been lingering tensions between the two after Mr Obama supported Hillary Clinton for the nomination in 2016.

Related: Biden's friendship with Obama influencing his VP pick

Leon Panetta, Mr Obamas defence secretary, told Politico: "He [Mr Biden] was loyal, I think, to Obama in every way in terms of defending and standing by him, even probably when he disagreed with what Obama was doing.

"To some extent, [he] oftentimes felt that that loyalty was not being rewarded.

Some of Mr Obama's aides were said to have believed Mr Biden took discussions in the wrong direction when he was vice president.

In his book Ben Rhodes, Mr Obamas former deputy national security adviser, wrote that "in the Situation Room, Biden could be something of an unguided missile.

Mr Biden's aides were said to have believed his skills getting things achieved in Congress were under-appreciated.

Since Mr Biden secured the Democrat nomination Mr Obama has enthusiastically backed him and will be a keynote speaker at the Democrat Convention next week.
Putin, Lukashenko agree Russia will help maintain security in Belarus if needed

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 15 August 2020 1:37 PM

The Belarusian and Russian presidents say the turmoil that has followed the recent presidential elections in the ex-Soviet republic will be remedied soon and not left out for exploitation by the parties that seek to poison the two countries' relations.

Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin made the remarks during a phone call on Saturday, AFP reported.

"Both sides expressed confidence that all the problems that have arisen will be resolved soon," the Kremlin said in a statement, citing the heads of state as saying during the conversation.

Lukashenko also said he has agreed with Putin that Russia will help maintain security in Belarus if needed, Sputnik news agency reported citing the Belta state news agency.

"So I and he agreed that we will receive comprehensive assistance in ensuring Belarus' security whenever we request it," the Belarusian president was quoted as saying.

Earlier this month, Lukashenko won Belarus' presidential polls by a landslide, securing a sixth term in office.

Large-scale rioting ensued by, what he has called, people with criminal pasts and the unemployed.

Lukashenko's rival in the vote, 37-year-old Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, took a trip to neighboring Lithuania after the vote, citing "safety" concerns.

The European Union has threatened to re-impose sanctions against Minsk although Belarus is a non-member.

The United States has wasted no opportunity, in the meantime, to take Minsk to task too, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo saying during recent apparently interventionist remarks that Belarusians should be given "the freedoms that they are demanding."

Chairing a meeting in the capital on Wednesday, however, Lukashenko urged against continued violence, calling preservation of nationwide security in the country's top priority.

The Belarusian and Russian leaders also noted during the Saturday talk that "these problems should not be exploited by destructive forces seeking to harm the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries within the framework of the union state," Reuters reported, citing the same Kremlin statement.

Lukashenko also the protests were a "color revolution" and claimed "elements of foreign interference" were directing the protesters.

He also expressed concern about the NATO military drills taking place in neighboring Poland and Lithuania, describing them as a military build-up.

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Have a penchant for squashing bugs? New Jersey is requesting your service.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture released instructions on Wednesday to slow the spread of the spotted lanternfly, an exotic invasive insect that feeds on 70 different types of plants and trees.

The bug is currently in its full adult stage and will begin laying egg masses in September. If residents notice the grayish putty-like masses, usually attached to trees, they should scrape them off, double bag them and throw them away. Additionally, they can be placed in alcohol, bleach or hand sanitizer.

The NJDA has an instructional video on how to kill the masses as well as a list of treatment options if residents have an infestation on their property.

We have been working diligently to slow the advance of this bug, NJDA Secretary Douglas Fisher said, according to a press release. We are targeting areas where severe infestations have been confirmed, and we also encourage residents to destroy the Spotted Lanternfly if possible when they see it. It will take a combined effort to help keep this pest from spreading.

Native to China and South Korea, the spotted lanternfly arrived to the U.S. in 2014 on a shipment to Berks County, Pennsylvania. After spreading rapidly, Pennsylvania placed 26 counties -- including the Lehigh Valley -- under quarantine, meaning that businesses, agencies and organizations traveling through the areas must obtain a permit for moving vehicles and products through the zone.

Currently, Mercer, Hunterdon, Warren, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Somerset counties are under quarantine in New Jersey. All vehicles crossing into the state from Pennsylvania must be inspected, as the bugs are known for hitchhiking on vehicles. Both states want travelers to check any items before they move them out of the quarantine area.

The department is also asking residents outside of the quarantine areas to report sightings by emailing Slf-plantindustry@ag.nj.gov or calling 609-406-6943.

Though the bug does not pose a threat to humans or animals, it is deadly to plants because it feeds and extracts sap, creates wounds in trees, excretes honeydew which builds up sooty mold and impacts the overall quality of outdoor life.

NJDA and USDA crews have worked to control the spread of this invasive pest, Joe Zoltowski, NJDA Plant Industry Division Director, said, according to a press release. Its ability to travel easily on any mode of transportation has allowed it to spread. We are asking residents to do their part by eliminating this bug whenever possible.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Josh Axelrod may be reached at jaxelrod@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
Should President Donald Trump lose in the 2020 election, dont expect him to concede defeat  it is simply not in his DNA to do so.

Consider the 2016 race, when then-candidate Trump lost the Iowa caucus to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. While other losing candidates just moved on, Trump demanded that Cruzs victory be nullified, tweeting the next morning, Ted Cruz didnt win Iowa, he stole it. And when Colorado gave its convention votes to Cruz after nonbinding caucuses heavily favored the Texas senator, Trump tweeted, How is it possible that the people of the great State of Colorado never got to vote in the Republican Primary? Great anger  totally unfair!

For Trump, a personal defeat is always the result of fraud. Why would we expect him to react differently in the event of a Biden victory? He has already telegraphed his intentions, predicting that the 2020 vote will be the most corrupt in our history. In his election script, the only way for our electoral system to demonstrate its trustworthiness would be for him to win; a loss would simply confirm that the election was rigged.

Still, if Trump were to lose decisively, he would have no choice but to submit to defeat. In contrast to conceding, submitting to defeat is simply a losing candidates de facto recognition that further fight is futile. In submitting without conceding, Trump could certainly make mischief. He could, for example, encourage his supporters to take to the streets, triggering counterprotests met with ugly displays of federal force. But losing big would make it difficult for Trump to engage in more aggressive acts of constitutional defiance, such as trying to enlist Republican state legislatures to certify him as the winner in their states.

So, what would constitute a decisive loss for Trump? Given our peculiar system of electing a president, handing him a big loss in the popular vote guarantees nothing. Even beating Trump convincingly in the Electoral College might not be enough. He has made clear that what will matter to him is how the vote count looks on Election Day.

Must know election results on the night of the Election, not days, months, or even years later! the president tweeted on July 30, just hours after he floated the idea of delaying the vote.

In the storm of coverage that surrounded the scandalous idea of an election delay, this tweet passed largely unnoticed. Yet it offers a disturbing glimpse into how Trumps attacks on mail-in voting might presage an act of electoral defiance.

We know that in the 2020 election an unprecedented number of citizens will vote by mail, particularly in urban areas where the health risks associated with in-person voting are likely to be high. We also know that it will take days  or even weeks  for states to complete their full canvass of the mail-ins. And however long these state counts take, they will inevitably shift votes toward Biden and down-ballot Democrats, since urban voters vote overwhelmingly blue.

Trump knows this too. All Republicans recall the fate of Martha McSally, the GOP candidate for U.S. senator in Arizona in 2018. On Election Day, McSally enjoyed a 15,000-vote lead over Democratic rival Kyrsten Sinema. By the time Arizona finished its tally of mail-in and provisional ballots, McSally had lost to Sinema by 56,000 votes.

That is why Trumps tweet from July 30 should set off alarms. It suggests that if Trump has a tentative lead on Nov. 3, he will consider that tantamount to victory. Further, it suggests he would seek to discount any blue shift occurring in subsequent days or weeks as the product of fraud. To bolster his case, he will trot out the rhetoric he has been using lately: that mail-in votes cannot be trusted  and, more to the point, shouldnt be counted.

From his powerful platform in the White House, Trump can be counted on to work tirelessly to ensure the count of mail-in ballots is plagued by delays, questions and confusion, deploying teams of lawyers to numerous states to challenge the vote in any way possible. He can also rely on Russia bombarding social media with fake news designed to undercut confidence in the states counts. The situation is tailor-made for a president who thrives on chaos and who is prepared to indulge any conspiracy theory that advances his political interests.

Our best hope, then, of avoiding an electoral crisis is to beat Trump so decisively that his loss is clear on Nov. 3. Anything short of that will aid Trump in rejecting defeat and igniting an electoral crisis the likes of which we have not seen in our history.

Lawrence Douglas is a professor of law, jurisprudence and social thought at Amherst College. He is the author, most recently, of Will He Go? Trump and the Looming Election Meltdown in 2020.
Manish Anand By

NEW DELHI: Making another strong pitch towards self-reliance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the mindset of a free India should be vocal for local and through the Atmnirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the country was shifting its focus from Make in India to Make for World. Addressing the nation on the countrys 74th Independence Day, Modi said we should appreciate our local products, if we dont do this then our products will not get the opportunity to do better and will not get encouraged.

Giving the example of N-95 masks, personal protective equipment and ventilators, he said when the Covid-19 pandemic started India hardly had any production of the items.

But Indian entrepreneurs had responded to the need of the times and they had not only met the domestic demand, but exported them to the world. Indias share in the world economy should increase for which we have to be self-reliant. We have to move forward with our mantra of Make in India, but also with Make for World. Modi sought to allay the concerns of economists that India, by resorting to imposing import duties and putting items in the restrictive list, was going back to the pre-1991 era of license-permit raj.

When we talk about becoming self-reliant, then we do not merely refer to decreasing the import demands, he said, but stressed that India cannot continue exporting raw material only for them to return as finished products. Modi said while the country was striving for economic growth and self-reliance, development must go hand-in-hand with humanity. India has always believed that the entire world is one family. The PM said major global firms were looking at India as a major investment destination, which is reflected in an 18% jump in FDI last financial year.
Baltic States Urge New Election In Belarus, Call For EU Sanctions

By RFE/RL August 15, 2020

The prime ministers of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have called on Belarus to conduct a new, "free and fair" vote after the country's disputed August 9 presidential election.

The vote handed strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka a sixth term and sparked nationwide protests that have been brutally put down by security forces.

A new vote should be held "in a transparent way with the participation of international observers," the leaders said in a joint statement on August 15 after a meeting in the Estonian city of Tartu.

The three Baltic states urged Belarus to refrain from violence and release political prisoners and detained protesters.

They also called for European Union sanctions on those responsible for the violence.

The statement came as Belarus braces for massive weekend protests calling for the end of Lukashenka 26-year rule.

Opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya has called for peaceful rallies on August 15-16, after she was forced to leave the country for neighboring Lithuania after disputing Lukashenka's claim to a landslide victory.

Protests since the controversial election have witnessed unprecedented scenes on the streets of Minsk and other cities, energizing opposition to Lukashenka despite a brutal crackdown.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/baltic-states -urge-new-election-in-belarus-call -for-eu-sanctions/30785103.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.

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An Alabama man who claims to be a witch, a god and the last person to see missing mother Leila Cavett alive now has been charged in federal court with kidnapping.

Shannon Ryan, 38, of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, had his first appearance in Fort Lauderdale federal court Monday.

Ryan had already been in Broward County Main Jail on two counts of lying to a federal officer. From the look of the criminal complaint, kidnapping might not be the last charge he faces.

The criminal complaint against Ryan

According to the criminal complaint, police spoke to Ryan as he walked up to Cavetts GMC pickup truck in the parking lot of a Hollywood Walmart on July 28. He told police the last he saw of Cavett, she and her 2-year-old son, Kamdyn, left the adjacent RaceTrac gas station in a car with several Black men he didnt know on July 26.

The FBI said Thursday the last record they have of Jasper, Alabama, resident Cavett alive is the security camera video from July 25 at the RaceTrac station. Kamdyn was found the next day walking around Miramars Willowbrook Apartments complex, launching the investigation into his mothers disappearance.

But the complaint says when the FBI reviewed surveillance video, they saw no car of Black males such as Ryan described. It says they did see something else when checking video from around the apartment complex: Ryans gold 2004 Lexus, just minutes before Kamdyn was found.

Ryans Lexus is very distinguishable because it is missing the front bumper, the complaint says.

Also, the RaceTrac surveillance video shows Ryans car leaving at 8:15 a.m. July 26 and returning at 8:38 a.m., the time frame in which Kamdyn was found at the Willowbrook Apartments, 1860 SW 68th Ave. Cellphone tracking also showed Ryans phone to be in the area of the Willowbrook at that time.

RaceTrac employees remembered seeing toys and womens clothes in the dumpster around July 26. One employee recognized a distinct pair of floral pants worn by [Cavett] in a picture shown to them.

Story continues

Leila Cavett

A check of Walmart video from later that morning, the complaint said, showed Ryan buying Hefty Strong 39 Gallon Extra Large Trash Drawstring Bags, two boxes of Extra Strength Carpet Odor Eliminator and a a roll of Advanced Strength Duct Tape.

The complaint says Ryans iPhone revealed July 26 searches for how to make chloroform, which can be used to knock people out, and Hollywoods garbage pickup schedule.

A friend of Ryans said Ryan contacted him on July 26 about buying a GMC truck for $1,000.

Leila Cavett and 2-year-old son, Kamdyn in a Hollywood RaceTrac on July 25.

Ryans story of Cavetts disappearance

Ryans an incessant poster on Facebook over the pages Shannon Ryan and Magnetic Kundalini, the latter of which is devoted to Witchcraft, Knowledge of Self, Kemetic Kundalini & Chakra meditation, Kemetic Science, Health, wellness, fitness, mentorship.

Among his many posts on Aug. 9 is a 51-minute video on Aug. 9 in which he describes his relationship with Cavett from their first meeting in 2019 through her disappearance.

From one of Ryans side rants in the video, some in the North Alabama region in which Jasper and Muscle Shoals sit about 90 minutes apart blame Ryan for Cavetts disappearance.

A still from Shannon Ryans Aug. 9 Facebook video in which he makes several claims about Leila Cavett, the mother of the 2-year-old found in Miramar, last seen at a Hollywood gas station on July 25.

I did some burglary, Ryan said. I sold drugs when I as younger. I went to prison, too. Thats the dirt I grew up out of that made me the god I am today.

Individuals love to try to hold you to a past frequency. You mean I cant change? I cant be transformed? I cant renewed? Yeah, but the minute something goes wrong, you say, This is who the (f---) he is.

Ryan claims he met Cavett when she showed up at his house on a rainy night in 2019, filthy, pushing a similarly filthy baby carriage with goods, food and Kamdyn. After she told him a story Ryan said he didnt believe about being abandoned, he said he took her and her son into his home. Despite helping Cavett get a car, Ryan said, she stole from him twice.

I hexed her, Ryan said. Until you return my [stuff], everything you took, everywhere you go, people will try to take your son.

Ryan said he came down to Hollywood because one of his students was sick. When she got hospitalized with pneumonia, he said he called Cavett to take the students place on an unspecified project that would take him into the Keys and the Everglades. He said he called Cavett because shes a survivor. Im going out in the woods, the Everglades.

Cavett didnt show up for four days, Ryan said, in a truck she wanted to sell him. He said they met at the RaceTrac at 5800 Hollywood Blvd., and adjacent Walmart. They went to the beach between meals at Pollo Tropical and The Cheesecake Factory.

Cavett, Ryan said, wound up leaving from the RaceTrac with a carload of guys. Ryan says he spent much of the next day or two at the RaceTrac, using the WiFi. When he came back to her truck i the Walmart parking lot, police were there and questioned him.

I didnt know she was missing because I dont watch TV, Ryan said.

He posted on Facebook Saturday before being arrested, Anyone who thinks I have something to do with Leila missing can you please comment on this post. I want to demonstrate my powers and make all of you disappear off my timeline all at once. Dont get scared now.

This your five minutes of fame. I wont delete your comments, Witches Honor. Instead, Next full moon Im practice my first mass Hexing. Put your name in the pot since you so brave and big and bad and I dont have any real powers. Make me out a lie. May Jesus (Constantine) receive your prayers and the Blood of Christ (Grape Wine) protect you. See they are just words, anyone can say that (stuff).

Hialeah Hospital nursing assistant accused of forcing oral sex on a Baker Act patient

It is the states largest PPP loan scheme. Three from South Florida have been charged
For years, Ankara and Baghdad have sought to avoid a rupture over Turkish cross-border military operations against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), the outlawed group that has waged an armed campaign against Turkey's government for nearly four decades. The PKK is based in mountainous border areas in Iraqi Kurdistan, which has been outside Baghdads control since the 1990s.

Ankara would argue that Baghdad is not in a position to object to the operations because it is unable to prevent the PKK's entrenchment on Iraqi territory. And when Iraqis raised their sovereignty rights, Ankara would challenge them to uproot the PKK, which Baghdad could not do. In other words, Baghdad would protest to save face but would acquiesce to Turkeys incursions.

Yet this seems to be changing amid a Turkish military campaign since last year, with Baghdad growing more vocal and assertive.

As part of Operation Claw, unfolding in phases since mid-2019, Turkish troops have advanced to a depth of 15 kilometers (9 miles) inside Iraq and set up more than 50 deployment sites. In an unprecedented incident Aug. 11, a Turkish drone strike killed two top Iraqi border guard officials in the Sidekhan area, while speculation was abuzz in Turkey that senior PKK commander Cemil Bayik had perished. The victims were identified as a general and a brigadier from the border guard, while a lieutenant colonel and a private were wounded.

According to Sidekhan Mayor Ihsan Chalabi, the drone targeted the commanders as they met with PKK members to defuse tensions after a confrontation over the border guards attempt to set up a checkpoint in the area. The PKK confirmed that a senior member of the group, Agit Garzan, was killed in the strike.

A Kurdish source told Al-Monitor that the slain Iraqi brigadier, Zubair Hali, was a native of the region whom the PKK knew well and initiated the meeting after the PKK opened fire on approaching Iraqi border guards the previous day. They dined after the meeting. The attack happened as the vehicles were leaving. Agit was in Zubairs vehicle. It was a vehicle with GPS, which was being monitored and well known, the source said.

The head of the Iraqi parliaments Security and Defense Committee, meanwhile, said the border guards were on a mission to establish checkpoints to cover a security gap in a 50-kilometer (31-mile) stretch along the border and had approached an area the Turkish military considered as a prohibited zone. The Iraqi presidency, parliament and foreign ministry all condemned the attack, while the Turkish ambassador was handed a formal note of protest, the third over Operation Claw. Moreover, Baghdad disinvited Turkeys defense minister, who was scheduled to visit Aug. 13.

Fallout with a neighbor is the last thing Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi would like at a time when the Iranian-American tussle is dangerously escalating and domestic challenges persist, including growing popular anger with the establishment, resurging Islamic State attacks and the coronavirus pandemic. Eager to extricate Iraq from being a hostage to regional rivalries, Kadhimi has prioritized Tehran, Riyadh and Washington for his first foreign trips after becoming prime minister in May. He is trying to keep Kurdistan aboard as it reels from the Turkish operations, which have claimed civilian lives as well.

Yet the conditions that long ensured Baghdads acquiescence to Turkeys military incursions are changing. Above all, a new political climate, marked by growing sensitivity against foreign interventions, is taking hold in Iraq after years of havoc wreaked by the Islamic State, sectarian strife and the US occupation.

The Iraqi Kurds, meanwhile, have grown anxious that Turkey could be aiming beyond the PKK as part of designs to undermine Kurds across the region, including their autonomous government. Such fears have led them to seek collaboration with Baghdad in protecting the border. Though the border guard is comprised of Kurds, it is an arm of the central government.

Iraq also is emerging as a new ground in the influence war between Turkey and its Arab adversaries after Syria and Libya. The bloc led by Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates is seeking to extricate Iraq from the grips of Iranian influence on the one hand, while taking advantage of Iraqi anger against Turkey on the other. The same bloc has sought to develop contacts with the Kurds as well, especially in Syria.

The Arab League and its parliamentary assembly pledged support for Iraq in any international move to stop Turkey as the league condemned the deadly drone strike Aug. 12. Separately, Egypt said Turkeys actions were a threat to regional security and stability, while the UAE accused Turkey of meddling in Arab affairs.

According to Asharq al-Awsat, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein discussed a unified position to stop Turkeys aggressions in phone calls with the Arab Leagues secretary-general and counterparts from Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Obviously, Baghdad seeks Arab solidarity and while those efforts are understandable in terms of turning up pressure on Turkey, it could hardly risk falling out with Turkey or Iran and drift to the Arab axis. Iraq is too weak and fragile to dare such a cost. It might be hoping for an Arab window to counterbalance Turkey and Iran but knows well how vital the Turkish and Iranian border gates are.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry warned that Baghdad had strong options against Ankara, alluding to commercial ties, but observers believe the Iraqi response is unlikely to go beyond the diplomatic level.

In the first half of 2019, before Operation Claw kicked off, Ankara and Baghdad seemed optimistic for a new page in bilateral ties as Iraqi President Barham Salih and then-Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi both visited Turkey. They discussed boosting bilateral trade to $20 billion and a $5 billion Turkish credit to help reconstruction in Iraq. Moreover, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appointed a special envoy to work on an enduring water dispute and other outstanding problems with Iraq.

Bilateral trade volume reached $15.8 billion in 2019. Iraq has attempted to curb imports from Turkey but, without alternative domestic production or suppliers, the efforts have failed. Things might change in the long run as Baghdad aims to diversify trade with other neighbors, primarily Saudi Arabia. At present, however, Baghdad could hardly follow through with threats of sanctions. Still, it has the option of passive sanctions, that is, withholding cooperation on issues important for Turkey.

Chief among them is Turkeys proposal for a second border crossing that aims to open an alternative route to Mosul and diminish the role of the existing one, which opens to Iraqi Kurdistan. (Mosul and Ninevah province are not part of the Kurdistan Regional Government, or KRG, which is based in Erbil). Despite Ankaras insistence, Baghdad has dragged its feet for the past three years, especially after mending ties with the KRG.

Another plan that remains in limbo is the renovation of the oil pipeline from Kirkuk to Turkeys Mediterranean port of Ceyhan, disabled by the Islamic State in 2014.

Turkeys new crossing project has sparked fears that have made their way even to Iraqi soap operas, namely that Ankara is planning to reclaim oil-rich Mosul and Kirkuk, which were part of the Ottoman Empire and the subject of a bitter territorial dispute as modern Turkeys borders took shape in 1923. Turkish nationalists continue to see Mosul and Kirkuk as a lost homeland, providing ammunition to Turkeys adversaries. Hence, many Arabs see the proposed crossing as a gateway for Erdogans regional ambitions, while the Kurds suspect it is designed to weaken Kurdistan.

Can Ankara and Baghdad reverse the deteriorating trend in their ties? Ankara is unlikely to stop the operations as long as Erdogan keeps his alliance with nationalists at home and avoids a fresh bid for peace with the Kurds. Turkey's insistence on a military solution is now threatening to spawn an Arab problem, atop its Kurdish one. Another major factor is the stance of Washington, which, under President Donald Trump, has enabled Turkish ventures from Iraq to the Mediterranean. For many regional actors, the US presidential elections in November represent a prospect of change.
India has sent a technical response team and more than 30 tonnes of equipment to Mauritius to help in efforts to contain a massive oil spill from a Japanese bulk carrier, which broke apart on Saturday after leaking hundreds of tonnes of fuel.

In response to a request from the government of Mauritius, the technical equipment and material was sent on board an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft to supplement the countrys ongoing oil spill containment and salvage operations, the external affairs ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

A 10-member technical response team, consisting of Coast Guard personnel specially trained in oil spill containment measures, has been deployed to Mauritius to extend technical and operational assistance at the site, the statement added.

The specialised equipment sent by India includes ocean and river booms, disc skimmers, heli-skimmers, power packs, blowers, salvage barge, oil absorbent graphene pads and other accessories. The equipment is specifically designed to contain oil slicks, skim oil from water, and assist in clean up and salvage operations.

The Japanese-owned MV Wakashio ran aground on a coral reef at Pointe dEsny on July 25 and began leaking hundreds of tonnes of oil into a pristine lagoon last week. It broke apart on Saturday after a crack inside the hull expanded, and the National Crisis Committee of Mauritius said in statement: At around 4.30 pm, a major detachment of the vessels forward section was observed.

The ships operator, Mitsui OSK Lines, said vessel was carrying 3,800 tonnes of very low sulphur fuel oil and 200 tonnes of diesel oil. About 1,180 tonnes of oil had leaked from the fuel tank, and about 460 tonnes were manually recovered, the operator said.

Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth has declared a state of environmental emergency.

The Indian team will join a massive clean-up operation involving thousands of local volunteers.

Indias assistance is in line with its policy to extend humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to its neighbours in the Indian Ocean region, guided by the prime ministers vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), the external affairs ministry said.

The assistance reflects the close bonds of friendship between India and Mauritius and New Delhis abiding commitment to assist the people of Mauritius, it said.

The assistance for the oil spill follows recent support provided by India to Mauritius in its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, including the supply of essential medicines, a consignment of Ayurvedic medicines and the deployment of a medical assistance team as part of Mission Sagar.
The Royal Navy has been called in to help Border Force police the Channel for the first time this year as 1,000 migrants crossed into England in 10 days.

On Saturday evening the Ministry of Defence announced that it was sending a specialist team to provide support for 'the daily running of Border Force operations' after another 90 people made the crossing on Friday.

The Royal Navy has not been employed to help stop such crossings since January 2019.

The deployment comes after 10 consecutive days of landings, with refugees seen possing for selfies as they wait to be picked up in the English Channel.

A task-force of around a dozen officers will help to plan and organise operations while working alongside Border Force officials, according to The Sunday Telegraph.

After more than 1,000 people crossed the Channel into England in just 10 days, Royal Navy officials are setting up a task force to intervene

Migrants were seen posing for selfies as they waited to be picked up in an overloaded dinghy on Tuesday

'Civilian authorities are not used to fast paced, large scale and constantly changing situations in the same way as the military. That's what we do,' an MoD source told the newspaper.

The Government has been facing mounting pressure to address the large numbers of people arriving on UK shores across the channel.

So far, this year has seen 4,500 people have made the dangerous journey this year. In contrast, the whole last year saw 1,800 people cross, and fewer than 400 in 2018.

Across The Channel in Calais, French officials have removed more established refugee camps, forcing migrants to move to more remote areas.

Refugees preparing to cross the Channel are staying at a makeshift camp after French authorities carried out evictions at larger sites earlier this week.

Border Force patrol boats pick up dinghies off the Dover coast as they cope with an influx of crossings

French officials have removed more established camps in Calais, meaning refugees are being forced into more remote areas before they attempt to cross the Channel

Home Secretary Priti Patel has said migrants are crossing the Channel to Britain because they believe France is a 'racist country' where they may be 'tortured'.

According to reports, Ms Patel made her comments in a conference call with Conservative MPs concerned about the recent upsurge in numbers attempting the dangerous voyage in small boats.

Government sources said she had made clear that she did not share those views and was simply explaining the 'pull factors' which led so many migrants to risk their lives in this way.

One MP on the call told The Sun on Sunday: 'Priti was asked why the migrants are so desperate to leave France and come here. She told us some believe racism to be an issue.

Migrants were yesterday staying in a more remote part of Calais before they prepare to make the dangerous crossing into England

Refugees are relying on a small fire to cook their meals as they live out of tents in a remote part of Calais

'They claim they feel discriminated against when, for example, looking for work in France. Others claimed they feared being tortured if they stayed in France or Germany.

'Priti stressed that she didn't believe any of this to be true. She was merely trying to explain the pull factors.'

The news comes after immigration minister Chris Philp promised a 'new, comprehensive action plan' to stem the latest surge in crossings after talks with French officials in Paris on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) responded to the Home Office's formal request for help by sending in RAF planes.

Three have been sent up into the skies above the Channel this week so far to carry out surveillance and help the coastguard and Border Force spot emerging crossing attempts.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace initially authorised the use of the Atlas A-400M on Monday and since approved flights by a Shadow R1 on Tuesday and Thursday while a P-8 Poseidon was enlisted on Wednesday.

The costs of the operations and decisions on whether to provide any other support are still being finalised, the MoD said.

It comes after Calais mayor Natacha Bouchart described sending in the navy to French broadcasters as a 'declaration of maritime war'.

Home Secretary Priti Patel last year pledged that the migrant crossings would be an 'infrequent phenomenon' by now and has since insisted she is working to make the route 'completely unviable'.

Priti Patel in racist French storm: Home Secretary enrages Paris by telling Tory MPs migrants want to cross Channel to escape prejudice

By Brendan Carlin and Abul Taher for the Mail on Sunday

Priti Patel sparked a diplomatic row last night by claiming migrants were crossing the Channel to escape 'racist' France, where they feared they would be tortured.

The Home Secretary's inflammatory remarks, in a private meeting with Tory MPs, infuriated French politicians. One blasted: 'Madam Patel is not a politician who does much thinking.'

But the row came as Europe's top judges condemned France for 'degrading and inhumane' treatment of asylum seekers in forcing them to sleep rough for months in 'constant fear of being attacked or robbed'.

Tory MPs taking part in the Zoom conference call with Ms Patel also said she claimed to have been frustrated in her efforts to crack down on the Channel migrant crisis by No 10  although both sides denied that last night.

The private web chat with the Home Secretary came amid mounting anger on the Tory backbenches over how the Government was handling the migrant crisis. One MP claimed Ms Patel had told them: 'France is a racist country. They would rather come to England.'

Last night, Government sources strongly denied that, insisting that the Home Secretary had only been passing on what migrants had been saying about France.

One stressed: 'Priti made clear these were migrants' views  not hers', adding that the Home Secretary thought claims of possible torture if they returned to France were nonsense, pushed by activist lawyers.

British Home Secretary Priti Patel, pictured visiting Dover on Monday, has sparked a diplomatic row with France by claiming that migrants were crossing the Channel to escape 'racist' France, where they feared they would be tortured

One MP on the call told The Sun on Sunday: 'Priti was asked why the migrants are so desperate to leave France and come here. She told us some believe racism to be an issue.

'They claim they feel discriminated against when, for example, looking for work in France. Others claimed they feared being tortured if they stayed in France or Germany.

'Priti stressed that she didn't believe any of this to be true. She was merely trying to explain the pull factors.'

However, another MP on the call was quoted as saying that she had left an impression that she did believe the French were racist.

'She was calling them racist and she is right. They are more racist than us,' the MP told The Sunday Times.

But an MP from France's opposition Republicans party raged: 'Madam Patel has caused a lot of upset already with absurd and untrue claims about our forces not stopping immigrant boats. Wherever these latest claims about racism came from, Madam Patel should not be spreading them in such a callous manner.'

A politician from President Emmanuel Macron's ruling LREM party said: 'Hateful claims are not a healthy part of politics, but this woman seems to spread them all the time.'

But the French MPs' comments come after the European Court of Human Rights ordered the Paris government to pay a total of 32,000 compensation to three asylum seekers for failing to provide them with basics like food and shelter.

Charity workers have said that French riot police regularly raid migrants' camps, slash their tents with knives and confiscate their belongings and medicine. Refugees say police regularly assault them, and video footage of officers dragging migrants off buses has been posted online.

Away from the 'racism' row, one MP on the Zoom chat said Ms Patel expressed frustration that she was being hampered in tackling the migrant crisis. She is said to have told MPs: 'I could see this coming.

I have been on about this since I was appointed last summer'  but claimed the issue had not been given priority. 'I said around the Cabinet table we should be sitting through the summer recess to get legislation done,' she is said to have told MPs . 'And I was in a minority.'

Pictured: A group of people thought to be migrants are brought into Dover, Kent, by Border Force officers following a number of small boat incidents in the Channel, August 15, 2020. New figures show that more than 1,000 migrants crossed to the UK in just ten days this month

The Home Secretary also reportedly said she had been thwarted in a bid to give more publicity to repatriation flights, which would send out the message the Government was getting tough on illegal migrants.

She is said to have given the impression it was either Boris Johnson or his top aide, Dominic Cummings, who had stood in her way. However, Government sources insisted Ms Patel was expressing frustration with legal constraints.

One MP suggested Ms Patel was 'covering herself' as she was getting a 'hard time' from colleagues over the crisis.

The backbencher complained: 'It looks incompetent and is incompetent that we can't stop rubber dinghies coming across the Channel when people are being told they can't go on holiday to Spain.'

Last week Ms Patel is understood to have told France they would not get the extra 30 million they sought to tackle the migrant problem unless they performed better.

The MP said there was also concern about asylum seekers being sent to hotels around the country. Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage has said he will today release a video on Twitter which will 'embarrass Priti Patel' by showing asylum seekers being housed in a hotel in her Essex constituency.

Last night, the Home Office said: 'The Home Secretary is clearly frustrated by the increasing number of small boats crossing the Channel' and said that, by the end of the Brexit transition period, the right legislation would be in place.

Mystery British kingpin known as 'The Banker' controls multi-million pound cross-Channel people smuggling ring

By Max Aitchison, Abul Taher and Tim Finan for the Mail on Sunday

A multi-million-pound cross-Channel smuggling racket is being masterminded by a UK-based criminal known as 'The Banker'.

Details of the shadowy Godfather figure emerged during the French trial of a gang of Afghans who smuggled migrants into Britain on small boats and in the back of lorries. The revelation comes as new analysis showed more than 1,000 migrants crossed the Channel in the ten days up to last Thursday.

A court in Boulogne-sur-Mer heard how three smugglers, who charged an average of 3,000 for each 'passenger', were part of a sophisticated operation that used encrypted mobile-phone apps to pass information and collect payment.

Janmeer Ahmadzai, 28, his brother Amadjai Shanawaz, 29, and Kochai Juma Gul, 25 were in constant contact with associates in Britain, including an unidentified kingpin known as 'Le Banquier', the court was told.

In total, 1,004 migrants were brought ashore by the Border Force between August 4 and August 13, talking the total this year to 4,511

Judge Vincent Naegelin said orders to cram boats and lorries with migrants arrived by phone from 'Le Banquier' and evidence showed he controlled the gang's finances.

The French national police conducted a year-long investigation into the Calais-based gang, secretly tracking their movements, photographing them and bugging their mobile phones. They arrested the men last month at a car park near the city's main hospital, close to the notorious Jungle migrant camp.

The three men were found guilty of aiding illegal immigration into Britain. Gul was given a five-year prison sentence, Ahmadzai was jailed for four years and his brother for one year. Details of the case emerged as at least five more boatloads of migrants, including a reportedly pregnant woman and a child, arrived in Dover yesterday.

Another dinghy carrying six migrants was intercepted by a Border Force vessel about 1,000 yards off the coast before being escorted to Dover.

Throughout yesterday morning, dozens of migrants wearing lifejackets and wrapped in pale blue blankets were processed by officials wearing masks and gloves. Each had their temperature taken as part of checks for coronavirus. One frail, elderly man was seen leaving a Border Force vessel using a cane before the deck was sprayed with disinfectant.

In total, 1,004 migrants were brought ashore by the Border Force between August 4 and August 13, talking the total this year to 4,511.

That figure does not include those who were detained on shore or those who evaded capture and is more than twice the 1,900 seized during the whole of last year. Another 48 migrants were detained on Friday. Among them was a group of 11, including a distressed woman and a teenager who appeared to be her son, who were stopped by police on the busy A20 near the port.

The RNLI tow a small boat into Dover, Kent, following a number of small boat incidents in the Channel earlier today

It later emerged that Tony Benson, a British expat living in Lens, about 60 miles from Calais, may have provided the boat they used for their crossing.

Posting on Facebook, he wrote: 'Yes, I gave it to them and wished them luck, and do you know why? I am well off, my kids and grandkids don't go without, they have a house, a family, a school to go to, and I don't have to worry about whether or not they will come home to find they don't have one.'

Yesterday, a series of seemingly new inflatable rubber dinghies were seen being towed into Dover harbour after the Border Force had picked up their passengers. At least one was missing its outboard motor. Migrants often remove them when they are in sight of the English coast, so they cannot be turned back to France.

Favourable weather in the Channel and a crackdown by the French authorities on the migrant camps has encouraged more people to make the journey, despite Home Secretary Priti Patel's vow to make the route 'unviable'.
Islamabad/New Delhi, Aug 16 : While Prime Minister Imran Khan is cosying up to Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the expense of infuriating the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, powerful Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa has rushed to placate Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who has withheld loans that Pakistan needs for its ailing economy.

Sources in Islamabad told IANS that Gen Bajwa is visiting Riyadh to do the balancing act after Pakistan's recent threats to split the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and its diplomatic shift towards Erdogan who nurtures the ambition of replacing Saudi Arabia as the leader of Sunni Islamic nations.

Hit by a severe economic crisis, Pakistan had borrowed $6.2 billion from Saudi Arabia in 2018. The loan package included a provision under which Saudi Arabia granted Pakistan $3.2 billion worth of oil, a year on deferred payments.

However, Saudi Arabia has halted the provision of oil on loan for Pakistan after the Imran Khan government threatened to split the OIC over Kashmir.

The Pakistan Army has attempted to invade Jammu & Kashmir four times in the last seven decades and has been waging a proxy war against India for the last three decades. Since August last year, when India revoked special status of J&K state and brought it directly under the control of the central government, the Imran Khan government has been seeking support from the 57-member OIC, the biggest bloc of Islamic countries in the world.

Recently Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi during a talk show on a Pakistani news channel had threatened that if the OIC headed by Saudi Arabia did not convene a foreign ministers' meeting on Kashmir, Prime Minister Imran Khan would hold it on his own with his allies among the Islamic nations.

One of the major reasons for OIC's lack of support for Pakistan has been Riyadh's displeasure with Islamabad's proximity with Turkey's Erdogan who has been openly challenging the Saudi kingdom's leadership. Last year, Malaysia's then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad hosted a summit on the future of the 'Muslim Ummah' with Turkey's President and Pakistan's Prime Minister as main speakers.

Though Khan, cancelled his trip at the last minute but the message went out to Riyadh that Turkey-Pakistan-Malaysia were attempting to build a new Muslim bloc, challenging its leadership. Pakistan's conundrum now is that on the one hand, its deeply troubled economy requires massive funds from Saudi Arabia, in addition to the loans it has already taken from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and on the other hand, the Pakistani military which has been waging a proxy war in the name of Islam and the 'Muslim Ummah' in Kashmir, has lost its leverage against India.

Sources said Bajwa has gone to Riyadh to "pretend that Pakistan is neutral and try to squeeze billions of dollars from MBS so that the Pakistan Army's power and significance remains intact in Islamabad. But it is clear a new Islamic axis of Turkey, Pakistan, Malaysia plus Iran, is emerging as a bloc against Saudi Arabia, in an alliance with China and Russia against the US-Israel-Saudi Arabia partnership in the Middle East." Though Turkey itself has been one among the first Muslim countries to establish diplomatic relations with Israel, and shares a good trade relationship with the Jewish state, the Palestinian issue rhetorically brings together most Muslim countries and the Ummah. However, the UAE recently, in a major shift, announced to normalise its diplomatic ties with Israel.

"There is a major tussle in Islamabad right now. Pakistan's ordinary citizens fear China and the Chinese because we know they will not spare us if we fail to pay our loans. But the Pakistan Army has joined hands with Beijing only to sustain the luxurious and pampered life our military is used to. If common people had any say, Pakistan would still align with Saudi Arabia, the leader of the Muslim world and the US," said a Karachi businessman who did not want to be named.
While younger people are certainly at far lower risk of developing serious complications from the virus, they can still spread it to others who may be more vulnerable, even when they have no symptoms. And while their chances of dying are slim, some do face severe complications, with one study finding that 35% of young adults had not returned to normal health two weeks to three weeks after testing positive.
A JUDGE has commended members of the public who came to the assistance of a woman who was targeted by an addict who tried to snatch her handbag.

Judge Tom ODonnell made his comments as he jailed the culprit for two years.

Dean Gardiner, 32, of Salvia Court, Keyes Park had pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted robbery relating to an incident at Mallow Street, Limerick on September 3, 2019.

Garda Aishling OSullivan said the woman, whose aged in her 50s, was walking at around 5pm when the defendant approached her from behind and attempted to steal her handbag.

She told John OSullivan BL, prosecuting, the woman resisted and that she was spun around before Mr Gardiner fled empty-handed.

A number of people came to the assistance of the woman and gardai were quickly on the scene.

Garda OSullivan said the defendant was quickly identified and that he was located a short time later near the entrance to the Peoples Park.

He was sitting next to the gate shouting and roaring at people, she said, adding that he appeared to be out of it when arrested.

While the victim was not physically injured, Judge ODonnell was told she was out of work for around a month after the incident and that she is now wary when walking alone and varies her route to work.

Barrister Eimear Carey said her client had consumed a bottle of whiskey earlier in the day and that he has zero recollection of what happened.

His last memory was buying a bottle of whiskey and polishing it off, she said adding he was shocked and remorseful when informed about what he did.

Seeking leniency, Ms Carey asked he court to note Mr Gardiner had no criminal convictions when he turned 30 and that the wheels came off the wagon after his grandmother died a number of years ago.

He needs structure in his life, she said adding he has achieved enhanced status in Limerick Prison since his arrest.

Imposing sentence the judge said what happened was very nasty and that such incidents are far too common in Limerick.

He said their was an element of premeditation which was an aggravating factor.

After commending those who helped the woman, Judge Tom O'Donnell imposed a three year prison sentence, suspending the final 12 months.
This year has been challenging. But adversity brings opportunity. So as jets stopped flying and passports gathered dust in draws, summer 2020 offered incredible potential for European residents to explore the destinations of their dreams  sans crowds.

It goes without saying this comes with risks. But if youre young and over there, wed argue: why not. It seems were not the only ones with that mindset: European tourists can currently be seen drinking rose all day in Croatia, hiking in Spain and posing awkwardly by the pool in Greece (Instagram doesnt lie).

As we reported last week, some have taken it too far, with rogue Mykonos parties sparking new Coronavirus fears in Greece. That said, for those with the money to spend and the right mindset, for the time being (provided confirmed cases dont get out of control) there are some incredible deals to be had.

Enter: the following photo. Posted on Thursday by 4.5-star hotel Cavo Tagoo Mykonos, the image depicts high end content creator @missangievilla with her partner @jeremyaustiin in what can only be described as paradise.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by JEREMY AUSTIN (@jeremyaustiin) on Aug 12, 2020 at 8:28am PDT

The image was posted by Jeremy a few hours earlier, captioned, Finding new reasons to fall in love all over again at the one and only @cavotagoomykonos.

Its not the only location the couple have been snapped at (or posted of) this European summer. A stunning picture from Italian locale Merano gives Mykonos a run for its money.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by JEREMY AUSTIN (@jeremyaustiin) on Jul 30, 2020 at 6:06am PDT

Right now though, it appears the couple is currently staying at the luxurious Cavo Tagoo Mykonos hotel, where prices start at $1,063 a night.

This isnt the first time Cavo Tagoo Mykonos has given its followers a severe case of envy. Cavo Tagoo Mykonos appears to have been operating on a FOMO as usual basis of late, showcasing everything from the pool views of their sister hotel in Santorini

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cavo Tagoo Mykonos (@cavotagoomykonos) on Aug 12, 2020 at 2:00am PDT

 to the outrageously grammable sunsets in Mykonos.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cavo Tagoo Mykonos (@cavotagoomykonos) on Aug 11, 2020 at 2:41am PDT

Not to mention the outlandish food, drink and spas.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cavo Tagoo Mykonos (@cavotagoomykonos) on Aug 1, 2020 at 2:18am PDT

Perhaps the most jealousy-inducing post can be traced back to February the 2nd, a simpler time just before all the travel bans came into full effect, which shows a blissful moment many of us could really do with right now.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cavo Tagoo Mykonos (@cavotagoomykonos) on Feb 2, 2020 at 2:58am PST

Its not just Australians wishing for this. Comments like can we escape the lock down for here already and missing it! left beneath various Cavo Tagoo Mykonos photos show some high profile Americans are a little salty they are unable to fly the coop this for this northern hemisphere summer too.

However, since the set back in Victoria (and as cases hover on a knife edge in NSW), Australias travel bubble negotiations, even closer to home  with countries like Bali and New Zealand  have been put on ice. So Europe remains, for now, a pipe dream.

For those looking for an alternative, its not like were short of luxury options right here though.

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Haiti - Security : Seizure of 651 kg of narcotics off the Bay of Les Cayes





Friday August 14, as part of Operation "Terminator I" launched Friday August 7 by Rameau Normil, the acting Director General of the National Police of Haiti (PNH), a joint operation of agents of the Brigade of Fight Against the Drug Trafficking (BLTS) and those of the Coast Guard made it possible to seize on the high seas in the Bay of Les Cayes region, approximately 651 kg of marijuana aboard a blue and red boat, coming from the Jamaica.



3 Jamaicans : Simory Burnett (36) aka "Simo," Ricardo Donald (36) aka "Mudman" and Germaine Dailey (36) and 1 Haitian Marc Antoine Dorcin (39) aka "Panan" were arrested on board of the boat, accused of illicit drug trafficking.



The rowboat and the drugs were placed under seal by the judicial authorities.



Remember that this is the second seizure at sea this month after that of 670kg of marijuana in the bay of Port-Salut on August 6 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31491-haiti-news-zapping.html when 2 Jamaicans had been arrested.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Farmworkers labor in a tomato field in San Joaquin County on July 24. Latino workers account for more than 70% of new coronavirus cases in the San Joaquin Valley, but advocates say they lack testing and access to care. (Max Whittaker )

California marked a grim milestone this week, surpassing 11,000 COVID-19 deaths and 600,000 cases. With the coronavirus outbreak still raging in many parts of the state, Gov. Gavin Newsom is toggling between tightening restrictions in some places and rolling them back in others.

Californias plan for reopening businesses and schools, like that of many other states, now depends on using county-specific case counts to determine whether a county has sufficiently controlled the coronavirus spread.

The trouble with this approach is that it hides the reality that the pandemic is playing out as a tale of two Californias. A single county can contain these two Californias in communities just a few miles apart  yet public policy has failed to recognize this difference, with devastating consequences.

In one California, many people have the financial and social resources to protect themselves from exposure to the coronavirus and to weather the economic storm. Although life is disrupted and the future is uncertain, they know few people who have died from COVID-19.

In the second California, grave illness and death from COVID-19 is a relentless daily occurrence, as is a new and growing anxiety about hunger, homelessness and economic devastation.

These two Californias are linked by low-wage essential workers in industries such as agriculture, food services, grocery stores and child and elder care, who risk disease and death to provide the services that all Californians cannot live without.

Those fortunate Californians in the first group ignore the struggles of the second at their peril. To stem the tide of viral transmission and safely reopen important sectors of the economy, we have to put the needs of the most affected Californians first. Our failure to provide and enforce basic workplace and worker protection, particularly for those who fall ill, has negated early efforts to flatten the pandemics curve.

Across California and the nation, absence of workplace safeguards has brought the virus home with low-wage workers, whose overcrowded housing creates an environment that promotes transmission to entire households. Californias preexisting crisis of an extreme shortage of housing affordable to low-wage workers has created a pandemic tinderbox.

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Latino and Black Californians make up 63% of low-wage workers in the state and have the highest age-adjusted COVID-19 mortality of all Californians, three to four times that of white Californians, with deaths often occurring at young and middle age. Despite this disproportionate toll on nearly half of Californias population, the public health response in neighborhoods where Latino or Black populations live and in counties that are predominantly Latino has been distressingly slow.

To address this inequity we have to change our understanding of the pandemic, and transform the framework of what we measure, how we measure, and how we respond. Counties currently report case counts over the last 14 days, with rates lower than 100 per 100,000 population used as a threshold for reopening schools and various economic sectors. But these are averages that paper over huge disparities between communities with very low viral transmission rates and those with high transmission.

San Francisco exceeds the states threshold for reopening, with 175 new cases per 100,000 population, but the rates are tenfold higher in the eastern part of the city in neighborhoods with higher numbers of Latino or Black residents compared with the western part of town. San Franciscos Latino residents represent only 15% of the citys population, but account for more than half of its cases. Los Angeles Countys rate is 300 per 100,000, with nearly tenfold differences in rates between the cities of El Monte, which is 69% Latino, and Santa Monica, which is 13% Latino.

Focusing solely on averages risks imposing equivalency in the public health response at a time when more is actually needed in communities with higher transmission: more testing, more tracing, more support for isolation. And tying the average to reopening may actually discourage more case-finding in poorer communities where low-wage workers reside.

Counties can and should report on specific neighborhoods and demographic groups with the highest transmission over the last 14 days, and be held accountable for lowering these trends over time. This is the only way to ensure resources are directed to communities in vital need.

Developing meaningful measurements requires that testing be universally available. The persistent evidence of under-testing in communities with the highest transmission is particularly perverse. And metrics such as average numbers of tests per day or average positivity rates are meaningless if they represent enhanced access and higher testing (and retesting) rates in communities with the lowest transmission.

We need increased availability and lower barriers to testing in all of our communities, but especially in those with the highest need and fewest resources. That means testing that doesnt require an email address, broadband access, a car, insurance or a trip across town. Robust testing must be followed by effective case investigation and contact tracing, ideally performed by a public health workforce hired from the affected communities. This helps build the trust that is required for success.

We need more workplace protections for essential workers, including adequate personal protective equipment provided by employers, increased occupational studies and surveillance, and strict enforcement of health orders to minimize occupational exposures. We also need to provide job protection and financial support that allow sick workers to isolate and quarantine without losing wages, as is being tried in some counties across California, including most recently in hard-hit Alameda County. We need to provide temporary housing, such as hotel rooms where infected people can isolate to protect others in their household from the virus.

We cannot afford to avert our gaze by using metrics that conceal the deep suffering of low-income neighborhoods and counties across our state. Our two Californias are entwined and we have to face our twin health and economic crises together.

Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo is professor and chair of the department of epidemiology and biostatistics and vice dean of population health and health equity at UC San Francisco. Margot Kushel is professor of medicine and the current director of the UC San Francisco Center for Vulnerable Populations.
GAZA, Palestinian Territory - Israeli aircraft bombed several sites belonging to the militant Hamas group in the Gaza Strip for a fifth night in a row, the Israeli military said early Sunday.

Shortly after that announcement, the military said Palestinian militants in Gaza fired two rockets into southern Israel that were intercepted by aerial defence systems. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The military said the airstrikes were in response to arson balloons that Hamas-affiliated groups sent across the Gaza frontier into Israeli territory. The balloons have caused dozens of fires that burned Israeli farmland in recent days.

On Saturday, dozens of Palestinians took part in nighttime protests along the Gaza-Israel perimeter fence. The military said the protesters burned tires, hurled explosive devices and grenades towards the security fence and attempted to approach it.

TheGaza health ministry said two demonstrators were wounded by Israeli gunfire.

Israel shouldered Hamas, which rules Gaza, the responsibility for all violent acts from the Palestinian territory.

After months of calm reinforced by the coronavirus pandemic, the Gaza-Israel frontier has turned volatile over the past week.

Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official, accused Israel on Saturday of not honouring an informal truce to ease the blockade it has imposed on Gaza since Hamas took it over in 2007.

He told Hamas al-Aqsa TV that the Palestinian people in Gaza were experiencing slow death by the blockade. The zone of confrontation with the enemy is expanding day after day in response to its continued aggression, he said.

He said Egyptian mediators were expected to visit the region to discuss reinforcing the truce, but no timing has been set.
A footage of a Tiranga Car Rally organized from Surrey to Vancouver in Canada by the Non-resident Indians to demonstrate deep-rooted love for India and the patriotic spirit on the occasion of 74th Independence Day has won hearts on the internet. Shared on Twitter by ANI, the nearly 2 minutes footage depicts over 200 cars donning Indian and Canadian flags and blaring patriotic tunes as they commence the spectacular and eye-catching demonstration from the Radio India (York Business Center) Surrey. Organized by 'Gurukul Canada' and 'Friends of India-Canada', the automobile rally involved the enthusiastic overseas Indians participating in the celebration of the worlds largest democracy.

Blaring the national songs in the Hindi language, a long series of cars were seen speeding on the highway showcasing the unity and brotherhood as Consulate General of India in Vancouver recorded the mesmeric view and later released it. In sync, and maintaining sufficient distance with each other the car rally was seen crossing the iconic Canadian arch bridge. The video was captioned as NRIs dedicated to celebrating the big day, keeping up the spirit and fight against the Khalistani network in Canada. Further, it read, proud of the NRI population.

#WATCH Canada: A 'Tiranga Car Rally' from Surrey to Vancouver organised by 'Gurukul Canada' and 'Friends of India-Canada' to celebrate #IndiaIndependenceDay.



(Video source: Consulate General of India in Vancouver) pic.twitter.com/Axwril0bSZ  ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2020

In another display of solidarity with India amid the Independence Day celebration, the Canadian Niagra Falls was illuminated in the colours of the Indian national flag, saffron white and green, to mark the celebrations. In the video shared by India's High Commissioner to Canada, Ajay Bisaria, the breath-taking view of the Niagra Falls lit with Indias flag melted hearts on the internet. Countries across the world extended well wishes and congratulated India on the 74th anniversary of its Independence.

Read: Google India Celebrates Independence Day With unique Re-creation Of National Anthem

Read: Canadas Niagara Falls Illuminated With Colours Of Indian Flag On Independence Day

Mahatma Gandhi artwork

In UAE, expressing unconditional love for her motherland, a Sharjah-based art teacher designed a massive 40cm by 30cm portrait of Indias freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi using over 5,000 recycled buttons to present on the occasion of Independence Day to her beloved home country India. Clad in the tricolour from the Indian national flag, Rashida, along with a co-teacher and Sharjah Indian Association president EP Johnson visited the Consul General of India (CGI) in Dubai, Aman Puri and dedicated the framed masterpiece to India.

Read: Akshay Kumar, Huma Qureshi, Lara Dutta Have A Special Independence Day Wish From London

Read: Independence Day: Coimbatore Man Offers Prayer At Mahatma Gandhi Temple Built By Him
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- It was definitely the 21st century when I went to sleep Thursday night, but by Friday morning it was starting to feel as though Id slipped back in time a few hundred years, to an age of state-sponsored piracy.

News that the U.S. had seized the cargoes of four oil tankers, allegedly carrying Iranian gasoline from the Persian Gulf to Venezuela, conjured images of British privateers  in essence, state-sponsored pirates  attacking Spanish treasure fleets carrying gold, silver and precious stones from the New World back to Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries.

In the 1580s, Queen Elizabeth I of England began to issue letters of marque and reprisal  licenses to seize enemy cargoes on the high seas and share the proceeds with the Crown  to favored individuals including John Hawkyns, Martin Frobisher, Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh.

Just like the British back then, the U.S. has given itself the right to seize property on the high seas that it believes to be owned by entities it considers foreign terrorist organizations.

The methods have certainly changed though.

The U.S. isnt licensing acts of piracy by private individuals. Nor, in this case, has it resorted to military action. A senior U.S. official told The Associated Press that no military force was used in the seizures. Instead, threats of potentially crippling sanctions against the owners, insurers and captains of the vessels persuaded them to hand over the cargoes.

But the concept has altered little in 440 years  we still have one of the world's preeminent naval powers passing its own laws allowing it to seize treasure from its enemies in the ocean.

A day earlier, the U.S. had decried the boarding of a small oil tanker in international waters by Iranian forces, who remained on the vessel for several hours before allowing it proceed on its way. This type of reckless, aggressive behavior by Iran destabilizes the region and threatens the rules-based international order, said the U.S.-led International Maritime Security Construct in a statement.

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Make no mistake, the latest U.S. action was no more based on international rules than was the Iranian one. Both moves served the countries respective interests. Neither had the backing of the United Nations or another international body. Iran now may feel compelled to respond.

The combined cargoes seized by the U.S. from the four ships  about 1.16 million barrels of Iranian gasoline, according to the complaint for forfeiture  is worth about $61 million dollars. The funds realized from the sale of the cargoes will in part be directed to the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund. Almost 80% of the claims on that fund are related to the heinous attack on the World Trade Center in 2001. Yet Iran was not implicated in that event.

Along with depriving Irans government of funds and Venezuelas of much-needed gasoline, the seizure of the cargoes is intended to deter future such shipments of Iranian oil. The warrant was issued against the cargoes, not the ships themselves, so those will presumably be released once the gasoline has been offloaded.

Senior Trump administration officials are expected to hold an event to mark the docking of the ships in Houston. I couldnt help but think of Queen Elizabeth I staging a banquet for Francis Drake in Deptford on the River Thames in 1581, and knighting him on the main deck of his ship, the Golden Hind, that had just returned full of Spanish treasure.

Wake me up when its 2020 again.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Julian Lee is an oil strategist for Bloomberg. Previously he worked as a senior analyst at the Centre for Global Energy Studies.

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion

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Gary Jubelin has opened up on his shock fall from grace that forced him into retirement and says he has no regrets about making covert recordings during the William Tyrrell investigation.

The former detective dedicated 35 years of his life to catching killers and says his only regret was being taken off the investigation into William's disappearance.

Jubelin was found guilty in April of illegally recording four conversations with Kendall man Paul Savage in 2017 and 2018.

Mr Savage, an elderly resident of the NSW mid north coast street where then-three-year-old William went missing in September 2014, had been a person of interest at the time.

The former detective chief dedicated 35 years of his life to catching killers and says his only regret was being taken off the investigation into William's disappearance (Pictured becoming a police officer with his parents)

William Tyrrell was three years old when he vanished from his foster grandmother's property on Benaroon Drive in Kendall

When asked whether illegally recording the conversations on Sunday's 60 Minutes, Jubelin paused before responding: 'No, probably wasn't worth it'.

'It's taken me out of an environment that I felt I was doing some good, but again line me up in the same set of circumstances and I'd probably do the same thing,' he said.

'Picture that you've worked on something for four years, giving your heart and soul, you've made your sacrifices, it's cost you all sorts of things and then you're just told nope, you've got nothing to do with that anymore'.

Looking back, Jubelin knew that with the stress of the William Tyrrell case and a workload that was ever-increasing, something was going to snap.

'I wasn't going to go out with a "pack up your box, here's retirement", it was always going to be dramatic,' Jubelin said.

'On my quiet moments of reflections I think something needed to give, but I would have preferred me to be broken rather than be taken away.'

Now Jubelin writes about crime rather than fighting it with a new memoir I Catch Killers: The Life and Many Deaths of a Homicide Detective.

In the book he delves into personal relationship break downs, his broken bond with his father and the case that ended his career.

When asked whether illegally recording the conversations on Sunday's 60 Minutes , Jubelin paused before responding: 'No, probably wasn't worth it'

'I am by no means a coward, I'd look you straight in the eye and say I'm not a coward and I'll stand up and take my knocks if I need to,' he said.

'I will always be a homicide detective, but it doesn't define who I am.

'I can let my passion point me in the direction and if I'm passionate about it I like to think that I can do something worthwhile.'

The former detective chief inspector is currently appealing convictions after being found guilty in April of illegally recording four conversations with Mr Savage.

No one has been charged over William's disappearance. Mr Savage denies any involvement.

Barrister Margaret Cunneen SC on Thursday said the protection of privacy was the intention of the Surveillance Devices Act, the law under which Jubelin was convicted.

Jubelin (pictured doing yoga) was forced into retirement after he was taken off the William Tyrell case

The former detective chief inspector is appealing his convictions after being found guilty in April of illegally recording four conversations with Paul Savage (left and centre) in 2017 and 2018

But in the case of the first three convictions, the NSW Supreme Court had already abrogated Mr Savage's privacy by issuing warrants allowing police to install listening devices in his home, she said.

'This was already not a private conversation because it could be listened to by any authorised officer,' she told Sydney's Downing Centre District Court.

'The privacy had already been stripped away.'

The fourth tape of Mr Savage was made in December 2018 when the warrants had expired and when he invited Jubelin to his home.

Ms Cunneen said a police officer could have a lawful interest to protect his own personal interests, which were at risk given no third party was present.

'Surely that can't be the case,' Judge Antony Townsden said.

'The surveillance devices act has to apply to every person in the community.

'How could it be that any person, certainly a police officer, (make a recording) by simply asserting that something could occur, without advising anyone that they were to record that conversation?'

William Tyrrell vanished from his foster grandmother's house on September 12, 2014

Former senior detective Gary Jubelin is appealing his convictions after being found guilty in April of illegally recording four conversations with Kendall man Paul Savage in 2017 and 2018

Ms Cunnen later said a court had previously ruled a person may record a conversation where they perceive a risk of later being called a liar or of fabricating conversations.

'Perhaps it is a greater interest for a police officer to prove he's not fabricating conversations,' she said.

'He wanted to make sure he had a record in case he was accused of something he didn't do.'

Another plank of the appeal contends magistrate Ross Hudson erred by making adverse findings about the adequacy of the investigation into Mr Savage.

Ms Cunnen said the judicial officer slipped into the side-track of misapprehending the case and Mr Jubelin as 'the overzealous policeman ... whose ears need to be clipped'.

'Mr Jubelin never arrested, never charged and never prosecuted Mr Savage,' she said.

Jubelin is also appealing his sentence - a $10,000 fine - should the conviction appeal fail.

The Crown, which is contesting the appeal, is yet to air its case in court. The appeal continues.
The term San Francisco Democrat became a popular pejorative for Republicans after it was invoked repeatedly, and sneeringly, by Jeane Kirkpatrick at the 1984 Republican National Convention. The Democrats had just finished their convention at San Franciscos Moscone Center, and the GOP was all too eager to paint the Democrats as perched as far left as the city where they had assembled.

They always blame America first, was the refrain from Kirkpatrick, the United Nations chief delegate.

The phrase metastasized in the 1990s on Fox News and other conservative circles as not just shorthand for too liberal, but code for gay.

Its never worked, former Mayor Art Agnos said in a phone interview.

One reason it has lost its sting was the country kept evolving. Same-sex marriage became the law of the land and so widely accepted that it rarely if ever is mentioned during campaigns even in the reddest of states. The politicians who were mocked by opponents as San Francisco crazies once they ran for office beyond the 415 area code just kept rising at statewide and even national arenas.

This is an extraordinary moment for a city that has long had an outsize presence in the halls of power in Sacramento and Washington. Kamala Harris has made the quick leap from junior U.S. senator to presumptive Democratic nominee for vice president. Gavin Newsom is governor of California. And Nancy Pelosi reigns as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

So what is it about this relatively modest-size city of 900,000 that produces such savvy leadership?

I find myself reflecting on the aura of possibility that enveloped San Francisco on Jan. 8, 2004, at the inaugurations of Newsom, 36, as mayor and Harris, 39, as district attorney. Who would have thought that either, let alone both, would someday reach such high offices? Actually, plenty of people did. The talk of the crowd outside City Hall for Newsom and at Herbst Theatre for Harris was: This is just the beginning.

Each had gone through a rugged campaign, Harris as underdog to the fiery progressive incumbent Terence Hallinan and Newsom as establishment favorite against a surprisingly robust challenge from a populist running to his left, Matt Gonzalez.

Then again, politics is always rugged in San Francisco. Its intense and its personal, partly because the policy differences in the Democrat-dominated city are not nearly as profound as elsewhere. Candidates must make the rounds among myriad clubs  of gradations of the left, each with its particular concern  in pursuit of endorsements. Its no coincidence that the survivors are well prepped for the next level.

Its the equivalent of the early Beatles playing multiple sets per day in front of live audiences in Hamburg, said Nathan Ballard, a prominent strategist. By the time they got to the main stage, they had already performed the 10,000 hours necessary to become seasoned experts.

There is boundless ambition  and relatively few elected positions  in those 49 square miles. Even contests for the Democratic County Central Committee can draw epic battles of ideology and personality.

We have more prospective politicians per square mile than any other city, and Im including in the broad sense community activists who are using political skills on neighborhood issues as well as citywide issues, Agnos said.

With decidedly different styles, but similar dominance of their domains, Willie Brown was the maestro of the California Assembly from 1980 to 1995 and the late Phil Burton was such a commanding presence in the House of Representatives (notably on environment issues and redistricting) that one of the reasons he fell one vote short of becoming majority leader in December 1976 was a fear among intimidated colleagues that he might be too powerful. His brother, John Burton, went from the Assembly to Congress to leader of the state Senate. Brown was preceded as speaker by another San Franciscan, Leo McCarthy, who went on to serve three terms as lieutenant governor.

One of the common traits of Brown, the Burtons and McCarthy was an ability to work with Republican governors (from Ronald Reagan to Arnold Schwarzenegger) while answering to one of the most liberal constituencies in California.

For Agnos, mayor from 1988 to 1992, the milieu that nurtured such leadership goes back to the Gold Rush.

These were people who were not satisfied with the status quo, Agnos said. They wanted to challenge it. And as a result, I think San Francisco has always attracted people who are rebellious. This is a rebellious city.

Its also an accepting city, as Agnos can attest. Born and raised in Springfield, Mass., he spoke about getting off a Greyhound bus at Seventh and Market streets in September 1966. Back east, he always felt a bit of an outcast in a culture where it mattered where your family immigrated from, where you went to school or what your father did for a living.

I could not have been mayor of Springfield, Mass., a city of 150,000, he said. Ten years after I got off that bus, I was elected to the state Assembly. Twenty years after I got off that bus, I was elected mayor of this city.

Agnos added of his time here: Nobody, nobody to this day has ever asked me: What did your father do?

The elder Agnos shined shoes for a living.

Those who grew up in the Bay Area also bring an advantage in modern politics, with the nations shifting demographics. Harris pointedly reminded Joe Biden of her experience with segregation-busting busing as a schoolgirl in Berkeley.

I live in Oakland, and all week Ive been saying: Look, Kamala Harris was born in our  my  hometown and we claim her less as a San Francisco politician but as a representative of the Bay Area and the power its in now, said Aimee Allison, founder and president of She the People, a national network to elevate the political skills and influence of women of color.

The politics of the region may not be diverse, but the backgrounds of its population certainly is  a plus for a candidate such as Harris who has spent her life navigating racial and cultural differences.

She took that capacity to be able to unite a multiracial voting coalition from San Francisco all the way to California, with 40 million people, Allison said. Our greatest export from the bay is the capacity to build coalitions that are truly the panacea for whats been happening from the White House, which is to try to separate people by race.

The Bay Area was prominent in the 1992 Year of the Woman, with the election of Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer to the U.S. Senate. James Taylor, a professor of political science at the University of San Francisco suggested that Pelosi has been a template and an inspiration for women in power by demonstrating the steely hand of a womens leadership through successive crises and impeachment. He noted that the Bay Area has been in the forefront of recruiting and training women to run for office.

Bay Area women now hold three of the eight statewide offices: Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, Treasurer Fiona Ma and Controller Betty Yee. Each is regarded as a future candidate for governor.

So the trend is likely to continue.

San Francisco produces great political leaders like ancient Sparta produced great warriors, Ballard said.

For the moment, at least, Harris is the lead warrior, both burdened and emboldened by the label of being a San Francisco Democrat in her historic quest for the vice presidency.

John Diaz is The San Francisco Chronicles editorial page editor. Email: jdiaz@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JohnDiazSF
Cascading waterfalls, beautiful whitewashed villages with cobblestone streets, and stretches of golden sand leading to the sparkling Aegean Sea - a holiday to Greece is unlike any other.

If you want to discover the countrys quieter side, look no further than these six of the countrys idyllic islands, all unique in character and charm, with the promise of leaving the crowds behind.

Cascading waterfalls, beautiful whitewashed villages, and stretches of golden sand leading to the sparkling Aegean Sea - a holiday to Greece is unlike any other (pictured: Lipsi)

Hire a boat and sail to a secret cove, explore shipwrecks and enchanting caves, or watch seals, turtles and dolphins from a tiny isle.

Here, we reveal six of Greeces best lesser-known islands. If you cant choose your favourites - simply visit them all!

Stunning Samos

The postcard-pretty north east Aegean island of Samos is home to mountains and pine forests, history and culture, and beaches and traditional cuisine.

And thats without mentioning the deliciously sweet muscat for which the island is famous. Visit capital Vathis archaeological museum to see the 18ft high marble statue of a kouros (man) that dates to the 6th century BC.

The postcard-pretty north east Aegean island of Samos is home to mountains and pine forests, history and culture, and beaches and traditional cuisine

Then stroll the narrow streets of Ano (Upper) Vathi, to find colourful houses, and tavernas offering breathtaking views. On the south coast is cosmopolitan Pythagorio - the birthplace of Greek mathematician Pythagoras.

The port town is home to fine-sand beaches, late-night restaurants, and wondrous archaeology, including the 3,399ft-long Eupalinian aqueduct tunnel that was built in 550BC. Feeling active? Take the hiking trail in the mountains behind the popular Potami beach (a great place to watch the sunset) in Karlovasi, to reach the beautiful Potami waterfall.

Drive to the Aliki wetland or Glyfada lake to witness herons, Dalmatian pelicans and pink flamingos. Or relax on one of the island's many beaches - Kerveli, Tsamados, Mykali and Lemonakia are among the most beautiful. Popular village Kokkari - about a six-mile drive north west of Vathi - is a huge draw thanks to its charming architecture and laid-back atmosphere.

Its sweeping white-pebbled beach and shimmering blue waters are the perfect place to relax - with sunbeds, beach bars and tavernas. Or try your hand at windsurfing - the conditions are ideal.

Charming Karpathos

Volcanic Karpathos - the second largest Dodecanese island - offers more than 100 glorious beaches. Head east for the sparkling emerald waters and pine trees of Apella. Diakoftis, surrounded by brushwood and cedars, is south, as is the exceptional snorkelling off Kipos Michaliou.

Araki in the southwest is shaded by the cliffs. Maeria is accessible by private boat - take the 20-minute walk to the chapel of Agios Zacharias for incredible views. Go early to avoid the crowds.

Volcanic Karpathos - the second largest Dodecanese island - offers 100 glorious beaches

For day trips, historic Olympos - built into the side of Profitis Elias. The village, which remained a closed society for centuries, is perfect for an alternative day out - not least for its magnificent views and to get a glimpse into traditional Greek life.

Find out more about its fascinating history and unwritten laws, then step inside its 300-year-old working windmill, before tucking into traditional makarounes - delicious hand-rolled pasta served with cheese and onions.

Profitis Elias is also a walker's paradise, with dense trails affording hikers with panoramic views over the dramatic coastline. Foodies must check out the lively port of Pigadia for slow-cooked, clay pot lamb. Savour local shrimp and menoules in Karpathos, while Menetes is the place for grilled meats.

Wander Voladas quaint narrow white alleys; at 1,670ft above sea level, Othos is the island's highest village; popular Lefkos is where you'll find the acropolis at Pelekito: while you can explore ancient monuments in pretty capital Pigadia.

Perfect Patmos

The northern Dodecanese island of Patmos is filled with natural beauty and a rich Christian history. Spend a day exploring the maze-like alleyways of Hora - with its quirky, thick stone white buildings dating from the 16th century.

The capital's medieval streets, along with the magnificent 11th-century Monastery of Saint John and the Cave of the Apocalypse (believed to be where John of Patmos received his visions that he recorded in the Book of Revelation) are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The northern Dodecanese island of Patmos is filled with natural beauty and a rich Christian history

Hora is also where to find an abundance of art galleries, offering gems by local artists, as well as bars and restaurants serving cocktails and traditional dishes. Sample a glass (or two) of the local wines during a visit to the agroecological vineyard Domaine Patoinos, near Vagia, and take home a few bottles of olive oil too.

Pay a visit to Lambi beach - one of the best on the island - to see its rare multicoloured pebbles (that visitors are banned from taking). Then relax in one of the seaside taverna which offers fresh seafood.

With 2.5 miles of golden sand and shallow glisten waters, Agrio Livadi beach offers stunning panorama out to the tiny island of Saint Thekla.

It's perfect for those looking for watersports, and has sunbeds as well as beach bars and tavernas - as is Groikos, which has beautiful mountain views, while Merika is a calm, quiet beach perfect for swimming.

The magnificent 11th-century Monastery of Saint John and the Cave of the Apocalypse is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Lovely Leros

As well as picturesque fishing villages and a winding coastline of beaches, the Dodecanese island of Leros is renowned for its scuba diving.

Shipwrecks, downed planes and a Greek destroyer can all be found beneath the Aegeans sparkling waves. On land, hikers can explore tunnels, canons and World War II remains on one of the island's breathtaking trails.

The island of Leros is known for picturesque fishing villages and a winding coastline of beaches

Those who make the 500 steps from the ancient capital of Platanos to the 11th-century Panaghia (Virgin Mary) Castle are rewarded with magnificent views. Check out the local delicacies - pougakia (almond) sweets, tyganopites fried pies, guava fruit marmalade and laggites, honey-covered fritters.

Head out to sea on a boat, or head under the Aegeans waves where you can find shipwrecks, downed planes and a Greek destroyer

Hop on a boat from capital Agia Marina, to venture out to the uninhabited inlets of Aspronisia, Makronisi and Tiganakia - you may even spot dolphins - to make it even more of a trip to remember.

The long beach of Alinda, northwest of Platanos, is family friendly, while nearby Blefoutis is beautiful, secluded and wild.

Carefree Kalymnos

Mountainous Kalymnos, in the southeastern Dodecanese archipelago, is perfect for those who prefer local life to touristy hotspots.

Known as the island of the sea-sponge harvesters, it offers plenty of activities against a sensational backdrop. Dive to discover shipwrecks; climb giant cliffs and go mountain hiking.

Mountainous Kalymnos, in the southeastern Dodecanese archipelago, is perfect for those who prefer local life to touristy hotspots

Or take in the historic monuments and enchanting caves, then relax on its heavenly beaches. The island is a renowned climbing destination worldwide, with an abundance of rock formations perfect for both beginners and experienced climbers alike.

When it comes to beaches, Emporios, Myrties, Kantouni, and Massouri are among the prettiest on the island - with sunloungers and umbrellas - but arrive early to avoid the crowds.

Or try Agios, about a mile from Pothia, it's a small and secluded golden stretch of sand and calm waters, perfect for taking a dip.

Lush Lipsi

What the tiny island of Lipsi - south of Samos and far away from the hustle and bustle - lacks in space, it makes up for in beauty. Hire a boat to get close to the pure white sands of 20 smaller islets that surround it.

Take your camera in case you catch a glimpse of seals, turtles and even dolphins playing in the sea. You'll also discover stunning secret coves perfect for swimming and snorkelling.

Hire a boat to get close to the pure white sands of 20 smaller islets that surround the tiny island of Lipsi

When you return to the island, there are plenty of options for sightseeing and sampling delicious produce. Head to the dairy to try spicy goat's cheese with peppers, then the winery to sip glasses of the local Fokiano variety.

Dont leave without exploring the beaches.

Laze in the shade of the trees on the glorious Platys Gialos with its white sand and turquoise waters. And you're almost guaranteed the beach to yourself at the secret cove of Panaghia Koimisis. Bliss!

When you return to the island, there are plenty of options for sightseeing and sampling delicious produce. Head to the dairy to try spicy goat's cheese with peppers, then the winery to sip glasses of the local Fokiano variety.

Dont leave without exploring the beaches. Laze in the shade of the trees on the glorious Platys Gialos with its white sand and turquoise waters. And you're almost guaranteed the beach to yourself at the secret cove of Panaghia Koimisis. Bliss!

Find out more about holidays to Greece and its stunning islands at www.visitgreece.gr
Donald Trump is losing ground among typically Republican-voting Mormons in Arizona, as some members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints take a surprising turn and put their support behind Democratic candidate Joe Biden.

Yasser Sanchez, who twice worked to defeat Biden's bids for vice presidency by building support for Republican candidates among fellow Mormons, now says he'll vote for Biden in the upcoming election.

Sanchez finds himself in a surprising position as he's become repelled from his party and by President Donald Trump.

'We're taught to be steady, to be basically the opposite of the way he's lived his life,' Sanchez said.

On Wednesday more than 200 people identifying themselves as Republicans who belong to the church published an open letter declaring their opposition to Trump and calling him 'the antithesis of so much the Latter-day Saints community believes.'

In a bid to recapture votes, the Trump campaign launched its Latter-day Saints for Trump Coalition this past week and sent Vice President Mike Pence to Mesa, a suburb of Phoenix, for the kickoff on Tuesday.

Donald Trump is losing ground among typically Republican-voting Mormons in Arizona, as some members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints take a surprising turn and put their support behind Democratic candidate Joe Biden

Yasser Sanchez, who twice worked to defeat Biden's bids for vice presidency by building support for Republican candidates among fellow Mormons, now says he'll vote for Biden in the upcoming election because he's repelled by Donald Trump

While many conservative-leaning religious voters warmed to him long ago, Trump has struggled to win over Latter-day Saints.

His penchant for foul language clashes with the church's culture teaching modesty and self-restraint, and his isolationist foreign policy is anathema to a faith spreading rapidly around the world.

Trump's fued with Sen. Mitt Romney, a Republican from Utah and one of the best known members of the church, has further tarnished his reputation among believers.

Trump's relative weakness with Latter-day Saints is now a growing political liability.

His standing has slumped in several pivotal states, including Arizona, where members of the faith make up six percent of the population.

Many are clustered around Phoenix, areas where Republicans have struggled to hold their ground in the Trump era.

Vice President Pence shared a fiery speech on Tuesday in a bid to win popularity among Mormon voters.

Trump 'has stood for the religious freedom of every American of every faith every day of this administration,' Pence told the group of about 200 people.

In a bid to capture votes, the Trump campaign launched its Latter-day Saints for Trump Coalition this past week and sent Vice President Mike Pence to Mesa, a suburb of Phoenix, for the kickoff

Trump 'has stood for the religious freedom of every American of every faith every day of this administration,' Pence told the group of about 200 people Tuesday

Pence, who often serves as Trump's emissary to religious conservatives, appealed to church members' opposition to abortion rights and longstanding concerns over religious liberty.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Open Letter against Trump We wouldnt pretend to give the impression that we speak for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; we do not. But as individual church members writing on our own account, we would suggest that the group holding a rally calling itself 'Latter-day Saints for Trump' is out of bounds for co-opting the Churchs name to give the impression that Donald Trump is supported by the Church as an entity. We feel the need to respond and say that while some may support the president, there are also many who disagree with President Trump for many reasons. For us, this election is not about parties and tribalism. It is about reclaiming our core values. President Trump is the antithesis of so much the Latter-day Saints community believes. Servant leadership, kindness, honesty, acceptance, family, and respect for all are core tenets of who we are and what we stand for. Policy positions traditionally championed by Republicans are important. Supreme Court appointments are important. But so are the traditions and institutions that make America what it is: a shared dedication to a culture of civility and respect; a tradition of loyal opposition where we dont entertain chants of 'lock her up'; an imperative to use reason and data from trusted experts when making decisions; supporting a free press who help establish shared facts  not 'alternative facts'  and hold those in authority accountable; an aspiration to be a melting pot where all are created equal and in which anyone can embrace American values and thrive, versus the blood-and-soil nationalism that other nations suffer from. Trump exploits our anxieties in the worst way  fanning division, fear, and xenophobia. He manipulates Americas problems for his personal benefit rather than inspiring us to solve them. He weakens critical government institutions and routinely imperils our Constitution by placing himself above the law. In response, we will vote for Joe Biden, or a third party candidate, or leave our ballot blank in protest. None of us can justify voting for Donald Trump because, in our opinions, the harm he does to our civic culture outweighs any policy benefits we might temporarily gain. For those who share our concerns, please reject another Trump term in favor of rebuilding our party around enduring principles of truth, respect, honor, competency, freedom, and concern for our fellow man. It is time to focus on healing our weakened traditions and institutions and to strengthen liberty through greater solidarity. Advertisement

Last month, the president's son, Donald Trump Jr., hosted a conference call with reporters to commemorate Pioneer Day, a church holiday celebrating the arrival of the first church settlers in Utah's Salt Lake Valley in 1847.

Trump Jr., said he was in Utah at the time for a fishing trip.

To be sure, Latter-day Saints have traditionally voted Republican and are likely to remain part of the GOP coalition. Clustered in solidly Republican states, they have long been a major force in GOP primaries and local politics across the West, but they have not held much sway in national elections.

Trump won Arizona in 2016 by 91,000 votes.

There are about 436,000 Latter-day Saints in Arizona, according to church statistics. Many live in Phoenix's East Valley suburbs popular with young families, including Gilbert, Chandler and Mesa, which traces its modern history to a settlement founded by pioneers from the faith in the 1800s.

In recent elections, political consultants have considered these areas a barometer of swing voters, including women and college-educated white voters who have recently shifted Democratic. In 2018, several neighborhoods east of Phoenix popular with church members voted both for Republican Gov. Doug Ducey and Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.

'From the time we're young we're taught - as are all Christians - that we're supposed to love God and love our neighbor,' Kathy Varga, a 39-year-old speech therapist from Mesa, said. 'I dont see that happening right now. I just see the country becoming more divided.'

Varga reluctantly voted for Trump in 2016 because she was worried about Democrat Hillary Clinton putting liberal justices on the Supreme Court. Now Varga says he believes Trump is threatening government institutions and the Constitution.

She plans to vote for Biden, even though she disagrees with many of his policies, because 'the most important thing right now is to unify the country.'

It's unclear precisely how common Varga's view is among her faith.

In the 2018 midterm elections, about two-thirds of voters who are members of the church nationwide favored Republicans. But Latter-day Saints were less likely than other traditionally Republican religious groups to approve of the way Trump was doing his job.

Among members of the faith, 67% voted for Republicans, and 56% said they approved of Trump's job performance.

By comparison, 80% of white evangelical Christians nationwide voted for Republican candidates, and nearly as many said they approve of Trump, according to an analysis of 1,528 midterm voters who are members of the faith, based on data from VoteCast, a broad national survey conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.

Even Latter-day Saints who turned out to hear Pence this past week acknowledged they were disappointed in Trump's infidelity or uncouth language. But they also viewed it as a tolerable consequence of electing a straight-talking man unafraid to ruffle feathers.

Although Trump rarely speaks about his faith or attends church services, these supporters said they believed he was a defender of religious freedoms, which is of paramount importance to members of a faith that settled in what is now Utah to escape persecution.

Norma Hastings, a 71-year-old Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints member from Gilbert, waits for Vice President Mike Pence to speak at the 'Latter-Day Saints for Trump' Coalition launch event in Mesa, Arizona on Tuesday

'We're able to continue practicing our religion. That's how our country was founded,' Norma Hastings, a 71-year-old church member from Gilbert, said.

She said she thinks Pence 'keeps Trump on the right road.'

Jenn Crandall, a 48-year-old pianist from Mesa, said she looks to other figures in the administration and the campaign for connection.

'I like how hard working his kids are, his wife,' Crandall said. 'He's a family guy.'

Biden's campaign is also targeting Latter-day Saints in Arizona and elsewhere.

A Latter-day Saints for Joe group was formed more than a year ago. In a virtual town hall for church members on Saturday, campaign surrogates tied Biden's economic, health care and immigration agendas to church teachings on self reliance, family values and refuge.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 'prioritizes caring for the poor. It prioritizes strong families, a strong moral code, sacrifice,' said Eric Biggart, co-chair of LDS Democrats who lives in Salt Lake City. 'To me, it's hard to be a Republican and a member of the church at the same time.'

The church does not back candidates or political parties.
New Delhi, Aug 16 : After sending off thousands of migrants back to their hometowns, actor Sonu Sood has now extended his philanthropic services to save 12 Filipino children, suffering from acute liver disease and requiring an organ transplant urgently.

He arranged a free charter flight for these 12 children, along with their family members, that landed in Delhi on Saturday. The children, natives of Manila and Cebu City, have been admitted to Max Super Speciality Hospital and Indraprastha Apollo Hospital for the transplant, Sood told IANS.

The children, aged between six months and two years, are accompanied by a family member and an attendant. All of them are currently in a 10-day quarantine period at the hospitals.

"Five of them were admitted to Max while seven to the Apollo Hospital," Sood said, noting that he was contacted to rescue 18 Filipino infants in mid-July, but only 12 made it.

"Unfortunately, six children were in very critical condition and could not be saved," he said.

The transplant of these twelve children at Max and Apollo was due for more than two months.

"Earlier, 3 to 4 of them used to visit us from the Philippines every month. But ever since the lockdown began, these sick children have been awaiting a liver transplant. They were in a grave health condition, and delay in treatment any further would have serious health implications," said Neerav Goyal, Head of Apollo's liver transplant, Hepatobiliary, and Pancreatic unit.

Considering the deteriorating health condition of these children, the Apollo Hospital was planning to fly these children to India, but the plan could not be materialise due to the long quarantine protocol.

"There were certain challenges in doctors from India flying to Manila and getting the children here due to prolonged quarantine required in both the countries," Goyal said.

The hospital then contacted the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (FICCP) and the Indian Embassy, which approached Sood as he was doing evacuation of Indian doctors from the Philippines then.

"While evacuating doctors from the country, a few of them informed me about the children scenario. Later, members of FICCP and officials from the Indian Embassy got in touch with me for evacuating the children as they required liver transplant urgently in Delhi hospitals. It took me more than 20 days to arrange the evacuation, but finally, it was done," Sood said.

While Sood arranged the chartered plane, the evacuation remained a daunting task. A medical team was required to travel with these children to manage any emergency occurring mid-air.

"Luckily, it was found that there were more than ten interns who, after finishing their medical training in the Philippines, were flying down to Delhi on the same day. These doctors were contacted, and they willingly volunteered to help these children," Goyal said.

Subhash Gupta, Chairman, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Max, said that the children suffer from Biliary atresia, an uncommon but deadly liver disease found in infants.

"It typically occurs between 2-8 weeks after birth. Liver cells produce a liquid called bile, which helps digest fat and carry waste products from the liver to the intestines. In Biliary atresia, the bile ducts become scarred and blocked. Due to this, the bile becomes trapped in the liver and is unable to drain into the intestines. This causes scarring of liver cells (liver cirrhosis) and, eventually, liver failure, if left untreated," he explained.

The Max hospital said that the condition of the five children is stable currently, and they will undergo transplant surgery after the quarantine.

"The surgery of these kids was delayed by two months due to the lockdown and ban on international flights. I am glad they are here in Delhi now, and we are eager to operate on them as soon as possible. Parents of the young kids are donating a portion of their liver for the transplant," Gupta said.

The families come from under-privileged backgrounds. The surgery is funded by charitable organisations, the Philippines Government and the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc.

Rex Daryanani, Chairman, FIPPC said it is hard enough to go to another country for first-timers, harder to go for a liver transplant, and hardest to do these both during a raging global pandemic. He thanked Sood and doctors of Max and Apollo.

"We thank everyone who helped these infants and their families reach India. We thank the Ambassador of India to the Philippines, Sonu Sood, and the doctors of Max and Apollo hospitals who have received the children and now taking care of them as their own. We also thank the Philippines government for providing financial aid for the treatment of these sick children," he said.

Asked how he felt about this feat, the actor said he would have been happier if all the children were rescued successfully. Meanwhile, Sood informed IANS that he would be helping evacuation of over 1,200 Indian nationals from the Philippines in the coming days.
Last week, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice poked at the belly of liberals and Democrats with this observation: I dont really care if were colorblind, but I would like to get to the place that when you see somebody who is black, you dont have preconceived notions of what theyre capable of, who they are  by the way, what they think, which is I think a problem of the left. You look at somebody whos black and you think you know what they think, or you at least think you know what they ought to think.
A three-year-old boy who was found under his bed by firefighters during a deadly housing commission blaze has been identified.

Isaiah Akot was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after being trapped in the fire in his stepmother's housing commission home in Fitzroy North, Melbourne, on Saturday.

Paramedics desperately tried to save Isaiah but he died in hospital.

His family paid tribute to the young boy on Sunday.

'He was such a bright kid. He was so playful and was always looking to learn new stuff,' Isaiah's uncle Ror Akot told The Herald Sun.

'He was just such a unique child, you had to be in his presence to know it. He had the best smile.'

Isaiah Abot (pictured) died after being pulled from a fire in Fitzroy North on Saturday

Isaiah's step-mother Nasra Mohamed managed to escape the burning unit at the intersection of Clauscen and Nicholson Streets with her newborn baby, but had not been able to get Isaiah out.

In an emotional Facebook post, Ms Mohamed said she would never be the same after the her step-son's death.

'Words cant even describe my pain I lost a son too,' Ms Mohamed's post reads. 'I loved that kid like my own.

'Allah have mercy.'

About 35 firefighters were on the scene after the blaze erupted, with all other residents of the building accounted for after they were safely evacuated, including a man rescued from a window ledge using a 9m ladder.

Fire crews arrived on scene within four minutes and entered the building to search for the child wearing breathing apparatus.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Costa Katsikis attended the scene and praised the quick actions of responding crews.

Firefighters managed to safely evacuate all other residents from the burning building during the blaze including a man who was rescued from a ledge on a 9metre ladder

The fire was declared under control after 20 minutes of the first truck arriving and is not being treated as suspicious by police.

Resident Kevin Georgiadis said he alerted firefighters to Isaiah's location after he rushed to the apartment and was confronted by thick black smoke.

Mr Georgiadis said he heard screaming from an apartment on a different floor from his and when he went to investigate found the mother carrying one of her children.

'She was screaming her head off. It didn't look that bad from the outside but it was when I got up there - it was black,' he said.

Mr Georgiadis said he tried to make it to the other child but could not get passed the kitchen and lounge room because of the smoke.

He also described seeing sparks flying from a heater inside the apartment.

The public housing building (pictured) at the intersection of Clauscen and Nicholson Streets in Fitzroy North in Melbourne was engulfed in flames on Saturday afternoon

'When the fire brigade came, I was out of breath and I told them ''don't talk to anybody else, just run straight up there, there's a baby up there'',' he said.

The 52-year-old said he was sure he was going to collapse when he was in the building.

Video from the scene shows one man hanging out his window who had to be rescued by fire crews using a large ladder.

Premier Daniel Andrews said his heart went out to the child's family.

'As a parent, I cannot imagine the pain being felt in Fizroy North tonight,' he tweeted.

Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident can contact police via Crime Stoppers.
A year ago, the big priorities failed to pass  a property tax relief bill and the ImagiNE Act  and the speaker, as the manager of the show, got some blame for the meltdown. But once he pared down his group seeking a compromise from the Gang of 10 to the Super Seven, something got hammered out.

What happened to the middle?

Boy, senators were grumpy this year. Collegiality didnt win out a lot of the time. Partisanship, rather than good policy, played into more and more debates.

At each end of the political spectrum, there seems to be a more sizable block willing to dig in their heels and fight to the bitter end. Theres less of a middle on the political dial in the Legislature these days. That makes it harder, or at least makes it take longer, to steer measures over the finish line.

The divide was evident in voting on the passage of bills during the past two weeks. A group of senators, all registered Republicans, declined to vote on uncontroversial bills rather than give a green light to measures introduced by colleagues registered as Democrats.

Historic departure
The Bihar health department late Sunday evening issued orders posting 4,997 nurses to health facilities, a day after chief minister Nitish Kumar announced that his government will recruit around 4,000 doctors and 5,000 nurses this month to tide over an existing shortage of medical staff in the state health sector amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The nurses have been given seven days to join their place of posting. We got the recommendation for appointment of nurses from the Bihar Technical Services Commission late on August 13 and issued their posting orders tonight, said Pratyaya Amrit, Bihars principal secretary, health.

Also read: Bihars Covid-19 caseload rises to 1.04 lakh; death toll mounts to 537

The department will also move to fill 575 posts of assistant professors in medical colleges through the Bihar Public Service Commission. The government managed to appoint only 2,775 members of the medical faculty against 3,350 vacancies in the last one year.

In addition, 1,750 laboratory technicians, pharmacists and sanitary inspectors will also be recruited in September, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said in his Independence Day speech on Saturday.

Bihar has so far reported 104,093 Covid-19 cases, with 537 deaths  the highest single-day death being 22 on Sunday. It has successfully scaled up its testing to 1,679,462 till Saturday. As of August 14, Bihar was testing 12,625 per million.

Click here for complete coronavirus coverage

These appointments will still be inadequate given the vacancies existing against already sanctioned posts.

There is a shortage of 2,000-odd members of the medical faculty as there are only 1,950 against 4,000 sanctioned posts in the rank of assistant professor and above in state-run medical colleges. Appointing 575 assistant professors will not be enough, said a senior doctor, requesting anonymity.

In state health services, there will still remain a shortage of around 4,600 doctors in the rank of senior medical officer to director-in-chief, even as vacancies at the general duty medical officer (GDMO) level will be filled up after recruitment of 4,000 doctors in the basic grade. The vacancy from first promotion level (senior medical officer) onward will, however, remain because the state government has not promoted any doctor in the last 24 years, said Dr Ranjeet Kumar, general secretary of the Bihar Health Services Association.

The situation in the case of nurses is no different.

The Bihar government could appoint only 4,997 nurses against 9,130 posts of GNM (general nursing midwife) staff grade A it had advertised. Although 11,825 applied for the post, the fact that basic nursing diploma course (GNM) was mandatory eliminated those with higher nursing degree (B.Sc and above).

Nurses have not been appointed after 2015-16, when around 7,800 nurses were recruited in two batches. We are now left with less than 8,500 nurses against a sanctioned strength of 20,000 (approx.), said Pramila Kumari, general secretary of the Bihar Grade A Nurses Association, also a member of the Bihar Nursing Registration Council.

At the pharmacist level, too, the recruitment would be insufficient.

We have close to 2,000 vacancies against which the government will initiate recruitment on 1,050 posts, said Rajeev Kumar Sinha, general secretary of the All India Pharmacist Association, Bihar.

In our case also, the government has made it mandatory that those who do not possess basic diploma in pharmacy, irrespective of having directly attained a higher degree like B.Pharma, cannot apply. As a result, appointment of 1,311 pharmacists on contract is held up, he added.

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At least one person was killed in clashes in Ivory Coast on Saturday in the latest violence sparked by President Alassane Ouattara's controversial decision to run for a third term in October.

The shooting death brings to four the number of people killed in the central town of Daoukro, a stronghold of former president Henri Konan Bedie, who is also a candidate in the election.

Across Ivory Coast, at least six people have died and more than 100 have been injured in violence after Ouattara's shock announcement.

Tensions were high on Saturday in Daoukro, where clashes between supporters of Bedie and Ouattara began on Tuesday.

The town's main market and shops were closed and police were deployed all over.

Armed with shotguns, clubs and machetes, young people from the village of Anoumabo rushed to a pro-Ouattara district, where the gendarmerie intervened.

Apollinaire N'Goran Kouame, 45, was later shot while he was standing guard with others from Anoumabo, AFP journalists reported.

Ouattara, 78, announced a week ago that he would contest the October 31 presidential elections after his anointed successor Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly died of a heart attack.

Hi critics cried foul, saying he has already served two terms -- the maximum allowed by the constitution -- and can only contest a third by arguing that a constitutional change entitles him to reset the clock.

The vote is taking place in a country still scarred by a low-level civil war that erupted in 2011 when former strongman Laurent Gbagbo refused to cede power to Ouattara after losing elections.

The ensuing unrest claimed some 3,000 lives and split the country along north-south lines.

Bedie, an 86-year-old former president who last month was endorsed by the historically dominant Democratic Party of the Ivory Coast (PDCI) as its candidate, has called Ouattara's bid "illegal".

Sporadic protests broke out on Thursday in Abidjan, Ivory Coast's economic hub, and other cities as demonstrators defied a government ban on gatherings.

Groups of demonstrators built barricades and burnt tyres in response to a call from the opposition and civil society groups, AFP journalists saw.

Sixty-eight people were arrested for "disturbing public order, inciting revolt, violence against law enforcement officials and destruction of property of others" during the demonstrations, according to a government statement released on Friday.
ETFs witnessed an inflow of Rs 921 crore in July, a surge of 86 per cent from the preceding month, as new investors rushed to add the precious metal in their portfolios in view of higher prices.

With this, net inflow ingold exchange traded fund or ETF category has reached to Rs 4,452 crore in the first seven months of the year,data with the Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi) showed.

According to the data, anet sum of Rs 921 crore was pumped into gold-linked ETFs last month, higher than the net Rs 494 crore in June.

The inflows meant assets under management (AUM) of ETFs climbed by 19 per cent to Rs 12,941 crore at the end of July, from Rs 10,857 crore at June-end.

Month-wise, investors put in a net Rs 202 crore in January, Rs 1,483 crore in February, but withdrew Rs 195 crore in March on profit-booking.

Inflows resumed in April at Rs 731 crore, followed by Rs 815 crore in May.

" prices continued to scale new highs on the back of weakness in the US dollar, tension between US and China and consistent rise in COVID-19 cases globally, which boosted its safe-haven appeal," said Himanshu Srivastava, Associate Director Manager Research at Morningstar India.

"With all major economies staring at recession due to the spread of coronavirus pandemic, gold, expectedly, has emerged as one of the best performing asset classes and a preferred investment destination among investors," he added.

Srivastava further said the surge in coronavirus cases has cast a doubt on the swift recovery hopes and investors continue to hedge their exposure to riskier assets by investing a portion of their assets in gold, as it is seen as a safe haven in times of uncertainty.

Harsh Jain, co-founder and COO of Groww, said the higher inflow is understandable as more investors are parking their cash in gold as a hedge against the market which is reeling from the effects of the economic shock from the pandemic.

touching new highs has resulted in many new investors adding gold to their portfolios, he added.

With its safe-haven appeal and being one of the better performing asset classes since 2019, Gold ETF category has been gaining significant traction from Indian investors. Since August 2019, the category has received a net inflow of Rs 4,644 crore.

Considering the threat posed by the coronavirus pandemic to the global economy and the markets, Srivastava said the segment may continue to gain traction from investors.

Gold functions as a strategic asset in an investor's portfolio, given its ability to act as an effective diversifier and alleviate losses during tough market conditions and economic downturns, he added.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In what could be termed as a serious concern in the Central prison in Thiruvananthapuram , 198 more persons have tested positive for Covid-19. The total number of infections here rose to 362 after rapid antigen tests were conducted over the weekend. Of these, three are prisoner staff and the remaining are jail inmates.

While on Saturday, 53 have tested positive, 145 more were found to be infected on Sunday. The latest results have given way to a large cluster in the prison and its premises.

On Sunday, a 72-year-old prisoner, who was said to be the first person confirmed with virus infection, died in the Medical College hospital. He was identified as Manikandan, a native of Kilimanoon.



The Central prison has become an epicentre of the virus spread in the capita city after rapid antigen testing conducted in the last five days. The DIG (prisons) has already gone into self- quarantine. On Friday, the total number of affected persons was 164 in the tests conducted on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. However, the cases have shown a spurt in the last two days.

The prison authorities said more antigen tests would be conducted in the coming days. At present, a total of 975 prisoners are in the Central prison at Poojappura in Thiruvananthapuram.

Those tested positive include inmates under remand as well as those convicted. They will be isolated within the prison and also treated there, since all of them who tested were asymptomatic. A special ward will also be opened in the prison soon for the treatment.

The testing of the inmates in Poojappura jail began after Manikandan was confirmed to have Covid-19 on Tuesday. This was followed by a rapid antigen test of 107 prisoners on Wednesday out of which 59 had tested positive. On Thursday, 41 more prisoners tested positive. However, officials are yet to asscertain the source of infection of the spread.

The state prison headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram was shut down for three days in the wake of detecting symptoms of Covid-19 infection in two prisoners who engaged in sanitation of the headquarters and its premises.

DGP ( Prisons) Rishiraj Singh had issued the orders on Friday following the instructions from the state health department. According to the DGP' s order, the headquarters will be opened after disinfecting the office and premises.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on Twitter a video montage in memory of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his second death anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 16 posted on Twitter a nearly two-minute-long video montage of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his second death anniversary.

With PM Modi's voiceover in the video, the clip features pivotal moments of Vajpayee's political career.



Tributes to beloved Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. India will always remember his outstanding service and efforts towards our nations progress. pic.twitter.com/ZF0H3vEPVd

 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2020

Tributes to beloved Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. India will always remember his outstanding service and efforts towards our nations progress, wrote PM Modi in his tweet.

This country will never forget Atal Jis sacrifice. Under his leadership, India held its head high as a nuclear power. As a politician, a Member of Parliament, a minister or Prime Minister, Atal ji has performed very well in many roles, PM Modis could be heard as saying in the video.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid tributes to Vajpayee.

Shah said the country for the first time saw "good governance" being implemented across the nation under Vajpayee.

The Modi government is striving for the welfare of the poor and good governance by keeping his ideas at the centre of its work, Shah added.

Rajnath Singh said Vajpayee's tremendous contribution towards pubic life and India's development will always be cherished, and his vision for the country will continue to inspire coming generations.

One of the prominent leaders of the country and founding members of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Vajpayee died on August 16, 2018, at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) after a prolonged illness. He was 93.
As college kids return to campuses across the country, and to the large towns or small cities that house them, some communities are worried. How will these students be safe? How will they help the greater community remain safe? What 20 year old can actually resist hanging out, mask-less, after a solo cup or two? Bars may be closed, but the woods are wide open, and vast.

As both a member of the Flagstaff community and a Northern Arizona University professor, I join my friends in wondering about safety. But then, last week, I had my first virtual classes via Zoom. I asked my students to share their COVID-19 experiences. As journalists, they also addressed what kind of stories they might tell, based on this new upside-down world.

Many of their stories were heart-wrenching.

The music students whose concerts were canceled last spring, and who no longer knew if more will be scheduled. The athletes who just found out there will be no games for them to play this fall  when thats what they have been working toward for the past decade of their young lives. The sports journalists who wonder how they would cover something that is, for the most part, canceled for now.

The students who found, once NAU closed its doors after spring break, it was difficult to stay engaged in their classes as teachers  including me  floundered to convert them from in-person to online in an engaging manner. And those whose schedules had blown up after NAU let several faculty members go, due to budget cuts.

There was more.

The students whose family members work in emergency rooms, who heard many coronavirus stories, and then felt even more concerned about people walking around without masks.

The students with autoimmune diseases who mostly stay at home, but when out feel the same fear when experiencing the maskless throngs.

The students from the Navajo Nation whose many friends and relatives had been sick with the virus, as COVID numbers rose substantially in Indigenous communities during the early months of the outbreak.

The brave souls who admitted they had been dealing with depression from isolation. When those students spoke, heads nodded in many of the tiny electronic rectangles. And this was Class One.

I love being in the classroom. I get such energy from students face-to-real-face. Still, I was completely impressed with the revelations of these young people, who had come together for the very first time. They were more open than most in my Day-One classes.

I believe that was the result of two factors. One, they are so happy to have to be some place, to have a real schedule again, as one of them said, grinning contagiously, more head nodding all around. It must be a relief to be with each other, even if its not in person.

The other thing I wasnt prepared for was that talking to each other on-screen may be less intimidating than in the classroom, at least in the first weeks.

In the past, many students are reticent to raise their hands in the beginning. If Im not careful, a few dominant students can speak too much, keeping others quiet. Being live online seemed to encourage them to talk. I did call on everyone, but still. The depth of the sharing was impressive, and touching.

Im still somewhat afraid for Flagstaff as students return from all over the country more of them than I expected were Zooming from campus, or will be this week.

I know some students will certainly be more than tempted to play in the parks or gather in the forests with little regard for social distancing. After last week, though, I found myself so moved by their honest and earnest words. My guard dropped.

I wont be in the classroom this entire semester, due to doctors orders, but I am happy to be back with my young journalists, as we all figure this out. On our screens, but still together.

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Deborah Birx to Kansas City: Dont be cavalier about getting this virus

White House Talks Spike In Coronavirus Numbers

Dr. Birx visits KU Med, shares concern over rising COVID-19 cases KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The Kansas City metro stands at a crossroads of sorts. That's the viewpoint of Dr. Deborah Brix, the Trump administration's coronavirus response coordinator. Dr. Brix visited the University of Kansas Medical Center on Saturday afternoon as part of a Midwestern tour to observe areas affected by large numbers of positive coronavirus [...]

Doc Talks Turning Point

White House Task Force Says 'Now Is The Moment' For Kansas To Stop COVID-19 Spread White House coronavirus task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx says Kansas is at a turning point to get the state's positivity rate under control. Birx traveled to the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, as a part of a multi-state tour to talk with governors and health officials about local efforts to combat COVID-19.

White House Support Of Local COVID Crackdown

Dr. Deborah Birx talks COVID-19 response with KS governor, health officials KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Dr. Deborah Birx spoke with Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and participated in a roundtable discussion with state health officials Saturday afternoon in Kansas City, Kansas. The White House coronavirus response coordinator and world-renowned global health official and physician came to the metro to learn about local efforts in the fight against COVID-19.

School Comeback Talk

Dr. Birx stops in KCK, discusses schools and football KANSAS CITY, KS (KCTV) -- A member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force was in the Kansas City metro today to discuss both Kansas and Missouri's COVID-19 status. At the University of Kansas Medical Center, Dr. Deborah Birx touched on a number of topics with regard to COVID-19 in our area.

Mask Debate Question: Do You Know Better Than Dr. Birx???

Trump's top coronavirus adviser during trip to KCK: Wear masks, social distance President Donald Trump's top coronavirus adviser used a visit to Kansas to urge people to wear masks regardless of where they live. Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, said Saturday, that the epidemic is both urban and rural. She was in Kansas City, Kansas, for a meeting with Kansas Gov.

Kansas has become a virus hotspot and there's an ongoing and pointless debate about masks that has turned into a partisan issue . . . Today, the White House doc hoped to provide reassurance.Highlight comment . . .Here's the rundown . . .Developing . . .
CHICAGO - An unexpected wave of looting throughout Chicago's downtown business district last weekend has led to heated debate about who was responsible for the violence here, involving almost all of the city's major players: the police department, the Cook County State's Attorney office, the Circuit Court of Cook County, business leaders, downtown property owners, state officials, and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

The divisiveness also has wound its way to social justice activists, as demonstrated here Saturday when an expected major rally in support of the Black Lives Matter movement was shouted down and splintered when local business owners denounced the groups for causing problems on the city's streets rather than solving them.

At a midday rally on the city's South Side that was to include a four-block march along the Dan Ryan Expressway, speakers from various activist organizations spoke on topics of police reform, a separate group showed up to disrupt the protest.

"We need black power, not Black Lives Matter," said Khalil Lofton, CEO of a local wholesale company in Englewood. He said that the week-long looting that followed the killing of George Floyd in May destroyed essential businesses in his neighborhood. Now people no longer can bank, buy groceries, or clothing, he said.

"All in the name of Black Lives Matter," Lofton said Saturday, blaming the looting and unrest on people from outside the neighborhood. "We didn't ask people to come protest."

His accusations proved accurate: The Chicago Tribune reported Saturday that of the 43 defendants who appeared in bond court this week facing felonies related to Monday's looting on the "Magnificent Mile," all were either convicted felons, college students, or out-of-work parents. None were from Englewood, where the tension with police originated Sunday afternoon after a police-involved shooting there.

Speaking through a megaphone, Lofton drew the crowd away from Rabbi Michael Ben Yosef, a co-organizer of the march. After a tense back-and-forth with dueling megaphones, both men met in the middle and exchanged business cards. But Yosef quickly turned away and led the group of people away from the expressway ramp and east into the streets of the adjoining Bronzeville neighborhood.

The change of plans Saturday was evidence of another phenomenon in Chicago: the many protest groups lack cohesion.

In 2018, a Catholic priest led protesters down the Dan Ryan to bring attention to the gun violence that was plaguing the city. But on Saturday, Yosef could only summon a group of about 100 people and was not successful in blocking the highway. At the same time, more than 20 other activist groups had coordinated at least four different marches in other parts of the city.

Eric Russell, a coordinator of the Dan Ryan march, said the purpose of the event was more about "putting out the message" than it was about the number of people who showed up. He said he does not support lawlessness, but said people should not be shocked when looting begins.

"Unrest. That is the voice of the oppressed," Russell said.

There was an overwhelming Chicago Police Department Illinois State Police presence on Saturday, as they protected intersections along the planned march route after Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said all officers would work 12-hour shifts with no days off. Lofton took note of the irony: "You say 'defund police' but all you're doing is giving police overtime," he shouted through his megaphone.

Marcher Daniel Blalock, 38, who carried a painting he made of President Donald Trump, said he was discouraged by the turnout and said he felt activists were "afraid" of committing to take more dramatic action.

"This is a step forward," he said. "But it is not good enough."

There are no signs tension here is abating.

Gun violence remains rampant - the police department reported a 51 percent increase in homicides and a 47 percent increase in shooting incidents by the start of August compared to the first seven months of 2019 - and there have been two separate waves of looting downtown since June.

Lightfoot, Brown, and Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx presented a unified front Friday, after earlier in the week Lightfoot and Brown complained that Foxx's office and the Circuit Court needed to set higher bails, charge more felony cases, and do more to keep repeat offenders from being cycled through the court system.

Foxx said the finger-pointing was unnecessary and defended her office, saying only a third of the cases this summer brought to her office were worthy of felonies.

"Our office is not in the arresting business," she said. "We get cases when they are brought to us."

Foxx said Friday that the 43 felony cases her office is pursuing is in addition to the 350 felony cases related to looting and protests that have been presented to the courts since May. Lightfoot and Brown announced a special task force focusing on looting that is in partnership with the FBI. On Saturday, the task force announced the arrest of Aaron Neal, 20, who broke into an ATM with a hammer Monday and live-streamed it on social media. He is charged with two felony counts of burglary and criminal damage to property.

Many business leaders and state and local officials have been warning that Chicago is at a breaking point. Steven Levy, the president of a property management firm that represents 100 downtown condo associations, sent Lightfoot an open letter last week saying that homeowners "do not feel safe" and are "adjusting their routines out of fear."

"This is not a way to live, and I can't fault homeowners when they tell me they're considering leaving Chicago," he wrote.

The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce also posted an open letter saying that "the violent action we have seen cannot be tolerated and those that have participated in criminal activity must be held accountable and prosecuted to show our business owners and their customers that Chicago is still a safe and good place to work, shop and live."

The city could face another test next Saturday, when Back Lives Matter organizers are planning an early evening march starting in Millennium Park and continuing up Michigan Avenue through the commercial district where Monday's looting took place.
A community centre known as the heart of Te Puke will soon be forced to close after falling into financial hardship.

Te Manawa - The Te Puke Centre opened less than a year ago in town, taking over ownership of the post office when Kiwibank shutdown.

But 2020 has been a tough year for the community enterprise in wake of COVID-19, and trustees say they havent received enough funding to secure a long-term lease on 81 Jellicoe Street.

The centre is set to shut down in October this year.

Te Puke Centre Charitable Trust chairperson Karen Summerhays says the team are devastated about the closure.

"It was the heart of the town and we really believed we could be that because everybody uses the post office. The biggest shame of the whole thing is that we have lost this activated space," says Karen.

The trust initially received start-up funding from the Western Bay of Plenty District Council and the Te Puke Community Board.

When they initially opened the centre, the trust entered into a one year sublease. After one year of operation, they had planned to sign a long-term lease for the building.

But lockdown interrupted their quest for funding, and eventually the trust realised it wouldn't be able to renew their lease.

Philanthropy, councils and government departments were concentrating their support on relieving established needs such as food, work and housing rather than aspirational projects such as this, says a written statement issued by the trust.

Karen adds that they didn't feel it was appropriate to ask the Te Puke community for donations amid Alert Level 4.

Trustee Jenny Wotten says all they ever wanted for Te Puke was what other towns take for granted.

Karen describes the centre as a "bumping station" where people are encouraged to linger around longer and catch up with others.

"People are welcome to linger longer here - it is part of who we are. The tables get used all day every day."

Along with the postal service, the trust's vision was to provide information services, run collaborative community projects, create a co-working environment and allow social agencies to operate out of the space.

Before lockdown, the building was being used four to five times a week as a meeting space. Community patrol was based there and it was a platform to tell the town's stories.

"We are Te Puke proud  we have so much going for us, but we never celebrate it. We have so many old stories to tell.

This will all get lost when we close  and we are devastated we arent able to bring it across the line.

Trustee Jenny Wotten says all they ever wanted for Te Puke was what other towns take for granted.

Karen agrees, saying the town has a lack of social infrastructure compared to other towns in the Bay of Plenty.

Te Puke has very few public facilities. We are just put into the backwaters.

A New Zealand Post spokesperson says they will be looking for a new postal services agency operator in Te Puke and will update the community as soon as they can.

Karen says the trust will not disband after the centre closes on October 7.
A short video making fun of British Prime Minister Boris Johnsons guidance about the new coronavirus has become popular on social media.

The video shows actor Matt Lucas. "So we are saying don't go to work, go to work, don't take public transport, go to work, don't go to work, he says. Lucas is one of the countrys best-known humorists and famous for the BBC television series Little Britain.

For his fans, Lucas's video perfectly described the growing frustration many British people, especially young people, are feeling.

Early in July, the government advised use of "travel corridors" to visit Europe. The idea was to let vacationers travel in Europe without the need to quarantine for 14 days when they returned home. Thousands of people took this advice. And thousands more bought trips only to have the government quickly restart quarantine rules for people traveling from Spain, Luxembourg, Belgium and Andorra. France is likely to be added to that list.

The sudden changes have caused anger and led lawmakers to worry about the lack of a consistent message.

Yvonne Fovargue is a Labour Party lawmaker. She told VOA that there seems to be a lack of clear information about how the government makes its list of safe countries.

Growing frustration

British people are not alone in losing patience. Frustration is growing across Europe. Governments have had a hard time making clear decisions as they struggle to slow coronavirus infections. This is not helping efforts to persuade citizens to stay careful or to accept on-and-off restrictions as virus infections increase.

Jeremy Warner is an economics commentator for Britain's Independent newspaper. He told VOA there is no consistency in the governments approach. He also said there seems to be no end to the economic damage from anti-virus measures.

Critics admit that dealing with a little-understood virus is not an easy job. But the stops and starts risk damaging public support for some countries governments, experts and public health officials say.

Disagreements

Part of the problem is that scientists and politicians disagree. They share a common enemy: the virus. But government leaders have to consider how to limit the damage to jobs, businesses and peoples livelihoods.

Janet Daley is a writer for the Daily Telegraph, a newspaper that often supports Johnsons government. She told VOA that there has not been "agreement between all members of the government [and its official policy advisers]. She added that ministers have promised too much in order to make the public feel hopeful.

Britain's health minister, Matt Hancock, has been blamed for unrealistic claims. In April, he announced an app that follows the contacts of people who may have the coronavirus. He said it would be ready in England by mid-May. But it is still not working. He also said antibody tests would mean real progress, but that has not proven true.

Johnson, too, has disappointed some. He said he would set up a "world-class" testing and contact tracing system. But so far it has not worked as well as Germany's. Several local officials in England have started their own systems.

Politics and science

Last month, the British leader eased restrictions, including the reopening of pubs. He promised "We'll be back to normal by Christmas."

That earned disapproval from current and former scientific advisers to the government. Current chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance told a parliamentary committee that strong restrictions on movement might be needed as the winter months near.

This month the British government has ordered people to stay at home in some cities, affecting more than four million people.

Problems around Europe

Johnson is not alone among European leaders in trying to balance his comments. Too much hopefulness and people stop following the rules. Too much hopelessness and it is hard to persuade people to go back to work or spend money.

The governments of Italy, France and Greece have warned of possible new restrictions as the number of infections rises again in parts of Europe.

For example, French Prime Minister Jean Castex at first said that there was no chance that restrictions on movement would be ordered a second time. But days later, Castex warned that people would be ordered to stay at home if they do not keep away from each other to limit spread of the virus

Recently, new infections have been reported in several cities popular with vacationers, including Paris.

The increase in cases throughout Europe is partly blamed on poor decision-making by young people. Most of the rise is among people in their twenties and thirties. Many are suspected of becoming infected at beach gatherings and parties.

Im Alice Bryant.

Jamie Dettmer reported this story for VOA News. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

frustration n. being upset because you cannot do something or are given conflicting instructions

corridor n. a narrow area of land that is known for something special or specific

quarantine v. to cause someone to be kept away from others in an effort to prevent the spread of disease

consistent adj. acting in the same way all the time

approach n. a way of doing things

app (application) n. a computer program which often operates on mobile phones and carries out a special job

tracing n. to follow something to its cause, to find out were someone came from

pub n. (abbreviation for public house) a business in Britain or Ireland that sells food and alcohol
Following the recent bilateral talks with Iran concerning compensation for the victims of Flight PS752 downed in February by Iran's Revolutionary Guard, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says that Ukraine will not make any compromise that will humiliate the victims of the tragedy or fail to satisfy their relatives demands.

Kuleba made the remarks during an interview with Ukraine's National Radio on Friday.

"We will always remember the grief of this tragedy but we can turn the page in Kiev-Tehran relations if justice is served," Kuleba said. He also maintained that compensation for the victims can only be negotiated once all details about the incident are clarified.

On January 8, 2020, the IRGC fired two missiles at the Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800 shortly after it took off from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport. All 176 passengers onboard the plane were killed in the crash.

Iran did not admit that the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps was responsible for the deadly attack until three days after the crash.

On Saturday, Iranian ambassador to Kiev Manouchehr Moradi responded to a tweet by Radio Farda reporter Anna Rajskaya quoting Kuleba's statement about Ukraine's stance, Moradi tweeted that, following "constructive and fruitful negotiations" in Kiev, any compromise on compensation will adhere to international regulations. The compromise will be "according to commitments of conventions" of which Iran is a member, he said.

In another tweet in Persian, Moradi wrote, "Iran will doubtlessly act with respect to the victims and their families, according to the conventions of which it is a member.

Rajskaya also tweeted directly to Moradi to ask if Iran plans to reveal truthful details about the downing of the plane, and the timeline for the release of that information. You know you have the burden to prove it was a human error, she wrote. Repeating this all over again doesn't answer the questions.

"Bilateral [talks] aim to answer all questions, Moradi responded. Everything [will be] revealed and [there is] nothing to hide. No doubt, we and our Ukrainian friends are in [the] right path.

Ukrainian diplomats have said repeatedly that they seek the truth first, followed by compensation.

Ukrainian international affairs expert Dmytro Sengiriyov told Radio Farda that he believes that the only reason Iran has been hiding the facts about the crash is that the plane was downed "intentionally.

According to Sengiriyov, Iran's explanations about the downing of the plane happening unintentionally seem unacceptable. "All the explanations offered by Iran so far have been meaningless and useless, whether they were about the mistakes in the settings of the Tor missile system that fired at the plane, or about the operator mistaking the Boeing for a missile, he said.
Flowers left at Cafe Nobel in Ballymena where a worker has sadly died after contracting Covid 19. Photo by Stephen Hamilton

A further 27 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health confirmed on Sunday.

It follows on from the diagnosis of a further 65 cases of Covid-19 on Saturday.

There were no further deaths due to the virus, with the official death roll remaining at 558.

The overall number of cases diagnosed here is now at 6,391.

Meanwhile, civil servants are being told to go back to the office amid fears their absence from town and city centres is having a catastrophic effect on the economy.

Stormont Assembly sources have said the crisis has reached tipping-point as restaurants, coffee shops and bars suffer from lost trade.

Economy Minister Diane Dodds has written to the head of the civil service, David Sterling to outline government concerns.

Read More

Staff at three acclaimed Belfast restaurants have tested positive for Covid-19.

It's forced the closure of Michelin star holder The Muddlers Club and Yugo's sites in the city centre and east Belfast over the last two days.

Read More

In the Republic, 200 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in 24 hours on Saturday.

It's the highest daily rise since the start of May and comes on the day when the chairman of tourism promotion body Failte Ireland resigned after holidaying in Italy.

Michael Cawley had made the trip despite the Government asking citizens to take a staycation.

Read More

Here's how Saturday unfolded:
Editorial

Political corruption leads to icare nightmare

The disasters of WorkSafe Victoria and icare in NSW were exposed last month in a joint investigation by The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) and ABC TVs Four Corners.

In Victoria, WorkSafe, the states workers compensation scheme, recorded a loss of $823 million in the year to June 30, 2019, and an additional $650 million in the six months to December 2019, according to SMH. Why? Because insurance agents were gaming the system. WorkSafe provided financial incentives for insurers to get workers back to work with one such incentive being returning seriously, and some cases, catastrophically, injured worker[s] back to work after 130 weeks of receiving workers compensation. According to Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass, in order to claim this incentive insurance agents were doctor-shopping and cherry-picking evidence to terminate claims, behaviour that Glass would go on to qualify as downright immoral and unethical.

In NSW, the corruption of its principal workers compensation authority, icare, stems much deeper. icare was set-up in 2015 by the state government to replace the WorkCover Authority of NSW, which had racked up a $4b deficit. In order to wipe the deficit, the NSW government, then under Mike Baird, moved to terminate long-term injured workers after five years of receiving benefits. The financial impact was huge, icare began instead with a $4b surplus.

However, from its inception, icare was operating under rather peculiar circumstances. It hired key executives from Wesfarmers insurance who, rather than specialising in workers comp claims, specialised in home and business policies. The results were what you would expect. In 2018, icare introduced a new computer-driven claims model to assess and triage injured workers. The technology mostly replaced human contact. According to Greens MP David Shoebridge: the idea was to save on claims handling, [] claims would be managed automatically [] then largely handled by a logarithm rather [...] than a claims manager and what we saw with that was a literal disaster. Why? Because according to Peter McCarthy, a former adviser to the State Insurance Regulatory Authority, icare introduced a model which would work really well for a car insurance claim or home claim [] but it just does not work for workers comp.

The incompetency doesnt stop there, from SMH: NSW Treasury notes that the regulator is increasingly concerned about the financial viability of the workers insurance scheme. Concerns include ongoing losses, problems with icares policy system, and service charges, which it says are high relative to other jurisdictions. All of which have contributed to the $4b surplus vanishing. And another debit bomb is looming: as many as 52,000 injured workers in NSW have been underpaid up to $80 million in compensation

More alarming than the level of incompetence above is the corruption. According to the SMH, leaked internal icare documents detail claims of credit card theft, concerns about international trips that were not disclosed in a timely fashion and how some contracts were awarded.

You will not be surprised to learn that icares board is chaired by Michael Carapiet, a long-time Liberal Party donor and former Macquarie Group executive, who was appointed by NSW treasurer Dominic Perrottet, who the board is accountable to.

This brings us up to the current saga in the icare fiasco. At the start of this month it was revealed that the salaries of two of Perrottets personal ministerial staff were paid by icare, this included policy adviser Edward Yap. The problem with this, as noted by SMH is that icare is a workers insurer funded by employers and is meant to be independent of the political process. And while secondments to the government sector do occur they require to be documented as per regulations. Given the closeness of proximity to icare, it is no wonder that Perrottet, prior to these specific revelations, would qualify the work done at icare as superb.

Workers comp is meant to help workers. It is apparent that under capitalism the ability for workers comp to do this is severely undermined as insurance agencies are given financial incentives to throw workers off their payments or underpay their claimants all together. It is only under socialism, where the demands of the workers are put to the forefront, that we can ultimately see a system that works for the working class.
Ahead of the crucial intra-Afghan talks, the Taliban on August 16 said that it does not recognise the current Ashraf Ghani-led government as a legitimate system calling it a western imported structure. This comes days after the Loya Jirga, Afghanistan's grand assembly, accepted a resolution to release nearly 400 Taliban hard-liners as a goodwill gesture to start the much-awaited peace talks between the two warring factions in the country. A Taliban spokesperson on Sunday said that the "Islamic Emirate" does not view the Afghanistan government as a legitimate system accusing it of working for the continuation of the American occupation.

Read: Paris Protests Against Release Of Taliban Prisoners Who Killed French Nationals

'Delay tactic'

Meanwhile, President Ashraf Ghani's office has responded to the Taliban's remark by saying that it is nothing but another tactic to delay the peace talks. Earlier, when the grand assembly of Afghanistan on August 9 had accepted the resolution to release nearly 400 Taliban fighters, the fundamentalist group had called it a "positive step" towards reconciliation and had said that the talks would begin within a week of prisoners' release. The release of Taliban fighters from prisons was part of the historic peace-deal signed between the United States and the group in Doha this year, where it agreed to start the intra-Afghan talks after the condition was met by the Afghan government.

Read: Afghanistan's Ghani Says Releasing Taliban Prisoners Might Pose Threat But 'necessary'

According to media reports, August 20 has been suggested as the possible start date of the peace talks between the two key stakeholders in Afghanistan. The peace talks are aimed at ending the 19-year-long war in the country, which according to the United Nations has claimed the lives of more than 34,000 civilians to date.

Read: Afghanistan Government Releases 80 Out Of 400 Remaining Taliban Prisoners

Read: Taliban Says Ready To Start Peace Talks Within A Week Of Prisoners' Release
A man out with friends in New York was beaten to death after a verbal disagreement with an unidentified man on Saturday morning.

Deshawn Bush, 36, was found unconscious outside a bagel shop on Christopher St. in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, at around 4.20am.

Bush was taken to the Lenox Health Complex but later died from his injuries, authorities shared.

Deshawn Bush, 36, was found unconscious and later died from his injuries after he was beaten by an unidentified attacker on Saturday morning

He had been out with a woman and a friend at the time of the incidents, authorities shared.

The assailant fled from the scene and is still being sought after by police.

'I'm still shocked,' said Shamel Bush, Deshawn's brother, told the New York Daily News on Saturday. 'I'm still going in and out of crying. I can't believe it, it's just disbelief.'

Bush had recently been hired at Amazon.

He had been with a woman and a friend outside of a bagel shop at Christopher St. in Greenwich Village when the attack occurred

Shamel shared that he and his brother weren't the closest, but described him as being confident in who he was.

'He was himself you know,' Shamel Bush said about his sibling. 'He was brave, he was never afraid to be who he was.'

Family describe the victim as being 'brave' and someone who was 'never afraid to be who he was'

'We wasn't on speaking terms that's why I'm taking it so hard. We had our issues but we was family at the end of the day.'

'I didn't wish this on him. I wish we wasn't going through this.'

Police are searching for surveillance footage that may help assist in finding the suspect.

It comes as New York continues to see an surge in shootings, with police recording shooting incidents involving 40 victims between the beginning of Friday and mid-day Saturday, NBC New York reports.

At 10am, an unidentified man shot at a 40-year-old man in Grand Central Station following a dispute, according to police.

Police released surveillance footage of the suspect, who fled the scene on foot westbound on East 42nd Street.

The victim suffered an injury to his left arm and has been taken to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition.

It comes as New York continues to see an surge in violent shootings, with police recording shooting incidents involving 40 victims so far this weekend

Shooting incidents in the city have been up nearly triple for the last four weeks, compared to the same period of time last year. The statistics follow a pattern seen since June, as the coronavirus lockdown began to ease.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea have been at odds over what is to blame for the increase. Factors offered include slowdowns in the court system, gang activity and pent-up rage from being in lockdown.

While murders and shootings have surged, reports of other major crimes have fallen in recent months, the New York Times reports.
In April last year, an image captured the eye  and imagination  of Dr Edward Colless, editor of venerable art publication Art + Australia.

It was all over the news. On a dark background, a lopsided halo of fire surrounded a blurry black centre.

It was the first ever "photo" of a black hole: an astronomical monster in a distant galaxy, 40 billion kilometres across, 500 million trillion kilometres away, 6.5 billion times heavier than the Sun, captured by the Event Horizon Telescope, a network of eight individual telescopes across the world.

Dr Edward Colless is editor of the Art + Australia journal Credit:Joe Armao

It was a moment of excitement for physicists: visual proof of an idea that has been explored for centuries by theorists (often credited to Einstein, whose equations predicted black hole formation, though he never accepted that they existed).
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad-Javad Zarif on Sunday introduced Saeed Khatibzadeh, the new spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, Trend reports citing IRNA.

Saeed Khatibzadeh, the new spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, served as deputy for research studies at Foreign Ministrys Institute for Political and International Studies.

Khatibzadeh has served in many posts at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including a diplomat in Canada and Germany.

Abbas Mousavi, the previous spokesman, has been appointed as Irans ambassador to Republic Azerbaijan. He and five other ambassadors met with President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday.
Kansas City Judge Starts Pandemic Legal Smackdowns

'This is potentially huge': Judge in KC says firms can sue insurer for COVID-19 loss KANSAS CITY - A ruling from a federal judge in Kansas City on Wednesday could open the window for thousands of businesses whose insurers turned down their COVID-19 claims. "This is potentially huge," said Tom Baker, a professor of law at the University of Pennsylvania, who has been following the myriad cases against the insurance industry amid COVID-19.

Local Good Deeds Cont'd

#WeSeeYouKSHB: KC metro churches hold clothing giveaway KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two Kansas City metro churches joined forces to bring some relief to those who are struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic. Fellowship Church and United Believers Community Church provided more than 10,000 items, including clothes and masks, to the community at no cost.

Prez Trump Suffers Loss

Robert Trump: brother of president Donald Trump dies aged 71 Donald Trump's younger brother, Robert Trump, died on Saturday night aged 71 after being hospitalised in New York, the president said in a statement. The president on Friday visited his brother in hospital after White House officials said Robert had become seriously ill. Officials did not immediately release a cause of death.

Progressives Demand Pink Slip Delivered To Mr. Postman

With slower mail and election concerns, Trump's postmaster general is in the hot seat Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is emerging from obscurity and into a glaring hot spotlight lately, raising alarms with aggressive new strategies that have upended the United States Postal Service just as it heads into possibly the most consequential moment of its history -- the great vote-by-mail election of 2020.

Panty Probs Persist

Epstein accuser alleging abuse by Victoria's Secret honcho knew his 'sexual hang ups': docs A Jeffrey Epstein accuser used details about former Victoria Secret head Les Wexner's tastes in lingerie to accuse him of sexual abuse, according to newly unsealed court documents. The documents were unsealed Friday in the Manhattan federal court legal battle between Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz and Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre.

Catholics Judge Candidates

Catholic voters' impossible choice Of all the lunatic political ideas I have ever seen foisted upon the Catholic laity, perhaps the most self-evidently absurd is the idea that we are somehow obligated to take part in what some people still quaintly refer to as "the democratic process."

Tragic Postscript Downplayed

Family of 5-year-old boy shot and killed by a neighbor: 'We shouldn't even be here' The boy's father had dinner with the alleged killer the night before. The family of Cannon Hinnant will never get over the loss of their little boy. The 5-year-old was shot and killed by a neighbor while riding his bike in Wilson, North Carolina, last weekend, according to police.

Swing State Campaign 2020

Harris pays early dividends for Biden campaign "I think she brings with her the energy of every Black woman in the country," said former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois, the first Black woman elected to the chamber, and only one besides Harris.

No Vacay For Politicos

Pelosi weighing bringing House back from August recess early over USPS issues: reports Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy Pelosi Pelosi weighing bringing House back from August recess early over USPS issues: reports Battle looms over Biden health care plan if Democrats win big Congress exits with no deal, leaving economists flabbergasted MORE (D-Calif.)

BLM Movement Begins Expansion Amid Outpouring Of Support & Cash

Black Lives Matter groups are multiplying - and competing for donations The Black Lives Matter movement has sparked an outpouring of more than $1 billion in corporate giving - and launched a wild scramble for the cash among a dozen BLM groups scattered across the country. Some are for-profit, some are nonprofit but all are positioned to claim big bucks in corporate pledges from companies such as Bank of America, Walmart and Facebook.

New King Of Royals Crowned

Kansas City Royals: What we learned after Whit Merrifield drove in all four runs Going into Saturday's doubleheader, going 1-1 on the day was what Kansas City Royals fans were hoping for and they did just that, losing their first game, but winning the second by a score of 4-2. The highlight in Game 2 was the performance of utility man Whit Merrifield, who went 3-for-4 and had all four of the Royals RBIs in this game.

KC August Shines

Sunny Sunday on the way Hide Transcript Show Transcript THIS IS FIRST ALERT WEATHER. EMILY: WE HAD A REALLY NICE SUNSET. KIND OF A HAZY SUNSET. I KNOW YOU POSTED A PICTURE EARLIER. NEVILLE: THE REASON WE HAD THAT SMOKY SUNSET IS BECAUSE OF THE WILDFIRES TO THE WEST OVER COLORADO.

Sunday quick peek at pop culture, community news, and top headlines from right now . . .is the Sunday song of the day and this is thefor right now . . .
MINSK -- Huge crowds gathered in the Belarusian capital in the biggest outpouring yet of opposition to the disputed reelection of President Alyaksandr Lukashenka as pressure mounts for him to step down after 26 years in power.

Some reports estimated the number of protesters assembled near the city's Victory Park at from 100,000 to more than 200,000 people, describing the rally as the largest-ever in Minsk. RFE/RL was unable to independently verify the crowd size.

Protesters were seen carrying the red-and-white flag used by the opposition, and shouting "Tribunal!", "Leave!", "Dismissed!", and "Freedom for political prisoners!"

Opposition demonstrations were also held in cities throughout the country.

The Minsk rally competed with a large pro-Lukashenka demonstration that began two hours earlier about 2 kilometers away, in the central Independence Square. As evening approached, participants in the opposition rally had moved to the grounds where the pro-presidential demonstration was held.

Lukashenka, addressing a crowd of supporters that the Interior Ministry estimated at 65,000 people, claimed that NATO tanks and planes had been deployed 15 minutes from the Belarusian border and neighboring countries were ordering the country to hold new elections, something he said he refused to do.

A NATO spokesperson later denied any troop buildup in Eastern Europe, saying, "NATO's multinational presence in the eastern part of the alliance is not a threat to any country." The statement went on to call on Belarus to respect basic freedoms, including the right to peaceful protest.

The Belarusian president, who opposition protesters say stole the August 9 election that gave him a sixth-straight term, also said that "one cannot rig 80 percent" -- the percentage of the vote officially given to him by the Central Election Commission.

He vowed to never give in to those demanding he step down and hold repeat elections, saying that "if someone wants to surrender the country, I will not allow that, even when I am dead."

He also alleged that the neighboring Baltic states, Poland, and Ukraine were "ordering" a new election, a claim that the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called "an absolute lie."

Lukashenka addressed the crowd as the Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin had told Lukashenka in a telephone call on August 16 that Russia was ready to provide aid under the terms of the Collective Security Treaty Organization if need be, and claimed Belarus was facing unspecified external pressure.

It was their second telephone conversation in as many days.

Lukashenka was declared the victor of the August 9 election by a landslide, with the main opposition challenger, Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, trailing far behind despite drawing huge crowds at campaign rallies across the country.

No election in Belarus under Lukashenka has been deemed free and fair by the West.

Tsikhanouskaya has since gone to Lithuania, but has claimed to be the rightful winner and has called for peaceful protests across Belarus.

Some 7,000 people have been detained by police across Belarus in the postelection crackdown, with hundreds injured and at least two killed as police have used rubber bullets, stun grenades, and, in at least one instance, live ammunition.

Hundreds of those held and subsequently released spoke of brutal beatings they suffered in detention, much of it documented and splashed across social media. Thousands more remain in detention as international outrage mounts.

Maryya Kalesnikava, opposition leader and former campaign manager of barred and jailed opposition candidate Viktar Babaryka, called at the Minsk rally for the release of "all political prisoners and detainees from peaceful and dissenting rallies," saying that more than 4,000 people remained in prison.

"And our main demand: the former president [Lukashenka] must resign!" she said.

Rallies were also held in other Belarusian cities. In Babruysk, more than 1,000 demonstrators unfurled a red-and-white banner that spanned the base of the eastern city's Lenin monument.

In Smalyavichy, northeast of Minsk, protesters marched carrying red-and-white balloons and flags and holding signs saying, "We are for Belarus."

Similar actions took place in the cities of Lahoysk and Nyasvizh.

The independent news site Tut.by reported that government workers and other state employees had been told to show up for the pro-Lukashenka rally or face being fired.

The holding of the two rallies within such a short distance raised concerns that the competing crowds could clash.

Metal fencing around Independence Square was installed early on August 16 with agricultural vehicles used to close off nearby roads.

Opposition media channels say Lukashenka, a onetime manager of a Soviet-era collective farm, was planning to bus people in from other parts of the country.

Video on social media showed people -- many bused in from other regions -- at the pro-Lukashenka rally chanting, "We're for Batka," meaning father, the nickname for Lukashenka.

And in a surprise move, Ihar Leshchenya, the Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia, declared solidarity with protesters in an undated video posted by Nasha Niva media late on August 15. Other state employees, including police officers and state TV staff, have also come out in support of the protests.

Some of the country's biggest state-run industrial plants have been hit by protests and walkouts in the past week.

While giving prayers on August 16, Roman Catholic Pope Francis said his thoughts were with "dear Belarus," and appealed "for dialogue, to rebuke violence and respect justice and rights."

The same day, the Synod of the Belarusian Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church called on Belarus's leadership to end the violence, and "bring those who have committed atrocities and cruelty to lawful judgment and condemnation."

Meanwhile, thousands came out on August 15 to mourn the death of Alyaksandr Taraykouski who died in Minsk on August 10 during the postelection protests.

Demonstrators heaped flowers at the spot and the crowd chanted "Thank you!" and raised victory signs. Police kept a low profile.

Many held up photographs of protesters beaten during the crackdown, while one man stood in his underwear revealing the purple bruises on his thighs, buttocks and back.

The memorial came as AP published video that appears to contradict the official version of Taraykouskis death.

The video shows Taraykouski wobbling with a blood-stained shirt before he collapses to the ground several meters from a line of riot police at Pushkinskaya subway station in the capital, Minsk.

According to the official version of events, an explosive device blew up in Taraykouskis hands as he was trying to throw it at police, but nothing like that can be seen in the video.

Hours later, thousands turned up at the Minsk headquarters to protest state-run media coverage of the protests and what they say is the whitewashing of the authorities harsh handling of demonstrators.

The protesters urged state-media journalists to "respect" their audiences.

A state television lighting technician, Uladzimer Tsitarenka, told RFE/RL that "nearly 80 percent" of the technical staff were ready to join a general strike to protest the election.

"Everything will be decided on Monday [August 17]," he said.

Facing the most serious threat ever to his authoritarian rule, Lukashenka spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15, after saying there was "a threat not only to Belarus."

He later told military chiefs that Putin had offered "comprehensive help" to "ensure the security of Belarus."

The Kremlin said the leaders agreed the "problems" in Belarus would be "resolved soon" and the countries' ties strengthened.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on August 15 urged Lukashenka to "engage with civil society", during a trip to Poland, which has offered to act as a mediator.

Demonstrators are demanding that the election results be invalidated, that a new election be held under a new Central Election Commission, and that all political prisoners be released.

The election commission declared Lukashenka the winner of the election with some 80 percent. Tsikhanouskaya says she won 60 to 70 percent of the vote.

Tsikhanouskaya said that she was initiating the creation of a Coordination Council" for a potential transition of power. Shes also called on the international community to "help us in organizing a dialogue with Belarusian authorities.

With reporting by Current Time, AFP, Interfax, and TASS
The Netflix hit "Indian Matchmaking" has stirred up conversations about issues like parental preference in marriage, cultural progress, casteism  and ghosting.

Sima Taparia, the star of the eight-part Netflix docuseries, talked with NBC Asian America about some of the commentary and criticism of the show, which gives viewers a look into the day job of "Mumbais top matchmaker." She offers some analysis and behind-the-scenes info on matching who she believes are compatible South Asian singles with each other as audiences witness the process.

Taparia answered questions via email from Mumbai, discussing why none of the matches worked out, her own arranged marriage and how business is booming despite the coronavirus pandemic.

NBC Asian America: What are the advantages of matchmaking over dating?

Sima Taparia: They are not separate things. Matchmaking is just a tool to help people find a life partner. In India, the process also often involves parents.

Has the show generated new interest in matchmaking with more people wanting to do it? Hows business during the pandemic?

Business is booming! With or without pandemic, people are still searching for life partners and I'm working hard for my clients. Weddings may be delayed, but matchmaking is as busy as ever.

How did you start as a matchmaker and is there a sort of training involved? Whats changed about matchmaking since you had your arranged marriage?

Since childhood I was fond of socializing and meeting new people. I had an unique ability to remember faces and names, so I always knew which families had a son or daughter who was of marriageable age. I was doing matchmaking as a hobby, then my family suggested to me to do this as a profession. So much has changed since I was married -- back then, the boys and girls had very little choice. We just did what parents told us. Now, the young people are so educated and have their own ideas, so I work more directly with them than with their parents.

Story continues

So none of the couples ended up staying together  why do you think that was the case for this group of people? Did you continue to work on matches for any of them after the show stopped filming?

Matchmaking is a tough job! My role is to find matches according to my clients' criteria. After that it is up to them, and to destiny. I keep working for all my clients until they are happily married.

1 (Netflix)

How do you manage the expectations and decision-making of really involved mothers and fathers? How much should families get to weigh in?

Indians are very family-oriented and families on both sides play a big role in the married couple's life, so I think it's good when parents are involved. But when parents expectations are different from their children, I ask them to talk and resolve so I can work effectively for them. Ultimately, it's up to the boy or girl who they will marry, so parents have to understand their children.

People found it honest to see Nadias struggle in finding a match who could see beyond her Guyanese background. How much does ethnic background factor in do you think and how much should it?

For some people it matters a lot, and for others it doesn't matter at all. I try to guide parents to focus on things that are important for the day to day happiness of the children: finding a life partner with similar family values, good nature, matching wavelength, etc.

We saw the instance of Vinay ghosting. Even though he has presented a different side of the story, do you see this more often these days? I think its an experience which many viewers around the world can relate to these days.

I think if someone is not very serious about marriage it becomes clear quickly. I try to advise my clients to be clear if they don't want to move forward with a match, but once the couple has started talking directly, there's not too much I can do.

Ankita decided that she found her career more fulfilling than a relationship and a lot of viewers found that really powerful. Is this more common of a path youve seen increasingly?

Yes, definitely. Young women are so educated and independent these days that it's ok if they delay their marriage. But eventually most people want to find a good life partner so whenever they are ready, I am there!

How did families in America who you work with react to relying on more traditional methods of reading matches, such as astrology and face-reading?

Parents are mostly familiar with astrology and such things, but in America youngsters don't usually do it. Everybody I suggested to try was very interested!

We saw a powerful arc with Rupam, a single, divorced mother, struggle with the stigma of being a single mother. Viewers were glad to see her find love through a dating app. Do you think this stigma is changing at all?

Many families in India still have a stigma against divorce, but it is slowly changing. I think Rupam was a beautiful, smart girl and I'm glad she found what she was looking for.

Are you surprised to see the diaspora still take interest in marrying folks from their family's pre-diaspora home regions? Do you see success in pairings with people who grew up in different countries?

In the US and abroad, there is not so much an issue of marrying outside of your community. Some clients have a slight preference of someone from similar background, but other things are much bigger priorities, like wavelength and education.

Can we expect another season with you and a new cast of potential matches?

That is an excellent question for Netflix! I am happy to be part of this first season and hope there will be more to come. Thank you!
ABC News

In an effort to keep a newly-arrested member of the Oath Keepers militia group charged in last week's seditious conspiracy indictment behind bars -- the Justice Department in a new court filing Wednesday revealed even more details behind the group's alleged plotting in advance of the Jan. 6 insurrection. Prosecutors argue in the filing that Edward Vallejo, who will appear in federal court in Phoenix for his detention hearing Thursday, would present both a threat to the safety of the general public and a risk of obstruction of justice if released pending further legal proceedings in his case. Vallejo is not alleged to have joined the Oath Keepers at the Capitol on Jan. 6 -- he instead is accused of waiting with a so-called 'Quick Reaction Force' of heavily armed individuals at a hotel in Virginia just outside the city, waiting to be activated once the militia's members in D.C. called for help.
The coronavirus pandemic has temporarily put on hold the hyperactive lives of many folks, including of Ved Kumari Pahwa. I was feeling especially frustrated during the lockdown... I was, and am still, very angry with corona, says the lady, talking on phone from her fourth floor flat in Gurugrams Sector 52.

But then Ms Pahwa did what any writer like her does. I wrote poems and couplets during my housebound days.

In her late 70s, Ms Pahwa was born in pre-Partition Multan, which is now in Pakistani Punjab. She lives with her son and his family, and has a daughter living in the US. During her 38-year-long career in education, she served as a school principal for 19 years until retiring in 2002 from Gargi Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, in south Delhis Green Park. It was then that she moved from her big house in Delhis Safdarjung Enclave to her caring sons home in Gurugram.

But I have my own life and interests, and I insist on doing things on my own despite my age, says the lady. Ms Pahwa confesses frankly that she is very popular in her housing society and every child here knows me, some call me Naani and others call me Daadi.

Until the coronavirus pandemic put an end to all sorts of outdoorsy activities, she would go to shopping malls, have cheese pizza (of course), browse about showrooms and then would settle down to pursue her favourite activity: I would sit on a bench and watch people walking about.... wondering about their relationships to each other and getting subject matters for my poems.

Ms Pahwa doesnt bother to send her writings to publishers. She, instead, gets them typed into a few copies that she circulates among her friends who would read and offer me comments. In fact, many of the people in her housing society are her loyal readers including Mr Dua, Dr Sharma and his wife, Dr Shukla, Rajeshwar Vashisht, Nirmal Kanti, and many others. She says her readers find her language simple and themes relatable to daily life. She also pens original bhajans that are occasionally sung in the kirtan ceremonies held weekly in the residential complexs club.

Just before the pandemic forced the first shutdown in March, Ms Pahwa hosted a launch of her most recent poetry collection Katra Katra Chun Liya, which is an account of my personal experiences. There were speeches and readings that evening and about ten people who had already studied those poems in advance shared their views about them.

Additionally, during the first Monday of each month, a literary meet in the housing society would give Ms Pahwa the opportunity, along with other artistic people in the neighbourhood, to read her works to a willing audience.

Like most writers, Ms Pahwa has a fixed place at home for her writing. Ive reserved this corner of the dining table for myself... it has my copy, my kalam (pen), my stapler and the glue... there is everything that I might need while writing so that I dont have to get up and disturb my flow.

Suddenly getting somber, Ms Pahwa talks of the two great events of her life that did pull her down for a while. One was the death of her husband, a scientist, the same year that she retired from her job. And two years before that, her arm had gotten paralyzed. It was very traumatic... the right part of my body still doesnt work... I was right-handed so I had to learn to start writing from my left hand.

As is true with many people who harness their experiences into their artistic pursuits, Ms Pahwa says she has tried to distil disparate aspects of her life into her work. She continues to be full of plans. Her next project: to get my new coronavirus poems typed. And once the pandemic becomes history, she hopes to resume her mall hopping in search of ideas.
Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara attends a ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of the country's independence from France on August 7. - Source: SIA KAMBOU/AFP via Getty Images

16.08.2020 LISTEN

Ivorian president Alassane Ouattara (78) has finally confirmed he'll seek a third term in office in October. Within days of this, Guinea's ruling party asked President Alpha Conde (82) to seek a third term.

The actions signal that Africa is a long way from burying the ugly era of presidents for life . The period, which followed immediately after independence and lasted until the end of the 1990s, had a debilitating effect on stability, democracy and socio-economic development on the continent .

In the last two decades the continent, through the African Union (AU), has developed relatively effective ways of putting a halt to unconstitutional changes of government in the form of coups d'etat. This policy effectively protects incumbent leaders. But the AU has yet to successfully tackle the problem of imperial presidencies.

This lack of action has triggered criticism that the organisation is a private club of incumbent leaders.

Africa has more than its fair share of presidents who have stayed longer than they should have. Seven of the ten longest serving presidents in the world are in Africa . They include Cameroon's Paul Biya, in power since 1982 , and Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, in power since 1979 .

Their regimes are often characterised by instability, the absence of civil and political liberties as well as extensive patrimonialism and corruption.

Where term limits persist

Alpha Conde came to power in 2010 from the opposition ranks, following the first competitive elections in Guinean history after the death of Lansana Conte in 2008 . Conte had come to power in a coup 24 years earlier.

A transitional government was established in 2010 . This was followed by the adoption of a new constitution in 2010 and elections.

Conde had been an ardent opponent of Conte. Notably, he opposed a 2003 constitutional amendment that allowed Conte to run for a third term.

Read more: Popular protests pose a conundrum for the AU's opposition to coups

After coming to power in 2010, Conde quickly consolidated his power through the hegemony of his party, Rally of the Guinean People , and won a second term in 2015. In 2019, his government announced that it would pursue the adoption of a new constitution. It deliberately aimed at bypassing a provision prohibiting amendments to the two term limit.

The opposition criticised the move as defying the spirit of the 2010 constitution against unlimited terms. Protests have been held in the capital, Conakry, and other parts of the country since October 2019.

They forced the postponement of the constitutional referendum, which was ultimately held on 31 March this year, and approved the new constitution. The constitution retains the two-term limit, but is silent on time already served before it came into force, enabling Conde to seek two more terms. He could potentially rule until 2032.

Protests continue despite COVID-19 restrictions, and several people have been killed by security forces.

Elections are due to be held on 18 October. Conde has yet to confirm if he'll accept his nomination for a third term. Opposition groups are yet to present their candidates.

Considering Conde's stranglehold over the electoral management body, state resources, bureaucracy and security forces, and limits on opposition groups, the elections are unlikely to be free and fair, almost assuring his victory. The opposition is likely to boycott the elections, as it did the referendum and legislative elections in March .

What's working and what more needs to be done

There have been some notable examples of democratic changes in leadership in Africa due to term limit legislation. Most recent examples include in the Democratic Republic of Congo (2019), Sierra Leone (2018) and Liberia (2017). In all three countries, the elections were characterised by strong competition, and won by the opposition.

But many other presidents have tampered with their countries' constitutions to extend their stay in power . The list includes Togo (2002), Gabon (2003), and most recently Ivory Coast and Guinea.

The latest abuses should show that there's still a way to go to stamp out this practice. A number of practical steps should be taken urgently.

Firstly, loopholes need to be plugged. One is to ensure that, when new constitutions are adopted, they are specific about the fact that terms already served in office still count. The Gambia's draft constitution sets a model for the continent. It not only establishes two term limits, but also specifically counts terms served prior to its adoption.

In addition, the African Union needs to revive efforts to impose a continent-wide two term limit on presidents on the continent. A proposed provision in the draft African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, which aimed to do so in 2007, was scrapped after Uganda led opposition to its adoption. Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni had already removed the two term limit from the country's constitution in 2005 .

Similarly, an effort by the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) to establish a two-term limit was shelved in 2015 due to opposition from The Gambia, then under dictator Yahya Jammeh, and Togo, whose constitutions contained no term limits.

Read more: Repression in Zimbabwe exposes South Africa's weakness

The African Union, Ecowas and other sub-regional organisations need to reignite efforts to build a specific policy of two terms. Only such a continental ban could preclude domestic legal manoeuvres and bury the ghost of life presidents. Once approved, the African Union would be able to sanction, and even expel, countries that violate the term limits.

The organisations would be pushing at an open door. Only five countries with presidential systems on the continent do not have term limits. They are Eritrea, Somalia, Cameroon, South Sudan and Djibouti. Most of the countries that had removed term limits have since reinstated them. Examples include Uganda, whose parliament reinstated presidential term limits in 2017. But Museveni, who has been in power for 34 years , can still run again.

Togo did so last year , although the incumbent, President Faure Gnassingbe, who has been in power since 2005, is not precluded from contesting future elections. He could potentially be in power until 2030.

Without a concerted effort to establish a continental two-term policy, Africa may be bound to live with the spectre of presidents for life.

Adem K Abebe does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

By Adem K Abebe, Extraordinary Lecturer and editor of ConstitutionNet, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, University of Pretoria
Another white cop has killed a black man, Julian Edward Roosevelt Lewis in the state of Georgia, United States.

The killer Georgia state trooper was arrested and charged with murder on Friday after he fatally shot the 60-year-old man who allegedly tried to flee during a rural traffic stop.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) announced that Jacob Gordon Thompson, 27, was booked on felony murder and aggravated assault charges stemming from the Aug. 7 death of Roosevelt Lewis.

An attorney for Lewiss family told The Associated Press that Thompson initiated the traffic stop in Screven County over a burned-out tail light, shooting Lewis immediately after the trooper had forced his car into a ditch.

Mr. Lewis never got out of the vehicle and the investigation will show that, mere seconds after the crash, he was shot to death, shot in the face and killed, attorney Francys Johnson said.

Johnson told the AP that the GBI disclosed that information to the family, but the agency did not include those details in its statement on the troopers arrest.

The Rev. James Woodall, president of the Georgia NAACP, decried the incident as a case of racial profiling and the latest example of a white law enforcement officer killing a Black man.

No one should have to bury a loved one simply because of a busted tail light, Woodall said, saying that the troopers arrest was not cause for celebration.

We are not necessarily happy right now. Yes, the man was arrested, but were done dying.

The initial press release following the incident states that Lewiss car did not stop and that Thompson initiated a brief chase down several county roads.

The agency said the trooper initiated a precision intervention technique (PIT) that made the car come to a stop in a ditch.

The GBI did not provide any other details about the altercation, stating only that the trooper fired one round that struck Lewis, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The trooper was not injured.

In an incident report obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Thompson wrote that he shot Lewis in the forehead because he thought Lewis was going to run him over.

At some point, I heard the engine on the violators vehicle revving at a high rate of speed, he wrote in the report.

I saw him wrenching the steering wheel in an aggressive back and forth manner towards me and my patrol vehicle. It appeared to me that the violator was trying to use his vehicle to injure me. Being in fear for my life and safety, I discharged my weapon once.

Johnson, the Lewis familys attorney, argued that PIT maneuvers are typically used when an officer needs to push a vehicle off the road because there is a risk to public safety and that it was unnecessary to run Lewiss car into the ditch on a rural dirt road.

The attorney said the U.S. Department of Justice has approved his request for a federal civil rights investigation.

We got lots of messages from people in the community that the habit of ex-trooper Thompson was to racially profile and harass Black and brown people on the highway, Johnson told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. This was not shocking to them that this happened.

Follow Us on Facebook  @LadunLiadi; Instagram  @LadunLiadi; Twitter  @LadunLiadi; Youtube  @LadunLiadiTV for updates
Lawmakers in Alabama clarified that families and businesses in the state that will receive the stimulus payments would not be taxed if legislative actions would be taken.

Several lawmakers in Alabama want to ensure that people who will receive $1,200 direct stimulus payments and Paycheck Protection Program loans to businesses will not be taxed. However, the state's statutes must be tweaked to match the federal law.

In a recently published article in Times Daily, Republican Senator Dan Roberts from Mountain Brook said that no one extends to tax the money. He also added that the money intends to stimulate the economy and help people make it through this pandemic.

However, the Republican senator asserted that legislation needs to be passed, and that is what they are doing. Sen Roberts shared that in the late 2020 legislative session, he, along with other lawmakers, proposed clarifying the proposed law that the stimulus payments and loan forgiveness are not taxable.

However, the legislation proposal went hanging and dead because the House wanted to focus solely on state budget bills and local legislation. At present, Sen. Roberts is working on a new bill that combines tax exemptions with his previously filed bill that does not include tax stimulus payments and PPP Loans.

He also asserted that his proposed legislation is ready to go for deliberation on the floor once Alabama Governor Kay Iver calls for a special session this year. However, the bill will be pre-filed in the 2021 regular session that will begin in February if a special session will not be called.

Another Republican Senator Chris Elliott from Fairhope supported Roberts. In fact, he said that the issue of not taxing the stimulus payments and the PPP Loans should have been resolved. He is also frustrated because there was an ability to fix this issue last session, but it was not allowed.

Moreover, Elliott will also file his own legislation that only addresses the coronavirus relief fund's untaxing. He said, "If Sen. Roberts' bill passes, with the language I've put forth, I'm completely fine with it," Additionally, Rep. Arnold Mooney, R-Birmingham, also filed a two-page bill in May that excludes relief funds from state taxes.

Rep. Mooney is also planning to file his bill again in the next session. Mooney explained, "We thought it was something that needed to be done to tell the people of Alabama that it's not our intent to tax this money. I like the idea of expressing that in a straight-up and straightforward way."

Mooney asserted that people who have lost their jobs due to the global pandemic should not have to worry about taxes on their stimulus payment or relief money. The Republican Representative emphasized that people don't need to get stressed that they already have because of the pandemic.

According to the Alabama Department of Revenue, some, but not all, Alabamians will be taxed if the lawmakers will not act. The taxes will include the $1,200 stimulus payments. The same thing also will happen to the small businesses that we're able to receive the PPP Loans.

Check these out!
More legal troubles appear to be brewing for Hayden Panettiere's ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson in connection to his domestic violence case in Wyoming.

The aspiring actor, 31, is now charged with influencing or intimidating a witness in Teton County, and an arrest warrant has been issued in all 50 states as of August 10, according to a report in Us Weekly.

Just last month In Los Angeles County, Hickerson pleaded not guilty to the multiple felony charges stemming from allegedly abusive incidents against Panettiere.

New charge! Brian Hickerson, 31, has been charged with influencing or intimidating a witness in Teton County, Wyoming, in connection to his domestic violece case involving Hayden Panettiere; and an arrest warrant has been issued in all 50 states as of Aug 10

In the case in Wyoming, Hickerson was arrested on February 14, Valentine's Day, during an investigation into a disturbance call at a residence in Jackson.

According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Hickerson allegedly punched Panettiere 'with a closed fist on the right side of her face.'

He was charged with domestic battery and interfering with a police officer after he allegedly refused to identify himself.

Hickerson reportedly pleaded not guilty in April and a jury trial was scheduled for September.

Serious charges: Hickerson is also facing felony charges in Los Angeles County, stemming from alleged domestic violence incidents that occurred between May 2019 and June 2020; the former couple are pictured in November 2018

Hickerson also pleaded not guilty in July to the eight counts he's facing in Los Angeles, stemming from alleged domestic violence incidents that occurred between May 2019 and June 2020.

The felony complaint includes four counts of injuring a spouse, one count of battery, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of dissuading a witness from prosecuting a crime.

A pretrial conference is scheduled for Monday, August 17, and will take place via teleconference due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The actress was granted an out-of-state protective order against her Hickerson in July to ensure her safety in California after previously obtaining the restraining order elsewhere.

Courageous: Panettiere took to Instagram in mid-July to address the abuse allegations and to urge others in similar situations to reach out and get the help and support they need

The actress has a five-year-old daughter, Kaya, from her longtime relationship with ex-partner Wladimir Klitschko

Panettiere, 30, took to social media in mid-July to address the abuse allegations and to urge others in similar situations to reach out and get support.

'I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me with the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve,' she wrote

'I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again. I'm grateful for my support system, which helped me find the courage to regain my voice and my life.'

Panettiere and Hickerson started dating in 2018 following her split from longtime partner and retired boxer, Wladimir Klitschko. The former couple share a daughter, Kaya, five, who lives with the former heavyweight champion in Ukraine.
Hyderabad, Aug 16 : Telangana's Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister K.T. Rama Rao has sought the intervention of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for re-opening of the roads closed in the Secunderabad Cantonment area.

In a letter to Rajnath Singh, the minister appealed to him for removal of unauthorised roadblocks in the Cantonment area.

"I feel compelled to bring to your kind notice about the plight of more than couple of million citizens living in North & North-Eastern parts of Hyderabad, the State Capital, on account of frequent road blockades and often without any justifiable reasons by the Local Military Authorities of the Secunderabad Cantonment area," wrote KTR, as the minister is popularly known.

He urged Rajnath Singh to intervene and to instruct the local authorities not to indulge in such closures of roads without following the standard SOP and without having the necessary authorisation from the authorities concerned in respect of all the roads in Secunderabad Cantonment.

The minister also stated that the local military authorities resort to regulate the traffic at their will on certain roads, which are otherwise the "lifeline" to these parts of the city, being the only connecting road, causing untold misery and hardship to the local citizens.

Frequent and mostly sudden and unannounced closure of these important roads such as AOC Road and, Gough Road on previous occasions has resulted in widespread resentment among the citizens.

Taking cognizance of these genuine concerns of the citizens, the Ministry of Defence had issued a "Standard Protocol" to be followed by the local military authorities in initiating the process for closing of roads in accordance with the provisions of the Cantonment Act, 2006, duly factoring in the "emergent security needs" of the army.

KTR mentioned in the letter that the local authorities of the Secunderabad Cantonment, prima facie, without following the SOP, had shut down four important roads - Allahabad Gate, Gough Road, Wellington Road and Ordinance Road for 10 days in July citing a surge in Covid-19 cases in the city.

Lakhs of commuters from localities like Yapral, Kowkur, Bollarum, and Trimulgherry using the roads either to go to work places or residences have faced much hardship, he said.

"It was illogical to try to stop the spread of the pandemic by closing public roads. Residents had been forced to take long detours at a time when public transport is not available. One can also imagine the tremendous tragedies that can occur during medical emergencies if such road blockades are allowed. The irony is that such a block is initiated unilaterally without following the established procedure and disregarding the public interest. This has simply aggravated the discomfort of the citizens during the period of pandemic," reads the letter.

There are about 25 public roads in the Secunderabad Cantonment Area, which are prone to such arbitrary closures for traffic, he said, pointing out that these roads were admittedly open to public since their inception, some of which are of more than 100 years of existence.

Most of these roads lie in a narrow strip of land which extends approximately 10 km in the north-south direction along the arterial Rajiv Rahadari Highway. Closure of these roads would cut-off north-eastern areas of the city from this artery, which is their main access to the rest of the city, he said, adding that over 10 lakh citizens are affected on a daily basis.

"Historically these roads were used by farmers from villages in the eastern areas of Nagaram, Kapra, etc to access markets to dispose their produce such as Risala Bazar, Bolarum Bazar, Pioneer Bazar, Doveton Bazar, Lal Bazar, etc - all of which are located on the western side of the Cantonment," he added.
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A guest who appeared on Ellen DeGeneres chat show has claimed that people are warned not to be funnier than the host.

Dana Dimatteo was on the series in 2018 after flying from Chicago to Los Angeles, and her experience ended up being a lot different to what she expected it would be.

Dimatteo was eventually selected to participate in the Make It Rain segment, which sees contestants drenched in water while attempting to win a cash prize.

In the recording, DeGeneres and Dimatteo smile along as the cameras continue rolling. However, the guest claims that this is all for show.

During commercial breaks, Ellen would break out of her kind character and sit moodily in silence on her couch, not acknowledging anyone, the guest told The Sun Online.

Recommended Why the tables have turned on Ellen DeGeneres

She didnt say one word to the audience unless the cameras were on  she snapped out of her character the second the cameras stopped rolling.

According to Dimatteo, producers told audience members that if they were selected to participate, they were not allowed to be funnier or smarter than Ellen as she is the star and the comedian  not us.

Dimatteo, who said that she didnt enjoy her experience, is the latest person to criticise the long-running talk show.

The series is also undergoing an internal investigation over allegations of sexual misconduct on the shows set, as well as workplace bullying.

Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up

DeGeneres show is under investigation (Getty Images)

While DeGeneres, 62, herself has not been personally accused of mistreating staff, she said in a statement that, as the face of the show, she took full responsibility for the situation.

DeGeneres issued an apology to former staff members after an investigation by WarnerMedia found deficiencies in day-to-day management on the set of her popular chat show.

The investigation was sparked after a number of ex-staff members shared anonymous accounts of their negative experiences working on the series.

DeGeneres herself is at the centre of numerous mean accusations. One such claim came from Back to the Future star Lea Thompson, who claimed that the hosts horrible behaviour is common knowledge in Hollywood.

Stars to jump to DeGeneres defence include Katy Perry, Kevin Hart and Ashton Kutcher, who was forced to defend his stance following his comments.

The Independent has contacted a representative for The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
The explosive combination of a heat wave and a rare summer thunderstorm battered Northern California on Sunday, fueling a swarm of wildfires as authorities warned that dry lightning strikes could kick up more blazes and that the sweltering weather could continue to trigger rolling power outages.

There is actually a possibility for something of a repeat performance tonight, which would be even more unusual to get back-to-back performances like that, said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA and the National Center for Atmospheric Research. It may not be quite as widespread or affect the same areas, but it may pick back up later tonight and affect a wider swath.

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for the Bay Area, indicating high fire threat, through 11 a.m Monday, and was expecting more lightning into Monday morning. An excessive heat warning is also in effect through 9 p.m. Wednesday, after a scorching weekend in which temperatures in many areas hit the triple digits. A San Francisco alert sent at 8:30 p.m. Sunday said that thunderstorms may occur in the South Bay Sunday night and head north Monday. SF gusty winds likely.

As soon as the clouds clear and the showers go away, all of those little, tiny spot fires started by lightning are going to pick up, take off and burn much faster and into much larger areas, Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA and the National Center for Atmospheric Research, said Sunday. There is real concern.

Californias electricity grid operator said that rolling power outages were likely in the afternoons and evenings through Wednesday, as air conditioners crank up and strain the power grid, even though no shut-offs were needed Sunday evening in Pacific Gas and Electric Co.s service territory.

Moisture and abnormal wind patterns stemming from Tropical Storm Fausto, which is more than 1,000 miles south of San Francisco, combined with the atmospheric instability of a record heat wave to produce the once-in-a-decade lightning storm that started fires across the region, according to local meteorologists.

Isolated summer thunderstorms happen in the Bay Area nearly every year, but Jan Null, adjunct professor of meteorology at San Jose State University, cant remember anything so extended or concentrated in nearly half a century. Moisture from the subtropics does not often reach as far north as the Bay Area, he said, and this time, the moisture arrived at the right temperature and humidity to create thunderstorms.

Swain said extreme localized winds and heat bursts were part of the strangeness of the weekend. It was 80 degrees at Travis Air Force Base at 5 a.m. Sunday, and because of a rare compressional heating effect from the lightning storms, it was 100 degrees by 6.

This was a Bay Area-wide, multi-hour, severe-thunderstorm event, Swain said. Its a pretty spectacular event.

Northern California had 39 new fires Saturday night and into Sunday morning, according to Cal Fire, the states firefighting agency  though that figure is almost certainly a significant undercount. Some reached hundreds of acres, like the Marsh Fire, east of Milpitas near Arroyo Hondo Road, which had grown to 850 acres with zero containment by Sunday afternoon and forced the evacuation of 10 homes. A cluster of fires was burning about 400 acres in Contra Costa County southwest of Brentwood. A fast-growing fire in Monterey County east of Salinas had reached 2,000 acres Sunday night and was threatening 30 structures, with evacuations in place.

Some Bay Area fire departments asked residents Sunday morning to refrain from calling 911 when they smell smoke, to avoid inundating emergency lines.

It seems like all of the cards are lining up for this to be a very uncommon event, said Cal Fire Capt. Robert Foxworthy, who believes the erratic winds are the worst of the weather anomalies the region currently faces. With the extended heat and incredibly high temperatures we have, along with throwing in the lightning that were getting, and you have to put those together with the dryness and prolonged drought that were in.

On Sunday, Livermore reached 106 degrees, a record for Aug. 16. Other records for the date included Santa Rosa (103), San Jose (100), Santa Cruz (107) and Half Moon Bay (82). Death Valley hit its highest temperature ever in August, a blistering 130 degrees.

More 100-plus temperatures are in the forecast for interior parts of the Bay Area through midweek.

The high-pressure system thats bringing the hot weather is expected to stick around through the end of the week, said Anna Schneider, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service.

The hot weather is badly straining Californias power grid, which has been forced to implement rolling blackouts in recent days. The California Independent System Operator asked residents to conserve energy between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. each day, to help power plants meet demand.

There is not a sufficient amount of energy to meet the high amounts of demand during the heat wave, the system operator said Sunday.

Severin Borenstein, ISO board member and energy economist at UC Berkeley, said Monday will probably be the worst based on the weather forecast. He said the outages are in part because of the crazy weather, and peoples homes have not had time to cool down in the extreme temperatures so they turn the air conditioning on earlier.

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.

Another part of it is the states growing reliance on solar energy. The blackouts have been occurring between 6 and 9 p.m.

We are running a system with a lot of solar, Borenstein said. When solar goes away when the sun sets, we need other power. We have been rightly phasing out gas plants for very good reasons, but when you combine the lack of replacement for those with the crazy weather, were just in the situation where were going to be short.

Borenstein added that the outages werent very large in comparison to the more widespread public safety shut-offs, in which PG&E and other utilities shut down power to high fire risk areas lest the equipment spark a blaze. But he said the issue is still serious.

Jeff Smith, a spokesman for PG&E, said the utility company is encouraging all customers to conserve as much power as possible for the next few days, and to prepare for the possibility of rolling blackouts. He said the utility gets only about 10 minutes notice from the state grid managers before the shut-offs must begin.

Energy conservation measures Californians can take include putting off certain chores  such as running washing machines  later in the week, Smith said. PG&E also asked customers to raise the temperature on their thermostats, cover windows, avoid using the oven and limit the number of times they open the refrigerator.

Not only are we seeing really hot temperatures in the places where we normally see them, but we are also seeing them in areas that are typically much cooler during this time of year, Smith said. Thats what is really causing this (over)load.

Rainfall totals from the storm have been low, less than a tenth of an inch in most of the region as of Sunday afternoon. Parts of the Santa Cruz Mountains and Mount Diablo, however, have seen close to a quarter inch.

Thats because the tropical moisture moving through the Bay Area is high (8,000 to 15,000 feet), while the regions hot and stagnant air is closer to the Earths surface, according to Schneider of the weather service.

There is a disconnect between the two, she said. But she does expect the odd activity to diminish after Monday morning.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued an air quality advisory because of the wildfires. Although the pollution, made of fine particles, was not expected to exceed the national 24-hour standard, air quality could deteriorate in areas downwind of the fire, the agency warned.

Peak wind gusts early Sunday reached 75 mph, said Drew Peterson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. At Atlas Peak above the Napa Valley, gusts reached 66 mph, and winds of 48 mph were recorded at Mount St. Helena, 45 mph at Mount Tamalpais and 42 mph at Mount Diablo, according to the weather service.

Chronicle staff writer Cynthia Dizikes contributed to this report.

Rusty Simmons, Tatiana Sanchez and Kellie Hwang are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: rsimmons@sfchronicle.com, Tatiana.Sanchez@sfchronicle.com, kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Rusty_SFChron, @TatianaYSanchez, @KellieHwang
From the sequel of EPS versus OPS drama to the Rajasthan roller-coaster, all the hush-hush buzz from the political circles laid bare for you.

Defence Mess

The defence ministry was busy making preparations for Rajnath Singhs maiden press conference as Raksha Mantri in Delhi when the news of MoD documents admitting Chinese transgression made headlines. Before the news could became a major embarrassment for the Raksha Mantri, MoD pulled down the report, taking to task the official responsible for it, and cancelled the media interaction slated for August 7. Subsequently, the big Atmanirbhar initiative of the MoD, through which India banned 101 items for import, had to be made from Rajnath Singhs Twitter handle.

Tit-for-Tat

Ever since Covid-19 outbreak, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam is said to be upset for not being invited by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami to attend the video-conference with Prime Minister Modi. Sources from the OPS camp say that other states ensured that both the CM and the Deputy CM attend the online meets. The EPS camp further rubbed it in with two AIADMK ministers unilaterally announcing Palaniswami as the CM candidate for 2021 assembly elections.

Knocking on Priyankas Door

What will be Priyanka Gandhis permanent address after she moves out of her Gurguram apartment? Congress general secretarys pro-active role in brokering piece with Sachin Pilot has given hope to many a veteran. Not finding a patient audience in Rahul Gandhi, they feel at least Priyanka would hear them out but not many know how to reach her. A section of party leaders planned to contact her at the Gurugram apartment, but the society has been cordoned off and is inaccessible to them due to security reasons.

Snakes and Ladders of Karnataka

A senior BJP MLA is now facing the ire of Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa. The Yediyurappa camp believes that the MLA is nurturing ambitions to be the next CM. When Yediyurappa was quarantined after being found Covid-19 positive, the MLA made a secret trip to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh to perform a special Pooja at an ancient temple. He was accompanied by another party MLA who is also disgruntled with the CM for not making him a minister.

But the story doesnt end here.

When both leaders reached the famous temple, to their disappointment they realized that the temple was sealed as it was in a containment zone. The auspicious Muhurath for the Pooja was 5:30 pm on that day and they did not want to return without performing the rituals. The CM-aspirant used his connections and made the priest open the temple doors for him.

The chosen priest, who is well-versed in tantric rituals, secretly conducted a special Pooja to the satisfaction of the CM-aspirant. The events have not gone down too well with the CM who is himself an ardent believer in astrology.

BJP Dreams of Piloting Uttar Pradesh

Sachin Pilot's moves in Rajasthan were being closely monitored by a section of the BJP. Especially the leaders from the Gujjar community, drawing their own conclusions from appointment of a Jat leader -- OP Dhankar -- as Haryana BJP president when former minister and Faridabad MP Krishna Pal Singh Gujjar's name was almost finalised.

The other BJP leader who scanned developments with great interest was Rajya Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh, Surendra Nagar. Nagar got his Rajya Sabha nomination from the Samajwadi Party in 2016, but later jumped ship to join the BJP. His term ends in 2022 and after former Kairana MP Hakum Singh's death, the BJP in UP has been seeking to develop the next generation of leadership from the community. Pilot's entry would have completely changed the dynamics in UP ahead of the next state assembly polls.

Turncoat-in-Chief

Bhanwar Lal Sharma, the rebel Congress leader from the Pilot camp, was quick to jump the ship at the first whiff of a rapprochement. Named in the FIR filed by the Rajasthan police for alleged horse-trading on the basis of purported conversations with union minister Gajendra Shekhawat, Sharma decided to fend for himself.

A day before the official photo-ops in Delhi, a veteran of many a coup in Rajasthan met a Congress general secretary close to Rahul Gandhi to appeal for a truce. Having got a green signal, he hit the highway straight to Jaipur to meet Ashok Gehlot and declare his loyalty to the Rajasthan Chief Minister. All this while a section in the Pilot camp in Delhi was busy briefing journalists on plans to float a regional party. Sharma has also been accused of jumping ship in the past.

Pak Army Saves FM Qureshis Chair

Rumours were rife in Pakistan that Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi could lose his job because of his comments against the Saudi leadership over the OIC not taking up the Kashmir issue around the one year anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370. However, some others claim that he may still manage to retain his position because it turns out that he is the favourite of the Pakistan army for a possible change, if needed, in the PMs position. Meanwhile, there are also reports that Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Bajwa will himself be travelling to Saudi Arabia soon to soothe ruffled feathers.

Cross-Party Camaraderie

The first person to call up the PMO when Congress spokesperson Rajiv Tyagi died was BJP media head Anil Baluni. The two leaders went back a long way and were fond of each other despite having risen from ideologically diverse moorings.

Recalling Ram Mandir

With invite to the ground-breaking ceremony at Ayodhya limited to a select few, some who were closely associated with the movement watched the proceedings on TV. Among them was Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who had argued for 'Ram Lalla' in the Ayodhya title suit before the Allahabad High Court. He has isolated himself at his home after coming in contact with Home Minister Amit Shah who had had tested positive for Covid-19.

Prasad dialled journalists on the BJP beat and recalled his days as counsel in the case before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court. Prasad was pitted against former West Bengal Chief Minister SS Ray who appeared on behalf of All India Muslim Personal Law Board without charging a penny for the case.
Nepal looks forward to a meaningful bilateral cooperation, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli told his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in a phone conversation on Saturday, the first contact at the highest level between the two sides since a a border row hit their ties.

Oli called Modi to congratulate him on Indias 74th Independence Day, and expressed his appreciation for the Indian leaders renewed priority to the neighbourhood, as spelt out in his Independence Day address.

The two leaders last spoke on April 10 to discuss the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. In May, Nepal protested against the opening of a road by India to Lipulekh on the border with Tibet, and ties were hit further when Kathmandu published a new political map that depicted the Kalapani area, controlled by India, as a Nepalese territory.

Saturdays phone conversation, which was widely anticipated in diplomatic circles, provided an opportunity for the two sides to clear the air and take forward the process of addressing their differences, people familiar with developments said on condition of anonymity.

The conversation also came two days before a meeting in Kathmandu of the India-Nepal joint oversight mechanism, a body that oversees the implementation of development projects funded by New Delhi. The body, launched in 2016, is chaired by Indian envoy Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Nepals foreign secretary Shanker Das Bairagi.

Prime Minister Oli appreciated Prime Minister Modis renewed priority to neighbourhood as spelt out in todays Independence Day address. The Prime Minister of Nepal looked forward to meaningful bilateral cooperation, said a readout from Nepals foreign ministry.

A statement from the external affairs ministry said the leaders expressed mutual solidarity in the context of the efforts being made to minimise the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in both countries, and Modi offered Indias continued support to Nepal in this regard.

Prime Minister thanked the Prime Minister of Nepal for his telephone call and recalled the civilisational and cultural links that India and Nepal share, the statement added.

In his speech, Modi said India is forging deeper connections with its neighbours through a partnership of security, development and trust. Noting that a quarter of the worlds population lives in South Asia, he said the countries of the region can create countless opportunities for the development and prosperity of such a large population through cooperation and partnership.

All the leaders of the countries of the region have a huge responsibility, an important responsibility for the development and progress of such a vast population, he said. The more peace and harmony there is in this whole region, the more it will work for the welfare of humanity, he added.

Oli congratulated Modi on Indias recent election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and expressed his best wishes for the successful discharge of this important responsibility, the Nepalese foreign ministrys readout said.

The two leaders exchanged views on latest efforts in the fight against Covid-19 and agreed to work together in this area, it said. While underlining the need for early development of a vaccine, Oli expressed the hope that scientists around the world, including in India, will be able to develop it in order to control and prevent the disease from spreading further, it added.

The two leaders also agreed to continue discussions on bilateral matters in the future.
16.08.2020 LISTEN

Hi folks, I just returned from regional writing workshops for some selected secondary schools in the three northern regions, and Im still in the mood of teaching. Id, therefore, like us to have some English lessons with regard to some words/names and their weird alternative meanings.

Clement - mild, gentle or lenient. Eg. The kind warden insists all his prisoners receive clement treatment. Peter  decrease or fade gradually before coming to an end. Eg. The rain had petered out. Ken  ones range of knowledge or understanding. Eg. Mathematics is beyond my ken. John  a washroom. Eg. Could you show me the john? Tutu  a female ballet dancers costume. Eg. She wore a beautiful tutu.

Im not yet done with today's lessons. There is a flesh . . . eii, sorry, I mean there is a fresh word trending, kikikikiiki, do you want to know? Agyeiii, your ears dey sweet you papa. Don't worry I will tell you. The latest word with a weird meaning is Borromia, the meaning of which is a government official who while in opposition says his country is so rich that she need not to borrow; but leads a delegation to borrow huge sums of money while in government. Eg. Dr. Borromia led yaanom to borrow billions of dollars from Asia recently.

Truth and deceit can never dwell in one house because truth has powerful forces on its side, and anyone who trades in falsehood or makes spurious promises will definitely be exposed; and this is exactly what is happening to the Akufo-Addo led government. They know how to do some things outstandingly well. 419.

On Thursday, September 8, 2016, the running mate of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia stated at a lecture themed The state of the Ghanaian economy, a foundation of concrete or straw that the NDC government has borrowed some 39 billion dollars in the last eight years that it has been in power, and that it is only a lazy government that borrows. He didn't end there:

I worked at the Bank of Ghana and so I know that Ghana is rich, it is because the managers of the economy are incompetent and so all what they think of is borrowing. The NPP if voted for, will harness resources in Ghana to develop Ghana. I am telling you we can develop Ghana without borrowing. The money is there.

Interestingly, just six months in power, the NPP government has borrowed whopping sum of 21.55 billion US dollars. I will break it down: $19 billion Chinese loan and 2.25 billion Euro ($2.55bn) Ken Ofori Atta/Trevgor of Franklin Templeton bond.

The question many are asking is: can Ghana win the battle against Galamsey considering the rate at which the Chinese government is throwing money at us? Hehehehehe, People dey talk say the $19 billion Chinese loan is expected to bring 19 million Chinese in Ghana to do galamsey. Chai, this to me is unfathomably irresponsible, and the gravest risk to the people of Ghana.

Also, Dr. Bawumia, before the 2016 general elections accused the Mahama led government of being biased against Muslims in appointments at the presidency. Contrary, the current NPP government does not have a single Muslim on its Cabinet. This is a complete bunkum, isn't it? I think our Veep needs serious counseling else he is going to lose his remaining shred of dignity.

There are more: the NPP before coming to power promised our hardworking cocoa farmers heaven on earth, but some weeks ago the CEO of COCOBOD was reported to have said that Government will not increase the producer price of cocoa for the next purchasing season.

I met a customer of DKM last week in Techiman on my way to Bolga, her eyes stung with tears. Tears of loss. And regret.

Consequently, I will sum up Akufo-Addo's government into a simple trinity: Incompetence, deceit and insecurity. Things are really hard; if you like check our streets, the number of beggars have multiplied unprecedentedly, and this must tell you something.

Ghanaians are seething with anger and frustration. The anger of the electorate will be swift, deadly and unforgiving. They have been credited with dishonesty, and the price is going to be paid in full in four years time because if this government can blithely deceive Ghanaians and dishonour its campaign promises, why could anyone trust it again in 2020?

As to who is the lord of lies, deceit and hopelessness, I won't tell you, there could be members of the Delta Force and Invisible Forces waiting in front of my house, so please don't push me; I don't want any trouble.

Anthony Obeng Afrane
When youre going through a loss like that, like the loss of a mom, to get the email from out of the blue just kind of gives you a profound feeling that there are some good people in this world, Tom Miles said in an interview. For her to have such talent at such a young age, and that she really cares about people she doesnt even know  she is what makes America what it is today.
CONTACT: Pamela D. Wilson 303-810-1816

Email: Inquiry_For_Pamela@pameladwilson.com

Golden, Colorado  August 16, 2020

The Caring Generation: Conflict of Interest in Healthcare

Golden CO- Caregiving expert Pamela D. Wilson hosts The Caring Generation family talk radio program for caregivers and aging adults this coming Wednesday, August 19, on the Bold Brave Media Network. The program airs live at 9 p.m. EST. The Caring Generation aired initially from 2009 to 2011 on 630 KHOW-AM in Denver, Colorado.

Conflict of Interest in Healthcare

Caregivers and aging adults are in vulnerable positions when working with a healthcare system that can seem complicated or uncaring. Fear about the unknown is common when managing health issues.

Conflict of interest in healthcare occurs when the primary goal of supporting the health of patients comes into conflict with any other secondary goal like various types of personal gain to healthcare professionals, focusing on revenue, selling health care products, or services. Boundary Training for professionals is essential.

Worried About Health

It is critical for caregivers and aging adults to know how money exchanges hands when using any type of referral company. For example referral companies for assisted living communities. Being worried about health can be a distraction that causes healthcare consumers to forget to ask important questions.

Many medical providers have partnership relationships with complementary healthcare providers. These include joint ventures, operating agreements, earnings, and cost-sharing. While there is nothing wrong if these relationships are disclosed, when they are not, patients may feel distrust.

Medical offices may have relationships with labs or imaging centers. Surgeons may own the surgery centers where they practice. Some of these relationships are beneficial for coordinating care.

Other relationships may limit patient choice. It's up to consumers to ask questions about conflict of interest or funds exchanging hands when healthcare providers make recommendations. These recommendations include skilled nursing communities recommended by discharge planners working in hospitals, recommendations for outpatient physical therapy clinics, lab work, or treatment centers.

Leaving AMA - Against Medical Advice

The words "leaving against medical advice" can be viewed as a threat by caregivers who want to take elderly parents home from hospitals, nursing homes, or assisted living communities. A caregiver advised by medical personnel that an elderly parent "must have 24-hour care"without being given sound reasoningmay lack an understanding of why providers are making this statement.

While these choices belong to elderly parents and their caregivers, some care communities can become insistent that patients not leave without a plan. This type of communication poses benefits and risks.

The benefits can serve as an advisement for caregivers that the task at hand may be difficult and require education and a significant time commitment, ensuring that caregivers are prepared for the task at hand. The risks may be hesitant family members concerned about returning a parent homeleaving a nursing home as the only option for care for an elderly parent.

According to Wilson,

"I became the medical power of attorney or court-appointed guardian for many elderly who wanted to return home but lacked the ability to arrange for care. It's a sad day when the elderly are held captive by care communities because they have no one to advocate for them. In my experience, threats about leaving against medical advice happen most often when the elderly have no family who is available or willing to take on the significant responsibility of care. I served as the responsible party for many of my clients and returned them to safe living environments, whether at home or an assisted living community."

Guest Interview: Dr. Sharmila Dissanaike  Why Physicians Experience Burnout

The guest for this program is Dr. Sharmila Dissanaike, who will talk about physician burnout. Doctors have demanding schedules and are often expected to be super-human individuals. Patients can have unrealistic expectations if they are not committed to patient education and learning that support managing healthcare concerns for themselves or aging parents.

Sharmila Dissanaike MD FACS FCCM is the Peter C Canizaro Chair of the Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. At the time of her appointment, she became the youngest Chair of Surgery in the USA. Her clinical and research interests focus on trauma, burns, critical care, and emergency general surgery. She serves as the Chair of the Verification Committee of the American Burn Association, ensuring that burn care continues to evolve to the highest standards, which are met by all 75 ABA verified burn centers.

Dr. Dissanaike is also a member of the Committee of Trauma, serving on their verification and research committees. She is a Governor of the American College of Surgeons and a standing member of the Ethics committee. She also serves on the ACS Program Committee, the Advisory Council for Rural Surgery, and the editorial board of General Surgery News. She has received multiple awards for academic excellence, clinical performance, research, and teaching, and is a national leader in promoting better healthcare systems to prevent burnout among clinicians.

Join Pamela on The Caring Generation to learn more about conflict of interest in healthcare and how caregivers and aging adults can get better care. The Caring Generation radio program airs live at 6 p.m. Pacific, 7 p.m. Mountain, 8 p.m. Central, and 9 p.m. Eastern every Wednesday night. Replays of the weekly programs are available in podcast format with transcripts on Pamela's website and all major podcast sites. More information about onsite and online video conferencing, online education, talent optimization, and caregiver support programs are available on Wilson's website.

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A woman who died after being shot inside the garage of her Brampton home was the wife of the head priest of a prominent Hindu temple, a member of the temple confirmed Sunday.

During a brief phone conversation with the Star, an administrative staffer at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton confirmed that the victim was 56-year-old Sangita Sharma, who is the wife of Abhay Shastri, Hindu Sabhas head priest.

When reached Saturday, an employee at the Torbram Pharmacy also confirmed that Sharma, a previous owner of the establishment, was indeed the woman killed on Thursday.

Peel Regional Police are calling Sharmas death a homicide as they continue to investigate.

First responders were called to the garage of a home at Treeline Boulevard and Linstock Drive just after 7 p.m. Thursday. They found a 56-year-old woman suffering from obvious signs of trauma. Police have now confirmed the woman had suffered a gunshot wound.

She was taken to hospital where she later died.

What was initially deemed a suspicious death, has since been ruled a homicide.

Police say surveillance footage has helped them identify two people of interest in the case. They are also searching for a black sedan.

Reached Sunday for comment, Peel police did not have further suspect information and are asking witnesses to come forward. Police have yet to release the identity of the victim, saying those decisions are made in conjunction with the backing of the family.

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

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RTHK: Thousands join protest against Thai government

Thousands of Thai protesters chanting "down with dictatorship" and "the country belongs to the people" joined an anti-government demonstration in Bangkok on Sunday that was one of the biggest since a 2014 coup.

Thailand has seen near-daily demonstrations for the past month by student-led groups denouncing Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha  a former military chief who led the 2014 coup  and his pro-establishment administration.

By Sunday afternoon, protesters  who are demanding major democratic reforms  had taken over the busy intersection around Bangkok's Democracy Monument, which was built to mark the 1932 revolution that ended absolutism.

"Down with the dictatorship," they chanted, many holding signs critical of Prayut's pro-military government. Others held pigeon-shaped cutouts representing peace.

Tensions have risen over the last two weeks with authorities arresting three activists. They were released on bail after being charged with sedition and violating coronavirus rules.

They were told not to repeat the alleged offences, but one of them  prominent student leader Parit Chiwarak  arrived at the protest venue on Sunday flanked by cheering supporters.

Some students have also called for reform of the monarchy - once a taboo subject.

"We want a new election and a new parliament from the people," student activist Patsalawalee Tanakitwiboonpon, 24, told the cheering crowd at Bangkok's Democracy Monument. Lastly, our dream is to have a monarchy which is truly under the constitution.

Prayuth won elections last year that the opposition says were held under rules to ensure that he kept power. The most vocal opposition party was subsequently banned.

Anger has further been fuelled by accusations of corruption, the arrest of some student leaders over earlier protests and the economic fallout from the coronavirus epidemic.

Students have presented 10 reforms they seek to the monarchy of King Maha Vajiralongkorn  including curbing his powers over the constitution, the royal fortune and the armed forces. (AFP, Reuters)

This story has been published on: 2020-08-16. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
PETITION DE 52 RABBINS JUIFS SUR LE GENOCIDE CONGOLAIS

Nous conituons a stigmatiser le silence coupale de toute la classe polique congolais face au genocide congolais.

Au moment ou cette declaration a ete actualisee , notamment par Dr Mukwege qui exige "la mise en uvre effective des recommandations issues du Rapport du projet Mapping concernant les violations les plus graves des droits de lhomme et du droit international humanitaire commises en RD Congo entre 1993 et 2003 ( https://www.mapping-report.org/fr/ )" , nous avons juge bon de publier sa vesrion originale en anglais sur notre site , telle quelle avait ete concue par les 52 rabbins britanniques. Ceux qui ont des difficultes en anglais pourront traduire le texte dans la langue de leur choix.

Nous reproduisons la declaration de 52 Rabbins juifs, publiee en 2010 dans  The Guardian , un journal britannique. Dans celle-ci, les rabbins condamnent sans detours le genocide congolais quils comparent a leur propre holocauste, en soulignant que  destruire une ame cest destruire lhumanite, et sauver une ame cest sauver toute lhumanite .

We must not forget the victims of the war in Congo

The people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have for over 11 years endured violence, war crimes, corruption, humanitarian crisis, looting and rape on a scale that defies comprehension. In April 2007, the International Rescue Committee estimated the death toll in Congo since 1998 at 5.4 million. This horrific figure continues to rise at a rate of 45,000 a month. The additional consequences of disease and malnutrition has resulted in a rise in the death toll to at least 7 million, not to mention the millions of refugees.

What these shocking figures cannot convey is the scale of ongoing rape, torture and mutilation. In February, 15 women were abducted and raped by armed assailants  five were brutally tortured and then beheaded; three survived and were taken to Panzi hospital in Bukavu for emergency medical care. The remaining seven are still missing, presumed dead. The human rights organisation Genocide Watch lists Congo at the top of its 2010 list of countries facing ongoing massacres.

There is still no end in sight to the atrocities. Moreover, political stability and peace are critically important not just for the citizens of Congo, but for all those in the African Great Lakes region. Yet, to most of the world, the plight of the people of Congo remains invisible.

We have just marked Yom HaShoah, the Jewish annual commemoration of the Holocaust. When we consider the suffering and the scale of the atrocities in Congo, we cannot but recall our own 6 million victims of Nazi genocide. The "hear nothing, see nothing and do nothing" approach fails to fulfil the promise to "never again!" stand idly by while human beings are slaughtered. It denies justice to the victims and questions our very commitment to humanity. As rabbis we cannot ignore the call of our tradition: "Whoever destroys a soul, it is considered as if he destroyed an entire world. And whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world."
In Fairfax, the 12-passenger shuttle will serve two stops: one at the Metro station and the other at the Barnes & Noble within the Mosaic District. It will travel from the stations bus bay via Avenir Place, which turns into Merrilee Drive, and then onto Eskridge Road, until entering the town center. It will cross only two intersections, including Route 29, where it will use technology that communicates with the traffic signal to extend the green light for it to get through that intersection, officials said.
New Delhi, Aug 16 : Like the recently-released Galaxy Note20 series, the Samsung Galaxy S30 series may also not carry the 3D time-of-flight (ToF) sensor found in the Galaxy S20+ and S20 Ultra and last year's Galaxy S10 and Note10 lines.

A report from Korean publication The Elec claimed that "Samsung is concerned that its indirect ToF system isn't as good as Apple's LiDAR technology to create AR experiences".

While Apple uses a 'direct' ToF sensor with a LiDAR module, Samsung's sensor uses 'indirect' ToF.

As a result, Apple's cameras have up to a two times advantage in range, capable of measuring distances up to six metres, while Samsung's sensor can achieve a range of about three metres, reports Android Central.

A time-of-flight sensor on a smartphone sends out pulses of light undetectable to the human eye. Usually an infrared light, the beams bounce off a subject and return to the device, thus helping create a better AR system.

Neither Samsung nor Apple directly manufacture their ToF sensors and buy the components from Sony.

"Apple reportedly has an exclusivity contract with Sony for the direct ToF technology, leaving only the indirect variant available for Samsung and other manufacturers".

However, the upcoming flagships from Samsung will have super imaging technology.

The S20 Ultra successor is likely to sport a 150MP primary camera.

The Galaxy S30 may be powered by the Snapdragon 875 Mobile Platform or Samsung's indigenous Exynos 1000.
Most US onshore operators will restore nearly all shut-in oil volumes by the end of the third quarter, with only a handful maintaining some level of curtailment for the rest of the year, a Rystad Energy analysis of 25 public oil operators second-quarter earnings statements shows.

Curtailments from the 25 companies peaked in May with a net 772,500 barrels per day (gross  including royalties to the government - 965,600 bpd) taken off the market. Total cuts decreased to a net 680,300 bpd in June. In July, only about 306,500 bpd in net volumes (383,100 bpd gross) remained curtailed. This number is expected to fall to a net 74,300 bpd (92,900 bpd gross) in August, with nearly all production set to be reactivated by September and just a small amount remaining offline.

The cuts monitored in the sample group were implemented mostly in April and May, and were entirely driven by economic and technical considerations, with operators shutting in lower margin wells while reducing flowback on others. A recovery in oil prices in the second half of May and a stronger overall market outlook prompted many producers to re-evaluate their shut-in plans.

As a result, the actual total cut in May for several operators was lower than earlier guided, and June curtailments decreased month-on-month. Nearly all operators said they did not face any issues in bringing volumes back online as per schedule, as they had already worked on issues such as maintaining reservoir pressure and well integrity even before they began moderating output or shutting in wells.

EOG Resources highlighted that reactivation led to flush production before wells returned to standard profiles, which resulted in better-than-expected overall performance from these wells. Instances of flush production are already reflected in June well production data.

The 25 operators cut output by a net 228,700 bpd in April and further deepened those reductions by 543,800 bpd in May. This followed an unprecedented collapse in oil prices to negative territory on 20 April, and a sharp decline in demand with governments around the world mandating lockdowns to halt the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

When prices started to improve in June, only a few deepened their cuts, with some  including ConocoPhillips, Chevron and Noble Energy  sticking to their original plan, while many others started to restore volumes.

ConocoPhillips prefers voluntary curtailments over hedging as a tool in dealing with price volatility, allowing it to retain complete exposure to a recovering market. The operator takes decisions on curtailments month-by-month, but thus far plans to bring back full production by the end of 3Q20. Chevrons curtailed volumes are at the lower end of guidance, with production set to be restored in August as oil prices improve. Most of Noble Energys cuts were back online by the end of July.

All other operators cumulatively restored 182,430 bpd in June, which, given the deeper cuts from three companies mentioned above, amounted to net gain of 92,180 bpd in overall production for June, thus erasing around 12% of the cuts made in May.

The pace of reactivation has accelerated since July. Our analysis shows that as much as 373,800 bpd of net production, or 48% of the cuts made in May, was restored in July, followed by an additional net volume of 232,200 bpd slated to be back in August. Only a handful of operators intend to wait until September to reactivate the last of their curtailed volumes.

One such player, EOG Resources, has elected to retain around 25,000 bpd of cuts until September, but the company noted curtailed volumes are being restored faster than originally anticipated. Nearly all reactivated wells have exhibited a degree of flush production, due to a buildup of bottom hole pressure, before returning to their previous profile  a well-understood trend that was initially expected by the producer. That surge helped EOG beat its second-quarter production guidance. Apart from EOG and ConocoPhillips, Oasis and Matador also expect to keep about 15% of curtailed production offline until September.

Although the vast majority of US operators intend to fully reactivate curtailments in 3Q20, a select few aim to keep a percentage of volumes offline for the time being.

Pioneer Natural Resources, which cut 7,000 bpd of production in 2Q20 from wells with higher operating costs, intends to only bring online about 1,000 bpd. The company said some volumes may never come back, and a lot will depend on the cash flow outlook of each well.

Apache, having curtailed 7,500 bpd in May, said it has the option to reactivate wells when it thinks the time is right but anticipates that about 4,500 bpd may not return to production in 2020. PDC Energy also plans to keep a small volume offline beyond the end of the third quarter  we estimate about 2,000 bpd out of the 24,000 bpd cut in May.

No loss of production has been reported by any operator following the shut-ins and moderation of output, with most companies flagging a smooth return of operations, and in some cases posting a positive production impact from those reactivations, says Rystad Energys Vice President for North American Shale and Upstream, Veronika Akulinitseva.

By Rystad Energy

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Angelina Jolie allegedly still has her sights set on relocating to the UK with her six children that she shares with ex-husband Brad Pitt.

The actress and humanitarian, 45, reportedly wants to start anew in Richmond, an affluent suburb in south-west London, where she once lived with Pitt, 56, while filming in England in 2011.

Over the years, Jolie has been very open about her desire to live overseas with her kids but the former couple are still embroiled in their almost four-year-long divorce battle.

On the move? Angelina Jolie apparently wants to relocate to the UK with her six children

'She believes [Richmond is] a perfect environment for the kids, from a cultural standpoint and educationally,' an insider told the Mirror.

Before Jolie and Pitt's 12-year relationship ended in 2016, which included two years of marriage, they shuttled their family around the world to accommodate their A-list movie star work schedules and give their kids a diverse, global upbringing.

'I enjoy being out of my element. I want the children to grow up in the world, not just learning about it but living it, having friends around the world,' she said.

Global perspective: Jolie, 45, has been very open about her desire to live overseas with her kids but the former couple are still embroiled in their almost four-year-long divorce battle; she is pictured in London in October 2019

Not having it: Pitt wants the children to remain in Los Angeles, where he resides for the most part

The Academy Award-winning actress has reportedly been looking into properties in the Richmond area and whether it would be workable once the COVID-19 lockdown is lifted.

'One scenario is that she could have the kids a few months at a time in the UK, then they'd be allowed back to see Brad for longer periods,' the source added.

Just this past November, Jolie revealed that she would be living overseas with the kids if it were not for Pitt, who wants the children in Los Angeles, where he resides for the most part.

'I would love to live abroad and will do so as soon as my children are 18. Right now Im having to base where their father chooses to live,' said the Unbroken director said for the December issue of Harper's Bazaar magazine.

During their union they had three biological children together: Shiloh, 14, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 12, and three adopted children: Maddox, 19, who's been studying at a university in South Korea, Pax, 16, and Zahara, 15.

During their 12-year union they had three biological children together: Shiloh, 14, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 12, and three adopted children: Maddox, 19, Pax, 16, and Zahara, 15; they are pictured together in Los Angeles in February 2014

The former couple are legally divorced but they are still dealing with some of the terms of the separation, which includes finances and custody of the children.

Just this past week things got contentious once again when Jolie sought to remove the judge overseeing the case.

In paperwork filed August 7, she claimed Judge John W. Ouderkirk - who married the former couple at their French estate Chateau Miraval in 2014 - failed to disclose other 'business relationships' he had with Pitt's lawyers, suggesting that he would be 'biased' in their divorce case.

Pitt's legal team formally responded six days later and accused her move as a 'transparently tactical gambit' to delay matters, adding that it will be their own children who are 'hurt most' by the hold up, according to PEOPLE.
Long delays as Australian Foundation hams swap call signs It appears many Australian Foundation holders have taken advantage of the opportunity to swap their unwieldy 7 character call signs (VKnFxxx) for standard 6 character calls



The Australian Maritime College (AMC) won the contract awarded by the communications regulator ACMA to administer amateur radio exams and call signs. The national amateur radio society WIA which had previously carried out those functions handed them over in February, 2019.



In July 2020 the ACMA announced Foundation holders could now apply for standard format 6 character call signs (VKnxxx) but it seems the AMC is unable to meet the overwhelming demand resulting in long processing delays.



The WIA site carries this report:



Processing time changes  Amateur Radio callsigns



Due to the recently announced changes to the callsign template and the large amount of callsign variations received, please be advised that the ACMA have now granted an extension in processing times as follows:



Until 31 October 2020, the AMC Amateur Radio Office will process all callsign applications within 45 business days (previously 15 business days).

We would request that unless the matter is urgent, please email AMC rather than telephoning.



This will allow the Amateur Radio Office team to maintain all other services within the expected 15 business days.



Updates to the Publicly Available Callsigns Database



We are also working with our IT Department to update the Publicly Available Callsigns Database to match the new callsign template. We apologise in advance for any delays experienced due to this, but we will have it rectified as soon as possible.



We thank you for your understanding and patience during this very busy time.



See the following Link for more information

https://amc.edu.au/industry/amateur-radio/news-updates



Source WIA

https://www.wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2020/20200814-1/index.php
Mr Elliot Edem Agbenorwu, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Ketu South has said the border closure occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the porous nature of Ghanas land borders particularly the Ghana-Togo frontier.



Ghanas borders (air, land and sea) were closed from midnight of Sunday, March 22 and have since remained shut as part of Presidential directives to prevent the importation of COVID-19 into the country.



Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the MCE described as worrying the current state of the border saying it could be devastating to the country in the event of any external insurgency.



The border closure has exposed us as a country in the sense that were not in control of our borders, which means any external insurgence will land us in trouble.



Borders were ever closed, but this life-threatening COVID-19 disease made us to keenly monitor our borders to detect how porous they are and how foreign nationals can easily move in and out at the blind side of our security agencies.



Neighbouring Togo on their part, did well to dig trenches, construct feeder roads from Aflao to Segbe, allowing their security to patrol, and theres also the barbed wire (which they open at will) all aimed at protecting their land borders. But on the Ghana side, no road, no buffer and no telecommunications service, Mr Agbenorwu lamented.



The Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) Chairman therefore called on the government to take steps to address the lapses to secure all land borders in the municipality, the region and the country against unforeseen situations in future.



Mr Frederick Baah Duodu, Aflao Sector Commander, Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) said his outfit had made calls to GIS to construct boundary fences and patrol roads across the borderline.



He said his officers continued to risk their lives daily manning the numerous unapproved routes, which numbers keep growing and designated as beats, pillars, cemetery and the beach within the operational area of the Command.



He observed that most of the communities the unapproved routes were situated had no electricity and telecommunication services to facilitate effective monitoring and patrol.

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.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 09:50:17|Editor: huaxia

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CAPE TOWN, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- South Africa will further ease its COVID-19 lockdown restrictions so as to reopen more sectors of the economy, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Saturday.

The cabinet has decided to move to level two restrictions from the current level three, starting from midnight on Monday, meaning "we can remove nearly all of the restrictions on the resumption of economic activity across most industries," Ramaphosa said in a televised address to the nation.

All restrictions on inter-provincial travel, opening of restaurants and bars, and sales of tobacco and alcohol will be lifted, while family and social visits will be allowed, according to the president.

The relaxation followed the tapering off of the pandemic in recent days.

Over the last three weeks, the number of new confirmed cases has dropped from a peak of over 12,000 a day to an average of 5,000 over the past week, according to Ramaphosa.

The number of patients hospitalized has decreased from 10,000 to around 4,000 this month, significantly reducing the pressure on health facilities, said Ramaphosa.

But while there are indeed signs of hope, South Africans cannot and must not let their guard down, he added.

"As we continue to ease restrictions, the risk of infection does not diminish," he said, adding that the risk becomes greater as more people return to work with more opportunities to interact.

"We therefore cannot become complacent or abandon the health precautions that we know we need to take," he said.

Even the slightest lapse in alertness at this moment could lead to a resurgence of infections at a rate and on a scale far greater than before, Ramaphosa warned.

"We have seen this happen in other countries, where stringent restrictions have had to be reimposed at short notice as the rate of infection rises after relaxation," the president said.

Now is the time for even greater vigilance and even greater care, he added.

Therefore, the current restrictions on international travel, gatherings of more than 50 people will remain in place, and the National State of Disaster will be once again extended until September, Ramaphosa said.

As of Saturday, the cumulative number of cases in South Africa hit 583,653, with 11,667 related deaths. Enditem
In Mississippi, where most children are returning to school for in-person learning, more than 100 students and staff have tested positive for the coronavirus in recent days and hundreds more have been forced to quarantine. Nearly half the state's schools have reported cases, the Clarion-Leger recently reported. The state also has the highest daily reported deaths in the country, according to tracking by The Washington Post. In an effort to speed up testing, the US Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency use authorisation for a new saliva-based coronavirus test that it is hoped will cut turnaround times in commercial laboratories. Credit:AP Governor Tate Reeves, a Republican, said on Sunday that the virus spread was not pervasive enough in Mississippi schools to justify any shutdowns. He said the state had plans in place to take action if infections became more widespread. He dismissed concerns about school outbreaks, claiming, without citing specific evidence, that most infected children had contracted the virus from elsewhere in the community. "Keep this in perspective. We have 300,000 kids in classrooms. We've had approximately 100 cases that have been confirmed positive," he told CBS News' Face the Nation. "The point is, no kid, whether they're in school or not, is completely immune from getting the virus. And so we've got to take measures to make sure that those kids have the opportunity to learn."

Loading In other places where the academic year is beginning, virus concerns have already forced officials to cancel classes or reverse plans to bring students back after attempting to reopen amid the pandemic. A Nebraska school district on Saturday pushed classes back for a week after three staff members tested positive. Schools in Georgia and Tennessee also recently cancelled classes after students and staff fell ill with COVID-19. In Arizona, a school district that voted to resume in-person learning despite missing state health benchmarks paused its reopening indefinitely after teachers threatened to refuse to show up, citing fears about the virus spread. "We have received an overwhelming response from staff indicating that they do not feel safe returning to classrooms with students," Gregory Wyman, the district superintendent, said in a note to parents over the weekend.

Loading The series of false starts doesn't bode well for districts that have moved forward with in-person reopening plans advocated by the Trump administration, which has insisted that a return to school is essential for academic and social wellbeing. White House officials have continued to press their case for reopening schools. Jared Kushner, the President's son-in-law and senior White House adviser, told Face the Nation on Sunday that he didn't believe the coronavirus posed serious risks to children. He said he and Ivanka Trump had no qualms about their children returning. Kushner defended the administration's handling of the pandemic response as new daily coronavirus cases and deaths appear to have flatlined nationwide. "We know a lot more than we did five months ago," he said.

The United States continues to report more than 1000 coronavirus-related deaths every day. Health officials reported 1220 new deaths and 57,120 new infections on Saturday  roughly even with the 1117 deaths and 56,555 cases announced on the same day the previous week. France continue to raise concerns The French Health Ministry on Sunday reported 3015 new coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours, the second day in a row in which new cases had surpassed 3000. Increased infections in France have led to outdoors face mask rules being applied in major cities and towns across the country, including in Paris. Credit:AP However, the daily count was below the 3310 cases reported on Saturday, when a new post-lockdown high was reached, the ministry's data showed.

The number of coronavirus clusters being investigated in France has increased to 263. The number of people in hospital was up slightly at 4860, adding to a rise recorded a day earlier, while the number of intensive care patients was unchanged at 376 after increasing the previous day, the ministry said. France's cumulative death toll from COVID-19 for hospitals and nursing homes rose by one to 30,410. A sharp rise in cases in France  which the government says is partly but not solely due to an increase in testing  has led the authorities in the country's two largest cities, Paris and Marseille, to expand zones where wearing a mask is mandatory outdoors. The government is also set to propose that masks be worn nationwide in shared indoor workspaces.

German testing bungle The German state of Bavaria said on Sunday it has tracked down most of the people returning from abroad who had tested positive for the coronavirus, but were not notified of their result. Bavaria said in a statement that it had found 903 of the 949 people who tested positive out of a total of 44,000 travellers returning to the country, while it could not locate personal data for 46 of the positive tests. The tests had been carried out up to two weeks ago at special centres that were opened with great fanfare in the southern state, but problems with data entry meant that the travellers had been waiting for their test results for days. Bavarian state Premier Markus Soeder apologised for the problems on Thursday, promising to fix the mistakes by adding extra staff.

Some conservatives see Soeder as the best candidate to run for the German chancellorship in next year's election, succeeding Angela Merkel, who has said she will not stand for a fifth term. Soeder has so far said he will stay in Bavaria. Germany has managed to keep the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths relatively low compared to other European countries, but there are concerns about a possible second wave of the pandemic. On Saturday, Germany saw the biggest increase in confirmed coronavirus cases since late April, a rise of 1415. On Sunday the increase was just 625, although fewer cases are usually registered at the weekend. Italy closes nightclubs Italy is to shut discos and clubs and make it compulsory to wear a mask outdoors in some areas at night in the first reimposition of restrictions as cases of coronavirus pick up across the country.

New cases in the past week in Italy were more than double those registered three weeks ago and the median age of people contracting the virus has dropped below 40, data showed. The new rules will start on Monday and will run until early September. Masks will be required between 6pm and 6am in areas close to bars and pubs. "We cannot nullify the sacrifices made in past months. Our priority must be that of opening schools in September, in full safety," Health Minister Roberto Speranza said on Facebook. Speranza urged young people to be as cautious as possible because "if they infect their parents and their grandparents, they risk creating real damage".
Photo: The Canadian Press

President Donald Trump's younger brother, Robert Trump, a businessman known for an even keel that seemed almost incompatible with the family name, died Saturday night after being hospitalized in New York, the president said in a statement. He was 71.

The president visited his brother at a New York City hospital on Friday after White House officials said he had become seriously ill.

It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight," Donald Trump said in a statement. He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace.

The youngest of the Trump siblings remained close to the 74-year-old president and, as recently as June, filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Trump family that unsuccessfully sought to stop publication of a tell-all book by the presidents niece, Mary.

Robert Trump had reportedly been hospitalized in the intensive care unit for several days that same month .

Both longtime businessmen, Robert and Donald had strikingly different personalities. Donald Trump once described his younger brother as much quieter and easygoing than I am, and "the only guy in my life whom I ever call honey.

Robert Trump began his career on Wall Street working in corporate finance but later joined the family business, managing real estate holdings as a top executive in the Trump Organization.

When he worked in the Trump Organization, he was known as the nice Trump," Gwenda Blair, a Trump family biographer, told The Associated Press. Robert was the one people would try to get to intervene if there was a problem.

Robert Stewart Trump was born in 1948, the youngest of New York City real estate developer Fred Trump's five children.

The president, two years older than Robert, admittedly bullied his brother in their younger years, even as he praised his loyalty and laid-back demeanour.

I think it must be hard to have me for a brother but hes never said anything about it and were very close," Donald Trump wrote in his 1987 bestseller The Art of the Deal. Robert gets along with almost everyone," he added, "which is great for me since I sometimes have to be the bad guy.

In the 1980s, Donald Trump tapped Robert Trump to oversee an Atlantic City casino project, calling him the perfect fit for the job. When it cannibalized his other casinos, though, he pointed the finger of blame at Robert, said Blair, author of "The Trumps: Three Generations that Built an Empire."

When the slot machines jammed the opening weekend at the Taj Mahal, he very specifically and furiously denounced Robert, and Robert walked out and never worked for his brother again, Blair said.

A Boston University graduate, Robert Trump later managed the Brooklyn portion of father Fred Trump's real estate empire, which was eventually sold.

Once a regular boldface name in Manhattans social pages, Robert Trump had kept a lower profile in recent years. He was not a newsmaker, Blair said.

Before divorcing his first wife, Blaine Trump, more than a decade ago, Robert Trump had been active on Manhattans Upper East Side charity circuit.

He avoided the limelight during his elder brother's presidency, having retired to the Hudson Valley. But he described himself as a big supporter of the White House run in a 2016 interview with the New York Post.

I support Donald one thousand per cent, Robert Trump said.

In early March of 2020, he married his longtime girlfriend, Ann Marie Pallan.

The eldest Trump sibling and Mary's father, Fred Trump Jr., struggled with alcoholism and died in 1981 at the age of 43. The president's surviving siblings include Elizabeth Trump Grau and Maryanne Trump Barry, a retired federal appeals judge.

Authors Michael Kranish and Marc Fisher described Robert Trump as soft spoken but cerebral in Trump Revealed: The Definitive Biography of the 45th President: He lacked Donalds charismatic showmanship, and he was happy to leave the bravado to his brother, but he could show flashes of Trump temper."

___

AP researcher Jennifer Farrar contributed to this report from New York.
In 1967, Robert Pelcyger was a newly minted lawyer who knew little about the rights of Native Americans and even less about water rights.

Then he met Patty Durro, an earnest, young woman from the Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians in northern San Diego County who was determined to reclaim her tribes share of the San Luis Rey River.

She changed his life and the fortunes of five North County tribes that had been robbed of the water they had been promised by the government.

But it took Pelcyger 50 years to right the wrong.

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Attorney Robert Pelcyger worked on the San Luis Rey Indian water case for nearly five decades. (J. Harry Jones /)

The journey began with a stack of government contracts from the 1900s.

Pelcyger had been hired to learn tribal law for a government nonprofit that was providing legal services to rural California residents and was hosting a workshop at the University of California, Riverside when he was approached by Durro.

She was there to complain because their wells were going dry, Pelcyger remembers. Patty Durro came up to me during the meeting and gave me some (1914) contracts and said, youre a lawyer, tell me what these mean.

I looked at them and saw all kinds of words Id never seen before and didnt understand, so I told her Id take a look at it. That was the beginning of the San Luis Rey litigation.

Soon, Pelcyger and a colleague formed California Indian Legal Services, a law firm specializing in Native American issues.

During the next couple of years, I tried to find other lawyers who would take the case but wasnt able to do that, he said. It got to the point I had to file something so I did it in 1969.

The goal of the lawsuit, which went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1984 and was followed by decades of settlement talks, was to correct this historical injustice the government had created shortly after the reservations were established, Pelcyger said.

The reservations were purposely located in areas with access to water so the tribes could irrigate crops in an otherwise arid environment.

No sooner had the reservations been created when, through a series of measures, the government gave away the same water they had given to the Indians to Escondido and Vista, Pelcyger said. The bands were dedicated to correcting the historical injustice.

Water diverted from the San Luis Rey River ends up in Lake Wohlford near Escondido. From there it is piped to a treatment plant and then distributed to Escondido water users or piped another 14 miles to the Vista Irrigation District. (J. Harry Jones /)

Canals were built in the 1890s diverting the San Luis Rey River to farmers in those two cities, making it possible for those communities to thrive. In the 1920s, Lake Henshaw near Warner Springs was built and a diversion dam took even more of the river water to the cities via Lake Wohlford in the hills just east of Escondido.

The result was that during dry years the river barely flowed through the reservations, the underground aquifer fed by the river suffered and the Indians wells would dry up. Even today, the two cities rely on the San Luis Rey water for between 20 percent and 30 percent each year.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the aggrieved tribes against Escondido and the Vista Irrigation District.

What is ironic is that our adversaries were Escondido and Vista, but it wasnt their fault to begin with, said Bo Mazzetti, chairman of the Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians.

The federal government gave away the water twice. It gave it to the tribes and then authorized the dam and the diversion.

Fifteen years after the lawsuit was filed, Pelcyger found himself arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court.

The ruling of the court, which essentially said all the parties needed to start over, pleased no one.

It was frustrating because it meant we had to keep litigating but in retrospect it turned out, many years later, ultimately the best outcome for all the clients.

Instead of resuming litigation, a decision was made to go to the U.S. Congress, which in 1988 passed the San Luis Rey Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, which recognized the need to provide the tribes with a supplemental water supply to make up for the approximately 16,000 acre-feet of water they lost each year from the river. One acre-foot equals 325,851 gallons.

But there were still two more hurdles to overcome.

The first, which would take 15 years to resolve, was figuring out where the extra water would come from. In the mid-2000s, the All-American Canal, an 80-mile-long aqueduct near the U.S.-Mexican border that takes Colorado River water to the Imperial Valley and beyond, was lined to stop seepage.

The lining project saved 100,000 acre-feet of water each year. The first 16,000 acre-feet of that savings was earmarked for the tribes per the settlement act.

But just after the water source was identified, the second hurdle emerged.

Lawyers for the federal government decided to revisit the settlement and took the position that the word supplemental meant replace or substitute.

The government interjected a new issue for the first time, Pelcyger said.

They argued that the 16,000 acre-feet from the canal should replace the water that is taken from the river. The tribes said, no, the 16,000 acre-feet of canal water should be in addition to the water that had been diverted and that they should retain rights to the San Luis Rey.

Fourteen more years of argument and settlement talks followed. The feds never agreed to the tribes position, but did say they would accept the fact should Congress enact a law saying the tribes were entitled to the extra water. That happened in 2014.

A couple years more went by due to bureaucracy, but finally the 1988 settlement terms became law.

In May of this year, 50 years after first hearing about the river, the case came to an end.

The settlement guarantees five North County Indian tribes  Rincon, La Jolla, Pauma, Pala and San Pasqual  equal access to more than 5 billion gallons annually of Colorado River water to compensate them for the lost San Luis Rey River water.

The end result is that the water brought in from the Colorado River can be used by the five tribes equally. But should they not need the extra water, they must sell the excess water to the two cities at market rates.

For Escondido, it means that this supply of water wed originally been given in the late 1800s is now secure, said Chris McKinney, Escondidos utilities director.

For us, its an enormous deal to finally have this settled and to also have the supply secured.

It was a long path to go down to get to this point, said Marty Miller, president of the Vista Irrigation Districts board of directors. But we finally worked our way through it. And on the backside we came out friends. We came out partners.

The tribes rely now and will continue to rely on groundwater, which is made possible by the recharging of the San Luis Rey aquifer accomplished via water seeping into the ground from the river.

That means most of the extra water from the Colorado River will be sold by the tribe to the cities which use far more than that amount annually. There will always be a demand.

For the Indians, its a source of income, Pelcyger said.

Mazzetti said its a shame that almost all of the elders of the tribes who were there at the beginning of the litigation, not to mention generations of Indians before them, have passed on and could not see the final resolution.

The impossible became possible, the Rincon chairman said. Where do you find new sources of water today? You dont. Sixteen thousand acre-feet of water will be coming into the county -- a whole new source of water. That benefits the whole region.

For Pelcyger, the end of the case feels wonderful.

I feel blessed to have had clients that are so dedicated and loyal, he said. Where else do you find clients that stick with the same attorney for 50 years?

He said long before casino money came to the reservations, the bands were committed to correcting an historical injustice and werent going to compromise.

For him, that began with the 1967 Patty Durro meeting and continued with other tribal members for decades.

She was a fierce advocate of getting back what the bands viewed as being rightfully theirs, he said. Durro has become very private in recent years and did not respond to requests for interviews.

It took a lot of courage for them to even enter the fray against pretty long odds, Pelcyger said. Their sense of history is so strong as is their sense of continuity, They wanted to rectify the injustices their parents and grandparents had to bare and also were looking forward toward future generations. It was never about immediate gratification.

jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones
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(Note: Contains references that some readers may find offensive)

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - A cartoon in Australia's biggest national newspaper was denounced as racist by some top government figures on Friday for a portrayal of U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris that critics said was racist.

The cartoon by Johannes Leak in The Australian newspaper, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp <NWSA.O> and is known for its conservative views, depicted a beaming Biden saying, "It's time to heal a nation divided by racism."

The drawing then showed him pointing to Harris, the first Black woman on a major-party U.S. presidential ticket, and saying, "So I'll hand you over to this little brown girl while I go for a lie-down."

The 77-year-old Biden would be the oldest president ever if he wins in November.

The cartoon drew immediate criticism from some officials, and other critics. "It's offensive and racist," Andrew Giles, an Australian Labor politician and shadow cabinet minister, said on Twitter.

Former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus tweeted, "If The Australian has any respect for decency and standards it must apologise immediately, and never again publish cartoons like this."

The Australian's editor-in-chief, Christopher Dore, stood by the cartoon, saying Leak was mocking Biden's own words.

"The words 'little black and brown girls' belong to Joe Biden, not Johannes, and were uttered by the presidential candidate when he named Kamala Harris as his running mate yesterday; he repeated them in a tweet soon after," Dore said in a note to the newspaper's staff, provided to Reuters by News Corp.

A News Corp spokesman declined to comment on the cartoon.

In introducing Harris as his running mate on Wednesday, Biden said, "This morning, all across the nation, little girls woke up - especially Black and brown girls who so often feel overlooked and undervalued in their communities - but today, today, just maybe, they're seeing themselves for the first time in a new way: as the stuff of presidents and vice presidents."

Story continues

A spokesman for Biden's campaign declined to comment on the cartoon.

Harris' selection was hailed as historic in the United States, where civil unrest over racial inequity has roiled cities for months following the police killing of George Floyd, a Black man in Minnesota.

Dore said, "The intention of Johannes's commentary was to ridicule identity politics and demean racism, not perpetuate it."

Leak did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

Murdoch controls a number of conservative news outlets, including Fox News in the United States, which employs high-profile television hosts such as Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson who are hostile to Democrats and sympathetic to the Trump administration.

(Reporting by Sonali Paul in Melbourne and Joseph Ax in New York; Editing by William Mallard and Rosalba O'Brien)
New Delhi:

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre and state governments to strictly enforce provisions of the law while asking other competent authorities to discharge their duties to protect the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to attain the constitutional goal of equality for all citizens.

The apex court delivered the judgement after holding that there has been a failure on the part of authorities concerned in complying with the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Rules due to which the laudable object of it is defeated by their indifferent attitude.

The constitutional goal of equality for all the citizens of this country can be achieved only when the rights of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are protected. The abundant material on record proves that the authorities concerned are guilty of not enforcing the provisions of the Act. The travails of the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes continue unabated, a bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur said.

We are satisfied that the central government and state governments should be directed to strictly enforce the provisions of the Act and we do so, the bench, also comprising justices D Y Chandrachud and L Nageswara Rao, said.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Delhi:

A 20-year-old girl, who was on a job-hunt, was allegedly raped in a car in South Delhi's Moti Bagh area, a grim throwback to the horrific gang-rape and torture of a para-medic student in a moving bus on December 16, four years ago which had shaken the country.

The girl, a resident of Noida who had come to Delhi looking for a job, was waiting for a bus near AIIMS on Wednesday evening when the accused Avneesh (28), driving a car which had a sticker of the Home Ministry, offered to drop her. Police said the accused is the driver of a man whose father works in CISF.

Avneesh raped the girl inside the car in a secluded area but she managed to flee around midnight and was found by a police patrol team which brought her to South Campus police station in the wee hours yesterday. The accused has been caught.

The incident came to light today, the fourth anniversary of the December 16, 2012 gang-rape incident which had triggered massive outrage forcing the government to come out with stricter legal provision to deal with crime against women.However, the mother of the December 16 gangrape victim said nothing has changed in the last four years as far as women safety is concerned.

"We feel nothing has changed. The governments have also changed. It has been four years but the situation remains the same. For the last four years, we have been running from pillar to post to get justice. But no action has been taken against the accused," said a distraught Asha Devi.

A youth who was among six persons convicted in the case was released last year as he was a juvenile when he had committed the crime. One of accused had committed suicide while four others are lodged in jail as they have appealed against their death penalty.

According to Delhi Police statistics, 2,199 rape cases were reported in the capital in 2015 while till November 30 this year, 1,981 cases of rape have been registered.

As per National Crime Records Bureau, Delhi has the highest rate of crimes against women among all the cities in the country. Last year, the total number of cases of crime against women in Delhi was 17,104. On Wednesday's rape of the Noida girl, police said prompt action taken and the accused, a resident of Etah in Uttar Pradesh, was arrested yesterday.

"The car is a private vehicle. The owner's father works in Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and is posted in Delhi. We will be questioning them about the sticker. If it has been procured illegally, action will be taken against them," said DCP(South) Ishwar Singh.

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The opposition is up in arms over allegations that Facebook, the social media company, has been lenient while censoring content that amounts to hate-speech by members of the ruling party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) surfaced on Saturday.

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Sunday alleged that the BJP and its ideological parent the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh control Facebook and WhatsApp in India. They spread fake news and hatred through it and use it to influence the electorate. Finally, the American media has come out with the truth about Facebook, Gandhi tweeted.

In a press conference, Congress leaders Ajay Maken, Praveen Chakravarty and Rohan Gupta, demanded the creation of a Joint Parliamentary Committee to look into the issue.

The Bharatiya Janata Party categorically denied the allegations, stating that Congress needs to look within.

Information Technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad hit back at Gandhi saying that Losers who cannot influence people even in their own party keep cribbing that the entire world is controlled by BJP & RSS. You were caught red-handed in alliance with Cambridge Analytica & Facebook to weaponise data before the elections & now have the gall to question us. His reference is to a 2018 controversy surrounding a massive Facebook data breach, with the UK firm Cambridge Analytica at the centre of it. It emerged that the Congress had been in talks with the company in late 2017 for a campaign related to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The Congress claimed at the time that it did not sign a deal with the company.

Prasad added that access to information and freedom of expression has been democratised.: BJPs IT cell chief Amit Malviya also added that the concept of free speech can not be selectively applied.

For the last couple of year, pages linked to the right-wing, to the BJP have faced unilateral action by Facebook. The social networking has also taken action against right-wing organisations such as OpInida, Rightlo and MyNation.

Malviya added that this shows that Facebook is not aligned to BJP. Moreover, he said, the above mentioned pages are yet to be reinstated or be provided with reasons for why they were taken down.

It is ludicrous to suggest that Facebook is amenable to the BJP and the wider conservative ecosystem. If anything, the reverse is true. In the run up to the 2019 general elections, Facebook unilaterally took down over 700 pages, most of them sympathetic to a nationalist narrative. This trend of targeting large pages and groups run by volunteers and special interest groups, with communities running in millions, hasnt stopped since. No reasons are assigned and appeals arent entertained either.

He also added that social media has democratised discourse and that is something they (the Congress) havent come to terms with. They often use friendly media to push inconsistent and incoherent narrative to remain relevant. But it is unlikely to yield any political dividend.

Gandhi was not the only one from the Opposition to raise the issue. I spoke on this issue on the floor of #Parliamentin June 2019. Videois in the public domain. Your story has brought the focus back to the skeletons in the cupboard, said TMC spokesperson Derek OBrien on Twitter. In his speech, OBrien had alleged a sordid connection between the BJP and the senior management of the social networking site. OBrien had referred to the senior management as de facto campaigners for the BJP.

The leaders were all reacting to the Wall Street Journal article published late Friday night suggesting Facebook was going easy on hate speeches by members of ruling BJP. The Congress said it met and flagged similar concerns to a senior executive of the social media company who has been named in the story. WSJ cited interviews with unnamed Facebook insiders to claim that the companys senior India policy executive Ankhi Das intervened in internal content review processes to stop a ban on BJPs Telangana MLA T Raja Singh, who made communally charged posts targeting the Muslim community.

Das, the report added, told staff members that punishing violations by politicians from Mr. Modis party would damage the companys business prospects in the country. Facebook denied the allegation and said it was still reviewing whether it had to act against Singh on Saturday. The social media publisher added it would inform Hindustan Times of fresh developments when they happened.

Information and Technology panel chairperson Shashi Tharoor also said that the parliamentary body would like to hear from Facebook after reports emerged of an alleged collusion between the social media companys India policy head and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology would certainly wish to hear from @Facebook about these reports & what they propose to do about hate-speech in India, Tharoor tweeted.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, August 16, 2020 11:40 521 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e5e337 1 National COVID-19-in-Indonesia,COVID-19-West-Java,secapa-bandung,military,TNI,TNI-AD,army,TNI-angkatan-darat,West-Java,COVID-19,coronavirus,COVID-19-cluster Free

All COVID-19 patients from the Armys Officer Candidate School (Secapa) cluster in Bandung, West Java, have recovered, the Army announced on Saturday.

Army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Nefra Firdaus said all 1,308 COVID-19 patients no longer had the diseases as of Saturday when the swab test results of the last four patients in the cluster were released.

As of today, everyone has recovered; there are no patients left, Nefra said as quoted by tempo.co.

The first confirmed COVID-19 cases at the school were detected in July after two cadets sought medical attention for symptoms that were seemingly unrelated to the disease.

"One of them complained about boils, if Im not mistaken, some sort of infection. Whereas the other officer [complained] about back problems, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Andika Perkasa said last month.

However, their swab test results came back positive for COVID-19, triggering widespread testing at the school and leading to the discovery of hundreds of more cases.

The cluster resulted in Indonesias highest one-day spike in confirmed COVID-19 cases so far, with 2,657 cases. (dpk)
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Motilal Oswal 's research report on BPCL

BPCL posted an EBITDA beat in 1QFY21 on better-than-expected marketing margins (INR8.9/liter), counterpoised with marginally weaker GRMs (core at USD1.9/bbl). The company has reiterated that marketing margins and GRM trends over the longer term would stand at normalized levels. For the quarter, total sales volumes stood at ~38% of pre-COVID sales in Apr20, ~68% in May20, ~85% in Jun20. ATF average sales were mere ~24% of pre-COVID sales, while LPG sales were +11% YoY in 1QFY21. While refining throughput was in line with est., marketing volumes came in 8% lower than est. as BPCL has strong presence in urban areas. Therefore, impact of COVID-19 was higher on the companys volumes.

Outlook

We value BPCL at 1.8x (15% discount to FY15-18 average when markets did not see any interference from the government) FY22E PBV to arrive at a TP of INR424/share. We maintain Neutral on the stock with slim possibility of divestment in the current circumstances.

For all recommendations report, click here

Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts/broking houses/rating agencies on moneycontrol.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

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White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien on Sunday defended President Trump's track record on deterring Russian interference in the U.S. election, telling NBC's "Meet the Press": "We've put so many sanctions on Russia there's almost nothing left to sanction."

Why it matters: A top counterintelligence official revealed in a statement Aug. 7 that the Russian government is "using a range of measures" to "denigrate" Joe Biden ahead of the election, while China and Iran would prefer that Trump is defeated.

Key exchange:

O'BRIEN: "We want all of them to stay out of the election and what we've done to make sure that happens is we've spent millions and millions of dollars hardening election infrastructure, working with 50 secretaries of state on cybersecurity, and we've also sent very strong messages to all these countries. With respect to Russia, we put so many sanctions on Russia there's almost nothing left to sanction."

CHUCK TODD: "So it's not working. "

O'BRIEN: "Look, these are foreign powers that are adverse to the United States. We are in a period of great power competition and look, Russia and China are on the other side. But what we've done is we've pushed back, unlike the last administration."

What to watch: O'Brien denied that President Trump has asked Russian President Vladimir Putin for a meeting in the U.S., but said that "at some time we'd love to have Putin come here hopefully to sign a terrific arms control deal that protects Americans and protects Russians."
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 14:43:11|Editor: huaxia

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NEW DELHI, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Heavy rains have triggered flooding in several areas of the southern Indian state of Telangana including its capital city Hyderabad, officials said Sunday.

The incessant rains going on for the past three days inundated the city and its rural areas.

Streams and rivulets are flowing above the danger mark and breaches have been reported in some areas.

Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has asked officials to be on high alert in wake of the flooding.

Reports said in Jayshankar Bhupalpally district, 10 stranded farmers were rescued by a helicopter of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The farmers had gone to their fields and got stranded when a stream overflowed in the area.

A truck was washed away in Siddipet and the driver is feared to have drowned, reports said.

Authorities have set up two control rooms in Hyderabad and two choppers have also been deployed for rescue operations.

The meteorological department officials have predicted more rains in the next three days. Enditem
Photograph: Rick Wilking/Reuters

There wont be any huge balloon drops at the Democratic or Republican party conventions this year. Presidential candidates will not get the chance to accept their nominations in front of massive, cheering crowds. Political reporters and strategists will not descend on a carefully selected American city to kick off the final stretch of the 2020 presidential election.

And some in Washington say those changes may be for the best.

Related: As he struggles in the polls, Trump reaches for the racist playbook again

The coronavirus pandemic has upended plans for both nominating conventions, which will unfold over the next two weeks  Democrats first, then Republicans. Both nominees  Donald Trump and Joe Biden  will deliver their acceptance speeches remotely, and attendance at the two conventions has been sharply restricted. About 50,000 people attended each convention in 2016, a mere fraction of that number are expected to this year.

Rather than mourning the loss of the in-person convention, some commentators have suggested that the unique nature of this years events may represent an opportunity to re-evaluate an outdated tradition. But leaders of both parties insist the conventions still serve a vital purpose of informing voters about the presidential nominees and their platforms.

While the conventions have been held since 1831, they have become increasingly anticlimactic in recent decades. No convention has gone to a second ballot since 1952, and the last legitimate, although unsuccessful, effort to seize the nomination at a convention took place in 1980.

[Conventions] really began in the antebellum period in the 19th century as an opportunity for party leaders and party operatives to come together and debate platforms, said Kathryn Brownell, a history professor at Purdue University and the author of Showbiz Politics: Hollywood in American Politics.

Now, a convention mainly serves as a partys stamp of approval on its already-chosen nominee. The four days of events have turned into an intricately coordinated infomercial for each partys nominee, featuring a lineup of speeches from longtime lawmakers and rising stars.

Story continues

Once you have the introduction of the more open primary process to select the candidates, the conventions then become about presenting a more unified party to the American public and more about what theyre going to stand for in the election, Brownell said.

Those shifting dynamics have translated into decreasing interest, at least among television networks. The days of gavel-to-gavel coverage are long gone, and networks in recent years have instead devoted just one hour of primetime coverage to the conventions each night.

In an editorial published earlier this month, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazettes editorial board argued the conventions had devolved into a half-hearted spectacle of too many dull speeches and too many TV talking-heads spouting repetitive gossip and gibberish.

The board wrote: It is a bit sad to lose the tradition of the political convention. But, in truth, it died, like the dodo, long ago.

Hillary Clinton hugs Barack Obama at the Democratic convention in Philadelphia in July 2016. Photograph: Jim Young/Reuters

Despite that waning interest, party leaders push back against claims that conventions are relics of a bygone political era. I think theres still a remarkable importance to coming together in a city, the Democratic National Committee chairman, Tom Perez, said last week. I think theres a lot of value in that.

For the host cities themselves, there is economic value. The 2016 conventions generated roughly $200m in revenue for Cleveland and Philadelphia, but this years host cities  Charlotte and Milwaukee  will not see the same bump now that the events are mostly virtual.

Perez also argued the traditional convention represented an invaluable opportunity for party members to gather and discuss their priorities. There is often no substitute for that interaction that you get and the learning that you do, Perez said.

That sentiment was echoed by political strategists on both sides of the aisle, several of whom said they expected the conventions to return to their traditional format once it was safe to host large events.

Thats the kind of kinetic energy that is untranslatable. Youve got to be in the room. Youve got to feel that, said Michael Steele, the former chairman of the Republican National Committee. It sets up the shockwave the nominee wants to send out to the country.

Steele and others said there was no replacement for the excitement of nominees delivering their acceptance speeches to thousands of cheering fans. Democrats in particular are losing the opportunity to celebrate California senator Kamala Harris historic achievement, as she becomes the first Black woman and first Asian American to join a major partys presidential ticket.

Were all lamenting that that moment in history will not be captured in the traditional convention stage way, said Leah Daughtry, who ran the 2008 and 2016 Democratic conventions.

Both Daughtry and Henry Barbour, Mississippis national committeeman to the RNC, also noted that the conventions allow delegates, who represent some of the most ardent members of each party, to come together for training and networking.

The opportunity for the grassroots workers to go to a national convention and be around people who share their passion and love of politics is important, Barbour said. It serves as a great reward to the workers in the party.

Barbour is one of just 336 delegates who will still convene in Charlotte to formally nominate Trump, and he is missing the convention hoopla of past years. Its just not going to have the impact that 2016 and other years have had, and so I think well get back to that, Barbour said.

However, even if in-person conventions return in 2024, this year could still represent an opportunity to reconsider how they are held. Democrats, for example, are allowing virtual delegate voting for the first time, which could expand participation in future conventions as well.

Related: Kamala Harris: trailblazer who went from Joe Bidens rival to running mate

Daughtry, who virtually cast her delegate vote for Biden last week, also suggested shortening conventions. My prediction is that they will be one or two days, not four, because the business of the convention can really be accomplished in just a few hours, Daughtry said.

Steele was similarly open to shorter conventions, and he argued that social media could help make the events feel less scripted. Im watching to see how social media generates and creates that spontaneity or brings some of that back in future convention settings, Steele said. Because you cant control what someones tweeting from the floor.

Despite some calls to end the political tradition, Steele expressed optimism that the parties could find ways to resurrect the interest sparked by earlier conventions. Theyre boring, but they are necessary, Steele said. I dont think they need to be necessarily boring.
According to a contract released by the U.S. DoD (Department of Defense) on August 14, 2020, Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a $125,819,311 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the labor and material efforts required to plan the U.S. Navy USS Hartford (SSN 768) Submersible Ship Nuclear Los Angeles-class submarine engineered overhaul (EOH) availability.

According to a contract released by the U.S. DoD (Department of Defense) on August 14, 2020, Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a $125,819,311 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the labor and material efforts required to plan the U.S. Navy USS Hartford (SSN 768) Submersible Ship Nuclear Los Angeles-class submarine engineered overhaul (EOH) availability.

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U.S. Navy Los Angeles-class submarine USS Hartford (SSN-768), surfaces near Ice Camp Sargo during Ice Exercise (ICEX) 2016. (Picture source U.S. Navy)

The contracting approach will include advance planning, engineering, design efforts, prefabrication and shipyard execution work, including growth work and new work, necessary to prepare for and accomplish the maintenance and modernization work as defined in the USS Hartford EOH availability work package. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut, and is expected to be complete by February 2022.



The USS Hartford (SSN-768) is a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered submarine build by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 30 June 1988, and her keel was laid down on 22 February 1992. She was launched on 4 December 1993 sponsored by Laura O'Keefe, wife of former Secretary of the Navy Sean O'Keefe, and commissioned on 10 December 1994, with Commander George Kasten in command.



The Los Angeles class boats are nuclear-powered fast attack submarines (SSN) in service with the United States Navy. The U.S. Navy has been procuring Virginia (SSN 774) class nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) since FY1998. The one Virginia-class boat that the Navy is requesting for procurement in FY2021 would be the 33rd boat in the class. The Navys FY2020 budget submission had projected that the Navy would request two Virginia-class boats in FY2021.



A total of 62 Los Angeles-class submarines, commonly called 688s, were procured between FY1970 and FY1990 and entered service between 1976 and 1996. They are equipped with four 21-inch diameter torpedo tubes and can carry a total of 26 torpedoes or Tomahawk cruise missiles in their torpedo tubes and internal magazines. The final 31 boats in the class (SSN-719 and higher) were built with an additional 12 vertical launch system (VLS) tubes in their bows for carrying and launching another 12 Tomahawk cruise missiles. The final 23 boats in the class (SSN-751 and higher) incorporate further improvements and are referred to as Improved Los Angeles class boats or 688Is. As of the end of FY2019, 32 of the 62 boats in the class had been retired.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 08/16/2020



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[ Spoiler Warning: This report features spoilers that reveal if Kalani and Asuelu are still together or if the : Happily Ever After? couple has broken up.]

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Did Kalani and Asuelu end up splitting up or is the couple still together?

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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

couple Asuelu Pulaa and Kalani Faagata have finally turned a corner in their marriage where they seem to be on the same page on : Happily Ever After?'s fifth season, but did their happiness last? Are Kalani and Asuelu still together or have they broken up?Kalani, a 31-year-old from Orange County, CA, and Asuelu, a 24-year-old from Samoa, got their start on the TLC franchise by starring on Season 6 of in 2019.The pair met in July 2016 when Kalani was visiting a resort where Asuelu worked as the activities director, and they continued dating once Kalani returned to America.Kalani later flew back Samoa and lost her virginity to Asuelu, which resulted in a surprise pregnancy Kalani didn't seem ready for.The news also rocked Kalani's Mormon family given she didn't wait until marriage to have sex and her father Low never wanted one of his daughters to end up with a Samoan man like himself.Despite her family's concern, Kalani applied for a K-1 visa so Asuelu could move to the United States and become the husband and father she hoped he would be. At the time, their son Oliver had turned five months old.Kalani and Asuelu got married in September 2018, and 's sixth season ended with Kalani and Asuelu's wedding as well as Kalani learning she was pregnant with Baby No. 2.Kalani and Asuelu found out they were expecting another child together less than a year after she had given birth to Oliver, which was another big surprise!Kalani and Asuelu are now parents of two sons: Kennedy, who was born in May 2019, and Oliver, whom the couple welcomed in January 2018.Kalani apparently found parenting two kids very difficult in the first several months after Kennedy was born. In a September 2019 poll on her Instagram, Kalani suggested Asuelu wasn't helping out much.While she did not name Asuelu directly in her Instagram post, she made it clear she was venting about her husband's alleged laziness and his unrealistic expectations of her as a wife and mother of two."Do all husbands expect their wives to pay bills, clean the whole house, do all the laundry, feed/watch the kids 24/7 (unless said husband is in public or wants a selfie)?" Kalani asked in the poll. "Asking for my gottdamn self. Is this normal?"Apparently 70 percent of Kalani's followers who participated in the poll answered "No."However, the couple appeared to be a very happy family at Christmas time in December 2019.On : Happily Ever After?'s fifth season, Asuelu was shown at work passing out free samples. The couple had been married for one year and three months at the time of filming.Kalani suggested her marriage was suffering and she was exhausted all the time, so her parents moved in with the couple to help them out with Oliver and Kennedy, which made Asuelu feel a bit uncomfortable since he could no longer be the man of the house.Kalani said she wanted Asuelu to help out more with the babies and around the house, but Asuelu grew up believing those are the wife's responsibilities.Kalani argued Asuelu would rather play volleyball or video games after work than assist her and spend time with his family. She also complained they hadn't been on a romantic date in four months."I just wish that Asuelu and I could get back to the point where we were in the beginning of our relationship, where we loved to be around each other. I just miss that, and if Asuelu refuses to change, I don't know if I can keep doing this anymore," Kalani said in a confessional.Kalani's dad Low also wanted Asuelu to "step up" and stop "f-cking around." Low said Asuelu would get his "ass whooped or sent back to Samoa" if things didn't change for the better.But Asuelu took his time in changing.Asuelu was angry with his wife when she turned down an opportunity for them to travel to Samoa and allow their kids to see where Asuelu grew up.Not only would the trip cost thousands of dollars in plane fare alone, there had also been a Measles outbreak recently -- and children in Samoa were dying from it.Asuelu and Kalani's son Kennedy also wasn't vaccinated and wasn't supposed to get that MMR vaccine until 12-24 months old, according to his doctor.Given Kennedy was only seven months old at the time, Kalani was worried and decided to postpone the trip.Instead of going to Samoa, Kalani drove her family to California in order to celebrate Oliver's second birthday, but Asuelu was noticeably in a bad mood.Kalani said if Asuelu is mad at her or things don't go his way, he'll criticize her and try to make her feel bad about everything she does.During the car ride to California, Asuelu called Kalani's job as a mother "easy""I think Kalani can't do what mother in Samoa do," Asuelu said.Kalani argued that she was the one up all night with both of their sick kids when she was sick too and did "everything for them," and Asuelu called her out for being "annoying" as well as a "lying b-tch."Kalani's mother was driving the car and scolded Asuelu for talking to her daughter that way, which only made Asuelu more frustrated."I don't know how your husband talk to you when you guys been together. But it's my wife; I can talk whatever," Asuelu said. "Your daughter asks stupid questions."Kalani's mother called Asuelu "disrespectful," and Kalani felt Asuelu was trying to sabotage the weekend and ruin it for everyone as a way to get back at her for canceling their trip to Samoa."It just shows me that he doesn't really care about me and the boys and he's just No. 1 to himself," Kalani complained in a confessional, later adding that she'd never be "subservient" to a man.During a heated confrontation in the backyard, Kalani called Asuelu "a manipulator" because of his attempts to change the subject every time he wanted to back himself out of an uncomfortable conversation. She desired "an equal partnership."Since the pair couldn't reach a resolution and Asuelu felt Kalani didn't respect what he contributed to their family, Asuelu took off with his suitcase by boarding a bus to Utah.That night, Asuelu apparently sent Kalani three false locations to drive to in order to pick him up, and once she was ready to give up, he finally gave his actual location.Kalani's sister Kolini said Asuelu "sucked the life" out of her sister and it was hard to see, and Kalani's whole family thought Asuelu was "in the wrong" and had behaved rudely.Asuelu even refused to attend Oliver's birthday party at first and hid in a bedroom.Low told Asuelu that he needed to be there for his son's birthday and put his issues aside, so Asuelu ultimately joined the party but Kalani's sister Kolini thought he was just "putting on a show for everyone, which is what he does.""Asuelu is a fine actor. I know his bullsh-t -- but whatever makes him feel better," Kolini told the cameras.A few days after Kalani and Asuelu returned home from California, Asuelu said things between Kalani's family and himself were very "tense" and nobody wanted to talk to him -- probably because he didn't want to talk to any of them either.Low acknowledged men in Samoa want to control their wives and that's the culture, but he said he didn't raise his daughters to put up with that behavior and be submissive.Low told Asuelu that swearing at Lisa and Kalani was "unacceptable," and Asuelu confessed to "doing really bad things."Low was apparently fed up with giving Asuelu second, third and fourth chances. Low was trying his best "not to get violent," but he demanded, "You need to learn how to treat your wife, because I'm not having that."Asuelu insisted he was really sorry and intended to be more careful with his words and actions.Asuelu later apologized to Kalani, admitting he was "so wrong in saying that a woman in Samoa is better" than Kalani.Kalani said Asuelu's apology meant a lot to her but he needed to change his actions. And in order to make Asuelu happier in their marriage, she agreed to visit his mother and two half-sisters in Washington State.But Asuelu's mother was asking for $1,000, and Asuelu said he didn't have that much money -- and then blamed it on Kalani.Kalani got upset because she said she hated being the bad guy, and she couldn't believe Asuelu had thrown her under the bus like that.Kalani agreed to let Asuelu buy $200 worth of gifts, but she only agreed to giving his mother an additional $100 cash. Kalani told Asuelu they needed to be realistic about their finances since Asuelu only worked part-time.Kalani figured Asuelu was "trying to buy his family's love" and it was no longer "a cultural thing."Asuelu threw a little fit when Kalani insisted their family spend their first night in Washington State in an AirBnB so their kids could rest, but Asuelu apologized to her off-camera for the outburst.It had been about a year since Asuelu last saw his mother and sisters Tammy and Rosa, so he expected the gathering to be a wonderful and special occasion. Asuelu's mother cried when she saw Asuelu and her grandsons, but the bliss subsided when she brought up money not long after.Asuelu's mother was shocked he only had $100 for her, but Asuelu explained raising two children is very expensive.Tammy advised Asuelu to step up like a man and work full-time, and Asuelu said he had applied for jobs. Asuelu knew his family was "poor" and needed money, but Asuelu said he needed to support his wife and kids and they didn't have money to spare.Lesina argued, "Where is your mind?! Kalani's parents have a lot of money. They will take care of the kids."Asuelu said Kalani's parents already helped a lot but they shouldn't be responsible for everything."We gotta put our parents first no matter we're married. We're supposed to take care of them and send money no matter what," Tammy explained."Well do you send money home?" Kalani asked.Tammy was quiet for a moment and said, "It's none of your business." But Kalani argued it was her business, suggesting she and Asuelu shouldn't be held responsible for something Tammy didn't even do herself.There was clearly tension between Kalani and Asuelu's family.Asuelu is still working at the same nutrition store in Utah -- which is near the home he shares with Kalani -- where he was shown passing out free samples on an episode of : Happily Ever After?.Also, the pair definitely appear to still be married based on their social-media activity.In late July, Asuelu captioned a series of photos of his family in Pine Valley, UT. They appeared to do some hiking by a lake."Family Adventure #blessed #love #utahcheck," Asuelu captioned the slideshow.Asuelu also posted a TikTok video of himself dancing in the couple's kitchen about a week earlier, and Kalani can be seen in the background preparing food for her family.Asuelu captioned the video, "Morning routine after riding the bus."In early July, Asuelu wished Kalani a happy birthday on his Instagram account by posting a video of his wife and son. He wrote over the video "love of my life."And in the caption, Asuelu gushed, "My wife's birthday. Cheers for 32nd years my love @kalanifaagata and many more to come."Not only has Kalani also posted recent photos with Asuelu on Instagram, but the couple has additionally shared two YouTube videos on their channel in the last month after not uploading anything on their channel for almost a year.As recently as June 30, Kalani posted a sweet photo of Asuelu cuddling with their boys on Instagram Stories.One week earlier, Kalani posted a smiling selfie with Asuelu, a video of Asuelu laughing in a massage chair, and brief throwback clips of the couple's axe-throwing date.Kalani uploaded the photos and videos shortly after the June 21 episode of : Happily Ever After? aired on TLC, and she captioned the slideshow, "BTS of tonight's episode. What'd y'all think?"On May 24, Kalani posted a video clip on Instagram of Asuelu and herself talking about how they had once walked through a jungle in Samoa and explored a cave together.The couple was promoting a video they had posted on YouTube."In honor of #samoanlanguageweek, we posted a YouTube video where I butcher basic Samoan, and we talk about our dating life in Samoa (pictures included)," Kalani wrote on Instagram.A couple of weeks earlier on May 8, Kalani and Asuelu posted a YouTube video of how they celebrated Kennedy's first birthday.Kalani and Asuelu enjoyed many laughs as Kennedy was spoiled with a fun pool day, gifts, cake, bubbles and a pinata.On April 27, Kalani posted a slideshow of photos with Asuelu and captioned the post, "Pretending we're in Samoa."And going back to March 1, Kalani uploaded a photo of the married pair, revealing they had met Robyn and Kody from TLC's Sister Wives.The two couples met each other while enjoying brunch at a restaurant and Kalani mentioned they should double-date soon.Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage!
At least 65 people have died and more than 14,000 homes destroyed in Sudan floods.

Torrential rains and floods have killed at least 65 people and destroyed more than 14,000 homes in Sudan.

More than 30,400 homes were damaged, and almost 700 cattle died due to the flooding, the Interior Ministry said in a statement late on Saturday.

Some 2,000 gold miners were trapped in two mines in eastern Gadarif state due to the bad weather, the Sudan News Agency reported.

The Horn of Africa nation through which the Nile river flows is in the midst of its rainy season, which lasts from June to October.

Hundreds of families are left homeless by flooding in Sudan [Andalou]

Sudans Khartoum, Blue Nile, and River Nile states are among the hardest-hit by the floods, while damage has also been reported in the Gezira, Gadarif, West Kordofan and South Darfur regions, according to the United Nations.

At least 14 schools have been damaged across the country, and more than 1,600 water sources have become contaminated or non-functional, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Sudan.

In Bout, Blue Nile province, a seasonal river burst its banks, further impacting an area where the collapse of the Bout Dam at the end of July already caused significant damage, driving the local population to rely on what surface water they can find. According to humanitarian sources on the ground, this trend combined with poor sanitation and open defecation is likely to increase the risk of disease outbreaks.

With maximum precipitation reaching 92mm (3.6 inches), the downpour washed away many houses [Andalou]

More heavy rainfall is expected in August and September in most parts of the country, Sudans meteorological authority has warned.

Flooding is common in Sudan, which suffers from poor infrastructure and lacks functional sewer systems and storm drains.
She has seemed to delight in showing off her growing tummy on social media ahead of the birth of her first child.

And Romee Strijd looked like a proud mother to be on Saturday as she showcased her burgeoning baby bump on her Instagram Stories.

The 25-year-old Victoria's Secret Angel got some moral support from her husband Laurens Van Leeuwen, 29, who pulled up his own shirt to show off his belly.

Comparison: Romee Strijd, 25, showed off her growing baby bump as her husband Laurens Van Leeuwen decided to join her in an Instagram Stories video from Saturday

Romee was clad in nothing but a simple black bra and matching black panties as she posed in front of a mirror with Laurens.

The Dutch model wore her blonde tresses up in a high bun and wore small gold hoop earrings.

Laurens stood next to her and pulled up his gray shirt to show off his own stomach, which he seemed to puff out a bit.

He gave himself a quick pat while remaining stonefaced, which elicited a laugh from his wife.

Clear winner: Romee wore a simple black bra and panties. While she stood in front of the mirror, Laurens raised his shirt to show off his own stomach

Picture perfect: Later, he burst out laughing after she filmed the two of them with a filter that made their eyes and teeth gleam like diamonds. 'What the f*** is this?' he said while chuckling

Later, the catwalk star posted a short video with a filter that made her eyes and teeth gleam like diamonds.

Laurens popped up behind her but couldn't handle the artificiality.

'What the f*** is this?' he said while bursting out into a laugh, before stepping back.

Later, he proved himself to be a dutiful husband by cutting up thin slices of ginger to make Romee a ginger tea.

'Do you want some ginger tea?' she captioned the video, which showed her look on approvingly from the side of the kitchen.

Sweet: Later, he proved himself to be a dutiful husband by cutting up thin slices of ginger to make Romee a ginger tea

Yum! 'Do you want some ginger tea?' she captioned the video, which showed her look on approvingly from the side of the kitchen

Last week, Romee shared photos of herself enjoying some sunshine at a beach in the Netherlands with her fellow Angel Taylor Hill and other friends.

Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, neither she nor anyone in the photos appeared to be wearing masks to slow the spread of the virus.

Unlike in many other nations, Dutch public health officials have resisted calls to mandate or even recommend non-medical mask use, aside from on public transit, where they're required.

Stunners: Last week, Romee shared photos of herself enjoying some sunshine at a beach in the Netherlands with her fellow Angel Taylor Hill and other friends

Concerning: Despite the ongoing pandemic, neither she nor anyone in the photos wore masks to slow the spread of the virus, as they're mostly not required in the Netherlands

Romee first announced she was expecting her first child with her husband Laurens in May, and revealed they were expecting a baby girl in June.

Laurens stood at her side in an announcement video with a thick metal canister that turned out to be filled with pink smoke

'We cant wait to meet our little girl,' captioned the catwalk star, adding a heart emoji for good measure.

Romee and Laurens, whose father is a famous TV presenter in the Netherlands, eloped in October 2018 after dating since 2010.

'We can't wait': Romee announced her pregnancy in May and revealed she was expecting a girl in June

The model revealed last month that she was expecting her first child, following a year's long struggle with polycistic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) that kept her from having periods for years.

Romee wrote that '2 years ago I got diagnosed with PCOS after not getting my period for 7 years. I was devastated because being a mom and starting a family with @laurensvleeuwen is my biggest dream..

'I was so scared that I would never be able to because I got told it was harder to get babies in a natural way.. I started to research PCOS and came to the conclusion that mine was not the typical pcos,' she added.

The model revealed: 'Mine was because of my body being in fight or flight mode.. which means my body was under constant stress. I never felt mentally super stressed so it was hard te understand this, but my life consisted of travelling all the time (no biorhythm), working out every day, eating super clean (restricting foods).'

Her solution was to give up the high-intensity training she had been doing and not to restrict her food choice, as well as being 'nice to myself' and taking breaks whenever she needs them.
Mumbai, Aug 16 : "Sadak 2" trailer is third most disliked video in the world and the most disliked YouTube video in India.

"Sadak 2" got 9.04 million dislikes following 11.6 million dislikes for pop star Justin Bieber's 2010 song "Baby" and the highest 18.2 million (dislikes) for a video posted by YouTube itself, a rewind of the year 2018, according to India Today's Data Intelligence Unit (DIU), reports BusinessToday.In.

Released on August 12, the trailer of "Sadak 2" has been trolled by many netizens as it is seen by people as a shining example of Bollywood nepotism -- a topic which became the talk of the town after actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death in June.

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt's movie stars his daughters Pooja and Alia Bhatt along with Sanjay Dutt and Aditya Roy Kapur, youngest brother of producer Siddharth Roy Kapur.

In July, the Nepometer, an app created by Sushant's family, had rated "Sadak 2" as 98 per cent nepotistic. Fans of the late Bollywood actor have been actively campaigning on social media for the past few weeks urging everyone to boycott "Sadak 2".
Robert had fallen seriously ill in a New York City hospital and was visited by his brother on Friday.

Mr Trump said: It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight.

He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again.

His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace.





The youngest of the Trump siblings had remained close to the 74-year-old president and, as recently as June, filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Trump family that unsuccessfully sought to stop publication of a tell-all book by the presidents niece, Mary.

Both longtime businessmen, Robert and Donald had strikingly different personalities.

Robert Trump began his career on Wall Street working in corporate finance but later joined the family business, managing real estate holdings as a top executive in the Trump Organisation.

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Family biographer Gwenda Blair said: When he worked in the Trump Organisation, he was known as the nice Trump.

Robert was the one people would try to get to intervene if there was a problem.

Robert Stewart Trump was born in 1948, the youngest of New York City real estate developer Fred Trumps five children.

The president, more than two years older than Robert, admittedly bullied his brother in their younger years, even as he praised his loyalty and laid-back demeanour.

I think it must be hard to have me for a brother but hes never said anything about it and were very close, Donald Trump wrote in his 1987 bestseller The Art of the Deal.

Robert gets along with almost everyone, he added, which is great for me since I sometimes have to be the bad guy.

A Boston University graduate, Robert Trump later managed the Brooklyn portion of father Fred Trumps real estate empire, which was eventually sold.

Once a regular boldface name in Manhattans social pages, Robert Trump had kept a lower profile in recent years.

He avoided the limelight during his elder brothers presidency, having retired to the Hudson Valley.

But he described himself as a big supporter of the White House run in a 2016 interview with the New York Post.

I support Donald one thousand percent, Robert Trump said.

In early March of 2020, he married his longtime girlfriend, Ann Marie Pallan.

The presidents surviving siblings include Elizabeth Trump Grau and Maryanne Trump Barry, a retired federal appeals judge.

Authors Michael Kranish and Marc Fisher described Robert Trump as soft spoken but cerebral in Trump Revealed: The Definitive Biography of the 45th President.

They wrote: He lacked Donalds charismatic showmanship, and he was happy to leave the bravado to his brother, but he could show flashes of Trump temper.
If there was one unit of the British Army you might reasonably expect to organise tests properly, it would be the Royal Logistic Corps.

But bosses have been left red-faced after clerical errors led to more than 100 junior soldiers getting the wrong results in their promotion exams.

Worse, the blunder  which meant soldiers were told they had failed when they had passed and vice versa  was only spotted after the RLCs promotion board posted the results online and celebrated its success on military social media platforms.

According to Army sources, the mistake came about when candidates exam scripts were mixed up and test scores were assigned to the wrong soldiers.

More than 100 solders in the British Army's Royal Logistics Corps were given the incorrect results in their promotion tests. Pictured: File photo of junior soldiers taking an endurance test

The blunder meant soldiers were told they had failed when they had passed and vice versa. It was only spotted after the RLCs promotion board posted the results online and celebrated the success of those that passed. Pictured: Soldiers in the Royal Logistics Corps collect facemasks

Those affected included troops aiming to be driver tank transporter operators, logistic supply specialists and instructors in several specialisations.

Last night, one said: Im gutted and angry, having studied hard. I was confident Id passed so was shocked to be told otherwise. Now they say my score  and lots of others  cannot be confirmed. I hope the recount is accurate and I dont have to resit.

Commanders are hoping to recount the scores to avoid candidates having to resit exams. However, troops who miss out on promotion will be financially hit, at least temporarily, because rising from lance corporal to corporal adds 2,500 in extra pay.

A-level results have been thrown into chaos this year after almost 40 per cent of students had their results downgraded. Pictured: Students protest outside 10 Downing Street in London

News of the fiasco came in a message from a senior officer, who wrote: Regrettably the RLC board results... contained errors.

'This will result in soldiers who have been informed of their selection now being informed they were not successful. Conversely, some who had been informed they were not successful will have been successful.

The Ministry of Defence said: Lessons will be learned to ensure it does not happen again.
The removal of blue mail drop boxes from neighborhoods around the country, including in New Jersey, have caused alarm as residents prepare for a presidential election conducted primarily through the mail, despite mail officials saying the removal is for routine reasons.

Images shared by local and national politicians that show truck beds full of United States Postal Service mailboxes have led to politicians calling for an investigation into their removal.
Photograph: Rachel Wisniewski/Reuters

Workers at the United States Postal Service (USPS) say changes being implemented by recently appointed postmaster general and major Donald Trump donor Louis DeJoy are causing major delays, with mail carriers struggling to keep up.

Related: Why is the US Postal Service's role in November's election under scrutiny?

DeJoy was appointed on 15 June, and has since made controversial changes at the USPS to cut costs, which critics argue are tactics to undermine the agency as the US president seeks re-election in November.

Trump himself has admitted to wanting to starve the postal service of funds so that mail-in voting will become difficult, as tens of millions of Americans are expected to vote by mail during the coronavirus pandemic. Leading Democrats, including Barack Obama and the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, have decried the moves as a threat to the election.

In July, DeJoy instructed USPS employees to leave mail behind if it delayed carriers from their routes and prohibited employees from working overtime. On 7 August, DeJoy announced a management hiring freeze and is planning to seek early retirements of non-union employees.

Essentially, by ordering us to leave behind mail, we are being instructed to break federal law, said Zack Finley, a city mail carrier in Midland, Texas, and local union shop steward with the National Association of Letter Carriers. For first-class mail, there is federal law that says it must be delivered on the day it is received by the office, or have delivery attempted.

Finley added: By following an order to break federal law, each individual carrier assumes liability for their own action that breaks the law. Not everyone understands that, but the union does. It puts the carrier in an impossible to win situation. Obey the law and potentially lose your job or obey the order and possibly be arrested.

He also noted conversion of non-career employees to career employees with benefits has been halted, and mail carriers are being forced out on to their routes without being given enough time to complete their office duties, leaving those tasks to gradually pile up, causing further delays.

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Trump said on 13 August that he opposes providing additional funding to the USPS to make it more difficult to deliver mail-in ballots. The USPS has now warned that mail ballots in 46 states and Washington DC may not be delivered on time to be counted.

The USPS has struggled financially due to budget cuts and measures imposed by Congress.

The mail is really being delayed and its overwhelming to the carriers Mail carrier in Virginia

In 2006, Congress forced the USPS to create a $72bn fund to fully pay for post-retirement healthcare costs for employees 50 years into the future, which applies to no other federal agency or corporation. Since Congress actions, the USPS has reduced its number of employees by about 200,000 workers to cut costs. The fund created a deficit within the USPS over the past several years, and the coronavirus pandemic has hurt the agency further amid revenue declines.

Several workers at the USPS who spoke to the Guardian requested anonymity for fear of retaliation.

One in the Richmond, Virginia, area said mail carriers are being forced to come in later in the morning, and truck drivers who deliver mail to USPS stations have also had hours cut, resulting in less time to conduct deliveries and complete workloads. Mail carriers are also being forced to return to stations earlier.

They want us out on the street by 10am and some cases want us back at 4.30pm. If youre not back in the time they want you to return, they write you up, said the mail carrier. The mail is really being delayed and its overwhelming to the carriers.

The mail carrier explained USPS workers are already working understaffed due to callouts and leaves requested by employees due to the pandemic, with the recent changes causing first-class mail to get out of order, and mail to pile up in stations. The carrier took two days off from work, and returned with four days worth of mail to try to deliver on their regular route.

There are buckets of mail sitting, and we are only able to take out as much as we can. Its heavy. Im on a walking route. Just imagine having to do a whole street with 50 houses, you have 60 magazines in your arm, plus packages and your bag. Its time-consuming, they added.

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a mail carrier explained mail and packages are piling up because there arent enough workers as usual to handle the mail loads.

Im forced to lie to customers about their mail or if their mail is coming out, said the carrier.

A carrier outside of Chicago claimed their station has experienced occurrences where mail trucks failed to deliver post to the USPS station on time, forcing carriers to go out on routes with practically no mail.

As part of the postmaster generals new pivot plan, anything that is not ready for dispatch gets held back for the next day. This is problematic for a lot of packages, because if they dont make the truck in time, they used to just go on a later truck, but now they get held back till the next day, or the next day, or the next day, if it doesnt make the truck, said the mail carrier.

Customers depend on us to get their parcels when theyre supposed to get them, and certainly not nine days after it is supposed to get there. I take pride in my job, and Im ashamed when I have to deliver stuff like that, the carrier added.
Rebecca Judd's future at Channel Nine has reportedly been thrown into question.

According to the Herald Sun, the WAG, 37, has been 'left without a role' on Channel Nine after Postcards paused filming amid Melbourne's lockdown restrictions.

As one of Victoria's most-watched travel and lifestyle shows, Postcards sees its presenter travel around the state searching for exciting holiday destinations and experiences.

Have the curtains fallen? Footy WAG Rebecca Judd's future at Channel Nine has reportedly been thrown into question after her show Postcards was forced to halt filming amid Melbourne's COVID-19 lockdown

Former weather presenter Rebecca began hosting Postcards in 2011.

However, with COVID-19 lockdown restrictions making production impossible, Rebecca 'has been left without a role on the network she has called home for almost a decade', the publication claims.

Nine is currently airing older episodes of Postcards to fill up its weekly time-slot in Victoria.

Popular: One of Victoria's most-watched travel and lifestyle shows, Postcards sees its presenter travel around the state searching for exciting holiday destinations and experiences

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel Nine and Rebecca Judd for comment.

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.

Melburnians can only leave their homes between these hours for work, care-giving, medical reasons or on compassionate grounds.

Host with the most: Former weather presenter Rebecca began hosting Postcards in 2011

The city's 4.9 million residents have also been banned from travelling more than 5km to do their shopping, and only one person from each household can leave at any time.

Victoria is facing draconian restrictions, with residents required to wear a mask or face a $200 fine, after coronavirus cases spiralled during the state's second wave.

Victorias total coronavirus death toll is currently 309, with 279 new cases of COVID-19 detected since Saturday afternoon.
Netflix dropped a new documentary, Immigration Nation, on Aug. 3, 2020. The six-episode miniseries made headlines even before its release because the filmmakers were faced with legal threats. Immigration Nation sat down with many undocumented immigrants to follow their stories.

Immigration Nation Episode 1 | NETFLIX  2020

Is Immigration Nation on Netflix real?

The new Netflix documentary, Immigration Nation, is full of real-life footage from 2017 to 2020 of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. The series depicts the agencys actions during President Donald Trumps administration.

Filmmakers Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau filmed inside actual ICE agencies and agents working in New York City, Charlotte, North Carolina, and outside Tucson, Arizona. They followed officers as they chained and handcuffed immigrants who were about to be deported. The series included interviews with administrators and supervisors as they dealt with the ever-changing policies.

It also delves into the life of real individuals, including immigrants separated from small children as they sob while wrapped in chains. The series shows what happens when ICE agents encounter collaterals when they find their target. The agents used the term collaterals to refer to undocumented immigrants who were brought into custody, although they were not the individuals the officers sought to find.

Immigration Nation on Netflix: How did filmmakers get into ICE agencies?

Filmmaker Shaul Schwarz explained that they gained access to the ICE agencies and operations because of a previous story the director did with Homeland Security Investigations in 2010-2011. He had a relationship with a spokesperson there, and the individual agreed after President Trump took office. However, the documentary wasnt what the spokesperson had in mind.

There was a moment where we spoke to one of the spokesmen after the review process, Schwarz told Vanity Fair. And he saysIm not quoting him word for word, but his notion was, I cant believe youre telling so much of the immigrant story. We thought it was really a show about ICE.

The director pointed out that the filmmakers described their intentions in their pitch.

Immigration Nation Episode 3 | NETFLIX  2020

RELATED: Is This a Desperate Move by Netflix to Keep up With Disney+?

I said to him, Immigration and Customs Enforcement is literally the name of the agency! If you look at the pitch we wrote, it was on the shift during the Trump era. It was, like, in the synopsis of the first paragraph.

He also noted that the spokesperson did not look into the filmmakers previous documentaries.

Maybe they were anticipating some kind of rah-rah kinda cop show, Schwarz continued. Which doesnt make sense, because they should have known our prior work and our line of work.

Immigration Nation on Netflix was challenging to produce in so many ways

The Immigration policies changed so often during the three years of the documentary that the film was tough to produce.

You had to be very nimble and quick to jump, to be willing toyou know, tomorrow morning, get on a flight to go to El Paso because Berta [an El Salvadorean grandmother seeking asylum, featured in the docuseries] is going to be deported, Schwarz told the outlet.

The filmmakers wanted to use the access they had to talk to immigrants within the system. However, the difficulty came when they tried to follow that persons story throughout the three years. The agents moved around the individuals so frequently; it became challenging to keep up.

However, the directors give an inside look at the genuine hardships of the ICE agents and the Immigrants involved. Immigration Nation is currently streaming on Netflix.
Only six months ago, a terrifying bleed on the brain left Clemency Burton-Hill unable to see, talk or walk  yet she has defied medical expectation to relearn all three. She tells how her brush with death made her determined to live

Clemency in New York last October

A little over six months ago, on 20 January, my life changed in an instant. In the US, where I live, it was a public holiday: Martin Luther King Day. I didnt go to my office at New York Public Radio, where I am creative director at classical music station WQXR, but instead I headed to a work meeting in Brooklyn. I was due to discuss a programme of musical collaborations in a new venue and I was brimming with ideas.

My husband James took our two sons, aged five and one, to the Liberty science museum. We planned to meet that afternoon. I kissed the boys and remember waiting for the lift, saying goodbye. We parted ways.

It was a beautiful, freezing winters morning. Once there, I was shown around. Excited about our proposed concert and interview series, I took photos and texted them to my producer. My meeting was just wrapping up when I tried to say something. My speech started slurring. I was instantly aware something was terribly wrong. My mouth was not cooperating. I tried to speak again  the words were clear in my brain but came out as gobbledygook. I was terrified. Then suddenly the world went dark.

I came round in a hospital bed 17 days later, half of my skull missing, and I had no idea where I was or what had happened. At first I thought I was dreaming but, when I tried to speak, I still couldnt produce the words. It felt like a living nightmare. I later learned what happened.

I was taken to the Brooklyn Hospital Centre, where an emergency scan revealed a bleed in my left frontal lobe, and transferred to Mount Sinai West hospital. I was having a massive brain haemorrhage caused by an arteriovenous malformation (AVM)  a tangle of abnormal blood vessels connecting arteries and veins. An AVM, which is rare, is something youre born with. Most people are oblivious to the condition  I certainly was. And a bleed is even rarer: fewer than two to four per cent haemorrhage. In most cases, an AVM is only discovered through a severe rupture that can often be fatal.

At Mount Sinai West the swift action of a heroic medical team, led by expert neurosurgeon Dr Christopher Kellner, saved my life. But my family and friends were told to prepare for the possibility that I would be unable to understand, speak, see and walk again.

After a few weeks, I was transferred to NYU Langones Rusk rehabilitation hospital, where another outstanding team, led by Dr Heidi Fusco, looked after me. I began the daunting task of physical, speech and occupational therapy. Although I had partially regained my sight and comprehension, I was still wheelchair-bound and couldnt move the right side of my body. Nor could I speak. I had spent almost two decades as a broadcaster, author and journalist. Words have always been my livelihood. But more than this, they have been my friends, my refuge, my salvation. Now, although I understood everything, the problem was how to get the words out. Inside, I was screaming.

With husband James Roscoe in their local park in June

Early in March, back in Mount Sinai West, I had a cranioplasty operation to replace the half of my skull that had been removed to accommodate the brain swelling. My ever supportive husband was there. My devoted mum came from London, a third visit in six weeks. Friends crisscrossed the Atlantic  theres nothing like major brain surgery to show how magnificent your friends are. I returned, via ambulance, to Rusk. The Covid-19 crisis was escalating. The hospital went into lockdown on 18 March, the day after my 39th birthday.

No more visitors. I also contracted coronavirus. I was lucky to have a relatively mild case, but the after-effects lasted at least 12 weeks. All patients were confined to their rooms. Therapy ceased except for basic sessions, which were delivered in hazmat suits. A first principle of speech therapy is that the patient has to copy the shapes the therapist makes with their lips and tongue. Tricky, if youre both wearing masks.

That said, on 10 April, thanks to remarkable staff, I walked out of hospital unaided. It was Good Friday. Outside, on East 17th Street, I remember hearing a taxi honk  the most miraculous thing Id ever heard. It was an incredible moment, like starting again.

I am now trying hard to learn the true meaning of patience. I fail every day but I keep trying. I can walk (slowly) in the park or along the Hudson river. I can play (simple) Lego with my kids. I can tell them I love them (constantly). I can read (again, slowly). I can see (apart from a tiny spot in my right peripheral vision). I can partly move my right side again. My old violin teacher Rodney has been showing me how to hold my bow again: I have almost no sensation, yet I can feel it, like a phantom muscle memory. Meanwhile, my friend Nicky is helping me play by bowing for me while I do the left hand: the first time we tried, I wept like a baby. (I have always believed in the life-altering power of music; now I know.) I am as curious and thirsty for knowledge as ever. My brain is buzzing. I am altogether and entirely me, albeit with a shaved head which I hate, even if my friends insist its chic. (Its not.) Most miraculous of all, Im learning to talk again. Hair grows back. Sentences are formed. Progress is real.

With neurosurgeon Dr Kellner in march after surgery

Im aware that Ive been so, so lucky. The AVM is still there  Dr Kellner and his team are treating it with radiotherapy  and there is a long road ahead. But it is a salutary reminder to live every day to its fullest. Life is a miracle. I am so grateful that, because of the exceptional medical care I was privileged to have access to, I survived.

At my darkest points the despair felt acute, unbearable. Being unable to speak felt like a kind of solitary confinement. Even though I was surrounded by friends and family, I felt entirely alone. Lacking the forbearance to tell myself this too shall pass, I simply repeated I choose life, over and over. It became a mantra. (What can I say? I belong to the Trainspotting generation.)

And I do choose life. Every day. I choose life in all its complexity; aware of its beauty, its pain, its hope, its fragility, its love. Life, I believe, is a gift of unimaginable proportions. I dont know what the future holds  for me or the world  but I have faith in the extraordinary power of humanity.

I am thankful that I can say this. I am full of love. I am full of hope. I choose life.
By PTI

GWALIOR: The staffers at the mortuary of a government-run hospital in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior allegedly mixed up bodies of two deceased patients while handing over one of them to the relatives, police said on Sunday.

The family that took the wrong body, which was wrapped in a polythene bag, even cremated it thinking that it was of their relative, a police official said.

The incident took place recently at the Gajra Raja Medical College and Hospital and it came to light when the other family reached the hospital to receive the body, he said.

According to police, both the patients had died due to different diseases and tested negative for COVID-19.

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Satendra Singh Tomar said that one Irtaza Mohammed (64), a resident of Morena, was admitted to the Gajra Raja Medical College on August 11 for the treatment of his hands.

"He died on August 13 while undergoing treatment. However, the hospital did not hand over the body to the family members as they said that the deceased's COVID-19 test report is awaited," he said.

The hospital staffers told the family that the body would be handed over only after the COVID-19 test report.

"However, when the family members reached the hospital's mortuary on August 15, they found that Irtaza Mohammed's body was handed over to another family," he said.

Later, the family members reached Kampoo police station and told the officials about it.

Meanwhile, Suresh Batham (70), a resident of Bahodapur area of the city, also died in the same hospital on August 13, the ASP said.

"The hospital's mortuary staffers mixed up the bodies and handed over Irtaza Mohammed's body to Batham's family," he added.

Kampoo Police Station in-charge K N Tripathi said that Batham's family performed the last rites of the body, wrapped in a polythene bag, without seeing the face.

After the incident came to light, Batham's body was handed over to his family for the last rites, he added.

However, the family members of Irtaza Mohammed created ruckus at Kampoo police station and the hospital on Sunday demanding action against the erring staff of the mortuary.

The administration pacified them after assuring the action against the staff members who were at fault.

A Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) will also conduct an inquiry into the bodies mix-up, police said.
Parliament has approved an $86.1-million loan agreement between the government and the Israel Discount Bank Limited to finance the supply of armoured vehicles and ammunition for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).



The facility, made up of a $74.1-million buyers credit guarantee from the Israeli Foreign Trade Risks Insurance Corporation Ltd (ASHRA) and a $12-million commercial loan, will help equip the military to support internal security operations.



The vehicles will also be deployed for UN peacekeeping operations when required.



The agreements were presented to the House by the Minister of Monitoring and Evaluation, Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, on behalf of the Minister of Finance, on August 3, 2020 and the Speaker referred the requests to the Finance Committee for consideration and report.



Rationale



Presenting the report, the Chairman of the committee, Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah, said the committee was informed that terrorism and land-border threats from neighbouring countries, particularly from the Sahel region, required that the GAF be retooled for any eventualities.



He said armoured vehicles played a vital role in the work of the Army, and that in recent times heavy armoured vehicles, particularly the 6X6 and 8x8 types, had been used by the Army for operations, as they were suitable for all terrains.



Unfortunately, these vehicles are in short supply, thereby hampering smooth operations of the GAF, he said.



He said currently the military was undertaking some peace exercises in the country, such as operations Gong-Gong, Calm Life and Ahodwo.



The GAF, therefore, require this modern and sophisticated equipment to help them undertake such operations to maintain peace and security in the country, he said, adding that the last time armoured vehicles were purchased for the GAF was over 10 years ago.



Transparency



Dr Assibey-Yeboah said the committee was informed that given the sensitive nature of military procurements, the acquisition of equipment was often done without much scrutiny, since the procurement of military equipment in many countries was not disclosed to the citizenry.



However, in line with its policy of transparency, accountability and good governance, the government has made full disclosure of the entire procurement process, he said.



According to him, the committee was informed that the Army had long promulgated the establishment of the 154 and 155 Armoured Regiments in Sunyani and Tamale, respectively, to expand its capability to deal with contemporary national threats.



Unfortunately, he said, the Army had not been able to establish the regiments due to the lack of the requisite logistics, including armoured vehicles and equipment.



Top-notch equipment



Contributing to the motion, the Minister of Defence, Mr Dominic Nitiwul, assured the House of value-for-money procurement and said the top-notch equipment that would be procured was what the GAF had been looking for for a long time.



He thanked the House for approving the two loan agreements.





Source: Graphiconline.com









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London: The British government faced the threat of legal action and criticism from its own lawmakers on Sunday (August 16, 2020) after it sparked anger by mishandling English exam grades during the pandemic.

After a nationwide lockdown forced exams to be cancelled, the government used an algorithm to assess grade predictions made by teachers and lowered those grades for almost 40% of students taking their main school-leaving exams.

That process led many students to lose places at top universities.

To compound the issue, results show that grades were less likely to be lowered for students who attended fee-paying private schools, while bright students at traditionally poorly performing schools could have results downgraded.

On Saturday night the exams regulator published guidance on an appeals process, only to withdraw it hours later because it needed further review.

Barrister Jo Maugham said his Good Law Project had appointed solicitors to pursue litigation on behalf of students and urged the government to launch a suitable appeals system in time for students to go to college in September.

Robert Halfon, chairman of the cross-party education select committee in parliament and a lawmaker in Prime Minister Boris Johnson`s ruling Conservative Party, described the removal of the appeals guidance as farcical.

"It sows confusion among pupils, headteachers and school teachers and it`s the last thing we need at this time," he told the BBC.

Conservative lawmaker Robert Syms said the government risked Conservative lawmakers "going on the warpath".

Johnson`s government has been criticised for its handling of the pandemic, with the country recording the highest death toll in Europe and the most severe economic contraction of any major economy so far.

Having won an electoral landslide in December with a pledge to "level up" struggling parts of the country, Johnson`s Conservatives have retained a solid lead over the opposition Labour Party in opinion polls despite the problems.

That could change however over issues, including hastily-introduced quarantines that have forced the cancellation of holidays and the looming end of a successful job support scheme, as well as the chaos surrounding exam results.

Labour leader Keir Starmer said the prime minister needed to take charge and fix the problem before results were released on Thursday for exams taken by 16-year-olds.

The government has said pupils will not have to pay to appeal grades and most students will have received the correct results. Exams regulator Ofqual said some of the predicted grades given by teachers were "implausibly high".

While France published the methodology for how it would award grades months in advance of results day, Britain announced changes to its process the day before results were released.
New Delhi, Aug 16 : Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (PSP) leader Shivpal Singh Yadav's call for unification for the 2022 UP Assembly elections has not enthused Samajwadi Party leaders, who say that any decision will be taken by party chief Akhilesh Yadav.

Shivpal Yadav's estranged relations with his nephew Akhilesh Yadav led to a split in the party. However, Shivpal Yadav on Sunday reiterated his call for all Samajwadi leaders to unite again, saying he was "willing to sacrifice everything". "Based on the decision of the people, we will fight the 2022 elections," he said.

But the Samajwadi Party said that the matter would only be decided by the party President in time as more than 18 months are left for the UP elections. However, sources say, the SP leader is of the view of leaving the lone seat of Jaswant Nagar to Shivpal Singh Yadav, who is the sitting MLA from the constituency.

The PSP, which was founded with much fanfare, has units all across the state but is not as firm on the ground, as the Samajwadi Party is, in UP politics.

Shivpal Yadav had launched the PSP (Lohia) in August 2018 after leaving the Samajwadi Party and contested the Lok Sabha polls but could not open his account.

In the last Lok Sabha polls, the SP fought in alliance with the BSP but could only win 5 seats while the BSP won 10. However, after the elections, the BSP ended the alliance.

Sources in the Samajwadi Party say Akhilesh Yadav was unhappy after the Lok Sabha results where the PSP caused a major dent in the party's votes and his wife Dimple lost from Kannauj and senior party leader Ram Gopal Yadav's son Akshay, too, lost from a pocket borough of the party.

Shivpal Yadav, once a prominent leader in the party, saw his relations sour with cousin Ram Gopal Yadav and nephew Akhilesh Yadav in September 2016, ahead of the 2017 Assembly elections when party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav replaced Akhilesh Yadav with Shivpal Yadav as the state party chief. Akhilesh Yadav, in defiance of the move, stuck to his guns and released his list of candidates for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

Mulayam Singh and Shivpal Yadav in December 2016 expelled Akhilesh Yadav and Ram Gopal from the party over alleged "indiscipline". In the tussle, Akhilesh Yadav, who was the then UP Chief Minister, divested Shivpal of key cabinet portfolios, before leading a virtual coup to replace his father as party chief.

Shivpal Yadav had offered a truce last year too, but was met with stoic silence by the parent party.
In the North-East of our country, simple, local ingredients that are healthy and nutrition-rich are often fermented to last longer. Sure, that means they may acquire a strong smell, but that also means a bigger explosion of flavours  just like the blue cheese you spend a bomb on when you feel the need for something fancy, but fresher and much healthier.

Till very recently, most of the fermented foods of the North-East have been ignored by the rest of India. The smell is too strong; we saw in the film Axone recently.

People have an aversion to certain food as their taste buds developed basis what they grew up eating -Binita Chamling, Nimtho

People have an aversion to certain food items, which isnt their fault because their taste buds develop according to what they grew up eating, says Binita Chamling, who owns Nimtho, a North-Eastern restaurant in Delhi. But the fact that North-Eastern restaurants in cities are going mainstream is a sign that this perception is changing quickly.

Meet six star ingredients of our North-East and learn to use them.

Raja mircha

The hottest chilli in the world

Dried and smoked raja mircha is used in gravies (@the_oo_morok_trails)

The one ingredient thats quintessential across the Seven Sisters is the chilli, whether in a curry or as a chutney. And in most of the Seven States, that chilli is the bhut jolokia or raja mircha  the king of sneakiness. The sharpness doesnt hit you till about the 15th second, and by the 20th, your tongue is on fire!

Spicy staple

Unless its boiled veggies, every dish has to have some heat, says Josie Renthlei, a stylist and home chef from Nagaland who now operates from Madh Island in Mumbai. Back home in Nagaland, we pound fresh raja mircha (chillies) with garlic, onion and a slice of raw cauliflower, to make a coarse chutney.

Raja mircha is grown like any other vegetable in Nagaland. One batch of these chillies is preserved for the off-season, which is how the dried and smoked version was born. Its earthy flavour makes it ideal for gravies. Dont wash them though, or they lose the smoky touch.

Smoked pork with raja mircha is a common preparation across the North-East (@joeym91)

Basic base

Many people in India believe that people from the North-East eat weird things like pig leg and fish stomach. But our food is just different. It uses ingredients like tej patta, garlic, ginger and herbs, which give delicate flavours instead of garam masala, Josie adds. And hence, the not-subtle-at-all raja mircha shines through.

Churpi

Age-old cheese from the Himalayas

Used popularly in ema datshi, churpi (in the bowl) is Indias version of ripe cheese borrowed from Bhutan (@_rimy)

I was 10 when I walked into the bi-weekly vegetable haat in Kalimpong and was soon staring at three piles of white churpi or cheese on leaves  each smellier than the batch next to it. For the first few years, whenever my mother prepared this at home, my father and I would go on hour-long walks to avoid the stench when it was being cooked.

But back in the 1960s and 70s, Kusuma Juneja of the cloud kitchen called Mood, would get her sister to get churpi for her from Thimpu. The ema datshi (cheese and chilli) and chutney are the most common preparations of this native Bhutanese delicacy.

Desi blue cheese

Ema datshi with ripe cheese wont work in most of India as its an acquired taste, says Kusuma, whose nephews in Canada use blue cheese to make the dish. Theres anyway only a niche group of people in India who eat cheese, points out Nicole, Kusumas daughter and the other half of Mood. Its an easy ingredient to work with though and Kusuma makes it from scratch at her Vasant Vihar residence.

Unless its boiled veggies, every dish has to have some heat -Josie Renthlei, home chef

What about onions

Also, when you cook fresh churpi, it doesnt reek. Back in the day at home, the kitchen was a separate unit, so it didnt matter what you were cooking. Thats another reason I dont cook that version here, explains Kusuma. But there are many Indian food items that smell  I didnt know eating raw onions was a thing till I smelt it in a movie hall, laughs Kusuma, as Nicole is quick to add, Every cuisine has its own smells and taste. But todays generation is finally owning where they come from and putting their voice out there.

Akhuni

Fermented soybean paste

Small batches of akhuni are wrapped in banana leaves and smoked

This is fermented soybean paste that adds a dollop of umami flavour. The two most distinct preparations are those from Nagaland (akhuni) and Meghalaya (tungrumbai), while Darjeeling also has a version called kinema.

The whole soya beans are not just fermented but also smoked. Small batches are wrapped in banana leaves and smoked, making it a drier and chewy version, apt for gravies, says Tanisha Phanbuh, Delhi-based chef from Shillong and also the director at Together at 12TH.

When Akhuni is over-fermented or undercooked, it can cause food poisoning -Tanisha Phanbuh, Chef

Khasi version & More

The Khasi preparation is not smoked and the beans are mashed. We re-cook it, usually with ginger, pork lard pieces and black sesame. When its over-fermented or undercooked, it can cause food poisoning, cautions Tanisha. Also, it acquires a strong lingering smell while its cooked, so good ventilation is crucial. Today, chefs around the world are experimenting with fermented soybean in the form of miso and the Japanese also have a milder version, nato.

Anishi

Fermented yam leaves

Its essential to slow-cook anishi, that lends an earthy, smoky flavour to the dish of smoked pork

The Ao tribe of Nagalands Mokokchung district are the earliest known consumers of anishi, or more literally, nuoshi  nuo means a particular variant of yam leaves and shi means fermented.

But the reason this is more popular than other ingredients is because its much milder than the akhuni. Its not tangy, but adds an intriguing slightly sour-smoky punch to the dish.

Smoky treat

ChubaManen Longkumer, MD of Delhis Nagalands Kitchen, remembers the lingering taste from when he first tried the dish at the age of six: a slow-cooked smoked pork with anishi, a method of cooking that enhances the smokiness of the vegetarian paste. It is usually eaten with rice, chutney and seasonal steamed vegetables.

Today, he sources his stash from back home in Nagaland, and warns that though the recipe is simple, its crucial to cook it for hours. Any shortcut? Use it in a chutney, but that gets tricky, warns ChubaManen.

Focus on health

Anishi is odourless and flavourful. Only some ingredients get stronger in flavour when they are fermented. You need to acquire a taste for it to know how flavourful it can be, ChubaManen says. The ingredients are organic herbs, Naga ginger, king chilli, spring onion, pepper and pepper leaves, basil, chives, tomatoes, yam and its leaves, and kidney beans  all are healthier versions than the refined products, he says.

Bamboo shoot

Preserved shoots of bamboo

Bamboo shoot cooked with steamed fish (@triptoewithzii)

A delicacy, bamboo shoot is preserved and eaten round the year in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Cut and fermented, it still tastes relatively fresh, though it has a sour flavour. The dried version is shredded and put in curries.

In Sikkim, its eaten as a vegetable during summer. We eat it with cheese and as a veggie. Then theres the aloo and bamboo shoot soup too, says Binita Chamling.

No smell here

The shoot needs to be harvested at the right time. Its chewy if its too ripe, Binita warns. During lockdown, she bought tinned bamboo shoots from Thailand, which can be used as a substitute.

Ten years ago, people didnt know about bamboo shoot too. But its going down better than other ingredients now, because it doesnt have a smell unless its fermented, she adds.

Gundruk

Fermented whole radish

The gundruk is packed with superfoods. Here its a chutney (miss.food_lover)

Gundruk, a fermented preparation of radish and its leaves, is a highly nutritional ingredient that came into being when people from Sikkim and Darjeeling (it has travelled from Nepal) wanted something that would help them get all the minerals their bodies required during harsh winters.

But its more like a desi version of kimchi, Binita tells us. Its dried, pounded and kept in water in a warm place for four or five days.

You can smell it when its done. My grandmother would dig a hole in the ground and leave the gundruk in that to ferment, Binita adds. Its then dried and added to soups, salads and chutney.

Kimchi is a superfood due to its fermentation. The same applies to gundruk. Also, fermented food has an umami touch to it, says Binita.

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From HT Brunch, August 16, 2020

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Manipur chief minister Nongthombam Biren Singh on Saturday announced an ex-gratia scheme of 5 lakh for the families of those killed in the line of duty while serving in the Indian Army and paramilitary forces.

Biren Singh made the announcement while addressing the 74th Independence Day celebration at 1st Manipur Rifles parade ground in Imphal.

The new scheme is called Major Laishram Jotin Singh ex-gratia scheme.The state cabinet also took a formal decision in this regard. The scheme is instituted for its implementation in future, the chief minister said.

The scheme for the states residents has been named after Major Laishram Jotin Singh, a doctor with the Indian Army from Manipur, who died in fighting a suicide bomber in Kabul on February 26, 2010. He was also conferred the countrys highest peacetime gallantry medal, Ashok Chakra, posthumously in 2011.

During the Independence Day celebration in Imphal, Biren Singh handed over a cheque of 5 lakh to the widow of riflemen Ratan Salam of 4th Assam Rifles under the newly-instituted ex-gratia scheme. Ratan, a resident of Kakching district in Manipur, along with two other Assam Rifles personnel lost their lives in an attack by insurgents near Khongtal area of Chandel district on July 29 this year.

Deputy chief minister Yumnam Joykumar, ministers, legislators, chief secretary and director general of police and other top officials of civil and security agencies attended the 74th Independence Day celebration in Imphal amid a boycott call and total shutdown by insurgents groups in the northeastern state.
The final four spots for The Guardian Gold Cup and Saucer final will be determined Monday evening (Aug. 17) at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park as Gold Cup and Saucer week racing continues.

The 10-dash program is the lone card of the day at the capital oval, kicking off at 7 p.m. Atlantic time, with the second of two $12,500 Gold Cup and Saucer trials lining up in the finale.

Fresh off a third-place finish while pacing in 1:50 flat at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Ontario, Casimir Richie P will leave from post three in Mondays trial as the prohibitive favourite. Trainer and co-owner Dr. Ian Moore and co-owner Michael Goldberg have entrusted the driving duties to Dale Spence.

Truro Raceway track record holder Yankee Osborne has rail control for driver Neil MacInnis, while Rose Run Quest leaves from post seven for driver Marc Campbell after a 1:52.1 victory in his latest. Rose Run Quest defeated the first trial winner, Time To Dance, in last week's Preferred.

The Post Time Picks in Mondays card places Casimir Richie P as the top choice:

Casimir Richie P shows some impressive miles at Woodbine Mohawk Park and he can really fire home. Well see what Dale wants to do but we expect him to be on or near the lead and land on the wire first.

Other entries are Woodmere Ideal Art (David Dowling), Lisburn (Kenny Arsenault), JJ Powerball (Brodie MacPhee) and Mach It Again (Jason Hughes).

The card also featured the Atlantic Sires Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts, with a pair of $13,360 divisions in races seven and nine.

In race seven, Windemere Frank will look to add to his four seasonal victories from post five for driver David Dowling and trainer Earl Watts. The Malicious colt boasts $10,540 in earnings this year.

The second $13,360 split in race nine has Barrieau-McIsaac Memorial champion Tobins Rebel with lots of work to do early from post eight for trainer-driver Gilles Barrieau. The Camystic colt rides a three-race win streak into the event.

Race eight on the program is the second $3,000 elimination of the Birthplace of Confederation Series, in memory of Dr. Bob Webster, presented by the City of Charlottetown. Sodwana Bay is the morning line favourite for trainer-driver Barrieau over Woodmere Chella (Spence) and Collective Wisdom (Arsenault).

Race six is the Razzys Roadhouse and Razzys Beachhouse Pace, with Khitam Image (Spence) the top choice.

Catch the action on the worldwide broadcast at redshores.ca and wager online at hpibet.com.

To view Monday's entries, click the following link: Monday Entries  Charlottetown Driving Park.

(Red Shores)
Vaccination campaign roll outs in Laikipia's pastoralist communities. - Source: Laikipia Rabies Vaccination Campaign

16.08.2020 LISTEN

Every year, approximately 60,000 people die from rabies. Most of these deaths are children  who are often less able to defend themselves from animals  in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

Rabies is usually transferred through saliva from the bite of an infected animal, with dogs being the most common transmitter . The disease infects the central nervous system causing disease in the brain and eventual death. Once clinical symptoms appear, rabies is virtually 100% fatal.

In Kenya, rabies is estimated to kill up to 2,000 people every year. To address this, Kenya's Zoonotic Disease Unit launched a strategic plan with the aim of zero human deaths from dog transmitted rabies by 2030.

Rabies can be prevented through vaccination campaigns that target domestic dogs or, in the case that someone is bitten, the administration of a human vaccine. Dog vaccination is a more cost-effective measure to prevent rabies, as animal vaccines are much cheaper than human vaccines.

In 2015 my colleagues and I launched a campaign in response to an increased incidence of rabies in humans in Laikipia County. Coupled with this was the need to protect the local population of wild dogs  a globally endangered wildlife species  from the disease.

Laikipia is a unique landscape composed of privately-owned conservancies and agro-pastoral communities, where humans, wildlife, and domestic animals, including domestic dogs, regularly interact. This shaped our desire to create a partnership between conservancies, communities and government entities that would work together to eradicate rabies.

Mass vaccinations of domestic dogs are effective at eliminating rabies but require large amounts of resources, planning, and political will to implement. However, this is a challenge in low-resource settings where rabies might not be a public health priority.

Our project , by contrast, was driven by the grassroots and was volunteer-led. It raised awareness and provided vaccines for cats and dogs in an area of about 1500km. Over three years (from 2015 to 2017), we vaccinated 1,040 cats and 13,155 dogs in 17 communities.

The project also grew. It went from being a local campaign to a county-wide rabies elimination effort after the county and national governments recognised it as an effective programme.

This provided us with some key insights into the successes, failures, and challenges with rolling out a grassroots rabies campaign.

It proved that a community-based low-cost campaign could successfully implement a rabies campaign. This is important in pastoralist communities where domestic dogs are less likely to be vaccinated and also where people are less informed about rabies and vaccines.

In the following years, we aim to vaccinate at least 70% of dogs in the region, with a particular emphasis on mobile communities. This vaccination coverage rate is sufficient to control canine rabies.

Marginalised communities

There are a couple of major challenges when it comes to rolling out rabies campaigns in more marginalised areas.

Firstly, the communities are mobile, which means their dogs are less likely to be vaccinated and it's hard to reach them.

Secondly, the communities are less informed about rabies and how the vaccinations work. For instance, in 2016 and 2017 we experienced a 50% decline in vaccination coverage in three pastoral communities because they believed the vaccines killed their dogs. During the same period, there was a canine distemper virus outbreak across the county which killed many domestic dogs and wild carnivores.

These challenges highlight that vaccines alone are not enough. There is a need for local engagement and community involvement, even before vaccination efforts begin. These must be carefully planned so that they effectively raise awareness of rabies control. Three core groups of people were instrumental in this effort: veterinarians, researchers, and university students.

We used various avenues to educate the public about rabies. For instance, we engaged 12 primary schools and taught hundreds of children about rabies, its side effects, and how we can work to eradicate it together. We also tried to educate communities using sound trucks.

These efforts helped to increase buy-in from local communities.

After the community was sensitised about rabies, people would then bring their dogs to the vaccination station on a particular day. Upon arrival, the dog's details are taken down and it's issued with a shot of rabies vaccine. The dog was then marked on the forehead with paint so that follow-up teams know it's been vaccinated, and the owner is issued with a vaccination card signed by a veterinarian. For remote pastoral communities we had an additional mobile team for door-to-door vaccinations.

Volunteer based

Our project also wanted to test the hypothesis that a grassroots campaign could implement a successful vaccination campaign, similar to well-funded and permanently staffed efforts.

Laikipia Rabies Vaccination Campaign team grew from a project of less than 10 people from three organisations (the Mpala Research Centre, International Livestock Research Institute, and Karatina University) to a team of more than 90 people collaborating across 15 organisations. Our operations were out of the Mpala Research Centre.

Money saved from volunteer hours contributed and in-kind support from conservancies meant that we used approximately Ksh4 million (about US$40,000) over the three years. This meant we achieved a cost per dog of about Ksh370 (about US$3). This is within the range of other, large-scale and well-funded campaigns.

Of course, running a completely volunteer-based campaign was not without its drawbacks. Limitations included;

Sustained funding (beyond in-kind contributions) was a limiting factor for expanding our vaccination efforts at scale.

Larger and more remote areas characterised by lower human population densities were challenging to work in due to poor accessibility and vast areas to cover.

Restricted flexibility with scheduling as volunteers may have other commitments.

The lack of a centrally funded project leader to guide vaccination inhibited our ability to implement a completely successfully campaign.

Nonetheless, this project provided a unique opportunity to highlight successes and failures for other future campaigns. We look forward to learning from the challenges and amplifying the successes to expand it further and eradicate rabies from Laikipia County.

Sources of funding that supported this work included a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology FY 2014, Award No. DBI-1402456 (AWF, PWW) https://www.nsf.gov/ and a Smithsonian Mpala Postdoctoral George E. Burch Fellow at the National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institution (AWF, DJM, SM) https://www.smithsonianofi.com/fellowship-opportunities/mpala-postdoctoral-fellowship/ . DKN was supported through the National Geographic Society and the Rufford Foundation. SM Thumbi receives funding support from the Wellcome Trust (Grant numbers 110330/Z/15/Z). Some personnel (EMF, DM, other ILRI staff) involved with this study were supported by the UK Medical Research Council, Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (UK), the Economic and Social Research Council (UK), the Natural Environment Research Council (UK), through the Environmental & Social Ecology of Human Infectious Diseases Initiative (ESEI), Grant Reference: G1100783/1. These staff were also supported in part by the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH), led by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI); we acknowledge the CGIAR Fund Donors ( https://www.cgiar.org/funders/ ). Financial support was also provided by Mpala Wildlife Foundation, Laikipia Ranches and Conservation Community and Conservancies, Veterinarians International, D. and C. Keller, Bruce L., and G. and J. Wintroub. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Dedan Ngatia et Dishon Muloi ne travaillent pas, ne conseillent pas, ne possedent pas de parts, ne recoivent pas de fonds d'une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n'ont declare aucune autre affiliation que leur poste universitaire.

By Dishon Muloi, Postdoctoral research fellow, International Livestock Research Institute And

Dedan Ngatia, PhD Student, University of Wyoming
Google's plans to improve relationships with some local publishers including Crikey and The Saturday Paper have been put on the ice after the competition watchdog told US tech giants they would have to pay all publishers for using their content.

The US$1.2 trillion (AU$1.67 trillion) search advertising giant is planning to argue that a new code proposed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in July is unworkable after it informed local publishers that plans for the launch of its licensing product - Publisher Curated News - were on hold until further notice.

Google boss Melanie Silva previously said the launch of a licensing program ahead of the ACCC's new code was a coincidence. Credit:Louie Douvis

Google Australia boss Melanie Silva first announced that the tech giant would start licensing content through a new application in June in what was considered a major strategic backflip for the tech giant which had previously said it did not receive a lot of value from the existence of news on its site. In other countries where legislation has been introduced - such as Spain and France - Google shut down services or changed the way articles appear in search.

The launch of Publisher Curated News was a way for Google to lock in content deals with local publishers and pay them without a law requiring the tech giant to do so. The delay is an indicator the licensing program was an attempt to establish an alternative to legislation, which would force them to potentially pay much larger sums of money to publishers.
Portland, Oregon, where violent riots have held center stage for 80 consecutive nights, has become a national embarrassment. After the citys ultra-left attorney general announced he would not seek criminal charges against the rioters who have been arrested in the last two-and-a-half months of urban terror, the Oregon State Police are so incensed at the madness they just packed up and left town. Thats right, after enduring one night after another of depraved abuse in the name of Justice and whats right, the state troopers in essence told the idiotic government good luck and left the city on Friday.

It is unprecedented in the history of our nation. Portlands mayor, Ted Wheeler, defies description. He has allowed millions of dollars in destruction, in civil unrest, and Antifa-fueled lawlessness to occur, and the states governor, the inept Kate Brown, and an equal liberal who railed against Homeland Security and federal agents who arrived to protect the federal courthouse, has now done more to re-elect Donald Trump in the nations eye than mail-in votes.

Portland, Oregon, is today a place where rabble-rousers like George Soros and Nancy Pelosi might yearn to be buried, not to mention the National Institute of Health building a sprawling complex to study and hopefully enhance abhorrent mental health. Face it, our northern pacific is a virtual hotbed of crazies. Just look at Seattle, where $500 million in properties are today a charred wasteland due to lack of governmental control. Further, to the south is California where idiocy has left the Golden State swirling towards the drainpipe. This is incomprehensible for the rest of the United States. How do you explain this to someone in Starkville, Miss., or Altoona, Pa.?

Timothy Fox, a spokesman for the Oregon State Police as well as a captain in its ranks, was tight-lipped when he told reporters on Friday, We are in a county (Multnomah) that is not going to prosecute this criminal behavior. Capt. Fox explained the State Police is constantly reassessing our resources and the needs of our partner agencies and at this time we are inclined to move those resources back to counties where prosecution of criminal activities is still a priority.

Are you kidding me? With the Portland DA publicly announcing his office will not prosecute rioters misbehavior, whats a Portland cops summons-to-appear worth? Oh baby, the Antifa crowd, which passes out plywood shields every night and is strongly believed to pay the nightly rabble-rousers in non-traceable cash, has just discovered Christmas morning.

Pay attention: Americas Top 20 cities are governed by Democrats just like Portlands Ted Wheeler and, while not medically confirmed, these liberals are keenly lacking backbone, and some allege certain other manly parts, who abhor and detest what is being allowed to happen in America. How can the Portland Police Department, with its federal and state allies being cast aside, bear up against a cleverly organized group of urban terrorists who dont have to worry about arrests or the consequences thereof? Am I crazy? Go to Google News every morning and check on Portland because - believe this - it is a ship with no good hand on the rudder.

* * *

CHICAGO: THIS WEEK: 71 SHOT, 11 DEAD; THIS MONTH: 178 SHOT, 27 DEAD; THIS YEAR: 2,493 SHOT, 476 DEAD

At 11 p.m. last Sunday night a looting caravan streamed into Chicagos swanky Magnificent Mile with great precision and smashed hundreds of windows and plundered the plush shops and eloquent stores. One guy even drove a U-Haul truck, so confident were the robbers that they would not be prosecuted. Police superintendent David Brown said the looting was planned ahead and organized.

"This was not an organized protest. Rather, this was an incident of pure criminality," Brown said. "This was an act of violence against our police officers and against our city."

The looting has accelerated the unrest and criminal activity in Chicago, where shootings have increased 51 percent over a year ago.

But a Black Lives Matter organizer, Ariel Atkins, says so what? A lot of people are really attacking our pages. Theyre like, Oh, you support the looters. And yeah, we do, 100 percent. Thats reparations. And, like, however people choose to protest, especially if it was definitely in line with what happened with the shooting, which would be powerful to see people reacting  without organizers just being, like, Were angry and this is what were gonna do. Were gonna take the power back.

I feel like these stores, these Macys, these Guccis, the PNC Banks, theyre not here for us. The city puts way more money and investment into spending time and protecting their spaces and making sure that they exist. And yet our people are constantly being pushed out of the city.  Unemployment is incredibly high, like we are in an incredible situation, and the fact that anybody gives a ---- about these businesses over what is happening in this city right now and the pain that people are in and the suffering that is taking place, I dont care. I will support the looters til the end of the day. If thats what they need to do in order to eat, then thats what youve got to do to eat.

* * *

IN SEATTLE: GIVE US YOUR HOUSE!

From Townhall.com:

Protesters marching in Seattle were caught on video harassing people in apartment buildings, accusing them of taking part in pushing out the Black people who used to live in the neighborhood.

The video, taken by Concrete Reporting on Wednesday, showed a crowd of protesters demanding the people who were in the apartment complex to "give us your house!" and made jokes about how they supposedly worked for Amazon.

"Give Black people back their homes! You're sitting there comfortably, comfortable as ---- as if you didn't help to gentrify this neighborhood...my family was pushed out and you're sitting there with your other White friends!" one woman with a megaphone shouted at people in the building.

"You're ok with it but guess what; we're not and we're bringing it to your front ----king door!" a man then shouted. "How do you plan to regentrify a Black neighborhood!"

The crowd continued to march through Seattle's neighborhoods chanting and using instruments. Some in the crowd also used flashlights to shine into the windows of the homes.

* * *

Im telling you as sunny is the day: Everybody seems to be hit-dog crazy in the Pacific Northwest.

royexum@aol.com
Robert Trump (L) joins real estate developer and presidential hopeful Donald Trump at an event in New York, N.Y., on Nov. 3, 1999. (Diane Bonadreff/AP Photo)

Trumps Brother Robert Dies at 71: White House

President Donald Trump said on Saturday evening that his younger brother, Robert Trump, died on the same night. He was 71, to turn 72 in 11 days.

It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight, he said in a statement. He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace.

The president visited his brother at a New York City hospital on Friday. Trump confirmed that his brother was ill but did not disclose the reason why.

Robert Trumps cause of death was also not revealed.

Before visiting the hospital on Friday, Trump said, I have a wonderful brother.

We have a great relationship for a long time, from day one, so long time ago, he added to reporters.

Before, reports said he was admitted to the intensive care unit of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York in June.

President Donald Trump arrives at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center to visit his sick brother Robert Trump in New York, N.Y., on Aug. 14, 2020. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)

Robert Trump had previously retired to upstate New York where he was a noted philanthropist, serving as a trustee for the Angels of Light, a non-profit organization that provides holiday gifts to children with life-threatening illnesses.

Earlier this year, Robert Trump filed a lawsuit against niece Mary Trump, who was set to publish a book about the Trump family. He argued via lawyers that she violated a nondisclosure agreement from about 20 years ago.

I and the rest of my entire family are so proud of my wonderful brother, the president, and feel that Marys actions are truly a disgrace, Robert Trump told news outlets earlier this year.

Mary Trumps memoir was eventually released last month after a judge agreed to lift a temporary restraining order.

The White House described her book as a work of fiction, denying some of the allegations contained within.

Before that, Robert Trump told the New York Post that he supported his brothers campaign 1,000 percent in 2016.

Fred Trump Jr., the presidents older brother and Mary Trumps father, died in the early 1980s at the age of 43 after battling alcoholism for years. The early death had an impact on Trump, who said he never drinks because of it.

He has two sisters, Elizabeth Trump Grau, who is a retired executive from Chase Manhattan Bank, and Maryanne Trump Barry, who is a retired federal judge.
A federal judge has ordered immediate testing of all detainees and staff at the Mesa Verde immigration detention center in Bakersfield, where COVID-19 has been spreading for weeks. (California Committee for Immigrant Liberation)

A federal judge in San Francisco has ordered immediate testing of all detainees and staff at a Bakersfield immigration detention center where COVID-19 was spreading for weeks while officials refused to test for the virus.

After receiving results on Friday showing that nearly half of the detainees tested earlier in the week were positive for the illness caused by the coronavirus, federal District Court Judge Vince Chhabria ordered the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to conduct quick-result testing of everyone who remained in the Mesa Verde ICE Processing Facility.

Im ordering that it be done immediately, and nobody stop working until theyre completed, the judge told lawyers for ICE and the private contractor that runs the facility, according to Deputy Public Defender Emi MacLean of the San Francisco public defender's office. The office represents detainees at the facility in San Francisco Immigration Court.

MacLean said the judge cited the deliberate indifference of ICE and GEO Group, the private company that manages the facility, saying, Theres no question that this outbreak could have been avoided.

Initial results from the quick tests on Saturday captured 11 more positive cases, MacLean said. Of the 104 detained people remaining at the facility, which once housed more than 350, at least 54 are positive for the virus.

Chhabrias order also directed that the approximately 140 staff members at Mesa Verde be tested immediately, beginning with their next shift, and weekly thereafter. Documents filed in the case showed that ICE intentionally did not test staff for months to avoid impeding immigration enforcement, McLean said.

The order followed a series of hearings in a class-action lawsuit filed in April by the public defender's office, the ACLU foundations of Northern California and Southern California, the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Lakin & Wille and Cooley law firms.

Story continues

Initially the lawsuit sought to ensure that the facility was taking adequate measures to ensure the detainees' safety. As the litigation proceeded, ICE insisted on testing only those who showed symptoms of possible infection and reported there were none, MacLean said.

But in mid-June, lawyers for ICE and GEO reported to the court that a staff member who obtained a test outside of work was positive for the virus, the first of 14 who would eventually report positive tests taken on their own, MacLean said.

On July 31 the first detainee tested positive.

"Then the real crisis started," MacLean said. "They didn't have a plan. They didn't act."

By then the facility had reduced its population to about 120 under pressure from the lawsuit. Several symptomatic detainees were put in one dorm and all the others in another, including those who had been exposed to others who were infected, creating ideal conditions for spread, MacLean said.

"The detention center is not safe for anyone who is there," she said. "The level of inaction and lack of concern for the individuals in their custody is stunning and outrageous."

In an email exchange obtained by the plaintiffs, Brooke Sanchez Othon, a clinical operations specialist at Wellpath, a private Nashville-based healthcare company that provides services to ICE detention facilities, pushed back against an ICE official's direction to initiate testing.

The proposal to test all detainees, Sanchez Othon wrote, already had been denied due to the housing restrictions we face.

Testing all detainees will potentially cause the same housing issue we had last week but on a larger scale, Sanchez Othon continued, referring to the problem of quarantining infected detainees. Completing the testing is not the issue; it is just what we will need to do with the results once they are received.

The facility began testing in the first week of August, but the results of those tests have not yet been returned, MacLean said.

Another round of tests conducted on Tuesday and reported to the court on Friday precipitated the order. Out of 70 tested, 32 were positive.

"We are really scared that we will never return to our families outside, Hugo Lucas, who is currently detained at Mesa Verde, told his lawyers. I have my daughter who is 14 years old, and I can't tell her what's going on because I'm too scared for her."

Attorneys said they would continue to push to improve safety conditions at the facility.

If ICE and GEO cant guarantee the basic safety of the people in their custody, through regular testing and adequate medical care, we need to consider whether they should be allowed to detain anyone at all, said ACLU NorCal senior attorney Sean Riordan.

Times staff writer Andrea Castillo contributed to this story.
&Ever Middle East, a joint venture between Nox Management, a Kuwait-based investment firm with interests in the F&B sector across the Gulf region, and German firm &ever, has announced the opening of the region's first commercial indoor vertical farm which has been set up in partnership with German engineering companies SAP and Viessmann.

With this new venture, Kuwait, a country that previously relied on European and overseas imports for most of their leafy greens and herbs, can now locally grow up to 250 varieties of greens and herbs using Dryponics technology.

The facility, with approximately 3,000 sq m growing (or faming) space, has a daily output capacity of up to 550 kg of salad, herbs, and cresses. The products are available in all leading retailers and coops under the brand name &ever Kuwait.

The &ever had built its operating system, &ever Cloud, using the SAP Business Technology Platform - SAP HANA in-memory platform and SAP Cloud Platform, said a statement from SAP, the market leader in enterprise application software.

Farmers can monitor, analyse, and adjust hundreds of data points on plant health, airflow, light, carbon dioxide levels, humidity, and temperature in real-time, it stated.

According to SAP, the farm produces high-quality and sustainable crops indoors, which increase the nutritional quality and decrease environmental impact.

The cutting-edge vertical farming method uses 90 per cent less water compared to traditional farming, 60 percent less fertiliser, and zero pesticides. Using a sustainable farm to fork model, the technology is able to preserve the plants nutritional value until the produce reaches the customer, it added.

Faisal AlMeshal, the Director of Strategy and Business Development at NOX Management, said: "Our JV with &ever and the partnership with SAP and Viessmann on this indoor farm is enabling the local farming supply chain to save on costs and logistics, to minimize waste, and to make a better choice for the planet."

Previously, Kuwaits restaurants imported all of our greens and herbs, mainly from Europe, he pointed out.

"But now our customers have enhanced experiences with tastier and fresher produce," he added.

Stefan Mobs, Ambassador of Germany to Kuwait, said: "Germany and Kuwait - strong partners in politics but also in business."

I welcome the innovative business idea of German company &ever specifically here in Kuwait. Both countries are seeking new ways in difficult times. Even better to work together!, stated Mobs while participating in a recent virtual media roundtable about the farms success hosted by the German Business Council Kuwait.

This knowledge exchange complements Germany and Kuwaits trade ties. Bilateral trade is 1.3 billion, and Germanys private sector invests 14.6 billion in Kuwait, according to Germanys Federal Foreign Office, he added.
Press Release

August 16, 2020 Drilon supports increased Bayanihan 2 funds to expand social safety net Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon on Sunday stressed the need for larger recovery fund under the proposed Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) to expand the government's social assistance package, including another round of social amelioration program (SAP), commonly referred to as "ayuda" to low-income families affected by the coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Drilon said he supports the P162 billion funding for Bayanihan 2 as proposed by the House of Representatives. The Senate version is only P140 billion. The bicameral conference committee that is tasked to reconcile the disagreeing provisions is set to meet again on Monday/August 17. "Formaland informal sectors have both been adversely hit the pandemic. It is the responsibility of the government to help them particularly in these trying times. No sector should be left behind," Drilon said. Drilon said the Bayanihan 2 provides for "crucial safety nets" for all the sectors heavily hit by the pandemic, hence the need to increase the funding. "We need to increase the scope of the various social and economic assistance programs laid out in the Bayanihan 2. Without these much-needed interventions, poverty and unemployment will continue to rise; business establishments will be forced to permanently shut down; and our economy will continue to contract," Drilon said. The Philippines logged the highest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Southeast Asia. The country is now in recession and the unemployment rate is expected to hit a record 18.5 percent this year, he noted. Drilon said the stimulus fund can still be increased to at least in the level being proposed by the House of Representatives. The Department of Finance had earlier said it could only provide up to P140 billion stimulus fund. He cited some programs that Bayanihan 2 aimed to provide for the most vulnerable sectors. These include the propose P15,000 cash assistance for health care workers who would contract mild to moderate COVID-19, P100,000 to nurses and doctors (health care workers) who would contract a severe case of COVID-19, and P1 million to the families of healthcare workers who die of the disease; as well as P5,000 to P8,000 cash subsidy (SAP) to low-income earners; provision of cash assistance to teachers from private schools and tertiary education institutions and part-time faculty in state universities and colleges; and cash-for-work for displaced workers. The Senate version provided standby funding of P10 billion for the procurement of PCR Testing and extraction kits, supplies, materials, and reagents; P15 billion for the implementation of cash-for-work program and the TUPAD; P17 billion for the unemployment or involuntary separation assistance for displaced workers or employees; P50 billion infusion of capital to government financial institutions including the P5 billion to Philippine Guarantee Corporation, P30 billion to Landbank, P15 billion to Development Bank of the Philippines; P17 billion assistance to the Agriculture sector; P10 billion assistance to Tourism sector; and P3 billion assistance to state universities and colleges. The minority leader said the collectibles from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) licensees and service providers can be used to bridge the funding gap. During the hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Labor in February of this year, BIR Commissioner Sixto Dy said that POGO licensees and operators are currently not paying franchise taxes to the BIR. In total, the POGOs' unpaid taxes would amount to around P50 Billion. "We need to collect these huge amounts of money to finance these crucial programs. It can bridge the funding gap because we have no choice but increase the spending for Covid-19," Drilon said.
A man has been charged with robbing and killing a 25-year-old found dead in an Atlantic City hotel room last week, authorities said Sunday.

Keshawn T. Faulkner, 22, of Atlantic City, was arrested Friday and charged with felony murder, robbery and a weapons offense, the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office said in a statement.

When police arrived at the Madison Hotel on Martin Luther King Boulevard around 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, officers found a man later identified as Wayne Brown shot to death on the 11th floor, officials said.

Faulkner is being held at the Atlantic County jail.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the prosecutors Office Web site and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the submit a tip page.

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 Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the Adnoc Tower in Abu Dhabi were lit up with the Indian tricolour flag on August 15, in honour and celebration of Indias 74th year of independence from the British rule. The UAE displayed the Indian Flag from the worlds tallest and most famous skyscraper at approximately 8:45pm on Saturday night for a good 5-10 minutes.

The UAE is home to approximately 3,420,000 Indians, and they make up about 27% of UAEs total population and for all these Indians in the UAE, this gesture is all the more special. Dubai also ensured that all precautionary measures were taken in lieu of Covid-19, for all those who wished to celebrate Indias 74th Independence Day. The official Burj Khalifa handle tweeted in both Arabic and English saying, #BurjKhalifa lights up in commemoration of Indias 74th Independence Day. May the tricolour of freedom, courage and peace always prosper.

       #_         #BurjKhalifa lights up in commemoration of Indias 74th Independence Day. May the tricolor of freedom, courage and peace always prosper. pic.twitter.com/Tl4APU11Ju  Burj Khalifa (@BurjKhalifa) August 15, 2020

In the past, famous building such as the Empire State building and the Niagara Falls have also donned on the tricoloured flag in honour of Indias struggle for freedom and all of its people.

August 15 is a national holiday in India, and it seeks to commemorate and immortalize all the soldiers, freedom fighters, and citizens who worked tirelessly to make our great nation free and even laid down their lives for this cause. After almost 2 centuries under the Imperial Rule, Indians finally succeeded in driving away the British on August 15, 1947.

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A federal judge in Pennsylvania told the Republican Party and the Trump campaign to provide evidence of their claim that there was vote-by-mail fraud in the state. The judge gave the party and the Trump campaign until August 21.

Vote-by-mail fraud

The judge's order essentially forces the Trump campaign and the Republican party to try to back up the false claims of President Donald Trump about massive voter fraud in postal voting. The case is labeled as high-profile, as reported by Forbes.

District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan wrote on August 13 that the court finds that instances of voter fraud are relevant to the claims and defenses in the case. The district judge told Republicans that they need to provide evidence of fraud to the Democratic Party and the Sierra Club, which are part of the ongoing lawsuit.

The Democrats that had asked for information and documents that would show steps the Republicans took to study the possibility of fraud, especially linked to the use of drop boxes, ballot collection, and mailed-in ballots in the primary elections.

Also Read: Fauci Says There's 'No Reason' America Can't Do In-Person Voting

Republicans and the Trump campaign refused to provide documents. However, due to the court order, they must now answer questions from the Democratic groups and turn over records of communications or say that they have none, which will then nullify their claim that there was fraud in the first place. The judge gave the Trump campaign and the Republicans until August 21.

Lawyers representing the Democrats stated that the Trump campaign should not be permitted to raise such massive fraud-related claims, especially in the climate in the country.

The Democrats have called the Trump lawsuit an attempt to stoke fear to the public about unproven fraud related to mail-in voting in Pennsylvania, which is dubbed as the battleground state.

Legal scholars from both Democrats and Republicans and nonpartisan experts acknowledge that there is no widespread fraud in US elections.

The case is one of the biggest and boldest attempts by the Trump campaign in court in their attempt to curtail mail-in voting in the 2020 election.

The Trump campaign had then claimed mail-in voting could prompt some questions about the accuracy of election results and it could create chaos this coming election.

The judge overseeing the suit, District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan, was appointed by President Trump. A hearing about the evidence of mail-in fraud is set for September.

Fact-checking teams weigh in

President Trump posted an article on his Twitter account highlighting Attorney General William Barr's recent comment that expanding mail-in voting could open the opportunity to fraud.

Trump added his own commentary saying that the upcoming election will be the "disaster of our time" as mail-in ballots will lead to "a rigged election."

David Becker, the founder of the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation and research, posted on his Twitter account that the "info is false" in response to Trump's posts. He added that there is no evidence to support Trump's claims and states have a lot of protections in place to prevent the rigging of mail ballots.

Michael McDonald, a political science professor at the University of Florida who runs the United States Elections Project said that it would be a "waste of paper" for foreign countries to print fraudulent ballots. He added that the legally valid ballots printed by election officials have a lot of safeguards to protect against fraudulent voting.

Related Article: Fact Check: Did President Trump Donate to Sen. Kamala Harris' Past Election Campaign?

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Ishizimiyah (Liberated Territories), 10 August 2020 (SPS) - A unit of the anti-smuggling and organized crime of the Sahrawi People's Liberation Army, in the liberated area of Ishizimiyah, seized a quantity of drugs smuggled across the Moroccan military wall estimated at 125 kg, a source of the Ministry of National Defense told SPS.

The same source added that this quantity was found during an intensive combing operation of the units of the Sahrawi Army specialized in combating Moroccan drugs.

After inspecting the cargo, it was destroyed as stipulated in the law on drugs in the presence of members of the UN Mission (MINURSO) as a witness to Moroccan contraband.

The Sahrawi state, as part of its national and regional responsibilities, is fighting daily battles against Morocco's systematic plot to smuggle drugs across its military wall, with special units present in all military regions of the Sahrawi army, deployed along the Moroccan military wall, in order to counter this smuggling. (SPS)

062/SPS/T




Throughout the remainder of August and the 2020 Labor Day holiday weekend, police departments, sheriffs offices, and the Michigan State Police are encouraging motorists to celebrate safely and make smart driving decisions. During a three-week period, through Sept. 7, there will be increased enforcement and additional messaging about the dangers of driving impaired.

Michael Prince, Michigan Office of Highway Safety planning director said The aim is to drastically reduce deaths and serious injuries caused by impaired driving."

This should be a time for friends and family to enjoy the final days of summer. Impaired driving puts everyone at risk and is always unacceptable," Prince said.

Officers will be on the lookout for motorists under the influence of drugs and alcohol throughout the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement period. In Michigan, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher, although motorists can be arrested at any blood alcohol level if an officer believes they are impaired. Michigan has what is commonly referred to as a zero-tolerance drugged driving law.

During last years Labor Day holiday, there were 10 fatalities, with three fatalities involving alcohol in the state.

On average, a driving under the influence charge can result in $10,000 in attorney fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, car towing and repairs.

To increase awareness and encourage safe and sober driving there will be a paid media campaign, including a video titled Toe Tags that focuses on the results of drugged driving. The video can be found at youtube.com/ohsp.

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is supported with federal traffic safety funds provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and coordinated by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety.
LONDON (AP)  The U.K. marked the 75th anniversary of the defeat of Japan in World War II on Saturday, with Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip leading tributes to those who fought during the six-year campaign.

In a special message on Victory over Japan Day, the queen and Philip offered their grateful thanks to those involved in a campaign that has been widely overlooked in the decades since.

The war cost the lives of some 50,000 British and Commonwealth troops, nearly half of whom perished in brutal prison camps.

Those of us who remember the conclusion of the Far East campaign, whether on active service overseas, or waiting for news at home, will never forget the jubilant scenes and overwhelming sense of relief," said the 94-year-old queen, who remains in quarantine at her residence in Windsor Castle because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Amongst the joy at the end of the conflict, we also remembered, as we do today, the terrible devastation that it brought, and the cost borne by so many," she added.

Following the surrender of the Nazis on May 8, 1945, which is called Victory in Europe Day, Allied troops carried on fighting the Japanese until an armistice was declared on Aug. 15, 1945 after the U.S. dropped two atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Japan formally surrendered on Sept. 2, 1945, but many Pacific War veterans felt their efforts were not fully recognized in the fog of the mushroom clouds. They dubbed themselves the forgotten army.

They were being remembered Saturday across the U.K., first with a commemoration at the National Memorial Arboretum in central England that included a two-minute silence and a flypast by Battle of Britain planes.

The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Prince Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall. They all spoke with some of the 40 veterans present, carefully observing social distancing guidelines.

One of the veterans, 97-year-old Edward Woodward, prompted some amusement when he told the prince and the duchess that the most sought-after item among the air-dropped rations was toilet paper.

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Another, Richard Day, 93, remembered the harsh conditions facing everyone, including how he contracted malaria and dysentery at the same time while fighting a highly determined enemy.

I think the worse part was crossing rivers at night. It was cold at night, then all night in wet clothes and wet equipment, still having to move about, he said. It was a glory for them (the Japanese troops) to die for their emperor. They didnt appear to have any fear at all.

In an open V-J Day anniversary letter addressed to Veterans of the Far East Campaign, Johnson hailed the courage of those who fought in Asia and the Pacific.

You were the last to come home but your achievements are written in the lights of the glittering capitals of the dynamic region we see today, he said.

Johnson acknowledged their wartime experiences had been overshadowed in popular imagination by the conflict in Europe, but he stressed that their service had brought World War II to an end and inaugurated a period of peace and prosperity across southeast Asia that remains to this day.

Britain, which had been a colonial power across much of the region, suffered arguably its biggest military defeat to Japanese forces in the early years of the war. Overwhelmed troops had to retreat from Malaysia, Singapore and Burma in some of the most inhospitable conditions imaginable.

These blows were so heavy that many feared they would break your will to fight on, Johnson said in his tribute letter. But you survived the longest retreat in British history, marching almost 1,000 miles from Burma to India, and then you regrouped and reformed.

The prime minister also highlighted the creation of the formidable 14th Army, a fighting force that was made up of nearly a million soldiers, including ones from India and Africa, and which helped turn defeat into victory.

Heavy clouds on Saturday meant that the Royal Air Forces aerobatics display team, the Red Arrows, could not do their designated flypasts of the U.K.'s four nation capitals for the first time since the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The poor weather meant they couldn't fly over London, or the Scottish and Welsh capitals, Edinburgh and Cardiff. Only residents in the Northern Irish capital of Belfast were able to see the aerial display.
The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has opened a quality control laboratory here to facilitate tests for seafood processors and exporters to confirm to product safety as per international regulatory requirements, the central agency said on Sunday.

The laboratory is equipped with advanced testing instruments to analyse antibiotic residues, heavy-metals, such as cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic in seafood samples and histamine in fish like tuna and mackerel, it said in a release.

The laboratory has begun efforts to secure accreditation by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and the Export Inspection Council (EIC), the MPEDA said.

The laboratory was inaugurated by MPEDA Chairman K S Srinivas through video conferencing on Saturday, it said.

Gujarat has relatively low instances of antibiotic residue in seafood exports, yet a number of cephalopod consignments are rejected overseas due to the presence of heavy metals, mainly cadmium.

This prompted MPEDA, under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to set up a QC lab in Porbandar to test seafood samples, Srinivas said.

According to the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Gujarat comes second only to Tamil Nadu in marine fish landings, contributing 7.49 lakh tonnes in 2019, said the release.

Gujarat also produced 73,842 tonnes of shrimps farmed on 9,709 hectares land, and 1,890 MT of scampi in 2019, it said.

Gujarat exported 27,9750 MT of seafood worth Rs 5,019.49 crore (USD 716.25 million) during FY 2019-20, with major export items being frozen fin fish, frozen cephalopods, dried items and frozen shrimp in terms of quantity, and fish in terms of value. Gujarat's major markets for seafood exports are China, European Union, South-East Asia, Japan and the US.

The state is also a major exporter of surimi primarily to Japan.

Also Read: Russia produces first batch of coronavirus vaccines

Also Read: India erred in imposing lockdown restrictions; entered, exited too soon, says Abhijit Banerjee
1. Yes. Too many kids are staying home. They need a virtual learning option to keep up.

2. Yes. Teachers are out sick and subs cant handle the load. Online learning is needed.

3. No. Its too late in the school year to make a wholesale switch in teaching platforms.

4.No. Many parents arent in a position to stay home while their kids learn virtually.

5. Unsure. It may seem like a good idea from a health standpoint, but it has shortcomings.

Vote

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MINSK (Reuters) - Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, speaking at a rally of his supporters in Minsk on Sunday, rejected calls to hold a new presidential election and accused NATO of massing on his country's western border.

Belarus has been rocked by a week of street protests after protesters accused Lukashenko of rigging a presidential election last Sunday, something he denies.

Lukashenko earlier spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin who told the Belarusian leader that Moscow stood ready to provide help in accordance with a collective military pact if necessary, the Kremlin said in a statement.

(Reporting by Andrei Makhovsky; writing by Vladimir Soldatkin; editing by Andrew Osborn)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 23:41:32|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Water Resources on Sunday urged greater efforts in flood control as another flood in the Yangtze River will occur in its upper reaches.

In the next three days, heavy rainfall and rainstorms are expected in parts of southwestern China, northwestern China, northern China and northeastern China, among other regions.

Efforts should be made in flood prevention of the Three Gorges reservoir and reservoirs in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, said E Jingping, minister of water resources.

Meanwhile, countermeasures for rainfalls in northeastern China and floods in the Yellow River and Weihe River basins should be implemented, E said. Enditem
US ambassador to Libya speaks to Ahram Online about the prerequisites for a peace deal in Libya amid his current visit to Cairo

US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland visited Cairo on Monday for talks with Egyptian officials and the speaker of the Tobruk-based Libyan House of Representatives, Aguila Saleh, on means of resolving the Libyan conflict.

Ahram Online spoke to the envoy about the Libyan crisis, and Washingtons position on recent developments.

Norland said Washington aims to get forces to pull back and find some sort of neutral security arrangement for Sirte. He revealed that one of the ideas suggested during talks involved the establishment of a demilitarised zone around Sirte.

He wants the Russians to be involved in a productive way instead of supporting armed groups, while pointing out that only international courts can decide on the issue of Eastern Mediterranean cooperation between Turkey and the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA).

Ahram Online: What was the impact of the Turkish intervention on Libya's political and security conditions?

Richard Norland: First of all, let me say that this visit took place in the context of recent conversations between US President Donald Trump and Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, and between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.

The idea was to follow up those conversations to try to seize an opportunity that in the end we hope will help lead to the departure of all foreign forces from Libya. We see that the political dimension of the Cairo Declaration on 6 June offers an opportunity for new voices to emerge from Libyas east to engage with the GNA in Tripoli and try to come up with a Libyan political dialogue with a new approach and a negotiated solution to the conflict.

We see this hopefully as the beginning of specific steps to deal with confrontation around Sirte and Jufra, and also to help resume oil production in Libya, which has an important security dimension to it. We want to help the Libyans who want to restore their sovereignty, and in that sense I believe it has been a very useful visit.

The Turkish intervention produced a kind of a stalemate, which has created an environment where people understand that there is only a political solution. The government in Tripoli reluctantly made arrangements for Turkey to support them militarily when it appeared that the capital was about to fall to Haftars offensive.

But I argue that there should be limits to any foreign intervention, and the dynamic now should be on how to end and de-escalate these interventions on all sides, and there is an opportunity to do that because of the stalemate that exists on the battlefield right now.

We want to take advantage of that opportunity because the confrontation that is out there with the Turkish forces on one side, and the other forces, is one in which there could be a miscalculation any time that could lead to disastrous results for Libya and its neighbours.

AO: What are the prerequisites for a peace deal in Libya?

RN: First, foreign actors have to stop fuelling the conflict, especially those countries that are providing military equipment and supporting mercenaries, and others who are helping to fuel the conflict. This really needs to end. Also, all the commitments that were made in Berlin, if fulfilled, will be the recipe for addressing the conflict.

I think if all pitch in now to support those in Libya who are patriotic nationalists trying to end the conflict and the involvement of all foreign forces, that is the other part of the equation. In that respect, the political dimension of the Cairo Declaration has been positive.

AO: What is the possibility of having a US plan in terms of creating a demilitarised zone in Sirte?

RN: One of the ideas we are suggesting is supporting some sort of a demilitarised solution around Sirte. We are not the only ones who suggested that, but if we can use our influence to do so, we would like very much to do that. The aim is to get forces to pull back, to find some sort of neutral security arrangement for the city itself, and to avoid the risk of Sirte becoming a flashpoint for an expanded conflict.

AO: Do you think there is progress taking place towards reaching a final settlement between the warring factions?

RN: We have an opportunity here to consolidate a long-term ceasefire, and I am not going to say whether I am optimistic or pessimistic, but I think it is an opportunity that rational parties support and will continue to do so. The reason is that the alternative is a serious regional conflict.

AO: Turkey signed an accord with the GNA last year to create an exclusive economic zone from Turkey's southern Mediterranean shore to Libya's northeast coast. In your view, do Turkey and the GNA have an oil-for-protection deal?

RN: Regardless of why the agreement was signed, its impact and how it proceeds is something that will have to be decided through international, legal processes in the courts, and I think parties on both sides recognise that. The issue is being contested and will have to play itself out in international courts.

AO: In June, Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi described Sirte and Al-Jufra as a redline for Egyptian national security. What is the US position on such a reaction by Cairo towards the Turkish-GNA moves?

RN: Obviously, we respect the presidents statements, as it shows the risk of escalations and the growing imperative to find a solution to this. In our discussions today, Egyptian officials pointed out to me, which I think is one of the most important points that even President El-Sisi made, that Egypt does not want to see any kind of military action either from the east or the west of Libya, and that Egypt opposes any kind of attack on Tripoli.

From my perspective as ambassador to Libya, hearing those assurances from President El-Sisi, to the extent that growing confidence can be built around those assurances, I think it could have a very powerful impact on what happens next to stabilise the situation further.

AO: What is the US position on the Libyan tribal leaders' call, which Egypt agreed to, for an Egyptian intervention in Libya?

RN: The broader issue is that we support efforts to de-escalate the situation. We believe in the urgency in helping all parties and the UN to come up with a negotiated settlement here.

AO: Russia is involved in Libya. What is the US position on Russia's military presence in an oil-rich country that Western oil companies have worked in for years?

RN: Russia has legitimate commercial interests in Libya like everybody else. What surprises us is that Russia pursuing its interests through the Wagner Group, bringing in sophisticated, hard military equipment and doing things that are not helping to stabilise the country.

We have noticed in the last couple of days, with the disaster in Beirut, that Russia, through its ministry of emergency services, has actually done very good work in Lebanon to help with that crisis. From our perspective, it would be good to see Russia involving itself in productive way in Libya, not in a way that fuels conflict.

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President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama prior to Obama's departure during the 2017 presidential inauguration at the US Capitol January 20, 2017 in Washington, DC. Jack Gruber-Pool/Getty Images

Former President Barack Obama accused President Trump of trying to "actively kneecap" the US Postal Service to suppress votes at the upcoming election in November.

In a podcast with his former campaign manager David Plouffe, Obama said: "What we've seen in a way that is unique to modern political history is a president who is explicit in trying to discourage people from voting."

Trump this week said he did not want the USPS to get more funding because he doesn't want it to go toward mail-in voting, which he's baselessly said leads to voter fraud.

In response to Obama's comments, Jared Kushner told CNN that Trump "is doing everything he can to make sure that they [US Postal Service] have the resources they need."

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Former President Barack Obama accused President Trump on Friday of trying to "actively kneecap" the US Postal Service to suppress mail-in votes at the November election.

In a rare public rebuke against the president, Obama told his former campaign manager David Plouffe on a podcast that he "worries" about protecting the integrity of the election process amid a pandemic.

"What we've seen in a way that is unique to modern political history is a president who is explicit in trying to discourage people from voting," Obama said, according to USA Today.

"What we've never seen before is a president say, 'I'm going to try to actively kneecap the Postal Service to encourage voting and I will be explicit about the reason I'm doing it,'" he added. "That's sort of unheard of, right?"

Obama's attack comes days after Trump said he did not want the Postal Service to get much-needed funding because he doesn't want it used for mail-in voting, which he's baselessly stated will lead to voter fraud.

While Trump hasn't responded to Obama's criticism yet, his son-in-law Jared Kushner spoke about the former president's comment to CNN's Christiane Amanpour on Friday.

Story continues

Kushner told Amanpour that Trump "is doing everything he can to make sure that they [US Postal Service] have the resources they need."

"You can argue it just the other way, Christiane, which is this is an unprecedented attempt by people to use an unproven method that, quite frankly, they don't have the time or infrastructure to set up correctly," he said.

"I think what you're seeing on both sides is a lot of posturing: you see that from what President Obama has said, you see that from what President Trump has said. But at the end of the day, what everyone wants is just a fair election, where we know what the rules are, where people are not playing games, and trying to create opportunities," Kushner added.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Nerul police filed a case against unidentified people for allegedly stealing gold valuables worth Rs12 lakh from a jewellery shop early on Saturday.

The incident came to light after the owner of the shop, located at Sector 8 near Manak Hospital, opened the shop in the morning.

Some unidentified accused broke the shutter of the jewellery shop and stole gold ornaments and valuables worth Rs12 lakh. We are still probing the case to establish how many people were involved in the crime. We are checking the CCTV footage of the nearby area for more leads, said an officer from Nerul police station.

The police said that the shop had been closed during the lockdown and the owner had only opened it back a few days ago.

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Communities in hard-hit eastern Oregon continued adding coronavirus cases in early August at rates unseen in the rest of the state, according to an analysis of state data by The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Nine of the 10 Oregon ZIP codes with the highest per capita rates of new infections were in Morrow, Umatilla and Malheur counties. Gov. Kate Brown has now restored varying levels of restrictions on all three jurisdictions to slow spread of coronavirus.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has warned life will not return to normal until a COVID-19 vaccine is available, while praising the work of Queenslanders as the state recorded another day without a new case.

Nine cases remain active in the state from 1091 confirmed cases since the pandemic began. About 3300 tests were carried out in the past 24 hours.

The update came as Ms Palaszczuk appeared before the media in Burleigh to announce surfing great Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew as her party's pick to contest the Gold Coast seat at the October election.

"I want to thank Queenslanders for their extraordinary work," she said.
Pro-life lawmakers urge Trump admin. to end IRS abortion tax deduction

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More than 100 U.S. senators and representatives have written to the Department of the Treasury to end tax breaks in the IRS code for abortion.

Presently, the IRS allows abortion expenses to be tax-deductible as a "medical expense."

Abortion is not healthcare. Any procedure where a successful outcome is the death of a living human being  born or unborn  is not healthcare, a letter signed by 23 senators, including Sens. Mike Braun, R-Ind., and James Lankford, R-Okla., along with 80 representatives reads.

The lawmakers noted that abortion was a crime in virtually every state when the deduction for medical care was first enacted in the Revenue Act of 1942. However, shortly after Roe v. Wade, the IRS imposed on the then-three-decade-old statute a meaning of medical care that would have been unthinkable to the 77th Congress that enacted it.

The members of Congress requested Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to take swift action to issue new regulations to protect innocent human life by ending tax breaks for abortion under the guise of medical care.

They urged the IRS not to consider abortions (except when the mothers life is physically endangered) to be medical care. The IRS should not treat premiums for health insurance that covers such abortions as medical care, unless in compliance with the laws separate accounting requirements for coverage of non-medical care.

In a press release, Rep. Warren Davidson from Ohio said, Abortion is not health care and it should not be recognized as such by the IRS.

Davidson called the 1973 IRS decision controversial, and said, taxpayers should never be forced to subsidize abortion, according to Pregnancy Help News.

Every human life from the moment of conception is invaluable, Braun said. Taking the life of an unborn child through abortion is certainly not health care and should not be treated as such.

Many pro-life organizations, including March for Life, Susan B. Anthony List, Family Research Council, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Concerned Women for America, Americans United for Life, Heritage Action and Students for Life of America have endorsed the letter.

In March, Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., blasted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and other Democrats for seeking to include a possible way to guarantee federal funding for abortion into the coronavirus economic relief plan. While schools are closing and hospitals are gearing up, Speaker Pelosi is waging unnecessary culture wars, Sasse told National Review in a statement.

Sasse was referring to a report in The Daily Caller, in which White House officials anonymously said that Pelosi attempted to secure a funding stream of up to $1 billion for reimbursing laboratory claims.

According to the officials, the provision would set a precedent of health spending without protections outlined in the Hyde Amendment, which bans federal tax dollars from paying for abortions.
Mumbai:

Industrialist Nusli Wadia has filed a defamation suit against Tata Sons in the Bombay High Court, seeking damages for harming his reputation while proposing to remove him as an independent director of three of Tata Group companies.

The suit is expected to come for hearing in due course, according to the High Court website.

Wadia has sought crores of rupees in damages, but its quantum is not known immediately.

The suit comes in the wake of the special notice seeking removal of Wadia as independent director of three Tata companies. Wadia has claimed the notice was defamatory to him.

Earlier, Wadia had served three legal notices to Tata Group, seeking to initiate criminal and civil actions against Tata Sons and its directors for his proposed removal.

No immediate reaction was available from Tata Group.

Recently, four minority shareholders of Tata Group firms had moved the HC challenging proposed removal of Wadia.

The three Tata companies, on a direction of Tata Sons, have called EGMs to remove Wadia from their boards under the section 169.

Last week, another group of minority shareholders of Tata companies moved the High Court claiming damages from Tata Sons interim chairman Ratan Tata and others for losses suffered by investors after shares of group companies fell following Mistrys sacking.
The first, he said, sees to it that a favored few are helped and hopes that some of their prosperity will leak through, sift through, to labor, to the farmer, to the small business man. That theory belongs to the party of Toryism, and I had hoped that most of the Tories left this country in 1776. But it is not and never will be the theory of the Democratic Party.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 18:25:09|Editor: huaxia

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German daggers are displayed in Alamein Military Museum in Alamein, Egypt, Aug. 10, 2020. At Egypt's Mediterranean northern coast, Alamein Military Museum houses weapons, maps, photos and vehicles that bear witness to one of the largest battles during the World War II. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

by Ahmed Shafiq

ALAMEIN, Egypt, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- At Egypt's Mediterranean northern coast, Alamein Military Museum houses weapons, maps, photos and vehicles that bear witness to one of the largest battles during the World War II.

Located about 90 km from the northern coastal province of Alexandria, the museum was founded in 1956, with the goal of commemorating Egypt's fundamental role in the battle.

Egypt's coastal Alamein town witnessed a remarkable battle in 1942 where the Allied forces led by British commander Bernard Law Montgomery defeated the Axis German-Italian forces led by "Desert Fox" German general Erwin Rommel, marking the beginning of the decline of Fascism and Nazism.

Mohammed Adel, a senior guide at the museum, told Xinhua that the museum shows the major events of Alamein battle and the role of the participating forces.

The guide noted that the museum is divided into three sections including the open-air showground, the permanent display showroom, and the temporary display showroom.

According to Adel, these sections display weapons and heavy equipment such as cannons, personnel carriers, tanks, airplanes and armored vehicles, as well as military acquisitions such as soldiers' cutlery and holy books.

In the center of the main lobby, a memorial is erected to denote the years of the war and the walls of the lobby are decorated with graffiti illustrating stories from the war, graven images of the contributing army commanders and the war maps of North African states.

Adel told Xinhua that it is important for Egypt to have this museum which commemorates the battle on the Egyptian soil.

"This shows the role that Egypt has played with other countries during the war in order to make peace," he noted.

Omar Hammam, an Egyptian pilot from Cairo, drove some 300 km to the museum to let his children get some knowledge about the World War II and the Alamein battle in particular.

"This is an important period of our history and that is why I brought my children to tell them how Egypt joined global forces to put an end to cruelty and injustice in order to achieve peace," Hammam told Xinhua.

"In addition to foreign and local tourists, families of the victims visit the museum and the adjacent war cemetery where thousands of war victims from several countries were buried," he said.

World War II, which lasted from 1939 to 1945, is the biggest war in history that involved more than 60 countries and regions and caused huge casualties and losses.

In Europe, the Soviet Union was the main combat area in the fight against Nazi Germany. In Asia, China was the main battlefield against the Fascist Japanese.

"On the 75th anniversary of the World War II, we remember the experiences, success and the important contributions of the Chinese people's war of resistance against the Japanese aggression," Ahmed Sallam, a former media consultant at the Egyptian Embassy in China, told Xinhua.

He pointed out that Chinese people made great sacrifices and contributions during the war, offering historical experiences that are indispensable to all countries in the contemporary history.

"The World War II taught us that we must protect our freedom, as well as reject and condemn the illegal and unlawful use of force. It taught us the need to cooperate in order to achieve and maintain peace," Sallam said.
At least 15 migrants including a baby have been picked up off the coast of Dover today following more than 1,000 arrivals in the past 10 days.

Border Force crews were seen out on the water off the Kent coast today after intercepting a boat carrying men and women.

The refugees will have been taken to Dover Harbour for Covid-19 testing, before they are then processed.

Today's arrival marks another landing after over 1,000 men, women and children arrived at the UK from France.

Yesterday five vessels were brought to the UK carrying 65 people.

After growing calls for extra help, the Royal Navy was yesterday deployed to help Border Force police the Channel.

At least 15 refugees were picked up off the coast of Dover on Sunday, as more than 1,000 people arrived in England in the past 10 days

A baby was among at least 15 migrants to be intercepted while crossing the Channel to the UK today

Dan OMahoney, Clandestine Channel Threat Commander, said: 'It is a fact that these crossings are illegally facilitated by criminals who are making money exploiting migrants desperate to come to our country.

'It is also a fact that France is a manifestly safe country with a fully functioning asylum system and refugees there can and should claim asylum.

'I am working with my counterparts in France and have reaffirmed our joint commitment to stopping these crossings and making this route totally unviable.

'We are determined to return those who do not have a legitimate asylum claim.

A Border Force officer was passed the young child as refugees got out of a Border Force patrol boat on Sunday afternoon

Border Force officials picked up at least 15 more migrants on Sunday as the number of refugees attempting to cross The Channel continues to rise

'However, this is made increasingly difficult as countries can have caps on the number of returns they accept. We are working as a matter of urgency to resolve this.

'My team and I are targeting the abhorrent criminals, people smugglers and organised crime gangs facilitating migrants travelling through Europe into the UK. We continue to pursue and sentence these criminals, and this year twenty-three people smugglers have been jailed and two more recently charged.'

On Saturday evening the Ministry of Defence announced that it was sending a specialist team to provide support for 'the daily running of Border Force operations' after another 90 people made the crossing on Friday.

The Royal Navy is set to help deal with crossings by teaming up with Border Force, after 90 people made the crossing on Friday

The Royal Navy has not been employed to help stop such crossings since January 2019.

The deployment comes after 10 consecutive days of landings, with refugees seen possing for selfies as they wait to be picked up in the English Channel.

A task-force of around a dozen officers will help to plan and organise operations while working alongside Border Force officials, according to The Sunday Telegraph.

'Civilian authorities are not used to fast paced, large scale and constantly changing situations in the same way as the military. That's what we do,' an MoD source told the newspaper.

The Royal Navy is set to advise on dealing with migrant crossings as it is used to 'fast paced, large scale and constantly changing situations,' a Ministry of Defence source has said

Seven men and women were seen wrapped in towels and wearing face masks on board a Border Force patrol boat on Sunday

Migrant camps have been dismantled in Calais, forcing refugees to move to more remote areas before making the crossing.

Home Secretary Priti Patel has sparked a row with her French counterparts, however, after she said migrants are crossing the Channel to Britain because they believe France is a 'racist country' where they may be 'tortured'.

The Home Secretary's inflammatory remarks, in a private meeting with Tory MPs, infuriated French politicians. One blasted: 'Madam Patel is not a politician who does much thinking.'

Refugees preparing to cross the Channel are staying at a makeshift camp after French authorities carried out evictions at larger sites earlier this week.

Europe's top judges have condemned France for 'degrading and inhumane' treatment of asylum seekers in forcing them to sleep rough for months in 'constant fear of being attacked or robbed'

But the row came as Europe's top judges condemned France for 'degrading and inhumane' treatment of asylum seekers in forcing them to sleep rough for months in 'constant fear of being attacked or robbed'.

Tory MPs taking part in the Zoom conference call with Ms Patel also said she claimed to have been frustrated in her efforts to crack down on the Channel migrant crisis by No 10  although both sides denied that last night.

The private web chat with the Home Secretary came amid mounting anger on the Tory backbenches over how the Government was handling the migrant crisis. One MP claimed Ms Patel had told them: 'France is a racist country. They would rather come to England.'

Last night, Government sources strongly denied that, insisting that the Home Secretary had only been passing on what migrants had been saying about France.

One stressed: 'Priti made clear these were migrants' views  not hers', adding that the Home Secretary thought claims of possible torture if they returned to France were nonsense, pushed by activist lawyers.

Mystery British kingpin known as 'The Banker' controls multi-million pound cross-Channel people smuggling ring

By Max Aitchison, Abul Taher and Tim Finan for the Mail on Sunday

A multi-million-pound cross-Channel smuggling racket is being masterminded by a UK-based criminal known as 'The Banker'.

Details of the shadowy Godfather figure emerged during the French trial of a gang of Afghans who smuggled migrants into Britain on small boats and in the back of lorries. The revelation comes as new analysis showed more than 1,000 migrants crossed the Channel in the ten days up to last Thursday.

A court in Boulogne-sur-Mer heard how three smugglers, who charged an average of 3,000 for each 'passenger', were part of a sophisticated operation that used encrypted mobile-phone apps to pass information and collect payment.

Janmeer Ahmadzai, 28, his brother Amadjai Shanawaz, 29, and Kochai Juma Gul, 25 were in constant contact with associates in Britain, including an unidentified kingpin known as 'Le Banquier', the court was told.

In total, 1,004 migrants were brought ashore by the Border Force between August 4 and August 13, talking the total this year to 4,511

Judge Vincent Naegelin said orders to cram boats and lorries with migrants arrived by phone from 'Le Banquier' and evidence showed he controlled the gang's finances.

The French national police conducted a year-long investigation into the Calais-based gang, secretly tracking their movements, photographing them and bugging their mobile phones. They arrested the men last month at a car park near the city's main hospital, close to the notorious Jungle migrant camp.

The three men were found guilty of aiding illegal immigration into Britain. Gul was given a five-year prison sentence, Ahmadzai was jailed for four years and his brother for one year. Details of the case emerged as at least five more boatloads of migrants, including a reportedly pregnant woman and a child, arrived in Dover yesterday.

Another dinghy carrying six migrants was intercepted by a Border Force vessel about 1,000 yards off the coast before being escorted to Dover.

Throughout yesterday morning, dozens of migrants wearing lifejackets and wrapped in pale blue blankets were processed by officials wearing masks and gloves. Each had their temperature taken as part of checks for coronavirus. One frail, elderly man was seen leaving a Border Force vessel using a cane before the deck was sprayed with disinfectant.

In total, 1,004 migrants were brought ashore by the Border Force between August 4 and August 13, talking the total this year to 4,511.

That figure does not include those who were detained on shore or those who evaded capture and is more than twice the 1,900 seized during the whole of last year. Another 48 migrants were detained on Friday. Among them was a group of 11, including a distressed woman and a teenager who appeared to be her son, who were stopped by police on the busy A20 near the port.

The RNLI tow a small boat into Dover, Kent, following a number of small boat incidents in the Channel earlier today

It later emerged that Tony Benson, a British expat living in Lens, about 60 miles from Calais, may have provided the boat they used for their crossing.

Posting on Facebook, he wrote: 'Yes, I gave it to them and wished them luck, and do you know why? I am well off, my kids and grandkids don't go without, they have a house, a family, a school to go to, and I don't have to worry about whether or not they will come home to find they don't have one.'

Yesterday, a series of seemingly new inflatable rubber dinghies were seen being towed into Dover harbour after the Border Force had picked up their passengers. At least one was missing its outboard motor. Migrants often remove them when they are in sight of the English coast, so they cannot be turned back to France.

Favourable weather in the Channel and a crackdown by the French authorities on the migrant camps has encouraged more people to make the journey, despite Home Secretary Priti Patel's vow to make the route 'unviable'.
Let's Keep This 'Jesus Doesn't Like Obamacare Because Poor Folks Are Lazy' Guy Out Of US Senate In last week's primary election, Kansas voters said no thank you yet again to the state's former secretary of state Kris Kobach, that vile rightwing snake who gained national infamy for his twin loves, beating up on immigrants and vote suppression.

A sorta spiritual consideration of a political battle royale that isn't as close as some progressives believe . . . Read more from an entertaining and snarky perspective:
A North Bergen woman was charged with endangering her 5-year-old son after a janitor was accused Tuesday of abusing the boy in his care, authorities said.

Heather Cruz, 28, was arrested Friday around 12:45 p.m. in the area of 29th Street in North Bergen. Cruz faces one charge of endangering the welfare of a child, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said.

An investigation revealed that Cruz failed to protect her son while Ivan Sanchez, 30, was causing the physical abuse, Suarez said.

Three days prior to Cruzs arrest, Sanchez was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and sexual assault by contact, Suarez said.

After investigation, Suarez said that Sanchez  a janitor at the Hoboken Housing Authority  physically abused the five-year-old boy, leaving injuries on his face, ear, buttocks, lower back and genitals.

Sanchezs relationship to the victim is unclear.

Cruz and Sanchez would face between five and 10 years for each of their charges if convicted.
By PTI

CHANDIGARH: The highest single-day spike of 1,165 coronavirus cases and a record 41 fatalities pushed the COVID-19 tally in Punjab to 31,206 and the death toll to 812 on Sunday, according to a bulletin by the state government.

Fourteen deaths were reported from Ludhiana, seven from Patiala, four from Jalandhar, three each from Amritsar and Sangrur, two from Ferozepur and one each from Barnala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Moga and Mohali, it stated.

Among the districts which reported fresh cases in the last 24 hours, Ludhiana recorded 315 fresh instances of the viral infection, Jalandhar 187, Ferozepur 96, Mohali 91, Patiala 90, Gurdaspur 74, Moga 64 and Amritsar 37, the bulletin said.

A total of 568 patients recuperated from the disease in a day taking the total number of recoveries in Punjab so far to 19,431.

The state government bulletin stated that there are 10,963 active COVID-19 cases in the state as of now, of whom 35 are in a critical state and on ventilator support while 217 are on oxygen support.

So far, 7,70,873 samples have been collected for coronavirus tests, it said.

Meanwhile, state Revenue Minister Gurpreet Singh Kangar has tested positive for coronavirus, a health official said on Sunday.

He is now under home isolation and samples of his family members have also been taken for testing, the official said.

Kangar had hoisted the national flag in Mansa during Independence Day celebrations on Saturday.

A health official said the health teams have been tracing people who came in contact with the minister.

Those who were in close contact with Kangar would be tested for COVID-19, said an official.

Kangar is the second minister from the state to have contracted coronavirus.

Earlier, Cabinet Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa had tested positive for the infection.
The finance ministry is working on norms to regulate salary of the retired central government employees reappointed on a contract basis. The ministry has also proposed to keep nomination-based appointments at "bare minimum".

The Ministry of Finance has said that there is no uniform guideline for regulating the payment of central government employees appointed on a contract basis, including as a consultant.

Henceforth, the Department of Expenditure has framed draft regulations for salary payments in case of an appointment of retired central government employees. The expenditure department has invited comments from ministries or departments within 10 days.

The draft guidelines said a fixed monthly amount shall be admissible, arrived at by deducting the basic pension from the salary drawn at the time of retirement. It shall be termed as "salary".

"The amount of salary so fixed shall remain unchanged for the term of the contract," it added.

The draft guidelines also stated that appointment of retired employees on a contract basis, including as consultants, by way of nomination based on the credentials of past service and not through open market advertisement, should not be made as a "matter of practice and must be kept at a bare minimum".

It said house rent allowance (HRA) shall be paid, except in those cases where a special dispensation is allowed by the Appointments Committee of the cabinet.

Such appointments shall be for an initial period of up to one year and may be extendable up to an age of two years more than the age of superannuation.

"...in no case shall it be extended beyond the age 5 years more than the age of superannuation," the draft guidelines said.

It further said that in cases where the appointment of retired central government employees is made from an open market, then the remuneration may be regulated as per the terms and conditions of the contract.

Also read: Tata group may offload stake in JLR, UK steel plant as bailout deal with British govt fails

Also read: FPIs infuse Rs 28,203 crore in August; turn investor in debt segment after 5 months
A week ago, Houston resident Ryma Korab was in her home country of Belarus, casting her ballot in a hotly contested presidential election that drew millions of voters to the polls.

It took a 35-hour journey by plane with three layovers to navigate travel cancellations due to COVID-19, but Korab eventually made it to Minsk, Belaruss capital, with her four-year-old son and parents. She had plans to visit relatives back home, but couldnt pass up the rare opportunity to vote for a different candidate than Alexander Lukashenko, the incumbent president whos held the top job since 1994.

Weve been scared for too long, Korab said.

That evening, Lukashenko was announced as the winner of the presidential elections, and protests broke out in the capital as Korab waited for election results at a polling center in Minsk. She joined the protests, which turned violent as police threw tear gas and beat people in the streets.

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It was a much different scene Sunday morning at Hermann Park, when nearly 100 people turned out by the Mary Gibbs and Jesse H. Jones Reflection Pool in a sea of white and red  the original colors of the Belarusian flag  to protest the election results before temperatures climbed into triple-digit heat.

Belarus Central Election Commission announced Aug. 9 that Lukashenko had captured 80 percent of the vote, eight times that of opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Protesters have since demanded a re-election and alleged that the incumbent rigged the vote, and in the days following the election, sent police to beat and arrest peaceful protesters in Minsk.

While just a sliver of the tens of thousands who marched Sunday through the streets of Minsk in what was thought to be the largest protest since the presidential election, the Houston protesters still donned masks, waved homemade banners and chanted their support for a redo of the elections.

Sergey Buben, another protester, came out to Hermann Park after seeing police brutality in his home country explode on international TV. Buben had not been able to make contact with his family and friends still in Belarus, where internet access has been spotty since the election.

His eyes have been glued to any independent news and social media posts he can get about the protests and arrests.

The whole night through the people are yelling and screaming for help from the prisons, Buben said. The person who ordered that doesnt have any moral or political right to lead that country.

Speakers at the rally included supporters from other countries like Russia and Ukraine. Protesting in Houston is just one way to raise awareness of the issue in the U.S., Korab said. If opposition swells to the point of a re-election, she plans to undertake the same long flight journey back to Belarus to vote.

That time, if it comes, she and others want transparent voting results

What I hope is our people will finally be heard, she said.

gwendolyn.wu@chron.com

twitter.com/gwendolynawu
Doctors in the central Vietnamese city of Da Nang have successfully performed a cesarean section on a pregnant woman who is infected with novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Both the mother and her baby girl were in stable health conditions, doctors at the Hoa Vang makeshift hospital for COVID-19 treatment confirmed on Saturday evening.

The patient, 35-year-old N.T.N.A. who resides in Lien Chieu District, Da Nang, was 37 weeks pregnant.

Doctors at the Hoa Vang makeshift hospital, where A. is being treated for the disease, coordinated with medical staff from the Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children to help the patient give birth by C-section.

The pregnant woman was in normal health conditions and could have delivered her baby the conventional way.

As she is a COVID-19 patient, doctors decided to perform the surgical procedure to ensure safety for both the mother and her baby.

A. tested positive for the novel coronavirus and became the countrys patient No.569 on August 1, when she was 35 weeks pregnant.

She was among Vietnams two pregnant women who are infected with COVID-19.

The other woman is patient No. 495, who is 13 weeks pregnant.

The Ministry of Health previously asked the Da Nang health department to draw up a plan for care and treatment for pregnant women with COVID-19 and their babies.

The plan must include preparations for both normal and cesarean delivery, care for the newborns, and any complications during the follow-up and treatment process.

Vietnams COVID-19 tally has hit 951, with 447 having recovered and 24 fatalities as of Sunday afternoon.

A total of 477 local infections have been documented since July 25, when the country recorded the first local case after 99 days of no transmission in the community.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
US presidential nominee Joe Biden on Saturday took a jibe at at the Trump administration and called the action on H1B visa 'harmful'. He further spoke about the special relationship between India and US.

Joe Biden, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, on Saturday (local time) took a snipe at the Trump administration for its crackdown on legal immigration including sudden and harmful actions on H1B visa and promised that if elected he would continue to rely on Indian-American diaspora that binds the two nations together.

In an event South Asians for Biden, the former Vice President extended his wishes on Independence Day to all Indian Americans and Indians all across the world and said New Delhi and Washington share a special bond that has deepened over many years.

Happy Indian Independence Day, we share a special bond that Ive seen deepened over many years as a US Senator, and vice president. I watched, 15 years ago I was leading the efforts to approve the historic civil nuclear deal with India. I said that the United States and India became closer friends and partners, then the world will be a safer place, he said during the virtual event.

Also Read: Trump hits out at ByteDance, issues executive order on acquisition of Musical.ly

Also Read: Independence Day 2020: Chinese envoy extends greetings to India

But I know it is hard and my heart goes out to all those of you who have been the targets in a rise in hate crimes, the crackdown of legal immigration, including the sudden and harmful actions on H1B visas made America stronger and brought our nations closer As President, Ill also continue to rely on Indian American diaspora. It keeps our two nations together, as I have throughout my career, my constituents in Delaware. My staff of the Senate, he added.

On June 22, the US President Donald Trump had signed a proclamation to temporarily suspend H1B and several categories of work visas till the end of the year in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Biden praised Kamala Harris by saying she is smart, tested, and prepared, adding that the California Senators mothers immigrant story to America makes her inspiring.

Kamala Harris. Will we all know shes smart, shes tested, shes prepared. But another thing that makes Kamala so inspiring is her mothers immigrant story to America that started in India, with the pure courage and brought her daughters to this moment, he said.

Speaking after Biden, Harris wished Independence Day and said Indian and US communities are bound together by so much more than our shared history and culture. To the people of India and to Indian Americans all across the United States. I want to wish you a happy Indian Independence Day. On August 15, 1947, men and women all over India rejoiced in the declaration of the independence of the country of India today on August 15, 2020, I stand before you as the first candidate for Vice President of the United States of South Asian descent, she said.

Also Read: Nepal PM Oli wishes PM Modi on Indias 74th Independence Day
The creators of BBCs Blue Planet series made a fortune promoting one of the worlds largest producers of disposable plastic bottles.

Alastair Fothergills firm is believed to have received millions of pounds after it produced adverts for Chinese company Nongfu Spring  which sells 15billion bottles of water a year.

Silverback Films  founded by Mr Fothergill and fellow filmmaker Keith Scholey  made the commercials in the style of natural history documentaries, with birds flying above snow-capped mountains and tigers drinking from crystal clear streams.

Meanwhile discarded bottles of Nongfu Spring, the biggest water bottle manufacturer in China, are routinely found polluting oceans and shores around the globe.

Alastair Forthergill's firm is believed to have received millions of pounds after it made commercials for Chinese bottled water company Nongfu Spring (pictured)

Mr Fothergill  dubbed the Spielberg of wildlife television  produced the 2001 Blue Planet series which was presented by Sir David Attenborough. His long-term collaborator Mr Scholey was head of the BBCs Natural History Unit at the time.

Last year the pair created the Emmy award-winning Netflix series Our Planet, also presented by Sir David, which described plastic in the oceans as a grave issue.

Mr Fothergill and Mr Scholey are ambassadors for WWF  which has a campaign calling for an urgent UN agreement to end the plastic pollution crisis. WWF, formerly the World Wildlife Fund, has warned how eight million tons of plastic are dumped into oceans every year choking wildlife.

Our Planet was made by Silverback Films, which the pair founded in 2012 after Mr Fothergill left his job as director of development for the BBCs Natural History Unit. Mr Scholey, former controller of BBC Factual, parted with the corporation in 2008 to start independent film production.

Company accounts suggest prior to partnering with Netflix, the company made almost 2million from the project which promoted bottled water.

Fothergill, pictured right, with Keith Scholey and Sir David Attenborough helped to create the BBC's Blue Planet and Netflix's Our Planet

Silverback Films does not publicise its role in making the water bottle adverts and makes no mention of them on its website  although it claims many of its smaller productions are omitted from the site.

But composer David Mitcham described how he created the score for the series of adverts and short films for Nongfu and wrote on his website that it was produced by leading independent wildlife film production company Silverback Films. Cameraman Gavin Thurston, who worked on the BBC series Blue Planet II and Planet Earth, also lists the Nongfu advert on his professional website.

Neither Mr Fothergill or Mr Scholey were involved in making Blue Planet II  which was also presented by Sir David. This series played a major role in highlighting the dangers of plastic in the ocean.

Mr Fothergill said in an earlier interview he was delighted with the incredible success of Blue Planet II and the role it played in highlighting the dangers of plastic. Speaking to the Daily Mails Weekend magazine to promote Our Planet, he emphasised the part mankind had to play to turn the tide on the destruction of the natural world. Were out of time to procrastinate but humanity can still turn things around, he said.

Mr Fothergill and Mr Scholey continue to work with the BBC.

Bottles produced by Nongfu Springs are found polluting oceans and shores across the world

Nongfu is the number one seller of bottled water in China. It sells a premium brand served in glass bottles but most of its water is in plastic bottles.

A survey by a Chinese non-profit group last year found Nongfu bottles were a major polluter on the countrys shores. Mr Scholey and Mr Fothergill  who lives in a 2million house in Bristol  said they were approached by Nongfu Spring in 2016.

They said: Silverback Films understands the issues around plastic but unfortunately in many areas of China tap water is too poor quality to drink which is a reason for the countrys high consumption of bottled water.

A spokesman for WWF, which worked in collaboration on Our Planet, said it had no involvement in this project with Nongfu.

Sir David and Nongfu Spring did not respond when approached for comment.
Despite the hefty fines and possible jail time which people could face for breaking their qu
Kamala Harris grilling Brett Kavanaugh during a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing in 2018: (CSpan)

Democratic senator Kamala Harris, who was recently announced as Joe Bidens running mate for the 2020 presidential election campaign, had a memorable exchange with Brett Kavanaugh at a Senate hearing in 2018.

Ms Harris was one of several senators who questioned Mr Kavanaugh at his Supreme Court nomination hearing in September 2018, after president Donald Trump nominated him for the role.

The senator asked: Have you ever discussed [Robert] Mueller or his investigation with anyone at Kasowitz Benson and Torres  the law firm founded by Mark Kasowitz, [who is] president Trumps personal lawyer?

The connection between Mr Kavanaugh and Mr Kasowitz would have helped the Mueller investigation establish a link between the nominee and Mr Trumps administration, which could have rendered a conflict of interest within the Russia probe.

The associate justice of the Supreme Court attempted to avoid answering the question multiple times and a tense exchange between the pair took place over the next two minutes.

After Ms Harris rephrased the question a couple of times, she said: My question is: Have you had a conversation with anyone at that firm about that investigation? Its a really specific question.

Mr Kavanaugh avoided the direct question again and asked the senator: I would like to know the person youre thinking of.

Ms Harris responded: I think youre thinking of someone and you dont want to tell us.

Read more

Who is Kamala Harris younger sister
Mary L. Trump has remained silent on the passing of her uncle Robert Trump, who unsuccessfully tried to block the publication of her tell-all book on the president and his famous family earlier this year.

Robert Trump, the youngest of the Trump siblings, died Saturday night at the age of 71.

Tributes have poured in from members of the Trump family including the president, who visited his brother in the hospital in New York City on Saturday and praised him as his 'best friend'.

As Trump's children and confidantes shared touching tributes to the soft-spoken brother, Mary remained silent.

However, she was active on Twitter where she shared several photos of her pet cat and bird.

Mary L. Trump, 55, has remained silent on the passing of her uncle Robert Trump (left), who unsuccessfully tried to block the publication of her tell-all book on the president and his famous family earlier this year

Robert Trump, the youngest of the Trump siblings, died Saturday night at the age of 71. Robert and Donald are pictured in 1999

On Saturday evening she tweeted a picture of her pet cat with the caption: 'Linden, doing his best to roll with it #Caturday.'

She shared another photo of her cat and bird saying: 'Sebastian, on the other hand, does not understand why there's not a day dedicated entirely to him.'

Mary knew about Robert's delicate condition, revealing in a prior interview with Greenpeace that he had been sick and hospitalized 'a couple of times in the last three months.'

This year Robert clashed with Mary, the 55-year-old daughter of his brother Fred Trump Jr., and filed a lawsuit against her and her book in June on behalf of the Trump family.

Robert filed for an injunction claiming the explosive book, 'Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man', violated the terms of a confidentiality agreement she signed nearly two decades ago.

In a statement to The New York Times in June, he accused his niece of attempting to 'sensationalize and mischaracterize' their family relationship for her own financial gain.

On Saturday evening she tweeted a picture of her pet cat with the caption: 'Linden, doing his best to roll with it #Caturday'

She shared another photo of her cat and bird saying: 'Sebastian, on the other hand, does not understand why there's not a day dedicated entirely to him'

On Friday she tweeted that her uncle President Donald Trump is a 'loser' following his bid to block the Postal Service from collecting mail-in ballots

'I and the rest of my entire family are so proud of my wonderful brother, the president, and feel that Mary's actions are truly a disgrace,' Robert said.

The explosive memoir was eventually released last month after a judge agreed to lift a temporary restraining order preventing Mary from publicizing or distributing her work.



The judge said the confidentiality clauses in the 2001 agreement, 'viewed in the context of the current Trump family circumstances in 2020, would offend public policy as a prior restraint on protected speech'.

In her book Mary writes of her legal battle with Donald, Robert and the other Trumps following the death of Fred Trump Sr, after Mary, her brother, and her father were practically cut out of his will.

Fred Trump Sr. died in 1999, but Mary and her brother Fred Trump III contested the will and sued Donald Trump and his siblings, accusing them of poisoning Fred Trump Sr. against them.

Robert had remained close to the 74-year-old president and, as recently as June, filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Trump family that unsuccessfully sought to stop publication of a tell-all book (above)

Donald Trump once described his younger brother as 'much quieter and easygoing than I am,' and 'the only guy in my life whom I ever call "honey."' Robert is pictured right with sister Maryanne and brother Donald in 1990

Fred Trump and Robert Trump are pictured together in 1985 at the Waldorf Hotel in New York City. Mary described Robert in her book as forcing her and her brother to accept a settlement in the legal battle over the will of her grandfather, Robert's father, Fred Trump Sr

In April 2001 Mary Trump and her brother settled the lawsuit. Though the terms arent known they were given a financial payment and had to turn over the 20 percent stake in Trump assets they had inherited from their father.

In Robert Trumps court filing he said the settlement included a confidentiality agreement.

In her book Mary wrote that her uncle Robert tried to persuade her and her brother to accept the wills terms, citing how the family paid a lot of money for Fred IIIs nine-month-old son Williams care. The child had suffered from seizure disorders and was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Mary and her brother took that as a threat that the family would terminate the insurance if they fought the will.

She also writes in her book that Robert Trump told her and her brother that if they didnt settle the will, the family battle would bankrupt one of the companies in which they had inherited a stake and give the two of them the bill.

Sen. Ted Cruz slammed headlines announcing Robert Trump's death that he found offensive. He bashed the Washington Post for this headline describing Robert as 'the younger brother of President Trump who filed lawsuit against niece'

Cruz tweeted this screenshot of a obituary for an Islamic State leader which he argued was more flattering and respectful than Robert Trump's headline

On Saturday evening into Sunday '#wrongTrump' started to trend on Twitter with users darkly joking the president should have been the one to die instead of his brother

Following the passing of Robert Trump Sen. Ted Cruz slammed headlines announcing his death that he found offensive.

He tweeted a screenshot of the Washington Post's headline that described Robert as 'the younger brother of President Trump who filed lawsuit against niece'.

Cruz denigrated the outlet for their choice of words saying: 'This headline, on an "obituary" no less, is sick. WaPo should be ashamed of itself. Robert Trump, RIP.'

On Saturday evening into Sunday '#wrongTrump' started to trend on Twitter with users darkly joking the president should have been the one to die instead of his brother.

However, the hashtag sparked outrage among many who viewed the trend as offensive in the time of loss.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Saturday the state would help with coronavirus safety procedures to keep workers safe while they set up the 9/11 memorial tribute so it could light up the skies again this year.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum said the two beams of light that are cast into the sky representing the Twin Towers and lives lost during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were a no-go this year. The museum said organizers this year were concerned about the coronavirus risks to workers who set up the display.

(New York State) will provide health personnel & supervision so that the @Sept11Memorial can mount the Tribute in Light safely, Cuomo wrote on Twitter.

NYS will provide health personnel & supervision so that @Sept11Memorial can mount the Tribute in Light safely.



I am glad that we can continue this powerful tribute to those we lost on 9/11 and to the heroism of all New Yorkers.



We will #NeverForget.  Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) August 15, 2020

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who chairs the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, thanked the governor for helping to keep the lights on this year.

The 9/11 Tribute in Light will always be a beacon of the resilience and hope of this great city, Bloomberg tweeted. Im glad we will continue this tradition and remind the world of NYs strength.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum planned an alternate memorial this year: it wouldve lit up spires and facades of buildings in Manhattan in blue.

But that wasnt enough for some New Jersey officials, like Middletown Mayor Tony Perry.

Perry sent a letter to the museums president saying he would host the traditional beam of light display in his town. He said he was disgusted over the museums decision not to host the light display this year.

Middletown made a commitment to our community to honor our World Trade Center families with a tribute each year for those lost on that fateful day, and were disgusted that the same respect is not given from your organization, Perry said. If you do not want to host the 9/11 tribute lights in New York City, I will proudly and safely, host them in Middletown.

Cranford Police Chief Ryan Greco also expressed interest in hosting the light tribute.

NJ Advance Media reporter Chris Sheldon and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com.
By Express News Service

BHOPAL: Since decades they have tantalised the taste buds of foodies from Indore and outside in the nocturnal hours. But with their businesses shut down compulsorily since last five months owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, they are now running from pillar to post to save their families of starvation.

A delegation of food and snack traders, who ran shops at Indore's famous Sarafa Chopati night food street met former mayor and ex-MP Krishna Murari Moghe on Sunday. With shops shut down since March 18 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the traders sought the veteran BJP leader's help in getting their businesses opened again.

"They met me today and asked me to talk to the administration and government to allow their businesses to resume. On the lines of Chhappan Dukan, the other food market in Indore, the Sarafa Chopati traders have requested to ask the administration to allow their shops to open again and serve the delicacies on parcel/take away basis. I've assured to take up their cause with the local administration and find a way out," Moghe told The New Indian Express.

According to Raju Singh, who has been running a snacks and South Indian food shop at the famous night food street, the shutdown has snatched away livelihoods from around 1000 families. "Not only has our family lost business opportunities worth around Rs 5 lakh during the last 4-5 months, but have also been forced to send home six labourers who worked for us. We also met BJP general-secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya a fortnight back, but he expressed inability to help our cause due to the continuance of night curfew," Singh said.

Another snacks trader of Sarafa Chopati, Golu Chokse said that unlike Chhappan Dukan where permanent snacks and food shops are located, the Sarafa Chopati functions outside jewellery shops, when they are shut in the evening hours.

"The jewellers who allow us to operate our stalls in the evening and night hours once their shops are closed, pressurise us to share our revenues. They are already ready to allow us operate again, but the administration and police are not allowing us to operate again. If the Sarafa Chopati isn't opened soon, many families would be completely starved," he said.

Importantly, the Sarafa Chopati is one of Indore's prime attraction and is a crowded night food street which has been operating daily between 8 pm and 2 am since decades. The night food street has found mention in almost all leading food magazines and culinary TV channels, with various top chefs and celebrities shooting episodes there.

Since March, Indore considered MP's commercial and food capital has been state's prime COVID-19 hotspot by so far reporting over 9800 positive cases and 340-plus deaths.
Police departments from across the nation have often used their social media presence to spread essential messages regarding citizen safety. Pune Police is no different in this regard. The force is using their Twitter and Instagram accounts to convey an important cyber safety lesson.

Posted on Pune Polices official Twitter and Instagram accounts, this image was shared on August 16. We suggest you consider a break with everyone who asks you for your OTP or passwords. #CyberSafety, reads the text shared alongside the image.

The photograph has the words, We dont share OTP with even Our Trusted People, written on it.

The play on words is a smart way of suggesting that OPTs and passwords shouldnt be shared with anybody, even those we consider closest to us.

Check out the post below:

We suggest you consider a 'break' with everyone who asks you for your OTP or passwords.#CyberSafety pic.twitter.com/lJw1cB7h8t  PUNE POLICE (@PuneCityPolice) August 16, 2020

The post currently has almost 100 likes on both Instagram and Twitter.

Here is what Twitter users had to say about the share. One person said, Very nice. Another individual wrote, Perfect.

This isnt the first time Pune Police has used creativity to communicate vital information to netizens. On August 14, they shared a similarly witty post highlighting the siyappa related to fake news . That post urged people to verify facts before forwarding any messages along.

What are your thoughts on this post?

Also Read | Pune Polices coffee inspired post has an important health message for all. Seen it yet?
By a huge margin, voters on the east bank of Jefferson Parish approved the long-sought sale of East Jefferson General Hospital, a venerable Metairie medical institution that in recent years has seen its financial health sink into bond defaults and looming insolvency.

Of the nearly 31,000 votes cast in the election, 29,198 -- a whopping 95% -- were in favor of the sale. The vote clears the way for New Orleans-based LCMC Health, which already runs the parish's other public hospital, West Jefferson Medical Center, to take possession of the hospital on West Esplanade and add it to LCMC's network. That network also includes Children's Hospital, Touro Infirmary, University Medical Center and New Orleans East Hospital.

Saturday's results, while complete, won't be official until the election is certified in the coming days.

Today, the voters of Jefferson Parish made it clear that they want East Jefferson General Hospital to continue its longstanding legacy of caring for our community," said Jefferson Parish Councilwoman Jennifer Van Vrancken, whose district includes EJGH. "EJGHs future is sure to be stronger than ever now that it has joined LCMC Healths network of hospitals."

LCMC Health CEO Greg Feirn said the deal would ensure the long-term viability of the hospital.

"With the publics vote to approve our partnership, the Jefferson Parish community will continue to receive extraordinary healthcare through East Jeffersons dedicated team of physicians and staff," he said.

After delay due to coronavirus, sale of East Jefferson hospital finally going to vote After years of government talks and negotiations with potential suitors, voters on the east bank of Jefferson Parish will finally get to pull 

The East Jefferson deal will allow the parish to unload the unprofitable hospital with its nine-figure debt and $50 million in pension obligations.

In return for the 420-bed Metairie facility, LCMC Health will pour about $90 million in cash into the deal which, when combined with EJGH's remaining reserves, will be enough to retire the hospital's debt and fully fund existing pension obligations. LCMC has also vowed to keep current employees and invest $100 million in facilities upgrades over the next five years.

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Parish government will finally be rid of an entity that, though a beloved community asset, had hemorrhaged money over the recent years, resulting in bond downgrades and a worsening financial picture that could have caused the closure of the hospital if the sale didn't take place. LCMC will gain a major foothold in Metairie to go with its long-term lease of West Jefferson Medical Center in Marrero.

The two first began discussing a deal in 2019, but those talks proceeded in strict secrecy until earlier this year, when the hospital board approved the proposed deal and sent it to the Jefferson Parish Council, which sits as the special district that owns the hospital. The proposed deal won the support of the hospital's doctors' groups and other employee groups as well as the hospital's foundation.

It also has the support of Jefferson's business community, which has argued that the sale is the only way to keep the facility a hospital.

The Parish Council also overwhelmingly approved it and moved quickly to get it on the May 9 ballot. But that election was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

East Jefferson Hospital's potential sale to LCMC up to voters; issue will be on May 9 ballot Voters on the east bank of Jefferson Parish will decide in May whether parish-owned East Jefferson General Hospital will be sold to New Orlean

In the interim, no major organized opposition to the deal surfaced. Proponents relied on online meetings and briefings, direct mail and social media outreach to push the sale.

Parish leaders have been searching for an operator for the hospital for some time. It was first offered up nearly a decade ago as part of a package deal with West Jefferson Medical Center. But after a drawn-out process, the Parish Council voted to lease just West Jefferson to LCMC in a deal worth more than $500 million in lease payments and capital improvements. That left EJGH, the financially weaker of the two and facing increasingly stiff competition for health care dollars on the east bank, as the lone publicly operated hospital in Jefferson Parish.

The situation is a far cry from the mid-1990s, when the idea of offloading the hospital was first floated and Metairie residents, many of whom had grown up with the hospital and volunteered in its early days, resoundingly rejected the idea.

Hospital officials expect the deal to be finalized in about 60 days.
Forced off the road by coronavirus lockdowns, Philippine "jeepney" driver Daniel Flores now plies the streets of Manila on foot begging for money to feed his hungry family.

The 23-year-old has not picked up a passenger since March when public transport was halted and people ordered to stay home as President Rodrigo Duterte's government tried to slow the fast-spreading contagion.

Jeepneys -- first made from leftover US jeeps after World War II -- are a national symbol in the Philippines, and serve as the backbone of the country's transport system, providing rides for millions of people across the country for as little as nine pesos ($0.18).

But drivers like Flores, and millions of others, are out of work after the months-long restrictions crippled the economy, plunging it into recession.

With no income and debts piling up, Flores started living in the jeepney with his wife, two of his children and a fellow driver after they were evicted from their apartment because they could no longer pay the rent.

Instead of sitting behind the wheel, Flores has spent many days begging for alms just to get by.

Other drivers carry plastic containers and cardboard signs around their necks to catch the attention and sympathy of passing motorists.

"We have absolutely nothing left to spend," Flores told AFP as he sat inside his jeepney, parked in a street and crammed with cooking pots, clothes and other humble possessions.

A sign asking for help from passers-by sits on top of the vehicle, which his empathetic boss has loaned him.

Flattened cardboard boxes cover the side windows and rear entrance to give the family some privacy -- and a feeling of protection from the virus they fear is lurking outside.

As the number of confirmed infections in the Philippines surges past 157,000 -- the highest in Southeast Asia -- and Manila endures another lockdown, Flores has no idea when he will be allowed to drive again.

Story continues

He occasionally picks up odd jobs selling scrap metal, painting or welding. But it is not enough to feed his family.

"Often we will eat just once a day. Sometimes, if no one helps us, we don't eat at all," Flores said.

So dire is their predicament the couple sent their seven-month-old baby to live with relatives outside Manila to ease pressure on themselves and ensure the child gets enough food.

- 'Growling stomachs' -

Sesinando Bondoc, 73, started driving a jeepney when he was 28 and at his age finding another job seems impossible.

Standing on the side of a busy road in sweltering heat with other drivers asking for money, Bondoc says the desire to eat overrides his fear of the virus or speeding cars.

"One time we were almost hit by a car but we don't really have a choice. We have to leave our homes and take our chances in the streets just to have something in our growling stomachs," Bondoc said, his voice cracking as he fought back tears.

Drivers have received some money and food handouts from the government. But it does not make up for their lost income.

In June, six jeepney drivers were arrested by police for allegedly violating a ban on mass gatherings and rules on social distancing after they protested over the loss of their livelihoods. They were later released on bail.

Even when the initial lockdown restrictions in Manila were eased in June only a fraction of the city's roughly 55,000 jeepneys were allowed to operate under strict rules.

Drivers had to make their vehicles virus-safe by installing plastic seat dividers and reducing capacity to comply with social-distancing regulations.

Those used to pocketing as much as 1,500 pesos a day had to settle for much smaller takings.

Then a new lockdown imposed nearly two weeks ago in Manila and four surrounding provinces -- home to a quarter of the country's population -- forced those lucky few off the road.

Some are worried they may never drive again as the government phases out smoke-belching jeepneys that are 15 years or older.

The programme to modernise the vehicles was due to finish this year. The government has not announced if the deadline will be extended.

Renato Gandas, 57, who has been a driver for 30 years, said the owner of his vehicle had already sold a jeepney due to the phasing-out programme and the lockdowns.

With his livelihood at risk, Gandas is losing hope.

"We might just beg for alms for the rest of our lives," he said.

rbl/amj/leg
Tel Aviv City Hall is lit up with the flags of the United Arab Emirates and Israel as the countries announced they would be establishing full diplomatic ties, in Tel Aviv, Israel - AP

Israel's historic peace deal with the United Arab Emirates could be the first step in forging a bold new alliance against the Iranian regime, the Jewish state's former foreign affairs chief has predicted in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph.

Dore Gold, an former adviser to two Israeli prime ministers and Israels Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry from 2015 -2016, said he saw potential parallels between Thursday nights agreement and postwar Europe.

Under the terms of that deal, which was overseen by President Donald Trump, the UAE will sign a series of trade deals and normalise relations with Israel, which in return must suspend its controversial plans to annex parts of the West Bank.

I think there's an analogy here to what happened in Western Europe after the Second World War, said Mr Dore, who also served as an adviser to Israeli prime ministers Ariel Sharon and Benjamin Netanyahu.

You had former adversaries, France and Germany, being able to pull together under the America umbrella and form an organisation called Nato. I see the issue of a mutual threat providing the basis for cooperation between former enemies.

The mutual threat Mr Gold was referring to is Iran, the arch-enemy of Israel but also a major concern for the Gulf states, in particular the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Mr Gold added that the UAE had a very big problem with Iran, in part due to the regimes takeover in 1971 of a cluster of islands near Emirati territory in the Persian Gulf: Abu Masa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs.

However, while Israel stands to benefit hugely from normalised relations with a Gulf state, the deal has also laid bare bitter tensions within the Muslim and Arab world.

Though Egypt, Oman and Bahrain have welcomed the deal, Turkey and Iran have condemned it as a betrayal of the Palestinians, who have long demanded that normal relations with Israel only take place after the creation of a Palestinian state.

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Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president, has threatened to recall his ambassador from the UAE in protest while the Iranian regime described the deal as an act of strategic stupidity.

It was speculated that when President Trump said he hoped more Arab countries would follow the UAE he was referring to Saudi Arabia, but the kingdom is yet to address this.

Palestinians perform take part in the Friday prayers in front of cut-outs showing the faces of (L to R) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, and US President Donald Trump, during a demonstration in Nablus in the occupied West Bank - AFP

It came as the UAEs ambassador to the United Kingdom, Mansoor Abulhoul, told the Sunday Telegraph that the prospect of Israeli annexation of the West Bank had spurred them on to negotiate the world's first peace deal between Israel and a Gulf state.

Israel had been planning to annex up to 30 per cent of the West Bank, which is claimed by the Palestinians as their own land, but the proposals drew condemnation from across the Arab world, as well as from Western allies, including Boris Johnson.

In response, the Emiratis said they felt an urgent need to engage with the Israelis to avoid what they regard as an illegal land-grab from Palestinian communities.

The Telegraph can also disclose that a secretive office opened by Israel in the UAE in 2015 played a key role in laying the groundwork for Thursdays agreement.

Israel set up a discrete task force in the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi, manned by the senior diplomat Rami Hatan.

At that time, the UAE had no formal diplomatic relations with Israel but sources said it was here that ideas began to form about potentially forging an alliance.

The disclosure suggests that while President Donald Trump has declared himself the architect of the UAE-Israel deal, some of the work was already underway a year earlier.

Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency, has also been credited with nurturing the UAE-Israel relationship. Yossi Cohen, the director of Mossad, is said to have secretly visited the UAE several times before the deal was announced. And the key breakthrough - the agreement to delay annexation in return for normalised relations in Israel - was reportedly made by the UAE ambassador to the United States during a meeting in late June. The idea was then pounced upon by Jared Kushner, President Trump's senior Middle East adviser.

Danny Danon, Israels ambassador to the United Nations, said he was also hopeful that the peace deal will lead to a fresh crackdown on Iranian funding of its proxy groups in the region.

You can see their fingerprints all over the Middle East, he told the Telegraph, referring to Irans funding of proxy groups such as Hizbollah in Lebanon.

It would be of common interest to try and block the presence of Iranian terror in the region and to block the funds they deliver to their proxies.

While Israel has framed the peace accord as a golden opportunity to improve diplomatic and trade relationships with Arab countries, the UAE stressed that its most urgent goal was to prevent the annexation process.

Annexation was our immediate concern. We felt it would kill the prospects for a two-state solution, which has been the basis of almost all past peace-making efforts, and set prospects for regional peace back decades, Mansoor Abulhoul, the Emirati ambassador to Britain, told the Sunday Telegraph.

With Israels plans to annex part of the West Bank and regional stresses growing, we felt time was of the essence. We saw an opportunity to help shift a destabilizing dynamic and we took it.

Asked what the most visible sign of change would be should the deal come into force, the Ambassador cited tourism opportunities, and said he hoped to see many Israelis at the Dubai Expo in 2021.

Mr Danon, the Israeli ambassador to the UN, said he was also hopeful that Israeli tourists strolling through Dubai could soon become a regular sight thanks to the deal.
Express News Service By

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart KP Sharma Oli on Saturday had a telephonic conversation on the occasion of Indias Independence Day, the first after relations between the two countries hit a rough patch over Nepals adoption of a new map in June and claims and counterclaims over territory. The conversation is also likely to set the ball rolling for diplomatic negotiations over border issues.

According to the MEA, Nepalese foreign secretary Shanker Das Bairagi and Indian ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra are likely to hold talks on August 17 when the border issue may come up for discussion. Relations appeared to sour after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a road in Lipulekh on May 8. Nepal claims Lipulekh, Limiyadhura and Kalapani as their own under the treaty of Sugauli while New Delhi maintains that the three territories are its. Both India and Nepal are mandated by a 1988 treaty to solve all border disputes through dialogue.

Congratulations and greetings to Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, the Government and people of India on the happy occasion of the 74th Independence Day. Best wishes for more progress and prosperity of the people of India.  K P Sharma Oli (@kpsharmaoli) August 15, 2020

Relations dipped further after Nepal passed a constitutional amendment to incorporate the territories in its map. India called the claims historically inaccurate and said that Kathmandu had not responded to a request for foreign secretary-level talks. The Prime Minister of Nepal greeted the government and people of India on the occasion of Independence Day, and also conveyed congratulations for Indias recent election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, a statement from the Indian side said. Oli took to Twitter on his talks with Modi.

We agreed to strengthen cooperation to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. We emphasized on taking good care of the citizens who are stuck in each other's countries due to the lockdown. Discussions were also held to maintain the supply system and make it more comfortable and smooth. I thanked the government of India for its assistance, including medicines, Oli said.

ALSO READ| At meeting with PM Modi on Bihar floods, CM Nitish Kumar flags non-cooperation from Nepal

Oli has been at the receiving end from his own party over handling of the Covid-19 situation and relations with India, prompting him to allege that New Delhi was trying to overthrow his government. Former Nepalese PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda had urged Oli to step down. But, according to the Nepalese media, the two leaders are expected to soon announce a breakthrough.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- In what appears to be a social media campaign launched by Sammy the Bull Gravano, the infamous Gambino crime family turncoat -- who formerly lived on Staten Island -- is touting an upcoming podcast about his former career as a mobster, while opening up dialogue with the public.

Recent posts by the former Mafia underboss, who ultimately copped to 19 murders, include photos with his grand children in his Arizona-based studio, along with teasers for his new venture as an on-air personality, the New York Post first reported.
A Pennsylvania dairy and soybean farmer who voted for Donald Trump in 2016 will be speaking on behalf of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden at the party's convention later this week.

Rick Telesz, a registered Democrat who voted for Mr Trump in 2016 because he believed the president would "look after the working man" and "drain the swamp," now regrets that vote and has done a 180-degree turn.

"He's a hell of a salesman. And a tremendous con man. He conned me," Mr Telesz told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Mr Trump's trade war with China has threatened to put Mr Telesz' third-generation family farming operation out of business, he told the Gazette.

Keeping up with the agricultural giants to produce soybean and dairy requires farmers to earn profits year over year so they can invest in new, ever-improving equipment.

That kind of money isn't flowing in right now, Mr Telesz said.

Is farming going to disappear tomorrow? No, he told the Gazette. But if these trends continue, I could very possibly be the last generation on this family farm. ... It will disappear. It cannot sustain.

Mr Telesz, who voted for Barack Obama twice, in 2008 and 2012, has shared his displeasure with the media over the Trump administration's tariff policies several times over the last couple years.

"When you start taking a 20 percent cut, it can be very stressful. It is stressful," Mr Telesz told a local ABC News affiliate in 2019.

Mr Telesz considered the Trump administration's subsequent bailout subsidies to farmers a "Band-Aid."

"I would rather have a free and open market," Mr Telesz said.

The Pennsylvania farmer did not expressly blame Mr Trump for the coronavirus crisis, but he has ripped him for not taking it seriously in its early stages.

"You can't blame anyone for the virus," he told New Castle News, a small daily paper in the western part of the Keystone State.

But Mr Trump was "totally incompetent in not informing the public earlier of what was coming," Mr Telesz said.

Mr Telesz is one of several private citizens scheduled to speak at the DNC this week.

Those slated for appearances include a teacher from Milwaukee, a cancer survivor from Nevada who will tout the 2010 health care law known as Obamacare, and a director for a nonprofit group catering to gun violence survivors in Indiana.
Japan's Emperor Naruhito (L) and Empress Masako attend a mourning ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan on Aug. 15, 2020. Japan on Saturday commemorated the 75th anniversary of its surrender in World War II, with Emperor Naruhito expressing his "deep remorse" over Japan's wartime actions at an annual mourning ceremony in Tokyo. (Carl Court/Pool via Xinhua)

TOKYO, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Japan on Saturday commemorated the 75th anniversary of its surrender in World War II, with Emperor Naruhito expressing his "deep remorse" over Japan's wartime actions at an annual mourning ceremony in Tokyo.

The emperor and empress, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and a limited number of people attended the ceremony which was scaled back due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Naruhito, the country's first emperor born after the war, expressed "deep remorse" as he did last year, in a rare public appearance amid the pandemic with his wife Empress Masako.

"Looking back on the long period of postwar peace, reflecting on our past and bearing in mind the feelings of deep remorse, I earnestly hope that the ravages of war will never again be repeated," Emperor Naruhito said in his address at the annual memorial service.

As the COVID-19 infections spread across the country, the 60-year-old emperor who ascended the throne in May 2019 has postponed or canceled all of his regular regional tours.

The ceremony was held in Nippon Budokan, with around 540 people attending, less than 10 percent of the number in 2019 and the lowest on record since the government started holding the event in 1963, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

Abe, who is eager to revise the postwar pacifist Constitution, did not refer to Japan's wartime aggression in his address.

Japan brutally occupied many parts of Asia before and during World War II, causing untold suffering and death to hundreds of thousands of innocent victims.

There were numerous more heinous incidents carried out by the Japanese army, that until this day, have received far less coverage in educational textbooks, or in globally televised memorial services.

The Saturday's ceremony was also livestreamed on the government's YouTube channel for the first time.

A moment of silence was observed at noon for the people who perished in the war, including those killed in the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

While Japan inwardly looks at the Hiroshima and Nagasaki tragedies it had experienced at the end of World War II, historians and political minds of the international community have encouraged Japan to come to see themselves not as merely victims of the atomic bombings but also as the perpetrators who led to these tragic incidents to happen in the first place.

Members of Abe's Cabinet on Saturday visited Yasukuni shrine, a symbol of Japan's past militarism, while Abe himself sent a ritual offering.

Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi was the first Cabinet member since 2016 to visit the shrine on the Aug. 15 anniversary. His visit was followed by three other Cabinet members.

Yasukuni Shrine honors 14 Class-A convicted war criminals among 2.5 million Japanese war dead from World War II.

Visits and ritual offerings made in person or by proxy to the infamous shrine by Japanese leaders and officials have consistently sparked strong criticism and hurt the feelings of people of China, South Korea and other countries brutalized by Japan during the war.

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (L) and Empress Masako attend a mourning ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan on Aug. 15, 2020. Japan on Saturday commemorated the 75th anniversary of its surrender in World War II, with Emperor Naruhito expressing his "deep remorse" over Japan's wartime actions at an annual mourning ceremony in Tokyo. (Carl Court/Pool via Xinhua)
Climate change is emerging as a driving force of infectious disease. It contributes to expanding the footprint of malaria and dengue carrying mosquitoes, or defrosting prehistoric pathogens from the Siberian permafrost. According to reports, the COVID-19 pandemic has claimed over 760,000 lives. The disease which emerged from a bat serves as a live example as to how humans are provoking nature.

Climate change to bring diseases back

Birgitta Evengard who is a researcher in clinical microbiology at Umea University in Sweden reportedly said that the future for homo sapiens is extremely dark because they are animals and when they extend their borders it is going to be hard. She added that the biggest enemy of human beings is their ignorance. According to the UN's climate science panel, the IPCC, the permafrost area will decrease by a quarter by 2100 even if humanity is able to cope up with global warming at under two degree celsius. Permafrost is like a climate change time bomb which is spread across Russia, Canada and Alaska. It contains three times the carbon that has been emitted since the start of industrialisation.

Read: 31 Dengue Cases In Delhi Till August 1; Fever Clinics Set Up, Campaign Intensified

Professor of geophysics at the University of Alaska, Vladimir Romanovsky explained how thawing of microorganisms can spread them into the environment. He reportedly said that microorganisms can survive in a frozen place for a very long time and as the ground defrosts, organic material and microorganisms that had been locked thousands of years are carried toward the surface by water flows. According to reports, in the year 2016, a child died due to Anthrax. However, it had disappeared from the region at least 75 years earlier.

Read: COVID-19 Can Lead To Muscle-weakening Disease Myasthenia Gravis: Researchers

This case is accredited to the thawing of a long-buried carcass. However, a theory expounded by the experts counter that the animal remains in question may have been in shallow dirt and thus subject to periodic thawing. Reports suggest that pathogens like smallpox or the influenza may also be present in the sub-Arctic region. However, Romanovsky reportedly said that they have been inactivated.

Read: Greenland Ice Sheets Have Suffered Irreversible Damage Due To Climate Change: Study

According to reports by the Europe Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), a dengue bearing mosquito called Aedes aegypti, has also appeared in Europe and 40 cases of local transmission of dengue between 2010 and 2019 have been registered. ECDC said, "An increase in mean temperature could result in seasonal dengue transmission in southern Europe if A. aegypti infected with virus were to be established. In the case of Malaria, the risk of exposure largely depends on social-economic conditions. According to a study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, more than five billion people could be living in malaria-affected regions by 2050 if climate change continues at the same pace. However, there is a change that strong economic growth and social development could reduce that number to less than two billion. Reports suggest that in Africa 228 million cases of malaria were registered in the year 2018. The disease vector is now moving to high altitude plains of Ethiopia and Kenya.

Read: Study Suggests Climate Change Will Hamper Apple Production In Himachal Pradesh

Also Read: To Reduce Global Warming, Climate-friendly Cooling Must Be Made Essential Post Pandemic

(Image Credits: Unsplash)
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered commissioners of police across Nigeria to identify, isolate, disarm, arrest and prosecute individuals or groups found in possession of prohibited firearms.

According to the forces spokesperson, Frank Mba, the order was part of the police preparations for the governorship elections coming up in Edo and Ondo states as well as efforts by the Police High Command to curb the proliferation of prohibited firearms in the country.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the Edo and Ondo elections for September 19 and October 10 respectively.

The directive was necessary against the backdrop of the arming and movement of political thugs and other criminal elements across the country, Mr Mba said

He added that the directive was also targeted at addressing the proliferation of prohibited firearms in the country, in line with the provisions of Chapter F.28 LFN 2004 of the Firearms Act.

He said the commissioners have also been directed to meet vigilante groups and quasi security outfits in their states in order to ensure that their activities are in conformity with the laws guiding their establishment and operations.

The IGP, while observing that several civil groups  vigilantes, quasi states and regional security outfits under various guises are arming themselves with prohibited firearms and weapons in contravention of the provisions of the Firearms Act, notes that the trend if unchecked, will pose serious threat to national security.

The police boss urged Nigerians to cooperate with the force in the enforcement of the order as it is aimed at ensuring the safety of lives and property in the country.
WESTPORT  The district will re-open in a hybrid model in the fall with the chance of a shift later.

Superintendent Thomas Scarice said the community and nation was currently enveloped in fear about reopening schools during the pandemic. He said metrics from the state have shown students can return to schools, but noted the decision on which reopening model Westport favored was not simply data driven.

Its not that simple and its for that reason that Im recommending to the board that we open our schools in a hybrid model to start the school year off in September, Scarice said at a school board meeting Thursday.

At Staples High School, students will be split into two groups alphabetically with one attending in-person on Monday and Tuesday, and the other on Thursday and Friday. The groups would spend their alternating days distance learning if theyre not physically in class.

Similarly, students at the middle school level will be split into two groups alphabetically, with a group attending either Monday and Thursday, or Tuesday and Friday. On days students are not physically in class they will learn remotely.

Students at both levels will participate in remote learning on Wednesday.

Elementary students will be split alphabetically into a morning group and an afternoon group with students expected to switch groups halfway through the school year. Every other Wednesday students will work remotely.

Families will still have the option to choose a full distance learning model.

Parents sent in a number of emails with some questioning the grouping of students, or asking the groups be switched halfway through the year for equity.

Jeffrey Benner, a Westport resident, asked if there was a way for remote-only students to participate in orientation during the first four days of school.

Im concerned they will feel left out from the start of school if theres no way for them to participate in the orientation remotely, he said.

Phyllis Wallitt, a Westport resident, said she did not understand why a child in middle school may not attend school in-person the same day of the week as their sibling in high school.

This is a big strain for working parents and working moms in particular, she said. Its also a big strain for any teachers that live in Westport that have children.

Scarice said the district tried to stay true to whats best for students at each particular level while prioritizing health and safety. But divisiveness surrounding educators and the decisions in recent times was concerning, he said.

It does concern me that theres a national tone about education and educators in particular that I really take issue with and its unfair, he said. I really believe that this is a moment for public education to shine, but I also believe that the folks who are delivering that moment  all theyre asking for is the appropriate support to do that.

Scarice said the district will have to rely on great judgment, wisdom and the expertise in their system to successfully open during a global pandemic.

We have never faced this before, but I do believe that were in a much better place than we have been as we evolve towards getting ready, he said.

dj.simmons@hearstmediact.com
(Newser)  A former Minneapolis police officer who helped arrest George Floyd said his job at the scene was crowd controlin fact, he called himself a "human traffic cone." Tou Thao made the remarks in a voluntary interview with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension eight days after Floyd's death, the the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "As the crowd is starting to grow and become loud and hostile toward us, I decided to forgo [monitoring] traffic and put myself in between the crowd and the officers ... and just spend the majority of my attention looking at the crowdmake sure they don't charge us or bull rush us as the officers on the ground are defenseless," he said. He often spoke of the officers' safety but only mentioned Floyd's when asked by a BCA special agent.

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Thao said he and former officer Derek Chauvin rushed to the scene and helped two other officers because it sounded like "something urgent, like they were struggling with somebody." He added that Floyd seemed to be on drugs and pushed himself out of the squad car "saying he's claustrophobic," per KARE11. Did he hear Floyd say he couldn't breathe? Yes, "but then he was obviously yelling and talking." Should he have checked on Floyd? "No, because my job is scene security." And when he heard Floyd had died? "It was kind of a somber moment, especially for me. My heart kind of sank." Thao is among three officers charged with aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter, while Chauvin, whose knee was on Floyd's neck, faces two murder charges and one manslaughter charge. (New footage of Floyd's arrest prompted an investigation.)
Police stand guard at the Homan Square police station while activists hold a rally across the street calling for the defunding of police in Chicago, Illinois, on July 24, 2020. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

1,000 Extra Police Deployed to Downtown Chicago to Deter Looting

Chicago has 1,000 more police officers patrolling the streets this weekend as the city tries to end a wave of looting and crime sparked by what officials described as misinformation about a police-involved shooting last weekend.

Widespread looting and burglaries have resulted in over 100 people arrested from downtown Chicago and some residential areas over the past week, with at least 24 arrests after police were attacked during protests on Saturday.

Cook County States Attorney Kimberly Foxx said Saturday that her office had already filed 42 charges related to the rioting that occurred last Sunday, including a charge for attempted murder.

Activists that day had claimed that an unarmed 15-year-old had been shot by police without provocation. But officials later said that the man was 20-year-old Latrell Allen, who was approached after police received a call about a person with a gun. Allen, pointed a gun and fired multiple rounds at uniformed Chicago police officers as he fled, according to police.

The shooting was not fatal and Allen has since been charged with two counts of attempted murder.

Black Lives Matter activists had called into question the official version of events, an allegation which sparked rioting. The activists also condoned the widespread looting seen overnight into Monday morning as reparation. The burglaries impacted many businesses on the citys Magnificent Mile and other downtown shopping districts.

As rioting continued through the week, Chicago Police Department Superintendent David Brown said on Thursday that his department would be extending officers hours and canceling leave to bring law and order back to the city.

This is our town; it doesnt belong to the criminals, he said. Our department, our police officers will risk their lives to protect you. Not in our town. Not in our city.

Democrat Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in agreement with police reports that the shooter was not an unarmed juvenile, as was propagated on social media.

She called the looting and violence organized criminal activity.

To be sure, there are people that did join in that were motivated by lots of different reasons, and certainly were motivated by social media posts encouraging people to come downtown, Lightfoot told Time Magazine. But the core of what happenedthats organized criminal activity It was a planned attack.

The violence on Saturday broke out in the afternoon after a morning of peaceful protests, according to police.

Pepper spray had to be used as multiple agitators hijacked this peaceful protest, Brown told reporters later in the day.

He said that agitators had hidden behind black umbrellas to change their appearance before assaulting officers.

Police have since reported that 17 officers were injured by attacks and at least 24 people were arrested.

The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications said organizers told them they were expecting 2,000 people to march in the Dan Ryan Expressway protest, which ended up having to take a different route.

Zachary Stieber contributed to this article.
NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Airbus SE (Airbus or the Company)(OTCMKTS: EADSY; EADSF) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and indexed under 20-cv-10084, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants who purchased or otherwise, acquired Airbus securities in the U.S. between February 24, 2016, and July 30, 2020, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.



If you are a shareholder who purchased Airbus securities during the class period, you have until October 5, 2020 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com . To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

Airbus was founded in 2000 and is based in Leiden, the Netherlands. The Company is a multinational aerospace corporation, operating through its Commercial Aircraft, Defense and Space, and Helicopters divisions. The Companys American Depository Receipts (ADRs) trade in the U.S. on the over-the-counter market (the OTC) under the ticker symbol EADSY, and the Companys foreign ordinary shares (foreign ordinaries) trade in the U.S. on the OTC under the ticker symbol EADSF.

In August 2012, the United Kingdom (U.K.) Serious Fraud Office (SFO) announced that it had opened a formal criminal investigation into one of Airbuss subsidiaries, GPT Special Project Management Ltd. (GPT), which Airbus acquired in 2007. The allegations called into question a service contract entered into by GPT prior to its acquisition by Airbus, relating to activities conducted by GPT in Saudi Arabia.

Unbeknownst to investors and the public, however, Airbus was at an increased and foreseeable risk of facing significant potential liabilities for other alleged illegal activities that would later be investigated by governmental authorities around the world. These activities, combined with the investigation into GPT, implicated all three of Airbuss divisions, calling into question the sustainability of the Companys reported earnings during the Class Period.

The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Companys business, operational, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose: (i) that Airbuss policies and protocols were insufficient to ensure the Companys compliance with relevant anti-corruption laws and regulations; (ii) that, consequently, Airbus engaged in bribery, corruption, and fraud in order to enhance its business with respect to its commercial aircraft, helicopter, and defense deals; (iii) that, as a result, Airbuss earnings were derived in part from unlawful conduct and therefore unsustainable; (iv) the full scope and severity of Airbuss misconduct; (v) that resolution of government investigations of Airbus would foreseeably cost Airbus billions of dollars in settlements and legal fees and subject the Company to significant continuing government investigation and oversight; and (vi) that, as a result, the Companys public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On August 8, 2016, Reuters reported that the U.K. had opened a corruption probe into Airbus. Specifically, the SFO announced that it had opened a criminal investigation into allegations of fraud, bribery, and corruption in the civil aviation business of Airbus, which relate to irregularities concerning third party consultants. The investigation followed Airbuss flagging of misstatements and omissions involving outside contractors in certain export financing applications to U.K. regulators and the European Export Credit Agencies earlier in the year, which the Company had found through an internal probe.

On this news, Airbus ADRs fell $0.21 per share, or 1.49%, to close at $13.86 per share on August 8, 2016, and Airbus foreign ordinaries fell $0.82 per share, or 1.45%, to close at $55.58 per share on August 8, 2016.

France and the U.S. later opened their investigations into the subject of the SFOs allegations in 2017 and 2018, respectively. On January 31, 2020, media outlets reported that Airbus had agreed to a deal with U.S., U.K., and French prosecutors to settle bribery and export-control violations against the Company for 3.6 billion ($4 billion). Pursuant to the settlement, Airbus also agreed to appoint an external compliance officer for at least two years to monitor the Companys handling of its defense-related sales and disclosures.

On this news, Airbus ADRs fell $0.72 per share, or 1.93%, to close at $36.68 per share on January 31, 2020, and Airbus foreign ordinaries fell $2.21 per share, or 1.48%, to close at $147.00 per share on January 31, 2020.

Then, on March 15, 2020, the Wall Street Journal reported that Airbus executives had previously raised red flags about fees paid to a number of middlemen working with its helicopter division, led at the time by the Companys current Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Defendant Guillaume M.J.D. Faury (Faury), that may have violated global bribery and corruption rules, according to internal documents related to Airbuss $4 billion bribery settlement, which were not previously made public and/or reported.

On this news, Airbus ADRs fell $3.44 per share, or 15.71%, to close at $18.46 per share on March 16, 2020, and Airbus foreign ordinaries fell $7.97 per share, or 9.3%, to close at $77.75 per share on March 16, 2020.

Finally, on July 30, 2020, the Wall Street Journal reported that the SFO had charged GPT and three individuals with corruption in connection with a defense contract the U.K. had arranged with Saudi Arabia. These charges were the culmination of the investigations initiated by the SFO back in August 2012.

On this news, Airbus ADRs fell $0.67 per share, or 3.56%, to close at $18.13 per share on July 31, 2020, and Airbus foreign ordinaries fell $2.85 per share, or 3.8%, to close at $72.10 per share on July 31, 2020.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

rswilloughby@pomlaw.com
The Princess Royals 70th birthday has been marked with the release of three official photographs to celebrate the milestone.

Anne is known for her no-nonsense approach to life and tenacious attitude but in the images she is pictured smiling and looking relaxed at her Gatcombe Park home in Gloucestershire.

Wearing a Maureen Baker evening dress and Sue Palmer bolero jacket, the Queens only daughter looks stylish as she poses for celebrated photographer John Swannell and smiles broadly while sat in a chair.

The images were taken in late February (John Swannell/Camera Press/PA)

Swannell has taken photographs of everyone from Diana, Princess of Wales and her sons and the Queens official Diamond Jubilee portrait in 2012 to Tony Blair, Sir Michael Caine and Sir Elton John.

In another picture the princess looks directly at the camera, with a hint of a smile on her lips, wearing a Sue Palmer emerald green dress and a gold ribbon knot brooch, set with 12 diamonds.

The images were taken in late February a few weeks before the coronavirus lockdown, and in the final picture Anne is dressed more causally for the outdoor setting, where she poses under a tree and looks off into the distance.

The photographs were taken at Gatcombe Park (John Swannell/Camera Press/PA)

To mark her birthday the princess has been awarded Army and RAF promotions in recognition of her invaluable contribution and commitment to the military, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.

Anne is now a General in the British Army and an Air Chief Marshal in the Royal Air Force, promotions which bring her rank in the two services into line with her position as an Admiral in the Royal Navy.

Senior members of the royal family receive promotions to mark milestone birthdays and the Queen has approved the move.

Anne celebrates her 70th birthday on Saturday and her son-in-law Mike Tindall has already revealed Covid-19 and the recent spike of cases in Aberdeen have meant plans to mark the day have been scaled back.

This week, weve looked back at The Princess Royals life, ahead of HRHs 70th birthday tomorrow. Today, The Princess undertakes a busy schedule of hundreds of engagements a year, in support of The Queen.#PrincessRoyalAt70 pic.twitter.com/N3J4ulmpcI  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) August 14, 2020

The former England rugby star, who is married to Annes daughter Zara, said alternative arrangements were being made.

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Speaking earlier this week on BBCs The One Show, Tindall said: We did have plans  it wouldve been up in Scotland  but obviously with Covid and Aberdeen being locked down a bit, I think everythings been scaled back a little bit.

Its a shame. Im sure well do something as a family to celebrate her 70 amazing years, shes just an incredible woman in terms of how much work she can get through in the year.

The Princess Royal is Commandant-in-Chief of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry  an all-female voluntary unit which provides emergency services in times of crisis. In 2007, HRH was joined by The Queen to mark @fany_prvcs centenary at Buckingham Palace.#PrincessRoyalAt70 pic.twitter.com/ZcEk0Vapuq  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) August 13, 2020

We will be doing something, as yet I dont know whether she knows  so my lips are sealed.

It is thought Anne is in Scotland like the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh who traditionally spend the summer at Balmoral.

Despite the limitations of Covid-19, Annes milestone has been marked by a TV documentary and she has also guest-edited Country Life magazine.

In the ITV film, the princess suggested that social media is adding to the pressures already faced by younger members of the royal family, like the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Anne was followed by film-makers for more than a year to make the programme, which featured unseen family footage and conversations with her children, Peter Phillips and Zara, and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

In 1994, The Princess Royal was appointed by The Queen to the Order of the Garter  the most senior Order of Chivalry, created by King Edward III and inspired by the Knights of King Arthur. HRH requested to be installed as a Knight, rather than a Lady.#PrincessRoyalAt70 pic.twitter.com/fLtzypDqDL  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) August 12, 2020

Speaking about the younger members of the monarchy, she said: The pressure that is applied to the younger members of the family is always worse, because thats what the media is interested in and thats, you know, hard sometimes to deal with.

Anne also said she hoped her legacy would be the passing-on of her knowledge and experience.

When she guest-edited Country Life, the princess paid tribute to her parents for instilling in her a lifelong love of nature.

The Princess Royal on her Gloucestershire estate, Gatcombe Park (Barry Batchelor/PA)

Anne also wrote about holding an HGV licence, how she hates fly-tipping, and sees herself when she writes about rural affairs as a classic Jack of all trades.

She wrote: I was equally fortunate that both my parents had a love and understanding of the natural world through their own experiences.

In the documentary to mark her birthday, her son was asked to sum her up and replied: Well, you know what, tenacious, I think, is a pretty good word to sum her up.
People gathered for public prayer in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the first time in five months on Sunday as the country further eased restrictions linked to the coronavirus pandemic.

Catholics flocked joyfully to Kinshasa's Notre Dame Cathedral for Sunday's first mass at 6:30 am, AFP correspondents reported.

Worshippers were required to wash their hands with chlorinated water before entering the sanctuary, where they were kept a metre apart.

The priest -- the only person not wearing a face covering -- said those who did not observe the measures risked home confinement.

Nearby at the Philadelphia evangelical church, some worshippers were not wearing masks, but all had their temperatures taken before entering.

Worship resumed in many other cities of the vast central African country including Beni in the east, Kikwit in the southwest and northern Kisangani.

The poor former Belgian colony has recorded 9,676 cases of COVID-19 including 240 deaths since the first cases emerged on March 10, according to the latest official figures.

The health emergency decreed on March 24 was lifted on July 21.

bur/mbb/sst/gd/erc
The Night Manager star Elizabeth Debicki has been cast as Princess Diana for the final two seasons of The Crown.

Elizabeth will take over from Emma Corrin in the hit Netflix show, playing Diana for the fifth and sixth series, which will include Diana's death in 1997.

At 29, the Australian actress is the same age the late princess was in 1990, the year the fifth series begins.

Royal role: The Night Manager star Elizabeth Debicki has been cast as Princess Diana for the final two seasons of The Crown

The actress said of her casting: 'Princess Diana's spirit, her words and her actions live in the hearts of so many.

'It is my privilege and honour to be joining this masterful series, which has had me absolutely hooked from episode one.'

Meanwhile, show insiders reveal the Netflix show's creators were impressed with Elizbeth's 'star quality' as she beat out a number of big names for the coveted role.

The show insider said: 'Season five and six will see Diana emerging as an effortless icon with superstar quality but yet still retaining that fragility.

Honour: The actress said of her casting: 'It is my privilege and honour to be joining this masterful series, which has had me absolutely hooked from episode one'

Princess: Emma Corrin will make her debut as Diana in the upcoming fourth series of The Crown, which is expected to return to Netflix this autumn

'The role requires a fearless actor to bring truth to this beloved yet complex icon. Elizabeth had that perfect combination of megawatt star quality and vulnerability.

'She was an instant hit - when Elizabeth walked into the room producers were immediately struck by a sheer force of personality and energy and they knew they had found the perfect Diana for the final chapters of The Crown.

'As well as having the acting ability to tackle such a challenging role, the obvious similarities between Elizabeth and Diana in terms of appearance also made her a natural choice.'

Talent: Elizabeth's next big screen role is in Christopher Nolan movie Tenet, after famously landing her breakthrough role as Jordan Baker in Baz Luhrmanns movie, The Great Gatsby

Elizabeth's next big screen role is in Christopher Nolan movie Tenet, after famously landing her breakthrough role as Jordan Baker in Baz Luhrmanns movie, The Great Gatsby.

The 6ft 1 beauty was fresh out of drama school when she auditioned for the movie.

She also won acclaim in the 2016 BBC drama The Night Manager, starring opposite Tom Hiddleston in the adapataion of John le Carre's novel.

Emma Corrin will make her debut as Diana in the upcoming fourth series of The Crown, which is expected to return to Netflix this autumn.

Star: Elizabeth's next big screen role is in Christopher Nolan movie Tenet, after famously landing her breakthrough role as Jordan Baker in Baz Luhrmanns movie, The Great Gatsby (pictured with co-star Tobey Maguire)

Rising star Emma, 24, plays the younger Diana who married Prince Charles in 1981. Josh O'Connor, 30, reprises his role as Charles in the new series.

The long-awaited fourth series of the Netflix show will document Diana's meeting and eventual marriage to Prince Charles along with the births and early years of the two Princes.

Diana married Charles in 1981, and the couple welcomed sons William in 1982 and Harry in 1984. After separating in 1991, the couple divorced in 1997.

Emma's casting was announced in April 2019, with The Crown's creator Peter Morgan calling her 'a brilliant talent who immediately captivated us when she came in for the part of Diana Spencer.'

Accolades: She also won acclaim in the 2016 BBC drama The Night Manager, starring opposite Tom Hiddleston in the adapataion of John le Carre's novel

While the fourth series will follow a young Diana and her marriage, the fifth instalment is thought to begin in the early nineties and end in the early noughties, with writer Peter Morgan saying Imelda Staunton would be 'taking The Crown into the 21st century'.

Elizabeth's casting comes days after it was announced that Jonathan Pryce will take over the role of Prince Philip.

It was revealed on Wednesday that the actor, 73, will join the star-studded cast of the hit Netflix show and portray the royal through the 1990s and 2000s.

Speaking after the announcement, Jonathan added that it will be 'a joy' to act alongside Imelda Staunton as the Queen and Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret.

New role: Elizabeth's casting comes days after it was announced that Jonathan Pryce will take over the role of Prince Philip

In a statement shared on social media by Netflix, Jonathan said: 'I am delighted to be working with Netflix again.

'The positive experience I had making The Two Popes has given me the confidence to tackle the daunting prospect of portraying Prince Philip.

'To be doing so with Peter Morgan in the company of Imelda [Staunton] and Lesley [Manville] will be a joy.'

Royally good: Imelda Staunton is to play the Queen in The Crown's final two series. The 63-year-old will take over the role of Elizabeth II for seasons five and six of the Netflix drama

As well as praising the other on-screen talent lined up for the show, Jonathan added that he was excited to be working with screenwriter Peter Morgan.

The actor's role in The Crown comes after he was nominated for an Oscar for his role in Netflix's The Two Popes. However he lost out on the gong to Joaquin Phoenix.

In previous instalments of The Crown Prince Philip has been played by actors Matt Smith, in the first two seasons, and Tobias Menzies, in series three and four.

Congrats! Lesley Manville has been cast as Princess Margaret (right in 1966) for the fifth and sixth seasons of The Crown

Other cast members already confirmed for the final seasons of the hit show include Imelda, as the Queen and Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret.

On Wednesday a TV insider told The Sun: 'The three British actors formed a Holy Trinity of talent, which show bosses targeted to play the senior members of the Royal Family.

'Jonathan was the only name that was discussed to play Philip and the creators of the show were thrilled when he agreed to join the cast.'

Earlier this month, it was announced The Crown will run for six series instead of five.

Creator Peter revealed he decided to 'return to the original plan,' meaning Imelda Staunton will now appear for two series as an older Queen Elizabeth II.

Producers decided to a U-turn after their January announcement The Crown would end after its fifth series, with series four, starring Olivia Colman as The Queen, expected to air later this year.

Peter said: 'As we started to discuss the storylines for Series 5, it soon became clear that in order to do justice to the richness and complexity of the story we should go back to the original plan and do six seasons.'
I noted here that most Americans have an absurdly inflated idea of the damage that has been done by the Wuhan virus, with the median American apparently believing the virus has killed 9 percent of our populationaround 30 million people. How can the public be so grossly misinformed?

It hasnt been easy. It has taken a concerted effort by our governments, aided and abetted by the press, to sow misinformation about COVID. Examples could be multiplied endlessly. For the moment lets describe three.

In Kansas, the Secretary of the Department Health created a highly deceptive chart intended to show the effectiveness of masks, and to indicate that mask-wearing counties were considerably safer than non-mask-wearing counties. This is the chart, per the Kansas Department of Health:

Wow, the mask counties, shown in gold, have improved their case rates massively, and are now greatly outperforming those slackers who dont wear masks. Right? That certainly is what the chart suggests, and the Secretary of Health specifically misrepresented the facts with this exchange:

At about the 15-minute mark of the recording, a reporter asks (according to Normans restatement of the hard-to-hear question, If the no-mask counties would start masking, would it (blue line) drop, and would it dip down below the mask counties. Norman said, I think it would.

It turns out, though, that if you look carefully, the masked and unmasked counties are plotted on different axes. If you plot the two groups of counties using the same y-axis, this is what you get:

In fact, the no mask counties have consistently outperformed the masked counties, and while cases in both groups have declined somewhat, with masked counties narrowing the gap, unmasked counties continue to show far fewer cases than those where masks are required. Who revealed the government agencys deception? Not the mainstream press, of course. Rather, The Sentinel, which also exposed further misleading conduct by the Kansas Health Department, also intended to misinform Kansans on the effectiveness of masks, here.

Next, on to Massachusetts. Howie Carr, who hosts the most popular talk radio show in New England, credits Power Line for pointing out that in Massachusetts, like Minnesota, COVID deaths are occurring almost exclusively among the elderly. We linked to a dashboard that was put out daily by the Massachusetts Department of Health that made it easy to see the breakdown of COVID fatalities by age bracket. Howie started tweeting about the data on nearly a daily basis, like this:

This was more truth than Massachusetts state government could handle. Howie describes what happened:

What happened to the states most revealing daily virus chart  Deaths and Death Rate by Age Group? Its disappeared! Vanished! Gone without explanation from the MA Coronavirus Dashboard! How odd that Gov. Charlie Parker would decide to deep-six the chart @howiecarrshow tweets out almost every day. Could it be because the chart provided some inconvenient truths, like the fact that only 146 people under the age of 50 have died in MA? Or that the average age of the decedents is 82? Or the fact that zero  thats right, ZERO  people under the age of 20 have died in MA. The hacks said they have streamlined the daily report. Apparently streamlining means getting rid of the one chart that best explains the overreaction, hysteria and panic porn that Tall Deval has been pushing like a deranged cult leader for the last five months.

Finally, Minnesota, where Scott has been documenting the follies of the Tim Walz administration and the uncritical adoration of the local press for some months now. Minnesota is distinguished from its neighbors by the fact that it issued the harshest shutdown order in the Upper Midwest. In contrast, the surrounding states, especially South Dakota and Wisconsin, are bastions of freedom. Yet Minnesotas COVID fatality rate is nearly double Wisconsins, and more than double South Dakotas. Moreover, both of those states economies have suffered far less than Minnesotas. In fact, Minnesota has both the highest per capita rate of COVID fatalities in the Upper Midwest and the highest rate of growth of jobless claimsa remarkable exacta of policy failure.

You would think these facts would be of interest to Minnesota voters. Actually, I am sure they would be, which is why both the state government and, shamefully, the states press corps keep them more or less secret. Scott related the most recent instance just yesterday:

At about 21:00 of the audio recording below, Minnesota News Networks Bill Werner asked how Minnesota compares to its neighbors. Infectious Disease Director Kris Ehresmann and state epidemiologist Ruth Lynfield were on hand to respond. They provided numbers comparing Minnesota (favorably) with Illinois and Michigan. How about any state that actually neighbors Minnesota? Lynfield didnt quite get there in her response to Werner. Werner followed up with a question about Wisconsin. Answer: we dont compare favorably  she gave the numbers  but that might be because of our superior number crunching. Really. Kevin [Roche] adds: [N]one of Minnesotas actual neighboring states has worse statistics than ours, so I can understand your eagerness to go several hundred miles to the east to find one.

Following the news on a daily basis, it is hard to escape the conclusion that governments at all levels, along with more or less the entire journalism industry, are intentionally trying to convey an inflated impression of the impact of the Wuhan virus. Further, there is a growing body of empirical evidence, both nationally and internationally, that strongly suggests the cataclysmic shutdowns that have been imposed by governments both here and abroad have been more or less useless. Our governments have made mistakes that have resulted in the devastation of many millions of lives, and our reporters and editors want to keep that fact quiet. This isnt surprising, of course: we all know what side they are on.
Any new housing designed for students in Bethlehem may be limited to areas abutting Lehigh Universitys campus.

The Bethlehem Department of Community and Economic Development has proposed creating two student housing overlay zoning districts on the northeast and northwest sides of the universitys Southside campus.

The proposed zoning text amendment would limit student housing of up to five students per residence in these districts. The amendment would allow up to three students per residence in the existing central business and limited commercial districts directly north of the campus.
Hai  THE youth have been urged to engage deeply in research and maintain the innovations they have made so as to improve the national economy through their activities.

The advice was given recently by the Director of the National Economic Empowerment Council (NEEC), Ms Beng'i Issa, when officiating the closing of the 3rd Pan African Youth Camp, which was held in Weruweru in Hai District in Kilimanjaro Region, recently.

"Our country recently attained the middle income economy status; therefore you (the youth) have opportunities to improve this status by various innovations which you have made like the ones you displayed here during your 3rd symposium this year," she said.

She further remarked that the youth were also in a good position to create new job opportunities through their innovations.

She pointed out that the youth camp was very important as it gave them openings for exchanging their experiences.

Ms Issa cautioned them to be careful when engaging in joint ventures especially with potential partners from outside the country so as to protect their innovations, many of which she said were new.

"You demonstrated interest in engaging in joint ventures so as to improve the achievements you recorded. I am advising you to be careful; make sure you follow all the procedures which would protect your innovations; NEEC is ready to give you beneficial advice and full support in general," she added.

Speaking on behalf of this year's youth camp participants, Ms Diana Urembe said the Pan African Youth Camp passed resolutions, which included one on the youth continuing to engage in different research activities so as to improve their innovations.

"We also passed a resolution to urge relevant authorities within the government and other development stakeholders to continue supporting the youth in creating more youth forums and regularly; this will enable us express ourselves in general and make our activities sustainable, since they also contribute to the national economy," she said.
Photo: Don Arnold/Getty Images

Bom bom bi dom bi dum bum bay: Lizzo has prevailed in a lawsuit regarding songwriting credit for her hit song Truth Hurts, ending a legal process that began last fall. THR reports that a California federal judge dismissed the case from Justin and Jeremiah Raisen, who claimed they co-wrote the song for the flute queen in early 2017, which at the time went by the name Healthy. The judge granted Lizzos motion to dismiss the brothers countersuit, stating that joint author of one copyrightable work does not automatically gain ownership of a derivative work. Last October, Lizzo addressed the brothers allegation for the first and only time, stating that there was no one in the room with her when she wrote the song except me, Ricky Reed, and my tears. Lizzo proceeded to give Truth Hurts songwriting credit to Twitter user @MinaLioness, who coined the phrase I just took a DNA test, turns out, Im 100 percent that bitch, on social media. The creator of the tweet is the person I am sharing my success with, not these men, Lizzo wrote. Period.
Gulf International Bank  Saudi Arabia (GIB KSA) has signed a partnership agreement with Alnahda Society in Riyadh to collaborate on the development of womens empowerment in the Kingdom.



Specifically, in support of their leadership of the Women 20 (W20), one of the official G20 Engagement Groups, focused on closing the global gender gap and womens empowerment.



Women 20 will host its own summit on October 2020, welcoming delegates from across all G20 countries and key international organizations. This will follow a number of expert meetings, roundtables and dialogues at which GIB will play a key role as a supporter and sponsor.



The partnership will also allow both parties to work together to promote the efforts and core focus areas of the W20: Digital inclusion, Financial inclusion, Labour inclusion and Inclusive decision-making, with Womens Entrepreneurship as a cross cutting topic.



Abdulaziz A Al-Helaissi, the Group CEO of GIB, said: GIB is delighted to announce our partnership with Alnahda and to extend our support for their critical work on women empowerment. As a Group, with the full support of the Board, GIB is deeply committed to diversity and has long advocated for and engaged in developing womens empowerment.



We look forward to furthering this commitment through our cooperation with Alnahda and our support for its numerous programmes and efforts including the unique role they have assumed in leading the W20 activities under Saudi Arabias leadership of the G20 Presidency this year.



Commenting on the partnership, Women 20 Sherpa, Salma Al Rashid, said: We look forward to working alongside GIB as we continue to advocate for gender equality and financial inclusion. Our focus includes improving access to personal financial resources, financial literacy, and greater participation of women in the workforce. Covid-19 has highlighted the risk to gains made for gender equality and we appreciate the support from GIB in ensuring that our voice resonates both in Saudi Arabia and globally.



Alnahda Society has proposed a plan to the G20 Saudi Secretariat to lead and influence the Women 20 (W20) Saudi engagement group discussions at both the national and international levels and as a result, the organization has been appointed by Royal Decree to lead the W20 activities in 2020.



W20 is an official G20 engagement group whose primary objective is to ensure that gender considerations are mainstreamed into G20 discussions and translate into the G20 Leaders' Declaration as policies and implementation commitments that foster gender equality and womens economic empowerment.  TradeArabia News Service
It is industrial towns like Hrodna that could end the 26-year-reign of Alexander Lukashenko - Misha Friedman/The Telegraph

Deep in the Belarusian countryside, burly men with sun-burnt cheeks stood outside their quarry with home-made posters reading We stand for free and fair elections mounted on top of the machinery.

They were on strike for the first time in their lives in what could be the most significant week in the nations post-Soviet history - and another turning point in relations between Europe and Russia.

Small-town, working-class Belarus, once loyal to Alexander Lukashenko, the president of 26 years, has turned its back on Europes last dictator following widespread election fraud in Sunday's vote, savagery by riot police and horrifying stories of torture in Belarusian jails.

With the opposition ranks swelling in the capital Minsk, it is the heavy industrialised towns like Hrodna that could spell the end of the continent's longest-serving leader in the coming days.

To handyman Roman Vydra, in his mid-40s, a chubby man with a broad face, official results that gave Mr Lukashenko an 80 per cent win at the polls were a personal insult.

Roman Vydra striking for the first time in his life - Misha Friedman/The Telegraph

No one thought the vote-rigging would be so brazen, he told The Telegraph, standing in his tracksuit and oversized blue t-shirt near one of the loaders under the afternoon sunshine.

I dont know a single person who voted for the current president.

While middle-class activists and intelligentsia marching in Minsk may not trouble Mr Lukashenko and his inner circle as he hangs on to power, factory floors cleared of workers rising up in the name of democracy leaves the strongman facing an uncomfortable reality.

Workers at Hrodna's quarry came out to protest President Lukashenko's re-election on Friday - Misha Friedman/The Telegraph

Employees at tractor works, quarries, bus depots and oil refineries in Belarus have all downed their tools. Workers at dozens of state-owned factories across the country have either walked out or threatened industrial action unless authorities meet their demands: hold a new, fair election, stop police violence and release thousands of people detained at anti-government demonstrations earlier this week.

Story continues

With state-paid workers turning against him, Mr Lukashenko is losing his main electoral base as well as billions of pounds in revenue that he has used to maintain Belarus mighty security apparatus and secret services.

The working-class revolt in Belarus has more than echoes of anti-Communist protests in eastern Europe in 1989 when workers tipped the scales to help bring down the Soviet Union.

Workers of the Minsk Tractor Works protested outside the iconic plant in a major blow for Mr Lukashenko - Sergei Grits/AP

Belarusian protesters are on the cusp of breaking a decades-old status quo in the region with Belarus serving as essentially the buffer zone between Russia and European democracies.

In the medieval town of Hrodna, just nine miles away from Poland where electoral fraud of the scale seen in Belarus would be unimaginable, workers spoke of monthly salaries under 300 and the way that outright lies on state TV, which portrays Belarus as a workers idyll, clash with the reality of declining living standards near the EU border.

At a quarry, several dozen men in tracksuit trousers and overalls stood by the side of the road, smoking cigarettes and waving white balloons at the passing cars.

Weve been cheated for such a long time, and now enough is enough, said Mr Vydra, the handyman, who conceded that he and his friends did not care about elections in the past until they saw last Sundays vote-rigging and the ensuing crackdown.

Rashid Latykov has joined other employees of the Neman cigarette factory in a petition to threaten a walkout unless the Belarusian government calls a fresh election - Misha Friedman/The Telegraph

This week's unrest began when protesters against Sunday's election result were met with a staggeringly vicious police response.

Riot police and special forces in full gear would throw stun grenades at unarmed people and fire rubber bullets into crowds, killing three. Belarusians with blood streaming down their faces fled the scene.

Days later, protesters were released from detention, with bruises covering their bodies like full-body tattoos in a chilling testament of beatings and torture at the hands of law enforcement.

Thousands were detained in the violent police crackdown on post-election protests - Yauhen Yerchak/EPA-EFE

Nearly 7,000 people across the country have been detained, and hundreds have been injured and beaten up while in custody. A 16-year-old man detained at a Minsk protest was taken to hospital from jail on Saturday after he fell into a coma from beatings.

The scenes of police violence have stunned the nation of nine million people, drawing comparisons to the countrys history as a major battlefield in the Second World War.

Hrodna, a quiet town of 370,000 people, with baroque cathedrals, was plunged into urban warfare for several nights in a row as riot police in full gear chased away anti-Lukashenko demonstrators.

Less than a mile away from Hrodnas picturesque bridge overlooking two medieval fortresses, middle-aged men came out of the Neman cigarette factory to discuss an upcoming walkout during their lunch break. Standing in the air smelling of tobacco, the several dozen men spoke about a car accident provoked by riot police that shook residents to the core.

Rule of law in action! Policeman is punishing the drivers for illegal honking. No need for bureaucracy. pic.twitter.com/0fR1dnKNod  Franak Viacorka (@franakviacorka) August 13, 2020

On Tuesday night, riot police officers threw themselves onto a car of a local family and started thrashing it with truncheons as punishment for honking in support of the protests. An armoured vehicle rammed into the car from the back, injuring a five-year-old girl who was in the back seat, local media reported.

What we saw on our streets was open warfare. How can you forget it and move on? said Rashid Latykov, who came out of the factory building to buy a pack of Minsk cigarettes from a nearby kiosk. Our country has been seized by a gang.

Earlier that afternoon the cigarette factory workers held a union meeting. It started with a call to stand up to show if they voted for opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who fled the country after reported threats. The entire room of people in Nemans blue uniforms got up and clapped.

Workers of the Hrodna quarry on Friday downed their tools and took balloons to come out on the nearby road to protest - Misha Friedman/The Telegraph

But nothing, perhaps, cuts deeper for Mr Lukashenko than unrest at the iconic Minsk Tractor Works, which accounts for 10 per cent of global tractor production.

There is a saying in Belarus that outsiders know the country for two things: potatoes and tractors. Asked about the dangers of coronavirus earlier this year, the president said: "Tractors will heal everything."

Workers from the plant marched across the city centre on Friday after the prime minister refused to speak to them publicly during a visit.

On Thursday, several-hundred angry workers confronted the local mayor outside the gate of the BelAz heavy machinery plant in a Minsk suburb.

The countrys eight largest enterprises that have staged walkouts this week brought in a combined 9.5 billion in revenues last year, according to the Russian news website The Bell.

Once scared of losing their jobs, workers in Hrodna say they have passed the point of no return.

That violence has changed anything - I cant stay silent, Larisa Rybak, a petite woman in blue-and-black overalls of the Hrodna Azot fertiliser plant, told The Telegraph as she walked out of the plants gate at the end of her shift to join a march into the city centre.

Many of those released from detention on Friday displayed severe injuries and told of beatings and torture - Sergei Gapon/AFP

At 54, Mrs Rybak, who makes about 400 a month, is nearing state pension age in an economy with dim prospects, but she feels compelled to be part of the movement on the cusp of toppling President Lukashenko. We have finally woken up, and we wont leave till he goes.

As the clock struck 5.30pm, she and several-hundred men and women in Hrodna Azot overalls set off from the factory to join a 30,000-strong rally in the centre, chanting Long live Belarus! and flashing peace signs.
Bumper Harvesters Increase in DPRK

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- A campaign for scientific farming and a competition for bumper harvest are getting brisk in rural communities across the DPRK.

Over 160 farms, 1 760 work-teams, 7 040 sub-workteams and 42 780 farmers reaped a good harvest of wheat cultivated as an earlier crop this year.

The township co-op farm, the Sangsan Co-op Farm and the Munha Co-op Farm of Kowon County in South Hamgyong Province have each yielded over 8 tons of wheat per hectare.

The successes in the wheat farming are encouraging the agricultural workers across the country who are determined to greet the 75th founding anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea with increased grain output. -0-

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An 8-year-old girl was shot and killed during a backyard birthday party for a teenager at an Ohio home, authorities said.

Akron police said several shots were fired shortly before midnight Friday in the Sherbondy Hill neighborhood.

The child was found wounded and was taken to Akron Children's Hospital, where she later died, police said.

Authorities identified the girl Saturday as Mikayla Pickett, a student at Portage Path Community Learning Center, according to an Akron Public Schools spokesperson.

Eight-year-old Mikayla Pickett was shot dead while attending a backyard birthday party for a teenager at a home (pictured) in Akron, Ohio, Saturday night

The Summit County medical examiner's office will be conducting an autopsy.

Willie Walker, 62, told the Akron Beacon-Journal that he was hosting an outdoor birthday party for his 15-year-old grandson in his backyard when the shooting occurred.

Walker, who has lived at the home for 32 years, said he was inside when the gunfire started.

'All hell broke out,' he said. 'I don't know what the hell happened.'

Walker, who didn't know the child, said three or four people apparently showed up at the property and started shooting at family members and friends who were at the party.

Police officers found multiple shell casings at the scene, he said.

Another neighbor said that a couple of windows were shot out at the home of her son, who lives next door to her. The home where the shooting occurred is pictured

'I don't know know how many shells they took,' Walker said. 'A lot of them.'

Another neighbor said that a couple of windows were shot out at the home of her son, who lives next door to her.

No arrests were immediately reported as of Sunday morning, but authorities are working to identify suspects.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2Tip.
How the QAnon Conspiracy Theory Went Global

By Masood Farivar August 15, 2020

Until recently, the fringe conspiracy theory known as QAnon was largely an American phenomenon  a belief that U.S. President Donald Trump is secretly battling a "deep state" cabal of pedophiles that control the world.

The far-right theory has gained adherents throughout the United States as the 2020 presidential and congressional campaigns heat up. Trump has repeatedly retweeted messages from accounts that promote QAnon while more than a dozen Republican candidates running for Congress have embraced some of its tenets.

All this has sparked concerns about conspiracy-theory-driven domestic extremists that the FBI has identified as a potential domestic terror threat. But QAnon is no longer exclusively focused on U.S. politics.

Fueled by worldwide anxiety over the coronavirus pandemic, the unsubstantiated conspiracy theory has gone global, with adherents popping up in at least 71 countries, according to QAnon researcher Marc-Andre Argentino.

"There has been massive growth," said Argentino, a Ph.D. candidate at Canada's Concordia University and an associate at the Global Network on Extremism & Technology.

Conspiracy theories thrive in times of crisis, experts say. With anxious people around the world trying to make sense of the killer pandemic as leaders struggle to deal with it, QAnon has found an enthusiastic audience with the promise of salvation from tyranny at the end of a struggle dubbed "The Storm."

Outside the U.S., Germany, though spared the worst of the pandemic, has become home to the largest number of QAnon followers overseas, according to Argentino. One German QAnon channel on the encrypted messaging app Telegram boasts 120,000 members.

In the past month, the biggest growth in QAnon's international followers has come from Brazil, a pandemic hotspot where the virus has killed more than 100,000 people.

Here is a primer on QAnon:

What does Q stand for?

"Q" is an online persona claiming to be a government insider with Q-level top security clearance and knowledge of the deep state's inner workings. The anonymous poster first appeared online in October 2017 when he went to the 4chan image board with a wild premonition: Former secretary of state and Trump Democratic rival Hillary Clinton would soon be arrested and riots would ensue.

The prediction, needless to say, proved false, as did many others that followed, including the forecast of mass indictments of other Democrats. But that did not stop Q from continuing to post about Trump's "secret war" against a deep state cabal of pedophiles, with his cryptic online "drops" parsed and amplified by a growing ecosystem of believers.

Thus was born a new conspiracy theory movement, with Q taking off where earlier "anons" such as "FBIAnon" and "CIAAnon" had petered out. What made QAnon stick was that it came on the heels of Pizzagate, a 2016 conspiracy theory that claimed the Democrats were running a child sex trafficking ring out of the basement of a Washington pizza shop.

No such thing was ever uncovered. While Q's latest ramblings are focused on the deep state's efforts to thwart Trump's reelection, child abuse and sex trafficking remain a constant in its belief system.

In his last, long-winded "drop" on July 31, Q ranted that the coronavirus pandemic was partly designed to help "shelter" presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden from appearing in public and participating in debates and to "eliminate" or delay Trump rallies.

"At the core of the current interpretation of this ideology, QAnon believes President Trump is the person who will save the world from this network of bad actors and he will uncover the Deep State that exist in the United States and overseas," said Kevin Grisham, associate director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University at San Bernardino.

QAnon promoters say the deep state is all real, and they reject the notion that they "worship" Trump or "Q."

"Qanon is a worldwide group of non-violent truthers/patriots dedicated to God, saving our children from trafficking, and removing the Satanic DS (Deep State)," prominent QAnon promoter Joe Stroh, who goes by "Obiwan Qenobi" on social media, recently tweeted.

Who exactly is Q?

Despite rampant speculation, no one has unraveled the mystery person behind Q. Outside QAnon circles, few take him as a real insider. Many experts believe more than one person may have been behind the Q account over the years.

Who are QAnon adherents?

While Q has hopped from one fringe imageboard to another, his followers have thrived on mainstream platforms: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Telegram. On any given day, an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 people post about QAnon on Facebook, Twitter and Telegram, according to Argentino, who says that it would be a mistake to dismiss them as "lunatics with tin foil hats living in their parents' basement."

Georgia businesswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who promotes the QAnon conspiracy theory, won a Republican primary race Tuesday for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is expected to win the seat in November in her heavily Republican congressional district.

Former national security advisor Michael Flynn appeared in a July 4 video reciting a popular QAnon slogan: "Where we go one, we go all." While Trump has not explicitly endorsed the movement, he enjoys broad support from QAnon followers who have attended his rallies wearing QAnon T-shirts.

A Trump campaign spokeswoman did not respond to a question about whether Trump welcomes their support.

How has the pandemic impacted QAnon?

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, QAnon following has rapidly climbed. The number of QAnon Facebook group members has jumped 800% to 1.7 million while Twitter accounts that post on QAnon related hashtags have increased 85% to 400,000, according to Argentino's research.

In recent weeks, both Facebook and Twitter have taken down QAnon accounts for running afoul of their policies and standards. Further actions are expected.

But experts doubt the disciplinary measures will banish the movement. For one, the conspiracy theory is protected speech and social media companies can't simply label QAnon under their "dangerous group" category. Second, banning QAnon followers from Facebook and Twitter would only reinforce their belief that they're engaged in an information war against media elites and others in the deep state, according to experts.

"The crackdown only plays into their conspiratorial beliefs," Grisham said.

How popular is QAnon overseas?

The vast majority of the recent growth in QAnon following has taken place overseas.

"You're starting to see these sort of groups popping up everywhere," Grisham said.

Among countries that have seen the largest increases in QAnon activity: Germany, Britain, Australia and Canada, followed by France, Italy and New Zealand.

"The fact that we're seeing it spread all around the world shows its significance for a global audience," Grisham said.

While in some locales QAnon followers see Trump as their savior, in others, adherents believe local leaders will emerge to destroy their own deep states, Argentino said.

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As a graduate of Gettysburg College, I am appalled that the hallowed ground of the battlefield may be used as a partisan soapbox for a presidential candidate in the near future. Anyone who has a semblance of understanding of what happened on that battlefield in 1863 can appreciate that it should not be used for political purposes.

Apparently, the current president is incapable of that appreciation or simply chooses to ignore the historical significance of Gettysburg in his crusade to shatter presidential norms. I certainly hope that the National Park Service would do its best to dissuade him of this idea.

Gregory R. Neuhauser, Hershey, Pa.
She's spent the past few days enjoying a sun-soaked trip to Greece, taking advantage of eased travel restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

And Jess Wright looked sensational as she took to Instagram to share a snap of herself posing in a white lace bikini in Mykonos on Sunday.

The former TOWIE star, 34, looked tanned and enviably toned in the halterneck number, which she teamed with a pearl pendant necklace and bracelets.

A delight in white: Jess Wright looked sensational as she took to Instagram to share a snap of herself posing in a white lace bikini in Mykonos on Sunday

Shielding her eyes with a oversized circular-framed sunglasses, the reality star wore her lustrous raven locks in a sleek blowout as she sunned herself on the beach.

She also shared snapshots of herself looking glam in an off-shoulder peasant crop top, teamed with a matching maxi skirt.

Standing above a sparkling infinity pool, Jess wore her tresses in a sleek ponytail for the set of snaps she captioned: 'Paradise Views.'

Stunning: She also shared snapshots of herself looking glam in an off-shoulder peasant crop top, teamed with a matching maxi skirt

Night on the town: Taking to her Instagram Stories, Jess showed herself wearing the same ensemble as she enjoyed a night out with her fiance William Lee-Kemp

Taking to her Instagram Stories, Jess showed herself wearing the same ensemble as she enjoyed a night out with her fiance William Lee-Kemp.

In snapshots shared the day before, Jess oozed confidence as she modelled her sexy white two-piece, which featured an intricate pattern and a pretty scalloped trim.

Clearly enjoying her relaxing break, Jess flashed a smile to the camera while she clutched on to her refreshing beverage.

The reality starlet has been keeping her fans up-to-date with her holiday as she's shared a plethora of stunning snaps on her Instagram.

On Friday, she looked sensational as she showcased her incredible figure in a pink bikini while enjoying the morning sun on the Greek island.

Wow: In snapshots shared the day before, Jess oozed confidence as she modelled her sexy white two-piece, which featured an intricate pattern and a pretty scalloped trim

Paradise: The former TOWIE star, 34, appeared happy and relaxed as she reclined on a sun lounger at her luxury resort

Making the most of her tropical getaway, Jess threw her arms up in the air while displaying her slender pins and taut midriff in the slinky two-piece.

Earlier this month, Jess left her brother Mark's wife Michelle Keegan in awe as she asked her to be one of her 15 bridesmaids for her wedding to fiance William.

The beauty took to Instagram to share a sweet clip of her presenting her loved ones with socially-distanced invitations consisting of a flower balloon and personalised poems.

Actress Michelle, 33, was dressed in a satin robe as she gasped from her doorstep and admitted: 'I'm actually shaking!'

Loved-up! Jess later thanked the hotel staff for taking such good care of them with an 'appreciation post'

Sweet: Jess, who was wearing a chic white shirt cove-up, held her beau's hand in the snap

The former Our Girl star was caught off-guard as she sported sleepwear and went make-up free in front of her 2million home in Chigwell.

Michelle couldn't contain her delight as she covered her mouth in shock before gushing: 'Aww Jess, I want to hug you!'

The bride-to-be kicked off the video by teasing her by unique floral invites by The Bloom Room before visiting her sister Natalya's home.

The model, 19, broke down in tears as her eldest sibling asked if she could be her Maid Of Honour.

Reading out the message by Word It Rhyme, the youngest member of the Wright clan said: 'So Natalya's, as I become I as I become a bride I need you by my side, please be my maid of honour.'

Lovely: The reality starlet has been keeping her fans up-to-date with her holiday as she's shared a plethora of stunning snaps on her Instagram

Beach babe: On Friday, she looked sensational as she showcased her incredible figure in a pink bikini while enjoying the morning sun on the Greek island

Influencer Jess later went behind the wheel as she explained her lengthy mission while sporting disposable gloves.

The brunette revealed she originally planned to share the invitations over a meal as she explained: 'I'm on my way to deliver my bridesmaids a poem and a balloon flower thing to ask them to be my bridesmaids as I can't get them all together to ask them.

'Originally I wanted to have a dinner and surprise them with these flowers, but please of the pandemic, that's not possible. I'm delivering it on their doorsteps with gloves, standing at least two metres away, if not more.'

The media personality cut a chic figure in bridal white as she visited many of her pals in front of their homes and in the middle of the street.

Living her best life: Making the most of her tropical getaway, Jess threw her arms up in the air while displaying her slender pins and taut midriff in the slinky two-piece

On her decision to switch up her plans, the TV star wrote: '2020 has been a strange year for us all.

'I got engaged just before this pandemic, & when rules were eased, told my (many) nearest & dearest that I wanted them to be my bridesmaids, from a distance.

'I hope everyone is keeping safe & we get through this soon & a big thank you to all our NHS & key workers for supporting us.'

Jess will need to enjoy her downtime to its fullest before diving into wedding preparations for her nuptials to her businessman fiance William in June 2021.

How sweet! Earlier this month, Jess left her brother Mark's wife Michelle Keegan in awe as she asked her to be one of her 15 bridesmaids for her wedding to fiance William Lee-Kemp

Woman on a mission: The beauty took to Instagram to share a sweet clip of her presenting her loved ones with socially-distanced invitations
The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin has told Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka that Russia is ready to assist Belarus in accordance with a collective military pact, if necessary.

The Kremlin said in the same statement that external pressure was being applied to Belarus. It did not say by whom.

The two spoke on August 16 for the second time in as many days.

Belarus has been rocked by a week of street protests after protesters accused Lukashenka of rigging a presidential election on August 9.

Some 7,000 people have been detained by police across Belarus in the postelection crackdown with hundreds injured and at least two killed as police have used rubber bullets, stun grenades, and, in at least one instance, live ammunition.

Hundreds of those held and subsequently released spoke of brutal beatings they suffered in detention, much of it documented and splashed across social media. Thousands more remain in detention as international outrage mounts.

Facing the most serious threat ever to his authoritarian rule, Lukashenka spoke with Putin on August 15, after saying there was "a threat not only to Belarus."

He later told military chiefs that Putin had offered "comprehensive help" to "ensure the security of Belarus."

The Kremlin said the leaders agreed the "problems" in Belarus would be "resolved soon" and the countries' ties strengthened.

Based on reporting by Interfax, Reuters, and AFP
So what happened yesterday was really over very fairly quickly because our Police Department is resolved to make sure that we protect peaceful protests. But we are absolutely not going to tolerate people who come to these protests looking for a fight and are intending to injure our police officers and injure innocent people who just come to be able to express their First Amendment rights, she said.
India raised the misuse of darknet and modern technology being used for drug trafficking by the international criminals in a meeting of BRICS nation last week, according to a statement issued by the government.

The anti drugs enforcement agencies of five BRICS nations  Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa  also discussed steps to keep a check on smuggling of drugs through maritime route, it said.

The 4th Session of the BRICS Anti-Drug Working Group comprising of Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa and India was held this week. The Indian delegation was led by Rakesh Asthana (Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau) and comprised of B. Radhika, Deputy Director General (Ops), NCB, Vrindaba Gohil, First Secretary (Trade) - Embassy of India, Moscow; Dr. Vaibhav Tandale, Under Secretary (Multilateral Economic Relations), MEA and KPS Malhotra, Deputy Director (Ops), NCB, statement by Press Information Bureau read.

The session, held over video conference on August 12 was chaired by Russia this year.

Fruitful exchange of opinions concerning the drug situation in the BRICS states, the international and regional trends of illegal trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, as well as the impact of various internal and external factors on the situation took place during the summit, the PIB said.

The common points emerged during the discussions include need for real time information sharing among the member states and need to curb increased drug trafficking through maritime routes. Misuse of darknet and other advanced technologies for drug trafficking was one of the key focal areas of the meeting, it added.

The government further added that the member nations adopted a communique that covered all the points discussed in the meeting.

BRICS is an informal group of states comprising the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the Peoples Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa.

The growing economic might of BRICS countries, their significance as one of the main driving forces of global economic development, their substantial population and abundant natural resources form the foundation of their influence on the international scene and are the driving forces behind the grouping. Among other areas of collaboration, matters pertaining to drug trafficking is an important area of cooperation among the BRICS member states, the PIB said.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A group of New York nail salon owners have come together to create a new membership group in an effort to assure a safe salon experience during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and into the future.

Nail & Spa Story and Viva Nail on Staten Island were recently recognized by the group for their exemplary COVID-19 safety protocols.

The group, called NIFNY (Nail Industry Federation of New York), hopes to make both customers and workers feel safer when entering their local salons.

Nail salon owners in the NYC metro area have gotten a pretty bad rap over the past several years, with all of us tarred by the bad actions of a few unscrupulous owners who engaged in employee wage theft, practiced dubious hygiene & sanitation and did not treat their customers well, explains one of NIFNYs co-founders Helen Kim.

NIFNY launched with a very clear mission  to elevate the nail salon owner, employee and customer experience  in acknowledgement of the three key stakeholders that had to be addressed when nail salons re-opened.

One of their initiatives was creating the COVID-19 Safety Protocols Seal of Salon Excellence program, which credits member salons who follow key safety protocols. The seal is placed in salon windows so customers can be assured of their cleanliness.

The protocols include:

Daily employee health screenings

Employee testing every 14 days

Social distancing

No more than 50% capacity

Customers waiting outside before appointments

Surfaces being thoroughly disinfected between customers and freshly sanitized manicures and towels must be provided for each customer

Customers sanitizing hands upon entry and filling out a form with their health status and contact information for contact tracing purposes

All metal tools are sterilized in accordance with state guidelines

Personal care services that require customers to remove face masks are prohibited

So far, 104 NIFNY salons have qualified for the seal.

The two Staten Island salons are Nail & Spa Story, located at 1286 Clove Road, and Viva Nail, located at 7335 Amboy Road.

We are, in essence, vetting one another and vouching for one another, holding everyone in our NIFNY nail salon community accountable for enforcing super-high standards, NIFNY president Jia Lee explained.
President Donald Trump now has a verified account on TikTok competitor Triller, making it clearer that the president does not favor the ByteDance-owned video sharing app.

According to New York Times reporter Taylor Lorenz, Trump's Triller account has about 3,500 followers and his introductory video has over 59,000 views. His Triller handle is @donaldjtrump.

The intro video features clips of the president. Trump also said in his first video, "I'm a professional at technology," and "nobody can do it like me."

There are two other videos on the Triller account as of Saturday afternoon, said The Verge. The clips were those of the president making a speech in which he says "Joe Biden has no clue," and clip mocking the presumptive Democratic nominee for presidency.

Reuters said in a report that Triller is one of the many other TikTok alternatives that saw a surge of downloads since Trump signed an executive order against TikTok. The August 6 order does not allow certain transactions with TikTok unless ByteDance divests it by the end of a 45-day period.

On Friday, Trump ordered ByteDance to divest the app's U.S. operations within 90 days.

The reason for this order is because many U.S. officials have been concerned with user security. They believe the users' information could be passed by the Chinese-owned app on to the Chinese government.

Trump's order made many of TikTok's young users worried. The video-sharing format of TikTok went viral among American teenagers for viral dance videos and other creative content.

ByteDance is already in talks to sell the U.S. operations of TikTok to Microsoft Corp. But this has still driven many competitors to try and woo the young userbase as there is still no final deal.

Both Trump's campaign team Triller has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.

Triller Thrives amid TikTok Controversy

Triller has been reaping the benefits of uncertainty over TikTok's potential ban.

In fact, Trill CEO Mike Lu said on Thursday that the company is "positioned to be a replacement for TikTok if they do get banned."

"Out of everyone in this space, we are the most adaptable," Lu said in a Los Angeles Times report. He also said the company is "grounded" in terms of being the next TikTok.

True enough, Triller really did see itself rise in popularity even before Trump set a clock on TikTok's U.S. operations. On August 1, the day after Trump first floated the notion of a TikTok ban, it jumped to the number one spot for iPhone downloads .

Some of TikTok's best known creators also said they would move to Triller.

For Triller co-owner Ryan Kavanaugh, their app is the "adult version" of TikTok. In a CNBC article, he was quoted saying, "We look at [TikTok] like a stepping stone to Triller."

Kavanaugh added that the contents of Triller are "a little more risque" and meant for a slightly older audience.

He also said that the app's team is working hard to build out more features to their app. "We've been getting two hours of sleep a night, but I definitely can't complain," he said.

As of August 7, the app has been downloaded more than 250 million times all over the globe and has roughly 65 million active users, said a Triller spokersperson.

Check these out!

Twitter Wants to Buy TikTok US Operations, Sources Say

Facebook, Snap Inc Want to Buy Tiktok Rival Dubsmash, Reports Say

Trump Issues an Executive Order Banning the Chinese App TikTok in the US
A man whose parents travelled to Australia 'with nothing' has built up a property portfolio worth $10million after opening a Domino's store - and launching a surprising product.

Sydney man Trung Vien was working as a financial planner at a bank when he decided to quit and begin his own business venture when he was 24 years old.

He said his remarkable work ethic comes from his parents, who came to Australia from Vietnam flat broke and struggling to provide for the family.

Sydney man Trung Vien (pictured left with a friend) was working as a financial planner at a bank when he decided to quit and begin his own business venture when he was 24 years old

Despite knowing nothing about business, he opened a Domino's Pizza store at 24 years old purely because he liked the brand and the franchise model

'My parents came to Australia from Vietnam after the war with basically nothing  not a word of English and no experience or qualifications,' he told news.com.au.

Despite knowing nothing about business, he opened a Domino's Pizza store, only because he liked the brand and the franchise model.

Mr Vien now says it's the best decision he has ever made.

'My parents said, "you can't go into business, you have to go to uni and work a corporate job and be safe", but I didn't tell them that in my first year I made more than double the amount I had made at the bank,' he said.

At the time Mr Vien already had multiple investment properties under his belt as the result of being a conscientious saver.

He had also built up his savings from the high-paying financial planning job and was building up a property portfolio in Sydney and Brisbane.

In 2013 Mr Vien ventured out on another business journey, opening up a gym in Cabramatta, in Sydney's south-west.

But at 27 the businessman found himself 'up to his eyeballs' in rent as the property market in Brisbane was slowing down.

In June Mr Vien took to Instagram to talk about this moment in his life and said putting in more hours is not the answer to success.

'Being a restaurant owner, and owning multiple retail business.... I lost myself,' he wrote.

'I lost time with my family. I didnt see my friends for years. My relationship broke down and we were living together. It felt like I was trapped in a prison.'

His work ethic comes from his parents, who came to Australia from Vietnam with nothing and struggled to provide for the family

'Some nights I was so mentally and physically drained I would sleep in my car for the next day to magically appear.'

While he said he was never close to being bankrupt, he was in debt more than a million dollars.

'Instead of trading time for dollars. Trade dollars for time. Invest in yourself to elevate your mind,' he said.

Mr Vien chose to sell off some homes and businesses and is now left with 14 properties across Sydney and Brisbane worth $10million.

At this point Mr Vien took a break to travel through Asia before returning home with the itch to start a brand new business.

He noticed some of his friends were suffering with hair loss as a result of high stress due to work or beginning a family.

He poured hours of his time into researching hair loss and how to treat it, eventually launching Hair Folli in March this year

'I thought, you know what, there must be a good solution to this problem and seeing my friends are facing it, it must be happening everywhere,' Mr Vien said.

He poured hours of his time into researching hair loss and how to treat it, eventually launching Hair Folli in March this year.

The hair company uses superfood Kakadu Plum in the growth activator spray to make hair thicker and grow quickly.

The successful business man says this is now his passion project and saw the company boom when the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe.

By keeping the company online Mr Vien managed to keep costs to a minimum and launched primarily into the Asian market.

While retail businesses are suffering by paying thousands in rent, Hair Folli is hugely successful because of the 'low overheads'.
Morgan County Health Department soon will have a center dedicated to contract tracing and COVID-19 response

A grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health will fund the endeavor.

A space has been rented to house contact tracers and the center is in the process of being established, said Dale Bainter, Morgan County Health Department administrator.

It will be semi-autonomous from the health department and will do a majority of the contact tracing and a COVID response, Bainter said.

To start, the center will be staffed by five new tracers, in addition to those already on staff. Staff size will expand as the need grows, Bainter said.

Those at the center will work with the health department and report to Bainter, and health department staff will continue to be cross-trained to do contact tracing.

Well start with upwards of five and itll be scale-able to a larger number as our positive case numbers grow, Bainter said.

Services related to the COVID-19 pandemic are provided every day, Bainter said, noting that the center will allow that to continue while taking some burden off of health department staff.

Weve been trying to operate seven days a week with our existing staff, Bainter said. As our numbers grow, well need more staff, more people to help with tracing.

In addition to housing the contact tracers, the center also will handle additional COVID-19 testing, he said.

Itll provide some supplemental testing in the community so testing is readily available, he said.

The grant from the state health department will help cover the infrastructure needed to outfit the building for the tracers, including computers, telecommunications other costs linked to the additional staff.

The biggest challenge has been establishing infrastructure for the building, Bainter said. While a date for the centers opening hasnt been established, in the meantime, COVID-19-related services remain available through the health department, Bainter said.

We want to have services more available to our community, he said. The goal is to have services seven days a week.
Robert Trump (L) joins real estate developer and presidential hopeful Donald Trump at an event in New York, N.Y., on Nov. 3, 1999. (Diane Bonadreff/AP Photo)

Joe Biden Sends Condolences to President Trump After Brothers Death

Former Vice President Joe Biden sent his condolences to President Donald Trump after his brothers death on Saturday night.

Trump confirmed that his brother, Robert Trump, died at age 71 in New York. The cause of death was not clear, but it was reported that he was ill.

Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, expressed sadness for Trumps loss in a Twitter post on Sunday.

Mr. President, Jill and I are sad to learn of your younger brother Roberts passing. I know the tremendous pain of losing a loved oneand I know how important family is in moments like these. I hope you know that our prayers are with you all, Biden said.

Bidens first wife, Neilia, and their 13-month-old daughter, Naomi, died in a car crash in 1972, while his son, Beau, died of brain cancer at age 46 in 2015.

President Donald Trump arrives at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center to visit his sick brother Robert Trump in New York, N.Y., on Aug. 14, 2020. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)

Republican president-elect Donald Trump (R) hugs his brother Robert Trump after delivering his acceptance speech at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City in the early morning hours of Nov. 9, 2016. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Bidens running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), also wrote: Doug and I join the Biden family in sending our deepest condolences and prayers to the entire Trump family during this difficult time. Losing a loved one is never easy but know that we are thinking of you.

The White House confirmed Robert Trumps death on Saturday evening.

It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight, the statement said. He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace.

Robert Trump had been admitted to New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. The president visited the hospital on Friday afternoon.

I have a wonderful brother. We have a great relationship for a long time, from day one, so long time ago. And hes in the hospital right now, Trump said Friday when he was asked. Hopefully hell be alright, but heshes prettyhes having a hard time, he added.

Robert Trump also recently served as an executive vice president of the Trump Organization. The president has four siblings.
Frustrated Ohioans chanted Do something! when Gov. Mike DeWine appeared at a Dayton vigil after last Augusts mass murder in the citys Oregon District.

Before police shot and killed the gunman, 24-year-old Connor Betts had killed nine people, including his sister, and wounded 17. Police estimated Betts fired 41 rounds in fewer than 30 seconds, using a .223 rifle with a drum magazine containing 100 rounds of ammunition. They said Betts legally bought the gun online and picked it up from a Dayton-area dealer.
Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

Express News Service

PATNA: In a sudden political development, the ruling JDU in Bihar expelled senior leader and industries minister Shyam Rajak on Sunday evening amid speculations of him joining the RJD on Monday after resigning as an MLA.

State unit president of JDU Vashistha Narayan Singh expelled Rajak following directions of CM Nitish Kumar. Later, Nitish recommended the removal of Rajak from his cabinet post to governor Phagu Chauhan which was accepted by the latter.

Rajak had joined the JDU in 2009 after deserting the RJD. The entire political corridors of Patna on Sunday was on the edge with a speculation of Rajak joining RJD on Monday after tendering his resignation to the Speaker of Assembly.

Rajak was also said to be a close confident of Lalu Prasad Yadav when he was in the RJD and continued in his ministry. He is the sitting MLA from Phuwarisharif in Patna and is again aspiring to contest from there in 2020 Assembly polls.

However, Rajak has rued that he was expelled without a showcause notice served to him. He told the media that JDU has not followed its own constitution.

The RJD expelled its three legislators  Prema Choudhary (Patepur), Maheshwar Prasad Yadav (Gaighat) and Faraz Fatmi (Keoti)  for their involvement in anti-party activities. The three MLAs have expelled for next six years, RJD general secretary Alok Mehta said at a hurriedly called media briefing.
By William Schwartz | Published on 2020/08/15

Mi-yeong (played by Uhm Jung-hwa) is a middle-aged housewife who sells traditional baked goods at the open-air market in Yeongcheon. Even though "OK! MADAM" opens up with a somewhat perplexing North Korean involved spy action scene, the movie is oddly coy about Mi-yeong's actual identity. So it is that as "OK! MADAM" moves on to having Mi-yeong and her family getting on a plane and becoming involved with a hijacking, the movie begins a sequence of generally meaningless plot twists.

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The main reason the plot twists in "OK! MADAM" feel so pointless is that the main plot itself is awfully poorly defined. I could never really get a good handle on what the plane hijacking was intended to accomplish. It doesn't help that several jokes involve other passengers on the plane also not understanding what the plane hijacking was intended to accomplish. The story's just very confusing all around, typically impeding the jokes more than enhancing them.

Most of the characters here feel like they're sourced from completely different movies. At times even two aspects of the same character feel sourced from completely different movies, because there's just no consistency. One scene we're getting low-brow jokes about the family nearly being late for their own vacation since they took the bus rather than the taxi. Then in the next scene Mi-yeong shows shocking hypercompetency at catching some fallen snacks. Then we're stuck with an extended scene of aggressive toilet humor. Then there's some brutal terrorist action.

"OK! MADAM" could have made this work if the movie were played like a farce. A politician played by Kim Byung-ok briefly reminded me of a similar self-important character in the classic train action comedy "Break Out" yet his character has no real presence beyond a couple of fairly weak one-off jokes. Which I can say for most of the passengers really. They have distinct traits while lacking interaction or payoff. Director Lee Cheol-ha acts like their personalities alone are good for a laugh but they just aren't.

What really makes this frustrating is that the few times we do get interaction, the jokes are quite good. There's one great bit where Mi-yeong's daughter Na-ri (played by Jung Soo-bin) has to tell a ridiculous lie because the little girl's smart enough to realize she's a potential hostage. This scene works because the only way the generally preposterous situation could organically come up is by having a large number of radically different characters and motivations collide in such a way that the lie can be plausible counterintuitively by being absurd.

Such solid deliveries are unfortunately the exception rather than rule as most of "OK! MADAM" just misses the mark. A potentially funny Kim Nam-gil cameo, for example, is wasted because we only find out he's in the movie at the last minute. By withholding so much information, writer Shin Hyun-sung weakens his own punchlines while needlessly dragging out set-ups that never really go anywhere. "OK! MADAM" is tiring more than anything else, and a big disappointment.

Review by William Schwartz

___________

"OK! MADAM" is directed by Lee Cheol-ha, and features Uhm Jung-hwa, Park Sung-woong, Lee Sang-yoon, Bae Jung-nam, Lee Sun-bin, Jung Soo-bin. Release date in Korea: 2020/08/12.
By Heather Boushey and Cecilia Rouse

Federal pandemic-related unemployment relief expired last month and congressional negotiations on whether and how to extend enhanced unemployment insurance and other CARES Act programs have broken down. The presidents executive actions are inadequate and unworkable, and so millions of American families have been pushed into financial ruin during this unprecedented health and economic disaster.

How could we have avoided this tragic result? By putting in place stronger programs that trigger automatically to help stabilize the economy and support workers and families, ones that stay in place as long as theyre needed. Then, well never need to wait for Congress to muster the will to pass economic relief again.

The United States already has a system of so-called automatic stabilizers  programs such as unemployment insurance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and Medicaid  where spending increases automatically in a recession and decreases when the economy recovers. Our income tax system is also an automatic stabilizer, reducing tax burdens as incomes fall and ratcheting them up as incomes increase. Taken together, this system is supposed to support households struggling to survive, and in turn enable them to support the economy through their spending.

But the way they currently operate, our existing programs are not up to the task. Compared with our peer countries, the U.S. has one of the least effective automatic stabilization systems, which has been made painfully clear by both the current crisis and the Great Recession before it.

Unemployment insurance, for example, provides assistance during normal economic times with benefits that provide relief during a job search. But neither the wage replacement rate nor the duration of benefits is sufficient to support workers through the longer and more challenging spells of unemployment common during recessions. During recessions, we must still depend on Congress to act swiftly and decisively to strengthen and extend benefits.

Yet, as were seeing now, swiftly and decisively are words too-rarely associated with Congress. We need to boost the benefits provided by automatic stabilizers, so now and in future recessions, the increases will kick in at the first signs of trouble.

To be clear, we are not advocating for indefinite spending. Fiscal support would be tied to specific economic indicators, such as the unemployment rate. It would trigger when unemployment reaches a set level, and when it falls to a level consistent with recovery, the additional spending would gradually stop. History suggests that we cannot rely on Congress to act soon enough and or to reauthorize necessary relief to American families, so this must be automated.

Take the current crisis. Neither economists nor members of Congress can know when relief will no longer be needed. Most importantly, the path of the virus and the public health response will shape the nations recovery. Rather than set an arbitrary end date for fiscal relief based on the political calendar or a self-imposed, short-term spending cap, defer to economic data and facts.

Whether its aid to state and local governments through federal Medicaid, public health, and education spending; to employers who keep their workers paid through CARES Act programs; or to families through unemployment insurance, SNAP, and other safety net programs, the money must continue to flow as long as necessaryand automatically shut off when its not.

Of course, theres the inevitable question of cost. But automatic stabilizers will cost far less than inadequate action, and because they are calibrated to the economic need, theres no risk of overshooting. And any additional debt created by this spending would be dwarfed by the eventual debt not to mention the human suffering  caused by inaction. Thats because workers spend the financial support associated with automatic stabilizers on food, rent, clothing and other necessities, generating a virtuous cycle of economic activity and preventing the economy from shrinking even further. The Congressional Budget Office already estimates the economy will experience a nominal output gap of nearly $16 trillion over the next decade. If we allow this gap to grow now, the path to recovery will be even slower.

In mid-June, joined by more than 150 of our fellow economists, we urged Congress to pass a major new relief bill. The time to advance such a bill has now passed; indeed, for many Americans, whatever Congress does this month or nexteven if applied retroactivelywill not prevent a major disruption in unemployment benefits, cuts that will negatively reverberate throughout the economy. Why does it need to be this way, with the economy and peoples lives continuously left at Congresss mercy? The solution is simple: automate the recovery plan.

Heather Boushey is president & CEO of the Washington Center for Equitable Growth.

Cecilia Rouse is dean of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs and the Lawrence and Shirley Katzman and Lewis and Anna Ernst Professor in the Economics of Education.
More than 10,000 Thai protesters chanting "down with dictatorship" and "the country belongs to the people" rallied in Bangkok on Sunday in by far the biggest anti-government demonstration since a 2014 coup.

There were cheers for student calls to curb the monarchy's powers - once a taboo subject - as well as demands for the departure of former junta leader Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a new constitution and an end to the harassment of opposition activists.

Students have led protests almost daily for the past month, but Sunday's demonstration drew a broader crowd in the Southeast Asian country, which has experienced decades of protests punctuated by military coups.

"We want a new election and a new parliament from the people," student activist Patsalawalee Tanakitwiboonpon, 24, told the crowd. Lastly, our dream is to have a monarchy which is truly under the constitution.

Organisers of the Free People movement and police said there were over 10,000 people at the protest.

The prime minister sends his concern to officials and protesters to avoid violence," Traisulee Traisoranakul, a government spokeswoman, told reporters. She said Prayuth had also ordered the cabinet to take steps to build understanding between generations.

There was no immediate comment from the Royal Palace.

Prayuth won elections last year that the opposition says were held under rules to ensure that he kept power. The most vocal opposition party was subsequently banned.

Anger has further been fuelled by accusations of corruption, the arrest of some student leaders over earlier protests and the economic fallout from the coronavirus epidemic.

We are seeing a shift in strategy of the youth-led movement becoming more inclusive," said Titipol Phakdeewanich, dean of political science at Ubon Ratchathani University, citing their emphasis on the economy as well as politics.

Some student groups have also presented 10 reforms they seek to the monarchy of King Maha Vajiralongkorn - including curbing his powers over the constitution, the royal fortune and the armed forces.

Story continues

'Down with feudalism'

Down with feudalism, long live the people," protesters chanted. "We will no longer be dust for anyone."

Thailand's lese majeste law sets a penalty of up to 15 years for criticising the monarchy, but Prayuth has said the king requested that it not be used for now.

As the anti-government protest got underway, several dozen royalists also held a demonstration, waving national flags and holding up gold-framed portraits of the king and other royals.

"I don't care if they protest against the government but they cannot touch the monarchy," said Sumet Trakulwoonnoo, a leader of the royalist group, Coordination Center of Vocational Students for the Protection of National Institutions (CVPI).

Critics accuse the monarchy of helping extend the army's hold on politics in Thailand, where there have been 13 successful coups since the end of absolute royal rule in 1932.

Before the 2014 coup, Bangkok was roiled by more than a decade of often violent clashes between yellow shirt royalist protesters and rival red shirts loyal to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The new wave of protests has not been violent so far.

"I am old now and can never achieve my goal," said former red shirt protester Ueng Poontawee, 62. "Now there are new faces. I am very happy they came out.

After the more than nine-hour protest dispersed, a group of the activists marched to a nearby police station to challenge officers to arrest them if there were warrants against them on charges of organising previous protests.

The police did not arrest anyone and the activists then left. Police made no comment to media.

Three student leaders have been charged over accusations of breaching restrictions in organising previous protests. They have been released on bail, but police say arrest warrants have been issued for a further 12 protest leaders while others are under investigation.

(REUTERS)
Mogadishu: Militants stormed a high-end seaside hotel in Mogadishu on Sunday, Monday AEST, killing at least seven people and wounding more than 20 as they detonated a car bomb then opened fire with assault rifles.

Islamist insurgent group al-Shabaab said it was behind the assault on the Elite Hotel in Lido beach in the Somali capital, and that its gunmen battled security forces who rushed to the scene.

Medical workers and other Somalis help a woman, who was wounded when a powerful car bomb blew off the security gates to the Elite Hotel, as she arrives at a hospital in Mogadishu. Credit:AP

At about midnight, after a four-hour stand-off, state news agency SONNA said the operation was over and that 205 people had been rescued, "including ministers, lawmakers and civilians," citing Farhan Qarole, a security forces commander at the hotel.

"All the four militants armed with AK-47 were shot dead. They were aboard the car bomb, they got off ... and the four militants went in the hotel to fight," SONNA said, adding that full details of casualties would be given later.
The Jain festival of Paryushana is currently taking place.

Jainism is an ancient Indian religion, one of its defining principles being a commitment to non-violence.

The annual commemoration is regarded as the most holy event of the year for Jains, as those who observe it fast, reflect on the past year and repent for any wrongdoings they may have committed.

Here is everything you need to know.

When is Paryushana this year?

This year Paryushana is taking place from Saturday 15 August until Saturday 22 August.

The festival is commemorated across India in the month of Bhadrapada on the Hindu calendar, which falls between August and September on the Gregorian calendar every year.

How long is it observed for?

There are two major sects in Jainism: the Digambara (meaning sky-clad in Sanksrit) and the Svetambara (meaning white-clad). Monks in the Digambara sect do not wear clothes, while monks in the Svetambara sect wear white clothing, hence their names.

Jains in the Svetambara sect observe Paryushana for eight days, while Jains in the Digambara sect commemorate the holy festival for 10 days.

Furthermore, Jains in the Digambara sect refer to the festival as Das Lakshana, while Jains in the Svetambara sect refer to it as Paryushana, explains the Jaina Education Committee.

During these eight or ten days, the entire Jain community becomes engrossed in spiritual and religious activities, the committee states.

In pictures: Millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrate Diwali illuminating the night sky with fireworks and lanterns Show all 14 1 /14 In pictures: Millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrate Diwali illuminating the night sky with fireworks and lanterns In pictures: Millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrate Diwali illuminating the night sky with fireworks and lanterns dwlbelgrave.jpg Getty Images In pictures: Millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrate Diwali illuminating the night sky with fireworks and lanterns dwlborder.jpg Reuters In pictures: Millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrate Diwali illuminating the night sky with fireworks and lanterns dwlbusinessmen.jpg Reuters In pictures: Millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrate Diwali illuminating the night sky with fireworks and lanterns dwlchildren.jpg Getty Images In pictures: Millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrate Diwali illuminating the night sky with fireworks and lanterns dwlgoldentemple.jpg AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrate Diwali illuminating the night sky with fireworks and lanterns dwlgoldentemple2.jpg AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrate Diwali illuminating the night sky with fireworks and lanterns dwljammufirework.jpg AP In pictures: Millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrate Diwali illuminating the night sky with fireworks and lanterns dwllantern.jpg Getty Images In pictures: Millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrate Diwali illuminating the night sky with fireworks and lanterns dwlmumbai.jpg AP In pictures: Millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrate Diwali illuminating the night sky with fireworks and lanterns dwlpeacesymbol.jpg Reuters In pictures: Millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrate Diwali illuminating the night sky with fireworks and lanterns dwlrajasthan.jpg AP In pictures: Millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrate Diwali illuminating the night sky with fireworks and lanterns dwlsangamlamps.jpg AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrate Diwali illuminating the night sky with fireworks and lanterns dwlwatford.jpg Getty Images In pictures: Millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrate Diwali illuminating the night sky with fireworks and lanterns dwlrangoli.jpg Reuters

What is the significance of the festival and how is it observed?

Paryushana, which means abiding or coming together, is a festival of forgiveness, with those who observe it taking the time to reflect and repent.

Those who take part traditionally go to temples and impose restrictions on themselves, such as through the act of fasting.

The festival is marked by strict observance of the 10 cardinal virtues, the Federation of Jain Associations in North America states.

These are: forgiveness, charity, simplicity, contentment, truthfulness, self-restraint, fasting, detachment, humility and continence, the organisation outlines.

A Jain is supposed to spend the time focusing inward on their own soul, reflecting on their habits and actions, and affirming their commitments to Jain principles, states the Young Jains of America.

The final day of the festival, which is known as Samvatsari, involves worshippers making a confession for the sins they have committed during the previous year. The confession is called Samvatsari Pratikramana.

During the Pratakraman, we repent or ask for forgiveness for various deeds where we might have done wrong. It also reminds us of what is right and what is wrong, so we can attempt to prevent those things from happening again in future, it states in an article published by the Federation of Jaina.
Georgia Ngo is spending a chunk of her lockdown talking to strangers. This is not an easy thing to do when everyone is staying at home, but the medical student is part of a volunteer network providing those doing it tough with someone to talk to on the other end of a phone.

As part of the Conversation in Isolation program, Miss Ngo talks to a diverse range of people including aged care home residents, international students struggling to make friends in a city bound by curfews and lockdowns, and people in their 20s and 30s.

Medical student Georgia Ngo is providing support for people experiencing loneliness over the coronavirus lockdown with a program called Conversation in Isolation Credit:Joe Armao

Check-in calls will range from discussing the coronavirus to venting about ones day, and Netflix recommendations.

"We dont often get to stop just to hear about someones day," she said. "Its been very nice to learn how to have those conversations."
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 23:16:48|Editor: huaxia

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WUHAN, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- A new, scheduled air cargo route linking Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province and U.S. cities of Dallas and Los Angeles, was launched on Sunday.

An all-cargo flight carrying 110 tonnes of exported auto parts and electronic products took off at Wuhan Tianhe International Airport at 12:05 p.m. Sunday for Dallas.

It is the third regular, intercontinental air cargo route opened by the airport, and the only all-cargo flight to Dallas in China. After arriving in Dallas, the aircraft will continue to fly to Los Angeles.

Using a Boeing 747 freighter, three flights are scheduled to operate every week. The exported cargos, mainly consisting of electronic products, mechanical components and cross-border e-commerce commodities, are expected to be transported to major U.S. cities.

The opening of the route will further enhance the airport's port functions, support Wuhan in building an air logistics hub as well as attract the global electronics industry to the city, according to the Hubei Airports Group.

By the end of July, the Wuhan Tianhe International Airport had operated international air freight lines linking 30 destinations overseas, including Liege, Chicago, Manila and Singapore. Enditem
"I'm fascinated with life, and that's why I want to break it."

This is how Betul Kacar, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona with appointments in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Department of Astronomy and the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, describes her research. What may sound callous is a legitimate scientific approach in astrobiology. Known as ancestral sequencing, the idea is to "resurrect" genetic sequences from the dawn of life, put them to work in the cellular pathways of modern microbes - think Jurassic Park but with extinct genes in place of dinosaurs, and study how the organism copes.

In a recent paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Kacar's research team reports an unexpected discovery: Evolution, it seems, is not very good at multitasking.

Kacar uses ancestral sequencing to find out what makes life tick and how organisms are shaped by evolutionary selection pressure. The insights gained may, in turn, offer clues as to what it takes for organic precursor molecules to give rise to life - be it on Earth or faraway worlds. In her lab, Kacar specializes in designing molecules that act like tiny invisible wrenches, wreaking havoc with the delicate cellular machinery that allows organisms to eat, move and multiply - in short, to live.

Kacar has focused her attention on the translation machinery, a labyrinthine molecular clockwork that translates the information encoded in the bacteria's DNA into proteins. All organisms - from microbes to algae to trees to humans - possess this piece of machinery in their cells.

We approximate everything about the past based on what we have today. All life needs a coding system - something that takes information and turns it into molecules that can perform tasks - and the translational machinery does just that. It creates life's alphabet. That's why we think of it as a fossil that has remained largely unchanged, at least at its core. If we ever find life elsewhere, you bet that the first thing we'll look at is its information processing systems, and the translational machinery is just that." Betul Kacar, Assistant Professor, University of Arizona

So critical is the translational machinery to life on Earth that even over the course of more than 3.5 billion years of evolution, its parts have undergone little substantial change. Scientists have referred to it as "an evolutionary accident frozen in time."

"I guess I tend to mess with things I'm not supposed to," Kacar said. "Locked in time? Let's unlock it. Breaking it would lead the cell to destruction? Let's break it."

The researchers took six different strains of Escherichia coli bacteria and genetically engineered the cells with mutated components of their translational machinery. They targeted the step that feeds the unit with genetic information by swapping the shuttle protein with evolutionary cousins taken from other microbes, including a reconstructed ancestor from about 700 million years ago.

"We get into the heart of the heart of what we think is one of the earliest machineries of life," Kacar said. "We purposely break it a little, and a lot, to see how the cells deal with this problem. In doing this, we think we create an urgent problem for the cell, and it will fix that."

Next, the team mimicked evolution by having the manipulated bacterial strains compete with each other - like a microbial version of "The Hunger Games." A thousand generations later, some strains fared better than others, as was expected. But when Kacar's team analyzed exactly how the bacteria responded to perturbations in their translational components, they discovered something unexpected: Initially, natural selection improved the compromised translational machinery, but its focus shifted away to other cellular modules before the machinery's performance was fully restored.

To find out why, Kacar enlisted Sandeep Venkataram, a population genetics expert at the University of California, San Diego.

Venkataram likens the process to a game of whack-a-mole, with each mole representing a cellular module. Whenever a module experiences a mutation, it pops up. The hammer smashing it back down is the action of natural selection. Mutations are randomly spread across all modules, so that all moles pop up randomly.

"We expected that the hammer of natural selection also comes down randomly, but that is not what we found," he said. "Rather, it does not act randomly but has a strong bias, favoring those mutations that provide the largest fitness advantage while it smashes down other less beneficial mutations, even though they also provide a benefit to the organism."

In other words, evolution is not a multitasker when it comes to fixing problems.

"It seems that evolution is myopic," Venkataram said. "It focuses on the most immediate problem, puts a Band-Aid on and then it moves on to the next problem, without thoroughly finishing the problem it was working on before."

"It turns out the cells do fix their problems but not in the way we might fix them," Kacar added. "In a way, it's a bit like organizing a delivery truck as it drives down a bumpy road. You can stack and organize only so many boxes at a time before they inevitably get jumbled around. You never really get the chance to make any large, orderly arrangement."

Why natural selection acts in this way remains to be studied, but what the research showed is that, overall, the process results in what the authors call "evolutionary stalling" - while evolution is busy fixing one problem, it does at the expense of all other issues that need fixing. They conclude that at least in rapidly evolving populations, such as bacteria, adaptation in some modules would stall despite the availability of beneficial mutations. This results in a situation in which organisms can never reach a fully optimized state.

"The system has to be capable of being less than optimal so that evolution has something to act on in the face of disturbance - in other words, there needs to be room for improvement," Kacar said.

Kacar believes this feature of evolution may be a signature of any self-organizing system, and she suspects that this principle has counterparts at all levels of biological hierarchy, going back to life's beginnings, possibly even to prebiotic times when life had not yet materialized.

With continued funding from the John Templeton Foundation and NASA, the research group is now working on using ancestral sequencing to go back even further in time, Kacar said.

"We want to strip things down even more and create systems that start out as what we would consider pre-life and then transition into what we consider life."
Two children, aged 13 and 11 years, suffered burns on Saturday when they came in contact with a high-tension wire while trying to disentangle a stuck kite in outer Delhis Nihal Vihar.

The 13-year-old boy suffered 92% burns and is fighting for his life at Safdarjung Hospital. The other boy sustained eight percent burns and is undergoing treatment at the same hospital, police said.

A senior police officer, who did not want to be named, said that the two children were collecting kites outside their home in Laxmi Nagar, near Nihal Vihar, on Saturday morning. Around 11am, the boys saw a kite falling and ran to grab it. The kite got stuck in a high-tension wire and its string was dangling down, the officer said.

The 13-year-old boy tried to pull the kite using its string, causing him to get electrocuted and his body catching fire. The other boy who was standing behind him also suffered an electric shock and was thrown at a distance He also suffered burns, the officer said, adding that many locals witnessed the incident and called the police.

A police team immediately reached the incident spot and rushed the two injured children to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital, from where they were later shifted to Safdarjung Hospital. A case of disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant and causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others was registered under Sections 188 and 337 of Indian Penal Code against unknown persons at the Nihal Vihar police station.

We checked the kite string and found some traces of metal on it. Prime facie, it appears that the presence of metal on the string may have led to the electrocution. We will seek assistance from forensic and electrical experts to ascertain the cause of electrocution, the officer added.

The father of one of the children is driver by profession while others father work in a private company, the police said.
Algiers, 15 August 2020 (SPS) - Sahrawi Ambassador to Algeria, Abdelkader Taleb Omar, praised on Wednesday the efforts of Algeria, leadership, people and political class, in favor of the Sahrawi cause and the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination.



During the audience granted to him by the Secretary General of the National Democratic Rally (RND), Tayeb Zitouni, the Sahrawi ambassador said he "informed the party leadership of the latest developments in the Sahrawi cause which is beginning a decisive turning point."



This meeting stems from "our conviction that the partisan and popular support and rejection, loud and clear, of the policies that the Moroccan regime is trying to impose must be translated into programs and plans of support" to the cause, stressed the Sahrawi diplomat.



Taleb Omar welcomed the "understanding" and "support" he perceived in the leadership of the party, which he described as "friend of the cause ( ) with a certain experience in solidarity with the Saharawi people."



On the sidelines of the meeting, the Sahrawi diplomat said that "the Polisario Front will work to intensify actions of solidarity with the entire political class and civil society, so that the voice of the cause remains audible".



According to him, "it is necessary to draw inspiration from partisan experiences, especially in the field of political training and parliamentary diplomacy."



This requires, adds the Sahrawi diplomat, "more coordination with the Algerian political class," recalling that he "has made contact with several formations with a view to scheduling other meetings.



The member of the national secretariat of the Polisario Front said he was satisfied "with the national consensus in Algeria around the support of the Sahrawi cause."



The Sahrawi cause "which is at a decisive turning point, is facing the obstacles of the Moroccan regime and its attempts to change the status of the territory, which must enjoy its right to self-determination, in order to appropriate it," he lamented. (SPS)



062/SPS/700
Actor Anupam Kher, commenting on his MS Dhoni: The Untold Story co-star Sushant Singh Rajputs death, has said that the young actor wasnt someone who would let depression overrun his life. In an interview to Times Now, the actor also recalled Sushants interest in Hollywood, and how he would ask him questions about the foreign film industry.

He said, I was surprised to learn about Sushant Singh Rajputs alleged suicide. As an individual, fellow actor its very important to find out what actually happened so that his family and fans get a sense of closure. A middle-class boys dreams have been dashed. He said that while anyone can experience loneliness, Sushant was certainly not a person who would let depression overrule his life.

Recalling a conversation he had with Sushant on the sets of MS Dhoni, he said, I used to let him be himself, because it was a very difficult role for him. I remember I went for a walk late at night, and he was constantly talking about what he wanted to do. He used to ask me how I started working abroad, in films like Bend it Like Beckham, and how I dealt with the difficulty of speaking in English. I still remember that night. He kept asking me the difference between working in Hollywood and Bollywood.

The actor stressed on the importance of a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into Sushants death. He said, It is important to speak out about the lapses in the investigation because today Sushant died but tomorrow it can be any one of us.

Also read: Anupam Kher defends Mahesh Bhatt against Sushant Singh Rajput accusations, says I am not blind, but I will not say anything

Sushant died by suicide on June 14, and according to the Mumbai Police was being treated for depression. His father has filed an FIR against the actors girlfriend, Rhea Chakraborty, accusing her of abetment, among other allegations.

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

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Frederic Vasseur has confirmed that Alfa Romeo staff will need to go into strict quarantine after Sunday's Spanish GP.

While the rest of the sport looks forward to a weekend off following another gruelling 'corona triple header', a less exciting adventure lies ahead for F1's Swiss-based team.

Earlier, team manager Beat Zehnder confirmed that because the Swiss government has deemed Barcelona a corona hotspot, all travellers returning to Switzerland must go into lockdown.

"We'll probably have to stay in Spain for a couple of months," team boss Vasseur joked on Saturday.

"Catalonia has been blacklisted by the Swiss health department, so we need to make a special request for some flexibility so that the team can work somehow.

"At the very least, we need to prepare the cars for Spa. We are having to contact eight different jurisdictions in Switzerland but we will do that.

"Some solution will be found, because we need to prepare for the race in Spa," he added.

Vasseur said the situation is hard on Alfa Romeo as a whole, but he feels the most for the hard-working team members.

"Of course it's not easy for our guys," he said. "Now they are working for the third weekend in a row, then they will have to spend a week in quarantine, then they have to work on the next series of three races in a row.

"But there is nothing to be done about it - this is the situation," Vasseur insisted. "We need to think more about racing than quarantine."

(GMM)
A Seattle police officer appeared to announce his resignation from the department because of ongoing Black Lives Matter protests in a viral video, telling an activist Im leaving, you guys won.

While the circumstances surrounding the video remain unclear, the officer, who is not named in the clip, is seen pulling up in a patrol vehicle next to a protester, winding down his window and appearing to sarcastically ask, hows your day going today bud?

When the activist responds not really, because youre around, the officer tells him he has some good news for him.

Im sorry for that. But just dont worry man, 'cause guess what? he says. Im leaving. You guys won. F***ing two months baby and Im out.

The person filming the exchange asks him to clarify that hes going to resign, to which the officer responds Im f***ing gone bro.

While the circumstances surrounding the video remain unclear, the officer, who is not named in the clip, is seen pulling up in a patrol vehicle next to a protester, winding down his window and appearing to sarcastically ask, hows your day going today bud?

The two men continue to exchange false pleasantries. When asked how he feels about stepping down, the officer says, Im feeling great. Im stepping down from this department. You guys won.

The officer is asked if he is stepping down because of police brutality, to which the officer says he isnt, rather hes handing in his badge because hes tried of dealing with Black Lives Matter protesters.

Their dialogue is momentarily interrupted when the officer becomes embroiled in a heated exchange of words with another protester who is out of frame.

Specifically what sparked the verbal altercation is unclear, but the officer blares his horn and speeds forward in his vehicle, before coming to an abrupt stop and leaning out his door, pointing a finger at that activist who remains off-camera.

While the officers attention is diverted elsewhere, the man filming the video calls out to others that this guy is resigning because of Black Lives Matter.

The officers then returns to his vehicle and speaks to the man filming once more, who proceeds to taunt the officer.

You triggered boy? You triggered, the man asks the cop. Oink, oink. F*** you and your blue life.

Amid the mans taunts, the officer adds one of his own telling the man he cant wait to finally be friends with him, once he quits Seattle PD.

Well never be friends, the protester angrily insists. We will never see eye-to-eye. I dont care if you take that badge off, youll never be one of my people.

Their dialogue is momentarily interrupted when the officer becomes embroiled in a heated exchange of words with another protester who is out of frame

Amid the mans taunts, the officer adds one of his own telling the man he cant wait to finally be friends with him, once he quits Seattle PD

The nature of how the officer and the activist came to know one another is not addressed in the clip, though a hostility between them is evident.

The Seattle Police Department has not yet returned a DailyMail.com request for comment on the clip.

Unrest has been rife in the city, with protests, vandalism and clashes with police occurring daily in the city ever since the Memorial Day police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

The undated video emerges just days after Seattles first black police chief, Carmen Best, announced shed be stepping down after the city council approved to defund the department and cut 100 cops from the force.

In a statement shared on social media late Monday night, Best wrote that she will officially step down from her post on September 2.

'This was a difficult decision for me but when it's time, it's time,' Best wrote, adding that she is 'confident the department will make it through these difficult times'.

You truly are the best police department in the country, and please trust me when I say, the vast majority of people in Seattle support you and appreciate you,' Best, who served within the department for more than 28 years, said.

'I am impressed daily at your skill, your compassion and your dedication. I look forward to seeing how this department moves forward through the process of re-envisioning public safety. I relish the work that will be done by all of you,' she added.

Mayor Jenny Durkan has appointed deputy chief Adrian Diaz to serve as interim police chief.

Seattle's chief of police, Carmen Best (pictured) announced her resignation just hours after the City Council approved proposals that would reduce the police department by as many as 100 officers

In a statement shared on social media late Monday night, Best wrote that she will officially step down from her post on September 2. 'This was a difficult decision for me but when it's time, it's time,' Best wrote

Earlier on Monday, only one council member, Kshama Sawant, voted against the budget package, saying it does not do enough to defund the police.

Seattle currently has about 1,400 police officers and the reductions fell short of the 50 per cent cut to the department that protesters demanded.

Measures that would cut less than $4million of the department's $400million annual budget this year passed out of committee unanimously last week.

The City Council also had cut Best's roughly $285,000 annual salary and the pay of other top police leaders, although the final cuts to Best's salary were significantly more modest than those approved last week.

The council plan also takes officers off a team that removes homeless camps.

Jason Johnson, the interim director of Seattle's Human Services Department, said in a letter last week that the move to defund the city's Navigation Team and redirect money to homeless outreach services will 'dramatically restrict the citys ability to address unauthorized encampments'.

'While we can't do everything in this summer rebalancing package, we have set the path forward for tremendous work in front of us as a council and as a city,' Councilwoman Teresa Mosqueda said.

The Seattle City Council approved proposals Monday that would reduce the police department by as many as 100 officers through layoffs and attrition

The action was one that was supported by demonstrators who have marched in the city following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis

The decision came just a day after thousands of pro-police supporters donned blue and American patriotic colors as they wrapped around city hall for a 'Back the Blue' rally

Durkan and Best had urged the council to slow down its discussions about police budgets, saying the issue could be taken up in earnest when the 2021 city budget is considered.

They also said any layoffs would disproportionately target newer officers, often hired from Black and brown communities, and would inevitably lead to lawsuits.

Jason Johnson, the interim director of Seattle's Human Services Department, said in a letter last week that the move to defund the city's Navigation Team and redirect money to homeless outreach services will 'dramatically restrict the citys ability to address unauthorized encampments'.

'While we can't do everything in this summer rebalancing package, we have set the path forward for tremendous work in front of us as a council and as a city,' Councilwoman Teresa Mosqueda said.

Durkan and Best had urged the council to slow down its discussions about police budgets, saying the issue could be taken up in earnest when the 2021 city budget is considered.

They also said any layoffs would disproportionately target newer officers, often hired from Black and brown communities, and would inevitably lead to lawsuits.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and his United Arab Emirates (UAE) counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan talked over the phone on Sunday, Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

"The two officials decided to establish a direct communication channel between them ahead of the signing of a normalization agreement between the two countries," it said, adding the two ministers agreed to meet "soon."

A statement issued by UAE's Foreign Ministry announced that a telephone service between Israel and the UAE will be inaugurated and would enable direct landline and cellular calls.

Last Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and U.S. President Donald Trump announced Israel and the UAE have agreed to normalize ties.

The Israel-UAE deal marks the first diplomatic ties between Israel and a Gulf country. The UAE is the third Arab country that has official relations with Israel.
CloudSmartz | Smarter Transformation This recognition is a reflection of the hard work and passion of our global delivery teams  and continued flexibility and dedication we have to our Communications Service Provider (CSP) clients around the world

Inc. magazine today revealed that CloudSmartz is No. 4,679 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. CloudSmartz provides a flexible on-demand platform & software integration services for Communications Service Providers to digitize their business  and enable the building blocks for future capabilities. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

Our teams are excited to be listed on the Inc. 5000 for the 5th consecutive year as we continue to drive innovation, enable automation, and enhance operational efficiencies to our clients, said Dan Wagner, CEO & Co-Founder of CloudSmartz. This recognition is a reflection of the hard work and passion of our global delivery teams  and continued flexibility and dedication we have to our Communications Service Provider (CSP) clients around the world.

Not only have the companies on the 2020 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists as well. The 2020 Inc. 5000 achieved an incredible three-year average growth of over 500 percent, and a median rate of 165 percent. The Inc. 5000s aggregate revenue was $209 billion in 2019, accounting for over 1 million jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are also being featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 18.

The companies on this years Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business, says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism.

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held virtually from October 23 to 27, 2020. As always, speakers will include some of the greatest innovators and business leaders of our generation.

About CloudSmartz

CloudSmartz helps transform forward-thinking Communications Service Providers (CSPs) into next-generation, on-demand, customer-centric service providers. CloudSmartz provides a flexible on-demand platform & software integration services for CSPs to digitize their business  with a focus on enhancing the customer experience, accelerating revenue generation, and total network automation. Gartner named CloudSmartz as a Cool Vendor in Communications Service Provider Business Operations, and have been awarded, Most Innovative Technology Provider & Innovations in Aggregation by Pipeline Magazine. As of 2020, Inc. 5000 named CloudSmartz one of America's Fastest Growing Privately-Held Companies for the fifth year in a row. For more information, please visit https://cloudsmartz.com.

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

The 2020 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com. For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 19:37:00|Editor: huaxia

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KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Three provincial officials were sacked for negligence over an assassination of a policewoman in northern Kunduz province, a provincial government spokesman said Sunday.

On Thursday, female police officer Chini Gul received showers of bullets in her body and died in front of her family members in an overnight attack by Taliban militants on her house in Police District 3 of provincial capital Kunduz city.

"Under the instruction of the Kunduz governor, the provincial police command fired two police officers, Abdul Sattar and Sayed Mansour Hashemi as well as a district intelligence chief who remained incompetent, despite being informed by the slain female policewoman about the militants' threat," spokesman Usmatullah Muradi told Xinhua.

The former officials were also referred to the justice office for more investigation, the spokesman added.

The provincial officials regarded the killing as a targeted attack by the Taliban militant group.

Civilians considered to be supporting the government, civilian government employees, religious leaders, tribal elders and persons involved in peace and reconciliation efforts have come under attack in targeted killings over the past years.

On Friday, Fawzia Koofi, a female member of a 21-member peace negotiating team and a former parliamentarian, received a gunshot wound on her arm after gunmen attacked her vehicle and tried to assassinate her in Shamali, a locality on northern outskirts of Afghanistan's capital Kabul. Enditem
Other areas of the state that have small areas of moderate to severe drought are southwest Nebraska and central Nebraska around the Tri-Cities area.

Shulski said the specific tracks of storms determine where rain has been falling, leading to "the haves and the have nots in terms of precipitation."

"What seems to be influencing where we receive precipitation this spring and summer has essentially been the pattern of upper air flow that drives the tracks of storms," she said in an email. "Storms fire up on the Front Range, building as they move eastward and result in precipitation that is tending to fall in the Sandhills."

A huge swath of the Sandhills, covering more than a dozen counties, has no signs of even abnormally dry conditions. Likewise, an area of southeast Nebraska, stretching from as far north and west as Polk County to the Kansas, Iowa and Missouri borders, is drought free.

Shulski noted that there have been some "pretty intense storm events" with high one-day rain totals in southeast Nebraska.
SANTA FE  The New Mexico Civil Rights Commission is now fully staffed after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Friday that she has appointed the final three members of the nine-member group.

The panel was created through legislation in June during a special session that focused on state budget shortfalls stemming from the coronavirus pandemic and lower oil prices. The session also included discussions about policing and racial inequity as protests raged after the death of Minneapolis resident George Floyd in police custody.

Under the legislation, the governor appoints three members and legislative officials appoint six.

Lujan Grishams appointees include retired state Supreme Court Justice Richard Bosson of Santa Fe; former Belen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez; and current 2nd Judicial District Chief Judge Stan Whitaker of Albuquerque, who oversees criminal cases.

Rodriguez sued his city after the mayor allegedly asked him to look the other way on infractions by officers, according to the Valencia County News-Bulletin.

Lujan Grisham said in June that the commission will set her policing reform agenda for the 2021 legislative session.

The panel has until Nov. 15 to issue a report that considers changes to qualified immunity provisions that protect police officers from civil lawsuits. It is also tasked with recommending laws that create a civil right of action for violations of state constitutional rights.

The bipartisan commission is required to be geographically and racially diverse.

Two of the governors appointees are Hispanic, and one is Black.

The Legislative Council appointed six members Wednesday: Gerald Byers, Kim Stewart and Denise Torres of Las Cruces; Zackeree Kelin and Mark Baker of Albuquerque and state Sen. Steve Neville, R-Aztec.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 16

By Elnur Baghishov  Trend:

As many as 2,133 people have been infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the past 24 hours in Iran, said Sima Sadat Lari, spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Trend reports citing the ministry.

According to Sadat Lari, 147 more people have died from the coronavirus over the past day.

Sadat Lari added that the condition of 3,881 people is critical.

The official said that Iran's Tehran, Mazandaran, Qom, East Azerbaijan, Ardabil, Isfahan, Alborz, Razavi Khorasan, North Khorasan, Semnan, Markazi, Yazd, Gilan, Golestan, and Kerman provinces are considered 'red' zones.

So far, more than 2.86 million tests have been conducted in Iran for the diagnosis of coronavirus.

Iran continues to monitor the coronavirus situation in the country. According to recent reports from the Iranian officials, over 343,200 people have been infected, and 19,639 people have already died. Meanwhile, over 297,400 have reportedly recovered from the disease.

The country continues to apply strict measures to contain the further spread. Reportedly, the disease was brought to Iran by a businessman from Iran's Qom city, who went on a business trip to China, despite official warnings. The man died later from the disease.

The Islamic Republic only announced its first infections and deaths from the coronavirus on Feb. 19.

The outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan - which is an international transport hub - began at a fish market in late December 2019.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11 declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Some sources claim the coronavirus outbreak started as early as November 2019.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A correspondent for InfoWars, the far-right website that peddles debunked conspiracy theories and fringe political commentary, was arrested on Friday at a house in Portage County after a grand jury handed up a secret indictment charging her with robbery and domestic violence, according to officials.

Portage County Jail staff on Saturday confirmed that Millicent Millie Weaver, 29, is being held on charges of robbery, tampering with evidence, obstructing justice and domestic violence. Her boyfriend, 45-year-old Gavin Wince, is also being held on the same charges.

Both are being held until a Monday morning arraignment hearing where a Common Pleas Court judge will set bond.

Calls to the Portage County Sheriffs Office seeking information about the charges were not returned.

Weaver broadcast a portion of her arrest on social media. A deputy can be heard in the video telling her that a grand jury indicted her as he asked dispatchers to send another car to an address on Yale Road in Diamond, where records show Wince owns a home.

Weaver said in the video that she had no idea why she was being arrested, and that she was about to break huge breaking news.

The video has been shared thousands of times and has kicked off a host of conspiracy theories about the reason behind her arrest.

Weaver, who also creates videos under the moniker Millennial Millie, released a trailer last week of a new video that she claims may be the biggest whistleblowing event to date. The video appears to include interviews between Weaver and two people who claim to have first-hand knowledge of a clandestine attempt by government officials to use psychological warfare and mind-control tactics to carry out a coup against President Donald Trump, an iteration of the often debunked conspiracy theories about a so-called deep state.

InfoWars was founded by Alex Jones, a gravel-voiced ex-radio host who is known for advancing false claims including that the 2012 school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut was a hoax, and that a Washington D.C. pizza restaurant was the headquarters of a massive underground child sex-trafficking ring.

Jones dedicated his Friday show to discussing Weavers arrest, claiming, without providing any evidence, that she was arrested for stealing government documents.

Weaver, a former aspiring actress, joined InfoWars in 2012 and has increased her national profile. Her YouTube channel has more than 423,000 subscribers. Her Instagram account includes photographs of her inside the White House earlier this year, claiming that she was invited by White House Staff to tour the West Wing. Another photograph shows her sitting alongside Jones, fellow InfoWars correspondent Kaitlyn Bennett, who is known as the Kent State gun girl, and political operative Roger Stone at a December 2018 congressional hearing featuring the CEO of Google.

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Health Minister Brad Hazzard has told senior colleagues that NSW Health officials have his unwavering support after they were held responsible for the Ruby Princess cruise ship debacle.

NSW Health was accused of serious, inexcusable and inexplicable mistakes in a report into the "mishap" involving 2647 passengers who disembarked the cruise ship in Sydney on March 19.

The Ruby Princess cruise ship in Circular Quay in March. Credit:Kate Geraghty

The report by Bret Walker, SC, from the Special Commission of Inquiry into Ruby Princess, was handed to the Berejiklian government on Friday afternoon, with sweeping criticisms of NSW Health.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Mr Hazzard will make a public statement addressing Mr Walker's report on Monday. A spokeswoman for Mr Hazzard said he would not comment on Sunday.
Evening Standard

Londoners working from home on a Monday are skipping exercise and feel more demotivated and stressed as a result, research has found. The introduction of Plan B restrictions last month saw most workers return to their homes, though Boris Johnson has been urged to scrap working from home guidance at the end of the month to boost Londons economic recovery. According to a study conducted by Fitness First, nearly half (45 per cent) of Londoners said that exercising on a Monday made them more productive.
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Linkedin (Reuters) London  Sun, August 16, 2020 17:07 521 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e747fa 2 World exam,United-Kingdom,Education,student Free

The British government was criticized by lawmakers in its own party on Sunday after a mounting row over English exam grades awarded during the pandemic intensified, in the latest hit to its reputation.

With a nationwide lockdown forcing exams to be cancelled, the government used an algorithm to assess grade predictions that had been made by teachers, and lowered those grades for almost 40 percent of students taking their main school-leaving exam.

The process led to thousands of students losing places at top universities. To compound the issue for the government, results shows that grades were less likely to be lowered for those students who attended fee-paying private schools.

On Saturday night the exams regulator published guidance on the appeals process, only to pull it hours later because it needed further review.

Robert Halfon, chairman of the cross-party education select committee in parliament and a lawmaker in Boris Johnson's ruling Conservative Party, described the situation as farcical.

"It sows confusion among pupils, head teachers and school teachers and it's the last thing we need at this time," he told the BBC.

Conservative lawmaker Robert Syms said the government needed to address the issue with a fair appeals process "or risk (Conservative) Tory MPs going on warpath".

Read also: State university entrance exams held with strict yet misguided health protocols in place

Johnson's government has been criticized for its handling of the pandemic, with the country recording the highest death toll in Europe, the most severe economic contraction of any major economy so far and multiple occasions where it has been slow to respond to events.

The opposition Labour Party said the incompetence was unacceptable.

While France published the methodology for how it would award grades months in advance of results day, Britain announced changes to the process the day before they were released. The issue is likely to surface again this week when grades for 16-year-old students are released on Thursday.

The government has said pupils would not have to pay to appeal grades and said most students will have received the correct results. Ofqual said some of the predicted grades given by teachers were "implausibly high".
Stop Americas Endless Kristallnacht Before It Destroys Our Country

Commentary

For those who have had an, alas, typical American education and are unfamiliar with Kristallnacht (Crystal Night), when Hitlers paramilitary Sturmabteilung (SA)literally Storm Detachmentbroke a lot more than windows on Nov. 9-10, 1938, heres just a few words of description from Wikipedia:

Jewish homes, hospitals, and schools were ransacked as attackers demolished buildings with sledgehammers. Rioters destroyed 267 synagogues throughout Germany, Austria, and the Sudetenland. Over 7,000 Jewish businesses were damaged or destroyed, and 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and incarcerated in concentration camps.

Though lasting but two days, what happened was horrifying. Then, as we know, it got worse. Unchecked, these things tend to.

America has been in its own version of Crystal Night for many months now, from broken windows to looting to destruction of myriad stores and other places of business, police stations, and government edifices, not to mention considerable physical harm to persons.

Although not yet of Nazi (i.e., National Socialist) proportions, its pretty bad and doesnt seem to be getting better.

For the most part, nothing is being done about it, especially on the state and municipal levels. As in Nazi Germany, its unchecked.

Furthermore, the U.S. populace, as it did in 1930s Germany, is becoming inured to the violence. A video from Aug. 14 of remarkably passive Seattle citizens looking on as Antifa wreaks havoc to their city says it all. (Its worth watching also for the confident bravura of the Antifa thugs and, it goes without saying, the absence of police.)

In other recent news reminiscent of Kristallnacht, the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago, where parents of hospitalized children stay, had its door smashed and windows broken by looters (if thats what they were) on Aug. 9, preventing a 2-year old with stage four cancer from leaving for his birthday.

Its hard to know how anyone would want to live in Chicago anymore.

Of course, these events and many others like them are barely being covered by our mainstream media. They dont fit their narrative. Omerta must rule before the election.

Reading this article, the MSM would be appalled (and therefore dismissive) to find their work compared to that of their peers in Berlin in those times. (Suggested reading: William Shirers Berlin Diary.) But, although history may not repeat exactly, it does, as they say, rhyme.

Our media friends should look up the Nach Hitler, unsafter Hitler, usappeasement movement of the German communist party at that time. Ill wager most of them have never heard of it. If they click on the link, theyll get an idea of what the result was.

These German people, too, thought of themselves as progressive, just as Antifa and Black Lives Matter claim to be. More exactly, they claim to be Marxists, at least the BLM leadership does. Antifa answers to anarchist or something.

In reality, they are the two most reactionary groups to have appeared in this country in some time, what Orwell would have called objectively pro-fascist. They do nothing for the working class (ironically, thats the police; theyre the real working class) or black people.

They ruin the lives of both, aided and abetted by the media and progressive elected officials who are among the most cowardly men and women in our country, refusing to support the basic safety of their citizens.

The nonstop character of this American Kristallnacht is gradually destroying our cities and, therefore, our country as we know it. Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to bring the rich back to New Yorkgood luck with thatwhile Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti watches people flee the Hollywood Hills and even Beverly Hills for safer outlying districts.

And those are the problems of the affluent. What about those who cant afford to move? They are stuck dealing with perpetual violence, living among homeless junkies, and braindead political fanatics.

As I said, history can rhyme. Its up to us to stop it.

UPDATE: I have received an email from a representative of Ronald McDonald House, who informs me that their camera footage shows only one individual swinging a hammer one time and breaking one window at their facility. I apologize for the exaggeration that was based on reporting I had read. Needless to say, however, this is only the tip of an ugly iceberg for what has been going on in Chicago. On Aug. 14, 17 police officers were injured and 24 protesters arrested in protests that turned violent, including bashing policemen with skateboards.

Roger L. Simon is an award-winning novelist, Oscar-nominated screenwriter, and co-founder of PJ Media. He is now a columnist for The Epoch Times.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A top market watcher warns the economic recovery may be on the verge of a setback.

Crossmark Global Investments' Victoria Fernandez blames the coronavirus relief delay on Capitol Hill.

She's concerned it'll push families who are depending on additional unemployment insurance and support to tighten their purse strings even more.

"That consumption number is going to slow down," the firm's chief market strategist told CNBC's "Trading Nation" on Friday.

Senate lawmakers left for recess last Thursday without passing a stimulus package, and they don't return until after Labor Day.

To help Americans cope with the impasse on the Hill, President Donald Trump signed several executive orders on August 8 to extend key relief programs. But the move faces legal questions because Congress controls federal funding.

"It makes it a little bit more vulnerable for the sheer fact that priced into the market at this point is another stimulus package," said Fernandez. "Everyone, including myself, anticipated that we would see a package come to fruition prior to the Senate leaving for recess."

Fernandez contends the stalemate is the major reason preventing the S&P 500 from hitting all-time highs. On Friday, the index closed 0.6% from a record.

"We keep bumping up against that 3,386 level," she noted. "If we don't get a package that comes through, a stimulus package, then I think we can expect to see a kind of mid to high single digit [percent] pullback."

Fernandez, who oversees $4.9 billion in assets under management, has been in the cautious camp. In early June, she warned weak consumer spending overtaking the virus was the biggest market risk.
Getting started is always the hardest part. Im dressed and ready to go but Im not arsed, Im just not bothered.

During lockdown, running became a focus, a distraction from the monotony of the day and the madness of the house  but since the return of restrictions last Friday, the will to run, work, exercise or do anything has, for many people, drained away.

Having barely survived the homeschooling and the Covid-19 cliches, having become accustomed to the queuing for absolutely everything and the mandatary wearing of facemasks, there was a sense that we were making progress.

The numbers were dropping and the curve was flattened. We were reunited with friends and family, we could get back to coffee shops and restaurants and we headed on our staycations in hope.

But now, as four hundred thousand people in Kildare and the midlands face into the uncertainty of two further weeks of lockdown, theres a feeling of deja-vu.

Facing into health concerns, financial uncertainty for some and social isolation for others, we wonder if we have to start all over again  and when will we overcome this virus?

Every article I write starts with an incriminatingly bad first draft, and some might say it improves little.

Its tweaked and jostled into making some sort of sense, but often the first few words are the hardest to find.

Just like in running, the hardest thing to do is make yourself start. Getting out the door is the biggest battle. Once you are out the door, the next 10 minutes are spent thinking of reasons to stop and turn back, and to give up. Its a psychological battle.

Wondering why you bothered to take up running in the first place, you should never expect anything good from the first mile. It can be slow, awful or painful... maybe even all three.

The main reason the first mile is so ponderous is because the body doesnt have enough oxygen in it to keep up with the demands being placed on it. As a result, breathing is harder and its difficult to maintain the pace.

At the start of any run the body temperature is low, causing muscles to feel stiff and lung function to be poor. No matter how long one trains or how fit one gets, the first mile of any run is often still the hardest.

That first mile is a liar, and it should never be trusted, because it just wants you to stop. It will plant seeds of doubt and fear.

But as the body warms up and the breathing settles the miles and minutes start to flow by. The first mile, just like the first draft of any article, is only the starting point. At this stage the ultimate destination and endpoint seems distant and maybe even unachievable, but with effort, stubbornness and resilience, with draft after draft and mile after mile, the finish line eventually appears.

Pop culture has adopted the Nelson Mandela quote I never lose, I win or I learn.

We are currently struggling to control outbreaks of coronavirus in the midlands and our initial attempts to contain it appear to be failing.

An awful first draft at least gets everything down on the page; different thoughts and ideas, finding out what works and more importantly what doesnt.

Just like the first mile of a run expels the self-doubts, its our persistence after that that keeps us going. The limitations of lockdown in Kildare are back and it is the reaction to these measures that will decide how successful they are and define the nature of our lives in the next few months.

We are back at the start.

www.kehoephysio.com
TROY, N.Y.  SEMI, the industry association serving the global electronics design and manufacturing supply chain, launched a new collaborative apprenticeship program to make it easier for companies to offer training and for more workers to pursue careers in electronics.

The competency-based SEMI Industry Approved Apprenticeship Program (IAAP) is designed to identify skills gaps and deliver targeted training that efficiently meets industry employers hiring needs.

SEMI developed the IAAP in partnership with GLOBALFOUNDRIES(R) (GF(R)), the largest pure-play semiconductor foundry in the U.S. and the worlds leading specialty foundry. Designed to be scaled to meet industry demand for technicians, the program leverages SEMIs Unified Competency Model (UCM), which was formed with industry input as a new skills standard and is endorsed by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (USDOL-ETA). The UCM is posted on DOL-ETAs Competency Model Clearinghouse.

GLOBALFOUNDRIES has long been committed to building educational partnerships that benefit both our employees and the region, particularly in developing a highly-skilled workforce to ensure our industry and the U.S. remains at the forefront of innovation for years to come, Ron Sampson, senior vice president and general manager of U.S. Fab Operations at GF said.

Through SEMIs new Industry Approved Apprenticeship Program, we look forward to helping our employees advance their careers, while playing an important role in workforce training and boosting the semiconductor manufacturing talent pool, Sampson noted.

The IAAP is designed to help the microelectronics industry and advanced manufacturers overcome the talent shortage by enabling companies to fill skills gaps more effectively and at lower cost, Mike Russo, vice president of Industry Advancement and Government Programs at SEMI remarked.

SEMI will continue to work to ensure the IAAP lays a path for employers to pursue government-registered apprenticeship programs and qualify for reimbursement of related training expenses, Russo explained.

Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) will offer the apprenticeship program courses, the first certified under the SEMI Certs program, online. The course curriculum is aligned with UCM to ensure course curriculum supports the development of skills required by the electronics industry.

We are excited to be a partner in this pilot program that is expected to graduate approximately 50 apprentices by the end of this year and more than 100 apprentices by the end of 2021, Roger Ramsammy, president of Hudson Valley Community College commented.

Hudson Valleys participation in the SEMI Certs program has ensured our courses are aligned with industry requirements and that participants receive college credits to help them pursue related degrees and support career laddering. In addition, we hope the program will ultimately be a New York State Registered Apprenticeship Program, providing access to tuition reimbursement for Required Technical Training, Ramsammy added.

Along with GLOBALFOUNDRIES and HVCC, SEMI partnered with SUNY Polytechnic Institute, the Manufacturing Association of Central New York (MACNY) and the Center for Economic Growth (CEG), a nonprofit economic and business development organization that serves as the primary point of contact for businesses interested in growing in or moving to New Yorks eight-county capital region, to develop the apprenticeship program.

The apprentice program marks a milestone in the evolution of SEMI WorksTM, the first U.S. electronics workforce development program developed under a partnership with the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (NSF-ATE) Program, the USDOL-ETA and academic partner SUNY Polytechnic Institute in New York.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 17:18:26|Editor: huaxia

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Children wearing masks ride bicycles on the National Mall in Washington D.C., the United States, May 18, 2020. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

"Children often have only mild symptoms, and medical complications are incredibly rare," the president was quoted as saying, warning that children would suffer if they do not resume in-person classes.



WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has again pushed for schools to reopen despite the severe COVID-19 pandemic across the country, according to The Guardian newspaper.

"We got to open up our schools and open our businesses," Trump said on Wednesday. "Children often have only mild symptoms, and medical complications are incredibly rare," the newspaper quoted the president as saying.

The United States on Wednesday reported 1,499 COVID-19 death, the highest number in a single day for three months. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 cases in the country have topped 5.3 million, which accounts for a quarter of global cases.

The parlous situation, however, has not stopped Trump from pushing for the reopening of schools and businesses, with the president warning that children would suffer if they do not resume in-person classes, according to The Guardian.

Photo taken on July 6, 2020 shows epidemic prevention tips near the entrance to a children's amusement park in New York, the United States. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

Trump and his administration have been pressuring schools to reopen in fall, threatening to withhold federal funding from schools that do not comply. Reopening schools is seen as a crucial step to restarting the country's economy for his reelection campaign.

However, few Americans want to see their local schools re-open for in-person instruction as usual or even with minor adjustments considering the severe COVID-19 situation, said a new poll released on July 22.

Hasty school resumption has already caused COVID-19 outbreaks in the country. Louisiana has been tracking seven COVID-19 outbreaks tied to schools and colleges, with data showing that 151 cases are connected to those college outbreaks, and 17 cases are being attributed to outbreaks at primary and secondary schools, local TV station WBRZ2 reported on Wednesday. 
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 06:02:22|Editor: huaxia

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ROME, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- As the coronavirus pandemic reshapes Italy's economy, operators from many niche businesses -- including some that have histories that date back centuries -- say they are struggling to survive.

Artisanal glassblowers and storied marble producers, the studio purported to be the world's last remaining goldbeater, producers who make the kind of traditional almond candy handed out at weddings, and even tattoo parlors -- they all say they are barely hanging on in hopes of surviving the current crisis.

"It seems counter-intuitive to think that professions that survived world wars, depressions, natural disasters, and even other pandemics could be undone by the coronavirus," Marco Antonio Serin, London-based labor consultant and analyst who lived in Italy for more than a decade, told Xinhua. "But this pandemic is happening in a hyper-competitive global economy, where the margin for error is tiny. The economic impacts of any problem are magnified many times."

The iconic glass blowers on the island of Murano, in Venice, are among those suffering the most from the abrupt reduction in Italian tourism. Artisans have been making striking and colorful glass creations on Murano dating back to the fifth century, and the island experienced a boom starting in the year 1291 when a law required glass furnaces in Venice to be moved to Murano to contain the risk of fire. But now they are suffering like never before in their history, after the one-two punch of floods late last year followed by the coronavirus pandemic.

With no tourists, many of the furnaces on the island have not reopened in order to keep expenses low, and those who have reopened say the outlook for them is bleak. "It's hard to justify remaining open as things stand now, and if this crisis continues many companies will risk closing down forever," said Cristiano Ferro, owner of EffeTre, a leading producer on the island.

Erich Lucchetti, president of Confindustria Massa Carrara, an association of marble producers in Tuscany, wrote an open letter to Tuscany Governor Enrico Rossi, calling for help. Lucchetti argued that the age-old industry that produced the raw materials for many of the world's most famous historical buildings and statues could be facing its demise in the face of lower domestic demand and a big falloff in exports.

"An industry that is part of the area's economic fabric is running a serious risk of being decimated," Lucchetti said.

In Venice, goldbeater Marino Menegazzo has had to put off plans to retire. There were once hundreds of gold beaters in Venice alone. But now, Menegazzo said he is the last artisan in the world still doing the job by hand. Gold beating requires pounding a block of gold with a heavy mallet, thousands of times until it is reduced to a piece of foil 200 times thinner than a human hair. The gold foil is used by artists to add a brilliant shine to their work.

Menegazzo, 66, said he was already looking to sell his shop before the floods and the pandemic. But now the process is at a standstill, while Menegazzo vows to endure despite his tired arms and calloused hands.

"I will have to hold on until I can find a successor," Menegazzo said. "If I cannot, the industry that has survived for hundreds of years will disappear."

One characteristic of Italian weddings is confetti, opaque sugar-covered almonds produced by confectioners in the cities and towns of the central Italian regions of Abruzzo and Molise. The candies are given to wedding guests to mark the occasion. Weddings were prohibited during the worst part of the coronavirus crisis in Italy, and now, even though the prohibition has been lifted, the vast majority of weddings have been delayed. That is taking its toll on confetti makers. Sales fell by 90 percent starting in March.

"We cannot risk over-producing a product with a limited shelf-life," said William De Carlo, owner of a confetti producer in Sulmona, in Abruzzo. "Now we are doing what we can until people start getting married again."

Though tattoo parlors do not stir up the same picturesque image as glassblowers or gold beaters, they too have a long history and say their industry is at risk due to the pandemic.

"We have always done our work wearing masks and using gloves, but people are too nervous now to be that close to another person for so long," Alessandro Giovene, an independent tattoo artist in Rome, said in an interview. Enditem
TWO stolen cars which were being stored in the car park of an apartment complex in the city were recovered by gardai following an alert raised by a retired garda sergeant who works as a caretaker.

Limerick Circuit Court has heard the BMW 5 series car and the Ford Mondeo had been taken during separate burglaries in Dublin and Meath.

Aleksandrs Vanzovics, 25, who has an address at Riverpoint, Bishops Quay, has pleaded guilty to handling the two cars - at Riverpoint  on dates between January and May 2017.

During a sentencing hearing, Sergeant Barry Manton said gardai were alerted by retired sergeant Con McCarthy on March 17, 2017 as he had concerns in relation to a blue BMW after he noticed the licence plates had been changed.

Enquiries were made and it was established the car was stolen from outside a house in Ratoath, Meath on January 31, 2017.

Despite being clamped by gardai, the car, which was worth 27,000 was removed from Riverpoint the following day but was later located in the Ballysimon area  near where Mr Vanzovics operates a business premises.

Sergeant Manton said gardai were alerted to another suspicious vehicle  a Ford Mondeo at Riverpoint on May 23, 20017.

Inquiries were made and it was established that vehicle had been stolen from an address in Kiliney Dublin the previous December.

Judge Tom ODonnell was told the owners of the cars were not at a loss as their respective insurance companies had paid out before the cars were located and recovered.

Having been identified as a suspect, Mr Vanzovics was arrested and questioned in July 2017.

The Latvian national, who is married with two children, admitted knowing the vehicles were stolen and claimed he had bought them for 2,000.

Barrister Yvonne Quinn said her client had been very helpful and forthcoming and that he regretted his actions almost immediately.

He didnt know what to do  it was a very foolish decision. He didn't realise what he had gotten into, she said asking the court to note there had been no attempt by Mr Vanzovics to sell or dispose of the cars.

Imposing sentence, Judge Tom ODonnell said he accepted the offence was isolated and out of character for the defendant but he said the disapproval of the court had to be marked.

He imposed an 18 month prison sentence which he suspended for 18 months.

For more Limerick news click here
SOUTHAMPTON, England  Four hundred years after English colonists landed on Plymouth Rock and upended the lives of her ancestors, Paula Peters is on a quest to recover a small part of what her people have lost.

A year of trans-Atlantic commemorations marking the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower voyage opened recently in Southampton, England, with an exhibition centered on one casualty of colonization: the wampum belt of Metacom, a 17th-century leader of the Wampanoag Native American nation.

Woven with imagery depicting tribal history and legends, the beaded belt was "as important to the Wampanoag as the crown jewels would be to the king of England," said Peters, a Wampanoag writer and educator.

In 1620, the Wampanoag, who had lived for millennia in what is now New England, helped the exhausted Mayflower settlers survive their first winter. But within a few decades, tensions had erupted into a brutal 1670s conflict known as King Philip's War. Metacom was killed, and his belt sent to England's King Charles II as spoils of war.

"From all we can tell, it did arrive in the U.K., but it never arrived in the hands of the king," Peters said from her home in Mashpee, Mass. "We have been searching for that belt for generations of our people."
Telephone lines between the United Arab Emirates and Israel were open on Sunday, calls made by Reuters reporters showed, after the two countries moved to normalise diplomatic relations last week.

It was not clear when exactly a block on telephone calls made from the UAE to Israel was lifted, but historically calls were not possible.

The UAE's Telecoms Regulatory Authority did not immediately respond to a request to comment.

More Israeli news websites that were previously blocked in the UAE were also now able to be viewed on UAE internet connections on Sunday.

Israel and the UAE on Thursday announced an agreement that will lead to a full normalisation of diplomatic relations between the two states.

An official in Israel's Communication Ministry told Reuters that any previous block on calls between the two countries had come from the UAE side.

"Now I understand that calls are going through," the official said.

The UAE's two main telecoms operators Du and Etisalat did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has lauded the Electoral Commission for organizing what he termed as safe and transparent voters registration exercise.



According to him the EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa, and her two deputies, did an excellent job worth commending despite the coronavirus disease challenge.



He made the remarks as he delivered his 15th update to the nation on Sunday, August 16, on the Coronavirus situation in Ghana.



The president also stated that the prophecies of doom that heralded the registration exercise did not materialize saying Ghanaians were given unfettered access to register; the process was overwhelmingly peaceful and safe.



" I congratulate warmly the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensa, her two Deputies, Dr. Eric Asare Bossman and Mr. Samuel Tettey, and the entire Commission for the efficient, safe, transparent nature of the registration exercise, where, for the first time in our nations history, Ghanaians were provided with daily updates of the numbers of eligible voters registered, together with specific age, gender, regional breakdowns, and breakdowns of identity documents.



All eligible voters were given the unfettered opportunity to register, a process that was fully embraced by the mass of the citizenry. Of course, there were genuine and understandable concerns about conducting such a complex exercise, involving millions of citizens, at this time. But, at the end of the day, Ghanaians did their civic duty, by going out to register, having found that the process was overwhelmingly orderly, peaceful and safe," President Akufo-Addo said.



President Akufo Addo stressing said; "there were those who expressed various degrees of hysteria and negativity towards the exercise, with some, who swore heaven and earth to resist the compilation of the register at the peril of their lives, ending up registering. There were also those who offered delicate, personal sacrifices in the event of the register, again, ending up registering. And, there were those who claimed that, in the midst of a pandemic, the registration exercise should not be conducted, with some warning of an explosion in our case count and very high numbers of deaths, should the exercise go ahead. By the grace of God, the work of the Electoral Commission, and the effective measures put in place by Government, these prophecies of doom did not materialise. There were, nonetheless, deeply regrettable, isolated incidents of violence, which I condemn unreservedly, and which I expect the Police to deal with without fear or favour, but the exercise was generally peaceful.



The Ghanaian people have, by the conduct of this exercise, demonstrated our commitment, once again, to consolidating our status as a beacon of democracy on the continent and in the world. The professional Jeremiahs and naysayers, who seek, cynically, to make a profitable industry out of spreading falsehoods, fear and panic, stoking divisive, ethnic sentiments, underestimate the resolve and the determination of Ghanaians to build a united, democratic, peaceful, prosperous, and happy Ghana. We will continue to work hard to prove them wrong," he added.











Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/[email protected]









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Kamala Harris and husband Douglas Emhoff, right, greet Joe Biden and wife Jill Biden after the first public appearance of the running mates in Wilmington, Del., on Aug. 12. (Associated Press)

The Democratic National Convention wont open until Monday, but weve already seen a preview of its main themes: the mostly moderate messages delivered by Joe Biden and his newly minted running mate, Kamala Harris.

Remember the left-leaning priorities that dominated the Democratic primaries  Medicare for all, the Green New Deal, abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, socking millionaires and billionaires with higher taxes?

You wont hear those fiery phrases from Biden or Harris when they give their acceptance speeches. If their first few days together are any guide, they will focus on less ideological, more pragmatic goals: turning President Trump out of office and getting the coronavirus under control.

We just need a president and a vice president willing to lead and take responsibility, Biden said when he introduced Harris, the junior senator from California, as his running mate at a high school gym in Wilmington, Del. Not, as this president says, Its not my fault.

They offered a list of old-fashioned Democratic goals: good-paying jobs, emergency aid for the unemployed, action on climate change, and building on the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare.

These are bread-and-butter issues for Democrats. But the agenda almost is secondary in a race against a president whose bungling has led to the highest number of pandemic deaths in the world, and the worst unemployment since the Great Depression.

The Democrats slogan might as well be the one Ronald Reagan used in 1980, when he made Jimmy Carter a one-term president: Are you better off today than you were four years ago?

Going after Trumps dismal record is smart politics. Anytime a president runs for reelection, the election becomes a referendum on his performance.

Focusing on Trump also solves a problem Biden has faced all year: His supporters arent very enthusiastic about him. A Pew Research Center poll released last week found that most Biden voters say hes their choice simply because hes not Trump.

Story continues

None of this should be surprising. Biden was arguably the most moderate of the major candidates in the early Democratic primaries.

The surprise is that progressive firebrands have lined up to provide full-throated endorsements at the convention: Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who lost to Biden in the primaries, will give prime-time speeches. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, a first-term House member with a national profile, will appear on a 60-second video.

One reason is that the party platform, the document that lays out the Democrats 2020 agenda and aspirations, will look a lot more radical than Biden and Harris will sound at the lectern.

To unify the party that fractured badly in 2016, Biden and Sanders set up joint task forces to seek agreement on major issues including climate change and healthcare.

The cooperation worked. Biden endorsed climate goals that came close to the Green New Deal that Ocasio-Cortez had championed: eliminating carbon pollution from power plants by 2035 and zeroing-out net greenhouse gas emissions across the entire economy by 2050.

On healthcare, he agreed to consider expanding the benefits and lowering the costs of the public health insurance program he wants to add to Obamacare, and to limit the role of private health insurance companies.

That doesnt go as far as Sanders Medicare-for-all proposal, which would have eliminated private insurance, but its close to what Harris was proposing before she pulled the plug on her presidential campaign last year.

So while the nominees-in-waiting are singing a moderate theme song, theyre adopting much of the progressive agenda  at least for now. Party platforms often last no longer than the balloons and confetti that traditionally drop on the conventions last night.

Biden wasnt the progressives first choice when the campaign began  far from it. Harris wasnt their first choice for vice president, either.

But theyre both practical politicians, and theyve both followed their partys base to the left  not as far left as Warren or Sanders, but far enough to keep progressive leaders on board.

And Trump is the glue that holds Democrats together.

We will all enthusiastically support Biden-Harris to beat Trump-Pence; there is no comparison, said Larry Cohen, chairman of Our Revolution, the Sanders campaigns ongoing political organization.

So far, the strategy is working. Its not only given Democrats a jolt of energy and a moment of unity; it has confused the presidents attempts to attack.

Hours after Biden picked Harris, Trump complained that her grilling of Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh at his Senate confirmation hearing was extraordinarily nasty. Also, she was nasty to a level that was just a horrible thing. And the meanest and the most horrible.

In other words, she was tough.

Two days later, Trump tried to smear Harris. At a White House news conference, he questioned whether Harris, who was born in Oakland to immigrant parents, is a natural born citizen, as the Constitution requires for the president and vice president.

I heard today that she doesnt meet the requirements, Trump told reporters. Ill take a look.

He neednt bother. Every reputable constitutional law expert says she qualifies as a natural-born citizen under the 14th Amendment and a Supreme Court decision from 1898.

The last candidate Trump hit with a birther charge was Barack Obama, who won two presidential elections despite Trumps efforts to stoke conspiracy theories.

If thats the best Trumps got, the Democrats path to the White House may be easier than expected.




Ateca Holding has entered into an agreement with The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), to provide its world-class training programmes in Uzbekistan.

Ateca is developed by UAE hotel experts, in collaboration with the Tourism Development Institute under The State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Tourism Development.

Making the announcement Michel Noblet, Executive Chairman of Ateca Holding, said: The hospitality sector is emerging as one of the most diverse, competitive and fast-paced industries in Uzbekistan developing at an unprecedented pace to meet the growing demand for quality accommodations from domestic and international travellers. At Ateca Holding we are proud to be the first and only organisation in Uzbekistan to offer AHLEIs prestigious training programmes at the Ateca Hotel Academy Hub in partnership with the Tourism Development Institute under The State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Tourism Development. Drawing on our outstanding industry experience, we are committed to help students master their area of interest with a focus on real-world practices to expand their perspective and expertise which in turn will enable them to grow in their respective careers.

The demand for trained hotel professionals is high in the Republic and is expected to grow drastically with the increasing number of hotels. However, currently, only a fraction of hotel industry staff have formal education or training leaving a huge gap in skills at the start of the career.

To meet the need for continuous learning and professional development in Uzbekistans hospitality industry, Ateca Hotel Academy Hub, offers a variety of certification, executive diploma and customised programs for both experienced professionals as well as beginners.

Ed Kastli, MBA, CHMS, CGSP  Channel Vice President, International Sales, American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute stated: We are very excited to enter Uzbekistan and support the advancement of the hospitality sector in the country with strong partners such as Ateca Holding and the Tourism Development Institute under The State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Tourism Development. Our shared goal is to train a dynamic workforce who can make a difference to the hospitality and tourism industry in Uzbekistan. AHLEIs well-defined and globally recognised courses are for all segments of the hospitality sector. Our training workshops are tailored to address complex, multi-dimensional business that demand a new managerial mindset.

In todays competitive world, everyone looking for a career in hospitality needs to have extensive hospitality know-how and a broad set of strategic skills to enter the industry and reach the desired positions. AHLEI offers the worlds top-notch certification programs supported by a global network of 25,000 hotel members, and endorsed by the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

Karimov Kamoladdin, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager for Ateca Holding, said: The Ateca Hotel Academy Hub is dedicated to prepare students for a flourishing career in the regional and global hospitality industry through AHLEIs world-class education, workshops and training programmes. The award-winning team at Ateca Hotel Academy Hub comprises the very best faculty members including executives from leading hotels  all of whom have top degrees from prestigious universities. -- Tradearabia News Service
A man and his father were electrocuted to death while preparing for his wedding ceremony in the northern Vietnamese city of Hai Phong on Friday.

The accident occurred at a house in Da Phuc Ward, Duong Kinh District, Tran Van Dong, chairman of the ward, confirmed on Saturday.

The victims were Tran Van Tong, 62, and his son, 32-year-old Tran Huy Hoang.

The tragedy happened just one day ahead of Hoangs wedding.

Tong was preparing the decorations for the wedding ceremony that day when he spotted an electrical wire stuck to the wedding platform.

The man then used his bare hands to remove the wire from the platform.

As the electrical wire was exposed, he was fatally electrocuted and collapsed on the ground while still holding the cord.

Huy rushed to his father and held his body, as he had failed to notice the electrical wire.

He thus ended up being electrocuted to death.

The bride-to-be immediately traveled from Vinh Phuc, about 186km northwest of Hai Phong, to attend the funeral of the two victims.

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When you are young and more a bird appreciator than a bird-lister, each time you identify a new bird for you, or see one youve found before, its all exciting, she said. And after a while, you get interested in finding birds you can only find by traveling beyond your own little piece of the world.

Over the course of decades, shes been to Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Ohio, California and other states on different guided and self-guided birding adventures. Shes visited some of the biggest birding festivals, like one on Lake Erie, and shes been birding outside the U.S. in France, Italy and Trinidad.

You have to keep in mind, I worked full time, didnt have unlimited funds and had a home life, she said. But that said, everybody who is serious about this wants to be on a birding trip in the U.S. between late April and the end of May. Thats when the migration is happening, leading up to early breeding in Florida. Or at some time in that range in California, Texas and Arizona.

She hasnt always just been along for the ride.

There have been some years when Ive been on several group trips because I was one of the two co-chairs organizing them for the Virginia Society of Ornithology, she said.
Mumbai, Aug 16 : Eshan Khan and Aslam Khan, brothers of Bollywood thespian Dilip Kumar, have been admitted to a hospital here after testing positive for Covid-19.

The octogenarian brothers were rushed to Lilavati Hospital on Saturday night after they complained of breathlessness. Both brothers have been kept under artificial breathing support, reports hindustantimes.com.

The brothers are in ICU but they have not been intubated. They were admitted to hospital after they tested positive for Covid-19 via rapid antigen test.
Holly Willoughby has been forced to cut short her seven-week family holiday to go into quarantine so that she can return on time to host This Morning.

The TV presenter, 39, had planned to fly home from the Algarve at the end of August after taking a summer break with husband Dan Baldwin, 45, and their children Harry, 11, Belle, nine, and Chester, five.

But UK government Covid-19 restrictions mean all passengers returning to Britain from Portugal must self-isolate for 14 days.

All good things come to an end: Holly Willoughby has been forced to cut short her seven-week family holiday to go into quarantine so that she can return on time to host This Morning

As a result, the TV star has flown home a fortnight early and will quarantine with her family at their London home to be back on screens by September 7.

A source told MailOnline: 'Holly accepts that she has to go into quarantine and will follow the rules but she isn't happy losing two weeks from her holiday.

'The summer break is her chance to re-charge after a hectic period and to spend time with her family. After all the stresses of the pandemic she had been looking forward to relaxing as long as possible.

'Instead of seven weeks away she has had to make it five  but it's what she's had to do to keep the This Morning team safe and to ensure she returns to the show on time.'

'The summer is her chance to re-charge': A source told MailOnline Holly isn't happy about cutting her summer break short by two weeks but understands she must follow the rules

Returning to work: The source explained that Holly was disappointed but it's what 'she's had to do to keep the This Morning team safe and to ensure she returns to the show on time'

A source close to Holly said of the arrangement: 'Holly isnt unhappy to be returning, but happy to do what is necessary to keep everyone safe'.

Holly and her family stayed in the luxury resort of Quinta do Lago, which is favoured by other celebrities, including Wayne Rooney and her co-host Phillip Schofield.

The UK government introduced the 14-day quarantine period for travellers to the country on June 8 when a coronavirus spike hit with an infection rate of almost 50 per 100,000 population, one of the highest in Europe.

Portugal's removal from the quarantine list could be announced this week but would not be enforced until the end of August, but it would be too late for the presenter and her family.

They flew to Portugal soon after her last appearance on This Morning on July 10 with Eamonn Holmes and his wife Ruth Langsford, both 60, filling in.

Quality time: Holly had planned to fly home from the Algarve at the end of August after taking a summer break with husband Dan Baldwin and their children Harry, Belle and Chester

Married: Holly and husband Dan stayed in the luxury resort of Quinta do Lago, which is favoured by other celebrities, including Wayne Rooney and her co-host Phillip Schofield

Friends say Holly cherishes the summer break as she gets to spend more time with her family away from the commitments of filming ITV's This Morning.

The strain of presenting during the pandemic showed when Holly penned an emotional farewell from TV last month.

She had continued to present the popular daytime program with Phillip, 58, working with producers to ensure the show went ahead as normal.

Holly took to Instagram before her summer break to express her thanks to the This Morning team and the viewers who tuned in during lockdown.

She said: 'Thank you thank you for staying with us over the last 109 days... When we began this new way of broadcasting, we had no idea how long we would be able to come in, or whether it would be our last time broadcasting from the studio during lockdown.

'The team have adapted and had plan a, b, c and d in place just in case... Some days we didn't know If we'd have the content to fill the show, but somehow we always managed it and even had a few laughs along the way.

'You see us, but we feel that you are there with us, every single show... @thismorning holds a mirror up to life and reflects the mood of what we are all feeling.'

Holly added: 'I can't thank our team enough! @martinfrizell1, Emma, all the production who came in.

'The production team who worked from home, crew, the TM family and fellow presenters who are consistently brilliant, but mostly to @schofe for metaphorically holding my hand and reliably being socially distanced shoulder to shoulder with me...

'What a strange time... Feeling incredibly grateful... Huge love, thank you again... See you in September.'
Laredo police are releasing more information on a purse-snatching incident where a 78-year-old woman was dragged outside of Mall Del Norte.

Officers responded to a robbery report by Dillards on 5300 San Dario Ave. A elderly woman stated that a man wearing a black shirt took her purse and left in a beige Cadillac toward Calle Del Norte. Police placed a look out on the Cadillac.

Meanwhile, the woman provided a statement to detectives. She stated she was walking out of Dillards toward her vehicle and noticed the Cadillac driving in her direction. A man then exited the vehicle and grasped for her purse. She stated she tried to fight back, but the man pushed her causing her to fall to the ground. He then dragged her for a couple of feet as she held onto her purse. He eventually left with the purse in his Cadillac toward Calle Del Norte.

The woman told police that the purse contained a black wallet with $1,000, two American Express cards, her Texas Drivers license, an iPhone 11 and her car and house keys. She sustained a scratch on her left elbow and complained about pain in her left hip and left side of her head. She refused medical attention, according to court documents.

READ MORE: Laredo police: Man assaulted, robbed elderly paletero

A patrol officer relayed over the radio that he had previously encountered a vehicle that matched the description in the shopping center located in the 4500 block of McPherson Road with paper plates. He also noticed a man wearing black shirt walking into the Super Bonus amusement center. The officer noticed the vehicle was registered to a home in the 700 block of East Travis Street. Police confirmed that the case was at the residence on Travis but no longer displayed the paper plates.

Detectives went to the home looking for the suspect. Authorities identified him as Felipe Noe Maldonado, 37.

Maldonado advised (detectives) that he was the person that committed the robbery at Dillards and was willing to cooperate with detectives, states the affidavit.

Maldonado informed detectives where he threw the purse and its belongings. All items were recovered and returned to the woman, according to police. Maldonado was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery. He remained behind bars at the Webb County Jail as of Friday afternoon, according to custody records.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 16:23:17|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. COVID-19 Testing Coordinator Brett Giroir said on Friday that the administration cannot meet the testing capacity that a public health expert believe is needed.

"Yes, we want to increase testing," Giroir, member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, told CNN's The Lead program on Friday.

"There is no physical way to do 5 million tests per day in this country. If there's a way to turn it from 1 million to 5 million today, let me know," he said.

Giroir was responding to comments by Dr. Ashish Jha, director of the Harvard Global Health Institute, who told CNN earlier on Friday that the United States needs to conduct 4-5 million COVID-19 tests a day.

Testing such amount -- about 1.5 percent of the population -- "gives us a fighting chance at getting this virus under control," Jha said.

The United States has registered over 5.3 million COVID-19 cases as of 1 a.m. (0500 GMT) Sunday, according to the real-time tally maintained by Johns Hopkins University.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that out of the over 71 million tests reported, about 9 percent were positive. Enditem
The National State of Disaster, which was declared in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been extended till September 15 in South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced.

The government, however, has lowered the nationwide lockdown to Level-2 of its five-level strategic approach to deal with the pandemic, which has claimed over 11,000 lives in the country. "The move to Level-2 means that we can remove nearly all the restrictions on the resumption of economic activity across most industries," Ramaphosa said on Saturday evening and explained how the lockdown had impacted millions through poverty, hunger and unemployment.

"Economic activity will be allowed with necessary and appropriate stringent health protocols and safety precautions in place," the president said. The controversial ban on tobacco products and alcohol, which has seen a number of cases being filed in courts against the government during the lockdown, has also been lifted, subject to some restrictions on hours of sale.

South Africa, at present, has the world's fifth largest virus caseload with over 5,79,000 confirmed cases and has reported more than 11,000 deaths, according to the tally by the Johns Hopkins University. Under Level-2 of the COVID-19 strategic approach, inter-provincial travel will be permitted but international travel will remain prohibited; gatherings will be limited to 50 people including for funerals and religious events; spectators will not be allowed at sporting events; and a curfew will be there from 10 pm to 4 am every day.

Restrictions on family and social visits have been lifted, although Ramaphosa urged everyone to exercise extreme caution and undertake such visits only if necessary. He said that the current level of the lockdown could be lowered because of a decline in COVID-19 cases and the state of preparedness of hospitals to deal with the crisis.

But the president cautioned people that difficult days still lay ahead and pleaded for all to continue non-pharmaceutical interventions of wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, taking extra precautions for the elderly and those with co-morbidities, and working from home as far as possible. "We cannot become complacent or abandon the health precautions that we know we need to take. Even the slightest lapse in our alertness at this moment could lead to resurgence in infections at a rate and on a scale far greater than what we have seen so far," Ramaphosa said.

"We have seen this happen in other countries, where stringent restrictions have had to be re-imposed at short notice as the rate of infection rises after relaxation," he said. Ramaphosa said that it is now known that a large proportion of people who are infected with the virus do not show symptoms and may not even know that they are infected.

"I could be infected. As could you," he said. With this in mind, each one of us should consider ourselves as potentially infected with the virus and continue to behave responsibly so that we do not pass it on to others, the president said.

Over the last three weeks, the number of new confirmed cases in South Africa has dropped from a peak of over 12,000 a day to an average over the past week of around 5,000 a day. The recovery rate has almost increased from 48 per cent to 80 per cent.

"The further easing of restrictions presents us with the greatest opportunity since the start of the pandemic to breathe life into our struggling economy. Even as we open up economic activity, it will take a long time for industries and businesses to recover, and there is much work still to be done, Ramaphosa said.

He stated that the government, labour, business and community organisations were working together on an urgent economic recovery programme that places the protection and creation of employment at its centre. "We will use this moment not only to return South Africa to where it was before, but to transform our country to a more equal, more just and more dynamic economy. Difficult days indeed lie ahead. However, we have proven our resilience as a nation over the past five months," Ramaphosa said.

"The task before us now is to apply the same energies with which we have battled this pandemic to the economic recovery effort," he said.
OTTAWAPeter MacKay was on his home turf, warming up the crowd at a rural Nova Scotia community centre on a drizzly night in October 2019.

He was there to introduce George Canyon, a country music star and the Conservative candidate in MacKays old riding of Central Nova, as well as party leader Andrew Scheer. Scheers campaign buses idled outside, incongruous with a small hall more suited to tea socials than election rallies.

The folks at the East Coast Kitchen Party ate it up. MacKay effortlessly blended the political rah-rah with folksy references to growing up in small town Atlantic Canada. It didnt matter that he was dressed Bay Street casual in Pictou County  he was one of theirs, and they knew it.

Can you imagine if this guy was leader? someone muttered to a reporter in the back. This thing would be over by now.

That thing was the general election, and it was over just four days later. While the Conservatives gained seats and reduced Justin Trudeaus Liberals to a minority, Scheers campaign faltered in the crucial electoral battlegrounds of the GTA and Quebec. East of the Manitoba border, including in Central Nova, the results were grim.

Since January, MacKay  who spent that October night denying to reporters that he was after Scheers job  has been the perceived front-runner to become the next Conservative leader.

In an interview Thursday, he said the party needs to fight back against a negative narrative about Conservatives  that we are somehow not in tune with female voters, we dont have a clear vision for urban Canada, that we have somehow left the impression that I dont believe, or certainly dont ascribe to, that we are going to roll back rights

We have to communicate very clearly what the modern Conservative party is about.

Its a common enough belief within Conservative circles, and one that has been offered both quietly and loudly since the partys loss on Oct. 21.

But the question remains: is MacKay the person to do it?

If MacKay wins, a widely held sentiment within Conservative circles is that it will have been despite his campaign, not because of it. His bid for the leadership of the party that he co-founded had a rocky start, and it stayed that way.

There was the broken French at his campaign launch, and the strong-arm tactics of aides who shut down an interview with CTV. There were the early backtracks  on attacking Justin Trudeau over yoga bills, or MacKays apparent waffling on the long-standing Conservative vow to move the Canadian embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. There was his insistence that the party move ahead with a June leadership vote despite the COVID-19 lockdown.

His campaign team has been a mixture of old-school Progressive Conservatives and young Ontario operators, with the two circles seemingly at odds at various points. MacKay has shuffled at least three people through the role of communications lead in eight months, burning through spokespeople at an even quicker pace than Stephen Harper did.

Despite all of that, MacKay is still widely seen as the front-runner. But he recognizes that he needs to change  and the people around him need to change  should he assume the party leadership.

Your campaign team for leadership is not necessarily your campaign team for a general (election), MacKay said. But Im not presuming anything. Much more of the planning will have to happen after Aug. 21 when the leadership results are announced.

In a quirk of Canadian political history, MacKay actually helped design the system by which the next Conservative leader will be chosen.

MacKay was the leader of the federal Progressive Conservatives when that party agreed to a marriage with Harpers Canadian Alliance, creating the modern Conservative Party of Canada. But in the negotiations that led to the merger, the PC camp insisted that each riding in the country would have equal say in determining who would lead the new party. It was a way to ensure that the much larger Canadian Alliance would not overrun the weakened PCs, with Prairie populists calling all the shots in the newly formed party.

The result was that, in a leadership contest, a riding with 200 Conservative members in Pictou County now has the same voting power as a downtown Calgary riding with 2,000 members.

That system may save MacKays candidacy now.

It is no secret that support for MacKay is weakest in Alberta and Saskatchewan  which, it so happens, is from where most current Conservative MPs hail. If he becomes leader, MacKay acknowledges that hell need to reach out to the Conservative heartland from day one but, being no stranger to the concept of regional alienation himself, hes well-suited to the job.

I get that the West is alienated  Atlantic Canada feels alienated for different reasons, he said. Atlantic Canadians have fled our region for a generation for work in places like Fort MacMurray or in the B.C. lumber mills, so thats part of the history and the story of our country, and I get that growing up in Atlantic Canada.

MacKay was born in Pictou County, N.S., the son of federal Progressive Conservative cabinet minister Elmer MacKay. After a short career as a Crown prosecutor, MacKay was elected inn 1997 in his fathers old riding of Central Nova. He became the leader of the PC party in 2003, but did not seek the leadership of the new Conservative party after his PCs merged with the Canadian Alliance. Instead, he served in senior cabinet positions in the Harper government  foreign affairs, defence and attorney general  before leaving politics in 2015.

Since then, MacKay has worked for a Bay Street law firm and raised three young children with his wife, Nazanin Afshin-Jam.

It was in the middle of the 2019 federal election campaign that the Globe and Mail reported MacKay was thinking about a leadership bid. He denied it. But after the Conservatives disappointing loss under Scheer, MacKay was not shy with his criticism of the embattled leaders campaign. When pressure mounted to the point that Scheer decided to resign, MacKays leadership bid began in earnest.

While the political rumour mill kicked into high gear about who would lead the party next  the names of Rona Ambrose, Jean Charest, John Baird, Pierre Poilievre and even Stephen Harper were all being mentioned  MacKay moved quickly, launching his campaign at an event in New Glasgow, N.S. on Jan. 25.

When the other rumoured candidacies failed to materialize, that left MacKay to facing off against his former cabinet colleague Erin OToole, Toronto lawyer Leslyn Lewis and rookie Ontario MP Derek Sloan for the partys top job.

MacKays detractors paint him as a red Tory, an adherent of the progressive rump that has been all but extinguished in the modern Conservative party. This is particularly true of OToole, the Durham MP who has styled himself a true-blue conservative.

Asked if he thought red Tory has become a slur in the modern conservative movement, MacKay dismissed the notion.

I dont like the hyphens. I dont like the undertone of trying to marginalize one group of conservatives over another, he said.

But he seems aware that, should he win, hell have considerable work to do to keep the Conservative coalition together. More than a few western MPs are disappointed they didnt have their own standard bearer in the race. And the secessionist Wexit Party remains a real concern for some longtime Conservative hands, who worry history could repeat itself with a Prairie populist movement hiving off conservative voters the way Preston Mannings Reform party did in the 1980s and 1990s.

Social conservatives are also an organizational force within the party, and they will also be looking for reassurance from MacKay, who called their concerns a stinking albatross around Scheers neck during the 2019 election.

And how, exactly, does a leader square those demands with the need to win seats in the suburban GTA and around Quebec City?

Whoever inherits the leadership will have these questions to deal with. MacKay knows the questions well; theyre foundational to the party he co-founded.

Should he become the next leader, it will be up to MacKay to answer them.

Nearly 270,000 members of the Conservative Party of Canada are eligible to vote for the partys next leader. To be counted, the ballots  on which party members rank the candidates in order of preference  must be received by Aug. 21 at 5 p.m. EDT.

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100 years ago

1920: More work has been accomplished during the past few days in getting the road conditions to the cemetery and in improving appearances there than in many years. The county has finished grading the road north as far as the south end of South San Francisco Street. The road will now be excellently drained.

The material is here for a new steel bridge over the River Flag on that street.

On Sunday, several members of the Odd Fellows, the Masons and the Knights of Pythias put in the better part of the day at the cemetery removing old, tired fences, making the outside fence stock tight and hanging two new gates.

Warren T. Wright, one of the crew of miners sinking the shaft in the crater at Meteor Mountain to get at the huge meteor believed to have made the crater, went out Wednesday night with his six-gun and shot at some clouds to scare them away so they wouldnt rain. The other men telephoned the sheriffs office Deputy Sheriff W. A. Campbell and W. J. Wright drove out Friday and brought him in to jail.

He is about age 40 and was formerly a Christian preacher. He admitted, when asked, that he had been locked up for a few days in Tucson last spring under the belief that he was insane. He will be held here for a few days for observation.

Up the other side of Lees Ferry in this county there is an immense level plain where the frost never touches on between 250,000 and 300,000 acres. The soil is rich, sandy loam. The grains grows thigh high, the grasses are knee deep year-round and water is plentiful.

Peaches, pears, apples, almonds and figs have grown there for years. In groves planted by the original settler, John D. Lee, during his time of exile from the Mormons.

50 years ago

1970: The school board is reviewing eight tapes used in 11th-grade American History and Literature class pilot programs last year and three more developed this summer. They will also be presented for public viewing as a result of controversy over some of their content.

The slide tapes include information from current magazines, plus contemporary music, intended to present social issues such as the Asian War and poverty in America, and to stimulate discussion, according to school officials.

Forest fire danger in the Coconino National Forest is now low as the result of over 2 inches of rainfall. There were 11 lighting-caused fires last week and none that were caused by humans.

Traffic on the 24-foot-wide Fort Valley Roadway currently far exceeds its safe carrying capacity. The state plan calls for a 64-foot-wide street and proposes to spend $500,000 in state and federal highway funds to do it.

Dr. Edward B Danson is in Phoenix armed with petitions containing 586 signatures to meet with the State Highway Department officials. The petitions are of local residents who oppose the proposed widening of State Highway 180 at Fort Valley Road.

25 years ago

1995: City officials think they have found what went wrong with the water system on Thursday. But they are still asking residents to boil their tap water.

City Utilities Director Ron Doba said tests on the brown water are being made and it appears that the situation developed with three different things happening all at once. A city well pump was turning off and on causing surges in the system. At the same time a pressure valve was malfunctioning . Then the surging water knocked manganese deposits off the inside of water lines, giving city water its brownish glow. Finally, when city officials began learning of the brown water on the east side of town, they shut down the malfunctioning pump and flushed the system city wide.

The city water department serves about 12,000 homes.

The Flagstaff Medical Center reports no illnesses from the citys water users as patients coming through its doors.

All events were taken from issues of the Arizona Daily Sun and its predecessors, the Coconino Weekly Sun and the Coconino Sun.

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The UK commemorated the 75th anniversary of VJ Day on Saturday with a nationwide RAF flypast and a remembrance ceremony led by the royal family.

The ceremony was also attended by dozens of veterans remembering the fallen and the surrender of Japan which brought an end to the Second World War.

Boris Johnson read the war poem Exhortation during a televised remembrance service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire.

Richard Day, a 93-year-old veteran from north London who fought in the Battle of Kohima in northeast India, was among some 40 veterans attending.

Veterans observe a moment of silence at the National Memorial Arboretum yesterday (PA)

Mr Day, of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, described his memories of the war, including when he simultaneously caught malaria and dysentery while fighting a highly determined enemy.

He said: I think the worst part was crossing rivers at night, it was cold at night  then all night in wet clothes and wet equipment, still having to move about.

They [the Japanese] were very determined for their emperor. It was a glory for them to die for their emperor. They didnt appear to have any fear at all.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall then led a two-minute silence at the ceremony before the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast.

The Red Arrows fly over the Titanic slipway, the Titanic Museum and the Samson and Goliath cranes in Belfast (PA)

The flypast was scheduled to take place over the UKs four capital cities, but the Edinburgh flypast was cancelled due to poor weather. The RAFs Red Arrows flew over Glasgow Prestwick Airport instead, landing to meet with three veterans.

Smaller ceremonies also took place in London, including a piper playing Battles Over at the Imperial War Museums HMS Belfast at sunrise.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh  who was on the HMS Whelp in Tokyo Bay when Japan surrendered 75 years ago  thanked all those who fought with the Allies in a special message.

The Queen said: Prince Philip and I join many around the world in sending our grateful thanks to the men and women from across the Commonwealth, and Allied nations, who fought so valiantly to secure the freedoms we cherish today.

Covid-19 restrictions have seen tributes organised online and be televised, including the BBCs VJ Day 75: The Nations Tribute.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer shared a video on social media, saying: On behalf of the Labour Party I want to pay tribute to the wartime generation, who through the horrors of conflict showed us the spirit and determination that we need to always remember and always be grateful for.

Its important that as we face the challenges of today, we take inspiration from that generation.

Through their community spirit and their bravery and their determination for a better world theyve shown us what we can achieve when we pull together.

About 50,000 British and Commonwealth personnel were killed in the war against Japan. Almost half of them died in prison camps.
Nokia 5.3 is coming to India soon. Check the expected specifications, features, price, and more.

HMD Global is getting ready to launch a new smartphone in India. Called Nokia 5.3, the smartphone has been listed on the official Nokia India website. It is worth noting that the phone has already launched globally and is priced at 189 euros ( 16,750 approximately).

Here are the top things to know about the next Nokia phone in India.

Design and display

Nokia 5.3 comes with a full-screen display with a waterdrop notch on the front. The back panel appears to have a textured finish. The panel also houses a circular camera module with four camera sensors placed diagonally. Theres also a dedicated fingerprint sensor on the rear panel.

Nokia 5.3 features a large 6.55-inch display with HD+ display and 20:9 aspect ratio. It measures 164.3 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm and weighs about 180 grams. The phone comes in Cyan, Sand, and Charcoal.

Android 10

Nokia 5.3 runs on Android 10 operating system out-of-the-box. The phone is guaranteed to receive Android updates for at least two years. It will also receive Googles new Android 11 update.

Camera

As said earlier, Nokia 5.3 comes with as many as four rear cameras on the back. The phone features a combination of 13-megapixel, 2-megapixel depth sensor, 5-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor, and a 2-megapixel macro sensor. It has an LED flash. On the front, the smartphone comes with an 8-megapixel selfie camera.

The Nokia 5.3 was launched earlier this year in Europe for 189 euros (  16,750 approx). (Nokia)

Performance

Nokia 5.3 relies on Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor. The phone comes in 3GB, 4GB, and 6GB RAM options. It has 64GB built-in storage and supports expandable storage up to 512GB via a microSD card. The phone is powered a 4,000mAh battery.

Other features

Nokia 5.3 also comes with a dedicated Google Assistant button. The global version of the phone is available in dual-SIM and single-SIM variants. It also supports 3.5mm headphone jack and has two microphones.
Three police officers were shot and a man remained barricaded inside a home with three of his family members in a suburb of Austin, Texas, authorities said.

Officers responded to a call about 3:10 p.m. at a home off Natalie Cove from a mother who said her son kicked in the door of the home, Interim Chief of Police Mike Harmon said during a news conference near the scene.

The mother, a juvenile and another person, whose age was unknown, remain in the home held by the suspect, believed to be in his mid-20s, Harmon said. The suspect has some mental health issues, he said.

Harmon said when officers arrived they were met with gunfire and taken to a local hospital. All three officers were in stable condition with non life-threatening injuries. At least one officer will remain in the hospital overnight.

It is unclear if the suspect was injured.

We want to end this peacefully for everyone involved, Harmon said, making a plea to the unidentified suspect. Please, come out and surrender peacefully.

Harmon said that the Cedar Park Police Department has a history at the residence, but did not provide details, including when police last visited the home.

As night fell in the Cedar Park neighbourhood on Sunday where a water tower could be seen in the distance, lights from multiple police and emergency responder vehicles bounced off nearby homes. Vehicles moved along one street that ran perpendicular to another, where orange cones had been placed to restrict traffic.

The city of Cedar Park has asked residents to avoid Bagdad Road between Osage Drive and New Hope Drive, the city said on Twitter. The Cedar Park police and fire departments have closed the southbound lane of Bagdad Road at Heritage, the post said.

Multiple agencies are on the scene, which is still active.

We have negotiators right now reaching out to the suspect Harmon said.

Our hearts are with the police officers who were injured while protecting the Cedar Park community this afternoon. We must never take for granted the service and sacrifice of our law enforcement officers, and the State of Texas stands ready to provide the support and resources needed to bring justice to those involved, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement.

___

Associated Press writer Haleluya Hadero contributed to this report from Atlanta.
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday said that the Covid-19 crisis has not just been a period marred by despair and loss but has also been a time of courage, compassion, resilience and survival. The chief minister lauded the people of Kerala for their unflinching spirit.

We are into the 200th day of #COVID19 crisis. Looking back, we can say with pride that this has not been just a period of despair & loss. It has also been a time of courage, compassion, resilience & survival. People of Kerala responded to the crisis with an unflinching spirit, Vijayan tweeted on Sunday.

Also read: US clears emergency use of new saliva test for faster detection of Covid-19

Kerala is often cited as an example for inclusive development and social harmony, and it will remain so, but from now, it will also be an argument for hope.



Keep Hope Alive, We Shall Overcome.  Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) August 16, 2020

The chief minister lauded state health workers for pulling off a remarkable job. We cant congratulate them enough, he said. The chief minister urged everyone to continue fighting and keep the hope alive.

Kerala is often cited as an example for inclusive development and social harmony, and it will remain so, but from now, it will also be an argument for hope. Keep Hope Alive, We Shall Overcome, his tweet read.

The story of 105 years old Asma Bheevi, who recently survived the disease, is just one example. She is not alone, there are many like her. Our health workers have done a remarkable job and we can't congratulate them enough.  Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) August 16, 2020

Kerala was the first state in India to report a case of Covid-19 earlier this year. Thereafter, the state witnessed a spurt in Covid-19 cases and kept a steady fight to quickly take the situation in control. Keralas Covid-19 model was praised across the country and abroad for turning the tide and curbing the spread of the infection in a short span of time.

At present, the state has a total of 14,944 active cases of coronavirus. Over 27,000 Covid-19 patients have beaten the contagion in Kerala while the death toll here stands at 146.
Without knowing a childs ultimate identity, parents can be sending inadvertently damaging messages from a very young age, Kort says. As an example, he told me about one teen in his practice whose father didnt know that he was gay, yet the young man painfully remembered the slur his dad had once used offhandedly with him. (All the faggots go to dance at that gay bar.) Another example cited by Kort was of a mother who found her teen daughters lesbian sexual imagery and shouted at her: Youre not a lesbian, are you? Its those kinds of messages that are harmful and rejecting to closeted LGBTQ young people, or to kids still figuring things out.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Saturday said his government will set up an education reform commission to draw a comprehensive policy in line with the NEP.

After unfurling the tricolour at Manan Bhawan here on the occasion of the 74th Independence Day, he hailed the National Education Policy (NEP), approved by the Centre, saying that it provides an overarching vision and comprehensive framework for both school and higher education sectors.

The state government will set up a Sikkim Education Reform Commission to draw a comprehensive policy and strategy in line with the National Education Policy, 2020, he said.

The chief minister also said the government has planned to set up one model school in each district with innovative teaching and learning methodologies.

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the Himalayan state celebrated Independence Day this year in a subdued manner in strict adherence to social distancing and other health safety norms.

Tamang said the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in Sikkim will be depoliticised and its representatives will be free from any party affiliation.

The chief minister paid tributes to the 20 Army personnel killed during a clash with the Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh in June this year.

Taking a cue from Prime Minister Narendra Modis slogan for self-reliant India, Tamang said the state government will strive for making Sikkim an atmanirbhar state and encourage people to consume locally produced items.

The state government has decided to provide incentives to farmers for milk production and a minimum support price (MSP) for ginger, orange, cardamom, turmeric and buckwheat cultivation, Tamang said.

On the long-pending issue of Limboo and Tamang communities reservation in the Assembly and demand for granting ST status to eleven tribes of Sikkim, he said the state government is in touch with the Centre.

On the occasion of Independence Day, Governor Ganga Prasad appealed to the people to remain united for the development and prosperity of Sikkim and the country.

He urged the states residents to use masks and maintain social distancing norms to contain the spread of the disease.
The Duck Inn Taproom, located right on the banks of the Perkiomen Creek on Route 29 in Perkiomen Township, has rebounded after severe flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Ida hit in September.
Representatives of the Montana Historical Society said the organization's museum expansion project will continue as scheduled despite the potential of a more than $3 million bed tax revenue shortfall.

The Legislative Fiscal Division, the nonpartisan agency tasked with monitoring and reporting revenues and expenditures of state agencies, among other duties, released a report Wednesday that projects total revenue generated from Montana's Lodging Facility Sales and Use Tax will see a nearly 34% decline in fiscal year 2021.

A portion of that revenue has been earmarked to help fund construction of the historical society's $52 million Montana Heritage Center remodel and expansion, but that portion could end up nearly $3 million smaller, according to the LFD report.

The numbers reflect projections of fiscal year 2021 revenue shortfalls compared to the revenue estimate adopted by the 2019 Legislature.

The flow of bed tax funds to the museum project began in January and will last through December 2024. With the potential loss of revenue tied to the global COVID-19 pandemic, legislators could elect to continue that flow beyond the 2024 sunset.

"(A)lthough the option of extending the flow past Dec 2024 was mentioned in the report, there are likely a number of other options based upon legislative objectives, fund balances, and other decisions the 2021 legislature will be tasked with making," LFD Deputy Director Joe Triem said in an email.

Part of the Senate bill that initially diverted a portion of bed tax revenue to the Montana Heritage Center allows the state's historical society to complete the project in phases.

Montana Historical Society Director Bruce Whittenberg said in an interview Thursday that the project will be completed in three phases, the first of which is parking. Phases two and three entail new construction and a renovation of the existing space, respectively.

Also as part of the bill, the historical society is required to privately raise $10 million for the project. According to Whittenberg, the organization has raised about $5 million to date through private donations.

He said the private fundraising and the phased approach to construction mean the project is poised to weather a tax revenue shortfall.

"We know there will be a hitch in the road at some point, and we will have to deal with that," Whittenberg said. "The likelihood of a revenue shortfall hasn't affected the project."

Historical society spokeswoman Eve Byron echoed Whittenberg's sentiment.

"No one could have seen this coming, but we're still moving forward with plans," Byron said.

The project is "significantly down the road as far as design," Whittenberg said when asked if tweaks to the design would have to be implemented in response to the decline in revenue.

"There are a lot of creative, innovative touches, but it's not a very expensive project," he said, adding that the projected revenue decline represents only a small portion of the total cost. "We're not building the Taj Mahal of museums, but something we can all be proud of."

Previous plans for the Capitol complex site included a new building across Sixth Avenue with an underground tunnel connecting the old and new buildings. But a more recent design includes closing Sixth Avenue between Sanders and N. Roberts streets and incorporating the space into the plans. The new design incorporates a Capitol-facing entry plaza, an indoor cafeteria, an outdoor patio, an event center and a large gallery space.

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The real motive behind the extension of the license is said to be the time given to US for acquiring new equipment.

Although it has been almost a year ever since the US-China trade ban took place, the only reason why Huawei is still coming with Android phones was due to the ongoing licence between it and Google. But things are likely to get tougher for the Chinese smartphone maker as that licence too has now ended. As reported by The Washington Post, the licence between the two ended this Thursday. It allowed Google to work with Huawei on maintaining current phones.

However, the real motive behind the extension of the license is said to be the time given to US for acquiring new equipment. They mostly relied on Huawei equipment for now. It is not for sure what the future looks like now for Huawei, however, with an expired Android licence and even the Kirin chips witnessing its end, things dont really look good for Huawei.

Whats interesting here is that Huaweis Honor has already announced that it will hold a September 4 IFA event and has teased new smartphones, watch and more.

On the other hand, US chipset giant Qualcomm has reportedly been pressuring the Trump administration on allowing them to sell chips to Huawei. As per Qualcomm, the restriction has resulted in foreign competitors get access to a market worth as much as $8 billion each year. We are talking about Taiwans MediaTek Inc. and South Koreas Samsung Electronics Co.

Adding to all this is that Huawei will reportedly be kept out of Indias plans to roll out its 5G networks since the relations between the two countries havent been on a positive note off lately.
Robert Trump, 71, the younger brother of Donald Trump, has died, the president said in a statement, a day after he visited his "best friend" in a New York hospital.

Photograph: Reuters

President Trump made a last-minute trip to New York on Friday to meet his ailing younger brother before going to New Jersey for a weekend.

"It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight. He was not just my brother, he was my best friend," Trump, 74, said in a late-night statement on Saturday.

"He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace," Trump said.

Robert, who took blood thinners, had experienced brain bleeds that began after a recent fall, The New York Times quoted a close friend of the family's.

He had been in poor health since last month.

He was recently admitted to the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan where he breathed his last.

Earlier in the day, Trump described Robert, who was born two years after Trump and was a business executive and real estate developer, as a wonderful brother.

"We've had a great relationship for a long time, from Day 1, a long time ago," Trump said.

The two had an estranged relationship for years, before Trump ran for the White House, the daily said.

Trump is expected to attend his brother's funeral. However, no details were immediately available on plans.

"Uncle Robert, we love you. You are in our hearts and prayers, always," Ivanka Trump posted on Twitter Saturday night.

The president called his brother's hospital room late on Saturday as it seemed his death was near, two people familiar with the matter told CNN. It is not clear whether they connected or whether Robert's condition allowed him to speak by phone with the president.

Separately, several people who spoke to Trump on Saturday said he appeared saddened by the impending loss of his brother.

The younger Trump was previously hospitalised in June with an undisclosed serious condition. He served as an executive vice president of the Trump Organization. Part of his duties including overseeing the organisation's Atlantic City casinos.

Born in 1948, Robert was the youngest of the four siblings to the president, including the late Fred Trump, Jr.

In June, Robert filed a temporary restraining order in an attempt to block the publication of an unflattering tell-all book by Mary Trump, Fred Trump Jr.'s daughter, CNN reported.

Robert said in a statement to The New York Times at the time that he was "deeply disappointed" in Mary's decision to publish the book, which included details about the president's family, childhood and upbringing, the report said.

Trump once described his younger brother as "much quieter and easygoing than I am," and "the only guy in my life whom I ever call 'honey'".

Robert began his career on Wall Street working in corporate finance but later joined the family business, managing real estate holdings as a top executive in the Trump Organization, the USA Today reported.

Before divorcing his first wife Blaine Trump more than a decade ago, Robert Trump had been active on Manhattan's Upper East Side charity circuit.

He avoided the limelight during his elder brother's presidency, having retired to the Hudson Valley. But he described himself as a big supporter of the White House run in a 2016 interview with the New York Post.

"I support Donald one thousand per cent, Robert had said.

In early March of 2020, he married his longtime girlfriend, Ann Marie Pallan.
The Inner West Council's controversial tree-clearing policy which makes it easier for owners to chop down trees has led to a surge in the number of trees being removed from private land.

The policy allowing landholders to raze trees within two metres of a household structure with few restrictions came into effect in February after Greens' politicians warned weaker protections could trigger a "tree massacre".

Mature trees in Sydney's densely-populated inner west are important for animal habitats and mitigating urban heat, environmental campaigners say. Credit:Nick Moir

But Labor mayor Darcy Byrne said the council's $5 million spend on plantings this year meant there would be thousands more new trees, as the state government aims to nearly double Sydney's tree canopy.

From February to the end of June, the council received 429 applications to remove trees, compared to 240 in the same period in 2019, and 209 in 2018, figures published in council papers show.
Telephone service between the United Arab Emirates and Israel began working Sunday as the two countries opened diplomatic ties, part of a deal brokered by the U.S. that required Israel to halt its contentious plan to annex West Bank land sought by the Palestinians for a future state.

Associated Press journalists in Jerusalem and Dubai were able to call each other from both landline and cellular phones registered to Israel's country code +972 from around 1:15 p.m.

Over an hour later, Emirati officials acknowledged that Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan had called his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi.

Israeli Communications Minister Yoaz Handel issued a statement 'congratulating the United Arab Emirates on removing the blocks.'

Phone service between the United Arab Emirates and Israel opened on Sunday. Pictured: Tel Aviv City Hall in Israel is lit up with the flag of the United Arab Emirates

Emirati officials acknowledged that Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (left) had called his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi (right)

'Many economic opportunities will open now, and these trust-building steps are an important step toward advancing states interests,' Handel said.

The step toward peace between the two countries comes as cross-border fighting at Gaza Strip's fishing zone caused Israel to shut it down.

Also Sunday, Israeli news websites that had previously been blocked by UAE authorities, like the Times of Israel, the Jerusalem Post and YNet, could be accessed without using means to bypass internet filtering in the Emirates.

In the UAE, a federation of seven sheikdoms on the Arabian Peninsula, a recorded message in Arabic and English would typically play prior to Sunday saying calls to +972 numbers could not be connected.

The advent of internet calling allowed people to get around the ban, though these too were often interrupted.

Some in Israel used Palestinian mobile phone numbers with +970 numbers, which those in the UAE could call.

The connection of phone service represents the first concrete sign of the deal between the Emiratis and Israelis.

Israel and the United Arab Emirates announced Thursday they were establishing full diplomatic relations in the U.S.-brokered accord.

President Trump, Jared Kushner, Treasury Secretary Steven Munchin and National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien announced the deal in the Oval Office

The historic deal delivered a key foreign policy victory to President Donald Trump as he seeks re-election and reflected a changing Middle East in which shared concerns about archenemy Iran have largely overtaken traditional Arab support for the Palestinians.

Palestinians say it puts a just resolution of the Middle East conflict even farther out of reach by undermining an Arab consensus that recognition of Israel only come in return for concessions in peace talks. That removes a rare source of leverage for the Palestinians.

The agreement will make the UAE the third Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan, to have full, active diplomatic ties with Israel.

The countries announced it in a joint statement, saying deals between Israel and the UAE were expected in the coming weeks in such areas as tourism, direct flights and embassies.

Early Sunday, the Emirates' state-run WAM news agency announced a UAE company had signed an agreement with an Israeli company for research and study of the coronavirus pandemic.

The move has sparked anger among some who see it as a betrayal of longstanding efforts to establish an independent state of Palestinians.

In Pakistan, hundreds of Islamists rallied Sunday to denounce the Emirati-Israeli deal.

Palestinian protesters set aflame cut-outs showing the faces of (L to R) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, and US President Donald Trump, during a demonstration in Nablus in the occupied West Bank last week

The Jamaat-e-Islami party chanted slogans against the United States and burned effigies of President Donald Trump. They also set ablaze American and Israeli flags.

The deal also has enraged Iran and Turkey, regional rivals to the UAE.

On Sunday, the chief of staff of Iran's armed forces called the UAE's decision a 'disaster.' Mohammad Hossein Bagheri urged Abu Dhabi to 'revise' its position.

'If an incident happens in the Persian Gulf and violates the national security of the Islamic Republic of Iran, even a tiny bit, and we see it from the UAE, we will not tolerate it,' Bagheri said.

Meanwhile, Israel closed the Gaza Strip's offshore fishing zone Sunday following a night of cross-border fighting with Palestinian militants, the most intense escalation of hostilities in recent months.

Palestinian militants in Gaza fired two rockets into southern Israel after Israeli airstrikes targeted sites belonging to the territory's militant Hamas rulers.

The military said the Iron Dome aerial defense system intercepted the two rockets that militants in Gaza launched at southern Israel. But police said rocket fallout caused damage to a house in the town of Sderot, and paramedics treated a 58-year-old man for minor wounds from the exploding glass.

The Israeli army said the strikes were a response to explosive balloons launched by Hamas-affiliated group over the border, and attempts by Palestinian protesters to throw explosives at the Israel-Gaza perimeter fence and soldiers stationed along it.

A Palestinian boy inspects the damage in his family home following Israeli airstrikes in Buriej refugee camp, central Gaza Strip

Israel has accused Hamas, an Islamist militant group, of being responsible for the attacks

Dozens of Palestinians took part in the protests. The military said the protesters 'burned tires, hurled explosive devices and grenades towards the security fence and attempted to approach it.'

The Gaza health ministry said Israeli gunfire at protesters wounded two Palestinians.

Israel holds Hamas, the Islamist militant group ruling the Gaza Strip, responsible for all attacks emanating from the Palestinian territory.

Incendiary balloons from the Gaza Strip have caused extensive damage to Israeli fields in recent days. It comes as Hamas, like other Palestinian factions, denounced the United Arab Emirates for agreeing to formal ties with Israel.

A Palestinian boy inspects the damage in his family home following Israeli airstrikes in Buriej refugee camp, central Gaza Strip

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz ordered the fishing zone off the coast of Gaza closed until further notice in response to the rocket fire.

Following a meeting Sunday with the top army brass, Gantz said in a statement that Israel 'will respond forcefully to any violation of sovereignty until complete quiet is restored in the south. If Sderot isnt quiet, Gaza wont be either.'

Israel and Egypt have maintained a blockade of the Gaza Strip since Hamas took power in an armed coup in 2007. Israel has fought three wars with Hamas in the Gaza Strip in the years since.

The two sides have largely upheld an informal truce, and fighting has ceased almost entirely since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
By Nellie Pou

These last months have been some of the most challenging in my time as a legislator. As the coronavirus pandemic spread through New Jersey like wildfire in early March, all of our state systems and our government fought to respond to the tidal waves of need.

My office has received hundreds of phone calls, emails, and pleas for support in the face of the crisis. Many of these calls were from terrified constituents with loved ones in prisons and juvenile facilities facing daily fears of infection and death from COVID-19.

In this historic fight, the government has a clear role to play: advance public health, save lives and consider the needs of the most vulnerable among us.

Lawmakers in New Jersey took the first step toward answering part of that urgent call on July 30 when they gave bipartisan support to amendments on a bill that would stem the tide of death in our prisons by speeding up the release of people whose sentences are nearly complete. We need to cross the finish line by approving the bill when it comes up for a vote this month.

That legislation, S2519/A4235, will help ensure that no one is left behind, much less left fearful of contracting a deadly illness with no cure.

This terror is justified. COVID-19 has wrought devastation on people across the state, in particular people of color, and especially those in our prisons. Indeed, people of color have experienced significantly higher rates of infection, death, economic harm and other horrors from this pandemic. Already notorious for having the worst Black-white racial disparities in its prisons, New Jersey now also has the worst rate of COVID-related prison deaths in the entire country. Those deaths are disproportionately impacting Black New Jerseyans and other people of color.

We as a state, like the rest of the country, have identified essential safety measures that most New Jerseyans have incorporated into their lives to contain the spread of the virus: social distancing, washing hands and wearing masks. People in prisons do not have the same opportunities to embrace these safety measures.

Prisons were not designed with physical distancing in mind. As public health and criminal justice experts have repeatedly told us, social distancing is impossible there. Other measures involving personal protective equipment (PPE) were employed far too late inside prisons to be used. In some cases, incarcerated people who resorted to creating their own PPE were punished.

People housed in prisons and juvenile facilities had no access to information for weeks about COVID-19, aside from what they could piece together from family, friends and attorneys. Inside prison walls, people live in densely populated close quarters, where people must share toilets, showers, and eating environments. People come into contact with one another daily during group movements, like getting medication, going to commissary, doing laundry and eating in the cafeteria. As people began exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, the New Jersey Department of Corrections responded at a glacial pace and incarcerated people, corrections officers and medical staff began to die.

All of this was foreseeable and much of it preventable. New Jersey officials assert that Black lives matter but statistics and agency actions suggest otherwise. There is still, however, an opportunity to act. We can and must do better.

Thats why I introduced S2519/A4235 along with my colleagues Senator Sandra B. Cunningham, Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter and Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson. The bill provides for the swift release of people due to come home within eight months, with a few limitations. We encourage our colleagues to support this bill and vote it out of the Legislature, and we encourage the governor to sign it quickly.

New Jersey has fought hard to reduce infection rates and deaths throughout our state. And yet, those behind prison walls are contained in highly infectious, crowded, dangerous spaces and they will continue to die. They deserve to have the state act and are calling for it. Their loved ones, advocacy groups, unions and law enforcement - our constituents as lawmakers - are demanding our state to act to protect the lives of those living in our prisons and juvenile facilities.

We must extend justice to those who we have left behind, by releasing those who will be coming home soon. We can no longer wait for justice to be realized. Justice has been consistently delayed but something more profound than even justice has been denied. At stake is our humanity. Whats deprived is peoples lives. We can no longer deny the responsibility we owe to each other, and we must act now.

Senator Nellie Pou, chair of the Senate Commerce Committee and the New Jersey Legislative Latino Caucus, is the lead sponsor of S2519/A4235, a bill to expedite release of people in prison nearing the end of their sentences to stem COVID-19.
A month after a video went viral showing huge crowds and few protective masks on Clifton Hill, a Crush the Curve ambassador program has helped stabilize the area, according to one of the businesses funding it.

Aided by a mask bylaw in enclosed public spaces which the region made mandatory July 31, the brightly-clad ambassadors have been effective after not the best of starts, said Joel Noden, vice-president of marketing for HOCO, which owns most all the properties on the south side of Clifton Hill.

Funded by the streets three main business owners, the ambassador program sees staff members in neon shirts reminding visitors to social distance while giving out masks and sanitizers. They also help delegate lines and clean counters, benches, etc.

Once the bylaw came into effect, it really made it a lot easier, Noden said. People were wearing masks, people were social distancing.

Really, when youre trying to stop people coming up the hill and educate them, its like stopping the centre lane of the Gardiner Expressway during rush hour.

The program was a direct response to a video uploaded to YouTube last month showing hordes of people on Clifton Hill in close proximity to each other, with hardly anyone wearing masks. It gained national attention and led to a press conference at which Mayor Jim Diodati introduced the ambassador program, stressing compliance rather than convictions.

Further videos have shown the street still busy  one showing a scuffle between a man and security near the Skywheel  but Diodati said the program is making an impact.

Tens of thousands of Niagara residents have been counting on our efforts being successful in order for them to be able to work and be safe so that they can put food on the table, pay their rent and mortgages, he said. We are utilizing common sense and moderation as we utilize guidance from experts.

It is a balancing act to be open and safe.

On Saturday, four weeks after the initial video was filmed, Clifton Hill was busy but lacking the congested areas that raised alarms. About a dozen members of the ambassador program were spotted up and down the street.

Noden said that number increases during the busiest times  Friday and Saturday nights.

All members of the ambassador program are supervisors from various businesses along the street and are paid for their efforts.

In recent weeks, Clifton Hill has also cordoned off parking spots along the street to open up more room for pedestrians and brought in two paid duty officers with Niagara Regional Police for Saturday nights.

Sitting on a Clifton Hill bench with his friend, Ryan Senti from Toronto said he has no worries about visiting the street after watching the recent videos.

As long as were out in the open, we should be OK.

Despite the new safety measures, longtime tourist area business owner Maria Ramunno said it has been a tense summer.

Youre exposed to so many people all day long, said Ramunno, who owns the Rockworld store on Centre Street, just off Clifton Hill. I dont know where theyve been, where they come from.

I dont know if nervous is the word. Im just not sure. Most people are really good, though.

RELATED STORIES Niagara Region New safety measures on Clifton Hill in wake of video showing large crowds

Flare-ups with customers still occur, she added. On Saturday a man entered her store without a mask, and when reminded of the bylaw said weve become a fascist society. He was livid.

Another man said he was going to sue her when asked to leave.

Its a battle that will forever define the summer of 2020, Ramunno said.

We cant close down  we have bills to pay. We have to take this chance.

Well survive even if were not making anything because we dont pay rent here, its family-owned. But people paying high rent, my heart goes out to them.
A special recording of Beautiful City has been released to mark the 50th Anniversary of musical Godspell.

Jodie Steele (SIX; Heathers; Wicked) lends her flawless vocals to a female-led recording of of the song, which is available from today (Sunday, August 16).

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The track has been released by Broadway Records and Ginger Quiff Media ahead of the shows 50th anniversary production.

Beautiful City will be available on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major digital platforms. You can also find the single at www.broadwayrecords.com/beautiful-city.

Praised by composer Stephen Schwartz (Wicked; Pippin; The Prince of Egypt) for her stunning rendition, the track offers a glimpse at what people can expect from the highly anticipated Godspell online concert experience, streaming later this month.

Resonating with the current climate, and the hope for better tomorrow, the message behind Beautiful City feels more important than ever. Led by Steele, the song inspires optimism, that a beautiful city will be built from this chaos.

Featuring in the 50th anniversary Godspell online concert, alongside an incredible ensemble of West End talent, Jodie will star with theatrical legends, Ruthie Henshall (Chicago; Billy Elliot), Darren Day (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat; Priscilla, Queen of the Desert), Sam Tutty (Dear Evan Hansen), Ria Jones (Sunset Boulevard; High Society), Jenna Russell (The Bridges of Madison County; Fun Home).

Also starring in the production, hosted by Hope Mill Theatre, will be: Danyl Johnson (The X Factor finalist), Jenny Fitzpatrick (Tina, The Musical; Our House), Natalie Green (The Prince of Egypt; Hair), John Barr (The Story of Bart; Tommy), Sally Ann Triplett (Mamma Mia!; Viva Forever), Matthew Croke (Aladdin), Alison Jiear (Jerry Springer: The Opera), Shekinah McFarlane (Six; Hair), Lucy Williamson (The Fix; Judy & Liza), Ronald Brian (Beautiful, The Carol King Musical; Newsies), Jerome Bell (The Voice USA; Hairspray) and supported by an ensemble from Italia Conti.

The virtual concert will stream on 27th, 28th & 29th August, 2020 with tickets costing 15 available to purchase online here.

The production will raise funds for the theatre as well as Acting For Others, and National AIDS Trust.
(Newser)  One of Germany's best-known food companies said it will rename a popular spicy dressing because of the racist connotations of its name. Knorr will change the name of its Zigeuersauce, or "gypsy sauce" to "Paprika Sauce Hungarian Style," the German weekly Bild am Sonntag reported Sunday. Since gypsy sauce can be interpreted in a negative way, we have decided to give our Knorr sauce a new name, said Unilever, the international consumer goods group that owns Knorr. The popular spicy sauce, which the AP reports is a staple in many German households, will within a few weeks show up with the new name in supermarkets across the country, Bild am Sonntag reported. Civil rights groups have for years called for the renaming of the brand, but in 2013, the company rejected the demand, the German news agency dpa reported.

story continues below

The renaming of the brand follows recent international debates over racism, especially in the United States, where national companies have also renamed traditional brands in response to concerns about racial stereotyping. Zigeuner is a derogative German expression for the Roma and Sinti minority groups who have lived in many European countries for centuries. Roma and Sinti are still discriminated against in Europe. The terms Zigeunersauce has been used in Germany for more than 100 years to describe a tomato-based hot sauce with small-chopped pieces of bell pepper, onions, vinegar, and spices like paprika. A popular dish with the sauce often served in traditional German restaurants is called Zigeunerschnitzel, or gypsy schnitzel. That name is also still used on many menus across the country nowadaysdespite much criticism. Roma and Sinti organizations in Germany have long pointed out that the sauce is not even part of their traditional cuisine.

(Read more racism stories.)
US seeks to make up for UNSC failure with alleged seizure of Iranian tankers: Rouhani

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 15 August 2020 10:22 AM

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the United States has cooked up a story about the seizure of four tankers carrying Iranian gasoline bound for Venezuela after suffering an embarrassing diplomatic defeat at the United Nations Security Council which on Friday rejected its proposal to extend an arms embargo on Iran.

"Having suffered the political defeat, the Americans claimed to have seized four Iranian vessels in international waters. It however turned out later that neither were the tankers Iranian nor Iran-flagged. It was all just fake news," Rouhani said during a meeting of the National Headquarters for Managing and Fighting the Coronavirus in Tehran on Saturday.

The Wall Street Journal had on Thursday cited US officials as saying that the US government had for the first time seized vessels allegedly carrying Iranian gasoline to Venezuela. It said the US had recently seized four vessels, called Luna, Pandi, Bering, and Bella, on the high seas and they were being transferred to Houston, Texas.

Iran's Ambassador to Venezuela Hojjat Soltani on Thursday rejected the report as another "lie" and an instance of "psychological warfare."

"Neither the tankers are Iranian, nor their owner or flags have anything to do with Iran," he said in a Twitter post.

Soltani said the fake news aimed to cover up the failure of the US administration's policy toward Iran.

The Security Council on Friday rejected a US resolution to extend an arms embargo on Iran that is due to expire in October.

Only two of the Council's 15 members voted in favor, highlighting the division between Washington and its European allies since US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from Iran's nuclear deal, which is officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and has been endorsed by Security Council Resolution 2231, in May 2018.

Besides the United States, only the Dominican Republic voted in favor of the draft as China and Russia voted against the bid, with the remaining 11 Security Council members, including the European allies of the United States, abstaining.

"The failure of the United States is a sign of the power of the JCPOA ... The reason why the resolution had 11 abstentions and 2 votes against was because everyone believes in maintaining the JCPOA for the sake of security. The United States failed miserably in this regard," Rouhani said.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran, with its power in the region and by cooperating with its friends with whom it shares common goals, has achieved great successes so far," he said.

"Yesterday was a great political victory for Iran and a disgraceful defeat for the United States. We hope that the countries of the region will learn a lesson and will not approach usurping countries."

Rouhani warns UAE against letting Israel into region

Rouhani also strongly lambasted the UAE-Israel deal that will lead to full normalization of their diplomatic relations, warning Abu Dhabi about the consequences of allowing the Tel Aviv regime to secure a foothold in the region and wield influence.

The Iranian president noted UAE rulers have taken a wrong path to think that their security and economic growth would be ensured if they sided with the United States and the Israeli regime.

He denounced the UAE-Israel normalization agreement as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause, Muslim world as well as the issue of the occupied Jerusalem al-Quds.

Rouhani also condemned US President Donald Trump's hugely-controversial endorsement of occupied Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's "undivided capital," relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds and the so-called "deal of the century" on the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"The Zionists are planning to occupy and expropriate more Palestinian territories, expand settlement activities and press ahead with their crimes against the Muslim Palestinian nation," he said.

Rouahni highlighted that UAE officials agreed to the normalization deal with Israel in order to please Trump and improve his chances of garnering more votes in the forthcoming US presidential election scheduled for November 3.

Various Palestinian factions in the occupied West Bank and besieged Gaza Strip have roundly condemned the normalization announcement.

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday donated 7.5 tonnes of medical supplies to the Nigerian government to support it in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The consignment, which arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on Saturday, comprised thousands of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).

Handing over the items, the UAE's deputy ambassador to Nigeria, Khalifa Al Mehrizi, said the UAE was committed to supporting Nigeria in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Al-Taffaq said the donation was an initiative of the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Mohammed Al-Maktoum.

"The UAE believes that concerted efforts across board is key to effectively mitigating the socio-economic effect of the pandemic, hence the donation of these aids," he said.

The ambassador said the supplies were meant to boost the provision of adequate healthcare response in the management of the pandemic.

"I express my profound gratitude to the Vice President Al Maktoum for the donation of these supplies which is part of a series of humanitarian response operations by the UAE to support friendly countries in the fight against COVID-19.

"The embassy has executed several humanitarian projects during this health crisis and we will continue to collaborate with Nigeria to effectively fight the spread of COVID-19.

"The UAE strongly commends the unrelenting efforts and excellent work of the Nigerian Government in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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"We also salute all Nigerian frontline workers, doctors, nurses, educators and the media who are working tirelessly to overcome this pandemic," he said.

Receiving the items on behalf of the government, the Director of Drugs and Vaccine Development, Federal Ministry of Health, Olubukola Ajayi, said the Nigerian government appreciated the UAE's donation.

She added that the federal government welcomed all support it could get in its fight against the pandemic.

"We thank the UAE for providing Nigeria with the much-needed medical support to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The whole world is in need of medical aid to support the existing resources of individual countries. This shipment will boost the supply of medical equipment that will help manage the pandemic.

"The UAE continues to remain an active partner with the Nigerian People and government and we will continue to partner for the greater good of ours," she said. (NAN)
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state has reiterated his commitment in the fight against corruption.

Speaking during a visit to the states Public Complaint and Anti Corruption Commission on Saturday August 15, Ganduje urged the commission not to compromise the anti-graft war and further disclosed that he will not interfere in the prosecution of any political office holder in the state.

Ganduje said;

Whosoever falls into the commissions trap should face the consequence. I will have nothing to do with it. I will not interfere with any case whosoever might be involved. With the way corruption is fighting back and the fight against corruption being an agenda of President Muhammad Buhari, the federal government cannot fight it alone. It needs domestication in the states and the local governments to succeed.

On his own part, the chairman of the commission Muhyi Magaji stated that they have set benchmarks in the country and are being emulated by other states because of the Governors support.

He said;
- A doctor in India was hailed after his selfless act of giving up the oxygen he was using

- He was positive for COVID-19 but when a 71-year-old patient was wheeled in, he readily gave up the one he was using

- The doctor, despite his weakness, not only gave up the oxygen but he got up and intubated the patient himself to save him

- If they waited for another anesthetist, it would have taken around 20 minutes more, and the time was crucial for the elderly patient to survive

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Dr. Sanket Mehta, 37, was hailed for his heroic deed after he gave up his own oxygen for the sake of a 71-year-old patient who needed to be intubated.

The doctor, who was an anesthetist, was also suffering from COVID-19. He was two beds away from that of the elderly patient, and when he found that the patient needed to be intubated, he gave him his own oxygen.

Photo: Pixabay

Source: UGC

He was even the one who got up and intubated the patient himself because if they wait for 20 minutes more for an anesthetist to don a PPE, it would be costly for the patient.

The report was published by India Times and also by GMA News.

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Source: UGC

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In the Philippines, the government faced problems when they imposed the initial community quarantine, which was elevated into enhanced community quarantine. It also suspended transportation causing massive problems with commuters.

Doctors have died after being infected by COVID-19. They are among the frontliners who attend to the patients rushing to hospitals amid pandemic.

The COVID-19 outbreak started out in Wuhan, Hubei Province of China. Scientists believed that the virus came from an animal at one of Wuhan's wet markets. The Philippines has slowly eased quarantine measures and Filipinos are starting to adapt to the new normal.

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Cincinnati: Police in Cincinnati said 17 people  including some likely fatalities  were shot at three separate locations early Sunday morning.

In one shooting alone in the city's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, 10 people were shot, with two possibly dead, Assistant Police Chief Paul Neudigate told news outlets.

In the Walnut Hills neighborhood, about a block away from the Harriet Beecher Stowe house, three people were shot. And, in the Avondale neighborhood, four people were shot, including two who police said might be dead.

News outlets reported the shootings took place within 60 to 90 minutes of each other, but Neudigate said they seem to be separate independent incidents but horrific and tragic."

No suspect information was immediately available.

One extremely violent night in the city of Cincinnati. Looking at possibly 17 victims, up to four that could be fatal at this time. Why? Thats going to be the question," Neudigate said.

In July, the Enquirer reported that the city had experienced a rise in shootings and homicides from gun violence during the first half of the year as compared to the same time period in 2019.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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Sandra Rodriguez, 63, receives a COVID-19 vaccination at the Research Centers of America in Hollywood, Florida -- volunteers in the state are flocking to take part in clinical trials for a possible vaccine against the coronavirus

Heather Lieberman is betting that she will gain immunity from the coronavirus. Sandra Rodriguez wants to work with scientists for the good of the community.

Both have signed up for clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines in Florida, the new US epicenter of the global health crisis.

"I want to be part of history. I want to help," said Rodriguez, a 63-year-old teacher sitting in the offices of a clinical investigation center north of Miami, as nurses prepare to inject her.

"I want to do a good thing and I know this is a good thing. So I'm all for it."

So-called phase three vaccine clinical trials -- in which thousands of people take part in the final stages -- are gaining traction in the Sunshine State.

With more than half a million cases and over 9,000 deaths, Florida ranks second in the United States in total cases behind California -- making it an ideal place to carry out the trials.

That has led to a flurry of activity at the Research Centers of America (RCA), a private center carrying out clinical trials in Hollywood, 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Miami,

RCA is working with six potential vaccines against COVID-19. Two of them, made by Moderna and Pfizer, are in phase three trials.

Volunteers come in one after the other, by appointment. They are examined by a doctor, sign a document and receive their injection.

They could be getting an experimental vaccine or just a placebo, because a control group is needed to establish a baseline for comparisons.

They are then asked to wait a couple of hours before being sent home once the experts have determined there is no adverse reaction.

Nelia Sanchez-Crespo (L) examines Heather Lieberman, 28, as she participates in a COVID-19 vaccination study at the Research Centers of America in Hollywood, Florida -- the doctor says volunteers have been "pouring in"

"Our experience have been good. We haven't had any issues in all the patients that we have vaccinated so far," said Nelia Sanchez-Crespo, a doctor and researcher at RCA.

Volunteers have "been pouring in," she told AFP.

"They're really eager. I've seen much more desire to participate in these particular trials because people really want something to be available sooner."

- Seeking volunteers -

Heather Lieberman (L), says she is hoping to end up getting immunity from the novel coronavirus by participating in a vaccine trial -- but of course, she could end up getting the placebo

That wish to see results, as well as the chance that they could gain immunity from the deadly disease, is what motivated the 28-year-old Lieberman.

"It's worth trying," she said as she waited at RCA.

"You can't just live in a box," she added, crossing her fingers that she does not end up in the control group.

Each day, RCA tests out a vaccine from a different lab.

On the day Lieberman and Rodriguez visited the clinic, they were testing mRNA-1273, developed by Moderna and the US National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which is led by high-profile government expert Anthony Fauci.

Moderna, a biotech firm set up less than a decade ago that has never brought a vaccine or drug to market, started its nationwide phase three trials on July 27.

That same day, US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech also announced that its vaccine BNT162b2 was advancing to phase two and three trials.

A COVID-19 vaccine is ready to be given to a volunteer at the Research Centers of America in Hollywood, Florida -- the clinic is testing vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer

Each vaccine will be administered to 30,000 people in tests carried out in dozens of clinical research centers across the country.

Most of the tests will focus on California, Florida and Texas, the US states with the most cases.

Volunteers sign up on a web page and await a call from the clinic. Anyone is welcome.

"Each trial is looking for different things. We definitely want different groups," said Sanchez-Crespo, who is hoping to receive hundreds of volunteers each week.

RCA is looking for "healthy individuals, patients that are first responders -- doctors, nurses, firefighters -- people who work in airports, restaurants. That's very important. They have contact with a lot of people," she said.

But she said that also needed are subjects in "high-risk groups because of their medical issues like diabetes, COPD, asthma."

- Sputnik -

Staff at the Research Centers of America in Hollywood, Florida say that trial volunteers like this man are happy to be part of the process of finding a potential successful coronavirus vaccine

As well as the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, a third contender, developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, has started phase three trials in the West.

Two more are at the same stage in China.

Russia surprised the world this past week when its leader Vladimir Putin announced that his country's vaccine, named "Sputnik" after the pioneering 1950s Soviet satellite, offers "sustainable immunity" from the coronavirus.

Putin said that 20 countries had put in orders for a billion doses, but admitted clinical trials were not yet complete.

The news was met with skepticism by many Western scientists, who fear Russian researchers are cutting corners.

So far, the United States has poured more than $10 billion into six vaccine development projects and signed contracts to guarantee delivery of hundreds of millions of doses.

"We have seen a lot of excitement with this trial," said RCA nurse practitioner Barbara Corral, who added that volunteers "really want to be part of something great."
Sanjay Dutts sister Priya Dutt has been by his side after he was diagnosed with stage-4 lung cancer. She accompanied him to the Lilavati hospital on Saturday evening and was also spotted at the hospital on Sunday.

Sanjay was admitted to Lilavati Hospital last weekend after he complained of breathlessness. He was discharged on Monday. A day after coming home, the actor issued a statement on social media requesting his well-wishers to not speculate about his health amid rumours that he has been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Sanjay Dutt at Lilavati hospital on Sunday. (Varinder Chawla)

Sanjay Dutt at Lilavati hospital. (Varinder Chawla)

Priya Dutt at Lilavati hospital. (Varinder Chawla)

Dutt has not yet officially commented on the nature of his diagnosis. The actors wife, producer Maanayata Dutt on Wednesday said the Bollywood star is a fighter who has always emerged winner amid adverse conditions and urged fans to not fall prey to speculations.

We need all the strength and prayers to overcome this phase. There is a lot that the family has gone through in the past years but I am confident, this too shall pass, she said.

The news of Sanjays diagnosis came a day before the trailer release of his upcoming film, Sadak 2. The actor will be finishing the dubbing of the film before taking a break from work for his medical treatment. The 61-year-old had announced on Tuesday that he would be taking a short break from his work commitments to take care of his health. He (Dutt) will finish the dubbing work before going on the break. He has a very little work left and he is doing that, source close to the films production told PTI.

Also read: MS Dhoni retires: Anupam Kher pens note as cricketers filmy father, Abhishek Bachchan calls it the end of an era

Sadak 2 also stars Alia Bhatt, Aditya Roy Kapur and Pooja Bhatt and will premiere on Disney+Hotstar. Sanjay will also star in the second installment of KGF, Shamshera, alongside Ranbir Kapoor, and Torbaaz. In 2019, the actor had featured in three movies -- Ashutosh Gowarikers period drama Panipat, Karan Johar-produced Kalank and political drama Prassthanam.

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LAS CRUCES, N.M. - The countys Historical Museum of Lawmen sits to the right of the front lobby at the Dona Ana County Sheriffs Department on Motel Blvd. The county calls it the regions only museum dedicated solely to law enforcement.

Besides photographs of past sheriffs, service badges, vintage weapons and other memorabilia, the collection includes artifacts related to former sheriff Pat Garrett, famed for killing the outlaw Billy the Kid in Fort Sumner in 1881. The museum also featured a memorial to fallen law enforcement officers.

It once was open during business hours Monday through Friday and occasionally on Saturdays. More recently, tours were available by appointment, per the county website. The museum is curated by retired deputy Jim Beasley.

Now, however, the museum has been permanently closed and most of its inventory has been dispersed over the past several weeks.

Retired Dona Ana County Sheriffs Lt. West Gilbreath, who founded the museum 30 years ago, recently returned to Las Cruces to collect uniforms, badges, vintage handcuffs and other items he had donated to the museum, including a roll-top desk used by Garrett that Gilbreath personally rescued from the dump in the late 1990s.

Theres very little left. Most everything is gone, he told the Las Cruces Sun-News.

Gilbreath said the museum evolved from a display in the lobby of the sheriff departments previous headquarters. He organized it with the approval of former Sheriff Ray Storment.

When the current headquarters building was in the design phase, Gilbreath said space for a museum was incorporated from the beginning. The collection made its home at the new headquarters in 2006.

It was a place for citizens of Dona Ana County to see Old West history, Gilbreath said. Former retired deputies could take their families there and say, This is what I was part of.

Up to his retirement in 2001, Gilbreath said the museum was a popular attraction for tour groups and school visits.

Sheriff Kim Stewart, who holds an undergraduate degree in history herself, said the museum drew few visitors anymore and most of its artifacts were collectibles with items of significant value kept in storage.

Moreover, she said much of the collection was on loan to the sheriffs office and not insured.

We are law enforcement, not museum curators, Stewart wrote in a statement. Proper display and maintenance is a profession, and we dont have those skill sets.

Documents of historical value have gone to New Mexico State Universitys library archives and special collections, where Stewart said they will be maintained and open to the public for review.

Gilbreath said he learned of the museums closure when Beasley contacted him, thanks to a written agreement returning items to Gilbreath if the museum was ever eliminated.

He expressed concern Monday that some items may be disposed of before donors without such contracts have an opportunity to reclaim them.

As an example of potential losses, Gilbreath said he was saddened to see a 2,000-pound safe that was displayed inside the museum. The safe, which has been county property since 1881, sported original artwork inside and out, but at an unknown date was moved outdoors.

On Monday, rust covered the surface of the safe, which sat on a patio outside near an antique service vehicle.

A memorial to fallen officers remains outside the buildings main entrance.

The collection included many items donated by Sheriff Alfredo Garcia, who served from 1959 to 1962 as the countys youngest sheriff and went on to work for the Las Cruces Police Department. Garcia died last year at age 89.

In 2012, the horse-drawn hearse that carried Garrett to his final resting place in 1908 was installed at the museum after being carefully transported from Pinos Altos, New Mexico. Las Cruces resident Cal Traylor, a history buff with a particular interest in Garrett, acquired the hearse and donated it to the museum. Traylor died in 2015.

On Tuesday, the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces confirmed that the hearse will be added to its collection for possible display in its main gallery.

The Dona Ana County Historical Society reported in the summer edition of its newsletter that Stewart made contact with them in June. On July 23, it sent volunteers to reclaim a farm wagon and a single-seat buggy the society had donated to the museum in 1995. The vehicles were brought to a private home because the society has no property for storing or displaying the items.

Our goal is to find them an appropriate, appreciative and permanent home, society president Dennis Daily wrote in the newsletter. Exactly how we will do that has been discussed but weve yet to settle on a final plan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his Independence Day speech, launched the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), an initiative to digitise health records of Indians.

Modi said NDHM will bring a new revolution in India's health sector and technology will be used prudently to reduce the challenges in treatment.

As per NDHM, every Indian will be given a Health ID. The Health ID will work like a Health Account of every Indian. The account will contain details of every test, every disease, the doctors you visited, the medicines prescribed and the diagnosis.

"The National Digital Health Mission will eliminate all these difficulties related to appointments with a doctor, depositing money, making a slip in the hospital, etc. We are devising a system which will help each and every citizen to make a better and informed decision," Modi said.

Will NDHM be game changer?

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

Experts say, apart from convenience for the patient, or not storing and carrying the health records physically, if implemented well, it can reduce overall healthcare expenses.

There are numerous examples of patients, who move from a small town to a metro city seeking for instance cancer care, have to repeat most of the tests that were already performed, including the expensive tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and other imaging tests. Even biopsy tests are asked to be repeated.

To be sure, there could be genuine reasons for asking for repeat of such tests, because either the previous test was not performed in a format that's acceptable or there is a missing piece of information critical to diagnosing the case. Also the patient might not be carrying one of his test reports with him.

But, many a time, there are possible commercial reasons, as well for repeating tests. The cost of diagnostics is substantial in cancer care.

By digitising health records, this duplicity of tests can be avoided, first by bringing standardisation of tests and reducing burden on patients.

The digitisation of records also enables whether correct care has been given to the patient or not.

"This will help in providing prompt and accurate treatment, especially in emergencies by avoiding repetition of medical history taking and unwarranted tests. Carrying bags full of reports to different hospitals and loss of physical reports will no longer be an issue," Dr. Hardik Ajmera, Deputy Medical Director, Mumbai-based Saifee Hospital.

"Providing a unique identification to doctors as well as health facilities can lead to streamlining several issues of quality and accountability," says Charu Sehgal, Partner at Life Sciences and Healthcare Industry Leader, Deloitte India.

Most leading hospitals, diagnostic chains, medical insurance companies and state and Central governments which are implementing health insurance schemes, do have digital health records. But the problem is the data is so far stored in silos, and doesn't interact.

For instance, health insurance companies have access to the data, they can better underwrite policies and the pricing of premiums would be more dynamic.

"Digital health not only improves a patients quality of life but it also decreases the overall expenses incurred by a patient over their lifetime, reducing bills for patients and care providers alike," says Dr Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman, Manipal Hospitals.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 20:22:29|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- During his second trip to Europe in less than a month, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo unsurprisingly carried on his malign campaign, hurling insults at China, scrambling to indoctrinate "America's friends" with slanders and lies, and contriving to revive a Cold War.

Addressing a press conference with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, Pompeo repeated his anti-China agenda, groundlessly calling the country a threat. To his dismay, the Czech prime minister did not echo his rhetoric, but said instead that Czech is "a sovereign country and I do not see any major threat here."

Tirelessly calling Huawei a threat, Pompeo provided no concrete evidence for his claim. On the contrary, as divulged by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden and WikiLeaks, it was the United States that has implemented a notorious global surveillance.

When the ink was not yet dry on the U.S.-Slovenia 5G joint declaration, local media pointed out that Pompeo's so-called threats to 5G, human rights and democracy are not about those values of Western civilization, but about who gets a bigger slice of the pie in the future business and consequently controls the world.

On the issue of 5G and cyber security, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg told a press conference with Pompeo on Friday that they have adopted a common position within the European Union.

He also noted that Austria "deeply" regrets the U.S. use of extraterritorial sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, adding they "would rather endeavor on or pursue the way of bilateral talks to find a common solution on this ground, on this matter."

The former CIA director embellished his trip to Europe with the purposes of safeguarding freedom and democracy, and protecting allies from existential threats. The mentality reflected the fact that a handful of U.S. politicians still believe America has a mission to save and dominate the world.

Driven by strong ideological biases, Pompeo delivered his infamous "new iron curtain speech" last month, which came from nowhere but the imagination and anxiety of a troubled soul mired in a Cold War mentality.

Unfortunately, under the influence of this mentality, U.S. foreign policy has often swerved from diplomacy to war, according to professor Jeffrey Sachs at Columbia University.

During the Cold War era, anti-communist fervor led the United States to fight multiple disastrous wars in Southeast Asia and Central America. While Americans are still languishing in those debacles, demagogues like Pompeo are seeking another Cold War.

Indeed, some might be prone to associate Eastern Europe with a Cold War. But by no means are the peace-loving people living in this region and anywhere else around the world fooled by Pompeo and his ilk into repeating the tragedy.

As a Czech proverb goes, "people are often caught in their own trap." Pompeo should realize his self-made Cold War trap could catch no one but himself. Enditem
Carprice has revealed she felt' terrified' after 40,000 worth of jewellery and cash was stolen from her second home in Ibiza.

The model, 48, told how burglars ransacked the property and took luxury items belonging to guests who were staying with her family.

Caprice admitted that one of her sons now refuses to sleep alone following the traumatic ordeal, while she is also waking at the slightest noise.

Scary: Carprice has revealed she felt' terrified' after 40,000 worth of jewellery and cash was stolen from her second home in Ibiza

She told The Sun on Sunday: 'It was absolutely terrifying for myself and my two sons. One won't sleep without us since the robbery and I keep waking up thinking a creak in the house during the night is another robbery.

'I feel like our private place has been breached and it's hard to feel safe any more.'

Caprice and her husband Ty Comfort, 54, their six-year-old sons Jett and Jax, and their three guests were fortunately out of the villa at the time of the robbery.

Family: The model, 48, told how burglars ransacked the property and took luxury items belonging to guests who were staying with her family (pictured with husband Ty)

Caprice is now taking every precaution to avoid another robbery and has installed a security system and bought a guard dog for the property.

The Dancing On Ice star, who described the home as her safe place, explained that she had no idea her friends had such expensive items with them or she would have taken further precautions.

She said: 'I remember getting in and something not being right. One of my guests went to their room and came out immediately and said, "My Rolex has gone?" It had been next to the bed My heart sank. I realised we'd been robbed.

'My friends were devastated. I burst into tears. I felt so guilty, so invaded. I felt my sanctuary had been breached. It was terrible.'

Struggles: Caprice admitted that one of her sons now refuses to sleep alone following the traumatic ordeal, while she is also waking at the slightest noise

The most concerning thing for Caprice is that she believes it was an inside job and someone had been tipped off that they would be out of the house.

Caprice has been putting a brave face on things since her Ibiza home was burgled in a daylight jewellery raid.

The mother-of-two has jetted off to Greece to take her mind off things and posed in a series of neon bikinis, sharing the pictures on Instagram on Thursday.

A source also told MailOnline: 'After a stressful start to Caprices family holiday she decided to get away for a few days.'

On Friday it was revealed that 'tens of thousands of pounds' worth of jewellery owned by her guests were stolen in a daylight raid at her Ibiza home.

She has owned a property on the Spanish island for years, spending her summers with friends and family at the house.

The TV personality had been left 'shaken up' during her current trip, where she has holidayed with WAG Rebekah Vardy and her family, after the traumatic robbery.

'Caprice and family are a little shaken up after her Ibiza house was robbed in broad daylight,' an insider told MailOnline.

'She has been coming to Ibiza with friends and family for the past 20 years and has never had any problems. It was her guests who were robbed and tens of thousands of pounds worth of jewellery was taken.'

Caprice was pictured at the island's courthouse on Thursday as she arrived to file a police report.

Horrifying: The mother-of-two has jetted off to Greece to take her mind off things and posed in a series of neon bikinis, sharing the pictures on Instagram on Thursday

'She went straight to the courthouse to file a police report. A lot was stolen,' the insider added. 'You just don't expect it in broad daylight!'

'Caprice never brings her jewellery or anything of value when the family goes to Ibiza nor does she keep cash around just to be safe. She feels awful and a bit frightened this has happened'.

Caprice is currently caught up in the coronavirus chaos after the government pulled its air bridge with Spain following a spike in COVID-19 cases.

The government introduced a mandatory 14-day quarantine on anyone returning to Britain from Spain in a hastily announced change in the rules.

The rules apply to all regions of Spain, including the Canary and Balearic islands - though politicians in the latter say they are trying to thrash out a regional air bridge.
Hyderabad, Aug 16 : The water level in the Godavari river at Bhadrachalam in Telangana was rising close to the danger mark on Sunday as heavy rains continued to lash parts of the state, creating flood-like situation in some districts.

Central Water Commission (CWC) officials issued an alert as the water level in Godavari rose alarmingly. They said the level at Bhadrachalam could reach the danger mark on Sunday night.

The river was in spate thanks to incessant rains in the catchment areas. Irrigation officials on Sunday issued a second flood warning signal at Bhadrachalam as the water level crossed 48.1 feet in the morning. By afternoon, the level rose to 52 feet.

If the water level crosses 53 feet at Bhadrachalam, a third flood warning signal will be issued.

According to CWC records, the water level in Godavari last rose to the danger mark in 1986. The level on August 1986 was 56.6 feet.

Officials said water level was rising at Bhadrachalam due to huge inflows from upstream including at Warangal, Karimnagar and Adilabad districts.

People in low-lying areas were alerted to move to safe places. A state-level control room was set up to monitor the situation. People may contact the control room at 040-23450624.

Meanwhile, incessant rains inundated low-lying areas in some districts. The streams and rivulets were overflowing while water was gushing out of filled-up tanks.

Several colonies in Warangal town remained inundated for the second day. People in the affected areas were moved to relief camps.

A truck driver was feared washed away in Siddipet district. The truck was swept away in the water of a stream that flooded the road near Basavapur village. The driver jumped off the lorry and held on to a bush but could not withstand the force of the water. Expert swimmers and a helicopter were deployed to rescue him.

With the Met office forecasting more rains, the government has sounded an alert.

Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao directed the officials concerned to be on high alert due to the heavy rains and flood situation.

He spoke to Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, Director General of Police Mahender Reddy and the ministers.

KCR instructed the ministers to stay put in their respective districts, coordinate with the collectors and police officials on a regular basis.

On the instructions from the CM, the officials have kept two helicopters ready and they will be utilised to rescue people stranded in the floodwaters.

Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar held a teleconference with the district collectors and took stock of the arrangements put in place for handling the situation arising out of incessant rains and floods in the state over the past few days.

He asked the collectors to be on high alert as there were indications that the rains were likely to continue for a few more days. He asked all the officials to remain in headquarters, work in close coordination and ensure that no loss of lives or property takes place in the state.

The Chief Secretary urged the District Collectors to set up round-the-clock control rooms in their districts to maintain a close watch.
Excerpts from Cao Yu's plays, including Thunderstorm, are staged at Poly Theater on July 31. [For China Daily]

Playwright Cao Yu's debut play, Thunderstorm, was published in 1934 when he was 24. Cao, arguably China's greatest 20th century playwright, wrote the play during his final year at Tshinghua University.

It revolves around two families whose complex relationships lead to inevitable tragic consequences unfolding against the backdrop of turmoil in the 1930s.

It was critically praised both at home and abroad.

His real name was Wan Jiabao (1910-1996) but he adopted the pen name Cao Yu. He was born in Tianjin and fell in love with acting during middle school. His works, including Sunrise, Wilderness and Peking Man, have become classics.

Thunderstorm has been described as one of China's most enduring dramas of the 20th century and Cao is called "the father of the country's modern drama". He was appointed the director of the Beijing People's Art Theatre in the early 1950s and was elected the chairman of the Chinese Dramatists' Association in the early 1980s.

He died in Beijing in 1996 after being hospitalized for eight years.

As this year marks the 110th birth anniversary, his classic works will be staged again in December, the Beijing-based drama company Magnificent Culture Co announced on July 31.

Excerpts from his plays, including Thunderstorm, Sunrise and Peking Man, were staged at Poly Theater on July 31, featuring veteran actors, such as Shi Ke and Lin Lin, as well as young actors. The performances marked the reopening of the theater after it closed for about six months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"The past six months have been devastating to theaters. The charm of watching a play inside a theater is irresistible, but we've been forced to stay at home due to the viral outbreak," says producer Wang Keran, who directed the performances on July 31.

"When we could go back to watch plays at the theater, we want to offer the audiences with classic plays by Cao Yu and contemporary works by his daughter, which is like a conversation between father and daughter and a celebration of theater from different eras."

Scriptwriter Wan Fang's play Winter Journey. [For China Daily]

Wan Fang, 68, a Chinese playwright, who is the daughter of Cao Yu, said: "I watched my father's Thunderstorm many times at the Beijing People's Art Theater, where my father was one of the theater's founding members and its first president. I was so scared that I started to cry when I first heard the noise of the thunderstorm emanating from the stage. My father started to write the play when he was about 19. I am also a writer but writing such a great work like Thunderstorm at merely 24 is beyond my imagination," she adds.

Wan Fang's plays, including Winter Journey and New Wilderness, were also staged at Poly Theater on July 31. During December, her works will also be adapted, including her latest work, Thunderstorm II, a sequel to Thunderstorm. It will focus on the characters' choices at the end of Thunderstorm, how they recall the night and the people they would later become.

She says the characters in Thunderstorm are memorable and had distinctive personalities. She wondered what future the characters would have after that fateful night, where some of them uncover bitter truths and others lose their minds.

"Many people ask me about the definition of 'classic' since many of my father's works are considered as classic. My answer is that when a play is adapted and staged again and again and audiences from different generations share the emotions in it, it becomes a classic naturally," she says. "The key of creating a classic work is the writer's sincerity."

Cao was a sincere man and he was a keen observer. As Wan Fang recalls, her father liked to walk around after dinner. One day, when Wan Fang walked with him, Cao Yu suddenly stopped and said: "Being young is beautiful," while pointing at a young couple on the street.

"He told me that writing originated from subtle and careful observation of real life. I felt lucky to be his daughter as I learned a lot from him both through his writing and personality," she adds.

Excerpts from Cao Yu's plays, including Thunderstorm, are staged at Poly Theater on July 31. [For China Daily]

Last year, Wan Fang published a book, titled You And Me, which followed the romance between her father and mother. Wan Fang's mother, Fang Rui, was born into an intellectual family and was the second wife of Cao. She died in 1974.When Cao died in 1996, Wan Fang's stepmother, Li Yuru, gave her all the letters between Cao and Fang during the 1940s, which inspired Wan Fang to write the book.

"It took me over 10 years to finish the book. In the beginning, I wanted to dedicate it to my mother, because I had never written anything about her. But as I read the letters, I got to know both of my parents better and the book has become a gift to both of them," says Wan Fang.

The romance between Cao and Fang also led to Cao's classic work, Peking Man, which was written in 1941 and premiered at the Beijing People's Art Theater in 1957.

The four-act play set in Beijing dramatizes the conflict in a declining feudal family during the 1930s.

The patriarch Zeng Hao spends his days recalling the glorious years of the past. His eldest son, Wenqing, does nothing all day and lives off his father. Wenqing's wife, Siyi, is the boss of the house, while Zeng's son-in-law is a playboy. Sufang, Zeng's niece, is the only member of the family who appears reliable but she falls in love with Wenqing. She remains single for Wenqing and finally leaves the family for and a new life.

"Sufang shares a lot of similarities with my mother, who took good care of the family, loved to paint and write," Wan Fang says. "When my father wrote Peking Man, he shared the story with my mother one act after one act. My mother made suggestions and wrote on the papers.'When I watched the play Peking Man in the theater, I think of you. The suggestions you made were well-placed' my father wrote to my mother."

French artist Anai Martane performs the song Spring from the Chinese version of the play Ghetto, written and directed by Israeli playwright and director Joshua Sobol. [For China Daily]

Starting her career as a playwright in 1980s, Wan Fang has written scripts for movies, TV dramas and plays. One of her most well-known scripts is Winter Journey, which she wrote in 2012 and premiered in 2015.

Winter Journey was first directed by Stan Lai featuring Lan Tianye, a veteran from Beijing People's Art Theater, and Lichun Lee, a longtime collaborator of Lai. It portrays two writers whose friendship harks back to the 1940s. Political upheaval in 1966 turned the cordial relationship topsy-turvy-with Lao Chen, Lee's character who is a poet and translator of T.S. Eliot, betraying Lao Jin, Lan's character, who is an ardent lover of Franz Schubert. They went through inner struggles of longing for confession and forgiveness from each other.

"What drove writers to write? I would say that when I feel confused, I want to write. I want to figure things out and find answers through the characters I created and the stories I write," says Wan Fang.

(Source: China Daily)
What powers Harriss memoir (and, the reader senses, her life) was her passionate, persistent and proudly unconventional mother. Nearly every chapter includes one of her mothers favorite sayings. Dont let anyone tell you who you are. You tell them who you are. Focus on whats in front of you and the rest will follow. Hold fast to conviction. She remembers that when she and Maya went through customs to visit her relatives abroad, her mother would advise: Stand up straight. Dont laugh. Dont fidget. Have all your stuff. Be prepared.
By PTI

LOS ANGELES: "Stranger Things" star Noah Schnapp has said his Twitter account was hacked, after a series of concerning and inappropriate posts appeared on his verified page.

The 15-year-old child actor, who stars as Will Byers on the hit Netflix sci-fi series, confirmed that the privacy of his page on the microblogging site was compromised on an Instagram story Saturday.

On Instagram he wrote, "Someone hacked my Twitter. It's not me. I'm trying to get back and I'll let you know when I do."

Starting Saturday afternoon, Schnapp's Twitter account began publishing and retweeting a range of bizarre and inappropriate posts.

Though he had not posted original tweets since July 16, on Saturday his account posted retweets from other accounts about the him smoking and getting beat up.

Other posts that appeared after hacking included sexual content, racial slurs and talk about suicide and have since been deleted.
A man is wanted out of the Webb County Sheriffs Office in relation to a fatal crash that occurred in November, authorities said.

Jonathan Santos was arrested on Nov. 28 for the crash-related death of Ignacio Davila Calvillo, 58. Santos was then charged with accident involving death. Santos would be released on bond on Dec. 10, 2019.

Then, a grand jury indicted Santos on the charge of manslaughter on June 17. Santos had an arraignment hearing on Aug. 6 but failed to appear in court. He has been wanted since, according to court records.

To report his whereabouts, call the Sheriffs Office at 523-4408.

His case unfolded at about 9:46 p.m. Nov. 27, when Laredo police officers responded to a report of an accident with injuries in the 1900 block of Guadalupe Street. First officers on the scene noticed that a blue Dodge Durango and a black Toyota Scion were involved in the crash.

Officers reported that the driver in the Toyota appeared to be dead as he was unresponsive. Police said the driver of the Dodge sustained non life-threatening injuries. Authorities identified him as Santos. LPDs crash team was summoned to the scene after Laredo Fire Department paramedics confirmed that the driver in the Toyota had died. The driver of the Toyota was identified as Calvillo.

READ MORE: Texas DPS provides details on alleged forgery scheme arrest in Laredo

Santos was taken to Laredo Medical Center. He had a laceration to his head, a bruised leg and an injured left arm. Santos was allegedly being belligerent toward medical personnel, according to court documents.

Meanwhile, further investigation revealed that a bumper an officer found in the 2300 block of Guadalupe had license plates that return to the Dodge, which was the same vehicle involved in the 1900 block of Guadalupe.

Police said they discovered that the Dodge had a minor hit-and-run accident in the 2300 block of Guadalupe. Then, the Dodge was allegedly speeding when it crashed with the Toyota in the 1900 block of Guadalupe.

Surveillance cameras from a nearby business revealed that the Dodge appeared to be speeding and crashed with the Toyota as it traveled west in the 1900 block of Guadalupe. Further investigation revealed that upon impact, the Toyota was forced into a utility pole, causing the death of Calvillo, according to the arrest affidavit.

The Dodge then continued west on Guadalupe where it rolled over. A passerby helped Santos get out of the vehicle. Santos was treated and released at LMC. He was then taken to LPD headquarters for questioning.

Santos claimed he suffered from seizures and takes Xanax due to his medical condition. Santos claims that he did not recall the accident. The last place he remembers driving by was the Sunrise Store. Santos stated he had taken half a pill of Xanax earlier in the afternoon, states the affidavit.
Nicola Sturgeon has faced criticism for the Scottish Government's management of the care sector - AFP/ AFP

Nicola Sturgeon is facing new questions over her management of care homes after it emerged that patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 were sent from hospitals to the facilities.

At least five health boards knowingly discharged infectious elderly patients into care homes in the early stages of the pandemic, it emerged on Sunday, as the NHS desperately tried to clear beds to prepare for an expected onslaught of coronavirus patients.

The transfers were described as like putting a lit match to dry tinder by a public health expert while opposition MSPs described the revelation as astonishing and almost beyond belief.

Freedom of Information responses, obtained by The Sunday Post from health boards, suggest that at least 37 patients who had tested positive were discharged to care homes. This took place across five health boards - Ayrshire and Arran, Grampian, Tayside, Fife and Lanarkshire.

Scottish Govt policy signed off by Minsters :-

Dont test throusands of older people - send them to care homes



Patients who have been tested and found to be positive - send them to care homes



Patients in Care homes with Covid - dont treat them in hospital



This is criminal  Neil Findlay MSP (@NeilFindlay_MSP) August 16, 2020

Almost half of Scotlands Covid-19 deaths have come in care homes, with official figures suggesting the country has suffered a far greater crisis in homes than the other UK nations.

It was already known that more than 1,000 patients had been sent from hospitals to care homes without having been tested for Covid-19.

Monica Lennon, Labours health spokeswoman, said: "Confirmation that Covid-19 positive patients were knowingly discharged to care homes is almost beyond belief.

"Why was it deemed acceptable to place infectious people into care homes that didn't have enough PPE and staff, putting vulnerable older people and those who care for them at risk?

Story continues

Donald Cameron, health spokesman for the Scottish Tories, added: The abject lack of transparency from the SNP Government means we may never find out how many more people were infected when patients with Covid-19 were sent to care homes, and the lessons we should be learning are likely to be lost.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lothian and NHS Highland did not disclose figures, meaning the true total of Covid-positive patients knowingly sent to care homes could be higher. Health boards in Shetland, Orkney, Western Isles, Dumfries and Galloway, and Forth Valley said they did not send patients who had tested positive to care homes. NHS Borders said it had discharged two patients three weeks after a positive test, meaning they were no longer infectious.

Alison Pollock, professor of public health at Newcastle University, said: It is quite shocking that some health boards discharged patients to care homes who had tested positive for Covid-19.

Its like putting a lit match to dry tinder and starting a forest fire because we know that infection control measures werent good in care homes, we know care homes were understaffed and we know that older people are very vulnerable to Covid-19.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said there had never been guidance or policy to actively move patients unwell with Covid-19 into care homes.

He added: "No evidence of any kind has been given to the Government that would substantiate the serious accusation that any clinicians withheld test results and it is not acceptable if full information was not passed on.

Guidance has been clear that any individual being placed in a care home must be subject to an appropriate risk assessment and be isolated for 14 days. This is to make explicit that steps should be taken to ensure patients are screened clinically so people at risk were not transferred inappropriately.
Located 20 km from the Sapas downtown, Seo My Ty sits at a height of 1,600 metres above sea level. Thanks to its wonderful natural landscapes and cool climate all year round, Seo My Ty has been dubbed a miniature Da Lat of the north-west region.

The village covers nearly 150 hectares with nearly 100 households, who are living around a 60-hectare hydroelectric reservoir. Floating in the clouds with jade water all year round, this is probably the highest man-made lake in Vietnam.

The hydroelectric reservoir is seen most beautifully either in early morning, when the mist seeps across the lake surface followed by the first rays of sunlight shining on the water, creating a fanciful scene, or in the evening when the sun goes down and the last streaks of sunlight still linger on the shimmering lake surface.

Seo is like a treasured pearl rising at a time when Sapa town has become overcrowded with the intense development of restaurants, hotels, and tourist accommodation and establishments.

According to the head of the village, Hang A Tang, Seo My Ty was only connected to the national grid a couple of years ago. The roads have also recently been upgraded. Over ten years ago, villagers had to spend an entire day going on foot from hill to hill to travel to Ta Van commune. Although the villagers worked hard in the rice fields, they still lived in poverty and parents didnt have enough money for their children to go to school.

The construction of the hydroelectric reservoir was revolutionary for the lives of the people in the village. Seo village has witnessed remarkable changes over recent years, and peoples livelihoods have significantly improved. Many households have taken advantage of the water source to farm salmon and sturgeon and develop tourist products and services.

Seo My Ty villagers introduce a foreign tourist to their traditional brocade products.

After learning of how to farm cold-water fishes from farmers in neighbouring communes, Giang A Tua opened his salmon and sturgeon farm four years ago. With three ponds farming salmon and sturgeon, his family earns an annual revenue of nearly VND200 million.

Visitors to the village now can camp or take a boat tour on the hydroelectric reservoir or stay at locals houses to explore the indigenous culture and daily practices.

The local authorities have encouraged local Hmong ethnic people to build tourist products imbued with their typical cultural features while providing them with training courses on developing tourism.

Although the COVID-19 epidemic has posed certain impacts on tourist activities in the village, locals are still optimistic about the situation. They still maintain their normal life and are taking advantage of the lull to repair or upgrade their houses.

Giang A Quas house is nestled under the shadow of an ancient tree in front of Seo My Ty hydroelectric reservoir. The 30-year-old man is an exemplary model of escaping poverty in Ta Van commune.

When his homestay facility first opened in 2019, it welcomed more than 1,000 backpackers a month, helping him earn a profit of over VND20 million. The figure is encouraging for Seo My Ty tourism.

Qua said that COVID-19 is not a very big concern for him and other homestay owners in the village as they want to attract visitors with their enthusiasm and hospitality. Even asthe epidemic has seen complicated developments, the villagers are still making thorough preparations for reopening their doors to tourists with even better services.

Seo My Ty somehow reminds us of Sapa in the olden days when there were few construction sites and crowds didnt appear at every turn on the streets. Seo My Ty is a beautiful picture of natural landscapes and sincere hearts of ethnic groups who are living in this mountainous, peaceful and happy area.
Tamra Judge left The Real Housewives of Orange County earlier this year and ahead of season 15. Although the Bravo star expressed interest in continuing to do reality TV, so far she has not announced a new project in that area. However, Judge has landed a new job and is returning to what she loves and that is real estate.

Tamra Judge | Casey Durkin/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

What is Tamra Judge up to after leaving Housewives?

Following her departure from the Housewives franchise, Judge has been focused on her CBD business as well as reimagining her CUT Fitness business model in the middle of this pandemic.

Going back to what I love, Judge teased on Instagram.

The reality TV personality shared an interview where she confirmed to having landed a new job opportunity.

Im going back into real estate, Judge revealed on RealiTea with Derek Z. Ive signed up with a luxury real estate agency.

RELATED: RHOC: Kelly Dodd Fires Back at Tamra Judge, Calls Her Thirsty and Mad

Judge said that she would be working with John McMonigle who is a fellow Bravolebrity that appeared on Real Estate Wars.

He has a beautiful office in Corona del Mar called Agent Inc., she added. My girlfriend works there and she talked me into it.

The former RHOC star always kept her real estate license and will be putting it back into use as the market booms.

I love houses, I am obsessed with houses, she continued. Something that people dont know about me is that I am on the MLS every single day. I love home decor I love helping people [and] I can just tour houses all-day-long so why not get paid for it?

RELATED: Tamra Judge Shades Former RHOC Co-Star Emily Simpson, Calls Her Dead Weight

Tamra Judge continues to cause waves

Judge was a cast member on RHOC for 12 years. Leaving a show that you were a part of for that long is not easy. Even after quitting the reality series, Judge has continued to cause waves in the Bravo-verse. During an interview, she revealed that Housewives that needed subtitles shouldnt be cast on the show. This was a dig at Peggy Sulahian who only last one season on the show.

Anyone you have to subtitle should not be on the show. Thats what I feel, Judge said on the Behind the Velvet Rope with David Yontef podcast. If you cant understand what theyre saying, thats difficult. I think she was nice, but I just dont think she was good TV. It does not mean youre a horrible person, it just takes a certain personality.

Sulahian, who was born in Kuwait to American parents, fired back at her former co-star.

It certainly does take a certain personality to provoke discord, Sulahian told Reality Blurb in a statement. As an immigrant to this country, I learned the language, graduated university, raised a family, and have contributed to my community.

RELATED: RHOC Alum Tamra Judge Thinks RHONY Needs Cast Shake-Up, Says She Would Join

The former Bravolebrity said if Judge had an issue with her, she was open to having a discussion to talk things out.

I dont believe her inability to understand me has anything to do with my accent, which I am proud of Tamra, if you have a problem, pick up your phone and call me. Lets discuss, she added.
By PTI

SRINAGAR: Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kamalkote sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, officials said.

From 10:45 to 11:45 am, ceasefire violation was reported from Lowergrah and Upergrah posts of Kamalkote Sector in Uri area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district, the officials said.

Pakistani troops fired from small weapons, they said.

Further details are awaited.
and elevate your morning routine with these supercharged body treats

Beauty assistant: Alice Robertson





So Ive been ramping things up on the old self-care routine at home lately and injecting some real spa power into my shower time. I have, as you can likely imagine, been aided and abetted in this cause by a raft of body products that have recently launched. All those Ive included here help to elevate things and turn a morning wash into a bit of a treat.

Ill start with scrubs and the Soul Providers range from Beauty Pie which includes the Re-Energizing Dry Oil Sugar Scrub (7.95 for members, otherwise 50, beautypie.com). This really is such a luxurious formula  packed with plenty of oils (sweet almond, apricot kernel and evening primrose) as well as demerara sugar  that, even though youre doing all the application and work yourself, it feels almost like being transported to a plush treatment table. And it has a refreshing zingy aroma, too  thanks to lemon, lemongrass and Indian gooseberry.

Acqua di Parma is always a sophisticated option and this summer its had a chic overhaul with limited-edition packaging in collaboration with La DoubleJ, an Italian fashion and lifestyle brand inspired by vintage prints. Alongside that, the brand has introduced new products to its Blu Mediterraneo range, including Blu Mediterraneo Arancia di Capri Body Scrub (50) and Blu Mediterraneo Arancia di Capri Shower Mousse (37, acquadiparma.com). The scrub, which deploys sugar grains, jojoba seeds and orange peel to do the heavy work, feels weightless and gentle but is very effective. The mousse is a light-as-air texture and an absolute treat to use. Both, of course, have the signature aroma of orange, lemon and mandarin.

Left to right: Wild Rose Shower Oil (25, nealsyardremedies.com), Re-Energizing Dry Oil Sugar Scrub (7.95 for members, otherwise 50, beautypie.com), Doctors Body Scrub (75, feelunique.com ), Salt & Oil Body Scrub (42, batch001.com ), Blu Mediterraneo Arancia di Capri Shower Mousse (37, acquadiparma.com ), Perle de Coco Glow Body Scrub (11, s tories.com ), Blu Mediterraneo Arancia di Capri Shower Mousse (37, acquadiparma.com )

Batch #001 is a new favourite of mine for all things bathroom-related, and its new Salt & Oil Body Scrub (42, batch001.com) is no exception. I especially love the Organic Sweet Orange and Bergamot version. With a mix of pink Himalayan and Dead Sea salts to scrub, plus apricot kernel oil and shea butter to moisturise, these leave skin looking and feeling great. Truly pleasurable stuff.

Goldfaden MD has also expanded into body care with a dedicated version of its already cult facial dermabrasion scrub. The resulting Doctors Body Scrub (75, spacenk.com) has a very fine texture, thanks to its tiny crystals, which makes it seem more like a polish than a scrub, feeling slightly gentler to use. It also has fruit enzymes to brighten skin and a probiotic extract to soothe so its a bit more fancy pants.

For a fun alternative you could try & Other Stories which has just expanded its popular Perle de Coco range (with a very escapist aroma of coconut, vanilla and caramel) by adding some limited-edition products for summer including a Perle de Coco Glow Body Scrub (11, stories.com).

But essentially all roads lead to Rome here, its just a matter of personal preference as to the route you take.

I must also mention the new Wild Rose range from Neals Yard Remedies which is all about body care (and, yes, it includes a lovely polish) and smells wonderful. Id like to highlight the Wild Rose Shower Oil (25, nealsyardremedies.com), partly because its lovely to use (as soon as water is added the oil formula emulsifies into a light creamy foam) but also because it heads up a burgeoning trend as shower oils seem to be launching almost daily at the moment and this is a very fine offering.

My glow-to body oil

Continuing on a body theme, Id like to rave about the Kora Organics Noni Glow Body Oil (52, spacenk.com). This is a really moisturising, hydrating oil but its also lightweight in texture so absorbs quickly. Plus it leaves skin with a wonderful sheen, making it especially great for warmer weather and any time when limbs are on show.

After the sun, the soother

I wrote about my favourite sunscreen two weeks ago (find more at you.co.uk). But a good aftersun is also important in your routine and for that Id direct you to Tropic Sun Soothe Cooling Aftersun Lotion (22, tropicskincare.com). It contains aloe vera to soothe, calm and cool skin with jojoba to nourish. Plus its a great light texture, instantly absorbs and has a mood-boosting marine aroma.

Spot-on for breakouts
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 22:37:19|Editor: huaxia

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VALLETTA, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela has defended his government's decision to relax coronavirus measures, including reopening the tourism sector, which was believed to be behind recent coronavirus resurgence.

Malta had not lost control of the situation, as was being claimed by critics, but the new outbreaks had to be countered with clinical decisions, Abela said in an interview broadcast on Sunday by One channel, a television station owned by One Productions, his Labor Party's media arm.

"We have had an increase in infection but not an increase in the number of critically ill people and we have managed to keep the rate of deaths low," Abela said.

"We must not ignore the numbers. We must reduce the infection rate through clinical measures," he insisted.

Malta's Health Ministry announced 63 new COVID-19 cases detected in the latest round of testing of 2,142 swabs taken in 24 hours.

According to the Health Ministry, Malta has 548 active COVID-19 cases and has registered a total of 1,306 cases since the first confirmed case on March 7. The country has registered nine COVID-19 deaths. So far, almost 157,000 tests have been carried out.

The strict social distancing measures put in place by the authorities had led to very low numbers. On July 17, the number of active cases went down to just three.

However, following the opening of the airport and ports in mid-July, the numbers started to rise again.

In the interview, Abela defended Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli from calls for her resignation, saying she, and the government, had been acting in line with the directives of the health authorities and Malta could not close attractions that drew tourists, reported the English-language daily newspaper Times of Malta.

On mass events, Abela said 45 had suffered from COVID-19 as a result of mass events -- the hotel party and the Sta Venera band march -- and the patients had recovered. Therefore the perception that these two activities created today's numbers "are mistaken."

"Not everything was done perfectly but we had the disadvantage of acting in a situation where leaders all over the world had no manuals to go by," he added. Enditem
Algerians hit the beaches on Saturday after authorities lifted some restrictions imposed five months ago to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, as cafes, restaurants and large mosques also reopened.

The third worst affected country in Africa after Egypt and South Africa, Algeria has officially reported a total of more than 38,000 cases of the COVID-19, including 1,360 deaths.

It imposed a strict lockdown after the first infection was recorded at the end of February.

A partial lockdown remains in force in 29 of the country's 48 wilayas, or administrative councils, which also must observe a night-time curfew.

"The atmosphere at home was unbearable. The children were bored and I was fed up," said Soraya, a mother who was among the first to head to the beach with her children.

Her friend Fatima, children in tow, joined carrying a sun umbrella and sandwiches for everyone.

"I prepared everything at home so that we could spend the whole day at the beach," Fatima said, as one of her children tugged on her hand to make her stop talking and start walking towards the sea.

Despite the relaxed virus restrictions, Algerians must still wear masks outdoors or risk steep fines, and social distancing in the sea is compulsory.

Policemen wearing shorts patrolled the beaches on Saturday on foot or on quad bikes to make sure beachgoers followed the rules, and mounted police were due to keep watch throughout the summer.

The reopening of beaches "is very good news for a population that has been suffocating and who could lose its psychological balance", said a petition on social networks.

The petition urged authorities to open up to the general public two large Algiers beaches which in the past had restricted access.

Large mosques -- closed since March 19 -- were also allowed to reopen on the condition social distancing could be maintained, but worshippers must wear masks and bring their own prayer rugs.

Women, children under the age of 15 and people deemed vulnerable are not allowed to enter.

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The weekly Friday prayer, however, remains prohibited for all.

"Thank God," pensioner Abdelmalek said as he came out of a mosque.

"I noticed that people were respecting hygiene rules. It is a good thing because when we come to pray, we mean to do good... not something bad like contaminating others," he said.

Sociologist Zoubir Arous warned of the risk of a new spike in infections and said the reopening of beaches, mosques, restaurants and cafes was "hasty".

Authorities have warned they will reimpose restrictions if the number of cases rises.

(AFP)
The law is the last among a number of legislations aimed at paving the way for parliamentary elections next November

The Egyptian parliaments legislative and constitutional affairs committee began on Sunday discussing a long-awaited law formulated to redraw Egypts electoral districts.

The law, drafted by the parliamentary majority Support Egypt coalition, is the last of five laws that aim to pave the way for holding Egypts parliamentary elections next November.

The first four laws, passed on 17 June, were related to regulating the exercise of political rights, forming and electing the House of Representatives, forming and electing the Senate, and regulating the performance of the National Elections Authority (NEA).

Leader of the Support Egypt coalition Abdel-Hadi Al-Qasabi told reporters on Sunday that the draft law states that 143 districts will be created to elect 284 deputies via the individual candidacy system, and another four districts will be formed to elect another 284 deputies through the closed list system.

The law, in line with the constitution, also stipulates that 25 percent of seats be allocated to women representatives, Al-Qasabi said, adding that the president of the republic will be empowered by the constitution to name 28 appointees (5 percent).

This will bring the number of Egypts coming parliament to a total 596 deputies, he said. This division guarantees equality, legality and fairness," he added.

The draft law divides the 134 individual seats among Egypts 27 governorates as follows: Cairo (19), Giza (12), Alexandria (6), Port Said (2), Ismailia (3), Suez (one), Qalioubiya (6), Sharqiya (8), Daqahliya (10), Damietta (2), Kafr El-Sheikh (4), Gharbiya (7), Menoufiya (6), Beheira (9), Fayoum (4), Beni Suef (4), El-Minya (6), Assiut (4), Sohag (8), Qena (4), Luxor (3), Aswan (4), Marsa Matrouh (2), New Valley (2), Red Sea (2), North Sinai (2), South Sinai (2).

As for the party list districts, four will be created: Cairo and the Middle and South Nile Delta; the North and Middle and South of Upper Egypt; the Eastern Nile Delta; and Western Nile Delta and Alexandria.

The law is expected to be discussed and approved by parliament on Monday or Tuesday and before MPs adjourn for summer recess.

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By John Whitesides and Trevor Hunnicutt

WASHINGTON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - The United States has held presidential nominating conventions for almost 200 years, and they have served in recent decades as an important televised introduction to each party's candidate in the final months before the election.

Here is a look at the upcoming Democratic and Republican national conventions, which kick off on Monday and run back-to-back weeks. The presidential election is Nov. 3.

PICKING A NOMINEE

U.S. political conventions were once a place where presidential nominees were decided, often after multiple ballots and long fights, often among party elders in "smoke-filled rooms." But that has not happened in decades.

The last time a nomination was in much doubt as a convention opened was 1976, when Republican President Gerald Ford held off Ronald Reagan in Kansas City, Missouri. The last convention to go beyond a first ballot was in 1952 in Chicago, when Democrats chose Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson.

Now, the nominees are chosen by voters in a state-by-state series of primary elections, with delegates from each state ratifying the choice at conventions that are designed to showcase the party's candidate and message.

The Democratic convention runs Monday through Thursday. The Republican convention will be held from Aug. 24 to 27. Both will be mostly virtual this year, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

WHO WILL SPEAK?

Four nights of speeches at each convention are intended to excite a prime-time television audience to get behind the nominee and serve as the starting gun for the final sprint to the November election.

The parties will trot out heavyweight political names before presumptive nominees Democratic former Vice President Joe Biden and Republican President Donald Trump deliver their acceptance speeches on the respective final nights.

But the conventions also provide a chance for the parties to highlight people they view as up-and-coming political stars. Few have taken advantage of the opportunity as well as Barack Obama in 2004, when the relatively unknown Illinois Democratic state legislator delivered an indictment of political polarization. The keynote address helped propel him to the White House four years later.

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This year, Democrats will spotlight 17 young politicians they consider "rising stars," including onetime vice presidential hopeful Stacey Abrams, in a keynote address set for Tuesday.

THE POLL BOUNCE

Both party candidates usually benefit from a small bounce in opinion polls after their prolonged exposure at conventions, but the effect is often short-lived and the bounces have gotten smaller as U.S. politics become more polarized.

Polling averages compiled by the American Presidency Project at the University of California at Santa Barbara show Democrat Hillary Clinton received a 2-percentage-point bounce and Trump a 3-point bounce after the 2016 conventions.

The last time the difference in bounces between the two parties was more than 2 percentage points was in 1992, when Democrat Bill Clinton's jump was 16 points and Republican President George H.W. Bush's was 5 points. Clinton would go on to win the White House.

(Reporting by John Whitesides in Washington and Trevor Hunnicutt in New York; Editing by Scott Malone and Peter Cooney)
By PTI

HOOGHLY: A BJP worker was allegedly beaten to death by TMC supporters over hoisting of the national flag on Independence Day in West Bengal's Hoogly district, police said.

TMC has denied the charge and the police has arrested eight persons in connection with the incident that occured on Saturday afternoon in Khanakul area of the district.

A scuffle had broken out between two groups over hoisting of the national flag, a senior police official of the district said.

"One person was beaten to death. We have arrested eight persons. We have started an investigation into it," he said.

According to state BJP sources, Sudarshan Pramanik, 40, was beaten to death by TMC supporters.

The party has called a 12-hour Khanakul bandh, the sources said.

"Our party worker was beaten to death by TMC supporters over hoisting of the national flag in the area. Our party workers are not spared even on Independence Day," BJP state president Dilip Ghosh said.

TMC leader and the partys spokesperson in the district, Prabir Ghosal refuted the charge and said the death was due to factional fight in BJP.

Bengal BJP in its official Twitter handle hit out at the ruling TMC over the incident.

"Sudarshan Pramanik, booth worker from Arambagh was brutally murdered while hoisting the flag on Independence Day. Suspects are from the ruling party who are on a killing spree even on the Independence Day. We must take a pledge for a #MamataMuktoBengal today".

The saffron party workers led by party MP Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato and its state-level leaders blocked the state highway connecting Khanakul to Kolkata with the body of the deceased BJP worker.

The police lathicharged to disperse the crowd but there was no report of any injury.
As the coronavirus pandemic spread unchecked in Britain in March, Boris Johnson issued a panicky "call to arms" to 100 of the country's top industrialists. The UK prime minister said he needed tens of thousands of ventilators immediately, to save Britain's intensive care units from being overwhelmed by patients unable to breathe.

And in a remarkable, almost Hollywood-ready story, a consortium of old-school British companies - which normally make things like passenger-jet wings and Formula 1 racing cars - responded, teaming up with a couple of small-time medical-device companies to pull off the near-impossible.

By July, the production teams in the UK Ventilator Challenge had delivered 13,437 of the potentially lifesaving machines to the National Health Service - more than doubling the state-supported care provider's stock. The turnaround was head-spinning, especially by English manufacturing standards.

Assembly lines that had been producing 10 or 20 ventilators a week in small, bespoke workshops in the countryside were soon cranking out more than 400 a day, with help from Ford, Airbus, McLaren, Rolls-Royce, GKN Aerospace and other giants, scaling up to a 24/7 operation employing more than 3,500 frontline technicians at seven plants.

The effort by participants was inspiring. But its practical impact was far less so.

In keeping with the British government's overall response to the virus, there was a heroic dash that delivered results late.

The bulk of ventilators made by the consortium arrived months after the outbreak's peak in April. Of the 11,683 machines manufactured by Penlon, the main British provider, only one was used on patients, as part of its approval process.

But the initiative had a second track that also gripped the popular imagination - a call for British inventors to design and build from scratch entirely novel ventilation devices that could pass safety and efficacy tests and be manufactured in weeks. That effort ended in a bit of a fog.

Thousands of inventors - including at least one household name, vacuum-cleaner manufacturer James Dyson - answered the government's call and downloaded the specifications. Hundreds submitted preliminary designs.

But in the end, only a handful of novel breathing machines met the performance requirements. None were certified for sale by Britain's regulatory authorities, and the government's pre-orders were cancelled. None made it to the NHS.

But it's not an utterly futile exercise. The devices may ultimately prove to be lifesaving if Britain is overwhelmed by a large second wave of infection in winter.

The 13,437 emergency ventilators ultimately produced by Penlon and Smiths Medical are ready on standby - just as the UK's temporary 'Nightingale' hospitals, built in mere weeks in conference centres, await patients if a second wave hits.

Visit our Covid-19 vaccine dashboard for updates on the roll out of the vaccination program and the rate of Coronavirus cases Ireland

 Washington Post
Former Minneapolis police officer Tou Thao is flanked by his attorneys as he arrives at the Hennepin County Courthouse before a motions hearing in Minneapolis, Minn., on July 21, 2020. (Evan Frost/Minnesota Public Radio via AP, File)

Officer Minimized on Role in Floyds Death During Questioning

A former Minneapolis police officer involved in George Floyds arrest told investigators that he was focused on crowd control and minimized his role in the actions before Floyds death, video of the interview shows.

Tou Thao, one of four former officers charged in Floyds death, described himself as a human traffic cone as he held back onlookers who became increasingly horrified at the police officers actions, the Star Tribune reported, citing video that was released Friday. Floyd, a handcuffed black man, died after an officer, Derek Chauvin, pressed his knee against Floyds neck for nearly eight minutes on May 25 as Floyd repeatedly said he could not breathe.

I dont want anyone to die, Thao told an investigator who asked what his reaction was to Floyds death. It was kind of a somber moment, especially for me. My heart kind of sank.

Thao voluntarily participated in the 1-hour, 40-minute interview with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension eight days after Floyds death. He said that as the bystanders got louder, he became worried they might rush Chauvin and two other officers who were holding Floyd on the ground.

Thao and Chauvin had responded to the scene to help two officers, Thomas Lane and J. Kueng, who were attempting to arrest Floyd for allegedly passing a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store.

While they were on the way, Thao said that dispatch canceled the backup call. But Thao, who was driving, said he felt compelled to respond because Lane and Kueng were new officers and the intersection was known to be especially hostile to police.

Thao said Floyd appeared to be on drugs, resisted arrested and used his legs get out of a squad car. As the officers restrained Floyd on the ground, Thao said he heard Floyd say he couldnt breathe, adding, but then he was obviously yelling and talking.

Thao also said he has never used the maneuver that Chauvin used to pin Floyd to the ground.

Although a woman who identified herself as a Minneapolis firefighter approached Thao and demanded that officers check Floyds pulse, Thao told investigators that his job was securing the scene and that he couldnt be in two places at once.

Thao, Lane, and Kueng are charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter. All four officers were fired and are scheduled for trial in March. Floyds death sparked protests across the country.

The video of Thaos interview was made available Friday after Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellisons office filed it to support a motion to have all four officers tried jointly.

The next court hearing for the four is scheduled for Sept. 11.
The meeting will consider promising directions for the development of trade and economic interaction.

The Belarusian authorities say they still hope that a Ukrainian delegation who planned to take part in a meeting of the Belarusian-Ukrainian advisory council on business cooperation will come to the trade forum in Grodno on October 8 despite ongoing protests in that country.

Belarus expects that the event will also be attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Ukraine Igor Sokol, chief of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission in Minsk Ihor Kyzym, as well as Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vladimir Ulakhovich, and President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hennadiy Chyzhykov, the Belarusian BelTA agency reported.

Read alsoUkraine's MFA: Zelensky not to visit Belarus amid mass protests

The meeting will consider promising directions for the development of trade and economic interaction, as well as problematic issues of business.

Bilateral commercial contracts and agreements are to be signed.

Belarus protests: Developments
NEW YORK  Bergmeyer, a design firm in Boston, has erected higher cubicles, told employees to wear masks when not at their desks and set up one-way aisles in the office that force people to walk the long way around to get to the kitchen or the bathroom.

"The one-way paths take me a little out of the way, but it was easy to get used to," said Stephanie Jones, an interior designer with the company. "It actually gives me the opportunity to see more people and say a quick hello when I might have just walked directly to my desk before."

Around the U.S., office workers sent home when the coronavirus took hold in March are returning to the world of cubicles and conference rooms and facing certain adjustments: masks, staggered shifts, spaced-apart desks, daily questions about their health, closed break rooms and sanitizer everywhere.

For some at least, there are also advantages, including the opportunity to share chitchat with colleagues again or the ability to get more work done.

Employers in some cases are requiring workers to come back to the office, but most, like Bergmeyer, are letting the employees decide what to do, at least for now. Some firms say the risks and precautions are worth it to boost productivity and move closer to normal.

It is meager trend so far: Real estate trade group NAIOP Massachusetts estimated the occupancy rate for many office towers in downtown Boston at around 5%, and 10% to 20% in the suburbs. That echoes what is happening in other cities. In New York, real estate firm CBRE said the offices it manages have a 7% occupancy rate in Manhattan and nearly 30% in the suburbs.

Bergmeyer began bringing people back in June in stages. It is now in Phase Three, with 60% of the staff back in the office but split into two groups: Half come in on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the other half on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Employees are asked to report any symptoms to a human resources director who can work with them on getting tested and quarantining themselves.

Jones elected to come back in the second wave, in late June.

"I found that I was surprisingly more productive than I thought I would be working from home, but ultimately decided to come back. I live alone, and I was missing the social interaction," she said.

She also missed the space in the office, her double computer monitors and other advantages.

"I'm an interior designer, and I'm used to picking finishes and materials with a whole resource library here I didn't have access to," she said. "Suddenly I had to be ordering everything to my home, and it was taking over."

At first, the one-way aisles meant that those who sat just past the restrooms had to walk all the way around the office to get to them. So Bergmeyer added another path down the middle. But if you go to the kitchen, Jones said, you have to keep walking around the circle to get back to your desk.

The natural light in the office was too bright for some Zoom calls, so the company has been experimenting with audio, lighting, acoustics and backdrops in several new dedicated "Zoom rooms."

All in all, Jones said, "it's great to come back in on a part-time basis on my own terms."

Stephan Meier, a business professor at Columbia University, expressed skepticism about bringing workers back in the midst of the outbreak, which has been blamed for over 5 million confirmed infections and nearly 170,000 deaths in the U.S. Most firms have discovered that people can work effectively remotely, he said.

"The safety of your workers has to be top priority," he said.

As virus cases surge in many states, some companies have found that reopening has led to reclosing.

The Blue Sky advertising agency in Atlanta began reopening in May in stages, reconfiguring its open-plan workspace by spreading out tables, installing plastic partitions and establishing a limit of 10 people in the office at any one time out of a workforce of 25, and caps on how many could be in certain rooms.

But a surge in cases in Georgia led to another shutdown at the end of June. Now employees come in only if they absolutely need to, said Dawn Evans, human resources manager.

Kippy Castillo, an account manager at Blue Sky, was working at the office once a week before it closed again. She drove in and brought her lunch. She said the precautions around the office made her feel safe.

"I really didn't feel like we've missed a beat working from home," she said. "But it's nice to get back in the routine of being in the office." Being there, she said, "helps if you need to focus on getting work done or a certain meeting."

Steve Spinner, an accountant in Chicago, went back in June when his office started letting people return. He takes a commuter train into work and has to ride the elevator to the 27th floor. But he said for him it's the best option.

"One, I'm 51 years old, and I'm not very good at working from home. I'm not used to it," he said. "We're more productive when we are all here together, and there have been no issues or incidents, knock on wood."

Only a quarter of the 200 employees at the firm are allowed back. The desks have been reconfigured so no one sits next to anyone else, and common areas like the kitchen are closed. There are hand sanitizer stations and mask requirements.

Only three or four people are allowed in the elevator at once, and building workers push the button for them.

Spinner said the riskiest part of his day is the commute.

Frankly when I come to the office, Im not worried once Im here. Everything is safe, he said. The trains are a little more sketchy, not everyone following rules for masks and whatnot.

Mae Anderson of The Associated Press wrote this story.
Coast Guard teams from Goa will be part of the Indian Coast Guards rapid response contingent that is being dispatched to Mauritius to contain the damaging oil spill caused by a Japanese registered oil tanker running aground and breaking apart off the coast of Mauritius.

The team which will join others from Mumbai is en route to Mauritius aboard an Indian Air Force aircraft.

The specialist Indian Coast Guard team is qualified in pollution response operations at sea and is capable of undertaking pollution response and clean up operations. The various pollution response equipment such as Ocean and River Booms, skimmers, salvage barges were dispatched to combat oil spill, the Coast Guard said in a statement.

The Indian Coast Guard pollution response team in coordination with Mauritius, experts and teams from various other countries and specialised International experts from organisations like IMO and ITOPF will work in tandem to safeguard the pristine ecological sensitive environment and mitigate the effects of spilled oil at sea and ashore, the Coast Guard, said.

Also Read: India sends equipment, personnel to Mauritius to contain oil spill

The Coast Guard has deputed a 10-member specialist pollution response team along with Pollution Response equipment to Mauritius for supplementing ongoing efforts to contain an oil spill from bulk carrier MV Wakashio on its South Eastern coastline.

The decision comes after Mauritius sought Indias help in containment of oil spread in a sensitive marine environment consisting of coral reef, mangroves and endangered marine species.
More than 10,000 Thai protesters chanting "down with dictatorship" and "the country belongs to the people" rallied in Bangkok on Sunday in by far the biggest anti-government demonstration since a 2014 coup.

There were cheers for student calls to curb the monarchy's powers - once a taboo subject - as well as demands for the departure of former junta leader Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a new constitution and an end to the harrasment of opposition activists.

Students have led protests almost daily for the past month, but Sunday's demonstration drew a broader crowd in the Southeast Asian country, which has experienced decades of protests punctuated by military coups.

"We want a new election and a new parliament from the people," student activist Patsalawalee Tanakitwiboonpon, 24, told the crowd. Lastly, our dream is to have a monarchy which is truly under the constitution.

Prayuth won elections last year that the opposition says were held under rules to ensure that he kept power. The most vocal opposition party was subsequently banned.

Anger has further been fuelled by accusations of corruption, the arrest of some student leaders over earlier protests and the economic fallout from the coronavirus epidemic.

Organisers of the Free People movement and police said there were over 10,000 people at the protest. The Chana Songkhram police station said there were not more than 12,000.

The prime minister sends his concern to officials and protesters to avoid violence," Traisulee Traisoranakul, a government spokeswoman, told reporters. She said Prayuth had also ordered the cabinet to take steps to build understanding between generations.

There was no immediate comment from the Royal Palace.

MONARCHY DEMANDS

Students have presented 10 reforms they seek to the monarchy of King Maha Vajiralongkorn - including curbing his powers over the constitution, the royal fortune and the armed forces.

Down with feudalism, long live the people," protesters chanted. "We will no longer be dust for anyone."

Thailand's lese majeste law sets a penalty of up to 15 years for criticising the monarchy, but Prayuth has said the king requested that it not be used for now.

As the anti-government protest got underway, several dozen royalists also held a demonstration, waving national flags and holding up gold-framed portraits of the king and other royals.

"I don't care if they protest against the government but they cannot touch the monarchy," said Sumet Trakulwoonnoo, a leader of the royalist group, Coordination Center of Vocational Students for the Protection of National Institutions (CVPI).

Critics accuse the monarchy of helping extend the army's hold on politics in Thailand, where there have been 13 successful coups since the end of absolute royal rule in 1932.

Before the 2014 coup, Bangkok was roiled by more than a decade of often violent clashes between yellow shirt royalist protesters and rival red shirts loyal to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The new wave of protests has not been violent so far.

"I am old now and can never achieve my goal," said former red shirt Ueng Poontawee, 62. "Now there are new faces. I am very happy they came out.

Three student leaders have been charged over accusations of breaching restrictions in organising earlier protests. They have been released on bail, but police say arrest warrants have been issued for a further 12 protest leaders.

In Taipei, a few dozen people demonstrated in support of the Thai campaigners.

This demonstration is also an act of solidarity and support for those who believe in freedom, liberty and democracy in Asia, the demonstrators said in a statement.
Neither snow nor rain nor gloom of night is supposed to thwart the delivery of the U.S. mail. But that old motto says nothing about deliberate sabotage by a sitting president intent on disenfranchising voters.

Critics of President Donald Trump have warned for awhile that hes deliberately hobbling the U.S. Postal Service to hamper mail-in voting ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Trumps defenders in the right-wing media have expressed outrage at this assumption of nefarious motives. A Wall Street Journal op-ed headline went so far as to call it a smear. But last week, Trump said the quiet part out loud, admitting  practically boasting  that, yes, sabotage is exactly whats going on here.

Expecting any kind of self-reflection from Trumps conservative media lickspittles would be expecting too much. But will the rest of America, and Congress, really stand by and watch him openly undermine both a crucial government service and electoral democracy itself?

With the Postal Service bracing for one of its greatest challenges, Trump has refused requests for an urgent $25 billion funding infusion. As usual with Trump, his motives are self-serving. Record mail-in voting is expected ahead of November due to fears of coronavirus exposure at polling places. Trump has said he believes mail-in voting will hurt Republicans. Meaning, him.

Theres actually little to suggest mail-in voting favors either party  though anything that spurs higher turnout could well hurt an incumbent already down in the polls, as Trump is. In any case, theres zero evidence for his argument that mail-in voting spawns voter fraud. Its clear his real concern isnt that mail-in voting wont work correctly, but that it will.

Trump on Thursday succinctly settled the debate over his motives, by stating them plainly: They want $25 billion  for the Post Office. Now they need that money in order to make the Post Office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots, Trump told a Fox News interviewer. But if they dont get [the money], that means you cant have universal mail-in voting because theyre not equipped to have it. Trump later tried to walk back the comments, but that bell cant be unrung.

Even as Trump was working to ensure millions of Americans cant vote by mail, he and First Lady Melania Trump both mailed in their absentee ballots for Floridas primary this Tuesday.

That little nugget might be satisfying for critics to focus on, but Trumps offense here is far worse than hypocrisy. Hes using the power of his office to hinder the right to vote  the foundation of Americas democracy  because he believes stopping it will help his political fortunes. If members of Congress stand for this, they are as guilty in this attack on democracy as he is.
Will Waldron

Bravo to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who, while still engaged in the COVID-19 crisis, retains enough bandwidth to move forward on the climate change crisis. (Cuomo wants to clear air, July 19). His recent initiative to reduce pollution from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles by working with 14 other states may lack the drama of his press conferences, but in the long run may be equally essential to our survival.

The air in many communities - particularly those in low-income, high-traffic areas - would be cleaner if the goal of this initiative 30 percent electric-powered trucks and buses by 2030  is met.
If the US is going to build a quantum internet and otherwise claim technical supremacy, its going to need appropriate funding  and that might be forthcoming. As the Wall Street Journal reports, The White House has proposed a 2021 non-defense budget that includes a roughly 30 percent increase in spending on AI and quantum computing. It would spend about $1.5 billion on AI work (versus $1.12 billion in 2020) and $699 million on quantum technology (versus $579 million).

About $25 million of that spending would go toward the quantum internet plan. Other funds would go toward AI research institutes from agencies like the Agriculture Department and National Science Foundation. Other elements of the proposal arent as specific, but emphasize the need for AI in healthcare (particularly during the pandemic) and advanced manufacturing for the next wave of quantum computing devices.

Its not surprising why the US would devote more money to these efforts. US Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios stressed that the country needed to be winning and leading not just in present-day technology, but also that which would define our future. Its concerned that countries like China might claim an edge, and the extra spending theoretically helps.

The White House ultimately aims to boost AI spending to over $2 billion by 2022, with quantum science funding reaching $860 million.

Whether or not the administration reaches its goals isnt clear. The 2021 budget still has to clear both sides of Congress, and thats not guaranteed when many other issues could be under dispute. The November election could also affect long-term plans  a new administration wouldnt necessarily cut funding, but there could easily be a change in direction.
Marxism and socialism in the 21st century

At the end of the 20th Century, socialism received a severe setback with the re-establishment of the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie in Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union, Mongolia, and South Yemen. In some countries the overthrow was relatively peaceful and was even preceded by negotiations, in others violent civil wars were fought along with the re-emergence of racial conflicts. A new era of global domination was to ensure at the behest of US imperialism, along with their European allies.

Fast train technology, one of the many achievements of communist China.

It seemed as though history had reached its climax, and at its peak stood capitalist democracy which saw the US as its best manifestation. Socialism, on the other hand, was an historical aberration, a deviation brought about by the crazed will of Marxists and communists following a dogma that had led history down a wrong path in human development. In order to course correct those that strayed, former Soviet and non-aligned states established themselves on a system based on capitalist democracy. It even seemed to some as if China had seen the errors of its ways, and was transitioning to Capitalism.

Globalisation was the new norm, and the free movement of capitalist corporations would lead to a new world order of global prosperity. Marxism was finished, and liberal democracy was supreme.

The only problem was that new contradictions began to break out: The result of the Soviet Revolution was that hundreds of countries now existed where there had been empires; The empires of Europe, Japan, and the US were still striking out on independent roads; China was still developing what it called Socialism with Chinese characteristics; the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) refused to disappear; Vietnam and Laos emerged as newly independent countries; Cuba stood defiantly off the coast of Florida dedicated to the struggle to maintain its independence. These countries had somehow survived the crisis in the Socialist World and despite enormous difficulties had redefined Socialism finding new ways to adhere to the Socialist path.

Soviet Union

In the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev and the Soviet leaders responded to what was a new move by imperialism and the development of globalisation by pushing Perestroika and Glasnost as the solution to this crisis. Still, the Soviet Economy was confronted by new problems: a stagnation and a loss of momentum, increased militarism by the imperialists, and increased boycotts.

Naturally, a decline in socialist morality developed in the peoples democracies and movements designed to undermine socialist democracy sprung up. To answer this, the Soviets needed to open their economy and to reform their production systems to ensure that distribution occurred in accordance with socialist principles and that the Soviet economy was enhanced along with the creativeness of the Soviet people. The authority and connection of the party to the people was under strain and new political thinking was introduced which underplayed the role of the party and socialist democracy. As a consequence of these new ideas, a pluralist situation in which bourgeois Liberalism was given a leading role emerged. The institutions of the Soviets were undermined through the increase in the role of the Duma and bourgeois democracy was introduced. The party was split, and populist forces emerged to overthrow and destroy the peoples dictatorship. Rampant corruption had eaten the Soviet state out from within and the organs of the people were so corrupted that those who seized the Partys and peoples assets came directly from within the party.

Marxists have an historical responsibility to examine this development and get away from the characterisation of the individuals involved as either treacherous or incompetent. Fidel Castro made remarks in his reflections that Gorbachev was facing an impossible situation when he set about his reforms and was doomed to failure. Fidels kinder view of Gorbachev is where we should start as Marxists and therefore as social scientists. We must study the realities of the situation and not see the will of individuals as primary but as governed by the laws of historical and social development.

When looking at why Cuba, China, Vietnam, Laos, and the DPRK survived with communist parties in power, with the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie not restored, it would be good to see what they did differently from the Socialist states that failed, and what they did similarly to each other (this will be the subject of analysis further down this article).

Lets look further at some of the other contradictions that have appeared to contradict the imperialists view of history. One such view is that the end of the Soviet Union and Eastern European socialism did not restore the world to a pre-Soviet configuration. However, the empires that were toppled remained toppled; world peace did not break out, in fact global hot-spots increased; the technological and scientific revolution deepened; climate change assumed even more of an urgent problem for humanity; the threat of nuclear and military catastrophe has increased; in some areas of the world, poverty has increased. Thus, what has been emerging instead is a multi-polar world, with new moves towards socialism alongside global financial and economic catastrophes. In the developed world, these economic failures have revealed entrenched poverty and homelessness (despite a surplus of housing) as been a feature of the developed world. However, systematic underemployment and economic exclusion are more developed features of the system. Other features of all the developed Capitalist nations include: populism and extreme rightist politics, along with the suppression of democratic rights, attacks on the working class, and economic gains are features of all the developed Capitalist nations.

The reaction by the world communist movement to the loss of the Soviet Union, the emergence of these new contradictions, and a struggle with this new reality has seen the thinking lagging behind these developments. What followed was back-to-the-past and dogmatic interpretations of Marxism that has led to splits in communist parties of left and right deviations. However, while the Soviet Union will never be restored, socialism will, and it is recovering and finding new paths.

Cuba

Each in their own way has become the dominant theme. The Cuban people had their special period in which they defied imperialism and continued to build socialism. Cuba now embarks on a new Era to raise the living standards of the Cuban people and to build socialism according to their own reality. In taking a path towards raising the material and cultural level of the people, Cuba is seeking to learn from, and not repeat the mistakes of, other socialist countries who took this path before them. A path where they will tell you they have made unnecessary as well as necessary compromises with existing capitalism, i.e. imperialism which is the form of capitalism in the world today. The task for the Cubans is that they must find what is necessary and what is a mistake.

Vietnam

Vietnam suffered great hardship coming out of the Vietnam War with enormous damage to its Southern population who, as a consequence of this period, have a different historical experience than the northern part of the country. They experienced partition of their country under imperialism and have real economic differences, as well as political and cultural changes brought about by this separation. This includes the stronger role of the Catholic church in the south, and the remnants of the South Vietnamese regime  a legacy of racial and other divisions that still linger as a feature.

The underdevelopment of the economy has led to many social problems. Huge amounts of capital were destroyed, along with the health of many people, during the French then American war. The legacy of the relations with China that stretch over a millennium, and the fierce need for National liberation and rejuvenation have both a positive and negative feature.

Although embarking on their reforms at a similar time to other socialist countries, Vietnam has done many things differently. These differences are the decisions of the Vietnamese people and are in correspondence to the realities faced by the Vietnamese people.

China

The changes in China have come from the reality of the Chinese people. They have been initiated in response to problems faced in the unleashing of the productive capacity and creativity of the masses. Capitalist states expected a cakewalk towards domination of China by imperialism and their corporations. China was certainly swamped at first with the invasion and ideological push of the Washington consensus, and many will say that they made too many concessions, gave too much influence to the forces of capitalism, and that these had very negative consequences for the Chinese people. Exploitative practises re-emerged; prostitution and corruption followed in the wake of the opening up. Attempts at the restoration of a capitalist dictatorship has been the constant, including the attempt at a colour revolution in Beijing during the Tiananmen incidents. However, unlike the Soviet Party, the Chinese party and people have had the strength to re-surge back against this and to strengthen their position. Counter-revolution lives constantly near revolution, waiting for the revolution to lose its vibrancy, its connection to the people to be corrupted from within and thereby rot from within. The current struggle of the Chinese party against corruption is a revolutionary struggle for the health of the revolution.

To counter Washington, the Beijing consensus has been released. To overcome the American Dream is the Chinese Dream, these are anti-imperialist in character as they are about standing up to the domination of US imperialism. The concepts of Peaceful Co-existence, mutually beneficial trade, and one country, two systems are all revolutionary Marxist concepts.

To its enormous credit the Soviet Union gave aid on an unconditional basis to the developing world to assist in the anti-colonial struggle, but this aid was at the cost of the living standards of the Soviet People. It was unsustainable, and we see also that the trade of the Soviet Union was again unbalanced and led to economic loss to the Soviet People. This defied the principle of mutually beneficial trade; the development of the Socialist world was compromised. The Belt and Road Initiative is to provide for mutually beneficial aid and development to countries along its route, to free them from dependency to increase their independence. This is along the principle that in the age of imperialism national independence assumes a revolutionary character and is anti-imperialist by nature. This is feature of Marxism in the 21st Century. Chinas aid to Latin America is not a new form of imperialism but a challenge to imperialism.

The success of China in turning globalism on its head and grabbing control of the international trade and development has sent imperialism into an overdrive. The protectionism of the Trump administration is a shift in the global policies of imperialism to counter Chinas grabbing of globalisation and putting forward a peoples globalism, a shared future. Trump has attacked his gang of thieves because they have not responded to this new reality and have begun to seek a separate relationship with China. The trade sanctions are part of the US hegemonic ambitions, the attack on Russia is to bring them back. The imposition of a Military levy (two per cent of GDP) on the Vassal states of Australia, Canada, and others is to support the US Military Industrial Complex but also to integrate these nations into this complex. The similarity of reforms in the western nations include: increased retirement age, lower wages, higher unemployment, reduced social security, increased privatisation, common anti-terrorist laws through increasing security organisations powers, and an attack on the organisations of the working class.

Shared commonalities

Communists need to seize upon and develop these contradictions. We must also increase our understanding of the lesson that there is no model for Socialism. Our approach must begin from our own reality in touch with the people of our own lands. To call for workers of all lands to unite under the banner of Marxism assumes that those workers are conscious and independent of the bourgeoisie, that they are organised with their own party.

The most common universals of the surviving socialist countries is the existence of strong united communist parties with the support of the people. The other commonality is the existence of trade unions that play the dual role of defending the workers from abuses, and of defending and strengthening the role of workers in the state. These organisations must increasingly meet the needs of workers in legal training and in social issues. They are not just service organisations but are active organisations of the working-class which work to bring in laws for the working people, audit public and private organisations, among pursuing other needs for the people. They must be progressive in driving reform and production to meet the needs of the working people and their allies.

Many Communists and trade unionists see trade unions in their role as opponents of the bourgeois state or, as is the case with yellow unions, the subordination of the needs of workers to the capitalist state, slowing the struggle of workers for independence from the capitalist class. However, socialist trade unions must subordinate the state to the needs of the workers and must organise the workers in this struggle.

The growth of the Chinese unions is still in progress and the consciousness of their role is still developing. The unions must be a dominant part of any Socialist system. The unions should embrace the vast majority of the working class and be active at all levels and in all parts of society. The presence of Chinese unions in workplaces is part of a socialist system, they are not there to supervise the workers but to provide assistance and to supervise the companies.

On an ideological level the other universal is to see Marxism as a thought, a reflection of reality, and an active science in changing reality. This is what leads the communists to the conclusion that thoughts should be checked with historical practice, that there is a unity of theory and practice. That in accordance with the basic thoughts of Marxism that knowledge is continuous, that development is continuous, and that the revolution is continuous. Marxism should reflect the reality of our world and seek to change it based on the discovery of the laws that govern the development of human society. Marx overcame Utopian socialism and established scientific socialism. In the crisis of a new era, we must not retreat to utopias.

The Marxism of the 21st Century must build on our successes and learn from our failures. It is still reflecting the realities of our world and calling forth a new era where mankind can control their destiny and end the exploitation of man by man.
The Ruler of Dubai has ordered 14 tonnes of medical supplies and 20 tonnes of food supplies to Nigeria and Sudan, the Dubai Media Office said on Saturday.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum orders humanitarian aid flight to Sudan and Nigeria carrying 14 tonnes of medical supplies, 20 tonnes of food supplies, the press office said in a tweet.

The Nigerian government is yet to confirm the reception of the supplies or the date it is expected in the country.

The supplies, a statement on the Rulers website noted, was to help Nigeria fight the pandemic.

On August 11, the United States Government also handed over 200 modern ventilators to the Nigerian government to aid the latters fight against the pandemic.

Meanwhile, 170 Nigerians returned from the United Arab Emirates to Nigeria on Saturday, taking the number of evacuees from the Arab nation to over 3,000 amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).

. @HHShkMohd orders humanitarian aid flight to Sudan and Nigeria carrying 14 tonnes of medical supplies, 20 tonnes of food supplies. pic.twitter.com/9AXbtlFaR1  Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 15, 2020

Follow Us on Facebook  @LadunLiadi; Instagram  @LadunLiadi; Twitter  @LadunLiadi; Youtube  @LadunLiadiTV for updates
Foreigners own around 16,000 apartments in Vietnam, or 2 percent of the total housing supply, and this has not affected local people's opportunity to buy houses, a report says.

From 2015 to 2020, 17 major real estate developers in Vietnam have sold 12,335 property units to foreigners, 81 percent of them in Ho Chi Minh City, according to a report by the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association (HoREA).

Assuming these companies, which include popular names like Vingroup, Novaland and Phu My Hung, account for up to 80 percent of the total units sold to foreigners in Vietnam, about 14,000-16,000 units nationwide have been sold to foreigners in the last five years, or 2 percent of total housing supply, the report says.

This shows that theres not been a foreign ownership wave in the Vietnam property market in the last five years. Furthermore, since foreigners mostly buy properties in the high-end segment, their demand has not created any major negative impact on low- and medium-income locals looking to buy their own homes, it adds.

Developers have been strictly following the 30 percent foreign ownership cap the government has set for each housing project, HoREA says, adding that this ratio should be maintained.

Vietnam currently allows foreigners to buy property, except land, but not more than 30 percent of a residential quarter or an apartment project, as long as the project is not located in areas deemed vital to national security.

The association also says in the report that most foreigners from Europe, North America, Australia and Japan prefer to rent when they come to work in Vietnam, while those from mainland China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore prefer buying properties here.

The HoREA report and data comes amid recent debates over whether Vietnam should increase its 30 percent cap on foreign ownership in real estate projects.

Several industry insiders say that rising foreign direct investment in Vietnam is bound to increase demand for house ownership, and that many foreigners consider property in the country an investment.

Officials and lawmakers, however, have expressed concern over foreigners using Vietnamese proxies to exploit legal loopholes and gain ownership and control over large areas of land.

A report released in May by the Ministry of Defense says Chinese nationals and entities own more than 162,000 hectares of land in Vietnam via proxies, mostly in coastal areas, and operate hospitality, restaurant and tourism services on such land.
Up to 250,000 Sudanese will be also included in the Egyptian presidential initiative to treat 1 million Africans from hepatitis C.

Egyptian hospitals are ready to treat those injured during the Sudanese revolution, Egyptian Health Minister Hala Zayed told her Sundanese counterpart Sara Abdel-Azeem during a visit to Khartoum on Saturday.

Zayed was among an Egyptian ministerial delegation, led by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, that traveled to the Sudanese capital on Saturday for a one-day visit to discuss cooperation in electrical connectivity, infrastructure, and health and the latest in GERD negotiations.

Both sides agreed on the number of injured people that are to be treated in Egypt, the Egyptian minister said in a statement late on Saturday, adding that the dates for administering the necessary medical care will be determined in coordination with the Sudanese embassy in Cairo after the evaluation of medical reports.

Up to 250,000 Sudanese will be also included in the Egyptian presidential initiative to treat 1 million Africans from hepatitis C.

Zayed assured that Egypt would offer all forms of support in the health sector to the Sudanese side in accordance with the directives of Egyptian President Abdel El-Fattah El-Sisi.

Both sides agreed to revive the joint Egyptian-Sudanese project to combat the malaria-bearing Gambia mosquito.

The project will help preserve the health situation in the southern part of Egypt and the northern part of Sudan, the statement added.

The two officials also agreed to adopt the investigation and contact tracing system between the two countries borders to eliminate rift valley fever.

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Statements by both sides contained a pointed reference to a "union state" between the two countries.

Russia said on Sunday it had told Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko it was ready to offer military assistance if necessary as demonstrators gathered for what was expected to be one of the biggest protests against Lukashenko's re-election.

A least two protesters have been killed and thousands have been detained since last Sunday's vote, which opponents of Lukashenko, in power for 26 years, say was rigged to disguise the fact that he has lost public support, Reuters reported.

Read alsoLukashenko's deal with Putin: Russia to provide "comprehensive assistance" upon request

He denies losing, citing official results that gave him just over 80% of the vote.

The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin had told Lukashenko Russia was ready to assist Belarus in accordance with a collective military pact if necessary and said external pressure was being applied to the country, without saying where from.

There was tight security as Lukashenko's supporters gathered in central Minsk for the first time since the election to voice their support in the same place as the protest was due to be held later in the day.

Lukashenko and Putin spoke by phone on Saturday.

Ties between the two traditional allies had been under strain before the election, as Russia scaled back subsidies that propped up Lukashenko's government.

The state news agency Belta on Saturday cited remarks by Lukashenko that "at the first request, Russia will provide comprehensive assistance to ensure the security of Belarus in the event of external military threats."

A Kremlin statement made no mention of such assistance but said both sides expressed confidence that all problems in Belarus would be resolved soon.

Statements by both sides contained a pointed reference to a "union state" between the two countries.

The neighbours signed an agreement in 1999 that was supposed to create a unified state. That project was never properly implemented however, and more recently Lukashenko had rejected calls by Moscow for closer economic and political ties as an assault on his country's sovereignty.
(Natural News) Three Christian churches in Minnesota have filed a lawsuit in federal court Thursday, August 13, to push back against the states overreaching Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic rules mandating the wearing of face masks, the observation of social distancing, as well as other regulations.

The governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, a Democrat, passed several executive orders in recent days that implemented many of these restrictions. Many of the new protocols specifically target people who merely want to participate in religious services.

The three churches challenging what they view to be a violation of the freedom to worship are the Cornerstone Baptist Church in Alexandria in western Minnesota; the Land of Promise Church right outside of Buffalo, northwest of Minneapolis; and Lifespring Church in Crosby, central Minnesota.

Their legal complaint, filed with the help of a conservative legal group, argues that Walz and other state officials are infringing on their religious liberties, which are protected by the First Amendment, by preventing people from attending their services through the imposition of a mask mandate. They are also challenging an executive order that limits the number of people who are allowed to attend religious services by requiring the enforcement of social distancing protocols.

The states coronavirus protocols, they argue, are preventing churches from conducting many of their rites and rituals, such as how mask mandates are preventing them from performing proper prayers and singing songs and how social distancing is preventing them from performing the laying of the hands in blessing and the receiving of communion.

The churches are asking federal courts to declare Walzs executive orders regarding masks and social distancing to be unconstitutional due to their conflict with the First Amendment and the 14th Amendment.

Gov. Walz wants to prosecute Minnesotans for religious attendance, read a statement from Erick Kaardal, one of the attorneys that represent the three churches. We are going to do our best not to see that happen.

Minnesotas governor is wreaking havoc on the religious freedoms of the faithful. Christians of all denominations, Muslims and Orthodox Jews are bound by their faith to worship together.

In response to the lawsuit, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, another Democrat, said that his office reviews every executive order before it is sent to Walz for him to sign to make sure that it complies with both state and federal law.

I stand by the legality and constitutionality of this executive order. We will defend it strongly in court just as we have so far successfully defended others in court.

Ellison is referring to the fact that it has, since the third week of July, spent over $170,000 and 1,3000 staff hours defending the states coronavirus restrictions against lawsuits and petitions. Ellison claims that they have a 100 percent success rate.

The face mask mandates are approaching. Learn more about it by listening to this episode of the Health Ranger Report, a podcast by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, as he talks about how President Donald Trump was right when he said that wearing masks work, and that wearing face coverings should be entirely voluntary.

Religious institutions fight back against excessive coronavirus restrictions

Fortunately, the three Minnesota churches are not alone in fighting for religious liberties across the country. For places of worship in Minnesota, this is not the first time they have sued the state. In May, two churches sued Walz over what they believed to be excessively restrictive stay-at-home orders, which prevented religious institutions from conducting indoor services.

Walz has also been fighting with several Roman Catholic churches and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod churches across Minnesota over his coronavirus restrictions. The strain of all these legal battles forced Walz to slightly relent by allowing churches to hold indoor services at 25 percent capacity if certain conditions have been met.

In the city of Palmetto in western Florida, Rev. Joel Tillis of the Suncoast Baptist Church filed a lawsuit challenging a county-level mask mandate. The reverend is arguing that the mask mandate should not extend to places of worship because it hinders their ability to congregate.

The Thomas More Society, which specializes in lawsuits concerning religious matters, sued California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other state officials to prevent them from enforcing unconstitutional and onerous coronavirus pandemic regulations. The main plaintiff is Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, Los Angeles, led by Pastor John MacArthur, who has been holding regular worship services in defiance of state protocols.

According to the lawsuit, churches and other religious institutions should get an exemption from the ban on large gatherings because demonstrations held against racism and police brutality have, at least in practice, received their own exemptions. (Related: CNN hypocritically smears Christians for worship concert, says nothing about Democrats in Black Lives Matter protests.)

We will obey God rather than men, said MacArthur in a message to his congregation. He will be on our side.

Jenna Ellis, one of the two Thomas More Society lawyers representing MacArthur, said that Californias restrictions have gone past the point of being rational or reasonable and should now be considered tyrannical and discriminatory against religious people.

This isnt about health, said Ellis. This is about blatantly targeting churches.

In response, Los Angeles County filed a counter-lawsuit against Grace Community Church in order to get their indoor and in-person worship services stopped. Unfortunately for them, many other churches across California are following Grace Communitys lead, such as Godspeak Calvary Chapel in Newbury Park, Ventura County, where Pastor Rob McCoy vowed to continue in-person services.

The Thomas More Society has helped achieve victories for religious liberties all over the country, such as back in May when Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, another Democrat, was forced to make exemptions for houses of worship regarding certain coronavirus pandemic-related mandates. Kaardal, who represents the three churches in the Minnesota case, is himself affiliated with the society.

Learn more about how churches and other conservative-leaning institutions across the country are fighting back against tyrannical and oppressive coronavirus mandates by reading the articles at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

StarTribune.com

MinnLawyer.com

MinnPost.com
Vietnam's COVID-19 infection count rose to 951 after one fresh case of entry from Equatorial Guinea was diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, while another COVID-19 patient in Da Nang died,

bringing the death toll to 24, the Ministry of Heath said in its August 16 morning update.

A residential area in Hai Duong under quarantine.

The imported case is a male patient, 27, with address in the cetral province of Nghe An. On July 29 he entered Noi Bai Airport from Equatorial Guinea on flight VN6, and was quarantined immediately after entry to undergo treatment at the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases 2. His fourth test result on August 14 came back for the SARS-COV-2 virus.

Also on the morning of August 16, the Ministry of Health confirmed the 24th coronavirus related death being a 82-year-old female patient in central Da Nang City.

The patient died of pneumonia caused by COVID-19 complications with severe respiratory failure, and septic shock in a meningitis patient.

Of the total infections confirmed in Vietnam so far, 334 were imported and quarantined upon entry, and 477 are related to the outbreak in Da Nang since July 25.

Among the positive cases in treatment, 50 have tested negative to SARS-CoV-2 that causes the disease once and 91 others at least twice.

One day earlier, ten patients linked to Da Nang, the countrys COVID-19 epicenter, were declared to be free from the virus, sending the total number of recoveries up to 447.

Over 107,642 people are in quarantine, with more than 4,150 at hospitals, and the remainders at other quarantine facilities and at home.

Vietnam has reported 951 COVID-19 cases so far, with 447 announced recovered and 24 pronounced dead.

Meanwhile, the HCM City Center for Disease Control said on August 15 that 52,449 people returning from Da Nang since July had their samples taken for COVID-19 screening test.

Test results showed that there were 51,577 negative cases, 6 positive cases earlier announced by the Ministry of Health, and 866 cases waiting for test results. All the six positive cases were related to Da Nang Hospital and high-risk sites in Da Nang as notified by the Ministry of Health.

Among the patients undergoing treatment at medical facilities across the nation, 50 tested negative for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 once and 91 others tested negative at least twice.

As many as 107,642 people who had close contact with COVID-19 patients or entering Vietnam from pandemic-hit regions are being quarantined, including 4,015 in hospitals, 24,948 in state-designated quarantine establishments and 78,679 at their homes.

Nguyen Lien

Vietnam has not finalized the purchase of Covid-19 vaccine from Russia Vietnam has just registered and has not finalized the purchase of recently-approved COVID-19 vaccine named Sputnik V from Russia because there are still many different opinions about this product.
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From Chuks Collins, Awka

The Nnewi community has honoured law enforcement officer in Anambra state for their outstanding performance and dedication to duty.

The occasion which took place at the palace of Nnewi monarch, HRM Igwe Kenneth Orizu 111 was described as part of the communitys efforts to show appreciation and boost the morale of the law enforcement officials in the State.

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The event was sponsored by one of her illustrious sons, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, the Chief Executive of the Innoson Group.

The unique occasion recognized officers across the various security agencies in the State including the Police,the Department of State Services (DSS), the Civil Defence, the Federal Road Safety Corp(FRSC) and the state Vigilante Group.

The officers includes the Commissioner of Police- CP John B.Abang, police Area Commander for Nnewi -ACP Sunday Irek, the DPO CPS Nnewi -CSP Nnamdi Amanuke, and the DPO Otolo Division -CSP Hassan Lawal.

Others included Divisional crime officers Nnewi and Otolo Divisions as well as Unit Commanders SARS and Special Anti-cult among others.

Responding on behalf of the officers, CP Abang thanked the traditional ruler and organisers for recognizing their efforts towards promoting safety and security in the State.

He promised to work for greater peace and security in Anambra State and beyond.

Prominent sons and daughters of the state including the former Governor Her Excellency Dame Virgy Etiaba, Chief Dr Innocent Chukwuma, Chief Dan Ulasi and the President General -Sir Ugochukwu Udemezie.

Others include the Obi of Uruagu,Obi Afam Obi; the Obi of Umudim, Obi Beneth Okafor; and the Obi of Nnewichi, Obi George Onyekaba among others.

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Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said a deal to establish full diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates proves his country does not need to retreat from occupied land sought by the Palestinians to achieve peace and normalisation with Arab states.

The two countries announced on Thursday they were establishing full diplomatic relations in a US-brokered deal that required Israel to halt its contentious plan to annex occupied West Bank land sought by the Palestinians.

Mr Netanyahu has insisted the annexation plans are only on temporary hold at the request of the US.

Expand Close Protesters hold placards as others wave their black flags during a demonstration in Gaza City against the Israel-United Arab Emirates deal (Adel Hana/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Protesters hold placards as others wave their black flags during a demonstration in Gaza City against the Israel-United Arab Emirates deal (Adel Hana/AP)

The UAE, like most of the Arab world, long rejected official diplomatic ties with Israel, saying recognition should only come in return for concessions in peace talks.

Its accord with Israel breaks that long-held tenet and could usher in agreements with other Arab states, undermining a consensus that was a rare source of leverage for the Palestinians.

According to the Palestinians and to many others in the world who agreed with them, peace cant be reached without conceding to the Palestinians demands, including uprooting settlements, dividing Jerusalem and withdrawal to 1967 lines, Mr Netanyahu said in a video statement.

No more. This concept of peace through withdrawal and weakness has passed from the world.

The Palestinians want the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip for their hoped-for state and peacemaking with them since the 1990s has been based on withdrawal from those lands to make way for a Palestinian homeland.

Israel captured the territories in the 1967 Six-Day War, although it withdrew its troops and settlers from Gaza in 2005.

But what has been a wall of Arab support for the Palestinians and their demands has begun to crack in recent years, in large part because of the shared enmity of Israel and other Arab states towards Iran and Iranian proxies in the region.

Peace should be established on the basis of the Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital Palestinian President Mahmoud Abba's spokesman

The Palestinians bristled at Mr Netanyahus remarks.

Peace should be established on the basis of the Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital, Nabil Abu Rdeneh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abba, said.

This is the Arab and international consensus, and anything else has no value.

Mr Netanyahu also reiterated his interpretation of the UAE deal  that annexation is only being suspended and is still on the table, so long as it was done in coordination with Washington.

UAE officials have indicated the deal means annexation has been shelved entirely.

After President Donald Trump released his Middle East plan earlier this year, which was favourable to Israel, Mr Netanyahu said he would forge ahead with annexing parts of the West Bank.

He backed away from moving forwards with annexation last month in the face of fierce international opposition and misgivings by White House officials.

But Mr Netanyahu, who has seen his popularity plummet over his handling of the coronavirus crisis, has faced searing criticism from settler leaders and their representatives in Parliament over the annexation backtrack and he has tried to reassure them that he remains committed to the move.
A Georgia State Patrol trooper has been arrested and charged with felony murder after fatally shooting a Black man during an attempted traffic stop.

Jacob Gordon Thompson, 27, was arrested on Friday in connection with the fatal officer involved shooting in Screven County that occurred on August 7, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) said in a news release.

Thompson attempted to stop Julian Edward Roosevelt Lewis, 60, for a traffic-related offense. When he refused to stop, Thompson gave a brief chase before using a "precision Intervention technique," sending the car to a stop in a ditch, according to the GBI.

Thompson then fired one shot, striking Lewis in the face. He was pronounced dead on the scene. An autopsy is being conducted at the GBI Crime Lab, according to the release.

Thompson will be booked into the Screven County Jail, the GBI release said. He has been charged with felony murder and aggravated assault and was terminated from the Department of Public Safety.

CNN has not been able to determine if Thompson has an attorney.

FBI Atlanta public affairs specialist Kevin Rowson told CNN in an emailed statement Saturday that they are in contact with local and state authorities.

"The FBI is aware of the Screven County matter and we have been in contact with local and state authorities. The FBI is always prepared to investigate whenever information comes to light of a potential federal violation," Rowson said.

Francys Johnson, the attorney representing the Lewis family, issued a statement Friday.

"The unprecedented pace of the investigation is a direct result of years of activism on these issues along with a sea-change in law enforcement leadership at the top of the GBI," Johnson said. "This was not business as usual.

"The GBI and now the FBI who have launched a separate civil rights investigation have done what was right at this stage. I rarely get to say that."

Georgia's NAACP chapter declared a state of emergency in Georgia "with respect to the never ending acts of police violence that regularly and consistently put our communities in danger," according to a news release. The NAACP on Tuesday had called for criminal charges to be filed against Thompson and for a civil rights investigation by the United States Department of Justice.

"I want justice for Julian. He was too good to die as he did. This is one step towards justice," Lewis's widow, Betty Lewis, said in the statement released by Johnson.

CNN's Nicky Robertson contributed to this report.

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Former Vice President Joe Biden tweeted an empathetic message on Sunday to his political rival.

The morning after President Trumps younger brother, Robert Trump, died at the age of 71, Biden said he knows the tremendous pain that the president must be experiencing.

Mr. President, Jill and I are sad to learn of your younger brother Roberts passing, the presumptive Democratic nominee wrote on Twitter. I know the tremendous pain of losing a loved one  and I know how important family is in moments like these. I hope you know that our prayers are with you all.

In this 1999 photo, Robert Trump, left, joins Donald Trump at an event in New York City. (AP/Diane Bonadreff)

Biden has experienced multiple personal tragedies in his decades-long political career and frequently bonds with supporters over shared life pains. In 1972, as a 29-year-old senator-elect, Biden's first wife and infant daughter were killed in a car crash. In 2015, his son Joseph Beau Biden died of a rare brain cancer.

The White House announced Robert Trumps death on Saturday night with a statement from the president. It did not indicate a cause of death.

President Trump visited his ailing brother on Friday at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan.

It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight, Trump said in the statement. He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace.



Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law and a senior White House adviser, also addressed the death during a Sunday interview.

The president loved his brother very much. And he was able to see him the day before yesterday. And his brother was very proud of him, Kushner said on CBSs Face the Nation. Obviously a very tough moment for the president, but hes looking forward to continuing to do great things and make his brother proud.

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:
The Tamale North Member of Parliament, Alhassan Suhuyini says there are enough reasons why Ghanaians must reject the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming December 7 general elections.

According to him, recent acts of military intimidation, deep-rooted corruption, and extreme hardship being suffered by the citizenry are clear indicators that the NPP lacks what it takes to manage the country.

Speaking on The Big Issue, Mr. Suhuyini maintained that the only ways Ghanaians will see some comfort is to vote the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its leader John Dramani Mahama to continue the rescue mission of the party.

There is that imperative need for all to join hands to ensure that we rescue this country not only from the debts this government is piling on us with nothing to show, not even only from the deficit left for generations, not even only from the abandoned projects but the politicization of state institutions and the handling of corruption fighters.

He also noted the misuse of the military, the media that is intimated and the fact that there is growing despondency in this country.

So we need to ensure that President Mahama gets back to the flagstaff house, he insisted.

The legislator also said the return of John Mahama will see massive economic transformation.

In his second coming, the investments will be targeted at the private sector, the public sector and the informal sector. The next phase of his presidency will ensure that investment goes into creating jobs. Dr. Bawumia and the NPP do not portend well for the future of the NPP. That is why there is the need for us to rise above partisanship as Mr. Mahama has always demonstrated to support the rescue mission that will take him back to the Flagstaff House to continue the God things he was doing, correct what he may have done wrong so that together, we can put this country back on the path of growth, inclusiveness and development.

 citinewsroom
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been urged to stop the 'wailing' and concentrate on telling Ghanaians what it achieved while in government.



The Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku constituency says this year's election will be based on what various administrations i.e NDC and NPP have achieved and not what will be achieved; hence the NDC needs to focus on doing just that.



Dr Bernard Okoe Boye who doubles as the Deputy Health Minister contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM morning show 'Kokrokoo' said: "election 2020 will not be about outcries, wailing, protest, ranting; it will be about outreach. Election 2020 is not going to be what I can do if you give me the opportunity but what I have done when you gave me the opportunity".



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.

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Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has held another set of meetings ahead of the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, which, sources said, could begin from the first week of September. As India battles the Covid-19 pandemic, the session is expected to include a number of firsts to ensure each person's safety.

The Rajya Sabha Secretariat has been asked to ensure complete preparation for the Monsoon Session by the third week of August. During the end of the month, testing, rehearsal and final inspection of all necessary preparations will take place before the session's commencement.

Naidu has instructed for the installation of four large display screens in the Chamber of the House and six additional small screens in the four galleries of the House. Other things such as audio consoles in galleries; ultraviolet germicidal irradiation; special cables connecting the two Houses for transmission of audio-visual signals; and a poly-carbonate sheet separating the Official Gallery from the Chamber of the House will also be made available on his orders.

The usage of chambers and galleries of both the Houses for holding the session is a measure being taken the very first time in the history of Indian Parliament, since 1952.

The Rajya Sabha Chamber and Galleries, and the Lok Sabha Chamber will be used for seating the members of the House during the session. While 60 members will be accommodated in the Rajya Sabha Chamber, 51 will sit in the Rajya Sabha galleries and the remaining 132 members will be seated in the Lok Sabha Chamber.

Political parties will be given seating instructions depending upon their strength. Designated seats will be earmarked in the Upper House Chamber for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of the House Thawar Chand Gehlot, and for the Leader of the Opposition and other party leaders.

Designated seats will also be provided in the Chamber, for Ministers. Former Prime Ministers Dr Manmohan Singh, and H D Deve Gowda, who are also members of the Rajya Sabha, will too have earmarked seats in the Chamber of the House.

Ministers who are not MPs of the Rajya Sabha will sit in the seats designated for the ruling party. Placards will indicate the parties accommodated in each gallery of the Rajya Sabha.

Those seated in the Official Gallery and Press Gallery will also have to follow mandatory and strict social distancing norms. Officials have been directed to minimize the usage of paper, as it has to be physically distributed. The use of digital copies and reports will be encouraged in Standing Committee meetings.
Attorney General William Barr earlier this week signaled that there would be a development in the ongoing Durham investigation into official misconduct relating to the Russiagate confection. Friday, that came true with news that attorney Kevin Clinesmith, formerly with the FBI, was going to plead guilty to one count of feloniously altering an email from the CIA in order to support an application for a FISA warrant that permitted the government to spy in Carter Page.

Page had for years provided information to the CIA about his contacts with Russian officials. In CIA jargon, he was known as an operational contact -- someone who agrees to be debriefed by agency personnel but cannot be assigned to collect information. That relationship might have given law enforcement officials reason to be less suspicious of him. And the FBI was told about it: A CIA lawyer provided a list of documents in the August 2016 email at the heart of the case against Clinesmith that explained Pages relationship with the agency. But an FBI case agent who learned about Pages ties to the CIA played them down while preparing the first wiretap application, according to the inspector generals report. At the time, Clinesmith was not involved in determining whether Page was a CIA source, people familiar with the case said. But later in 2017, a supervisory FBI agent handling the third and final renewal application asked Clinesmith for a definitive answer on whether Page had been an agency source, according to Horowitzs report. Clinesmith incorrectly said Page was never a source and sent the CIAs information to the supervisor. He altered the original email to say Page had not been a source -- a material change to a document used in a federal investigation. The agent relied on the altered email to submit the application seeking further court permission to wiretap Page, the inspector general wrote. By changing the email and then forwarding it, Clinesmith misrepresented the original content of the document, which prosecutors said was a crime.

The alteration was substantial, hiding the fact that Page had been a confidential informant for the CIA. Had this been known to the Department of Justice lawyers who drafted the warrant application, it is certain it would not have been forwarded to the FISC. Had the FISC been properly informed, no warrant would have been issued, and the spying on Page which opened the sluice gates to permit spying on all his contacts, in particular the Trump campaign, would never have been permitted by law. Mollie Hemingway dissects the NYT report and shows clearly how deliberate and meaningful the altered email by Clinesmith was.

(It appears he was not the first to play games with Pages history. Note, there was a case agent before him who played down Pages contacts, and we await his identity.)

Once again, all the best-considered legislative schemes to preclude wrongdoing are useless against human corruption.

The legions of us weary of waiting for criminal action should be somewhat assuaged by this news. After all, weve known about this for eight months, since the report of Inspector General Michael Horowitz was made public. Horowitz also alleged dozens of such abuses. Can we expect to see more prosecutions? My crystal ball says yes.

Durham has in fact telegraphed that this is the case:

But Durham also reveals in the filing that the FBI Crossfire Hurricane team -- led by since-fired Agent Peter Strzok -- had already been told of Page's relationship with the CIA all the way back in August 2016 and failed to tell the FISA court that essential information about Page before the three prior FISA warrants were approved. Such a failure is known as a material omission because the FBI was claiming they believed Page was an agent of Russia when in fact he was an asset of the U.S. government helping to inform on Russ ian intelligence targets. In other words, had the FBI not omitted the truth, the judges would have known before they approved even the first FISA warrant that Page was a CIA-handled source, not a Russian stooge. Here's how Durham worded the account: "On Aug 17, 2016, prior to the approval of FISA #1, the OGA (CIA) provided certain members of the Crossfire Hurricane team a memorandum indicating that Individual #1 (Page) had been approved as an operational contact for the OGA (CIA) from 2008 to 2013 and detailing information that Individual #1 (Page) had provided to the OGA (CIA) concerning Individual #1's prior contacts with certain Russian intelligence officers. The first three FISA applications did not include Individual #1's history or status with the OGA (CIA)." Several experts said Durham's inclusion of the earlier notification signals he has concerns others may also have been involved in deceiving the court. "It's more than an oversight. Whether the omission was purposeful or not, it is a fraud on the court," said Kevin Brock, the FBI's former assistant director for intelligence and the man who created many of the procedures the bureau still uses to investigate intelligence threats.

The Sound of Silence

Will Comey be in the dock soon? Catherine Herridge offers a clue:

Catherine Herridge @CBS_Herridge #Durham In Clinesmith docs page 1, Durham says FBI opened a Foreign Agents Registration Act case called Crossfire Hurricane, July 31, 2016. FARA is criminal. But when Comey disclosed the probes existence in 2017, he emphasized its counter-intelligence nature to gather info

If hed properly classified it as a criminal matter, hed have had to file for a warrant in a regular court, not FISC, and establish probable cause to do so.

Interestingly Clinesmith, Peter Strzok, and Lisa Page not only worked together to concoct the Russian fable, they also worked on Muellers team investigating the very sham they cooked up. Strzok was fired when his partisan emails turned up. Lisa Page resigned then and Clinesmith, who also worked on the make-believe FBI investigation of Hillary Clintons emails on an unsecured server, was removed by Mueller after Horowitz found evidence of extreme partisanship like this on Clinesmiths texts:

the crazies won finally, disparaged Mr. Trumps health care and immigration agendas, and called Vice President Mike Pence stupid. In another text, he wrote, in the context of a question about whether he intended to stay in government, viva la resistance.

Even more interestingly, at the time Clinesmith altered the original email he was wearing two hats. He was working simultaneously under the direction of the FBI and Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Had the false predicate for the widespread surveillance been known, the Mueller expedition might have had to fold its tent because the information they had was illegally obtained by Clinesmith's deception. In his report, Mueller was careful to note the double hat Clinesmith wore and thereby distance himself from this conniving.

I expect hes talking and revealing the names and conduct of all he worked with to cover up the truth of the baseless spying on the man they despised and his team.

Curiously, Comey, Strzok, and Page, who up to now have been tweeting quite a bit, seem in the past two weeks to be silent on that venue.

The Middle East

Making monkeys of the corrupt officials in the DoJ and FBI who tried to frame him was just one of Trumps victories this week. He turned the tables on the foreign policy establishment that coddled Iran under the numbskull impression that this would mollify the mullahs, who grabbed more and more power. The UAE publicly announced recognition of Israel and its expected that Bahrain and others will follow suit. One wag online said Barack Obama finally merited his Nobel Peace Prize. You see, by coddling the mullahs, he awakened their neighbors into realizing how dangerous Iran was to their existence, how foolish it was to expend so much money and influence into supporting the corrupt Palestinians, and how significantly in their interests it was to align with Israel instead.

Palestinian leaders were reportedly taken by surprise. A spokesman for President Mahmoud Abbas said the deal amounted to "treason", and the Palestinian ambassador to the UAE was being recalled. President Trump called the deal between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan "a truly historic moment". It marks only the third Israel-Arab peace deal since Israel's declaration of independence in 1948, after Egypt and Jordan. "Now that the ice has been broken I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates," he told reporters in the Oval Office, saying there would be a signing ceremony at the White House in the coming weeks.

Like the two parties UAE and Israel, I think this shift will spur economic growth and enhance technological innovation. The Arab nations get nothing from the costly Palestinian albatross around their necks. It was just a means to distract their people from their own issues, not the least of which was the failure to keep up with the rest of the world.
Lewis Hamilton was worried about Max Verstappen before Sundays Spanish Grand Prix.

Worried, too, about how the Mercedes tires would cope under a searing summer sun after wilting last week in the lesser heat of Silverstone.

His concerns proved as unfounded as his 88th career victory was comprehensive. The six-time world champion is now within three of Michael Schumacher's Formula One record of 91 wins.

Hamilton beat Verstappen by 24 seconds to extend his championship lead over him to 37 points - 132 to 95 - after six races.

I was just in a daze out there. I felt really good," Hamilton said. I didnt even know it was the last lap I was so zoned in.

His teammate Valtteri Bottas is fading from the picture, and already languishes 43 points behind Hamilton despite winning the first race of the season.

Hamiltons fourth win of the coronavirus-shortened campaign was also timely, considering Verstappens superb win last Sunday  when Mercedes anxiety levels rose.

It was a surprise because we had that problem with the tires last weekend," Hamilton said. "But we seem to have understood it.

The pre-race thinking from Mercedes was that Verstappen  who has eight podiums in the last nine races  was favorite. But a thrilling contest never happened, and Verstappen's priority became keeping Bottas in third place.

It was good to split the two Mercedes. I didnt have the pace like Lewis but Im happy with second," he said. The start was crucial to get ahead of Valtteri."

Although Bottas secured a bonus point for the fastest lap, he is six points behind Verstappen in the standings.

The winding 4.7-kilometer ( 2.9-mile) Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with its combination of slow and fast corners, is one of the hardest for overtaking.

After narrowly securing a record-extending 92nd career pole position Hamilton made a strong start on the long straight to the first corner. But Bottas was overtaken by Verstappen and the Racing Point of Lance Stroll  who jumped from fifth to third with a fine move on Bottas' right flank.

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The start was the key point, I lost a position and then had to push hard to make ground and suffered the tire condition, Bottas said. I was behind Max and everyone knows how hard that is."

Track temperatures on the circuit were around 50 degrees C (122 F) and Bottas was concerned.

These black overalls are hot, he said during the race, throwing in an expletive for emphasis.

It was another miserable day for struggling Ferrari, with Sebastian Vettel seventh and Charles Leclerc abandoning after his engine cut out on track.

I dont know why the car switched off completely, Leclerc said.

He crawled into the pits but his race was over on lap 41.

Had he stayed out on track, he would likely have been lapped by Hamilton just as Vettel was.

Hamilton set the pace with a confident start.

While he and Verstappen swapped fastest lap times, Bottas labored behind Stroll for four laps.

It was Verstappen  and not Hamilton  who was complaining about his rear tires and by lap 20 of 66 he said there was nothing left in them.

The ice-cool Dutchman was getting flustered.

Do you want me to repeat it again? he shouted moments later on his radio. Im losing so much time.

Finally, his team brought him in for new tires on lap 22 but he was 10 seconds behind Hamilton.

Both Mercedes pitted for new tires on the next lap. But a blip attaching the rear left saw Hamilton emerging about four seconds clear of Verstappen. He was given a brief glimmer of hope as Hamiltons tire was showing signs of blistering only six laps after being fitted.

But Hamilton was soon pulling away again.

Racing Points Sergio Perez, who missed the last two races as he recovered from the coronavirus, finished in fourth place ahead of Stroll with McLarens Carlos Sainz Jr. in sixth.

Vettel is having his worst start since 2008 but drove very well with just the one tire stop.

It proved the right choice but came after a tense exchange between Vettel and his race engineer.

What do you think about going to the end on these tires? his engineer asked.

After barking out an expletive, Vettel replied: I asked you this before!

Minutes earlier, Vettel had asked his team whether they thought he could go to the end on the same tires  and got no response.

His final season with Ferrari could prove to be long and arduous while Hamilton is odds-on to end it with a seventh title to equal Schumacher  Vettel's childhood hero.

___

More AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/apf-AutoRacing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Her name was Silvia and as soon as she walked into my office, I knew she was trouble, I just didn't know how much.

"You are Tidhar, the obscure novelist?" she said.

"What's it to you, Toots?" I said.

"It's about our column," she said. Cigarette smoke eddied lazily in the still air of the room and the shadows. "It needs writing, and fast."

I was behind on my rent and I was down on my luck, and besides, I knew our editor would cut all this.

"What's it about, anyway?" I said. "The column."

"Noir," she said, "Fantasy noir."

Silvia: Let's lay down the bread of this sandwich and talk about the origins of fantasy noir. Other people may want to correct my evolutionary tree, but I say the daddy of fantasy noir was William Hjortsberg with "Falling Angel" in 1978. Even if we could trace a different ancestor, it's a great book. It combines all the old-fashioned hard-boiled tropes with a detailed description of 1950s New York, and adds murders, magic, a coven of Satanists and a voodoo priestess.

Sadly, I don't think anyone knew what to do with this book when it came out. It was an odd product, like making a peanut butter and pickle torta. It did get adapted into a movie in 1987 - "Angel Heart," starring Mickey Rourke and Robert De Niro. Hjortsberg also wrote a fantastical, historical murder mystery, "Nevermore."

Lavie: It's a great movie. One book I'd pick as a harbinger of things to come is strangely obscure. Martin Scott's "Thraxas" was published in 1999, a sort of hard-boiled private eye story set in a classical secondary world fantasy - think Philip Marlowe in Middle Earth. It wasn't like anything else at the time, improbably won the World Fantasy Award for best novel the following year - an offbeat selection even for that most offbeat of awards! - and spawned more than a few sequels. It was ahead of its time in that, 20 years later, that formula seems to be everywhere. You can't browse a bookstore without tripping on hard-boiled detectives fighting wizards and elves.

Silvia: And of course, urban fantasy was big for a while, giving us an abundance of noir books, including Laurel K. Hamilton's Anita Blake novels. That wave seems to be over - telling an editor you write urban fantasy nowadays is like telling a music producer you play the lute - but we still get bits of noir. Daniel Jose Older first cut his teeth writing short stories, which were collected as "Salsa Nocturna." Then he went on to write a series of novels with a character from those stories: Carlos Delacruz, a half-dead man solving supernatural cases in New York City. Older is from New York and, like Hjortsberg, he describes a city that feels real and lived in.

For books that veer toward parody, there's "Who Censored Roger Rabbit?" by Gary Wolf and "This Body's Not Big Enough for Both of Us," by Edgar Cantero. In the case of Cantero, the detective's body is inhabited by two people. Cantero's style is comedic, so if you hate Joss Whedon or "Ready Player One," stay away. But if you love that stuff, well, this is definitely zany. Also crude, foul-mouthed. ... You get the picture.

Lavie: I did love "Ready Player One" - and Anita Blake. And you forget Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse novels. I read through about eight of them in one go. But if I am sticking with secondary-world fantasy for a bit, one of my favorite current writers is Robert Jackson Bennett. "City of Stairs," the first in a trilogy, is great fun, a mystery set in a city where the gods all died - or did they? He just does this sort of thing so well. A great title I wish more people saw is "Rupert Wong, Cannibal Chef," by Malaysian author Cassandra Khaw. It's a pitch-perfect hard-boiled fantasy set in Kuala Lumpur that's tremendous fun with a great sense of place. For the pure essence of noir, mixed in with Lovecraftian horror and Le Carre-like spy games, I adored Caitlin R. Kiernan's "Agents of Dreamland," which is unclassifiable and wonderful. More recently, Asaf Ashery's "Simantov," translated from Hebrew by Marganit Weinberger-Rotman, is a weird detective novel set in Israel, against a cosmic battleground based on Jewish myth. This might be one to keep an eye out for.

Silvia: Khaw's Rupert Wong novels are a breath of fresh air, but she also has "Hammers on Bone," a novella that again displays a pitch-perfect understanding of noir without turning into pastiche, which I think is not an unusual impulse, as you can see by our introduction to this column. It's hard-boiled Lovecraft and a quick read. Really, what more can you ask for?

- - -

Moreno-Garcia is the author of "Mexican Gothic," Gods of Jade and Shadow" and "Signal to Noise." Tidhar is the author of several novels, including "The Violent Century," "A Man Lies Dreaming," "Central Station" and, most recently, "By Force Alone."
WhatsApp has also abandoned its work on vacation mode, a feature that had been in the works since 2018.

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world. It has a host of features that enable users to share creative messages with one another. Users can already share doodles, GIFs and stickers on the platform. Recently, the company added the animated stickers feature to its platform.

Staying true to this trend, this week, we got to know about WhatsApps plans of providing a major update to its stickers. This not only includes releasing new sticker packs but also improving the native sticker functionality. In addition to that, we also got to know about the companys plans of abandoning its vacation mode.

So, heres what happened in WhatsApp this week:

New sticker packs released

WhatsApp has released new sticker packs on its Android and iOS-based apps. As per a report by WABetaInfo, the Facebook-owned messaging app has released YaYa and Hacker Girl sticker packs on its platform.

Sticker Search

WhatsApp is refining its stickers feature. As of now, WhatsApp users cannot search for stickers in the app. Now, the company is working on including search functionality for stickers, which is similar to the way GIFs can be searched on the platform. In addition to that, the company is also planning to include a new tabs section within its stickers feature that would classify stickers based on criteria such as celebrate, love and greetings among others.

Vacation Mode abandoned

WhatsApp, as per a separate report by the blogsite, has abandoned its work on vacation mode. This feature was in works since 2018 and was aimed at helping users ignore archived chats completely.
Mother intent on gender-transitioning 8-y-o son into girl awarded decision-making power over therapy, education Court orders father to pay for trans-affirming counseling; Save James Facebook page says it's costing $5K a month

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UPDATE Aug. 22 at 11:30 PM ET: Curators of the Save James Facebook page said misinformation has been spread about the legal case involving James Younger, an 8-year-old boy whose mother is attempting to transition him into a transgender girl named Luna.

"We want to make this abundantly clear. Judge Mary Brown has NOT given sole decision making to Anne! Judge Mary Brown has NOT given Anne sole decision-making ability over medical. The ONLY things that Judge Mary Brown ruled on was about therapy and education," the Friday post read.



"She only said that her previous ruling forcing Jeff to do the therapy would continue and that Jeff CANNOT homeschool the boys like he wanted to. They have to return to their old school which has treated James as Luna. We apologize immensely for any misunderstanding as our goal is for the truth to be known. Any report that mentions custody or decision-making ability is NOT accurate."

Original:

A mother who's attempting to gender-transition her 8-year-old son into a girl has been awarded decision-making power regarding her son's healthcare and schooling, essentially reversing a previous ruling that granted the father co-parenting rights.

In the ongoing case of 8-year-old James Younger, Dallas Judge Mary Brown canceled a hearing that was scheduled for Tuesday and removed his father, Jeffrey Younger, from having any say in his son's medical, psychological, and psychiatric care. Instead, the judge gave all decision-making power to Dr. Anne Georgulas, a pediatrician and non-biological mother of James and his twin brother, Jude, LifeSite News reported.

Younger has also been ordered by the court to pay for trans-affirming counseling sessions, which he had previously objected to as he was not permitted to help select his son's counselors.

Amid a nationwide outcry over the case, last October the contentious custody battle yielded a ruling where the parents were awarded joint conservatorship. But the decision this week reverses that ruling.

In the October decision, Judge Kim Cooks, who was subsequently recused from the case, also ruled that Georgulas had overly affirmed James as female by taking him to LGBT parades, purchasing dresses and fake hair for him to wear, and enrolling him a school as a transgender girl named "Luna."

Brown was appointed to the case in January after Georgulas' attorneys successfully motioned late last year to remove Cooks from the case because of a Facebook post the judge shared on her personal page. In the post, the judge shared a Dallas Morning News article about her ruling, where she added a statement pointing out that neither [the] Governor nor any legislature had any influence on the Courts Decision.

As it presently stands, Georgulas will now be allowed to enroll James in school as "Luna" and pursue experimental transgender-affirming medical treatments.

Younger is under a court-imposed gag order and is not allowed to speak to media. His friends and supporters, however, have organized a Facebook page called "Save James" along with a crowdfunding site to assist with ongoing legal expenses.

The Save James page explains that the counseling sessions Younger is being forced to pay for cost $5,000 per month in addition to a $10,000 retainer. Court documents do not say anything about the cost of the trans-affirming therapy or retainer, but they do disclose Younger's desire to withdraw the boys from public school and homeschool them.

Georgulas "has forced James to live as 'Luna' in a school surrounded by teachers and therapists who do not acknowledge that he has said multiple times to multiple people (without Jeff around) that he wants to be a boy and hates being forced to be a girl," a Tuesday post on the Save James Facebook page explained.

Georgulas is not James' biological mother as he and his twin brother were conceived through the use of a donor egg and IVF reproductive technology.

As news of the latest decision broke on social media, the #savejames and #savejamesyounger hashtags that surged last fall resurfaced.

A "special evidentiary hearing" for the purposes of reviewing the orders is reportedly slated for next month, according to the Save James Facebook page.

Younger has long referred to the medicalization of gender, specifically the administration of puberty-blocking drugs and cross-sex hormones, as "chemical castration" and a vicious form of child sexual abuse.

According to the terms of the October order, in addition to being prohibited from speaking to the media, Younger's website, Save James, had to be shut down. The Save James Facebook page aims to rescue both James and the thousands of other children facing medical gender-transitioning in similar situations but whose cases are not widely known.
Iran preparing to file legal complaint against South Korea: Report

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 15 August 2020 3:38 PM

The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) is preparing to lodge an official complaint against South Korea, says a report, as Seoul refuses to return Iranian funds blocked in the country allegedly to comply with US sanctions on Tehran.

The semi-official ILNA news agency cited backchannel information in a Saturday report saying that the CBI has already kicked off the process to launch an official complaint against two South Korean banks that have frozen nearly $8.5 billion of Iranian funds under pressure from the United States.

"Word has it that our country's central bank has started preparations for (filing) a complaint against (South) Korea," said the report,

It insisted, however, that Iranian government authorities view a legal action against South Korea as a last resort, meaning that an actual complaint by the CBI may take months to come.

A senior businessman involved in trade relations between Iran and South Korea also said that such ties had reduced to almost zero in light of Seoul's growing conformity to US sanctions.

"Under these conditions, its natural and logical that we pursue the case of a complaint," Hossein Tanhayi told ILNA, adding that major South Korean companies, once major investors in Iran, have left the country under US pressure.

Reports show that Iran has not been pleased with South Korea's proposals to reimburse a small portion of the funds through sending medicine and food shipments to Iran.

The ILNA report said that Tehran has refused to process a $0.5-million cargo of medicine that South Korea has prepared to send to Iran.

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Linkedin Rizki Fachriansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, August 16, 2020 19:19 521 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e77a72 1 National COVID-19-drugs,medicine,remedy,airlangga-university,COVID-19,pandemic,COVID-19-in-Indonesia,KSAD,TNI-AD,BIN,State-Intelligence-Agency,coronavirus,Hydroxychloroquine,andika-perkasa,army,TNI,Indonesian-Military Free

Airlangga Universitry rector Muhammad Nasih has touted the potential coronavirus remedies the university is currently developing in collaboration with several state departments as the first COVID-19 cure in the world.

Nasih said that the ongoing research and development  which is being conducted in partnership with the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) and the Indonesian Army  aimed to produce new, effective combinations of existing medicines to ameliorate the symptoms of COVID-19.

Of course, it will result in a new remedy that is expected to be the first COVID-19 cure in the world, he told a press conference at the Indonesian Army headquarters in Jakarta on Saturday as quoted by tempo.co.

He said three combinations of medications  lopinavir/ritonavir and azithromycin, lopinavir/ritonavir and doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin  had already undergone clinical trials.

After we combined [different medicines], the rate of recovery [among test subjects] increased sharply. Certain combinations even reached 98 percent efficacy, Nasih said.

Army chief of staff Gen. Andika Perkasa, who was also at the press conference, said that he would meet with the head of the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) next week to officially request an accelerated approval process for the medications.

Read also: Preventing misleading claim of COVID-19 cure

But Maksum Radji, a clinical microbiologist at the University of Indonesia's (UI) School of Pharmacy, has urged the public to contain their optimism until an official report on the remedies efficacy is released.

The result of the clinical trials has yet to be published in any scientific journals, so its difficult to assess the efficacy and risks inherent in the use of the three combinations of medicines, he told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

He added that such combinations of medications were not the first of their kind in the world, nor were they new inventions, citing similar developments in several other countries and pointing out that the three combinations had been included on the list of potential COVID-19 remedies currently undergoing clinical trials initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO), alongside remdesivir and interferon beta.

Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine [] are known to have triggered heart abnormalities in certain patients, Maksum said.

This is not the first time a state institution has claimed to have found a cure for COVID-19. In May, the Agriculture Ministry said it had developed eucalyptus-based coronavirus treatments, including an antivirus necklace, before backtracking on the claims last month, following widespread public criticism.
Thousands Mourn Protester As Belarus's Postelection Rallies Continue

By RFE/RL's Belarus Service August 15, 2020

MINSK -- Thousands of Belarusians have staged a seventh day of peaceful protests against President Alyaksandr Lukashenka's disputed reelection and a harsh crackdown that has drawn international outrage.

Opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya has called for peaceful rallies on August 15-16, after she was forced to leave the country for neighboring Lithuania after disputing Lukashenka's claim to a landslide victory.

A few thousand people gathered outside the Minsk studios of Belarusian state radio and television, peacefully chanting slogans as a few soldiers stood on the other side of the perimeter fence.

The protesters urged state-media journalists to "respect" their audiences.

A state television lighting technician, Uladzimer Tsitarenka, told RFE/RL that "nearly 80 percent" of the technical staff were ready to join a general strike to protest the election.

"Everything will be decided on Monday," he said.

Earlier in the day, thousands of people gathered near the Pushkinskaya subway station in the capital, Minsk, in honor of Alyaksandr Taraykouski, a 34-year-old demonstrator who died there on August 10 and whose funeral is being held on August 15.

People held flowers and raised their fists as they held a moment of silence.

Passing cars honked in solidarity with the protesters, who waved national red-and-white flags and chanted Tsikhanouskaya's name.

Taraykouski's family urged protesters not to attend the church service and instead gather near the subway station where he died.

Despite the plea, hundreds gathered outside the church service waving flags and photos of Taraykouski.

Hundreds of others entered the hall, where the ceremony took place, to lay flowers and wreaths.

After the funeral, people were clapping and shouting "Glory to the hero!" and "Long live Belarus!"

At least two people have been killed and thousands detained in protests since the controversial August 9 election that saw Lukashenka, in power since 1994, declared the winner.

The demonstrators have witnessed unprecedented scenes on the streets of Minsk and other cities, energizing opposition to Lukashenka despite a brutal crackdown.

Some 6,700 people were detained in the first days afer the election, with those rounded up describing horrible conditions in detention facilities, beatings, and other mistreatment.

More than 2,000 people who were detained during protests have been released.

Around 5,000 people held a rally in the western city of Hrodna, with protesters waving national flags and holding balloons saying "Lukashenka resign."

During the rally in Hrodna's Lenin Square, protesters chanted "Lukashenka, go away."

The rallies on August 15 came a day after Tsikhanouskaya urged her supporters to continue ongoing protests into the weekend.

"Belarusians will never want to live with the previous government again. The majority do not believe in his victory," she said in a video on August 14. "Defend our choice."

A "March for Freedom" is planned in central Minsk on August 16.

Scenes of violent detentions and police beatings in the days after the vote morphed into a euphoric sense that change may be possible on August 14 as tens of thousands took to the streets without major police violence, creating what Belarusian political analyst Dzmitry Bolkunets described as the "beginning of national jubilation."

"Protesters have lost their fear, they are not afraid of reprisals," Bolkunets told Current Time, the Russian-language network led by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA.

Flower-waving women dressed in white, workers striking at state companies, doctors, students, and Belarusians of every stripe are joining protests. Even some law enforcement officials have gone on strike or refused to work.

The nationwide protests pose the biggest challenge yet to Lukashenka's 26-year rule.

Lukashenka discussed the mass street protests rocking his country with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on August 15 as the strongman faces growing pressure to step down.

The Kremlin said that during their conversation the two leaders agreed that the "problems" in Belarus would be "resolved soon."

During a televised meeting with government officials on August 14, Lukashenka urged Belarusians not to attend the protests, claiming that the opposition wanted "to use you and your children as cannon fodder."

Demonstrators are demanding that the election results be invalidated, that a new election be held under a new Central Election Commission, and that all political prisoners be released.

The election commission declared Lukashenka the winner of the election with some 80 percent of the vote. Tsikhanouskaya says she won 60-70 percent.

The prime ministers of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania earlier called on Belarus to conduct a new, "free and fair" vote after the disputed August 9 election.

In a joint statement on August 15, the three Baltic states urged Belarus to refrain from violence and release political prisoners and detained protesters.

They also called for European Union sanctions on those responsible for the violence.

The European Union on August 14 ratcheted up pressure on Lukashenka by agreeing to prepare new sanctions on those responsible for the violence and falsification of the vote.

"The European Union considers the results to have been falsified and therefore does not accept the results of the election," EU foreign ministers said.

Tsikhanouskaya said that she was initiating the creation of a "Coordination Council" for a potential transition of power.

With reporting by Current Time and TASS

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-postelection-massive-weekend-protests/30785061.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.

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Binita Jaiswal By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Consumer durables major Usha Internationals sewing machine division is eying a 10 per cent growth in its revenue this fiscal year. The growth in the masks and PPE kits industry, and a surge in Do-It-Yourself (DIY) activities during the lockdown has boosted demand for sewing machines.

We are witnessing a 20-25 per cent growth in demand of our products during the lockdown. This is bringing good business, Parveen Kumarr Sahni, senior vice-president, sewing machines business, Usha International told this publication, We noticed that sewing and quilting as a hobby has risen significantly during the lockdown. Sahni said that the demand was now actually more than available supply, and that the company was facing issues in catering to this rising demand due to a labour shortage, supply chain disruptions and other restrictions.

Only 60 per cent of their capacity is being used currently, he noted. In the long run, the company aims to double its business over the next five years. Besides strengthening its position in the domestic market, Usha also plans to foray overseas. Currently, we are exporting some of our products to neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka. Going forward, we plan to venture into new markets, said Sahni.

He added that the sewing machine industry, which is mainly unorganised, is set to grow manifold over the next five years and that Usha was well poised to grab a lions share of it. Apart from new products oriented towards evolving needs of new age customers, the brand is also investing in creating awareness and providing training on the utility of sewing machines to create a larger market.
A SELECTION of work by British artist Andrew Lansley is to open at the Informality gallery in Market Place, Henley.

The exhibition shows for the first time a selection of egg tempera paintings and watercolours which were created as a visual record of the artists recent voyage to Antarctica as the recipient of the Scott Polar Research Institutes 2018/19 resident artist.

Lansley has long focused on Antarctica and he was creating polar images long before his expedition to the Southern Ocean with the Royal Navy.

His previous travels took him to Norway and Greenland but the experience of Antarctica proved to be a more powerful experience. Lansley returned with an extensive folio of sketches and ink drawings and more than 5,000 photos.

Lansleys work has been exhibited multiple times throughout the UK, including at the Royal Academy of Arts and the Mall Galleries in London, and he won many awards.

 Andrew Lansley  Works from Anatartica runs until September 8.
A brush fire continues to rage after scorching thousands of acres in the Angeles National Forest between Santa Clarita and Palmdale, north of Los Angeles. The blaze, dubbed the Lake Fire, has prompted evacuation orders and road closures in the Lake Hughes area, CBS Los Angeles reports.

The fire was reported at 3:38 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Around 4 p.m., officials said the fire was roughly 50 acres. About two hours later, flames quickly spread to about 10,000 acres.

The blaze grew to 11,000 acres Thursday night with 5% containment, the LA County Sheriff's Department said. More than 5,000 structures were also threatened.

"This will be a major fire for several days," Angeles National Forest fire chief Robert Garcia told reporters at a Thursday morning briefing.

A heat wave is expected to hit the region Friday through Monday, bringing with it challenging conditions for firefighters.

#LakeFire Update Thursday August 13th pic.twitter.com/mw2hUTUvlk

 L.A. County Fire Department (@LACoFDPIO) August 13, 2020

Fire officials said the blaze is unusual since it developed early in the fire season and spread as rapidly as it did without strong winds. It's also a history-making event due to some of the areas catching fire for the first time since 1968.

"It's pretty explosive fire behavior," said Angeles National Forest Fire Chief Robert Garcia. "It's typically what we see a little bit later in the season and often driven by wind. The fuel, moisture conditions and the fire at this particular location with the slope, it really created the recipe for rapid fire growth."

Los Angeles County Deputy Fire Chief David Richardson told The Associated Press the fire was being driven by tinder-dry brush and steep terrain but was as fierce as blazes pushed by the Santa Ana winds that arrive in about a month.

High temperatures in the mid-90s and low humidity will bring elevated fire weather conditions to the mountains and Antelope Valley as crews continue to battle the flames, officials said.

Story continues

The Lake Fire's cause hasn't been determined. No injuries have been reported.

The Lake Fire burns a home in Angeles National Forest on August 13, 2020, north of Santa Clarita, California. / Credit: Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP

More than 1,000 personnel have responded.

Several teams  including crews from Angeles National Forest, and the cities of Los Angeles, Huntington Beach, Culver City, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica fire departments  were working with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to evacuate residents near the fire.

Several mandatory evacuation orders, covering approximately 100 homes, were issued.

An evacuation center was set up at Highland High School in Palmdale. Due to coronavirus restrictions, officials said evacuees will have to remain in their vehicles outside the school.

Homeowner Kenny Reynolds told CBS LA that his house was mostly destroyed and his property scorched.

"There was a big wall of flame, kind of came over a little quicker than we thought, usually it comes a lot slower, or last time it came a lot slower," Reynolds said, referring to 2013's Powerhouse Fire, which broke out in the Angeles National Forest and destroyed several dozen homes.

Reynolds said he barely had time to evacuate, as fire tornadoes formed on hillsides around his home.

"Stayed as long as we could, but it was kind of surrounding the house, and me and the neighbors evacuated as flames kind of engulfed his house," Reynolds said.

Wildfires in Southern California force hundreds of evacuations

President Trump takes credit for peace deal between Israel and United Arab Emirates

Children over age 2 should wear masks in school, experts say
Patna: Ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly poll, cabinet minister Shyam Rajak has been expelled from JDU. Confirming the news, JDU President Vasistha Narayan Singh said the decision was taken by the party due to Rajak's anti-party activity.

This ends days of speculation that the minister might join the ranks at RJD. Shyam Rajak is a sitting MLA from the reserved Phulwari assembly constituency in Patna district, and holds the portfolio of Industry Minister in Nitish Kumar's government.

According to sources, Rajak was feeling marginalised and he was not getting along with the party's high command.

Sources said, Rajak is prepared to leave the JDU and is likely to resign from the post of cabinet minister and as MLA in the Bihar Assembly at 10:00 am on Monday. He will reported join RJD at 11:30 am.

Meanwhile, RJD leaders had been putting out posts on social media urging Shyam Rajak to join RJD.

Also, it is believed that Rajak has already decided everything and had met Lalu Prasad Yadav in the process, the whole was managed by state president Jagadanand Singh.

Sources have also claimed that Tejashwi and Shyam Rajak have had a meeting and are in mutual agreement. There is just a formal ritual of change of party which will happen on Monday.

Assembly election in Bihar are due in October-November and the tenure of the current Assembly is scheduled to end on November 29.

The Election Commission has not yet taken a final call on poll dates in Bihar due to coronavirus pandemic and has sought suggestions from political parties.
Villanova requires that everyone on campus must wear a mask at all times. Read more

As new Villanova students arrived on campus this week, some participated in a large outdoor gathering that quickly drew attention for its lack of social distancing.

Video footage on local and national television programs  one of which dubbed the event a pandemic party  showed students crowded near a tent Wednesday evening. A number of students did not appear to be wearing masks.

A Villanova spokesperson on Saturday confirmed the gathering, which he said was attended by a few hundred students Wednesday, the second of two scheduled move-in days for incoming freshmen.

The universitys public safety department responded to reports of the gathering and the crowd quickly dispersed, said the spokesperson, Jonathan Gust. He said that social distancing was not being maintained, and, while many students were wearing masks, others were not.

Officials said the gathering was not an organized university orientation or a party, but an impromptu gathering of new students.

Gust said the university takes this matter very seriously, as a safe reopening requires the commitment of all Villanovans to do their part. He did not comment on whether students involved had been penalized, but noted an email from university president Rev. Peter Donohue to students on Thursday that read, in part, ITS UP TO YOU.

If you follow the guidelines we have set up  wearing a mask at all times, washing your hands frequently, social distancing, and staying home when you are sick  we can make this semester on campus work, the president wrote, adding that for students who did not follow those rules, YOU WILL BE SENT HOME.

That message was reinforced by the schools dean of students and assistant dean of students Thursday in individual orientation groups with all freshmen, Gust said.
How climate change could expose new epidemics As global warming melts permafrost such as the Alaskan tundra, what new threats will be unfrozen?

Long-dormant viruses brought back to life; the resurgence of deadly and disfiguring smallpox; a dengue or zika "season" in Europe.

These could be disaster movie storylines, but they are also serious and increasingly plausible scenarios of epidemics unleashed by global warming, scientists say.

The COVID-19 pandemic that has swept the globe and claimed over 760,000 lives so far almost certainly came from a wild bat, highlighting the danger of humanity's constant encroachment on the planet's dwindling wild spaces.

But the expanding ecological footprint of our species could trigger epidemics in other ways too.

Climate change -- already wreaking havoc with one degree Celsius of warming -- is also emerging as a driver of infectious disease, whether by expanding the footprint of malaria- and dengue-carrying mosquitos, or defrosting prehistoric pathogens from the Siberian permafrost.

- 'Ignorance is our enemy' -

"In my darkest moments, I see a really horrible future for Homo sapiens because we are an animal, and when we extend our borders things will happen to us," said Birgitta Evengard, a researcher in clinical microbiology at Umea University in Sweden.

"Our biggest enemy is our own ignorance," she added. "Nature is full of microorganisms."

Think of permafrost, a climate change time bomb spread across Russia, Canada and Alaska that contains three times the carbon that has been emitted since the start of industrialisation.

Even if humanity manages to cap global warming at under two degrees Celsius, the cornerstone goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement, the permafrost area will decrease by a quarter by 2100, according to the UN's climate science panel, the IPCC.

And then there are the permafrost's hidden treasures.

"Microorganisms can survive in frozen space for a long, long time," said Vladimir Romanovsky, a professor of geophysics at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks.

Story continues

- An Anthrax comeback? -

As ground thaws, once-frozen soil particles, organic material and microorganisms that had been locked away for millennia are carried toward the surface by water flows, he explained.

"That's how thawing can spread these microorganisms into present day environments."

There are already examples of ancient, long-frozen bugs coming to life.

"When you put a seed into soil that is then frozen for thousands of years, nothing happens," said Jean-Michel Claverie, an emeritus professor of genomics at the School of Medicine of Aix-Marseille University in France.

"But when you warm the earth, the seed will be able to germinate," he added. "That is similar to what happens with a virus."

Claverie's lab has successfully revived Siberian viruses that are at least 30,000 years old.

These reanimated bugs only attack amoebas, but tens of thousands of years ago there were certainly others that aimed higher up the food chain.

"Neanderthals, mammoths, woolly rhinos all got sick, and many died," said Claverie. "Some of the viruses that caused their sicknesses are probably still in the soil."

The number of bacteria and viruses lurking in the permafrost is incalculable, but the more important question is how dangerous they are.

And here, scientists disagree.

"Anthrax shows that bacteria can be resting in permafrost for hundreds of years and be revived," said Evengard.

In 2016, a child in Siberia died from the disease, which had disappeared from the region at least 75 years earlier.

- Two-million-year-old pathogens -

This case has been attributed to the thawing of a long-buried carcass, but some experts counter that the animal remains in question may have been in shallow dirt and thus subject to periodic thawing.

Other pathogens -- such as smallpox or the influenza strain that killed tens of millions in 1917 and 1918 -- may also be present in the sub-Arctic region.

But they "have probably been inactivated", Romanovsky concluded in a study published earlier this year.

For Claverie, however, the return of smallpox -- officially declared eradicated 50 years ago -- cannot be excluded. 18th- and 19th-century victims of the disease "buried in cemetaries in Siberia are totally preserved by the cold," he noted.

In the unlikely event of a local epidemic, a vaccine is available.

The real danger, he added, lies in deeper strata where unknown pathogens that have not seen daylight for two million years or more may be exposed by global warming.

If there were no hosts for the bugs to infect there would not be a problem, but climate change -- indirectly -- has intervened here as well.

"With the industrial exploitation of the Arctic, all the risk factors are there -- pathogens and the people to carry them," Claverie said.

The revival of ancient bacteria or viruses remains speculative, but climate change has already boosted the spread of diseases that kill about half a million people every year: malaria, dengue, chikungunya, zika.

"Mosquitoes moving their range north are now able to overwinter in some temperate regions," said Jeanne Fair, deputy group leader for biosecurity and public health at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico.

"They also have longer breeding periods."

- 'Climate change aperitif' -

Native to southeast Asia, the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) -- which carries dengue and chikungunya -- arrived in southern Europe in the first decade of this century and has been moving rapidly north ever since, to Paris and beyond.

Meanwhile, another dengue-bearing mosquito, Aedes aegypti, has also appeared in Europe. Whichever species may be the culprit, the Europe Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has registered 40 cases of local transmission of dengue between 2010 and 2019.

"An increase in mean temperature could result in seasonal dengue transmission in southern Europe if A. aegypti infected with virus were to be established," according to the Europe Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

As for malaria -- a disease that once blighted southern Europe and the southern United States and for which an effective treatment exists -- the risk of exposure depends in large part on social-economic conditions.

More than five billion people could be living in malaria-affected regions by 2050 if climate change continues unabated, but strong economic growth and social development could reduce that number to less than two billion, according to a study cited by the IPCC.

"Recent experience in southern Europe demonstrates how rapidly the disease may reappear if health services falter," the IPCC said in 2013, alluding to a resurgence of cases in Greece in 2008.

In Africa -- which saw 228 million cases of malaria in 2018, 94 percent of the world's total -- the disease vector is moving into new regions, notably the high-altitude plains of Ethiopia and Kenya.

For the moment, the signals for communicable tropical diseases "are worrying in terms of expanding vectors, not necessarily transmission," said Cyril Caminade, an epidemiologist working on climate change at the Institute of Infection and Global Health at the University of Liverpool.

"That said, we're only tasting the aperitif of climate change so far," he added.

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Image credit: Selikhov Diamonds





Maxim Selikhov is a jeweller, creator of the Selikhov Diamonds brand launched by him in 2006 and famous for exclusive handmade jewellery, usually with unique high-quality gemstones.

Selikhov is known as a passionate collector of rare gemstones, which he also considers an excellent investment tool.

The jeweller and collector tells R&P about his extraordinary hobby, precious collection and the most unique jewellery pieces that are of particular value in it.

What did your hobby stem from and how did it start?

I worked in the construction industry and until 2008, I was a leading engineer having zero ambitions to have any collections. But in 2006, I happened to visit the Faberge exhibition in St. Petersburg, and for the first time, I was struck and captivated by beautiful and rare stones. Back then, diamonds were mainly in fashion, they were advertised everywhere, so I decided to start looking for diamonds of my favorite green colour. In 2008, I purchased my first green 0.60-carat diamond in Moscow, and a year later, I bought an intense green diamond weighing 18 carats mined in Yakutia. Before cutting, its weight was 61.18 carats. By that time, such large diamonds had not been found for the last hundred years. In 2017, it was sent to the GIA laboratory where the colour was confirmed to be natural and the stone free from any signs of treatment. Back then, it was possible to simply buy certified diamonds from a store or from wholesalers.

Is this the same diamond that adorned the ring that your jewellery house exhibited at the Jewellery Arabia in Bahrain?

Yes, last year, we made the decision to make a ring with this diamond, and in November last year, it was displayed at the Jewellery Arabia and attracted a lot of attention. After all, coloured diamonds are rare and very beautiful.

Last November, Selikhov Diamonds took part in a jewellery contest and was awarded a diploma for a unique tourmaline ring from your collection. Can you tell its story?

In 2018, I purchased a low-copper blue Paraiba tourmaline lot: the owner of several mines in Africa had been collecting the stones for this lot for about four years. The lot of 17 stones was purchased because of one very large and beautiful stone weighing 93 carats. In the spring, this stone was cut and we got a very pure, beautiful 21.42-carat tourmaline stone.

In June, we received an invitation to take part in the Contemporary Heritage of Russia contest, the theme of which was The Empresss Favorite Flowers. Together with our designers, we developed several designs of the ring; it took us about three months to make the ring. The Empress's Secret ring is made of 18K white gold set with 354 natural diamonds, 16 natural untreated sapphires, and the central stone is tourmaline. It resembles a lake surrounded by small primroses, the favorite flowers of Catherine II. After the exhibition in St. Petersburg, this ring was also displayed at the Jewellery Arabia exhibition in November 2019 in Manama, the capital of Bahrain.



Image credit: Selikhov Diamonds



What is the main pride of your collection today?

Four years ago, I was on business in Dubai where I met a collector of Tajik origin at one of the meetings who deals with rare collection stones mined in Tajikistan. I saw an incredibly beautiful spinel weighing 46.31 carats there for the first time. As a lover of rare beautiful stones, I could not resist and immediately decided that I should have it in my collection. But at that time, the owner was not going to sell this stone, and he would not yield to persuasion to sell it. For three years, I had been in touch with the stone owner. He told me the story of the stone: it was mined in the 1990s in the Pamirs at the Kukhilal (also Kukhi-lal, Ruby Mountain) spinel deposit and the rough stone weighed 174 carats. The spinel stone was cut in 2015 in Dubai, and the best cutters from Russia were specially invited to do this work. It took three months to cut and polish it, and the result was a pear-shaped spinel stone, and the colour of the stone was very correctly and beautifully shown. Even just seeing this rare pink Pamir spinel is a great luck.

Just pronouncing the name Kukhilal makes all gemologists and connoisseurs of precious stones lose their breath recalling the pale pink sparkling spinel from the Pamirs. The ancient Moguls used Kukhilal stones as charms and engraved their names on the beads. The Lals or balas rubies (as these gems were called earlier) from Tajikistan adorn the Great Imperial Crown of the Russian Empire made for Catherine II, as well as some crowns of other European monarchs. In our time, the production of this gem has become quite problematic as quality specimens are very rare. The value of pure stones weighing more than five carats has increased exponentially over the last decade, and collectors and investors from all over the world hunt for them.

In February this year, I finally managed to negotiate the purchase of this spinel. A certificate was obtained at the GIA laboratory where the beauty and size of the stone impressed everyone so much that I was offered to publish a book about it. In the cover letter, they underlined that the spinel features a strong purplish-red colour, which is attributed to trace amounts of chromium and iron. The fingerprints - octahedral negative crystals - proving the natural origin of the gem are present in the stone. The spinel stone described in this letter shows no signs of treatment. The combination of its size, strong purple-red colour and lack of signs of heating make this spinel a unique rarity.

Now, this stone is a fine addition to my collection and is on a par with my other purchases including the 18.01-carat green diamond that I was talking about.

Every year, the price of red spinel approaches the value of rubies and reaches fifteen thousand dollars per carat. At the same time, the rarest and most beautiful specimens can be estimated at auctions at many times larger amounts. Sometimes, clouds are found in the crystals of this mineral, but this fact is by no means considered a defect and only increases the value of the stone. For the last decade, being among the top most demanded minerals, spinel keeps on beating historical price records. The trend for gemstones is set by the most famous jewellery houses in the world, and purchasing the gems is considered as one of the most profitable investments. In our country, this stone has not yet been awarded the title precious, although it adorns the main symbol of the power of all Russian monarchs.



Image credit: Selikhov Diamonds



So, this is your fascinating charm. Why spinel, not a diamond, emerald, even ruby?

In many ways, spinel is equal to ruby, although the latter is slightly harder (corundum with a hardness of 9 according to the Mohs scale). Spinel contains fewer inclusions than ruby and has more fire and brilliance. It rarely gets hot and is not treated in any way. If a red spinel stone is heated, it changes slightly to a greyish colour, but after cooling, it returns its original colour. Spinel is probably one of the least treated gemstones. And this is a beautiful stone. The prices for red spinel, for all its hues, are rising every year because of its undeniable and spectacular beauty. In Austria, buyers love grey spinel - it also has a very interesting colour, I think it can be compared to a pearl. It has a grey bodytone and always a more or less strong violet, blue, pink overtone, etc. Of course, this is not a gemological fact, but just a personal opinion.

If someone was practical and forward-looking enough to buy a spinel stone a few years ago, the buyer could see significant benefits, even as an individual.

For example, here is a gemological and commercial fact - an estimate made today by Gemval and clearly demonstrating the monetary value of a spinel stone: its weight is 5.00 carats, colour - medium, slightly purplish red, intense; VVS clarity, purity - 1, shape - cushion. Its price is $21,322.20.

As part of the annual events this year, the National Gemological Association has chosen the symbol of a gemological stone for the third time, and the red spinel, which is not very popular in our country (yet), won the majority of votes. But we, the gemologists, are well aware of how high the red spinel is valued in the world coloured stone market.

Are you going to admire the stone or use your fascinating charm in a jewellery piece?

At present, the Selikhov Diamonds jewellery house has consultations with many jewellers, we are analyzing the market and fashion trends, but at the stage of considering our options, we tend to make a transformer ring, necklace and brooch. This rarest spinel should be the centerpiece of our new collection, the manufacture of which is underway, and we plan to display it at the exhibition in Bahrain. Of course, if the borders are open.



Image credit: Selikhov Diamonds



With your passion for rare coloured stones, a lot of diamonds are used in your jewellery house. Will you continue this line in your new collection?

This year, when creating a new collection, the Selikhov Diamonds jewellery house decided to move away from the traditional use of diamonds in a jewellery piece: the number of diamonds will be less and will make up no more than 20 percent of the total amount of precious stones used in jewellery pieces.

This has already become a trend at many jewellery houses around the world. In 2019, creating a collection for the exhibition in Bahrain we started using a variety of coloured gemstones in our jewellery to be set around the centre stones.

Indeed, the investments in rare gems are growing. So, you follow the trend.

Yes, we do; among other things, this is due to the instability of the world currencies and world companies shares. As the Daily Telegraph recently reported, on the upper jewellery market, the collectors continue to invest in rare gemstones as they consider them the safest investment compared to the stock or the real estate markets.

Coloured diamonds are highly valued and their price can reach one million dollars per carat. This was confirmed by purchases at the Jewellery Arabia: a year ago, a 22-carat pink diamond ring was sold for US$90 mn at the jewellery show in Bahrain.

This once again confirms that in a downturn, people are looking for alternative ways of preserving their capital. And to increase the capital over the years instead of decreasing it, we choose super-rare gems as the capital safe investment.

Galina Semyonova for Rough&Polished




Galloway: "We need a reset on our coronavirus strategy" (Missourinet)- State Auditor Nicole Galloway has spent the week touring Missouri as part of her bid for governor. She has visited Hannibal, Cape Girardeau, Joplin, and Sedalia. Galloway is the Democratic nominee and faces Republican Governor Mike Parson in November's General Election. Much of Galloway's focus during her visits has been critical of Parson's approach [...]

Like it or not she has a good chance to flip the governor's mansion . . . Blaming the GOP for the pandemic is a proven strategy backed up by most of the MSM.Read more:
Renee Bargh has made a name for herself by interviewing some of Hollywood's biggest stars on Extra TV.

But on Sunday, the 34-year-old television host revealed she has relocated to her hometown of Byron Bay after living in Los Angeles for more than 10 years.

Sharing a beachside photo of her enjoying the sun in New South Wales' coastal town, Renee began: 'I live here now! No, really I do. After ten years living in America, I'm officially home.'

'I'm officially home!' The Voice host Renee Bargh, 34, (pictured) has revealed she has permanently relocated to her hometown of Byron Bay after 10 years of living in Los Angeles

'It will likely come as no surprise, that I've made the decision to return to my roots and relocate to my home town in Australia,' she continued.

'If this year has shown me anything it's that family and health are paramount.'

The 34-year-old blonde beauty has been living in Los Angeles since 2010, covering ritzy red carpet events and interviewing celebrities for Extra TV.

Family first! 'If this year has shown me anything it's that family & health are paramount,' she wrote before she explained that she is putting her family and health first

Renee has decided to put her family and health first, but still plans to collaborate with Extra TV in the future, covering events and interviews from Australia.

'At a time where everything is so uncertain, it felt important to me to be close to family and have a strong sense of community,' she continued.

Renee concluded her Instagram post writing: 'I'm excited for this next chapter ahead and the chance to put time and energy into that which feeds my soul.'

'At a time where everything is so uncertain, it felt important to me to be close to family & have a strong sense of community,' she continued. Pictured at the 2019 American Music Awards

Back in January, Renee told Weekend Today that she was beyond excited at the opportunity to return home to host The Voice Australia alongside Darren McMullen.

'I'm so elated, honestly, I've been wanting to come home for a very long time,' Renee admitted with a large grin at the time.

'This feels like the perfect job to be doing that. I couldn't be happier,' she continued.
3 churches sue Minn. governor over face mask mandate, attendance limits

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Three congregations in Minnesota have filed a lawsuit against Gov. Tim Walz over a recently issued order mandating the wearing of face masks and another order limiting worship attendance.

Cornerstone Church of Alexandria, Land of Promise Church of Buffalo, and Lifespring Church of Crosby filed suit on Thursday.

The churches lawsuit names Walz, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, and a few other local government officials as defendants.

At issue are Executive Order 20-81 and statutes which mandate the wearing of facemasks for indoor spaces and does not offer an exemption for worship.

Wearing a mask makes singing, verbally praying and receiving communion at church more difficult and, at times, impossible, the suit argues.

The suit warns that the facemask mandate is a threat to religious freedom and chilling the plaintiffs and others constitutionally protected church attendance and religious activities, even if nobody is ever prosecuted for violating the executive orders.

The churches are also concerned about Executive Order 20-74, which limits indoor church attendance to 50% capacity and outdoor worship attendance to 250 people or fewer.

The plaintiffs church attendance is threatened by prosecutions under Executive Order 20-74 for violating the limitations on indoor and outdoor religious gatherings and the six-feet social distancing requirement, the suit adds.

Minnesota criminalizing conduct of church attendees suppresses plaintiffs ability to worship and practice their religion in houses of worship and restricts the ability of the plaintiffs to associate with other members of the faith.

Erick Kaardal, special counsel with the Thomas More Society, which is representing the churches, said in a statement that the governor gets an F in religious liberties.

Other states, including Texas, Illinois, and Ohio have excluded churches from COVID-19 mask mandates, he said.

Unlike Walz, those states have recognized that you cannot criminalize religious attendance at houses of worship for any reason. Governor Walz wants to prosecute Minnesotans for religious attendance. We are going to do our best not to see that happen.

For his part, the attorney general said in a statement that he and his staff review every executive order for its compliance with the law and state and federal constitutions.

I stand behind the legality and constitutionality of this executive order. We will defend it strongly in court just as we have so far successfully defended others in court, stated Ellison added, according to the Star Tribune.

In June, the World Health Organization released a Q&A on COVID-19 and facemasks, warning that the use of a mask alone is not sufficient to provide an adequate level of protection against COVID-19.

You should also maintain a minimum physical distance of at least 1 metre from others, frequently clean your hands and avoid touching your face and mask, explained WHO.

Non-medical, fabric masks are being used by many people in public areas, but there has been limited evidence on their effectiveness and WHO does not recommend their widespread use among the public for control of COVID-19.

Earlier this month, Pew Research Center released a report which found that 79% of surveyed respondents opposed giving houses of worship exemptions from COVID-19 lockdown orders.

Respondents who identified as evangelical Protestant were more likely to support giving houses of worship more flexibility, nevertheless 62% of them also opposed exemptions.

The survey also found that evangelical Protestants were less likely to believe that their churches should remain closed during the pandemic compared to other religious groups.

Eighteen percent of evangelical respondents said their churches should be closed, versus 27% of Catholics, 40% of mainline Protestants, and 41% of black Protestants.

Pew based its findings off a survey taken July 13-19 among 10,211 adults in the United States, with a margin of error for the full sample being plus or minus 1.5 percentage points.
President Donald Trump's younger brother, Robert Trump, has died, according to the White House.

"It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight," President Trump said in a statement on Saturday. "He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace."

There were conflicting reports about whether he was 71 or 72.

Donald Trump 50th Birthday Party (Ron Galella Collection via Getty)

On Friday, it was announced that the younger Trump had been hospitalized in New York, but the White House has not released details as to why, NBC News reported.

"Hes having a tough time, President Trump said on Friday of his brother's condition.

The president paid a visit to his brother that same day, saying afterward that he hoped Robert Trump "was OK."

I have a wonderful brother. Weve had a great relationship for a long time, from day one," the president told reporters before departing for New York. Hes in the hospital right now, and hopefully hell be all right."

Robert Trump had previously worked for his older brother as a top executive at the Trump Organization. Once a regular bold face name in Manhattan's social pages, he has kept a lower profile in recent years. He married his longtime girlfriend, Ann Marie Pallan, in March, according to the New York Post. He divorced his first wife, Blaine Trump, more than a decade ago.

When he worked in the Trump Organization, he was known as the nice Trump," Gwenda Blair, a Trump family biographer, told The Associated Press. Robert was the one people would try to get to intervene if there was a problem.

One of four siblings to the president, Robert Trump described himself as a big supporter of his brother's run for the White House.

I support Donald one thousand percent, he said in a 2016 interview with the New York Post.

Both longtime businessmen, Robert and Donald Trump had very different personalities. Donald Trump once described his younger brother as much quieter and easygoing than I am, and "the only guy in my life whom I ever call honey.

Story continues

I think it must be hard to have me for a brother but hes never said anything about it and were very close," Donald Trump wrote in his 1987 bestseller The Art of the Deal. Robert gets along with almost everyone," he added, "which is great for me since I sometimes have to be the bad guy.

Shortly after the announcement of Robert Trump's death, his niece Ivanka Trump shared a tribute on Twitter.

"Uncle Robert, we love you," she wrote. "You are in our hearts and prayers, always."

Her brother, Eric Trump, called their uncle an "incredible man  strong, kind loyal to the core."

"Anyone who encountered him felt his warmth immediately. He will be deeply missed by our entire family," he said in a tweet.
Paul Osteen hopes to mobilize medical community to meet 'overwhelming' global needs

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Dr. Paul Osteen, brother of megachurch pastor Joel Osteen, is hoping to inspire medical missionaries during Lakewood Churchs upcoming Global Medical Missions Conference (also known as the M3 Conference).

You dont have to look far to see that there are people in need all over the world, Dr. Paul Osteen, a surgeon who spends about four months a year serving in missions hospitals across the globe, told The Christian Post.

Because of the overwhelming needs around us, one can easily wonder how they can make a real difference. I urge people to pray about how God can use them to be a part of the solution to help these people."

He and his wife, Jennifer, will be bringing together doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals to Houston on Feb. 21-22 for their fifth annual M3 conference. They are opening the doors to anyone who has an interest in learning more about global healthcare needs.

When discussing his intent for the conference, Osteen said he hopes attendees will learn how much of a difference they can truly make when they see the need and choose to help in some way.

The theme of this year's conference is centered on the question Can you see it? which is inspired by the scripture John 4. In that verse, Jesus said, Open your eyes and take a good look at whats right in front of you

Lamenting the state of poverty and conflict across the globe, Osteen noted, Every day, 830 mothers in low-resource communities die of childbirth-related issues. Right now, 74 million people are displaced or refugees. There are 420 million children living in war zones. Half of the worlds population lacks access to basic medical care.

"And 2 billion people have no access to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is what, as John writes, is right in front of us. Its easy to look past these statistics and complicated issues, but our encouragement at the M3 Conference this year is to, instead, bring them into sharp focus."

The event will feature over 30 experts, who will share their expertise and experience in global health, including medical, dental, surgical missions, WaSH (water access, sanitation, and hygiene), disaster relief, orphan care, human trafficking, advocacy and nutrition.

More than 75 global missions organizations are expected to participate in the conference, including Samaritans Purse, which will provide tours of its Ebola Treatment Center, and other groups that offer both short-term and long-term opportunities to serve either locally or abroad.

Houston is home to the worlds largest medical center and Osteen and the Lakewood team hope to ignite a passion in medical professionals to use their service for God.

In a past interview, Osteen explained the inspiration behind the conference.

"A Zambian doctor told me, 'Paul, do you realize that you are the only qualified surgeon in an area the size of Louisiana.' Two weeks later, I flew into Houston and realized that there are 12,500 doctors in Houston alone," Osteen said. "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to say, 'What would happen if we tried to help this disparity? Let's connect some needs with some people who have a heart to help.'"
A hot potato: According to the Nikkei Asian Review, two of Chinas government-backed semiconductor manufacturers have hired over 50 TSMC engineers and executives this year. Both companies are coaxing some of the worlds best researchers with offers of exorbitant compensation packages to accelerate the growth of Chinas domestic chip industry.

Quanxin Integrated Circuit Manufacturing (QXIC) was founded in 2019, while Wuhan Hongxin Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (HSMC) was founded in 2017. Neither are producing competitive products yet, but both have received several billion dollars from the state to accelerate their development. Theyre also both led by former TSMC executives.

Hongxin [HSMC] offered some amazing packages, as high as two to 2.5 times TSMC's total annual salary and bonuses for those people, an anonymous source told the Nikkei.

The Chinese firms primary strategy is to use their funds to draw in talent. Theyre also opening up shop close to where talent already lies: QXIC recently established a research and development lab down the road from TSMCs 5nm plant in Taiwan. It will, at least, be some time before either company is ready to produce 5nm products themselves. HSMC expects to launch 14nm products domestically in 2022.

An executive from within the chip industry said that all these Asian governments, including the Taiwanese government, need to think up good ways to retain talent, since China can use its great capital market, government subsidies and lucrative packages to attract workers. You can't expect your employees to be loyal forever if you did not offer enough incentives and opportunities.

TSMC is confident that their loss of employees wont cause them harm and highlighted their sub-5% turnover rate. However, they did express concern that trade secrets were being shared with their new competitors.

As a company, TSMC competes to our fullest within the law, but we do not slander our competitors and we respect the intellectual property rights of others. Similarly, we expect our suppliers and other companies to respect TSMC's intellectual property rights and will take appropriate protective actions.

Although the business practices of these Chinese companies are certainly concerning, Chinas desperation is understandable. The US has prohibited TSMC from selling to Chinas largest technology company Huawei, and they wont survive unless they can access domestically-produced chips.
At a time when our country battles with unprecedented health and economic challenges throughout our communities in need of every possible resource, we must consider the following question: Is the decision to shorten the 2020 census operations grossly unfair?

Imagine the same question in the real-world setting of taking an exam that will dramatically impact the next 10 years of your life. After completing the easy half of the test, the instructor abruptly shortens the time you have to finish the exam by an hour and a half when it was originally scheduled for four hours. Grossly unfair? Most of us will answer yes.

The sad reality is that an inaccurate and incomplete census will mean significantly less critical resources for New Mexico families. We must hold the federal government accountable and ask it to stick with the plan.

Recently, the Census Bureau announced the date for collecting information for the 2020 census will be reduced by a full month  from the end of October to the end of September. Regardless of political leanings, Americans agree it is critically important we have an accurate count of all people living in the United States. The shortening of census operations has politicized an issue that impacts our lives for the next decade and has fueled a greater divide within our country.

The inevitable inaccuracy that will result from the shortened time to collect data greatly concerns me as a New Mexican and especially as state auditor of New Mexico. The responsibility of the Office of the State Auditor is to oversee government expenditures while insisting on accountability and accuracy of information used for public policy decision-making, lawmaking and budgeting. Unfortunately, the current political atmosphere and divide over the census places those most vulnerable in an even more precarious position. The inevitable rush to finish the census will lead to significant undercounting and inaccurate reporting of our historically marginalized populations: people of color, indigenous communities, rural residents, low-income families and homeless populations.

A basic principle of both our federal and state constitutions is premised upon the idea the governance of citizens is accomplished through an equitable system of representation and distribution of government services. An inaccurate census is unfair, unjust and simply un-American. The annual distribution of approximately $1.5 trillion in public programs, planning by school districts and businesses, and future patterns of growth developed through applied research are all based upon census data collected only once every decade.

The last five months of COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the lives of New Mexicans and a direct impact on census operations, which delayed the delivery of information, census packets and a lack of on the ground enumerators to over 20% of New Mexicos population.

As of Aug. 12, the census self-response rate stands at only 63.4%; the response rate in New Mexico is significantly lower, at 53.6%. That means if the decision to shorten operations stands, New Mexico will have a lower self-response rate than in 2010 and stands to lose millions of dollars in federal funding for education, health care and roads. This injustice and lack of appropriate resources will have a negative result on our budget each and every year until the 2030 census is conducted.

The Trump administrations attempt to count the remaining 37%  agreed upon as the most difficult households to measure: rural communities, economically challenged families, those gravely impacted by the pandemic, people of color, indigenous populations, etc.  in less than 60 days defies logic and common sense.

It is my hope the administration will take all of these factors into consideration and decide to revert its decision, allowing the census operations to continue until Oct. 31. We must take the time to get it right.

This is our once-every-10-years chance to get an accurate count and distribute much-needed funds to New Mexicos 33 counties. The federal government should be held accountable for conducting an accurate 2020 census. You and yours deserve to be counted.
The court was told that the total amount of goods stolen by the accused is P56 275 inclusive of the value of mobile phones of different brands and Fani's money.
Recently, some Brazilian iOS users were met with a surprise when they tried to log in to their Facebook Lite app. A message awaited them saying that Facebook Lite has been disabled, and the users are urged to use the original/main Facebook app to stay connected with their friends and family.It was quite astonishing for people who were fond of using the simpler, smaller, and much lighter version of Facebook.When these users looked into the matter, they found out that Facebook has permanently disabled the Facebook Lite app for iOS users. However, as per MacMagazines report , the Lite variant of Facebook has not been taken down from the Google Play Store as yet and is still available for the Android users.Facebook is a very heavy app and needs a lot of data to run, load images, play videos, and other functionality as well. Also, it takes quite a lot of space on the phones as it is pretty huge too.Back in 2015, Facebook decided to launch a lighter version of its main app for the people who had less storage capacity in their phones, or who were using older versions of operating systems. Also, it was meant to facilitate people who belong to rural areas or to places where they continuously face internet issues. Facebook Lite could even work on 2G networks, as it did not download high-quality images, did not auto-play videos, and had a low occupying space; it was hardly under 12 MB. Some other features were excluded but overall, it was a great app and liked by many people.Surprisingly, Facebook claimed to have launched it for everyone, but many people in the UK, Netherlands, etc. report that they were never able to find this variant in their regions. The reason why Facebook has taken down this app now is because of its low adoption and less popularity, but this is quite ironic that they had not made it official in so many places that its adoption rate decreased automatically! Without providing the service for the masses, how was Facebook expecting the app to do well is beyond comprehension!It is sad though because those who had the opportunity to use the app were very happy and satisfied with it.Facebook launched Lite back in 2015 for Android users, and in 2018, it rolled out for the iOS users as well. It was first launched in Turkey with Messenger Lite in 2018, and later it was reportedly rolled out for other regions.Now as it is going away, iOS users are left with the main, bulky Facebook app and most of them are not happy about it at all.Read next: Facebooks initiative to map out the aftereffects of COVID-19 on Small businesses holds some important notes
ARCHIVED - Spanish Health Ministry denies claims that Spain will impose new lockdown on Sept. 18th



A Costa del Sol newspaper claimed that Spain was about to enter a second lockdown

Social media is a frustrating feature of modern communications, as though it can be useful for the rapid spread of information, its also riddled with mis-information, some of it potentially very damaging.

This week, a Costa del Sol printed newspaper claimed that Spain was about to go into lockdown again on September 18th, a claim which was re-published in national media, setting off a bit of a panic. This office answered multiple emails and messages from concerned readers, surprised that we had not published this important news, and informed them that the article was not based on any announcements yet made anywhere by the Spanish Government.

Normally, mis-information like this stays within the confines of social media, but in this case a journalist asked Spains Director of the Co-ordination Centre for Health Alerts and Emergencies, Fernando Simon, who presents the national Covid figures at the weekday press briefings held by the Ministry of Health about the piece.

He was somewhat surprised by the question and answered that: "In no forum or meeting in which I have participated has the subject even been mentioned, there are many hoaxes that run, I do not know with what intention; if at some point this has to be raised relating to the evolution of the epidemic, then obviously it will be raised and the decisions made that have to be made, "he said.

He accepted that Spain is experiencing an increase in cases and in some communities there is a certain degree of community transmission, but maintained that those most affected by the outbreaks, such as Catalonia and Aragon, are stabilizing and even decreasing.

We have to learn to live with the virus,  he said,  whether we want to or not we have to learn to live alongside the virus, at least until we have a vaccine,  he said and learn to go back to social, educative and work-related activities in a different fashion.

He talked about the current problem with schools:

if we have to close schools, classrooms or groups of pupils because the evolution of the virus requires this, then we will have to do this.

If its necessary to go one step further and close the schools in an area or province, or all of Spain then this will be evaluated,  he said.

So hes not ruling out the possibility that further measures will be evaluated should the need arise, but is denying that any such plans currently exist based on the existing situation.

Autonomous regions taking their own decisions

Many non-Spanish speakers are still failing to understand that the complicated political and administrative structure of Spanish Government gives considerable power to each of the 17 regional autonomous governments, each of whom controls their own regional health service and runs their own region via an elected regional parliament.

The state of emergency was declared in order to try and clamp down on the spread of Covid, reacting to an immediate and extraordinary situation and to co-ordinate an emergency response and was done in full collaboration with the regional governments, each extension agreed with the regions and negotiated through a series of specific conditions and compromises.

The regional governments are extremely reluctant to even consider a return to that situation and continue to work at a local level adapting their decisions to suit the particular circumstances in their own regions.

There are now so many outbreaks and so many different restrictions across the regions, that unifying them all would be an almost impossible task and the virus is evolving in each region in a completely different fashion depending on the geography of the region its climate, what type of activity is undertaken there and the demographics of its population.

By now, the economic impact of a hard lockdown has also made the prospect of another across-the-board lockdown a remote possibility and the growing realisation is that we all just have to accept where we are, work together in order to limit the spread of the virus and find ways in which businesses can co-exist with the virus until vaccines become available.

It is certainly possible that some regions will impose harsh restrictions this autumn based on their own situations and in the full understanding of the economic implications at a regional level, indeed on Thursday the Basque Country said publicly that it was considering such a move due to the rapidly deteriorating situation in the region, but this will be the decision of the regional government and not the national.

Regions can request that the Spanish Government put them into a localised State of Alarm/ Emergency as the Spanish Constitution does not permit the confinement of the population by any other mechanism. Judges can grant specific movement restrictions for an individual or small group of individuals if the council/govt./health authority requests it through a judicial mechanism, but only the national government can issue a large-scale order through the state of emergency mechanism and will only do that in cases of extreme need.

Lockdowns/mobility restrictions will be generally highly localised, with specific restrictions relating to buildings, companies, individual businesses or residential areas and courts have issued dozens of such orders across the country during the last 2 months.

What is happening is that the regional governments are looking at the initiatives developed in one region and adapting them for use in another based on how successful the measures seem to be.

The imposition of masks was one such example; Catalonia started a wave which within a week had spread across Spain and was adopted by all regions except the Canary Islands and Madrid. Madrid finally succumbed last week and today the Canary Islands has announced that it too, will be imposing the mandatory use of masks in public areas as well as limiting group sizes, limiting nocturnal leisure activities due to the growing number of cases in the islands and imposing a smoking ban in public places.Some regions have already announced that they will follow this initiative,whereas others have said they wont and others have called for the Spanish government to implement this restriction at a national level.

Other measures are being announced daily; on Thursday for example the Basque Country has said that it is studying re-implementing harsh measures at a regional level similar to those during the state of emergency having registered 569 new cases in the last 24 hours.

Navarra has today said that it is limiting the number of people allowed to attend religious services and events such as weddings.

The Balearic Islands is planning large-scale tests in the worst-affected areas and is limiting the size of groups allowed to gather after registering 228 new cases in the last 24 hours.
Odisha School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash on Saturday said due to poor internet connectivity in the state many students have to walk miles, climb hills and trees to attend online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dash said that about 22 lakh children are now availing e-education in the state, while the remaining 38 lakh students are deprived of the facility due to non-availability of mobile network in their areas.

He said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has taken up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for expanding net connectivity in remote areas of the state.

The minister said this after unfurling the tricolour at the Independence Day function at the district headquarters town of Jajpur.

As schools are closed since March due to the pandemic, the state government has started online classes. However, only one-third of the students could avail the facility with much difficulty due to poor internet connectivity in different parts of the state.

According to reports received by the government students in Rayagada district walk miles and climb hills to attend online classes, the pupils in Sambalpur and Deogarh districts climb high rise water tanks for getting net connectivity.

Another report from Angul and other districts said children have to climb trees to get net connection for attending online classes.

I am happy that my department has been imparting online classes but children have to climb trees, hills to get net connectivity. This is a central issue and our Chief Minister has taken up the matter with the Prime Minister for expanding net connectivity in remote areas of the state, he said.

Das said: Had there been no online classes, the reports of children climbing hills and trees would not have received. I am happy that our teachers are taking online classes.

The minister said it has been proposed that teachers will visit areas where there is poor internet connection and teach the children at their homes.

The minister said that since three months of the new academic session have already passed, the department has already set up committees to reduce the school syllabi accordingly. The revised syllabi will be finalized next week, he said.

On reopening of the schools, the minister said the government has no immediate plan for reopening of schools in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases.

He said the Centre has closed the schools till August 31. The Centre may ask states to take decisions on school reopening in September. However, going by the rising number of COVID-19 cases in August, it cannot be said that the situation will be normal next month in Odisha, Dash added.
Iffath Fathima By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: An emergency evacuation of 20 Covid-19 positive patients was carried out around 12.30 am on Saturday, when an electric short circuit damaged the Oxygen Lines at the CV Raman General Hospital in Indiranagar. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials and hospital staff took quick measures in shifting the patients to other hospitals.

Some patients, whose oxygen saturation was low, were in the High Dependency Unit. When the authorities learnt about the accident, they immediately identified other hospitals where they could shift the patients. While 16 patients were shifted to Victoria Hospital in KR Market and one patient each to Fortis Hospital on Cunningham Road and Vydehi Hospital in Whitefield , two others were shifted to Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital on Millers Road.

Dr HDR Radhakrishna, Medical Superintendent, CV Raman General Hospital, told TNIE, Among the 20 patients, only 13 were on oxygen while others were relatives, who have also tested positive and wanted to shift out. There was a short circuit in the oxygen control panel. It was found that the lines were interlinked to the ICU and the ward. It happened around 8.30 pm, but we had stabilised the patients and informed the BBMP team.

As a precautionary and collective decision, we decided to shift all the patients. Dr Bhaskar Vijaykumar, nodal officer of BBMP east zone, said, We got to know about the incident around 10.30 pm on Friday. We quickly reached the hospital and started looking for beds in other hospitals. The next step was to arrange for ambulances and in about 25 minutes we got about 20 ambulances which had oxygen.

He added, Two patients were in ICU and needed spare oxygen cylinders.

We got advanced life support ambulances for them. The other patients saturation was around 80-90 which was manageable. But had we delayed the transportation, then their saturation levels would have dropped. Hence, everything was done quickly. Around 3 am, the oxygen lines were fixed. CV Raman Hospital is a 150-bed facility which has about 90 Covid patients.
As a newly commissioned second lieutenant, I first took the oath of office as an Army officer 30 years ago. I recall the sacred importance of the oath as I was pledging my life and potential death in fidelity to those words.

Unique among nations, the oath of all U.S. federal officers is to the Constitution and not a person or position. Specifically, that we would support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic."

From a Christian perspective, Romans 13 commands us to follow the direction of the magistrate, and in the United States the ultimate magistrate is the Constitution. With the rioting and ideological attacks on our foundational document, it is time to consider what makes a domestic enemy of our sacred Constitution and what to do in defense.

First, John Adams presciently wrote about the kind of citizen required of our constitutional system: We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any other."

As the constitutional system is of the people, by the people, for the people (Lincoln), its citizens must not only support the Constitution, but have the self-disciplined moral character to conform to laws without force. They must be moral and religious for the system to work and allow freedom.

The Constitution was the legal document protecting the philosophical framework found within the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration asserted all men are created equal, and the Constitution protects legal equality of all. The Declaration asserted we are endowed by our Creator with rights, and the Constitution protects the God-given rights of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness (property).

The Constitution provides the system of checks and balances between branches and between state and federal authority to prevent government overreach. It ensures that citizens cannot be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law. It protects fundamental minority rights from the democratic majority. It is the most enduring Constitution in the history of mankind and the reason so many still give everything to come to America. Behind the Bible, It is the most perfect writing.

Unlike with so many other nations throughout world history, the Constitution allows for peaceful assembly and protest. It allows for freedom of speech, including unpopular speech. Yet with these constitutionally protected rights comes the responsibility of citizens to respect the rights of other Americans. It also demands respect for the constitutional system. The constitutional system puts trust in its citizens and, as Adams makes clear, is not made for general lawlessness. The founders believed and wrote that a religious moral framework among the majority of citizens was critical.

Now we come to lawlessness on a scale that exceeds almost anything in American history. The attacks on police, the burning of police precincts, the attacks on private property, attacks on churches and attacks on citizens. Worse is the treasonous rhetoric exhorting insurrection against the constitutional system.

The President of the Greater New York BLM Hank Newsome recently told Martha MacCallum on Fox News: If this country doesnt give us what we want, then we will burn down this system and replace it. All right?

In Portland, protest organizer Lilith Sinclair called for Abolition of the United States as we know it and exhorted supporters to tear it down. Open calls for burning every police precinct and even killing police grow.

Equally disturbing, Marxist calls for ending protection of private property, fundamental to our constitutional system, have become ubiquitous. This is not only among groups like antifa and BLM at protests, but we are discovering the cancer in mainstream publications.

Seemingly benign Teen Vogue is a perfect example. Kandice Mallet, writing an opinion piece in Teen Vogue, openly called for the end of private property rights after calling for the abolition of police. The magazine has published a number of recent op-eds decrying capitalism in America and calling to end the system.

The number of openly Marxist university professors has grown in recent years, and many now openly teach Marxism as a superior system to our constitutional republic. The effect is a growth in popularity of socialism.

The founders of BLM proudly declared being trained Marxists in a 2015 interview. Countering the rhetoric brings the risk of being labeled the ultimate stigmatizing word in modern America: "racist."

In comparison, Martin Luther King Jr. brought civil rights advances through non-violent protests and adherence to, and respect for, the founding documents and ideals and Christianity. In his famous speech at the Lincoln Memorial in 1963, King repeated the words of the Declaration that all men are created equal." He didnt threaten or demand the constitutional system be torn down. The vast majority of the civil rights movements until now were respectful of our founding documents and appealed to the promises of those documents. We have never seen a mass movement repudiating the Declaration and Constitution and demanding to tear down the whole racist system. What comes after the constitutional republic is utter darkness and the end of freedom for all subsequent generations.

As Americans, we must ask ourselves if our constitutional system can survive these kinds of physical and ideological attacks. Our oath before God was to defend this system against all enemies foreign and domestic. It appears time to demand that we, as Americans, will not allow the Constitution be abolished or burned down. We have a duty to pass the freedoms to our children and grandchildren.

Hopefully, those openly advocating against the constitutional system will wake up and stop before its too late. It may take speaking out more forcefully, perhaps in counter-protests, about our collective love of this nation and the Constitution. In the end, the Constitution will be defended against all enemies, foreign and domestic. That is a promise So help me God."

Bill Connor, an Army Infantry colonel, author and Orangeburg attorney, has deployed multiple times to the Middle East. Connor was the senior U.S. military adviser to Afghan forces in Helmand Province, where he received the Bronze Star. A Citadel graduate with a JD from USC, he is also a Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Army War College, earning his master of strategic studies. He is the author of the book "Articles from War.

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At least 16 killed and many wounded in attack carried out by al-Shabab on upscale beachfront hotel in capital.

At least 16 people were killed and dozens wounded in a gun and bomb attack by the al-Shabab armed group on an upscale beachfront hotel in Somalias capital.

The hotel siege ended on Sunday after a fierce three-hour gun battle between al-Shabab fighters and security forces that began with a suicide car bombing, government spokesman Ismael Mukhtar Omar said.

Omar said the death toll includes 11 victims and five assailants, Omar said on Twitter.

Dr Abdikadir Abdirahman, director of AAMIN ambulance services, told Reuters news agency on Monday they transported at least 43 people wounded in the attack to hospitals.

The attack started in the afternoon with a powerful car bomb blast that blew off the security gates to the hotel. Then, gunmen ran inside and took hostages, mostly young men and women who were dining there, he said.

Ambulance sirens could be heard in the area which had a power outage when the attack started.

Military vehicles were later seen taking position around the hotel in the night, with officials initially concerned the darkness would prolong the siege.

The hotel is owned by Abdullahi Mohamed Nor, a lawmaker and former finance minister, and is frequented by government officials and members of the Somali diaspora.

An ambulance drives from the scene of a blast at the Elite Hotel in Lido beach in Mogadishu [Feisal Omar/Reuters]

Powerful blast

Witnesses confirmed the attack began with a heavy explosion and reported that people were running from the area as gunfire could be heard from the hotel, which is frequented by government officials, journalists and civil society activists.

The blast was very heavy and I could see smoke in the area. There is chaos and people are fleeing from nearby buildings, said witness Ali Sayid Adan.

Al-Shabab said it carried out the attack, according to a statement translated by the SITE Intelligence Group. The armed group claimed its fighters took control over the hotel in the martyrdom-seeking operation.

Somalia plunged into chaos after the 1991 overthrow of then-President Siad Barres military regime, leading to years of clan warfare followed by the rise of al-Shabab which once controlled large parts of the country and Mogadishu.

Al-Shabab was driven out of the capital in 2011, but its fighters continue to wage war against the government, carrying out regular attacks.

Last week, four al-Shabab fighters held in Mogadishus central prison were killed in a shoot-out with security forces after they reportedly managed to get their hands on weapons within the facility.
The home secretary reportedly made the comments on a Zoom call with Conservative MPs. (Getty)

Priti Patel has claimed migrants do not want to stay in France because they see it as a racist country.

The home secretary reportedly made the comments on a call with Tory MPs when she was discussing the motivations behind the recent surge in migrants crossing the English Channel.

"Priti was asked why the migrants are so desperate to leave France and come here. She told us some believe racism to be an issue, one MP on the call told The Sun on Sunday.

"They claim they feel discriminated against when, for example, looking for work in France. Others claimed they feared being tortured if they stayed in France or Germany.

Home Secretary Priti Patel in Dover. (Getty)

"Priti stressed that she didn't believe any of this to be true. She was merely trying to explain the pull factors."

Government sources said she had made clear that she did not share those views and was simply explaining the "pull factors" which led so many migrants to risk their lives in this way.

More than 4,000 people have crossed the Channel from France to the UK this year, with at least 597 arriving between Thursday and Sunday last week alone.

Families with young children have been among hundreds of people arriving in Dover in the last few days as the political row over the crisis has intensified.

A Home Office spokesman said the UK was working with the French authorities to stem the small boat crossings.

The spokesperson said: The home secretary is clearly frustrated by the increasing number of small boats crossing the Channel, this is compounded by the fact that we are currently restricted in our response by EU regulations.

That is why the home secretary is committed, along with other government departments and No 10, to ensuring we have legislation ready following the end of the transition period.

This legislation will build on our continuing work with the French government to stop these crossings and the small boat commander, Dan OMahoney, will be visiting France again this week for further discussions.
CHICAGO  A downtown rally turned into violent clashes between protesters and Chicago police Saturday night, as the citys top cop blamed agitators for hijacking the demonstration and protesters blamed officers for violating their rights and blocking their march, hitting them with batons.

At least 17 officers were injured, including a cop repeatedly hit in the head with a skateboard and another officer who may have suffered a broken hand, according to Chicago police superintendent David Brown, who briefed reporters at CPD headquarters Saturday night.

To protect the peaceful protesters as well as their fellow officers, our officers responded proportionally to get the situation under control, Brown told reporters.

Neither he nor fire officials would discuss injuries among the protesters, but a Tribune reporter witnessed dozens of protesters being treated for cuts and exposure to pepper spray.

Around 24 people were arrested as the confrontation stretched into the night, and four of them were charged with felonies, including aggravated battery to a police officer, officials said.

This was the second straight weekend where there have been clashes downtown. Last Sunday night, hundreds of people swept through the Mag Mile and elsewhere downtown and looted stores. Around a dozen officers were injured and more than a hundred people were arrested.

This weekend, police said they had taken precautions against further unrest by raising bridges over the Chicago River and deploying more officers. Brown declined to give an exact number of cops assigned to Saturdays protests.

The confrontation began after hundreds of protesters gathered in Millennium Park around 4 p.m. to call for defunding Chicago police and diverting the money to the South and West sides  issues that have dominated demonstrations in Chicago and across the country since the May 25 death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minnesota.

The demonstration was organized by GoodKids MadCity, BLCK Rising, Chicago Freedom School, Fuerte, March For Our Lives Chicago and Increase the Peace.

As about 250 protesters started marching north on Michigan Avenue, officers began pushing protesters at the back of the group who were still near Millennium Park, according to Andrea Cespedes, 15, one of the organizers of the protest.

The protesters called over their own medics to help those who were hurt in the scuffle with police, regrouped and formed a circle to give speeches, but officers started to break through the circle, Cespedes said.

The protest escalated again at Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue when the demonstrators were stopped by a raised bridge, preventing them from crossing the Chicago River. Officers then prevented them from turning onto Wacker Drive toward Lake Shore Drive.

We started to chant, Let us through, but that didnt work, Cespedes, of Chicago Lawn, said. A few police officers came up from behind us and began pushing a bunch of the protesters.  They started beating our protesters with batons  They started pepper-spraying them and trying to arrest people.

A video posted on social media shows a protester using a skateboard to hit an officer who was striking a protester with a baton at Wacker and Michigan. It appears items were being thrown toward police.

Protesters soon began retreating south on Michigan Avenue as officers advanced toward them. Yall gotta not be brave! one protester shouted, encouraging them to back up and get behind the protesters line of bikes.

Dozens of officers wearing helmets with face shields, and carrying batons and shields, walked along a line south on Michigan, pushing the protesters toward Randolph Street.

The cops shouted, Move back! as protesters yelled back, Our streets!

Protesters stopped at Michigan and Randolph, and police forced them west on Randolph. The two sides kept their distance for some time until police suddenly rushed the protesters, knocking at least one to the ground, arresting him and using pepper spray on others.

It was unclear what caused the officers to advance on the crowd.

Police chased protesters toward LaSalle Street and Adams Street. Activists later said officers also chased them down alleys and cornered them as they tried to leave.

A line of officers trapped a group of protesters and media at the intersection. Some of the protesters were allowed through the police line after opening their bags for inspection. One officer was seen recording the protesters with a portable camera as they left the area.

Our intentions were simply to get our voices to be heard and to be peaceful, Cespedes said. We did not expect our protest to go this way.

Brown called the clashes a very, very difficult and tenuous event, but said he was proud of the officers actions.

Some protesters were seen changing their appearances by concealing themselves with black umbrellas, Brown said. It was a tactic used by some demonstrators in July when they clashed with police in Grant Park while demanding the removal of a Christopher Columbus statue.

Brown said video would eventually be released showing an officer struck repeatedly in the head with a skateboard.

Protesters calling to defund the Chicago Police Department and to abolish ICE clash with Chicago police on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/TNS)TNS

Brown also said an officer filmed the entire protest and it would be used to support any of the investigations that might come out of the actions of protesters or officers.

Some activists gathered outside the Wentworth District station Sunday morning, demanding the release of protesters who were arrested.

Among those taken into custody was Jalen Kobayashi, a 19-year-old organizer with GoodKids MadCity. He said police were patting down his girlfriend, Alycia Kamil, when she complained about how she was being treated.

He said officers tackled them both to the ground. He claimed one of the officers kneed him twice in the head and then stepped on his head.

Both Kobayashi and Kamil were taken to the Wentworth District station, where they were released Sunday morning. Kobayashi said he was charged with disorderly conduct. They werent working with us, Kobayashi said. Absolutely despicable behavior I saw tonight.

Berto Aguayo, executive director of Increase The Peace, said the demonstrators deserve an apology from the city.

We would like to see an apology from the mayors office and the Chicago Police Department for the violence they used to attack Chicago residents, he said. Before anything else happens, thats the prerequisite.

Ive been organizing my whole life, and Ive never met so much violence.

There were no violent confrontations or arrests earlier Saturday when a protest stepped off about noon at Robert Taylor Park on the South Side. Demonstrators moved through the Bronzeville neighborhood as Chicago police officers and Illinois state troopers blocked about 200 protesters from entering the Dan Ryan Expressway on foot.

Instead, protesters continued north on Indiana Avenue and finished about 5 p.m. near Grant Park.



Paige Fry of the Chicago Tribune wrote this story.

2020 Chicago Tribune

Visit the Chicago Tribune at www.chicagotribune.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Two back-to-back meetings of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi and Kolkata on Sunday within hours of each other, led to speculations that the partys central leadership may re-allot organizational roles to some leaders in its West Bengal unit for the crucial 2021 assembly polls.

BJP national general secretary and the partys in-charge of West Bengal, Kailash Vijayvargiya flew down to Kolkata on Sunday and met Mukul Roy, the national executive member who was put in the charge of the Lok Sabha election in 2019.

On the other hand, Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh flew to Delhi and met party president JP Nadda on Sunday night. Nadda Ji wanted to meet me, said Ghosh while Roy did not take calls.

The meeting between Vijayvargiya and Roy led to speculations that the BJP central leadership may find a new role for Roy who is known to be disgruntled at not being given a higher post in the state unit during the recent organizational changes.

Roy expressed his unhappiness before central leaders such as national joint general secretary Shivprakash during his last visit to Delhi. It is an open secret in the party that he and Ghosh have differences on issues relating to accepting defectors from Trinamool Congress (to which Roy belonged) and selection of candidates during elections. Roy feels that he should be given more independence for handling the 2021 elections. In our organizational structure such decisions largely depend on the state president, said a Bengal BJP vice-president who did not want to be identified.

Another vice-president, who is known to be close to Ghosh, said, One should not read too much into this meeting. Vijayvargiya did not get the opportunity or time to come to Bengal since March this year. He will be staying for three days and hold several meetings.

Before meeting Nadda in Delhi, Ghosh dismissed speculations that he had been called to explain some of his public statements and organizational decisions.

Dilip Ghosh always bats on the front foot. I am president of the state unit for four and a half years now and during my leadership the party won 18 (of 42) Lok Sabha seats in Bengal. I was elected president once again after the polls. BJP does not change leaders at random. As far as I know, Mukul Roy was with the BJP and still is with the BJP. Our party allots roles according to a leaders capability. I think some people are spreading rumours with vested interest, said Ghosh while talking to reporters before meeting Nadda.

BJP leaders in Bengal said Nadda and Ghosh discussed some important issues relating to the coming elections for more than one and half hours. The party did not make any official statement.
Armenia will maintain its current parliamentary form of government, but will scrap a controversial provision that gives the political party or bloc that wins in general elections additional seats in the National Assembly to form a stable majority, a member of the commission drafting constitutional changes said.

The provision criticized by the opposition was designed by authors of the 2015 constitution by which Armenia made a switch from a presidential republic to a parliamentary one. They argued then that a country that is in a de-facto state of war cannot afford to have elections as a result of which no political party or bloc can form a government.

Daniel Ioannisian, a civil-society representative to the specialized commission working on constitutional amendments, told RFE/RLs Armenian Service (Azatutyun) after a regular sitting of the body on Saturday that a decision had been made that Armenia will remain a parliamentary republic. At the same time, he said, the stable majority provision will not be included in the new constitution.

[Former] authorities tried to present the deficit of democracy as stability, but we are convinced that only democracy is stable. There is hardly a more warring country than Israel, but there is no such mechanism in Israel. There is no such mechanism in any parliamentary country in the world, except San Marino. It was practiced in Greece for a while, but eventually the Greeks rejected it, Ioannisian said.

He said that the commission is also discussing other issues, including a switch to an all-proportional system of representation instead of the mixed system used in the past two elections in which besides political parties and blocs candidates were also competing in so-called territorial rating ballots.

Ioannisian said that discussions also focused on issues like the voting age and the possibility of expanding the powers of the president and electing the president through a popular vote rather than through a ballot cast by parliament.

It is not a question of returning to the semi-presidential model of government, because the main difference between the semi-presidential model and the parliamentary model is in who the head of the executive branch of power is. In the model we are looking at it is the prime minister who will be the head of the executive, the representative to the constitutional commission said.

Changes, according to Ioannisian, are also envisaged in the judicial system. In particular, he said, the commission discusses the issue of having one Supreme Court instead of the current Constitutional Court and the Court of Cassation. Ioannisian expressed a hope that as a result of these changes, constitutional justice will become more accessible to citizens. This new court will have three chambers  the administrative, criminal and civil chambers. It will be both the third tier and the instance administering constitutional justice. But there is a very important nuance here. In the case of this model, ordinary courts will have the right to assess the constitutionality of laws, he said.

The commission for reforming the constitution was set up in January. It consists of 15 members, including Armenias justice minister, human rights ombudsman, a representative of the countrys judges, members of the three political forces represented in the parliament and legal scholars chosen by the Justice Ministry.

The commission plans to have a preliminary concept of changes by late October, after which, following public discussions, a final document will be ready by the end of the year. The commission expects to draft constitutional changes by June 2021 after which they are to be put to a nationwide referendum.
Gabriel Ojediran

The Patron of Celestial Church of Christ, Oko-Oba Parish III, Venerable Most Senior Evangelist Gabriel Ojediran (JP) in this interview with Samson Oti, talked about his involvement as one of the foremost masquerade entertainers in Lagos, the general misconception that polygamy is common place among Celestial Church elders

As one of the Celestial Churchs parish front runners, tell us about life before you had an encounter with Christ.

I was born in Fiditi, Afijio Local Government, in Oyo State. I came from the family of Alagba, the family house of Akunuodun, the masquerade worshipers. I grew up worshiping Masquerade. I attended Methodist Modern School before I was enrolled into Construction work as a bricklayer, where I spent 7-years across the nation. I couldnt further my education longer owing to family problems. My dad had many wives but unfortunately I was the only child of my own mother, so it was a tough journey, but I thank God for bringing me this far.

Throughout my stay in Fiditi, I used to lift the masquerade because that was what I knew to worship, and it was always like fun being under the Masquerade custom. I left Fiditi to Ibadan for an apprenticeship; I joined the Masquerade group in Alawo and Oke Sapati, and because of my surname, its very easy to know where I came from. I started the journey from Ibadan also by entertaining people, and on any Masquerade festive day, I must be in my costume. While still learning my construction work, I used to sneak out to lift Masquerade; I see it as fun. I dont mind missing crucial assignments; as long as Masquerade is concerned I have to be there.

Something happened between Pencinema Agege and Dopemu area, which changed everything for me. There was a great slaughter in which soldiers killed thousands of people and demolished properties. According to what I heard, some masqueraders had approached a woman in her shop for money, and she probably refused. These masqueraders beat her up. Unfortunately, she was wife of a soldier. She immediately called her husband who happened to be on duty in Army Entombment. That was how soldiers came in battalion and started killing people. They leveled the ground from Pencinema to Dopemu, until government intervened.

Was that how you stopped worshiping the Masquerade?

On that fateful day, I ran for my life immediately I noticed the situation was getting messier. I took cover at a popular school, Saka Tinubu in Orile Agege. At that time, the school was uncompleted, so I hid in a classroom, yet I wasnt relaxed. I was looking for an escape route to the shrine where I could change my costume. My next move from the school was to jump a particular fence to link the main road but where I jumped into was Celestial Church of Christ, Orile Agege parish. I was still in my Masquerade costume, and people from the church quickly gathered to see me where I was sitting in the mercy land. They went to call their shepherd and some prophets and prophetesses gathered to quiz my intention for jumping into the church.

As God would have it, I was given a listening ear to explain my situation and what led me into the church premises. They removed my masquerade custom and gave me the churchs white garment to wear. I was also told that God had destined me to become a member of the Celestial Church of Christ. At first, I refused but for God to prove Himself to me, the prophetess started exposing everything I had done in secret and I was told to go and destroy everything. That was how I met Christ and became a Celestial member from Orile Agege.

Did you start your own church after you became born again?

Celestial churches were not many in those days, so I worshiped at Orile Agege for many years. That was where I got my first anointment as Elder Brother. I got proper orientation about Celestial from Orile and I had encounters with the founder Rev SBJ Oshoffa. While in Orile Parish, I led a group to meet Baba Oshoffa and I was able to ask him why he chose not to be wearing shoes. After I left Orile Agege Parish, I joined another popular church in Iju-Ishaga, Station Parish.

Tell us about planting of the Oko-Oba III parish being the patron of the church?

After I made a covenant with God that I would never go back to worshiping Masquerade, there was a revelation for me that God wanted to use me not only for one church, but that I must be ready to carry the cross till the end. Oko-Oba Parish III happened miraculously, it was never an initiative of any being. It happened like a mystery. It all started in my wifes shop on a Sunday afternoon. And everything about the church was said that very day. By and large, it is a community church today that recently clocked 40-years. I didnt grow up as a Christian, and I never went to seminary school at any point in order for me to think that I have a call to become the shepherd of the church. I am only being honoured as the church patron. Everything about the invention of Oko-Oba III happened the following Sunday of Juvenile Harvest while I was still worshiping at Station Parish. As at today, over 15 Shepherd from Ketu have served in the church. And for record purposes, we have a good relationship with the headquarters and that is why we are able to invite our spiritual leader Rev Mobiyina Oshoffa to our church for blessing.

As God used you to plant Oko-Oba III, does it mean it is your property?

No, it is not my property; its the property of Celestial Church of Christ, Worldwide under the leadership of Reverend Mobiyina Oshoffa. During his lifetime Papa Oshoffa (the founder), he used to visit Orile Agege parish often, we heard so many things from him and he didnt teach us that way. Even if you are a billionaire, and you have money to build a church with a Celestial logo, it does not mean it is your own. You can only build the church and take the documents to the headquarters. The name of the documents must be Celestial Church not individual names. And that has been the way we have been operating. We have not derailed from the tenets and doctrines of the church, led by the founder and that is why it will be difficult for anybody to mislead us.

In Celestial Church, most front-runners usually become the shepherd of the church. Why is your own different?

Its because truthfulness does not exist again.

There are many factions in the Celestial Church of Christ today; does it mean the church cannot speak in unison since the founder passed?

It is because people are not being sincere. Our Hymn book says a lot about the doctrine of the church, and dont forget that it is a spiritual church. That is the way Papa left the church, but unfortunately people are derailing. And that is why we are where we are today. The truth of the matter is that Imeko is Celestial headquarters and we have to respect that order as laid by the founder. But today, Celestial headquarters is everywhere and that is why many unfaithful things happen within the Celestial churches.

There is a popular belief that Celestial Church leaders are polygamous. Is this part of the church doctrine?

We are mixing spirituality with personality; and they must be treated differently. I know where you are going. Being polygamous does not have anything to do with the church. It is a personal affair; subject to debate. When Papa was alive, I heard it from his mouth when issues like this came up, he said it openly that apart from Mama Yamah that he married on his own; other women came directly from their parents. Papa never engaged in any form of fornication or adultery. Let me put it straight, being polygamous does not have anything to do with Celestial Church, its a personal thing and who are we to judge others? Celestials need peace and prosperity; we should stop any form of backwardness habit.

You said truthfulness does not exist in the church again, how?

See; let me tell you one fact about being faithful, most of us in the Celestial fold do not understand the grace God has given to us. God loves pureness, but most of us are not 100% committed to this, and that is why Celestial is suffering from power play and politics.

While worshiping Masquerade, have you ever had an encounter with religious people before?

Haaaa! This is an interesting question. I used to beat white garment church members whenever I wore my masquerade costume. I see them as evil spirits because they always see us the same way. I cannot count the number of white garment church members I gave serious beating, especially when they mistakenly came close to my fathers house drumming and praying. All I did was get my fathers permission to wear my costume and my cane to beat these people away in front of our house.

Now that you are in Christ, do you regret doing that?

No, I dont, because that was my understanding then, and that is what I grew up to know. But today I have been able to understand that Christ supersedes all other gods.

***

Source: The Nation
Mr. Akins doted on his son, and nieces and nephews. He taught many of them how to drive and enjoyed their visits to the zoo. Read more

People Weve Lost Calvin Akins

73 years old

Lived in Philadelphia

A veteran, he liked to make other vets feel appreciated More Memorials

If you met Calvin Akins, it was likely you were going to have a talk with him.

He would have a conversation with anyone he came across, said son Marc. He was very sociable, very funny, and very charismatic. If anybody had any trouble, he always took time to help.

A veteran of the Army, Mr. Akins was especially fond of visiting local Veterans Affairs hospitals or facilities and interacting with other vets. He liked to thank them for their service, high-five them as they walked by, and salute them with a smile.

He especially liked to look in on those vets that were having trouble, his son said. He liked to make people feel special.

Mr. Akins, 73, died Friday, Aug. 7, of complications due to COVID-19 at the VAs Community Living Center in the University City section.

A proud graduate of Overbrook High School, Mr. Akins made sure his son also attended Overbrook so he could experience the same sense of achievement and pride. After his time in the Army, Mr. Akins graduated from Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, now Thomas Jefferson University.

He worked as a city inspector for Philadelphia for 17 years, and later as a notary, tax preparer, and carpet installer.

The oldest of 10 children, Mr. Akins doted on his son, and nieces and nephews. He taught many of them how to drive and enjoyed their visits to the zoo. He took his son to the movies on many weekends, and he always made time to play the slots and poker at local and Atlantic City casinos.

Mr. Akins and his son loved to watch Sanford and Son on TV together. Redd Foxx, who played Fred Sanford on the show, was his favorite actor. They also watched Eagles and Phillies games.

He was so outgoing, and he used humor to solve everything, his son said.

Late in life, Mr. Akins became attached to the nurses and doctors who cared for him at the VA hospital, and he held a special place in his heart for Nurse Beverly, whom he called Mom.

He was an all-around good father, Marc Akins said.

In addition to his son, Mr. Akins is survived by former wife Barbara, seven of his nine siblings, and many nieces and nephews and other relatives.

 Gary Miles, gmiles@inquirer.com
Bahri, a global leader in logistics and transportation, has signed an agreement with digital solutions company Tabadul for the implementation of an electronic payment solution.



Fasah Pay, one of a collection of electronic solutions offered on Tabaduls Fasah platform, enables the business sector within the logistics industry to create and raise invoices for customers that can be paid via a Sadad number.



The agreement was signed during a virtual ceremony in the presence of Abdullah Aldubaikhi, CEO of Bahri, and Abdulaziz Alshamsi, CEO of Tabadul, together with senior officials from both parties.



The agreement stipulates the provision of a special control panel for Bahri users to access a series of online features through the Fasah platform, including access to all previous and upcoming transactions; the ability to download detailed or combined invoices for specific customers; electronic payment of bills raised and charged to customers; flexible updating and cancellation of invoices; and retrieval of customer information or other data using approved reference details.



The integration will facilitate and accelerate billing and payment processes, as well as manage and control payments to ensure the continuity of import and export activities in an efficient and effective manner.



Aldubaikhi said: We are pleased to conclude this agreement with Tabadul, which will contribute to establishing fruitful business relationships based on mutual trust with all of our customers and partners. The agreement is an important step for us, especially in light of Saudi Arabias movement towards digital transformation as outlined in Saudi Vision 2030.



Through this integration with the Fasah Pay service, we can replace all incoming and outgoing paper-based financial transactions with electronic versions. We also look forward to the other benefits the system will bring, including improving the transparency of transactions, accelerating procedures for beneficiaries, and reducing the risks involved with cash transactions by providing a safe payment system, he added.



Alshamsi said: The use of digital tools plays a prominent role in achieving sustainability, as many digital transfer efforts aim to raise efficiency levels while providing reliability and flexibility. This is what we seek through the Fasah Pay electronic payment portal, which will accelerate and facilitate financial trade through billing and payment processes. Through this service, we look forward to bringing added value to our partner, Bahri, by improving quality, developing performance, increasing workflow efficiency, and speeding up daily work mechanisms. - TradeArabia News Service
OTTAWA - The Canada Revenue Agency has temporarily suspended its online services after two cyberattacks in which hackers used thousands of stolen usernames and passwords to fraudulently obtain government services and compromise Canadians personal information.

A total of 5,500 CRA accounts were targeted in what the federal government described as two credential stuffing schemes, in which hackers use passwords and usernames from other websites to access Canadians accounts with the revenue agency.

The decision to suspend CRAs online services comes at a time when many Canadians and businesses have been using the revenue agencys website to apply for and access financial support related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government is hoping to reinstate online access for businesses on Monday, according to a senior government official. That is when companies struggling due to the pandemic can start to apply for the latest round of federal wage subsidies.

It wasnt immediately clear what impact the suspension of services will have in terms of other federal benefits, however, including the Canada Child Benefit and Canada Emergency Response Benefit for those affected by COVID-19.

The revenue agency was also vague in terms of what victims of the attack will have to do to get their accounts reinstated after it disabled them to prevent further fraud, saying only that letters will be mailed to those who have been affected.

At least one victim says she has yet to hear anything from the government after someone hacked into her CRA account earlier this month and successfully applied for the $2,000-per-month Canada Emergency Response Benefit for COVID-19.

Leah Baverstock, a law clerk in Kitchener, Ont., says she first realized her account had been compromised and contacted the revenue agency herself when she received several emails from CRA on Aug. 7 saying she had successfully applied for the CERB.

The lady I spoke to at CRA, shes said: This is a one-off, said Baverstock, who has continued to work through the pandemic and did not apply for the support payments.

And she told me a senior officer would be calling me within 24 hours because my account was completely locked down. And I still havent heard from anybody.

Baverstock expressed frustration at the lack of contact, adding she still does not know how the hackers accessed her account. She has since contacted her bank and other financial institutions to stop the hackers from using her information to commit more fraud.

I am quite concerned, she said. Somebody could be living under my name. Who knows. Its scary. Its really scary.

Many of the hacked CRA accounts were targeted as part of a broader credential stuffing attack in which more than 9,000 accounts that Canadians use to apply for and access federal services were compromised.

Those hacked accounts were tied to GCKey, which is used by around 30 federal departments and allows Canadians to access various services such as employment insurance, veterans benefits and immigration applications.

These attacks, which used passwords and usernames collected from previous hacks of accounts worldwide, took advantage of the fact that many people reuse passwords and usernames across multiple accounts, the Treasury Board of Canada said in a statement.

One-third of those accounts successfully accessed services before all of the affected accounts were shut down, said the Treasury Board, which is responsible for managing the federal civil service as well as the public purse.

Officials are now trying to determine not only how many of those services were fraudulent while the RCMP and federal privacy commissioner have been called in to assess the scale and scope of personal information stolen.

The government warned Canadians to use unique passwords for all online accounts and to monitor them for suspicious activity.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says more than 13,000 Canadians have been victims of fraud totalling $51 million this year. There have been 1,729 victims of COVID-19 fraud worth $5.55 million.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 16, 2020.

Read more about:
Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian startup has become the first in the country to test-fire a homegrown upper-stage rocket engine. This is seen as a major milestone in the long-drawn process of building a space-faring rocket.

A typical rocket consists of two or more stages, each of which would have its own engines(either single or packed in a cluster). Simply put, a rocket is a combination of multiple engines(stages) that are vertically stacked. While the company has tested the upper-most stage engine, the initial stage engines are being manufactured. If all goes well, the company is looking forward to a maiden launch by December 2021, with the support and guidance of the Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO).

To understand the significance of this test and throw light on the fledgling aerospace startups rocket launch plans, WION spoke to team Skyroot.

Q: Tell us more about the recent engine test. Which rocket variant is this engine meant for and what fuel does this engine use ? How much thrust does this engine generate ?

Skyroot: We have planned 3 rockets - Vikram I,II &III, the name is a tribute to ISRO founder Vikram Sarabhai. The current engine is a meant to be the final stage of the four-stage rocket Vikram I. Vikram I is to be powered by 3 stages of solid-fueled engines and the final stage, which we have currently tested is a liquid-fueled one. We have named this engine Raman, as a tribute to Nobel laureate Sir C.V. Raman. The Raman engine is powered by UDMH and NTO liquid fuels and a cluster of 4 engines would generate 3.4kN thrust.

Q: Any specific reasons on why this particular fuel combination was chosen over the others ?

Skyroot: UDMH and NTO were chosen as they are earth-storable liquids. Using this fuel and our engine we can switch on and off multiple times. The ability to re-start any number of times provides the option of launching multiple satellites in different orbits.

Q: Raman is one engine that goes into the final stage. What about the readiness of the first three stages ?

Skyroot: The first three stage engines are under different stages of manufacturing and we hope to test two of them in about six months time.

Q: What about the intended payload capacity of the three rockets that your team is working on ?

Skyroot: Vikram I is meant to lift 225 kg to 500 km Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit(SSPO) and 315 kg to 45 inclination 500 km Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Vikram II is designed for 410 kg to 500 km SSPO and 520 kg to 45 inclination 500km LEO. In case of Vikram III we are looking at 580 kg to 500 km SSPO and 720 kg to 45 inclination 500 km LEO.

Q: What would be your USP given that ISROs latest rocket Small Satellite Launch Vehicle(SSLV) also caters to a similar (sub 500-750kg) payload segment ?

Skyroot: When compared to the SSLV rocket, our vehicle is even smaller. We can only compare vehicles of a similar size category, as the price per Kg of payload becomes cheaper with rockets getting bigger. We can confidently say that in the small vehicles segment, we can offer the best and most competitive prices once we get into mass production. As all our 3 variants get operational, we can also offer a significant reduction in per kg cost.

Q: Testing rocket engines, sourcing components and preparing them for launch requires expensive infrastructure. How are you managing ?

Skyroot: We have some basic facilities of our own and the rest are to be provided by ISRO. In terms of procuring components, there is a reasonably well developed infrastructure in India, thanks to ISRO. We are able to source majority of our components from various vendors and MSMEs within India. As manufacturing costs are relatively low in India, our overall development cost comes down.

Q: ISRO needed over two decades to master their most reliable rocket engine - Vikas. How is a startup able to do the same in lesser time, so much so that a December 2021 launch is envisioned ?

Skyroot: Although we started off in 2018, we have had a head-start because there are ISRO veterans helping us, besides Indians who have worked in this field in foreign countries. Basically the scale and thrust of our engines are lesser than the ones being used at ISRO. We have also been trying new technologies such as 3-D printing in fabricating the engines. This has nearly reduced the overall mass by 50%, and reduced total number of components & lead time by 80%.

Q: 3-D printing is majorly used in India for plastics, how do you think this would fare for metals and alloys. Especially in terms of its efficiency in manufacturing rocket-engine components ?

Skyroot: Besides metals we are also using special materials in the 3-D printing process and the Vikram engine has come out as designed and is highly efficient. Though uncommon in India, 3-D printing using metals is widely used in the international market and carious components used for space projects are 3-D printed. We are looking forward to 3-D printing the entire Cryogenic engine to be used in our Vikram-2 rocket.

Q: In terms of vehicle assembly, launch operations and post-launch tracking and telemetry, how would you manage and which facilities would you be using ?

Skyroot: For Launch pad and Mission control we would be making use of ISRO facilities, preferably the new launch pad for SSLV that is coming up. But that depends on the timeline of when the pad will be ready and when our rocket will be ready. It is upto ISRO to determine the cost that would be incurred for providing us these facilities for launch, currently ISRO charges us a nominal amount for the testing that our equipment undergoes.

Q.Testing and Launch operations are very costly and involve expensive infrastructure. How would liabilities be covered in case of mishaps and what about the quantum of damages that would be sought (if any) ?

Skyroot: Given that insurance is available for all these components and processes, of course liabilities are going to be covered by insurance. But even otherwise, prior to every single test there is a board of approval that does several check before granting permission. After the board grants the go-ahead, then any test has a fair chance. Of course, in case of damage there will be payments that one party would have to make to the other and insurance would also be covering a portion. We look forward In-SPACe playing a key role in making Insurance (if/when needed) accessible at affordable premiums for the NewSpace startups.

Q: How are things looking on the funding side ? Your ambitious goals require copious bankrolling. Are people willing to invest given the post-Covid economic scenario ?

Skyroot: We have received an initial funding of Rs.31.5cr and are expecting to receive Rs.90cr over the next one year. There are big names that wish to invest in space technology and we are confident about it.

Q: How is In-SPACe (Govt of India) supporting your activity ? Is the 18% GST incurred by an Indian satellite company to launch on a private Indian rocket a hinderance ? Will satellite makers not go abroad and launch?

Skyroot: In-SPACe is intended to offer single-window clearance for testing, launching, licensing and other aspects. We hope it will enable us to use the facilities. The 18% GST applies for any domestic service transaction irrespective of industry. A major pain point for NewSpace startups is the incurred 18% additional upfront cost which will locked up in GST credits. The company can only make use of GST credits only once we start making sizable revenues.

This problem applies to even developmental costs incurred .For example, Several crores of developmental/procurement costs we incur till we operationalize commercially, bears the brunt of GST. Ideally, capital-intensive hardware/Space startups like us should be given GST incentive in pre-revenue phases.

Q: Rocket science involves people from all scientific disciplines, tell us about the people in your team and the disciplines they cover.

Skyroot: CEO -Pawan Kumar Chandana and COO - Naga Bharath Daka are Post graduates from IIT and had worked with ISRO on rocket mechanical systems and flight computer, avionics respectively. Currently we are a team of 40 and the fields of expertise are- Electronics, propulsion, guidance, navigation, control, structure etc. But we do outsource quite a bit of our work and that would mean that we have over 100 people working for us in all. But as we near launch, wed certainly grow bigger as a team.

Q: Can we expect your proposed maiden launch by December 2021 to carry a dummy payload or live satellite(s) ?

Skyroot: Depending on demand, that is something well decide about 6 months prior to launch.
The police on Sunday arrested two suspects in connection with the death of a 19-year-old woman, who was studying in the US, in a road accident near Aurangabad town of Uttar Pradeshs Bulandshahr district last week .

Deepak Solanki, 28, a construction contractor and a resident of Gulaothi town, was allegedly riding a motorcycle and his mason, 50-year-old Raju of Bulandshahr dehat, was riding pillion when the accident took place on Chirora Road in Aurangabad on August 10.

They were arrested soon after relatives of Sudeeksha Bhati identified them. Although the family had earlier claimed that motorcyclists had harassed Sudeeksha and that led to the accident, a probe by a four-member special investigation team (SIT) formed by the Bulandshahr police found that the cause of the accident was speeding.

Sudeeksha was pursuing an undergraduate course in entrepreneurship from Babson College, Massachusetts, on a 3.80 crore scholarship. Her death had sparked a storm in Uttar Pradesh with political parties questioning the law and order situation in the state.

Police said that two days after the accident, the suspects had modified the motorcycle when they learnt that the police was on the lookout for a Royal Enfield bike. On Sunday, the police recovered their motorcycle.

Santosh Kumar Singh, senior superintendent of police (SSP) of Bulandshahr, said at a press conference on Sunday that the police had scanned CCTV footage and established that the accident took place at 8.44 am.

Police scanned 12 CCTV cameras and found Sudeeksha and her cousin travelling on a motorcycle at 8:25 am. The same camera captured Solanki on an Enfield at 8.17 am on the same route and picked up Raju from near Arif Hospital and later, Sudeekshas motorcycle crossed them, he said.

The two motorcycles were moving in the same direction and covered 10.5 kilometres in nine minutes on a busy road which showed that both them were speeding, he said.

The accident took place when the Royal Enfield bike overtook he two-wheeler Sudeeksha and her cousin were riding.

Solanki said that a tempo traveller ahead of him had applied a sudden brake. forcing him to brake suddenly too causing the motorcycle on which Sudeeksha was to collide with them near Bhavsi bridge. Seeing the accident and the injured, Solanki said he fled the spot due to fear, said the SSP.

With news that police was looking for Royal Enfield motorcycles, he went on make changes to the vehicle . On August 12, I went to a local mechanic and got the wheels, silencer, and number plate changed. I also laminated the motorcycle with white stickers to disguise the identity, he allegedly told the police.

Solanki was constructing a banquet hall near Khanpur road and he was on the way there when the accident took place, said police.

The two suspects were produced before the magistrate and sent to jail, said the SHO.

On Sudeekshas father Jitendra Bhatis complaint, the police had registered a case under Indian Penal Code sections 279 (rash driving) and 304-A (causing death due to negligence), among others.

Jitendra Bhati said that he was satisfied with the police investigation. My brother and his son identified the suspects. We demand the government to make an institution in Sudeekshas name so that local girls can get inspiration to study and do good in their lives, he said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses nation on developments in risk-adjusted strategy to manage spread of Coronavirus COVID-19.

From next Tuesday, all restrictions on interprovincial travel will be lifted, while the sale of tobacco products and alcohol will resume.

In his address to the nation on Saturday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa would move to lockdown level 2 from midnight on Monday, 17 August 2020. The decision, he said, was in light of the steadily declining number of COVID-19 infections.

"The further easing of restrictions presents us with the greatest opportunity since the start of the pandemic to breathe life into our struggling economy," he said.

South Africa has, since the end of March, instituted a nationwide lockdown with risk-adjusted alert levels to stabilise the soaring COVID-19 infections.

In taking the decision, President Ramaphosa said Cabinet was heeding the advice of health experts.

Over the last three weeks, new confirmed cases dropped from a peak of over 12 000 a day to an average of 5 000 over the past week. During this period, the recovery rate rose to 80% from 48% from when the President addressed the nation in July.

While the country has 583 653 confirmed COVID-19 cases, only 105 000 are active. To date, 11 667 people have succumbed to COVID-19 related illnesses.

In an effort to improve basic precautions and alleviate stress on the public health system, government will soon announce a powerful new tool to support digital contact tracing efforts. This will lead to more efficient identification, testing, isolation and treatment of positive cases.

What to expect in level 2

Under alert level 2, in which the spread of Coronavirus is expected to be moderate, the country can ease up restrictions to economic activity across most industries, said the President.

"Economic activity will be allowed with the necessary and appropriate stringent health protocols and safety precautions in place," he said.

During this level, all restrictions on interprovincial travel will be lifted. In this regard, accommodation, hospitality venues and tours are permitted to operate, albeit observing approved protocols to ensure social distancing.

"Restaurants, bars and taverns will be permitted to operate according to approved protocols as to times of operation and numbers of people," said the President.

Restrictions on the sale of tobacco and alcohol will be lifted subject to certain restrictions.

"Alcohol will be permitted for on-site consumption in licensed establishments only up until 10pm. Liquor outlets will be allowed to sell alcohol for off-site consumption from Monday to Thursday during the hours of 9am to 5pm only," he said.

While the President urged the public to exercise extreme caution, restrictions on family and social visits are also lifted.

The virus, he said, appears to have peaked in several provinces, including the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng and possibly in KwaZulu-Natal.

"Fewer people are presenting with symptoms at our health facilities. We are also finding that fewer people are requiring admission in our hospitals and the demand for Coronavirus tests has dropped," the President said, adding that patient hospitalisation had dramatically decreased from 10 000 to around 4 000 in the first two weeks of August.

"It is now clear that had we not acted as swiftly and decisively as we did - and had we not taken the threat as seriously as we did - far more lives would have been lost," he said.

Despite indications being that the country is past its peak, President Ramaphosa said government's concern in the coming weeks and months is to continue to save lives.

"Most of our health facilities have proven resilient, capable and able to withstand and deal with the surge," he said.

The modelled projections of infections, hospitalisation and deaths have been adjusted downwards as progress in the management of the disease was noted.

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Warning against complacency, the President urged the public to continue to wear masks, practice social distancing and good hygiene. Not complying with these protocols has proved catastrophic in other countries, the President said.

While the easing of restrictions is expected to have a positive impact on the country's economy, the President conceded that it would take a long time for industries and businesses to recover.

"There is much work still to be done," he said.

Government, labour, business and community organisations are now working on an urgent economic recovery programme that places the protection and creation of employment at its centre.

"We will be making announcements on the outcome of this work in the next few weeks. We will use this moment not only to return South Africa to where it was before, but to transform our country to a more equal, more just and more dynamic economy," he said.
INDIANAPOLIS  In past school years, kids sat together at a table in the cafeteria, some from their own class, some from others. Some even shared food with each other.

Now, in schools open for in-person instruction, some students will eat lunch in their classrooms or will sit with their classes in the cafeteria as schools try to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Schools that opened early in central Indiana provide a hint of what others across the country can expect as they enact various lunchtime safety measures, including prepackaging meals and frequently cleaning the lunchroom.

Having opened in late July for in-person instruction, Avon Community School makes children in kindergarten through sixth grade sit with their classes at lunch.

Coronavirus and school lunches: School lunch programs lose millions feeding hungry kids; they could be broke by fall

Julie Pinkins' daughter is a first grader at an elementary school in Avon. She said she was surprised that her child's class would be in a cafeteria with other classes instead of eating in its own classroom.

Ive kind of had to feel like, since I have opted to send her back, it was our choice, she said, and you just have to trust that people making these decisions are doing what they know to be best, but its a little nerve-wracking.

Washing hands and using hand sanitizer will be a point of emphasis at schools that reopened and serve meals.

Before students eat

Students will have to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before they eat, according to some schools' reopening plans.

Students will be served prepackaged meals in many cases. John Christenson, medical director of infection prevention at Riley Hospital for Children, said these meals minimize the risk of infection, because not a lot of people touch them. At buffets, too many people put their hands on the food. Some districts limit or don't offer self-service items.

Some schools also limit the number of options for meals. Zionsville Community Schools reopening plan says the schools will have a minimum of four cold lunch choices in August, which will be expanded when appropriate. Some school districts, including Sheridan Community Schools and Noblesville Schools, indicated in their reopening plans that meals will continue to be free or at a reduced cost for those who qualify.

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When children are about to pay for their food, they may notice differences there, too. At Carmel Clay Schools, cash will be allowed in only one serving line in each cafeteria. Noblesville Schools will not accept cash in the lunch line, so parents will have to prepay for the food online or in the school office.

Some schools that have reopened offer fewer meal choices at lunch. Buffets are out, in favor of prepackaged meals that can be made more safely and minimize the risk of infection because not a lot of people touch them.

Eating in cafeteria or elsewhere

Christenson recommended that schools build some distance between kids in the cafeteria.

They need to have some space between the children, he said, because they have to take their masks off."

Christenson said its important that schools have cohorts  groups of children that are always together and dont mingle with other groups.

School lunch programs' terrible choice: Fight coronavirus or students' hunger

Many schools plan such measures. Zionsville Community Schools cafeterias will be at 50% to 65% capacity. Some districts make students sit in assigned seats. And some students will eat in their classrooms.

Some districts say in their reopening plans that children can bring their own lunches.

Christenson advised that students dont share food items, which Zionsville Community Schools and the Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township have prohibited. Zionsville Superintendent Scott Robison said via a spokesperson that enforcement of the no-food-sharing rule will be determined, but adults monitor all lunch periods.

Some schools don't allow visitors at lunchtime.

The only thing that I think my girls are the most disappointed about is hearing that mommy and daddy cannot come in and have lunch with them at all, said Rachel Mathew, a Zionsville Community Schools parent. That is the biggest thing that affects them.

School staff and volunteers dole out milk as part of grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches free to students at Lawrence North High School on March 16 in Indianapolis.

'Hoping it goes well': Students among first to return offer lessons for reopening schools

She and her husband ate lunch once with each of their daughters last year. She said they bring fast food for their daughters when they visit. She understands the rule and said it would not make sense to allow parents and visitors to come into school for lunch.

Another way schools try to ensure that cafeterias will be safe for students is through frequent cleaning. Noblesville Schools will clean cafeteria tables and serving lines between each lunch period. Decatur Township schools plan to clean seating areas between each group of students and will clean the kitchen and serving area every two hours or whenever visibly dirty.

Many schools will have lunch  and in some cases breakfast  plans in place for students who will be learning from home, either by choice or because their schools offer full-time remote instruction.

Lunch for remote learners

Many schools give parents the option of letting their children learn from home. Some districts, such as Sheridan Community Schools and MSD Wayne Township, indicated that remote learners will receive school meals. Other districts' reopening plans do not address meals for online learners.

Indianapolis Public Schools starts the school year with full-time remote instruction. The district will still offer meals to all students, which will be served at many locations, according to IPS' website.

Washington Township schools, which are also starting the school year online, allow parents to pick up breakfast and lunch daily at all school locations, according to the district's website. Meals will be charged in the same way as if the students were inside the school building.

Hamilton Southeastern Schools teach students remotely. HSE parents will preorder meals on Thursdays and pick them up the following Tuesday.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Coronavirus: Students can expect new lunch routine at reopened schools
CONCORD TOWNSHIP, Ohio  A 49-year-old Lake County man was arrested Saturday night after he called 911 and said he shot his housemate, police say.

Deputies from the Lake County Sheriffs Office arrived about 8 p.m. Saturday to a home on Pinecrest Road in Concord Township, just west of Hermitage Road, according to a news release from the sheriffs office. They were responding to a 911 call from a man at the house who said he had shot another man who lives at the home after a disturbance.

The 49-year-old caller met the deputies in the driveway of the house. When they went inside, deputies found a 36-year-old man lying on the floor, shot to death, the release says.

The 49-year-old man was arrested and booked into jail, authorities say. Its unclear whether he has been formally charged as of Sunday morning.

The sheriffs office did not say how the two residents know each other, or what the argument that prompted the shooting was about.

The fatal shooting is still under investigation, the sheriffs office said. Anyone with information is asked to call (440) 350-5620.

This post will be updated if more information becomes available Sunday.

More Northeast Ohio crime news:

State agents investigating after East Cleveland police officer shoots at man during foot chase

Akron police release name of 8-year-old girl killed in shooting

Man dies in shooting during argument in Clevelands Ohio City neighborhood
Greenland's ice sheet may have shrunk past the point of return, with the ice likely to melt away no matter how quickly the world reduces climate-warming emissions, new research suggests.

Scientists studied data on 234 glaciers across the Arctic territory spanning 34 years through 2018 and found that annual snowfall was no longer enough to replenish glaciers of the snow and ice being lost to summertime melting.

That melting is already causing global seas to rise about a millimeter on average per year. If all of Greenland's ice goes, the water released would push sea levels up by an average of 6 meters -- enough to swamp many coastal cities around the world. This process, however, would take decades.

"Greenland is going to be the canary in the coal mine, and the canary is already pretty much dead at this point," said glaciologist Ian Howat at Ohio State University. He and his colleagues published the study Thursday in the Nature Communications Earth & Environment journal.

The Arctic has been warming at least twice as fast as the rest of the world for the last 30 years, an observation referred to as Arctic amplification. The polar sea ice hit its lowest extent for July in 40 years.

The Arctic thaw has brought more water to the region, opening up routes for shipping traffic, as well as increased interest in extracting fossil fuels and other natural resources.

Greenland is strategically important for the U.S. military and its ballistic missile early warning system, as the shortest route from Europe to North America goes via the Arctic island.

Last year, President Donald Trump offered to buy Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory. But Denmark, a U.S. ally, rebuffed the offer. Then last month, the U.S. reopened a consulate in the territory's capital of Nuuk, and Denmark reportedly said last week it was appointing an intermediary between Nuuk and Copenhagen some 3,500 kilometers away.

Scientists, however, have long worried about Greenland's fate, given the amount of water locked into the ice.

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The new study suggests the territory's ice sheet will now gain mass only once every 100 years -- a grim indicator of how difficult it is to re-grow glaciers once they hemorrhage ice.

In studying satellite images of the glaciers, the researchers noted that the glaciers had a 50% chance of regaining mass before 2000, with the odds declining since.

"We are still draining more ice now than what was gained through snow accumulation in 'good' years," said lead author Michalea King, a glaciologist at Ohio State University.

The sobering findings should spur governments to prepare for sea-level rise, King said.

"Things that happen in the polar regions don't stay in the polar region," she said.

Still, the world can still bring down emissions to slow climate change, scientists said. Even if Greenland can't regain the icy bulk that covered its 2 million square kilometers, containing the global temperature rise can slow the rate of ice loss.

"When we think about climate action, we're not talking about building back the Greenland ice sheet," said Twila Moon, a glaciologist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center who was not involved in the study. "We're talking about how quickly rapid sea-level rise comes to our communities, our infrastructure, our homes, our military bases."

(REUTERS)
Updated 1:10 p.m. Aug. 16

HIGH POINT  A Silver Alert for Paul Ennis McAdoo Jr. has been canceled by the High Point Police Department, according to the N.C. Center for Missing Persons.

Further details were not immediately available.

Posted 10:27 p.m. Aug. 15

HIGH POINT  Authorities are looking for missing, endangered 79-year-old man last seen in High Point.

The N.C. Center for Missing Persons has issued a Silver Alert for Paul Ennis McAdoo Jr., who is believed to be suffering from dementia or some other cognitive impairment, the agency said Saturday.

McAdoo is a Black man who is 6 feet tall, 195 pounds. He has short black hair and brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a short-sleeved Hawaiian shirt with blue pants and brown shoes.

He was last seen at 3910 Stafford Run Court and was heading north, possibly to Maryland, in a 2014 silver Mercedes Benz with N.C. plates PMCAD00.

Anyone with information is asked to call the High Point Police Department at 336-883-3224.
Robbie Williams in Melbourne, Australia, 12 March, 2020. (Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images)

Father-of-four Robbie Williams has admitted he has reservations about raising his children among Los Angeles entitled rich kids.

The former Take That star is a longterm resident of the Californian city andrecently opened up about his concerns relating to the bad things about LA.

Williams and American wife Ayda Field share their home with their children Teddy, seven; Charlton, five; Colette, one; and five-month-old Beau.

Williams and his wife Ayda Field at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, London, December 2018. (David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Williams told The Sun on Sunday: There are some bad things about LA too. I didnt even know the word entitlement until I got here.

There are these kids with a sense of entitlement because of the place they were born and the parents they have and having the money that they have.

Read more: Ayda Field celebrates marriage to Robbie Williams on their 10th anniversary

I was like, I dont want my kids anywhere near these kids. Id never seen it in my life before and it literally made me slack jawed.

Williams has previously revealed he had doubts about parenthood altogether before taking the plunge with Field.

Speaking on his family podcast (Staying) At Home With The Williamses last month, he said: I don't want the same thing as Ayda, I want [her], but I don't want the family', for many reasons.

How can I raise someone when I can't raise myself and I come from a broken home? So what is the point of me actually doing this?

It wasn't a selfish reason it was a sort of humane reason when I am at war in my own head every single day.

And I can't look after myself so how can I justify bringing someone into the world?

Read more: Robbie Williams says he was threatened with beheading in Haiti

Williams admitted to being terrified during the first year of parenthood but said having children had made him more content.

He said: It's that moment when Teddy just looked at me and the universe looked at me. And just that connection of this overwhelming euphoric feeling higher than any drug, and more real than any pill or any powder or alcohol. And I think in that moment I got it. The first year I was terrified.

"Having kids has been the making of me. My life is fuller, I am more consistent, more present, more refined, more content.
"I can't see myself doing anything else," said Ritter, 50, who joined United Airlines as a flight attendant in 1998. Ritter, who is also an officer at the United chapter of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA labor union, has endured industry traumas including the 9/11 attacks, bankruptcy, the financial crisis and a merger.

The coronavirus pandemic has been so devastating to the airline industry that even flight attendants with decades of experience have been told that their jobs are at risk.

Then based in Boston, Ritter said she thought at the time that the Sept. 11 attacks were "probably the worst thing that could ever happen to the industry."

Flights were called off for three days, airlines quickly furloughed thousands of employees and struggled through years of bankruptcies and a wave of mergers that consolidated the U.S. industry.

Executives have said the pandemic's impact on demand has been more severe than anything they've ever seen.

Chicago-based United last month warned 36,000 employees, including Ritter, about potential furloughs this fall. Flight attendants, generally the largest of airlines' work groups, are bearing the brunt: more than 15,000  60% of United's cabin crew members  were told they could be furloughed. American Airlines said it could cut as many as 25,000 jobs, including 9,950 flight attendants or 37% of the group employed by the Fort Worth, Texas-based airline. Concessions and voluntary measures like buyouts are helping offset some of the furloughs, airlines have said.

Carriers have shrunk to better match weak demand, operating at a fraction of their normal capacity to cut costs, which requires fewer employees.

Immediate job cuts were avoided because the terms of $25 billion in federal payroll support prohibit layoffs until Oct. 1. The Association of Flight Attendants and other labor unions have been urging lawmakers to extend that aid to preserve jobs through the end of next March. Airline CEOs including those at United, American and Southwest have thrown their support behind the initiative, speaking recently with lawmakers about it.

Political support has grown to extend that aid, but talks in Washington for a national coronavirus relief package have failed to yield a deal.

One San Francisco-based flight attendant said he prefers that there isn't additional airline aid to avoid the the uncertainty.

"We all need to know what we are doing next," said the flight attendant, who declined to give his name because he was worried about jeopardizing his job and is currently looking for administrative work in the technology sector.

Some flight attendants are seeking out support from union counselors and coworkers.

"Everyone is on pins and needles," said Heather Healy, the two-decade director of the employee assistance program at the Association of Flight Attendants, which represents cabin crews at airlines including United, Spirit and Alaska. Pilot unions have similar programs, such as Project Wingman at the at the Allied Pilots Association, which represents American Airlines' roughly 15,000 aviators.

The AFA program has been so inundated with calls from flight attendants worried about the health crisis and job security that it has started group support sessions to accommodate everyone.

Stress for flight attendants has accumulated from issues like evolving safety standards for passengers and crew and flying in and out of cities with differing restrictions to manage Covid-19.

"They've had to be flexible and pretty adaptive. Now we come to one [issue for which] there are no guidelines from CDC and that's the economic impact of Covid," Healy said.

Flight attendants have unique jobs and those still employed but not flying often, if at all, can face social isolation, a jarring change for people in a career that usually involves constant interaction with others, Healy added. And for those on the job market, flight attendants' skills for managing people might not be in demand at a time when companies have increased physical distancing.

Airline leaders have urged employees to take unpaid or partially-paid leaves of absence, early retirement, buyouts that include extended medical benefits and cash severance, and other options to help minimize forced cuts. Thousands took them up on the offers. At Southwest Airlines, close to 30% of the Dallas-based airline's staff volunteered, and CEO Gary Kelly said the airline doesn't expect to have to pursue involuntary cuts this year.

Airlines furlough the most junior employees first but these potential cuts were so deep that United flight attendants would have had to start before November 1996 to be secure, according to a staff memo earlier this summer. But United had enough flight attendants sign up for voluntary furloughs, the union said late Friday, so that cutoff is now cabin crew members that began in 1999, meaning Ritter is safe from an involuntary furlough in October.

But the job will be different. Those coveted trips to Tokyo, Frankfurt and dozens of other cities around the world are in doubt. International travel, a pillar of big airlines like United, has been sharply reduced and could to take longer to rebound than shorter U.S. domestic trips, partly due to a host of travel restrictions.

American Airlines told flight attendants last month  as it urged them to take voluntary leaves or early retirement  to expect more domestic trips since "international flying will be down significantly through at least end of 2021." Staffing will also be reduced for international and cross-country flights.

"While you are considering the details of these [voluntary leave and retirement] programs, I also want to make sure you fully understand the new reality of what your schedule and flying may look like," wrote Jill Surdek, American's senior vice president of flight service to flight attendants on July 24. "The reality is our business is going to change, moving forward and for the long-term."

United's Ritter has applied for a company program that would allow her to keep her job if she shares her schedule with another flight attendant.

She said she would hate to lose the job that sent her repeatedly to Germany, where she was a student and later played the part of tour guide for some of the younger flight attendants during layovers, but she has explored alternatives this summer.

"I'm actually in the process of applying with New York state to be a contract tracer" for Covid-19, she said. Flight attendants are "very used to talking to people and deescalating and figuring things out. I'm also a numbers person."
Aug. 16LOGAN  Ute Lake State Park will remain closed until at least Aug. 25 following positive COVID-19 tests among park employees.

Parks officials said some employees reported a high temperature during routine screening for the virus on Tuesday. Those employees were immediately sent home and the park was closed out of an abundance of caution for the publics safety, according to a parks news release.

A release on Saturday announced the facilities are undergoing a thorough cleaning and said staff had tested positive and continue to quarantine.

Parks officials have not announced the number of positive coronavirus tests among Ute Lake staff.

More information: http://www.nmparks.com

___

(c)2020 Eastern New Mexico News, Clovis, N.M.

Visit Eastern New Mexico News, Clovis, N.M. at www.easternnewmexiconews.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Bloomfield said surface swabs from an Americold facility in Mt Wellington, Auckland, where the earliest known case occurred, were currently being processed with the results hopefully delivered later on Sunday. Asked if Americold was still the best working theory as the source of the new outbreak, Bloomfield said "it seems to be as a workplace, the case that has the earliest onset date [July 31] of symptoms is an Americold worker". "So we are doing the environmental testing, we are also, it maybe a long shot, but we are working with our Victorian counterparts to look at the genome sequencing of the cases that they have had that worked in an Americold facility there," he said. Bloomfield conceded "there may well be no link, but its one to exclude. It may well be that we still dont find the exact route of transmission for that first case, but we are not leaving anything to chance." Americold is a global chilled food storage company that operates sites across New Zealand and Australia, including in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.

On Saturday, Americold's chief executive for Australia and New Zealand Richard Winnall dismissed Bloomfield's suggestion COVID-19 might have come to Auckland in frozen sea freight from Melbourne. Winnall said "that site at Melbourne has never shipped any freight to the Mt Wellington facility according to our records". "There is no inbound freight from the Melbourne facility to the Mt Wellington facility. To my knowledge, there is no relationship between the other facilities in Auckland [the company has four sites in Auckland] and the Mt Wellington facility." Victorian Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said on Sunday that he had "heard that the operator of Americold in Melbourne has said definitively that no freight went to New Zealand". While there is no confirmed link between the New Zealand and Melbourne cases, the Department of Health and Human Services Victoria (DHHS) said it was aware of four cases linked to Americold in Laverton North, a rural-urban fringe suburb of Melbourne.

The cases occurred three weeks ago and Winnall said there had been no transmission inside the Melbourne facility. The link to the Melbourne facility is just one of the avenues being examined by New Zealand officials as they scramble to determine the source of the outbreak. An Americold cool storage facility in Melbourne, Australia. Credit:Pat Scala NZ Health Minister Chris Hipkins said that 23,682 tests were conducted on Saturday and more than 63,000 tests had been done in the last three days. However, the high volume of testing has slowed down the processing and return of results from 24 to 48 hours because of demand.

If you are well, please dont get a test as you will potentially be slowing things down for everyone else, Hipkins said. He also urged Kiwis to be cautious about false information being spread on social media, referring to a vile slur that a woman who now has the virus had contracted it by sneaking into a managed isolation and quarantine facility. Hipkins said that travel into and out of Auckland remained heavily restricted to stop the possible spread of COVID-19. In the wake of the outbreak, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, who is also Deputy Prime minister to Ardern and foreign minister, called for the election to be delayed. "Voters need to be able to hear from all political parties about their COVID response and other policies. That is fair. But until Aucklands alert level comes down the playing field is hopelessly compromised," he said.
Walgreens ordered extra flu vaccines. The Houston Health Department will administer flu shots at drive-thru clinics. And Baylor College of Medicine has created an influenza task force to develop strategies for vaccinating its workforce.

From the trenches of a monthslong war against the new coronavirus, health care providers are turning their focus toward a known enemy: one they can hold at bay with vaccines.

And theyre hoping an additional emphasis on flu shots could prevent a flu and COVID surge this fall and winter. Both Gov. Greg Abbott and Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recently emphasized the importance of flu shots that public health officials are stressing.

On HoustonChronicle.com: COVID and the flu: Gov. Abbott warns Texans of dangerous convergence this fall

There is significant concern with other viruses increasing and prevalent in the community in the fall and the winter that well be maybe not overwhelmed but quite busy, said Dr. Peter Bigler, chief medical officer for Baylor St. Lukes Medical Group.

Last flu season, between October and April, the CDC estimates there were 410,000 to 740,000 flu hospitalizations. Between 24,000 and 62,000 people died, according to the CDC .

COVID-19 has claimed more than 160,000 lives in the U.S. since March.

Certainly, I think everyone is concerned because we are still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, said Dr. S. Wesley Long, medical director of the Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory at Houston Methodist, and we fully expect that until we have a COVID-19 vaccine, we will likely continue to see the virus sort of ebb and flow based upon human behavior.

The relevant behaviors  wearing a mask, working from home, maintaining a healthy distance from others, obsessively washing hands  are humanitys only protection against COVID-19.

They happen to protect against the flu, too. In temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere (where the typical flu season is April to September), the World Health Organization says the influenza season has not commenced.

Globally, influenza activity was reported at lower levels than expected for this time of the year, WHO reported Aug. 3 using data from mid-July.

Thats providing local experts with some hope that Houstons flu season might not be too bad.

This will be a really unpredictable season, said Inyang Nora Osemene, professor and interim chair for the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Health Sciences at Texas Southern University. We are hoping for the best, but we dont know.

However, shes concerned there might not be enough vaccines to meet this years likely heightened demand.

Vaccine manufacturers have projected creating 194 million to 198 million doses. Thats roughly 20 million doses more than the record 175 million during the 2019-2020 flu season, according to the CDC.

But there are 330 million people in the U.S.

Redfield of the CDC said in a Wednesday interview with WebMD that getting the flu shot is crucial. Last year, fewer than 50 percent of people got the flu vaccine. His goal this year is 65 percent.

So by getting that flu vaccine, you may be able to then negate the necessity to have to take up a hospital bed. And then that hospital bed can be more available for those that potentially get hospitalized for COVID, he said.

To help with an expected uptick in demand, the CDC is providing additional flu vaccines to be administered nationwide. This includes 200,000 doses for Houston and Harris County, a portion of which will be administered by the Houston Health Department, said LaTasha Hinckson Callis, administration manager for the departments Immunization Bureau.

These doses, which are in addition to what the city of Houston buys each year to administer at its four health centers, are being prioritized for adults with higher risk. They will be administered to seniors, groups with historically low flu vaccination coverage (including African American and Hispanic adults), in areas that have seen a higher number of COVID-19 cases and to the uninsured/underinsured.

We dont want to overwhelm the hospital systems, Hinckson Callis said. We dont want to see outbreaks of diseases that could be prevented by vaccines.

While its possible to get sick with the flu even after receiving a flu shot and developing antibodies  to be clear, you cannot get the flu from the vaccine itself but rather may still get sick after coming into contact with an influenza virus  Long said people who get the shot are less likely to be hospitalized.

But with symptoms so similar to COVID-19, including fever, cough, body aches and a sore throat, its going to be initially difficult (prior to receiving test results) to determine if patients have COVID-19, the flu or even a head cold.

How sure will we be? Long asked. Because its going to affect treatments.

Dr. James McDeavitt, senior vice president and dean of clinical affairs for Baylor College of Medicine, said not knowing if patients with respiratory symptoms have COVID-19 could mean health care providers continue their practice of donning and duffing protective equipment between each patient. This practice can add 15 minutes per patient, though McDeavitt added that drive-through testing sites could be a way to decrease the need for repeatedly changing protective equipment.

Unfortunately, theres so much overlap in symptoms, said Bigler, with Baylor St. Lukes Medical Group. Theres certainly not just a science but an art to diagnose the patient accurately.

Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

On HoustonChronicle.com: COVID's true toll in Texas is higher than reported, data shows

What worries him is a report that roughly 20 percent of people who tested positive for COVID-19 also had another pathogen, according to an article published in the JAMA medical journal. Bigler hopes none of his patients catch both the flu and COVID-19.

That would be quite worrisome, he said. I would be concerned for even the healthy patients.

To help prevent this, Bigler said Baylor St. Lukes Medical Group is considering drive-through vaccinations.

More Information Symptoms for COVID-19 and Influenza COVID-19: Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Fatigue Muscle or body aches Sore throat Congestion or runny nose Headache Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea Loss of taste or smell Flu: Fever (or feeling feverish/chills) Cough Fatigue Muscle or body aches Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Headache Vomiting and diarrhea (this is more common in children than adults) Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention See More Collapse

Walgreens and CVS, with about 195 and 190 locations in the greater Houston area, respectively, are having pharmacy team members wear masks and face shields. Customers must also wear masks, and they will have their temperature taken prior to receiving a flu shot.

The CDC recommends getting the flu vaccine in September or October (August is generally too early because the recipient will have less protection later in the flu season), though getting a flu shot late is better than never. It takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop to help protect against the flu.

andrea.leinfelder@chron.com

twitter.com/a_leinfelder
New Delhi: A 98-yr-old retired war veteran Sepoy Ramu Laxman Sakpal recovered from the novel coronavirus, the Indian Navy on Sunday (August 16).

The Indian Navy gave the good news issuing a statement that read, ''Sepoy Ramu Laxman Sakpal (Retd), a 98-yr-old war veteran, residing at Nerul was admitted to Naval Hospital Ship Asvini in a critical state. He was diagnosed with Pneumonia due to COVID a few weeks ago. His condition was successfully managed, leading to freedom from COVID-19.''

Sakpal (Retd) was accorded a warm farewell at INHS Asvini, the primary naval healthcare centre in the war against COVID-19 and managing the care of serving and retired COVID-19 patients from Navy, Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

Meanwhile, the coronavirus tally in India surged to 25,89,682 after 63,489 new coronavirus cases and 944 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The total coronavirus cases include 6,77,444 active cases, 18,62,258 discharged and 49,980 deaths on Sunday.

(With ANI inputs)
UN Security Council rebuffs US attempt about trigger mechanism as well: Envoy

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New York, Aug 15, IRNA -- Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi says that the UN Security Council rebuffs the US attempt to extend arms embargo on Iran is tantamount to turning down the US bid to invoke the trigger mechanism as well.

That the UNSC rejected the draft proposed by the US to extend arms embargo on Iran indicated US isolation internationally, Majid Takht Ravanchi told IRNA in New York on Friday afternoon.

US Security Council's Friday vote means US total isolation, the ambassador said.

He described the US effort as a failed policy from which the American officials should learn a lesson.

Even its close partners [and allies] did not accompany the US, the ambassador noted.

United States has no policy, i.e. it cannot be called "diplomacy," Takht Ravanchi stressed.

The today vote, one one hand, made the US be faced with a failed project; and on the other hand, it indicated that the international community will not accompany [the US] to misuse the Resolution 2231, the ambassador underlined.

US is no longer a member of the July 2015 nuclear deal, aka Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), because it withdrew unilaterally from the international deal in May 2018.

Would it be possible that one withdrew from the JCPOA two year ago and imposed the maximum level of sanctions despite the context of the UN Security Council Resolution 2231, then claims today that it is still a member of the deal, the ambassador asked.

So, the US [anti-Iran] move has no legal basis, he said, adding that the UNSC vote against the US resolution also indicated that to what extent the US officials are politically motivated.

Also about "Snapback" mechanism referred to by the US officials about re-imposition of sanctions, Takht Ravanchi said it is completely groundless and is clear from the point of view of the international law.

The JCPOA is part of the Resolution 2231, so the US is responsible to implement it according to the Security Council Resolution and the UN Charter, he noted.

However, the American officials claim that they are two separated issues, while they are inseparable, he added.

He went on to say that US claims that its withdrawal from the JCPOA did not hurt the Resolution 2231.

Resolution 2231 (2015) urges full implementation of the JCPOA on the timetable set by the context of the Agreement and sets forth the next steps for the eventual removal of Security Council sanctions on Iran.

Asked what basis is behind the US President Donald Trump's claim over reaching quick deal with Iran if being re-elected, Takht Ravanchi said Trump had over three years time, but he took hostile measures [instead of efforts to reach a deal].

Trump is playing with words, so no one cares about his remarks, he underlined.

Censuring the US for its anti-Iran measures, the ambassador said Washington left the JCPOA in total disregard of the International Law, reimposed sanctions despite the Resolution 2231 and caused the Iranian people a lot of damages for which it should be held accountable.

Further, the ambassador thanked Russia and China for opposing the US resolution strongly.

As Takht Ravanchi said, the two veto-wielding states are "our close partners" with "very good political and trade relations."

Tehran has close cooperation with Moscow and Beijing in the international arena, he added, underlining that such cooperation shows depth of friendship between Iranian nation with both Russian and Chinese nations.

Referring to remarks made by his French counterpart that Iran should fully be faithful to its commitments to the JCPOA, Takht Ravanchi said Europeans have made efforts to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal; however, the [European] members of the deal have sometimes not been committed to the international nuclear agreement in spite of the fact that it is part of their international commitments.

The ambassador stressed that the JCPOA can be sustainable when Iran benefits from it.

US exit from the deal and Europeans' unfaithfulness to their commitments have created obstacles for Iran to get benefit from the JCPOA, he concluded.

1483**1416

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KABUL, Afghanistan  Afghanistan has released the first 80 of a final 400 Taliban prisoners, paving the way for negotiations between the warring sides in Afghanistans protracted conflict, the government said Friday.

Javid Faisal, spokesman for the Afghan National Security Council, made the announcement. Taliban officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media, said 86 prisoners were freed. It wasnt immediately known when the remaining prisoners would be released.

Prisoner releases on both sides are part of an agreement signed in February between the U.S. and the Taliban. It calls for the release of 5,000 Taliban held by the government and 1,000 government and military personnel held by the insurgent group as a good will gesture ahead of intra-Afghan negotiations.

Talks are expected to be held in Qatar where the Taliban maintain a political office. Several Afghan leaders told The Associated Press talks could begin by Aug. 20.

All US troops to leave Afghanistan in 14 months if Taliban meets commitments of peace deal

The negotiations are to lay out a framework for a post-war Afghanistan. Washingtons peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad spent a year and a half negotiating the peace deal aimed at allowing American troops to return home and end Americas longest military engagement.

U.S. troops have already begun leaving and by November less than 5,000 troops are expected to still be in Afghanistan down from nearly 13,000 when the agreement was signed Feb. 29.

American and NATO troop withdrawal is contingent on the Taliban keeping their commitment not to allow militant groups to use Afghanistan against the United States or its allies. The withdrawal is not tied to successful talks between the warring sides.

Last weekend, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani held a traditional council meeting known as loya jirga to get a consensus on the release of a final 400 Taliban he said were accused of serious crimes, saying without explanation that he could not unilaterally decide to release them.

Story continues

Some of the 400 have been implicated in devastating bombings in the capital Kabul. During a televised talk Thursday with the U.S.-based Council on Foreign Relations, Ghani warned of dangers they could present to lasting peace in Afghanistan.

Critics of US-Taliban deal say militants cant be trusted

But for some in Afghanistan the talks with the Taliban mirror earlier negotiations with other insurgents, including warlord and U.S.-designated terrorist Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, who many say has a reputation for violence that exceeds the Taliban.

In 2016, Ghani negotiated a peace deal with Hekmatyar, whose Hezb-e-Islami group took responsibility for several bombings in Kabul, including one at a grocery story in the capital that killed a young family. The deal included removing Hekmatyar from the U.N. terrorist list. His group was also responsible for a 2008 attack on French soldiers  the largest international loss in a single battle in Afghanistan.

Also on Friday, a small bomb hidden in a motorcycle exploded near a mosque in Kabul just as worshipers were finishing their prayers, wounding a police officer. No one immediately took responsibility but the Islamic State group has in the past targeted mosques in Afghanistan.

The IS affiliate in Afghanistan has been targeted by Afghan security force, U.S. troops and the Taliban. A Department of Defense official previously said the peace deal with the Taliban is also intended to recruit the insurgent group into a coordinated fight to rid the region of IS.

Meanwhile, the Afghan Defense Ministry said it is investigating a video circulating on social media purporting to show Afghan army personnel mutilating Taliban corpses.

The United Nations Mission in Afghanistan, known as UNAMA, tweeted that the footage is deeply shocking ... investigation needs to be swift and open. If crimes are proven the criminals must be identified and held responsible.

Gannon reported from Islamabad
New Delhi, Aug 16 : "Free Balochistan", "Balochistan is not Pakistan", "Pakistan Quit Balochistan" are some of the hashtags which have been going viral on social media almost every day. More than just popular trends, they express the deep anguish of the people of Balochistan who are facing a genocidal incarceration by Pakistan. Social media has emerged as an eminently potent platform for protest chosen by the Balochs to express their misery and torture. This is also one of the last few planks left for them to show their resentment and exasperation against Pakistan's abomination.

Four years ago, in his Independence Day speech, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had accused Pakistan of human rights violations and atrocities in the Balochistan province and the Gilgit-Baltistan region. "People of Balochistan, Gilgit and PoK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) have thanked me a lot in the past few days, I am grateful to them," Modi had said.

Baloch people have been expressing their solidarity with India and stated that they need India's support to free their land from the domination of Pakistan and its military establishment. Pakistan has been accusing India of being behind the Balochistan insurgencies, an allegation described as nothing but "absurd" by New Delhi. It is the longest running insurgency which spouted in 1947 and is still simmering. It poses difficult problems of reconciliation, which have been conveniently shrugged off by stoking the canard of the ubiquitous "India Hand".

Like every year, this year too, Baloch nationalists celebrated their Independence Day on August 11. "Entire Balochistan is celebrating the Independence day of the motherland and we urge the United Nations to help Baloch people to get their due support. International community should take note of Pakistan's atrocities in Balochistan," Free Balochistan Movement said in a statement.

Pakistan has systematically engaged severe human rights violations to constrict Baloch people's struggle. The Pakistan government has also been committing cultural, linguistic, economic and sectarian genocide of Baloch people. Balochistan's seven-decade-old grievances with Pakistan range from being denied a fair share in the province's own resources to a continuum of military operations. Baloch nationalists maintain that the province was militarily usurped in March 1948 against the will of the locals. The growing ethno-nationalism in Balochistan saw insurgencies in the late 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

The ongoing "Dirty War" in Balochistan exploded under Pakistan's military ruler General Pervez Musharraf with the killing of nationalist leader Akbar Bugti in 2006, sparking the most gruesome wave of Baloch insurgency. The Pakistani Army and its "death squads" (Pakistan army's hired mercenaries) and groups such as Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), and the Islamic State's (IS) South Asia factions have targeted religious minorities in Balochistan, especially the local Shia Hazara and Christian populations. These groups have killed tens of thousands of Balochs. Bodies have been routinely disposed of in the deep ravines of this rugged and mountainous area. Many atrocities on Balochis, like rape of their women, are a common occurrence. The Baloch independence struggle is ongoing, the latest incident being the attack on the Karachi Stock Exchange on June 29, earlier this year.

On June 20, Balochistan National Party (BNP-M) Chief Akhtar Mengal quit the coalition government of Prime Minister Imran Khan. He said that the province that he represents be declared "occupied Balochistan" if the state wants to continue its abuses in what is currently a "no-go area" spearheaded by "death squads". Mengal castigated the crackdown in Balochistan and the growing number of missing persons which has reduced the locals to mere "bloody civilians". Over the past decade and a half, thousands of Balochs have gone missing, the exact numbers are still unknown owing to the suffocating information control exercised by the Pakistani state.

On June 22, two journalists became the latest victims to disappear in Balochistan. In April, the dead body of Sajid Hussain Baloch, editor-in-chief of Balochistan Times, was found near Uppsala, Sweden. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) maintain that his death is linked to his work. Between 2007-2015, 29 journalists were killed in Balochistan. Mama Qadeer, the activist who initiated Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) and launched a 2,800 km march from Quetta to Islamabad in 2013, leads regular protests in front of the local press club at Quetta. Qadeer says that at least 47,000 Balochs have gone missing since 2000, and the figure also quoted by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in its latest report.

Balochistan province accounts for nearly half of the landmass of Pakistan. It is immensely rich in natural resources, including chromite, fluorite, marble, oil, gas, copper and gold. Despite these huge deposits of mineral wealth, the area is one of the poorest regions of Pakistan.

Resource nationalism in Balochistan has got its second wind after Beijing and Islamabad jointly launched the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). When the CPEC agreement was announced in 2015, Baloch nationalists accused Islamabad of sidelining their interests in favour of Chinese investment and selling out Balochistan's immense natural wealth without consulting them.

Since then, BLA attacks have largely been focused on Chinese interests. Several deadly attacks on Chinese labourers have taken place since May 2017, which according to BLA spokesman Jeeyand Baloch, are part of the "BLA's policy of not allowing any force, including China, to plunder the Baloch wealth in Balochistan".

Other significant attacks include a November 2018 attack on the Chinese Consulate in Karachi and the May 2019 attack on the luxury Pearl Continental Hotel in Gwadar.

In retaliation, Islamabad has severely tightened its security apparatus in the region. According to journalist Akber Notezai, many Balochs, particularly Zikris, are afraid of being displaced along the CPEC-dominated M8 route that runs from Turbat to Hoshab - an action that could push an already alienated population toward the BLA for protection.

In a recent interview, Karima Baloch, a former chairperson of Baloch Students Organisation-Azad said: "Pakistan always talks about acquiring the land. They don't want the Baloch people but want the resources there. It has been its policy of exploiting the resources to make use of its geostrategic importance since a pro-freedom struggle is ongoing in Balochistan." Revolutionary Baloch poet Habib Jalib, who was shot dead outside his home in Quetta 10 years ago, wrote: "Mujhe jung ka maza maloom hai, Baluchon par zulm ki inteha maloom hai, mujhe zindagi bhar Pakistan mein jeene ki dua na do, mujhe Pakistan mein saath (60) saal jeene ki saza maloom hai (I know the thrills of fighting a battle, I know the extremes of atrocities on Balochs, do not pray that I live forever in Pakistan for I know what a punishment living for 60 years in Pakistan has been for me)".

(This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)
Technically, the Microsoft Surface Duo was announced last October, but the company only shared the detailed specs this week, as the pre-orders for the foldable phone started. So now that we have the full picture we can better judge if the company got it right on its return to smartphones.

There's no denying that the Surface Duo is an exciting piece of tech - the two super slim halves and the 360-degree hinge allow you to fit an 8.1" screen in your pocket, while the company has tailored the UI to offer unrivaled multitasking.

The hinge allows the Surface duo to work folded back so you only use one of the screens, or sit on its own on a table in a laptop-like layot. And while Samsung already offers some nice features for that latest mode on the Galaxy Z Flip those are tailored to social media uses, whereas the Surface Duo focuses on productivity.

On the other hand the starting price of $1,399 puts a lot of pressure on the Microsoft foldable. That quickly swells up to $1,599 if you opt for the 256GB storage version and the Surface Pen. At that point the Surface Duo will cost more than any other phone in the US, save for the Galaxy Fold, while only offering a Snapdragon 855 chipset and a lowly 6GB of RAM.

Sure, the 855 is no slouch, but it's a generation old (or three if you count the plus versions) and not quite up to the standards of its rivals. The LG V60 with its Dual Screen attachment is $810 and while not as elegant it has much bigger battery and the Snapdragon 865.

Speaking of the 3,577mAh battery, Microsoft promises it will last all day, but we can't imagine that will be the case if you use the two screens heavily. The 18W charging is not particularly reassuring either in the days when we are seeing the first commercially available 100W+ solutions. We'll have to wait for the reviews to see if things are as bad as they sound or Microsoft did some optimization magic and the Surface Duo does better than expected.

Then there's the single camera mounted above one of the screens. Nowadays few people have a dedicated camera and this one certainly doesn't sound like it will do a great job for everyday shooting. Its sensor is tinier than most flagships' front camera imagers, let alone the main ones.

Another potential pain points are the lack of 5G and the overly thick bezels. While 5G coverage is still limited, futureproofing is to be expected from a device in this price range. And speaking of the future, those bezels appear to come straight out of 2016 and are in stark contrast to the overall elegant design.

But at the end of the day this is a first gen product and some imperfections are to be expected. The question is - is the innovation enough so you will be you willing to live with them? Or did Microsoft just not get what people want and delivered an unsaleable product?
New Delhi: Home-grown auto major Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) on Saturday unveiled the all new version of its iconic SUV Thar, which it plans to launch later this year.

The model, which comes with all new exteriors and interiors, will debut in the country on October 2.

The SUV would feature BSVI compliant petrol and diesel powertrains mated to six speed manual and automatic transmissions.

The diesel variants would be powered by 2.2 litre engine while the petrol trims would come with all new 2 litre powertrain.

While the diesel motor will generate 120 HP of power, the petrol Thar will see an output of 150 HP of hauling strength.

"Today, with the unveiling of the all-new Thar, we rewrite history once again. The model is firmly rooted in our rich automotive heritage and upholds the Mahindra DNA in its purest form," M&M Managing Director Pawan Goenka said.

The model has been designed and engineered in India and even most of the components used in the vehicle have been sourced locally, he noted.

The model, which will be rolled out from the company's Nashik plant, will not only attract die-hard Thar enthusiasts, but will also appeal to all those people who have always dreamt of owning an iconic vehicle, with all the bells and whistles of a contemporary SUV, M&M said.

The new Thar comes with a hard top, a first-in-class convertible top and an optional soft top. It also features new seating options -- 4 front-facing seats and 2 plus 4 side-facing seats.

Other features include, 4X4 capability, drizzle resistant 17.8 cm touchscreen infotainment system, cruise control, roof-mounted speakers and safety features like dual airbags and hill-hold and hill descent control, among others.

"With the all-new Thar, we aim to protect this legacy with superior performance both on and off the tarmac, advanced technology features, excellent safety and everyday ride comfort, all adding to the unadulterated driving pleasure of a true-blue modern SUV," M&M Automotive Division CEO Veejay Nakra said.
New Delhi, Aug 16 : In what can be a matter of concern, India has left the US and Brazil behind, as far as its seven-day average of daily new coronavirus cases are concerned. Since the pandemic broke out, this has happened for the first time. What does it mean? In simpler words, it suggests that for a straight week, India has consistently reported more new cases every day than the other two front-running nations.

If numbers are any evidence, then Johns Hopkins University's Coronavirus Resource Center indicates that on August 11, India had a weekly average of over 60,000 new cases each day. That was way over what the other two -- US and Brazil -- recorded.

What's more, that even as the US graph is coming down and Brazil has found a plateau, India seems to be on a gravity-defying spree. If numbers are anything to go by as far as indications of what is in store for the immediate future, India is in for a rough ride.

India's doubling rate every 24 days is a stark contrast against every 47 days in Brazil and an even envious 65 days in the US, where the graph has already started to come down. The longer the doubling rate period grows, the better as it is a sign of having a grip over the pandemic. While the US has been successful in increasing the doubling period quite fast which is reflected in its overall Covid-19 performance, as of now, India is visibly struggling to do so.

If that was not bad news enough, India is all set to cross what was once the coronavirus peak of the US and cited by many in India to make a point how India was faring better than the US. That peak of the US came on July 22 when it hit a weekly average of over 67,000 new cases. India is all set to cross that record.

Meanwhile, India's mortality rate has been better than the two. But the trend by Johns Hopkins University shows Brazil's daily death rate has stabilised, while the US's daily death rate is slowly coming down. Meanwhile, as far as India goes, it is simply going up. However, India is still behind the US and Brazil as far as the accumulated death counts are concerned.

According to the Health Ministry's website, at the tim this report was filed, India's Covid fatalities stood 49,980, just 20 short of 50,000. So far only the US, Brazil and Mexico have crossed 50,000 mark.

With the world's highest seven-day average of daily new cases and upwardly moving graph of fatality figures, India is increasingly appearing to be the global hub of coronavirus.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- The Japanese government gave assistance to all its residents including Filipinos residing in the country

- They received 100,000 from the government, which when converted to Philippine peso is roughly at P50,000

- A Pinoy nurse in Tokyo attested that this is what Japan residents use to buy food and other needs

- He also stated that with the Japanese government, there is no discrimination, the distribution of assistance is equal regardless of status

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A nurse in Tokyo revealed in Stand For Truth, and subsequently reported by GMA, that every resident in Japan received 100,000, approximately P50,000 from the Japanese government.

"Walang mahirap, walang mayaman, foreigner or Japanese, bata man or matanda, binibigyan nila ng suporta na 100,000. Binibili namin yun ng mga needs namin like, for example, mga pagkain," said Excelsis Borbon.

He also narrated how a culture teacher in Chiba received financial assistance on top of the 100,000 given by the government.

Sheka Matz shared that she was pregnant and she also received assistance from the government for expecting mothers.

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Photo: @happylism/Pixabay

Source: UGC

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The Philippines experienced difficulties when the pandemic hit. the government faced problems when they imposed the initial community quarantine, which was elevated into enhanced community quarantine. It also suspended transportation causing massive problems with commuters.

Frontliners expressed their fears and the difficulties that they go through at the hospital especially with the ongoing crisis.

The COVID-19 outbreak started out in Wuhan, Hubei Province of China. Scientists believed that the virus came from an animal at one of Wuhan's wet markets. The Philippines has slowly eased quarantine measures and Filipinos are starting to adapt to the new normal.

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Several members of the minority Muslim community from Shaheen Bagh area, that was the centre of the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests in New Delhi, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday in the presence of its Delhi unit leaders, said a party statement.

IMAGE: Prominent members of the Muslim community from Shaheen Bagh join BJP in the presence of Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta, in New Delhi, on Sunday. Photograph: Kamal Singh/PTI Photo

The induction ceremony took place in the presence of president of the BJP's Delhi unit Adesh Gupta and national vice-president and incharge of Delhi unit Shyam Jaju, it said.

"The enthusiasm with which Muslim brothers and sisters are joining BJP clearly shows that people of all religions have faith in the Modi government," Gupta said at Delhi BJP office.

'Social worker Shahzad Ali, gynecologist Dr Mehreen, former Aam Aadmi Party worker Tabassum Hussain along with a large number of Muslim brothers and sisters joined the Bharatiya Janata Party,' said the Delhi BJP statement.

Ali, former Delhi unit secretary of Rashtriya Ulema Council, told PTI, "A narrative has been set by many parties in the past seven decades that BJP is the enemy of Muslims.

"I think you will have to go to BJP to find out if its your enemy or friend. We received a warm welcome from party leaders today and look up to work with them like any other party worker."

Delhi BJP leader Nighat Abbas said the people who joined the party are residents of Shaheen Bagh area. There is a "myth" that Muslims are "averse" to the BJP which stands dispelled by people from the minority community joining the party, she said.

Welcoming the new entrants to the party fold, Delhi BJP president said the public welfare schemes of the BJP government at the Centre do not focus on any religion or caste but give equal benefits to all.

"The BJP has never done any work on the basis of caste and religion but there are some parties which have scared Muslim communities and deprived them of education, employment and development and used them for vote bank," he said.

The BJP government has worked to end social evils and has also ended the practice of triple talaq to empower the Muslim woman, he added.
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) New York, United States  Sun, August 16, 2020 15:04 521 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e6a41b 2 Art & Culture New-York-City,Museum,art-gallery Free

New York's museums, art galleries and other cultural institutions will be allowed to reopen starting August 24, state governor Andrew Cuomo said Friday after a five-month shutdown due to the coronavirus.

However, there will be mandatory face masks, timed ticketing with staggered entry and just 25 percent occupancy, he tweeted.

The reopening does not include performing arts venues, which will remain shut until the end of the year.

New York's famed Metropolitan Museum of Art, which normally welcomes seven million visitors a year, said it would reopen on August 29.

"After nearly six months, The Met's reopening will be a historic moment for the Museum and the City," Met president Daniel Weiss said in a statement.

"Throughout the recent months of uncertainty, isolation and grief, we have longed for the day when we can safely welcome everyone back to The Met, where all can find comfort, inspiration, and a sense of community."

The Whitney Museum of American Art will reopen on Sept. 3 but the Museum of Modern Art has yet to announce its reopening date.

Read also: World's first fully interactive virtual museum to open on Aug. 14

The Metropolitan Opera is scheduled to resume on December 31, while Broadway theaters will remain closed until at least January.

New York state was initially hard hit by the coronavirus and has recorded 25,232 deaths and 424,167 infections so far, Cuomo said in an update Friday.

He highlighted the state's progress against the pandemic with under one percent of coronavirus tests proving positive over the past seven days.
(CNN) Thousands of British holidaymakers have been trying to return home from France in an attempt to avoid new quarantine restrictions imposed by the UK government.

The rush came after the government announced late on Thursday that all people arriving in the UK from France, where COVID-19 infections rates are high, would need to self-isolate for 14 days from Saturday onwards.

The rule change, which came into force at 4 a.m. BST Saturday, also applies to those traveling to the UK from the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks and Caicos Islands and Aruba.

Transport operators noted a steep surge in demand as people booked last-minute tickets in a race to beat the Saturday morning deadline.

The Eurotunnel Le Shuttle train service, which transports vehicles between France and the UK, was fully booked on Friday as a result of the increased demand, according to PA Media.

A spokesperson for the service told the news agency that 12,000 people attempted to buy tickets in the hour after the government's announcement on Thursday, compared to the hundreds of requests it usually receives over the same time period.

Will Bowen, 24, a British tourist who is on holiday with some friends near Paris until Sunday, told CNN that while he understood the decision, he believed the government could have given holidaymakers more notice.

"Maybe a bit more of a heads-up would have been good," he said.

Bowen added that one of his friends wanted to book a Eurostar train back to the UK before quarantine was imposed. However, the tickets, which had risen to about 350 ($458), sold out before she had a chance to buy one.

Elsewhere, Nathan Hatem, a French citizen who lives in London, was on his way to France on Saturday morning to visit his family for the first time in six months.

Speaking at St. Pancras International railway station in London, Hatem told CNN: "I will work from home. It's not ideal but that's life.

"I worked from home for three months during the first lockdown in March, April, May. I thought it was finished but it's not apparently," he added.

British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the government's decision to end the travel corridors with France and the other destinations was based on the latest available coronavirus data.

"Data shows we need to remove France, the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos & Aruba from our list of coronavirus Travel Corridors to keep infection rates down," he tweeted on Thursday.

As of Friday, France and the Netherlands had Covid-19 case rates of 34.0 and 41.6 per 100,000 people, while the UK's rate was 17.3, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.

In an announcement made on Friday, France's High Council of Public Health (HCSP) recommended that its population should wear masks in all enclosed spaces and in outdoor areas that attract a high density of people.

Paris has vowed to take retaliation after the UK's move, with French Minister of State for European Affairs Clement Beaune tweeting that his country is disappointed by the decision.

France is British holidaymakers' second-most popular holiday destination behind Spain, which was recently put on the UK government's quarantine list.

Anyone found to have breached the quarantine restrictions could face a fine of 1,000 in England, according to the government's website.

CNN's Hanna Ziady, Vasco Cotovio, Barbara Wojazer, Scott McLean, Duarte Mendonca & Arnard Siad contributed to this report.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "British tourists rush back from France to avoid quarantine."
A judge in Burundi has jailed more than a dozen police officers, local officials and members of the ruling party's violent youth wing after finding them guilty of extorting migrant workers returning from Tanzania, sources told AFP Saturday.

The verdict was a hopeful milestone in a country where violence connected to the government often goes unpunished, human rights groups said, and could be a sign that such impunity will be less pervasive under new President Evariste Ndayishimiye.

A court in the southern city of Makamba issued jail terms of up to 10 years against 13 defendants -- three police officers, two local officials, one official from the ruling CNDD-FDD political party and seven members of the party's youth wing, known as the Imbonerakure.

"Seven of the defendants... were sentenced to 10 years in prison for extortion accompanied by aggravating circumstances," said a judicial source who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to brief the media on the verdict, which was issued Friday.

"Six other defendants were sentenced to five years in prison for extortion while three others, including a police officer, have been acquitted," the source said.

The verdict was confirmed by one of the defence lawyers in the case.

The accused were arrested in mid-July and accused of extorting money from Burundians who were returning from jobs on farms in neighbouring Tanzania.

Human Rights Watch and other organisations have accused the Imbonerakure -- which is often referred to as a militia -- of having killed, tortured and beaten dozens of people during the tumultuous tenure of President Pierre Nkurunziza, who died in office in June.

The international community is hoping for a softening of the iron-fisted regime under Nkurunziza's ally and successor, Ndayishimiye.

Anschaire Nikoyagize, the president of the Burundian human rights group Iteka, described Friday's verdict as a step in the right direction.

"This is the first time that we see one of these groups made up of officials linked to the government and the Imbonerakure, who have been killing and torturing people with impunity for years, arrested and sentenced," Nikoyagize told AFP.

"We hope it could serve as a lesson for them. When other (members) see that they can start to get worried too," he said.

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More than 200 people demonstrated in Brussels on Sunday against coronavirus restrictions after the regional government mandated facemasks in public.

Wearing a mask became compulsory on Wednesday for 1.2 million people living in the Brussels region, as Belgium battles one of the most serious coronavirus outbreaks in Europe.

Many of the protesters did not wear masks, but carried placards saying "Corona circus" or "It's my body, it's my choice".

"It is not the virologists and doctors who are going to dictate the rules in our country," a protester who gave his name only as Michel told AFP. "We are being treated as children."

The call to demonstrate was launched on social media by a group of citizens under the slogan "Viruswaanzin", or "viral madness" in Dutch, a movement that first appeared in the Netherlands.

The group has demanded the resignation of Flemish virologist Marc Van Ranst, one of the most prominent members of the panel of experts consulted by the Belgian government on the pandemic, and who is also in the sights of the Flemish extreme right for his left-wing stance on social issues.

Sunday's demonstration drew conspiracy theorists and anti-vaccination activists.

One protester wore an orange life jacket with the words "Ready for the second wave", while another had written on his shirt "No to this masquerade".

Belgium has the highest per capita death rate from COVID-19 in the world and infections are again rising after earlier success in bringing the disease under control.

The number of cases in the country of around 11.5 million people neared 78,000 on Sunday. Nearly 10,000 deaths have been registered.
GLENS FALLS  Women and men came to Crandall Park on Saturday to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote, and called to keep fighting for equal rights.

About 100 people attended the Million Masks Rally for Womens Reasons to Vote.

Democrat Kimberly Davis, who is running for the 45th Senate District, asked the audience to think of someone famous. These people may be rich, but the ballot they cast carries the same weight as everyone elses.

One day a year, you and I have the same power as the most influential person in America, she said.

Davis, who is Clinton County treasurer, said more women are needed to run for office at every level. Despite making up half of the population, only 30% of the state Senate is female. In her area, she is the only countywide elected official who is a woman.

Lauren Grogan, owner of Underwood Park Crossfit, shared a personal anecdote about her mother taking her into the voting booth to show how voting is done. She said it is important that people do not take voting for granted. It is a fundamental right and it paves the path for freedom and equality.

Glens Falls 3rd Ward Supervisor Claudia Braymer, a Democrat running for the 114th Assembly District, said she grew up in a home with two sisters, so she was used to strong, independent women.

However, Braymer said when she got out into the world, she realized that those qualities were not always embraced in society.

Julia Miller, of the Hudson Falls-based voter registration group Million Reasons to Vote, said the divisiveness in society has to stop.

The extremes on both sides are just basically screaming at each other that no progress is made, she said.

Patricia Nugent, former president of the League of Women Voters of Saratoga County, urged the women to keep fighting for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Women in the USA are not guaranteed equal rights under the law, she said.

The amendment was first introduced in 1923. By the deadline of 1982, it was three states short of the three-quarters required for ratification. Three states have since signed on. The House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would eliminate the deadline. However, the Senate has not taken up the matter.

There were also tables set up for voter registration and for candidates for various offices to meet voters.

Mary Lou Stern, of Greenwich, was registering people to vote. She said her mother was born in 1920 and would have turned 100 this year.

Stern said she is excited that Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., has joined former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, on the ticket as his running mate.

She adds diversity. She adds hope for a lot of little girls and she has experience, Stern said, citing Harris work in the Senate and as a prosecutor.

Priscilla Moody, of Queensbury, said is excited about the anniversary of women getting the right to vote, but more work needs to be done, particularly in the wake of the recent protests over racial injustice.

We need to forge a new society thats more fair, she said.

Reach Michael Goot at 518-742-3320 or mgoot@poststar.com and follow his blog poststar.com/blogs/michael_goot/.

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Japan's environment minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, said on Saturday his country planned to send a team of ministry officials and specialists to Mauritius to assess the damage from an oil spill.

The 203,000 tonne Japanese-registered bulk carrier was travelling between China and Brazil when it struck a coral reef off Mauritius on 25 July spilling just over 1,000 tonnes of fuel oil and triggering a state of environmental emergency.

On Friday, some residual oil from the ship leaked into the Indian Ocean, said Jacqueline Sauzier, the president of Mauritius Marine Conservation Society. "Booms have been placed around the ship to contain the spill," she added.

Most of the oil from the MV Wakashio has been pumped out. However nearly 200 tonnes fuel oil remains inside the vessel amid fears on Saturday that the vessel could break in two.

Koizumi said he regarded the oil spill as a crisis that could lead to a loss of biodiversity.

Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, the prime minister of Mauritius, asked for help from France, the former colonial ruler, on 7 August.

French president Emmanuel Macron responded to the request by dispatching military and civilian equipment as well as personnel from France's overseas territory of Reunion.
Education is a hot topic this Legislative session. Here's what bills we're watching.

Here are some of the hot-button education bills were tracking at the Argus Leader. Check back each day to see where they stand as we update.
New Delhi: Even though India's COVID-19 tally increased to 25,89,682 with a single-day spike of 63,490 cases on Sunday (August 16, 2020), its coronavirus Case Fatality Rate (CFR) remained one of the lowest across the world as it dropped to 1.93 per cent.

The COVID-19 death count increased to 49,980 with 944 people succumbing to the disease in the last 24 hours, while 53,322 patients recovered and were discharged in the same time period.

The total number of recoveries on Sunday increased to 18,62,258, taking the recovery rate to 71.91 per cent.

"This is a result of coordinated efforts of the Centre and State/UT governments which has led to a continuous decline in the Mortality Rate. There has been sustained focus of the Union and the State/UT governments on improved and effective clinical treatment in hospitals, supervised home isolation, use of non-invasive oxygen support, and improved services of the ambulances for ferrying patients for prompt and timely treatment," stated Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

They added, "Tireless efforts of ASHA workers have ensured effective surveillance and tracking the progress of the patients in supervised home isolation. Clinical management skills of doctors treating COVID-19 patients have been upgraded by active technical guidance through tele-consultation sessions by domain knowledge experts from AIIMS, New Delhi. These measures have collectively ensured seamless and efficient patient management from home to hospital for critical and severe patients. This has ensured that Indias Case Fatality Rate (CFR) is maintained below the global average."

Notably, the USA that has been the worst-hit country across the world crossed 50,000 deaths in 23 days, while Brazil touched it in 95 days and Mexico in 141 days.

As of Sunday morning, there are 6,77,444 active cases across India, which is 26.16% of the total positive cases.

India has so far conducted 2,93,09,703 COVID tests, of which, 7,46,608 tests were done in the last 24 hours.

"This has been made possible by a rapidly growing national network of diagnostic labs which comprises 969 labs in the government sector and 500 private labs, adding up to 1469," said MoHFW.
As Lebanon confronts the devastating toll of the explosion that ripped through the heart of the countrys capital on 4 August, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is directing emergency assistance to those worst-affected by the deadly blast.

The tragedy in Beirut has so far left more than 178 people dead or missing, injured thousands and destroyed or damaged the homes of some 300,000 residents. Given the indiscriminate nature of the destruction, UNHCR is channeling resources and assistance to where they are most needed.

The agency is mobilizing US$35 million for its emergency response to the most vulnerable Lebanese, refugee and migrant households in the capital, focusing on shelter and protection needs over the coming months.

UNHCRs aid stockpile in the country was not affected by the explosion, and includes shelter kits, blankets, plastic sheeting, mattresses, rub halls and several other critical items that have been made available to the Lebanese Red Cross and other partners on the ground.

"I can't believe what happened."

Among those who have already received assistance are 73-year-old Odette Bassil and her husband, a Lebanese couple who live alone in the Geitawi neighbourhood of the city, also close to the blast area.

With all the windows in their home blown out by the explosion, they were given emergency supplies of wood and plastic sheeting to offer some much-needed respite from the elements. Just yesterday I needed to cover the windows because it rained, Odette said. It rained heavily  disaster on top of a disaster.

Despite having lived through decades of conflict and instability during Lebanons turbulent past, Odette said this was the worst experience of her life. I cant believe what happened. All the things we have been through, we have never been so terrified, tired and hysterical as we are now, I cant even sleep.

The explosion has also claimed the lives of a number of refugees, with 13 confirmed refugee victims so far and 69 still unaccounted for. A further 224 refugees were among the thousands injured.

See also: Beirut blast death toll includes dozens of refugees, emergency response ramps up

The small Middle Eastern nation is one of the worlds largest refugee hosts by share of total population, with more than 900,000 registered refugees from Syria and other countries, in addition to Palestinian refugees, out of a total population of less than 7 million.

Among those injured were the family of Ahmad, a 34-year-old refugee from Al-Hasakah in the north-east of Syria. His wife Aisha and two young sons Yahya, 3, and Zakariya, 2, were in a room of the house in Beirut where Ahmad works as a caretaker when the blast struck.

All the window and glass fell in on them, Ahmad said, standing outside the partially collapsed building in the citys Gemmayzeh neighbourhood, close to the epicentre of the explosion. I ran towards them. My youngest was badly injured, he was bleeding heavily. (There were) pools of blood.

As dust billowed over the city in the immediate aftermath of the explosion, Ahmad picked up his injured sons and carried them to the local hospital along with Aisha.

Syrian refugee Ahmed Kallout stands in front of the house in Beirut where he lived with his family and worked as a concierge. His wife and two sons were injured in the 4 August blast.  UNHCR/Haidar Darwish

Intersos staff unload relief items to fix damaged houses in the Achrafieh neighbourhood of Beirut.  UNHCR/Haidar Darwish

Lebanese Odette Bassil, 73, stands in the living room of her home in Beirut, damaged by the explosion.  UNHCR/Haidar Darwish

Volunteers remove rubble from a building in the Gemmayze district of Beirut.  UNHCR/Haidar Darwish

I went into the street and saw people on cars and on the ground. It was a terrifying thing, he said. That moment was beyond imagination. You couldnt hear anyone from the pressure [of the blast]. You couldnt hear anything.

When we reached [the hospital], the scene was horrific. The injured, the blood  it was something beyond belief, Ahmad added. Zakariya had two gashes on his head that required 25 stitches, while Yahya had suffered a broken nose, cuts and bruises. Aisha was also left with bruises and a deep cut on her forehead.

The family is now staying in another part of the city with Ahmads cousin, whose home was undamaged. As well as the bandages and visible injuries, Ahmad said his sons are still suffering from the psychological impact of that day.

The children are still in a state of shock, he said. They sleep for five minutes, then they wake up scared and terrified. Even food, it took my son three days to eat again.

My heart bled when I went down to the street. Everyone outside was covered in blood. You didnt see anyone unharmed, Aisha added. I wish safety to everyone, Lebanese and Syrians.

"We are working as one to help wounded Beirut."

With hundreds of thousands of homes damaged or destroyed in the explosion, the scale of the destruction and the required clean-up operation is immense. Many refugees living in Beirut have joined forces with their Lebanese neighbours to begin dealing with the aftermath.

Mohamed Khamees is a Syrian refugee living in the city who joined other refugees and locals in helping to clear debris from homes and streets in Gemmayzeh. He described a sense of unity among all of Beiruts residents in response to the tragedy, regardless of their origin.

We saw there was a need for us on the ground, so we all came down, hand-in-hand and united  Syrians, Lebanese and Palestinians  so we can help the people whose houses have been impacted, said Mohamed, who was part of a group using shovels to clear debris before carrying it away by hand.

We are working as one to help wounded Beirut. We are standing together, hand-in-hand, to help everyone to lift the dust cloud hanging over our beloved Beirut.

You can contribute to UNHCR's relief efforts in Beirut here
By Express News Service

SRIKAKULAM: To expedite the Bhavanapadu port works, the district administration has started conducting the resurvey in the proposed lands in Santabommali and Vajrapukotturu mandals in the district.

About 10 survey teams have been deployed to conduct the survey in Bhavanapadu and adjacent villages for construction of port. After the bifurcation, the previous TDP government had proposed to construct seaport at Bhavanapadu in Srikakulam. Initially, they wanted to acquire 4,923 acres for the port and a notification was also issued for land acquisition in August 2015.

Few villages in Santabommali and Vajrapukotturu mandals, including Bhavanapadu, Devunaltada, Marripadu, Chinna Marripadu and Chelagapeta were affected. After the YSRC government came to the power, the government started conducting a resurvey of lands and identifying the beneficiaries for payment of compensation.

When Palasa MLA Dr Appala Raju was appointed as the Minister for Fisheries, he held meetings with the people of the proposed villages. About 10 teams have been deployed to conduct resurvey in the proposed port villages, said Tekkali sub collector G S Dhanunjay. The objective is not to omit any real beneficiary for the payment of compensation and other benefits.
Although an accomplished, classically trained musician, Bloomingtons Julia LeBeau was best known as the maestro of the tin can xylophone.

Born in 1903 in Bloomington, the story goes that a 3-year-old Julia became enamored with the percussionist in the orchestra pit of a silent movie/vaudeville house in Bloomington. She especially wanted a set of bells and mallets to make such melodious sounds. George LeBeau, not keen on spending money he didnt have, decided to construct a homemade xylophone for his precocious daughter.

The freak instrument (in the words of The Pantagraph) consisted of two rows of empty tin cans (there were 32 and later 34 in number) of various sizes and types, including pork and bean, shrimp, spinach, lima bean and tomato cans. The cans were arranged to the musical scale, with tomato and spinach cans, for instance, producing the bass notes, and shrimp cans the high soprano notes. And the whole thing was hinged so it could be folded in half to fit into a traveling case.

The family moved to East St. Louis when Julia was still a child, and by the age of 6 she was playing the cans to audiences in the St. Louis area. The LeBeaus returned to Bloomington in 1918, and after Julia graduated from high school she continued to live at the family residence, 606 South McLean St., for much of her adult life. (She never married.)

LeBeau was a well-respected musician who played the saxophone, violin and conventional xylophone. She studied violin under Herbert Butler of Chicagos American Conservatory of Music, and in Bloomington she was closely associated with the Lynn E. Hersey Violin School, becoming in the process a central figure in the citys remarkably rich violin culture.

In the 1920s, LeBeau performed as part of an extended chautauqua tour, and also took her own ensemble to California. In Bloomington, violin recitals by LeBeau at the Unitarian and Second Presbyterian churches drew hundreds of music lovers as she performed the works of Handel, Debussy, Alfredo d'Ambrosio, Bloomingtons own Cecil Burleigh and others.

LeBeau was on the staff of the Hersey School before establishing the Julia LeBeau School of Music, where she taught violin, saxophone and xylophone (and later expanding her pedagogical repertoire to include clarinet and viola).

In 1939, LeBeau traveled to New York City to play her tin can xylophone on the NBC radio show Hobby Lobby (not to be confused with todays retail store) in which regular folk lobbied for their hobby. A few years later during World War II LeBeau and her one-of-a-kind xylophone attracted the attention of the U.S. Army, though she begged off an invitation for an overseas USO-type tour, certain she didnt want to be away from home too long.

She returned to the Hobby Lobby radio program in February 1948 when it traveled to Chicago for a trade show. LeBeau explained to longtime host Dave Elman (the dean of American hobbyists) how she tuned each can with a carpenters hammer. If you want to raise the tone, you press down on the top of the can, she told Elman and his listening audience. To lower the tone, you push up on the top of the can from the open end. I just keep pushin and shovin until I get them tuned.

Without missing a beat, Elman asked LeBeau which cans produced the best tone. I guess its a tossup between the lima beans and the spinach, she replied.

On November 17, 1988, an 85-year-old LeBeau appeared before a national audience on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. The following year, the annual Gala Concert organized by Gellert Modos, professor of piano at Illinois State University, featured LeBeau on her now-celebrated tin can xylophone. That night she also received a plaque naming her Musician of the Year and Bloomingtons Ambassador.

Julia LeBeau passed away on June 11, 1994, at the age of 90. She was laid to rest at Park Hill Cemetery on Bloomingtons west side.

The collections of the McLean County Museum of History include the tin can xylophone, donated by LeBeaus close friend Charles Ridenour in 1994. Although most  if not all  of the cans are more than a century old, some still have their original labels, such as two from the Bloomington Canning Co.

The Museum has also posted The Tonight Show appearance from 1988 on YouTube (https://bit.ly/343gKiy) so those interested can watch a delightful Julia LeBeau more than hold her own against Johnny Carson before she plays Dont Fence Me In by Cole Porter.

Pieces of our Past is a weekly column by the McLean County Museum of History.

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Melissa Inkster, 44, has been stuck in the Democratic Republic of Congo since March - unable to get a flight home to her two children

An Australian mother left stranded in an African city dubbed the 'rape capital of the world' has opened up to Daily Mail Australia about her four weeks from hell as she desperately tries to escape the continent.

Melissa Inkster, 44, flew into the Democratic Republic of Congo on March 16 to help set up a charity with her fiance for the poor residents of the Tshopo province in the country's east.

Eight days later the DRC shut its borders as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold globally, leaving Ms Inkster separated from her two young children back home on Sydney's northern beaches.

The Curl Curl mother-of-two flew to the capital Kinshasa a week ago after the DRC's government lifted international border restrictions, but has yet to make it home to Australia.

She said her life savings have been completely drained by being trapped in the country for so long.

Adding further to her pain, in the week prior to her leaving the regional city of Kisangani she fainted and suffered a miscarriage.

In the same week, she had been robbed of her purse as she went shopping and was then confronted by a man with a knife when she got home.

Ms Inkster was supposed to board a flight home from Kinshasa on Saturday, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo , but was bumped off

The man pulled a large blade on them and had attempted to corner Ms Inkster before her fiance Joe Bagala jumped in front of her to scare the attacker away.

Friends and family have raised more than $15,000 to fly the mother home on business class through an online fundraiser after she boarded a regional flight from the Congo surrounded by goats in the freezing cold.

But she is still yet to be reunited with her children after four attempts to get home from eastern DRC and another week of attempts in vain to find a flight from Kinshasa.

Ms Inkster's travel agent secured her a flight leaving the country on Saturday but an administrative issue meant the airline did not receive confirmation for the second leg of her journey.

The mother - who does not have access to JobKeeper because she is outside Australia - is now facing an anxious wait to find out if her agent can get her home on the once-a-week flight next Saturday or if she faces even more time stuck in Kinshasa.

She said the hotel she has paid for in the city is costing her $1,300 for a week despite the relative poverty of the country.

Sydney is receiving just 350 international arrivals a day and Victoria has suspended them altogether amid its horror coronavirus second wave.

Ms Inkster pictured with her children Tomas, nine, and Max, six. She said one of the most painful parts of being stuck halfway around the world is not being able to hug her children

'Do they want me to be stranded in a third-world country?' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'I'm one of thousands in a precarious situation. I haven't chosen to stay here for as long as I have.

'People say things like "they've had a chance to come home already" but it's not my fault.

'I've now got to find a $3000 quarantine fee from somewhere and we have no money.'

Ms Inkster said she was 'dumbfounded' why the Australian government were leaving her to languish in a country as dangerous as the DRC - which is ranked 179th in the world in the Human Development Index.

'Being a white woman is particularly dangerous but being alone as a white woman in Kingshasa is really dangerous. I cannot leave the hotel I'm in alone - I have to make sure I have an escort at all times.'

She said she and her fiance had originally planned to return to Australia and live at her home in Curl Curl while renting out his property in Leichhardt in the city's inner-west.

Ms Inkster and her partner Joseph travelled to Africa via Europe in March for business. They have together set up a charity to help impoverished people in the DRC's capital

'People say things like 'they've had a chance to come home already' but it's not my fault,' the mother said

Ms Inkster set up a charity in the central African country with the aim of improving the lives of people within one of its impoverished regions

'I should write a book about what has happened, we were here to do good for a few weeks and now we're stuck here,' Ms Inkster said

The draining financial impact of being unable to get out of the DRC for so long though has depleted her savings to such a point she is now considering renting out her home upon her return to Australia.

'It's been extremely tough  we've got no money we've had to try to get some from family and friends to support us,' she said.

Her fiance - who works in the construction industry and was appointed as the chief of the village they have worked to lift out of poverty - had to stay behind in regional DRC.

'If he could have flown with me we would have but we don't have the money,' she said.

'I should write a book about what has happened, we were here to do good for a few weeks and now we're stuck here.

'We are actually really open to writing a documentary about it.'

An Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo is seen on patrol in February. The country is ranked 179th in the world in the Human Development Index

Her partner works in the construction industry and was appointed as the chief of the village they have helped lift out of poverty

Ms Inkster's efforts to get back to Australia have been stifled by the government's caps on international passenger arrivals

Perhaps most painful of all though is not being able to hug her children.

She said before Saturday's flight hiccup she had hoped to have a sleepover party with her two boys, aged six and nine, back home in Sydney.

'My son Tomas used to call me crying asking me when I'm coming home. Their Dad is doing a great job looking after them while I'm gone but they need their Mum,' she said.

Ms Inkster speaks to her sons on Skype as much as she can to ask them how their lives are going, but does not go into detail about her situation so she doesn't confuse them.

CONGO: 'THE RAPE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD' A senior UN official declared the African nation to be the 'rape capital of the world' in 2010. 'Women have no rights, if those who violate their rights go unpunished,' Margot Wallstrom, the Secretary-General's Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict said at the time. The comments drew the attention of researchers, advocates and journalists and Congo is still known as the 'rape capital' in media reports due to widespread sexual violence. Advertisement

The GoFundMe fundraiser set up to help Ms Inkster explains she and her partner travelled to Africa with the intention to go on to Europe in March for business.

'Mel and her fiance spent their time in Africa creating a charity and working with locals to improve many aspects of their lives and will continue working in these areas along with new business ideas when they are safely back home,' the page says.

'Mel has two young boys in the Australia who she is desperate to get back too. They need her and she needs them.'

'Mel is a kindhearted woman giving to all she meets and wouldn't hesitate to help another Mum get home.

'The government isn't helping and she is stuck in Africa alone which is also incredibly dangerous.'

Mr Bagala said despite some of their negative experiences the couple had a lot of love and respect for the Congolese people.

'99 per cent of people in the Congo are amazing. They are a beautiful people who deserve development and a better life,' he said.

At the 25th National Cabinet meeting on August 7, the government decided to extend caps on international passenger arrivals 'to manage and maintain quarantine arrangements across jurisdictions'.

Victoria is battling a second wave of coronavirus infections, with the outbreak linked to safety breaches within their hotel quarantine program.

International flights into Victoria have been suspended as the state attempts to control their active infections.

Sydney is taking in a maximum of 350 arrivals each day, while Perth is limited to 525 each week.

Ms Inkster and her partner are stranded in different parts of the DRC because they did not have the money to get him home too

There is a limit of 500 passengers in both Brisbane and Adelaide, while passenger limits on flights in Canberra and Darwin are 'discussed with jurisdictions on a case-by-case basis'.

A DFAT spokesperson said: 'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stands ready to provide consular assistance to any Australian citizen, should they request it.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton for comment.
The authorities in Turkmenistan continue to deny there are any cases of coronavirus in the country.

The World Health Organization (WHO) sent a mission, delayed by some 10 weeks, to Turkmenistan in early July but the carefully guided tour the mission received from Turkmen officials left them able to say only that in the places they visited there was no evidence of coronavirus in Turkmenistan.

But the WHO seems unconvinced and Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus participated in a video call at the end of the first week of August with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov to push for a WHO mission to return.

Berdymukhammedov agreed.

On this week's Majlis podcast, RFE/RL's media-relations manager for South and Central Asia, Muhammad Tahir, moderates a discussion on the situation inside Turkmenistan and what a second WHO team might find out that the first WHO team did not.

This week's guests are, speaking from New York, Rachel Denber, the deputy director of Human Right Watch's Europe and Central Asia division; from Europe, Ruslan Myatiev, the founder and director of the Turkmen.news website; and from Prague, Farruh Yusupov, the director of RFE/RLs Turkmen Service, known locally as Azatlyk; and Bruce Pannier, the author of the Qishloq Ovozi blog.




The activist shareholder group engaged in a proxy battle over Swiss-Irish bakery group Aryzta is concerned about the number of additional board commitments of proposed new chairman Andreas Schmid.

Aryzta nominated Schmid to succeed Gary McGann as chairman of the company at its extraordinary general meeting to be held next month.

McGann said previously that he would step down if a deal to sell the company has not been lined up before the meeting.

The shareholder group, comprising of Veraison and Spanish activist Cobas, is concerned that Schmid has too many existing board commitments to focus sufficiently on Aryzta, and that they are concerned that there is no specific timeline for his commitment to reduce the number of mandates he has.

On Friday, Veraison updated its PowerPoint presentation on the company to highlight Schmid's existing board commitments, claiming many already had time-consuming challenges.

Swiss newspaper 'Handelszeitung' reported that Aryzta would become Schmid's 11th mandate.

Schmid has previously held a number of senior positions at Barry Callebaut, a leading manufacturer of chocolate and cocoa products.

He has also served as chairman of the listed Airport Zurich since 2000.

German broker Baader said that it wished that Aryzta "would have proposed a leader with more familiarity with the frozen bakery segment".

Announcing the nomination, McGann said: "Andreas is uniquely positioned to work with the Board, Kevin [Toland, group CEO] and the broader management team. His acceptance of the nomination as Chair reflects the inherent potential within the Aryzta business."
MEP Mick Wallace is calling on the Government to launch a full criminal investigation into the workings of Nama in the Republic of Ireland.

His comments come after two men were charged in connection with the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation into the sale for 1.2 billion of the organisation's Northern Ireland property loan book.

Read More

Speaking to the Sunday Independent from Brussels last week, Mr Wallace said: "In the south, the Cooke report was established in 2017 and is due to report in September, but it's not a criminal investigation. It's only taking a general look at what went on. We need a full criminal investigation into the workings of Nama in Dublin.

"I have a big question: why didn't the Department of Finance, why don't three successive governments, want to know what went on? Because the truth is problematic for them.

"I will not let it rest until Nama is held to account. I have spoken to a lot of the developers who have had experiences and I learned a lot from them.

"I worked hard to try and expose the truth, but it was very difficult given the government didn't want the truth to come out."

He added: "Gardai have told me it was difficult for them to get inside of Nama to go through everything."

Mick Wallace also revealed he is writing a book on the organisation. "It will be different to anything else that has been said to date," he said.

Last week, the North's Public Prosecution Service (PPS) confirmed two men, aged 78 and 49, are to face fraud charges in the North. Though not named by the PPS, lawyers for the two men identified them as Belfast businessman and former banker Frank Cushnahan and lawyer Ian Coulter.

Mr Cushnahan was secretly recorded while allegedly accepting a 40,000 cash payment from a Nama borrower. He denies all wrongdoing.

At the time, the recording - reported by BBC's Spotlight programme - put another man into the centre of the allegations: former head of Nama's asset management in Ireland, Ronnie Hanna.

In the clip, Mr Cushnahan alleged he had influence over Mr Hanna. He also suggested that he would have Mr Hanna's assistance in getting the developer's loans out of Nama in return for a fee.

"Ronnie and I are thick as thieves," he told the property developer.

In March 2016, both Mr Hanna and Mr Cushnahan were arrested on allegations of fraud by the NCA and subsequently released on bail.

Mr Hanna, like Mr Cushnahan, has strenuously denied all wrongdoing, but if Mr Cushnahan's secretly recorded claims are true, it brings the scandal to Nama's Dublin headquarters.

Mr Hanna was central to the organisation's operations in Dublin and reportedly had the power of 'life or death' over developers, overseeing the sale of assets belonging to Ireland's biggest names - including Derek Quinlan, Michael O'Flynn, Treasury Holdings' Johnny Ronan and Richard Barrett, Harry Crosbie and Joe O'Reilly.

All lost heavily when Nama sold off Ireland's crown jewels - including a stake in Battersea Power Station, the Knightsbridge Estate, and a major stake in the world-famous Claridge's, Berkeley and Connaught hotels - for knock-down prices to vulture funds and international investors.

The decision to take out Treasury Holdings, in particular, raised serious questions at the time about Nama's conduct.

In 2012, when Treasury appealed the decision against the State agency's bosses who had called in their loans, Ms Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan ruled in favour of Nama and Treasury Holdings lost on a 'technicality'.

However, in her written summary, Ms Justice Geoghegan was highly critical of the State agency, saying that she found it acted unfairly and unreasonably because it did not fulfil its obligation to give a fair hearing to the developer's proposals, which could have saved the company.

After the findings, Mr Ronan's chief legal counsel, Rory Williams, wrote to then finance minister Michael Noonan and raised grave concerns regarding Nama's actions.

London's iconic Battersea Power Station, which the State agency sold for 477m, is now expected to generate profits of up 10bn.

Separately in 2013, developer Paddy McKillen confirmed he had made a complaint to gardai about Nama in relation to improper behaviour by officials.

And further controversy was to follow in 2018, when the agency apologised "unreservedly" to developers Michael and John O'Flynn for former Nama employee Enda Farrell's leaking of their personal and business information to a third party in 2012.

The agency attracted criticism again in March of this year, when the State's spending watchdog criticised Nama over its handling of the sale of loans linked to Quinlan Private, the property investment group that was run by financier and one-time tax official Derek Quinlan.

Seamus McCarthy, the Comptroller and Auditor General, suggested the agency's mistakes may have cost the State up to 29 million.

Mr McCarthy said "errors and poor analysis" by Nama led to the Project Nantes portfolio being sold at less than half of what its target price should have been.

Meanwhile, on the criminal investigation, this weekend Mr Wallace said Nama is trying to keep the controversy away from its Dublin office.

He said: "If Nama in Dublin are exposed for what they did, it would have phenomenal implications for businesses in Dublin.

"It's the people in Dublin that need to be held to account. That's where it begins and ends."

In recent years, Nama has argued that it returned a profit of over 3.5bn back to the State when cleaning up bad loans and distressed property assets, but in placing the assets on the market at fire sale prices, critics say the real value of the assets have amounted to a 40bn loss to Irish taxpayers.

Despite the national mood 10 years ago reflecting an attitude to, as the then finance minister Brian Lenihan put it, pursue developers "to the ends of the earth", most of the money from the sales would have gone to Irish taxpayers.
On August 15, Paris officially protested against the release of Talibani prisoners. Afghanistan started releasing Taliban prisoners on August 14 as a result of the controversial decree signed by Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani. This release was a precondition set by Taliban and it was the biggest hurdle to overcome in order to initiate peace talks. According to reports, a number of members of the Afghan security forces convicted for minor crimes will also be pardoned and released. The list of prisoners being released consists of few very "high-profile" criminals who have been involved in some of the biggest tragedies of the world.

Read: Afghanistan's Ghani Says Releasing Taliban Prisoners Might Pose Threat But 'necessary'

Peace decree between Taliban and Afghanistan triggering protests in Paris

This group of prisoners also include two men who murdered Frenchwoman Bettina Goislard, an employee of the UN refugee agency. Reports suggest that the list also included the name of a former Afghan soldier who killed five French troops and injured 13 others in 2012 in Kapisa province. According to reports by AP, the foreign ministry said, France is firmly opposed to the liberation of individuals sentenced for crimes against French nationals, especially soldiers and humanitarian workers who served with dedication at the side of our Afghan partners for the security and assistance of people in need. We have consequently asked Afghan authorities not to proceed with the liberation of these terrorists.

Read: Afghanistan Signs Decree To Release 400 Taliban Prisoners To Initiate Peace Talks

Reports suggest that the Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen said the decision was a good and a positive step and negotiations can start within one week of the release of their prisoners. However, Ghani said that he made his decision after the Afghan assembly issued its approval on August 9 as he had no power to release such prisoners. The councils decision to free the Taliban prisoners did not come as a surprise as it was a gradual decision which was given a lot of thought.

Read: Afghanistan Government Releases 80 Out Of 400 Remaining Taliban Prisoners

Also Read: Woman Member Of Afghan Peace Team Survives Attack By Gunmen

(Image Credits: AP/Twitter/LucasADWebber)
New Delhi:

Want to know in detail about the carbon dioxide that wanders in our atmosphere? Well, American space agency NASA has explained how the carbon dioxide circulates around the atmosphere of the planet Earth.

For this purpose they have used a detailed 3D visualization, to make you understand the process well.



NASA combined the data from its Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) satellite with a project belonging to the Global Modeling and Assimilation Office at the Goddard Space Flight Center. It thus chronicled the movement of carbon dioxide (CO2) from September 2014 to September 2015.



The 3D visualization provides information about global carbon dioxide, which has never been seen in so detail in the past. The visualization shows how the CO2 rises and falls in the Northern Hemisphere throughout the year. It also shows the influence of continents, mountain ranges and ocean currents on weather patterns and CO2 movement; and the regional influence of highly active photosynthesis, NASA said.

Fossil fuel burning is the primary element which emits carbon dioxide which causes the Earth's current long-term warming trend.

The 3D visualisation also throws light on the advances made by scientists in understanding the processes that control the amount of carbon dioxide released into the Earths atmosphere and calculating its duration of stay.

With the new dataset, the scientists aim to understand the processes driving the "carbon flux"  the exchange of carbon dioxide among the atmosphere, land and ocean, Nature World News reported.

"We can't measure the flux directly at high resolution across the entire globe," Lesley Ott, a carbon cycle scientist at NASA Goddard and a member of the OCO-2 science team, said in a statement.

"We are trying to build the tools needed to provide an accurate picture of what's happening in the atmosphere and translating that to an accurate picture of what's going on with the flux. There's still a long way to go, but this is a really important and necessary step in that chain of discoveries about carbon dioxide," she added.



"It's taken us many years to pull it all together," Steven Pawson, chief of the Global Modeling and Assimilation Office, said in the same statement, according to Nature World News.

"The level of detail included in this dataset gives us a lot of optimism that our models and observations are beginning to give a coherent view of the carbon cycle.



Here is the video released by NASA:

(Video courtesy: NASA Goddard)

For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Brie Larson recently revealed some of the roles she lost out on over the years, during her climb to fame.

But the Academy Award winner has been keeping busy, since becoming one of the most recognizable names in Hollywood.

She cut a cool look Thursday in distressed, high-waisted flared jeans from Etica, as she stepped out to pick up some clothes from her stylist Samantha McMillen in Los Angeles, during a break from quarantine.

Blue jean baby: Brie Larson cut a cool look Thursday in distressed, high-waisted flared jeans, as she stepped out to pick up some clothes from her stylist Samantha McMillen in Los Angeles

The 30-year-old wore a plain white t-shirt, tucked into the distressed denim, which was ripped at the knees and the ankles.

She finished the look with a floral face mask from Werkshop, a pair of beige leather sandals from Vagabond and a red and blue leather crossbody bag by Coach.

Larson opened up this week on YouTube about her best and worst auditions, including the parts she missed out on.

She said: 'Sometimes, youre doing three auditions in a day, sometimes youre playing characters that are totally outside of anything you know how to play.'

Casual chic: The 30-year-old wore a plain white t-shirt, tucked into the distressed Etica denim, which was ripped at the knees and the ankles

Accessorizing: She finished the look with a floral face mask, a pair of beige leather sandals and a red and blue leather crossbody bag by Coach

The Captain Marvel star added of her worst audition experience: 'The casting director said to my agent that I was so bad that she would never bring me in for anything ever again. And she didnt.'

She revealed that she missed out on parts in The Big Bang Theory, Star Wars, Gossip Girl, Tomorrowland, The Hunger Games, and Terminator Genisys.

Fortunately, Larson did land the role of Envy Adams in the 2010 film Scott Pilgrim vs the World, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this week.

Audition stories: Larson opened up this week on YouTube about her best and worst auditions, including the parts she missed out on

Busy lady: She said: 'Sometimes, youre doing three auditions in a day, sometimes youre playing characters that are totally outside of anything you know how to play' (pictured in February, 2016)

Swing and miss: She revealed that she missed out on parts in The Big Bang Theory, Star Wars, Gossip Girl, Tomorrowland, The Hunger Games, and Terminator Genisys

She shared a clip to Twitter earlier in the week of her audition tape, which was previously posted by a fan, to whom she wrote: 'Wow its like you knew an audition storytime video was coming next week.'

Scott Pilgrim writer/director Edgar Wright reposted the video, writing: 'I remember this video vividly (you can hear me laughing off camera). One of the auditions where someone swaggers in and just nails the part completely.'

Wright also announced this week on Twitter that a special edition soundtrack is on the way, featuring Larson's cover of Metric's Black Sheep, which she performed with her character's band Clash at Demonhead.

Cult classic: Fortunately, Larson did land the role of Envy Adams in the 2010 film Scott Pilgrim vs the World, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this week
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Thirteen teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed across Gujarat as widespread rainfall inundated several parts of the state on Friday and the showers are likely to continue for the next few days as per the regional weather forecasting centre.

At least 225 roads, including 12 state highways, were closed following a heavy spell of rains in many parts of the state in the last two days, the Gujarat government said in a statement on Friday.

"We have deployed 13 NDRF teams across the state in view of the heavy rainfall forecast. District administrations are ready to tackle any situation," Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Pankaj Kumar said.

On Thursday night, the NDRF and Morbi district administration rescued six villagers, who were stuck in a causeway on a seasonal river near Amran village in the district, Kumar said.

Several rivers across the state are swelling due to the inflow of water.

Many residential areas of Surat city and adjoining areas were flooded following a heavy spell of rain since morning.

As many as 100 people stranded in low-lying areas such as Parvat Patiya and Puna Gam of Surat city were shifted to safer places on Friday, an official said.

According to the government release, seven talukas of Surat district received highest rainfall in the state between 6 am and 2 pm.

Mangrol tehsil of Surat district received the highest rainfall of 188 mm between 6 am and 2 pm, followed by Kamrej at 126 mm, Umerpada at 117 mm, Surat city at 105 mm, Olpad at 98 mm, Mandvi at 96 mm and Bardoli at 67 mm.

Heavy rains also lashed other parts of the state, including Gir-Somnath, Junagadh and Jamnagar districts of Saurashtra; Bharuch, Narmada and Tapi of south Gujarat and Botad, Chhotaudepur and Vadodara of central Gujarat.

"Gujarat has already received 70 per cent of its total rainfall as on today. It was 40 per cent a week back. Thanks to the low-pressure system, Gujarat has received widespread rainfall in the last 24 hours," said Jayanta Sarkar, director of state meteorological centre.

"Widespread rains are expected to continue in the next five days, with heavy showers in several parts of the state on Friday and Saturday," he said, adding that fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea due to rough conditions.
The Managing Director (MD) of Consolidated Bank Ghana, Daniel Wilson Addo has given a rare insight on how banks have supported to revive Ghanas economy amidst the mitigating impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.



Speaking at Ghanas Most Respected CEOs breakfast series under the theme: Bringing the economy back to life: the role of the banking sector, Mr. Addo noted that COVID-19 has resulted in the slowdown of the economy, however, banks can be essential to the recovery of the economy.



He said As banks, we are very much aware of this greater responsibility, because COVID-19 has taught us to show more empathy than we used to. We have also taken up the role as educators, and I believe we will ensure customers and small scale enterprises stay in businesses



Mr. Addo says CBG is adjusting to the needs of customers by gearing to support SMEs in many ways such as lending to them and introducing them to key products that focus on helping them grow.



Pointing out how CBG is ensuring effective customer service in the face of the pandemic, he explained that the bank is operating efficiently even with a reduced workforce at the various branches.



Banking is a customer focussed business and we at CBG have been very innovative in a time like this to ensure business continuity and customer satisfaction. To enable effective communication, we have beefed up our contact centres, leveraging technology for efficient customer service delivery. We are communicating more with customers on digital platforms, social media pages, and updating them on the activities of the bank every now and then.



Our business model as a resilient and agile bank is to be poised and play our role as a financial institution to help customers and businesses. We will continue to stand with customers during these difficult times, he added.



According to Mr. Addo, all businesses should learn from this pandemic as business disruptions and pandemics are inevitable.



The 5th edition of the CEO Breakfast Series aimed at bringing together seasoned business leaders and banking experts to deliberate on how financial institutions can successfully navigate the COVID crisis, support businesses, revitalise and revive the economy, and ultimately spur economic growth.

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.

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The head of Ofqual, the quango which drew up the controversial system for downgrading A-level results, led a study last year which warned that algorithms had the potential to cause real harm.

Reliance on algorithms  using computers to make decisions rather than humans  could be dangerous when they are making important decisions about peoples lives, it said.

The study was carried out by the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI), which is run by Roger Taylor, who is also chairman of Ofqual.

The CDEI warned there were particular concerns when algorithms were used to make decisions which reinforce pre-existing social inequalities.

Roger Taylor, the head of Ofqual, the quango which drew up the controversial system for downgrading A-level results, led a study last year which warned that algorithms had the potential to cause real harm

Critics have said that Ofquals algorithm which drew up the A-level exam results last week was biased in favour of private schools and those with smaller class sizes.

Tens of thousands of pupils had their results downgraded because the computer decided their teachers predicted grades were too high, compared with their schools performance in previous years.

This led to accusations that the algorithm benefited pupils in wealthy areas compared to those who went to more disadvantaged schools.

A-level results at private schools improved far more than at state comprehensives.

On Saturday, Ofqual published guidance for pupils in England planning to appeal against their grades being marked down.

But hours later the guidance, setting out the criteria for youngsters to make appeals on the basis of their mock exam results, was suddenly withdrawn without explanation.

In a brief statement, Ofqual said the policy was being reviewed by its board and further information would be released in due course.

The Mail can reveal that last year the CDEI launched an inquiry into biases in algorithmic decision-making.

Tens of thousands of pupils had their results downgraded because the computer decided their teachers predicted grades were too high, compared with their schools performance in previous years. Pictured: A girl holds up a sign reading 'Gavin Williamson Destroying our Future' while another holds up a sign saying 'judge potential not postcode' at a protest outside the Department of Education, London, on Sunday

In an interim report, Mr Taylor wrote: Artificial intelligence and algorithmic systems can now operate vehicles, decide on loan applications and screen candidates for jobs.

The technology has the potential to improve lives and benefit society, but it also brings ethical challenges which need to be carefully navigated if we are to make full use of it.

The centres inquiry considered potential biases in policing, financial services, recruitment and local government  but did not look at schools or exam grading in particular.

The document went on to say: Concerns are growing that without proper oversight, algorithms risk entrenching and potentially worsening bias.

On Saturday, Ofqual published guidance for pupils in England planning to appeal against their grades being marked down. Pictured: Benita Stipp (centre) and Mimi Ferguson (left) react as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level results on Thursday

Algorithms can be supportive of good decision-making, reduce human error and combat existing systemic biases.

But issues can arise if, instead, algorithms begin to reinforce problematic biases, for example because of errors in design or because of biases in the underlying data sets.

When these algorithms are then used to support important decisions about peoples lives, for example determining whether they are invited to a job interview, they have the potential to cause serious harm.

The centres final report was due to be published in March, but it has not yet appeared.

Ofqual did not respond to requests for comment last night.
Hair: Fabio Nogueira. Make-up: Ruby Hammer. Styling: Holly Elgeti. Blouse, lisou. Trousers, Roland Mouret. Jewellery, Alighieri.

Like many of us, almost as soon as lockdown restrictions eased, I booked in for a haircut. My hair had grown to such an extent that it was 95 per cent split ends and the remaining five per cent consisted of undyed roots.

Greys were springing up in unexpected directions like the girl in my primary school whose arm would strain out of her socket in her desperation to show she knew the answer to every question. I felt I was slowly going to seed and although this feeling wasnt unpleasurable, I knew that my hair required a trim for social acceptability and follicular health.

I emerged from the salon refreshed, three inches lighter. My hairdresser, Olivia, was wearing full PPE, with a space-age plastic visor and we didnt hug as we usually would but otherwise it was a very satisfying couple of hours. Its taken a long time to meet my perfect hairdresser, but finally I have managed it: Olivia is great to chat to (but not too chatty), knows what I want before I put it into words and really listens to me.

It hasnt always been this way. Many moons ago, when I was 19 and on my gap year in South Africa, I decided to benefit from the healthy exchange rate and splash out on a posh haircut. Until that point, my mother had cut my hair. I decided that now I was technically a grown-up, I should experience a professional hair salon.

I was living in Cape Town, and I went to one that my landlady recommended. I had a long-ish bob that I decided I wanted styled to resemble Natalie Imbruglias haircut in the music video for Torn (this was 1998, after all). The problem was that when I showed my ripped-out magazine reference photo to the hairdresser, he barely looked at it and I was too intimidated to say anything.

He started cutting my hair. And cutting and cutting and cutting. Instead of the gentle feathering and soft edges of Natalie Imbruglia, I was being given a close-cropped hairdo reminiscent of GI Jane crossed with my former games teacher. I could see it happening and I was too shy to say anything. He knows what hes doing, I thought, hes working in one of the top salons in the city! Who am I to question his magical ways?

The hairdresser then decided I needed blonde highlights (like I say, it was 1998). By the end, I was stunned into silence. I looked like the least attractive member of a boy band  the one who stands at the back pretending to play the keyboards because he cant dance. I was so shocked that I didnt feel I could complain, so I handed over the cash and walked outside.

Years later, I told this story to my friend Naomi.

Oh, she said knowledgeably. You had a non-consensual haircut.

She explained that a non-consensual haircut was where the hairdresser, in a position of power, would gradually test the boundaries of what you, as the client, would accept in order to create what they thought was the best style, rather than what you actually wanted.

This was exactly what had happened: I hadnt felt confident enough to express myself and, assuming that he knew best, I had found myself wanting to please the hairdresser at the cost of my happiness  even if that meant living with a haircut I didnt like for years while it grew out.

It took me a long time to find my voice as a woman and to be able to use it. A hairdresser might seem a trivial example, but that salutary experience taught me a lot about speaking out, especially when you are not being listened to.

After all, hair is never just hair. As Fleabag says after her sister has been given an unflattering asymmetrical bob in season two of the hit series: Hair is everything.

This week I'm...

From left to right: Reading A Dutiful Boy by Mohsin Zaidi, an incredibly moving memoir about one gay Muslim mans journey to acceptance. Shielding with the Reiss reusable four-layered fabric face mask in navy. Every time I wear it, I get asked where its from. Celebrating after finally finding the perfect jeans from American brand Midheaven Denim  specifically designed for taller women.

Reading A Dutiful Boy by Mohsin Zaidi, an incredibly moving memoir about one gay Muslim mans journey to acceptance.

Shielding with the Reiss reusable four-layered fabric face mask in navy. Every time I wear it, I get asked where its from.

Celebrating after finally finding the perfect jeans from American brand Midheaven Denim  specifically designed for taller women.
The UN Palestinian refugee agency Sunday confirmed four new COVID-19 deaths in camps in Lebanon, calling for vigilance in observing hygiene measures as infections rise across the country.

"During the past 24 hours, four deaths have been recorded among Palestine refugees" in Lebanon, UNRWA said in a statement.

This brings to eight the total number of Palestinian refugees who have died from the COVID-19 illness since Lebanon first recorded an outbreak of the virus in February.

Over 200,000 Palestinian refugees reside in Lebanon, the majority living below the poverty line, according to UNRWA. Their right to work and own property is restricted.

The UN agency, which provides health and education services to Palestinians across the region, called for vigilance in observing measures to combat the spread of the virus in the densely populated camps.

"If prevention is not adhered to, things may get out of control in the Palestine refugee camps in Lebanon," the statement said.

A UNRWA spokesperson told AFP that particular concern focused on the largest, most-populous camp of Ain al-Hilweh, near the southern city of Sidon.

Lebanon has seen a spike in coronavirus-related cases and deaths, including 439 new infections on Sunday alone.

That brought the total number of infections to 8,881 cases, including 103 deaths since the start of the outbreak in February.

A planned return to lockdown was abandoned in the wake of a massive explosion that ripped through large parts of Beirut on August 4, forcing thousands of people to seek medical attention at the capital's already overwhelmed hospitals.

People remained in the streets in the following days, helping clean up and distribute aid as well as holding angry protests against the government, largely blamed for negligence that led to the explosion at the port.

The small Mediterranean country's health services were already strained by the pandemic before the blast, which killed nearly 200 people and injured at least 6,500 others.

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The German attack at Bari, dubbed little Pearl Harbor, unknowingly hit an Allied ship full of poisonous mustard gas bombs, History writes in the article How a WWII Disasterand Cover-upLed to a Cancer Treatment Breakthrough.

On the night of December 2, 1943, the Germans bombed a key Allied port in Bari, Italy, sinking 17 ships and killing more than 1,000 American and British servicemen and hundreds of civilians. Caught in the surprise World War II air raid was the John Harvey, an American Liberty ship carrying a secret cargo of 2,000 mustard bombs to be used in retaliation if Hitler resorted to gas warfare.

The Luftwaffes lucky strike, which released a poisonous cloud of sulfur mustard vapor over the harborand liquid mustard into the waterprompted an Allied cover-up of the chemical weapons disaster. But it also led to an army doctors serendipitous discovery of a new treatment for cancer. Eisenhower and Churchill Coordinated an Immediate Cover-up, Thwarting Victims Treatment

In the devastating aftermath of the attack, which the press dubbed a little Pearl Harbor, U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill moved to conceal the truth about the shipment of poison gas, for fear Germany might use it as an excuse to launch an all-out chemical war. As a result of the military secrecy, medical personnel werent alerted to the danger of contamination from the liquid mustard that spread insidiously over the harbor, mixing with the tons of fuel oil from the damaged ships.

In the crush of casualties that first night, hundreds of survivors, who had jumped or been blown overboard and swam to safety, were mistakenly believed to be suffering from only shock and immersion. They were given morphine, wrapped in warm blankets and left to sit in their oil-soaked uniforms for as long as 12, and even 24 hours, while the seriously wounded were attended to first. It was tantamount to marinating in mustard gas. But all remained ignorant of the peril.

By dawn, the patients had developed red, inflamed skin and blisters on their bodies the size of balloons. Within 24 hours, the wards were full of men with eyes swollen shut. The doctors suspected some form of chemical irritant, but the patients did not present typical symptoms or respond to standard treatments. The staffs unease only deepened when notification came from headquarters that the hundreds of burn patients with unusual symptomology would be classified Dermatitis N.Y.D.not yet diagnosed.

Then without warning, patients in relatively good condition began dying. These sudden, mysterious deaths left the doctors baffled and at a loss as to how to proceed. Rumors spread that the Germans had used an unknown poison gas. With the daily death toll rising, British officials in Bari placed a red light call alerting Allied Force Headquarters (AFHQ) in Algiers to the medical crisis. Lieutenant Colonel Stewart Francis Alexander, a young chemical warfare specialist attached to Eisenhowers staff, was dispatched immediately to the scene of the disaster.

The investigators findings were censored

Despite the British port authorities denials, Alexander quickly diagnosed mustard gas exposure. Convinced that preoccupation with military security had compounded the tragedy, he doggedly pursued his own investigation to identify the source of the chemical agent and determine how it had poisoned so many men.

After carefully studying the medical charts, he plotted the destroyed cargo ships positions relative to the gas victims and succeeded in pinpointing the John Harvey as the epicenter of the chemical explosion. When divers pulled up fragments of fractured gas shells, the casings were identified as being from 100-pound American mustard bombs.

On December 11, 1943, Alexander informed headquarters of his initial findings. Not only was the gas from the Allies own supply, but the victims labeled Dermatitis N.Y.D. had suffered prolonged exposure as a result of being immersed in a toxic solution of mustard and oil floating on the surface of the harbor.

The response Alexander received was shocking. While Eisenhower accepted his diagnosis, Churchill refused to acknowledge the presence of mustard gas in Bari. With the war in Europe entering a critical phase, the Allies agreed to impose a policy of strict censorship on the chemical disaster: All mention of mustard gas was stricken from the official record, and Alexanders diagnosis deleted from the medical charts.

The Bari Disaster led to an epiphany about the chemicals effect on white blood cells

Alexanders Final Report of the Bari Mustard Casualties was immediately classified, but not before his startling discovery of the toxic effects on white blood cells caught the attention of his boss in the Chemical Warfare Service (CWS), Colonel Cornelius P. Dusty Rhoads. In civilian life, Rhoads served as head of New Yorks Memorial Hospital for the Treatment of Cancer and Allied Diseases.

Of the more than 617 casualties who suffered from gas exposure at Bari, 83 died, all demonstrating mustards suppressive effect on cell divisionsuggesting it might be used to inhibit the fast-multiplying malignant white cells that can invade and destroy healthy tissue. Alexander had extracted invaluable data from the morgue full of case studies, pointing to a chemical that could possibly be used as weapon in the fight against certain types of cancer.

Based on Alexanders landmark Bari report, and a top-secret Yale University clinical trial that demonstrated that nitrogen mustard (a more stable cousin of sulfur mustard) could shrink tumors, Rhoads was convinced the harmful substancein tiny, carefully calibrated dosescould be used to heal. In 1945, he persuaded the General Motors tycoons Alfred P. Sloane and Charles F. Kettering to fund the Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research (SKI), to create a state-of-the-art laboratory, staffed by wartime scientists, to synthesize new mustard derivatives and develop the first medicine for cancerknown today as chemotherapy.

In 1949, Mustargen (mechlorethamine) became the first experimental chemotherapeutic drug approved by the FDA and was used successfully to treat non-Hodgkins lymphoma. This triumph galvanized the search for other chemical agents that specifically targeted malignant cells but spared normal ones, leading the American Cancer Society to credit the Bari disaster with initiating the age of cancer chemotherapy.
Crowds of supporters of Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko gathered on Minsk's Independence Square Sunday in a show of solidarity with the beleaguered leader.

The pro-government gathering comes a day after thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to demand that the country's authoritarian leader resign after a presidential vote they called fraudulent.

A ferocious crackdown followed demonstrations earlier this week and left hundreds injured as police dispersed the largely peaceful crowds with stun grenades, tear gas, rubber bullets and severe beatings.

At least one person has been killed and nearly 7,000 people were detained.
A husband who punched a great white shark in the eye as it mauled his wife has relived the terrifying ordeal - while insisting he isn't a hero.

Chantelle Doyle, 35, was surfing with the love of her life Mark Rapley at Shelly Beach in Port Macquarie, on the New South Wales mid-north coast, when she was attacked at about 9.30am on Saturday.

The beast latched on to Ms Doyle's right calf and the back of her thigh before Mr Rapley launched into action, punching the predator eight times.

Mr Rapley was quickly hailed a hero around the nation for leaping on to the sharks back and fighting it off until it finally let his wife go.

He has now revealed what went through his mind during the horrific ordeal.

Chantelle Doyle, 35, was surfing with her husband Mark Rapley at Shelly Beach in Port Macquarie, on the mid-north coast, when she was attacked about 9.30am on Saturday

The couple weren't in the water long before Mr Rapley noticed his wife get knocked off her board.

'I knew she was going to be in trouble... I just started paddling over and you react,' Mr Rapley said.

'When you see the mother of your child, your support and everything that's who you are - you just react, you just think "get off that calf, get off".'

'You're not thinking "punch" your body just reacts... you start punching, you start thinking where to punch, I'll attack the eye.'

Despite coming face-to-face with the two-metre beast, Mr Rapley said his partner was the one who showed real strength for getting back on to her surfboard.

Local surfer Mark White said Ms Doyle knew she had sustained serious injuries but was 'amazing' in keeping herself together.

Heroic husband Mark Rapley (pictured) punched the shark in a bid to save his beloved wife Chantelle

Mr Rapley said the other surfers and the people on the beach were the real heroes for working to save both his and Ms Doyle's life.

'Two guys paddled behind me straight toward her, and that's not their wife,' he said.

'I don't like that (hero) title but I would love it bandied around with the collection of people who did an amazing job to keep her alive - and she's alive.'

Surfer Peter Lobb described hearing a piercing scream from the woman who had been sitting on her board in shallow surf.

The beast attacked her right calf and the back of her thigh before Mr Rapley launched into action, repeatedly punching the predator in a bid to save her

Witness Jed Toohey described the scene as 'unbelievable' and said there was 'splashing everywhere'.

He described seeing Mr Rapley put his partner up on his board before punching the shark because it would not let go and could have taken her out to sea.

Mr Lobb, Mr Toohey, his 15-year-old daughter Dominica, and two other nearby surfers then paddled over to help the pair.

Mr Lobb said the group and another woman on the beach then applied a tourniquet to try and stop the bleeding from a gash on her calf and another on her thigh.

'Chantelle kept saying, 'I'm okay'. She was so calm and relaxed. But then her leg started to get numb,' he said.

Emergency services rushed to the beach where the woman was found with significant lacerations to her right leg.

It is the third serious attack NSW Ambulance has responded to in recent months.

The 35-year-old was rushed to Port Macquarie Base Hospital with serious leg injuries, but has since been flown to Newcastle where she will undergo surgery.

A young bystander described watching the shark swim up and down the beach after the attack, leaping out of the water with the victim's surfboard in its mouth.

Chantelle Doyle mauled by an enormous shark on at a popular beach on the New South Wales coast

Chantelle Doyle, 35, (pictured) was surfing with her husband and friends at Shelly Beach in Port Macquarie, on the mid-north coast when she was attacked about 9.30am

'The shark wouldn't release her and so a nearby surfer paddled over and essentially jumped on the shark and started hitting it to make it release,' Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steven Pearce told AAP.

The surfer described it as a 'tremendous act of bravery'.

'We've had some really serious and tragic shark encounters over the past couple of months along the NSW coastline so to paddle out of your own safety zone, in to an area where you know there is a large shark, I think is amazing.'

Mr Pearce is urging swimmers and surfers to be 'shark smart' as summer approaches, but says the number of daylight attacks in recent times concerns him.

'As we've seen this morning, there are occasions where people can be shark smart and they think they're doing all the right things, but unfortunately, they're just in that wrong place at the wrong time.'

The young couple have a three-year-old son together who they are raising at Cromer on Sydney's Northern Beaches

Mr Pearce said lifesavers would search the waters with jet skis and drones to confirm if the shark was still nearby.

He explained lifesavers were on call and not on duty because it was off-season but arrived to the scene quickly.

Lifesaver James Turnham said the incident would have been quite an ordeal for the victim.

'It did take a bit of effort to get that shark off her,' he told Nine News.

Three paramedic crews and a specialist medical team in the Westpac Helicopter responded to the incident, which a NSW Ambulance spokesman said is the third serious shark attack on the north coast in the past few months.

Duty Operations Manager at NSW Ambulance Inspector Andrew Beverley said paramedics were on the scene within eight minutes.

'The bystanders on scene that rendered assistance should be commended,' he said.

The 35-year-old was rushed to Port Macquarie Base Hospital with serious leg injuries, but has since been flown to Newcastle where she will undergo surgery

The 35-year-old woman was surfing with a male friend at Shelly Beach (pictured) in Port Macquarie, on the mid-north coast when she was attacked about 10am

'They did an amazing job before we arrived.'

Ms Doyle remains in a stable condition after undergoing extensive surgery at the John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.

Her family rushed to be by her side after hearing the horrific news.

Mr Pearce said there would be a 'heightened vigilance' in shark surveillance across New South Wales beginning in September.

He explained 400 lifesavers would pilot drones across 40 locations to monitor the water for shark activity.

Mr Pearce said this aerial observation would work in conjunction with SMART drum lines that alert authorities if a tagged shark is in the area.
Formula 1 is preparing to add another four races to the 2020 'corona calendar'.

In addition to the 13 already-scheduled or contested rounds, F1 CEO Chase Carey says he is targeting up to 18 grands prix overall.

According to sources, F1 will announce four new ones next week, including two in Bahrain and an Abu Dhabi finale.

The surprise ring-in, however, is the former Turkish GP venue in Istanbul in mid-November.

When asked about that, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said: "The last time I was in Turkey was ten years ago, and I remember the incredible sight of the famous turn 8 with a triple apex."

Wolff cautioned that the news is not official.

Red Bull's Alex Albon was also asked about the strong rumour, and he said: "That's great.

"I don't know if it's a coincidence or whether they are choosing them specifically, but we are talking about real race tracks.

"Mugello, Imola, Istanbul - they're the best layouts in the world and we get to race there. I'm all for it," he enthused.

(GMM)
The Indian tricolour was illuminated at the iconic Canadian landmark of Niagara Falls and car rallies were held in multiple cities as members of the Indo-Canadian community celebrated Independence Day amidst the restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The flag-hoisting at Niagara Falls was officiated by Indias Consul General in Toronto, Apoorva Srivastava, at an event organised by the Indo-Canada Arts Council. The Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world, was illuminated in the colours of the Indian flag at the evening ceremony. The special illumination was conducted with the cooperation of the Niagara Falls Illumination Board and Niagara Parks Commission, with the support of the city of Niagara Falls.

The Indian flag was also raised at Torontos City Hall, while another attraction, the three-dimensional Toronto sign, was lit in the hues of the Tricolour.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greeted the Indo-Canadian community on the occasion. In a statement released by his office, Trudeau said, Canada and India have a strong, longstanding, and vibrant relationship built on our shared traditions of democracy and pluralism, and deep cultural and people-to-people ties. The over one million Canadians of Indian heritage have made  and continue to make  many important contributions to our country.

Messages were also issued by the Premiers of the provinces of Ontario and Alberta, while Indo-Canadian Minister of Public Services and Procurement Anita Anand joined in singing Indias national anthem Jana Gana Mana at a virtual event organised by the community in her constituency of Oakville.

The Indian flag was raised at the High Commission in Ottawa by envoy Ajay Bisaria and also at the consulates in Toronto and Vancouver.

The Indo-Canadian community also turned out for a series of car rallies, with the flag fluttering upon their cars, in several cities in the country including Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary and Brampton, while the traditional India Day Parade took on a digital form this year.

Given the adverse impact of the coronavirus crisis, Indias diplomatic missions also marked the day by contributing to the relief efforts. The High Commission joined Ottawas Mayor Jim Watson and Indo-Canadian MP Chandra Arya in donating meals to those in shelter homes. The mission in Toronto collaborated with community group Canada India Foundation to deliver meals to seniors in a long-term care facility in Mississauga, a city in the Greater Toronto Area.

EOM

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A brave young Australian scientist has offered to become infected with COVID-19 to help researchers find a vaccine for the deadly virus.

Sophie Rose, from Brisbane, said she is willing to face the small risk of dying if it means finding a cure that could potentially save hundreds of thousands of lives.

The 22-year-old co-founded 1DaySooner - a campaign pushing for human challenge trials for coronavirus vaccines.

A human challenge trial involves volunteers receiving a vaccine and then being administered with a dose of live coronavirus.

Sophie Rose, from Brisbane, said she is willing to face the small risk of dying if it means finding a cure that could potentially save hundreds of thousands of lives

Ms Rose moved from Brisbane to the U.S. in 2014 and studied a bachelor's degree in biology at California's elite Stanford University

The trials are monitored under strict laboratory conditions to keep the volunteers safe.

Ms Rose, a Stanford University graduate originally from Brisbane, said she was prepared to put her body on the line if it means there's a possibility of finding a cure.

'I was thinking about this the other day and thinking that I would donate a kidney for my best friend and that's benefiting the one person whereas the results from these trials have the potential to benefit hundreds of thousands of people if not more and that seems worth it to me,' she told News Corp.

'When I look at everything that's going on in the world at the moment, we have economic destruction across multiple different countries, we have hundreds of thousands of people dying, other people are sick, none of this is to mention the consistent toll of people's emotional well being whilst they're working from home.

'Any contribution that we can make that is of a reasonable risk to help people is what we should be doing.'

Ms Rose moved to the U.S. in 2014 and studied a bachelor's degree in biology at California's elite Stanford University.

She was working as a clinical cancer researcher at England's Oxford University when the pandemic hit, before quitting in May to start 1DaySooner with Hawvard Law School graduate Josh Morrison.

Ms Rose said even if the trial only proves that young people are immune after a vaccination they could still go back to work and help rejuvenate the economy.

Almost 300 other Australians have signed up via 1DaySooner's websites. More than 33,000 volunteers from 151 countries have also pledged to undergo the trial.

Ms Rose, 22, said even if the trial only proves that young people are immune after a vaccination they could still go back to work and help rejuvenate the economy

Ms Rose said she was willing to put her body on the line if it means there's a possibility of finding a cure

Ms Rose said the trials could still answer major questions about how well a potential vaccine works even if they can't be started until later this year.

'If the last 6 months have taught us nothing else, the progression of this entire thing has been fairly uncertain,' Ms Rose told Science Magazine.

'There is a world in which we have a vaccine by then and that would be great, but there's also a world in which we don't. I know I would much rather live in a world where we were ready to implement a human challenge study.'

Veteran vaccine researcher Stanley Plotkin said 1Day Sooner 'is playing a major role in showing that there are young people willing to take risks for the greater good'.

Meanwhile Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt is cautiously optimistic that a vaccine to conquer coronavirus will be available next year.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt on Sunday said he is cautiously optimistic that a vaccine to conquer coronavirus will be available next year

Mr Hunt said the government is close to striking a deal which would permit the production of a vaccine in Australia, but was unable to provide the names of the companies involved due to contractual reasons.

'We are in advanced negotiations with a range of different companies with regards to a vaccine,' Mr Hunt told Sky News on Sunday.

'I am now on the basis of our best advice genuinely more optimistic, I think the work is moving closer to a vaccine.'

He said very significant progress is being made around the world to produce a vaccine.

'All our advice has been 2021 is the most likely anything that occur,' he said.

'Before then, then that would be an outstanding result, not just for Australia but for the world.'
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 16:49:50|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has again pushed for schools to reopen despite the severe COVID-19 pandemic across the country, according to The Guardian newspaper.

"We got to open up our schools and open our businesses," Trump said on Wednesday. "Children often have only mild symptoms, and medical complications are incredibly rare," the newspaper quoted the president as saying.

The United States on Wednesday reported 1,499 COVID-19 death, the highest number in a single day for three months. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 cases in the country has topped 5.3 million, which accounts for a quarter of global cases.

The parlous situation, however, has not stopped Trump from pushing for the reopening of schools and businesses, with the president warning that children would suffer if they do not resume in-person classes, according to The Guardian.

Trump and his administration has been pressuring schools to reopen in fall, threatening to withhold federal funding from schools that do not comply. Reopening schools is seen a crucial step to restarting the country's economy for his reelection campaign.

However, few Americans want to see their local schools re-open for in-person instruction as usual or even with minor adjustments considering the severe COVID-19 situation, said a new poll released on July 22.

Hasty school resumption has already caused COVID-19 outbreaks in the country. Louisiana has been tracking seven COVID-19 outbreaks tied to schools and colleges, with data showing that 151 cases are connected to those college outbreaks, and 17 cases are being attributed to outbreaks at primary and secondary schools, local TV station WBRZ2 reported on Wednesday. Enditem
Franklin Graham has said America "is in trouble" and that "we need God's help" as he called for Christians to join him for the 2020 Prayer March in Washington D.C. on 26th September.

The son of famous late evangelist, Billy Graham, posted on his Twitter, "I'm announcing today that on Sept. 26, I'm going to be in our nation's capital to pray& I hope thousands of families, pastors, & churches will join me! Our nation is in trouble, & we need God's help. Make plans now to come for #PrayerMarch2020."

In a video message, Graham, who is the president of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), said: "Our only hope for this country is God."

The Prayer March takes place on Sept. 26 from 12pm to 2pm, starting at the Lincoln Memorial and moving nearly 2 miles to the Capitol building.

Graham referenced riots and anger across the country, as well as the Coronavirus pandemic, as he said in the video: "America is in trouble. It's in distress. But we do have hope, and that hope is in Almighty God. And we need to pray now more than ever  more than we have ever done in our lives.

"Our communities are hurting. Our people are divided. And there's fear and uncertainty all around us."

Other Christian leaders and ministries have also called for prayer for the nation. Pastor Jentezen Franklin of Free Chapel Church in Gainesville, Georgia has organised 21 days of prayer and fasting, which commenced on 1st August.

He has said, "I believe the Lord spoke to me and said to make the month of August a season of  crying out and praying and fasting and turning back to God like never before.

"It's time to fast and pray and break the back of COVID. We must see a divine reversal. We must see a turnaround."

Reposted with permission from Christian Today
Aoun said the probe is divided into three parts. The first aims to determine the circumstances surrounding the cargo, the second where it came from and who shipped it and the third to find who was responsible for handling and securing it.
The BJP has condemned Shiv Sena leaders statement and demanded an apology from him

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday held the World Health Organisation (WHO) responsible for the spread of Coronavirus and questioned the authority of the global health watchdog. Comparing the WHO with the CBI, he said it is a group assembled by getting people, including doctors, from everywhere. He also claimed that he doesn't take medicines from doctors, but prefers to consult compounders as they are more knowledgeable than doctors.

Meanwhile, the BJP has condemned Shiv Sena leaders statement and demanded an apology from him. According to the BJP, Mr Raut insulted the doctors, who are playing a key role during this pandemic.

In an interview with a regional television news channel, the Shiv Sena leader said, The WHO is a group of people. So what if the doctors are also part of their team. In reality, the compounder knows more than the doctors. I always prefer taking medicine from the compounder than the doctor. He further added, People should not rely on WHO much as the Covid-19 is spreading because of them.

Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Ram Kulkarni said that the doctors are second to god. Raut has insulted them by making such a statement. The leader should therefore publicly apologize to the doctors of the state and the country.

Maharashtra BJP chief media coordinator Vishwas Pathak told The Asian Age, Visualisation goes with the capacity and competence of every human being. First Sanjay Raut said that Uddhav Thackeray is fit to be the WHO advisor. To justify that, he ridiculed the WHO team to the level of a compounder so as to match his bosss capabilities.
Express News Service By

NEW DELHI: Occupancy in most of the airlines in July continued to be at lower side - 50-60%. The latest domestic traffic data from the aviation regulator DGCA has disclosed that domestic air passenger traffic slumped 82.3 percent in July to 21.07 lakh last month.

Airlines carried a total of 372.85 lakh passengers in the first seven months of 2020, marking a fall of 54.84 percent as compared to the period a year ago. Howver, private sector airline IndiGo maintained its position as the countrys largest carrier by market share. IndiGos market share stood at 60.4 percent in July, followed by SpiceJets 15.7 percent and national carrier Air Indias 9.1 percent, the DGCA data showed. The occupancy rate in SpiceJet was 70 percent in July this year. However, for other major airlines  IndiGo, GoAir, Vistara, AirAsia India and Air India  the occupancy rate in July stood at 60.2 percent, 50.5 percent, 53.1 percent, 56.2 percent and 45.5 percent respectively.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) said on CNN's "Reliable Sources" Sunday that Republican leaders must denounce QAnon now that a supporter of the far-right conspiracy theory has won a congressional runoff and is set to enter Congress in the next election.

Why it matters: Very few, if any, Republicans have been outspoken against QAnon, which baselessly claims that a powerful cabal of sex traffickers within the "deep state" is fighting to take down President Trump.

The president has yet to condemn the theory and refused to answer a direct question last week about whether or not he supports QAnon.

The FBI identified fringe conspiracy theories, like QAnon, as domestic terrorist threats in 2019, according to Yahoo News.

The state of play: Kinzinger spoke out about the conspiracy theory last week, saying it has "no place in Congress" after vocal QAnon supporter Marjorie Taylor Greene won Georgia's 14th district congressional runoff.

Greene has previously been condemned by GOP leadership after videos of her making offensive remarks about Black people, Jews and Muslims surfaced on Facebook.

Now that she is poised to enter Congress, however, a spokesperson for House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said that she will be welcomed into the House GOP conference if she wins in November.

Green is one of at least 11 GOP congressional nominees who have publicly supported or defended the QAnon conspiracy theory movement.

What he's saying: "Up to maybe about a week ago, there wasn't a reason to denounce it because it didn't need the attention," Kinzinger said.

"But now that it's made mainstream  we have a candidate that embraces it that won a primary. I supported her primary opponent, the president hasn't fully denounced it or denounced it at all. Now it's time for leaders to come out and denounce it."

"The key here isn't Democrats denouncing it. It's Republicans denouncing it. Democrats and Republicans have to denounce extremism in their own party. That's where it's effective. It's not going to be effective from the other side denouncing it. It just emboldens them."

Go deeper: Read more about QAnon's 2020 resurgence
The body of an Indian army jawan, missing since January, was found on Saturday near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir. Havaldar Rajendra Singh Negis family was subsequently informed about it later that night. He was 36.

Negi, who was attached to Indian Armys 11 Garhwal Rifles, had gone missing in January this year after accidentally slipping into heavy snow while on duty near LoC in Gulmarg area of Kashmir.

Failing to find his body, the army had declared him a martyr in June and communicated the same to his family in a letter on June 21. However, his wife Rajeshwari Devi had refused to accept him as a martyr saying she wont do so until she sees his body with her own eyes.

On Saturday, on the occasion of Independence Day, Negis army unit informed his family members about finding his body.

Negis uncle Raghuveer Singh Negi, who received the call from the army unit, said, I received the call about the tragic news from his unit on Saturday late evening. They said that his body was found under heavy snow during the search operation.

They also informed that Negis body has been taken to the military hospital in Srinagar, Kashmir, where doctors are conducting the mandatory medical procedures before handing it to us, said Raghuveer.

He said earlier the army authorities informed that the body will reach Dehradun by Sunday evening, but later said it may take two to three days.

They said, as the body had been under the snow all this while, it may be damaged if its suddenly exposed to outer elements. Hence, the doctors would be carrying out some medical process after which it will reach us by August 19, said Raghuveer.

Initially, Negi was feared to have slipped towards the Pakistani side across the LoC after being reported missing on January 8, but later it was denied by the Indian army authorities.

Negi, who had joined the army in 2001, hailed from Chamoli district, 147 km from Dehradun, and is survived by his wife and three children. He had shifted to Dehradun about three years ago with his family while his parents still live in their village in Chamoli. His parents would reach Dehradun by Monday.

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Israel launches air raids against Hamas positions in Gaza

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 15 August 2020 10:54 PM

The Israeli military has launched fresh airstrikes against the positions of the Palestinian resistance group Hamas in the besieged Gaza Strip.

The Tel Aviv regime's tanks and fighter jets attacked Hamas' military compound and underground infrastructure late Saturday, according to Israeli media.

Earlier reports from Palestinian sources said an observation post near the camp of Bureij came under repeated attacks.

The fresh raids make for the fifth night the Israeli military is attacking Hamas targets in the coastal enclave in a row.

Israel claims the Saturday attacks were launched n retaliation for balloon bomb launches earlier in the day.

Hamas had earlier vowed to step up its pressure on the Israeli military after two children were injured during Friday's night-time strikes in Gaza.

On Friday, Israel launched fresh aerial and ground attacks against targets across the besieged Gaza Strip, in the latest of a series of attacks carried out overnight this week.

The Israeli warplanes, helicopters and tanks once again bombed positions in the blockaded enclave, claiming that they were positions held by the Palestinian resistance movement of Hamas.

In a statement issued following the attacks, the Israeli military said that the raids were carried out in response to a number of alleged incendiary balloons sent from Gaza to the occupied territories, and targeted "naval force compound, underground infrastructure and observation posts" belonging to Hamas.

The Israeli regime every so often launches strikes against positions in the blockaded enclave, accusing the resistance groups there of launching rockets.

Gaza has been under Israeli siege since June 2007, which has caused a decline in living standards.

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Raj Bhavan has been placed under surveillance "undermining the sanctity" of the institution, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar alleged on Sunday, a development that could plunge his already strained ties with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to newer depths.

Making the startling claim, Dhankhar, who has often crossed swords with the TMC government over a host of issues in the past one year, also alleged lawlessness was prevailing across the state, drawing sharp reactions from Banerjee's party, which said that such acts of surveillance are the domain of his "bosses from Gujarat".

"I would like to tell you all that the Raj Bhavan is under surveillance. It undermines the sanctity of the Raj Bhavan. I will do everything to protect its sanctity,"Dhankhar told a press conference.

"I have initiated a very serious, critical probe into it. Sanctity of Raj Bhavan's functioning has to be kept intact," he said. Without elaborating on what kind of surveillance Raj Bhavan had been put under, Dhankhar said, "As constitutional act, I will not, will never suffer any surveillance of any nature whatsoever. Those who have done it, must pay the price according to rule of law. My internal inquiry will be completed soon enough," he said.

The governor also spoke about confidential documents getting leaked. There was no word from the government on Dhankhar's claim. However, Trinamool Congress MP and spokesperson Mahua Moitra hit out at the governor over the claims.

"Uncleji now claims he and Raj Bhawan premises (are) under surveillance. Believe me, that's something your bosses from Gujarat do better than anyone else -any of us would be novices at it," she said on Twitter.

Expressing "pain" at Mamata Banerjee and her cabinet colleagues for not attending the customary 'At Home' hosted at Raj Bhavan, the governor's official residence, on Independence Day, Dhankhar said that less than 35 distinguished guests had been invited keeping in mind the COVID-19 outbreak.

"It has been very painful for me... I was constantly interacting with the state government through the chief minister, was impressing upon her consistently that the programme will be held totally and strictly following the COVID protocol and keeping the number to bare minimum.

"It would have been befitting for the occasion, it would have been a good tribute to our freedom fighters'sacrifice if the chief minister and members of the executive invited (had attended); it has set a bad precedent," he said. The chief minister had met the governor at Raj Bhavan on Saturday morning after attending the official Independence Day event but did not attend the At Home.

Refuting Dhankhar, Moitra shared a document on Twitter, stating that 96 people were invited to the Raj Bhavan. "Uncle- please at least share the whole truth... Honble CM visited you at Raj Bhavan before your tea party & spent an hour with you. Don't think milling in a crowd at a tea party is wise for either her or you in the midst of Covid19," she tweeted.

Referring to some of his many face-offs with the Mamata Banerjee government since he took over as the governor of West Bengal a year ago, including those at the Assembly, during his visits to universities and the Constitution Day function, he said, these were not the signs of democracy or freedom.

Dhankhar said he had found the gates to the Assembly locked during a scheduled visit. Likewise, the chamber of the vice-chancellor was under lock and key during his visit to a university of which he is the ex-officio chancellor, he said.

On the Constitution Day, he was sixth in queue to address the Assembly, the governor said. "I pray to almighty that good sense prevails,Constitution is respected," he said, adding, "15th August was another painful day for me, political violence and killing was noticed over unfurling of the national flag."

A BJP worker was killed allegedly by TMC supporters at Khanakul in Hooghly district following a tiff over unfurling the Tricolour at the same spot. "We are in a state of lawlessness, already situation is alarmingly worrisome," the governor said.

He said as the governor he has a constitutional right to know about the happenings in the state and that it is the duty of the chief minister to make information available to him.

Dhankhar said there have been five editions of Bengal Global Business Summit, but his questions on how much investment was promised and how much was actually delivered, and about jobs created have not elicited any response from the government.

He said his advice to the civil administration and police to act as public and not political servants and conduct themselves in accordance with law and neutrally, has gone unheeded.

"It is my commitment to the people of West Bengal, I will do everything possible to ensure that democracy in the state flourishes, and democracy will flourish only if there is rule of law," he said.

Dhankhar alleged that the police administration is acting in a manner which is "seriously compromising" the activities of political opponents of the ruling party. He said that even MPs and MLAs were being slapped with criminal cases and "threatened in a manner that will shake anyone".
Australia has one of the world's highest incidences of shark attacks

An Australian man has been hailed a "hero" after repeatedly punching a shark until it released his wife's leg.

Police said the couple were surfing at a beach near Port Macquarie, four hours north of Sydney, on Saturday morning when she was bitten twice and injured on her right leg.

"Her companion was forced to punch the fish until it let go," police said in the statement.

Paramedics treated the 35-year-old at the beach before she was later airlifted to a major hospital for surgery.

One witness who was surfing nearby when the attack occurred called the man a "hero" for taking on what appeared to be a great white shark up to three metres (10 feet) long.

"He started laying into the shark because it wouldn't let go," Jed Toohey told the Daily Telegraph.

"He saved her life... He was really incredible."

The woman's husband, Mark Rapley, played down his efforts, telling the newspaper he "did what anyone would have done in that moment".

Australia has one of the world's highest incidences of shark attacks and there have been five fatal ones in the country so far this year.

Just last month, a shark pulled a 10-year-old boy from a fishing boat off Tasmania. He survived after his father jumped in the water to save him.

hr/qan
An unusually fierce summer storm has sparked multiple grass fires around the Bay Area Sunday morning.

"Nonstop continuous lightning" and gusty winds, combined with dry, hot air, is the likely culprit behind multiple fires. The largest cluster so far appears to be several fires sparked in the Marsh Creek/Deer Valley Road area of Contra Costa County near Brentwood. At 10:15 a.m., Cal Fire reported the Deer Zone fire is at least 3-5 different fires, totaling 100 acres. The agency is battling the fire on the ground and by air. PG&E cameras show a large plume of smoke and intense fire activity in the hills.

Residents near Morgan Territory Road near Mt. Diablo are being urged to prepare for evacuations, if needed.

"Gather any essential items you could carry with you, including medications, baby supplies, money, important papers, photos," Cal Fire said. "Locate any pets and be prepared to cage or leash them."

Alameda County also sent out a warning on Sunday afternoon, asking residents of the Berkeley hills to stay prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice. A red flag warning there has been extended to Monday morning.

Since 1 a.m., Cal Fire crews have been fighting at least 11 brush fires in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties. The largest of them appears to be the Warnella Fire near Bonny Doon in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Cal Fire tweeted that aircraft has been requested for daylight operations. As of 12 p.m., Cal Fire said the fire has burned 20 acres of brush and is 25% contained.

"Most presumed to have started from lightning strikes. Forward progress has been stopped on most of these fires. We're working to get more resources, stretched thin due to heavy fire activity," Cal Fire's San Mateo-Santa Cruz unit tweeted late Sunday morning.

There is also the Arroyo Fire in the South Livermore area. By 8 a.m., firefighters were holding the vegetation fire near 5200 Arroyo Road at about 50 acres. One structure was threatened, according to Alameda County Fire, and there is 50% containment.

Firefighters also stamped down a vegetation fire in the Redwood Estates Area in Los Gatos. The fire began in the 20730 Brush Road area off of Highway 17 around 3 a.m. Evacuations were needed as powerlines were down, reported Cal Fire. By mid-morning, that fire was 100% contained. Rainy conditions in the area slowed its spread.

Marin County Fire tweeted at 8 a.m. that several small, lightning-sparked fires were burning in the county, including one near Throckmorton Station on Mount Tamalpais. There are no evacuations in place.

"Wild night in the San Francisco Bay Area," tweeted UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain. "This is probably the most widespread and violent summer thunderstorm event in memory for Bay Area, & it's also one of the hottest nights in years."

The storm took out power in many parts of the Bay Area. Major outages in PG&E's service area include 15,000 customers in Sonoma County, 8,000 in Marin County, 6,000 in the San Lorenzo/Hayward area and 4,000 in South Bay, along with a large number of smaller outages around the region.

Silicon Valley Power, the municipal energy provider for the city of Santa Clara, said it is receiving so many calls about outages that its telephone system is overloaded. "We won't be able to respond to inquiries about estimated restoration until we investigate," the agency said.

An air quality advisory through Monday was issued by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District due to wildfires smoke. The BAAQMD said that while air quality conditions are expected to be moderate to good, the numerous fires around the Bay Area could cause the quality to deteriorate.

"If possible, stay inside with windows and doors closed until smoke levels subside, if temperatures allow," the district said. "It is also recommended that those impacted by smoke set their air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate to prevent outside air from moving inside."

Real-time air quality readings are available here.

The Bay City News Service contributed to this report.
Ontario Minister of Finance Rod Phillips speaks at Queen's Park in Toronto on June 8, 2020. (The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn)

Its Disturbing: Ontarios Ballooning Debt Alarms Experts

Ontarios provincial government is facing a deep deficit as it deals with the pandemicnet debt is now expected to reach $397 billion for the current fiscal year.

Experts say COVID-19 cannot account for all of the provinces poor fiscal position, however, and that tough choices must be made.

Its disturbing, Philip Cross, senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI), tells The Epoch Times, noting that Ontario had a very high level of debt before this crisis.

You compare the fiscal numbers for Ontario and Quebec and its just shocking. Ontarios numbers are more than twice as bad as Quebecs, and I just dont see that this government has explained to people why our fiscal situation is so much worse than Quebec.

Ontarios 202021 First Quarter Finances report projected a deficit of $38.5 billion, up from $20.5 billion projected in March. Adjustments include $10.8 billion less tax revenue, $13.1 billion more spending, and $17 billion more in direct responses to COVID-19. On the positive side, federal transfers will be $6.2 billion higher than first expected.

Quebecs deficit is projected at $14.9 billion. The province of 8.5 million has had over 61,000 cases of COVID-19. Ontario has had more than 40,500 cases among its population of 14.7 million.

Theres no indication this government really understands the financial straits Ontario finds itself in and is prepared to take the actions needed, Cross says. Just the opposite, they seem to be just continuing the same policies that the Liberals started.

A recent column by Cross, who spent 36 years at Statistics Canada specializing in macroeconomics, lamented that the province still buys green energy at high prices and had renewed failed Liberal policies of subsidizing residential hydro customers.

He says many in Ontarios public sector are overcompensated, especially through defined-benefit pension plans.

I always thought that its a bit ridiculous: Were asking people in the private sector, most of whom dont even have a pension  to pay taxes so that the civil service can have [defined-benefit pension plans], especially teachers [who] can retire after 30 years in this province, he says. The average hydro worker in this province makes well over $100,000. I dont think were getting value for money in that.

A $9 billion deficit was projected for 202021 prior to the pandemic. The fiscal update expects that direct measures to address COVID-19 will cost $30 billion.

We were on track to balancing the provinces budget. We had to make a swift about-face in March  and today were talking about a $38.5 billion deficit, Finance Minister Rod Phillips said on Aug. 12 upon releasing the First Quarter Finances report.

Right now, the priority needs to be to provide the resources that are required.

Premier Doug Ford defended the spending on pandemic measures and acknowledged that balancing the budget in his first term in office as he had planned wasnt going to happen.

Im going to be very frank, Ford said on Aug. 12. It was a whole different situation six months ago compared to now. But were going to continue to be very fiscally conservative [and] responsible.

Jasmine Moulton, Ontario director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, said in a press release that while its to be expected that spending in certain areas such as health care would need to be increased due to the pandemic, some of this spending is completely unreasonable and flat out wasteful.

In an email to The Epoch Times, Moulton wrote, Ontarians desperately needed the government to fix its spending problem before COVID-19, but the government seems to have doubled down on its big spending ways in the aftermath of the economic crisis.

Ontarios combined federal and provincial debt in the last fiscal year was the highest among the Canadian provinces, at $668.5 billion. The Fraser Institute notes its important to factor in the federal debt because about 40 percent of all federal government revenue comes from Ontario taxpayers. The provinces net debt will rise to a record 49.7 percent of GDP this fiscal year, according to the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario.

An MLI report in 2012 gave Ontario a 79 percent chance of defaulting on its debt by 2042, but Cross says it wont come to that.

Im not a fan of the idea of defaulting. That is sort of out of the question. The Bank of Canada intervened to prevent Newfoundland from defaulting. Ottawa is not going to allow provinces to default.

Earlier this year, the Bank of Canada launched a Provincial Bond Purchase Program to buy up to $50 billion worth of bonds. Cross says chronic deficits require a more permanent solution.

When Quebec hit the debt wall in the late 90s, when Canada hit the debt wall in 9495 with Paul Martinits been demonstrated you can fix these problems in about two or three years, he says.

Theyre not that difficult. It just takes the political will to acknowledge theres a problem, to say, OK, were going to have to do things differently. Were going to have to make some tough decisions. And if you go to people and explain that to people honestly, people will support you in that.
Russias decision to approve a coronavirus shot before crucial tests have shown its safe and effective raises worries that politics will trump public health in the quest for a vaccine.

The countrys plan to start mass inoculations as soon as October could put pressure on other governments to rush ahead of regulators and skip key steps, putting people who get the jabs at risk. Any major setback in Russia could damage confidence in vaccines.

Vials containing the two components of the Medgamal COVID-19 vaccine at the Gamaleya National Research Center in Moscow, on Aug. 6.

The stakes are high in the bid to end a crisis thats killed more than 750,000 people worldwide. The Trump administration is pushing ahead with Operation Warp Speed, an unprecedented U.S. effort to accelerate Covid vaccine development and manufacturing, and a massive mobilization is underway in China to get immunizations across the line. President Vladimir Putins Aug. 11 announcement on Russias shot adds a new twist.

Any move to roll out the vaccine based on limited evidence that it works could have harmful consequences, said Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center and an infectious disease specialist at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia.

That could cause other leaders to say: Look, theyre doing it, and thats good enough. And if thats good enough for them, we dont want to lose out. We want to protect our populations too, he said.

History offers lessons on the importance of a rigorous approach to vaccine development, insulated from politics. Misperceptions about the safety of well established immunizations are already widespread; actual stumbles that have occurred in the field  although rare  only add to fears, and show how a botched Covid shot could further distort and inflame public opinion.

Accelerated Plans

Russian officials have dismissed concerns about safety and the pace at which the country is moving. Western jealousy, they say, is fueling criticism of the vaccine, dubbed Sputnik V in a nod to the Soviet Unions launch of the worlds first satellite sent into space in 1957. Putin said one of his daughters has already been given the shot.

Authorities said they plan to start inoculating medical workers and other risk groups by the end of the month, introducing it to volunteers who will be closely monitored, and they add that other countries are moving swiftly too. Russia last month began clinical trials for a second vaccine, developed by the Vector laboratory in Novosibirsk.

Meanwhile, developers including Britains AstraZeneca Plc  the University of Oxfords partner  and U.S. biotech company Moderna Inc. are still in final-stage trials involving tens of thousands of people. Although President Donald Trump has said a vaccine may be ready by election day on Nov. 3, Anthony Fauci, the countrys top infectious disease expert, said it may take until well into 2021 for shots to reach much of the public.

Politicians arent just seeking a vaccine to escape the pandemic. Some could use Covid-19 shots to try to burnish their leadership credentials and bury criticism of past performance.

For Prime Minister Boris Johnson, its a chance to show that a Brexit-unchained U.K. can independently develop vaccines faster than the European Union. A Chinese vaccine might help Xi Jinping erase the memory of the viruss origin. Trump needs a surprise to turn the polls as the U.S. leads the world in deaths. And Putin has an opportunity to beat the West and gain a strategic advantage. His performance ratings have slumped as Russias Covid case tally has risen to the fourth-highest globally.

He needs a big win, said Stephen Morrison, director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies Global Health Policy Center. His economy is flat on its back with Covid and the collapse on the oil markets.

Chinas Shot

For those reasons, Putin may not be swayed by concerns about any potential adverse impact from the vaccine. China has already begun using its shot in the military, and those people are unlikely to be able to give informed, voluntary consent, according to Lawrence Gostin, a Georgetown University professor of global health law.

That may embolden other political leaders to take similar steps to bypass regulators like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Trump is already in some ways behind in a race where the U.S.s two major geopolitical rivals have used their authoritarian might to sprint ahead. FDA officials have emphasized that they will clear a Covid vaccine only after careful analysis, basing decisions on good science and data.

I think Trump will try to influence the FDA and it will bend but wont break, Gostin said. I have confidence in the FDA, but Im very worried. I have no doubt that we could go the path of China or Russia if we didnt have strong institutional guardrails.

Even if he sought to move unilaterally on vaccine authorization, Trump may have boxed himself in with Warp Speed, Morrison said. The government has committed billions of dollars to companies to develop vaccines, and theyre unlikely to cooperate with a plan to distribute unproven products without testing that shows their safety, he said.

Its going to be much more difficult for Trump to pull off a stunt like this than Putin, Morrison said.

Production Deals

The Russian candidate is being developed by Moscows Gamaleya Institute, the Defense Ministry and the sovereign Russian Direct Investment Fund, who say the vaccine is undergoing the last phase of trials. The World Health Organization lists it as still in the earliest stage.

Mass production is lined up in India, South Korea, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Cuba, with at least 20 countries interested in obtaining supplies, the fund said. Russias vaccine could help the global economy recover, according to Kirill Dmitriev, its chief executive officer.

The countries which quickly gain access to a safe vaccine will make it through the crisis successfully, fearlessly, and with minimal losses, he said.

As the virus spreads, theres a risk countries reliant on bigger economies for supplies could end up accepting a product that hasnt proved itself, said Offit, the University of Pennsylvania expert. Another concern is the impact to the global effort to fight a range of diseases if a fast-moving Russian vaccine runs into problems.

Skeptics would inevitably point to that and other cases from the past.

In 2016, the Philippines started a major drive to vaccinate children against dengue. But it was suspended after the shot, Dengvaxia, was linked to an increased risk of severe disease in some who hadnt previously been exposed to the mosquito-borne virus.

Swine Flu

After a 1976 outbreak of swine flu in the U.S. stoked fears of a global crisis, then-President Gerald Ford announced a plan to vaccinate everyone in the country. Soon more than 40 million Americans had received shots. But it never turned into a pandemic, and some of those who had been vaccinated developed Guillain-Barre syndrome, which can cause temporary paralysis.

Any missteps with a Covid inoculation developed too quickly could impact trust in a safer product that comes later, according to Heidi Larson, director of the Vaccine Confidence Project and a professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

We have one chance to make a first impression, she said. If Russias short-cuts in the rush for a vaccine lead to an unnecessary adverse event, it may erode already fragile confidence.
Vietnam and the UK are shaking hands on COVID-19 vaccine production in order to ensure quick and fair distribution of the jab to all in need regardless of income, UK Ambassador to Vietnam Gareth Ward told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper this week.

In February, VABIOTECH under the Ministry of Health, the current leading agency in developing COVID-19 vaccines in Vietnam, conducted their initial research at the UK-based University of Bristol.

The company is now trialling its vaccine with a technology transferred from the university.

Early results from animal trials indicate that the vaccine may offer protection against COVID-19, Ambassador Ward told Tuoi Tre on Friday.

Owing to these positive results, clinical trials on humans are anticipated to commence in early 2021.

Besides, the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, which has offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, is conducting world-leading research on epidemiology, including those related to the pandemic.

The unit is also partnering with the Vietnamese Ministry of Health to carry out a clinical trial, supporting global efforts to identify effective and safe drugs to treat the acute respiratory disease.

The UK is proud to partner with Vietnam on a portfolio of projects supporting COVID-19 recovery and infectious disease control, the UK diplomat said.

He, at the same time, urged Vietnamese scientists who are interested in researching various aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic to apply for a funding program currently open and hosted by the UK National Institute for Health Research.

The scope of the call is based on the WHO COVID-19 Global Research Roadmap priorities identified through a consultative process that involved experts from across the world.

The UK has committed over 6.5 billion (US$8.5 billion) in aid and financial support through the United Nations and other bodies to tackle the pandemic and support the worlds most vulnerable people.

The ambassador confirmed that his country would continue to make meaningful and long-lasting contributions to the Vietnamese society in terms of tackling non-communicable disease, harnessing the power of digital health, addressing the burden of antimicrobial resistance, as well as forging a bridge between leading UK and Vietnamese scientists through Prosperity Fund Better Health Program, Fleming Fund, Newton Fund, and Global Challenges Research Fund.

Preparing for vaccines

Besides technical collaboration, Vietnam and the UK join hands in accelerating regulatory reforms to prepare for COVID-19 vaccine distribution and ensure fair access to the jab.

Identifying significant policy challenges faced by Vietnam, the UK alongside WHO, US CDC, and NGO PATH supported the Ministry of Health to strengthen regulatory frameworks in order to advance vaccine research, licensing, and clinical trials while ensuring stringent safety and ethical standards.

A challenge all countries face globally is ensuring that a COVID-19 vaccine can be quickly distributed equitably and accessibly, to everybody who needs it, said Ambassador Ward.

As the largest country donor to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the UK is proud to be working with Vietnam and other global partners to ensure that when a COVID-19 vaccine is developed, all countries will be granted fair and equitable access, regardless of income.

He also expressed his high hope that the UK-Vietnam cooperation would become a role model in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We hope that the lessons we are all learning about public health, social cohesion, and what we can achieve when we cooperate, are remembered as we move toward a new normal, he added.

Positive sign in vaccine development

Ambassador Ward said a COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca, a leading UK biopharmaceutical company with over 25 years of presence in Vietnam, and the University of Oxford is currently undergoing late-stage Phase II/III trials in the UK and Brazil, a Phase I/II trial in South Africa, and trials planned in the U.S., Japan, and Russia.

The inoculation will soon be tested in the U.S., he added.

According to WHO, out of 26 COVID-19 vaccine candidates undergoing clinical trials, the AstraZeneca-University of Oxford shot is among the first six to enter phase-three trials globally.

The project is one of a few backed by 84 million ($110 million) in UK government funding.

No one country or organization has the answer and global collaboration and partnership at a scale never seen before will be key to tackling this pandemic, the ambassador said.

No country will be safe from COVID-19 until all countries are protected from the novel coronavirus, he added.

Vietnams Ministry of Health on Friday announced that they had registered to buy vaccines from the UK and Russia in a bid to proactively respond to COVID-19.

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A popular beauty brand that sells one of its products every three seconds around the world has warned against buying cheaper 'dupes' that aren't rigorously tested, handmade or contain medical-grade silicone.

Swedish company FOREO, which sells its products in Australia, launched its iconic LUNA device in 2013, growing at rapid speed and winning over 180 design and product awards to date.

Its ingenious design has prompted other businesses to 'replicate' the LUNA for half the price. The third generation LUNA for normal skin retails at AUD$299.

Swedish company FOREO, which sells its products in Australia, launched its iconic LUNA device (pictured) in 2013

While this might seem like a cost-effective measure at the time FOREO says these brands don't use anti-bacterial, hypo allergenic and non-abrasive material to make them and don't trial and test them before mass production.

'One of the key features of the LUNA device is its waterproof component; battery-operated cleansing devices that contain electrical currents require stringent safety measures,' a spokesperson for the brand told FEMAIL.

'The LUNA range underwent rigorous trials and testing in order to be safe for use in conjunction with water.

'All FOREO products go through meticulous trial and testing, with each and every device made by hand in reputable and regulated factories to ensure quality control.'

'All FOREO products go through meticulous trial and testing, with each and every device made by hand in reputable and regulated factories to ensure quality control,' a spokesperson for the brand said

FOREO has 30 open investigations on design infringement at any given moment and its most recent case - which they won - awarded the company AUD$630,000 in damages

If you purchase a cleansing brush outside of the range offered at FOREO you could be subjecting yourself to physical burns and other injuries associated with unregulated technology.

You could also unwittingly be supporting child labour or unfair work wages for employees, because you don't know where they are made or how.

FOREO has 30 open investigations on design infringement at any given moment and its most recent case - which they won - awarded the company AUD$630,000 in damages.

The original LUNA features 8000 pulsations per minute to ensure the customer is getting a deeper cleanse, with an anti-aging massage function on the back.

'Duplicate products are easily identified with messy design and limited functionalities,' the spokesperson said.
KALAMAZOO, MI  A rally by the far-right group Proud Boys turned violent in downtown Kalamazoo the afternoon of Saturday, Aug. 15.

First Congregational Church hosted a vigil of anti-racism counter protesters within Arcadia Creek Festival Place. The group formed a perimeter around the area, according to MLive reporter Samuel J. Robinson who was on the scene.

Proud Boys, a white nationalist group, is protesting in Kalamazoo. Fights have broken out between opposing groups: Posted by MLive.com on Saturday, August 15, 2020

The Proud Boys, they not only have hatred for Jewish people and Muslim people, but theyre also very hateful of anybody who doesnt look like them or act like them, said The Rev. Nathan Dannison, the churchs pastor.

Addressing the gathered crowd, Dannison urged those present to commit themselves to non-violence and non-aggression.

Lets work together to remain peaceful and manifest positive energy with each other, to take care of each other, to take care of our own selves and our own safety, and to defend one another, Dannison told the crowd.

Proud Boys rally in downtown Kalamazoo

Shortly thereafter, chanting, mostly mask-less Proud Boys marched toward the parks entrance, waving American, Trump, and Gadsden flags and other symbols. Violence broke out soon after, with Proud Boys attacking counter-protesters with fists, kicks, and shoves.

Proud Boys also pepper-sprayed numerous people, including Robinson.

As of 1:49 p.m., there were no police present, Robinson tweeted. Kalamazoo Public Safety officers and Portage police officers, many wearing riot gear, showed up shortly thereafter at a parking structure where the protest had advanced to.

Robinson, who was recording a Facebook Live video for MLive, was detained by police despite announcing being a reporter covering the protest. The video ended abruptly with Robinson being seemingly taken to the ground by police as he repeatedly stated he was being arrested.

Hell has broken loose pic.twitter.com/SBj5GqdhFq  Samuel J. Robinson (@samueljrob) August 15, 2020

More:

Rumored Proud Boys event sparks counter vigil in Kalamazoo

Another local event, a counter protest against the Proud Boys, is set up for 2 p.m. the same day and place.

The Southern Poverty Law Center designates Proud Boys a hate group
The charges allege both that Trevoy Fonville was the shooter who caused Christopher Kellys death and that he was present shooting when Mr. Kelly was hit. Champaign police are looking for others involved in the brutal assassination.
There were bizarre scenes at Westminster Magistrates Court in London today, as the extradition process of Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange (present via videophone from Belmarsh prison) was again delayed.

Proceedings were held up this morning so Assange could converse for the first time in five months with his legal team. The prosecution team failed to turn up at the hearing because they were told events started at 3:30 p.m. Only five members of the press were allowed to enter the courtroom to monitor proceedings. Other journalists, observers, and NGOs attempting to listen via telephone could not, as they were given the number to another courtroom. One journalist who did make it inside claimed that the judge, Vanessa Baraitser, was, clearly reading from a pre-written ruling.

Assange sat in a conference room used by the entire prison, without a mask, and was seen coughing a number of times. At one point, proceedings in the courtroom were interrupted by screaming coming from another booth in Belmarsh prison, loud enough to cause a delay. Present at the hearing, Assanges mother, Christine, warned that he would not survive extradition to the United States.

Perhaps most bizarre, however, is that the United States Department of Justice dropped its original indictment in June, just two days after Assanges defense team submitted their full and final evidence for the extradition hearing. Today was the first time Assange saw the charges against him. Yet they are almost identical to those previously issued, save for slightly broadening the scope to include some interactions with hacking groups in 2011. The U.S. D.O.J. itself admitted that their new indictment does not add additional counts to the prior 18-count superseding indictment returned against Assange in May 2019, leading Wikileaks to allege that the U.S. is attempting to string the process along until after the November election, in order to avoid any negative consequences for the Trump administration. This was the worst hearing so far, said Kristinn Hrafnsson, the organizations current editor-in-chief. The U.S. government seems to want to change the indictment every time the court meets, but without the defence or Julian himself seeing the relevant documents. If found guilty, Assange faces up to 175 years in prison.

The defense team, led by Edward Fitzgerald QC, was given a week to decide whether to ask for a hearing scheduled for September 7 to be postponed. However, they must do that without the input of their client, as Belmarsh prison denied them a post hearing video conference.

Assanges kangaroo court

One consequence of the replacement indictment is the legality of even keeping the hacktivist publisher imprisoned. Baraitser stated that Assange has not even been arrested under the new indictment and is still being held under the old one that is now null and void.

Thus, to recap: the defendant (who is not even legally under arrest) had not even seen the new charges (which were the same as the old ones) or met with his defense team for five months, the judge was reportedly reading from a pre-written script, the prosecution did not turn up, journalists could not watch or listen to the proceedings, which were interrupted by screaming from the prison where Assange is being kept.

The farcical events were immediately denounced by onlookers. I have never in my career faced so much difficulty attempting to trial monitor as in Julian Assanges case. Whether in person or remotely, there are constant barriers to access. Completely unacceptable, said Rebecca Vincent, Director of International Campaigns for Reporters Without Borders. Journalist Kevin Gosztola agreed: Having covered Chelsea Mannings court martial in a US military court, let me say this clearly: Julian Assange isnt even being granted the same minimal rights and the same standards of press access that Chelsea had. Its much, much worse, he wrote on Twitter.

In 1925, Bohemian writer Frantz Kafkas posthumous book, The Trial, was published, from where we derive the term Kafkaesque. The Trial tells the story of Josef K., a man arrested and prosecuted in a nightmarish kangaroo court while unable to properly defend himself. Nearly 100 years later, the Australian publisher is being tried in his own kangaroo court, and Kafkas dystopian fantasies do not seem so unrelatable.

Feature photo | A demonstrator holds a banner outside Westminster Magistrates Court in London, Aug. 14, 2020. Kirsty Wigglesworth | AP

Alan MacLeod is a Staff Writer for MintPress News. After completing his PhD in 2017 he published two books: Bad News From Venezuela: Twenty Years of Fake News and Misreporting and Propaganda in the Information Age: Still Manufacturing Consent. He has also contributed to Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, The Guardian, Salon, The Grayzone, Jacobin Magazine, Common Dreams the American Herald Tribune and The Canary.

The post Julian Assange Court Case Delayed Again in Bizarre Circumstances appeared first on MintPress News.
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: In a grim reminder of last year's Sonebhadra tribal massacre, another row over land led to a bloody brawl during a village panchayat meeting between two factions claiming two lives in Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.

As per police sources, the panchayat meeting was convened with two lawyers acting as intermediaries but without any prior information to the district police authorities. However, the axe fell on three cops, including a Sub Inspector, who were suspended for not acting in time to prevent the violence.

As per Pratapgarh SP Abhishek Singh, the panchayat meeting was held to resolve a land dispute between two groups. Clashes broke out between the two sides and the injured were taken to hospital without the police being informed.

The SP added that the cops rushed to the district hospital on getting the information about the violence and injured being admitted there. On reaching the hospital, the cops were told that two men - Dayashankar Mishra and his son, Anand Mishra - had died in the violence, said the SP adding that three others were injured in the incident.

Dozens of others ignoring the COVID protocol of mask and social distance had gathered in the hospital. he cries of women, believed to be family members of the men who died, can be heard in the background.

Singh said that two individuals - Rajesh Kumar Mishra and his son - have been arrested in connection with the violence. Mr Singh also said that in addition to the Sub Inspector, two Constables had also been suspended. "Four teams were set up to investigate matter," he added.
COLONIE  A number of residents and community members attended a town board meeting last week to speak out against proposed legislation that would make aggressive panhandling a crime.

Under the new legislation, which was proposed last month, people would be prohibited from coming close to people and asking for money in front of places like ATMs, bus stops, parking lots, overpasses and if panhandlers block cars or are in roadways. According to the legislation, the purpose of the new rule is to promote tourism, business and preserve the quality of suburban life. A violation could result in a $25 - $250 fine, as well as jail time.

This is a public safety measure. It is nothing more, said Town attorney Michael Magguilli at Thursday's town board meeting, which is also available to watch online. The town has absolutely no desire to infringe upon anybodys free speech rights or their ability to obtain assistance.

One resident, Ryan Horstmyer, defended the legislation, saying he and his wife have frequently worried about tragic accidents taking place when panhandlers are too close to busy roadways.

I certainly sympathize with the folks who are out there and in need, but I think its very, very important  and I think the town is taking steps in the right direction specifically with vehicle safety  to ensure that pedestrian traffic ways and vehicle traffic ways are kept separately, he said.

But a number of residents chided the town board, calling the proposed legislation a way to criminalize poverty.

This law seems designed  rather than just being about aggressive and unsafe panhandling  to rid our community of those who dont embody the supposed quality of suburban life, said Barbara Rio-Glick. Its both unconstitutional as well as discriminatory toward the poor people who panhandle to survive.

Residents also criticized the language in the legislation as too vague and subjective, making it easier for complainants or police officers to discriminate based on race or socio-economic status.

I think its easy to feel uncomfortable facing the fact that poverty exists, said Emily Connor. When we push out those in need for our own comfort, we sacrifice an important part of our humanity.

Connor and others added that the legislation would put panhandlers at risk by perpetuating poverty and homelessness because of the fines and potential jail time the legislation proposes.

A section of the legislation addressed coronavirus, as it stipulates that panhandlers must have permission to approach a person they are attempting to solicit from and must be wearing a mask. But residents pointed out how frequently civilians came within six feet of them, without wearing a mask, at parks or on sidewalks. They posed that it's hypocritical to criminalize panhandlers for not meeting pandemic standards, while not enforcing social distancing rules for everyone else.

The obvious lack of local legal action to curb the action of the more economically affluent exposes the thinly veiled classism that is at the core of the proposed chapter, said Sonya Rio-Glick.

Melanie Trimble, the director of the American Civil Liberties Unions Capital Region chapter, also spoke out at the meeting, warning the town board that the proposed legislation would infringe on freedom of speech rights because it is directed toward those who are publicly asking their neighbors for help. She added that the legislation is unnecessary.

Extremely similar ordinances have been stricken down as over broad because they duplicated existing criminal laws, Trimble said. Everything in this proposal here that may rise to the level of criminal misconduct is already penalized by existing laws that prohibit harassment, disorderly conduct and menacing.

Trimble said that since 2015, every panhandling ordinance challenged in federal court was found constitutionally deficient and/or was ultimately repealed. At least 31 other localities who initially adopted similar ordinances, she said, ultimately repealed them over freedom of speech concerns.

However, Magguilli contended that there are federal and state courts who are both sides of the question of whether panhandling laws violate the freedom of speech. Regardless, he said the legislation was carefully written with the assumption that courts would find it is a constitutional right.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Magguilli added that he looked at a number of other municipalities who have adopted similar ordinances, particularly Rochester, which passed an aggressive panhandling law in 2004.

It was unclear from the meeting when the town might vote on the proposed legislation.

Lt. Michael Woods, deputy chief of Colonie police, said the department received 95 calls for panhandling in 2019, two of which were ultimately taken into custody for warrants from other municipalities, and six of which were cited for vehicle and traffic violations. So far in 2020, however, there have been 110 calls, he said  40 to 50 of which came after the Times Union first reported on the proposed legislation on July 23. None of the 110 this year have been arrested, but three were cited for vehicle and traffic violations.

Woods said officers typically advise the panhandlers, and rarely ever have repeat violators.

Residents who spoke out in opposition to the legislation pleaded with the town board to search for ways to address poverty itself, rather than criminalize proof of poverty. Town board members had already been exploring such options.

Many, many people, their big concern is theyre going to hit someone in the street, said Town Supervisor Paula Mahan. One of the things were strongly considering is to find out whats available out there as far as services, what might be able to help us to make an intervention that could possibly help some people.

Town board member Melissa Jeffers Von Dollen said she has been doing excessive research to find other ways to address residents concerns, including connecting with local organizations such as the Homeless and Travelers Aid Society for their expertise on addressing homelessness and poverty.

I firmly believe the law could also play a part in the town developing a multifaceted approach to solving the underlying issues that result in homelessness and aggressive panhandling, she said.
Oil squeezed out a gain for the second straight week but uncertainty around the U.S.-China trade deal and fears of a resurgent pandemic limited the price rally. Crude futures in New York fell 0.5% Friday, but rose 1.9% for the week. The U.S. and China postponed talks planned for over the weekend that had been aimed at reviewing progress at the six-month mark of their phase-one trade agreement, according to people familiar with the matter, Rigzone writes in the article Oil Prices Finish Higher for the Week.

Meanwhile, a rebound in U.S. retail sales slowed sharply in July amid a surge in Covid-19 and still-high unemployment cooled the economic recovery. If China headlines come out and theres a problem with the meeting thats going to happen, you could see a push down to the support levels, for crude futures, said Tariq Zahir, managing member of the global macro program at Tyche Capital Advisors LLC.

Still, U.S. benchmark crude futures extended their rally to over 4% in the past two weeks, with American crude stockpiles declining after imports from Saudi Arabia dropped and gasoline consumption rising. Adding to support, some data points show bright spots in the economic outlook, with U.S. industrial production increasing for a third straight month in July.

But growing signs of a resurgence of the coronavirus has highlighted the patchy recovery in oil consumption. On Thursday, the International Energy Agency downgraded a majority of its demand forecasts for the next 18 months. Meanwhile, the pace of well reactivations in the U.S. has increased since July, according to Rystad Energy, potentially casting a further pall amid a stubborn supply overhang.

Theres reasons to be optimistic, said Michael Hiley, head of over-the-counter energy trading at New York-based LPS Futures. But crude supplies are one big spike away from reversing the gradual recovery in prices right back down.

Prices

West Texas Intermediate for September delivery edged 23 cents lower to settle at $42.01 a barrel. Brent for October settlement dipped 16 cents to end the session at $44.80 a barrel. The contract gained 0.9% for the week. The 3-2-1 refining margin for combined gasoline and diesel against WTI, which provides a rough gauge of profitability for processing a barrel of crude, is trading at its lowest seasonal level in almost a decade. As the pandemic devastates air travel and depresses gasoline demand during what is usually the summer driving season, weakness in the margin signals the decreasing appeal for refiners to buy up more crude. At the same time, prompt spreads for WTI and Brent futures both widened deeper into contango on Friday, signaling concerns of oversupply.

With the cracks struggling, turnaround season looms large on the horizon, Bob Yawger, director of the futures division at Mizuho Securities USA, said in a note. Refiners will pull back on the run rate soon, but there is little incentive for them to run hard during winter because distillate storage is already very close to a 38-year high.

Other oil-market news

The U.S. seized four tankers carrying Iranian gasoline bound for Venezuela in an unprecedented move by the Trump administration that carries the potential to destabilize global oil shipments if Iran retaliates.

The downfall of storied Singapore oil trader Lim Oon Kuin reached a new nadir Friday, with the founder of Hin Leong (Pte) Ltd. charged with abetment of forgery for the purpose of cheating, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Rosneft PJSC returned to profit in the second quarter as cost cuts, lower taxes and foreign-exchange gains helped offset a historic slump in crude prices. However, the result may not be sufficient for the company to pay a dividend for the first half.

Venezuelas long-suffering oil industry is ramping up exports even as production continues its inexorable slide.
UAE's move big mistake, betraying Palestinian cause, strongly condemned: President Rouhani

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Sat / 15 August 2020 / 14:26

Tehran (ISNA) - Given the unfamiliarity of coronavirus and the long-term nature of COVID-19 disease, long-term planning and change in lifestyle are necessary for combatting the virus, said Iran's President, adding, "In this path, people should trust the Ministry of Health, the country's specialists and the decisions of the National Task Force for Fighting Coronavirus".

Speaking on Saturday at the meeting of the National Task Force for Fighting Coronavirus, Dr. Hassan Rouhani stated that we must all act united and sympathetic in the fight against this disease, and said, "Strengthening, completing and developing the infrastructure of the Ministry of Health is the first task of the government in this situation".

Dr. Rouhani added, "Development of digital infrastructure and e-government, strengthening and development of knowledge-based companies, planning to purchase approved vaccines produced abroad, strengthening food production and security, as well as strengthening non-oil exports are other tasks and priorities of the government".

"Fortunately, in many provinces, such as Khuzestan, Kurdistan and West Azerbaijan, we have seen good performance in fighting coronavirus, and a declining trend has begun in these provinces," he said, expressing hope that this trend would continue in other provinces as well.

Pointing out that the issue of violation of health protocols was raised in the meeting of the National Task Force for Fighting Coronavirus, Dr. Rouhani said, "Punishments for administrative violations in businesses have been determined by the task force and will be announced by the responsible agencies".

Dr. Rouhani also said, "All the facilities of the country, including the Ministry of Science, governor generals, medical universities and all responsible agencies, should be mobilized in the best way, so that we can hold the entrance exam with observing health protocols".

In another part of his speech, the President referred to the UAE's move to normalize relations with the Zionist Regime, adding, "Unfortunately, these days a neighbouring country has approached the enemy of the Islamic world and the region and the slayer of the Palestinian people and decided to establish relations with the Zionist Regime".

Dr. Rouhani said that the UAE has Muslim people, but its rulers have taken a wrong path, adding, "They thought that if they approach the Zionist Regime, their security and economy would be ensured, while this is wrong and 100% condemned, and it is a clear betrayal to the Palestinian people, the cause of al-Quds and Muslims".

The President added, "It is a shame that while the Zionist Regime is seeking to seize another part of the Palestinian territory and some countries have moved their embassies in violation of international regulations, a Muslim country makes this move to please the ruler of another country who is going to participate in the elections in the coming months".

Dr. Rouhani emphasized, "The rulers of the UAE should know that if they think they can get closer to the enemies of Islam and Iran, they can buy security for themselves, they have gone in the wrong direction".

The President said, "Saddam Hussein once asked Iran to remain silent so that it could invade Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE and occupy these countries, but Iran did not remain silent in this matter and did not give them the green light and was the first country that condemned the aggression and helped the displaced people of Kuwait".

Emphasizing that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always been a supporter of Muslims and its neighbours, and contributed to regional security, Dr. Rouhani said, "Unfortunately, the UAE has made a big mistake and we hope it will return from this wrong path. We warn them not to want to invite Israel to the region, in which case they will be treated differently".

In another part of his speech, referring to the failure of the United States to pass a resolution against Iran in the UN Security Council, the President said, "On the day of Mubahala, Iran achieved a great victory in the Security Council, and it is for the first time that the Americans propose a resolution in the Security Council and only a small island country votes for it, which is a sign of America's isolation in this field".

Stating that the failure of the United States is a sign of the power of the half-dead JCPOA that has stood against the United States and defeated it, Dr. Rouhani added, "The reason why the resolution had 11 abstentions and 2 votes against it was because everyone believes that maintaining the JCPOA is necessary for world security and the United States failed miserably in this area, and this year's Mubahala Day was recorded in the history of Iran in fighting the Global Arrogance".

The president said that the Americans had announced that they had confiscated four Iranian ships to cover up their humiliation, adding, "The news turned out to be a lie, and they did it to cover up their humiliation".

Dr. Rouhani emphasized, "The Islamic Republic of Iran, with its power in the region and by cooperating with its friends with whom it shares common goals, has achieved great successes so far, and yesterday was a great political victory for Iran and a disgraceful defeat for the United States. We hope that the countries of the region will learn a lesson and will not approach the usurper countries".

End Item

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A recurrent demand of the fraternity has been to contain CBFCs role to certification and categorisation of films based on target audience and demography, as is the practice in mature democracies, shedding the paternalistic approach to censoring and seeking amendments in films.

The latest attack on freedom of expression launched by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) with its letter to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) demanding that any film depicting military personnel in uniform will have to seek an NOC (no objection certificate) from the ministry has confounded the industry and its audience. This, from a government that promised minimum government, maximum governance and sitting on two committee reports calling for loosening up the stranglehold censorship has on films made or exhibited in the country, is rather shocking. MoDs letter, if anything, raises a plethora of questions and calls for a closer look at functioning of CBFC and the efforts to reform it.

Since its inception in 1952, the film certification system in India remains an intractable monolith, a bureaucratic maze which every filmmaker must find his or her way to negotiate. In the Indian context, the concept of film certification is regularly conflated with censorship  primarily because a large majority of films are pruned by the Indian state to make them 'fit for certification'. Thus, in practice, film certification and film censorship have become synonymous; and censorship, not the classification of films, has become the dominant aim of the Indian State. Critics, commentators, and filmmakers have been largely unanimous in describing the censorship apparatus as a vexing social and juridical issue, as well as the biggest impediment to creative expression in Indian cinema.

Recognising this, to its credit, the Indian governments have attempted to address the issue at different points of time. Remarkable among these exercises undertaken are the three committees set up to devise a mechanism to reform the process, namely, the Enquiry Committee on Film Censorship under Justice G D Khosla (1969), the Justice Mudgal Committee (2013) and the Shyam Benegal Committee (2017). However, the intent never translated into execution and the reports of these committees remained just on paper.

A behemoth, CBFC is headed by a government-appointed chairperson and has 25 members, each with a tenure of three years. It has nine regional offices spread across India, with each regional chapter having dozens of advisory panel members. Members of these panels constitute what is called the examining committee  a body usually comprising two to five individuals.

It is this examining committee, which has the crucial mandate of certifying films, with or without cuts. Based on this committees assessment of a film, a certificate is issued, in the name of the CBFC chairperson. The certificate classifies the film as U (unrestricted viewing), UA (parental guidance required for children below 12 years in age), A (adults only) and S (for restricted audience).

A filmmaker unhappy with the decision of the examining committee can challenge it before a revising committee, which has a different set of people on board, at least one of whom is part of the 25-member central board. The revising committee, then scrutinises if the examining committee is justified in its call and is empowered to grant relief to the aggrieved filmmaker by partly or wholly revising the examining committees order.

However, every year, each of CBFCs regional offices register several cases of filmmakers displeased with the revising committees decision too. This leads to the third tier of redressal  the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT)  a quasi-judicial body functioning under the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Once the filmmaker exhausts this option too, his/her next recourse is approaching a constitutional body such as the high courts or the Supreme Court.

The central governments stranglehold on CBFC with the powers to overturn decisions taken by its examining committee, revising committee and even that of FCAT, has only made the film-making community wary of it. They have come to view the appellate mechanisms within CBFC more as additional hurdles, rather than embedded checks and balances in the censorship apparatus.

A recurrent demand of the fraternity has been to contain CBFCs role to certification and categorisation of films based on target audience and demography, as is the practice in mature democracies, shedding the paternalistic approach to censoring and seeking amendments in films. This view of restricting CBFCs power was incorporated in a report by committee chaired by the veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal. This report struck at the very root of Indian film certification, diluting its power of pre-censorship, that was endowed by the Indian Cinematograph Act of 1952 (revised in 1982)  a power upheld by Supreme Court in a 1970 order.

The suggestion, however, seems too radical for the Indian State which has been resistant to relinquishing this power by effecting a fundamental amendment to The Indian Cinematograph Act. Instead, it may be more amenable to adopting a simplification of the three-tier process as mooted by the Mudgal Committee, which has attacked the selection of people who constitute the advisory panels at each regional office. The committee found many members of these panels bereft of any cinematic understanding, who perceived their role on the board to be one of cutting and chopping scenes based on their political, religious or social affiliation. The committee observed that many of their objections to verge on being outright ridiculous.

Most of these panel members were found to be lower functionaries of political parties or people posted on recommendation of social heavyweights. Reposing faith in such people to tackle complex aesthetic and ideological issues and play primary gatekeepers in the censorship hierarchy is objectionable to most filmmakers. As Sanjay Nag, a Kolkata-based filmmaker, pointed out, many of the examining committee members essentially see themselves as cutter, placed to enforce cuts and excisions. Prof Ira Bhaskar, a former member of CBFC, who has chaired multiple revising committee meetings, saw the problem in examining committees overreaching their power and exercising overt caution. The common tendency is to err on the side of caution to escape accountability should offending be discovered in the film by the government later on, she said. The sharp political polarisation in the country, the past few years, has only added to the anxiety of the examining committee members, underscored another filmmaker  Suman Ghosh.

Such is the compulsion for caution that at times the cuts and amendments are handed out with a consolatory message that the filmmakers have two more forums to approach to argue their case. But this pursuit is too tedious and expensive and pose huge impediments for films made on shoe-string budgets. Hiring auditoriums for re-screening of their films, especially in far off Delhi (for regional filmmakers) is not easy. While the exercise was fruitful for filmmaker Suman Mukhopadhyay, with FCAT ruling in his favour on his film Kangal Malshat (2013), he pointed out that he was able to pull it off only courtesy his producers support, though his was an ultra-low budget film.

To assuage the censors scouting for material to cut, filmmakers have started embedding red herrings in their films, drawing them away from more critical content, informed Mumbai-based documentary filmmaker Pankaj Rishikumar. Also, most filmmakers observe that given their constitution, the examining committee and revising committee are not very different from each other, reinforcing their demand for qualitative change to advisory panels and for merger of the two committees.

For its part, the Mudgal Committee has called for rechristening the advisory panels as screening panels. It has urged that a nine-member committee be set up with representation for diverse language with at least two women on board. This committee would then appoint a voluminous panel of members drawn from variant backgrounds, in terms of educational qualification, profession, association with the arts, literature, history, sociology, psychology and the media, law and public administration, who are deemed fit to judge the impact of the film on public consciousness.

Justice Mudgal also sought introduction of certain basic criteria in terms of education, language skills and expertise in the appointment of regional officers, who are presently deployed from middle-level bureaucracy for fixed tenure of three-five years. As chief executive of the regional offices they play a critical role coordinating between filmmakers and the advisory panels, and convening of examining committee meetings, wielding a lot of influence.

It is believed that these recommendations of the Mudgal Committee can be easily carried through and if done, it will engender an unbiased, aesthetically sensitive and socially conscious examining committee with the ability to understand a filmmakers view of the world and that of the civil society, striking a balance between the two. This will, in effect, whittle down the number of filmmakers appealing against the boards decision. Most observers, including Dr Lalit Bhasin, senior Supreme Court advocate, former chairperson of FCAT and a member of the Mudgal Committee, vouch that it would be a more pragmatic approach to tackling countrys censorship issue, without demanding too much of the ruling dispensation.

However, the MoD letter has come as a huge disappointment to the people clinging to the hope that the Mudgal Committee report, if not the Shyam Benegal Committee report, would be actioned by Mr Modis government, based on the assurance of minimum government. The new diktat is clearly a walk in the opposite direction, which can set a precedent for other groups or bodies to seek a say in a films content, killing all creative endeavours.

Dr Indranil Bhattacharya is a film historian and a researcher. The opinions expressed are personal.

Representational image via WikimediaCommons
Eighth grade teacher Jackie Sevag (from left), principal Bud Tosti and parish operations and facilities manager Christopher Plasha visit a classroom before the start of the school year at St. Katharine of Siena School in Wayne. New since the coronavirus are white board projectors that can share a teacher's computer screen with students in the classroom along with students learning at home. Some private schools are reporting higher demand for admissions to their schools, which are offering in-person learning, as many public schools are starting the school year virtually. Read more

In between fielding emails from parents about his schools plan to reopen, Bud Tosti spent Tuesday unloading 120 desks at St. Katharine of Siena School in Wayne.

You cant socially distance with tables, Tosti, the Catholic elementary schools principal, said after swapping desks into six classrooms.

As public schools across the region have increasingly moved to reopen with online-only instruction, many private schools are pressing ahead with plans to bring children back to classrooms, saying they are taking precautions and can open safely.

Some private school leaders say they are seeing heightened interest from parents seeking alternatives to their districts virtual learning programs, and willing to begin paying tuition  in some cases tens of thousands of dollars  to ensure their kids return to learning in a classroom.

Similar dynamics are playing out nationally as schools have been thrust into the center of the pandemic reopening debate. Private schools may have financial incentives to reopen, because otherwise families may take their kids out of the school, said Sean Reardon, professor of poverty and inequality in education at Stanford University  or because parents with children in public schools who want in-person classes are willing to pay.

 READ MORE: A growing number of Philly-area school districts are planning virtual openings, relieving some parents and frustrating others

Yet given the need for social distancing, some private-school leaders say they dont necessarily have space for more students. They also note that their own plans could change.

Everybodys looking for the best option for their child, said John Zurcher, head of admissions at William Penn Charter School in East Falls. He said the Quaker private school, which is planning in-person instruction, has been getting an unusually high number of calls from parents seeking to enroll.

Were really full and have been turning families away, Zurcher said. The school, where tuition ranges from $23,500 for prekindergarten to $38,650 for high school, opened last year with 976 students, its largest-ever enrollment. It expects to exceed that number this year.

Private-school enrollment has generally been trending down over the last decade, said Steve Piltch, director of the School Leadership Program at the University of Pennsylvanias Graduate School of Education. That gives schools freedom many of their public counterparts dont have.

Whatever the classes were there to begin with, they were smaller than most of the public schools are, said Piltch, a former longtime head of the Shipley School on the Main Line.

Its also a matter of money. The Haverford School said it has spent seven figures on measures intended to keep the virus from spreading through the all-boys campus, from improving air filtration to hiring additional cleaning staff.

Im sad that every school doesnt have the same resources  to be able to provide this option to families, said head of school John Nagl, adding that for schools opting to stay virtual, the federal government hasnt given them the resources to reopen safely.

Many school districts in Southeastern Pennsylvania have been opting to start the year virtually, as public health experts warn of potential outbreaks if in-person instruction resumes. Pennsylvania has advised schools to decide about the fall based on levels of community spread of the virus, while New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced last week that schools could start the fall remotely if they show they are unable to open and meet health and safety standards.

On Friday, the Chester County Health Department recommended public and private schools in Chester and Delaware Counties open virtually through Oct. 9, citing potential increased cases due to the end of the summer holiday.

 READ MORE: Kids make up a growing share of New Jersey coronavirus cases as schools grapple over reopenings

Some districts that opted for online-only instruction have said they dont have enough teachers willing to return to school buildings. Several private-school leaders said they were still talking with teachers about such staffing challenges.

Our teachers want to be in school, Tosti said, though we all have some fears and anxieties. He declined to say if any teachers requested leave due to health conditions, saying it was confidential information.

Nagl said teachers with health issues at the Haverford School would be given the chance to work remotely. Cameras can work both ways, said Nagl, whose school, like others, has been equipping classrooms with cameras so children opting for virtual lessons can tune in. He said it was entirely possible some students would come to a classroom and be taught by a teacher working from home.

Unlike public school staffers, most private-school teachers are not unionized. Theres no question that piece matters, Piltch said.

One exception is teachers at the 17 high schools run by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Rita Schwartz, head of the 500-member Association of Catholic Teachers, said the union had been involved in the reopening plans for the schools, which plan to bring students back to classrooms part time.

Schwartz said the archdiocesan school system is trying very hard to do everything they can to make sure theres cleaning done at all times, the teachers are safe, and that education can hopefully get as back to normal as possible with whats going on. Asked about teachers requesting to work remotely, she said: Its an option for the students. That I know. Some teachers are concerned about returning, Schwartz said, but havent made any final decision yet.

The Independence Mission Schools, a network of 15 Catholic schools mostly in Philadelphia, decided to open virtually through September in part due to lack of willing staff. If you lose a big portion of your teaching staff, you cant recover, said Bruce Robinson, CEO of the network, adding that he was unsure whether reopening could be done safely.

Charter schools, which are publicly funded but managed independently, are also making reopening decisions. In Philadelphia, 82 are opening virtually, three are offering a hybrid program, and one is still determining plans, district officials said.

While its high schools are offering a hybrid model, the archdioceses more than 100 elementary schools, including Tostis school in Wayne, are planning to bring students back five days a week, with guidelines that call for spacing desks three to six feet apart.

That distinction has become controversial in public school plans: After Bucks County instructed schools to provide at least three feet of spacing, the Pennsylvania State Education Association pushed back, calling for a six-foot minimum as recommended by state officials and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Tosti acknowledged social distancing is a challenge, but said the 400-student school is following the archdioceses guidelines. He noted that everyone will wear face masks  a state requirement for schools  and said teachers desks would be distanced from students.

While some families are reluctant about returning, others are really happy that were in school five days a week, Tosti said. The school, where tuition for one child is $5,800, is getting enrollment requests and turning down a lot of people for lack of space.

Some independent schools have bought tents to hold classes outside. Among them is Germantown Friends School, which is also adding portable sinks and mobile restrooms to its campus to enable more hand-washing and create more space in bathrooms, said Dana Weeks, head of school. Like others, she said the school is following health guidance.

Weeks did not yet know what the school  which is planning to bring younger students back five days a week and older students part time  would spend on the measures. Im sure its a bigger number than I even want to entertain, she said.

 READ MORE: At the elite Shipley school in Bryn Mawr, money is no object in coronavirus-reopening plans | Maria Panaritis

While Germantown Friends has seen some interest from families looking to enroll, others have left due to the virus toll on their finances or health, Weeks said. The school, which has offered additional financial aid due to the pandemic as others have, charges $20,500 for preschool, up to $40,350 per year for high school.

Among those who have switched to private schools is Tina Lazicki, of Cherry Hill, who sought a full-time option for her 6-year-old daughter, Juliana, after struggles with virtual learning in the spring. While many schools had wait lists, Lazicki secured a spot at Fervent Beginnings, a faith-based daycare in Voorhees that added a blended first-grade class this year.

I know its a gamble and its a lot of money, said Lazicki, a single mother who works two jobs as an optometry technician and manager at the Kids First Swim School in Cherry Hill, and is hoping to pick up extra hours to pay the $560-a-month tuition. I never thought in a million years I would be sending my daughter to a private school.

Whether any shifts from public to private schools now will have long-term effects is unclear. Reardon, of Stanford, doesnt think so, in part because the number of families leaving the public system could be relatively small.

When things are back to normal, I suspect people will make the same decisions they would have before the pandemic, Reardon said.

Piltch, the Penn professor and former private-school leader, said parents who pull children from public school will be evaluating what happens in the weeks and months to come.

And if the kids have the level of experience that those private and independent schools hope they will have, he said, there will be many parents who choose to keep their kids in those schools, if they can.

Staff writer Melanie Burney contributed to this article.
~ Amador Muller undergoing screening for SG position.~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Justice Anna Richardson on Friday, August 14th dispatched a memo to the management team of the Justice Ministry informing them that as of said date Keturah Brown has been relieved from the position as Interim Secretary-General. Brown returns to her former position as head of IBPS.

Brown was appointed by the outgoing Minister of Justice and now deputy Prime Minister Egbert Jurendy Doran.

Richardson in her memo stated that a suitable St. Maarten lawyer has been selected for the position and this lawyer is presently going through the screening process before being officially appointed.

Based on reliable sources the selected candidate is no other that well known Amador Muller who has been working as a consultant for the government of St. Maarten on cases related to immigration.
It is 230 days since the first case of Covid-19 was confirmed. By day 28, the virus had gone global. Cases were reported throughout Asia, Europe, the United States and Australia. Some, with links to outbreaks in France and Germany, began to emerge in Spain, England, and northern Italy.

The first case in Germany was a man from Shanghai. Before travelling to Munich for work, he had been with his parents, who live in Wuhan. Within eight days, Germany had its first cluster and 16 people had been infected. All had links to the first case. Officials began tracing their close contacts. In the 48-hour period prior to having symptoms, the 16 cases had 241 close contacts between them.

Compared to other close contacts, those living with confirmed cases were twice as likely to contract the disease. However, in one unique scenario, four family members were isolated together alongside a relative who tested positive. All five people shared one hospital room. Three relatives became infected.

It was an insightful error, highlighting that to successfully contain Covid-19, we would need to change the conditions of how people interact with suspected cases, especially if vulnerable people are near.

The first confirmed case in northern Italy was a man in his early 30s. Within 24 hours, 36 cases were confirmed in the region. None had links to the young man. Eight days later, Ireland began confirming cases. Most had recently returned from northern Italy.

From the outset, Ireland could trace the source for almost 70pc of infections. A pattern began to emerge. The majority of people infected had been providing close-up care, while most of those who died had been receiving it.

Expand Close 'To gauge how well infection prevention and control measures are functioning within healthcare facilities, countries are encouraged to regularly simulate disease outbreaks.' (stock photo) / Facebook

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Whatsapp 'To gauge how well infection prevention and control measures are functioning within healthcare facilities, countries are encouraged to regularly simulate disease outbreaks.' (stock photo)

Half of all cases aged 18-65 years worked in healthcare and almost 85pc had recent contact with a confirmed or suspected case. Nurses and healthcare assistants became the health professionals most likely to be infected. Combined, they accounted for 22pc of all cases in Ireland.

So far, 4pc of healthcare workers with Covid-19 have been hospitalised. Hospitalisation rates are 4.4 times greater for all other cases. One reason for this might be that 38pc of positive healthcare workers had an underlying condition, compared to 59pc in others.

But the people depending most on close-up care have had the worst outcomes. So far, nursing home residents have been 2.3 times more likely to die than to be admitted to hospital.

In early January, China was the only country with confirmed cases. The World Health Organisation released a 99-item checklist designed to help countries prepare for controlling outbreaks. Nothing on the list was new or radical. Many of the same items are used to manage the 600 infectious disease outbreaks that occur each year in Ireland. How, then, did Covid-19 take our healthcare sector by surprise?

To gauge how well infection prevention and control measures are functioning within healthcare facilities, countries are encouraged to regularly simulate disease outbreaks. Research on Irish hospitals has found that although 85pc of participating facilities had an emergency planning committee, only 31pc went through an emergency infectious disease exercise in the past 12 months. Even when an exercise did occur, only 40pc of hospitals listed what they had learned from the process.

Between January and June, chaos had set in in many healthcare facilities. In that period alone, governing bodies issued nursing homes with more than 15 documents for managing Covid cases. Few contained solutions that weren't already known.

When chaos strikes, we tend to stop believing in simple solutions. We begin to tell ourselves that only big breakthroughs, like a vaccine, will address the unprecedented levels of death, but lessons from current vaccination programmes suggest otherwise.

Almost 10,000 confirmed cases of influenza occur in Ireland each year. Among those hospitalised with influenza, 87pc have not been vaccinated. In Ireland, 96pc of influenza cluster outbreaks occur in healthcare settings, yet only one in three healthcare workers receives the vaccine.

For every 100 confirmed cases of influenza in Ireland, 40 require hospitalisation, two require admission to intensive care, and one to two die. This hospitalisation rate is three times higher than that associated with Covid-19.

Across the EU, the average hospital stay with influenza is eight days. In Ireland, this costs at least 6,700. In 2019, over 41pc of the population could get the flu vaccine for free. So, too, could healthcare workers. For everyone else, it cost approximately 20. Preventing one single influenza-related hospitalisation could pay for the vaccination of 336 people.

Collectively, we have bought into the concept that at least one of the 165 vaccines currently being researched will be safe, effective and distributed globally. Our dependence on this solution will leave the most vulnerable sections of our society exposed for a very long time - and potentially indefinitely.

Covid-19 has seen a coming together of long unaddressed threats to our health. A new disease has exposed our high prevalence of underlying conditions, excessive demands on our healthcare staff, and sections of our society living in vulnerable settings.

Throughout this pandemic, we have demonised simplistic solutions. However, our success at stopping the spread of the virus depends on people maintaining hand hygiene, coughing and sneezing into their elbow or tissue, socially distancing, wearing a mask in public places, and isolating and phoning their GP should they develop symptoms.

We have also demonised anything believed not to be optimistic or to go against the national effort. Yet it was a whistleblower in a nursing home, in early April, who highlighted dangers in the detection and management of infections among staff and residents. The problem was not confined to one facility. Cases and fatalities peaked soon nationally. Our systems for preventing and controlling infections had failed.

Every year in Ireland, over 740,000 people are admitted to acute hospitals. A further 23,000 aged over 65 live in nursing homes. As a society we cannot allow the conditions that harmed healthcare workers and patients during the first wave to go unaddressed.

When managing the risk of rare but harmful events, it is important to use stopping criteria: points in the process of making decisions when we recognise that more data will not change what we should focus on. Although past information cannot predict the future, consistent trends don't suddenly change.

The first report of Covid-19 cases in Ireland was published in late March. Back then, Ireland had 712 confirmed cases and 22pc worked in healthcare. By mid-May, we had 24,000 cases, and 32pc worked in healthcare. This trend has yet to change.

Over 8,200 healthcare workers have been infected with Covid-19. Their experiences are key to managing close-up care in the future. Rather than top-down solutions coming from hierarchical systems, it's time we changed the way we discover breakthroughs in caring for our health.

Inevitably, the most vulnerable in society depend on close-up care. Now is the time to create the conditions to support healthcare workers in providing safe and effective close-up care. This way, those in our society that need it, can receive it.

Mark Roe is a post-doctoral researcher at UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science
A woman has been arrested and charged over the suspicious death of a businessman in a hotel room in far north Queensland.

Anthony Brady, a 52-year-old service station auditor from Brisbane, was found dead in a room at Sunshine Tower Hotel, in Cairns, around 4pm on Friday afternoon.

His concerned family had reported him missing on Thursday after he failed to catch his flight home.

On Saturday, Queensland Police released images of a 32-year-old woman whom they believe was the last person to see Mr Brady alive.

A breakthrough came with the arrest of a woman in the Cairns suburb around 10,20am on Sunday.

Police released this photo of a woman they believe was the last person to see Anthony Brady alive. A woman is now assisting police with their inquiries

A woman with a shaved head was pictured in the back of a police car following her arrest.

Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that a woman, 32, has been taken into custody and is assisting officers with inquiries.

She has since been charged with one count of manslaughter and will appear at the Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding Mr Bradys death are continuing.

Mr Brady flew to Far North Queensland on Monday and had been staying at the Cairns Plaza Hotel on the Esplanade.

Mr Brady was reported missing by his family after failing to catch a flight home from his work trip on Thursday.

Police initially traced Mr Brady's movements but the trail went cold after he visited a Caltex service station on Sheridan Street on Wednesday night.

Brisbane businessman Anthony Brady (pictured) was found dead in a room at Sunshine Tower Hotel in Cairns on Friday afternoon. He was reported missing on Thursday

They also searched through drains and thick scrubs 5km from where he was last seen before discovering Mr Brady's suspected body at the Sheridan Street hotel.

Mr Brady's cousin Ian Brady has spoken out on behalf of the devastated family.

'All I will say is he was a great cousin, a loyal and loving husband and a man who loved his job,' he told the Courier Mail.

Detectives from State Crime Command's Homicide Squad have travelled to Cairns to assist with the investigation.

Police had traced Mr Brady's whereabouts to a service station on Sheridan Street before the trail went cold (Pictured is a woman police believed could help with the investigation)

Anthony Brady was captured on CCTV in a Cairns service station prior to his death

Acting Detective Inspector Jason Smith said a post mortem examination was being carried out that would 'reveal more information to police' about the death.

'The circumstances of the death appear suspicious at this stage, however we're keeping an open mind.

'We currently have four homicide investigation officers here in Cairns assisting with the investigation,' he said.

Anyone with information regarding Mr Brady's death have been urged to call Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
UPDATE: Body found along Lehigh River still under investigation, but no danger to public is seen

A body recovered Saturday evening along the Lehigh River in Freemansburg has been identified as a 48-year-old man.

Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek on Sunday identified the deceased as Michael Andrews of Northampton Borough.

Andrews was recovered from the river -- east of the overpass -- shortly before 7 p.m. His exact cause and manner of death is pending a complete investigation, Lysek said.

Lysek did not provide further details about what might have led to the death or what Andrews was doing in the river. Freemansburg Police Chief Jonathan Itterly did not immediately respond to phone and email requests for information.

Itterly told The Morning Call newspaper Andrews appeared to have been deceased for awhile before being discovered. Police also werent aware of any missing persons in the area, Itterly said in the report.

A Facebook posting by Honest Travs Virtual Dive Bar said Andrews was seen was on Aug. 6. Hes described as a member of that Facebook group.

A member posted finding his vehicle at the parking deck of Wind Creek Casino in Bethlehem and said his wallet was dropped off in a dropbox of the Bethlehem Police Department. The member stated police were notified and a missing persons report was filed.

The Northampton County Coroners Office was called to respond after the remains were reportedly found, a county 911 dispatch supervisor confirmed Saturday. Lysek arrived by 6:30 p.m. to the river and Freemansburg police investigated the discovery from aboard a Bethlehem Township Volunteer Fire Co. boat.

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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
They need to do the right thing and help us get out of this lease, said Kohn, who lives about half-an-hour away in Columbia, Md. Im very anxious about coronavirus because I live with three other roommates and I only know one of them. And I get my own room and bathroom, but we share a kitchen and were in the same living space. So its fairly scary, especially now.
An Israeli worker from the Nature and Parks Authority attempts to extinguish a fire caused by a incendiary balloon launched by Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, on the Israeli side of the border between Israel and Gaza, near Or HaNer Kibbutz, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. The Israeli military said it attacked a number of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip early Wednesday in response to days of launches of explosives-laden balloons from Gaza into Israeli territory. Israel says it holds Gazas Hamas rulers responsible for all fire emanating from the territory. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

Israel has closed the Gaza Strips offshore fishing zone after a night of cross-border fighting with Palestinian militants in the most intense escalation of hostilities in recent months.

Militants in Gaza fired two rockets into southern Israel after Israeli air strikes targeted sites belonging to the territorys militant Hamas rulers.

The military said the Iron Dome aerial defence system intercepted the two rockets, but police said rocket fallout caused damage to a house in the town of Sderot, and paramedics treated a 58-year-old man for minor wounds from exploding glass.

Expand Close Damage in the Buriej refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip (Khalil Hamra/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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The Israeli army said the strikes were a response to explosive balloons launched by a Hamas-affiliated group over the border, and attempts by Palestinian protesters to throw explosives at the Israel-Gaza perimeter fence and soldiers stationed along it.

Dozens of Palestinians took part in protests along the perimeter fence. The military said the protesters burned tyres, hurled explosive devices and grenades towards the security fence and attempted to approach it.

The Gaza health ministry said Israeli gunfire at protesters wounded two Palestinians.

Israel holds Hamas, the Islamist militant group ruling the Gaza Strip, responsible for all attacks emanating from the Palestinian territory.

Incendiary balloons from the Gaza Strip have caused extensive damage to Israeli fields in recent days. It comes as Hamas, like other Palestinian factions, denounced the United Arab Emirates for agreeing to formal ties with Israel.

Expand Close Hamas supporters hold pictures showing Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan during a protest against the United Arab Emirates deal with Israel (Adel Hana/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Hamas supporters hold pictures showing Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan during a protest against the United Arab Emirates deal with Israel (Adel Hana/AP)

Israeli defence minister Benny Gantz ordered the fishing zone off the coast of Gaza closed until further notice in response to the rocket fire.

Israel and Egypt have maintained a blockade of the Gaza Strip since Hamas took power in an armed coup in 2007. Israel has fought three wars with Hamas in the Gaza Strip in the years since.

The two sides have largely upheld an informal truce, and fighting has ceased almost entirely since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
Home Town fans don't necessarily have to wait for Ben and Erin Napier to make over their home. An intrepid buyer could always monitor Laurel, MS, listings to find a home renovated by the Napiers on their hit show.

And for HGTV obsessives, a golden opportunity recently presented itself. The Kollar House from Episode 12 of the show's third season recently landed on the market for $229,000.

The brick house built in 1961 was last listed $115,000 in June 2018, prior to its TV appearance. It sold that fall for an undisclosed amount to the Kollars, a couple of doctors who were looking to put down roots in a new town.

In the episode, the couple fell for the 1960s-era home with plenty of potential, and Ben and Erin promised to keep the project within a $200,000 budget.

So two years later, why is the Napier-renovated home back on the market? Well, the Kollars recently had to relocate for jobs, according to the listing agent, Kandace Monsivais with Red Fox Realty.

Monsivais added the home went into contract after just nine days on the market.

"Its bittersweet. Even after the show, they renovated every single room. Everythings been done."

She noted that the "Home Town" team focused on the living space and kitchen, deck, and exterior, as you see in the episode.

After the cameras were packed away, the homeowners were inspired to complete the rest of the house. The bathrooms were both updated by the Kollars, who also painted the bedrooms.

As for the heavy lifting, Ben and Erin transformed the 2,160-square-foot cottage and added their trademark, period-appropriate touches.

Living room with reclaimed antique mantle in Laurel, MS realtor.com

Completely remodeled kitchen realtor.com

New windows and glass doors in the sunroom realtor.com

Brick stairs lined with custom cabinets realtor.com

New deck realtor.com

One of the three bedrooms realtor.com

One of the bathrooms realtor.com

In the three-bedroom abode, the living room now features an eye-catching, reclaimed antique mantle affixed to the gas fireplace. Crown molding now runs the length of the walls, which are painted a light gra]y.

Pulling down a wall created a flow between the living and cooking areas. In the madeover kitchen, dark gray Italian porcelain tile covers the floor. The kitchen also features custom cabinets, durable quartz counters, as well as a luxurious center marble island that can accommodate bar seating.

The white tile backsplash is formed in a grid pattern, rather than the trendy subway tile look, for a design that Erin described as timeless."

Brick stairs leading to the glassed-in sunroom off the living area needed something, according to Ben. He built little white cabinets flanking the stairs, and one of them serves as a custom wine rack.

For the sunroom, the Napiers added new windows, which, Ben helpfully pointed out, are always a great investment." High-end glass accordion doors were also added. Those doors open completely to a newly built deck, for true indoor-outdoor space.

Outside, the team added curb appeal by cladding the steel columns and painting the shutters red, for a pop of personality.

For a New Orleans vibe, shutter dog hardware was attached, so the window coverings could be easily opened and closed. A fenced-in back yard, concrete drive, landscaping, and large oak trees complete the property.

The Home Town team worked their magic in 2018. Two years later, a new owner can move right in and enjoy the place, no renovation required.

The post Kollar House From 'Home Town' Season 3 Hits Market for $229K appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
Since becoming eligible in 1976, I have never missed a single vote in any election, and Ive never been terribly understanding of those who did.

As years have passed, the lines at the polls have gone from short to nonexistent. The most fundamental tenet of democracy, and one that provides the backbone for everything else we do, is on the rocks.

That gives unprecedented importance to non-traditional methods of voting. For these methods, 2020 will be a watershed year, bringing profound change long after the coronavirus pandemic ends.

Mail-in makes a whole lot of sense, certainly in this COVID year where its better safe than sorry, says Richard K. Sullivan Jr. a former mayor of Westfield, current City Council member, president and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts and political junkie.

Absentee or mail-in voting is nothing new. Its been used by overseas military personnel and people with illness, and it dates back to the Civil War, when soldiers could send in their votes.

Whats new is how 2020 will dramatically accelerate a 20-year trend by which mail-in voting is emerging as the predominant method of electing an American president. People like myself, who go into a booth on Election Day and always will, are becoming the minority.

Sullivan always votes at the polls, but he has no problem with the growth of mail-in voting, not just in this pandemic year but beyond.

Its going to change the way campaigns are run, he says. Candidates will have to do things like mailing and advertising early.

I urge people to get their ballots in as soon as possible. I dont agree with announcing early results in advance because that might discourage voting (on Election Day.) But I do want the Post Office to have time to deliver the ballots to the city clerks offices, and for that office to have time to tabulate them, so we dont have to wait days before finding out the results.

It didnt take a pandemic to popularize postal balloting. Starting with Oregon in 2000, five western states now vote entirely that way.

According to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, one in every four votes cast in the 2016 presidential election was done by mail. In this year of COVID-19, that number will soar to levels unimaginable in 1996, when only 8 percent of the votes were mailed.

A growing majority of states, including Massachusetts, do not require a reason for absentee voting. The response has overwhelmed many municipal clerks offices.

Fall River traditionally received about a dozen absentee ballot applications. As of the first week of August, the southeastern Massachusetts city had received 7,000 for the Sept. 1 primary.

Some states have created a permanent absentee list for those planning to make it a habit. The coronavirus pandemic will end someday, but voting by mail in huge volume is here to stay.

My own scorn for voters who wont commit a half hour to drive to the polls is being replaced, however grudgingly, by the understanding of why so many wont this year. Just because I feel comfortable mixing in public, with proper safety protocols in place, doesnt give me (or anyone) the right to demand that reaction from others.

Even so, my own reservations about mail-in voting have lingered for years, and some are hard to shake. My concern is not about potential fraud. Its that we will be relying on an ailing postal system whose loyal workers are doing their best against enormous financial concerns, and a pandemic to boot.

The mail must go through, but its easy to understand why a letter that once took two days to deliver might now take five.

Of course, a mail-in vote need not be mailed. It can be dropped off at a municipal clerks office or, if a community establishes one, a secure drop-off box. Those who receive mail-in ballots can also track their ballots online at TrackMyBallotMA.com.

And anyone lured by the temptation of false applications or illegal voting might want to ponder the consequences: a fine of up to $10,000 and up to five years in prison.

With challenge comes opportunity. If mail-in voting runs efficiently, the U.S. Postal Service will enjoy its finest hour  hopefully reminding our government that it should be taking steps to assure the future of this essential service.

Will that happen as President Donald J. Trump rails against possible fraud  months before the election even happens  and simultaneously looks to overhaul the Postal Service? Trump rejected $25 billion for the Post Office in opposition to mail-in voting.

I dont think the tenor or the tone of the president is particularly helpful,' says Sullivan, who felt the uncertainty surrounding the Postal Service supplies a reason to vote promptly before any agency changes create anxiety or confusion.

People like me, who will always vote in person, have two choices. We can indulge in a quixotic swim against the tide of inevitable change, or we can accept mail-in voting and trust that American democracy can handle its growing volume.

I choose the second option because I choose reality. Mail-in voting is here to stay. It is our hope to restore true voter participation to this democracy, which alone makes it worth supporting, because thats the only way a democracy can work.

Ron Chimelis is a staff writer for The Republican. He may be reached by email to rchimelis@repub.com.
A Torquay man who travelled over 140 kilometres west to surf at Castle Cove because there were "no waves on the east side" was one of hundreds of people fined by police for breaching coronavirus restrictions at the weekend.

Police issued 243 fines on Saturday, including to four people driving to buy cigarettes in Wyndham during curfew hours, and two men who travelled from Bayswater to Bonnie Doon - a trip of 150 kilometres - to collect clothes.

Of those fines, 28 were to those who were not wearing a face covering, 30 were issued at vehicle checkpoints and 84 were for curfew breaches.

A police officer discharged a firearm when a man allegedly drove at members after being pulled over at an Altona Meadows service station during curfew hours.
A Conservative MP accused of rape has had his bail date extended until November as a police investigation continues.

The change has raised questions over whether the former minister, in his 50s, will return to parliament when it returns from summer recess in two weeks.

The Conservative Party has been criticised for refusing to suspend the MP, after initially being approached by the complainant in April.

The man was arrested on 1 August after the police received allegations of rape and sexual assault in four separate incidents.

They are alleged to have occurred at locations in Westminster, Lambeth and Hackney between July 2019 and January this year.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: A man in his 50s was arrested on 1 August on suspicion of rape, sexual assaults by penetration and touching and assault.

His bail to return date has been extended to early November 2020. The investigation is being undertaken by the Met Central Specialist Crime, Complex Case Team.

The man has not been officially identified and Scotland Yard said it could not give details of his bail conditions.

Labour has called for the MP to be suspended as a potential protective measures, after the Tories were accused of failing to take the allegations and safeguarding concerns seriously.

Claire Waxman, the London Victims Commissioner, said: I advise some rape victims to talk to their MP if theyre dissatisfied in the way a case is handled.

"Now I have to think twice as I could be referring vulnerable victim to a rape suspect. If [the Conservative Party] wont suspend, he must not be allowed contact with constituents."

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 17 January 2022 Bonhams Danny McIlwraith holds a Nigerian polycrome carved wood mask during a photocall for the sale of the Jim Lennon Collection at Bonhams in Edinburgh PA UK news in pictures 16 January 2022 The moon rises above the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, Hampshire PA UK news in pictures 15 January 2022 Demonstrators outside Downing Street during a Kill The Bill protest against The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill in London PA UK news in pictures 14 January 2022 Ecologist Emma Smart (left) and retired GP Dr Diana Warner outside HMP Bronzefield, in Surrey, following their release from the prison where Emma undertook a 26-day hunger strike during her incarceration. Ms Smart was sentenced in November, along with other members of Insulate Britain, to serve four months for breaking a High Court injunction by taking part in a blockade at junction 25 of the M25 motorway during the morning rush hour on 8 October last year PA UK news in pictures 13 January 2022 A TV presenter holds a copy of a newspaper outside 10 Downing Streetafter the Prime Minister apologised for attending a gathering of colleagues in the Number Ten garden in May 2020, while the UK was in strict lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic Getty UK news in pictures 12 January 2022 Fitness guru Derrick Evans after receiving an MBE during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 11 January 2022 A couple walk underneath an umbrella during wet weather on Westminster Bridge in central London PA UK news in pictures 10 January 2022 A jogger passes the Covid Memorial Wall in London AP UK news in pictures 9 January 2021 The sun rises over horses at Seaton Sluice in Northumberland PA UK news in pictures 8 January 2022 Riders compete during the Veterans Men's race at the UK Cyclo-Cross National Championships 2022 in Ardingly, south of London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 7 January 2022 A dog looks out of a car window at the wintry conditions in Killeshin, Co. Laois PA UK news in pictures 6 January 2022 People walk through frost and mist alongside a frozen lake during sunrise in Bushy Park, London REUTERS UK news in pictures 5 January 2022 A skier jumps on the slopes at Allenheads in the Pennines to the north of Weardale in Northumberland PA UK news in pictures 4 January 2022 Freshly-fallen snow covers houses in Corbridge, near Hexham in Northumberland PA UK news in pictures 3 January 2022 Dean Morrison, 13, receives his Covid-19 vaccine from student nurse Anthony McLaughlin during a vaccination clinic at the Glasgow Central Mosque PA UK news in pictures 2 January 2022 Konastantinos Tsimikas of Liverpool with Chelseas Mason Mount during the Premier League match at Stamfrod Bridge Liverpool FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 January 2022 New Years Eve Lasers, drones and fireworks illuminate the sky in front of the Royal Naval College in Greenwich shortly after midnight in London EPA UK news in pictures 31 December 2021 Competitors in fancy dress run across the Pennine tops near Haworth, West Yorkshire, in the annual Auld Lang Syne Fell race which attracts hundreds of runners every year PA UK news in pictures 30 December 2021 Sunrise at Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland PA UK news in pictures 29 December 2021 The Very Revd Dr Robert Willis, Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, looks at Becket, a six month old red-billed chough as he visits Wildwood Wildlife Park in Kent on the anniversary of the murder of Thomas Becket PA UK news in pictures 28 December 2021 Troops of the Household Cavalry are seen reflected in a puddle during the changing of the Queens Life Guard, on Horse Guards Parade, in central London PA UK news in pictures 27 December 2021 A pedestrian walks past a winter sale sign outside a John Lewis store on Oxford street in London Getty UK news in pictures 26 December 2021 Riders take their bikes through the snow near Castleside, County Durham PA UK news in pictures 25 December 2021 Patrick Corkery wears a santa hat and beard as waves crash over him at Forty Foot near Dublin during a Christmas Day dip PA UK news in pictures 24 December 2021 People stand inside Kings Cross Station on Christmas Eve in London Reuters UK news in pictures 23 December 2021 Christmas shoppers fill the car park at Fosse Shopping Park in Leicester PA UK news in pictures 22 December 2021 The sun rises behind the stones as people gather for the winter solstice at Stonehenge. Getty UK news in pictures 21 December 2021 People take part in a winter solstice swim at Portobello Beach in Edinburgh to mark the solstice and to witness the dawn after the longest night of the year PA UK news in pictures 20 December 2021 An auction employee displays poultry to buyers and sellers attending the Christmas Poultry Sale at York Auction Centre in Murton PA UK news in pictures 19 December 2021 Joao Moutinho of Wolverhampton Wanderers looks on during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea at Molineux Getty Images UK news in pictures 18 December 2021 Freight lorries queuing at the port of Dover in Kent PA UK news in pictures 17 December 2021 Newly elected Liberal Democrat MP Helen Morgan, bursts 'Boris' bubble' held by colleague Tim Farron, as she celebrates following her victory in the North Shropshire by-election PA UK news in pictures 16 December 2021 Brussels sprouts are harvested by workers as they prepare for the busy Christmas period near Boston in Lincolnshire PA UK news in pictures 15 December 2021 Lewis Hamilton is made a Knight Bachelor by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 14 December 2021 The Royal Liver Buildings surrounded by early morning fog in Liverpool PA UK news in pictures 13 December 2021 People queue outside a walk-in Covid-19 vaccination centre at St Thomas's Hospital in Westminster Getty Images UK news in pictures 12 December 2021 People take part in the Big Leeds Santa Dash in Roundhay Park, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 11 December 2021 People arrive at a Covid-19 vaccination centre at Elland Road in Leeds, PA UK news in pictures 10 December 2021 Stella Moris speaks to the media after the US Government won its High Court bid to overturn a judges decision not to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange PA UK news in pictures 9 December 2021 Camels are lead around Salisbury Cathedral during a rehearsal for the Christmas Eve Service PA UK news in pictures 8 December 2021 Margaret Keenan and Nurse May Parsons, a year after Margaret was the first person in the UK to receive the Pfizer vaccine PA UK news in pictures 7 December 2021 Snowfall in Leadhills, South Lanarkshire as Storm Barra hits the UK with disruptive winds, heavy rain and snow PA UK news in pictures 6 December 2021 A person tries to avoid sea spray on New Brighton promenade in Wallasey as the UK readies for the arrival of Storm Barra Getty UK news in pictures 5 December 2021 People release balloons during a tribute to six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes outside Emma Tustin's former address in Solihull, West Midlands, where he was murdered by his stepmother PA UK news in pictures 4 December 2021 People walk through a Christmas market in Trafalgar Square Reuters UK news in pictures 3 December 2021 A pedestrian carries a dog as they dodge shoppers on Oxford Street in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 2 December 2021 Duchess of Cambridge inspects a Faberge egg at the Victoria and Albert Museum Getty UK news in pictures 1 December 2021 Meerkats at London Zoo with an advent calendar PA UK news in pictures 30 November 2021 Workers put the finishing touches to the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree ahead of the lighting ceremony later in the week PA UK news in pictures 29 November 2021 Home Secretary Priti Patel is greeted by a police dog at a special memorial service for Met Police Sergeant Matiu Ratana Getty

A spokesperson for the Conservative chief whip, Mark Spencer, previously told The Independent: The chief whip takes all allegations of harassment and abuse extremely seriously and has encouraged anybody who has approached him to contact the appropriate authorities, including parliaments independent complaints and grievance scheme, which can carry out independent and confidential investigations.

As this matter is now in the hands of police, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

The arrest came days after former Tory MP Charlie Elphicke was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault against two women in 2007 and 2016.

Elphicke had been suspended from the Conservative Party when the allegations were made in 2017, but the whip was restored the following year when there was a crucial confidence vote in the then prime minister, Theresa May.

The then-MP for Dover was suspended again after being charged in July 2019, and will be sentenced next month.
New Delhi, Aug 16 : Just a couple of days ahead of what is considered as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's death anniversary, a sitting member of Parliament has set off a row by alleging that India has not yet declassified the entire set of files on Netaji while firing a salvo at Jawaharlal Nehru for an alleged conspiracy against one of the country's foremost freedom fighters.

Trinamool Congress MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, who has been relentlessly raising the issue of transparency in the disappearance of Bose, both inside and outside the Parliament, has all guns blazing in an interview to IANS.

Here are some excerpts from the interview.

Q: After 75 years of Netaji's disappearance, do you think we know what happened with him? A: There has been a concerted conspiracy for ages to ensure the truth doesn't come out. I would urge that hidden files in Britain, America, Russia and Japan be declassified. Why are they not being done? I would add even Vietnam to that list.

Q: Are you suggesting that primacy should be given to urge those governments to declassify their files pertaining to Netaji? A: The British released some files but extended the release period of the classified ones till 2025 in 2000 when they were supposed to be declassified. So where is the guarantee that they won't extend it to 2050 when 2025 comes. After 3-4 generations, no one would be this interested in what happened to Netaji. That seems to be their idea.

Q: According to you, what should be the solution? A: I wrote to (then External Affairs Minister) Sushma Swaraj over this issue. She told the Rajya Sabha that the US has informed them of their inability citing scattered records. When we are talking about Digital India and when all the information is at the click of a mouse, the US claiming "scattered records" is laughable. Britain said they have declassified those files they deemed fit. Japan didn't reply. Then I wrote again to Sushma Swaraj asking her to urge all these foreign governments. But what can one MP do when all other MPs don't care? No MPs are interested in the issue.

Q: But back home, India declassified Netaji files, unravelling a lot of unknown truths, won't you agree? A: I am challenging that India has not declassified all the Netaji Files. Still there are documents pertaining to Netaji in the Defence Ministry, and the PMO.

Q: You have mentioned a 'conspiracy' since the days of the Raj. Can you elaborate? A: The INA (Indian National Army) was the reason India got independence. Scores of INA soldiers were detained in camps in India, and others tried in the Red Fort. Sea of people were waiting outside chanting Netaji's slogans. Jawaharlal Nehru, who never practiced law in his life, along with Tej Bahadur Sapru, went to defend the INA soldiers only to be seen on the side of the INA. Nehru wore a gown and went there for publicity. The conspiracy is that old. Why was the Shahnawaz Committee formed? Why an enquiry by a former INA member? The moment that enquiry was over, he was made a Deputy Minister in the Central government.
Kanpur : , Aug 16 (IANS) A video of a teenage girl has gone viral on social media, in which she has alleged that an Inspector of the Govind Nagar police station asked her to dance in lieu of registering an FIR against the nephew of her landlord.

The 16-year-old girl alleged in the video that the Inspector summoned her to the police station during odd hours and asked her to dance in front of him.

The girl with her family lives in a rented accommodation in Dabauli West area of Govind Nagar.

The girl's family earns a livelihood by doing "jagran" parties. They had tried to lodge a complaint against the nephew of their landlord, accusing him of molesting the girl, besides forcibly evacuating them from the rented portion of the house a few days ago, the family said.

The mother of the girl said the accused Anup Yadav, nephew of the landlady, had on July 26 barged into their house and attacked them.

"Again, on August 7 night, my daughter was molested by him while she was on her way back home from the market. It was when she approached Inspector Govind Nagar, Anurag Mishra, he asked my daughter to first dance in front him and then he will register her complaint," the girl's mother told reporters.

The Govind Nagar Circle Officer Vikas Kumar Pandey, said that there was already a dispute between the two sides with regard to possession of a house.

"There seems to be no substance in the charges. Prima facie it appears that the girl has made the video viral in order to create pressure on the police. However, a probe is underway in this regard," said Pandey further said.
The Democratic National Convention will open Monday in a spirit of unity and shared purpose, with the party's often-warring moderate establishment and galvanized liberal wings agreeing for now to set aside their differences to defeat President Donald Trump in November and deliver the White House to Joe Biden.

That's not to say that divisions and disagreements don't exist. They do and likely will be back if Biden wins, potentially complicating his efforts to govern. Still, the overall mood on the eve of this year's convention contrasts with that of four years ago, when Hillary Clinton arrived in Philadelphia still dealing with the grievances of a long and rugged nominating contest against Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

That Democrats today appear far more unified is testament in part to the work of Biden, Sanders and their teams over the past several months to avoid a repeat of the 2016 experience. But the unity owes much more to the occupant of the White House, whom many Democrats fear could inflict lasting damage to the country and democratic institutions in a second term.

"Four years ago, you could point to Donald Trump as the wolf at the gate, but it was still theoretical," said Pete Buttigieg, the former South Bend, Ind., mayor who ran unsuccessfully against Biden in the primaries. "Now the wolf is through the gate, eating the chickens."

For the Democratic rank-and-file, the goal of preventing Trump from winning a second term overrides almost everything else between now and November. It was that sentiment that ultimately helped deliver the nomination to Biden.

The candidate, whose nomination will be made official Tuesday, was seen as better positioned to win a general election than Sanders, who had harnessed the power of liberal activists enough to be the front-runner for the nomination until a weakened Biden saw his candidacy resurrected by Black voters in the South Carolina primary.

Since the unexpectedly rapid conclusion to the primary battle, Democrats have been sobered toward unity by the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic, Trump's mismanagement of the crisis and the challenges all that presents to the country. They are aware that, if Biden wins in November, he and the party will inherit a set of emergencies unlike anything seen since the days of the Great Depression or before.

In that case, the party's future could depend on how effectively a prospective Biden administration harnesses the power of government to deal with the pandemic and the related economic emergency and also to address issues of racial justice and reconciliation that many in the party now see as more urgent.

For all those reasons, the majority of Democrats believe it is in their interest to come together  at least until November.

The issue differences between the energized liberal wing and more dominant centrist wing have been harmonized ahead of the convention throughwhat William Galston of the Brookings Institution calls "pretty skillful internal party management by the Biden forces."

But, he added, "I think that's a truce, not a peace treaty."

Meanwhile, the nomination of Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., as Biden's running mate highlights but will far from satisfy the aspirations of women, minorities and a younger generation of Democratic leaders to have a larger voice in all deliberations.

Those who went through the 2016 Democratic nominating agree that the atmosphere in the party now is far better.

"There's been much closer cooperation," said Jeff Weaver, a top Sanders adviser who was with the senator through both campaigns. "There's been much more openness on the part of the Biden campaign to welcome the progressive wing into their electoral coalition. There's been much more openness to try to find policy common ground there that's possible."

Robby Mook, who was Clinton's campaign manager in 2016, said there are major differences between the eve of this convention and four years ago. One is Trump's presidency, another the personal relationship between Biden and Sanders, which is better than the one between Sanders and Clinton, and then the impact of the pandemic in focusing people's attention.

But Mook also cited a fourth difference, which is the result of Democrats having to stage a virtual convention rather than a traditional gathering. "There's no convention," he said. "In 2016, they [the most ardent Sanders supporters] had a stage on which to play. That stage is gone."

The issues in 2016 were complicated by a persistent belief by the Sanders forces that the Democratic National Committee had worked to assure Clinton's nomination and to frustrate Sanders's candidacy. DNC officials insisted that wasn't the case but that never satisfied Sanders's team or supporters.

"One of the things that has made it easier for folks to come together after the primary was that by and larger the process itself was an evenhanded application of the process," Weaver said. "There were bumps in the road but in terms of all the candidates being treated equally, there was no finger on the scale for one candidate or the other."

Biden's senior advisers give considerable credit to Sanders and his willingness to come together quickly once it was clear that Biden would be the nominee. Lines of communication between the two camps were open even before that and more serious talks began after the March 17 primaries that sealed Biden's victory.

"The Biden team was clear you needed to engage those folks," said George Goehl, director of the grass-roots organizing group People's Action. "That was very practical political thinking."

As a way of quickly sending a signal to the left, Biden adopted ideas favored and advanced by either Sanders or Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. One was to lower the age for Medicare eligibility to 60 and to strengthen Biden's previous position on student debt forgiveness.

A major piece of the strategy was the Biden campaign's creation of issue task forces composed of elected officials and others who represented the full breadth of the party. Perhaps the most symbolically significant pairing was the task force on climate, which included former secretary of state John Kerry, an establishment Brahmin and close friend of Biden, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., the star of the party's insurgent wing.

Democrats this year have put together the most liberal platform in the party's history, including ideas that were advanced by Sanders in his 2016 campaign but rejected then by many in the party's center-left cohort.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Neera Tanden, president of the Center for American Progress, argues that Trump has been an agent in helping to make some liberal ideas appear more mainstream. She cited shifts in attitudes on policing and racial issues, universal health care coverage, support for a $15-an-hour minimum wage and expanded unemployment insurance as examples of policies that enjoy broader support than in the past.

"What I'm saying is the country has become more liberal in response to Trump," she said, adding, "The party is not left. It has become more liberal. There's a strong wing of the party that is left. It is not a majority. Whenever we have a swing state or a statewide race, the moderate wins or the non-left candidate wins. Left candidates win in urban districts, in very Democratic districts."

"We had a battle in the primary between reform and revolution and reform won," said Rahm Emanuel, the former mayor of Chicago who is in the moderate wing of the party."

"I think progressives are going to fight like hell to get a Democratic president and a Democratic Congress and then we're going to fight like hell to get big, bold policies passed," said strategist Rebecca Katz.

Though Biden and Harris will have articulated their policies during the campaign, a prospective Biden administration would still face intraparty debates over the details of those policies, from health care to climate to policing, even the scope of an economic recovery plan.

Biden, for example, opposed Medicare-for-all, preferring to add a public option to the Affordable Care Act. But Democratic voters came down in a different place. Averaging the results of exit polls across 22 contests last winter, 58 percent of Democratic primary voters and caucus-goers supported a single-payer system while 37 percent opposed it.

Even if Medicare-for-all lacks necessary support in Congress, Biden would need to be mindful of those sentiments as he confronts a health-care system whose inequities have been exposed by the coronavirus pandemic.

LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter Fund, sees policing as a potential flash point, arguing that the Black Lives Matter movement has called for changes far more expansive than those embraced by Biden in the campaign.

"At the end of the day you've got a large progressive wing of voters who want a complete restructuring of criminal justice system and police accountability and you've got the left who says we want to defund the police and the candidate saying, 'I'm going to give police $300 million more,'" she said.

Galston describes the fault lines as following typical parameters of dispute between a realist faction and an aspirational faction. "The realists are saying we may only have one shot at this and we'd better figure out how much we can get and push for that and no more," he said. "And the aspirational faction will say incremental steps won't be enough and we live in a time when all of the old policies and verities and assumptions have gone out the window."

Articulating that sentiment, Reggie Hubbard, senior strategist for Move On, said, "We need bold solutions here. There's no piecemeal compromise to fixing health care right now. There's no piecemeal for economic insecurity... People are going to push more to the left."

Goehl said that if there is a Biden administration, the party's left wing doesn't just want to advocate for specific ideas but wants to be included as part of the governing.

"Will Democratic centrist forces that are often too cozy with big ag and big banks be at the central table?" he asked. "Are they going to be there with folks from social movements in a real way? Who's going to be at the table when decisions get made?"

If Biden wins, arguing that liberal activists are supplying energy and ideas that speak to and for a younger, more diverse generation that is rising within the party coalition. How they are integrated into the party's hierarchy will be another test.

"By any measurement, those groups are all critical to the success of Biden in the short term and the Democratic Party in the long term," said Democratic pollster Geoff Garin.
CAMEROUN :: Two people arrested in Yaounde with lion and leopard skins :: CAMEROON

Two people have been arrested for lion and leopard skins trafficking in Yaounde, the capital city. They were arrested during a crackdown operation carried out by wildlife officials of the Center Regional Delegation of Forestry and Wildlife, in collaboration with the Nlongkak gendarmerie brigade. The arrest was carried out with technical assistance from the Last Great Ape Organisation - LAGA, a wildlife law enforcement organization. A tanned lion and a leopard skins were found and seized during their arrest.

One of the traffickers, a craft artist, was arrested on the 6th of August 2020 at the Etoa-Meki neighborhood when he was about carrying out an illegal transaction that involved the sale of a lion and leopard skins. He was found with a travelling bag with the two feline skins skillfully packed inside.

Further investigation by wildlife officials led to the arrest of the second trafficker, a retired high school teacher. She was apprehended hours later at the Efoulan neighborhood and taken to the gendarmerie brigade at Nlongkak. According to sources close to the case, she gave both the lion skin and leopard skin to her accomplice to sell.

The lion also known as Panther leo is a species in the family felidae and a member of the genus panther. Despite it biological importance and the fact that it is one of the flagship species for the tourism industry, the lions are threatened in what remains of their distribution,says lion specialist and Coordinator of the Centre for Environment and Development Studies, PriceliaTumenta. She equally states that Cameroon is an important country for the species, comprising the second population (over 270 lions) after the DRC for Central Africa. However, the species isexposed to human pressure such as the destruction of their habitat and poaching.

Lions are listed as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Natures (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.Their population dropped 43 percent between 1993 and 2014, with only around 20,000 alive today in Africa. Each year on August 10, is celebrated the World Lion Day around the globe to bring awareness of the declining population of the species. Big cats are increasingly being slaughtered for their skin use for luxury home decor and taxidermy. Their teeth and claws are likely made into jewelry and amulets sold in some Asian countries.

Lions as well as leopards are totally protected by the 1994 wildlife law and anyone found in possession of their skins is liable to a prison term of up to 3 years and or pay a fine of up to 10 million francs.
The Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard drives to the basket against the Lakers' Danny Green on Jan. 31 at Staples Center. (Kelvin Kuo / Associated Press)

A series-by-series look at the NBA playoff pairings, complete with predictions and schedules. The No. 1 seed Lakers will face a tough test in the No. 8 Trail Blazers.

WESTERN CONFERENCE



No. 1 LAKERS



52-19



OFF RTG 111.7, DEF RTG 106.1

No. 8 Portland



35-39



OFF RTG 113.2, DEF RTG 114.3

Season series: Lakers 2-1



Outlook: The Lakers' reward for winning the West  no home-court advantage and a first-round series with red-hot Damian Lillard. The good news is that Portlands defense has been quite a mess and the Lakers shouldnt have problems scoring. The bad news? The Lakers have had trouble scoring in the bubble. In eight games since the restart, they have the third-least efficient offense to go with a slightly below-average defense. The bet here is that the playoffs will wake them up.



Prediction: Lakers in 6

Gm 1 Tuesday, 6 p.m., TNT



Gm 2 Thursday, 6 p.m., ESPN



Gm 3 Aug. 22, 5:30 p.m., Ch. 7



Gm 4 Aug. 24, 6 p.m., TNT



Gm 5 Aug. 26, TBD*



Gm 6 Aug. 28, TBD*



Gm 7 Aug. 30, TBD*

No. 2 CLIPPERS



49-23



OFF RTG 113.3, DEF RTG 106.9

No. 7 DALLAS



43-32



OFF RTG 115.9, DEF RTG 111.2

The Clippers' Ivica Zubac dunks on the Mavericks' Tim Hardaway Jr. on Aug. 6 in Florida. (Ashley Landis / Associated Press)

Season series: Clippers 3-0



Outlook: The Clippers have built their entire season around the playoffs, looking at the big picture when it comes to health and workload in an effort to be rested and ready once the postseason begins. Dallas looks like itll be a fixture in the postseason for as long as Luka Doncic is on the court, but the NBAs top offense won't make up for defensive and late-game mistakes.



Prediction: Clippers in 5

Gm 1 Monday, 6 p.m., ESPN



Gm 2 Wednesday, 6 p.m., TNT



Gm 3 Friday, 6 p.m., TNT



Gm 4 Aug. 23, 12:30 p.m., Ch. 7



Gm 5 Aug. 25, TBD*



Gm 6 Aug. 27, TBD, ESPN*



Gm 7 Aug. 29, TBD, TNT*

No. 3 DENVER



46-27



OFF RTG 112.6, DEF RTG 110.4

No. 6 UTAH



44-28



OFF RTG 111.8, DEF RTG 109.3

Season series: Denver 3-0



Outlook: The Nuggets wouldve been a tough matchup for anyone before discovering that Michael Porter Jr. was ready for more minutes and more offensive responsibilities. When healthy, they might be the deepest team in the conference, but they could be vulnerable with Will Barton and Gary Harris sidelined.



Prediction: Denver in 6

Story continues

Gm 1 Monday, 10:30 a.m., ESPN



Gm 2 Wednesday, 1 p.m., TNT



Gm 3 Friday, 1 p.m., TNT



Gm 4 Aug. 23, 6 p.m., TNT



Gm 5 Aug. 25, TBD*



Gm 6 Aug. 27, TBD, ESPN*



Gm 7 Aug. 29, TBD, TNT*

No. 4 HOUSTON



44-28



OFF RTG 112.5, DEF RTG 109.8

No. 5 OKLAHOMA CITY



44-28



OFF RTG 110.1, DEF RTG 108.1

Houston's James Harden puts up a shot against Sacramento on Aug. 9. (Ashley Landis / Associated Press)

Season series: Oklahoma City 2-1



Outlook: Chris Paul still can steam when he talks about being traded to the Thunder for Russell Westbrook last offseason, but it mightve been the best thing for him. Hes been able to be the conductor of an offense again, and the Thunder have been a big surprise. Houstons got more star power and almost certainly will get killed on the glass. This should be the most competitive series in the West.



Prediction: Houston in 7

Gm 1 Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., TNT



Gm 2 Thursday, 12:30 p.m., ESPN



Gm 3 Aug. 22, 3 p.m., ESPN



Gm 4 Aug. 24, 1 p.m., TNT



Gm 5 Aug. 26, TBD*



Gm 6 Aug. 28, TBD*



Gm 7 Aug. 30, TBD*

EASTERN CONFERENCE

No. 1 MILWAUKEE



56-17



OFF RTG 111.9, DEF RTG 102.5

No. 8 ORLANDO



33-40



OFF RTG 107.9, DEF RTG 109.2

Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo blocks a shot by Dallas' Luka Doncic. (Kevin C. Cox / Associated Press)

Season series: Milwaukee 4-0



Outlook: Since losing a 2-0 lead to Toronto in the Eastern Conference finals last year, the Bucks have been the NBAs best team largely because they have the best player in Giannis Antetokounmpo. Theyre a defensive juggernaut and should lock up Orlandos so-so offense without much trouble.



Prediction: Bucks in 4

Gm 1 Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., TNT



Gm 2 Thursday, 3 p.m., ESPN



Gm 3 Aug. 22, 10 a.m., TNT



Gm 4 Aug. 24, 10:30 a.m., NBATV



Gm 5 Aug. 26, TBD*



Gm 6 Aug. 28, TBD*



Gm 7 Aug. 30, TBD*

No. 2 TORONTO



53-19



OFF RTG 110.8, DEF RTG 104.7

No. 7 BROOKLYN



35-37



OFF RTG 108.7, DEF RTG 109.2

Season series: Toronto 3-1



Outlook: These teams do a lot of the same things  play with heart, defy expectations because of effort and intensity. The major difference is that Toronto has much better players. Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol . . . the talent gap is just so wide. The Nets have had a nice run in the bubble, but the Raptors can go to another level.



Prediction: Toronto in 4

Gm 1 Monday, 1 p.m., ESPN



Gm 2 Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., NBATV



Gm 3 Friday, 10:30 a.m., NBATV



Gm 4 Aug. 23, 3:30 p.m., TNT



Gm 5 Aug. 25, TBD*



Gm 6 Aug. 27, TBD, ESPN*



Gm 7 Aug. 29, TBD, TNT*

No. 3 BOSTON



48-24



OFF RTG 112.8, DEF RTG 106.5

No. 6 PHILADELPHIA



43-30



OFF RTG 110.7, DEF RTG 108.4

The Celtics' Gordon Hayward drives against the Grizzlies' Dillon Brooks on Tuesday. (Mike Ehrmann / Associated Press)

Season series: Philadelphia 3-1



Outlook: Two months ago, if forced to choose between Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons or Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, youd have taken the 76ers duo, right? Now? That choice is a lot tougher, especially with another injury costing Simmons a chance to help Philadelphia break through. Embiid is good enough to win some games, but four seems like too much to ask.



Prediction: Boston in 6

Gm 1 Monday, 3:30 p.m., ESPN



Gm 2 Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., TNT



Gm 3 Friday, 3:30 p.m., TNT



Gm 4 Aug. 23, 10 a.m., Ch. 7



Gm 5 Aug. 25, TBD*



Gm 6 Aug. 27, TBD, ESPN*



Gm 7 Aug. 29, TBD, TNT*

No. 4 INDIANA



45-28



OFF RTG 109.5, DEF RTG 107.5

No. 5 MIAMI



44-29



OFF RTG 111.9, DEF RTG 109.3

Season series: Miami 3-1



Outlook: The Pacers are continually underappreciated. And its about to happen again. T.J. Warren has been one of the best scorers in the bubble, and Victor Oladipo should only get more comfortable as he spends more time on the court. But the Heat feel like a team with a legit claim at contender status. They have so much defensive versatility and a lot of balance on offense. This should be a good series.



Prediction: Miami in 6

Gm 1 Tuesday, 1 p.m., TNT



Gm 2 Thursday, 10 a.m., ESPN



Gm 3 Aug. 22, 12:30 p.m., TNT



Gm 4 Aug. 24, 3:30 p.m., TNT



Gm 5 Aug. 26, TBD*



Gm 6 Aug. 28, TBD*



Gm 7 Aug. 30, TBD*




The story goes that sometime in the early 1970s, the chief of staff to the Oakland mayor walked into work wearing some unusual cufflinks that depicted a modern, simple tree design. A man named Wally Carroll, the new public information officer at the time (who also moonlighted as an artist), noticed the jewelry on his colleague's cuffs, and suggested the struggling city should replace its sad broccoli-like tree image with the cool-looking design on his coworker's wrists.

The new logo, depicting a latticework of 20 serpentine branches leading to a vertical trunk (also reminiscent of the many freeways joining the Bay Bridge at the MacArthur Maze, to this writer) was adopted, and the city's image would never be the same.

George Dini, 96, who worked for the city at the time, told The Chronicle that the cufflink design was adopted virtually unchanged. We stole somebody elses idea, I guess.

As its name suggests, Oakland was once awash with oak trees, (largely in the flatlands, giving way to redwood forests in the hills) but most were torn down to develop the city's streets in the late 1800s.

Andrew Chamings

In 1917, after novelist Jack London died, an oak tree was moved from Mosswood Park and planted in front of Oakland City Hall in what is now Frank H. Ogawa Plaza. Some claim it was planted by his widow, Charmian London, although newspaper reports from the time do not mention her being present.

The Jack London Oak still stands proud in that same spot today.

The city first adopted the original "broccoli stalk" tree symbol in on its centenary in 1952, after a citywide contest, but it was never embraced by the people, and the green smudge on the yellow background was rarely seen outside of the the city's administrative offices and flag.

Wikimedia Commons

The new spiraling design adopted in the '70s, however, was an immediate hit.

The tree has since appeared everywhere from Steph Curry's throwback jersey (released as a nod to their roots after the Golden Gate Warriors announced they would be moving back to San Francisco in 2017) to street signs, city parks, trash cans, municipal vehicles, announcement letterheads to carefully inked tattoos on the skin of proud Oaklanders.

Oaklands current mayor, Libby Schaaf, often wears bespoke earrings depicting the city's logo. I love that our citys symbol is a living thing, she told The Chronicle, "Theres something about the oak tree that has made sense for our city, through all these different periods of change.

She even wore the earrings while riding a fire breathing snail around Lake Merritt.

City of Oakland

In 2000, Oaklandish, a newly formed street art crew, added burrowing roots to the image, mirroring the towering branches of the tree with strong, equivalent roots. The design was a sensation and soon led to its likeness appearing on thousands of hoodies, laptops, baby onesies and backpacks over the past two decades.

"My ex and a childhood friend of his created the logo in 2000. This was what we refer to as to first incarnation of Oaklandish, when it was mostly a street art project," the company's CEO, Angela Tsay, told SFGATE.

Andrew Chamings / Oaklandish

Tsay's former partner, Oaklandish founder Jeff Hull, and fellow street artists drew crowds in Oakland twenty years ago by projecting slideshows depicting the city's cult figures like Sonny Barger, head of the Oakland-based Hells Angels, and Black Panther Little Bobby Hutton onto abandoned buildings across the city.

Hull told Oakland North that he came up with the idea for the artwork with his friend in a flash of inspiration over breakfast on Grand Avenue. We were talking about the roots of Oakland, the history, the culture, the legacy, Hull said. And thats what it represented to us.

The company now has two brick-and-mortar stores and its own screen printing shop in the city, and is on its third iteration of the beloved logo.

"In about 2008, we created what we call just the new logo, thats a chunkier vector version of the logo, more suitable for reproducing at smaller sizes, embroidery, etc.," Tsay said.

Andrew Chamings / Oaklandish

The rise in the popularity of the tree, that has served as both a city administration letterhead and an icon of pride and resistance, occurred as the city itself went from a much maligned town of violence and crime to one of the most resilient, diverse, progressive and proud cities in America.

In the early '70s, the streets of Oakland were blighted by violence, drugs, gang warfare and racial division. Fueled by the gang-controlled dealing of heroin and cocaine, Oakland's murder rate rose to over twice that of San Francisco and New York. At the time, the city was consistently mentioned as one of America's most crime-ridden cities.

A city's problems are not changed by giving it a cool new logo, but the cufflink-inspired tree was wholeheartedly adopted by the people as a powerful symbol of Oakland life, as the city recovered from its dog days, and later came to represent its newfound pride.

Andrew Chamings

As San Francisco dealt with the two 2000s tech booms, leading to a chasm of wealth disparity and an unshakable identity crisis, Oakland made strides to give back to the community and take care of its people, while fighting to resist the tech take-over happening across the bay. Few companies have attempted to give back more to the city than the designers of the rooted-iteration of the oak tree.

"Oaklandish donates pro bono design work and marketing to many Oakland grassroots organizations, including Childrens Fairyland, the Oakland Zoo, Oakland Feather River Camp, and Alameda County Community Food Bank," Tsay told SFGATE.

They have also played their part in the recent activism following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

"During the recent protests in Oakland, we printed a tee called 'Perfect' featuring a line from [Oakland actors] Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal that says: 'How perfect does a black man have to be before we mourn him?' We donated all of our labor to make those tees and sold them online with 100% of revenue (minus the cost of the blank tees) to [community events organization] SoOaklands fund to rebuild Black businesses in Oakland and to Peoples Breakfast Oakland for bail funds for protesters," Tsay said. "We raised over $20k, with an anonymous matching donor that came through us."

Tsay says that roots mean everything, as the city and the country wrestle through change. "Oakland has always been proud, and the birthplace of social movements. We nourish our roots by remembering and learning from our history, and that enables us to continue to reach for the more inclusive and equitable world that we all hope to live in someday."

The swirling snake-like tree image is now firmly adopted by the residents of Oakland, though the jeweller who designed the cufflinks has not yet come forward to stake their claim to history.

Andrew Chamings is an editor at SFGATE. Email: Andrew.Chamings@sfgate.com | Twitter: @AndrewChamings
Macklin Reid

RIDGEFIELD  A person who was in the Ridgefield High School building has tested positive for COVID-19, prompting a letter to parents and staff, notification of people who had contact with the person, and a planned cleaning of the building.

The start of school in Ridgefield on Aug. 27 has not been changed at this time, Superintendent of School Susie Da Silva said Sunday morning.
Fund manager Schroders becomes the first major firm in London to ask its workers to work from home, even after the pandemic is over, according to a report by Daily Business group.

Schroders, which recently overtook Standard Aberdeen Life to become Europe's biggest listed manager, has over 5,000 employees worldwide.

While there are currently no plans to close its offices in London, Chief Executive Peter Harrison had said that the pandemic had accelerated the move towards more flexible working by 20 years.

Its decision to move towards working from home permanently could prompt others to follow suit, the report said.

According to the report, Schroders' plan to change working patterns was revealed in an internal staff memo seen by the Daily Telegraph. This represents a major shift in the traditional nine-to-five working arrangement.

A transition towards home working would benefit the transport system which has struggled for years to cope with congested trains and roads. Fewer commuters will mean more comfortable and reliable journeys, with an accompanying reduction in stress and pollution, the report said.

According to the report, The Bank of England has become concerned over the low level of activity in the City of London, while some have seen the shift towards home working as an opportunity to cut costs.

Offices are also expected to become places where people meet for physical group interaction and meeting clients while day-to-day work is done remotely, the report said.
On Friday, the organisation called on the state government to provide $1.05 million over four years to support creation of a gender specific panel including experts from industry, academy and the private sector including gender-focused economists to advise on "targeted economic stimulus and initiatives to assist women who have lost jobs and micro-enterprises". Victoria's Minister for Women, Gabrielle Williams, agreed "the economic downturn resulting from the coronavirus pandemic is unique in its disproportionate impact on women". She said all governments needed to be mindful of this so an equitable recovery can be achieved. May research by the Australia Institute found that between March and April the number of women employed fell by 5.3 per cent, compared with 3.9 per cent of men. They also lost more hours; women lost 11.5 per cent of theirs compared with 7.5 per cent for men. Payroll data from the ABS showed of the 235,000 jobs lost in April, 55 per cent were women's, and its figures show as Victoria's infections climbed in the second week of July, jobs held by women fell by 2.3 per cent compared with those lost by men, at 0.5 per cent. Women's employment specialist Professor Rae Cooper warned women faced serious long-term disadvantage and were already struggling. "We are going to see a generation of women who are scarred in the labor market and that has an impact on access to jobs and lifetime earnings," she said.

"We see a group of women who are really struggling in terms of mental health and wellbeing, this is an urgent issue." Young women were more likely to have cashed out their entire super than men and were spending it on essentials such as rent and food, while young men were more likely to have spent it on discretionary items, which showed women were already faring worse in what has been dubbed Australia's "pink recession". Loading "The [federal] government doesn't seem to be reading the ABS data otherwise they would be doing something about it; it is very serious concern," said Professor Cooper, who is co-director of the Women, Work and Leadership Research Group at the University of Sydney business school. Sue Morphet, president of the corporate leaders organisation Chief Executive Women, said her group would ask the Morrison government to "bring a gender lens to the budget on every single thing that is done with it.

"We want the budget to be looked at and the question asked, 'Does this help women as well as it helps men?' Or, if we're doing things that are very male-centric, are there equal and opposite female-centric measures as we know this is helping all parts of our economy  including youth." Ms Morphet said her members want it to be identified in the budgetary process "how policies will impact women and girls so we address equality of recovery for all". Emma Dawson, executive director of the economic think tank Per Capita, said it was a serious concern that "several hundred thousand women" who lost work have dropped out of the workforce altogether and of superannuation withdrawals  50 per cent were by people aged under 35  half of the young people who did were women who had "completely emptied their accounts". "They have withdrawn super at a time when many are about to exit the workforce for child-rearing and will come out after years when they haven't accrued any at all," said Ms Dawson. "They will find themselves with very, very little money to rely on and we will see an even wider increase in the retirement poverty gap [between men and women]." She backed calls to make state and federal budgets "gender responsive" through the use of independent advice, saying "it is critical; there isn't the capacity in the public sector to do this well, finance departments at state and federal levels are dominated by men."
Shop owners in Bindura are outraged with police officers who are continuously demanding what they term Covid-19 operating fee of US$5 from each business operator.

Small business owners operating in the central business district and high-density suburbs of Chipadze and Chiwaridzo, do not have the proper local council and tax licences for operating.

The shop owners are also being penalised for not having infrared thermometers, which cost about US$35. Under Covid-19 regulations, each business premise should have in place an infrared thermometer and sanitiser.

Taking advantage of the shortfalls, police are pouncing on them daily, demanding the so-called Covid-19 fees of US$5 per day from each operator.

The small business owners have been left with no choice but to pay or risk being arrested for operating without the requisite papers as well as not putting in place the necessary Covid-19 measures.

In an interview with NewZimbabwe.com, one shop operator, Saymore Mhere said efforts by the shop owners to appeal to senior police officers to intervene and stop their juniors from making the daily demands have not produced any results.

The shop owners have since resolved to stage a protest at the offices Mashonaland Central Minister Monica Mavhunga.

"Daily, the police officers come and collect US$5 per shop for us to operate because we do not have the infrared thermometers and necessary up-to-date operating licences," Mhere, whose shop is in the CBD area, narrated to NewZimbabwe.com.

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"As for bar owners, they pay using crates of variety of beers or US$40 per week. Now, had we bought the thermometers from the beginning; it will have saved us a lot but the issue was how to raise that amount at once.

"I approached senior officers at Bindura Central Police Station last week and they promised to investigate the matter but up to date, the bribery demands continue. However, Chief Superintendent Muzondiwa has given us time to explain our ordeal and has promised to look into it the matter. We hope there will be progress soon."

A vendor at Progress shopping centre in Chiwaridzo, a low-income suburb in the town, said informal traders were operating on constant fear and raids from police officers.

"You are required to pay $30 per day for you to sell vegetables here. If you don't have, they confiscate your goods," she said.

Under Covid-19, vending has been outlawed.
Express News Service By

NEW DELHI: During his Independence Day speech to corona warriors on Saturday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that his government will soon be sending oxygen concentrators to homes of Covid-19 patients in need. In some cases, we have heard that a patient after recovering at a hospital, is discharged and after going back home experiences a sudden drop in oxygen level and ends up dying.

To prevent this from happening, from next week, we will provide an oxygen concentrator, said Kejriwal. Since June, the Delhi government has been distributing oximeters to people in home isolation to prevent fatalities. A private company has been hired by the government to monitor the health status of patients and maintain data. Among other measures announced, Kejriwal talked about the Delhi model of fighting coronavirus collectively.

Delhi invented many new ways to fight the Covid-19 pandemic; one such successful method is home isolation. We heard stories about residents of world-class cities in Italy and New York on roads without beds. We formulated a home isolation method of treatment, said Kejriwal. This years Independence Day celebration was held at the Delhi secretariat.

Earlier the event used to take place at Chhatrasal stadium, but due to the pandemic, fewer people were invited this time around. Corona warriors discharging various duties across different fields were also honoured by Kejriwal at the event. It is our duty to provide compensation to a corona warrior who loses his/her life while serving the nation.

When I announced it, many civil defence volunteers and doctors associations called me saying that they appreciate this help, they feel like they are a part of the team, said Kejriwal. The CM also talked about how Delhi was the first city in the nation that came up with a plasma therapy model of treatment and which is now being replicated in other cities. Kejriwal has appealed to residents to donate plasma but the response remains slow.
Panaji:

Senior Goa Congress leader Mauvin Godinho, on Thursday left the party after resigning as a member of the state legislative assembly, and formally joined the ruling BJP in the presence of Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar.

The five-term legislator from Dabolim constituency in South Goa and former state Minister, said he decided to jointhe BJP as he felt "suffocated" in Congress.

"This morning I submitted the resignation to Congress party. I also submitted my resignation as member of Legislative Assembly to the Speaker. I am a free person now,"Godinho told reporters.

BJP organised a special function to welcome him. Interacting with reporters later, the Chief Minister described the 57-year-old outgoing legislator as "studious"and "down to earth".

"Today, Godinho resigned as an MLA and also from the Congress party. He has formally joined the BJP," Parsekar announced. The Chief Minister said Godinho is known for his well-studied speeches in and outside the state assembly.

"Common man has always been the focus of Godinho. He is the politician, who is down to earth," Parsekar said. "Some time back, I had the privilege of joining BJP whose form I have filled. I have just entered that party. It is aknown fact that I am going to contest from Dabolim," he added.

Godinho said supporting the BJP should not come as a surprise to anyone. "In the past I had amply made it clear how suffocated I felt in the Congress party," he said. "I did not resign earlier just because I did not want to impose mid-term elections on my voters, that is how I continued in Congress.

I could have waited till the end, but I decided enough is enough and now I am member of BJP," the former power minister said. "I always felt suffocated while in Congress, they don'teven allow high command to have their will. The local leaders always put me in the dock. Despite being in politics what isimportant for me is my honour and dignity. They compromisedeven on that," he added.

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JERUSALEM Bahrain and Oman could be the next Gulf countries to follow the United Arab Emirates in formalising ties with Israel, Israels intelligence minister said on Sunday.

Israel and the UAE announced on Thursday that they will normalise diplomatic relations, reshaping Middle East politics from the Palestinian issue to the fight against Iran.

In the wake of this agreement will come additional agreements, both with more Gulf countries and with Muslim countries in Africa," Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen told Army Radio.

I think that Bahrain and Oman are definitely on the agenda. In addition, in my assessment, there is a chance that already in the coming year there will be a peace deal with additional countries in Africa, chief among them, Sudan," he said.

Both Bahrain and Oman praised the U.S.-sponsored accord, but neither have commented on their own prospects for normalised relations or responded to requests for comment on the subject.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has met with Omani and Sudanese leaders in the past two years, including a visit to Oman in October 2018.

I expect more countries will be joining us in the peace circle," Netanyahu told cabinet ministers on Sunday, according to a statement from his office.

This is a historic change which advances peace with the Arab world and will eventually advance a real, sober and secure peace with the Palestinians," he said.

The UAE-Israel deal firms up opposition to regional power Iran. The Palestinians denounced the deal as a betrayal. [nL1N2FG1OR]

UAE and Israeli foreign ministers held their first publicly-acknowledged call on Sunday after the Gulf state opened telephone lines to Israel.

Israel signed peace agreements with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. But the UAE, along with most other Arab nations, has had no formal diplomatic or economic relations with it.

Oman maintains friendly ties with both the United States and Iran and has previously been a go-between for the two feuding countries.

A close ally of Saudi Arabia - which has not yet commented on the UAE-Israel accord - Bahrain hosted a senior Israeli official at a security conference in 2019 as well as a U.S-led conference on boosting the Palestinian economy as part U.S. President Donald Trumps Middle East peace initiative.

Government sources in Kuwait said its position towards Israel is unchanged, and it will be the last country to normalise relations, local newspaper al-Qabas reported.

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
At least five people were injured when gunfire erupted in the area of a block party in North Philadelphia Saturday night.

They ranged in age from 16 to 26 and were rushed to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Action News 6 ABC is reporting.

There were a lot of people out here. We do believe that someone knows who the shooters were and could possibly help us in identifying and figuring out exactly what happened, Philadelphia police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw told 6 ABC.

Police were already in the area because they had become aware of a block party with roughly 200 people at 9th and Parish streets -- about a block away. Thats when they heard the shots and saw muzzle flashes, NBC 10 reports.

The people who were shot do not appear to have been part of the block party, according to reports.

Investigators found multiple shell casings from several different weapons at the scene.

Additionally, three people were killed in separate shootings around the city overnight.

According to NBC 10, a man in his 20s was shot in the head and killed around 9:30 p.m. on the 2100 block of Webster Street.

Police found a wounded man in the Parkside section of the city around 3:30 a.m. and rushed him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to reports.

And about 90 minutes later, reports indicate police found another man dead on the 4700 block of Lansing Street in the citys Holmesburg neighborhood.

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The national flag was placed underwater in a ceremony initiated by the Maumere Dive Community in Nangahale village, Sikka regency, East Nusa Tenggara, to celebrate the country's 75th Independence Day on Saturday.

Spokesperson Yohanes Saleh told The Jakarta Post that the ceremony was attended by residents, environmentalists and tourism players, and included a cleanup of Maumere's beaches and underwater environment.

"We paid our respect to the national flag at a depth of 10 meters underwater, where the fault line that caused the 1992 tsunami is located," Yohannes said.

Read also: Ancol to celebrate Indonesia's 75th anniversary with underwater ceremony

The ceremony was followed by underwater photo sessions and a beach cleanup on Babi Island, one of the islands largely affected by the 1992 tsunami.

One of the participants, Cucun Suryana, said the event aimed to also promote the tourism potential of Maumere.

"In addition to paying respects to the national flag at such a historic site, [we also wish] to promote Maumere's breathtaking underwater tourism and [encourage travelers to] keep our beaches clean." (kes)
By ANI

WASHINGTON DC: American company Lockheed Martin Corp. was awarded a USD 62 billion, ten-year contract for the production of F-16 Foreign Military Sale (FMS) aircraft.

According to a report in The EurAsian Times, the contract released by the US Department of Defence on August 14, 2020, contract does not mention the country where the sales of the latest F-16V jets are aimed at, experts are sure that it is directed towards Taiwan, following the deal to procure 66 such fighters, which was given a green signal by the Trump administration last year.

The ten-year, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ), fixed-price-incentive contract for new production of F-16 Foreign Military Sale (FMS) aircraft involves 100 per cent FMS to FMS partner nations. The contract is expected to meet its objectives till December 31, 2026, the report said.

The initial delivery order is for 90 aircraft, out of which 66 are said to be for Taiwan while Morocco is also said to be a customer for 24 new jets. As per the report, the deal of 66 F-16s to Taiwan was set to be completed and delivered in stages till 2026, which coincides with the dates mentioned in the DoD contract.

This is likely to ruffle feathers in Beijing as the development comes amid worsening tensions between the US and China over a range of issues including Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea.

The ties between the two countries further deteriorated following US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar's Taiwan visit.

Azar's visit was the highest-level visit by a US Cabinet official to Taiwan since 1979, when Washington switched its official recognition to Beijing and established formal diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.

The contract awarded to Lockheed Martin could probably allow Taiwan to procure additional latest F-16 Viper jets under this continuous FMS (Foreign Military Sales) process instead of waiting to seek diplomatic permission again and again from maybe a less friendly Washington government, The EurAsian Times report said.

The purchase marks the first time since 1992 that the jets have been sold to the island nation. China claims Taiwan as its part and has not renounced the use of force against the island nation.

Taiwan was also one of the first nations to support India after clashes emerged in Galwan valley in Ladakh, which resulted in 20 Indian and unspecified number of People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops killed, the report said.

Earlier this month even as Azar was in Taiwan on a visit, Beijing deployed fighter jets that briefly crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait on Monday, South China Morning Post reported citing Taiwan's Defence Ministry.

According to the report, Taiwan's Defence Ministry said it had tracked the PLA fighters with its land-based anti-aircraft missiles and had "strongly driven them out"
17 Shot in an Hour During Overnight Violence in Cincinnati: Police

At least 17 people were shot in the span of an hour in Cincinnati, Ohio, said police.

About 10 people were injured in shootings at East McMicken Avenue and Lang Street in Over-the-Rhine, authorities said. Four people were shot at Chalfonte Place in Avondale, and another three people were shot near Lincoln and Gilbert avenues.

Assistant Police Chief Paul Neudigate said that four people died as a result of the shootings, according to WLWT.

These all seem to be separate, independent incidents, but horrific and tragic that we have this much violence and potential for that much loss of life in our city, Neudigate was quoted by the station as saying.

He added, We do believe with this singular incident we have 10 individuals were shot and possible two fatal waiting on confirmation. This is on top of a quadruple shooting in Avondale potentially two fatal that after a triple shooting on Gilbert and Lincoln, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Like other cities that have seen protests and riots in the wake of George Floyds death, the Cincinnati Police Department similarly faces calls for budget cuts, and some officials want to change the citys charter.

An amendment being considered on the ballot in November would replace the police department with a public safety department, which would only provide lethal weapons to officers responding to violent crime reports, according to WCPO.

The [Felony Crimes Division] shall be the only Division equipped with weapons capable of inflicting grievous injury or death, and shall not be permanently assigned to an educational institution or library, a proposed amendment reads in part.

However, shootings and homicides are on pace to be the highest on record, according to the Enquirer.
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ICICI Direct's research report on Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail

ABFRL reported a nearly washout quarter following closure of stores for a major portion of the quarter. Revenues in May were ~8% of pre-Covid sales, 26% in June. Revenue de-grew 85% YoY to Rs 320.0 crore as stores started reopening gradually in June, although operational hours were restricted in many places. In order to minimise cash burns, the company significantly rationalised operating overheads by ~ Rs 450 crore (QoQ) in Q1FY21 mainly through reduction in rental expenses by Rs 237 crore (down 74% QoQ) and other expenses by Rs 180 crore (down 45% QoQ). Subsequently, EBITDA losses got curtailed, to a certain extent, to Rs 351.3 crore. PBT losses were at Rs 533.5 crore with net loss at Rs 399.9 crore (tax write back: Rs 134 crore). Around 80% of the network was operational by the end of Q1FY21 and ~90% of stores have resumed operations by August. While footfalls are witnessing a gradual improvement on a weekly basis, the management is aiming to achieve normalcy by Q4FY21E. The company expects share of e-commerce space to double to 13% in FY21 (vs. 6% in FY20).

Outlook

We believe that with its strong brand patronage and large distribution reach it will be able to revive its revenue growth post normalisation of scenario. We reiterate BUY rating with revised TP of Rs 160 (1.6x EV/Sales FY22E, previous TP: Rs 140).

For all recommendations report, click here

Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts/broking houses/rating agencies on moneycontrol.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

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Tokyo: Japan on Saturday marked the 75th anniversary of its surrender in World War II, with Emperor Naruhito expressing deep remorse over his countrys wartime actions at a somber annual ceremony curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Naruhito pledged to reflect on the wars events and expressed hope that the tragedy would never be repeated. There was no word of apology from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who gave thanks for the sacrifices of the Japanese war dead but had nothing to say about the suffering of Japans neighbours.

Reflecting on our past and bearing in mind the feelings of deep remorse, I earnestly hope that the ravages of war will never be repeated, Naruhito said in a short speech at the event in Tokyo marking the 75th anniversary of Japans surrender on Aug. 15, 1945.

Amid virus fears and worries about the fading memories of the fast-aging war generation, about 500 participants, reduced from 6,200 last year, mourned the dead with a minute of silence. Masks were required, and there was no singing of the Kimigayo national anthem.

Naruhito has promised to follow in the footsteps of his father, who devoted his 30-year career to making amends for a war fought in the name of Hirohito, the current emperors grandfather.

Abe has increasingly sought to whitewash Japans brutal past since taking office in December 2012. He hasnt acknowledged Japans wartime hostilities during Aug. 15 speeches, which had previously been a nearly 20-year tradition that began with the 1995 apology of Socialist leader Tomiichi Murayama.

Abe, in a largely domestic-focused speech, said the peace that Japan enjoys today is built on the sacrifices of those who died in the war. He pledged that Japan will reflect on lessons from history and will not repeat the war devastation. He listed damage inflicted on Japan and its people, including the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, massive firebombings of Tokyo and the fierce battle of Okinawa.

Abe pledged to play a greater role in tackling global problems. Under his goal of turning Japan into a beautiful and normal nation, Abe has steadily pushed to cleanse Japan of its embarrassing wartime history and build up its military by stretching the interpretation of Japans war-renouncing constitution. It includes acquiring greater missile defense capability in the face of a growing military threat from North Korea and China.

Remembering those days, I strongly feel we should never wage war, said Shoji Nagaya, 93, who traveled from Hokkaido in northern Japan to commemorate his brother who died of illness while serving in China. But politicians today seem to have different views than ours, and I really hope that they will not head to a wrong direction.

Abe stayed away from the shrine that honors convicted war criminals among the war dead. He sent a religious offering through a lawmaker, a gesture meant to avoid angering China and South Korea, which consider the Yasukuni shrine a symbol of Japans militarism. Abe last visited Yasukuni in December 2013.

Four members of his Cabinet did visit the shrine, the first ministerial visit in four years. Among them was Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, the son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi who repeatedly visited the shrine on different occasions, including his last visit as serving prime minister on Aug. 15, 2006, that sparked criticism from China and South Korea.

We decide how we want to pay respects to the war dead. This should not be a diplomatic problem, Internal Affairs Minister Sanae Takaichi, an ultra-conservative who shares Abes historical views, told reporters after praying at the shrine.

Repeated Yasukuni visits by Japanese government officials indicates that on the issue of history, Japan has not completely abandoned militarism, said Wang Shaopu, a Japanese studies professor at Jiao Tong University and honorary president of the Japan Society of Shanghai.

Japans invasion of China has brought huge disaster to the Chinese people. Under these circumstances, if Japan doesnt face up to historical issues, how could we be sure that japan will follow the path of peace in the future?

Kosaburo Tanaka, a martial arts association manager, traveled from Osaka to give thanks for Japans postwar peace. Japan hasnt been in any war over the last 75 years and we were able to live peacefully. I think thats all because of the spirits that rest here in Yasukuni. They protect the peace.

Nobuko Bamba a retiree whose grandmother, uncle and aunt died in the March 10, 1945, U.S. firebombing of Tokyo, thinks both sides of history should be remembered.

There are many people who dont know anything about the war, not only the suffering of the Japanese people, but there are also things that Japanese people did, bad things, Bamba said. Unless we teach these things to future generations, I dont think war would end.

She prayed for her uncle, whose remains have never been found.
Israeli warcraft early Sunday attacked some military facilities that belong to the Islamic Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip after incendiary balloons were launched into southern Israel from the enclave Hamas rules, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

Hamas security sources said that Israeli reconnaissance drones and warplanes hovered over the besieged coastal enclave and fired several missiles targeting posts and facilities that belong to al-Qassam Brigades, the Hamas armed wing.

The sources said that no injuries were reported, but the airstrikes caused severe damage to the facilities and destroyed some nearby houses in the Gaza Strip.

An Israeli army spokesman said in a press statement that Israeli fighter jets attacked a military post and military infrastructure that belong to Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

The statement said that all activities against Israel are severe, adding that the Israeli army will keep acting against those who harm the Israeli people.

Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have been going on for several days in response to hundreds of arson balloons carrying small amounts of explosives.
When Meghan Markle was dating Prince Harry in 2017, the UK tabloids expected her to attend Pippa Middletons wedding to James Matthews. However, to everyones surprise, Meghan didnt show. In the new biography Finding Freedom, authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand reveal the very relatable reason why the Duchess of Sussex decided at the last minute to skip the ceremony.

Meghan Markle and Pippa Middleton | Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images

Pippa Middleton did not want to invite Meghan Markle to her wedding

Finding Freedom details Harry and Meghans relationship from their first date in 2016 until their shocking Megxit announcement in January 2020.

As Elle Magazine points out, the media frenzy surrounding Meghan and Harrys relationship was in full swing by May 2017. Pippa  Kate Middletons sister  did not want Meghan to overshadow her on her big day.

Both the bride and her mom, Carole, privately harbored concerns that the American actresss presence alongside Harry might overshadow the main event, wrote Scobie and Durand.

RELATED: Meghan Markle Set to Make a Rare Public Appearance Just Days After the Release of Finding Freedom

Ultimately, they did add Meghan to the guest list, and she was preparing to attend the wedding with Harry.

Meghan knew she would be under serious media scrutiny at Pippas wedding, and she was determined not to make a misstep. She worked with Jessica Mulroney to create a look that was stylish without being splashy.

Why the future Duchess of Sussex skipped Pippas wedding

On the day of Pippas wedding, The Sun ran a story with the headline, Its Meghan v Pippa in theWedding of the Rears. They also published side-by-side photos of Meghan and Pippa.

Meghans photo was a paparazzi pic that featured the Suits stars backside while wearing black yoga pants. Pippas pic was the infamous image of her from behind on Prince William and Kate Middletons wedding day in 2011.

RELATED: Pippa Middleton Didnt Realize the Scale of Kate Middleton and Prince Williams Wedding, Thought It Was Just a Family Wedding

The story also suggested that Meghan was going to upstage the bride and have her own Pippa moment.

As Page Six reports, when Meghan and Harry saw the headline and photos, they knew she could not attend the wedding.

Harry and Meghan agreed that she couldnt possibly turn up at the church, the book states. If they worried their arrival might create a media circus despite taking every precaution, now they had no doubt it would.

Meghan Markle secretly joined Prince Harry at Pippas reception

Another surprise that Scobie and Durand revealed in Finding Freedom is that Meghan showed up at the reception after skipping the wedding ceremony at the church.

Harry dropped Meghan off at a nearby Airbnb then he drove alone to the church service in Englefield. While Harry was at the wedding ceremony, Meghan got ready for the reception and put on a decidedly unflashy long black gown.

After the ceremony, Harry drove back to the Airbnb to have lunch with Meghan. Then, the couple drove to the reception together.

RELATED: Meghan Markles Pregnancy News Did Not Go Down Particularly Well With Princess Eugenie

Scobie and Durand report that Pippas seating chart separated all couples during dinner. Afterward, Harry and Meghan spent most of their time chatting about their evening apart.

They called it a night close to 2:00 AM, a protection officer driving them back to Kensington [Palace], the journalists wrote.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry deny contributing to Finding Freedom.
Actress Tig Notaro in the L.A. Times photo studio during PaleyFest at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 24, 2019. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

Comic Tig Notaro will replace disgraced comedian Chris D'Elia in Zack Snyder's Netflix movie "Army of the Dead."

The zombie movie, which follows a group of Las Vegas mercenaries tasked with pulling off a major heist in a quarantine zone, had already completed shooting and was scheduled for a 2021 release. But following accusations of sexual harassment against underage girls that surfaced in June, Netflix severed ties with D'Elia, pulling his upcoming unscripted prank show and removing him from "Army of the Dead." He was also fired by his representatives at CAA, WME and 3 Arts.

The film will mix full reshoots of Notaro acting opposite a partner and solo shoots of her using a green screen and CGI to incorporate her into the existing film. Production will commence as soon as it's safe to do so.

"Army of the Dead," which Snyder directed and co-wrote, features an ensemble cast including Dave Bautista, Omari Hardwick, Theo Rossi, Ella Purnell, Ana De La Reguera, Huma Quereshi and Hiroyuki Sanada. The director is working on bringing his highly anticipated cut of "Justice League" to HBO Max next year.

Notaro, the subject of the 2015 documentary "Tig," starred on the Amazon series "Transparent" for five seasons and played herself on the Amazon sitcom "One Mississippi." She also had roles in the CBS All Access series "Star Trek: Discovery" and the Netflix animated comedy "Tuca & Bertie."
New Delhi:

CBI has arrested the Sub-Post master and the Treasurer of Sub-post office, Andhra University for alleged fraudulent exchange of Rs 21 lakh of currency in violation of rules laid down after demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes on November 8.

Sub-postmaster K Lalitha and treasurer of sub-post office, Andhra University, S Samuel John, were arrested for allegedly converting the notes in criminal conspiracy with friends and acquaintances, CBI sources said.

They said searches were conducted at the residences. An FIR for criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery has been registered against them, the sources said.

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This time last year Sinn Fein was still licking its wounds from a dismal local and European election campaign and trying to figure it out where it all went wrong.

The party lost nearly half of its local authority seats - 78 in total - and all but one of its MEPs in the South. The disastrous result was a wake-up call for a party that was suddenly staring into an uncertain future and questions about whether Mary Lou McDonald was the right choice to succeed Gerry Adams.

Twelve months later, all has changed. Sinn Fein is now the second largest political party in the Dail and the main Opposition party, leading to the sort of media exposure that will make more of its TDs household names.

"What we learnt in 2019 is that people want opposition that is responsible and credible and not just shouting about things, that only gets you so far," said a senior party figure of Sinn Fein's tactics and how they have shifted since that electoral setback.

That political maturity was evident during the Barry Cowen saga last month. Sinn Fein refrained from its usual immediate calls for a head, instead probing the issue and watching as Taoiseach Micheal Martin decided himself that his agriculture minister had to go. "We handled that very appropriately, we gave him [Cowen] a sufficient amount of time to try and clarify the matters, instead of saying on day one a head has to roll," the senior party figure said.

Sinn Fein has watched aghast and probably delighted at the succession of Government cock-ups that have undermined the coalition over the past six weeks, from the ministerial appointments to top-ups for super juniors, to u-turns and mixed messaging that has exposed divisions at the heart of the coalition.

Expand Close Tanaiste Leo Varadkar. Photo: Gerry Mooney / Facebook

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Whatsapp Tanaiste Leo Varadkar. Photo: Gerry Mooney

First impressions count, and the new Government hasn't made a great one on the public, some of whom are still wondering why Leo Varadkar isn't Taoiseach and Simon Harris isn't health minister.

Mr Varadkar's various pronouncements and the evident strain it is putting on relations with Fianna Fail are attracting more and more scrutiny. "The media attention on Leo and Micheal - it takes the spotlight away from us," a second senior Sinn Fein figure conceded. A party staffer was more blunt about the new coalition: "It's been a train wreck. We've had to do f**k all."

New spokespeople are adjusting to their briefs with TDs like Claire Kerrane in social welfare and Mairead Farrell in public expenditure highlighted internally as having performed well. The party is also ramping up its staffing, the influx of new TDs leading to a raft of new parliamentary assistants and backroom operatives.

Some internal reorganisation has seen party general secretary Dawn Doyle become McDonald's chief of staff, with Sinn Fein's political director in the 26 counties Ken O'Connell replacing Doyle until an election for the position can be held at the next ard fheis.

Expand Close Taoiseach Micheal Martin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire / Facebook

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Whatsapp Taoiseach Micheal Martin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Tentative planning for a scaled-down one-day event subject to public health restrictions in the spring of next year is under way.

"Even on a bad day, we'd have 800 delegates but the rules don't cater for that at the moment," a source said. A curtailed think-in in September is also being mooted.

Over the summer recess, Sinn Fein has put out a steady stream of policy documents and legislation. Behind the launch of each is a social media strategy that aims to spread as much information about the measures to as many people as possible across the various platforms. Sinn Fein Online Supporters, a recruitment tool for new members, encourages people to be "part of the digital rising".

"We're an activist party and we can mobilise far more people online," said a senior source. "Every Sinn Fein Online Supporter's role is to promote and support that policy among their friends. The spread and reach of social media isn't just a post if 10,000 followers are Sinn Fein supporters and activists and we ask them to spread the message."

A study of the General Election campaign in February found Sinn Fein had around 10 times more engagement on Facebook than any other party in the State.

The study by academics Kirsty Park and Jane Suiter found that between January 14 and February 8, Sinn Fein had more than 567,000 interactions or responses, compared to 49,358 for Fianna Fail and 55,152 for Fine Gael.

Unsurprisingly, the study found most posts were on the topic of "change" - the sort of nebulous word repeated ad nauseam by Sinn Fein reps that has been criticised by other parties but clearly worked to some degree based on the election results.

The online operation is the envy of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael who are frequent targets of criticism from thousands of supporters of Mary Lou McDonald's party.

But this strong social media presence brings significant drawbacks, not least the coarsening of debate and the increased proliferation of abuse by Sinn Fein supporters.

Last week, a Sinn Fein member in Wexford resigned from the party after he was exposed as having used pseudonyms to send derogatory messages to Fianna Fail senator Thomas Byrne, local businessman Derek Webb as well as abuse to model Claudine Keane. In a statement to the Irish Times, Derek Heffernan apologised for his actions. Sinn Fein apologised to Mr Webb, while Eoin O Broin said "good riddance" to Heffernan.

One senior Sinn Fein source said that had he not resigned, the culprit would have been "kicked out".

This story prompted the party's opponents to call for Sinn Fein to get tough on the so-called 'Shinnerbots' - a loosely-applied term to anyone with sympathies to the party who tends to be active, vocal and sometimes abusive and nasty to others on social media.

Breege Quinn, who blames an IRA gang for the murder of her son Paul in 2007, said the Wexford issue was "the tip of the iceberg" and she was regularly targeted by trolls with affiliations to the party.

Sinn Fein has denied it is behind or orchestrating a coordinated campaign against people who are critical of the party and says its public representatives have encountered just as much abuse. Sinn Fein Senator Fintan Warfield was recently forced to report a spate of homophobic and threatening messages to An Garda Siochana.

"There is an accusation that the party is involved in an organised and orchestrated campaign of online hate and aggression and bullying," said one of the senior party figures. "That is not true."

The party believes it has sufficient guidelines in place and swift action is taken against any member found to be in breach of them.

"We do everything in our power to ensure people stick to those guidelines but there is a human behind every button on a phone and there is no comprehending what people say at the end," said a Sinn Fein source who deals with many of these issues.

"Our people come under vicious attack as well, but we don't condone it. If people are at it, we will get rid of them."

But Sinn Fein's disciplinary structures are not that clear cut. While they have been enhanced in recent years owing to concerns about the legality of the disciplinary structures they replaced, the recent case of South Dublin councillor Paddy Holohan shows it is not a zero tolerance approach.

He was suspended from the party earlier this year following derogatory comments about women and Leo Varadkar. After he was readmitted, his local organisation tried to nominate him for the mayoralty of south Dublin.

McDonald and senior party figures like local TD O Broin were furious when this happened and the organisation was stood down, pending an ongoing review. But as with any party, internal wrangling is not a good look.

Nor are the rather convoluted stances on certain foreign policy matters. Sinn Fein elected representatives have frequently defended the increasingly authoritarian regime of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela,

The party is also less critical than others of China's actions in Hong Kong, with the reported endorsement by deputy leader Michelle O'Neill of controversial new security laws in the territory. Subsequent comments from O'Neill and the North's First Minister Arlene Foster did not exactly clarify matters.

It has also emerged that Sinn Fein MEP Chris MacManus abstained on a European Parliament vote condemning what has happened in Hong Kong in recent months over concerns about China's sovereignty and the EU's "colonial mindset".

Last year, the Chinese ambassador in Dublin told Sinn Fein TD Sean Crowe of "violent crimes by Hong Kong rioters". Mr Crowe is reported to have told the ambassador he hoped the former British colony would "get back to the right track".

Sinn Fein's approach to Hong Kong is not a vote-loser or a vote-winner but it is strange and helps critics - like Leo Varadkar - contend that it is more evidence of why Sinn Fein is not a normal party. The Tanaiste was on the receiving end of a backlash from all sides last week after he tweeted a 10-day-old clip of Fine Gael senator Barry Ward hitting back at criticism from Sinn Fein's Lynn Boylan that he was a "white, middle-class man".

"If you are white, male or even worse, middle-class, Sinn Fein doesn't want you. So much for an 'Ireland of equals'," Mr Varadkar wrote to widespread and justified derision. His attempt at clarifying the matter in another tweet yesterday was an admission of a misstep with his original remarks.

But Sinn Fein cannot solely rely on unforced errors by the Government to ensure that it, as one senior party operative put it, becomes "the best opposition in the world".
The imposition of Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in areas under DJ Halli and KG Halli police station limits has been extended till 6 am on 18th August. Section 144 does not allow the gathering of four or more people at a place.

In a related development, Bengaluru Police said on Sunday (August 16) that 35 more accused were arrested in connection with Bengaluru violence that broke out on August 11. According to police, a total of 340 people have been arrested in connection with this case.

Meanwhile, Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy whose house was ablaze during the Bengaluru violence on Saturday (August 15) filed an FIR claiming that over Rs 20 lakh worth gold was stolen from his house and that Rs 50 lakh property was damaged on the night of August 11.

The two times Congress MLA mentioned in the FIR that while he along with his family went to a temple, around 2000-3000 miscreants in a "well-planned manner" attacked his house and office.

He said that the mob ransacked the building, burnt it and looted the valuables and jewels.

"Those miscreants completely destroyed the building. When I learnt about it and wanted to come back home, the policemen asked me not to come back in view of the disturbance in the area and to maintain law and order and peace," said Congress MLA in the police complaint filed on August 14.

A violent mob rampaged through Bengaluru's Pulakeshi Nagar on Tuesday (August 11) night and vandalized two police stations and the residence of Congress MLA Murthy whose nephew allegedly shared an insulting Facebook post against Prophet Mohammad. At least three people were killed after the police opened fire on the rioters to bring situation under control. Several, including 60 cops, were injured in the violence which resulted in the damage of many vehicles too.
A union representing tens of thousands of New York City police officers endorsed President Trump for re-election on Friday, citing what leaders said was Mr. Trumps defense of the authorities and concern for public safety at a time they said their members have been under attack.

At a rally held at Mr. Trumps golf club in Bedminster, N.J., and attended by roughly 100 people, the head of the Police Benevolent Association, which represents about 24,000 rank-and-file officers, said he could not remember another time the union had endorsed a candidate for president.

Across this country, police officers are under attack. Our neighborhoods are being ripped apart by violence and lawlessness, Patrick J. Lynch, the union president, said in a statement released by the Trump campaign, which echoed rhetoric often espoused by Mr. Trump. Most politicians have abandoned us, but we still have one strong voice speaking up in our defense.

Mr. Trump has pushed a law and order message, insisting that crime will surge if voters elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. His campaign ads have also falsely claimed that Mr. Biden supports defunding the police, which Mr. Biden has repeatedly said he opposes.
One more person, who was allegedly involved in the violence in the city, has died due to injuries in the abdomen, Bengaluru police commissioner Kamal Pant said on Saturday.

With his death, the toll in the violence has gone upto four including three in police firing on August 11 night.

"He (accused Syed Nadeem) was in jail since 12th(August). Last night (he) came to Bowring Hospital with chest pain. Probably some hard object hit on his abdomen," Pant told PTI.

According to police, Syed Nadeem, 24, was arrested on August 12 in connection with the violence at Devara Jeevanahalli in the city and was in jail.

He tested positive for the coronavirus infection and on Friday night he had complained of chest pain following which he was admitted to the hospital where he died today, police said.

Replying to a query on Nadeem's death, Pant ruled out that he died of bullet injuries. "Nothing to do with bullets," he said.

The violence in D J Halli and adjoining areas on Tuesday night was unleashed by hundreds of people over a purportedly inflammatory social media post allegedly put out by P Naveen, a relative of Pulakeshinagar Congress MLA R Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy.

The MLA's residence and a police station at D J Halli were torched by rioters who also set many police and private vehicles afire, and looted the belongings of the legislator and his sister.

Police have arrested about 200 people while detained many others in connection with the case.
LG Electronics India's online page / Captured from LG Electronics India



By Baek Byung-yeul



Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics have been expanding into India's fast-growing online market to diversify their sales channels amid the prolonging COVID-19 pandemic, according to industry officials Sunday.



Like other electronics firms, the two Korean companies have struggled with business there as their offline marketing activities have hit a snag due to the Indian government's lockdown restrictions.



They said they are beefing up their e-commerce sales channels at a time when India's online market has been experiencing an explosive growth in the wake of the virus pandemic, prompting consumers to purchase their goods online.



Early this month, LG Electronics' India branch launched its own online store as part of its efforts to expand its direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales channel.



LG, which is the largest home appliance maker in India, said it decided to open the online store to ride on the increasing popularity of the e-commerce market and added it plans to increase the number of items available in the online mall.



"The company-owned e-store will focus on the premium-end products with an assortment of 150 models right now, but will eventually sell 60 percent to 70 percent of its entire portfolio," Deepak Taneja, LG Electronics India business head, told local media.



The Indian branch added LG will use its network of existing warehouses and will outsource delivery of appliances ordered via its online shopping mall to third-party logistics firms.



"The entire buying process will be run and controlled by LG and we have tied up with logistic companies for last-mile delivery from our warehouses Online sales for us have grown by 100 percent by value in the last one year while it has been 30 percent to 35 percent for the industry," Taneja said.



The Indian unit will initially start the delivery of products through its online mall in a limited number of cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Noida, Kolkata and Bengaluru, and will expand to other major cities.



Samsung Electronics' Indian unit is also trying to expand its online sales. Last month, the tech giant said it forecasts its online store to contribute nearly 10 percent of its overall business in mobiles and consumer electronics.



To accomplish the goal, the company has launched a series of online promotions such as the Samsung Referral Program, which enables its existing customers to help their family and friends in getting discounts on phones and other products.



On Aug. 13, the Indian unit announced the launch of a new service called Experience Samsung at Home, to enable consumers to explore and purchase Samsung's Galaxy devices such as smartphones, tablet PCs and wearables.



Samsung said consumers who want to try out or purchase the Galaxy devices are required to register for the program online. Once booked, an employee from a nearby Samsung retail store will visit their home with the requested products.



The company elaborated the measure to help its offline retailers has "resulted in a sharp recovery in our smartphone business post-lockdown."


By Associated Press

CINCINNATI: Police in Cincinnati said 17 people  including some likely fatalities  were shot at three separate locations early Sunday morning.

In one shooting alone in the city's Over-the-Rhine neighbourhood, 10 people were shot, with two possibly dead, Assistant Police Chief Paul Neudigate told news outlets.

In the Walnut Hills neighbourhood, about a block away from the Harriet Beecher Stowe house, three people were shot. And, in the Avondale neighbourhood, four people were shot, including two who police said might be dead.

News outlets reported the shootings took place within 60 to 90 minutes of each other, but Neudigate said they seem to be separate independent incidents but horrific and tragic.

No suspect information was immediately available.

One extremely violent night in the city of Cincinnati. Looking at possibly 17 victims, up to four that could be fatal at this time. Why? Thats going to be the question, Neudigate said.

In July, the Enquirer reported that the city had experienced a rise in shootings and homicides from gun violence during the first half of the year as compared to the same time period in 2019.
Canned Seafood Market Research Report by Type (Prawns, Salmon, Sardines, Shrimps, and Tuna) - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19 The Global Canned Seafood Market is expected to grow from USD 20,869.

New York, Aug. 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Canned Seafood Market Research Report by Type - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913716/?utm_source=GNW

98 Million in 2019 to USD 29,710.45 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.06%.



Market Segmentation & Coverage:

This research report categorizes the Canned Seafood to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Type, the Canned Seafood Market studied across Prawns, Salmon, Sardines, Shrimps, and Tuna.



Based on Geography, the Canned Seafood 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 Canned Seafood Market including Beijing Princess Seafood International Trading Co.Ltd., Bumble Bee Foods, LLC, Connors Bros Ltd., Empresas AquaChile S.A., Mowi ASA, Sajo Industries Company Limited, StarKist Co., Thai Union Group, Trident Seafoods Corporation, and Wild Planet Foods, Inc..



FPNV Positioning Matrix:

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Canned Seafood 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 Canned Seafood Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Canned Seafood Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Canned Seafood Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Canned Seafood Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Canned Seafood Market?

6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Canned Seafood Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913716/?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.



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As a bohemian mecca, The French House has counted Francis Bacon, Dylan Thomas and Lucian Freud among its regulars. But none of them could enjoy a pint at the London watering hole.

The landmark Soho pub has only served halves of beer to preserve its Gallic ambience. But now Covid-19 has put paid to that century-old practice.

Distancing rules mean there is only room for one bartender and serving pints will mean less visits to the bar.

Landmark Soho pub The French House has only served halves of beer to preserve its Gallic ambience

Landlady Lesley Lewis, 65, said: On a Friday night, there would usually be five bartenders to serve hundreds of customers  now we can only have one. It is a shame. Ms Lewis and her late husband, journalist Noel Botham, took over the listed pub in 1989.

Artist Anthony Hawken, 72, visits four times a week. He said: I wont be drinking a pint in here. Its not right. I understand why its had to be done, but I wont break the tradition.

But diehard regulars can be glad one tradition has survived  mobile telephones are still banned.
Four-day event set to include formal nomination of Joe Biden as the Democratic challenger of US President Donald Trump.

A presidential primary season like no other will culminate this week for the Democratic Party in the United States in an unprecedented, mostly digital convention that is set to cement Joe Biden as the official candidate tasked with taking on President Donald Trump in a November election.

Only essential staff will be on the ground at the convention centre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a pivotal swing state that had spent millions of dollars preparing to host the high-profile event, which runs from August 17 to 20, before it was scaled back in light of the pandemic.

This year, the fanfare and spontaneity of past conventions  in which about 4,800 delegates officially nominate the Democratic candidate and the party lays out its policy priorities  will be replaced by a series of speeches streamed from across the country, which leads the world in terms of confirmed coronavirus cases and related deaths.

The speeches, about half of which will be pre-recorded, will run for two hours each night. They will include former Democratic presidents and several high-profile senators who just months ago challenged Biden to be the partys candidate, as well as some of the partys most respected former officials and rising stars.





The lineup also includes a former Republican governor and presidential candidate who has become a fierce critic of Trump, and organisers have hinted that at least one other prominent Republican may make an appearance.

Musical guests featured during the event will include John Legend, Common, Billie Eilish and the Chicks  formerly the Dixie Chicks. The Biden campaign on Friday also announced there will be online watch parties in all 50 states featuring elected officials and celebrities such as actress Alyssa Milano, former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg and former Democratic adviser Valerie Jarrett.

The four-day convention is sure to pose some logistical problems for the party, the most notable expected to be the challenge for speakers to deliver rousing speeches from empty rooms devoid of cheering supporters.

While party caucus and council meetings will be held digitally, observers have also noted the cyber gatherings will likely lack much of the strategising, deal-making and networking between different interest groups that have defined past conventions.

Nothing about 2020 has been normal. So I dont think anyone expected that this convention would be normal either, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who was under consideration to serve as Bidens running-mate and will speak at the convention on Thursday, told The Associated Press news agency.

I hope wherever people are that theyre excited about the moment and the opportunity that lies before us.

Democrats unify

The convention comes as Democratic officials work to energise voters behind Bidens candidacy  and not simply against Trump.

While defeating the Republican president is a huge motivator for many within the party, there is some concern that less-engaged voters who lean Democrat and swing voters are not locked in to cast ballots for Biden, especially as the pandemic is expected to create barriers to voting.

Following a fractious and ideologically diverse 28-candidate primary season, the party has also sought to unify before the convention and avoid a repeat of 2016 when Hillary Clintons supporters clashed with those backing her progressive rival, Bernie Sanders.





The more moderate Biden, a former vice president, has already enlisted the progressive wing to help formulate the party platform and has been carefully calibrating policies  notably on healthcare and climate  more to the left.

Democratic National Convention programme executive Stephanie Cutter has said speakers across the partys political spectrum will highlight Trumps failed leadership and the promise of what we can and should be with Joe Biden as president.

Those speakers are organised around themes for each of the four nights.

On Monday, the We the People lineup will feature speakers who the party says have risen up to face three defining challenges in modern US life: the coronavirus pandemic, the resulting unemployment crisis and racial injustices.

The speakers include former First Lady Michelle Obama, former Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders, and former Republican governor and presidential contender John Kasich.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and vice presidential candidate Senator Tim Kaine were greeted by an enthusiastic crowd during the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in 2016 [File: Andrew Harnik/The Associated Press]

Tuesday night has been titled Leadership Matters and will include progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, former President Bill Clinton and Bidens wife, Jill Biden.

Wednesdays A More Perfect Union programme will include the official party nomination of Bidens history-making vice presidential pick Senator Kamala Harris, as well as speeches from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Senator Elizabeth Warren and former President Barack Obama.

Finally, on Thursday nights Americas Promise, Biden will officially accept the partys nomination during a speech streamed from an event centre in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware.

Republicans prepare

The event will be a precursor to the Republican National Convention, which will also be a digital event set to begin on August 24.





On Monday, Trump is set to visit Wisconsin, where he plans to deliver a speech in Oshkosh, north of Milwaukee, addressing Bidens failures on jobs and the economy, according to the presidents campaign.

Trump will not attend the Republican convention in person the following week. He will deliver his speech from a yet-to-be-announced location, although he has told the New York Post he will probably make the speech from the White House lawn.

Trumps re-election campaign has also said it plans to spend millions of dollars on a digital advertising campaign during the Democratic convention.

Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh has said the advertisement purchases during the week could total more than $10m and the expenditure will be at least in the high-seven figures.
Police in the southern Vietnamese province of Binh Phuoc have arrested a man who ran away after crashing his car into a motorcyclist, causing her to be unconscious on Saturday.

Officers in Dong Phu District, Binh Phuoc Province confirmed on Sunday morning they had apprehended Nguyen Dac An, 42, a resident in southern Dong Nai Province, over a hit-and-run.

The incident occurred along provincial highway No. 753 at around 5:00 pm on Saturday.

An was driving his automobile when he sped up to overtake the motorcycle ridden by a woman named Oanh.

He then turned his car to the right when it was close to the motorbike, resulting in a collision between the two vehicles.

Oanh was knocked off her motorbike, landed on the sidewalk, and became unconscious.

Meanwhile, An did not stop but continued driving away.

Local residents brought the victim to the hospital for emergency treatment.

She is now is stable health condition.

As the crash was caught on CCTV, police officers were able to identify An as the car driver.

He was driving his automobile along provincial highway No. 741 in Dong Xoai City, Binh Phuoc Province on the following morning before being pulled over and arrested.

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The Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday apprehended a Pakistani fisherman and seized four fishing boats of the neighbouring country from Harami Nala creek area along the Indo-Pak border in Gujarat's Kutch district.

During patrolling near border pillar number 1160 in Harami Nala area, a BSF team observed the movement of some Pakistani fishermen with four-five boats trying to enter the Indian territory early on Sunday morning by taking advantage of rough sea condition, the BSF said in a statement.

A fisherman, identified as Alla Bachao Siddique (25 years) from Sindh province of Pakistan, was apprehended and four boats were seized. However, other Pakistani intruders managed to escape on spotting the BSF patrol party, it added.

Nothing suspicious was recovered from the boat, the BSF said.

A thorough search operation of the area is being carried out, but nothing suspicious has been recovered so far, it added.
Have you ever asked yourself whether you should unfollow a celebrity now that (s)he is no more? What about a friend who has passed away?

Most of us continue to follow the friends account out of respect; a close relative sometimes takes it over and chooses to announce the news, and sometimes, continues to keep it alive.

We asked one of the worlds leading social media scientists, Sree Sreenivasan, some questions to get clarity. His advice: Look forward, not at what has passed. And create a digital will!

The big tech companies do not have uniform approaches to what happens to your photos and your data after you die, says Sreenivasan. Google is the gold standard, which lets you create an inactive account plan via the Inactive Account Manager  you can select upto 10 people who have access to your account after three to 18 months of inactivity. You can designate which parts of your Google life particular people can access to download, say, your photos, email etc.

Sreenivasan knows social media. After serving as Chief Digital Officer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and at Columbia University, Sreenivasan is currently a Marshall Loeb Visiting Professor of Digital Innovation at Stony Brook University in New York, and co-founder of the Digimentors Consultancy.

A digital will is a document that explains what you want to do with your digital data, just as you would with your physical assets -Sree Sreenivasan, Social media expert

Sreenivasan then talks about other social media platforms. Facebooks Legacy Contact tool is terrific. I make three requests to all, he says. One. Please explore this. Two. Please warn your designee before you add them to the system, otherwise they may think youre dying now. And three. Dont make me your FB Legacy Contact, Im already full up!

Instagram, we discover, is similar to Facebook, but does not have a legacy contract. As per the tech website Kim Komando, your family can request the deletion of your account, or have it memorialised. (Please see box with actor Sushant Singh Rajputs memorialised Instagram account). Instagram does require proof that youve passed away first. This could be a link to an obituary, news article or a death certificate, say experts.

Twitter recently faced a backlash when it announced it would delete inactive accounts, then decided that it would work on an appropriate method of memorialising those belonging to people who have died.

What is a digital will? Sreenivasan explains, Its simply a document that explains what you want to do with your digital data, just as you would with your physical assets.

As a user, should one continue to follow the social media account of a deceased celebrity? I cant see why you would, unless their family or foundation decides to continue posting, says Sreenivasan.

And what about social media accounts of our friends and relatives who pass away?

I wouldnt follow them, he says. Instead, invest your time and energy in telling friends and relatives about the tips at the top of this article!

Also see: On social media, should you unfollow the deceased?

From HT Brunch, August 16, 2020

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By PTI

NEW DELHI: Private carrier Vistara is likely to start flight operations between India and the UK, Germany and France under the bilateral air bubble arrangements that have been signed with these countries, sources in the aviation industry said on Sunday.

Earlier this month, India and the UK signed a bilateral air pact, under which the airlines of both the countries can operate international flights with certain restrictions.

India had signed similar bilateral pacts with Germany and France in July.

ALSO READ | Pay rescheduling charges: Private airline Vistara to passenger

Vistara got its second B787-9 wide-body aircraft on Saturday.

It had received its first B787-9 aircraft in February.

"Vistara has already got the slots at the Heathrow airport in London. The flights between Delhi and London are likely to be announced in the next few days," an industry source told PTI.

The Delhi-London flight is likely to operate thrice a week, the source added.

A wide-body aircraft has a bigger fuel tank that allows it to operate long-haul flights.

Vistara has 43 planes in its fleet, of which 41 are narrow-body aircraft like A320neo and B737-800NG.

The full-service carrier is also likely to operate flights between India and Germany and India and France, another aviation industry source said, adding that the probable destinations for these flights are Frankfurt and Paris respectively.

ALSO READ | Vistara inducts Airbus A321neo, SpiceJet cleared to operate India-UK flights too

It is not clear which Indian cities will be connected to Frankfurt and Paris by Vistara.

The private carrier did not respond to the queries sent by PTI on the matter.

Scheduled international passenger flights continue to remain suspended in India since March 23 amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The aviation sector has been significantly impacted due to the travel restrictions imposed in India and other countries in view of the pandemic.

All airlines in India have opted for cost-reducing measures such as pay cuts, leave without pay and firing of employees in order to conserve cash.

India resumed domestic passenger flights on May 25 after a gap of two months.

The airlines have been allowed to operate a maximum of 45 per cent of their pre-COVID domestic flights.

However, the occupancy rate in Indian domestic flights has been around just 50-60 per cent since May 25.
The Rolls-Royce aircraft component factory in Prince George County will close and lay off hundreds of employees by the middle of 2021, a victim of the economic fallout and collapse in global travel resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company plans to shutter the factory in the Crosspointe office park near Interstate 295 by mid-next year, putting 280 employees out of work, a spokesman for Rolls-Royce North America confirmed Saturday.

The job losses come on top of 120 layoffs at the factory - the first Rolls-Royce manufacturing facility built from the ground up in the U.S. - that took place in June.

The factory, which opened in 2011 on a 1,000-acre site in Prince George, had reached peak employment of about 400 people last year. It makes precision aircraft components such as rotative discs and turbine blades.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a historic collapse in civil aviation which will take several years to recover. As a result, weve had to make difficult, but necessary, decisions to protect the future of our business," Rolls-Royce North America spokesman Don Campbell said in a statement.

Rolls-Royce, a British company with its North American headquarters in Reston, has cut its workforce elsewhere worldwide as it deals with the travel slump thats drastically shrunk the aviation market.

"Due to the significant reduction in demand for our civil products and services, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we no longer have the workload necessary to sustain operations at the site. In an attempt to stem further layoffs [at the company] and retain as many employees as possible, we have taken swift and decisive action to reduce spending," he said. "However, the severity of the economic fallout from COVID-19 made the closure of our Crosspointe facility unavoidable."

Employees at the plant were told Friday, he said.

"This news will understandably be very worrying for our colleagues, and our number one priority is to provide support to them and their families at this time," Campbell said.

The layoffs in June were a result of what Rolls-Royce described as "an immediate reduction in workload as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We were hopeful that those reductions would be sufficient but, since that time, its become clear that the economic downturn from the pandemic will depress orders for years to come. We simply dont have enough workload to sustain the facility."

The closure of the plant also could have a ripple effect on the economy in central Virginia, as other companies that supply the factory lose business. The factory was expected to attract a network of suppliers in the same way that automobile factories tend to attract numerous satellite businesses.

"The presence of Rolls Royce in Prince George County has certainly helped put the Gateway Region on the map as an ideal location for advanced manufacturing companies," said Keith Boswell, president and CEO of Virginias Gateway Region, a regional economic development organization that markets the cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell and Petersburg, and the counties of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Prince George, Surry and Sussex.

"They have been a quality employer for our region and will be greatly missed as a valued economic development partner," Boswell said. "Virginias Gateway Region will continue to work with our communities and with the state to promote the region as a prime location for future economic development projects."

***

The Rolls-Royce factory was announced with great fanfare in November of 2007, with state and local government officials proclaiming it a major economic development victory for Virginia as a greenfield site - a large manufacturing campus involving the construction of an entirely new, high-tech factory on rural land in an area of the state in need of high-paying manufacturing jobs.

Rolls-Royce initially announced a $170 million investment to build the plant.

At the time, Rolls-Royce said the plant would be developed in phases with the first phase expected to create about 170 jobs. The company and state government officials also said that the investments, over time, could amount to $500 million for future factory expansions that would create a total of about 500 jobs.

Site Selection magazine named the Rolls-Royce announcement as one of North Americas top 10 economic development deals of 2007.

To lure the Rolls-Royce investment, the state provided an incentives package worth $56.8 million, most of it linked to employment and investment targets that the company would have to meet over 16 years. The incentives package announced at the time included a $35 million performance grant, to be paid in installments from 2014 to 2023.

Rolls-Royce initially said the plant would test and assemble components for mid-sized corporate jets.

By October 2008, however, the Great Recession sparked by the housing market downturn and the mortgage crisis forced Rolls-Royce to shift its priorities. The company said the market for corporate jets had been hurt by the downturn, and it would instead focus on making components for commercial aviation engines such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787.

The factory didn't open until early 2011 with a 180,000-square-foot rotatives plant that made components for turbofan engines in aircraft.

Rolls-Royce subsequently proceeded with one other expansion of the plant, an advanced airfoil machining facility, which started producing turbine blades and nozzle guide vanes in 2014.

In March 2012, the Rolls-Royce factory was host to a major public event for then-President Barack Obama, who toured the plant and spoke there to a large crowd of employees, visitors and media representatives, proposing a $1 billion national network of research centers to foster manufacturing competitiveness in the United States.

Rolls-Royce also was a founding corporate member and financial backer of the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing, or CCAM, a research center on the Crosspointe campus that opened in 2013.

Supported by a consortium of businesses, universities and government agencies, CCAM - which continues to operate and recently hired a new chief executive officer - does research on innovative manufacturing processes such as robotics and automation, additive manufacturing, surface engineering and machining.
New Delhi, Aug 16 : Bobby Parikh, who was appointed a board member of Infosys Ltd just a month back, finds himself in a controversy with the firm's audit committee imposing a fine of Rs 2 lakh on him for an "inadvertent" trade.

Infosys notified the stock exchanges on this inadvertent trading by a designated person.

Infosys said in the filing that the portfolio management services of Bela Parikh, spouse of Bobby Parikh, an Independent Director of the Company, had bought 2,754 shares during the open trading window period without the knowledge of Bobby Parikh and without obtaining pre-clearance of trade.

"Bobby Parikh is the joint holder of that account. Mr Parikh has confirmed that he was not in possession of any Unpublished Price Sensitive Information (UPSI)", Infosys said.

The Audit Committee of Infosys was notified of this matter. "Based on Mr Parikh's submission, the Audit Committee has concluded that this was an inadvertent trade made without intent to violate the Company's insider trading Policy or the SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015 (PIT Regulations)," Infosys said.

"However, the Audit Committee has determined that there was a violation of the company's policy and PIT Regulations and has therefore imposed on Mr Parikh, a penalty of Rs 2,00,000 which amount shall be remitted to Investor Protection Education Fund (IPEF) in line with the PIT Regulations," Infosys said.

The incident has received attention as Infosys is seen as a torch-bearer of corporate governance in the corporate sector.

Parikh was appointed as an Independent Director of Infosys effective July 15, 2020, based on the recommendations of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Board.

The Managing Partner of Bobby Parikh Associates, a boutique firm focused on providing strategic tax and regulatory advisory services, he is a former Chief Executive Officer of Ernst and Young in India and held that responsibility until December 2003.

As per a company statement, welcoming Parikh to the Board, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Lead Independent Director and Chairperson of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee said: "Bobby Parikh is a well-respected business leader who brings a wealth of experience and financial acumen to the Infosys Board. His vast experience in the realm of corporate governance will greatly benefit the Company."
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A protester holds a sign reading "Stop Killing Belarus" during a demonstration on the contested elections in Belarus in Berlin. (AFP)

Minsk: Vladimir Putin has offered to help ensure Belarus's security, according to its president Alexander Lukashenko, as pressure builds on the strongman leader and opposition protesters prepare for a show of force Sunday.

Thousands demonstrated in the capital Minsk Saturday after main election challenger Svetlana Tikhanovskaya asked supporters to rally over the weekend and keep alive a movement that poses the biggest challenge to Lukashenko's hold over the ex-Soviet country.

Many gathered at the spot where Alexander Taraikovsky, 34, died on Monday during protests against an election the opposition says was rigged to give Lukashenko another term in office.

Demonstrators heaped flowers at the spot and the crowd chanted "Thank you!" and raised victory signs. Police kept a low profile.

Many held up photographs of protesters beaten during the crackdown, while one man stood in his underwear revealing the purple bruises on his thighs, buttocks and back.

Later thousands protested outside the Belarusian state television centre, complaining that their broadcasts backed Lukashenko and gave a skewed picture of the protests.

Around 100 staff came out of the building to join the crowd, and said they planned a strike on Monday.

"Like everyone we are demanding free elections and the release of those detained at mass protests," said one employee, Andrei Yaroshevich.

Riot police later arrived at the centre and blocked off the entrance to the building.

The opposition is planning a major show of force on Sunday with a "March for Freedom" through the streets of central Minsk.

'I'm really afraid'

Facing the biggest challenge to his rule since taking power in 1994, Lukashenko called in Moscow's help and spoke on the phone with Putin Saturday, after warning there was "a threat not only to Belarus".

He later told military chiefs that Putin had offered "comprehensive help" to "ensure the security of Belarus".

The Kremlin said the leaders agreed the "problems" in Belarus would be "resolved soon" and the countries' ties strengthened.

While Lukashenko periodically plays Moscow off against the neighbouring EU, Russia is Belarus's closest ally and the countries have formed a "union state" linking their economies and militaries.

Lukashenko criticised Russia during his election campaign and Belarus detained 33 Russians on suspicion of planning riots ahead of polls.

Opposition protesters slammed Lukashenko for now seeking Moscow's aid and said they fear Russian intervention.

"It's obvious that our president can't deal with his own people any more, he's seeking help in the east," said Alexei Linich, a 27-year-old programmer.

"If Russia intervenes, that would be the worst. I'm really afraid of this," said Olga Nesteruk, a landscape designer.

'Will not give up the country'

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday urged Lukashenko to "engage with civil society", during a trip to Poland, which has offered to act as a mediator.

Tikhanovskaya, a 37-year-old political novice who ran after other opposition candidates including her husband were jailed, accuses Lukashenko of rigging the vote and has demanded he step down so new elections can be held.

The 65-year-old has ruled Belarus with an iron grip and claims to have won the election with 80 percent of the vote.

Tikhanovskaya left the country on Tuesday for neighbouring Lithuania, with her allies saying she came under official pressure.

She is also demanding authorities be held to account for the crackdown, which saw police use rubber bullets, stun grenades and, in at least one case, live rounds to disperse protesters, with at least 6,700 people detained and hundreds injured.

Officials have confirmed two deaths in the unrest, including Taraikovsky -- who they say died when an explosive device went off in his hand during a protest -- and another man who died in custody in the southeastern city of Gomel.

Call for 'free and fair' vote

On Friday authorities began releasing hundreds of those arrested and many gave horrific accounts of beatings and torture.

European Union ministers have agreed to draw up a list of targets in Belarus for a new round of sanctions in response to the post-election crackdown.

The leaders of the three ex-Soviet Baltic states -- Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia -- on Saturday condemned the crackdown and called for a new vote.

Lukashenko has dismissed the demonstrators as foreign-controlled "sheep" and "people with a criminal past who are now unemployed", repeatedly accusing foreign governments of plotting his downfall.

Tikhanovskaya on Friday announced the creation of a Coordination Council to ensure a transfer of power, asking foreign governments to "help us in organising a dialogue with Belarusian authorities".

She demanded the authorities release all detainees, remove security forces from the streets and open criminal cases against those who ordered the crackdown.
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Linkedin Fidelis Eka Satriastanti (The Jakarta Post) The Conversation  Sun, August 16, 2020 10:14 521 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e591b7 3 Opinion #Indonesia75,Independence-Day,Indonesia,indigenous-people Free

This article is part of a series to commemorate Indonesian Independence Day on August 17.

Indigenous people fought alongside youth movements in the creation of an Indonesian nation. But, in the historical writing of Indonesias struggle for independence from colonial powers, stories of indigenous peoples role are nearly non-existent compared to that of the elite educated youth leaders.

This lack of representation reflects the marginalization of indigenous peoples, which continued throughout Indonesias 75 years of independence.

Indigenous people, whose traditional knowledge and way of life proved to be a force to be reckoned with during the current COVID-19 pandemic and who for generations serve as guardians of forests and natural environments, continue to be stigmatized and experience oppression in their own country.

Nearly 20 million, out of a total of 268 million Indonesians, indigenous peoples are often being associated with dirty, primitive, underdeveloped, alien, to forest encroacher.

The stigma resulted in them being underrepresented, either economically, socially, politically, and culturally. In addition, these communities suffered oppression from the governments economic driven investment, evicting them from their customary lands to make way for large scale forestry, mining, and plantations.

Freedom fighters

History books barely mention how indigenous peoples took arms with the Youth movement during the struggle for independence and helped to finally established the Republic of Indonesia.

Rukka Sombolinggi, who comes from the Toraja tribe in South Sulawesi, recalled the experience of her own family. She said that her great grandfather and grandfather were freedom fighters who fought along with students.

Rukka is the secretary-general of the Alliance of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago (AMAN). The alliance currently represents 2,366 indigenous communities throughout Indonesia or more than 18 million individual members.

My grandfather died as a veteran. The history might not have recorded indigenous peoples roles for fighting the colonialism, but there were hundreds of thousands of them who died in the wars. Unfortunately, history recorded only the youths movements, said Sombolinggi.

Sandra Moniaga, a Commissioner for Assessment and Research at the National Commission of Human Rights (Komnas HAM), said the majority of Indigenous Peoples, such as Sedulur Sikep in Java, were among the groups who rejected to collaborate with the Dutch colonialists.

Sandra added that indigenous peoples have a unique contribution to Indonesias struggle for independence. They preserve Indonesias local cultures, protecting our identity as a nation known with hundreds of tribes and cultures, she said.

Forest guardians

Most of indigenous peoples customary lands are within and near the countrys forests. They play a huge role in protecting the countrys forest and natural environment.

In her recent study about the Marind-Anim Indigenous Peoples in Merauke Regency, Papua Province, anthropologist Sophie Chao who has been living among them for more than a decade, mentioned how the tribe is caring for the forest, respectable to plants and animals, and nourishing relationships with the natural world.

Under the administration of Indonesias first president Sukarno, indigenous peoples got their recognition through the State agrarian law in 1960.

The law was the first to mention indigenous peoples. But it stipulates that customary law applies as long as it aligns with national and State interests.

After Soeharto took power in 1966, there was systematic destruction on customary rights during the New Order, according to Sandra.

She said that the government carried out land-grabbing by issuing forest permits on customary lands for forestry, mining and large scale plantations.

Most of these customary lands were also claimed by the government to be handed over to migrants and TNI (the army) or the police, she added.

Towards recognition of indigenous rights

Things started to change for indigenous peoples in following the end of Soehartos rule in 1998.

The 2nd Amendment of the 1945 Constitution enacted in 2000 acknowledged their traditional existence and traditional way of life.

This became the legal basis for the Constitutional Court to rule out customary lands (Hutan Adat) as States forests in 2012, or locally known as MK35.

Another progress, President Joko Jokowi Widodo had revived the Indigenous Peoples Bill, which will strengthen indigenous peoples existence in the Republic and to resolve ongoing conflicts related to customary lands.

Still, it is difficult to realize these regulations. Instead of RUU MHA (Indigenous Peoples Bill), the government and lawmakers are more eager to pass the Omnibus Law on Job Creation slammed Rukka Sombolinggi.

She said currently, indigenous peoples are facing another form of colonialism. Since decentralization in 2001, the regents and governors were the ones issuing permits over Customary Forest without their consent.

We are no longer fighting foreign companies, but locals, like the bupati (head of regent), the governor. Their own people, she said citing Sukarnos famous speech: My struggle was easier because it was to expel the colonialists, but yours will be more difficult because it is against your own people.

Moving forward

During the pandemic, indigenous peoples that are still practicing their traditional knowledge are considered to be the most resilient groups because of their closeness to nature.

Indigenous peoples who are guarding their areas and not massively exploited their resources and have the spirit of sharing, they have strong resilience against this pandemic. They can even provide their own food, said Rukka Sombolinggi.

Meanwhile, those who are exposed to modernization or in conflict with the industries suffer from unemployment, food security, and lacking in health, clean water and sanitation access.

The claim and promises from big corporations to provide food, open access to education, or employment, they are now becoming helpless due to the characteristic of the virus, Sombolinggi added.

Sophie Chao admired the courage, resilience, endurance, and creativity of indigenous peoples, in general, in the face of ongoing threats to their lands and ways of life.

For me, my hope is that the cultures and values of indigenous peoples will be fully recognized, protected, and promoted by the Indonesian state and by the international community, said Chao. This means making sure that their rights to land are guaranteed, that their full consent is sought where development projects are being planned, and their development takes place in a bottom-up way, based on Masyarakat Adats own aspirations, dreams, and hopes.

Correction : It should be The 2nd Amendment of the 1945 Constitution enacted in 2000 not the 4th Amendment of the 1945 Constitution enacted in 2002.

Rukka Sombolinggi, secretary-general of the Alliance of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago (AMAN), and Sandra Moniaga, a Commissioner for Assesment and Research at the National Commission of Human Rights (Komnas HAM) were interviewed for this article.

Fidelis Eka Satriastanti, Editor Lingkungan Hidup, The Conversation

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.
Federal officers firing of impact munitions at people who were not involved in violence or threatening violence during protests in Portland was improper and reflected a lack of training for civil disturbances, according to a former commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Gil Kerlikowske, who also is a former Seattle police chief, said the federal law enforcement officers who were sent to Portland to safeguard the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse repeatedly used undisciplined, unnecessary and excessive force against journalists and legal observers documenting the protests.

Kerlikowkes sworn statements were filed this week in federal court in Portland in support of a motion by the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon.

The ACLU is seeking a preliminary injunction to bar federal officers from using force or threatening force or arrest of members of the press or legal observers during protest coverage. The civil rights agency submitted to the court at least a dozen statements from journalists, photojournalists and legal observers who suffered shots to the back, neck and legs from impact munitions fired by federal officers outside the courthouse in July.

A hearing is set for Tuesday.

A temporary restraining order against the federal officers, issued by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon, expires on Thursday.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials have asked the judge to ignore Kerlikowskes statements, arguing hes not an expert witness.

Plaintiffs have given no reason to credit a retired police chiefs speculation about proper policing over the evidence of federal supervisors commanding the officers, U.S. Department of Justice attorney Jordan L. Von Bokern wrote in response.

His declaration should be ignored as improper, unhelpful, and inadequate.

Kerlikowske served as commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection from 2014 through 2017 under former President Barack Obama. As Seattles chief of police from 2000 through 2009, he oversaw more than 200 protests, he wrote.

The dispute comes as the U.S. General Accountability Office on Friday questioned the legality of the current two top officials at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. New records obtained in the case also reveal that one of those officials, Homeland Securitys acting deputy director, didnt think highly of Simons temporary restraining order.

Its offensive, but shouldnt affect anything were doing, Kenneth Cuccinelli wrote in an email on July 23 to the acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Enforcement, shortly after learning the judge first granted a temporary restraining order, according to court records.

The Government Accountability Office on Friday found acting Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf and his deputy Cuccinelli, who have overseen the assignment of more than 100 federal officers to Portland, are serving under an invalid order of succession under the Vacancies Reform Act. The finding is being referred to the Inspector General.

A DHS spokesman responded, We wholeheartedly disagree with the GAOs baseless report and plan to issue a formal response.

.Its offensive, but shouldnt affect anything were doing, acting DHS deputy director Kenneth Cuccinelli wrote in an email on July 23 to the acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Enforcement, shortly after learning U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon granted a temporary restraining order against federal officers.

**

Kerlikowske questioned the training, apparent lack of unified command and what appeared to be a widespread distribution of less-lethal weapons to federal officers who were sent to Portland in early July from different agencies, including the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Marshals Special Operations Group and the Federal Protective Service.

Customs and Border Patrol agents, who primarily work along the countrys southern border, are trained to take enforcement action against people charging to a border wall or fence to cross illegally into the country, which is very different than policing people on a city street, who are exercising their First Amendment rights, according to Kerlikowske.

Further, the Border Patrol agents usually operate independently, or at most, with one partner, he said.

They are taught to take individual initiative to deal with threats, as opposed to what happens in a protest. In policing crowds/civil unrest, officers work in large formations and are instructed not to take individual actions, to essentially not break ranks. This discipline requires on-going training for the law enforcement personnel and their leadership, he wrote.

The Border Patrol tactical unit known as BORTAC is equivalent to a SWAT team, and typically is called to high-risk assignments, such as serving search warrants at so-called stash houses where human traffickers are believed to be holding people against their will, according to Kerlikowske.

The U.S. Marshals Special Operations Group is a similar tactical unit that typically arrests dangerous fugitives, escorts dangerous prisoners, and provides security in terrorism trials or high-profile cases like the El Chapo trial of the Mexican drug kingpin, according to Kerlikowske.

While they are excellent marksman and can surely distinguish journalists and legal observers from protesters in the heat of the moment, their skills are not particularly useful for the situation in Portland because the techniques used against the threats posed by heavily-armed and dangerous criminals are far different than what is appropriate to use against the threats posed by people throwing bottles or fireworks, he wrote in his sworn declaration.

Kerlikowske argued that it appeared that all the federal officers policing the protests were given less-lethal munitions,' when he contends that only a small subgroup of well-trained officers who are familiar with the restraint necessary for policing this type of situation be given such weapons (for example, in Seattle, I limited such weapons to members of the SWAT team).

Kerlikowske also wrote that federal officers should be able to distinguish who the press and legal observers are in a crowd.

Homeland Security officials have countered that Kerlikowske lacks knowledge of the on-the-ground actions that federal officers faced outside the Hatfield courthouse last month, noting some in the protest crowd have been masquerading as press and legal observers, yet engaged in violence or property damage, lobbing commercial-grade fireworks, glass bottles and rocks at officers.

"It's not a phased withdrawal either," wrote Stephen Miller, a senior advisor to President Donald Trump, in an email on July 30, 2020, responding to Oregon Gov. Kate Brown's characterization of what federal officers would do on the day Oregon State Police troopers were sent to take over the exterior security of the federal courthouse in downtown Portland.

They contend that a preliminary injunction would be unwarranted, as federal encounters with protesters have been reduced to almost nothing since Oregon Gov. Kate Brown reached an agreement with the Homeland Security department, allowing Oregon State Police to come in July 30 to take over responses to any violence leveled against the outdoor, fenced-in portion of the federal courthouse or in the streets outside.

Oregon State Police, though, completed their two weeks of assisting federal and local officers and withdrew their approximately 100 troopers from the city on Thursday.

Now that state police have withdrawn, Portland police spokesman Lt. Greg Pashley said the Police Bureau will take it one day at a time and encourage people to continue to gather and demonstrate peacefully.

In federal officials sworn written responses to plaintiffs questions, they admit that they have not stood down from Portland and have no intention of doing so,' Attorney Matthew Borden wrote on behalf of the ACLU in court papers.

In a heavily redacted note, Wolf wrote that he and Gov. Kate Brown agreed to inform each other of their respective press statements regarding their agreement about having federal officers pull back from responding to protesters outside the downtown Portland courthouse, "recognizing that we have somewhat different perspectives on all of this."

Federal officers continue to dispute that the press holds any protected right to be free from officers orders to disperse during a riot or unlawful assembly, and that any use of force they suffered was inadvertent, Von Bokern wrote.

To a law enforcement officer beset for weeks by violence, fires, projectiles, and lasers, peering through the lens of a gas mask in the dead of night, small indicia might easily go unnoticed, the Justice Department lawyer wrote. On balance, it is clearly in the public interest to ensure federal officers can disperse violent opportunists near courthouses and federal buildings when those events have turned and may continue to turn violent.'

Kerlikowske called it a basic principle of policing that there be a unified command, yet pointed to statements from Gabriel Russell, the regional director of Federal Protective Services, who said he doesnt have any command over the U.S. Marshals who were also safeguarding the federal courthouse. With different command oversight, the result is chaotic and dangerous policing, Kerlikowske said.

Kerlikowske accused DHS of attempting to skirt concerns about the lack of federal officers training on civil crowd control by citing its officers training on how they respond to disturbances or riots in detention centers.

There is no comparison between policing a civil disturbance on the street and in a confinement facility, where for example, First Amendment issues, much less the rights of the press and legal observers, are not a consideration, he wrote. Putting less-lethal weapons in their hands and sending them to police the protests is a dangerous and ill-conceived policy.

Federal law enforcement officials continue to argue their officers are highly trained' and presented the court with 168 pages of policies governing their officers, from a Federal Protective Services Crisis Response Team training memo for a disaster or special event to an October 2011 report titled, Law Enforcement Guidelines for First Amendment-Protected Events, which a footnote reads, " refers to people or a group who peaceably assemble.

Federal officials also have submitted photos and videos of people arriving at the demonstrations with the words Press plastered on their shirts and helmets, who were caught on video engaging in violence or property damage. They told plaintiffs they were unaware of any investigations or discipline taken resulting from federal officers use of force involving journalists or legal observers.

-- Maxine Bernstein

Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212

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Speaking at the ceremony in New Delhi, Vietnamese Ambassador to India Pham Sanh Chau recalled milestones in the career of comrade Le Kha Phieu from his first days in the army to his election as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee.

Comrade Le Kha Phieu had made important contributions to the glorious revolutionary cause of the CPV and the nation, as well as the successes in foreign affairs such as the signing of the Vietnam-China Land Border Treaty in 1999 and the Vietnam-US Bilateral Trade Agreement in 2000, Ambassador Chau stressed.

Representatives of organisations and diplomatic missions in India, including the ambassadors of Laos, the Republic of Korea and Morocco, together with Indian officials and international friends came to the Vietnamese Embassy to pay last tribute to the former Party leader.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) sent a letter of condolences to the Vietnamese Embassy.

At the ceremony in the Philippines, Vietnamese Ambassador Hoang Huy Chung highlighted comrade Le Kha Phieus great contributions to the struggle for national independence and reunification as well as the implementation of noble international duties.

Due to the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic and enforcement of social distancing order in Manila, Philippine authorities, diplomatic agencies and the Vietnamese community sent diplomatic notes, letters and messages of condolences to the Vietnamese Embassy.

At the ceremony in Dar es Salaam, Vietnamese Ambassador to Tanzania Nguyen Nam Tien, who is also in charge of Burundi, Comoros, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Somalia, recalled the biography and milestones in the revolutionary career of comrade Le Kha Phieu.

On behalf of the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), CCM's Ideology and Publicity Secretary Humphrey Polepole paid tribute to comrade Le Kha Phieu and wrote in the book of condolences.

He also conveyed a letter of condolences from the CCM Central Committees Secretariat to the CPV Central Committee via Ambassador Nguyen Nam Tien.

The embassy will receive delegations and the book of condolences remains open until August 17.
As we chug away from the quay in bright sunshine and skipper Paul Derham starts running through the wonders we're about to witness, everyone aboard the Mudeford Ferry is poised and primed.

Gloria and Andrew Wilkie brandish shiny binoculars. Others boast expensive digital cameras. The Huggett family from Andover clasp mobile phones.

'Are we all super excited?' yells Paul, 62. 'Yes, yes, yes!' come the replies. Some have driven three hours just to join this excursion.

Not, as it happens, to see seals, dolphins or a pod of killer whales.

Jane cruising past the Aurora.Jane Fryer joins Paul Derham on his new sight seeing tour around the ghost cruise ships anchored in the English Channel during the coronavirus pandemic

Cruise ships all over the world are running with skeleton crews but are otherwise deserted as these pictures of luxury cruise liner Queen Mary 2 while she is docked during the pandemic

No . . . these maritime tourists are on a different kind of safari. They are here to spot 'ghost ships'  the nickname for the ever-expanding number of hulking luxury cruise liners that includes the three flagship 'Queens' of the Cunard fleet  currently anchored off the South Coast, between Portsmouth and Plymouth.

For months now, instead of moving in stately fashion through the Mediterranean or pootling around the Caribbean, these ocean-going leviathans have been cluttering up the English Channel.

Their massive generators are on  to power onboard systems for the skeleton crews  and their engines idling. But the kitchens are closed, the sommeliers and waiters dispatched, bars and restaurants are empty, the decks and swimming pools largely deserted and the hot tubs dry and dusty.

Captain Marcin Banach should be shepherding 3,000 passengers around the Mediterranean right now, but along with a few dozen staff on board P&O's Azura  he will be stuck in Babbacombe Bay, Torquay, until November at the earliest.

His daily Twitter feed  sharing snaps of endless sea views, deserted restaurants, a workout in the ship's abandoned gym and solitary walk around the deck draped in an old dust sheet  is already rather repetitive.

The Azura and the other vessels have been here so long that they have transformed the view from the coast.

Seen from the shore, the horizon is dotted with what look like giant icebergs in the haze. At night, they are lit up like enormous floating casinos.

Sales of binoculars in local shops are booming and I'm told that the bar at a branch of Harry Ramsden's is the best place to ship spot.

Others, however, want to get up close and personal, and the fact that they have become a tourist attraction off the Dorset coast is largely thanks to Captain Paul Derham. He owns the Mudeford Ferry and runs the two-hour tour.

By happy chance, he's also something of an expert, having spent 27 years working on cruise ships, and was once assistant captain on P&O's 78,000-tonne Aurora.

While the whole travel industry globally has been dealt a terrible blow by coronavirus, perhaps no sector has been hit harder and for longer than cruising.

The announcement this week that the cruise industry will embrace a longer 'pause' on operations until at least October, and some firms till January 2021, has come as another bitter blow.

RMS Queen Mary 2 transatlantic ocean liner, flagship of Cunard Line, arrives to join P&O ships Aurora and its sister ship Ventura in the bay off Weymouth and Portland

Not just for individual companies, their furloughed staff and the crews still on board, desperately working to keep the vessels shipshape. But also for millions of disappointed customers  a very enthusiastic selection of whom are on the ferry with me  and our economy in general.

Because cruising  once considered predominantly for folk at a certain stage of life  has become fantastically popular in recent years for all ages and demographics.

In Britain, it generates 10 billion a year and employs more than 88,000 people. We take more than two million cruises a year  a figure that has more than doubled in the past decade and is rising.

Or at least it was.

Cruising was hit early in the pandemic, generating headlines worldwide. First, the virus swept through the British-registered Diamond Princess in Japan and then the Grand Princess, off the coast of California.

Hundreds of passengers contracted the infection, forcing them to be quarantined at sea.

Within weeks, most of the main cruise companies, including P&O and Cunard, had cancelled all sailings, furloughed or let go thousands of staff and put everything on hold.

Last month, the British cruise line Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) was the first to go into administration, leaving a huge gap in the small-ship cruise market.

And then, more recently, three smaller non-British ocean cruise lines that had started sailing again in July were linked to new coronavirus outbreaks.

Of course, once out of action, the ships had to go somewhere  and they are truly massive.

P&O's Aurora might be 'just a medium-sized ship', as Kate Dingley, 64, a veteran cruiser of nearly 40 trips, airily tells me, but it is still 270 metres long, 32.2 metres wide and, according to Paul, can only just squeeze through the Panama Canal, with centimetres to spare on each side.

Berthing costs at cruise terminals around the country have ruled out that option for many companies, which is why from the Firth of Forth  where instead of gliding through the waters of the Baltic and Scandinavia the Fred Olsen cruise ships Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch can be spotted  down to the English Channel, so many ships are anchored out at sea.

Last month, the British cruise line Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) was the first to go into administration, leaving a huge gap in the small-ship cruise market

When Paul heard that his beloved Aurora was one of them, he chugged over to have a look, thought others might like to see it, too, and, as he puts it, 'whacked it up on Facebook for a laugh'.

Within hours, tickets for his first tour (20 adults, 10 children) had sold out.

'We're here because we love cruising and this is the closest we're going to get this year,' Denise Bullen, 79, who has been on 15 cruises, tells me.

The first ship we spy is Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas.

At 362 metres long and 47 metres wide  far too big to fit through the Panama Canal  the Allure makes the Aurora look like something you'd play with in the bath.

Even from two miles away the scale is staggering. Up close  Paul can take us within 50 metres  it's downright awesome. It may travel at only 35 mph, but with a two-deck dance hall, 1,380-seat theatre, ice rink, 25 restaurants, seven 'distinct neighbourhoods', a climbing wall and capacity for 6,000 guests, this is a floating town. Sadly, a town that almost everyone has left.

Apparently, there are about 100 crew (of the usual 2,000) on board: they are manning the bridge and engine rooms, and include kitchen and maintenance staff.

We peer up and make out a teeny, solitary figure on one of the 800-plus balconies on the port side and wave madly. He waves back, not quite as jauntily.

Presumably, he's still adjusting to the news that he'll be stuck out here until October, at the earliest.

We also spy a lonely looking Officer of the Watch (so Paul tells us) on the bridge. But no one else. Maybe the others are cooling off in one of the pools  while most ships have a staff pool, many have opened up some of the passenger pools for the staff.

Or they could be preparing for one of the occasional forays back to port to dispose of waste, take on supplies and water, give the engine a much-needed run and, occasionally, change crew.

But mostly, the boats just float  idle and sad.

Happily, as we approach the Aurora, spirits seem perkier.

The Crow's Nest cocktail bar may be mothballed, along with the theatre, cinema and restaurants, but Captain Simon Love waves and another member of the crew blasts the ship's horn over and over again.

While most of my fellow passengers on the ferry wave and whoop for joy just at the very sight of them, not everyone is as keen.

'It's a bit sad,' says Dave Huggett, 55. 'The ships look like old donkeys put out to pasture. No boat should be left just stuck out at sea.'

Cunard's Ocean liner Queen Mary 2 (left), and the cruise ships Carnival Valor and Marella Explorer 2 (right) in Portland, Dorset, as the cruise industry remains in lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic until at least October with experts estimating a loss of at least 2.4 bn

Locals, meanwhile, worry about pollution from the diesel-powered engines and have written strongly worded letters to their local papers and MPs.

A spokesperson for Cunard and P&O was quick to emphasise their use of Advanced Air Quality Systems, and gas cleaning systems which remove sulphur compounds and particulate matter from the ships' exhausts.

Right now, though, their main concern is getting the industry moving again.

The Cruise Lines International Association estimates that the economic loss of a 90-day cruising suspension  and it is likely to be far longer  will be 2.37 billion and 13,788 jobs.

No wonder the cruise companies have been working round the clock with Public Health England to put in place protocols for post-Covid cruising.

Measures are likely to mean shorter cruises, fewer ports of call and passengers, and a ban on buffets. Access to gyms, pools and hot tubs will also be regulated.

As a result, the immediate future will look very different. But perhaps it doesn't matter. Because cruisers are incredibly loyal  to their chosen company and to cruising in general.

Almost everyone on the Mudeford Ferry says they will book a holiday as soon as ships are allowed to set sail again.

'We're not worried. We'll go as soon as they're running,' says Denise Bullen. 'It's part of our life.'

'Just seeing the ships out here is a beacon of hope,' says Kate Dingley. 'We can see they're being looked after and cared for. So the minute they're able, they'll be ready to sail again.'

In the meantime, the crew, passengers and entire travel industry will be willing the cruise companies to, somehow, keep their heads above water.
There is no doubt that the Covid crisis has forced governments to contemplate and implement policies that they would not consider in normal times.

The consensus in the economics profession on the need to hugely stimulate global economies also shows how this crisis is challenging conventional approaches to how we operate our societies and economies.

One of the features of almost all governments response to the economic crash associated with Covid is increasing payments to workers and subsidising their wages.

In Ireland, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was initially set at a higher rate than jobseekers benefit.

The payment has persisted, albeit at a lower rate.

The recent controversy about the loss of the payment for those who have travelled, and so are not available for work, has shown that there is a need for a new mindset in how the state bureaucracy views supports for people in vulnerable situations.

The Covid crisis highlights the need for a new approach to our entire system of social protection and there is an appetite for new economic thinking.

The speed with which the Irish government, and governments throughout the world, moved so quickly to maintain incomes as the crisis emerged has reignited policy discussions on universal basic income.

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A universal basic income is an unconditional payment made to every individual that is sufficient to meet basic needs.

It is paid at a set rate to all residents and cannot be withdrawn.

There has been growing support for a basic income throughout Europe, and also in Ireland.

In their election manifestos, two of our new parties of government set out clear policies on the introduction of a basic income.

While Fianna Fail committed to setting up a Basic Income Commission to examine the feasibility of introducing a basic income in Ireland, the Green Party was more definitive.

It proposed to introduce a system of Universal Basic Income for all Irish residents by 2024.

The programme for government was more equivocal.

In it the Government requires the Low Pay Commission to examine universal basic income, informed by a review of previous international pilots, and resulting in a universal basic income pilot in the lifetime of the government.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan: The Greens want a Universal Basic Income scheme in place by 2024

It is interesting to note that universal basic income is one of the few economic policies that requires comprehensive pilot schemes.

Informed policy making is welcome, but we rarely hear of pilot schemes for tax breaks or cuts to the provision of social services.

In any event, there have been several basic income pilot schemes which can inform an Irish approach.

A recent report from four Scottish local councils and NHS Scotland, which comprehensively reviews international evidence, makes a very convincing case for a large pilot scheme. It is supported by the Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.

The Scottish pilot study set out in this report would provide very useful evidence for an Irish basic income system.

It can benefit from avoiding the weakness of previous pilots and partial basic income trials in the US, Finland, and Canada.

The most common objection against a universal basic income is that it would undermine the incentive to work.

This argument questions why someone would work when they are guaranteed an income each month from the state.

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This attitude to social transfers is why existing unemployment payments, and more recently the pandemic unemployment payment, have included requirements that recipients are available for and actively seeking work.

A significant effort is made by the state to help unemployed people seek work through training and/or other labour market activation efforts.

Similarly, a significant effort is made to monitor those social protection payments to prevent fraud.

There would be no such requirement attached to a basic income.

Would this mean many people would decide to sit at home and opt out of the labour market? Well, the evidence says not.

The evidence from the limited number of pilot tests indicates there is limited or no impact of basic income schemes on participation in paid work.

There are some groups who show a reduction in work participation, which primarily means a move from full-time to part-time work or a return to education.

Instead of being a problem with basic income, the effects it has on work participation perhaps show up one of its most important features.

Those who are trying to juggle work and a caring role would find their lives less of a struggle. Picture: Imagestate

Indeed, some people may decide to leave their current jobs if they could rely on receiving a basic income from the state.

Those who are trying to juggle work and a caring role would find their lives less of a struggle.

Carers in the home would receive the basic income. Whether this care is for ones children or an elderly relative, or a person with a disability, we have for a long time put very little value on this important role.

There are many people who struggle with these caring roles while also working, probably part-time, to generate an income.

Society, and the person receiving care, benefit from people taking on these caring roles.

It is right that we would allow carers to work with dignity and not worry about the impact on their incomes.

Since the basic income is paid to every resident, not every household, it is also an important resource for those who may find themselves financially reliant on a coercive or abusive partner, and feel unable for financial reasons to leave that situation.

There are other activities from which we benefit as a society that are also under-provided because of the inability of people to rely on a guaranteed basic income.

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Most artists must supplement their income from their artistic work, and with greater time and security could dedicate themselves to more creative pursuits, which would benefit all of us.

How many more successful authors, painters, or rock stars could we produce if we freed up young artists to focus on their work?

A basic income would also be a substantial stimulus for entrepreneurship.

Someone setting up a new business, whether it is a coffee shop or a new gaming company, risks a lot to make their business survive or thrive.

At the same time, this entrepreneur will have rent and bills to pay which may mean the business and the jobs it could have created never materialise.

Currently, entrepreneurs do not receive any direct income supports from the state.

Of course, there are start-up grants and business supports, but an entrepreneur cannot use these to fund day-to-day expenses.

The substantial drop in income is a substantial disincentive to trying, and often failing, and trying again.

We often use our graduate numbers to attract foreign investment.

There is also evidence that a basic income makes it easier for people to remain in or to return to education, boosting skills levels in our society.

For example, it could have a transformative effect on the uptake of doctoral studies in Ireland, removing the barrier of finding funding.

We often use our graduate numbers to attract foreign investment.

There are savings in our current system from a basic income scheme.

Every year close to 800m is spent on administration in the Department of Social Protection, including pay.

Just under a quarter of a billion euro is spent on non-pay administration.

This is due to the complexity of the range of social protection payments; from jobseekers allowance, pensions, child benefit, carers allowance, to wage subsidy schemes.

Each allowance has a strict set of guidelines to determine eligibility. Each payment can be withdrawn or reduced at the stroke of a ministers pen.

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A universal basic income reduces the need to monitor the payment, since it is unconditional and paid irrespective of a persons employment status.

This means there is no need to check if the person receiving the payment is really looking for work, is really caring for an ill relative, or has made sufficient PRSI contributions to earn a contributory pension.

The unfair treatment of women who have lost their entitlement to a full pension because they left the workforce to care for children would not be an issue under a basic income scheme.

It has been argued that the universal aspect of a basic income scheme would be unfair.

Why should the very highly paid receive the same basic income as poorer people.

However, basic income is taxable, just like all state transfers, reducing substantially the net amount received by higher paid workers.

Its time for Ireland to embrace a universal basic income, to enhance the health, prosperity, equability, and happiness of all of our citizens.

Dr Declan Jordan is senior lecturer in economics at Cork University Business School
A Borno traditional chief, Zanna Boguma, has said that despite claims, President Muhammadu Buhari has failed to tackle the issue of insecurity especially in the North East.

Mr Hassan who is the Zanna Boguma of Borno said this in an exclusive interview with Arewa Agenda.

According to him, the escalation of attacks by the Boko Haram on soft targets, the issue of kidnapping on highways and the systematic dislocation of communities that were living around the metropolis, are issues of grave security concern that have continued unabated.

Mr Boguma who is also a member of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, berated the presidency for not doing enough on developmental efforts in the Northern Region despite their immense contribution to his victories in the polls.

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As far as Nigeria is concerned Buhari only appointed our sons into positions but they havent done enough in terms of development. Northerners are being killed by terrorists and armed bandits without solution in sight. General Buhari, yes! We northerners voted for him, the massive votes that came out from North was the reason why he is President of this country now, he told Arewa Agenda.

Mr Boguma said the Northern Elders Forum worked hard for Mr Buhari to become President, including lobbying the United States of America to support his candidacy.

We went up to America to influence the United States Government to support the cause of change in Nigeria, we did that. The Northern Elders Forum sent a delegation which I am also part of that delegation. We went to Washington, we met with all those that matters in America from Department of State to that of Justice to all other Agencies of Government, we spoke to them about insecurity, we spoke to them about corruption in this country of which Buhari is always talking about, but unfortunately, Buhari in five years hasnt done enough to remedy the situation the previous government was accused of, he stated bitterly.

While expressing hope that President Buhari can do better in the remaining three years of his tenure, Mr Boguma, who is also the State Project Coordinator of the Youth Empowerment and Social Support Operation (YESO), called on the youth to be self-reliant as well as good citizens of the country.

Arewa Agenda is a Publication of young writers from Northern Nigeria towards peaceful coexistence and National Development through positive narratives.

Here is the link to the full interview.
Mumbai: The Indian Railways on Sunday (August 16) gave approval to a total of 162 special passenger trains for the Konkan region of Maharashtra. The decision comes after the Maharashtra government's request to railways to run special trains to Konkan to avoid rush for the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

However, the passengers travelling on the train have to follow home quarantine for 3 days and other COVID-19 guidelines as per the government's order. The railways gave information about the special trains through press release

Every year, lakhs of devotees from Mumbai and other cities travel to their native places in Konkan for the festival.

Meanwhile, the Indian Railways will also run additional Ganpati Special trains in co-ordination with Western Railway and Central Railway between Ahmedabad/Vadodara and Ratnagiri/Kudal/Sawantwadi Road stations to clear extra rush of passengers.

Train number 09416 Ahmedabad Junction - Kudal Weekly Special on Special Fare will leave from Ahmedabad Junction at 09:30 hours on August 18 and 25. The train will reach Kudal at 04:30 hours on the next day (2 Trips), the Indian Railways said in a release.

Train number 09415 Kudal - Ahmedabad Junction Weekly Special on Special Fare will leave from Kudal at 05:30 hrs on August 19 and 26. The train will reach Ahmedabad Junction at 00:15 hours on the next day (2 Trips), it added.

This year Ganesh Chaturthi festival will be celebrated on August 22 all over the country.
By Hongshanke At present, the U.S. is in the mire of COVID-19 epidemic, economic recession and protests and demonstrations. In such an unprecedented predicament, some U.S. politicians like its Secretary of State Mike Pompeo often shocked the world with hilarious acts and rhetoric instead of focusing their attention on the epidemic prevention and control, racial tension, and peoples lives. People cant help asking: What on earth are these politicians doing?

Illustration: Tang Jianping

Shifting the blame by starting rumors. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Americans have gravely suffered due to a few U.S. politicians irresponsible remarks. These politicians first brushed COVID-19 off as a flu, saying that the risk of infection in the U.S. is very low. Then they vowed solemnly that when it gets a little warmer, it miraculously goes away. After that, they arbitrarily recommended hydroxychloroquine, disinfectant, and other treatment methods. As a result, the number of confirmed cases and death in the U.S. far surpassed that of other countries. Realizing that they could not account to U.S. citizens, these politicians shifted the blame on China by starting a rumor that the virus was leaked from laboratories in Chinas Wuhan. They pointed their fingers at China to distract the public attention and transfer domestic crisis. Mr. Pompeo even attributed the failure in epidemic control to Chinas incomplete data and even rallied other countries to blackmail China. This epidemic not only exposed thoroughly some U.S. politicians habit of telling lies, but also their logic as a bully.

Playing dirty by breaking their promise. Almost all top scientists and disease control experts, including U.S. chief infectious disease specialist Dr. Anthony S. Fauci admitted that it could be inferred from the genome sequence that the virus originated from nature rather than being synthesized. But some politicians like Pompeo still ceaselessly slander China, which is absolutely not scientific inference or justified doubt, but pure discredit. On the other hand, U.S. politicians havent forgotten to put feathers in their own cap. When Wuhan was under the onslaught of COVID-19 in February, he promised to support Chinas anti-epidemic endeavor with USD 100 million, but then he said he would earmark at most USD 100 million for China and other countries affected by COVID-19. These politicians only pay lip services to China, but when they scramble for the epidemic control materials, they are modern pirates who are never soft-hearted on their allies.

Abandoning justice by applying double standards. On last October 23, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi referred to the violent crimes by rioters in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) as a non-violent struggle for democracy and rule of law and a beautiful sight to behold. Since the end of May, the U.S. has witnessed continuous mass protests incurred by the killing of George Floyd, but the man in power issued a tough warning that When the looting starts, the shooting starts. Some U.S. politicians pointed the finger and made unwarranted charges against the restrained and proper law enforcement by Hong Kong police, but required that its state governors be tougher, arrest them, and track them. While advocating freedom, democracy and human rights and flaunting themselves as the guardians of universal value and international justice, these U.S. politicians repeated the same old mistakes of alternative blindness and alternative aphasia. This double-standard way of behaving, which is so typical of the U.S., is nothing other than wantonly treading on the ethics of human civilization.

Making trouble by fanning the flames. Indifferent to domestic epidemic situation and peoples lives, some U.S. politicians are keen on fanning the flames. How agog are they to instigate and see chaos! On Taiwan-related issues, they blatantly congratulated on Tsai Ing-wens assumption of office and supported separatist forces; on Hong Kong-related issues, they instigated rioters in Hong Kong in their violent struggle by both covertly and overtly backing up and protecting them, and threatened sanctions against Chinese mainland and Hong Kong SAR on the pretext of opposing the national security law in Hong Kong adopted by National Peoples Congress, Chinas top legislature; on Xinjiang-related issues, the so-called Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020was signed into law on June 17, which constitutes a gross interference in Chinas internal affairs and intentional incitation of ethnic conflicts.

Apart from setting traps and stumbling blocks for China, these politicians also flagrantly sabotaged international order by withdrawing from Paris Agreement, Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, Iran nuclear deal and Open Skies Treaty as well as UN Human Rights Council, UNESCO and WHO. Their words and deeds have greatly tarnished the image of the U.S., making it the real saboteur of international order and trouble-maker.
University students with disabilities say they are struggling to access online resources and the problem has become worse since the rise of remote learning brought on by the pandemic.

Caitlin L'Hotellier, who has chronic pain as a result of spinal damage, left Monash University at the beginning of this year after staff failed to provide online course material when she couldn't physically attend classes.

She also struggled to access practical physical support such as appropriate seating during exams.

"It was exhausting; it shouldn't have been that hard," she said.
If Microsoft or another company acquires ByteDance-owned TikTok before the US President Donald Trump bans the short video app in the United States, it will acquire a massive community of devoted followers as well as a lucrative platform for selling advertisements. However, it may also be purchasing a large population of users who are 14 years old or younger.The TikTok app is clearly popular with younger people, and the NY Times recently reported that a third of TikTok users in the United States is 14 years old or younger. The New York Times reviewed internal company data and documents and found that a third of TikToks 49 million daily active users in the US is 14 years old or younger. This also raises questions over whether the Chinese-owned video platform is doing enough to protect children on its platform. Furthermore, this may also cause potential buyers to reconsider acquiring the TikTok app.Back in July of this year, TikTok classified nearly 18 million of its daily active US users as 14 years old or younger, while 20 million daily active users in the United States were classified as over-14. The company classified the rest of the users as an unknown age. Although some of those 18 million daily active TikTok users in the United States are likely to be 13 or 14 years old, The New York Times reported that a former TikTok employee stated that clips from children who appeared to be even younger than 13 or 14 were also allowed to remain on TikToks platform for weeks.The TikTok app asks users for a birth date when they register an account on the platform, and users in the United States who say that they are younger than 13 years old, can only access a walled-off mode within the TikTok app. Users under 13 cannot share personal videos or information on the platform. However, users under 13 can also lie about their age to get around TikToks age restrictions, and the TikTok app does not obtain consent from guardians of users.The COPPA (Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act) in the United States requires online platforms to obtain the permission of guardians before collecting personal information of children who are younger than 13 years old. If TikTok is found to violate this rule, the company could face hefty fines.Photo: Narinder Nanu/Afp via Getty ImagesRead next: TikTok Users Can Now Add Text on the Cover of Their Videos
BHUMIKA POPLI By

Manju Kapurs 'Difficult Daughters', won the Commonwealth Prize for best first novel, Eurasia region. Kapurs other books had the same fate: A Married Woman was shortlisted for the Encore Award; Home was shortlisted for the Hutch- Crossword prize; The Immigrant, shortlisted for the India Plaza Golden Quill Award; and the DSC Prize of South Asian Literature in 2010. Balaji Telefilms bought the rights to Custody and The Immigrant. Her most recent novel is Brothers. She has also edited Shaping the World: Women Writers on Themselves.

What is your writing schedule?

Ordinarily, I start my day with chanting, and settle into writing at 10:00 am. It is a bit different now because of COVID-19. Now I write in the evening as I dont go anywhere. I dont write many hours in a day, as I dont wish to do it mechanically. I can do more hours when I am editing.

Does writing energise or exhaust you?

I often approach writing with some kind of dread and I put it off as much I can, especially when I feel something is not working. On the other hand, if I dont do it every day, I am so miserable, unhappy, as if I havent lived that day. I write a lot about women, their environment, what makes them, what breaks them and their overall situation in the society.

Writing advice youd like to give your younger self ?

The answer is very simple, and the one I discovered very early on. You have to write every day. Doing it every day means you do not allow yourself to be in a space to be disheartened. A writer needs to learn to live with a sense of despair. Dont give up, you will find your own your voice. The second thing: read a lot. Words are our tools and you have to see how these tools are used. I see many younger writers in India do not read much.

What are your favourite books?

I do not have a favourite book, as I am reading different books all the time. It will be unfair to pick only a few books.

Literary success vs number of copies sold?

My idea of success is to be on the shelf. As VS Naipaul once said, and I agree with him, that the test of a good book is its longevity. Suppose my book sells in a big way, but after 10 years if the book is nowhere then those initial numbers are not any good to me. I would call myself a successful writer if people would read my books and continue talking about those, even after I die. This is what I want.

Favourite spot/s in Delhi you write at?

I write in my study. It is absolutely beautiful. I designed it, of course with the architect. We had to create the space from another room. It has one wall of books. You go up some stairs and there it is, like a hidden world. Before I had this study, I used to write in the library at the GymKhana Club. When I started out, I used to write in my drawing room. My spaces have shifted.
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday inaugurated the 17-storey Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, reputed to be the tallest building in the South-south and South-east, assuring Nigerians that his administration will spend more on infrastructure and local content.

The president reiterated the need for the country to produce what it consumes as well as for export, saying sustaining the current push for local content in all areas of the country's economy is non-negotiable.

The president at virtually ceremony said COVID-19 had shown that self-sufficiency was important if the country must occupy its deserved position in the comity of nations.

Buhari was assisted by former President Goodluck Jonathan; Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri; President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; his deputy, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva; Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Mele Kyari; traditional rulers and heads of agencies under the petroleum ministry.

Others who witnessed the occasion included Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; his information counterpart, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Wabote, his predecessors, Mr. Ernest Nwapa and Mr. Denzel Kentebe, among others.

Buhari said the recent approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of a N2.3 trillion Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP) was also in line with his administration's drive to grow local content, create jobs, pump money into the economy, support local small businesses and prioritise locally-made goods.

"The plan is aimed at the promotion of local production, local services, local innovation and the use of local materials" the president added.

He also attributed the current insecurity in the country to unemployment.

Buhari said with the completion of the building, it would remain a point of reference to the people of the Niger Delta that the exploitation of oil and gas was not in vain.

While promising to do more for the region, Buhari noted that the fact that the project was completed in record time underscored his government's resolve not to abandon projects.

He expressed delight that the construction of the edifice was almost wholly carried out by Nigerian engineers, contractors and consultants, adding that it underlines what are possible if Nigerians wholeheartedly focus on carrying out a task.

He said: "This commissioning brings to the fore the importance of local content in all the facets of our national life, especially with the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

"I believe strongly in local production and patronage of our goods and services as one of the surest ways to empower our citizens and give them the opportunity to excel in their chosen professions and businesses.

"That is why two of the executive orders issued under our government are related to the enforcement of local content in procurements and contracts to further replicate the successes in the oil and gas industry.

"The impact of the pandemic has shown the imperative that we must produce what we eat and produce enough for our requirements and more for export. All these policy directives and programmes are also meant to address some of the causative factors of insecurity."

In a separate statement issued yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the president assured Nigerians that his government will spend more on infrastructure across the country.

Buhari described the 17-storey building, known as the Nigerian Content Tower, as a reflection of his administration's drive to provide infrastructure nationwide to attract investments, create jobs and eradicate poverty.

In his remarks, Sylva said the completion of the project was a key achievement in the portfolio of priorities given to the ministry, adding that with the ongoing developments in the oil and gas sector, the narratives are being changed from obscurity to transparency and from despair to development.

"The commissioning of this building is symbolic in many ways: It shows that Mr. President is keen to see infrastructural development in every part of the country; it shows that skyscrapers and other laudable infrastructure can be built in the Niger Delta.

"It shows that indigenous contractors can perform wonders when given the right opportunities; it shows that the people of Bayelsa and indeed the entire Niger Delta are receptive to development, and it shows that Nigerian content is here to stay," he said.

He described the 10MW gas-fired power plant in partnership with NAOC JV to service the new headquarters building and the NCDMB industrial park under construction as a landmark.

Sylva said: "This gas-fired power plant is just a tip of the iceberg as the ministry under the direction of Mr. President is set to unlock the opportunities in our gas resources instead of just quoting the statistics of our gas endowments every year.

"Our declaration of the Year 2020 as the Year of Gas is no fluke. Throughout the year 2020 and beyond, our focus on gas development will be significant: from export gas to domestic gas, from LPG to CNG to mini-LNG, from power to fertiliser.

"We will devote our energy to unlock the gas below the ground and eliminate the wastage at the flares. I call on local and international investors to join us in these efforts for the benefit of all."

The Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Wabote, in his address, stated that about half of the surface of the building was buried below to keep it standing and provide structural foundation support, using 207 piles, each at 800 millimetre diameter, driven to 30 metres depth.

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He said: "We put a lot of thought into the design of the building not only to bring out a magnificent edifice but we also focused on the subsequent usage covering the ergonomics, acoustics, security, safety, energy efficiency and maintenance.

"Some of the specifics include the use of fire-retardant facade, intelligent building management system that cuts down power consumption by 25 per cent, the provision of an over-hanging cradle on the roof slab to clean the four sides of the building, zero voice transmission through the walls of the conference centre, scissors design in the ramp of the multi-level car park to avoid head-on collision, and many others too numerous to mention.

"The materials used are 76 per cent Nigerian content with the tiles, electrical cables, granite, and many other building materials produced in Nigeria. The manpower used for services and labour is over 95 per cent Nigerian content. The skills transferred to the local workforce in the construction of a high-rise building have been unprecedented."

NNPC boss, Kyari, described the completion of the building as a testimony to the fact that with the right mindset, anything can be delivered in the country.

He said skills had been deployed in building the edifice and pledged the corporation's support for the NCDMB and the Niger Delta people.

Bayelsa State Governor, Diri, who commended the president for not abandoning the project, urged him to pressure the oil companies to move their headquarters to the state where they do a large chunk of their business.
With news of Covid-19 patients dying after being refused by hospitals and not getting ambulances on time hitting the headlines, several housing societies in Kolkata have come up with their own infrastructure to provide their residents with the basic care and facilities during the crises.

While some societies have turned their community centres and gyms into safe homes equipped with isolation beds and oxygen cylinders, others have tied up with private hospitals to ensure that residents who test positive get admission and ambulance service.

We have turned our community centre into a six-bedded safe home with oxygen cylinders and other equipment such as sphygmomanometer and pulse oximeters. A Covid-19 positive resident can use it as a quarantine facility. We have tied up with a super-speciality hospital so that critical patients can be hospitalized without any hassle. The hospital will provide ambulance, said Sanjay Kumar Goel, vice president of Suncity a housing society in north Kolkata with around 300 flats.

Also read: Mamata pays visit to Governor on I-Day; Dhankar flays her for skipping At Home function

Recently chief minister Mamata Banerjee had urged large housing societies to keep pulse-oximeters handy so that the oxygen saturation level of residents could be measured. Hospitalization is needed if the oxygen level drops below 90 percent.

The union health ministry had issued some guidelines for gated residential complexes in July which said that residential societies can come up with Covid19 care facilities following guidelines of the ministry of health and family welfare. We have already developed a five-bedded facility with round the clock doctors and caregivers for our residents in the housing society. The state health department officials had come for a check. We are waiting for an approval. A few other housing societies in New Town have also developed such facilities. Some of the housing societies have also come together to form a network of doctors who can provide help, said Sudipta Mukherjee, president of Greenwood Sonata housing in New Town.

In a small housing society in east Kolkata, the resident welfare committee has tied up with a local nursing home so that they can get a doctor and nurse on call to check Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms. They have also developed a quarantine centre with four beds in one of the vacant twin-bedroom flats. The nursing home would give them telemedicine services twice in a day. An attendant has also been engaged who would go to the local market and buy all necessary items for the patients.

After news report poured in over the past few months that some patients died as they didnt get any ambulance on time while others were charged with exorbitant amounts by ambulance drivers, a housing society in Salt Lake decided to tie-up with an agency that would provide an ambulance on call.

We have tied up with a local agency which has two ambulances. They would provide us with an ambulance at a fixed price round the clock, said Radhagobinda Sil, president of Baisakhi housing society in Salt Lake.

Residents said that whenever a community centre or the gym is being turned into a quarantine centre, they are taking the expert help from local doctors and medical experts of the civic body.

Some housing societies have developed their own infrastructure like safe homes. This a very good initiative as these would help us keep the hospital beds free for critically ill patients. Even though there is no shortage of beds in government-run Covid-19 hospitals at present, there are more patients in hospitals with mild and no symptoms than critically ill patients. Mild and asymptomatic patients can easily be treated at home and safe homes, said a senior official of the state health department.
In mid-April, when the COVID-19 pandemic was in full flight across Ontario and most eyes were focused on the horror playing out in long-term care homes, workers were also falling ill at an industrial bakery making flatbreads and muffins.

Nearly 200 workers employed by FGF Brands, many of them temporary staff earning low wages, contracted COVID-19 at a number of plants in northwest Toronto. One of them died. The public, however, was never notified.

And now, months later, Toronto Public Health has yet to publish any data on the number of workplaces affected by the deadly virus. In fact, it has publicly identified the sites of only a few outbreaks, mainly at grocery stores. And while it did confirm to the Star that there were COVID-19 outbreaks at four FGF locations, it did not make this information public.

Privacy concerns are given as the reason for the secrecy, as well as the belief that workplaces, such as factories, are generally closed to the public so virus outbreaks are deemed a low risk to the general population.

But public health officials, of all people, should understand the virus does not stay behind in the factory when a worker leaves and travels home, perhaps on public transit, or goes shopping, visits family, perhaps a grandparent or a relative with health issues, or for that matter does anything in the community.

Senior scientist Cameron Mustard, president the Institute for Work and Health, told the Star recently that public health forgot some of the basics about how infectious disease moves through populations. In coming weeks, he said, it will be outbreaks at work that will need more attention.

The public deserves to know where there are outbreaks and how the virus is being transmitted, especially since there has been a large buy-in to the idea of wearing masks and keeping a safe distance from others. The public needs to know where such measures are working  and where they are not.

Having people support the plan is vital to its success. We have only to look south of the border for evidence that indifference or outward hostility to public health guidance only benefits the virus. Knowing it was making a difference to stay at home, shop only once a week, wear masks in stores and keep kids out of school for months, no matter how difficult on children and their parents, means the public is more likely to keep it up.

Conversely, the public also needs to know if the virus is quietly spreading in workplaces, so attention can be focused on assuring workers are protected with proper PPEs, hygiene, distancing and isolating until they are no longer contagious.

A lack of transparency is always bad public policy. Theres a reason journalists are constantly fighting for it; information is power and publicly sharing it holds officials to account. This is never as important as during a national crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. Weve seen time and again that even well-meaning officials can make mistakes, and if they are not identified and quickly corrected it can lead to dire outcomes.

For its part, the province did not start sharing data on workplace infections until late June, when more than 180 sites had been identified. Adding to the lack of transparency is the fact the province does not have a standard definition of an outbreak.

As all of Ontario is finally authorized to enter Stage 3 of reopening the economy, and as children return to school in just over three weeks, theres no doubt Ontario will see more COVID-19 outbreaks in places of work.

The public deserves to know where thats happening. Fighting the virus will require an ever-evolving strategy, one that must include a greater level of transparency.
Miles College will honor the first Black student to enroll and attend the University of Alabama with an honorary degree this week.

Miles College President Bobbie Knight said they are honored to award Autherine Lucy Foster with a Doctor of Humane Letters from the college she graduated from decades ago, WIAT-TV reported.

We recognize and embrace the significant contribution she has made in Americas history, and we believe she embodies the true spirit of a Milean. In honoring her with this degree, we are expressing our appreciation, and we are sending a message to our student body that following ones dreams, against all odds, leads to great things, Knight said in a statement from the school.

Foster, a retired educator, graduated from Miles College in 1952.

This is Foster's second honorary doctorate degree from an institution in the state of Alabama. The University of Alabama last year awarded her with a Doctor of Humane Letters as well.

Foster enrolled in the all-white University of Alabama in 1956 but was expelled because threats were made against her life, and riots broke out in resistance to her presence on campus. Years later, the university annulled the expulsion, and soon after, Foster enrolled and graduated from the graduate program in Education.

Mrs. Autherine Lucy Foster is a living legend and trailblazer, said Bishop Theresa Jefferson-Snorton, chairman of the Miles College Board of Trustees. Her courage as a young adult and throughout her life is evidence of faith, tenaciousness, and determination. We are all beneficiaries of the sacrifices she made to breakdown racial barriers in education.

The invitation-only ceremony will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Brown Hall Auditorium at Miles College.
The relationship between parents and private schools has always been complicated. Private schools almost never refer to their families as clients or customers, yet families pay for a service that is available free elsewhere. Stories abound of how poorly many families have been treated, both during the admission process and while attending the school, as many in-demand schools haven't always felt the need to adhere to the adage of the customer is always right.

I have encountered a large number of parents disillusioned with the treatment they received when inquiring about a position for their child at overflowing private schools. The consensus was that they were made to feel as if the school was doing them a favour by even considering them and this treatment often continued throughout their child's education. Many schools have been in the position of having a massive demand for their product.

The unattainable might be attainable

Will COVID-19 change the way schools see themselves, market themselves and how they interact with the public? Suddenly, the unattainable might be attainable, and this will affect the parent/school relationship, the price, or even what exactly is offered at these schools.

Estimates of a drop in enrolments in private schools of five to 10 per cent due to COVID-19 seem conservative. For smaller girls' schools, a drop in enrolments could spell disaster, given their proliferation and already relatively small student numbers. The effect on school scholarships will also be fascinating.
Joe Biden gets his face mask from the podium as Kamala Harris approaches to speak during a campaign event Thursday in Wilmington, Del. (Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press)

To the editor: In the print edition, the headline "Trump and GOP allies struggle to define Harris" for an article on racist "birther" attacks on Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Joe Biden's running mate, implied we were about to read an article on campaign strategy. The subheadline continued along these lines: "Scattershot attacks have focused on her race, gender  and now her citizenship."

Before we even get to the news, this one-two punch has diminished the importance of what happened by framing it as one of many campaign tactics.

Please report important news  especially election news  simply and clearly without immediately spinning it into the context of a larger political analysis. The article should have been headlined, "False, racist attack launched on Kamala Harris."

Use the word "false" for a claim that is known to be false. Use the word "racist" when an attack is racist. Resist the impulse to offer an analysis before reporting the news.

Mary Byrd, Santa Barbara

..

To the editor: Come on folks, give Trump a break. The reason that our lie-prone president believes Harris was not born in the United States is no doubt a result of his belief that California is not part of his America.

Michael Schneider, Laguna Beach

..

To the editor: Why are you giving space to the birther lie on the front page of your paper? Have you learned nothing over the last four years about the power of lies to destroy democracy?

Diane Soini, Santa Barbara
(Reuters) - British Trade Secretary Liz Truss pledged to fight U.S tariffs on Scotch whisky, calling them "unacceptable and unfair" in an op-ed in the Telegraph on Sunday.

"I will fight to consign these unfair tariffs to the bin of history", she wrote https://bit.ly/31YQqDr, while accusing the European Union of failing to protect British and Scottish interests.

The U.S. government said last week it would maintain 15% tariffs on Airbus <AIR.PA> aircraft and 25% tariffs on other European goods as part of a long-running trade dispute, although it held off adding some extra tariffs as it had threatened.

Britain had said it would step up demands for the United States to drop tariffs on goods such as single malt Scotch whisky after the industry warned a decision by Washington to retain the levy was putting its future at risk.

"U.S. tariffs on Scotch whisky are unacceptable and unfair. I cannot be clearer about that," Truss wrote. "Whisky-making is one of our great industries and a jewel in our national crown."

Truss said she would meet with her U.S. counterpart, Robert Lighthizer, in the coming weeks, as round four of U.S. negotiations begin, where she will address the existing tariffs on single malt Scotch and a host of other products.

"On Japan, we have consensus on the major elements of a deal that will go beyond the agreement the EU has with Japan", she added, reaffirming earlier reports that both countries seek to agree on a trade deal by the end of August.

Britain, which left the European Union in January, is seeking to clinch a trade agreement with Japan based on the 2019 EU-Japan agreement by the end of the year, when Britain's no-change transition arrangement with the EU will expire.

"I firmly believe free and fair trade remains the best way forward for the world and for Britain", she said, adding that talks with the United States, Japan, Australia and New Zealand to strike new free trade agreements were progressing well.

(Reporting by Rebekah Mathew in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Cooney)
Allow Sabahans to vote remotely from selected centres, group tells EC

SABAH 2020 | Ahead of the upcoming Sabah polls, a movement of concerned Malaysians has called on the Election Commission (EC) to introduce remote voting facilities in the Peninsula, Sarawak, and Singapore to assist eligible voters.

Tawfik Ismail (above), spokesperson for Malaysia First, has noted that around 200,000 Sabahans or some 18 percent of total registered voters will be eligible to cast their ballots.

We urge the Election Commission to ensure safe and fair elections by implementing remote voting facilities.

"This is so that Sabah voters reduce their risk of exposure to the Covid-19 virus during this pandemic and not be financially burdened by travelling costs to distant polling centres from Peninsular, Sarawak, and Singapore," Tawfik, who is a former G25 member, said in a statement.

He claimed that this method of voting is a universally accepted practice adopted by many democratic countries.

He called his proposal to set up polling centres in major cities in the Peninsula and Sarawak, as well as at the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore to be worthy of serious consideration by the EC.

"(The proposal) will help protect the democratic rights of Sabahans to choose their next government," Tawfik stressed.

He added that Malaysia First, whose members include former senior civil servants, is prepared to hold a dialogue with the EC and engage other stakeholders to ensure the upcoming polls are safe and inclusive.

Similarly, Undi Sabah is urging the EC to rethink the decision against absentee voting for Sabahans, stating that the practice should be part of the new normal in light of Covid-19.

New normals that we face means safety and social distancing standard operating procedures (SOP) must be maintained to break the chain of infection. Undi Sabah feels postal voting is in line with new normal actions, its secretariat said in a separate statement.

This echoed Tawfiks claim that postal voting would also save the expenses of voters, who would otherwise be made to spend to return to Sabah to vote.

Story continues

EC deputy chairperson Azmi Sharom yesterday said there are no plans to introduce postal voting for Sabah voters who are living out of state in Sarawak and the Peninsula.

"The EC will continue to fix the postal voting process, besides also thinking of alternatives for outstation voters.

"The EC will pay full attention to the necessary improvements with a task force formed specially to study this issue. It is a process that cannot be rushed and any improvement must be done meticulously," Azmi said.

He was responding to a similar call by NGO Global Bersih which urged the EC to provide postal voting for outstation Sabah voters for the upcoming state elections.
A requirement that suspects obtain a certificate indicating they are free from Covid-19 before they are taken to prison remand is contributing to congestion in majority of police stations cells.

Police sources have said the situation is now hampering the arrest of new offenders.

Imenti North Police Boss Robinson Mboloi said suspects who are unable to raise bond are currently being remanded at police stations instead of being taken to prisons until they acquire the Covid-19 document.

The situation is affecting the number of new offenders who can be accommodated in police stations, forcing the law enforcers not to arrest some petty offenders.

Social distancing

Police station cells in Meru are currently holding a maximum of 30 male and 30 female suspects, down from about 100, due to the requirement to observe social distancing.

Some suspects at the police station which serves the populous Meru municipality are now being held in the court corridors near the station's entrance.

In the neighbouring Imenti Central police division, officers are encouraging the issuance of affordable cash bail and bonds to suspects so as to decongest police cells.

Imenti Central Sub-County Police Commander John Tarus said they are ensuring cleanliness and social distancing after five suspects who were being held at Kariene Police Station tested positive for Covid-19.

"It is a major challenge but we are issuing bonds so that the suspects can attend court from home. Prisons are not admitting people without certificates to indicate that they are Covid-19 negative since one case can infect many inmates," he said.
Four rain-related deaths were reported from Odisha and Telangana on Sunday and a red alert of extremely heavy showers was issued for two districts in Maharashtra.

In north India, rains lashed Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and parts of Uttar Pradesh.

However, Delhiites witnessed sultry weather as humidity levels shot up to 91 per cent and the maximum temperature settled at 36.5 degrees Celsius, three notches above normal.

The weatherman has forecast only light, isolated rains over the next two days.

The flood situation in Assam improved marginally, while Bihar continued to be in the grip of the deluge.

The number of people affected by the deluge in Bihar rose by about 12,500 in the last 24 hours, taking the total to 81,44,356 in 16 districts, the state disaster management department said.

No fresh district was affected by the flood on Sunday and 33 teams of NDRF and SDRF have evacuated 5.46 lakh people so far, it said.

A total of 11,812 people were affected by the floods in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Baksa districts of Assam on Sunday, against 13,300 the previous day, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said.

In Odisha, heavy rains caused by a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal led to a flood-like situation in several parts of the state, snapping road connectivity, damaging mud houses and crops.

On Saturday night, two members of a family were killed at a village in Patnagarh block of Balangir district after a wall of their home collapsed due to heavy rains.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall coupled with strong surface wind is likely to persist in many parts of the state till Monday under the impact of the low-pressure area, which has now weakened and lies over Jharkhand and its neighbouring areas, the Meteorological Centre said.

The Met Centre has forecast the likelihood of the formation of another low-pressure area over north Bay of Bengal around August 19.

An octogenarian and her 50-year-old daughter were killed in Nagarkurnool district of Telangana after a wall of their home collapsed on them. Heavy rains have been lashing some districts of the state for the past couple of days.

The India Meteorological Department in its daily weather report has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and very heavy to extremely heavy rains on Monday.

The Met department issued a red alert of extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Pune and Satara districts of Maharashtra on Monday, an official said.

The forecast also predicted heavy rainfall at isolated places in Mumbai, Raigad, and Palghar from Monday onwards, he said, adding that the intensity of rains would reduce from Tuesday.

The IMD classifies minimum 204.5 mm rainfall in 24 hours as extremely heavy. A red alert requires authorities to take preventive steps to minimise damage.

An India Meteorological Department official said rest of the region is expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places during the week.

Heavy rainfall in catchment areas of various dams in western Maharashtra has prompted authorities to release water from them, Irrigation department officials said.

Water from the Koyna dam in Satara district is being released at the rate of 52,146 cusecs in the downstream Koyna river, a district official said. The dam is currently filled to 86 per cent of its total capacity of 86.08 TMC (one thousand million cubic feet).

The Chhattisgarh government has also issued directives to district officials to remain alert to deal with a possible flood-like situation.

In South Bastar, several rivers and rivulets are in spate due to which the road connectivity has been cut off in some parts.

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday directed all district collectors and superintendents of police to remain alert in view of the continuous rainfall.

In Kerala's Idduki, a ground-penetrating radar will be used to locate bodies buried in the landslide at Pettimudi in the district, where the death toll has risen to 58 with the recovery of three more bodies, a senior official said.

The GPR would assist the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, fire force personnel and locals, who have been engaged in search and rescue operations for the last nine days, District Collector H Dineshan said.

A massive mound of earth and slush, triggered by heavy rains, had flattened a row of 20 one-room row houses made of tin and asbestos sheets, which housed at least 82 workers, at Pettimudi in Rajamala on August 7.

Intermittent rains in Uttarakhand caused landslips that blocked around 100 roads, including national highways leading to the famous Himalayan temples of Kedarnath and Badrinath.

Rains and overcast conditions in Dehradun led to cancellation of Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat's tour of the rain-ravaged villages of Pithoragarh district.

During the last 24 hours in Rajasthan, 115 mm rainfall was recorded in Merta city of Nagaur, followed by 100 mm in Sedwa of Barmer, 85 mm in Raipur of Pali and 65 mm in Ramsar of Barmer district, the Met department said.

In Uttar Pradesh, Kanpur was the hottest place at 35.8 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature in Lucknow rose to 35.7 degrees Celsius.

Haryana and Punjab also recorded near-normal temperatures. Chandigarh recorded a high of 34 degrees Celsius, according to the meteorological department here.

The maximum temperature in Ambala, Hisar, Karnal and Narnaul settled at 34 degrees Celsius, 36.4 degrees Celsius, 33.6 degrees Celsius and 35 degrees Celsius, respectively.
President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa said on August 15, Saturday that the country has been witnessed a drop in COVID-19 infections resulting in lifting the lockdown restrictions. Addressing a press conference, Ramaphosa reportedly said that the government is planning to end the ban on alcohol and tobacco further allowing restaurants and other businesses to return to normalcy. He added that the government will keep an eye on strict hygiene regulations, and remove the ban on travel between provinces.

READ: South Africa's Poor Scramble For Anti-HIV Drugs Amid Virus

Lockdown restrictions eased

Ramaphosa said, "All indications are that South Africa has reached the peak and moved beyond the inflection point of the curve" and added that the legislature has decided to impose 'level two' restrictions from midnight on Monday. According to the John Hopkins coronavirus dashboard, South Africa has around 579,000 infections and 11,500 fatalities. It imposed one of the world's toughest and strictest lockdown measures when the nation has few cases. It is now the fifth-highest number of cases in the world.

READ: South Africa: 12,000 Residents To Participate In Two New COVID-19 Vaccine Trials

According to the reports, South Africa saw a huge plunge in its economy due to the COVID-19 crisis pushing the country into a severe recession and forcing millions into extreme poverty. But Ramaphosa said rates of new infections had fallen to an average of 5,000 a day, from a peak of 12,000 a day. He added that the easing of lockdown restrictions is the greatest opportunity for the country to work on its battered economy.

As per several international reports, WHO had deployed a surge team of 43 experts from various fields to help South Africa in containing the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak. WHO stated that the first 17 health experts arrived on August 6. The team of 17 health experts includes key experts from epidemiology, surveillance, case management, infection, prevention and control, procurement, as well as community mobilization and health education.

READ: South Africa Hits 500,000 COVID Infections But President Hopeful

READ: WHO Deploys 'surge Team' Of 43 Health Experts To South Africa To Help With Pandemic
The Malaysian government, on Sunday, rejected the maritime claim of Beijing in the South China Sea, a region where the Chinese claims have aggravated tension.

Read | Ensure social distancing is maintained during competitive exams: UP CM

Hishammuddin Hussein, the foreign minister of Malaysia, said in the parliament that ''Kuala Lumpur opposes the Chinese claims of having historic rights over those waters."

"The Malaysian government considers the claims of China as baseless under international law," added Hussein while answering questions from the members of the parliament on the status of the dragon country's claims in the region.

A recent report by the Malaysian government suggests that the Chinese time and again have tried to enter the exclusive economic zone between 2016 and 2019.

"In the month of April, ships from the dragon country had barged into the territorial waters of Malaysia for over 100 days," further added the report.

The Haiyang Dizhi 8, a Chinese survey vehicle, accompanied by a Chinese Coast Guard(CCG) vessel, had entered the Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ) of Malaysia and began surveying near to a drillship which was under the contract to Petronas, a Malaysian state oiled vehicle.

Malaysia and Brunei are just two of the nations which have time and again, opposed the expansive claims of China in the region, through which a shipment worth USD 3.4 billion passes each year. However, the countries are the only ones in the region who have made their statements public on the issue.

Read | Four arrested for stealing injections worth Rs 2.24 lakh in Delhi

Earlier, on December 12, 2019, the Malaysian government had filed a submission with the United Nations, seeking to establish the limits of the continental shelf-life of the country in the Northern part of the already disputed region.

To the same, China responded by saying that the submission of Malaysia had "infringed seriously over the sovereignty, sovereign rights and the jurisdiction in the South China Sea."

In response to Beijing, the Malaysian government had issued a verbal note to the United Nations on July 29 saying that "it rejected the claims by China of any historical rights, or any other sovereign rights or jurisdiction while respecting the maritime areas of the South China Sea, that was encompassed by the relevant part of nine-dash-line.''

The note issued by Malaysia said that the Chinese claims over the region had no relevance under international laws

The United States and its allies have also challenged any kind of claims by the Chinese in the territory.

Read | Chhattisgarh reports 426 new COVID-19 cases, seven deaths
Xiaomi made by far the most headlines this week - the company celebrated its tenth anniversary in style introducing its first Ultra phone. The K30 Ultra is a powerful "flagship killer", bringing top notch specs at a mid-range price, while the Mi 10 Ultra is a properly exciting powerhouse with 120Hz screen, 120W charging and a periscope module that goes up to 120x zoom. Sadly, it was later confirmed that neither of the phones is coming out of China.

Microsoft had a big announcement of its own as the Surface Duo foldable phone finally got properly detailed and its pre-orders kicked off.

Realme introduced the C12 entrey level handset, while HMD got a healthy cash injection from big investors including Google in Qualcomm that should enable it to expand its operations.

In leakland the biggest story was the iPhone 12 lineup announcement and market release dates. They were delivered by the same insider that reveled when the iPhone SE 2020 is coming so chances of them being correct are high.

Check out the list of most read articles over the past week below to make sure you haven't missed anything important. See you in seven days!



Google Pixel 5 spotted on AI Benchmark with Snapdragon 765G It seems Google will indeed forgo a flagship chipset in its phones this year.





Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra tops DxOMark's rankings The versatile cameraphone ticks most boxes on the way to a unanimous decision.





Apple releases iOS 13.6.1 and iPadOS 13.6.1 The new build fixes a bunch of issues that were spotted in the previous release.





Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra uses TCL display TCL also announced it developed a new LCD panel with 2.4mm bottom bezel.





Googleas Phone app Beta can be installed on any phone Currently, you must be enrolled in the Beta to install the app, but it works now for more non-Google phones.





Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra listed on TENAA hours before launch We also get new hands-on images of the device in its black color.





[Updated] Epic Games sues Apple over anti-competitive behavior on the App Store EDIT: Epic Games sues Google following removal from the Play Store mere hours after Apple took action.


A victim of the London Bridge terrorist atrocity in June 2017 is suing the estate of two of the attackers.

Peter Lunt, 44, was left with brain damage when three extremists ploughed a hired 2.5-ton Renault van into crowds on the bridge before going on a deadly knife rampage through Borough Market in South London.

Mr Lunt, from Spalding, Lincolnshire, required several operations and eight months of hospital treatment.

He is also suing Probus, the insurers of the firm that hired out the van to the terrorists, as are several other victims.

Shot dead: Khuram Butt, the ringleader of the terror attack gang that ploughed a van into crowds on London Bridge in June 2017 before going on a deadly knife rampage

The carnage began when Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, careered into tourists, pub-goers and diners out to enjoy a Saturday evening.

The pro-Islamic State gang, all wearing fake suicide vests, were shot dead by armed police within minutes, but by then had murdered eight people and left 48 more victims injured.

In a claim submitted to the High Court, Mr Lunt is suing the estates of the gangs ringleader Butt and Zaghba.

He and his wife, Tanya, 46, had come to London for a weekend break and had earlier watched a comedy show at a nearby pub.

They were walking back to their hotel at 9.30pm when the van smashed into them. Mrs Lunt suffered minor injuries, but her husband was seriously hurt.

During her evidence at the London Bridge inquests, Mrs Lunt said: I could hear people screaming and shouting and then shouting, Run, run, theres a van.

I think Pete shouted at me, Run, weve got to run, and we turned back to run in the direction of the Shard. I had a feeling it was a terrorist attack.

I was pushed, hit and then everything went black. I couldnt see anything, just feel cold metal. I looked for Peter and I could see him lying in the road.

Mr Lunt is being represented by Thompsons Solicitors, which last night declined to comment.

The Unite union is also providing Mr Lunt with support.

In May, a number of victims and the relatives of some of those who died in the terror atrocity received undisclosed compensation sums from Probus.
With the spread of COVID-19, global healthcare has come under considerable stress. But at the same time, the global pandemic has raised new opportunities in the world of health care.

A new segment that emerged and gaining acceptance widely is of TeleCosnultations with Doctors. Many startups and established medical firms have either entered or actively considering for the Doctors TeleConsultation segment.

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan also spoke about the Electronic Health Record system and said that such systems will make it easier for the patients to get treatment. He said, ''In the coming days the Telemedicine and E-Pharmacy will be attached with the system.''

To assist people in meeting their medical needs in the ongoing pandemic, Bengaluru based DocVita has launched a unique service offering that is a virtual consultation which includes an in-person follow-up without any extra cost. These online services are accessible pan India, and in-person services are currently available in Indore.

The company has plans to launch these in-person services in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi by September 2020.

How it Works:-

People can book appointments with DocVita specialists from the comfort of their home by downloading the DocVita app or calling their customer care on 6366448799. Once a request is registered, the team connects the patient with the relevant specialist, and a video consultation is scheduled.

Before the consultation, the patient has the option to chat with the doctor and share any history relevant to their health concern.

After the consultation, the patient receives a clear prescription with health advice, a treatment plan and a complimentary 5-day follow-up to get any additional queries addressed.

In cases where a physical examination is required to make a conclusive diagnosis, patients can follow up with an in-person visit at no extra cost.



Anmol Arora, CEO, DocVita To remove the barriers for people to seek timely medical help, we need to make healthcare more accessible and people-centric. Our technology allows us to partner with the patients and helps them manage their health better and support their healthcare goals. We expect telehealth to play a significant role in care delivery during the pandemic and the time thereafter.

Challenges with TeleHealth :-

1. Patients on telemedicine platforms in India are often left with the impression that doctors dont spend quality time with them in virtual consultations.

2. patient feels their medical issues arent attended properly and hence that their issues were neglected.

3. Patients experience - doctors often speak to multiple patients on chat, thereby compromising patients experience.


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On Sept. 1, state Sen. James T. Welch faces off with Springfield City Councilor Adam Gomez in the Democratic primary for the Hampden District seat in the Massachusetts Senate.

There are no Republican candidates this year.

Both candidates responded to a questionnaire from The Republican / MassLive. Their responses are below, with the candidates listed alphabetically.

Adam Gomez

Age: 37

Address: Laurel Street, Springfield

Current job title or elected office: Springfield City Councilor & Vice President

Why are you running?

I am running because business as usual isnt working. I am running because we need leadership with a proven record of holding decision-makers accountable, and who is determined to fight for every constituent, regardless of where they live. I am running because I believe everyone should have a good-paying job, a transportation system to get them there and back to their home in a safe and healthy neighborhood, and the ability to send their children to a world-class school. I am running because I am fighting for that vision now, and will continue to do so as your state senator.

What is the most important issue facing the district, and how would you address it?

The most important issue facing my district is the health and safety of its people. Springfield is the Asthma capital of our country and with increased air pollution it continues to threaten the lives of children and adults daily. As Senator, I will push to develop a reliable East to West Rail to help lower travel emissions and put a price on carbon, with provisions for mitigating the impact on lower-income residents and businesses. Ill sponsor legislation on renewable energy to create a healthy green economy that provides job security and champion legislation that would ensure no one is left behind when it comes to healthcare and housing.

The Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse in Springfield has been described in one study as a moldy, dusty, dirty dinosaur. Do you believe it needs to be renovated or replaced? If so, how should this be pursued and what have you done, or what will you do personally to seek results?

The Courthouse is one of the busiest in the state, yet it is one of the most neglected. This is a blight on our district and on our representation in Boston. While I am glad my candidacy has inspired my opponent to finally secure an evaluation of the Courthouse, the fact remains that our county has been one of the least likely to receive maintenance, repairs, and new construction since 1999. If elected, I will ensure that the evaluation is followed by the necessary changes, and we wont have to wait for someone to challenge me to have it done.

The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission has steadily raised the water and sewer rates in recent years, claiming it gets little state and federal assistance despite government mandates for clean water and wastewater treatment. Should the state consider funding relief and if so, what type of assistance should be offered?

Rate hikes are a body blow to families who are on unemployment, furloughed from their jobs, and struggling to make ends meet. Our residents should not have to choose between putting food on the table and paying their bill. That is why I joined the WaterNow Alliance and the National League of Cities in demanding direct and flexible investment, providing our cities and towns with the ability to strengthen conventional water infrastructure, as well as expand their options with onsite and decentralized water management solutions. It is working in Philadelphia, Milwaukee, and Los Angeles; it should be working here, too.

There is national debate regarding what can be done to combat racism and promote racial equality. How would you address these issues, and how would you promote these policies in your district?

Racism has created disparate outcomes in housing, education, unemployment, criminal justice, and is a social determinant of health. This must be brought to an end. That is why I was the lead sponsor on the Springfield City Council resolution that declared racism a public health crisis, and outlined actionable steps to enhance diversity and antiracism principles, promote racial equity, and develop policies to improve health in communities of color. Of course, this is only the beginning. As your state senator, I will ensure that the principles and policies we are creating in Springfield become a reality at the state level.

James T. Welch (incumbent)

Age: 44

Address: Christopher Terrace, West Springfield

Current job title or elected office: State Senator - Hampden District

Why are you running?

I am running for reelection to continue working on the many important issues facing our district and region. Now, more than any time during my tenure, it is clear that Western Massachusetts will be facing tremendous challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting crises. As decisions are made on the state level about resources and initiatives and how they are distributed and prioritized, our region will need an effective and experienced legislator to successfully deliver for the Hampden District.

What is the most important issue facing the district, and how would you address it?

I believe the foundation of a community is its educational system. While progress has been made, we must better prepare students for life after high school. We must work on strengthening our training programs that prepare students to either enter the workforce or to transfer seamlessly to further educational or advanced vocational opportunities. We successfully advocated and passed the largest commitment to public education in decades in the Student Opportunity Act. We must live up to that commitment. The quality of education provided determines outcomes in every area of life.

The Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse in Springfield has been described in one study as a moldy, dusty, dirty dinosaur. Do you believe it needs to be renovated or replaced? If so, how should this be pursued and what have you done, or what will you do personally to seek results?

The Courthouse must be replaced. I led the effort requiring transparency of the Trial Court to report data on courthouse funding. This exposed regional inequities present in this funding system, with only 2% of all investments over the last 20 years being spent in our region. This study provided evidence, in addition to existing environmental reports, to support construction of a new courthouse. I recently secured $325,000 for environmental testing and $1.5 million to study barriers in access to justice in Hampden county. I will continue to use all legislative opportunities to advocate for regional equity.

The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission has steadily raised the water and sewer rates in recent years, claiming it gets little state and federal assistance despite government mandates for clean water and wastewater treatment. Should the state consider funding relief and if so, what type of assistance should be offered?

Additional funds should be made available for upgrading systems or mitigating costs to consumers. An example of this is in May 2020, the Springfield S&W Commission was awarded a $15 million subsidized loan through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The 2021 state budget is currently being addressed in interim budgets until there is an answer on federal aid for states, which hopefully arrives by the end of October. I support municipal relief because clean water is essential, and access should not place unbalanced financial burden on members of the community.

There is national debate regarding what can be done to combat racism and promote racial equality. How would you address these issues, and how would you promote these policies in your district?

We must listen and learn from BIPOC experiences, develop policy advancing racial justice, and ensure that bills are examined through a racial equity lens. The pandemic put a spotlight on racial disparities in health, housing, income, and education. I secured funding for local organizations that promote racial equity and serve our community before and during this crisis. I support much of the policy in the police reform bill and hope it becomes law. I will continue to advocate for respectful dialogue and comprehensive reform to ensure all constituents are protected under the law and know their voices are heard.
TORONTO, Aug. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Platinex Inc. (CSE: PTX) (the "Company" or "Platinex") would like to announce that it has granted 200,000 options to consultants effective August 14, 2020. The options are priced at the previous days close of $0.07 and expire on August 14, 2025.



Lori Paradis, Assistant Secretary

Tel: (416) 268-2682

Email: lparadis@platinex.com

Web: www.platinex.com

About Platinex Inc.  Advancing a District Scale Project in an Abitibi Gold Camp

Platinex is focusing its efforts on the exploration of its property in the Shining Tree District. Platinex with the above acquisition has created the largest combined gold focused property package in the Shining Tree District, Northern Ontario, which has received little modern exploration compared to other gold camps in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. The Company is also utilizing its proprietary data to seek financial backing to secure and advance major Platinum Group Element properties in North America. Shares of Platinex are listed for trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "PTX".

To receive Company press releases, please email lparadis@platinex.com and mention Platinex press release on the subject line.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Such statements include use proprietary data to seek financial backing to advance its platinum group properties, submission of the relevant documentation within the required timeframe and to the satisfaction of the relevant regulators, completing the acquisition of applicable assets and raising sufficient financing to complete the Company's business strategy. There is no certainty that any of these events will occur. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Investing into early stage companies inherently carries a high degree of risk and investment into securities of the Company and shall be considered highly speculative.

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 province in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities issued, or to be issued, under the Private Placement have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not passed upon the merits of the Private Placement and has not approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.
SEOUL, Aug 16 (Reuters) - South Korea and the United States will start their annual joint military drills on Tuesday, in what local media said was a two-day delay after a South Korean officer tested positive for the new coronavirus.

The drills will start on Tuesday, "considering the COVID-19 situation," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Sunday.

The training, which had been scheduled to begin on Sunday, was pushed back after the positive test on Friday of the Army officer, who was to have taken part, Yonhap News Agency said.

The combined drills are closely monitored by North Korea, which calls them a rehearsal for war. They have been reduced in recent years to facilitate U.S. negotiations aimed at dismantling Pyongyangs nuclear programmes.

This year's exercises will be scaled down, not mobilising U.S.-based troops amid COVID-19 restrictions on the travel of U.S. personnel to South Korea.

This year's programme, running to Aug. 28, will focus on a "combined defence posture," while exercises for the transition of wartime operational control on the Korean peninsula will be "partly conducted," the joint chiefs said in a statement.

This could delay President Moon Jae-ins plan to take over wartime operational control from the United States before his term ends in 2022, experts say.

South Korea and the United States had cancelled their springtime drills due to the pandemic. (Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin; Editing by William Mallard)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 21:47:11|Editor: huaxia

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KAMPALA, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Uganda on Sunday warned that the source of infection of most COVID-19 deaths in the country is not known, making it difficult to trace contacts.

Judith Nabakooba, minister of ICT and national guidance, told reporters that the ministry of health has not yet identified where the cases who eventually died got the infection from.

Nabakooba said this makes the fight against the pandemic, which is on an increasing trend, harder.

She said government is concerned about the increasing number of COVID-19 deaths, with the current figure standing at 13 in a space of less than one month.

"If the number of COVID-19 deaths continues at this rate, government will soon ask all districts and municipalities to identify designated burial places to handle the dead," the minister said.

Nabakooba said to avoid the possible deaths, the public should strictly adhere to the standard operating procedures issued by the ministry of health. Some of these procedures include social distancing, wearing a mask when in public, hand sanitizing.

She said the country was entering a critical stage in its fight against the pandemic.

The easing of the lockdown restrictions especially in the capital Kampala has exacerbated the situation, according to the minister.

As of Aug. 14, Uganda had reported 1,434 cumulative cases, 1,142 recoveries and 13 deaths, according to the ministry of health. Enditem
EDWARDSVILLE  Main Street Community Center is celebrating 45 years of serving seniors and disabled adults, but the COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges.

Main Street serves residents of Edwardsville and Glen Carbon but the coronavirus forced the center to change its way of doing business, cancel many programs and find ways to creatively support its clients from a safe distance.

While the center has been able to survive and adapt to the challenges, many of its normal sources of revenue have dried up.

We dont have any travel funds coming in from the overnight trips that we offer and thats a big source of revenue for us, said Sara Berkbigler, executive director of Main Street Community Center. We also dont have any activities, which bring in some money for us, so were really scrambling with fundraising right now.

Our gift shop brings in $400 to $500 a month and we dont have that right now. We are working hard with our annual fund campaign that just went out and that is the best way for someone to support us. That money goes straight to helping us operate right now and it is tax-deductible.

The Be a Friend campaign helps the center provide expanded services for food, supplies and essential errands for seniors, including:

 Distributing more than 350 hand-made masks donated by community volunteers

 Distributing 176 extra meals to seniors and disabled adults in need

 Delivering 1,546 bags full of 36,840 items of shelf-stable food, cleaning supplies and household goods to seniors and disabled adults in need

 Providing 1,298 essential pantry and household items as needed

 Offering free errand services for grocery and pharmacy shopping

Be A Friend is to be applied in many ways, not just being a financial friend of the center but also used as a way to encourage people to help the elderly with isolation and Be A Friend to them, Berkbigler said. Call them, check in on them, visit from the driveway, put a friendly sign in their yard, bring them something thoughtful  flowers, a baked item, anything to brighten their day.

The center is planning a virtual 5K race for this fall and will soon announce plans for the event.

We dont have all of our sponsors set right now because its so hard to meet with people, Berkbigler said. That is another aspect (of the pandemic) that we have had to deal with.

On Oct. 2-3, Main Street will hold a yard sale featuring items from the gift shop.

We will have it spread all over our property so that people can shop and still be socially distanced, Berkbigler said. We have a lot of nice things in our gift shop but its hard to sell them right now.

The rain date for the yard sale is Oct. 23-24.

The center is currently open only for one-on-one appointments, mostly for assistance programs. Appointments are also available to visit the gift shop, pick out a book from the centers library or rent a puzzle.

We have curbside service for meals, Berkbigler said. People can come to our parking lot and honk their horn and well take the food out to them.

Main Streets meal delivery program, which provides hot lunches five days a week for qualified seniors and disabled adults, is about the only activity at the center that is functioning as normal.

But the meals program is also putting a strain on the centers budget.

Its a wonderful thing and Im happy we can do it but we have even more meals going out than normal, Berkbigler said. Were up about 25 percent and I expect it to go up again this fall.

Main Street, which does not receive any tax money or tourism funds, still must pay for utilities and maintenance for its building at 1003 N. Main St., even if the building is mostly empty during the pandemic.

The center, which has more than 100 volunteers to deliver food, supplies and run errands for those who to shelter at home, is operating with a smaller staff of full-time or part-time employees as a cost-saving measure.

Weve lost some people when they retired and were down one full-time equivalent, said Berkbigler, who is looking to hire a bus driver to drive seniors to appointments and pick up items for them. We didnt replace some positions as people left because we want to be careful about how were spending our money.

While Main Street will continue to offer services such as meal delivery, Berkbigler doesnt expect the center to reopen for senior activities and other events until sometime next year.

Because of who we serve, were looking at a fairly long term of maintaining at least partial closure for the center, Berkbigler said. Weve canceled any group activities and were taking it month-by-month but were really looking at 2021 before we can open up again to groups.

Were not planning any travel until next fall and even that is pending a vaccine (for the coronavirus) that is widely available. We certainly dont want to travel somewhere then people have to come back and quarantine.

In the meantime, Berkbigler is hoping to obtain some grant money to help pay for some of the expenses.

Madison County is opening up some applications for COVID funds, so were scrambling to get that grant in, Berkbigler said. The grants are up to $20,000 for service agencies but they only have $250,000 for the entire county.

I have spent a significant amount of my time lately writing applications for grants, even more than normal. We are so reliant on those grant funds to get us through this time.

For more information about Main Street Community Center, go to https://mainstcc.org/ or call 618-656-0300.
I Want the Death Penalty: Mom Seeks Justice for 5-Year-Old Son in North Carolina

The mother of a 5-year-old boy who was shot and killed by his neighbor in North Carolina has said she wants justice for her child.

Cannon Hinnant was allegedly killed by his neighbor, Darius Sessoms, 25, last week in what was described as an execution-style murder.

I want the death penalty and Im gonna seek it, Cannons mother, Bonny Waddell, told WSOC-TV. Sessoms was charged with first-degree murder, and capital punishment is a legal penalty in North Carolina.

My baby didnt deserve this, Waddell said. He had the biggest smile, the biggest eyes.

Waddell, after describing her sons warm personality, said that we lost a big piece of our family after the childs death.

He changed all of our lives. He touched everybody that he knew, she added. She said that Cannons two sisters and aunt watched the child die.

This man took my girls when he took my baby, Waddell said. They know hes in a better place.

A GoFundMe for the family was set up last week, raising more than $721,000.

Wilson County District Court Judge John Britt told Sessoms during a virtual hearing last week that he has a right to represent himself, hire a lawyer, or he could ask for a court-appointed lawyer. Sessoms, who is being held in the Wilson County jail without bond, said he wanted to try to hire a lawyer.

Wilson police said officers responding to a report of a shooting at a mobile home park found Cannon Hinnant suffering from a gunshot wound. Capt. Steve Stroud said officers and emergency personnel performed first aid before the boy was taken to Wilson Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Cannons father, Austin Hinnant, said Sessoms had been a neighbor for about eight years.

[You] cant imagine what its like to hold your son in your arms with a gunshot wound to the head, and his blood is running down your arms, he said, according to local media outlets.

Hinnant said Sessoms and his family had no problems, adding that he had the suspect over for dinner on the day before the shooting.

There wasnt anything between me and him, any bad blood whatsoever, for him to have a reason to do this, Hinnant said.

Police have not revealed a motive in the slaying. Hinnant also said hes not sure why the boy was killed.

Cannon was laid to rest in a funeral on Aug. 13, the report said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The United Arab Emirates has summoned Iran's charge d'affaires in Abu Dhabi in response to a speech by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani that the foreign ministry described as "unacceptable", state news agency WAM said on Sunday.

Rouhani said in a speech on Saturday the UAE had made a "huge mistake" in reaching a agreement to normalise ties with Israel and called it a betrayal by the Gulf state.

"They [the UAE] better be mindful. They have committed a huge mistake, a treacherous act," he said of the agreement announced on Thursday.

The UAE foreign ministry said the speech was "unacceptable, inflammatory, and carrying serious repercussions for the security and stability of the Arabian Gulf region," the statement carried by WAM said.

The charge d'affaires has been given a "strongly worded memo", WAM said.

The foreign ministry reminded Iran of its duty to protect the UAE diplomatic mission in Tehran.

To protest the UAE-Israel agreement, a small group of Iranians gathered in front of the UAE embassy in Tehran late on Saturday, Iranian media reported.

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Hours before Kamala Harris took the stage for the first time as Joe Bidens vice presidential pick, she received a text message from a childhood classmate with photos from their school days.

In one of the pictures, a racially diverse group of first-graders are gathered in a classroom. Some had taken the bus from their homes across town to join white students from the affluent hillside neighborhoods in Berkeley, California. A pensive Harris sits on the floor, dutifully looking ahead, a child in the center of an experiment in racial integration.

Also read: Kamala Harris recounts childhood India visits, long walks with grandfather

Thats how it started. Theres no question! Harris, 55, texted back to Aaron Peskin, the former classmate who is now a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

Fifty years after she was part of the second class to integrate Berkeleys public schools, Harris is now the first Black woman and first Asian American woman named to a major party presidential ticket.

From her earliest years, Harris path toward the second-highest office in the United States has tracked the nations struggle for racial equality. The start-and-stop progress and sometimes messy debate have shaped her life, from an upbringing by immigrant parents, a childhood among civil rights activists, a career at the helm of a flawed criminal justice system and her rapid ascent to the top of Democratic politics.

Those experiences forged a politician who is unafraid to buck the political powers that be, but also charts a cautious course through policy debates. As a senator and candidate, shes emerged as a leader who knows the power of tough questioning and a viral moment, and also the weight of her role as a voice for women of color.

Shes the right thing at the right time in this country, said Peskin. She understands how complicated life is, and what the promises of America are.

Also read: American weekly magazine apologizes for op-ed questioning Harris eligibility

Harriss political rise, while fast, has not been without criticism and setbacks.

Shes been criticized for shifting policy positions. She faced questions familiar to women in politics, particularly women of color, about her ambition. Republican President Donald Trump labeled her nasty for her piercing interrogation of his nominees, including now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Some progressive Democrats, meanwhile, view her work as a prosecutor skeptically, questioning her use of policies they say are discriminatory.

Her own presidential bid, announced before 20,000 people in her hometown of Oakland, California, flamed out before primary season voting began. She struggled to raise money and present a clear vision.

Now shes back in an election she calls the most consequential of her lifetime.

My mother Shyamala raised my sister Maya and me to believe that it was up to us and every generation of Americans to keep on marching, Harris said Wednesday in her first speech after Biden announced his selection. Shed tell us: Dont sit around and complain about things. Do something.
Anthony Anderson has plenty to celebrate this week, after receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

And the nine-time Emmy nominee also marked another year around the sun, ringing in his 50th birthday.

He celebrated Saturday with friends and family, as he threw a socially-distanced party on his lawn in Encino, California, featuring some drive-by appearances from his loved ones.

Birthday boy: Anthony Anderson celebrated his 50th birthday Saturday with friends and family, as he threw a socially-distanced party on his lawn in Encino, California

Star treatment: He has plenty to celebrate this week, after receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

The 50-year-old greeted visitors with a life-size gold mylar balloon display on his lawn, which read: 'Anthony 50th bday.'

It was framed with an arch made of red, black and white balloons, for a perfect birthday photo op.

He also posed in a big white Polaroid-style frame, which was printed with: 'Anthony's 50th DriveBy.'

Anthony was joined by wife Alvina Stewart, son Nathan Anderson, mom Doris Bowman and Black-ish co-star Deon Cole.

Photo op: Anthony posed in a big white Polaroid-style frame, which was printed with: 'Anthony's 50th DriveBy'

Stay gold: The 50-year-old greeted visitors with a life-size gold mylar balloon display on his lawn, which read: 'Anthony 50th bday.' It was framed with an arch made of red, black and white balloons, for a perfect birthday photo op (LEFT: pictured with mom Doris Bowman, RIGHT: pictured with wife Alvina Stewart)

Mom and dad: The proud parents also posed in front of the display with their son Nathan

Friends and family: Plenty of friends were in attendance, including Black-ish co-star Deon Cole

A curbside table offered some goodie bags for guests, featuring a blown-up childhood photo, with his high school diploma and a snap of one of his billboards.

Friends also celebrated the birthday boy with some paper masks (in addition to their face masks), featuring his likeness.

They cooled off under the SoCal summer sun with some frozen treats from a Happy Ice truck parked in the driveway.

The Kangaroo Jack actor previously took to Instagram in a chic powder blue suit to debut his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

He wrote: 'Today was a GREAT day! Dreams do come true! Those dreams are made possible thru faith, hard work, patience and sacrifice! I want to thank everyone thats been a part of my journey thus far.

Staying cool: Anthony went inside to escape the SoCal summer sun, as guests enjoyed some frozen treats from a Happy Ice truck parked in the driveway

Goodie bags: A curbside table offered some goodie bags for guests, featuring a blown-up childhood photo, with his high school diploma and a snap of one of his billboards

Leading man: He also showed off a collage of posters from his movies, along with a rendering of his Hollywood Walk of Fame star

Masked up: Friends also celebrated the birthday boy with some paper masks (in addition to their face masks), featuring his likeness

'Tighten your seatbelts cause we are about to take a wild ride! Thank you to my family, friends and fans for this is just as much yours as it is mine! #justakidfromcompton #walkoffame #NWMI'

Anthony was joined by even more friends for the celebration, including celebrity pals like Don Cheadle, George Lopez and Chris Spencer.

They all rocked matching face masks, printed with a photo of Anthony's nose and his distinguishable smile.

He also posed in front of his star for a family photo with wife Alvina, 49, son Nathan, 20, and daughter Kyra, 24.

The To Tell the Truth host later shared an adorable video of himself and Nathan doing a celebration dance on the Walk of Fame.

Joining greatness: The Kangaroo Jack actor previously took to Instagram in a chic powder blue suit to debut his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Dream moment: He wrote: 'Today was a GREAT day! Dreams do come true! Those dreams are made possible thru faith, hard work, patience and sacrifice! I want to thank everyone thats been a part of my journey thus far'

Squad goals: Anthony was joined by even more friends for the celebration, including celebrity pals like Don Cheadle, George Lopez and Chris Spencer

Say cheese: They all rocked matching face masks, printed with a photo of Anthony's nose and his distinguishable smile

Happy family: He also posed in front of his star for a family photo with wife Alvina, 49, son Nathan, 20, and daughter Kyra, 24

Victory dance: The To Tell the Truth host later shared an adorable video of himself and Nathan doing a celebration dance on the Walk of Fame

He recently nabbed his ninth Emmy nomination, this one for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

It's his sixth nomination for his leading role in Black-ish, making him the most nominated Black actor in that specific category.

Anthony recently told Variety of the show: 'I think the success is due in part to the authenticity and the honesty in which we tell these stories and create these characters. These characters are who we are. These stories that we tell are from our lives.'

His dynamic portrayal of successful family man Andre Johnson, which features almost as much drama as comedy, earned him two Golden Globe nominations as well.

Anthony also received three Emmy nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series, as a producer on the ABC sitcom.
Ashwini M Sripad By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: After the economy went on a downward spiral due to the Covid-induced lockdown, leading to large-scale job losses, some green shoots are now beginning to show. Taiwan-based Wistron Infocomm Manufacturing (India) Pvt Ltd, one of the main contract manufacturers of Apple devices, is expected to start commercial production of the popular iPhone at its Narasapura plant in Kolar district in the coming days. In preparation for this, the company has already started hiring activities.

Wistron announced its plans in 2017 and was allotted 43 acres by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) in Narasapura of Kolar district, about 70 km from Bengaluru. It had earlier said it will be investing around `3,000 crore on the project. The company presently has a facility at Peenya in Bengaluru, where iPhones are being assembled.

The manufacturing facility in Kolar is expected to generate around 10,000 jobs. As per the Karnataka Industrial Policy, 70 per cent of jobs should be given to locals. Accordingly, at least 7,000 people from Karnataka are expected to get jobs here. The company is believed to have already recruited about 2,000 people so far.

Wistron has started trial production

Speaking to TNSE, Gaurav Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Industries and Commerce Department, said, We are happy to note that recruitment process has begun. They are going to start production soon, he added. Wistron authorities, however, declined to comment.

Speaking to The New Sunday Express, a senior official of the Department of Industries and Commerce said land was handed over to the company in July 2018. Construction work had already started and some blocks are completed too.

We were told that the company will be hiring in a phased manner. At present, walk-in interviews are being conducted at the company site in Kolar for ITI and diploma graduates, an official said. More recruitments, including of freshers and experienced people, are expected soon. The company has already started trial production and hopefully, by September, they will start commercial operation, the official added.
President Donald Trump on Friday called on Syria to help bring home Houston journalist and veteran Austin Tice, who has been missing for eight years as of this week.

Tice was last seen in August 2012 in Damascus, Syria where he was working as a freelance journalist reporting on the civil war for a variety of media outlets, including CBS, The Washington Post, and The McClatchy Company, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He was kidnapped while reporting in Daraya, a Damascus suburb. Five weeks after he went missing he appeared in a 43-second video that emerged showing Tice held by a group of armed men, according to the Tice family website.
STURGIS, S.D. (AP)  A protester was arrested after kicking at a biker during the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally in western South Dakota, the police chief said Sunday.

Chief Geody Vandewater said a small group of protesters was gathered on Sturgis Main Street on Saturday when one of the demonstrators kicked the motorcycle as it passed by. The crowd began swarming toward the protesters, and Vandewater said police escorted the demonstrators to a safe spot.

It was a little chaotic for a bit, the chief told The Associated Press. He said among other things, the protesters were demonstrating against Republican Gov. Kristi Noems decision not to shut down South Dakota during the coronavirus pandemic and that the Sturgis rally was being held during the pandemic.

The protester  a man from Rapid City, South Dakota  was arrested for disorderly conduct, Vandewater said. No one was hurt.

The 80th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally began Aug. 7 and wrapped up Sunday.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 03:22:05|Editor: huaxia

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BAGHDAD, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Two Katyusha rockets on Saturday hit a military base in the north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, the Iraqi military said.

The attack took place in the evening when the two rockets fired from al-Rashdiyah area on the neighboring al-Taji Camp, some 20 km north of Baghdad, with the casualties unclear yet, the media office of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command said in a brief statement.

Al-Taji Camp is a huge military base containing an air base where some U.S. troops are stationed.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the rocket attack, but Baghdad airport and the Iraqi military bases housing U.S. troops across Iraq, as well as the U.S. embassy in the Green Zone, have been frequently targeted by mortar and rocket attacks.

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 providing training and advising to the Iraqi forces. Enditem
They claimed they had been offered a job in Libya and Syria.

Members of Russia's private military company (PMC) Wagner who were detained in Minsk and later extradited by the Belarusian authorities have announced upon return home that they were heading to Libya and Syria as they had been offered a job there.

Several of the members transferred to Russia told TV Channel Russia 24 they had seen a job announcement on Avito.ru, a Russian classified advertisements website, according to the RIA Novosti news agency.

Read alsoZelensky warns Minsk of "tragic consequences" of Wagner PMC troops' extradition to Russia

One of them said it was a job related to crude oil facilities. Yet, the job requirements included experience of participation in hostilities, especially in Donbas and in Syria. They claimed they had been accommodated at the Belorusochka health center outside Minsk for a short period.

They claim they allegedly did not know that presidential elections were to take place in Belarus.

PMC Wagner in Belarus
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced that Virtual PATA Travel Mart (PTM) 2020 will take place from September 23 - 27.

Virtual PTM is a business-to-business travel contracting and virtual networking event that both mirrors and enhances the features of the long-standing PTM, which boasts over four decades of experience in connecting qualified international buyers and sellers from all of Asia and the Pacific region though pre-matched business appointments. Furthermore, Virtual PTM offers cost-effective seller booth fees at significantly below market rates.

As some destinations have slowly restarted tourism through either domestic or regional travel, eventually international markets will follow. Virtual PTM allows business to begin exploring new opportunities and markets, particularly as travel behaviour and patterns will be dramatically different post Covid-19., said PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy. Asia Pacific will be the leading force of tourisms global recovery from Covid-19, as both an inbound destination as well as a robust source market. In addition, organisations need to start negotiating for recovery in 2021 and Virtual PTM is the perfect place to begin. Therefore I invite all industry stakeholders to join us as we look towards a rapid, robust, and responsible renewal of the travel and tourism Industry.

The event is being organised in in conjunction with the Sichuan International Travel Expo with the support of the Leshan Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau and is powered by official virtual partner Dragon Trail Interactive.

Zhang Tong, Mayor of Leshan Municipal Peoples Government, said: Sichuan,China, home to the giant panda, offers you an experience of a leisurely life. Leshan, a key world tourist destination, is always filled with a strong aroma of food and tea, the fragrance of books and the beautiful sea of flowers and noted for its mountains, Buddhas and celebrities. I sincerely hope you will get to know Leshan through various ways and come visit it soon. Your visit will certainly bring you a pleasant surprise and a unique experience.

The event will offer two full business days with a possibility of up to 50 appointments across all time zones from September 24-25. There will also be two trade visitor days on September 26-27. Furthermore, there will be further networking opportunities at the interactive networking breaks, as well as opportunities to gain deeper insights into the industry at the presentation hall. Event delegates can also enjoy a 360 degree view of the Sichuan International Travel Expo through the Virtual PTM 2020 platform.

Dragon Trail Interactive Co-founder and CEO, George Cao, said: We are excited to enter a new phase of cooperation with our old friend PATA by delivering the first PTM Online. In addition to delivering a full-scale virtual trade show, through PATAs partnership with the Leshan Government, we will live-stream forum sessions and other activities from the Sichuan International Travel Expo on the PTM Online platform. We believe this hybrid online-offline model for travel trade shows is the way of the future and are thrilled to be involved in such an innovative project.

Virtual PTM 2020 highlights include:

 Interactive Exhibition Experience - Navigate an interactive map to browse sellers, submit matchmaking requests, view product presentations, and exchange contact information.

 Video Meets  Set up time slots and request meetings supported by video calls, text and voice chat.

 High-Quality Live Forums  Gain insights on travel recovery with live presentations and panels through the PTM Forums.

 Buyer Incentives  Buyers have the opportunity to earn prizes by earning points and completing event missions.

 Games & Giveaways - Join one of the virtual social games and get the chance to win some awesome travel giveaways and prizes from our sponsors and partners.

Virtual PATA Travel Mart is a one-stop-service to market to over +75,000 Chinese and international travel trade professionals, contract valuable new business and consolidate existing business relationships. - TradeArabia News Service
Earlier this month, the National Counterintelligence and Security Center released a statement saying that Russia is once again involving itself in an American presidential election. This report comes after months of speculation regarding Russias bounty program, in which Taliban fighters were allegedly paid by the Kremlin for targeting American troops in Afghanistan. The bounties, the electoral interference, and Russias multifarious acts of aggression are all bullet points on the long list of reasons why Mitt Romney deserves an apology.

Upon taking office in 2009, President Obama famously attempted to reset the diplomatic relationship between the United States and Russia. Relations between the two countries remained relatively warm in the years after the Soviet Unions collapse. But as the 20th century ended and the 21st century began, Vladimir Putin assumed power from Boris Yeltsin and the relationship changed.

Under Putin, Russia became much more aggressive on the international stage. A former KGB agent, he entered office pining for his own reset  a return of Russia to its glory days. Tensions between the United States and Russia once again grew heated as Putin, in response to Americas planned installation of a ballistic-missile-defense system in Eastern Europe, tested an intercontinental ballistic missile that could purportedly penetrate any shield. The test was accompanied by renewed warnings that, if plans for the missile-defense system were brought to fruition, Russia would target missiles at Poland and the Czech Republic.

Despite Putins increasing boldness on the international stage, the Obama administration declined to take the Russian threat seriously.

During the 2012 general-election campaign, Romney called Russia our number one geopolitical foe. In the cycles final debate, Obama mocked Romneys warning, remarking that, the 1980s are calling to ask for their foreign policy back, because the Cold Wars been over for 20 years. It was a canned, stale one-liner even at the time, but the media voraciously lapped it up. With the benefit of eight years of hindsight, it reads more like Gerald Fords there is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe than the Reaganesque zinger it was meant to be. In fact, Reagan often used a Russian proverb  trust, but verify  to describe his approach to negotiations with Gorbachev. The Obama administrations approach to Putin wasnt so cautious.

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Three months after Obamas reelection, American fighter jets intercepted two Russian bombers, both equipped with nuclear-tipped missiles, circling the U.S. territory of Guam. The same year, Russia announced plans for a new ICBM system. When Russia annexed Crimea in March 2014, Obama, doubling down on his erroneous initial assessment, dismissed the annexation as the work of a regional power, not a security threat. According to a former Taliban spokesman interviewed by the Daily Beast earlier this year, Russia began paying militants to kill American troops in Afghanistan at around the same time.

Alongside revelations of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election came limited recognition that Obama and his ilk were wrong to turn Romneys prescient warning into a joke. But now, amid news of the bounty program and the NCSCs warning of repeated Russian election interference, the Obama administrations negligence has become even more apparent.

In light of the current political moment, appropriate criticisms of previous administrations seem trite. Under a president seemingly in thrall to various authoritarian leaders, during a mismanaged global pandemic, Obamas foreign-policy missteps might appear undeserving of too much attention. But much like ideas, policies have consequences, and the Obama administrations reckless handling of Russia paved the way for a resurgent Putin regimes belligerence.

Where does that leave us now? In much the same place we were under Obama: saddled with a government that needs to wake up and take the Russian threat seriously. During the Trump administration, weve seen Democrats adopt traditionally Republican positions that the GOP has seemingly abandoned. The Democratic Party has become more open to free trade, signaled support for international institutions, and grown more hawkish on Russia and China. Though the Democrats about-face on these issues is certainly welcome, it is almost certainly born of partisanship, not philosophy. If Joe Biden defeats Trump in November, it will be up to him to prove otherwise  to heed the mistakes of the previous two administrations and meet the Russian threat head-on, even when theres no obvious domestic political advantage to be had from doing so, because American national security depends on it.

More from National Review
Jovita Idar stood in front of the building that housed the equipment of El Progreso, the Spanish-language newspaper where she worked as a reporter. A contingent of Texas Rangers was on its way. It was 1914 in the border town of Laredo and the paper had recently published an editorial critical of President Woodrow Wilsons decision to dispatch troops to the Mexican border. The Texas Rangers were infamous for their vicious treatment of Mexican-Americans such as Jovita.

The 29-year-old journalist barred the door, planted her feet in the hard Texas ground and waited. The Rangers arrived and demanded to enter the building. Jovita refused, daring them to push her aside or knock her down.

The Rangers left, only to come back the next morning to destroy the equipment and arrest the staff. Jovita wasnt at work and was spared. But her stand had saved the paper for a day.

Her courage was impressive but not unusual; she was raised in a family of activists who knew the power of the press, promoted civil rights and were disinclined to be silent in the face of injustice.

This month on Aug. 26, we will celebrate Womens Equality Day to commemorate the centennial of the 19th Amendment, which in 1920 guaranteed women the right to vote. That milestone was a long time coming  about 70 years had passed since the start of the suffrage movement. Journalists, especially women, played a critical role in the 19th Amendment passing. Jovita Idar was one of those women. Her father owned and published La Cronica, a Spanish-language newspaper. She began her working life as a teacher, but left the profession to write for La Cronica, which gave her a platform to share the inequities she saw in the lives of those on both sides of the border.

After her fathers death, she and her brothers ran La Cronica and she wrote for El Progreso and other newspapers. She was also a co-founder of La Liga Femenil Mexicanista, a social, cultural, political and charitable organization for Mexican-American women.

Working women know their rights and proudly rise to face the struggle, Jovita said. The hour of their degradation is past. Women are no longer servants but rather the equals of men, companions to them.

In many cases, however, the communities these pioneering women journalists covered still faced barriers to voting. So the work has continued, fueled by the same perseverance still evident today as there continue to be obstacles to voting in many places and as the job of journalism is still challenging while also still a catalyst for change. The women journalists of the suffrage era were inspirational in many ways.

Ida B. Wells-Barnett was an activist who used her reporting skills to bring to light the racism and violence regularly committed against Black men in the South. She traveled widely, recording lynchings in gruesome detail and sharing the injustices she saw, writing columns published in several newspapers.

She was also part owner of the Memphis newspaper the Free Speech and Headlight, but within the first year had to flee when a mob destroyed her presses in response to an article she wrote denouncing the lynching of three local businessmen. Ida was one of the most prominent Black suffragists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She founded the Alpha Suffrage Club in Chicago, the first suffrage club for Black women, whose mission was to support voting rights for all women and to train Black women in civic and political engagement.

She famously said, With no sacredness for the ballot there can be no sacredness for human life itself. She continued the battle for suffrage and equal rights throughout her life. Earlier this year the Pulitzer Prize Board awarded her a posthumous special citation for her work reporting and writing about the horrors of lynching throughout the South.

Cassandra Jaramillo, a cops reporter with the Dallas Morning News, holds up Ida as a role model for working through disparities in gender and race in the journalism industry.

Were seeing all these reckonings across the country because of the race and ethnicity issues, she says. Newsrooms have traditionally been majority white men. Newsrooms need to talk about it. Leaders need to recognize it and think about who they mentor.

Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin was a womens rights advocate and suffragist who was particularly focused on Black womens cultural and civic development. In 1894 she founded the Womans Era, the first national newspaper published by and for Black women. Simultaneous with starting the newspaper, she founded the Womans Era Club, a civic association for Black women whose motto was Help to make the world better.

The first issue of the Womans Era featured editorials titled The Problem of the Unemployed and Difficulties of Colonization, both addressing issues that beset the Black community.

Josephine was editor and publisher of Womans Era and she recruited her daughter to serve as assistant editor. Her husband, George, was a pro-suffrage state legislator who assisted with the newspapers production and distribution. Josephine also co-founded the National Federation of Afro-American Women.

We are women, American women, as intensely interested in all that pertains to us ... as all other American women, Josephine said at the founding meeting of the new organization. We are not alienating or withdrawing, we are only coming to the front, willing to join any others in the same work and welcoming any others to join us.

Matilda Joslyn Gage was a prolific writer who freelanced for several newspapers, primarily reporting on the suffrage movement. In 1878 she bought the Ballot Box, the monthly journal of a Toledo suffrage association. Matilda renamed it the National Citizen and Ballot Box and served as its primary editor for the next three years.

She said of the paper: Its especial object will be to secure national protection to women citizens in the exercise of their rights to vote ... it will oppose Class Legislation of whatever form. ... Women of every class, condition, rank and name will find this paper their friend.

Matilda also used the press to support Indigenous peoples rights. She wrote a series of front page stories for the New York Evening Post about Native American culture. Because of her public support of the Haudenosaunee Federation, she was offered an honorary adoption into the Wolf Clan, bringing with it the prospect of joining the Council of Matrons, who among other leadership tasks appointed the chieftain of the tribe.

The same year, in 1893, she was arrested by state authorities for attempting to vote. The stark difference between the role of women in the clans and their role in the United States was clear, and Matilda was outspoken about it.

The 19th Amendment granted women the vote in 1920, but that didnt necessarily translate into all eligible women being able to cast ballots. Poll taxes, literacy tests, white primaries and other impediments blocked access to the ballot box for both men and women of color. It wasnt until the Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965 that such obstacles were disallowed under law.

To this day, however, those who seek to limit minority groups from voting have found creative ways to do so. Voter ID laws, gerrymandering and limited polling locations are among those tactics. In the 2018 midterm elections, voters in North Dakota couldnt vote without producing proof of a street address. That essentially disenfranchised most Indigenous people living on reservations because they dont use street addresses.

Americans who live far from the Dakotas probably wouldnt know about these restrictions if it werent for the press.

Some things have changed since 1920 and some havent. What has remained constant is the curiosity, tenacity and keenness of eye and pen that journalists bring to bear  and challenges they face in doing so.

Dallas-based journalist Marina Trahan Martinez says there is a line between honest reporting and intentional activism which reporters must respect, but that doesnt mean staying quiet when a wrong is obvious, whether its on the street or in the office.

Im not going to tiptoe around something, she says. Like the way our industry has been calling out their own news organizations for not saying racist or racism outright. If it needs to be called out, it gets called out.

On Aug. 22, the Houston chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists will host a panel discussion on Suffrage and the Press. One thing we will explore is how struggles that journalists faced during the suffrage fight are still relevant today.

Todays journalists see their work as a calling in the same way Wells-Barnett, Ruffin and Gage did. The challenges, we feel, are worth the outcome.

On behalf of the board of directors of the Houston chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, I thank our predecessors for their hard work bringing to public attention to critical injustices and rights abuses and working to bring about the fairer, more equal society we enjoy today.

We are grateful that they risked their own safety and station to fight for progress and to bar the door against those who stood in its way.

Nasrullah is president of the Houston chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, which will host a panel discussion on the suffrage movement and the press on Aug. 22 at 1 p.m. via Zoom. Go to www.houstonspj.org for details.
Two U.S. senators have shared their concerns over the University of Arizonas agreement to purchase a for-profit college and use its assets to bolster its online offerings.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said in a letter to UA President Robert Robbins that the university must take steps to ensure students are not taken advantage of.

Without clear protections for students built into this transaction by UA, its accreditors and the Department of Education, Arizona taxpayers risk becoming owners of a predatory for-profit college cloaked in the aura of your prestigious university, the senators wrote.

The UA agreed to purchase Ashford University for $1 and add its assets  including the San Diego schools 35,000 online students  to create the University of Arizona Global Campus. The new platform will be a separate nonprofit, fully online entity. It will serve as an expansion of the Global Campus, made up of 150 sites worldwide.

UA officials said the 18- to 22-year-old population makes up most of its students, but the deal would boost UAs support for nontraditional and underrepresented students as well as its online offerings.
By PTI

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa has voiced its concern over the normalisation of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), saying it is "regrettable" that it had been done without engaging the people of Palestine.

"Peace and stability in the Middle East, and particularly a sustainable solution regarding the plight of the Palestinian people, is of critical importance to South Africa," the country's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said in a statement on Friday.

ALSO READ | UN chief Antonio Guterres welcomes Israel, UAE agreement

Acknowledging that the UAE had the sovereign right to set its diplomatic relations with the government of Israel, the statement said it was "regrettable" that it had done so based on an agreement related to the fate of the Palestinian people without engaging the people of Palestine.

Central to the UAE-Israel agreement was an undertaking by the latter to suspend plans to annex the West Bank, although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a TV broadcast afterwards that he had only agreed to defer plans for the annexation.

"Most of the world's countries have called for a stop to the threats of annexation of the West Bank, as it would have been an act in contravention of international law.

The agreement by three countries, the USA, the UAE and Israel instead posits that a temporary suspension of the annexation should be celebrated as a diplomatic break-through," DIRCO said in a statement.

The agreement, however, does not commit Israel to halting of plans to further extend Israeli sovereignty over Palestinian territories and its people, it said.

"The agreement also, does not commit the government of Israel to negotiations guided by the internationally agreed parameters," the statement said.

ALSO READ | UAE-Israel deal a 'stab in the back' to Muslims, says Iran

"South Africa notes the concerns expressed by the Palestinian leadership and wishes to express its conviction that any initiative aimed at a solution to the conflict, must take into account the needs and aspirations of the Palestinian people," DIRCO said.

"In this regard, South Africa remains committed to the independence of Palestine under the two-state solution, based on the international recognition and independence of the viable State of Palestine, based on the June 4, 1967, borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, existing peacefully side by side with its neighbours," it said.

South Africa's view on Palestine is that the outstanding final status issues must be resolved through negotiations between the parties, with support from the international community.
The family of a New Orleans TV newscaster who was killed in a stunt plane crash a year ago has filed a $23 million lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration claiming the agency cleared the aircraft to fly despite allegedly knowing of its history of mechanical problems.

The husband of Nancy Parker, a veteran anchor for Fox affiliate station WVUE-TV, filed the wrongful death lawsuit in U.S. District Court in New Orleans on behalf of himself and their three children.

Parker, 53, and pilot Franklin J.P. Augustus, 69, were killed on Aug. 16, 2019, when the Aerotek Pitts S-2B aircraft, registered to Drug Fighter LLC, crashed shortly after taking off from New Orleans' Lakefront Airport. Parker and Augustus were the only two people aboard the biplane, which was scheduled to do skywriting stunts, officials said.

Parker's husband, Glen Boyd, claims in the lawsuit that FAA workers were aware of airplane's "lengthy and well-known history of substandard maintenance, mechanical problems and scant flight time" when they cleared the flight for takeoff, according to the lawsuit that was filed on Aug. 6.

MORE: 'I will never get over this': Nancy Parker's husband mourns New Orleans TV anchor after plane crash

Despite allegedly knowing of the maintenance and operational problems with the aircraft, "appropriate steps were not taken by FAA officials to ensure [the plane] was airworthy prior to clearing the aircraft for flight," according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit did not specify the maintenance history of the aircraft or cite specific evidence proving the FAA was aware of any alleged history of mechanical problems.

PHOTO: Nancy Parker worked at New Orleans Fox affiliate WVUE for 23 years. She was killed in a plane crash while filming a piece on Friday, Aug. 16, 2019. (Jim Pennison/WVUE, FILE)

A placard had been placed in the aircraft in November 1983 warning that its smoke skywriting system should only be used on solo flights, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit also states the plane had been modified with a 14-gallon auxiliary fuel tank under the passenger seat in February 1992.

Story continues

According to the lawsuit, Parker was not notified by the FAA or employees at the Lakefront Airport of the "foreseeable risk of harm to life and limb associated with flying in the aircraft" nor was she advised of the plane's history of mechanical problems prior to boarding the aircraft.

On the day of the crash, the flight was delayed from taking off for several hours because of "mechanical problems with the aircraft's engine which negatively impacted engine performance and safety of flight," the lawsuit reads.

PHOTO: The charred wreckage of a private plane is seen in a field near the Industrial Canal and New Orleans Lakefront airport, in New Orleans, Aug. 16, 2019. (Gerald Herbert/AP, FILE)

Parker, who won multiple Emmy awards as a journalist, was filming a piece on the stunt plane with Augustus to honor the Tuskegee Airmen, a pioneering group of Black pilots who fought in World War II.

MORE: 'I will never get over this': Nancy Parker's husband mourns New Orleans TV anchor after plane crash

Shortly after takeoff, Augustus radioed the Lakefront Airport's air-traffic control tower requesting immediate clearance to return to the airport but did not specify why, according to a preliminary investigative report from the National Transportation Safety Board. As Augustus attempted to return to the airport the plane made a sharp descent and crashed into an open field bursting into flames, according to the NTSB report.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the NTSB. Shortly after the crash, the NTSB said the investigation could taken 12 to 24 months before a determination of probable cause for the crash is issued.

FAA officials declined to comment on the lawsuit.

An initial statement from the FAA said the stunt plane was manufactured in 1983 and "crashed under unknown circumstances" in an empty field about a half-mile south of the Lakefront Airport.

"The NTSB will lead the investigation, and the FAA's investigation will become part of the NTSB's series of reports," the statement reads.

The federal government has 60 days from the date the lawsuit filed to respond, according to court records.

PHOTO: The charred wreckage of a private plane is seen in a field near the Industrial Canal and New Orleans Lakefront airport, in New Orleans, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019. (Gerald Herbert/AP, FILE)

In a Facebook tribute to his wife shortly after her death, Boyd, who works as a spokesman for the Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, Sheriff's Office, described her as an "an amazing human," an "awesome mother" and "a master of her craft."

MORE: Pilot killed with beloved New Orleans reporter in fiery crash wanted to return to airport: NTSB

"I loved her and she loved me," wrote Boyd, who was married to Parker for 26 years. "We were best friends."

$23 million lawsuit filed against FAA in stunt plane crash that killed New Orleans TV news anchor Nancy Parker originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
KAMPALA  Uganda has on Thursday August 13 been hit by another nationwide power outage whose cause is not yet known, the state-run power generation company said.

The Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) said in a statement that investigations are underway to determine the cause of the power blackout.

We are experiencing a nationwide total blackout. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause and restore as fast as possible, said the statement.

Umeme Limited, the countrys main electricity distribution company, said it is working with other stakeholders to restore power supply in the country.

We are working with UETCL and all stakeholders to have power restored as soon as possible. All inconveniences caused are regretted, it said in a tweet.

We are currently experiencing a Nation wide power outage and are working with @uetcl

and all stakeholders to have power restored as soon as possible.

All inconveniences caused are regretted, Umeme Limited wrote in Twitter.

The country has lately been experiencing nationwide power outages, with the recent being on June 21.

The country on May 9 was also hit by a power blackout whose cause was not known, according to the UETCL.

Uganda on April 14 experienced a nationwide power blackout after floating weeds, measuring about 12 acres (4.86 hectares), affected the Nalubale power plant in the eastern district of Jinja.

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United Airlines flight attendants union will head to expedited arbitration with the company next week in a last-ditch effort to stop some 689 non-US based cabin crew, including 230 in Hong Kong, from losing their jobs on October 1.

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA wanted the crew relocated to London to ensure they retained their jobs. Some 151 of the 840 originally at-risk staff would retain their jobs as they were eligible to work in the US, but must relocate.

Airlines are planning mass job cuts to avoid running out of money as the coronavirus becomes the worst crisis to hit the aviation sector in its history.

Get the latest insights and analysis from our Global Impact newsletter on the big stories originating in China.

Carriers, including Cathay Pacific Airways, have benefited from government bailouts to prevent their collapse, but are planning sweeping restructures which are likely to include mass lay-offs.

United Airlines announced the closure of overseas cabin crew bases in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Frankfurt in June. Photo: Bloomberg

United announced the closure of overseas cabin crew bases, which also affected Tokyo Narita and Frankfurt, in June. A ruling on the fate of the staff, which is binding, is expected in mid-September.

When the crews were hired, during the criteria for hiring and a pre-hire contract, it did not specify a criteria for flight attendants was to hold a US passport, said Kimberly Johnson, the unions chief representative in Hong Kong.

Among the non-locals in Hong Kong are US citizens, mainland Chinese, Taiwanese, Thai, Canadian, Australian, French, Dutch, British, Filipino, Indian, Japanese, Malaysian and Nepalese nationals who have worked for United for at least 25 years, some for 30, and hold permanent residency in the city.

Johnson wanted United to offer two options to save the affected staff  transfer all remaining crew to London, or reconsider keeping Narita open and absorbing all 689 staff there.

Despite weeks of discussions with union leadership about alternative options related to the closure  we are disappointed that we were unable to reach an agreement on solutions that both parties found acceptable, the airline said in response.

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The union said the earlier talks with United fell apart quickly. United was said to have offered part-time work in London.

This was rejected given the excessive commute for the Hong Kong members and creating two sets of flight attendants when all were equal in the unions eyes.

United said despite its drastic cost-cutting and cash raising efforts we continue to need to make tough decisions to survive this crisis because of the historic drop in air travel demand.

A third of its staff  or 36,000 employees  in the US have been warned their jobs were at risk.

Since the crisis ensued, United raised US$16.1 billion, including a substantial sum of federal government help covering the cost of wages up to the end of September  which prohibited cutting or furloughing staff.

The airline has lost US$3.3 billion in the first six months of the year, and is expected to slow its US$40 million a day cash burn to US$25 million in the coming months.

The global airline industry expects air travel to recover to pre-Covid levels by 2024, a year later than anticipated. However, it leaves many airlines unable to afford to keep large numbers of staff idle until then.

We want United to honour our contract and find [full-time] positions for these 689 flight attendants, Johnson said. And that solution would be to allow these flight attendants to transfer into the London base or allow these to participate in the voluntary furlough.

She pointed out that all past overseas base closures  Paris, Santiago, Taipei  saw the crews absorbed into other international bases, whether they had positions there or not. United said it did not anticipate any vacancies in London.

Uniteds overseas base closure mirrors that of Cathay Pacific which shut its North American flight attendant bases  in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Vancouver  earlier this year. Including an earlier closure last year in Toronto, some 566 jobs were lost.

Uniteds Hong Kong base opened in 1995. From Hong Kong, the airline historically flew to Los Angeles, Delhi, Bangkok, Singapore and Narita. Before the pandemic, the airline flew to Chicago, New York, Newark, San Francisco and Guam.

Hong Kong has always been a stable, viable base, Johnson said. No one thought the Hong Kong base would close with so many departures from here.

Voluntary furlough, which could give crews eight or 13 months of leave, could also help give the affected staff enough time to get the correct documentation to work in the US, Johnson argued.

She said a lot of her members were feeling betrayed, unappreciated and mistreated.

A lot of these flight attendants are not ready to retire, she said.

She said among those affected were married couples who would both lose their jobs, and at least one case involving a family with children, where one spouse was eligible to work in the US but the other was not.

One Hong Kong-based flight attendant, who was unable to speak publicly fearing a company reprimand, said: The core and value of United is the employees. We flight attendants represent the brand and the product. We are what makes the airline. United have diminished the value of their asset, the employees.

This article United Airlines cabin crew in Hong Kong in last-ditch effort to save their jobs, as carrier mulls mass lay-offs first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020.
Photo credit: Ford

From Car and Driver

As of August 2020, Ford had donated 1.5 million masks to MI Mask Aid, a program to give 4 million masks to low-income residents, seniors, and people in schools.

The automaker says it will have made 100 million masks for donation by mid-2020.

The newly released advertisement titled "Finish Strong" will run during New Year's Day football bowl games alongside ads for the new F-150.

UPDATE 12/31/20: Ford revealed a commercial this morning titled "Finish Strong," narrated by actor Bryan Cranston, that encourages people to act responsibly and help protect each other in the coming months until COVID-19 vaccines can be fully distributed. The ad will run on New Year's Day during the Citrus Bowl on ABC and the Peach, Rose, and Sugar Bowl games on ESPN as well as other NFL games scheduled for Fox on January 3, events during which Ford will also be promoting its new F-150.

As the story below details, Ford has been making and creating personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic, and to date the automaker has made 55 million masks. Its goal is to make and donate 100 million masks by mid-2021, Ford said today, and it has also created 20 million face shields, 50,000 ventilators, 32,000 respirators, and 1.4 million washable isolation gowns in partnership with 3M and the United Auto Workers union.

From August:



Ford is donating 1.5 million masks to the state of Michigan as part of the governor's new MI Mask Aid program, which will see a total of 4 million face masks distributed to citizens as another way to keep the coronavirus under something resembling control in the state.



Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the new MI Mask Aid program during a press conference Friday morning, saying that the masks will be available to low-income residents, senior citizens, and schools. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will assist with mask distribution. So far, Michigan has seen 90,392 COVID-19 cases and 6289 deaths from the disease, according to the Detroit News.

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Ford CEO Jim Hackett spoke at the press conference, saying that the automaker has produced over 72 million pieces "for lifesaving support" during the COVID-19 crisis, not counting the 1.5 million masks it is donating to MI Mask Aid. A million and a half face masks is about one week's worth of production for the automaker, which shifted to making personal protection equipment (PPE) after COVID-19 changed the American economic and personal landscape in March.

Ford told Car and Driver that the 54 million face masks it has made so far have all been used internally by workersuntil now. "We were able to make this donation because we have a surplus of masks from continued production to cover our workforce," a spokesperson told C/D.

If Ford continues to make more than it needs for its employees, other states could benefit from the extra production. "We recognize there are many at-risk communities that have a growing need for PPE, such as masks," the spokesperson said. "We're connecting with our local and national nonprofit partners to determine the best way to address this urgent problem." Ford also announced yesterday that its employee donation match program had raised over $1 million to support COVID-19 related relief efforts around the world, including programs in Brazil, India and South Africa. The fund also made donations to three non-profit agencies in Michigan, including United Way for Southeastern Michigan, The Pope Francis Center, and The Ark, an Ann Arbor folk-music club, which used the money for its "The Ark Family Room Series" livestream programming.

Other automakers are assisting with PPE production as the coronavirus continues to ravage the U.S. Toyota, for example, announced this week that it has partnered with the safety equipment company Bullard to increase that company's ability to produce face shields, respirators and hoods at its Kentucky facility, but Toyota production lines were not converted to build Bullard products. Instead, Toyota helped Bullard figure out how to apply the Toyota Production System to its own production facilities. The result? Doubled production capacity for hoods and respirators and a 700-percent increase in production of face shields between March and April.

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Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar declared a public health emergency in California Wednesday, as hundreds of fires raze over 1.4 million acres in a natural disaster that's seen over 100,000 people placed on evacuation orders.

The big picture: At least seven deaths have been reported and dozens of properties razed amid dismal air quality. The fires have brought another crisis to a state reporting the most coronavirus infections in the country.

Catch up quick: Firefighters have been facing record-breaking temperatures, dry conditions and more than 13,000 lightning strikes, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Per Cal Fire, the LNU Lightning Complex has charred over 360,800 acres and forcing hundreds to evacuate. It's 33% contained as of Wednesday.

The blaze near Vacaville, known as the Hennessey Fire and part of the LNU Lightning Complex, has been one of the most destructive, burning down homes and claiming the life of a PG&E worker assisting first responders. This same blaze has damaged hundreds of structures.

The SCU Lightning Complex has razed almost 367,400 acres and was 30% contained.

The CZU August Lightning Complex resulted in the evacuation of more than 64,000 people, according to Cal Fire. In Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties, roughly 48,000 residents were required to evacuate.

The wildfire has burned some 81,100 acres and was 21% contained as of Tuesday.

The River Fire in Monterey County was 58% contained as of Tuesday and prompted mandatory evacuations. More than 48,400 acres have been burned.

Of note: President Trump issued a major disaster declaration for California last Saturday.

Newsom declared a statewide emergency last week after the National Interagency Fire Center, which coordinates federal firefighting efforts, was put on its highest level of alert.

More photos: Fires burn across California

A rooster walks by a burned vehicle during the LNU Lightning Complex fire in Vacaville, California on Aug. 24. Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

Firefighters work to protect homes in Boulder Creek, California, Aug. 22. Photo: Dylan Bouscher/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images

La Borgata Winery owner Gerry Iuliano beside a burned barrel amid the charred remains of his winery during the LNU Lightning Complex fire in Vacaville, Aug. 23. Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

Firefighters work to protect homes in Boulder Creek, Aug. 22. Photo: Dylan Bouscher/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images

Traffic on Highway 24 as motorists travel through a thick cloud of smoke in Walnut Creek, Aug. 22. Photo: Jose Carlos Fajardo/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images

Embers scatter across Highway 1 as the CZU Lightning Complex fire burns in Ano Nuevo State Park, Aug. 22. Photo: MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images

A Pacific Gas and Electric firefighter walks down a road as flames approach in Fairfield during the LNU Lightning Complex fire, Aug. 19. Photo: Josh Edelson/Getty Images

The remnants of a home near Pleasant Hills Ranch Way in Vacaville, Aug. 20. Photo: Anda Chu/MediaNews Group/East Bay Times via Getty Images

A cabin near Little Basin Road and Highway 236 goes up in flames in Boulder Creek. Photo: MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images

A home burns in Vacaville, Aug. 19. Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

A resident protecting his property as the LNU Lightning Complex of fires burn through Fairfield, Aug. 19. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Firefighters monitor flames as they approach a residence in the valley area of Vacaville, Aug. 19. Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

Firefighters attempt to stop a grass fire from jumping a road in Vacaville, Aug. 19. Photo by Karl Mondon/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images

The site of the Hennessey Fire in Vacaville, Aug. 19. Photo: Neal Waters/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The Lake Fire in the Angeles National Forest, by Lake Hughes, 60 miles north of Los Angeles, Aug. 15. Photo: Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images

Firefighters battle the Lake Fire near Lake Hughes, Aug. 15. The National Weather Service said Californians can expect excessive heat through Wednesday. Photo: Nick Ut/Getty Images

Firefighters work at night cutting trees and removing vegetation in order to make a firebreak as they battle the Lake Fire, Aug. 15. Photo: Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images

A pyrocumulus cloud forms atop a smoke plume near the Ranch Fire as seen from Azusa, Aug. 15. The fire has razed some 2,500 acres and has yet to be contained, according to CalFire. Photo: David McNew/Getty Images

A scorched statue in front of a home razed by the fire on Aug. 13. It's one of several properties and vehicles destroyed along Pine Canyon Road west of Lake Hughes. Photo: Al Seib/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Editor's note: This is a developing news story. Please check back for updates.
Sodinokibi (REvil) ransomware operators announced on Friday to have hacked Brown-Forman, one of the largest U.S. firm in the spirits and wine business.

Sodinokibi (REvil) ransomware operators announced last week to have breached the network of the Brown-Forman, one of the largest U.S. firm in the spirits and wine business.

Threat actors claim to have exfiltrated 1TB of confidential data and plan to put it up for auction the most sensitive info and leak the rest.

Data accessed by the gang includes confidential employeess info, company agreements, contracts, financial statements, and internal messages.

The BrownForman Corporation is one of the largest American-owned companies in the spirits and wine business. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, it manufactures several well-known brands throughout the world, including Jack Daniels, Early Times, Old Forester, Woodford Reserve, GlenDronach, BenRiach, Glenglassaugh, Finlandia, Herradura, Korbel, and Chambord.

Sodinokibi ransomware operators announced to have spent more than a month examining the infrastructure of the firm.

As a proof of the hack, Sodinokibi ransomware operators posted on their leak site multiple screenshots showing directories and files allegedly belonging to the company, and internal conversations between some employees.

The threat actors also published screenshots of database backup entries as recent as July 2020.

With this announcement, the REvil operators aim at forcing Brown-Forman into paying a ransom.

The company disclosed the incident in a statement, it added that was able to prevent its systems from being encrypted, suggesting the involvement of a ransomware. It only disclosed a few details about the incident, including when it happened or how the hackers accessed the data.

The company reported the incident to the authorities and retained a world class third-party data security experts to investigate the incident and resolve this situation as soon as possible. Brown-Forman also added that currently there are no active negotiations, but it suspects that some information has been exposed.

Brown-Forman was the victim of a cybersecurity attack. Our quick actions upon discovering the attack prevented our systems from being encrypted  said Brown-Forman spokesperson

Unfortunately, we believe some information, including employee data, was impacted. We are working closely with law enforcement, as well as world-class third-party data security experts, to mitigate and resolve this situation as soon as possible, the Brown-Forman spokesperson told Bloomberg.

If the company will pay the ransomware, the threat actor promises to delete all copies of the data.

We still believe in the prudence of BROWN-FORMAN and are waiting for them to continue their discussion of a way out of this situation Sodinokibi operators posted.

Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs  hacking, Brown-Forman)
Panaji, Aug 16 : Amid a sustained spike in Covid-19 cases, the Crime Branch of the Goa Police on Sunday busted a rave party in the beach village of Vagator in North Goa, arresting 23 persons, including three women foreign nationals, for the possession of drugs.

According to Superintendent of Police (Crime Branch) Shobhit Saxena, the raid was conducted as part of a police drive to ensure "public health and public safety" during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The rave party, was a 'by-invite only' affair and was held at a posh row village complex called 'Firangipani Villas' at Vagator beach village.

"Upon thorough search, narcotics drugs including cocaine, MDMA, ecstasy tablets and charas were detected in sizable quantities and worth over Rs nine lakh. Three foreign women were also found in possession of narcotics," Saxena said.

"FIRs are registered for endangering public safety, violation of lockdown norms and for possession of narcotics drugs. Further investigation is on," Saxena also said.

The raid follows days after a warning by Goa Director General of Police Mukesh Meena, who had said that he was aware of rave parties taking place in Goa amid the pandemic and had warned strict action against such events.
Editors note: This viewpoint is part of The Republicans continuing series, One People, One House, a community dialogue on where we are today on the issues of racism and policing across the country and here at home.

My life has been impacted by a change of leadership in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield and at Westfield State University. I have the privilege of exercising my ministries in various roles and responsibilities within the diocese of Springfield and at the Albert and Amelia Ferst Interfaith Center located on the campus of Westfield State University.

These appointments come at a time when our congregations, parishes, neighborhood communities, the nation and the world are dealing with the overwhelming realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic instability, institutional distrust of ecclesial, civil and governmental institutions, social chaos and racial unrest. People from all walks of life are filled with fear, anxiety, confusion, rage, and uncertainty about the future.

The appointments of Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski as the archbishop-elect of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and Roy Saigo as the interim president at Westfield State University have afforded me a graced period of time to assess my own leadership and to reflect on the nature of servant-leadership in an unprecedented time of national and global change.

I have been reflecting on what kind of leadership is needed to guide and lead us in this turbulent time.

On June 15, a Prayer Service for Racial Healing was held at St. Michaels Cathedral in Springfield. I was one of the participants who led the service with Archbishop-elect Rozanski. After the service, two members of the Springfield City Council who attended the service approached me and asked me, How are you doing?

I responded without hesitation and told them that they needed to be better leaders and that I was disappointed in their leadership on the City Council because they had failed to represent ALL the people of the community.

It appears that their only function is to protect the interests of those in power, overlooking the interests, concerns, and issues of the people struggling to support their families, protect their children from gang violence, drugs, human trafficking, and other negative forces that impact the quality of life within the city. Unfortunately, this has been the preferred style of leadership for some in the city of Springfield for as long as I can remember.

Read more from this series >>

I see these days of the COVID-19 pandemic and racial tension in our city and nation as a Kairos moment, a sacred time in which people from all walks of life pause from business as usual to reflect on what kind of leaders are needed at this critical time.

Who are the people capable of bringing about racial healing and reconciliation and creating a community that feels like we are One People, living together in One House wherein people treat all members of the community with dignity and respect.

Our current civic, community and religious leaders need to embrace the difficult inner work of self-examination, asking themselves what they have done to exacerbate racism in the community and what efforts they are willing to advance to dismantle institutional, structural and systemic racism in their governance bodies, commissions, committees, advisory boards, policies, procedures, etc.

In these unprecedented times, we need a new kind of leadership, a servant-leadership, that is committed to leading by example. We need a servant-leadership that is selfless, caring, compassionate and treats all people equally.

A servant-leader is someone who serves the people and is able to govern with the fundamental belief that simple human kindness and mutual respect for others and multiple perspectives go a long way in confronting, dialoguing and discerning solutions to the challenges of the day.

A servant-leader is someone who can bring people together in times of crisis to restore peoples trust that their lives matter when life seems to be unraveling, out of control, and the institutional structures can still be relied upon to serve the common good of all the people.

My understanding of servant-leadership was shaped and formed by some extraordinary people whom I consider to be models of this type of leadership which is desperately needed in this time of pandemic and racial unrest.

The Rev. Warren Savage, right, is seen here with his parents, Warren J. Savage Jr. and Dorothy Lambert Savage. He says his mother was mother was among his inspirations with qualities of a servant-leader. My mothers life was dedicated to the world of justice for the poor and oppressed, he writes.

My mother, Dorothy Lambert Savage, taught me and my siblings to be fearless, to speak the truth, to do good for others, to be respectful, loving, compassionate, merciful, forgiving, peaceful and non-violent towards all people. My mothers life was dedicated to the world of justice for the poor and oppressed.

Paul R. Mason was someone I admired growing up during the 1960s. He was the first African-American elected to the Springfield City Council, the first person elected president of the City Council after the new city charter, and the first African-American to serve as Springfields acting mayor in 1958. When I was ordained a priest in 1979, Paul Mason reached out to me to share his knowledge and wisdom as a public servant. He was a very thoughtful person who took the time to listen to needs, concerns and struggles of the people.

In this photo from Sept. 9, 1968, Springfield City Councilor Paul Mason, lower right, accompanies U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., middle left, on a re-election campaign swing through Springfields Winchester Square neighborhood. (THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)

When I was the pastor of the former Holy Family Church on the corners of Eastern Avenue and King Street, I had the privilege of working with Barbara Rivera, a civil rights activist, a community leader and brilliant organizer. Barbara was an outstanding figure in the community who advocated for the poor. I worked with Barbara when she was the director of the New North Citizens Council. As a servant-leader she was able to bring together people from diverse backgrounds and build grass-roots coalitions to improve the lives of people.

Another model of servant-leadership was Dr. Ruth B. Loving, a political activist who loved life and never refused an opportunity to advocate for children, find solutions to the challenges that faced the city of Springfield and advance the work of the NAACP. I had countless encounters and conversations with Ruth. She was always eager to share her point of view with me. Ruth Loving was indeed one of the most influential public servants in the history of the City of Springfield. Her legacy of servant-leadership needs to be exposed, read and reflected on by all who seek leadership positions.

In this photo from April 11, 2007, Gov. Deval Patrick listens intently to the advice given by Springfield resident Ruth B. Loving during a community meeting in the auditorium in Springfield Technical Community Colleges Scibelli Hall. Patrick took questions from the audience and STCC graduates. Loving was concerned about the representation of senior citizens. (THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)

One of my favorite places to visit as a child was the former Winchester Square Library. It has been renamed the Mason Square Library. Mrs. Bettye Webb was the Circulation Desk clerk and the assistant librarian in the Childrens Room. She was always so welcoming, kind, gentle, respectful and helpful to me whenever I visited the library to pick up interesting books to read during school vacations. Bettye Webb became the first African-American branch supervisor in her 35-year Springfield City Library career. I often encountered Bettye at Baystate Medical Center when I was visiting parishioners. She, too, was visiting people, bringing her beautiful smile, and comfort to friends who were sick.

I believe we need a servant-leadership that reflects the lives and values of the people described above. The idea of servant-leadership must be grounded in two fundamental principles: respect for the dignity of the human person and the protection of human life.

The servant-leaders primary responsibility is to make sure that every person is respected as an equal member of the community and that every persons life is protected from all forms of abuse, injury, racial hatred, injustice, and violence.

L to R- 1996 Ubora Award recipient Bettye Webb and Shirley Griffith at the 28th Annual Ubora Award Celebration taking place at the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History. (Ed Cohen Photo)

It is incumbent upon all in servant-leadership positions to care for all people, especially the poor, the vulnerable, the voiceless, the underrepresented, the sick, the suffering, immigrants, migrants, refugees, and the marginalized. When our leaders refuse to care for all people and fail to encourage people to care for the least among us, people will surely die.

I remain steadfast in prayer that new servant-leaders will rise up in our various communities and not be afraid to lead by example by showing respect for the dignity of every person and be committed to protecting the life of every person from being abused, denigrated, and violated by others.

I also hope that the new servant-leaders will have the courage to rebuke all forms of racism, hatred, prejudice, harassment or discrimination towards people because of their race, skin color, culture, ethnicity, condition of life, or religious tradition.

I look forward to collaborating with servant-leaders capable of identifying the gifts and talents of people and empowering them to advance our common mission to work for the common good of all, build a community of care and compassion wherein people can feel like there are One People, living together in One House.

The Rev. Warren J. Savage, who grew up in Springfield, is the director and Catholic chaplain at the Albert and Amelia Ferst Interfaith Center, Westfield State University and an adjunct lecturer in the Religious Studies Department at Elms College. In the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, he is an instructor in the Diocesan Permanent Diaconate Formation Program, chair of the Committee for the Continuing Education, Formation and Support of Clergy, member of the Presbyteral Council, the College of Counsultors, Spiritual Directors International, the Academy of Homiletics and the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality.

Related Content:
Cases of COVID-19 were rising steeply two months ago when the dean of the UT Health School of Public Health in San Antonio was negotiating the hiring of hundreds of case investigators and contact tracers to slow the spread of the deadly disease.

In a June 17 email to officials at the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, Dr. Jack Tsai raised an overarching concern.

Your ask was to also have all case investigators working on site in a large office space, Tsai wrote. Due to financial costs and concerns about COVID infection among case investigators, I suggest a hybrid approach of having some additional office space for key staff but having most case investigators and contact tracers working remotely.

Two months later, Metro Health still requires all case investigators to work in a cavernous but communal space at the Alamodome that can fit up to 200 people, creating a risk that has led some recruits to opt out of the job.

Case investigators perform the critical task of calling those who test positive for COVID-19 and asking them to recall their close contacts. In a separate process, contact tracers then call those close contacts and urge them to quarantine for 14 days to break the chain of the coronavirus transmission.

UT Healths $2 million contract with Metro Health called for the school to hire 200 case investigators by the end of November.

Tom Reel /Staff photographer

On ExpressNews.com: Metro Health waited to hire enough COVID-19 trackers until virus had pummeled San Antonio

Last week, UT Health had hired and trained 50 case investigators. On a timeline directed by Metro Health, they began working at the Alamodome on Wednesday along with about 115 Metro Health staff, many of whom have been pulled from duties such as immunizations, which are down across the country.

The health districtss plan to scale up the workforce as needed, rather than hiring and training more workers before another wave strikes, has alarmed some public health experts who worry that San Antonio is on thin ice with COVID-19. Workplaces and schools are beginning to reopen, raising the threat of another surge of infections, hospitalizations and deaths.

Jimmy Perkins, a former dean of the UT Health School of Public Health in San Antonio, watched with dismay in June as Metro Health officials rushed to bolster a meager workforce, in part by urging their own staff to work overtime on case investigations and contact tracing as infections surged. Thousands of cases were backlogged, never to be investigated.

On ExpressNews.com: Metro Health overwhelmed by COVID-19 surge

Now Perkins is concerned Metro Health hasnt learned from its previous mistake.

Its the same philosophy that we had two months ago. And you see where that got us, Perkins said. You cant hire and train people fast enough to keep up with the epidemic. So here we are, were in the same predicament. Were understaffed if we were to have another upturn. And were going to have some kind of upturn when people get back to going to school.

When people die from something like this and we know how to prevent those deaths, and were not doing everything we can to prevent those deaths, he said, somebody ought to be questioned about that.

Happy medium

Tom Reel /Staff photographer

Metro Health Director Colleen Bridger said the city department has enough case investigators and contact tracers to handle the current load, as well as any coming surge.

Fifty more case investigators hired by UT Health will join the workforce in September, she said, even as Metro Health returns 43 redeployed staff members back to their original jobs.

I think what weve created here is a happy medium because we do have 165 people, and were going to add 50 additional starting Sept. 1, Bridger said. I think if you ask anyone, including the critics, when they think the next spike will happen, they will say after Labor Day. We will have 215 people trained and ready to work for that surge that happens after Labor Day.

Metro Health has doubled the number of investigations completed in an eight-hour shift from five to between 10 and 12, Bridger said, meaning that investigators can now process from 1,650 to 1,980 cases a day.

We literally have more people doing case investigations than we have cases to investigate, she said. Were not going to 3,500 (cases) tomorrow. Thats not how this pandemic has been working. So if we get to the point where we need to bring in those other 100 (UT Health case investigators), then we will do that. The last thing I want to do, though, is to have a bunch of people getting paid to sit at the Alamodome or sit at their homes doing nothing. I cant defend that either.

Cases of COVID-19 have fallen in recent weeks from daily highs of up to 2,000 to an average of about 250 a day. On Friday, Bexar County reported 150 new cases.

On ExpressNews.com: Tracking COVID-19 - coronavirus by the numbers in San Antonio

For contact tracing, the city has relied on emocha, a mobile technology company.

Right now, all contacts are getting a call within 24 to 48 hours, Bridger said.We are transitioning that work to the state, which plans to hire 4,000 people to do contact notifications across the state. If we determine the Texas Health Trace staff cannot keep up with notification of the two to three contacts per case, we can either return to emocha or deploy more UT Health staff to do the work.

Cause for concern

Tom Reel /Staff photographer

On Aug. 8, a few days before the 50 case investigators hired by UT Health began working at the Alamodome, a contact tracing work group met virtually to discuss updates.

Tsai, the dean of UT Health and a member of the work group, was present at the meeting, which wasnt public.

According to notes of the meeting, Tsai raised the same concerns he had in June: Dr. Tsai added that the School of Public Health is looking into remote options because several prospective case investigators were concerned about COVID-19 safety inside the Alamodome. While there is adequate space, hundreds of people in one place was cause for concern.

The notetaker added in bold: UT SPH prefers an option to work remotely to adhere to COSA COVID restrictions on gatherings.

Emergency orders by the city prohibit any gatherings or events of more than 10 people, whether indoor or outdoor. Local government operations are exempted from the rule.

Experts warn that the virus is airborne and spreads more easily indoors.

As far as Im concerned, once you step indoors, in my opinion, the 6-foot rule is useless, Perkins said. Were getting more and more evidence about that every day.

The option for case investigators and contact tracers to work remotely varies across the state.

Some of the 48 on staff at Austin Public Health work remotely, while others work on a rotating schedule onsite. At the Houston Health Department, all 300 case investigators and contact tracers work inside a convention center.

Adelita Cantu, a professor at the UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing and co-chair of the contact tracing work group, said some people hired by UT Health dropped out after learning they could not work remotely.

Right now, (Metro Health) brought in 50 to 60 and they closed the job recruitment, Cantu said. They definitely had a lot of people who applied, and they were going to start out with this amount. They originally hired more, but when people found out that there wasnt going to be a remote option, they dropped off.

Individuals were told they did not have a remote option, she added. And most people thought they were and did not go with the offer for not having that option.

Tsai declined to be interviewed for this article. A UT Health spokeswoman replied to emailed questions.

Dr. Tsai does not want to comment about prospective case investigators, she said. He is hopeful there will be a remote option. The school is planning for additional leased space within its building for case investigators.

Last month, Bridger said case investigators would probably not work remotely, at least not in the near future.

For people who havent been doing this for their public health career, they need to be in a location where they can ask questions, where they can get that ongoing daily kind of huddle  heres what were finding, heres what were doing, heres how were working around x, y, and z, she said then. So at least for a month or so, were going to need to be still co-located and figuring out together how were addressing this ever-changing situation.

On Friday, Bridger said Metro Health has made some technological strides, and an option for remote work is on the horizon. She did not offer a timeline.

Once staff are trained and the new processes are developed to allow remote work, Bridger said, we will.

Fall approaches

Tom Reel /Staff photographer

Mayor Ron Nirenberg said Metro Health ought to support a remote-work option for case investigators who might prefer it.

He said he was encouraged by the efforts of the health district to increase its workforce.

I think we have to make sure that we have the capacity to trace the number of cases that we might experience at the high point of a peak, and not what we have now, Nirenberg said. And based on the operations that have been put in place previously, we needed to hire up, and thats what theyve been doing.

We dont want to find ourselves in the same situation we found ourselves in in June, he added.

Cantu, co-chair of the contact tracing work group, said expanding to allow remote work is critical as fall approaches. She cited a recent warning by Dr. Junda Woo, medical director at Metro Health, that coronavirus outbreaks are bound to occur in schools despite the best preventative measures.

If thats the case, then the more tools we have at our disposal to mitigate an outbreak, you want to have that process in place, Cantu said. I think being remote, we would certainly have more access to people who want to do it, and feel safe to do it, too.

Bridger said anyone concerned about Metro Healths current workforce should be reassured by the math.

I think theyre more worried than they should be, she said. I think that perhaps having a better understanding of the complete picture might help them. If we have the same surge tomorrow that we had last month, we are 100 percent staffed and ready to deal with that.
White House Denies Reports That Postal Sorting Machines Were Decommissioned

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows denied allegations and reports that U.S. Postal Service (USPS) letter-sorting machines were decommissioned.

He said in a televised interview that reports about the machines being taken out of service are not based on fact and are a narrative.

Theres no sorting machines that are going offline between now and the election, Meadows said on CNN Sunday. Thats something that my Democrat friends are trying to do to stoke fear out there. Thats not happening.

A sorting machine to handle 100 million ballots, its like a gnat on an elephants back, Meadows added. Its not going to matter with 8.6 billion pieces of mail going through the Postal Service every year. Sorting machines that are not part of an already scheduled reallocation will remain, and decommissioning machines is not a new move by the postmaster general.

At the same time, the chief of staff said that Democrats should come back to Washington and negotiate USPS funding along with stimulus package measures including unemployment benefits, stimulus payments, and small business loans.

The president will sign that bill, he said.

The dispute over funding the USPS has been punctuated by allegations from President Donald Trump and other Republicans about potential mail-in voting fraud. Some experts have said that election fraud is rare.

Late last week, Trump told reporters that he is willing to sign off on $25 billion in USPS funding if Democrats make concessions on the broader stimulus package.

Sure, if they give us what we want, the president said on Friday, at a news conference. And its not what I want, its what the American people want.

Before that, on Fox News, Trump insisted that he would not be releasing funds for the agency as part of the deal.

A U.S. Postal Service (USPS) post office is pictured in Philadelphia, Penn., on Aug. 14, 2020. (Rachel Wisniewski/Reuters)

They want $3.5 billion for something thats fraudulent  for the mail-in votes, universal mail-in ballots, Trump said on Fox News Thursday. They want $25 billion for the post office. They need that money so it can work and they can take these millions and millions of ballots.

Negotiations on the stimulus talks stalled earlier this month, as Democrats sought to push a more than $3.4 trillion COVID-19 package. Republicans earlier unveiled a $1 trillion deal.

The most contentious issue in recent days was whether to provide nearly $1 trillion to city and state governments. Republicans are opposed to the idea, with Trump saying it would be a bailout of poorly run municipalities.

They want $1 trillion to go to their friends doing a bad job running certain cities and states, Trump alleged in the news conference, referring to the plan.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) last week called on Trump to fund the postal service.

House and Senate Democrats call on the President to immediately cease his assault on the Postal Service, make clear that he will allow the 2020 election to proceed without his sabotage tactics and enable the American people the same opportunity he and the First Lady requested this week to vote by absentee ballot, she and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a joint statement on Friday.

Its not clear when negotiations on the stimulus package will resume. The package is designed to offset some economic losses incurred in the midst of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic.
Taker, a leading Saudi-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) startup that provides an online ordering management platform for restaurants, has enhanced its product capabilities and launched TakerGo, an advanced service that connects restaurants to on-demand delivery companies to expedite delivery of orders efficiently and swiftly.

TakerGo is an innovative service which helps solve a very complex logistical problem for restaurants with or without delivery fleets. A major challenge that prevents restaurants from growing online is delivering orders on time to their clients. TakerGo helps in solving this huge problem by partnering with different delivery companies such as Careem. All Taker clients can benefit from this service, since it is a great solution for restaurants that dont have a delivery fleet or those who do have their own delivery fleet but fail to meet the demand during peak hours. Utilizing TakerGo can reduce the average delivery time to 21 minutes per order, the company said.

Abdullah Alsaadi, Founder and CEO at Taker, said: "Our strategy, at Taker, is to regularly enhance our product by offering solutions to help our clients manage and grow their online sales. Many restaurants restrict their online orders due to the challenges they face when delivering orders. To bridge this gap, we decided to invest in TakerGo. Our new service will help us continue our growth and attract a new segment of offline restaurants who are still hesitant to go online, as well as solve a huge pain point for those without adequate delivery services. TakerGo allows restaurants to accept any number of orders without worrying about delivery capacity which helps them gain back control over their businesses from aggregators.

Ahmed AlJabreen, Venture Capitalist, 500 Startups, said: "We are proud to support Taker. Their hard work, commitment and dedication to improve their platform capabilities and offer significant solutions to help their clients is noteworthy. The launch of TakerGo is a proof of their understanding of the challenges that face their clients and their continuous work to provide solutions that further support them.

Taker is at the forefront of revolutionising the online food & beverage (F&B) industry, a category that is rapidly developing and is worth billions of dollars globally. It is the most advanced management platform for restaurants of any size who want to open their online branch and scale up customer orders. The innovative services that Taker provides include taking everything related to creating a website and mobile application for restaurants, the statement said.

Restaurants that sign up with Taker can get their own branded ordering channels almost instantly. Furthermore, Taker also integrates its system with the restaurant POS systems and payment gateways and any additional add-on services. These significant features play a major role to improve efficiency, streamline the internal operations inside the kitchen and manage the increased volume of orders.  TradeArabia News Service
Australia's peak export body says government air freight subsidies will need to be extended to ensure local agricultural products can get to overseas buyers, with an existing $350 million support package set to dry up at the end of the year.

The government's closure of Australia's borders in March to stem the spread of COVID-19 has significantly reduced air freight capacity because around 80 per cent of air cargo is traditionally transported to and from Australia by passenger aircraft.

The grounding of international passenger flights cut off the bulk of air cargo capacity. Credit:Kate Geraghty

Export Council of Australia chair Dianne Tipping said a $350 million federal government scheme to subsidise air freight had been a "godsend" that ensured local agricultural and seafood products could get to lucrative overseas markets, especially in Asia.

However with the scheme's announced funding set to run out by the end of the year, she said further support would be needed to keep export channels open.
Story Highlights Percentage "thriving" recoups most of Spring losses, but stalls in July

High-income earners suffer greatest COVID-era declines in life ratings

Daily stress and worry tick back up in July, remain significantly elevated

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The percentage of U.S. adults who evaluate their lives well enough to be considered "thriving" has partially recovered since the nearly 10-percentage-point drop to 46.4% in late April, a level last measured during the Great Recession. The thriving rate improved to as high as 53.7% in June but has since ticked down to 52.2% in July. Even so, the current rate is roughly a six-percentage-point improvement over the last three months, representing around 14 million additional adults who are thriving when compared to late April.

Line graph. The percentage of Americans who are classified as thriving. 52.2% of Americans are currently thriving. This is up from 46.4% who were thriving in April 2020.

Gallup classifies Americans as "thriving," "struggling" or "suffering" according to how they rate their current and future lives on a ladder scale with steps numbered from 0 to 10, based on the Cantril Self-Anchoring Striving Scale. Those who rate their current life a 7 or higher, and their anticipated life in five years an 8 or higher, are classified as thriving.

The most recent results, captured July 6-26, 2020, are based on 10,259 U.S. adults surveyed by web via the Gallup Panel, a scientifically populated, non-opt-in panel of about 100,000 adults across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Prior results, dating to Sep. 30-Oct.14, 2019, were also from the Gallup Panel, while all earlier estimates are based on samples from the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index. Comparisons of national estimates that occurred at close to the same time in 2019 showed highly similar results between the two surveys demonstrating their comparability.

In 2008, the first full year of the Great Recession, the thriving percentage fell from 52.0% in January to its low of 46.4% ten months later, a 5.6-percentage-point decline. It then jumped to 51.2% in January 2009, the month of Barack Obama's inauguration, and hovered in the low 50's for several months before surpassing January 2008 levels in September 2009 -- thus fully erasing the 2008 falloff.

High-Income Households Suffered Greatest Declines in Life Evaluation

Changes in thriving percentages also vary widely based on annual household income. While individuals from higher-income households consistently rate their lives better than their lower-income counterparts, these individuals also were the most likely to suffer a decline in life ratings at the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak and associated partial economic shutdown. This disparity, however, is less extreme since the partial recovery of life evaluation in the months since. As of the most recent sampling period of July 6-26, the range across income groups has converged to some degree with the top income bracket ($120,000+) showing the most improvement while the bottom bracket (<$24,000) has worsened slightly.

U.S. Life Evaluation by Annual Household Income, Trended % Thriving Jan. 2018-Aug. 2019 Mar. 13-Apr. 26, 2020 Change since 2018-2019 Jul. 6-Jul. 26, 2020 Change since 2018-2019 % % Pct. Pts. % Pct. Pts. <$24,000 32.4 27.3 -5.1 26.1 -6.3 $24,000-<$48,000 42.7 33.0 -9.7 36.3 -6.4 $48,000-<$90,000 57.8 47.8 -10.0 52.0 -5.8 $90,000-<$120,000 68.6 55.1 -13.5 57.9 -10.7 $120,000+ 79.0 60.3 -18.7 67.6 -11.4 Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index and Gallup Panel

Daily Stress, Worry Tick Back Up in July

Gallup also tracks whether Americans have experienced specific emotions, including stress, worry and anger in their daily life.

An increase in daily anger in early June appears to be associated with the death of George Floyd and subsequent Black Lives Matter protests rather than the coronavirus outbreak. At the same time, other negative daily experiences, such as stress and worry, increased markedly at the onset of the pandemic.

The percentage of people experiencing significant stress and worry the day before showed unprecedented increases in the first half of March, with stress rising 14 points to 60% and worry rising 20 points to 58%. These emotions subsequently leveled off and then slightly improved over the course of April, May, and June, but have now slightly reversed course in July, consistent with a leveling and slight decline in general life ratings.

Line graph. The percentages of Americans experiencing worry or stress a lot of the day yesterday. 54% of Americans currently report experiencing stress a lot of the day yesterday. 49% in the US report experiencing worry a lot of the day yesterday.

Implications

An increased proportion of American adults classified as thriving in June compared with April is likely related to both the partial reopening of the economy as well as a greater sense of normalcy in day-to-day life. In June, 4.8 million jobs were added back to the economy, giving much-needed employment to millions while also providing a potential psychological boost to the population at large. Another 1.8 million jobs were added in July, but weekly installments of $600 unemployment benefits also expired before the month's end, potentially playing a role in the uptick in stress and worry and a downtick in the thriving percentages nationally.

The substantially greater drops in the thriving percentage among individuals from high-income households compared with those from low-income households underscores the considerable differences in life experiences between the two groups. While high-income earners consistently rate their current and future lives better than do the low-income group, it is likely that they also suffered more dramatic declines in their investment and retirement savings as a result of the economic shutdowns associated with the pandemic. That the highest income bracket has since shown the greatest recovery in life ratings could, in turn, be a reflection of the substantially improved stock market since the initial downturn. Regardless of the factors influencing life ratings of persons in more affluent households, these results also suggest that even though adults from low-income households have disproportionately suffered the effects of COVID-19, they have also demonstrated to be more resilient to its consequences, perhaps due in part to preexisting low levels that reflect routine struggles in their daily lives.

Learn more about how the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index works.

Learn more about how the Gallup Panel works.
Published on 2020/08/16 | Source

A shopping mall in Seoul is bustling with people on Sunday. /Yonhap

An increasing number of people are suffering from anxiety or depression due to social distancing that has now been going on for over six months.

Advertisement

According to the Health Ministry last week, 374,221 people visited public health centers across the country with "coronavirus blues" from February to Aug. 3.

That is more than the number of patients who complained of anxiety or depression over the whole of last year.

The picture is much the same at private clinics. Roh Jeong-kyun, a psychiatrist, said the number of patients with these symptoms has jumped about 20 to 30 percent.

"Many elderly patients complain of depression", he added. "They seem to be more vulnerable than others to the blues because it's even harder for them to get around freely as they're a high-risk group".

One recent study suggests that the lockdown is having serious effects on mental health.

According to a study released by Prof. Kim Bung-nyun of Seoul National University Hospital on Aug. 4, two-thirds of 136 patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, or anxiety disorder who visited the hospital from February to June got worse because they had less contact with friends or teachers and engaged in less physical activity amid the lockdown,

Health Minister Park Neung-hoo said, "Fears are also mounting about the possibility of suicide". The ministry is offering a self-diagnosis app to help patients get timely help.

Doctors advise people to get plenty of exercise in a quiet place and talk with friends on the phone.

The warning signs are lethargy, frustration or depression, or headaches, indigestion or insomnia that persist for more than two weeks. Depression can deteriorate if it is not treated properly.
16.08.2020 LISTEN

Sometimes, people think by our rendition, we assume to know all but that isn't the case. Some of us always believe in contributing to public discourse intellectually. I do not care whether you see me as an intellectual or not but I have my own pen.

It is also indisputable that those who are very empty and lack understanding of any public policy or subject matter under discussion, are those who initiate insults, personality attacks, smear campaign and other petty acts.

You would recall that the NPP on any given platform was always on John Dramani Mahama to name his running mate. In fact, it got to a point where they said that John Dramani Mahama wasn't getting anybody for the position of the running mate. Finally when, Prof Nana Jane was named, the NPP quickly organized a press conference and said a woman cannot be a Vice president. This unintelligible reaction to the nomination received backlash from the Ghanaian populace.

Then they shifted the posts by saying "it is not HER but HIM". That defeatist approach was also very ridiculous because the ticket of a presidential candidature is incomplete without a running mate. The flagbearer and his running mates, come together to constitute the ticket. Without the other, the ticket cannot be complete. That is the legal disposition. So what sense does it make to say it is not HER but HIM?

They used the entire four years attacking JM, blaming him for every woes of this country as though he was the one still ruling the country.

When he became the NDC flagbearer after a fierce presidential primaries, they started telling Ghanaians that the NDC has no message.

When John Dramani Mahama started dropping policies upon policies, they quickly ran away from the lack of message only to say that the policy alternatives amount to deception.

At the time JM started announcing some of the policies, I thought that was the beginning of an intellectual engagement on the policy alternatives that could salvage this country from its economic woes. Alas! the NPP says round two. For them, "round 2", "fours years more for Nana to do more", are their policies. They do not know that policies are different from sloganeering.

The J&J ticket appears selling and shaking the political atmosphere. The euphoria among the Ghanaian populace following the nomination of Jane has been that which kept the nerves of the NPP extremely uneasy.

So far, the NDC continue to focus on its message and using various platforms to explain same. This is convincing many floating voters and the NPP think that the best thing to do at this point is to leverage on tangentials and smear campaign. This strategy is quite primitive and cannot stand the test of time in the 21st century politics.

The NPP should be calling on the John Dramani Mahama for a policy debate and not surviving on petty politics.

We are not interested in majoring the minors and leaving the majors. We are really interested in intellectual engagement.

We have a porous security system.

We have an escalating unemployment situation occasioned by needless collapse of local businesses.

We have increasing cases of corruption and corruption fighting institutions have not been able to arrest it because of political interference.

There is moral decadence in public institutions including our public schools. Discipline is thrown to the dogs and we are not worried?

We have various cases of human right abuses.

Covid-19 pandemic still remains a threat, protocols are disrespected by politicians.

Our health delivery system is poor and need pragmatic reconstruction and you believe in smear campaign?

What are we doing to expand infrastructure to remove this double tracking?

What are we doing to expand infrastructure at the tertiary institutions to take care of the increasing numbers in the SHS?

Our economy is surviving on reckless borrowing. Our appetite for borrowing has unprecedentedly increased. Is that the Ghana beyond aid?

Our natural resources are collateralised and mortgaged for loans that end up in stomachs.

We have so much to think about. We must think and think and decide on a new path of our economic growth. The economy is in shambles and surviving only on borrowing and manipulation of data. Let's get serious and not be pitifully petty!!

The Ghanaian cedi continue to depreciate even though Bawumia says that the cedi is the best!

The Economy is projected to grow negatively. Let's think!

We are doing poorly on media freedom. What are we doing?

Citizens are losing trust and confidence in our public institutions. Will name calling and insults improve the situation? Obviously No!

Tribalism and ethnocentrism have gained notoriety, virtually killing our nationhood and sense of harmony, unity and collectivization. Any responsible politician should be worried and thinking of salvaging the situation.

Country men and women, we have a country to rescue!

Denis Andaban

The village boy from DBI
Come November, Maharashtra will have a unit of six elephants to tackle the human-tiger conflict at Chandrapur.

Three trained elephants from Karnataka will be brought to Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) buffer area. These elephants will join the three other elephants at the reserve area to curb conflicts across wildlife habitats interspersed with villages. The decision was presented before the State Board of Wildlife (SBWL) during its August 7 meeting.

Nitin Kakodkar, principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife), said, All formalities to bring the three tuskers from Mathidogu and Dubare elephant camps in Karnataka have been completed. The three elephants already at the TATR buffer help in patrolling and are being trained for tracking tiger movement.

Forest officials said Bhim, one of the three trained elephants from Karnataka to make their way to Maharashtra to tackle conflict, was originally from Sindhudurg district.

The elephant, along with a herd of two other elephants, was captured in March 2015 after being involved in several instances of crop damage. The elephant was relocated to Dubare camp in Karnataka, where he was trained specifically in tracking tigers and patrolling forests. Bhim will now return back to Maharashtra as per the agreement with the Karnataka forest department, said Kakodkar.

While tracking tigers, elephants can help the forest department navigate through difficult terrain (dense forest patches that are not easily accessible through foot patrolling or vehicles) and unfavourable weather, in addition to providing an elevated view of the landscape, allowing easy and safe tranquilisation of animals, and surround tigers easily once located.

We are already in the process of recruiting mahouts (elephant riders). However, forests in Maharashtra are dry and deciduous, and elephants need a lot of fodder. In summers, it becomes difficult to feed them. As they are also let out in the evening, theres a possible damage to the bamboos in the Tadoba buffer, said Kakodkar.

The forest patches of Chandrapur district, which are home to 175 of the 312 tigers, account for 56% of the estimated tiger numbers in the state, resulting in this landscape witnessing the maximum human-animal conflict in India. Of the 27 human deaths owing to tiger attacks in Maharashtra between January and August, 23 were from Chandrapur. So far, four tigers  including three from Chandrapur  involved in the conflict, have been captured.

Training elephants to address conflict was proposed over a decade ago. However, the proposal was stalled after a mahout was attacked and killed by a trained elephant at the TATR buffer last year. In another case, the same elephant killed a woman in Yavatmal district in October 2018 as well as a man in the adjoining Wardha district.

We are exploring the possibility of recruiting experienced fodder cutters (assistants to mahouts) as mahouts since they are traditionally equipped to train the elephants better. Unfortunately, any class 4 recruitment for the forest department needs a Class 10 certificate. We requested the state to waive off this educational qualification requirement for the fodder cutters, said Kakodkar.

SBWL members explained that elephants are used for collecting and transporting wood at Melghat and Gadchiroli district.

A few years ago, elephants were brought from Gadchiroli for tourism purposes (safari) in spite of our opposition. However, using elephants to tackle conflict is welcome. Gadchiroli and Melghat elephants can be trained for tackling conflict. Also, tranquilising tigers using elephants and restricting the movement of the wild cats is a much easier and safer option, said Kishor Rithe, member, SBWL.

In December 2018, the swift capture of slain tigress (T1) Avnis female cub was carried out with the help of trained elephants from Madhya Pradesh. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) then suggested the Maharashtra government to train elephants similarly like MP.

Bringing elephants to this particular landscape is extremely important, considering the present situation. It is always better to track tigers using elephants as they are versatile animals. Its also one of the proven concepts of tackling conflict, said SP Yadav, member secretary, NTCA.

Experts said more focus should be on an alert system where villagers can be informed in time if a tiger is lurking in the vicinity. The Chandrapur landscape is pretty vast and Maharashtra is lagging behind in terms of tiger monitoring using elephants, which is regularly done across Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttarakhand since at least a decade now, said Nitin Desai, director (central India), Wildlife Protection Society of India.

TIGERS IN CHANDRAPUR

Apart from the 82 tigers in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), The Status of Tigers, Co-predators and Prey in India 2018-19 study, identified 23 tigers in Central Chanda, 31 in forests, 39 in Brahmapuri, taking the tally in Chandrapur to 175 tigers. Combined with wildlife sanctuaries of Karandla (11 tigers) and Tipeswar (five tigers) and Bor (six), the tiger population in Vidarbha block was estimated at 219 (ranging from 185 to 252).

The Chandrapur area has become overpopulated, which is a worry, and there is a need for controlling the tiger population, said YV Jhala, lead author of the report that called for dispassionate, and professional removal of problem individual tigers, as per NTCA protocol.

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Another week, another row in Northern Ireland, this time about actual Northern Ireland.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week used the opulent surroundings of Hillsborough Castle to announce his plans to establish a centenary forum and historical advisory panel as we head for Northern Ireland's 100th birthday.

As anyone who reads their history books will know, Northern Ireland was created in May 1921 through the partition of Ireland.

Boris told those present at Hillsborough that it was important that we all celebrate "Northern Ireland's people, culture and traditions, along with its vital contribution to the United Kingdom".

He also said that the places and products of Northern Ireland, with its rich sporting, cultural, entrepreneurial and academic talent, deserved to be showcased and celebrated.

That sounds great, but Boris must ultimately remember that this is Northern Ireland.

Much like a wedding between two families who merely tolerate each other, this particular party could also end with uncles from either side - full of beer and gravy, with their wedding ties around their heads in the spirit of Rambo - rolling around some car park throwing punches at 3am.

Has there ever been a celebration in Northern Ireland that wasn't slammed by one side or the other? Is it even a proper event if it's not disputed, protested or complained about by one side of the community?

Even the Olympic Torch, a symbol of both enlightenment and hope, passing through Derry in 2012 was reason enough for protests and scuffles in the street. Pride marches are picketed every year by those condemning our gay brothers and sisters.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said that the centenary was "nothing to celebrate" for nationalists and republicans.

"The north was built on sectarianism, gerrymandering and an in-built unionist majority and that is not something that I would ever celebrate," she added.

Meanwhile, DUP leader Arlene Foster said that it should be "an event for the whole country, looking forward to the future, looking forward to our young people having a place in the world".

"It is important that we recognise the reality that Northern Ireland is part of the UK and has been for 100 years," she stressed.

Northern Ireland is still a very divided place and our history and our commemorations will continue to remind us of that for the next 100 years at least.

Commemorating the dead, commemorating the 'heroes' of one side or the other, commemorating wars and victories and marching to the tune of only your own drum will always cause unease with your neighbour.

There will be some who will happily celebrate the birth of Northern Ireland and there will be some who will resent it being marked at all. That is just how we are here. That is just how Northern Ireland people are wired.

Perhaps some day we will all come together and celebrate our quirkiness and uniqueness without the party being coloured by politics or religion. Wouldn't that be a fine thing? A big Northern Irish weirdness party and you're all invited.
Sunday, August 16th, 2020 (12:01 am) - Score 3,091

Earlier this year F&W Networks, supported by retail UK ISP division Hey!Broadband, began to deploy a new 10Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network (here) to cover 5,000 premises around the town centre of Horsham (West Sussex). The good news is that theyre extending this to another 10,000 homes.

The long-term aspiration of the Altrincham-based full fibre builder F&WN is to cover over 1 million UK premises by 2024 (here), although this isnt all via FTTP. In locations where full fibre infrastructure is not viable then the provider has indicated that they would consider deploying a 100Mbps Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) broadband network instead.

NOTE: F&W simply stands for Fibre and Wireless Networks.

As it stands today the operators focus is still fixed on completing their deployment in the market town of Horsham, which began in January 2020. However by the sounds of it (WS County Times) they will soon (over the next 3 months) be starting their Phase Two roll-out in the area, which looks set to cover another 10,000 premises. At present though we cant see details of any planned roadworks.

Marta Comas, CEO of Hey!Broadband, said: The interest in our initial provision of fibre broadband in Horsham has been amazing. And, with the feedback we are getting on Trustpilot, we know we are getting it right. Lockdown did put a delay on our second roll out phase, but as we continue to connect the next 10,000 homes across Horsham, the interest logged on our website will be used to prioritise those homes and businesses that have already made initial contact.

Customers can expect unlimited packages that cost from 35 per month for speeds of 250Mbps (50Mbps upload) or 40 for 1000Mbps (symmetrical upload), which comes with unlimited usage, a wireless router, an 18-month contract term, parental controls and free installation.
A panel of state finance ministers on Friday veered around a proposal to levy 3 per cent GST on sale of old gold and jewellery to check tax evasion, Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac said.

The Group of Ministers (GoM) also decided to implement e-way bill for transportation of gold within the states, but implementing it for inter-state movement was not considered feasible.

The panel also decided to make it mandatory for gold and jewellery shops to generate e-invoice for every purchase and sale transaction.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi said the GoM reached a consensus on letting states decide whether to have e-way bill for intra-state movement of gold.

It was decided that if any state wants to implement e-way bill for gold, they can do so for intra- or within the state transportation, he told PTI.

Modi, who also holds the finance portfolio, said while Kerala and Karnataka wanted e-way bill for inter-state movement of goods, Gujarat and Bihar felt it was not practical and feasible.

The GoM, comprising finance ministers of Kerala, Bihar, Gujarat, Punjab, Karnataka and West Bengal, set up to examine feasibility of implementation of e-way bill for movement of gold and precious stones met via video conferencing.

Isaac said the GoM arrived at a consensus on bringing sale of old gold within the GST ambit under reverse charge mechanism (RCM).

It was decided that sale of old gold will attract GST at 3 per cent under RCM. The officers committee will now work on the modalities, Isaac told PTI.

Isaac said this would put a check on tax evasion as currently most of the smuggled gold is sold as old jewellery to evade GST.

Under RCM, the buyer would be liable to collect and deposit the GST with the government.

Isaac further said the GoM has decided to start e-invoicing for jewellery traders which will help track down the end-user of gold.

The discussion was that the threshold for e-invoice should be at Rs 5 crore, he said.

The GoM, set up by the GST Council in November 2019, was also tasked to suggest alternative ways and mechanism to control tax evasion on gold.

The final report of the GoM would be placed before the Council.

Under the goods and services tax regime, e-way bills are required for inter-state transportation of goods valued over Rs 50,000. However, gold is exempted.

In the electronic way (e-way) bill system, businesses and transporters have to produce the e-way bill before a GST inspector bill, if asked.

AMRG & Associates Senior Partner Rajat Mohan said levying GST on reverse charge basis in case of procurements from non-registered persons would help arrest the rampant tax evasion happening in case of jewellery trade.

This step would also help limit the circulation of smuggled gold in India as the tax arbitrage for the blackmarketeers would fall by 3 percent of gross value, Mohan added.
The witches and wizards meeting

According to a report by The PUNCH, a renowned Ifa priest, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, on Thursday, hosted the maiden anniversary of Progressive Witches and Wizards Association in Osun.

The meeting held at the Araba castle in Osogbo.

During the meeting, Elebuibon charged members of the group to seek knowledge about themselves and use their natural powers to improve their individual fortune and help the country.

He urged leaders and security agencies in the country to work towards putting an end to the shedding of blood.

He warned Nigerians, especially traditionalists not to engage in the killing of fellow men to avoid impending punishment hanging on people behind bloodshedding in the country.

Elebuibon said, Eledumare is displeased with the shedding of the blood of innocent Nigerians. And there is grave punishment for that. It is happening in the north and down south. Political leaders and heads of security agencies in Nigeria must work to put an end to this. If they fail to do that, the consequences will be too heavy for this country.

In her remarks, the coordinator of the group, Oyelola Elebuibon, opined that people have an erroneous idea of what witchcraft means, saying members of the group are good husbands, wives, and mothers, that would always work for the progress of their families and well-wishers.



She urged the witches and wizards to be of good behavior and put up acts that would encourage people of other faith to seek more knowledge about them.
Thousands of voters have called government offices in recent days to ask whether it is still safe to mail their ballots, according to officials across the country. Attorneys general from at least six states are huddling to discuss possible lawsuits against the administration to block it from reducing mail service between now and the election, several told The Washington Post. State leaders are scrambling to see whether they can change rules to give voters more options, and Democrats are planning a massive public education campaign to shore up trust in the vote and the Postal Service.
Rival protests took place across Belarus on Sunday as tensions over last weekend's disputed presidential election continued to mount and Russia pledged support for incumbent Alexander Lukashenko.

Thousands gathered in a square near Belarus' main government building in the capital, Minsk, for a rally to support Lukashenko, who is facing his biggest challenge since taking power 26 years ago after the fall of the Soviet Union.

He moved to declare election victory last Sunday with 80 percent of the vote over opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, which has prompted protests across the country every day since. Opponents say the election was rigged to disguise the fact that he has lost public support.

A least two protesters have been killed and thousands have been detained, although some were released on Friday. Dozens of protesters and police officers have been injured.

Image: BELARUS-VOTE-DEMO (Siarhei Leskiec / AFP - Getty Images)

There have been widespread allegations of torture and beating as those who were detained started telling their stories,further exacerbating public anger toward the government.

In front of his own supporters on Sunday  many chanting his nickname "Batka," or father  Lukashenko delivered a long and rambling speech that saw him claim that the opposition was being manipulated by foreign powers.

If we go along with them, we will die as a country, as a people, as a nation, he said.

The man dubbed Europe's "last dictator" has the backing of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who told Lukashenko that Russia was ready to assist Belarus in accordance with a collective security treaty if necessary, according to a statement from the Kremlin on Sunday.

It also said external pressure was being applied to Belarus, although it did not specify from where.

Lukashenko and Putin have spoken twice this weekend.

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This support did not deter tens of thousands who want Lukashenko to quit from organizing their own "March of Freedom" in Minsk and other cities across the country. Some predicted it could become the largest demonstration Belarus has ever seen.

Story continues

Many were wearing white, and carrying white and red balloons, a nod to the old Belarusian flag. Crowds shouted Live Belarus and Leave, their chants aimed at Lukashenko.

Maria Kolesnikova, one of Tsikhanouskayas aides who stayed in Minsk, addressed the rally, urging for the president to quit.

We are a majority. We are together, she said, calling those behind the violent crackdown to be held accountable. Twenty six years of horror must end, she said referring to Lukashenkos time in power.

Ahead of the demonstration, Tsikhanouskaya, who emerged from obscurity a few weeks ago to take her husband's place in the election campaign after he was jailed, called for peaceful protests in a video message posted online on Friday.

After fleeing to neighboring Lithuania earlier this week, she has also called for the formation a national council to facilitate a power transfer.

Heeding her call, demonstrators gathered Saturday in an area where a protester died during the first days of the protests. Some laid flowers in his honor, as passing cars blared their horns.

Image: Opposition supporters protest against presidential election results in Minsk (Vasily Fedosenko / Reuters)

The crowd also converged outside the state broadcaster BT, denouncing it for not properly covering the protests, Reuters reported. Several staff, including presenters, walked out of the building, saying they had resigned.

They were the latest in a wave of professionals denouncing state crackdowns on protests, amid them the workers at some of the countrys biggest state-run industrial plants, the backbone of Lukashenkos Soviet-style economic model.

Workers at state-owned manufacturing enterprises began to join the protests on Thursday and labor strikes calling for Lukashenko to step down have spread across the country.

They were joined by thousands of female protesters who have formed solidarity chains, many wearing white T-shirts, ribbons and bracelets to represent peace.

Foreign observers and governments have called on Belarusian authorities to stop the crackdown on protesters, with the European Union considering sanctions.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo previously said the vote was neither free nor fair.

"Our common objective is to support the Belarusian people," Pompeo said Saturday at a news conference in Warsaw, Poland. "These people are demanding the same things that every human being wants."

Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
President Akufo-Addo has commended the Electoral Commission for conducting a successful registration exercise despite the naysayers.



While admiting that, "there were genuine and understandable concerns about conducting such a complex exercise, he however, pointed out that "at the end of the day, Ghanaians did their civic duty by going out to register having found that the process was peaceful and safe.



The President, who was addressing the nation in the 15th edition of COVID-19 update, indicated that even people who put their lives on the line, swearing that the exercise will not take place; ended up registering.



"...there were those who expressed various degrees of hysterical and negativity towards the exercise; some who swore heaven and hell to resist the compilation of the register at the peril of their lives ending up registering," he shaded.



"By the Grace of God, the work of the Electoral Commission and the effective measures put in place by government, these prophecies of doom did not materialize," the President added.



Tribal sentiments



President Akufo-Addo also touched on reports of tribal comments against the EC and his government.



He said: "the professional Jeremiahs and naysayers who seek cynically to make a profitable industry out of spreading falsehoods fear and panic-stoking divisive ethnic sentiments underestimate the resolve and the determination of Ghanaians to build a united democratic peaceful and happy Ghana; we will continue to work hard to prove them wrong."









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.

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A total of 232 Vietnamese returning from Malaysia who were in quarantine in the south central province of Ninh Thuan had first test results negative for SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to the provincial Center for Disease Control.

The cases, including 167 women and 65 men all are in good health, showing no signs of the virus such as a fever, a cough, or shortness of breath.

According to Nguyen Nhi Linh, director of the the provincial Center for Disease Control, three cases with symptoms of another disease (other than COVID -19), were transferred to a separate treatment area for quarantine people at the General Hospital of Ninh Thuan province for treatment.

In addition to the aforesaid 232 isolated cases, two other returnees from Da Nang, had their samples taken for testing the SARS-CoV-2 virus by the Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control in Ninh Thuan, and they are waiting for the results.

The two cases are being currently placed into isolation at their accommodation, with their health condition remaining normal.

VOV

COVID-19: 11 new cases bring national tally to 962 Vietnam has registered 11 more new cases of COVID-19, including 11 detected in Da Nang outbreak, one in Hanoi capital and two of entry, lifting the national tally to 962, the Ministry of Health reported on August 16 afternoon.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (WIBW) - A recent study shows that Boston Terriers are the most popular breed of dog in the Kansas City area. Rover.com, a website dedicated to dogs, says it has recently conducted a study on the most popular breeds of dog in America.
The Nigerian Army has transferred a Lance Corporal, Idakpini Martins, from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja to Sokoto State to face a court-martial.

Mr Martins in a published video criticised the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratais handling of the Boko Haram crisis.

The soldiers lawyer, Tope Akinyode, told PREMIUM TIMES about the transfer on Saturday.

A senior army officer who asked not to be named also confirmed the transfer saying the army did so because Mr Martins committed his offence in Sokoto.

The source said the soldier will likely face the court-martial on Monday.

The lance corporal was apprehended on June 20 following the video he released online condemning Mr Buratai and President Muhammadu Buhari over alleged failure to provide adequate resources to soldiers combating Boko Haram.

He was detained in Abuja and denied legal representation for a month until Mr Akinyode, a rights lawyer, approached a Federal High Court, Abuja to file a rights violation lawsuit.

On July 22, Justice A. I. Chikere granted Mr Martins access to his lawyer and relative. He said the Nigerian Armys action is against the fundamental human rights of citizens.

Despite the court order, this newspaper reported that the army on several occasions refused to obey, hence, denying Mr Martins the right to see his lawyer and families.

On Saturday, Mr Akinyode told our correspondent that Mr Martins would be tried before a court-martial in Sokoto on Monday.

He alleged that the army is forcing a lawyer from within the military on Lance Corporal Martins in a desperate attempt to jeopardize the case and wrongly convict the detained soldier.

Lieutenant-General, Tukur Buratai  CAS

Lance Corporal Martins has been brutalized and subjected to a great deal of dehumanizing treatment. He was also denied food and has therefore developed Ulcer, he told PREMIUM TIMES.

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He said efforts are ongoing to resist the move by the army.

Although soldiers considered to have violated army rules can be subjected to a court-martial, they have the right to choose their own lawyers including from outside the army.

PREMIUM TIMES contacted the Nigerian Army spokesperson, Sagir Musa, on Saturday and Sunday to explain the stance of the army.

Mr Musa declined to comment on the matter.

The Boko Haram insurgency has continued, largely in North-east Nigeria, since 2009.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced due to the insurgency.

Boko Haram attack on UN helicopter

Many Nigerian soldiers including the army hierarchy have blamed insufficient fighting equipment as one of the reasons the terrorists have not been defeated.

President Buhari has also acknowledged the lack of adequate weapons to defeat the terrorists and recently said his government was getting new weapons from Jordan, China and the U.S.
Indian equity benchmarks slipped into the red in the week gone by due to profit-booking amid mixed global cues.

The S&P BSE Sensex wiped out gains made during the past week and closed with a minor cut of 0.4 percent while the Nifty50 fell 0.3 percent for the week ended August 14.

The S&P BSE Mid-cap index rose 1.5 percent, and the S&P BSE Small-cap index closed with gains of 1.3 percent for the week ended August 14.

In the previous trading session, the Sensex closed 433 points, or 1.13 percent, lower at 37,877.34 and the Nifty ended at 11,178.40, down 122 points or 1.08 percent.

"On Monday, the market would wait for further developments in the Telecom AGR case hearing on the domestic front while on the global front, the US-China meeting over the weekend would provide some direction," said Siddharth Khemka, Head  Retail Research, Motilal Oswal Financial Services.

"Nifty formed a small bearish candle on a weekly scale which looks like a small pause in overall positive momentum. Now, it has to cross and hold above 11,250 to witness an up move towards 11,350-11,400 while the support exists at 11,100-11,050," Khemka said.

We have collated 15 data points to help you spot profitable trades:

Note: The open interest (OI) and volume data of stocks given in this story are the aggregates of three-month data and not of the current month only.

Key support and resistance levels for the Nifty

According to pivot charts, the key support level for the Nifty is placed at 11,071.2, followed by 10,964. If the index moves up, the key resistance levels to watch out for are 11,325.9 and 11,473.4.

Nifty Bank

Bank Nifty closed 2.33 percent lower at 21,679.40 on August 14. The important pivot level, which will act as crucial support for the index, is placed at 21,314.03, followed by 20,948.67. On the upside, key resistance levels are placed at 22,189.83 and 22,700.27.

Call option data

Maximum call OI of nearly 22.55 lakh contracts was seen at 11,500 strikes, which will act as crucial resistance in the August series.

This is followed by 11,300, which holds 15.56 lakh contracts, and 11,400 strikes, which has accumulated 12.32 lakh contracts.

Call writing was seen at 11,200, which added 2.83 lakh contracts, followed by 11,300, which added 2.40 lakh contracts, and 11,700 strikes, which added 1.25 lakh contracts.

Call unwinding was seen at 11,600, which shed 77,475 contracts, followed by 11,500 strikes, which shed 65,925 contracts.

Put option data

Maximum put OI of 33.74 lakh contracts was seen at 11,000 strikes, which will act as crucial support in the August series.

This is followed by 11,100, which holds 16.66 lakh contracts, and 11,200 strikes, which has accumulated 15.25 lakh contracts.

Put writing was seen at 11,100, which added 2.61 lakh contracts, followed by 10,800, which added 1.54 lakh contracts, and 10,900 strikes, which added 1.45 lakh contracts.

Put unwinding was witnessed at 11,500, which shed 45,075 contracts, followed by 11,400 strikes, which shed 31,425 contracts.

Stocks with a high delivery percentage

A high delivery percentage suggests that investors are showing interest in these stocks.

8 stocks saw long build-up

75 stocks saw long unwinding

Based on the OI future percentage, here are the top 10 stocks in which long unwinding was seen.

41 stocks saw short build-up

An increase in OI, along with a decrease in price, mostly indicates a build-up of short positions. Based on the OI future percentage, here are the top 10 stocks in which short build-up was seen.

15 stocks witnessed short-covering

A decrease in OI, along with an increase in price, mostly indicates a short-covering.

Bulk deals

(For more bulk deals, click here)

Results on August 17

Petronet LNG, Can Fin Homes, Lux Industries, Orient Paper, Sical Logistics, Suven Pharmaceuticals, etc.

Stocks in the news

Fortis Healthcare Q1: Loss at Rs 187.9 crore versus profit of Rs 78 crore, revenue at Rs 605.9 crore versus Rs 1,138.3 crore (YoY).

Sun TV Network Q1: Profit at Rs 282.8 crore versus Rs 381.8 crore, revenue at Rs 606.1 crore versus Rs 1,080.4 crore (YoY).

Berger Paints Q1: Profit at Rs 15.1 crore versus Rs 176.4 crore, revenue at Rs 930.8 crore versus Rs 1,716.5 crore (YoY).

Lupin: Company announced results from its Phase 3 clinical trial to assess the efficacy and safety of single-dose Solosec in female patients with trichomoniasis.

NLC India: Company issued Commercial Paper of Rs 1,000 crore in favour of SBI Mutual Fund  SBI Liquid Fund.

Borosil Q1: Loss at Rs 7.4 crore versus profit at Rs 10.78 crore, revenue at Rs 56 crore versus Rs 129 crore YoY.

Jindal Steel & Power: SBICAP Trustee Company increased its stake in the company to 8.47 percent from 4.23 percent earlier.

Zee Learn: RattanIndia Finance acquired a 6.42 percent stake in the company by the invocation of pledge on August 12.

Fund flow

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) bought shares worth Rs 46.39 crore while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) sold shares worth Rs 797.08 crore in the Indian equity market on August 14, as per provisional data available on the NSE.

Stock under F&O ban on NSE

Nine stocks -- Ashok Leyland, Aurobindo Pharma, Bata India, Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL), Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Vodafone Idea, Manappuram Finance, Steel Authority of India (SAIL) and Vedanta -- are under the F&O ban for August 17. Securities in the ban period under the F&O segment include companies in which the security has crossed 95 percent of the market-wide position limit.
Having stayed away from Twitter for almost two months, Sonakshi Sinha admits her life has changed for the better and she has no plans of coming back on the platform anytime soon. In an exclusive conversation with Hindustan Times, the actor talks about what made her quit the social media platform, the raging nepotism and insider vs outsider debate, attacks on star kids and their films, mental health concerns, and spearheading AbBas, an initiative against social media bullying.

How have the last two months been  did you miss the buzz or enjoyed staying away from all the toxicity?

More than the buzz, it was a buzz kill. Twitter has become such a playing ground for negativity with people going on and on about anything and everything and in such a gutsy manner. Its not something Id want in my life, anyway. Also, we spend more time on the internet than in real, so I think they should really be cleaned up, and which is why I got off it. My life has changed for the better, its much cleaner, so I have no complaints. And Ive also put my comments off on Instagram.

But is quitting a social media or restricting comments, a long term solution to keep trolls at bay?

Social media, for me, has always been a way to connect with my fans. And Ive always put out the things that I want to share with the world. But theres so much of uninvited negativity. Im really okay without that. However, I feel sad because so many of my fans have been cut off, theres no interaction anymore with them, but Ive to safeguard myself, too. Today, Id want to tell young people, all young boys and girl, whore impressionable, that your life is not successful because of the number of likes, followers and the validation that you get on the internet.

Are you planning to come back anytime soon?

No. Im actually happier because I have one less social media account to manage (laughs).

In between, you came up with this anti cyber bullying initiative  AbBas. What was the trigger?

You see people have been at home for five months now, and theres a lot of frustration thats coming out on the internet. So, it seems like a very gradual buildup of hatred and negativity online. Thats really what kind of drove me to do this. I firmly believe that if something cant be said to someones face  because therell consequences  people need to know there are consequences even if you say it online. So, I wanted to make people aware that if theres someone treating you in a certain way online, action can be taken against them, and you can safeguard and protect yourself. For the longest time, even Ive been ignoring or blocking such people, but its time, as its really getting out of hands. Forget being an actor, nobody should be subjected to that kind of behaviour or threats at all.

So what is that people facing cyber bullying should ideally do in such a scenario?

Theyre already reporting on the platform, but honestly, I think its still not strong enough a thing to do because even if you report a person and the account is deleted, they can make another account and come back. But if the harassment is of a level where its mentally traumatising you, affecting you and your circumstances, at home or family, and your mental state of mind, then you must complain to the police, They have a cyber cell and the culprit can be convicted for three to seven years, which majority of people dont even know. Since the time weve started this initiative, informing the people of the things that can change and the consequences, weve noticed that from thousands of trolling comments and abuses, it has trickled down to like three or four. So, I think its really important to create the awareness, and just instil that fear of God in these people that they cant get away anymore.

Were seeing this tendency on social media that star kids are being mercilessly trolled, more so with the insiders vs outsiders debate raging. How fair is that?

Nobody likes to hear abuses about themselves for what  for being actors? For being born to a particular set of parents? Im sorry! Wheres the logic in that? Its been blown so much out of proportion. Has anybody really counted  today there are more outsiders than so called insiders in the industry, who have made it very big and have lots of work, more than people whore grown up in any film family. Why nobody raises that point? So, theres a lot of misdirected anger about a lot of things, a herd mentality and people are being bhadkaoed. One person said something, and the whole world starts attacking star kids without putting any sense into it. Okay, fine, being related to a film family can help in that first meeting or that first audition or that first film. But, after that, what? This this whole hullabaloo about, Oh, somebody can make or break someone, Im sorry, nobody can make or break anyone except for the audience. Were all here today because our audience has accepted us to some extent whether its an insider or an outsider. We respect that. If audience doesnt accept a person, his career wont go anywhere. So, its sad to attack star kids... we work hard and put in as much hard work as anybody else.

WE ALL WANT JUSTICE FOR SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT We all have suffered a very big loss (Sushant Singh Rajput)  the industry, his fans and everyone. So theres a lot of hurt thats there and thatll be there until people get some sort of closure and justice for him. Everybody wants it. Just because were not being vocal about it, or putting out stories or posts every day, doesnt mean that we dont want it. Of course, we want it. But, till that happens, I think people will, kind of express their hurt and anger. We are all hurt, but were also getting abused and all, and its not that we dont care.

As someone born into a film family, how do you look at this whole nepotism debate? Have you ever used your last name to make your way into a film or deprive someone else of a chance?

See, it might be happening (in Bollywood), but it happens everywhere else as well. The word nepotism isnt only limited to the film industry. Today, a businessman will hand over his business to his son, and not to a random person based on merit, no matter how good he is, his family would come first. And I find it so amusing that this word nepotism has been introduced and sensationalized by a person whose sister is managing their work. And I dont think I really want to give it that much more importance. Having said that, my father (Shatrughan Sinha) has never picked up the phone and called any producer to say, Take my daughter in your film. I was offered Dabangg (2010) because yes, my family knew Salman Khans family, but thats it. They saw me, thought Ill fit the role, and I was offered the film. After that, I had to work very hard. Ive always been very punctual. I have a very good work ethics and the audience accepted me. These are the four things that have helped me sustain a career for ten years right now.

What about films of star kids facing flak, for instance Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, received backlash and Sadak 2 trailer became the most disliked?

These people are calling out young girls  Ananya Panday, Alia Bhatt, Janhvi Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor  imagine what theyd be going through. Its just not nice. Though I know theyre very strong girls and are keeping their chin up and sailing through it, so Im happy about that.

I understand people are hurt right now, and I get it they need to vent somewhere. But some people dont even understand the word nepotism. It actually means giving your own family more favour than a person whos not from the family. All the people being attacked for nepotism were not even launched by their families, so its bizarre whats happening.

You also have a film coming up, Bhuj: The Pride of India  are you scared of facing similar backlash?

Its a film about the 1971 war, glorifying the role of a very brave Indian. If people decide to boycott a film like that, that says a lot about them, and not really the film. And you may like or not like something, but why are you asking others to hate something you dont like? That, I dont understand. Im very proud of being a part of the film like this, and Im sure people will love it because its a story about India that needs to be told.

Does such trolling and bullying get too much to handle at times?

Of course, its a lot of negativity to be subjected to, and it makes so many people turn against you for really no fault of yours. It doesnt feel good, and it does affect peoples mental health. It has just become really, really sad. Im not liking the current state of affairs at all.

TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH BUT NOT ATTACK OTHERS While youre talking about someone elses mental health  and weve seen what it can drive a person to do  you cant attack other people and subject them to so much pain, hatred and negativity. The whole process gets defeated. Theres a lot of social stigma around mental health, so people are afraid to reach out to someone and go see a therapist. There needs to be more awareness created along those lines,so people step up, take action and protect themselves. Make them realise its okay to seek help and its not a sign of weakness.

The scenario right now is such that everyone is thinking twice before speaking or putting up anything on social media. Do you find this a needless pressure created on celebs, by trolls?

I dont understand why people have so many expectations of you, and if youre not complying to what theyre saying, feeling or thinking, you end up getting trolled. This is something that needs to stop. I feel its about time we all create some awareness about this, and work towards changing this.

Interact with the author on Twitter @monikarawal
The Cameron Peak fire near Chambers Lake, about 60 miles west of Fort Collins, continues to spread as it burns in heavy timber stands over rug
Sally Roesch Wagner, Ph.D., is founder and executive director of the Matilda Joslyn Gage Center for Social Justice and Dialogue, in Fayetteville.

When Elizabeth Cloe Erdmann felt compelled to stand in front of the Matilda Joslyn Gage historic home in Fayetteville to protest the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, she followed the spirit of Gage. The sign she held carried the words of Gage. Sending the young Civil War recruits from Fayetteville off to war in 1862 with a flag sewn by the village women, Gage reminded them of why they would be fighting. Until liberty is attained--the broadest, the deepest, the highest liberty for all -- not one set alone, one clique alone, but for men and women, black and white, Irish, Germans, Americans, and Negroes, there can be no permanent peace.

Gages words resonated with Erdmann. The absence of justice for George Floyd, and all those African Americans who have been killed simply for being Black since the beginning of enslavement, means that we have no permanent peace. The absence of war, Gage believed, was not peace. It was the presence of justice and liberty. And citizens have an ongoing fight to attain that permanent peace of justice.

Gage walked her talk. The mother of two, pregnant with her third, she faced six months in jail and a fine of about $23,000 in todays money for offering her home as a station on the Underground Railroad. She broke the law again by attempting to vote when it was illegal in every state in the union for women to vote.

Inspired by Gage, Elizabeth Erdmann stood in front of Gages home and held her sign alone. But she wasnt alone for long. The Gage Foundation sent out an invitation to join her, and the next day a dozen people showed up. Soon there were 50.

A Black Lives Matter rally is held outside the Matilda Joslyn Gage Center and historic home, 210 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville, on July 11. The event, organized by Mookey Van Orden and Dominique Barr, both of Fayetteville, provided a platform for Black residents to talk about everyday experiences of racism. Michelle Gabel

Mookey Van Orden and Dominique Barr, two young Fayetteville residents, drove by one day and came back the next to join the demonstrators. The peaceful protest for justice continued, with Van Order and Barr taking leadership with Erdmann, to keep it going for 19 days. Its so important that we do this, Van Order said. The racial disparities in our society are pronounced and always have them. But now we seem to have this platform and people are listening. The Gage foundation has given us the lead and an amplified voice to bring our own communitys injustice to light.

Van Order and Barr organized a rally outside the Matilda Joslyn Gage Center July 11 focused on truth, justice, and education. Black Fayetteville residents shared their everyday experiences of racism in the community as 120 attendees, all wearing masks, learned ways they could use their privilege to take anti-racist actions.

Barr opened the ceremony with a land acknowledgment of the Onondaga Nation land while the sign in the front window of the Gage Home behind her read, Black Lives Matter, Native Lives Matter. It was pure Gage for she had demanded that the United States recognize that Native nations, like the six nations of the Confederacy, are sovereign nations, every bit as much as Canada and Mexico, Gage wrote. Treaties made with Indian nations had to be honored and respected, as all nation-to-nation treaties are, she claimed. Influenced by the Haudenosaunee egalitarian culture, where never was justice more perfect; never was civilization higher, she saw the position of Haudenosaunee women as a model to follow.

Native American women lived in a world free from violence against them. They controlled their own bodies and had control of their own possessions, while married women in the United States lost everything once they married, and their bodies and their property became their husbands'. They also had no right to their children; a dying husband in New York state could will his unborn child to be taken from the mother and given to someone else after his death. Children follow the mothers line among the Haudenosaunee, and stayed with the mothers clan family in the event of the mothers death.

Black Lives Matter rally organizers Mookey Van Orden and Dominique Barr, both of Fayetteville, are interviewed by a local television station outside the Matilda Joslyn Gage Center and historic home, 210 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville, before a rally on July 11. Michelle Gabel

Haudenosaunee women had political voice long before Columbus, Gage knew, and the clan mothers had the responsibility (still do) of nominating, holding in office and removing, if necessary, the chief who represented the clan in council. A chief, among other things, could never have abused a woman or child. Gage received an honorary adoption into the Wolf Clan of the Mohawk Nation in 1893, the same year she was arrested for voting for school commissioner in her own village.

Gage died in 1898, before the women suffrage 19th Amendment was passed in 1920, but as we commemorate the 100th anniversary of womens right to vote, she would remind us today that voter suppression denies people the right to vote just as much as the law did 100 years ago. Van Orden could have been channeling Gage when she reminded people at the rally, Theres a lot more work to do.

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United States President Donald Trump on August 15 said he could exert pressure on more Chinese companies such as technology giant Alibaba after he moved to ban TikTok.

Asked at a news conference whether there were other particular China-owned companies he was considering a ban on, such as Alibaba, Trump replied: "Well, we're looking at other things, yes."

Trump has been piling pressure on Chinese-owned companies, such as by vowing to ban short-video app TikTok from the United States. The United States ordered its Chinese owner ByteDance on August 14 to divest the U.S. operations of TikTok within 90 days, the latest effort to ramp up pressure over concerns about the safety of the personal data it handles.

Trump, who has made changing the US-China trade relationship a central theme of his presidency, has been sharply critical of China while also praising its purchases of agriculture products such as soybeans and corn as part of a trade agreement reached late last year.
The sister of a nun who has been credited with fertility miracles since her death in an earthquake has spoken of her pride of a new mural in her hometown.

Clare Crockett, 33, was killed in an earthquake in Ecuador in April 2016. The building she had been teaching music in collapsed.

Ms Crockett, from Londonderry, was a larger-than-life character who had been an actor before choosing the religious life. She turned down a chance to present on childrens TV channel Nickelodeon to become a nun.

Expand Close Sister Megan Nicell and Danny Doyle, godfather and uncle to the late nun, in front of the new mural (Brian Lawless/PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp Sister Megan Nicell and Danny Doyle, godfather and uncle to the late nun, in front of the new mural (Brian Lawless/PA)

She declared she would take her Holy Orders with the Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother order with a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other.

The mural of the nun has been painted in her native Brandywell in Derry, close to the Lady of Lourdes Grotto.

The painting was funded with money raised from the sale of candles dedicated to Sister Clare.

Ahead of a blessing service for the mural on Sunday evening, the nuns sister Megan Nicell credited the people of Derry.

They have been going on for a while about getting a mural done and they would have liked it beside the grotto, she told the PA News Agency.

Clare said she wrote a blank cheque every morning and whatever God wanted from her he wrote on the cheque and she gave it her all Megan Nicell

Clare is originally from the Brandywell. We made Sister Clare candles and the money we raised from that got the mural done. It was the people of Derry and beyond who got the mural done.

Ms Nicell described how pilgrims now travel from across the world to visit her sisters grave in the city cemetery.

A lot of people have said they have been praying to Clare and shes interceded for them, she said.

A lot of people have come with IVF stories and people who couldnt have children and went up to Clares grave and prayed to Clare, and now have their wee babies.

Expand Close Sister Clare Crockett was killed in an earthquake in Ecuador (Family handout/PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp Sister Clare Crockett was killed in an earthquake in Ecuador (Family handout/PA)

We have a lot from all over the world.

We were standing at the mural on Saturday and there were girls from America and Canada who were here to visit her grave. Its just constant.

My other sister Shauna, its just the two of us now, our phones never stop with people phoning for the candles. We were sending them everywhere  America, Glasgow, England, everywhere. People have great faith in her.

Sister Crocketts motto in life all or nothing is written on the new mural.

Clare said she wrote a blank cheque every morning and whatever God wanted from her he wrote on the cheque and she gave it her all, said Ms Nicell.
As August 15, the day in 1945 when Japan announced its surrender to bring an end to World War Two, approaches, concerns are mounting over whether Japanese politicians will again visit the Yasukuni Shrine or make offerings.

The country's Jiji News Agency has reported that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will refrain from visiting the shrine but make an offering as usual.

Trips and ritual offerings made in person or by proxy to the infamous shrine by Japanese leaders and officials have repeatedly sparked strong criticism because the visits are interpreted as a denial of history and belittling to countries brutalized by Japan during World War Two.

Yet 75 years on, the international community, especially those from countries who suffered, continue to look on in horror at Japan's attitude toward the anniversary.

Controversial visits, offerings to Yasukuni Shrine

Established in 1869 under Emperor Meiji, the Yasukuni Shrine honors 2.5 million Japanese war dead  including 14 Class-A war criminals.

The Class-A war criminals were found to be responsible for "crimes against peace" in post-World War Two trials and convicted of plotting and directing Japanese aggression.

On December 26, 2013, Abe visited the controversial shrine in person  the first time a sitting prime minister had done so in seven years  on the first anniversary of his second term in office.

Abe has not visited the shrine since, but has sent ritual offerings during spring and autumn festivals every year.

This year, Abe sent a ritual offering to the shrine on the first day of the two-day spring festival and the "masakaki" tree offering was made in the name of the prime minister.

In a departure from years past, since Abe assumed office in 2012 he has opted not to specifically mention Japan's brutal wartime aggression against its Asian neighbors.

Abe's equivocation on wartime atrocities carried out by Japan in the 1930s and 1940s has infuriated other Asian countries and even proven controversial with key ally the United States.

Abe's speech on the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two was criticized for not offering an apology, leaving historical issues to rankle for the foreseeable future.

Since the defeat of Japan in 1945, the vision to become a normal country has been gaining popularity in Japanese society, especially after the country's economic takeoff in the 1970s.

However, unlike Germany, Japan's journey to such a destination has been constantly disrupted by controversial moves in which prominent politicians either shied away from truly reflecting on the country's wartime atrocities or even attempted to stoke nostalgia for its military past.

Unanimous opposition at home and abroad

Since December 26, 2013, many countries have expressed their criticism and condemnation of Abe's act.

The government of South Korea expressed anger and took strong countermeasures. Statements were also issued by the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Japan to express disappointment towards Abe.

Russia clearly declared its opposition against Abe's visit. And many other Asian countries including Singapore, Pakistan and Indonesia all expressed regret and shock over the act. The then UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Germany urged Japan to "be sensitive to the feelings of Asian people" and to honor its commitment to repent for its history of aggression.

China has always firmly opposed these kinds of acts by Japanese politicians, stressing that it has broken the spirit of the four political documents between the two countries and urging Japan to earnestly implement the four-point principled agreement reached in late 2014 and reflect deeply on the history of its aggression.

Opposition has also come at home. On August 15 every year, hundreds of Japanese gather and protest against the visits or offerings from Japanese politicians, expressing their opposition to Japan's current war policy and calling for peace.

However, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga has said that Abe's offering to the shrine was his own "personal behavior" and the government would refrain from presenting views on this.

Some lawyers said that Abe's official visit to the shrine violated the constitutional separation of state and religion and infringed on various rights guaranteed by the constitution, such as the right to live peacefully.

Experts have also said that visits to the shrine by Japanese politicians are a politicized recasting of past aggression in peacetime.

Professor Akira Yamada at Meiji University said during an interview with CGTN that war memories in Japan are not accurately handed down, making it hard to discuss the brutal actions the country perpetrated against its neighbors.

The professor further pointed to Japan's mishandling of post-war diplomacy, saying that with tensions continually rising on war-time issues, the world needs to put more effort into clearing up the past for the sake of future relations.

"Japan has not completed the post-war settlement. Naturally, this would involve proper apologies. Otherwise, the disparity with the historical account will only widen and we cannot progress," said the expert.

(Video by Yu Yingtian, John Goodrich)
Irelands worsening incidence of Covid-19 is deeply concerning, the Taoiseach has said, promising deep analysis of what might be done in response.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly met the acting CMO, Dr Ronan Glynn today to discuss the recent spike in cases, a Government statement said.

They expressed deep concern at yesterdays figures. There will be a further analysis of the situation ahead of the Cabinet Committee on Covid, which will meet again on Tuesday.

The abrupt meeting came after Irelands rate of infection per 100,000 rose to 22.1, with 200 new cases reported on Saturday.

The infection rate surpasses that of the UK with 18.6 per 100,000, 16.3 in Germany and 14.2 in France.

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Labour Party spokesman on Education Aodhan O Riordain TD yesterday criticised the Tanaiste for his flippant remarks that Covid clusters in schools are inevitable.

That leads to an awful lot of uncertainty and worry among school communities. I think schools have to reopen and we've been saying this for a number of weeks now, he said.

But he added: Nothing can reopen, families can't function, if schools aren't back. Of course they have to get back safely, and now one of the issues is that we need rapid testing for teachers.

It is only reasonable that SNAs, teachers secretaries caretakers should be able to avail of rapid testing, he said.

But he said the Minister for Education should now appear in front of the Covid committee this week to talk through what scenarios and what sort of strategies will be in place by the Department".

We are trying to ensure that this can be successful. We don't want to unnecessarily frighten or scare children, young people, or their parents, but to work in a collegiate manner with Government, O Riordain said.

But it doesn't help when statements are made about school transport, about face coverings, about reopenings and there isn't a minister available either last week or this week to give that certainty to parents and students.

Sinn Fein spokesman on Health, David Cullinane TD, agreed, The priority has to be to get the schools reopened. I have three young boys myself. We want to see them back to school and parents want to see their children back to school.

The children of the nation need to be back in school. So we have to do everything that we possibly can.

We know that with the numbers that have come out, and theyre usually about 10 to 14 days behind reality, so that you're actually looking at a picture from the past, he said.

In about two weeks time schools are set to reopen. I think everybody will be concerned, and the acting Chief Medical Officer has expressed a deep concern. And I think what we have to do first and foremost is have a plan and a strategy in place to wrestle back control of this virus and to get it under control.

Unfortunately the numbers are going up; the number of contractions and cases are going up, the 14-day average per 100,000 is going up, the reproduction rate is going up, and the number of cases in the community is going up.

We also have three counties in a semi-lockdown if you like. And obviously, we have deep concerns here.

Mr Cullinane said there was a responsibility on individuals. Sometimes there are lapses, but it also responsibility of the Government to step up to the plate and make sure that we have the highest levels of prevention and enforcement measures in place.

We also need to see more from the State, more from the Government and from the Minister for Health. And rather than just announce new systems, they have to be followed by detail.
https://www.aish.com/jw/id/Israeli-Air-Force-Pilot-Fulfills-Dream-of-14-Year-Old-Holocaust-Victim.html

Every time he enters the cockpit, Lieutenant C recites Abramek Koplewicz's poem.

For Lieutenant C, one of Israels newest air force graduates, a poem written by a 13-year-old Holocaust victim about flying an airplane to the Holy Land has been a source of daily inspiration ever since he read it nine months into his training.

When I am twenty years old, Abramek Koplewicz wrote in his poem entitled Dream, In a motorized bird Ill sit, and to the reaches of space Ill rise. I will fly, I will float, to a beautiful faraway world

Abramek, aged 1 with his parents Mendel and Yocheved Gittel

The only son of Mendel and Yocheved Gittel Koplewicz, Abramek was ten years old when he and his parents were ordered into the Lodz Ghetto by the Nazis in 1940. A talented writer who wrote stories, poems and a diary in a notebook his parents gave him, he was deported to Auschwitz in 1944. Dream was written in 1943 when Abramek was just 13 years old and is now displayed in multiple languages in Yad Vashems gallery dedicated to the Lodz Ghetto.

Dream displayed at Yad Vashem

Childhood values

Lieutenant Cs father moved to Israel from South Africa at age 18 and served in an IDF combat unit. I definitely grew up with the understanding that others were defending me and that one day I would be one of those doing the defending, C says in an Aish.com interview. I never really had particular ambitions of being a pilot.

Growing up in a religious home, C points to the values that have shaped his decisions. I grew up with a feeling that you should always try to do your best in life, and that wasn't only about which career to choose, but also about what you do for the world and having a good heart. Every week my mother would make coffee and cake for the cleaner of our building and my father and I would give it to him. Small acts like this have motivated me to be the best I can, and I also try to do that for the betterment of the Jewish People.

Move to New York

When C was 16, about to begin the last two years of high school, his family moved to New York for his fathers work. Living in New York was great and I really enjoyed meeting new people, but it was obvious to me where my home was. When he turned 18, despite his family staying in New York, C returned to Israel to enlist as a lone soldier.

I would have been happy serving anywhere in the army as long as I was doing my best, C says. I was asked if I wanted to try out to be a pilot and thought why not give it a shot. Passing psychometric and physical tests, was admitted to the flight academy and began an intensive three years of training.

Lieutenant C reads Abremiks poem every time he flies

The army needs people everywhere in so many different units, he reasoned, It was only after reading Abramek Koplowiczs poem that I felt the magnitude of why and how I was serving Israel. As I read this boys dream about flying, I could see a reflection of myself in the uniform of the air force academy.

Along with the other air force cadets, C had taken a week out of combat training for a weeklong IDF educational seminar. One of the days included a trip to Yad Vashem.

I dont know how long I stood there reading it but I was literally shaking and weeping as I realized I was living out his dream. I couldnt speak.

C is pictured among Israels newest class of pilots, who will serve the Jewish People from the skies for the next 7 years.

In the air force, the planes are named after birds. So when I read those words 'Ill sit in a bird with an engine,' I felt even more connected to this little boys dream. He wrote down the poem and memorized it. When I first began flight training, I said over the poem before takeoff and every time since I have stepped inside a cockpit to fly. It reminds me that I am living his dream every time I fly.

A phone call from Abremiks family

As part of his training, cadets were asked to write about something meaningful to them. C wrote about the poem and what it meant to him. His words were later published on the official website of the IDF.

Lolek donates (left) his half-brother's poems to Yad Vashem in 1995, in the presence of Israels then President Ezer Weizman (right) and Yad Vashem president Avner Shalev (center)

After the article was published, C received a phone call from Adam Grunfeld, the son of 96-year-old Lolek Grunfeld, Abremik Koplewiczs half-brother. Adam explained how Lolek had spent much of his life educating about Abramek and his writing, ensuring his memory stayed alive.

He explained that when the Koplowicz family had been deported from Lodz to Auschwitz in 1944, Abremeks mother Yocheved Gittel had been sent to the gas chambers straight away while he and his father were sent to to forced labor. Mendel would leave his son in the barracks in order to protect him from the ordeal, but one day he returned and his son was gone. The Nazis sent all those inside to their death.

Mendel survived the Holocaust and later moved to Israel where he published his son's writing, eight poems in total. After Mendels passing in 1983, the task of preserving Abrameks memory passed to Lolek, who officially presented Abremeks notebook to Yad Vashem in 1995, where it has been displayed since.

It was the most incredible phone call and a feeling of being so connected. Adam wanted me to know how much it meant to his father that I had helped preserve Abrameks words.

Perhaps sensing his brothers dream has finally been given its wings, Lolek passed away two months after C graduated.

I hope very much to be able to meet Adam and the other members of Loleks family very soon.
Juba / Khartoum  The Sudanese government delegation to the peace negotiations in the South Sudan capital of Juba and the Darfur rebel movements have agreed to unify their negotiating positions on the security arrangements file. Khartoum and the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) are preparing for the peacekeepers' exit at the end of this year.

After the negotiation session on the security file yesterday, South Sudanese mediator Dhieu Mathok told reporters in Juba that both parties agreed to include the various negotiation papers in one paper, and define the points of dispute, in order to address them.

He explained that these points can brought back to three basic issues: Integration of the rebel forces, the formation of a peacekeeping force in the conflict-torn western region, and reintegration and demobilisation of militia forces.

The mediation team has requested the Darfur rebel groups to present their position on these issues.

Head of the government delegation for the security arrangements, Defence Minister Maj Gen Yasin Ibrahim, said that Khartoum is ready to complete the remaining file of the peace negotiations.

He expressed his satisfaction about the negotiation session of yesterday, in which "several understandings have been reached with the Darfur track delegation on the security arrangements file".

The Defence Minister further referred to his meeting with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir in Juba, during which they addressed the importance of achieving peace in Sudan, given the direct impact of the developments in the region.

A presidential delegation led by Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Lt Gen Mohamed Hamdan 'Hemeti', will arrive in Juba on Monday, to attend the completion of the security arrangements file, and prepare for the initial signing of the peace agreement.

Peace negotiations between the Sudanese government and most of the rebel movements in the country started on October 14 last year. Originally scheduled to end within two months, the talks were suspended several times. Progress was made in the beginning of 2020.

The sudden death of Sudan's then Minister of Defence, Lt Gen Jamaleldin Omar, who died of a heart attack in Juba on March 25, and the coronavirus pandemic led to further delays and suspensions. In April, the Sudanese government and the rebel groups agreed on the date of May 9 for the conclusion of the peace talks. In mid-May, the deadline was extended again.

On Thursday, the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) rebel alliance leadership in Juba held meetings with international parties, including Chad, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) about the peace agreement.

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UNAMID

In Khartoum, the Sudanese government and the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) have agreed to enhance cooperation related to the end of the mission's work.

At the conclusion of the Civilian Protection workshop organised by the government in cooperation with the peacekeeping mission in Khartoum on Friday evening, Ilham Ibrahim, Assistant Undersecretary for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described the workshop as "an essential step in enhancing cooperation and coordination with UNAMID" until the end of the mission's mandate on December 31.

She explained that the workshop focused on the support UNAMID will provide to the National Committee for the Protection of Civilians.

On June 3, the UN Security Council decided to set up a UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). The mandate of UNAMID was extended until December 31.

According to Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, the new mission will help rebuild the country in a way 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.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 16:20:44|Editor: huaxia

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ULAN BATOR, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- A suspected case of the bubonic plague has been reported in Khovd province in western Mongolia, the country's health ministry said Sunday.

A 37-year-old resident of Tsetseg soum in the province is now under isolation at a local hospital, the ministry said in a statement.

The man was found to have eaten marmot meat, and is now in critical condition, the ministry said, warning citizens not to hunt marmots or eat marmot meat. Meanwhile, at least 22 people who had contacted the man have been quarantined, according to the ministry.

Although hunting marmots is illegal in Mongolia, many Mongolians regard the rodent as a delicacy and ignore the law.

Since the beginning of this year, 13 suspected cases of the bubonic plague have been reported across the Asian country, four of which were confirmed by laboratory tests.

A 42-year-old man died of the bubonic plague in the same province on Tuesday, while a 15-year-old boy died of the plague in Govi-Altai province in western Mongolia in mid-July.

The country's National Center for Zoonotic Diseases said that 17 out of all the 21 Mongolian provinces are now at risk of the bubonic plague.

The bubonic plague is a bacterial disease that can be spread by fleas living on wild rodents such as marmots and can kill an adult in less than 24 hours if not treated in time, according to the World Health Organization. Enditem
A rare "firenado" sprung from a California forest fire this weekend and lead the National Weather Service (NWS) to warn residents of "extremely dangerous fire behaviour".

Since Friday, the Loyalton fire has burned more than 20,000 acres north of Lake Tahoe. As of Sunday morning, zero per cent of the forest fire has been contained, according to Tahoe National Forest.

Besides the fire rapidly spreading across Northern California, a rare fire tornado developed briefly on Saturday.

The National Weather Service Office (NWS) issued a tornado warning for the pyrocumulonimbus cloud that formed from the forest fire, warning it showed "extremely dangerous fire behaviour".

A pyrocumulonimbus cloud is created above areas of intense rising heat, like a fire or volcano. A fire tornado, also known as a "firenado", then brings in the smoke, dirt, and fire particles from the nearby fire into its cloud.

Firenados can be dangerous depending on how large they become. In 2018, during the Carr fire in northwestern California, a fire tornado claimed at least two lives.

"Firenadoes are an extreme weather phenomenon that can occur with rotating fire columns," the NWS Reno tweeted. "As extreme as this behaviour is, the #CarrFire had an extreme example of this."

It may have been the first time the NWS has issued a tornado warning for a fire tornado, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

The blaze formed along Highway 398 and eventually jumped over the road, forcing firefighters to provide protection to drivers in the area.

The cause of the Loyalton fire is under investigation. California has experienced a record-breaking heat wave this past week with temperatures reaching the triple digits. Low humidity in the air has also made for drier conditions, causing problems for firefighters as they fight the blaze.

A red flag warning was issued for the San Francisco Bay Area and other parts of Central California through Sunday morning due to critical fire conditions.

Fire officials are also battling wildfires in California, Colorado, and Oregon, as the West Coast experiences high temperatures. One fire in the Los Angeles area has raced across more than 17,000 acres so far and was only 12 per cent contained.
Next week, heat will return to European Russia, the Hydrometeorological Center of Russia informs.

By August 19, the air temperature will rise above 20 C, but night temperatures will stand at the level 8-13 C due to the north wind. Such temperature at night is typical for September, noted scientific director of the Hydrometeorological Center Roman Vilfand.

According to weather forecasters, next week the air will begin to warm up to 24-26 C. No heavy rains are expected next week.
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Naaba, has been summoned by the Department of State Services (DSS) following the formation of a new anti-government group- National Consultation Front, whose aim is to enthrone a new Nigeria.

Recall that Naaba, at a conference at the weekend announced the coming together of people of like minds to form the new group following what he described as the deplorable state of the nation.

Unfortunately, our over bloated political structure and warped governance system has not been able to rise to the situation at all thereby leaving the Nigerian people distraught, distressed and despondent. Clearly, this state of affairs in our country is unacceptable and unsustainable.

Consequently, upon these tales of woes in our country, we, as a group of concerned citizens with great conscience are now compelled by these various threats to come forward and confront these threats by initiating an urgent political action for a new Nigeria where citizens can attain their needs and potential fulfilment.

Naaba also stated that Nigeria has become a failed state where insurgency, banditry and kidnapping has become the order of the day due to the incompetence of the present leadership.

Announcing the invitation by the DSS, National Consultative Front spokesperson, Tanko Yunusa, said the former Speaker will honour the DSS invitation on Monday by 12:00pm.

He noted: Please, be notified that the DSS on Friday sent an invitation to NCFront Co-Chair and former Speaker of Nigeria, Rt Hon Ghali Umar Naabba, after his very profound interview on Channels Television on Thursday in regard to the NCFront agenda to bring about a new Nigeria that works for all.

Yunusa called on all NCF organs, structures and allies nationwide to be on alert.
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SUGAR LAND  Standing in front of a grassy plot of land where 95 African Americans, likely subjects of Texas convict-leasing system, were dug up and reinterred, a small group of activists gathered Saturday to demand that Fort Bend County officials properly maintain the cemetery and honor the men with a museum.

The rally was organized by the New Territory United for Peace and Ending Systemic Racism in the U.S., convened in the blazing late afternoon heat outside the James Reese Career and Technical Center, a vocational school, the construction of which led to the discovery of the 95 men. Rally goers all donned face masks to protect each other from COVID-19, and many wore Sugar Land 95 T-shirts. A photograph of John Lewis, the late civil rights leader, hugging former President Barack Obama was prominently displayed at a table outside the center.

The point of the museum is not only to have a restful and memorializing place for the bodies, but for those people who come and visit to learn, said Anna Lykoudis-Zafiris, a co-organizer of the event. Unless we recognize our past, we cannot accept our past and move forward.

The organizers have a four-plank platform for the cemetery: Restore and properly pay tribute to the men buried on the grounds; complete DNA testing and family tracing of the men; memorialize them in the form of a museum that explains the history of the states convict-leasing program; and an official apology from federal or state government officials, including a posthumous pardon for the men.

Robin Cole, a New Territory member who helped organize the event, said the group is considering starting a formal nonprofit to help raise money for a museum if local and state officials balk. Cole said she hopes to recruit Houston celebrities such as Beyonce and Simone Biles to help spread the word about the plight of the Sugar Land 95.

It doesnt matter if the district doesnt give us money, it doesnt matter if the county doesnt give us money, we will raise the money for the museum, Cole said. You have to believe that they deserve justice and deserve to be respected.

Those buried at the site are believed to have been part of the convict-leasing system that emerged during Reconstruction and largely targeted Black men. Prisoners were contracted out to plantations, railways and businesses to perform cheap labor across the state. The remains discovery in 2018 at the construction site drew national attention and spurred a debate over DNA testing and reburial, as well as how to mark a shameful chapter in Sugar Lands history.

Officials with Fort Bend Independent School District, which owns the land where the remains were unearthed, had stated that they hoped to line up a community partner to take over the land and honor the remains but would continue the districts legal and moral obligation to maintain the grounds.

Plans originally called for the district to pay $1 million to the county and convey part of the cemetery for reinterment of the remains and an additional 10 acres for a memorial park. A bill was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott last June. However, the deal fell apart last summer after the school district and the county disagreed on whether court oversight was needed during the reinterment process.

The fallout from the legislative failure still irks Ron Reynolds, a state representative who co-sponsored the bill. Reynolds, a Fort Bend Democrat who spoke at Saturdays rally, pointed the finger at the school district, saying promises were broken, and he vowed to continue holding discussions with stakeholders, including U.S. Rep. Al Green and County Judge KP George on what to do with the cemetery.

There were a lot of struggles with Fort Bend ISD. We believe they dropped the ball, quite honestly, Reynolds said. We worked very hard to pass that legislation, but to get to the goal line and not to cross the finish line, that really broke my heart.

Brian Middleton, the district attorney for Fort Bend County, echoed Reynolds frustration with the school district, noting the disrespect of the dead by not even marking the 95 graves with a headstone or allowing flowers to be laid.

Its a desecration of their gravesite, Middleton said.

Several rally attendees noted the educational opportunity that the gravesite provides, a ground zero of sorts for the injustices the convict-leasing system perpetuated, which included subjecting men typically found guilty of petty crimes to grueling agricultural tasks such as harvesting sugar cane in oppressive heat.

This being a vocational school, there are teaching opportunities for students in how to maintain a cemetery, how to do forensics, said Neil Lisco, a Sugar Land resident. Also theres the idea of how to run a museum, how to deal with issues of truth and reconciliation. If there is to ever be a truth and reconciliation center, it could start here.

Students in Fort Bend and across Texas will have a chance to learn about the Sugar Land 95 as part of an African American studies course for high school students approved by the Texas Education Agency last spring.

I am proud to say that the Sugar Land 95 will be appropriately recognized and honored as students across Texas learn this important part of history, Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Charles Dupre said in a statement in April.

But for the time being, the objective is to force the school district to act, Lykoudis-Zafiris said, and to bring a measure of accountability to the fate of the Sugar Land 95.

By just having land with a black chain-link fence looks very poor, she said. We want to see some benches, we want to see flowers, we want to see some type of respectful tribute to honor them.

Brooke A. Lewis contributed to this report.

nick.powell@chron.com
(Natural News) In an exclusive interview, President Donald Trump revealed that former president Barack Obama and former vice president Joe Biden already knew of the spying on his campaign in March 2016.

Trump commented that Biden knew of the spying, going so far as to lie to Congress. He also claimed that there were attempts to put Michael Flynn, a retired United States Army lieutenant general and Trumps former National Security Advisor, in jail, although he didnt lie, which the FBI also corroborates.

In 2017, Flynn was forced to resign after only 22 days of Trumps administration after he lied to Vice President Mike Pence about his contacts with Russian government officials. Flynn also pleaded guilty to lying to FBI agents investigating links between Russia and the Trump campaign.

Flynn was part of the FBIs counterintelligence inquiry that took place throughout 2016, but the agency also investigated the general following his denial that he discussed U.S. sanctions on Russia with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak after Trumps election.

However, the FBI had surveillance recordings of Flynns conversation revealed the contrary: That Flynn wasnt part of the new administration yet when he talked about the softening of sanctions.

Several years later, Flynn now walks free after Attorney General Bill Barr, a U.S. government lawyer appointed to review the prosecution, decided to drop the charges of making a false statement to the FBI.

Since the FBI investigation into Flynn and his contacts with Russian officials had no basis at that stage, Barr explained that the general shouldnt have been charged for lying about the matter.

Nunes tells all

In the Fox Business program Mornings with Maria, California Rep. Devin Nunes spoke up about Obama and Biden knowing the surveillance Trump mentioned in a separate interview with the news anchor.

While a lot of people claimed that Nunes claims were false, he was spot on about the whole issue.

On the show, host Maria Bartiromo asked Nunes if the spying leads back to Obama and Biden, and the congressman confirmed that its worse than what he initially thought. As the issue has now been exposed, Nunes expressed relief that access has been granted to declassified documents that will help shed light on the matter. He shared that things started back in late 2016 and early 2017. (Related: Once-curious media that exposed Watergate now playing role of co-conspirator in covering up Obama spying on Trump.)

In 2017, someone took a recording of Flynn, an American citizen, war hero and incoming National Security Advisor, and leaked it on purpose. Nunes also cited a meeting that took place on January 4, 2017, where FBI agents leading the investigation realized Flynn was innocent. After six months, Flynn was cleared.

On January 5, during a meeting with Obama, Biden, some dirty cops and other people at the Oval Office, notes showed that Biden himself suggested going after Flynn on the Logan Act.

According to the Logan Act, it is a federal crime for any citizen to engage in unauthorized correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government concerning any disputes or controversies with the United States.

This means any American who doesnt represent the president or his administration is committing a crime by communicating with a foreign government about U.S. policy. The statutes alleged purpose is to prevent private interference in relation to foreign affairs.

But it doesnt mean it was supposed to prevent an incoming presidents national security adviser from talking about U.S.-Russian relations with the Russian ambassador.

Nunes said that the previous administration was actively spying on the Trump campaign and that Biden should have known better and put a stop to the attempt. Biden is just as guilty as the rest, but his guilt doesnt involve breaking any laws, rather of not saying anything even after knowing that Americas intelligence apparatus, the NBI and the Department of Justice, was used to target people his party was losing to in November 2016.

According to Bartiromos source, Obama and Biden hated General Flynn so much that they were running a private book with tens of billions of dollars out of the Office of Net Assessment (ONA). Her source claimed that Flynn wanted to audit the ONA to figure out who was being paid and why.

Bartiromo also referred to a timeline that showed how Stefan Halper, an FBI informant, was paid $211,000 in 2015 and $411,000 in 2016 months before the wiretap to spy on Carter Page was secured.

Nunes told Bartiromo that in the early 2000s, Flynn developed the best intelligence machine in modern warfare history. Flynn was already aware of the many bad decisions being made, and the intel apparatus in Washington had gone out of hand and become corrupt.

He believes that higher-ups didnt want someone like Flynn, who knew the intel apparatus inside and out because he would soon be working with Trump as his National Security Advisor.

Watch:

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

BBC.com

BostonGlobe.com
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Sunday deployed an additional 32 special forces to support Operation Safe Haven being executed by the milita...





The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Sunday deployed an additional 32 special forces to support Operation Safe Haven being executed by the military to restore normalcy in southern Kaduna.

The Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Air Training Command Kaduna, AVM Musa Mukhtar told newsmen in Kaduna that the deployment was in response to the directive of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, for NAF to support the ongoing operation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the troops deployed two officers, 28 soldiers and two medical staff.

Mukhtar said: We are part of the support element going to Southern Kaduna to support the operation safe haven from the Nigerian airforce special forces.

I call on the troops to be disciplined, remain focused and respect human rights as they go about their operations.

We have Operation Thunder Strike, which is domiciled in Kaduna to take care of the North West axis, this means the airpower will be originated from there.

We also intend to carry out our civil-military relation hopefully by next week and send a medical team from our hospitals.

Mukhtar noted that the operation would be as long as necessary, adding that there was already a contingent of the Defence Special Forces deployed to Southern Kaduna, to restore peace in the area.

We also have an air component Commander to coordinate the airpower aspect, he added.

The AOC called on the residents of southern Kaduna to avail the troops all necessary and genuine information that will assist in the successful execution of the operation.

We will process the information and find out its true nature and then act, he assured.

Mukhtar also called on residents to give the military all the necessary cooperation, saying we are there to assist the civil populace and not to harm them.
Please know that the RPD stands with peaceful demonstrators and will not tolerate those who seek a different, destructive path.

In its tweet, the department said it will arrest those it can prove did this without permission.

The police asked anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000 or use the P3 app anonymously.

Approximately 8 feet long and sunk into the ground with two wood posts, it read: Welcome to beautiful Marcus-David Peters Circle. Liberated by the people MMXX.

The sign, and smaller ones near it, became symbols of protesters efforts to repurpose an area constructed to honor a Confederate general into a space that recognizes the struggles people of color have endured in this country. Around the sign, the ground had been landscaped with flowers, planter boxes and tall, leafy plants.

Peters was naked, unarmed and experiencing a mental health crisis when he was shot and killed by a police officer along Interstate 95 in Richmond in 2018. The shooting was deemed justified by the citys former police chief and prosecutor at the time, because Peters threatened to kill the officer as he charged him.
San Diego local officials said that the county has finally reached the metric that allows it to be removed from the state watch list, but confirmation is still pending.

For the third consecutive day, San Diego recorded a 14-day average rate of less than 100 coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents. It also reported a rate of 96.3 on Friday, 98.3 on Thursday, and 94.1 on Wednesday, reported Los Angeles Times.

According to ABC 10, San Diego said it would have to review the data before the county can be completely removed from the watchlist.

The watch list removal signals that there are renewed efforts to contain the spread of the virus, which are actually paying off.

San Diego has to maintain its new status for 14 more consecutive days to let K-12 schools reopen.

A San Diego spokesperson told the San Diego Union-Tribune that health officials are hoping to hear from the state about a possible timeline for listing from the watch list by the end of the weekend.

Businesses to Stay Closed

While schools are getting reconsidered for reopening, businesses will not yet be allowed to do so. The state has to provide further guidance first, county officials said Friday.

This leaves many local businesses still dealing with uncertainty.

Pandemic guidelines meant breweries and other places in the county had to shut down their indoor spaces. It has already happened twice this year, according to NBC San Diego.

While some businesses found ways to stay open through food trucks, others do not have the available space for outdoor dining and have to stay closed.

"It means a lot to us," Jack Collins, events coordinator at Societe Brewing, said. "We've been looking to state officials and public health officers to see what we should be doing."

Fewer Hospitalizations

The lower case rate is not the only good news that San Diego has seen lately. State officials reported Thursday that they saw 299 hospitalizations for COVID-19 that day.

That was the first time in more than a month that it has reported fewer than 300 cases.

Despite the Thursday case rate only one patient behind, it still encouraged the state overall. But community outbreaks still happened at much higher rates than the county's threshold for loosening health restrictions.

The "trigger" that the country has set for tighter public health restrictions was seven or more in seven days.

On Friday, there were four community outbreaks reported, bringing the seven-day total to 24. This is over three times more than the "trigger" in the county.

Two of the outbreaks took place at businesses: a restaurant with a bar and a food processing facility. The names of the sites still remain unknown.

It was not clarified last Friday that the county would change health restrictions if it was removed from the state's watchlist.

As San Diego awaits guidelines from Gov. Gavin Newsom, public health officials reported 279 new COVID-19 cases and four further deaths Friday. The county now has a total of 34,344 cases and 626 deaths.

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>>> Businesses donate VND2.2 billion to help Quang Nam fight against COVID-19

According to the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee - Quang Nam chapter, from July 31 to August 14, the committees bank account received over VND21 billion donated from the relevant agencies and businesses.

So far, the local VFF committee has decided to allocate nearly VND 5 billion to localities and units in the province to perform COVID-19 prevention and control work.

In addition, they have also been granted medical supplies and goods donated from organisations and individuals from July 29, distributed via the Quang Nam VFF Committee.

Meanwhile, in the neighbouring city of Da Nang  the current hotbed for COVID-19 in Vietnam, the Da Nang Confederation of Labour has provided support to ease difficulties for local labourers during the complex developments of COVID-19 there.

Da Nang labourers facing difficult circumstances due to COVID-19 receive free rice and necessities. (Photo: NDO/Thanh Tam)



The society has deducted VND2 billion from its funds to serve support activities for local employees. On which, each trade union member infected with COVID-19 is to be supported with VND2 million, while 1,000 other union members and workers in difficult circumstances have been provided with financial assistance worth VND1 million each.

Local labourers also received support in the form of medical supplies and necessities provided by units and enterprises both in and outside the city.

On August 14, the Disaster Prevention Community Fund and the Pacific Corporation presented Da Nang Hospital with a medical device called a Biological Safety Cabinet level II worth VND242 million, to be used in its biomedical and microbiological lab to protect users, test materials and the environment, in a bid to help Da Nang improve its COVID-19 testing capacity.

In the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap on the same day, a delegation led by Vice Chairman of Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee Doan Tan Buu visited forces on duty at COVID-19 border quarantine posts at the two border guard stations of Thuong Phuoc and Cau Muong in Hong Ngu District.

Donors present gifts to the Cau Muong Border Post in Hong Ngu District, Dong Thap Province. (Photo: NDO)



On the occasion, Buu awarded certificates of merit from the Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee to 10 individuals in the provincial border guard force with outstanding achievements in the local COVID-19 fight. The mission also presented necessities to officers and soldiers on duty at the border posts.

Also on August 14, representatives from the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Sa Dec City (Dong Thap province) visited and presented gifts to forces in charge of a local isolation camp located at the Sa Dec military school.
Nearly a fifth of businesses reported offering lower prices in an effort to stimulate demand during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a new survey.

The BDO Quarterly Optimism Index, a survey carried out by the accounting firm to identify confidence levels among Irish businesses, found 18pc of companies had lowered prices for the most recent quarter compared to the same quarter last year.

It found firms were noticeably downbeat in their outlook for the remainder of 2020, as the impact on activity, employment, profitability and prices due to Covid-19 is reflected in some historically low readings.

According to the research, business optimism during the quarter was at its lowest level since the first index was commissioned in 2012.

The survey found that 75pc of businesses across Ireland reported lower levels of business activity compared to the same period last year. It found that the business environment in Dublin was marginally more challenging, with 80pc of businesses based in the capital reporting lower levels of activity compared to 73pc across the rest of the country.

BDO's survey also indicated heightened pressure on employers, with 34pc of companies reporting lower levels of employment than during the same quarter last year.

The employment outlook is most negative among larger companies, with 54pc reporting lower employee numbers year on year.

Operational profits among those surveyed had also taken a noticeable fall, with businesses operating in the retail, wholesale trade and the services sector hit hardest. The survey found 68pc of companies reported lower levels of profitability during the second quarter year on year.

Sentiment for the quarter ahead is also negative, with over half of Irish businesses (54pc) expecting lower business levels than in the same quarter of 2019. Sentiment among companies in Dublin and outside the capital are equally pessimistic about the upcoming quarter.

Despite the negative impact Covid-19 had on businesses across Ireland, fewer than one in five businesses (18pc) said they had sought financial advice regarding the reopening or restructuring of their business as a result of the pandemic.

Brexit was identified as another concern for Irish businesses, with just under half (48pc) claiming it will hurt their business.

Derek Henry, a tax partner at BDO Ireland, said the results show the impact that activity was having on business sentiment. He said it was important firms sought advice about reopening or restructuring in response to the pandemic.

"It's hugely important for businesses to take action as early and decisively as possible during a crisis to try to limit the damage and ensure they remain viable long term," said Henry.

He also noted Brexit was still high on the agenda for Irish businesses, with concern expected to increase over the months ahead.
Bill Shorten has sparked controversy by calling Prime Minister Scott Morrison a 'simp' in his dealings with US president Donald Trump over the release of a Afghan soldier who killed Australian soldiers in an unprovoked attack.

The former federal opposition leader didn't mince his words when asked about Mr Morrison's response to the US-brokered prisoner swap.

Afghan National Army Sergeant Hekmatullah will soon walk free as part of a prisoner swap deal, eight years after he gunned down Australian army personnel Lance Corporal Stjepan Milosevic, Sapper James Martin and Private Robert Poate while playing cards together at a shared base in southern Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister has since written to the President Trump to remind him of Australia's position that the Afghan soldier should never be released.

But Mr Shorten believes the Prime Minister isn't doing enough.

Afghan National Army sergeant Hekmatullah (pictured) is set to walk free from prison after seven years as part of a US-brokered prisoner swap.

'Fundamentally, if I can put it in really plain English, Mr Morrison needs to make sure he doesn't look like he's just a simp to Donald Trump,' Mr Shorten told ABC's Insiders on Sunday.

The definition of simp is a silly or foolish person, according to the Oxford Dictionary. The word is also sometimes used as a slang insult to describe a man who is overly submissive to a woman.

Mr Shorten was asked by program host David Speers to explain the term 'simp'.

'Well, soft,' he replied.

He has since been mocked online by viewers for his classic 'zinger' of using the term in the wrong context as #ScottyTheSimp became a trend on Twitter.

'What in the hell is a 'simp' ? Only this boofhead could come up with something like that. A new word from him that really shows how he is sadly lacking. He will be praying that that term gets coverage in the short term. Thank God we will never see this twisted mind at the helm,' one viewer commented

Another tweeted 'I'm sorry, but anybody with the envious man-boobs of Bill Shorten is not in the position to be calling anyone a 'simp',' one man tweeted.

Private Robert Poate (left) and Lance Corporal Stjepan Milosevic (right) were among three Australian troops killed in 2012

Many viewers saw the funny side.

'It was the most wholesome cringe of the week. A truly beautiful moment,' one woman tweeted.

One man wrote: 'Him calling Sco Mo a simp was the highlight of my year.'

Another woman accused Mr Shorten of having little empathy.

'He should know better than to use any of these terms which can cause offence or be misinterpreted,' she tweeted.

Mr Shorten described the deaths of the three Australian troops in 2012 as a terrible story while claiming former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull stood up more to President Trump than his successor.

'He (Hekmatullah) turned his rifle on three Aussie diggers and killed them in cold blood,' Mr Shorten said.

'This is where I probably think that Malcolm Turnbull, even though I disagreed with him on a lot, certainly I thought, did a better job standing up to Donald Trump.

'On this matter, I think that the families of Australian diggers who murdered in cold blood should know what the government is doing.

'We all should. I don't think that our closest ally, militarily, should be releasing a Taliban gunman who killed three of ours. To just let him go scott-free.

'I think that we need to do more and it needs to be transparent what's going on.'

Sapper James Martin (pictured) was also gunned down during a card game

Former opposition leader Bill Shorten (pictured on Sunday) called the PM a simp on Sunday

The unprovoked attack happened when the trio were playing cards with the then 19-year-old at Patrol Base Wahab, in the Baluchi Valley region of Oruzgan Province.

Families of the victims were advised by the Department of Defence last week that the turncoat was likely to be among 5,000 prisoners who will soon be released as part of peace negotiations between the Afghan Government and the Taliban.

Originally Hekmatullah was among one of 400 'extreme cases' who were being considered by Afghanistan's Tribal Council, the Loya Jirga, for ongoing imprisonment after the peace deal.

But after a meeting Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said: 'Today, I will sign the release order of these 400 prisoners.'

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has spoken out about the US-brokered prisoner swap.

'It is a matter that I have written to the President about it. It is a matter of keen interest to Australia and we have reminded them of that,' Mr Morrison said.

'Hekmatullah was responsible for murdering three Australians, and our position is that he should never be released.

'We do not believe that his relief adds to peace in this region, and that is the position that we will continue to maintain and we will maintain it strongly.

'I can't promise you the outcome we all want. But it is certainly the outcome that we will continue to press for as hard as we can.'

Troops from both countries were present at Patrol Base Wahab at the time of the incident.

A 24-strong Australian team had been tasked with mentoring Afghan National Army soldiers at the facility.

The temperature was stifling - over 40 degrees Celsius - on August 29, the day the Australian soldiers were attacked

Australian troops at Patrol Base Wahab were tasked with mentoring Afghan National Army soldiers

During the card game, the rogue soldier became 'crazy' after he saw a TV news report about U.S. soldiers burning the Koran.

He then opened fire with an M16, killing the three soldiers and wounding two others.

'There were some real nasty thoughts that I had in my head,' he was quoted by News Corp at the time.

'I saw that video and went crazy'.

Hekmatullah was initially sentenced to death by an Afghan court in December 2012.

The family of the lost Australian diggers released a joint statement condemning the killer's likely release.

Long Range Patrol Vehicles carry the bodies of the men who were killed in the tragic attack

Afghan and Australian soldier pay tribute to the fallen diggers at a memorial ceremony

The Australian soldiers were playing cards at Patrol Base Wahab (seen in this ABC re-enactment) when they came under attack by Afghan National Army soldier Sergeant Hekmatullah

'The news passed to us from senior Defence officers on Friday evening has come as a crushing blow. There can never be complete closure for us now,' the statement said.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo admitted last week the deal in the name of peace was likely to be 'unpopular'.

'This difficult action will lead to an important result long sought by Afghans and Afghanistan's friends: reduction of violence and direct talks resulting in a peace agreement and an end to the war,' he said.

'After 40 years of war and bloodshed and destruction, the parties are ready to embark on a political process to reach a negotiated settlement.'

Suzanne Thomas, mother of soldier James Martin, is pictured attending the inquest on October 14
Kamala Harris shaped by Berkeley and a do something mother Much of who Kamala Harris is today traces back to her childhood in Berkeley in the 1960s and early 70s, and a mother who taught her it wasnt enough just to complain about the way things were.

Kamala Harris shaped by Berkeley and a do something mother Much of who Kamala Harris is today traces back to her childhood in Berkeley in the 1960s and early 70s, and a mother who taught her it wasnt enough just to complain about the way things were.

WASHINGTON  When Kamala Harris wants to make a particularly strong point, theres one person she almost always quotes: her mother.

The California senator cited her late mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, in her first public appearance last week as Joe Bidens vice presidential nominee-to-be. Gopalan shows up on more than 30 pages of Harris 2019 autobiography, The Truths We Hold. Her mothers words of advice and wisdom were an integral part of Harris stump speeches when she was running her own presidential campaign last year.

Its a reflection of what Harris and those who know her best will readily say: Much of who she is today traces back to her childhood in Berkeley in the 1960s and early 70s, and the example Gopalan set as a trailblazing scientist and single mother.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, a fellow daughter of the East Bay in that era, said she sees the influence of Harris mother and upbringing in the area in her longtime friend, both as a person and as a politician.

When we look at (House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi, Kamala Harris, women who have survived the crucible of Bay Area politics  yeah, you dont just have tough skin, you have Teflon armor, Schaaf said. You see that rare combination of kindness and compassion and no hesitation to gut your opponent. ... Her ability to just drill down to the truth, to not suffer fools, to advance unapologetically an agenda in the face of criticism  that is Bay Area street tough at its finest.

Harris, 55, was born to Gopalan, an Indian immigrant who came to the U.S. by herself at age 19, and a Jamaican immigrant father when both were graduate students at UC Berkeley in 1964. The couple fell in love while participating in the active local civil rights movement, and Harris was often brought along for the ride  literally.

Thats how they met  as students, in the streets of Oakland, marching and shouting for this thing called justice, in a struggle that continues to this day, Harris said in her first public remarks Wednesday as Bidens running mate. And I was part of it. My parents would bring me to protests  strapped tightly in my stroller.

Harris added that as she grew, her mother would encourage that same activism in her: Shed tell us, Dont just sit around and complain about things. Do something.

More Information Kamala Devi Harris at a glance Date of birth: Oct. 20, 1964, in Oakland. Education: Bachelors degree from Howard University, 1986. Earned her law degree from UC Hastings College of the Law in 1989. Career: Deputy district attorney of Alameda County, 1990-98. San Francisco District Attorneys Office managing attorney and chief of San Francisco City Attorneys Office division on children and families, 1998-2004. San Francisco district attorney, 2004-11. California attorney general, 2011-16. U.S. senator, 2016-present. Family: Married to Douglas Emhoff, a Los Angeles attorney. They have two children from his previous marriage.

Her mother and father divorced when Harris was 7, with Gopalan taking primary custody of her and her younger sister, Maya. They lived in the flatlands of west Berkeley. Her father, Donald Harris, remains an economist and professor emeritus at Stanford University.

While not entirely estranged from her father, Harris was much closer to her mother, and it was her influence that shaped the future senator. Harris wrote in her book that she would see her father on weekends and in the summers, but lived with her mother and built the strongest ties with Gopalans close friends here and her family in India.

Gopalan, a breast cancer researcher, died in 2009.

Shyamala was a doctor. She was just like Kamala: super smart, super determined to live out her values, and incredibly kind and compassionate, said Schaaf, whose mother was friends with Gopalan. I like to think both of us were blessed with mothers who were nurturing, but also fierce in their values and unafraid to show their intelligence.

Schaaf was with Harris the night she was elected to the Senate in 2016. We just had a little moment with both of us in tears in our eyes, Schaaf said, and I said, I wish your mom was here. She would be so proud of you right now.

One of Harris prized possessions is a photograph of her mother and a friend as young women on the UC Berkeley campus in the early 1960s. In the background are people wearing black armbands, often a symbol of protest and mourning for 60s activists. A sign refers to Birmingham, Ala., a focal point of the civil rights movement. The photo was dropped off at her Senate office by a man who didnt leave his name  to this day, Harris doesnt know who he was.

I talk a lot about my mother, Harris said in a 2018 interview with The Chronicle in her office, as she held the picture. So this is, I think, my favorite thing on this desk.

A former colleague of Gopalans at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Mina Bissell, recalled her as strong, principled, brave, thoughtful, very fierce and independent. She sees much of Gopalan in Harris  like her mother, she said, Harris places immense value on education, hard work and self-sufficiency.

Gopalan was very competent and very opinionated, but scientifically, Bissell said. She was a mom who was powerful and thoughtful and very-education oriented, very warm with her children.

The two women met when Harris and Bissells daughter, Yalda, were in ballet together and bonded because both their mothers were scientists. Bissell recalled that she and Gopalan were once finalists for a job opening, but said it turned out they were being interviewed only so the hiring managers could tell the government grant-writers they had considered women for the position. She described encountering a terrible chauvinist in the hiring process who demeaned her. The job went to a man.

It was emblematic of the time, Bissell said, when women in science had to navigate a field in which the men who dominated it were often dismissive of them.

It was after that disappointment that Gopalan moved to Canada to take a position at McGill University, when Harris was in middle school. Gopalan returned to Lawrence Berkeley for the last decade of her career, where Bissell had risen into leadership and was able to hire her.

Her mother wasnt the only one on that side of the family who influenced Harris. In a recently re-published 2009 interview with India Abroad, an outlet for the U.S. Indian community, Harris said her mother made sure her daughters would be proud of their Indian heritage as well as their Black lineage  the part she knew American society would focus on.

Harris visited India often as a girl and was especially close to her grandfather, P.V. Gopalan, a high-ranking diplomat and former fighter for Indias independence from Britain.

He would take walks every morning along the beach with his buddies, who were all retired government officials, and they would talk about politics, about how corruption must be fought and about justice, Harris told the India Abroad interviewer. They would laugh and voice opinions and argue, and those conversations, even more than their actions, had such a strong influence on me in terms of learning to be responsible, to be honest, and to have integrity.

When the interviewer asked if that was the true source of her activism  more than Berkeley  Harris said it was all of the above.

It is important to not say one thing to the exclusion of the other, because I dont feel the need to do that, she said. They are of equal weight in terms of who I am and the impact that they had on me growing up. My grandparents used to visit us in Berkeley all the time. My grandfather and grandmother enjoyed the time they spent with people of all walks of life who were involved in the civil rights movement.

Berkeley schools have featured prominently in Harris political storytelling  including in a memorable flash point between Harris and her now-running mate in a presidential primary debate in June 2019.

Harris told the story of how she was among the first waves of students to integrate Berkeley schools, and criticized Biden for opposing desegregation busing in the 1970s and speaking highly of senators who had been vocal segregationists.

There was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools, and she was bused to school every day. And that little girl was me, Harris said, in a phrase that her campaign marketed on T-shirts.

Although the implication was that Harris might have faced discrimination or difficulty in that period, in her autobiography she describes a pleasant and intellectually stimulating upbringing in the area on the border of Berkeley and Oakland, surrounded by activists and people of all sorts of backgrounds.

At the time, all I knew was that the big yellow bus was the way I got to school, Harris wrote. Looking at the photo from my first-grade class reminds of how wonderful it was to grow up in such a diverse environment. ... We were a varied bunch; some grew up in public housing, and others were the children of professors. I remember celebrating varied cultural holidays at school and learning to count to 10 in several languages.

Schaaf said that when you grow up in particularly Oakland and Berkeley in the 70s, in the early 80s, you are very comfortable with protest and you are very comfortable with challenging authority. You have a keen sense and comfort with the issue of racial justice. I cant tell you how proud Oakland is to claim Kamalas roots as the first Black woman vice president (candidate), the first Asian woman vice president, the first biracial vice president. Kamala has always lifted up her biracial identity  shes never shied away from it.

Harris is often asked to define her racial identity, which she usually does with a quip. At her January 2019 presidential campaign launch at her alma mater, Howard University, one of the nations most prominent historically Black universities, a reporter noted that Harris was both an African American and Indian American woman  Indeed! she replied  and asked how she would describe herself.

How do I describe myself? I describe myself as a proud American, thats how I describe myself, she said.

That comfort with being multiracial is a signature of Oakland, said Aimee Allison, president of She the People, a group that works to promote women of color in politics. She is an Oakland resident and also biracial, the daughter of a white mother and Black father, who grew up in the Bay Area.

Allison said that what she sees in Harris  advocating for racial justice issues and comfortable in her own skin as a Black woman, an Indian American woman and the daughter of immigrants  is what she sees in her community today.

The country may not know Oakland deeply in this way, Allison said, but that really comes from time in Oakland and the capacity to be around a lot of different people with a lot of different backgrounds. ... Theres a sense you can be lots of different things, you can have a complex, full identity.

And, she said, I think being from Oakland really prepares Kamala, and a lot of us, to lead and organize in the America of now: a multiracial America.

Tal Kopan is The San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. Email: tal.kopan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @talkopan
Postal workers are warning that a record number of Americans casting ballots by mail in November could be disenfranchised

Each day, when Nick Casselli, president of a Philadelphia postal workers union, sits down at his desk on Main Street in the historic town of Darby, where trolley cars still run and the post office is a source of civic pride, his phone is full of alarmed messages about increasing delays in mail delivery.

Casselli and his 1,600 members have been in a state of high alert since Louis DeJoy, a Republican megadonor and an ally of President Donald Trump, took over as postmaster general in May. Overtime was eliminated, prompting backups. Seven mail-sorting machines were removed from a nearby processing center in West Philadelphia, causing further delays. Now post offices are being told to open later and close during lunch.

I have some customers banging on my peoples doors: Open up! Casselli said. Ive never seen that in my whole 35-year postal career.

Similar accounts of slowdowns and curtailed service are emerging across the country as DeJoy pushes cost-cutting measures he says are intended to overhaul an agency suffering billion-dollar losses. But as Trump rails almost daily against the service and delays clog the mail, voters and postal workers warn a crisis is building that could disenfranchise record numbers of Americans who will be casting ballots by mail in November because of the coronavirus.

For the most part, experts and employees say, the Postal Service is still capable of operating as usual. Yet the agency has warned states that it may not be able to meet their deadlines for delivering last-minute ballots. And earlier this week Trump said he opposes new postal funding because of his opposition to mail-in voting, which he complains will benefit Democrats and claims without evidence is riddled with fraud.

At risk are not just the ballots  and medical prescriptions and paychecks  of residents around the country, but also the reputation of the Postal Service as the most popular and perhaps the least politicised part of the federal government.

Philadelphia, a heavily Democratic city in a critical swing state, is a vivid example of how alarmed people have become. Representative Brendan Boyle said his office had received 345 complaints about the Postal Service last month  compared to just 17 in July 2019. Elected officials in several states say they have been flooded by worried calls and emails.

Victoria Brownworth, a freelance journalist in Philadelphia, is among the residents worried about whether her ballot will be counted  and, in her case, also worried about much more.

For Brownworth, who was paralyzed four years ago, the mail is her lifeline, delivering prescriptions, checks and mail-in ballots to her Philadelphia home. But that lifeline has snapped. She said she has received mail just twice in the past three weeks, and she dreads Novembers election, worried that her ballot will suffer the same fate as the oxygen tube that she ordered three weeks ago  and has still not arrived.

Its just terrifying, Brownworth said.

Every day I ask my wife, did we get any mail? She says no.

DeJoy, the postmaster general, told the Postal Services board of governors last week that there would be no slowdown of mail ballots and promised to deliver votes securely and on time.

Experts agree that the Postal Service has the raw capacity to absorb additional ballots, even if 150 million people decided to vote by mail. In the month before Christmas every year, carriers deliver billions of pieces of mail and packages.

When you think about it from the standpoint of how much mail they handle, even in their currently diminished state, if every registered voter in the entire country voted by mail, that would be something they could still easily handle, said Arthur Sackler, who runs the Coalition for a 21st Century Postal Service, a lobbying group representing bulk mailers. The question is whether these operational changes will have any impact on their ability to do so. If everything is delayed, that will include the ballots.

Still, interviews with mail customers, election officials and postal workers in six battleground states show that mail delays  and 2020 worries  are widespread.

In Ohio, where mail voting is likely to double, piles of undelivered mail are sitting in a Cleveland distribution facility. In rural Michigan, diabetes medicine that used to arrive in three days now takes almost two weeks. In the Milwaukee area, dozens of trailers filled with packages are left behind every day. In New Glarus, Wisconsin, the owners of the Maple Leaf Cheese and Chocolate Haus are worried their cheese will go bad now that deliveries that used to take two to three days are taking twice that.

Im definitely concerned that votes wont be counted or that they wont be able to handle all of the ballots that need to be processed through the post office, said Cynthia Shumway, whose family owns the shop.

The disturbances have prompted a full-scale political war in Washington, where Trump falsely insists that mail-in voting is wracked by fraud and where billions of dollars in emergency aid that could help stem huge losses at the Postal Service are caught in a partisan drama.

Democratic lawmakers have accused the president of sabotaging the Postal Service as a means of voter suppression and have launched multiple investigations and demanded an end to delays. On Friday, the Postal Services inspector general said she had opened an inquiry into DeJoys actions.

Boyle, the Philadelphia congressman, for example, said its no accident that mail service has become so abysmal in the key Democratic population center in Pennsylvania.

There is no plausible way for Donald Trump or Joe Biden to get to 270 electoral votes without Pennsylvania, he said.

While Trumps war on the Postal Service seems aimed at Democrats, few Americans rely more on the mail than rural residents, many of them Trump voters. As a result, there are also a number of Republicans uneasy about whats happening with the agency, in particular three Republican senators from largely rural mail-dependent states who are facing competitive reelections this fall: Steve Daines of Montana, Dan Sullivan of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine.

DeJoy has said he is trying to reform an organisation with a broken business model facing a litany of billion-dollar losses and declines in mail volumes.

But voters and postal workers said the Postal Service was more than a business. To Michele Brown, 67, who lives in Morley, Michigan, the post office in the rural community serves as a gathering point and source of stability, employment and a critical link to the rest of the world.

But not lately. Her 73-year-old husband, Bill Brown, went three days without medication to treat his diabetes as the couple waited nearly two weeks for it to arrive in the mail from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

I feel like theyre playing games, Michele Brown said.

The mail had worked so efficiently. Letters I sent got there the next day. Now you cant count on any of that.

Postal workers from small-town post offices to metropolitan distribution centers say they used to operate along a simple motto: Every piece, every day, meaning that they did not leave until all of the days mail went out the door. No more, they say.

Postal workers say drivers are being sent out according to set schedules whether or not all of the mornings mail is ready for them, and delivery trucks now have strict cut-off times for when they have to be gone. They say they are already short on staff because of quarantines and the coronavirus, and limits on working overtime are pushing them further behind.

Mail is coming into the building faster than we can get it out, said Mary DiMarco, who sorts bundles in a Miami postal facility. Im concerned about ballots being handled, that theyre not going to be processed in time.

The stakes in this years election are higher than ever. While nearly one-quarter of Americans voted absentee or by mail in 2016, millions more are expected to mail their ballots this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In Ohio, mail-in voting has been common for more than two decades, and one-quarter of the states voters regularly cast their ballots by mail. But some postal workers say the recent changes in work rules have dramatically slowed their ability to deliver mail, raising concerns that votes cast just several days before the election might not make it in time to be counted.

Daleo Freeman, a 26-year veteran of the Postal Service and now the president of the local American Postal Workers Union in Cleveland, described piles of mail stacking up in the regional distribution facility and in postal offices around the region.

The decisions happened so rapidly. Now we are seeing the effect of those decisions, Freeman said. People are coming in every day complaining about how long its taking them to receive everything. What the heck is going on?

He said further delays had occurred after five mail-sorting machines in the major Cleveland-area distribution center were dismantled in recent days. Critics worried about political influence inside the Postal Service have focused on the removal of 671 sorting machines  about one-eighth of its devices  from facilities across the country.

But a Postal Service spokesman, David A Partenheimer, disputed that there was anything out of the ordinary, saying that the agency was removing the sorting machines because of declines in the volume of mail. While people are receiving far more packages these days, business and commercial mail is down sharply.

The Postal Service routinely moves equipment around its network as necessary to match changing mail and package volumes, Partenheimer said.

There have already been problems with this years elections in which mail ballots played a more prominent role.

Hundreds of ballots in Wisconsin were left in tubs, unaccounted for, at the Milwaukee processing and distribution center during the states primary in April. About 160 ballots were erroneously returned to a local election office, while another 390 had issues with the postmark that led to confusion as to whether they could be counted, according to a report from the Postal Service inspector general.

Ohio ran a delayed primary election that was marred by widespread reports of mail slowdowns, especially in Northwest Ohio, prompting Secretary of State Frank LaRose to urge the Postal Service to devote additional resources to making sure ballots were delivered on time.

Now LaRose, a Republican, said that he is concerned about possible delays in mail delivery despite assurances from postal officials that the changes will not affect how quickly ballots are sent.

On the ground it seems like thats not necessarily the case. It seems like there are impacts, he said Friday. They need to be very careful about making changes to something that we rely on so much for something as essential as elections administration.

In Butler County, north of Cincinnati, two postal officials walked into the election board offices on 8 May, more than a week after the April 28 elections, carrying two buckets filled with 317 unopened ballots that had been discovered too late to be counted.

We have not received a good explanation yet, Diane Noonan, the Republican director of the Butler board of elections, said. The thing I was told that day was that it was found in a corner of a warehouse.

Noonan said she is concerned about the possibility that issues with the mail service could impact the ability of her office to accurately count the votes in November, especially if voters wait until the last minute to request a ballot. She has been urging voters to apply early for a mail ballot and return it immediately.

In Ohio, state law allows voters to request a mail-in ballot up until noon on Saturday, 31 October, just three days before the election. Even under the best of circumstances, that would leave little time for the Postal Service to deliver a blank ballot and then turn around and deliver the completed one by Monday, 2 November, the deadline in Ohio.

In Racine, Wisconsin, Melissa Rymsha, a stay-at-home mother of two, does not want to risk contracting the virus in November, so she plans to vote by mail. But the face masks she recently ordered have been stuck in transit for days, and she worries that in several weeks, her ballot could be, too.

Im kind of just going to cross my fingers and hope that it goes through the way its supposed to do, she said. I dont really have too much of an option.
Published on 2020/08/16 | Source

Status-conscious young Koreans increasingly splurge on luxury products to flaunt such wealth as they have, saving little or nothing as buying a home becomes unaffordable. When credit card companies released expensively produced and impressively named cards recently, they were surprised how many customers in their 20s and 30s applied for them.

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These cards are usually favored by the comfortably middle-aged due to the higher fees. But a staffer at a credit card company said, "I didn't expect that young people, who are the biggest mobile transaction users, would show such enthusiasm for physical premium cards. It looks like credit cards have become a source of pride among them because they can flash them around".

All that glitters is not gold, but Samsung Card's American Express Gold card, which only upgraded an existing plastic card, has seen a huge uptake from younger customers since it was launched last month. Daily issuance surged a staggering 748 percent and customers in their 20s and 30s accounted for 31 percent and 40 percent of total applicants.

In contrast, customers in their 40s and 50s have become more sober.

To get that card, a customer has to pay W55,000 for the production and an annual usage fee of W300,000 (US$1=W1,185). But a Samsung Card staffer said, "It looks like younger customers are willing to accept the costs to get a luxurious-looking credit card".

Hyundai Card rolled out the "limited" Zero Edition 2 premium plastic last month made of posh-looking metallic stuff. Yet even though the benefits are the same as for an ordinary piece of plastic, issuance soared 2.5 times, with customers in their 20s and 30s accounting for 85 percent.

Overall consumption has declined amid the coronavirus epidemic, but young consumers who can afford it are splurging on luxury products.

Spending by young consumers on high-end products at Shinsegae Department Store surged 30.1 percent on-year during the first half of this year. That compares with a 19.7-percent growth in 2018 and 20.3 percent last year, when the going was good.

At Lotte Department Store too, 20-somethings spent 25.7 percent more on luxury products over the same period and 30-somethings 34.8 percent.

Major department stores' sales declined 14.2 percent during the first half of this year, but luxury product sales rose 9.2 percent.

This dance on the volcano can be seen in the car market as well. According to the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association, 37 percent of the 80,195 customers who bought an import in the first half of this year were in their teens, 20s or 30s.

Some 1,362 out of 2,665 BMW 520s sold in the first six months were bought by customers in their 20s and 30s. The sedan costs a cool W60 million.

Pundits say ample surplus cash is being spent domestically as the coronavirus epidemic prevented people from spending it overseas.

Another factor behind this trend is the mentality of younger Koreans to live for the day. One 32-year-old who used his savings to buy luxury products as gifts for his family said, "Soaring apartment prices have made me feel deprived and frustrated, so I want to pursue what little satisfaction I can get right now".
Freida Pinto said The Henna Artist has tremendous potential to become a high-quality, multilayered television show that honours the glory and beauty of India.

Freida Pinto is set to star in and produce series adaptation of author Alka Joshis bestselling debut novel The Henna Artist.

According to Deadline, Miramax TV has bought the rights for the TV version of the book that was published by HarperCollins/MIRA in March.

Michael Edelstein will serve as executive producer on the show under his first-look deal with Miramax.

The Henna Artist focuses on 17-year old Lakshmi, who escapes from an abusive marriage and makes her way alone to the vibrant 1950s Jaipur. There, she becomes the most highly requested henna artist  and confidante  to the rich women of the upper class.

As an actress, I cannot wait to dive back into the stories of my motherland and make my women (and my men) of all backgrounds, with all their good and their complexities, feel seen and heard.

"Lakshmi Shastri is not a puritanical woman. She empowers me, and I am honoured to pass that feeling on to a very global audience, Pinto said in a statement.

Miramax head of worldwide television Marc Helwig said the Slumdog Millionaire star is the best suited producing partner to bring the project alive on screen.

It was clear to me from the first chapter that Freida was born to play Lakshmi. Fortunately, the project is blessed that not only is Freida a brilliant actress, but she is the perfect producing partner to help bring this project from book to screen, he said.

Pinto added that Joshis book has tremendous potential to become a high-quality, multilayered television show that honours the glory and beauty of India.
Australian actor Elizabeth Debicki has been cast to play Princess Diana in the final two seasons of Netflixs big-budget drama The Crown.

Paris-born, Melbourne-raised Debicki was unveiled by the streamer on Twitter on Monday morning with a stylish black and white portrait and a single quote.

Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki will portray Princess Diana in the final seasons of The Crown. Credit:Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

"Princess Dianas spirit, her words and her actions live in the hearts of so many. It is my true privilege and honour to be joining this masterful series, which has had me absolutely hooked from episode one," Debicki said in the Twitter announcement.

Debicki burst on to screens in Baz Luhrmanns The Great Gatsby in 2013 and has since gone on to star in movies in Australia, the US and Britain, including Simon Bakers Breath and Christopher Nolans upcoming Tenet. She also starred in the acclaimed Australian series The Kettering Incident.
Female Afghan Peace Negotiator Survives Assassination Bid

By Ayaz Gul August 15, 2020

Officials in Afghanistan said Saturday a prominent female peace negotiator had survived an assassination attempt ahead of U.S.-brokered negotiations with the Islamist Taliban.

Fawzia Koofi, a 45-year-old former Afghan parliamentarian and a renowned human rights activist, was returning to Kabul from the neighboring northern Parwan province Friday evening when unknown gunmen ambushed and attacked her vehicle in a marketplace near the capital city.

Koofi was "slightly" wounded but she was in "good health," tweeted Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai, the head of a 21-member national team designated to negotiate a political settlement to the country's long conflict with the Taliban.

No one claimed responsibility for Friday's attack that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani denounced as a "cowardly" act.

"I strongly condemn the assassination attempt on Ms Fawzia Koofi @FawziaKoofi77 and call upon the government to identify and apprehend the culprits and possible motive for the attack," tweeted Abdullah Abdullah, who is overseeing the national political reconciliation process with the Taliban.

The Taliban denied its involvement in the attack saying the group had "nothing to do with it."

Koofi has served as the first woman deputy speaker of Afghanistan's parliament and is known as a vocal critic of the Taliban. She has survived several previous assassination attempts allegedly plotted by the insurgents.

A series of recent high-profile attacks in an around Kabul have gone unclaimed, though militants loyal to the Afghan branch of the Islamic State group have taken credit for plotting some of them.

The Ghani-led government has promised to investigate and expose perpetrators of those attacks but no progress has been reported so far.

The proposed Afghan-Taliban talks are an outcome of a deal the United States signed with the Islamist insurgency in February to extricate American troops from the nearly 19-year Afghan war and promote a peaceful settlement of decades of hostilities.

The Afghan government Friday released the first 80 of a last group of 400 Taliban prisoners ahead of the talks expected to begin later this month in Doha, the capital of Qatar, where the U.S.-Taliban deal was signed and which hosts the insurgents' political office.

The prisoner swap is part of the pact and a Taliban condition for starting much-hoped-for peace negotiations. It calls for the insurgents to release the 1,000 Afghan security personnel they held captive and for the Kabul government to free 5,000 Taliban prisoners.

Friday's attack on Koofi came hours after a group of United Nations rapporteurs in a joint statement called on Afghan authorities to take "early decisive action" to prevent killings of human rights defenders in the country.

"The killing of one human rights defender is a tragedy for society; the death of nine defenders since the beginning of this year shows the emergence of a truly alarming trend," Mary Lawlor, U.N. special rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, said, according to a U.N. release.

"Already by August, Afghanistan has far exceeded last year's figures," she said.

The statement noted that investigations in many cases have not yielded any results and lamented that "impunity" allowed the perpetuation of such crimes.

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By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 15, 2020 | 10:57 PM | GRAVES COUNTY

A man was arrested on theft charges Saturday in Graves County.

Deputies from Johnson County IL. Sheriffs Department contacted the Graves County Sheriff's Office to tell them to be on the look out for a white truck pulling a green trailer. The trailer was stolen Saturday morning in Johnson County.

Graves County deputies went to an area they knew the suspect, William David Weaks, was known to live. They noticed fresh tracks leading around a soyben field and wooded area. Deputies found Weaks parking the truck and trailer well out of sight.

Weaks was arrested and lodged in the Graves County Jail. He's charged with knowingly receiving stolen property over $500 but less than $10,000. Deputies said the trailer was seized and will be returned to its rightful owner.
Bangkok: More than 10,000 Thai protesters chanting "down with dictatorship" and "the country belongs to the people" rallied in Bangkok on Sunday in by far the biggest anti-government demonstration since a 2014 coup.

There were cheers for student calls to curb the monarchy's powers  once a taboo subject  as well as demands for the departure of former junta leader Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a new constitution and an end to the harassment of opposition activists.

Anti-government protesters rally in Bangkok on Sunday. Credit:Getty Images

Students have led protests almost daily for the past month, but Sunday's demonstration drew a broader crowd in the south-east Asian country, which has experienced decades of protests punctuated by military coups.

"We want a new election and a new parliament from the people," student activist Patsalawalee Tanakitwiboonpon, 24, told the crowd.
YouTube

The University of British Columbia (UBC) has put out an animated video to help kids understand coronavirus - and it's voiced by a six year old.

Its really hard to explain microbiology to your kids, Zachary Rothman, senior video producer with the UBC Faculty of Medicine told CTV News Vancouver.

Launching for kids going back-to-school, the short film COV-Ed 4 Kids, was created in hopes to help kids understand more about COVID-19 through Youtube.

It was produced by a team at the University of B.C., and to make sure it was built for young ones to watch, ended up also being voiced by one.

The three minute long video features Super Dot, a ball-shaped superhero who helps describe the coronavirus with a comic book like environment

We worked really hard to find that line between being really fun and really accessible for kids, and also not trivializing the seriousness of the pandemic, Rothman said.

Rothman decided his own daughter should voice the character after she helped test out a few lines while he was writing the script.

And his six-year-old said she didnt like it when the pandemic started.

I couldnt play with my friends and I couldnt get out, she said.

This is what the video focuses on addressing, questions along the lines of Why do all the grown-ups tell us to stay home? And why cant we play with our friends?

Ive heard that its because of something sneaky called the coronavirus.

Super Dot outlines how the coronavirus was discovered, the symptoms people may experience and how people get infected. Also encouraging kids to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds, stay home as much as they can and direct sneezing and coughing into their elbows.

The video was also a product of Faizan Bhatia and Celia Kwan, both third-year students with the UBC Medicine Ed Tech. Rotations for medical students were cancelled and the two decided to use their extra time to help in other ways, focusing on educational resources for kids.

COVID-19 can be this very scary and daunting subject, so we wanted to create something that was more lighthearted and fun and in simple language, Bhatia said.

Twenty people worked on the project, using peer-reviewed research and information supported by experts.

The team is now working on a video game about hand washing, which will be released in the coming weeks.

- with files from CTV News Vancouver
People returning to Germany from designated risk regions face a coronavirus test or two weeks compulsory quarantine

Germanys health minister on Saturday criticised party holidays and defended a decision to declare nearly all of Spain, including the tourist island of Mallorca, a coronavirus risk region following a spike in cases there.

I know how much the Germans love Spain ... But unfortunately the infection rates there are rising sharply, too sharply, Jens Spahn told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

Whoever goes to Spain despite the warning should protect themselves and others while on holiday. Party holidays are irresponsible in this pandemic.

People returning to Germany from designated risk regions face a coronavirus test or two weeks compulsory quarantine.

Bar owners in Mallorca, a popular destination for German holidaymakers, feared the news would be the death knell for their already-struggling businesses.

We live in fear here. We dont know what tomorrow will bring, said Gelinde, from Munich who owns Casa Baviera bar. We are not afraid of the virus, but we are afraid of what our livelihood will be like.

Spahns comments came as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany rose by 1,415 to 222,828, the biggest increase since late April, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases.

Infections in Spain have also spiked in recent days after it ended a tough lockdown seven weeks ago. The German move deals a new blow to hopes for a swift revival of mass tourism after months of lockdown all but wiped out this years high season.

There are currently around 30,000 Germans on holiday with tour operators in Spains Balearic islands, the vast majority in Mallorca, plus more independent travellers, the German travel association said.

TUI , the worlds largest tourism company, said it was cancelling all German package holidays to Spain with immediate effect until Aug. 24, appealing to customers already there to return within seven days.

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The Human Rights Commission has warned that the federal government's growing reliance on artificial intelligence and automated decisions is dangerous and will increasingly put vulnerable Australians at risk.

Releasing new research on Australians' attitudes on the use of artificial intelligence, Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow has urged the government to overhaul its approach to the emerging technology to avoid another scandal like the "robo-debt" scheme that unlawfully calculated and pursued debts from welfare recipients.

Government agencies are increasingly relying on automated decisions rather than humans. Credit:Rhett Wyman

Mr Santow said the people that tended to be least aware of the rise of automated decisions by government agencies like the Australian Taxation Office and Centrelink were the most disenfranchised in society.

"That is really, really concerning to me. And that's because there's a real tendency, when new technology is being trialled, essentially to beta test it on some of the most vulnerable people," he said.
Michigan lawmakers are firming up a framework for schools to get kids back to the classroom this fall - whether its in-person, virtual or some mix of both.

The Michigan Senate on Saturday voted through a plan leaving it to local districts to determine reopening methods and guidelines, taking local COVID-19 metrics and recommendations from individual health departments into account. In a rare weekend session, senators approved the main bill in the package, House Bill 5913, and House Bill 5912 in 23-15 votes and House Bill 5911 in a 23-14 vote.

The final version of the bills reflect an agreement reached by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and leadership in the Republican-majority Legislature, announced Friday night and drafted into legislation Saturday.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clark Lake, wrote on social media the bills reflect our commitment to ensuring students receive a quality education and empowers schools to make decisions that are in the best interest of students this fall.

Michigan Senate OKs framework for reopening schools during coronavirus pandemic

Reactions to the plan were mixed. Teachers unions announced their support of the legislation ahead of its passage, although some educators rallied on the Capitol lawn Saturday to protest in-person learning this fall.

School administrators and superintendents are concerned the legislation further complicates back-to-school plans already in motion and doesnt address state funding uncertainties.

On the Senate floor, most Senate Democrats were unconvinced the plan was the right approach. Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, said the current version is disconnected from the reality that we are facing while pushing for an amendment to eliminate funding reductions for districts that cant reach 75% of all pupils doing 2-way interactions each month.

The Michigan House is expected to take up the package during its Monday session. Heres a breakdown of what lawmakers and the administration came up with.

Central Academy classrooms remain empty during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic in Ann Arbor on Friday, July 17, 2020. Nicole Hester/Mlive.comNicole Hester/Mlive.com

Online or in-person? Districts get to pick

Schools wont see a mandate from the state to resume in-person instruction for any grade level this fall.

A House-passed version of the plan included a requirement that schools provide options for in-person classes for young students in grades K-5.

That idea was scrapped in the negotiated deal. Many of the states largest school districts, including Ann Arbor Public Schools, Grand Rapids Public Schools and Lansing Public Schools, had already approved plans to start the year remotely.

Once a school district determines it is safe to resume in-person instruction, the package includes a provision that districts prioritize getting elementary school students back to the classroom first.

The KPS Board of Education approved a resolution calling for federal action to preserve education funding for districts across Michigan at a virtual meeting Thursday, May 28.

School board meetings could get a lot more interesting

Michigan school districts have been busy this summer putting together back-to-school plans and determining the methods their schools would be using to educate kids.

Under the legislative deal, administrators will have to revisit those plans publicly, once a month.

School boards will be required to review their districts instruction plans on a monthly basis and provide opportunity for public comment before re-certifying the method of instruction or making any changes.

With the intense emotions and differing public opinions that have emerged around going back to school during a pandemic, publicly rehashing a school districts back-to-school plan every 30 days could get dicey, said Mark Greathead, superintendent of Woodhaven-Brownstown Schools and president of the Tri-County Alliance on Public Education.

This has been one of the most politically-charged environments that our school boards have had to go through, he said. It takes away from what the primary focus should be, which is kids, not the politics.

The typical amount of desks are shown as spaced at 3 feet in a classroom in Novi Wednesday July 29, 2020. Nicole Hester/Mlive.com

Count formula, instruction requirements relaxed

Per-pupil funding for each school district is determined by two Count Days each school year, held in October and February. In a typical year, school districts are required to provide 1,098 hours of instruction over 180 days under current state law to be eligible for funding.

Especially for districts continuing remote learning, those policies were daunting this year, Many districts are concerned the ongoing pandemic will drop attendance numbers, resulting in less funding from the state, and were worried about scheduling hours of virtual instruction to meet the minimum requirements.

The plan voted through the Senate would waive requirements on minimum instruction hours and days of instruction for the 2020-2021 school year so long as districts demonstrate an ability to provide a full years worth of instruction.

Many Democrats and school officials had advocated for letting schools use counts from the previous spring as a basis for funding in the upcoming school year.

Lawmakers settled on shifting the count funding formula, weighting per-pupil funding for districts based on 75 percent of last years enrollment numbers and 25 percent of the 2020-2021 school year. Districts will not be expected to hold in-person count days and can tally attendance virtually.

Funding for districts will also be tied to proof that schools are providing at least two two-way interactions a week between at least 75 percent of enrolled students and their teachers under the plan.

Students of Josie Gauthier seventh grade literature class take a test in a room that used to belong to Lumen Christi High School. This past summer Jackson Catholic Middle School merged with Lumen Christi to form a grades 7-12 campus. (Brian J. Smith | MLive.com) MLive Media GroupMLive Media Group

Benchmark tests a must

Regardless of how schools are teaching kids this fall, theyll have to test them to figure out where they stand academically.

To qualify for state aid under the legislation, districts will have to administer one benchmark assessment within the first nine weeks of the school year.

Sen. Dayna Polehanki, D-Livonia, a former teacher, unsuccessfully sought an amendment to remove the requirement, arguing benchmark assessments arent designed to be taken from home and would result in useless data.

But benchmark assessments were a big priority for legislative Republicans. Senate Education and Career Readiness Committee Chair Lana Theis, R-Brighton, said she would consider it educational malfeasance if districts didnt attempt to track where students are at academically after months of being at home.

This article was updated to reflect that Sen. Stephanie Changs amendment would have eliminated funding reductions for districts that cant reach 75 percent of all pupils doing 2-way interactions each month.

To help you navigate this complicated fall, were pleased to offer you a simpler way to get all of your education news: Our new Michigan Schools: Education in the COVID Era newsletter delivered right to your inbox. To receive this newsletter, simply click here to sign up.

Read more on MLive:

Coronavirus school reopenings to take center stage in weekend legislative session: Heres what lawmakers might do

More virtual classrooms? House OKs Return to Learn bills in late-night session

Michigan Democrats suggest skipping state standardized testing next school year over coronavirus concerns

Michigan Republicans propose $1.3 billion plan for reopening K-12 schools this fall

Reopening schools depends on how people behave, Michigans Dr. Khaldun says

Ann Arbor Public Schools holding firm on plan to start year remotely

What do Michigan teachers fear most about in-person learning? The students sitting in their classrooms

Are Michigan students really going back to school? Teachers, health officials say reopening is a minefield

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 .
Writings on the Wall

As a part of my academic field, I do a lot of trend spotting and basic estimates of what could happen in the future. Here are a few examples. Read more
Washington:

For the first time, an Indian-American woman has been elected as the new Mayor of the key Californian city of Cupertino, globally known for its Apple headquarters.

Savita Vaidhyanathan, an MBA who worked as a high school Math teacher and an officer in a commercial bank as well as in non-profit management, was sworn in last week in a ceremony attended by her mother who had flown in from India.

This is definitely a very momentous moment in my life, Vaidhyanathan told a packed house at community hall in Cupertino, The Mercury News reported.

Two days after taking charge, she issued her first proclamation as the Cupertino Mayor in education.

Savita is the first Indian-American Mayor of Cupertino, which according to Forbes is one of the most educated small towns in the country with local public schools ranking highly.

According to her campaign website, Savita has been a Cupertino resident for over 19 years and has been deeply involved in several community activities in the city.

Ive had several congratulatory messages saying that Im the first woman mayor of Indian-origin, said Savita.

Yes, I do take a lot of pride and prestige in that, but I do want to thank the residents of the city of Cupertino that voted me in not looking at ethnicity at all. Thank you for your trust in me, and maybe we did break that silicon ceiling and put a few more cracks in that glass ceiling, she said.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Here are todays leading news stories:

Politics

-- Vietnamese National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan had a meeting in Hanoi on Saturday with President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Heng Samrin, who was in Vietnam for the national mourning of former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu.

Society

-- Vietnams Ministry of Health on Sunday morning confirmed one imported case of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and one fatality. The countrys tally is at 951, with 447 having recovered and 24 deaths.

-- Authorities in Hai Duong City, the capital of the namesake northern province, have intensified social distancing regulations, been closing several entrances, and requiring local residents not to leave the city due to the complicated COVID-19 epidemic.

-- A total of 242 Vietnamese citizens stranded in the Philippines returned to the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on Saturday afternoon and were quarantined after their arrival.

-- Doctors in the central city of Da Nang confirmed on Saturday they had successfully performed a cesarean section on a pregnant woman who is infected with COVID-19. Both the mother and her baby girl are now in stable health conditions.

-- Hoang Xuan Dan, chairman of the Peoples Committee in Yen Bai City, the capital of the namesake northern province, passed away due to a heart attack at around 1:00 pm on Saturday, local authorities confirmed.

Business

-- Ecom Net USA, a branch of Vietnams personal protective equipment (PPE) provider Ecom Net, on Saturday inked a contract to become the supplier of face masks and PPE for U.S. medical group Spartans hospitals.

Education

-- The Ho Chi Minh City-based Ton Duc Thang University was Vietnams only university to rank in the top 701-800 of the Academic Ranking for World Universities in 2020.

World News

-- More than 21.5 million people have gone down with COVID-19 while almost 14.3 million patients have recovered from the disease, the Vietnamese health ministry said, adding that over 767,900 have lost their lives to the virus.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
By PTI

KOLKATA: West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra on Saturday sought to know from Prime Minister Narendra Modi the role of RSS in the freedom struggle.

Referring to PM's glowing tribute to freedom fighters in his Independence Day address from Red Fort, the senior Trinamool Congress leader said in a tweet that he was touched by Modi's praise for freedom fighters.

He, however, also urged the Prime Minister to shed more light on the role of RSS in the freedom struggle.

"@narendramodi praised freedom fighters. Touched. But PM, RSS Pracharak since 1972, please educate us on RSS role in the freedom struggle," Mitra tweeted.

He further urged Modi to know "the truth behind Sangh Parivar's" role in the fight against the British.

"My father was condemned to death by the British, (later) commuted to life imprisonment. We, children of freedom fighters, have the right to know the truth of Sangh Parivar," Mitra further tweeted.
Gardai in Dublin have issued an appeal for witnesses following an alleged hate crime at a Dublin canal.

A video that circulated on social media over the weekend shows two boys pushing the woman into the Royal Canal near Ashtown after she challenged a group of young people about racial discrimination.

The woman was unhurt in the incident on Friday evening.

According to the gardai, the incident occurred between Lock 11 and 12 of The Royal Canal, Dublin 15 on Friday evening, August 14 at around 7.25pm.

Investigating officers from Finglas Garda Station are calling on witnesses and anyone with information to come forward.

Anyone with information can contact Finglas Garda Station on 01 6667500, the Garda Confidential line 1800 666111, or any Garda Station.



A Garda spokesman said: An Garda Siochana is investigating a report of an alleged racially motivated incident which occurred on August 14 2020 in Dublin 15.

An Garda Siochana takes hate crime seriously and each and every hate crime reported to us is professionally investigated and victims supported during the criminal justice process.

The Garda Diversity and Integration Strategy 20192021 has a significant focus on enhancing the identification, reporting, investigation and prosecution of hate crimes, and An Garda Siochana is taking actions to improve internal recording and encourage more reporting by the public.

An Garda Siochana would encourage anyone who feels they have been the victim of a hate crime to report the matter directly to An Garda Siochana and not to third parties or on social media.
The Health Ministry Sunday night confirmed 11 new infections - eight in Da Nang, one in Hanoi and two Japan returnees.

Three of the patients, numbered 952 to 954, are a two-month-old baby girl, her 56-year-old grandmother and 57-year-old grandfather. They live in the same house with the baby's 35-year-old father, who was diagnosed with Covid-19 earlier.

Patients 955 to 958 are aged between 31 and 67. These include a patient and a caretaker at the Da Nang Hospital, currently a Covid-19 hub, and two who'd come into contact with infectees.

"Patient 961" is a 32-year-old female medical staff of the Hoa Vang field hospital in Da Nang.

"Patient 959" is a 24-year-old woman and "Patient 960" a 66-year-old woman, both quarantined upon landing at the Cam Ranh Airport in Khanh Hoa Province in central Vietnam on August 5 after returning from Japan on a Vietjet flight.

"Patient 962" is a 30-year-old man living in Hanoi's Thanh Xuan District. From July 20-22, he traveled to Da Nang, a popular tourism spot in the country. On August 3, he developed high fever and visited the Thanh Nhan Hospital for an examination.

His sample was taken and sent to Hanoi's Center for Disease Control for testing, but the result came back negative. On August 15, his sample was taken for the second test, which confirmed that he was infected with the novel coronavirus.

Since the novel coronavirus resurfaced in the country on July 25, Vietnam has recorded 486 community transmissions in 15 localities, most of them linked to Da Nang.

With the latest infections, Vietnams Covid-19 count stands at 962, including 482 active cases and 456 recoveries. Twenty-four people have succumbed to Covid-19 so far, all of them with previous comorbidities.

Sunday also saw nine patients in Da Nang declared free of the virus, seven at the Hoa Vang field hospital and two at the Da Nang Lung Hospital.

Among them is a 55-year-old man in Da Nang, tagged as "Patient 582," who was in critical condition and placed on ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) support. He was declared Covid-19 free Sunday morning after testing negative four times. However, he continues to stay at the Da Nang Lung Hospital for another week to make a full recovery.
Police have issued a warning over Donald Trump-shaped ecstasy pills that are high-strength and dangerous.

A man in his 30s from Luton has been arrested on suspicion of supplying the orange tablets, which have been made to look like the US president's head, said Bedfordshire Police.

Detective Sergeant Ryan Barnes said: 'Criminals are constantly finding new ways to sell their drugs and make them more appealing.

Bedfordshire Police have issued a warning about Donald Trump-shaped ecstasy pills that are very strong and contain high levels of MDMA

A man from Luton, in his 30s, has been arrested on suspicion of supplying the pills to users

'We have seen MDMA tablets created to look like a number of culturally popular items before and a recent example of this is the 'Donald Trumps'.

'The 'Donald Trumps' are dangerous tablets that contain extremely high levels of MDMA and could put anyone taking these in serious harm.

'If you come across these or any other type of drug, please do not take them for your own safety, as you can never be sure what these pills contain.'

In 2018 92 people died from ecstasy-related causes in England and Wales, according to Statistica.

This was the highest number of ecstasy/MDMA-related recorded deaths in 25 years and the amount has continued to stay high.

MDMA is classified as a class A drug in the UK meaning possession or supply of it carries the most severe penalties.

Most ecstasy-related deaths are caused by hyperthermia or overheating especially because the drug is often taken at raves or nightclubs where it is crowded and easy to become dehydrated.

Ecstasy pills are seldom pure MDMA and are often cut with other things such as cocaine, heroin or even rat poison.

Long-term abuse of ecstasy can cause psychosis, nerve degeneration, depression, anxiety, memory loss, kidney failure and more.

The NHS has guidance on getting help with drug addiction where they recommend starting at a GP, finding local drug services and reaching out to charities.
Lalu Prasads Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is expected to contest 152 seats and the Congress 91 seats when elections to the 243-member state assembly take place, according to the seat-sharing formula being worked out by the so-called Grand Alliance (GA), leaders of the two parties said.

The RJD, from its quota, would allot some to the smaller parties in the alliance, the Vikashsheel Insaan Party (VIP) led by Mukesh Sahni and the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, a senior leader of the alliance said, requesting anonymity.

The Congress would have to accommodate the rest of the allies such as the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP), Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Communist Party of India (CPI) from its quota of 91 seats.

Seat arrangement talks are in final stages and a formal announcement would be made in August last week when we will get a fair idea whether elections in Bihar would be held or not. There is no point in announcing a seat deal so early, the senior alliance leader cited above said, referring to the uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic

In the 2015 assembly elections, when the Janata Dal (United) was part of the alliance, the JD (U) contested 110 seats, the same as RJD. The Congress contested about 40 seats.

RLSP and HAM were part of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which lost the polls. In the alliance, the RJD emerged as the largest party with 81 seats, JD (U) got 70 and the Congress 27, enabling the coalition to come to power.

As JD (U)s Nitish Kumar was the face of the alliance, he became chief minister; on July 26, 2017, Kumar left the alliance to form a government with the BJP.

In the new format, the RJD is expected to leave 30 from its quota for VIP. The RJD is also keen that CPI-ML Liberation should be a part of the alliance, and would offer some seats to the party from its quota. We will submit our list of seats to RJD by next week. We are keen on an alliance...but it should be on respectable terms, said Kunal,state secretary of the CPI-ML Liberation, who uses only his first name.

The Congress is expected to contest 42 seats and offer the remaining 49 to RLSP, HAM and CPI, party leaders said.

State president of the RJD Jagdanand Singh refused to comment on the seat-sharing formula, insisting that the RJD, being the biggest partner in the opposition alliance, was preparing to contest all 243 seats.

The seat sharing will be done at the right time. We as a senior partner have the responsibility to help our allies in seats they would contest and we are doing that, he said.

Bihar Congress spokesperson Harku Jha said the seat-sharing talks were progressing positively. RLSPs senior leader Rajesh Yadav said the seat-sharing arrangements would be formalized soon.

Among the alliance partners, only HAM appears to be unhappy.

HAM national spokesperson Danish Rizwan said, The RJDs arrogant attitude towards smaller allies will prove costly for the alliance. There has been no headway in seat talks and our party chief will take a call on our future course of action by August 22. HAM has been threatening to leave the alliance since June and join the NDA.

BJP state general secretary Devesh Kumar said, The Grand Alliance is a grand opportunistic alliance devoid of any ideology and model of governance. The seat sharing in the GA is on theoretical terms. It will be seen whether the alliance sticks {together} or not.

JD(U) spokesperson and state minister Neeraj Kumar said the seat-sharing talks were being led by second-rung leaders in the alliance. The RJD-led coalition is remote controlled from Ranchi by jailed RJD chief Lalu Prasad and allies have to meet him there with the courts permission for final talks. Only then would the picture be clear, he said.

Lalu Prasad has been convicted in four cases related to the so-called fodder scam and is serving 14 years of imprisonment.

D M Diwakar, a social scientist and former director of the AN Sinha Institute of Social Studies in Patna, said the RJD has an upper hand in seat-sharing talks as it seeks to reap the gains from its aggressive posturing on the rising cases of the coronavirus disease in Bihar and the hardships faced by migrant workers who returned home during the lockdown.

It is evident the allies are aware of the changing ground realities and are now more receptive toward RJD, which has a leadership role in seat-sharing, he said.

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TDT | Manama

Counterfeit drugs may soon become a thing of the past in the Kingdom! The Bahraini government is putting an end to it by establishing a comprehensive track and trace mechanism to detect a drugs current and past locations with ease. Which means, the electronic system which comes alive in 2021, will allow a doctor here to ensure that the medicines he prescribes are not fake.

Besides authorities, the system allows retail pharmacies as well as hospitals to ensure a drugs authenticity by scanning the products before dispensing to improve patient safety, the accuracy of pharmacy operations and reduce errors. This also means that it will be nearly impossible to make an error in handling drugs as a drugs authenticity is ensured before selling, or dispensing.

Experts say, when correctly implemented, a drug can be tracked throughout the supply chain and traced back up the supply chain upon return or recall. The tracking through serialization begins from the production line and continues to the end-user, which in turn ensures that Bahrain is free of counterfeit medicines. The highlight, however, is that it comes with no additional cost.

Not to the government, hospital, pharmacies or import agencies. How does that work? Since the drug manufacturers collectively finance the system based on sales, it leaves the authority, hospitals, pharmacies and import agents with no additional fees, explained Dr Maryam Al Jalahma, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA).

Dr Al Jalahma added: This system will make the Kingdom a world leader in stopping counterfeit medicines and make the pharmaceutical supply chain for Bahrain safer. We have designed the system according to the European Medicines Verification System, Dr Al Jalahma pointed out.

According to NHRA, this tracking system is capable of ensuring medicines, especially controlled ones, are not misused. Bahraini company Bahrain-based logistics provider, MVC Global, a provider of track-and-trace platforms for pharmaceuticals and medical devices, is entrusted with implementing the project, the Supreme Council of Health said.

The system will come alive after linking the integrated system to the drug import and consumption (DUR) system established by the SCH. The system ensures products compliance and regulatory clearances, as well as physically tracks products from its manufacturing line to the point of sale within Bahrain.

Global Trade Item Number The system works by scanning a 14 digit Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) to identify all of the medicines traded in the Kingdom. Manufacturers and distributors are bound by law to use GTIN on their products in the Kingdom. GTIN number reveals a products expiration date, operation number (Batch number) and the serial number of each package.

The rule applies to medicines manufactured, imported, or manufactured abroad and packed and wrapped in factories inside the Kingdom. Dr Al-Jalahma praised the Supreme Council of Health for implementing such an advanced solution in cooperation with a Bahraini company.

Commenting on the new partnership, MVC Chairwoman Sheikha Dia bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa said: We have built a professional level team in Bahrain to position the Kingdom as a world leader in supply chain tracking and tracing systems.

And now, in light of the ongoing Corona epidemic, the availability, reliability and safety of pharmaceutical supply chains is a more urgent priority than ever before.  It is worth noting that MVC founded by Sheikha Dia bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa in partnership with AVC Global, a leading blockchain supply chain company brings together rfxcel, a cloud-based provider of serialization, and track and trace solutions.
Rescue agencies in Alberta are fielding a higher volume of calls, including ones about accidental deaths, as Canadians stay closer to home this summer due to COVID-19.

In the Rockies, Kananaskis Country Public Safety said they have noticed twice as many calls in recent months compared to the same period last year.

Its been a busy, busy summer, public safety specialist Michael Olsthoorn said from Canmore. Its just busier ... on all fronts.

Olsthoorn said more people recreating also means more rescues, with specialists responding to up to seven calls each day.

Were probably double the previous years.

Those calls range from overdue hikers and people with twisted ankles or broken legs to river rescues and fatalities  including a woman who fell from Mount Fable in Kananaskis Country in June and a man who died in mid-July after being hit by a boulder while hiking at Mount Yamnuska, west of Calgary.

Many others across the province have drowned.

RCMP statistics, which include most areas outside major cities, show 16 people have drowned in lakes, rivers and streams in Alberta this year. Two of those people have not been found, but police say they are presumed dead.

Three girls from a Hutterite colony drowned in Milk River on June 10. Cpl. Ronald Bumbry with the Alberta RCMP said many others have occurred in late July and August, when temperatures got hotter.

People have been cooped up for a long time, he said, noting Mounties across the province have noticed an increase in visitors at lakes and in parks since some restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 were lifted.

Some of the drownings in July and August included: a man who fell into the North Saskatchewan River along Glacier Lake trail in Banff National Park and was swept away; a 39-year-old man who drowned in Lake Annette in Jasper National Park; and two people who were found dead on the shore of Pigeon Lake in central Alberta  police said they likely drowned in a kayaking accident.

Three family members also died Tuesday, after they went into swimming at the bottom of Crescent Falls, west of the hamlet of Nordegg. One was swept under the falls and two others tried to help, but they were all drawn into the torrent of water.

Experts said some drownings could be an unintended consequence of the pandemic.

COVID has definitely thrown everyone off, said Kelly Carter, chief executive officer of the Lifesaving Society in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

People, he noted, were locked in their houses for a couple of months and many gravitated toward outdoor activities once summer hit and restrictions lifted.

They might be exploring areas theyve never been to before, said Carter. With that comes hazard and risks.

He said people need to do more research so they know before they go about potential hazards.

Carter said another factor could be that recreation facilities, including municipal swimming pools, were closed and not all have reopened.

The life-saving societys statistics, which come from monitoring news reports, suggest there has been at least one other drowning in Alberta this year  for a total of 17, up from nine water-related deaths at the same time last summer.

Chris Houser, a professor of earth and environmental science at the University of Windsor, and another professor from Australia predicted the potential for more drownings during the pandemic in a July op-ed as people started crowding popular beaches.

Beaches can be dangerous environments and it is not uncommon for drownings to occur, they wrote. Unfortunately, there are several COVID-19-related factors that have the potential to significantly increase the number of beach drownings and rescues.

Houser said some people are infrequent beachgoers who are unfamiliar with the places they visit, many are going to areas that arent patrolled by lifeguards and some areas dont have as much staff on duty due to concerns about COVID-19.

Similar issues could be happening in Alberta, he said.

Its that need to get out, Houser said in an interview from his Ontario cottage, where hes noticed an increase in boating activity. Self-isolation is hard and its mentally hard right now. Going to the beach is a fun activity and a stress reliever.

Houser agreed that hot weather has also drawn more people outdoors.

Youve got people at uncontrolled beaches, but they are not necessarily experienced and following the behaviour of others  whether those people are right or wrong.

All of these factors together have increased the risk.

Read more about:
U.S. Army trainers instruct Iraqi Army recruits at a military base on April 12, 2015 in Taji, Iraq. (John Moore/Getty Images)

Rockets Target Base Hosting US-Led Coalition Forces in Baghdad

CAIROTwo Katyusha rockets targeted Iraqs Al-Taji base north of Baghdad, which hosts U.S.-led coalition troops.

No casualties are being reported, the coalition spokesman and state news agency said on Saturday.

On Aug 15, appx 9:15 p.m., two small rockets landed near Taji base. No coalition troops near impact, spokesman for the U.S-led coalition, Col. Myles B. Caggins III, said on Twitter.
President Donald Trump was given several opportunities to outright reject the baseless claim that Sen. Kamala Harris could be ineligible to serve as vice president. Trump repeatedly refused. Days after he gave credence to the racist conspiracy theory, Trump pointedly declined repeated opportunities to state the obvious fact that Joe Bidens running mate is a U.S. citizen who was born in Oakland, California. The president did say on Saturday his campaign will not be pushing the issue. I just dont know about it, but its not something that we will be pursuing, Trump told reporters.

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REPORTER: Will you say Kamala Harris is eligible to run and be vice president based on the fact she was born in Oakland?



TRUMP: "So, I have nothing to do with that. I read something about it ... it's not something that bothers me." pic.twitter.com/Oq3CCluSvn  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 15, 2020

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A reporter had asked the president to say Harris is eligible to be the countrys vice president, but Trump notably refused to say something that could put an end to all the baseless conspiracy theories. I have nothing to do with that. I read something about it, Trump said. I know nothing about it, but its not something that bothers me. When he was pressed on the issue, Trump continued to push back: I just dont know about it, he said. The president then seemingly got angry at the reporter suggesting he knew the claims were not true. Dont tell me what I know, he said. He kept on insisting he had no idea what the truth might be. To me, it doesnt bother me at all, he said. I dont know about it. I read one quick article. The lawyer happens to be a brilliant lawyer, as you probably know. He wrote an article saying it could be a problem. Its not something that Im going to be pursuing.

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Pushed again to comment on Harris eligibility, Trump repeated the same message, making it clear it was his planned answer and not an off-the-cuff response. I just told you. I have not gone into it in great detail, he said before suggesting that if there had been a problem, hes sure the Democratic campaign would have found it. If shes got a problem, he said, you would have thought that she would have been vetted by Sleepy Joe.

The article Trump was likely referring to was the op-ed by John Eastman published by Newsweek that was widely denounced. Trump may think Eastman is a brilliant lawyer, but in truth he is a fabulist whose toxic views have grown like a cancer on the right, forming the pseudo-intellectual foundation for birtherism 2.0, as Slates Mark Joseph Stern wrote. Newsweek has since apologized for the op-ed after several staff members publicly criticized the decision to run the piece. This op-ed is being used by some as a tool to perpetuate racism and xenophobia. We apologize, reads the editors note that is now on top of the piece. We entirely failed to anticipate the ways in which the essay would be interpreted, distorted and weaponized. Although many, including the staff members, had called for the piece to be taken down, Newsweeks opinion editor, Josh Hammer, and the global editor in chief, Nancy Cooper, said the piece would remain on the site with the note attached because we believe in being transparent.

For more of Slates news coverage, subscribe to What Next on Apple Podcasts or listen below.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 08/16/2020



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[ Spoilers Warning: This report contains spoilers revealing whether Paul and Karine are still together and the latest about : Happily Ever After? couple's status.]

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Did Karine leave Paul and head back to Brazil or did she stay in the United States?

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So have Paul and Karine broken up for good or is the couple still together?

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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

star Paul Staehle and Karine Martins are struggling to settle into a happy life together in the United States on Season 5 of : Happily Ever After?, so did couple call it quits on their marriage or are they still together -- and what's the latest?Paul, a 35-year-old from Louisville, KY, and Karine, a 23-year-old from Tonantins, Brazil, met on a dating app and communicated for over a year before Paul traveled to Brazil to get to know Karine better.The couple starred on Seasons 1 and 2 of : Before the 90 Days as well as Season 1 of : The Other Way.Paul and Karine tied the knot in 2017 but their wedding didn't air on TLC until 2018.Karine got pregnant in 2018 and announced the big news in October of that year after suffering through multiple miscarriages. The couple then discovered they had a baby boy on the way.But shortly before baby Pierre was born on March 22, Karine threatened to file for divorce from Paul because she was tired of fighting with him, and she believed Paul had some major trust and jealousy issues.Karine wanted to feel supported and taken care of, but Paul didn't have a steady job. However, he argued he was doing everything in his power to be the best husband and father possible. He never thought his effort was good enough for his wife.: The Other Way's first season even featured Karine and her mother leaving Paul behind in Tonantins and traveling to Manaus via boat to file for divorce shortly before Pierre was born.However, Karine decided to give Paul another chance because she loved him and thought he'd be a good father to her son.Paul and Karine had been married for two years by the time Season 5 of : The Other Way filmed. The couple had been in Brazil for over a year but Paul said they were "barely getting by."Paul and Karine therefore planned to move to the United States so Paul could get a job and make more money. He also wanted to give Pierre a better life."It took a lot, but I was able to sponsor Karine on a CR-1 visa, which is a spousal visa and allows Karine to apply and get a two-year Green Card before she even enters America," Paul told the cameras."She already has her Green Card approved; she is a complete permanent resident."But Karine was more than willing to return to Brazil, and she said she didn't even mind co-parenting from different countries. But Paul hoped it wouldn't come to that and he could make Karine happy in America."If Paul doesn't keep his promises, I don't know for how long I'll continue here in America," Karine said in a confessional.Karine arrived in America with bright eyes, but she was immediately disappointed when she discovered Paul's car in Louisville, KY, was a mess and his mother had no intention of helping them out. Paul had also used up most of his savings in Brazil.A U.S. grocery store didn't impress Karine, and she was disgusted with living options when Paul took her to a trailer park."If Paul doesn't find a beautiful house, Pierre and I will come back to Brazil without him," Karine said in a confessional.Since Karine didn't like any of the options in the trailer park, Paul found his wife a tiny home on the same lot as the trailer park. The one-bedroom "studio," which appeared to be a renovated shed, had a little front porch and Paul cleaned it for his wife."It's good. I like it here," Karine said, adding that all she wanted was a house with walls, a bathroom and enough space for her family."Paul is really trying to make me happy. This house is the first step for me to feel comfortable here in the U.S. And right now, it makes me happy."Paul felt "so relieved" Karine liked the place, but they could only live there temporarily.After some time passed, Paul said Karine was no longer happy. Paul had trouble landing a job due to his criminal record and having been charged with an arson felony.Paul told his mother Mary that Karine was homesick and often complained about her body."I wouldn't want to be with somebody who is kind of like a deadbeat," Mary admitted to her son.After one month of being in America, Karine called the adjustment very difficult. She was not used to the house and said Paul was still unable to land a job and provide for his wife and son Pierre.Karine didn't like living near the train tracks because the train was very loud when it passed by, and she said Paul didn't seem to know, understand or care how unhappy she was.Paul felt Karine was just looking for reasons to not like America, and he wished she would be more patient with him.Karine told Paul to go look for a job, and he insisted he had been networking and connecting with people. Paul said Karine didn't give him enough credit for everything he did for his family because he took care of their food "and everything."Paul promised Karine everything was going to be alright, but she replied, "I'll give you two months to find a job. Otherwise, I'll pick up Pierre and we'll leave for Brazil."Paul told Karine that he loved her and wanted to stay together as a family and so he would do his "very best." Paul said Karine's threat broke his heart and shattered it on the floor, adding he would be devastated if Karine and his son moved back to Brazil without him."Failure is not an option for me -- whatsoever," Paul noted to the cameras.Karine and Paul documented their time together in America over the course of several months on social media, and they appeared to be a happy family last summer.But in early September 2019, Paul made an Instagram Stories posting claiming Karine was threatening him with divorce."Doing a poll strictly out of curiosity. For someone I know very well...... Should a wife divorce her husband over his mother buying gifts daily spoiling their son?" he wrote in the Instagram Story."Should a grandmother be banned from seeing her grandchildren over spoiling them. And a husband be divorced for defending his mother's actions?"Although Paul seemingly tried to play it off like the scenario was happening to some other couple, most of his Instagram followers knew better as the couple's social-media postings openly showed they were living near Paul's mother in the Louisville at the time with Pierre.As a result, it appeared Karine was angry with Paul's mother for "spoiling" her son as well as Paul for taking his mom's side.Things seemed to go back to normal until late September, when Paul suggested, once again, the couple's marriage was ending and Karine had initiated a divorce.According to the comments, Karine told Paul that she didn't want him in her life anymore and had retained a divorce lawyer.Paul revealed the news in a pair of since-deleted Facebook postings from September 27, according to screenshots captured by his followers."Karine asked me to remove our photos. And let everyone know that she doesn't want me in her life," he wrote in his first Facebook posting.Paul then also wrote a subsequent posting in a mix of Portuguese and English. When translated, the text states, "Karine's divorce lawyer called me. Guess I need a lawyer."Shortly afterward, Paul deleted both postings and removed most photos of Karine from his page.In October 2019, the cloud seemed to pass because Paul asked fans on Instagram for great haunted-house recommendations in the spirit of Halloween. He also posted a photo of them smiling at the time.Paul and Karine then celebrated their second wedding anniversary in early November 2019.But later that month, the pair openly discussed filing for divorce, once again.Paul claimed Karine had "started divorce proceedings in Manaus," and Karine told Us Weekly on November 12 that she was "looking for a lawyer.""Over the course of our Christmas dinner Paul and Karine broke up, got back together, broke up, got back together, broke up and this just in -- are back together. Stay tuned for more on this developing story," Instagrammer John Yates posted on December 25.In December 2019, Paul alleged Karine had taken off with their baby and was with a new man named Blake. He also said Karine was demanding a divorce again at the time.Paul and Karine's relationship has been up, down and all around.In July, Paul lashed out at Karine on Instagram for allegedly calling Paul a "horrible father and husband" and threatening to move their son Pierre back to Brazil.Paul took to Instagram on July 15 with the angry message to Karine and quickly deleted it afterward, but Yates captured a screenshot of the rant and posted it on his own account.Paul blasted Karine in saying, "Yelling at me in public calling me horrible father and husband. We spend every penny we have on bills and designer [clothes] and video games for you. I did not buy anything for myself.""I made sure you and Pierre had everything you all could possibly want and I bought nothing for myself. I try to show my family USA History and I get shunned. Because only your country and culture matter," Paul continued."I take you to the hospital and stay by your side, make sure [you're] at all your doctors appointments and let you spend all your money only on what you want -- but I am a Bad Father and Husband you yell in public."Paul also insisted he's the one who changes "every poopy diaper" Pierre has."Even when I am not home and you call me to come home just to change his diaper because the smell of poop makes you sick. But I am the terrible husband and father. I also never ever cheated on you," Paul wrote."But I understand you want to take Pierre to Tonantins and live because I am such a horrible person," he concluded.The pair then appeared to briefly reconcile for about two weeks, but then things changed and exploded dramatically.On July 30, Paul posted a lengthy Instagram Live video in which he and Karine had a huge fight . They both made assault allegations against each other and Karine called the police.Paul said he wanted to file for full custody of their son Pierre after Karine allegedly cheated on Paul and violated a Child Protective Services case against her.During the Instagram Live video, an apparent friend of Karine's also told the police Karine wanted to be taken to a "shelter" where someone could "help her."The woman said Karine depended on Paul -- who seemed to be holding Karine's passport and other documents -- for everything, including money, and so Karine basically didn't have a way out.Later that night, at around 4AM on Friday, Paul posted another video on his Instagram Stories and seemed to claim the police were called again."I apologize to you guys for earlier. It's been crazy here. I did not get arrested. The cops did come back," Paul said."We had a storm and Karine got on her cell phone and called the police because the WIFI disconnected. She said I was halting her communications... which didn't make any sense to me because she had her phone the whole time and the WIFI just randomly went out.""Sometimes Internet goes out in our houses -- it happens right?! But you're going to call the cops? For that? The cops weren't too happy about it."Paul added it's "been stressful" for the couple and they "need prayers.""That's the big thing," Paul noted. "Everybody, pray for us. And like I said... I don't want Pierre in dangerous situations. Pierre has been in a very dangerous situation before and that's why things happened."Paul subsequently made additional Instagram postings, reportedly, in which he claimed Karine had gone "missing" with Pierre while he was in the hospital being treated for a STD. He seemed to blame the STD allegation on Karine for allegedly cheating on him after she arrived in Kentucky."I've never cheated on Karine, ever, but apparently I've tested positive for an STD and they are giving me treatment for me," Paul said in one video.A couple of hours later, Paul then reportedly claimed Karine had filed a "full restraining order" against him and posted photos showing a copy of the order Karine had filed against him."I'm not allowed to be around her or my son, within 500 feet of them at all," he said.Karine -- who is expecting her second child with Paul -- confirmed in early August that she had left Paul and obtained an emergency protective order against him.Karine said she wasn't "missing" but needed to be "rescued from an environment" that was no longer healthy for her and her child, adding on Instagram, "Relationships are hard and sometimes it just can't be fixed anymore."Karine's protective order included an array of shocking claims -- including that Paul had physically assaulted her, sexually assaulted her, and prevented her doctor from prescribing contraception to her.In the emergency protection order application Paul had shared on social media, Karine claimed Paul "forcefully rapes me," "hold[s] my Green Card and all my documents," monitors her phone, uses cameras to monitor her on his phone when he is not home, has forced her to drink beer while pregnant, and has forbidden Karine's doctor from prescribing birth control to her."On multiples occasions in the past 3 weeks the respondent pushed me, grab my breast squ[ee]zing and twisting, hurting me, pushing me to the floor, covering my mouth. He force his penis into my mouth and forcefully rapes me. If I refuse he throws things, he yells, or he threat[ens] to call police," Karine wrote in the handwritten two-page application."He currently hold[s] my Green Card and all my documents. I am not allowed to leave the house, he monitor[s] my phone, he [has] cameras around the house and he can see through his phone who arrives and who leaves. He threat[ens] take out son Pierre away if I ever leave. He forced me to drink alcohol by threat[ing] me so I drunk some so he calm down."Karine continued, with the help of a language translator, "He is constantly on social media making videos of me against my will saying I am crazy, saying I have mental illness. Recently he called [Child Protective Services] and told [them] I was always drunk, aggressive, and abusive to him.""He post on social media [that] I have [cheated with] several [men] even knowing that he [has] cameras around the house and I can't leave. I have no access to money for my son or myself.""I went to the doctor to try [and] get contraceptive," she wrote. "In the doctor's office he said 'no' because I would be doing an abortion. The doctor explained the contraceptive was only for preventing [pregnancy] and I would not get pregnant [but] Paul said 'no' and took me home."According to her application, Paul also refused to let her return home to Brazil but she feared she still wouldn't be safe in her native country."I came to U.S. to visit my in-laws and now he [does] not let me go back. We got married in Brazil, not in U.S.," she wrote. "When I ask to go back to me family he threat[ens] [to] take my son away.""I am terrified he will hurt me or hurt my son because I runned away from him and I am even afraid to go back to Brazil now because He Can go to Brazil and hurt us."Karine ended her application by stating she was also afraid of Paul's mother Mary and wanted no contact with any of his family or friends."I have my family in Brazil but I don't feel that law enforcement will protect me from him there," she wrote. "I am afraid of him and his mother because his mother knows and sees what he does and she refused [to] report her son. I have witnessed him threat[en] and being violent with his own mother.""I do not want any contact with or his mother, his friends or family. I do not want them close, I am afraid of them hurt[ing] my son for revenge."Paul, however, denied Karine's allegations in the protective order on August 10."It truley [sic] breaks my heart it has come to this. I have bent over backwards. I found work. Got a new home. A new car. Let her buy anything she wanted. I did the cooking, cleaning, laundry and took care of Pierre," Paul wrote in his Instagram Stories."I have never in my life physically or sexually assaulted anyone."Paul has claimed for quite some time that Karine has mental health issues, and so he addressed his beliefs in the message to his followers."I have made motions to the court for Karine to get mental help. I have had to double up on my therapy to cope with this madness," Paul wrote."Her motion against me with false allegations is for a 3 year restraining order against me and both my children. Alimony and child support. But I can not see her or my children at all."One day later, Paul vented about how social media has basically ruined his life."I will be deactivating all my social media accounts soon. My social media addiction has caused me nothing but pain. It is time people put their phones and social media down and focus on your loved ones," Paul wrote."Do not allow social media to destroy your relationships and family. I never knew my heart could feel such pain. I always took for granted my son would be around me every day... I never want to date or remarry [or] to ever feel this pain again. To not be a part of your childrens life born and unborn is beyond painful."Paul continued in his Instagram Stories posting, "I regret oversharing private matters on social media and to other people. I regret taking for granted my family would be together for ever and live happily ever after," Paul lamented.Paul advised other men to treat their wives and children well and to "listen, forgive" and "not hold grudges" in relationships."But most of all, keep your marital problems private," Paul concluded."This is a pain no one should have to endure. Not knowing if my children [are] ok. If and when I might see them again. I forgive all those in my life who have ever made false accusations against me."The latest events represent a dramatic change from the couple's status only about a month or so earlier.In late June, Karine had posted a photo of Paul playing with Pierre and captioned it, "Happy Father's Day." She also added a blue heart to her post.And Paul posted an Instagram video on May 19 of a bike he had purchased and was putting together for Karine.Earlier in May, Paul had also taken to Instagram to happily announce Karine's pregnancy with Baby No. 2.It appeared Karine was already several months along into her pregnancy at the time.The baby's gender and due date have yet to be announced.Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage!
The three nations agree to present proposals on management of Ethiopias controversial $4bn dam within two days.

Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia have agreed to present draft proposals over the management of Addis Ababas giant and controversial Nile hydroelectric dam within two days, Sudans water ministry has said.

After lengthy discussions, the attendees decided to resume negotiations on Tuesday  to work on unifying the texts of the agreements submitted by the three countries, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

The decision came during the talks led by the African Union between water and foreign ministers from the three countries about the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Talks organised by South Africa, the current chair of the African Union, resumed on Sunday after a short suspension, a day after Egypt and Sudan voiced optimism that a deal could be reached.

The GERD, situated in western Ethiopia on the Blue Nile River, has been contentious since Ethiopia broke ground on the $4bn project in 2011.





Years of talks between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan with a variety of mediators, including United States President Trumps administration, have failed to produce a solution.

The two downstream nations, Egypt and Sudan, have repeatedly insisted Ethiopia must not start filling the reservoir without reaching a deal first.

The dispute reached a tipping point in July, when Ethiopia announced it had completed the first stage of the filling of the dams 74 billion cubic-metre reservoir, sparking fear and confusion in Sudan and Egypt.

Egypt and Sudan suspended their talks with Ethiopia earlier this month after Addis Ababa proposed linking a deal on the filling and operations of the GERD to a broader agreement about the Blue Niles waters.

That tributary begins in Ethiopia and is the source of as much as 85 percent of the Nile River. It was not clear whether that issue had been addressed in Sundays talks.

During a meeting on Saturday in Khartoum, the prime ministers of Sudan and Egypt said they were optimistic the talks would be fruitful.

It is important to reach an agreement that guarantees the rights and interests of all three nations, the leaders said in a joint statement, adding that a mechanism to resolve (future) disputes should be part of any deal.

To Ethiopia, the GERD project offers a critical opportunity to pull millions of citizens out of poverty and become a significant power exporter.

For Egypt, which depends on the Nile River to supply its farmers and booming population of 100 million with fresh water, the dam poses an existential threat.

Sudan, geographically located between the two regional powerhouses, says the project could endanger its own dams.
(Natural News) Big Tech corporation Facebook has allowed a group affiliated with domestic terrorist organization Antifa to organize a potentially violent siege on the White House on its platform.

The group, known as the Adbusters, shared an image on July 28 advertising a siege of the White House. The occupation, as they call it, is scheduled to start in September and last for 50 days.

On September 17, 2020, we will lay siege to the White House. And we will sustain it for exactly fifty days. This is the #WhiteHouseSiege. We need your voice of wisdom and expertise to pull off a radically democratic tone shift in our politics. #WhiteHouseSiege will electrify the U.S. election season  and it doesnt stop there. Drawing wind from #MeeToo, #BLM, #ExtinctionRebellion and protests against Trumps lethal bungling of coronavirus, well inspire a global movement of systemic change  a Global Spring  a cultural heave towards a new world order. Are you ready for revolution? We are too.

Before the chaos brought upon the entire country by Antifa and their Black Lives Matter allies, the United States had to deal with their predecessors: the Occupy movement. The most notorious faction within the Occupy movement was Occupy Wall Street, which created an illegal encampment in New York Citys Zuccotti Park for 59 days in 2011. Adbusters was one of those principal organizers behind Occupy Wall Street.

Many of todays Antifa and Black Lives Matter supporters were veterans of the wider Occupy movement, and they have brought their radical leftist, anti-capitalist messages with them in their crusade against law and order in order to push the country further towards socialism and communism.

The start date of this new Occupy movement happens to coincide with the first day of Occupy Wall Street. The groups advertisements for their upcoming attack against the White House have gone viral all over social media. (Related: Facebook smoking gun: Conservatives targeted for censorship because of their political beliefs  Facebook rigging elections.)

Leftists and authoritarians all over the world are attempting to bring about the New World Order. Learn more about them by listening to this episode of the Health Ranger Report, a podcast by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, who talks about how the radical left will attempt to overthrow and assassinate President Donald Trump during a coup that may begin within the next 30 days, in order to prevent him from winning the upcoming election.

Adbusters main goal is to interfere with the election

On Adbusters own website, they lay out their plans for the upcoming attack on the White House. According to their tactical briefing, they will occupy Lafayette Square, directly to the north of the White House, for no less than 50 days.

We witnessed this  the multiplying power of a strategic occupation  nine years ago. You dig in, hold your ground, and the tension accumulates, amplifies and goes global.

The siege will supposedly end on November 3rd  Election Day. Their hope is that their siege of the White House will cause enough disruption to electrify the remaining days until Election Day.

A second tactical briefing that they published points out how the siege of the White House is just the first phase of a clearly well-thought out plan to to not let Trump steal the election.

The main message from their two tactical briefings is that they are calling for new recruits. They hope to gather people in the hundreds of thousands to Lafayette Square to make sure that Joe Biden gets to be inaugurated in January 2021, and the left-wing Democratic Party gets to retake all three main halls of power  the House of Representatives, the Senate and the presidency.

It should be noted that Adbusters is a Canadian organization. It bills itself as a global network of activists who want to topple existing power structures, such as the U.S. government, and create a new and global left-wing society.

Learn more about how radical leftist groups like Adbusters, Antifa and Black Lives Matter operate by reading up the latest articles concerning their activities at LeftCult.news.

Sources include:

BigLeaguePolitics.com

Facebook.com

RedState.com

Adbusters.org 1

Adbusters.org 2

Web.Archive.org
New Delhi, Aug 16 : Ashok Leyland is ready to increase its footprint in the global market, says its Chairman Dheeraj G. Hinduja.

In his message to the shareholders, in the commercial vehicle major's Annual Report, he said that it is now the opportune time for Indian original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to showcase their manufacturing prowess and seek a global position.

Hinduja said: "With AVTR and the upcoming LCV range, I would like to mention with reasonable confidence that your company is ready to expand its presence in India and multiple overseas markets.

"I strongly believe that now is the opportune time for Indian OEMs like Ashok Leyland to move, without inhibition, and seek a global position by showcasing our manufacturing prowess and demonstrating the products of global standards of quality and reliability." Further, the Hinduja Group company would also continue to position mobility products and solutions in an accelerated manner, being one of the largest providers of logistic vehicles to the country's armed forces, he added.

"We should be seeing the benefits of our plans and efforts before long," he said.

On business operations amid the pandemic, Hinduja said that the management of Ashok Leyland has taken the opportunity of the last few months to re-examine the business and operating models without any presumptions.

"Upon a clinical assessment of the short-term and long-term prospects, a series of initiatives have been set in motion to reconfigure the company aimed at sustainable growth while minimising the adverse impact of economic cycles," he said.

Looking ahead, Hinduja said that the long-term outlook for the sector continues to remain positive, with the current phase seen "only as an aberration".
Australian actress Claire Holt is just weeks away from welcoming her second child, a girl, with husband Andrew Joblon.

And on Saturday, The Originals star showed off her bare baby bump at 35 weeks pregnant, in a mirror selfie taken at her Los Angeles home and shared to Instagram.

In the caption, the 32-year-old asked fans for their postpartum advice 'the second time' around, admitting to feeling stressed about how she will cope mentally.

'Stressed about how I'll cope mentally': Australian actress Claire Holt, 32, showed off her bare baby bump at 35 weeks pregnant in an Instagram post (pictured) on Saturday, and asked fans for their postpartum advice as she prepares to welcome her second child

Claire cradled her baby bump as she posed for a photo in a black crop top and matching leggings.

She secured her blonde locks into a sleek bun at the nape of the neck, and looked to have worn minimal makeup, showing off her radiant and blemish-free visage.

The Brisbane-born star took the opportunity in the post's caption to reveal her mixed emotions, as she prepares to give birth a second time.

Claire began: '35 WEEKS. I'm excited to meet this little girl but I'm SO anxious about losing it again. The recovery, sleep deprivation, feedings, two kids 17 months apart, a pandemic... It's a lot.'

Honest: The Originals star admitted to having mixed emotions, just weeks away from giving birth. 'I'm excited to meet this little girl but I'm SO anxious about losing it again,' she wrote in the post's caption

The TV personality revealed that she's 'always had help' and is 'completely in awe' of women who do it all on their own.

'I know how lucky I am and I know each stage is temporary, but I'm still feeling stressed about how I'll cope mentally,' she admitted.

Referring to her first pregnancy with 16-month-old son James, Claire said she still felt 'overwhelmed' despite having had help.

'I still felt overwhelmed, embarrassed, guilty that I was struggling, and not at all like myself after I gave birth. Did anyone have a totally different postpartum experience the second time? Tips?' she concluded her post.

Emotional: One week after giving birth to son James in March last year, Claire broke down in tears in an Instagram post (pictured), having felt 'exhausted, in pain and defeated'

Overwhelmed: The Originals star shared a selfie of her tear-stained face while cradling James, explaining that she was feeling 'overwhelmed' in the post's caption

One week after giving birth to son James in March last year, Claire broke down in tears in an Instagram post, having felt 'exhausted, in pain and defeated'.

Claire, who suffered a devastating miscarriage the year prior, admitted alongside a selfie of her tear-stained face, that she felt like she was 'falling short' as a mother.

'This was me yesterday after struggling through a tough feed. Exhausted, in pain, feeling defeated. I've had many moments like this since my son arrived,' she penned.

Doubts: Claire, who suffered a devastating miscarriage the year prior, admitted that she felt like she was 'falling short' as a mother. Pictured before giving birth to James

'My only concern is making sure his needs are met, yet I often feel that I'm falling short. Motherhood is an overwhelming combination of bliss and self-doubt.

'I try to remind myself that I can't be perfect. I can't be everything for everyone. I just have to do my best and take it one hour at a time.'

'Thankfully, this little guy is worth every second of struggle. Mamas out there - tell me I'm not alone??' she concluded.

Family: Claire is expecting a girl, her second child with husband Andrew Joblon. The couple are pictured with their first child, son James, now 16 months

Claire married Andrew Joblon in August 2018, eight months after their engagement.

She was previously married to Matthew Kaplan, who filed for divorce in April 2017, a day before their one-year anniversary.

If you are struggling, please contact PANDA on 1300 726 306, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or Lifeline on 13 11 14, or visit the COPE website.
Former CIA employee and whistleblower Edward Snowden is displayed on a screen as he speaks during a video conference to present his book titled "Permanent Record," in Berlin, Germany, on Sept. 17, 2019. (Jorg Carstensen//DPA/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump Considering Pardon for NSA Leaker Edward Snowden

President Donald Trump told reporters on Saturday he is considering a pardon for Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor who leaked a giant trove of U.S. national secrets in 2013.

Im going to start looking at it, Trump said at a news conference in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Snowden fled to Russia and was given asylum in 2013 after his leaks exposed a vast domestic and international surveillance operation carried out by the NSA. U.S. authorities have since sought to have Snowden return to face criminal espionage charges.

Snowdens attorney said the United States should not only pardon his client but drop all prosecutions since Snowden has not committed any crimes.

He was acting not only in the interest of the American citizens, but in the interest of all the humankind, the attorney, Anatoly Kucherena, said.

Shortly after media stories about Snowdens leaks emerged in 2013, Trump called him a spy who should be executed.

The president said on Aug. 15 he thinks Americans on both the political left and the right are divided on Snowden.

It seems to be a split decision, Trump said. Many people think he should be somehow treated differently. And other people think he did very bad things.

President Donald Trump walks over to speak with the press after arriving on Air Force One at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, N.J., on Aug. 14, 2020. (Susan Walsh/AP Photo)

Snowdens leaks exposed domestic spying operations that U.S. officials claimed not to exist.

The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit last September against Snowden, arguing that the memoir he published last year, titled Permanent Record, violated non-disclosure agreements.

The Justice Department said Snowden published the book without submitting it to intelligence agencies for review, adding that speeches given by Snowden also violated nondisclosure agreements.

Snowden has previously said he is willing to return to the United States if the government would guarantee a fair trial.

Snowdens revelations about the NSA, Britains GCHQ, and other intelligence agencies set off an international debate about spies powers to monitor personal communications, and about the balance between security and privacy. Critics say his disclosures harmed the ability of the United States and its allies to fight terrorism.

A federal court ruled in 2015 that the NSAs metadata surveillance program that Snowden exposed was illegal. The program collected information on at least 80 percent of all the phone calls made or received by Americans. President Barack Obama signed legislation the same year to terminate the program. Snowden called the decision a historic victory for the rights of every citizen.

The NSA still operates PRISM, a program which collects communications from internet providers.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Two Katyusha rockets on Saturday hit a military base in the north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, the Iraqi military said, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

The attack took place in the evening when the two rockets fired from al-Rashdiyah area on the neighboring al-Taji Camp, some 20 km north of Baghdad, with the casualties unclear yet, the media office of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command said in a brief statement.

Al-Taji Camp is a huge military base containing an air base where some U.S. troops are stationed.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the rocket attack, but Baghdad airport and the Iraqi military bases housing U.S. troops across Iraq, as well as the U.S. embassy in the Green Zone, have been frequently targeted by mortar and rocket attacks.
Shankkar Aiyar By

History offers profound insights on why we are where we are and why we are not where we should be.

In 1966, the National Education Commission chaired by Daulat Singh Kothari suggested that Indias expenditure on education should be increased to 6 per cent of GDP. More than half a century later India continues to aspire to spend 6 per cent of GDP on education. The bitter truth is spelt out in the recently released New Education Policy 2020.

The Kothari Commission Report listed a set of goals  numerical and language literacy, inculcation of social responsibility, vocational training in secondary education, special emphasis on teacher training and quality of teachers and focus on research in higher education  for nation building. The fact that 54 years later Indias New Education Policy should need to list foundational literacy, quality of teaching, equity and inclusion, curtailing dropout rates, vocational education and holistic education is an eloquent testimony on how Indias policies failed children over seven decades.

Comparisons often illustrate successes and failures eloquently. In 1966 when the Kothari Commission submitted its report, India and Indonesia had similar rates of literacy. In 2020, Indonesia boasts of a literacy of 95-plus per cent and India is at 75 per cent. Yes, India has improved enrolment thanks to mid-day meals and access after Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. Quantity though is not accompanied by quality.

Such is the rot in the system that Indias youth is caught between lack of employment and poor employability. In mean years of schooling, which is number of completed years of schooling, India fares worse than its BRIC peers Brazil, Russia and China. This factor accounts for lack of competitiveness in many labour intensive sectors and is one of the causes for poor yield in agriculture.

The crux is the state of primary education. For decades since M C Chagla, education has lacked a champion for the cause. Originally a state subject, education was dragged onto the Concurrent List in the seventies triggering a bipolar disorder, divorce of authority and accountability between the Centre and the states.

Money is an issue but money is not the central issue. In the past two decades, Indias expenditure on education, the Centre and states put together, rose from `67,000 crore in 2000 to nearly `6.5 lakh crore in 2019. Yet even as the government has spent more and more, ever more people are choosing to send their children to private schools  between 2014 and 2018, the number of students in government schools dropped by 1.24 crore. In 2019, nearly 48 per cent of children are enrolled in private schools  the reasons range from a yearning for English-medium schools to perceived better outcomes.

NEP 2020 is pious in intent and is informed and influenced by a wide array of research and experiences  not to mention three drafts and through the tenure of three Human Resource Development ministers in six years. The 63-page promissory note to the future of India is eloquent in its promises of what it aims but tentative in its approach and coy about a plan of how!

Hindsight, the cliche has it, is 2020 vision. NEP 2020 promises change but much rests on flailing systems. It assures emphasis on early childhood care and education using a combination of Balvatikas and Anganwadi centres, which is problematic given the state of physical and human infrastructure. In

December 2019, the government informed Parliament that of the 13.77 lakh anganwadi centres, 3.62 lakh do not have toilets and 1.59 lakh do not have drinking water facilities. Anganwadi centres are also understaffed with over 1.75 lakh posts left vacant.

In the classroom, teaching demands the presence of teachers. The new policy assures Anganwadis will be expanded, teacher vacancies will be filled. Data reveals the assurance could well be a triumph of hope over history. In 2014, over eight lakh teacher posts were left vacant by states. In July 2019, the government informed Parliament that over 10 lakh posts of teachers in primary and secondary schools were vacant across states  Bihar and Uttar Pradesh accounting for nearly half the vacancies in primary schools.

The state of affairs in education is really the state of governance. There is no dearth of solutions. The gaps in capacity can be bridged. Creating tutor posts at different levels, allowing for internship/apprenticeship based teaching degree will bridge gaps and spur income/employment. Recast of syllabus load can end the chapter-to-chapter scramble and allow teachers to create room for improving pedagogy. Use of technology from use of QR Code enabled access to online material to web streaming of lessons to app-based learning to simple access to tutors on a stipend on call system can help both teachers and students.

NEP 2020 is a good beginning. However, piety like hope is not a strategy and the aspiration of transformation demands educated outcome plans. There is a need to distil definitions of autonomy and accountability. To end the parade of sub-par outcomes, the Centre and the states must re-design the architecture of delivery  for education and for all public services.

Shankkar Aiyar

Author of The Gated Republic, Aadhaar: A Biometric History of Indias 12 Digit Revolution, and Accidental India shankkar.aiyar@gmail.com
Asta Nielsen

I thoroughly enjoyed working in films with Asta Nielsen. Always while working in motion pictures, I missed that sense of live reaction with an audience that I felt while acting on stage in a theater. That most stimulating factor of the theater is lacking, namely, the interaction and fluidity of a living audience. When I was in a play in a theater, and all was going well on stage, I felt that the audience and I were somehow joined into one. This is much different in a film studio, standing in front of a camera. But with Miss Nielsen, I could almost feel that I was on a real stage again. She was an actress whose strong fluidity as a female stage partner made up for the lack of a public audience. The right partner in a film is equal to half the audience!

Been appreciating all the Old Hollywood posts here lately, and I wanted to add some variety to the conversation!Here are ten actresses I like from Asian, European, and North American silent film.Danish actress with a strong-willed persona and naturalistic (for the time) style who was so popular in Germany she was called "The Asta." Possibly the first international female movie star, commanding $80,000 a year in the 1910's. However, she was never well-known in the United States due to censorship.Nielsen in(1910, Urban Gad). Gif by filmsploitation on Tumblr Through her own film distribution company, she was able to star as Hamlet in 1921, following a version in which Hamlet was actually a woman disguising herself as a man.Hamlet 1921 gifs by shakespeareismyjam on Tumblr Conrad Veidt on working with Nielsen:(source is Veidt Writes via this Conrad Veidt fanpage .)Later on, as sound movies began, Nielsen retired to the stage. Eventually, Hitler and Goebbels tried to offer Nielsen her own studio, but she rejected their offer and moved back to Denmark. There, she provided money for Jewish food assistance in World War II.She had four-long term relationships, two ending in divorce. Her final marriage occurred when she was 88, when she married her 77-year-old art dealer Christian Theede. They reportedly lived very happily until her death at age 90 in 1972.She was very influential in the industry, and there are quite a few poems about her as well.

"Asta Nielsen" means the power to speak of pathos, to see pain, and to find the middle path between Baudelaire's flower of evil and the sick rose of which Blake sang.

M.S. Fonseca, The International Dictionary of Films And Filmmakers: Actors and Actresses

Brigitte Helm

Dolores del Rio

El' Dura

German actress most famous for her first role as both Maria and the machine woman in 1927'sI also rec the movie in this picture and in the picture before the cut,, a 1928 movie directed by Marcel L'Herbier.When her second marriage turned out to be to a man of Jewish descent, the Nazis criticized her, although her star wattage did also get her off automobile manslaughter charges. She retired from movies because she was "disgusted with the Nazi takeover of the film industry," ( NY Times ) and moved to Switzerland in 1935.Extraordinary Mexican actress who is most known for her sound film work, but did get her start in silent film. So much happened in her career and her life that I really can't start to summarize it here.So I'll just post this quote from George Bernard Shaw, though it does not even start to cover her talent and presence:Spotted this actress as one of the leads in the 1929 Hungarian film, a German co-production directed by Pal Sugar.

For this film, she is described as an acrobat or Malayan dancer. Another intertitle describes her as mulatto. Her performance is graceful, sympathetic and endearing.



Had to screencap her myself because this is a rare movie:





There really isn't much known about her. IMDB says that she was also a revue dancer, and that she was "native Creole."



more from IMDB:



In Rabmadar (1929), footage of her brief nudity while bathing and subsequent scenes with a sexual predator (played by Hans Schlettow) were censored, but survive.



She made only one sound film, the short movie "Eine Dirne ist ermordet worden" (1930).



On stage, she played the role Nscho-tschi in the play "Winnetou" from 1929.



What else I found about her from this Hungarian film site, quotes Zsigmon Lenkei about producer Geza Szekeres Steinhardt: The Schlettows, Charlotta Susa, El Dura and other foreigners lived a good life for a while owing to our friend, Geza. The named foreigners were active in the German film industry.

Louise Brooks

Musidora

Nadia Sibirskaia

Pina Menichelli

Ruan Lingyu

Takako Irie

"the two most beautiful things in the world are the Taj Mahal and Dolores del Rio."

She was also known as Ell Dura.Known as "Lulu," Louise Brooks was an American actress who only became well-known through her European work Her signature bob haircut also became a worldwide sensation.ETA:Her performances were filled with vibrant intelligence and sensitivity. Her wit and world-wise temperament carried over into her later career as a writer.offered this quote from her writings:other selected quotes:and on film "cult" trends:from, edited by John KobalBorn Jeanne Roques but renaming herself Musidora for the Greek "gift of the muses," this multi-disciplinary bohemian French artist is one of the pioneers (others include Theda Bara) of the "vamp" look and persona.She is most famous for playing Irma Vep in the Louis Feuillade serialYou should check out some of her other work too if you can find it, such as her role as adventuress Diana Monti/Marie Verdier in theserial.Born Germaine Marie Josephe Lebas, this French actress is most well known for her sensitive performance in the short filmPlease try to check out more of her work, including the 1929 short(pictured above, cap by caitsifthfa ) and the 1934 featureSibirskaia inI even spent 2+hours just to cap her five minutes in Jean Renoir's. Both caps above are by me.My favorite out of the "divas" of the Italian silent era.(the most famous being Lyda Borelli).They were passion incarnate, flirting and fainting and fighting in extragavant fashion.goals.Gifs by lovethosedeadmen and Silents Please The latter film,Chinese actress so legendary that the equally iconic Maggie Cheung played her in a classic biopic.Tragically died by her own hand at the age of 25.Takako Irie had a long career in Japanese film, starting in the silent era.One of her most famous roles was in Kenji Mizoguchi's, which was produced by her own production company in 1933.Only a tiny percentage of silent films produced still exist in any viewable form. A lot of our perspective of silent film comes from what was promoted and what remains. Amidst certain terrible attitudes that are either dated or unfortunately still present today, there are a lot of fantastic moments as well.The work and history of other film professionals like Toshia Mori, Tsuru Aoki, Grace Chiang (linking to my tumblr for her cus there's really very little info collected in English), Wu Suxin (also linking to my tumblr because Chinese Mirror doesn't host the original article anymore), Marion E. Wong (who, in 1917 Oakland, directed the first Chinese-American independent film), and Adela Sequeyro (who is the only name here whose work I haven't seen, but her work was only recently rediscovered) need to be appreciated and preserved for future generations.I hope you can find some entryway here into the world of silent cinema!Sources:Images found via general image search and TumblrContent: Wikipedia and my own knowledge over the years
Vaccination against seasonal diseases, influenza and viral respiratory infections will begin in Moscow on September 1, the mayor of the city Sergei Sobyanin said in an interview with the TV channel Russia 1.

The mayor recalled that about 7 mln Muscovites were vaccinated in 2019. Maybe this measure saved us from larger disease peaks this spring, when the pandemic started, the mayor said.

He also drew attention to the fact that this year it is necessary to repeat last year's success and start vaccination earlier.
There are countries that give us hope.Vietnam, for example, was hit by a Corona hardly. The national statistics recorded only a few infections and no deaths. The Lockdown was immediately imposed after the epidemic, two months earlier than in Germany. And the Vietnamese test ratio provides European countries in the shade.

Thomas Thiel

editor in the features section.

F. A. Z.

Also came to the densely populated Indian province of Kerala so far by the disaster. You benefited from the experience of a previous epidemic, and imposed a speedy and effective measures. Of course, both regions, the economic and social consequences of the pandemic remain not spared. But it shows that experience and hands-on Action of the Virus much of its destructive power to take.

only the physician does not respond Holistic crisis interpretations

In science have quickly on the outbreak of the disease. The Humanities and social Sciences have produced a Wealth of interpretations. The centre for interdisciplinary research in Bielefeld, Germany, has launched a blog series to life (www.zif.hypotheses.org), the estimates of international scientists from chemistry to business and science gathered. Illustrated the much-part series with Comics by the artist Oliver Grajewski.

It goes without saying that the essays, some of which come from established, in part, by younger scientists, to be provisional as long as it is unclear whether the Virus will be a continuous load. Whether it is from the health sector, a comprehensive watershed depends, ultimately, on whether it medical professionals can manage to find a vaccine. According to far, the interpretations are put. Some would like to see Corona as a turning to a more equitable world and a harmonious relationship with nature. The Brazilian philosopher Renato Ribeiro is reminiscent of the Chilean protesters wrote the Slogan, "don't we return to reality, because the reality was the Problem!" on the posters.

what is striking is the tendency to a holistic crisis of interpretation is. It has become common to speak of a world before and after Corona, as the Virus was not only a medically treatable disease, but a Symptom of a time. Now the serious consequences for the economy and society are not to be denied. Why Corona should be, for example, a manual for the reconstruction of the financial system, or the impetus for a spiritual recovery, is rarely explained.

difference and community

Other essays seek to draw the line somewhere. The Israeli sociologist Eva Illouz corrects the widespread view that it was in the case of the presumably of a bat-transmitted Virus to a natural disaster, for it is only the man-made mode of Transmission have made it a global plague. The Brazilian physicist Jose Gracia Bondia, of which the above-mentioned country examples, explain why many words of warning before the outbreak of the pandemic were ignored: the policy deals only to a limited extent with future risks, because of this hard-to-consensus application can. The economist Stoyan Sgourev warns against blind confidence in the money-printing press in addressing the economic consequences of the crisis, and recalls what seems to be no culture scientists found ready, to the value of art and culture in difficult times.

Updated Date: 16 August 2020, 16:20
Vietnam documented one imported case of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and one coronavirus-related fatality on Sunday morning.

The countrys latest patient is a 27-year-old man who previously returned from Equatorial Guinea on July 29, according to the Ministry of Health.

His flight VN6, operated by national carrier Vietnam Airlines, landed at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, and he was quarantined at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases upon arrival.

His fourth test came back positive for the novel coronavirus on Friday.

On the same day, 183 people who boarded flight VN6 from Equatorial Guinea to Vietnam were allowed to return home after completing their 14-day isolation period and testing negative for the novel coronavirus.

Aside from the new case, Vietnams health ministry also reported the countrys 24th coronavirus-related death on Sunday morning.

The patient was an 82-year-old woman in the central city of Da Nang with a history of meningitis.

She passed away at the Hoa Vang District medical center, with her death attributed to pneumonia caused by COVID-19, severe respiratory failure, septic shock, and meningitis as a pre-existing condition.

Vietnams COVID-19 tally has reached 951, with 447 having recovered and 24 fatalities as of Sunday morning.

A total of 477 local infections have been registered since July 25, when the country recorded the first local case after 99 days of no transmission in the community.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
When the bodies were not immediately recovered and identified, family members directed their fury at Dr. Wetli. They worried that swift action regarding their loved ones had become secondary to the retrieval of forensic evidence for a criminal investigation.

Beyond that, families and politicians accused him of making blunders that only compounded their grief: He did not immediately work around the clock, he initially refused the help of pathologists from other jurisdictions, and he did not allow most family members to see what remained of their loved ones.

Dr. Wetli defended himself to the news media. For the first three days, he said, autopsies were performed 12 hours a day instead of 24, because families had not yet supplied the dental X-rays or fingerprints essential for positive identifications. In some instances, detectives had to be sent across the country and abroad to dust for fingerprints in the victims homes.

Dr. Wetli said that he knew he would need extra help eventually, but that he had opted to establish a smooth process with his own staff before adding people or shifts.

Theres no point having everybody show up and wait around doing nothing or giving advice I dont need, he told The New York Times in 1996. I dont need 30 dentists at 8 oclock in the morning.

The explosion and a plunge of 13,800 feet into the water had sheared the skin, clothes and limbs from many passengers, making them more difficult to identify  and more disfigured  than most bodies that end up in a morgue. Dr. Wetli did not want families to see the gruesome remains.

He said that politicians who did not understand the process had given families false expectations for quick results. But in time, he and the others managed to identify everyone aboard the plane.
NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of FirstEnergy Corporation (FirstEnergy or the Company) (NYSE: FE). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.



The investigation concerns whether FirstEnergy and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On July 21, 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigation agents arrested Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder in connection with an alleged illegal scheme involving bribery in return for Householders championing of a state-funded bailout of two nuclear power plants formerly owned by FirstEnergy.

On this news, FirstEnergys stock price fell $7.01 per share, or 16.99%, to close at $34.25 per share on July 21, 2020.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com.
China must guard against any rebound in off-balance sheet lending in the so-called shadow banking sector, and must dispose of non-performing assets as soon as possible, the head of the country's banking and insurance regulator said on Sunday.

In recent years, China has clamped down on shadow banking, concerned about the hidden risks in the high volume of complex and potentially risky loans in the sector. But as a weakening economy puts pressure on businesses and individuals, authorities fear shadow lending and illegal loans might surge.

After the outbreak of the new coronavirus this year, high-risk banks with complex structures may stage a comeback, Guo Shuqing, chairman of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, wrote in an article published in the Communist Party journal Qiushi.

"A slight relaxation of regulations may lead to a full resurgence, and all previous efforts would go to waste," Guo wrote.

Due to the coronavirus epidemic, leverage is expected to rebound significantly in the Chinese economy this year, and bad debts of financial institutions may rise substantially, he warned.

After the "black swan" epidemic, it is inevitable that asset quality will deteriorate, and due to a time lag, the current asset classification has not accurately reflected the true risk, he said.

A "black swan" event refers to an unforeseen occurrence that typically has extreme consequences.

Financial institutions should dispose of non-performing assets as early as possible, and covering up would only bring serious consequences, Guo said.

China should also implement targeted measures in dealing with institutions with varying levels of risk, he said.

Outside of China, external factors could also threaten financial security, Guo said.

Current international cooperation is not ideal, and the U.S. entity list imposed on some companies including Chinese firms has added uncertainty to the global economic recovery and disrupted financial stability and security, he said.

Washington restricts sales of U.S. goods to companies on the entity list.
Trump says looking at pressuring other Chinese companies after Bytedance FILE PHOTO: A logo of Alibaba Group is seen at the company's headquarters in Hangzhou

BEDMINSTER, N.J. (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he could exert pressure on more Chinese companies such as technology giant Alibaba <BABA.N> after he moved to ban TikTok.

Asked at a news conference whether there were other particular China-owned companies he was considering a ban on, such as Alibaba, Trump replied: "Well, we're looking at other things, yes."

Trump has been piling pressure on Chinese-owned companies, such as by vowing to ban short-video app TikTok from the United States. The United States ordered its Chinese owner ByteDance on Friday to divest the U.S. operations of TikTok within 90 days, the latest effort to ramp up pressure over concerns about the safety of the personal data it handles.

Trump, who has made changing the U.S.-China trade relationship a central theme of his presidency, has been sharply critical of China while also praising its purchases of agriculture products such as soybeans and corn as part of a trade agreement reached late last year.

(Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Richard Chang and Daniel Wallis)
LANSING  Michigans much-anticipated apple crop is right on schedule, and growers are ready to harvest the delicious fruit for consumer to enjoy.

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, so many events and traditions have been cancelled. But nature doesnt get cancelled, said Diane Smith, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee. Michigans apple growers have continued to work through the crisis and apples continue to grow. Right now they are ripening on trees and will be ready for consumers to enjoy in just a few short weeks.

Early varieties, like Paula Red and Ginger Gold are estimated to be ready for harvest around Aug. 25 and 27, respectively. Americas most-produced variety, the Gala, looks to be coming off trees around Sept. 8. Honeycrisp is estimated to be ready for harvest around September 18.

A full schedule of estimated harvest dates at MichiganApples.com.

There is always a great deal of excitement around apple harvest time, and this year is no exception, said Smith. In fact, consumers are more interested than ever in providing fresh, healthy foods for their families, as staying healthy and well has been top-of-mind over the past several months.

Consumers can find information about the health benefits of apples, as well as recipes and healthy meal plans at MichiganApples.com/Healthy-Living.

Apples are literally a symbol of health. They have numerous health benefits, and they can be eaten fresh or incorporated into recipes, said Smith. Michigans apple growers continue to be dedicated to providing safe, quality fruit throughout the COVID-19 crisis, while taking great care to keep their workers and operations safe as well.

An official estimate of the size of Michigans apple crop will be released on Aug. 21, as part of the USApple Outlook Virtual Conference.

Michigan Apple growers harvest an average of approximately 25 million bushels of apples each year. There are more than 14.9 million apple trees in commercial production, covering 34,500 acres on 775 family-run farms in Michigan.

The Michigan Apple Committee is a grower-funded nonprofit organization devoted to marketing, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan Apple and encourage its consumption in Michigan and around the world. For more information, visit MichiganApples.com.
By Paul Street

August 15, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - Within moments of Joe Biden announcing Kamala Harris as his running mate, the Trump campaign and the American right-wing propaganda machine began portraying the California senator as a far-left radical of the Marxist variety.



Theres nothing wrong with being a leftist (I am one), but the charge (I might say compliment) is ludicrous and undeserved. Harris has long been firmly lodged on the right wing of the Democratic Party, which Richard Nixons former strategist Kevin Phillips accurately described as historys second most enthusiastic capitalist party.

As both a Bay Area prosecutor (19902003) and California Attorney General (20032016), the Big Business-backed Harris earned a reputation as a friend of the police and an agent of racially disparate mass incarceration. She boasted of her high felony conviction rates, achieved with significant violations of defendant rights. She fought back any attempts to change Californias vicious prison system, institute a criminal justice reform and abolish the death penalty.

She even resisted a court order to release low-risk inmates by arguing that it could cost California an important source of cheap labor to be used, at risk to their lives, to fight wildfires for $2 a day.

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She was hardly the progressive prosecutor she claimed to have been when announcing her presidential candidacy in 2019.

Anyone who thinks Copmala Harris was a criminal justice progressive should watch a short TED-style talk she gave on behalf of racist mass incarceration at the Chicago Ideas Week conference in 2015. One really must take in her derisive voice and body language as she launched into a scornful attack on reformers supposedly naive call to move taxpayer money from mass imprisonment to education:

We all have these posters [sarcastic posture] in our closet [pained look on face] that is attached to a stick that we sometimes will cart out when were talking about criminal justice ... and we run around with these signs [disdainful face] ... Build More Schools, Less Jails! Build More Schools, Less Jails! And we walk around everywhere  Build More Schools! We protest [mocking face, hand pretending to hold up a placard] ... Put money into education, not prisons! [loud mocking squeaky voice]. Theres a fundamental problem with that approach, in my opinion. And its this: ...You have not addressed the reason I have three padlocks on my front door.

Attorney General Harris and her multimillionaire white husband had three padlocks on [their] front door because the class rule and racial oppression system she spent her adult life serving and protecting had reached such stunning levels of savage inequality that the top tenth of the American One Percent possessed as much combined wealth as the nations bottom 90 percent while the median household black-white wealth gap had reached six black cents on the white dollar. These disparities were only worsened by the giant racist mass arrest and incarceration regime that she and her future presidential running mate Joe Three Strikes Biden did so much to advance.

During her very brief stint (2017  present) in the Republican-controlled US Senate, Harris has tried to develop a progressive persona by speaking on behalf of liberal causes such as immigration reform, marijuana legalization and increased pay for schoolteachers. She scored more points with liberals by aggressively questioning Trumps right-wing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

In her disastrous and prematurely concluded presidential campaign, Harris clumsily tried to play the great game of Americans politics  the manipulation of populism by elitism (Christopher Hitchens)  by inauthentically posing as a candidate of the people. She briefly took up Bernie Sanders call for Medicare for All but then reversed herself on ending private health insurance in favor of a federally financed system. She promised to protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients from deportation and opposed Trumps border wall with Mexico, but, tellingly, failed to vote against Trumps network of immigrant detention camps along the US-Mexico border. She backs a boosting of the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour, but says nothing about how such an increase would leave millions of workers poor while ineligible for food stamps, housing subsidies and Medicaid.

Harris has also been a big player in the Democrats Russiagate campaign, demanding Trumps impeachment, not for his chilling violations of the US Constitution or his nativist persecution of immigrants, but for being an alleged Russian stooge. That has earned her points from the US national security establishment.

Vice presidential candidate Harris will make no calls for a real Green New Deal, genuinely progressive taxation, or single-payer health insurance (Medicare for All), which the arch-corporatist Biden says he would veto  this, even though single-payer is backed by seven in 10 Americans. Biden chose her because she will be safely on board with the corporate agenda while her deceptive progressive pretension and her nonwhite and female identity cloak her loyalty to an American System run by and for the mostly white corporate, financial, and imperial establishment.

Its an old game in American politics: Democrats posing as populists and progressives when theyre owned by the nations imperial ruling class.

The Republicans are also playing an old game: absurdly labelling corporate and imperial Democrats totalitarian, radical leftists, Marxists, socialists, and communists. From the New Deal (19321940) on, not a single Democratic president or presidential contender (no matter how militantly corporate, imperial, and anti-communist/-socialist), has escaped this paranoid-style charge from the American right. (The deeply conservative Barack Obama was ludicrously described as a socialist, a Marxist, and even a Marxist-Leninist by the Tea Party right, even as he governed in strict accord with the interests of Wall Street, Silicon Valley, and the military-industrial Pentagon System.)

Its a bit harder than usual for the right to make the neo-McCarthyite charge stick on Biden. Hes an old and conservative, racially problematic white man with a long congressional and vice-presidential record as an abject warmonger and a tool of the corporate class. Things are different with Harris. As a more recent arrival on the national stage, a product of the supposedly radical San Francisco Bay area, and a black female, Harris is much easier to sell to the Republicans disproportionately rural, white, and male voting and street-fighting base as a radical, big-city threat.

Its all very ironic. As with Obama, Harriss identity attributes help conceal her captivity to the capitalist profits system that the right religiously supports. At the same time, as neither of the two major US parties will ever admit, the United States could use a good dose of the socialism that Kamala Harris and other top Democrats are absurdly accused of supporting. Like something straight out of, well, Marx, the nations capitalist ruling class is grinding the American democratic experiment into arch-plutocratic dust, rendering longstanding majority-progressive public opinion irrelevant while wealth and power concentrate yet further upwards, and millions of ordinary Americans are thrown out of work, off health insurance, and into poverty and misery in the middle of an epic pandemic.

Paul Street, the author of numerous books, including They Rule: The 1% v. Democracy (Routledge, 2014) and The Empire's New Clothes: Barack Obama in the Real World of Power (Routledge, 2011). Paul Streets latest book is Hollow Resistance: Obama, Trump, and the Politics of Appeasement (CounterPunch Books, September 2020). Follow Paul on Twitter @Streetwriter17 - " Source " -

Why Has Joe Biden Chosen Kamala Harris?

By Moon Of Alanbama

August 15, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - Can anyone explain to me why Joe Biden selected Kamala Harris as running mate?

I find nothing that makes her an attractive candidate:

We just had a summer during which Democrats applauded to Black Live Matters and cheered anti-police riots. Harris has the well deserved (vid) reputation of being a hard line prosecutor and is unlikely to be sympathetic to the issue. Stocks of private prison companies went up when Harris was confirmed as vice president candidate.

Harris comes from California. She will not attract critical swing state voters.

Her campaign during the primaries was chaotic. She polled at some 2%, about the worst number of all candidates.

She has little governing and zero foreign policy experience. As Joe Biden has obviously (vid) mental problems a more experienced potential replacement would have been more assuring.

Kamala means "horrible, terrible" in Finnish.

In my view the choice of Harris as VP candidate increases the already high chance that Biden will lose the presidential election.

So what was the real reason for this choice?
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 17:43:47|Editor: huaxia

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NAIROBI, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan criminal investigation officers said on Sunday they are interrogating three suspected drug traffickers who were arrested in Nairobi on Saturday for engaging in drug trafficking.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations said its combined team of officers from the Transnational Organized Crime Unit, Special Services Unit and Anti Narcotics Unit arrested a notorious drug trafficker who has been operating in Nairobi's residential estate.

The three suspects are in custody awaiting arraignment in court on Monday.

Cases of drug trafficking have been on the rise in Kenya. Police said the drug traffickers now use roads as opposed to airports to carry out the illegal trade. Enditem
Gurbir Singh By

Express News Service

It was quite a splash in favour of self-reliance. Union minister for defense Rajnath Singh has unveiled a spread of initiatives that he said will reduce Indias arms import bill, and boost our self-reliance. Launching the Atma-Nirbharta Week, the minister announced that 101 items over 5 years would be banned in favour of domestic production. The negative list reserved for local manufacture will have not only small arms, but a relatively sophisticated range from light military aircraft, to even long range cruise missiles.

This policy path can only be described as momentous. India imports 65 per cent of its defense needs. Independent arms think tank, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), estimates Indias military spend for 2019 at $71.1 billion. We are behind top-spending US ($732 billion) and Chinas $261 billion, but still ahead of Russia ($65.1 billion) and Saudi Arabia ($61.9 billion). The SIPRI figure is disputed as Indias declared defense budget estimates for 2020-21 is $62.85 billion, or about Rs 4.9 lakh crore. India has, however, remained the worlds second largest arms importer for the 2015-19 period after Saudi Arabia, SIPRIs March 2020 report said.

A MAKE-IN-INDIA REPEAT?

The Defense Ministers Atmanirbharta statement has not been received with the wild applause it might have deserved. The reason for the skepticism: the same NDA government had in its first term unveiled a similar exercise called Make In India. Everyone remembers it. Self-reliance in defense was one of its declared aims, but much of the programme has remained on paper.

The Make in India website, pitching for investments says, The opening of the Defense sector for private sector participation will help foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to enter into strategic partnerships with Indian companies. Besides helping in building domestic capabilities, it will also bolster exports in the long term. The government site also claims: Since 2014, the Ministry of Defense has signed more than 180 contracts with the Indian Industry, as of December 2019. These contracts were valued over $25.8 Bn approximately. It is true that projects worth a humungous Rs 3.5 lakh crore were signed as part of the Make in India mission; but none of the major ones ranging from new generation stealth submarines and mine-sweepers to fighter jets ever took off in the last 6 years.

The only one that appears to be close to fruition is for the manufacture of AK-203 assault rifles being produced at the Korwa Ordinance Factory, in UP in joint venture with Russia. Some of the major contracts stuck include the Rs 8,000 crore Light Utility Helicopter project aimed at replacing the Cheetah/Chetak fleet struggling at the technical evaluation stage, though the contract with Russia was signed in December 2015. Another worth Rs 32,000 crore for the production of 12 minesweepers between Goa Shipyard and Kangnam Shipyard of South Korea was scrapped in December 2018.

LOCAL R&D HAS FAILED

We have a large government-run defense R&D and production establishment, but considering India imports 65 per cent of its needs and accounts for 9.2 per cent of the words arms imports, there is obvious non-performance. The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Rahul Bedi in The Wire points out, has a network of 52 advanced laboratories, manned by 5,000 military scientists and engineers, and a support staff of around 25,000. And, despite a galloping budget that has shot up from Rs 13,501 crore in 2016-17, to Rs 19,021 crore in 2019-20, it has not much to show.

Then there is the Ordinance Factory Board (OFB) with a fiefdom of 41 establishments and a one lakh workforce, and 9 defense PSUs including Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. Such a large infrastructure of R&D and production units should have achieved self-sufficiency quite a while ago; but as Bedi points out in his piece, even 80 per cent of the special high altitude winter clothing used by troops on the Siachen Glacier and on the Chinese border is imported.

Ajai Shukla, another well-known defense commentator, says the problem is India allocates by far the highest percentage of its defense budget on personnel costs, with a hefty 59 per cent going on salaries and pensions. Even the US and the UK, which pay their soldiers relatively lavishly, spend only 38 per cent and 30.6 per cent on personnel costs. Thus, while China and the UK spend 41 and 42 per cent of their defense budgets on modernisation, and even Pakistan spends a healthy 37 per cent, India can spare no more than 25 per cent on equipment modernisation, ie. capital expenditure.

Military hardware and defense systems need constant upgrades. These involve a huge and focused investment year after year. If the new Atmanirbharta mantra does not rise to the occasion, it will go the Make in India way. Former army chief General (Retd) V P Malik, speaking at a conclave in Chandigarh, last December, plainly said the armed forces are always blamed for supporting imports, but they have no other alternative.
The writer is a keen observer of the goings-on in the backrooms of power.

Acknowledging Sonia Gandhis leadership, the AICC head of media and communication attributed the resolution of the crisis to Rahul Gandhi

In this file photo the rebel Congress leader Sachin Pilot (R) is seen with the then Congress President Rahul Gandhi during a rally in Jaipur. PTI Photo

Eggshell walk

The truce in Rajasthan has posed a piquant situation for Congress Party spokespersons. There were three Gandhis who were to be credited. In addition, Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot were both to be praised. Randeep Singh Surjewala led by example.

Acknowledging Sonia Gandhis leadership, the AICC head of media and communication attributed the resolution of the Rajasthan political crisis to Rahul Gandhi and thanked Priyanka Gandhi for her role in it.

In one single line. Next he went on to admire both Gehlots large-heartedness and Sachin Pilots prudence. A template was set.

Many Congress leaders, particularly in-house TV talking heads, are worried these days as fulsome praise for Priyanka Gandhi has the potential of upsetting Team Rahul, as her brother is all set to return as the 87th president of the Congress Party.

Restless Scindia

Jyotiraditya Scindia seems to be getting restless over the delay in his induction as a Union Cabinet minister.

The Scindia camp is now mounting pressure in the guise of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly bypolls, arguing that the former Maharaja of Gwaliors induction in the Narendra Modi government would enhance the BJP's prospects in 27 assembly seats.

Some overenthusiastic supporters are even sending messages that Scindia would get the railways portfolio.

An internal BJP survey has reportedly given the ruling BJP a mere 50 per cent chance of success in the Madhya Pradesh bypolls.

Overdue bypolls

The future seems tense for some BJP ministers in Madhya Pradesh. There is no sign of the bypolls in the state even as the clock is ticking. There are 14 ministers in the Shviraj Singh Chouhan cabinet who are not members of the Assembly. If the polls are held by September-end or early October, senior ministers belonging to the Scindia camp, Govind Singh Rajput and Tulsi Selawat, may lose their ministerial berths.

Maheshs grouse

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt is an unhappy man these days. More than the controversy over Sushant Singh Rajput's death or various nepotism allegations, Bhatt is upset over the news of Sanjay Dutts lung cancer. For him, Sanju has been like a son.

What offends Bhatt the most is the venom and organised hate spewed against the trailer of Sadak 2 in which Sanjay Dutt is playing a lead role. Why can't Sanjay Dutt be spared in his vulnerable state?

Father figure

Pranab Mukherjees serious illness has been become a cause of concern for many, cutting across party lines.

He has been a towering figure in national politics from the days of Indira Gandhi to the Narendra Modi era. As former president, Bharat Ratna and a union minister for decades, Mukherjee had a unique position to talk to Modi, Rajnath Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Nitish Kumar, Sitaram Yechury, K Chandrasekhar Rao, Chandrababu Naidu, and Mamata Banerjee with equal ease. For the Congress, Mukherjee remained a father-figure even after becoming apolitical.

His daily appointments used to have a heavy dose of visitors from the grand old party seeking his informal advice.

Sanjay Jhas prospects

Sanjay Jha is a worried man. Suspended from the Congress party for speaking and writing out of turn, he was repeatedly counting a lot on Sachin Pilot and other dissidents. With Pilots ghar wapsi, Jhas hopes are now with Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tiwari batting for internal party democracy.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-15 17:25:27|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on Aug. 15, 2020 shows the hearse of Le Kha Phieu, former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, on a road in Vietnamese capital city of Hanoi. Memorial services for Le Kha Phieu were held simultaneously in the capital city of Hanoi, southern Ho Chi Minh City and his home province of Thanh Hoa on Saturday afternoon. (VNA via Xinhua)

HANOI, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Memorial services for Le Kha Phieu, former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC), were held simultaneously in the capital city of Hanoi, southern Ho Chi Minh City and his home province of Thanh Hoa on Saturday afternoon.

The memorial service at the National Funeral Hall in Hanoi was attended by leaders and former leaders of Vietnam's party, state and government, including Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and top legislator Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Vietnam News Agency reported.

During the two-day national mourning on Friday and Saturday, more than 946 delegations with over 11,000 people, including representatives of agencies, unions, localities, and people's armed forces, among others, paid homage to the late former leader.

Some 27 diplomatic delegations and international organizations, and two high-level delegations of Laos and Cambodia also came to pay last respects to Phieu, according to the report.

The memorial services were followed by the burial ceremony in the capital city on Saturday afternoon.

Le Kha Phieu, born in 1931, passed away on Aug. 7 in Hanoi after a long time of illness. He was the General Secretary of the CPVCC from December 1997 to April 2001. Enditem
Endurance swimmer Chloe McCardel has completed her record-breaking 35th English Channel crossing, landing in Calais, France, just before 7am on Sunday.

The 35-year-old Australian has broken the men's record for the number of crossings completed - which stood at 34 and was held by British athlete Kevin Murphy.

The crossing took 10 hours and 40 minutes after leaving Abbot's Cliff beach near Folkestone on Saturday evening.

Although there was some concern as to whether Ms McCardel and her team would need to quarantine on their return to the UK, she said she had been given the all-clear by English and French coastguards.

Endurance swimmer Chloe McCardel sets off from Abbotts Cliff beach near Folkestone as she embarks on a record-breaking swimming attempt across the English Channel

The 35-year-old Australian has broken the men's record for the number of crossings completed - which stood at 34 and was held by British athlete Kevin Murphy (pictured setting off)

She plans to have a 'little celebration' with her crew to commemorate the achievement - after saying she would spend a mere minutes on French soil.

The Government announced on Thursday that people arriving in the UK from France after 4am on Saturday need to spend 14 days in self-isolation due to rising numbers of coronavirus cases across the Channel.

The 21-mile trip means Ms McCardel moves to second on the list of the most Channel swims, passing the men's record of 34 held by British athlete Kevin Murphy.

She now only trails another Briton, Alison Streeter, who has completed the challenge 43 times.

Speaking shortly after arriving in France, Ms McCardel, who holds multiple world records for endurance swimming, joked it was a 'tough day at the office'.

'I'm in great spirits,' she said.

'It's such a joyous thing to be able to surpass the record and move to second spot on the list of most Channel crossings.

'It's a very momentous occasion and I'm very proud to be able to represent Australia. I've also been thinking a lot about the people in lockdown, particularly women facing domestic violence, and I'm proud to be able to be a voice for those who don't have one.'

The crossing took 10 hours and 40 minutes after leaving Abbot's Cliff beach near Folkestone on Saturday evening (pictured setting off)

She said: 'I would like to have a little celebration this evening in England.

'I'm extremely lucky to be surrounded by so much love and support, from my English host to my support boat captains and crew, and I'm excited to celebrate this achievement together with them.'

Ms McCardel added that, after completing four swims in 16 days to break the record, she was looking forward to finally getting some well-earned rest.

'I've got a lot more muscular soreness than I anticipated, I don't think I want to swim the Channel again for a while,' she laughed.

Although there was some concern as to whether Ms McCardel and her team would need to quarantine on their return to the UK, she said she had been given the all-clear by English and French coastguards. Pictured: Her support vessel

Ms McCardel had originally planned to set off at 10am on Sunday but rescheduled due to potentially poor weather conditions.

The Australian holds multiple world records, including the longest ever unassisted ocean swim  41.5 hours in the Bahamas, covering more than 77 miles.

Ms McCardel was given special dispensation from Australian authorities to travel to the UK to complete three Channel crossings in recent weeks, taking her level with Mr Murphy's record.

She holds multiple world records for endurance swimming including the longest ever unassisted ocean swim in the Bahamas in 2014.
He, too, he says, fell under the emotional sway of an older man, who introduced him to the world of culture and represented a door to success in France.

Mr. Hmaids father and younger brother, as well as a former girlfriend and a former colleague, said he told them of the abuse by Mr. Girard about two decades ago. Mr. Hmaids current partner, a doctor, said he told her at the start of their relationship in 2014.

Mr. Hmaid also gave The Times documentation to back up his account: certificates of employment at Yves Saint Laurent and pay slips and more than a hundred photographs of Mr. Hmaid in the company of Mr. Girard, his family and friends. One photograph showed Mr. Girard in full-frontal nudity.

Mr. Girard said he did not remember how Mr. Hmaid obtained the jobs at Yves Saint Laurent, adding that they were perhaps through Pierre Berge, the co-founder of the design house who died in 2017 and who had been fond of Mr. Hmaid. But Mr. Hmaid said he met Mr. Berge only once and barely spoke to him.

As for the photos, Mr. Girard said they were taken while Mr. Hmaid was in his employment and that the nude one was not taken after a sexual encounter together, as Mr. Hmaid claims.

In the archives, there was also a souvenir of a trip they took to Orlando, Fla: a ticket stub dated July 29, 1990, to Disney World.

A Meeting at 15

Aniss Hmaid was 15 in the summer of 1989 in Hammamet, a Tunisian resort town where the French socialized in their whitewashed villas and at luxury hotels with names like Sinbad and Aladdin.
The Delhi government has prohibited idol immersion in public places, large congregations and community celebrations on Ganesh Chaturthi this year.

Community celebrations are not permitted as large gatherings are not allowed under the guidelines issued by the Delhi government in view of the pandemic, according to a Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) official.

Idol immersion in the Yamuna was banned following an order by the National Green Tribunal in 2015.

Last year, the Delhi government had created aritifical ponds at public places for people to immerse idols. This too, cannot be done this year as large gatherings will increase the risk of virus transmission, the official said.

According to the DPCC, idol immersion will not be allowed during the upcoming festival in the Yamuna or any other water body, public place, ponds or ghats.

A fine of Rs 50,000 will be imposed on the violators, it said.

The pollution control body has asked residents to perform the idol immersion ritual in a bucket or container inside their home.

According to the 'Unlock 3' guidelines issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, "religious functions and other large congregations such as Ganesh Pooja and immersion procession are not permitted" and the same should be ensured, the DPCC directed municipal corporations and district magistrates.

It has asked idol makers and sellers to use natural material "as described in the holy scripts" -- such as traditional clay -- to make idols.

The use of baked clay and plaster of paris is prohibited, it said.

Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on August 22.

Also Read: Russia produces first batch of coronavirus vaccines

Also Read: India erred in imposing lockdown restrictions; entered, exited too soon, says Abhijit Banerjee
New Delhi, Aug 16 : China, the largest global creditor today, has extended loans to more than 150 countries in the last two decades but surprisingly, the dragon has marched on unhindered.

It is not a member of the Paris Club - an informal group of creditor nations with the aim to strike workable repayment solutions. It is also not part of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Both Paris Club and OECD maintain loan records of official creditors.

China's financial assistance is directed in the form of trade credits, foreign direct investment advances under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), besides direct loans. While this is no secret, what is worrying many is the lack of transparency in its lending pattern and record keeping.

According to the Harvard Business Review (HBR), China's outstanding claims now exceed more than 5 per cent of global GDP. However, a large chunk of loans informally has also been extended by the dragon through its local authorities and lenders, which are practically unaccounted.

While the report suggests that about $1.5 trillion has been directed, analysts have questioned this figure since China has remained silent on the quantum of financial assistance extended to other countries.

"China's official figures do not present the correct picture and in times like these -the crisis-like situation in the coronavirus era, it is important to get a clear and transparent view of the economic situation, loans, and repayments. That will not be the case with China," an analyst on condition of anonymity said.

Until the coronavirus pandemic hit the world bringing global economy to a near halt, all was well with China, which escaped scrutiny by rating agencies.

The picture, however, has changed with the spread of the pandemic. In June, the World Bank, in its Global Economic Prospects, said that the global economy could contract by 5.2 per cent this year - the worst since World War II.

Several countries that have been beneficiaries of Chinese loans have indicated their inability to repay. Despite that, China, which already has a whopping debt to GDP ratio of 317 per cent, has been extending fresh assistance in a bid to forge new alliances. Nepal and Bangladesh are cases in point.

"China does not report on its international lending, and Chinese loans literally fall through the cracks of traditional data-gathering institutions. For example, credit rating agencies such as Moody's and Standard & Poor's, or data providers, such as Bloomberg, focus on private creditors, but China's lending is state-sponsored, and therefore off their radar screen," HBR wrote.

The unaccounted loan or "hidden loan" as referred to by HBR has now become a cause for concern for many international agencies.

(This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)
(Newser)  Thousands of Puerto Ricans on Sunday got a second chance to vote for the first time, a week after delayed and missing ballots marred the original primaries in a blow to the US territory's democracy. More than 60 of the island's 110 precincts opened following a US Supreme Court decision that stated a second round of voting would take place at centers that never opened on Aug. 9 or did not remain open the required eight hours. The opening of at least one voting center in the coastal town of Loiza was delayed by more than an hour, the AP reports, as dozens of voters grumbled about having to stand in the heat with face masks on. "We expected that there wouldn't be any problems," said a 68-year-old retiree, adding that some people left. "We're all frustrated." Officials from both parties said Sunday that no serious snags had been reported.

story continues below

Officials have blamed the chaos of the Aug. 9 primaries on ballots arriving late to the elections commission and trucks laden with materials not leaving until the day of the primaries, when usually they depart one or two days before. The elections commission boss has said the ballots arrived late because of the pandemic, Tropical Storm Isaias and a last-minute request from both parties to print more of them. Once voting got underway Sunday, an elderly woman emerged after casting her ballot and yelled to those waiting, "Come on! Come on! Let's vote! Let's vote!" But not everyone could participate in the second round. The Supreme Court's ruling permanently left out voters like Eldy Correa, 67, who went to her voting center in the southwest town of Cabo Rojo three times last Sunday and desisted only to find out later that it opened late. "They took away our right to vote," she said.

(Read more Puerto Rico stories.)
Lewis Hamilton says Toto Wolff's next career move will not influence his decision about whether to sign a new deal with Mercedes for 2021 and beyond.

The six-time world champion has previously said that his decision will in fact be influenced by whether Wolff decides to remain Mercedes team boss.

"It's flattering that he says that," Wolff said in Barcelona, "but I don't think he needs me.

"He has a great team that will always support him but as I said before, I haven't taken the decision yet."

When asked about Wolff's contemplations, Hamilton said after securing pole position: "What you've got to remember is that it's a team of almost 2000 people, something like that.

"It's not just down to one person, one individual. So yes, that's not determining whether or not I stay."

It is believed the only hold-up on the conclusion of a contract extension for Hamilton is the question of money. Hamilton has denied that, insisting he is uncomfortable holding contract talks amid the pandemic.

And he says Wolff is "smart" for taking a deep think about his future.

"I think everyone needs to sit, take a moment and evaluate what they want to do moving forwards. Whether it suits them and their families and their future dreams," said the Briton.

"I hope he stays because it's fun working with him, and it's fun negotiating with him and fun having the up and downs. So, I'm truly grateful to Toto and I'll be fully supportive in whatever he decides to do," Hamilton added.

(GMM)
By Finian Cunningham

August 15, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - The historic agreement for normalization of ties between the United Arab Emirates and Israel is being presented as a noble effort by the Gulf Arab states to fend off further annexation of Palestinian land.

That facade was quickly eroded when Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu said his annexation plans were only on hold and not derailed, as the UAE had claimed in announcing the purported accord mediated this week by the Trump administration.

The terse Palestinian reaction to the supposed deal got it right. It was a stab in the back. Iran and Turkey also denounced it as a sell-out of Palestinian rights by the UAE.

So the claim by the Emiratis that the normalization of ties was motivated by a principled upholding of Palestinian territorial rights in the face of another Israeli land grab in the West Bank does not pass muster.

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The Arab rulers have long been accused of neglecting the Palestinian cause and being all too willing to align with Washington and Israel based on a shared enmity towards Iran. The Sunni autocratic oil fiefdoms of the Persian Gulf are paranoid about their shaky regimes being toppled from alleged subversive Iranian influence in the region. This shared hostility towards Tehran has long surpassed brotherly Arab solidarity with Palestinians.

Whats going on here are moves by Washington and its regional allies to kill off the UN-backed 2015 international nuclear accord with Iran and other world powers. The death knell for that deal, also known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), would be an extension of the international arms embargo on Iran which is due to expire in October as part of the accord. Washington and its Gulf Arab allies are lobbying the UN Security Council members intensively to extend the arms embargo.

Russia and China are opposed to any such ban extension, arguing that its termination is an essential part of the nuclear deal. The European members of the Security Council and other non-permanent members of the council appear to be more ambivalent.

By gaining kudos for its ostensibly historic normalization of ties with Israel in the alleged interest of furthering Palestinian rights, the UAE can lobby all the more strongly for the arms embargo on Iran. Other Gulf states are anticipated to follow the UAEs groundbreaking gesture of goodwill towards Israel. It would have been too much for Saudi Arabia  the strongest Gulf state  to have taken the lead on such a sensitive matter for Arab nations. But with the UAE breaking the ice, the other Gulf states will follow suit.

The point is that Palestinian rights have little to do with the supposed diplomatic rush for peace with Israel. Netanyahus cynical wordplay about pausing annexation is proof of that. Its all about the Gulf regimes gaining a PR boost and some badly needed gravitas in order to enhance their lobbying efforts to kill off the Iran deal which they were infuriated by when the Obama administration negotiated it.

President Trumps contempt for the nuclear accord has been music to the ears of the Arab states, but his attempts to bury it entirely have failed to gain traction internationally. By getting the oil-rich Gulf sheikhdoms to step up lobbying efforts at the UN for extending the arms embargo on Iran will, it is calculated, give Washington more leverage to finally torpedo the JCPOA.

However, a veto by Russia or China will put paid to those machinations. Which means that the latest breakthrough in mending Arab-Israeli relations will amount to nothing in terms of advancing Palestinian rights. We can be sure of that because the advancement of such rights has nothing to do with the diplomatic gambit. Its all about Iran. Indeed, the Palestinian cause may be further beleaguered because the division engendered among Arab and Muslim nations will diminish a unified voice in support of Palestinians.

Amid the cheesy fanfare this week, we were informed that the UAEs detente with Israel represented the third Arab country to make such a normalization, following Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. Those two developments did nothing to advance Palestinian aspirations for statehood. Neither will the latest one.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 18:48:17|Editor: huaxia

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TEHRAN, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Iran recorded 2,133 new COVID-19 cases during the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of infections to 343,203 on Sunday, Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education announced.

The death toll from the virus in the country rose to 19,639 after 147 new fatalities were added overnight, Sima Sadat Lari, spokeswoman for the health ministry, said during her daily update.

Out of the new patients, 1,019 were hospitalized, she said, adding there have been a total of 297,468 recoveries so far, while 3,881 still remain in critical condition.

The health spokeswoman noted 2,861,825 lab tests for COVID-19 have been carried out in Iran by Sunday.

She said 26 provinces, out of 31, are either in high-risk or alert condition over the disease.

The health spokeswoman commended public observance of the basic health protocols including wearing masks.

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
Yasser Sanchez has twice worked to defeat Joe Bidens bids for the vice presidency by building support for Republican candidates among his fellow members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It wasnt hard.

Now the lifelong Republican finds himself in the surprising position of supporting Mr Biden  and repelled from his party, he says, by Donald Trump.

Were taught to be steady, to be basically the opposite of the way hes lived his life, Mr Sanchez said.

Mr Sanchezs view isnt as unusual as the Trump campaign would like.

While many conservative-leaning religious voters warmed to him long ago, Mr Trump has struggled to win over Latter-day Saints. His penchant for foul language clashes with the churchs culture teaching modesty and self-restraint, and his isolationist foreign policy is anathema to a faith spreading rapidly around the world.

It hasnt helped that Mr Trump has made a show of feuding with senator Mitt Romney, R-Utah, among the best known members of the church.

Once just a headache for the White House, Mr Trumps relative weakness with Latter-day Saints is now a growing political liability. His standing has slumped in several pivotal states, including Arizona, where members of the faith make up 6 per cent of the population. Many are clustered around Phoenix, areas where Republicans have struggled to hold their ground in the Trump era.

This past week the Trump campaign launched its Latter-day Saints for Trump Coalition, sending Mike Pence to Mesa, a suburb of Phoenix, for the kickoff. Mr Pence, who often serves as Mr Trumps emissary to religious conservatives, appealed to church members opposition to abortion rights and longstanding concerns over religious liberty.

Mr Trump has stood for the religious freedom of every American of every faith every day of this administration, Mr Pence told the group of about 200 people.

Last month, the presidents son, Donald Trump Jr, hosted a conference call with reporters to commemorate Pioneer Day, a church holiday celebrating the arrival of the first church settlers in Utahs Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Trump Jr said he was in Utah at the time for a fishing trip.

Still, signs of discontent were clear. More than 200 people identifying themselves as Republicans who belong to the church published an open letter on Wednesday declaring their opposition to Mr Trump and calling him the antithesis of so much the Latter-day Saints community believes.

To be sure, Latter-day Saints have traditionally voted Republican and are likely to remain part of the GOP coalition. Clustered in solidly Republican states, they have long been a major force in GOP primaries and local politics across the West, but they have not held much sway in national elections.

Mr Trump won Arizona in 2016 by 91,000 votes. There are about 436,000 Latter-day Saints in Arizona, according to church statistics. Many live in Phoenixs East Valley suburbs popular with young families, including Gilbert, Chandler and Mesa, which traces its modern history to a settlement founded by pioneers from the faith in the 1800s.

Yasser Sanchez, a lifelong Republican and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and immigration attorney, is supporting Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, repelled by Trump (AP)

In recent elections, political consultants have considered these areas a barometer of swing voters, including women and college-educated white voters who have recently shifted Democratic. In 2018, several neighbourhoods east of Phoenix popular with church members voted both for Republican governor Doug Ducey and Democratic senator Kyrsten Sinema.

From the time were young were taught  as are all Christians  that were supposed to love God and love our neighbour, said Kathy Varga, a speech therapist from Mesa. I dont see that happening right now. I just see the country becoming more divided.

Ms Varga reluctantly voted for Mr Trump in 2016 because she was worried about Democrat Hillary Clinton putting liberal justices on the Supreme Court. Now Ms Varga says he believes Mr Trump is threatening government institutions and the Constitution. She plans to vote for Mr Biden, even though she disagrees with many of his policies, because the most important thing right now is to unify the country.

Its unclear precisely how common Mr Vargas view is among her faith. In the 2018 midterm elections, about two-thirds of voters who are members of the church nationwide favoured Republicans. But Latter-day Saints were less likely than other traditionally Republican religious groups to approve of the way Mr Trump was doing his job.

Among members of the faith, 67 per cent voted for Republicans and 56 per cent said they approved of Mr Trumps job performance. By comparison, 80 per cent of white evangelical Christians nationwide voted for Republican candidates and nearly as many said they approve of Mr Trump, according to an analysis of 1,528 midterm voters who are members of the faith, based on data from VoteCast, a broad national survey conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.

Even Latter-day Saints who turned out to hear Mr Pence this past week acknowledged they were disappointed in Mr Trumps infidelity or uncouth language. But they also viewed it as a tolerable consequence of electing a straight-talking man unafraid to ruffle feathers.

Although Mr Trump rarely speaks about his faith or attends church services, these supporters said they believed he was a defender of religious freedoms, which is of paramount importance to members of a faith that settled in what is now Utah to escape persecution.

Recommended Pennsylvania farmer who voted for Trump in 2016 to back Biden at DNC

Were able to continue practising our religion. Thats how our country was founded, said Norma Hastings, a church member from Gilbert. She said she thinks Mr Pence keeps Trump on the right road.

Jenn Crandall, a pianist from Mesa, said she looks to other figures in the administration and the campaign for connection.

I like how hard working his kids are, his wife, Ms Crandall said. Hes a family guy.

Mr Bidens campaign is also targeting Latter-day Saints in Arizona and elsewhere. A Latter-day Saints for Joe group was formed more than a year ago. In a virtual town hall for church members on Saturday, campaign surrogates tied Mr Bidens economic, health care and immigration agendas to church teachings on self reliance, family values and refuge.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints prioritises caring for the poor. It prioritises strong families, a strong moral code, sacrifice, said Eric Biggart, co-chair of LDS Democrats who lives in Salt Lake City. To me, its hard to be a Republican and a member of the church at the same time.

The church does not back candidates or political parties.

Associated Press
Iron Dome anti-missile system fires interception missiles as rockets are launched from Gaza towards Israel - Reuters

Israel's army launched new air strikes on Sunday against Hamas positions in Gaza and closed the fishing zone around the Palestinian enclave in response to rockets and firebombs sent into Israeli territory.

The measures came after a week of heightened tensions, including clashes on Saturday evening along the Gaza-Israeli border, the army said.

Dozens of Palestinian rioters burned tyres, hurled explosive devices and grenades towards the security fence and attempted to approach it," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement.

Long-simmering Palestinian anger has flared further since Israel and the UAE on Thursday agreed to normalise relations, a move Palestinians saw as a betrayal of their cause by the Gulf country.

Over the past week Israeli forces have carried out repeated night-time strikes on targets linked to the Islamist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.

The army says they were carried out in response to makeshift firebombs attached to balloons and kites which have been sent into southern Israel, causing thousands of fires on Israeli farms and communities.

There were 19 such Palestinian attacks on Saturday alone, according to Israeli rescue services.

In response, "IDF fighter jets and aircraft struck a number of Hamas military targets in the Gaza Strip," the army said, adding that among the targets hit were a Hamas "military compound and underground infrastructure".

Early on Sunday the IDF said two more rockets had been fired into Israel from Gaza and intercepted by its Iron Dome defence system.

"In response, our Air Force just struck Hamas terror targets in Gaza, including a military compound used to store rocket ammunition," it said.
ELY, Dr. Vivien King, 99, died peacefully on the morning of August 15, 2020, less than two months shy of her 100th birthday. Born October 5, 1920, in Johnson City, Tenn., Vivien became the first member of her family to attend college, receiving her bachelor's degree from what is now East Tennessee State University. During World War II, she served in the Women's Army Corps (WAC), attaining the rank of lieutenant. After the war, Vivien taught distributive education at the old John Marshall High School in Richmond. There she met fellow teacher, Clarence Patrick "Pat" Ely, whom she married in 1950; he became the first principal of Mary Munford Elementary School, serving for a quarter-century. After a few years at home with her two sons, Vivien worked as a teacher and developer of curriculum at Richmond Professional Institute (now Virginia Commonwealth University) and at Thomas Jefferson High School. She also trained staff for various retail businesses. She remembered with special fondness teaching employees at the Eggleston Hotel and Restaurant in Jackson Ward and preparing staff for the opening of Willow Lawn, Richmond's first shopping center. Attending classes over a period of years while working full-time, Vivien earned a doctorate in education from North Carolina State University. She spent the last two decades of her teaching career as a professor of marketing education at VCU. A national leader in her field, she wrote a popular textbook on entrepreneurship. After Pat Ely's death in 1980 and Vivien's retirement in 1985, she directed the Reveille Weekday School for several years. Vivien's profound Christian faith was manifested both by everyday example and through her leadership at Reveille United Methodist Church from 1954 until late in life. She was an inspiring teacher of nearly every age level and a mentor to new members. She became the first woman chair of the commission on education and of the church council. In later years, she studied at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute near Jerusalem and enjoyed volunteering at Swansboro Elementary School. Many found their faith deepened by their contact with her. Vivien was a great advocate of women's advancement, and she gave pivotal support to a number of young women. She herself rose to leadership in almost every organization she belonged to; in addition to her roles in the Army and the church, she served as a department chair at VCU and as president of the Interfaith Council of Greater Richmond. Although the demands of Vivien's professional and volunteer activities were equivalent to working two jobs, she managed it all with great poise, aided by a devoted husband who took for granted that men shared the housework and childrearing, and that women studied and led. Vivien was preceded in death by all eight of her siblings as well as her husband; and her younger son, Gordon King Ely. She is survived by her elder son, Melvin Patrick Ely; daughter-in-law, Jennifer R. Loux; and grandson, Nathaniel Patrick Ely; grandson, Oren N. Z. Ely; granddaughter-in-law, Shauna Rivka Ely; and great-granddaughter, Ilana A. Ely; granddaughter, Kinneret K. S. Ely; former daughter-in-law, Naama Zahavi-Ely; nine nieces and nephews and their families and many devoted friends. A memorial service will be scheduled and announced when considerations of public health permit. Vivien would have wanted any gestures of remembrance to promote the values her life embodied. Memorial contributions designated for Swansboro ministries may be sent to Reveille United Methodist Church, 4200 Cary Street Rd., Richmond, 23221; and donations earmarked for the restoration and maintenance of recently desecrated Black and Jewish cemeteries may be directed to the Enrichmond Foundation, P.O. Box 25609, Richmond, 23260, or to Keneseth Beth Israel, 6300 Patterson Ave., Richmond, 23226.
A surprise centennial birthday parade was held for Inez Shank.

Mrs. Shank was born on Aug. 11, 1920 in Wilkes County, Georgia. Her parents were Otis and Ida McLendon. She was the only girl of four children.

Mrs. Shank was baptized at an early age at Reeves Chapel Baptist Church in Tignall, Ga.

At the age of 21 she married John Henry Shank. To this union, one daughter, Ernestine Shank Horton (deceased) was born. They celebrated almost 50 years of marriage until his death in 1986.

Mrs. Shank was a caregiver and domestic employee who worked for several prominent employers. Some of the adult children that she helped raise still keep in contact with her.

She is the oldest member of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church where she attends Sunday School and was a member of the Womens Missionary Society.

Mrs. Shank learned to drive at age 65 after the death of her husband and drove until she was 90 years old.

She loves the outdoors and cut her yard well into her 80s. She has a green thumb and grows beautiful flowers and loves people. She never has met a stranger.
Rohit Pawar, a legislator from Jamkhed in Ahmednagar and grandnephew of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar, has demanded the state government to reopen temples across Maharashtra. Rohit on Sunday said that many livelihoods are dependent on these temples, which have been closed since March 22 after the lockdown was announced to contain the spread of Covid-19.

I think that temples and religious places should be opened. There are many people whose livelihoods are dependent on these religious places. I will, therefore, follow-up on this issue, tweeted Rohit in a response to another tweet by citizen who cited how traders in Tuljapur had been facing difficulties due to closure of the temple there.

Despite growing demand, the state government has taken a call not to reopen religious places in light of the prevailing Covid-19 situation in Maharashtra, which accounts for almost 24 per cent of the overall positive cases with 41 per cent fatalities in India. Maharashtras coronavirus case tally increased to 5,84,754 on Saturday and the death toll due to the pandemic rose to 19,749, the state health department said.

NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said that Rohit Pawar, being a public representative, has responded to a demand made by the common citizens. As public representative, one has to listen and respond to what people feel and demand. The government on the other hand has to look into every aspect, including the safety of people during a situation like this, said Malik.

When asked about NCPs stand on the issue, Malik said, if there is demand from people, the party will accordingly take a stand. After all, we are here to serve the people.

Earlier this week, the government informed Bombay High Court that temples cannot be opened. The Bombay High Court division bench, comprising justices SJ Kathawalla and Madhav Jamdar was hearing on petitions by Ankit Jain and a Jain temple trust.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also previously demanded reopening of temples in the state, a move Shiv Sena termed as dual stand saying that the Centre had decided to cancel Amarnath Yatra while the partys state unit had been seeking reopening of religious places.

A section of the Shiv Sena also has asked for opening up of religious places. Anand Dave, spokesperson of the party and member of Akhil Bharatiya Brahmin Mahasangh met home minister Anil Deshmukh last week and demanded reopening of temples.

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Linkedin Brad Brooks (Reuters) Lubbock, Texas, United States  Sun, August 16, 2020 20:09 521 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e7842e 2 Lifestyle campus,college,students Free

Brandon Vergel stood outside his new student dormitory at Texas Tech University, grappling with the bittersweet nature of yet another American rite of passage warped by the COVID pandemic -parents dropping their kids off at college.

Under a scorching afternoon sun, Vergel lugged his earthly belongings into the Hulen Hall residence he would now call home, nervously excited at the freedom of college life that awaited, but confronting an age-old conundrum: a mom that doesn't want to let go.

"My parents are being a little overbearing," Vergel said in a hushed voice as his father, Arturo, unloaded items from his black pick-up truck, and his mom, Nancy, stood nearby. "They don't think we can protect ourselves in a pandemic. But we do know how to take care of ourselves and we would like to start. Like, now."

How to safely and productively conduct courses is a challenge that university administrators, parents and students are trying to wrap their heads around.

Nearly a quarter of American universities will have classes either fully or primarily in person this fall, according to data collected by the College Crisis Initiative at Davidson College, which tracks how colleges are changing amid the pandemic.

But another quarter of universities have not yet determined what they will do, while 32% are either primarily or fully online, 15 percent will have a hybrid of in-person and online course work, and the rest planning some alternative form of instruction.

At Texas Tech, the course work will be primarily in person, as it will be at most universities in the state. Some freshmen students will be living in dorms - they are required to live on campus their first year - but have a majority of their classes conducted online.

Read also: $70k for Zoom classes? Virus crisis leaves US students miffed

'Breaking rules'

Under a scorching afternoon sun outside the Texas Tech residence halls, students wore carefully chosen outfits, hoping to casually make fantastic first impressions on Friday.

They lugged suitcases stuffed with clothes, mini refrigerators and new televisions into the sand-colored brick buildings, all the while huffing under their face masks in the 104-degree heat.

In an effort to discourage crowding, families could only arrive at the Texas Tech dorms during pre-scheduled time slots and were given 90 minutes to move in. There was ample space in the parking lots that in a normal year would be scenes of joyous chaos, with hordes of students arriving all at once.

Everyone was asked to wear face masks both inside and outside the buildings, despite few other people around. Students said the masks were making communication more difficult - and chilling their ability to break the ice with their new neighbors.

Inside the residence halls it was eerily quiet. A handful of families checked in with residence hall student assistants, got room assignments, and then silently hauled belongings into rooms.

The same scene is playing out at universities across the United States this weekend, as teenagers' dreams of freedom are slamming up against the realities of college in the time of a pandemic.

Hopes that many hold out for wild keg parties have been dampened by being the first students in a century - going back to the Spanish flu epidemic in 1918 - to have been ordered to wear masks and stand apart.

Those safety precautions will be tested in places like Lubbock, a dusty west Texas town where generations of students have maintained a reputation for being the Lone Star state's hardest partying school.

"This is so weird because I cannot see anyone's face. I cannot meet them properly," said Kaitlyn Abercia, 18, from Cypress, Texas, as she moved into Gates Hall at Texas Tech. "I hope I can make a lot of friends."

Kaitlyn's mom, Denise, right then glanced at her daughter sideways and let out a chortle.

"Come on, you guys will be having parties tonight," she said. "I suspect plenty of students will be breaking rules."

Topics : campus college students
A three-year-old boy has been remembered as a "beautiful angel" after he died in an apartment fire at a public housing building in Fitzroy North.

Isaiah Akot was rushed to hospital after the blaze broke out in the third-storey apartment on Saturday.

Isaiah Akot died in an apartment fire in Fitzroy North on Saturday. Credit:Nine News

He died soon after arriving at hospital.

On Sunday, bunches of flowers were left outside the building by neighbours and locals as loved ones paid tribute to the boy on social media.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 23:08:14|Editor: huaxia

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TAIPEI, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Two people tested positive for COVID-19 in Taiwan Sunday, raising the island's total number of COVID-19 cases to 484, the local epidemic monitoring agency said.

One of the new patients has developed symptoms of running noses and cough since Aug. 6 during her stay in Australia and returned to Taiwan on Aug. 14, the agency said in a press release.

The other male patient has developed symptoms of cough, fever and headache since Aug. 8 in the Philippines and returned to Taiwan on Aug. 14.

Meanwhile, Malaysia had reported one COVID-19 patient having contracted the virus during his stay in Taiwan. The agency said that five people have been identified as close contacts with the man in Taiwan and the man's wife tested negative for the virus with the rest four waiting to have tests.

The case has been the latest of several COVID-19 patients who have tested positive elsewhere but might be infected in Taiwan since June. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-15 23:03:46|Editor: huaxia

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MOSCOW, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko discussed the current situation in Belarus in the light of the presidential election and subsequent nationwide protests during a phone call Saturday.

"Lukashenko informed Putin about the developments following the presidential election in Belarus. Both sides expressed confidence that all existing problems will be settled soon," the Kremlin said in a statement.

The main thing is to prevent destructive forces from using these problems to cause damage to the mutually beneficial relations of the two countries within the Union State, it said.

In connection with the return to Russia of 32 people who were previously detained in Belarus, a positive assessment was given to creating close cooperation between the relevant agencies involved, it added.

According to the statement, the two sides also agreed on further regular contact at various levels and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening allied relations. Enditem
Zain Bahrain, a leading telecommunications operator in the kingdom, has announced the appointment of Nadia Aqeel to the role of Director of Legal, Regulatory & Compliance, effective July 16.

Aqeel joined Zain Bahrain in 2019 as Manager, Legal & Regulatory and has contributed significantly to the company by supporting and working in partnership with all departments of the companys operations. In her new capacity, Nadia will lead Zain Bahrains legal team, responsible also for compliance, corporate governance, regulatory affairs and other legal matters affecting the company.

She will report directly to the CEO and will serve on the companys management committee.

She brings with her a wealth of experience in the legal and regulatory sector and has proven herself for over 12 years in the telecommunications sector. She has been acknowledged for her commitment to managing key commercial and regulatory matters.

Commenting on the appointment, Duncan Howard, Zain Bahrain CEO, stated: We are delighted to elevate Nadia Aqeel to this position as she brings extensive in-depth industry experience in terms of compliance, processes, and legal and regulatory affairs and has already made a meaningful contribution to the development of Zain Bahrain

Howard also added: This appointment also demonstrates our commitment to increasing diversity and providing equal opportunities.

I feel privileged to have been chosen for this key role and very much look forward to working closely with all stakeholders at Zain to make a positive contribution to the company, said Aqeel.

With a degree in law from the UK, Nadia is a seasoned Regulatory and Commercial lawyer with extensive experience in the telecommunications sector, particularly in the field of competition law. TradeArabia News Service
Taiwan sings deal to purchase US F-16 fighter jets amid tensions with China

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 15 August 2020 8:02 AM

Taiwan has signed a 62-billion-dollar deal to purchase F-16 fighter jets from the United States - the biggest arms pact between Washington and Taipei which is expected to increase tensions with China.

Under the deal, which the Pentagon announced on Friday, the US agreed to sell 90 F-16 fighter jets from American aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Martin to Taiwan over a span of about 10 years.

The transaction was said to provide Taiwan with fighter jets that are equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and weapons.

The self-ruled island, which China considers part of its territory, obtained the green light from Washington last year to buy 66 new generation F-16s to modernize its air force.

The Friday deal marks the first time since 1992 that advanced fighter jets have been sold to Taiwan and is expected to infuriate China, which has repeatedly warned Washington against selling advanced weaponry to Taipei and any kind of interference in its internal affairs.

Last year, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry called on the US to "refrain" from selling the "fighter jets to Taiwan and stop arms sales to and military contact with Taiwan."

"Otherwise, the Chinese side will surely make strong reactions, and the US will have to bear all the consequences."

China has sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan, and under the "One China" policy, almost all world countries recognize that sovereignty, saying the island is part of China's territory awaiting reunification.

The US, too, recognizes Chinese sovereignty over the island but has long courted Taipei in an attempt to counter Beijing.

Although Washington has no diplomatic relations with Taipei by law, it is the island's largest weapons supplier and an avid backer of Taiwan's secessionist president Tsai Ing-wen.

Tsai, who won a second term earlier this year, has rejected Beijing's stance that Taiwan is part of "One China" and instead views the island as "already independent."

Moreover, Washington almost regularly makes provocative moves around the self-governed island, particularly by sailing its warships through the sensitive and strategic Taiwan Strait, which separates Taiwan from China.

The deployments spark reproach from China, which has never ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its full control.

Relations between the United States and China have hit the lowest level in decades under US President Donald Trump. The two countries are at loggerheads over a range of issues, including trade, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the South China Sea, and the coronavirus pandemic.

US conducts drills in South China Sea

On Friday, the US navy said in a statement that a strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan had conducted military exercises in the South China Sea.

The statement added that the strike group had carried out flight operations as well as high-end maritime stability operations and drills at the disputed sea.

"Integration with our joint partners is essential to ensuring joint force responsiveness and lethality, and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific," US Navy Commander Joshua Fagan was quoted as saying.

The South China Sea serves as a gateway to global sea routes, through which about 3.4 trillion dollars of trade passes each year. Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei have overlapping claims with China to parts of the sea.

The United States, which sides with Beijing's rivals in the maritime dispute, routinely sends warships and warplanes to the South China Sea to assert what it calls its right to freedom of navigation, ratcheting up tensions among the regional countries.

Beijing has constantly warned the US against its military activities in the sea, saying that potential close military encounters by the air and naval forces of the two countries in the region could easily trigger accidents.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 12:06:39|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's younger brother, Robert Trump, died on Saturday night at the age of 71, according to the White House.

"It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight," Trump said in the statement.

"He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again," the president said. "His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace."

Trump visited his brother on Friday at a New York hospital after being told he was seriously ill. The cause of the death has not yet been revealed.

Born in 1948 as the youngest of real estate developer Fred Trump's five children, Robert Trump was a longtime businessman as well, managing the Trump Organization's real estate holdings outside Manhattan.

He was perceived as a quiet and easygoing person in the Trump family, being shielded from his father's disciplines and keeping a low public profile particularly after his elder brother won the presidency.

The younger Trump was a staunch supporter of his brother's when the latter ran for president in the 2016 election. Enditem
Harmony, security and self-reliance are a seamless whole. Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi drew these together during his Independence Day speech, a reminder that defence and foreign policy have unusual salience these days. The event, already muted by the pandemic, took place when much of the Northern Command has been mobilised, China has refused to restore the border status quo in Ladakh and the international system is in increasing disarray. It is no accident that PM spoke so much about the sacrifices of Indian soldiers, the defence measures the country is taking, and how much bigger the countrys international footprint has become.

While never specifically mentioned, the centrality of the Chinese threat suffused much of the speech. Terrorism, and, therefore Pakistan, received an obligatory mention. The undermining of Indias territorial integrity, the soldiers killed in Ladakh, and the historical aside of Indias opposition to imperialism and expansionism were all messages addressed to Beijing. There has been a feeling that the Middle Kingdom does not understand the significance of what has happened on the Ladakh border and how much it threatens to distort bilateral relations. After this speech, Chinas leadership has no reason to claim that it had no sense of the deepening hostility they have engendered in India.

PM Modi made it a point to stress as to how much Indias standing has grown overseas. India was re-elected to the United Nations Security Council with a landslide vote. While the neighbourhood remains a concern, New Delhi has become a beneficiary of the changing geopolitics of West Asia with, for example, the recent bonding of two its regional friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates. There was also a reminder of Southeast Asias importance. The idea of an extended neighbourhood that is connected by trust, land and sea sounds too broad to be meaningful. Yet, this is where India is going as it ratchets up new relationships across the world. PM Modi recognises that the question is how India reconciles all this with its current self-reliance framework. While it has laid out a reasonable indigenisation policy on defence, the task ahead will be an updated trade policy. Indias friends need to be reassured as to where New Delhi thinks economics fits into its extended neighbourhood.
A Black Lives Matter protester was arrested by plainclothes police officers and taken away in an unmarked vehicle in Pittsburgh Saturday, prompting the citys mayor to ask for an examination of the incident to address citizen concerns.

The protest started around 3:15 p.m. Saturday in the citys Shadyside neighborhood with about 150 people, who marched down Fifth Avenue and stopped at Forbes and Oakland avenues, WPXI is reporting.

Protester Matthew Cartier, 25, of North Point Breeze, broke away from the demonstrators to block intersections, WTAE reports.

Witnesses told WTAE thats when armed, non-uniformed men grabbed Cartier, shoved him into an unmarked van, and drove off.

It prompted Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto to ask the citys public-safety leaders to investigate. He said the following on Twitter Saturday:

We are aware of the arrest that was made around 500PM. today. I have ordered Chief Schubert & Director Hissrich to fully examine operations taken by Pittsburgh Police and by the individual arrested. Once we have video & transcripts, we will address our citizens concerns on Sunday.

We are aware of the arrest that was made around 500PM today. I have ordered Chief Schubert & Director Hissrich to fully examine operations taken by Pittsburgh Police and by the individual arrested. Once we have video & transcripts, we will address our citizens concerns on Sunday.  bill peduto (@billpeduto) August 16, 2020

Police say they identified themselves and were clearly identifiable as police officers, WPXI reports.

Police said in a criminal complaint that Cartier was told twice to stop blocking the intersection, and he moved, but he blocked another intersection later, prompting police to take him into custody, WTAE reports.

According to reports, a video posted on Twitter shows the aftermath of the arrest in which two men leave in a white van while two others drive away in a black sedan.

The person who recorded the video told WTAE that when Cartier walked within 10 feet of where those vehicles were, a group of men with assault rifles jumped out, hit Cartier in the face and dragged him to the ground.

Cartier faces three criminal charges including failure to disperse, disorderly conduct, and obstructing highways and other public passages, according to reports.

No other incidents were reported in the peaceful protest, which dispersed around 6:40 p.m., TribLive.com reports.

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'Mad at Nate'

The week after McMurray's talk with the Schumer aide, rumors started circulating in Western New York Democratic circles that McMurray's campaign team was in open rebellion, and that some aides  including campaign manager Hushla Re  had left the campaign.

In truth, only Hushla Re had left in anger, and she did so only temporarily, telling people the weekend of the Schumer dust-up that she didn't work for McMurray anymore.

She quickly rejoined the fold, and in an interview last week, explained what happened.

"Frankly, I was mad at Nate that day," she said, noting that while she was unhappy with Schumer's comments about Jacobs, too, she disagreed with McMurray's decision to go public with his pique.

"Nate and I sometimes disagree with the delivery of things, but at the end of the day I wouldn't still be working with him if I didn't think he was effective," Hushla Re said.

To hear McMurray tell it, that disagreement was nothing unusual.

"I have a hard-driving way of doing things, including Twitter, and some of the staff doesn't like it, and we have fights about it," McMurray said.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among several dignitaries who paid tributes to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his second death anniversary on Sunday.

IMAGE: President Ram Nath Kovind pays tribute to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his second death anniversary, at Sadaiv Atal in New Delhi, on Sunday. Photograph: Kamal Kishore/PTI Photo

They were joined by several Union ministers and other leaders at 'Sadaiv Atal', the memorial to Vajpayee in the national capital, in paying respects to him.

Modi said India will always remember his outstanding service and efforts towards the nation's progress.

IMAGE: President Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrive to pay tributes to Vajpayee at Sadaiv Atal -- the memorial to Vajpayee -- in New Delhi, on Sunday. Photograph: Kamal Kishore/PTI Photo

'Tributes to beloved Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. India will always remember his outstanding service and efforts towards our nation's progress,' Modi tweeted.

Vajpayee, the first Bharatiya Janata Party prime minister, had passed away on this day in 2018.

A statesman and saffron stalwart, he was fondly remembered by other senior BJP leaders.

IMAGE: The President, the Vice President and the PM interact with family members of Vajpayee after paying homage on his death anniversary. Photograph: Kamal Kishore/PTI Photo

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the country for the first time saw 'good governance' being implemented across the nation under Vajpayee.

The Modi government is striving for the welfare of the poor and good governance by keeping his ideas at the centre of its work, Shah added.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Vajpayee's tremendous contribution towards pubic life and India's development will always be cherished, and his vision for the country will continue to inspire coming generations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday slammed a UN Security Council vote rejecting a US bid to extend an arms embargo on Iran, calling the move "scandalous".

Only two of the council's 15 members voted in favour of the US resolution, highlighting the division between Washington and its European allies since President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear accord in May 2018.

"The decision of the UN Security Council not to renew the arms embargo on Iran is scandalous," Netanyahu said.

"Iranian terrorism and aggression threaten the peace of the region and the entire world. Instead of opposing weapons sales, the Security Council is encouraging them," he added.

The US and Israel accuse Iran of being set on developing a nuclear bomb, a charge always denied by Tehran.

Israel is believed to be the Middle East's sole nuclear-armed power, though it has never acknowledged it.

"We will continue to act in close cooperation with the US and countries in the region to block the Iranian aggression," said Netanyahu.

"The State of Israel will continue to act with full force against whoever seeks to undermine its security," he added.

Benny Gantz, Israel's defence minister and alternate premier, also denounced Friday's vote.

"In its constant pursuit of the nuclear and its efforts to spread terrorism and violence, Iran is undermining the peace of the region and the entire world," he said.

The embargo on conventional arms is due to expire on October 18 under the terms of a resolution that blessed the Iran nuclear deal, signed in July 2015 and officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Under the deal, negotiated by then US president Barack Obama, Iran committed to curtailing its nuclear activities for sanctions relief and other benefits.

Iran hailed the council's decision, saying the US has "never been so isolated".
By Trend

On 16 August, 40 specialists are expected to arrive in Uzbekistan to assist in the fight against coronavirus infection, Trend reports citing Uzdaily.uz.

Within a month they will work with Uzbek specialists, provide practical and methodological assistance.

This was announced by a member of the headquarters for the fight against coronavirus Barno Abdusamatova.

---

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The United States and South Korea will begin their annual joint military exercises this week, Seouls Joint Chiefs of Staff said Sunday. But a spreading coronavirus outbreak has apparently forced the allies to scale back an already low-key training program mainly involving computer-simulated war scenarios.

The drills from Tuesday to Aug. 28 could still irk North Korea, which portrays the allies training as invasion rehearsals and has threatened to abandon stalled nuclear talks if Washington persists with what it perceives as hostile policies toward Pyongyang.

The exercises also come at a delicate time after President Donald Trump openly complained about the costs of maintaining 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea to protect against North Korean threats. The allies have so far failed to sign a new cost-sharing agreement after the last one expired at the end of 2019.

The drills involve so-called combined command post training, which is focused on computerized simulations aimed at preparing the two militaries for various battle scenarios, such as a surprise North Korean attack.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff did not specify how many troops will participate. But its clear the size would be smaller than the summer drills of previous years, which often involved tens of thousands of troops on both sides, and combined computer simulations with field training. This time, the coronavirus pandemic has limited the number of US troops who could be brought in from abroad.

The US and South Korean militaries had canceled their springtime drills following a Covid-19 outbreak in the southern city of Daegu and nearby towns that was stabilized by April.

But South Korea is now dealing with a virus resurgence in the densely populated Seoul metropolitan region, home to half of the countrys 51 million people. It forced US Forces Korea to designate the capital and surrounding areas off-limits to personnel who dont live there. The 279 new cases South Korea reported on Sunday are the highest daily jump since early March.

There have been around 150 Covid-19 infections among US troops stationed in South Korea since February, which prompted Gyeonggi Province near Seoul last month to openly call for the cancellation of the August drills. Gyeonggi includes the city of Pyeongtaek, the site of US military headquarters.

The allies have downsized much of their combined training activity after Trump unilaterally suspended large-scale field training with South Korea after his first summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June 2018. Trump then seemed to adopt North Koreas traditional view of such drills, criticizing them as a provocative drain of money.

Nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang have faltered since the collapse of Trumps second meeting with Kim in February last year in Vietnam, where the Americans rejected North Koreas demand for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capabilities.

The North reacted to last years summertime drills by ramping up its short-range missile tests and unleashing verbal vitriol toward South Korea, which had lobbied hard to revive nuclear talks between Washington and Pyongyang.
A 17-year-old girl has allegedly hanged herself at Mpasaso No.2 in the Ahafo Ano South West District of the Ashanti region.

The incident happened on Saturday, 15 August 2020 at around 8:30 pm.

The now-deceased, Adwoa Fordjour, is said to have engaged in fisticuffs with someone prior to taking her life.

She was hit in the head with a stone during the fight.

She was rushed to the hospital for treatment and later brought back home.

She insisted on retaliating but was deterred by her mothers.

The assemblyman for the area, Mr Charles K Asare, told Kumasi FMs Elisha Adarkwa that the teenager went into her room and was later found by her mother hanging by a scarf on a wooden structure.

The body has been conveyed to the Mankranso Government Hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.

The police have commenced investigations into the matter.

---classfmonline
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 21:00:40|Editor: huaxia

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U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a press briefing in Washington D.C., the United States, on March 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Mike Pompeo just wrapped up his second trip to Europe within a month where he spared no efforts to goad the European allies of the U.S. into his new "Cold War" campaign against China. But his fanatical policies have only been met with cold shoulder so far.

BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- During his second trip to Europe in less than a month, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo unsurprisingly carried on his malign campaign, hurling insults at China, scrambling to indoctrinate "America's friends" with slanders and lies, and contriving to revive a Cold War.

Addressing a press conference with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, Pompeo repeated his anti-China agenda, groundlessly calling the country a threat. To his dismay, the Czech prime minister did not echo his rhetoric, but said instead that Czech is "a sovereign country and I do not see any major threat here."

Tirelessly calling Huawei a threat, Pompeo provided no concrete evidence for his claim. On the contrary, as divulged by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden and WikiLeaks, it was the United States that has implemented a notorious global surveillance.

When the ink was not yet dry on the U.S.-Slovenia 5G joint declaration, local media pointed out that Pompeo's so-called threats to 5G, human rights and democracy are not about those values of Western civilization, but about who gets a bigger slice of the pie in the future business and consequently controls the world.

File photo taken on Jan. 28, 2020 shows a Huawei 5G mobile phone testing speed in Huawei 5G Innovation and Experience Center in London, Britain. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

On the issue of 5G and cyber security, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg told a press conference with Pompeo on Friday that they have adopted a common position within the European Union.

He also noted that Austria "deeply" regrets the U.S. use of extraterritorial sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, adding they "would rather endeavor on or pursue the way of bilateral talks to find a common solution on this ground, on this matter."

The former CIA director embellished his trip to Europe with the purposes of safeguarding freedom and democracy, and protecting allies from existential threats. The mentality reflected the fact that a handful of U.S. politicians still believe America has a mission to save and dominate the world.

Driven by strong ideological biases, Pompeo delivered his infamous "new iron curtain speech" last month, which came from nowhere but the imagination and anxiety of a troubled soul mired in a Cold War mentality.

Unfortunately, under the influence of this mentality, U.S. foreign policy has often swerved from diplomacy to war, according to professor Jeffrey Sachs at Columbia University.

During the Cold War era, anti-communist fervor led the United States to fight multiple disastrous wars in Southeast Asia and Central America. While Americans are still languishing in those debacles, demagogues like Pompeo are seeking another Cold War.

Indeed, some might be prone to associate Eastern Europe with a Cold War. But by no means are the peace-loving people living in this region and anywhere else around the world fooled by Pompeo and his ilk into repeating the tragedy.

As a Czech proverb goes, "people are often caught in their own trap." Pompeo should realize his self-made Cold War trap could catch no one but himself. 
A beach near Busan, circa 1911. Robert Neff Collection



By Robert Neff



In the late 19th century, the small foreign community at Fusan (now modern Busan) often escaped the stifling summer heat by bathing (swimming) at one of the nearby beaches. William Nelson Lovatt, Commissioner of Customs at that port, and his family often went to the beach and frolicked in the shallows while searching for pretty shells.



Of course, they were not the only ones.



In 1883, a foreign resident noted that some Koreans sought relief from the heat (and, presumably, mosquitoes) by sleeping on the seashore.





Swimming at the beach, circa 1920-1930s. Robert Neff Collection



While the beaches were relatively safe, there were occasional drownings. In September 1884, Hanseong Sunbo  Korea's first modern newspaper  reported that a Japanese university student became a mul gwishin (water ghost) while swimming near Fusan. His death was not attributed to malevolent supernatural spirits but to his own foolishness and the paper concluded that he had brought it upon himself.



Some did bring it upon themselves and not all were Japanese. On the morning of April 25, 1892, a Korean official  who had recently returned from Japan where he had been negotiating the Korean-Austrian Treaty  apparently became so distraught that he waded out into the ocean and drowned himself.



Even in these troubled times of COVID 19, the Busan's beaches remain a popular refuge from the heat. Go out and have fun, but be safe.





A view of the beach, circa 1920-1930s. Robert Neff Collection





A laborer takes advantage of the cool breeze at the beach, circa 1920s. Robert Neff Collection
The beauty of Y Ty Plateau in Lao Cai Province during the four seasons have been captured by a tourist.

Tourists who have come to Y Ty Plateau often say they will return. 33-year-old Phi Minh Manh who has visited Y Ty 10 times in six years said the Hanoi-Lao Cai trip has become very familiar to him.



"I want to take photos of Y Ty through the four seasons. I'm addicted to this land. The air is fresh, it's peaceful and the people are friendly," he said.



Vu Quan from HCM City said he visited Y Ty once and fell in love with it. He said he wanted to visit Y Ty again after the first trip.



"I came to Y Ty in mid-July when I was on the cross-country trip through 30 provinces and cities. I was tired after a long trip but I felt refreshed when I saw the plateau covered in fog like a picture there. I visited many beautiful places on my trip but Y Ty is the most memorable and unique to me," he said.



Y Ty is 2,000 metres above sea level and covered in fog almost all year round. According to the locals, the plateau is the most beautiful in March or April. From far away, visitors can see the rooftops of Ha Nhi ethnic people hidden in the fog and trees. In May and June, the terraced fields often look like large mirrors as they are filled with water and the new crop is planted. In September and October, the fields will turn yellow as the harvest season starts.



A popular spot for tourists is Y Ty Park which is just a small area at the end of the road in Choan Then Village. The children often come there to play while the adults rest. From this park, visitors can easily see the raw beauty of Y Ty.



Y Ty Plateau is 80km away from Lao Cai City. Despite developing infrastructure, Y Ty still holds the raw beauty and feels separated from the busy city life.





Some photos of Y Ty:





Dtinews
French President Emmanuel Macron urged fresh Middle East peace talks after Israel and the UAE agreed to normalise ties in a move praised by many Western governments, including Paris, but unanimously denounced by the Palestinians.

Taking to Twitter after a phone conversation with Mahmoud Abbas, Macron said he told the Palestinian leader he was determined "to work for peace in the Middle East".

He added: "The resumption of talks to reach a fair solution that respects international law remains a priority."

The French leader had hailed the agreement announced by US President Donald Trump on Thursday as a "courageous decision" by the UAE, saying it showed Dubai's "desire to contribute to the establishment of a just and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians".

The question of Israel's intentions regarding the occupied West Bank remained unclear after the UAE claimed that it had extracted an agreement for a halt to "further annexation".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said afterwards that he had agreed only to delay, not cancel, the annexations, and that he would "never give up our rights to our land".

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the suspension of the annexations "must become a definitive measure".

He also urged the resumption of talks towards a two-state solution, which he called "the only option to enable a just and lasting peace".

The official Palestinian news agency WAFA said Abbas told Macron on Sunday that the UAE, "like any other country for that matter, cannot speak in the name of the Palestinian people".

The Palestinian Authority refuses to "allow the Palestinian cause to be used as an excuse to justify normalisation", WAFA said.

It said Macron had invited Abbas to Paris to discuss the "Palestinian question", with the Palestinian president agreeing to such a meeting "on the condition that a date is set quickly".

Under the agreement with Israel, the UAE becomes just the third Arab country to recognise the Jewish state, following Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.

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China: Diplomatic efforts only solution to Iran nuclear issue

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Beijing, Aug 15, IRNA -- Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations (UN) Zhang Jun reacted to the failure of US anti-Iran resolution in the Security Council (UNSC), stressing that diplomatic efforts are the only solution to Iran nuclear issue.

"The message is loud and clear. The only right solution rests with diplomatic efforts and multilateral cooperation," Jun wrote in his Twitter account on Saturday.

"To defend the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and maintain regional peace and stability, we need to join hands and be united," he added.

The Chinese dipolomatic mission in the UN, too, said in a twitter message that: "The US draft resolution on Iran was rejected today by the #UNSC. The result shows again that unilateralism enjoys no support, and bullying will fail. Any attempt to place one's own interest above the common interest of the international community is a dead end."

It said: "The overwhelming majority of Security Council members hold that #JCPOA and #UNSCR2231 must be defended and implemented."

"The US, not a participant to the JCPOA any more, has no right to demand the Security Council invoke a snap-back. Should the US insist, it is doomed to fail," it added.

Earlier, Permanent Representative of Russia to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov in a Twitter message said: "US attempt to extend #armsembargo against #Iran failed. Quite predictable. This effort was groundless. Those who express concerns in this regard should not overdramatise them. Just recall: there was no embargo before 2010 and nothing catastrophic happened. Nor will it happen now."

The US draft resolution aimed to extend Iran arms embargo which is expected to be lifted on October 18 under the terms of a 2015 Iran nuclear deal (known as JCPOA) endorsed and made into law by UNSCR 2231.

When the resolution was put on vote, only two of the 15 Council members voted for the resolution  one of them was the United States itself. Two members voted against the resolution and 11 others abstained.

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Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

The beadwork swirls into imaginary flowers, birds and leaves in a dazzling riot of pattern and color.

Some cascade down straps into bags, others center onto the miniature accessories of dolls, trailing into snug moccasins hugging tiny feet.

Hollis Chitto (Choctaw/Laguna Pueblo) attended his first Santa Fe Indian Market when he was 5 years old, selling clay masks next to his father Randy Chittos clay turtles and bears.

They hung on the wall and they were kind of cute, he said from his Santa Fe home. My favorite part was decorating them with beads.

Today he embellishes bags and dolls with a dizzying palette of 100-year-old micro beads, some as fine as a grain of sugar.

Chittos work hangs in the Santa Fe gallery Hecho a Mano at hechoamano.org through Aug. 23.

It all started when a young Chitto discovered a cache of his mothers old beads in the family garage. His Choctaw grandmother had been a beadworker. Although she died when he was very young, the family believes he draws his facility with hair-thin needles and microscopic glass from her.

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I taught myself quill work, Chitto said; my Dad had a book. It was French Canadian; I taught myself from the diagrams. After that, I learned beadwork.

He loved the saturated color glowing from antique beads. Soon, he was sketching out his own designs.

Beadwork is like coloring to him.

I always tell people I do abstract flowers because I cant draw, he said. Theyre all my designs; I have a whole shoebox full of doodles and random ideas.

A scarlet Bandelier bag is the largest piece hes made; about 6 inches wide and 3 feet long descending from the top to the fringe. He calls it Chata Anumpa in My Accent. English is his first language, while Chata Anumpa is his fathers. Although he is learning his native language, he knows he will always speak it with an accent. The design embraces historic Choctaw beadwork, while reflecting his own patterns.

Chitto collected antique purse frames in brass, sterling and pewter as starting points for his bags.

I got inspired by Art Deco and Art Nouveau flowers, he said.

Bloodwork Number 2 is a commissioned piece exploring the impact of HIV on Native communities.

Theres still a lot of stigma around it, Chitto said. Its the most significant event in queer history. Its in the back of every queer persons mind.

A red streak of dripping blood interrupts his white bag across a floral design. It changes everything, but it doesnt ruin the design, he said.

A womans cornmeal bag titled Resplendent Quetzal is a stunning display of color and design. The bird is from South America; Chitto first saw one in a display at Chicagos Field Museum.

If the pueblos werent contacted by the Europeans, what would their artwork be like? he mused. I thought it would be more naturalistic depictions of birds.

The piece features antique micro beads, brain-tanned buckskin, sterling silver beads and drops, garnet beads and wampum beads.

Adeline is a doll dressed in contemporary Native clothing, including a ribbon skirt, denim vest, a tiny beaded bag and moccasins.

It was a three-month project and I did it in a month and a half, Chitto said.

I started with her skirt because thats what Native girls are wearing now, he added. I added sequins to the bottom.

She has her moccasins and her leggings, he continued. Under the skirt, I made jeans; theyre rolled up. Her nails are painted to match her skirt.

A garnet necklace dangles beneath her neck, complete with gold drops.

The artist always names his dolls, but he couldnt think of one for this latest creation. His best friend was about to give birth to a baby boy. She said she had always wanted to name a girl Adeline, Chitto said. It stuck.

I looked it up and it means royal.

In 2018, Chitto took first place at the Santa Fe Indian Market for a beaded evening bag.
- The Taskforce has collaborated with the University of Nairobi Virology Department and KAVI to conduct initial clinical treatment trials

- It also petitioned the government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to evacuate and bring home returnee Kenyans from China, India, USA, UK, Nigeria, Iraq and now Lebanon

- The Taskforce aims at raising KSh 200 Million to support 10-20 counties in phase one over the next three to six months

Kenyans living in the diaspora joined forces through the Diaspora COVID-19 Taskforce (DCTF) to rally both intellectual and financial resources to confront the novel coronavirus.

They initiated a COVID-19 Fund with the aim of complementing efforts by the government to accelerate containment of the virus spread.

READ ALSO: Dubai crown prince leaves luxury car for birds to build nest on it

KDA Global Chairman Shem Ochuodho during a past convention of Kenyans in the Diaspora. Photo: DCTF.

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Mombasa man innovates car from spare parts, uses it to distribute free masks

A statement released by the task force on Friday, August 14 showed the fund was also meant to cushion Kenyans both at home and abroad from effects of COVID-19.

It is made up different groups including Kenya Diaspora Alliance (KDA), Diaspora Institute, Kenya North America Diaspora SACCO (KNADS) and the Diaspora Health Task Team (DHTT).

"The efforts will be coordinated by the DCTF which was constituted in March 2020 to directly manage diasporas COVID-19 responses," read the statement.

READ ALSO: BBC reporter Ciru Muiruki's father dies

The task force has so far been involved in mobilizing modest funds, gathering expertise, participating in informative discussions.

It also acted as an advisory organ to KDA members, affiliates and partners.

The DHTT was formed in August 2019 with the blessings of the Ministry of Health (MoH) to stimulate the realization of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

READ ALSO: Donald Trump donates over KSh 10M of his salary to repair, restore US national monuments

It was a collaborative effort between KDA, Kenya Medical Association (KMA), Kenya Health Federation (KHF), Chandaria Foundation, KenyaRelief.org, Optiven Foundation, World Banks Africa Health Initiative among others.

'Since the formation of the Taskforce, a number of COVID-19 interventions have been put in place," the statement read.

"Notably, boosting of the tertiary health facility in Wajir country with the first-ever 2-bed ICU capacity in partnership with the World Bank,'' it added.

READ ALSO: Book publishers gain, retailers lose as schools remain closed until 2021

Other interventions include the production of up to 10,000 masks per day in eight counties.

This was in partnership with the Women in Business group and facilitation of Diaspora and returnee doctors to train Community Health Workers (CHWs) and volunteers in Siaya County.

The Taskforce has also collaborated with the University of Nairobi Virology Department and KAVI to conduct initial clinical treatment trials.

READ ALSO: Court orders 23-year-old internet fraudster to control traffic for 3 months

It also petitioned the government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to evacuate and bring home returnee Kenyans from China, India, USA, UK, Nigeria, Iraq and now Lebanon.

The Taskforce aims at raising $2Million (KSh 200 Million), to support 10-20 counties in phase one over the next three to six months.

Speaking about the initiative, Kenya Diaspora Alliances Global Chairperson, Shem Ochuodho said some of the resources required were particularly at rural county levels and slum dwellings.

READ ALSO: Meet enterprising woman who invests in real estate, developed properties worth over KSh 758M

They include support in the form of community volunteer groups, gender-based violence programs, mental health programs, training and equipping of health care workers, the supply of PPE to the frontline workers and support in the distribution of survival kits.

We have noted the critical importance, difference and impact of our intervention in health and general socio-economic standing of the beneficiaries within and out of the country," he said.

While more activities are lined up, the taskforce has embarked on the massive mobilization of resources, in the form of funds and in-kind support.

READ ALSO: Single mum with 6-month-old twins heartbroken after being evicted

"To be able to accomplish what we have set out to do, we are seeking partnership, collaboration, cooperation with our partners and other volunteers, said Ochuodho.

Speaking from New York where she is based, the Taskforces Chairperson, Rosemary Musomba said the world faces unprecedented times caused by COVID-19.

Kenya is one of the Sub-Saharan countries where it is estimated that the pandemic will push a large number of the 49 million population into extreme poverty.

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
As Sen. Kamala Harris is poised to make history, she stands on a foundation built by women who never even imagined that such a moment would be possible.

Orphaned at 7, homeless at 14, Mary Frances Furlow, now 96, worked all of her life. A 1941 graduate of Washington High School, she endured an abusive marriage that produced four children.

She raised her children on her own, eventually becoming a nurse who worked at the former Massillon State Hospital until her retirement in 1987.

"I'd tell them I needed them more than they needed me," she said of her children, all of whom became successful professionals. "I pushed them to excel."

Yet despite her determination and accomplishments, there was a shadow of shame: The incidents of blatant discrimination Furlow said she suffered as a young woman in Massillon.

"I've always spoken up. I had to speak up, I was a proud Black woman," Furlow said. "But I was embarrassed to tell my white friends about it."

History is the story of what happens when ordinary people lay claim to their equality and full citizenship.

Furlow recalled applying for a sales clerk job in the 1950s at O'Neil's department store, which had no Black sales help. She said she happened to turn in her application when the personnel manager was out of the office. She was offered the job over the phone.

Then she showed up for work.

"She was so surprised," Furlow recalled. "She didn't know I was Black over the phone. She said, 'Oh, I'm sorry Mrs. Furlow, but that position has been filled.'"

Furlow demanded to see her boss and told her, "You haven seen the last of Mrs. Frances Furlow!"

Furlow said the store manager also told her that the job was not available, adding, "I have coloreds working for me."

"I told him, 'I know. My brother is in the basement, pushing a broom. He should be in your office.'"

Furious, the manager refused to hire Furlow, but with assistance from the Urban League, she helped to make it possible for another Black woman to be hired.

Furlow said another employer told her that Massillon simply wasn't ready for a Black sales clerk.

"I asked him 'How do you sleep at night?'" she said.

She lost a job as a hotel maid when she confronted the manager about the disparate treatment Black maids had to endure, from being issued a roll for lunch, to being referred to as "girls" instead of women.

"He was a retired naval officer," Furlow said. "I told him 'You may be a manager, but you're no better than us.'"

I've never met anybody I thought was better than Frances Furlow.

When Furlow was 5, the family moved to Massillon from Alabama. Her parents died two years later, months apart, from heart disease.

"I don't remember what they looked like," she said. "I cried half my childhood."

An aunt came from Birmingham to care for Furlow and her siblings. She only permitted Furlow and her four older siblings to go to church, the library and the Urban League.

At 14, Furlow found herself on her own. A white family took her in.

"They were some of the happiest years of my life," she said.

In spite of the struggles, loss, and obstacles, Mary Frances Furlow's story is not one of grievance, but survival.

"I was naive about life, but God put good people in my life," she said.

We stand on the shoulders of such women, people who refused to allow themselves to be defined by those who refused to see their worth.

At 94, Furlow wrote her autobiography, "Joy Comes in the Morning."

"It's morning time for me," she said. "I'm happier now than I've ever been in my life."



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Turkish relief efforts following Beirut's deadly port blast are also helping to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, said a Turkish parliamentarian, Trend reports citing Daily Sabah.

"Relief efforts have started a process which will further strengthen relations between Lebanon and Turkey," said Nazm Mavis, head of the Turkish-Lebanese Interparliamentary Friendship Group, stressing how this relief effort was spearheaded by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Lebanese officials said Turkey's support helps them not feel abandoned, Mavis told Anadolu Agency (AA).

Saying that Lebanon's ties with Turkey are unique, Mavis added, "We've never been imperialists. We've never supported Lebanon to exploit it. We lived together as brothers for 400 years," referring to the countries' long Ottoman past.

Following the blast, at Erdogan's instruction, 400 tons of wheat and medical supplies, as well as Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) teams, were sent to Lebanon and a medical facility was set up on-site.

Turkish authorities in Lebanon suggested repairing a mosque damaged by the explosion and Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay embraced the project and also asked about repairing a local church.

"Our approach shows our sensitivity to Lebanon's integrity," said Mavis.

"Lebanon's integrity is important for Turkey. For us, Lebanon is a whole with its Christians, Muslims, Assyrians and Armenians. Turkey is ready to do whatever it can to protect this integrity."

The powerful explosion rocked Beirut on Aug. 4 after a neglected stockpile of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse ignited.

The blast wave killed at least 177 people and flattened nearby buildings, leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless.

It came at a time when Lebanon was dealing with a severe financial crisis along with the coronavirus pandemic.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun said Wednesday that property damage from the explosion could cost more than $15 billion, according to the official Lebanese News Agency.
As a true patriot with the ambition to lead our beautiful nation someday, it would be absolutely uncharacteristic on my part if I fail to critique the current trend of politically sponsored slayqueenism which has the propensity to threaten the collective survival of the political institution as a whole.

Undeniably, slayqueenism has been strongly embraced by the contemporary female youthful populations especially within developing societies such as ours. However, it was alien to our intellectual political discourse and had no place in our political lexicon until recently, when some slayqueens staged a social media warfare against one another from where damning revelations emanated with a key politician at the epicentre.

As a young man with a solid political vision, my heart bled profusely for my motherland when I heard these lazy ladies bragging about their ill-gotten wealth purportedly sponsored by politicians.

When the ordinary Ghanaian couldn't afford 3 square meals a day; When the ordinary Ghanaian couldn't afford the basic necessities of life, some heartless politicians were busy spending thousands and millions of dollars on these lazy slayqueens.

Sadly, if you visit the hometowns of those politicians you will find thousands of people wallowing in abject poverty. Yet, they had cash to blow on these lazy slayqueens, from purchasing expensive mansions and luxurious cars for them for no work done by them to contribute to national development. In fact, a locus classicus of political sadomasochism.

Our social fibre has gradually broken down, our political fabric is gradually under threat because the nudity and vulgarity exhibited by these slay queens using social media as the vehicle is highly preposterous. And the inclusion of the politician in this mess further aggravates the situation.

This nonsensical SlayQueenism is progressively gaining grounds in our political ecosystem and is gently becoming a malignant tumour gradually eating deep into our political fabric.

This cancer requires an urgent politico-surgical procedure to amputate in order to halt it's further spread.

The politician must sit up!

The politician must wise up!

Long Live Mother Ghana
Turkey could become the next popular holiday destination to be added to the UK's quarantine list as the country sees the highest number in coronavirus cases since June.

The country saw a total of 1,256 new cases in the last 24 hours sparking fears the air bridge to Britain could be dropped and Britons could be barred from holidaying in Turkey without strict quarantining measures.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Twitter that the number of seriously ill patients, mostly with underlying medical conditions, was also on the rise with 668 people.

People wearing face masks shopping at the Eminonu bazaar, Istanbul, amid Covid pandemic

Turkey saw a total of 1,256 new cases in the last 24 hours sparking fears the air bridge to Britain could be dropped and those returning from holiday could be forced to quarantine for 14 days

The ministry said 21 people died of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the confirmed death toll to 5,955.

More than 248,000 people have tested positive for the virus in Turkey since March.

Experts say, however, that all confirmed officials are undercounts due to limited testing, missed mild cases, possible government manipulation and other factors.

Mask wearing in public is mandatory in much of Turkey but the country has lifted many of the restrictions previously put in place to curb the spread of the virus.

As it stands, Turkey has seen a total of 248,117 coronavirus cases and 5,955 deaths, ranking it sixth in Asia and fifth in Europe.

Doctors have been warning the virus has hit health workers as it gained traction through the summer ahead of planned in-person school reopenings next month.

For three weeks last month, new cases had hovered just under 1,000. They were last this high on June 30.

Turkey mostly lifted a partial lockdown on June 1 and recently imposed fines for those who do not wear masks and maintain social distancing in public.

The authorities had allowed the reopening of restaurants, cafes, parks and beaches, as well as lifting the ban on inter-city travel, as the country eases the restrictions it had imposed in a bid to stem the spread of the ongoing pandemic of the COVID-19 disease.

The Turkish Medics Association said in a report on Friday that, based on its analysis of government antibody tests, there are likely some 10 times more active coronavirus patients than suggested by the official tally based on virus tests.

It added that 27 doctors and 53 healthcare workers have died from the virus in the last five months.

'The cautious approach expected of individuals was not demonstrated by the central authority,' it said.

Earlier this month, Koca dismissed as 'unfounded' claims that some hospitals and cities were at capacity due to COVID-19.

The news has sparked fears that Britons could be left racing to get home to the UK if the Government add Turkey to the list of countries which require a 14-day quarantine on return.

Turkish authorities had allowed the reopening of restaurants, cafes, parks and beaches, as well as lifting the ban on inter-city travel but has strict measures in place at the airport for arrivals

Many holidaymakers were left frustrated after they missed the Government's deadline for returning from France after the country was added to the list at short notice.

The news sparked a scramble across the Channel as Eurostar services to St Pancras from Paris appeared to be quieter than on Friday and thousands of passengers snapped up tickets at increased prices to get home before 4am on Saturday to avoid a fortnight of self-isolation.

Turkey has its own stringent measures for people arriving there, including temperature checks at the airport.

Anyone who is found to have the coronavirus is forced to quarantine, sometimes at their own expense.

The Government has said that countries with more than 20 new cases per 100,000 population will be added to the quarantine list.

Currently there are 18.5 infections per 100,000 people in Turkey, The Sun reports, an increase on the 15.8 recorded last month.

Air bridges remain intact between the UK and Australia, Croatia, Finland, Hungary and the Isle of Mann, along with 65 other countries.

Greece is also on the brink of becoming the next country to be added to Britains two-week quarantine list after an alarming surge in coronavirus cases.

Hundreds of thousands of British tourists face having their plans plunged into chaos after EU figures showed the Greek infection rate had quadrupled in two weeks.

It has soared past the benchmark of 20 Covid cases per 100,000 people  the point at which Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the introduction of quarantine measures was triggered.

It came as 160,000 holidaymakers scrambled to get home from France, Malta and the Netherlands before new quarantine rules came into force at 4am yesterday.

Friends returning from France at St Pancras rail station in London said they will have to isolate despite all testing negative for coronavirus in the past week.

Sanne Williams, who works in a care home, said she faces losing out on a week's wages.

She said it was too expensive to change her ticket to Friday, adding: 'I'm obviously annoyed. I was supposed to go back to work on the 21st but now I'll be at home for another week without money.

'Of course I will quarantine, they have all my details, passport, travel times.'

EU figures showed the Greek infection rate had quadrupled in two weeks, soaring past the benchmark of 20 Covid cases per 100,000 people

Friday saw tens of thousands of UK tourists in France make last-ditch bids to beat the quarantine, with tickets for planes, trains and ferries going for increased prices, with some air fares around six times more expensive than usual.

Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, the train service which carries vehicles through the Channel Tunnel, said it carried nearly 30% more vehicles from France to the UK on Friday than forecast.

Some 22 extra departures were laid on, carrying more than 30,000 passengers in 11,600 vehicles, it said.

The dash to get home was prompted by the decision to impose a 14-day self-isolation quarantine on travellers from France due to rising numbers of coronavirus cases in the country.

The quarantine conditions also apply to travellers returning to or visiting the UK from the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos and Aruba.
Antonio Cureton (pictured in mugshot) was charged with involuntary manslaughter on Sunday

A two-year-old boy in North Carolina died of a gunshot wound on Saturday after he accessed his father's unsecured firearm.

On Saturday night, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department confirmed they were conducting a homicide investigation at the 5300 block of Reagan Drive in Charlotte.

Around 10pm, authorities arrived to the Economy Inn to find a two-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound.

The small child was rushed to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and died.

Authorities told WBTV that the child somehow gained access to his father's handgun and accidentally discharged it.

Antonio Cureton, 24, was charged with involuntary manslaughter, possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and failure to secure a firearm to protect a minor.

A firearm was recovered with the help of a Canine Unit. Police have begun interviewing family members who were at the Economy Inn when the child was shot dead.

Detectives from the Homicide and Crimes Against Children Unit have joined the investigation. Police said they are not currently looking for any additional suspects.

This is the second two-year-old boy in Charlotte to become a victim of gun violence in the last week after one child was seriously injured on Wednesday.

A two-year-old boy was fatally shot on Saturday night near an Economy Inn at the 5300 block of Reagan Drive in Charlotte, North Carolina (pictured)

Police recovered a firearm with the help of the Canine Unit and interviewed family members who were present during the incident

Major Ryan Butler: 'There's a two-year-old little boy who should still be with us and is not'

Officers responded to a 911 call reporting assault with a deadly weapon and discovered a toddler with a gunshot wound on Camp Greene Street.

That child was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and Devonte Warrren, 25, was charged with failure to secure a firearm to protect a minor.

Beyond that, there were 70 homicides in Charlotte this year by the end of July.

Officials said in a press conference that the rate of killings happening this year shows 'no sign of letting up.'

Major Ryan Butler with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department had a strong message for the city residents after this most recent tragic incident.

Detectives from the Homicide and Crimes Against Children Unit have joined authorities in the investigation. Pictured: Officers investigate the crime scene in North Carolina

There had been 70 homicides in Charlotte, North Carolina, by the end of July

'There's a two-year-old little boy who should still be with us and is not,' said Butler.

'If that doesn't stir you to some level or awareness that there is far too much violence going on in this city, then I don't know if there's anything I, the police department or anybody in Charlotte can do to shake somebody of their apathy if they're not already at a heightened level of awareness.'

Anyone with information is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly with a Homicide Unit detective.

People can also leave information anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.
A rescue worker removes a kitten from the wreckage in Beirut - Elizabeth Fitt /A EF Images 2020

On the day after the Beirut blast, Kamal Khatib ignored the warnings of Lebanese civil defence to make one more rescue from a crumbling apartment in the Gemmayze neighbourhood.

As he descended the stairs on his way out, he could feel the century-old building shaking, and minutes later, the second floor collapsed. The risk had been worth it, the 48-year-old volunteer said, he had saved a life.

Shortly afterwards at a nearby hospital, a tearful and injured resident was reunited with her beloved siamese cat.

You dont feel the danger its complete focus for the animals, Mr Khatib says later, his lacerated arms a testament to the number of terrified cats he has pulled from the rubble. Its not taking risk, its rescuing.

The August 4 explosion of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate at Beirut port destroyed an estimated 50,000 homes in the Lebanese capital, killing at least 178 and wounding some 6,000 people. There is no centralised list of the missing, but the United Nations say at least 30 people remain unaccounted for.

A man examines one of the many rescued kittens in Beirut - Elizabeth Fitt /A EF Images 2020

In the confusion after the blast, panicked residents jammed phone lines asking after friends and relatives, and rushed injured neighbours to crowded emergency rooms. For hundreds of Beirut pet-owners, a sickening realisation that their animals were missing came next.

The pressure wave from the blast had flung cats from shattered windows and balconies, while terrified dogs fled through blown-open doors. Fears for their welfare superseded any concern over destroyed homes or lost livelihoods, owners say.

I was going crazy, I was in the street looking all night, I didnt sleep, says Rita Ragavlas, 48, whose cats Luna and Dodo disappeared in the blast.

Within two hours of the explosion, local welfare group Animals Lebanon had volunteers on the ground, looking for injured and frightened animals.

Its a system we created overnight, says co-founder Maggie Shaarawi, who is wearing a black singlet covered in white cat hair. I never imagined wed have 250 volunteers risking their lives to save animals.

Story continues

The day after the explosion, Ranwa Mouzanner found her three-year-old Yorkshire terrier via a post shared on the Animals Lebanon Instagram page, and says being reunited with Sake has helped her process the trauma of losing her home and being injured by falling glass.

Animals Lebanon's lead pet catcher searches for a cat in a blast devastated appartment in the Skyline Tower opposite the Port of Beirut - Elizabeth Fitt /A EF Images 2020

"Im with him literally all the time, its so comforting, he tries to lick my wounds, the 26-year-old says from her aunts house in the mountains outside Beirut, where she is recuperating with family. I felt guilty to be sad because people were looking for their children and relatives and I was looking for my dog, but at the same time hes like my son.

In the first 10 days after the explosion, Animals Lebanon say they reunited 104 owners like Ms Mouzanner with their pets. They also gave veterinary care to 73 injured animals, distributed over two tonnes of pet food, and are caring for nearly 30 animals without owners.

Some rescues have taken days of perseverance, with volunteers returning to the same damaged building several times every day until they are able to coax a terrified animal out of an elevator shaft or hole in a wall.

After four sleepless nights, Ms Ragavlas was reunited with Dodo. A volunteer spotted his black tail disappearing into a destroyed apartment and climbed through a first floor window to retrieve him.

Having him its like therapy now, theres something from your life thats still ticking, Ms Ragavlas says, clutching the burly black moggie to her chest. Since they found Dodo I started smiling again.
A cross-section of business owners who participated in the just-concluded capacity building programme organised for SMEs have commended Polaris Bank and social media giant Facebook for giving them the free opportunity to acquire new skills on how to grow their businesses, leveraging technology.

The virtual digital marketing seminar, which had over 5000 SMEs as participants in its phase 1 and 2 ran for days in each session. The programme is in fulfilment of the banks commitment to empower Nigerian SMEs. The workshop was designed to help them explore and learn new ways to grow their businesses, especially in the era of COVID-19 pandemic, which has further emphasized the need for digitization of business processes.

The sessions dwelt on how to build an online presence with Facebook, the discovery of tools to drive business, systemic ways on how to find customers on Instagram, and subsequently information on how to Create Facebook Adverts.

Commenting on the benefits of the empowerment programme, the Group Head, Products and Market Development of Polaris Bank, Adebimpe Ihekuna, disclosed that the banks move was to equip SMEs on how to leverage social media tools to generate marketing leads and sales.

Ms Adebimpe said, The free empowerment training and partnership is part of Polaris Banks effort to contribute to driving SMEs businesses in the digital space.

She further noted, For SMEs to remain relevant in their line of business, Entrepreneurs must position to level up with the challenges of the digital world to scale to the next level.

On his part, the founder/CEO at DIGIVATE 360, Segun Oyetunji, partner to the bank on the Boost With Facebook Programme spoke of his delight about the on-going success of the partnership with Polaris Bank on boosting the digital capacity of SMEs in Nigeria over the years.

We are immensely grateful to Polaris Bank for the opportunity to collaborate!

Speaking after the session, Adedeji Adewale, a detergent manufacturer from Akure, Ondo State, was full of commendation for the bank. He revealed that the wealth of knowledge provided during the training is comprehensive enough to understand the dynamics of digital business.

He also stated the need for more digital marketing training.

Another participant, Kadiri Mohammed, a shop owner at Balogun market in Lagos praised Polaris Bank and Facebook for making it possible for her to acquire knowledge on social media marketing.

This programme which attracted the participation of the SME community in Nigeria drew attendance from the 6 geopolitical regions of the country.

Polaris Bank is a future-determining bank committed to the delivery of industry-defining products for individuals and businesses.
The Chamberlains' yellow Torana at the base of Uluru on August 17, 1980. Credit:Michael Chamberlain

Azaria Chamberlain, the 10-weeks-old daughter of Mr Michael Chamberlain, 36, and his wife, Lindy, 32, was taken from her carry basket in a tent near the rock.

ALICE SPRINGS - The search for a baby girl snatched by a wild dog late on Sunday will continue at first light today in the shadow of Ayers Rock.

Little hope for baby girl taken by wild dog

First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on August 19, 1980

Mr Chamberlain, a Seventh Day Adventist minister from Mt Isa, and his wife saw "a shape just like a dingo" slinking out of the tent at about 8:30 am on Sunday.

"It had something in its mouth, but at that stage, in the darkness, we could not see what it was," he said.

The couple ran to the tent and looked inside to find Azaria gone.

"We don't hold out any hope for our baby. She must be dead," said Mr Chamberlain.

About 100 tourists, police, rangers and trackers searched yesterday for the missing child and the same number of people are expected to be involved in today's search.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 14:23:18|Editor: huaxia

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MEXICO CITY, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- The COVID-19 pandemic has increased poverty, expanded the size of the informal economy, and threatened the weak health systems of some countries in Central America, experts have said.

According to the Inter-American Development Bank, 274,000 formal jobs could be lost in Guatemala, 130,000 in Honduras, and 70,000 in El Salvador due to COVID-19.

Salvadoran economist Julia Evelyn Martinez said that the loss of jobs in the region has led to an increase in informal employment in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, where the informal economy already measured around 70 percent before the pandemic.

Martinez said the region had already been facing a multidimensional crisis due to economic stagnation, deterioration of public finances and unemployment, while restrictions imposed by the government during the pandemic have only exacerbated the problem.

"The approval of containment measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has added further deterioration to the welfare conditions of Central American families," said Martinez.

Across the region, Central Americans have begun to turn to the informal economy to survive, running businesses out of their homes or even begging in the streets in order to make ends meet. According to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, poverty will increase exponentially in the region this year due to the pandemic.

Nancy Sandoval, president of the Guatemalan Association of Infectious Diseases, said that the region lacks healthcare networks with the capacity to respond to projected future cases.

The gradual relaxation of restrictions aiming to jumpstart their economies means an increase in cases, which is why more medical personnel, beds, and tests are required, said Sandoval, giving Guatemala and Honduras as examples, where less than one doctor is available for every 1,000 inhabitants.

Central America reported over 237,000 COVID-19 cases on Friday, according to the Pan American Health Organization. Enditem
An angler from Corpus Christi caught a 53-pound Warsaw grouper during a nine-hour trip in Port Aransas on Tuesday, according to the Dolphin Docks Deep Sea Fishing boat captain Michael Matthew.

Warsaw groupers are critically endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also listed the fish as a species of concern.

The fish can weigh up to 440 pounds are typically found in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the NOAA. As a way to help conserve its population, there is a one fish per vessel restriction on Warsaw groupers for the Gulf of Mexico, according to the NOAA website.

READ ALSO: 'It was epic': Anglers reel in 737-pound blue marlin last weekend at Port Aransas tournament

Matthew, who's been with the boating company for 11 years, said grouper catches aren't as plentiful as they used to be, so when one comes along, he said it's always an "exciting time." Matthew added the biggest grouper they've had was a 370-pounder.

Patrick Eden of Corpus Christi reeled in the 53-pounder and was about 30 miles offshore when he hooked the fish, Matthew said. It was no more than a 10-minute fight, he added.

The meat from the grouper was harvested and given to the angler, Matthew said.

Dolphin Dock Deep Sea Fishing is a boating company in Port Aransas that offers a variety of fishing trips. Fishermen usually show off their catches once they dock.

On Wednesday, the company uploaded a picture of Tuesday's catch on its Facebook page.

Priscilla Aguirre is a general assignment reporter for MySA.com | priscilla.aguirre@express-news.net | @CillaAguirre
This is the moment a kindhearted father and daughter rescued a dog trapped in a dirty canal during a storm in the Philippines. Wilmar Binos was on his way home from work when he heard the dog crying for help in Cavite on July 29th. He rushed home to ask his daughter Marie Cloie Binos to assist him in rescuing the stricken animal. The pair. used a ladder and food to lure to dog over to them and then hauled it to safety. The dog was soon after named "Kiko" and was taken to live with the family.
Today, we are going to pay tribute to the Reporter-Telegrams past and go old-school with the style of quick-hit thoughts that former Editor Gary Ott (may he rest in peace) might have appreciated.

Ott, an underrated wordsmith, called the column Random Thoughts, and they were a staple for many readers during his time at the Reporter-Telegram from the 1980s to well past the turn of the millennium.

Todays thoughts arent quite as random, as most focus on Midland, but hopefully you  the Reporter-Telegram reader  appreciate this change of pace. As is the case with any opinion piece, I hardly expect 100 percent agreement, but hopefully todays article offers opportunities for you to think about whats happening in the community.

--During the Robert E. Lee High School name change process, I have been surprised  probably foolishly  about what issues people will put their energy behind. Dont get me wrong: I dont have a problem with people taking a stand and working toward a solution. But I hope we see as much involvement and time spent by the community when it comes to the pursuit of academic achievement. Midlanders, keep up the intensity. Our community is better when you are engaged, and our students deserve better than those (on both sides) disappearing after the Lee High School name issue has been solved.

--I look forward to spending the next few months searching out community, state and national leaders who make the effort to inspire an electorate. Maybe it is because of COVID-19, the upcoming presidential election, a state Republican Party in which the governor and state party chairman appear at odds or the fact that some local leaders act as though they would rather divide and conquer.

I cant remember a time when inspiration has been so tough to find. I personally will look harder for those who attempt to lead by bringing people together. I think that is what this community should expect.

--Public service announcement: The deadline for putting your name on the ballot for Midland ISD board (districts 1, 2, 4 and 7), hospital district board or Midland College board (Places 7, 8 and 9) is 5 p.m. Monday.

--Thank you to those at Midlands educational institutions who worked overtime to make the school year possible for tens of thousands of students. Over the past few weeks, those like Bethany Solis at IDEA Public Schools, Jared Lee at Midland Christian, Shelby Hammer at Trinity, Zack Craddock at Third Future Schools and Katie Atkins, Woodrow Bailey and Lisa Goodnow at MISD made time to talk with the Reporter-Telegram about preparations being made. They also allowed our photographers access to help celebrate the start of another school year. We appreciate their consideration.

--It is neat to see live events come back on the community calendar. I hope Midlanders get an opportunity to see Tim Tebow, who is the scheduled guest speaker at an October event benefiting Teen FLOW. I have always been fond of Tebow for his public pro-life stance and his treatment of people with special needs. He genuinely offers Midlanders a worthy role model.

--Dont tell my bosses, but I have enjoyed working from home. I am indeed fortunate.

--Thank you to Abell-Hanger Foundation and the FMH Foundation for bringing attention to those organizations that are helping Midlanders find a place for their children to study while the district starts the 2020-21 school year with at-home learning. We hope all working parents can find a place for their students to thrive during this period away from campus.

--The city of Midland has removed the public comment period from the Midland City Council agenda during the pandemic and the switch to virtual meetings. City leaders have stated that the governor has allowed the suspension of certain open meetings rules. Still, I hope they dont wait until the end of the pandemic to reinstate the public comment period.

--I cant help but think that West Texans must be disappointed in Joe Bidens selection of Kamala Harris as the partys candidate for vice president. No matter ones politics, it is hard to make a credible case that she was the most qualified candidate, even if Biden was determined to select a Black woman. And it is nearly impossible to get all West Texans to believe that Harris was a safe pick for the region, considering her pledge to ban hydraulic fracturing.
New York, Aug 16 : 2019 US Open semi-finalist Belinda Bencic became the latest to pull out of the Grand Slam that is scheduled to begin on August 31.

Bencic is the third 2019 semi-finalist to pull out of the 2020 US Open.

The 23-year-old Swiss wrote on social media on Saturday that she "made the difficult decision to skip the US swing in New York and will return to the tour starting in Rome next month." She will hence be participating in the Italian Open, a clay court tournament that is part of the buildup to the French Open which is scheduled to start on September 27.

"I would like to thank the US Open and the USTA for all their hard work and effort they have put together to have both Cincinnati and the US Open take place this month. I am looking forward to returning to New York next year and wish everyone competing there in the coming weeks the best of luck," said Bencic.

Earlier, defending champion Bianca Andreescu and Elina Svitolina also pulled out of the tournament that is being held amidst strict protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This leaves out 2019 runner up Serena Williams as the only semi-finalist from last year to play in the tournament. Williams was also the American among the last four.

Apart from the semi-finalists, notable players to have pulled out include world no.1 Ashleigh Barty and world no.7 Kiki Bertens.
A construction worker walks along a roof on a new home in Nashville, Tenn., on March 25, 2020. (Mark Humphrey/AP Photo)

Lumber Shortages, Record Prices Adding Thousands to Home Construction Costs

Trump's intervention sought as framing lumber, OSB prices soar

Supply shortages of framing lumber and oriented strand board (OSB) are harming the United States economic recovery and its burgeoning housing market, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) says.

The group stressed, in a letter to President Donald Trump last week, that skyrocketing prices and chronic shortages of lumber are hindering the construction industrys ability to create jobs and drive the economy forward.

According to the NAHB, log and sawn-wood shortages have caused prices to increase by 80 percent since mid-April, while OSB prices have jumped by almost 140 percent over the past year. Prices for framing lumber reached new highs in late July.

The NAHB described the price increases as unsustainable, and called for a multi-prong approach to lower prices and improve supply.

NAHB believes the White House can play a constructive role to alleviate this growing threat to housing and the economy by urging domestic lumber producers to ramp up production to ease growing shortages, NAHB CEO Gerald Howard said in the letter. Howard also called on the president to reach out to domestic producers to produce more lumber, and to work with Canada on a new softwood lumber agreement to improve supply.

The NAHB is also seeking to meet with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on the issue.

NAHB is urging the White House to play a constructive role in ending the #lumber pricing crisis by calling on domestic lumber producers to ramp up production and working with Canada on a new agreement that would end tariffs of 20%+ on Canadian lumber. https://t.co/OuwMzLI67o  NAHB (@NAHBhome) August 13, 2020

Housing Boom, Softwood Bust

The housing construction market has proved remarkably resilient to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus crisis, with permits for single-family construction up 3.4 percent in the first half of 2020 from the year-earlier period. However, a range of factors combined in recent months to leave hardware stores around the country short-stocked.

Lumber mills across the United States closed in spring due to social distancing measures enacted by local and state governments, and lumber prices tumbled in March and April, according to the NAHB. Many sawmills and lumber product manufacturing organizations projected that the U.S. housing market would be adversely affected by measures taken to combat the CCP virus, and anticipated a significant decline in demand for lumber and associated products.

A worker walks on the roof of a new home under construction in Carlsbad, Calif., on Sept. 22, 2014. (Reuters/Mike Blake/File Photo)

Such producers responded to the market outlook by substantially decreasing output and capacity utilization, and by laying off employees. Many subsequently failed to anticipate the increase in demand from DIY customers and big-box retail outlets.

Housing weathered the storm much better than most anticipated, the NAHB stated.

The association explained that DIY demand hasnt receded much as Americans have returned to work, while construction demand has completely outpaced lumber mills projections.

Housings potential for growth and to lead the economy forward is limited as long as lumber remains expensive and scarce. And the ramifications for job growth are significant, said Howard, who also pointed out the loss of government tax revenue that would result from a stymied construction industry.

Canada Tariffs Hurt Builders, Help Mills

The Canadian lumber market also is experiencing a tightening of supply for similar reasons to its U.S. counterpart.

Lumber products giant Interfor Corp. stated in its second-quarter results (pdf) that mills across the country curtailed production in March, which has resulted in supply shortages and higher lumber prices. The company also expects near-term demand to remain strong across North America.

A worker sorts lumber at the Pan-Abode Mill in Richmond, Canada on April 27, 2006. (CP PHOTO/Chuck Stoody)

According to industry journal Canadian Forest Industries, many sawmills are still ramping up mothballed production lines, so that lumber delivery lead times continue to grow.

NAHBs Howard called on Trump to work with Canada toward a new agreement on software lumber. The NAHB said lumber shipments from Canada to the United States are currently subject to tariffs of more than 20 percentfurther depressing supplies into an already tight market and acting as a disincentive to Canadian sawmills.

In May, a NAFTA panel backed a U.S. International Trade Commission decision that softwood lumber imports from Canada materially injured U.S. workers and producers. It said that, unlike in the United States, the Canadian government provides massive subsidies to its lumber industry.

The U.S. Lumber Coalition (USLC) welcomed the decision, which it said would help preserve the U.S. lumber industry and the 350,000 employees that rely on it.

In August 2019, USLC Executive Director Zoltan van Heyningen rejected that softwood lumber pricing was an important factor in either U.S. homeownership or affordability. In an article published by The Hill, van Heyningen stated that lumber makes up less than 2 percent of the cost of a new home.

He said worker shortages, permitting costs, and the lack of suitable lots are more significant issues.
At this point it appears sending kids back to school in September would be very reasonable, says Dr. Mustafa Hirji, acknowledging its still a personal decision parents will have to make on their own.

Given the situation right now, given the very sensible measures the province has recommended be put in place, I certainly think going back for in-person learning is very reasonable for children to be doing at this time, said Hirji, acting medical officer of health for Niagara.

Parents ultimately need to make the decision for whats right for them, given that.

Hirji said its a difficult decision for parents concerned about possibly exposing their child to COVID-19.

District School Board of Niagara has asked parents to let it know by Monday whether their children will return for in-school teaching or stay home to learn online. Niagara Catholic District School Board wants to know by Friday.

Hirji suggested weighing the risks and benefits of a number of factors.

I think it is important to remember there is never any situation where there is zero risk right now from COVID-19, he said. Any time you are venturing out of the home, or anybody else is  there is some small risk of being exposed.

We need to accept that were not trying to find zero risk, were trying to find low enough risk that we can feel comfortable with.

Across Niagara three new cases were reported Saturday and four more on Sunday. Currently there are 38 active cases, including one in hospital. There are five outbreaks, including two in long-term care homes.

This year, there have been 916 cases across the region and at least 64 people have died.

Hirji said Niagaras public health department has been working with both boards to plan safe conditions in schools and with three weeks to go, it is still evolving.

Information is posted on both boards websites: DSBN.org and NiagaraCatholic.ca.

Lots of things are being put in place, which I think is going to help lower the risk such as spacing of desks, staggering break times to keep students apart, screening children before they enter the school and providing lots of hand sanitizer.

Families need to think about, do they feel that that is reassuring enough or not, said Hirji.

In deciding, he said, parents should consider whether their child responds well to online learning at home, or if they do better with in-person teaching in a school setting.

Also, is there adequate supervision at home to keep the child safe and focused.

Its also important, he said, to be aware of how much infection there is in the community and to measure the risk.

Currently, incidence in the community is low but that depends on people continuing to be vigilant about social distancing, hand washing and wearing masks, Hirji said.

The amount of infection there is outside the school will affect teachers, affect children who will then bring it into the school, he said. So if there are very few infections outside of the school, we can expect there will be very few in the school as well.

He added, If there are people in the home who are quite elderly or have medical conditions or who are vulnerable, that might be an issue where parents need to take a little more concern and be a bit more cautious.

He said even for parents who opt to keep their children at home, there are points throughout the school year where they can be sent back to class.

Many of these issues are very personal, and I think parents need to sit down and talk about it and think it through, Hirji said.
Michigan reported 1,015 new cases of coronavirus Saturday, Aug. 15, up from 748 the previous day.

In other coronavirus news, the Michigan Senate approved a wide-ranging framework for reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic Saturday that would let local districts decide whether to offer in-person education while requiring minimum levels of teacher-student interaction in virtual settings.

Heres the latest on the coronavirus pandemic in Michigan going into Sunday, Aug. 16.

Michigan reported 1,015 new coronavirus cases and 18 deaths on Saturday, Aug. 15.

The previous day saw 11 deaths reported.

Since the start of the pandemic, Michigan has tallied 92,155 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

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There are currently 6,318 deaths attributed to COVID-19, in which patients tested positive for the virus. There are an additional 268 probable deaths, based on symptoms.

Michigans case fatality rate is currently 6.9 percent.

Health officials recommend looking at seven-day moving averages to evaluate data trends during the pandemic. The state is now averaging 707 new cases per day.

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Michigan Senate OKs framework for reopening schools during coronavirus pandemic

The legislation for reopening schools  House Bills 5911, 5912 and 5913  will leave it to local districts to determine reopening methods and guidelines, taking local COVID-19 metrics and recommendations from the local health department into account. In a rare Saturday session, senators approved the main bill in the package, 5913, and 5912 in 23-15 votes and 5911 in a 23-14 vote.

The votes set in motion a deal reached between Gov. Gretchen Whitmers administration and the Republican-majority legislature late Friday. The Michigan House is expected to take up the package Monday.

Amid spike in prison coronavirus cases, Gov. Whitmer orders testing and safety protocols

Whitmer on Saturday signed an executive order to establish new coronavirus safety and testing protocols inside Michigan correctional facilities through the end of September.

The order mandates that incarcerated people be tested for COVID-19 upon entry to, transfer, and release from prisons, jails, and juvenile detention facilities, and resumes the suspension of transferring people from jails to prisons unless certain risk-reduction and testing protocols are established inside the jail.

Those protocols include screening all people entering or leaving a facility, testing inmates presenting symptoms of COVID-19, providing employees with personal protective equipment (PPE), and requiring masks and social distancing for inmates and staff.

Bowling alleys want to be able to reopen  and for you to stop calling them bowling alleys

More than 300 bowling alleys have sat quiet since late March. While bowling has restarted in northern Michigan, Whitmers Executive Order 2020-160 is keeping the lanes closed in the rest of the state indefinitely.

The Bowling Centers Association of Michigan is suing Whitmer, asking a federal court to grant an emergency injunction and allow bowling to restart immediately. Whitmers office is required to file a response to the lawsuit by Sept. 2, per court documents.

Bowling alleys are now open in 45 of the 50 U.S. states after many were forced to shut down earlier in the pandemic, per the lawsuit.

"We're still befuddled why bowling is still closed in Michigan," said BCAM Executive Director Bo Goergen. He's also a third-generation owner of Northern Lanes Recreation near Midland.

Casinos, barbershops, restaurants and more have been allowed to reopen with precautions in place. Bowling businesses can ensure the same protections  and more, Goergen said. For example, bowling alleys have more space for social distancing than most restaurants and can require masks at all times.

Shared rental bowling balls or shared shoes  whats the difference between that and a shopping cart or a basket at a grocery store? Goergen said.

Opioid-related deaths surge in parts of Michigan during coronavirus pandemic

Through the first seven months of 2019, Dr. Joyce DeJong reported 95 opioid-related deaths across the 12 Michigan counties she serves as medical examiner.

During the same period this year, her office has tallied 137 such deaths -- an increase of 44 percent -- with another 22 suspected/pending cases that have yet to be finalized.

DeJong, who founded the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker School of Medicine, said she cant be certain that the coronavirus pandemic has played a role in the spike in overdose deaths, but she cant help but notice the parallel tracks they appear to be on either.

All I know is theyre happening at the same time, DeJong said. It makes me think the pandemic likely has something to do with it.

Michigan health officials say its too early to evaluate 2020 mortality data. A spokesperson for Department of Health and Human Services said they dont have statewide data yet. But they have seen a deeply concerning trend in the rising number of 911 calls related to opioid use during the pandemic.

From April to June 2020, EMS responses for overdoses in Michigan were 26 percent higher than the same period in 2019, according to statewide data compiled by MDHHS. Responses increased in all regions of the state and in every age demographic except for those aged 65 and older.

Coronavirus data by Michigan county: See numbers for past 20 days

Ten Michigan counties are in the green zone, 66 are yellow, six are orange and one is red, based on a metric developed by the Harvard Global Health Initiative to measure the coronavirus risk level.

The metric looks at a seven-day average of new cases per 100,000 residents, and the current coding uses rates for the seven days ending Aug. 14.

The 10 counties at the lowest risk level: Ionia, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Osceola, Wexford, Oscoda and Montmorency in the Lower Peninsula, and Baraga, Schoolcraft and Keweenaw in the Upper Peninsula.

Baraga, Keweenaw, Schoolcraft, and Montmorency reported no new cases in the past week.

In addition, Alcona, Iron and Oscoda counties each had only one new case of coronavirus in the past week, but that was enough to put them just above the average of 1 new case per 100,000 residents for the week.

At the other end of the spectrum, Ontonagon County in the western Upper Peninsula is still coded red, which the Harvard institute defines as a region that should lock down.

Muskegon inmate with coronavirus receives meeting with parole board after AG support

A man incarcerated at the Muskegon Correctional Facility who was recently hospitalized with COVID-19 has received a preliminary parole hearing, following the advocacy of the Michigan Attorney General on his behalf.

Michael Thompson, who has served 25 years of a 42-60 year sentence on drug and weapons charges related to a marijuana bust, will meet with the Michigan Parole Board for a preliminary hearing on Thursday, Aug. 20, two weeks after MLive reported on Thompsons medical condition after a coronavirus outbreak at the prison where he was living.

The meeting will consist of Thompson, a personal advocate who will not provide legal representation, and one member of the parole board, Sarah Gersten, the executive director of Last Prisoner Project, a prison reform group supporting Thompsons case, told MLive in an email.

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.

Gov. 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:

Oakridge High School cancels a football practice after positive COVID-19 test

Saturday, August 15: Latest developments on coronavirus in Michigan

Friday, Aug. 14, coronavirus data by Michigan county: 12 counties now in the green zone

Kent Countys public health surveillance tool is working to slow spread of coronavirus, officials say
"the right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized." So the crucial phrase in article 9, the "peace article" of the Japanese Constitution of 1946 is. Depending on the interpretation of this provision by Japan were so-called self-defense forces ("Self-Defense Forces", SDF) as a paradox of the military, this should not be a metamorphosis in terms of self-understanding, goal, and composition. The erosion of the peace article was the careers associated with the gradual Opening-up of the armed forces for women. After the legalization of the armed forces by the law on the self-defense forces of 1954 had the effect of women, first in nursing, management, and communication. Initiatives for the promotion of women were also living in the military profession, the equality act of 1986 and to the UN Resolution 1325, which is based on the "National action plan on women, peace and security" of 2015. Today, almost all of the positions for women are apart of the units in which the service is deemed to be too dangerous for potential mothers, to be open.

Fumika Sato and Nora Weinek describe in their essay, "The Benevolent' Japan Self-Defense Forces and Their Utilization of Women" in the "Hitotsubashi Journal of Social Studies" (volume 51, 2020) feminism and militarism as false friends. So there are reasons for the recruitment of women and promotion of women beyond the equal is the credo: you were recruited for a charm offensive, as their strategic double objective, the author determined the normalization of the military and a neo-liberal ideology. The source material of the study are historic recruitment posters.

Thus, recruitment posters of the seventies pictures of jovial friendship between Civilians and the military show away from war and danger. If since the eighties, and female members of the military are shown to be popular trio with a female member of the ground, naval and air forces, so the promises of the intra-military marriage market signal, the beauties of male candidates. Time in accordance with the cartoon aesthetics tells of recent recruitment poster of the dream as a soldier heroine of the Anime will be adventure. In Movie-Clips prices barracks, distant Pop-stars "is a work that can only be done here", to.

The new humanity, of a post-national defense

The study highlights a selective Empowerment, the phrases such as "Womenomics" and "proactive pacifism" are. The "right to collective self-defense", to legitimize, in the case of an attack on allies whose support, as well as the rescue of own nationals from conflict zones, was declared on the press conferences of the Ministry of defence with pictures of helpless Japanese girls velvet babies. The SDF published the Comic "Manga-Style Defense of Japan in 2017," revealed deficits in terms of equality, what ranks and capacities of female and male SDF members.

Japan proportion of women in the armed forces is lagging behind with 6.5 percent, the Nato average of 11.1 percent. In 2017, launched by the Ministry of defence, a new advertising campaign to summon a feminine future. The official Video to "promote the active engagement of female members of the SDF" by 2018 was calculated according to the assessment of the author as well on the outside effect how to Plan an air show of fighter pilots in the framework of the program of the provisionally suspended Olympic games from Tokyo.

Today, peacekeeping missions and disaster form the core of the global "new humanity," a post-national defense. However, missions abroad, in which Japan participates since 1992, supportive, give birth to neo-colonial encounters, in which the "enlightened States" (Noam Chomsky) the child-like feminine other right and freedom. The authors characterize the in foreign missions in Iraq or in Africa, to make Peace soldiers, which play an important role in the communication with the Locals to play, the image of the "warrior-princess of peace".

Updated Date: 16 August 2020, 17:20
Rajeev Nirmalakhandan knows what it takes to finish a feature film.

As does Robert Dean.

This is one of the many reasons the two filmmakers have joined forces on an upcoming film project.

Its called Cant Run and though the project is in the beginning stages, the pair is excited.

I really feel like New Mexico is my home and one to make projects, Nirmalakhandan says. This project has the potential for some great commercial viability.

The film follows the story of a wheelchair-bound mother who travels from India to America to fulfill her late-daughters last wish. In doing so, she must fight for her life when she is terrorized by the proprietor of her rental home.

I came up with the story two years ago, while in Sri Lanka on my honeymoon, Nirmalakhandan says. We rented a placed and there was this creepy dude. We were so isolated from everyone and this was a rental home. I thought, What if the guy in charge has evil intentions? 

Nirmalakhandan wanted to draw inspiration for the film from his life.

I have dealt with a physical disability since birth, he says. I wanted to put the main character in a wheelchair. Yes, shes vulnerable. I wanted her to be strong, relentless and survive at the end.

Six months ago, Nirmalakhandan ran into Dean at a restaurant.

Conversation surrounded his idea for the film.

Dean decided to sign on as a producer with his Buffalo 8 Productions.

Hes from Ruidoso and Im from Las Cruces, Nirmalakhandan says. This will be a total New Mexico effort on the film.

Nirmalakhandan and Dean first met while Dean was a student at the Creative Media Institute at New Mexico State University, where Nirmalakhandan works.

I never finished the program, Dean says. One of the great things was meeting Raj because he has vision and drive.

Dean says there are a lot of people doing homegrown movies in New Mexico. And its been happening for a long time.

Its an incredible objective, Dean says. New Mexico has been a prominent state for the film world. Movies have been shot here forever. We also have some amazing incentives and weve seen a huge influx with Netflix and NBCUniversal putting roots here. With this film, we want to create a model where the majority of the money comes back to New Mexico. Even if we shot on location, that money would come back to New Mexico.

The pair continue to work to secure funding for the film.

Nirmalakhandan says doing the proper research in securing funding and distribution is important.

We have to look at how much were wanting to spend, he says. We want New Mexico to feel like it has a stake in the film.

Dean says the process is like building the business from the inside out.

Me and Raj have had this vision of building this movie with local New Mexico talent, crew and investors, Dean says. This is how we build viability.
By PTI

HOUSTON: Kamala Harris' historic selection as the Democratic vice-presidential candidate has evoked mixed reactions from the influential Indian-Americans, with a majority of them voicing unfavourable views about the senator's track record and her stance towards India and the community.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden scripted history on Wednesday by selecting 55-year-old Harris, an Indian-American and an African-American, as his running mate in the election on November 3.

Born to a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, California Senator Harris, if elected, would be the first woman vice president ever for the country.

While her nomination has filled many aspiring women, particularly young women of colour, with joy across the globe, Harris' selection has also generated mixed reactions from about 3.9 million Indian-Americans, both Republicans and indecisive voters, who believe she lacks understanding of what she stands for and does not consider herself as a woman of Indian origin.

Radha Dixit, the founding member of Indo-American Conservatives of Texas, said, "The Democratic Party's reliance on 'Identity politics' has undermined her campaign because the focus has shifted to her being Indian, Asian, Jamaican, African-American and a woman of colour. Divisions in these communities are now coming to surface. Nowhere did Kamala try to claim her Hindu or Indian heritage but people are thrusting their values on her".

"If the Democratic Party platform and Kamala Harris's position on policy issues are the basis for deciding this election as it should be, no conservatives, men or women, will support this ticket," Dixit said.

Padma Shri awardee Subhash Kak, Regents Professor Emeritus at the prestigious Oklahoma State University is pleased with Harris' selection but is not happy with her political affiliation.

"But I'm disappointed with her political positions that are not India-friendly and are far to the left on the political spectrum. In this, she appears to be consistent with Joe Biden who has adopted an agenda that does not acknowledge the need for a special relationship between the United States and India," Kak said.

ALSO READ | Kamala Harris recounts childhood Madras visits, good idli, long walks with grandfather

"She has always claimed to be of African descent rather than Indian and her record as an attorney in California is highly questionable. She has in fact promoted corruption in California," said Aditya Satsangi, founder Americans4Hindus, an organisation that represents the interests of Hindus.

During her maiden address to the Indian-American community, Harris, however, did reflect on her proud Indian heritage.

"Growing up, my mother would take my sister Maya and me back to what was then called Madras because she wanted us to understand where she had come from and where we had ancestry. And of course, she always wanted to instill in us, a love of good idli," Harris said.

Founder of the 'Living Planet Foundation' Kusum Vyas considers Harris' nomination as refreshing but questions her track record.

"She has solid credentials, but do we need to support a person who is a known critic of India's Kashmir policy and has a strong leaning towards Pakistan. She has recommended abolishing the legal immigration process and supports illegal immigration which hurts people from countries like India, who come here legally," Vyas said.

"Harris is a supporter of the anti-India, anti-Hindu brigade, who calls herself Black, hates Indian side of her family, never recognised herself as an Indian," said Radhika Sud from Atlanta.

She is unaware of the atrocities of Kashmiri Hindus and has aligned with Pakistan.

Indian-Americans won't vote for pro-Pak, pro-China Harris, just because her mother happens to be an Indian, she said.

"I would evaluate her on her past policies towards American Hindus and her future approach towards the community. On the first account, I do not see her having given any significant contribution. As for the future posture of the Biden campaign, I am concerned about the public bias they have shown against the American Hindu minority with their policy pronouncements," said Utsav Chakrabarti, Executive Director HInduPACT.

Rajiv Verma, a Houston community activist, believes that with Harris as Vice President, the Biden campaign has willfully forfeited any hopes to get the Indian-American votes as she opposes both removal of Article 370 and passage of the new citizenship amendment act by the Indian parliament.

"Harris' uninformed comments on Kashmir are interference in another sovereign country's internal matter and are setting up a dangerous precedent for American politics. The fact that the Democrats have shown no understanding of why India has taken the steps it has, makes me think they are purposely being obtuse," said Professor Amulya Gurtu from California.

ALSO READ | US senator Kamala Harris slams Jaishankar's decision of not meeting Pramila Jayapal

"Harris needs to brush up her knowledge of Indo-US relations, failing which the votes of admiring Indian-Americans are not likely to translate into votes for the blue ticket.

The present Indo-US relations with Modi-Trump chemistry is at its peak since centuries and Indo-American voters are happy with that," said Subhash Razdan, Chairman and Co-Founder of Gandhi Foundation USA, in Atlanta.

"My decision not to support Kamala has nothing whatsoever to do with whether she identifies as Indian or Black. It's about all the Democrats, including her & Biden, toeing the line for vile Kashmiri terrorists in my ancestral homeland of Kashmir," said Dr Vasudev Patel, president Federation of Indian-American Association.
The mysterious death of a 45-year-old man, whose body was found in the fields of Lohara village under a tractor he drove, has led to allegations of murder by his family even though an FIR was filed against his employer for death due to negligence.

The family members led by Rajinder Kaur, the wife of the deceased, staged a protest on Sunday against the police for an hour, demanding that a murder case be lodged against the accused.

Sucha Singh, 45, of Satguru Nagar had a dispute with his employer Parminder Singh, owner of Dhillon Building Material Store, Lohara, who had not cleared his payments, alleged his widow.

On August 14, Parminder Singh had called Sucha Singh to his farm in Lohara and shortly afterwards his body was found in the fields after which Kaur said she informed the police.

Alleging that her husband was murdered even though it was made to look like an accident, Kaur said the Daba police had lodged a case under section 304-A (causing death due to negligence) of the Indian Penal Code.

The protests stopped after the police reassured the family members that they would take appropriate action after getting the post mortem report.

ASI Paramjit Singh, who is investigating the case, said that the police could add more sections in the FIR after investigations.
The Uttarakhand woman accused of blackmailing and trying to extort 5 crore from BJP MLA from Almoras Dwarahat constituency, Mahesh Singh Negi, has lodged a police complaint accusing Negi of raping her at different hotels in Nepal, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The woman lodged the complaint in Dehradun to deputy inspector general, Dehradun, Arun Mohan Joshi, and marked the same to the station house officer of Nehru Colony where an extortion case against her was registered on a complaint filed by Negis wife on August 14. HT has a copy of the five-page complaint lodged by the woman.

The womans complaint states that she first came in contact with Negi in 2016 as both used to live in the same neighbourhood.

That time my mother used to remain sick and the doctor had advised her to take steam for which I was going to take her to a hospital. But Negi came to know about it and asked me not to visit the hospital as he has a steam machine in his home only. Believing him, I took my mother to his house for the same and one day, he called me outside the room on the pretext of having a selfie and then forcibly grabbed me, said the woman.

She further alleged in her complaint that Negi raped her again in a hotel in Mussoorie a few days before her marriage.

She further stated that she kept mum and got married on the scheduled date fearing Negis clout. She claims Negi again called her and pressured her to come to her parents home in Almora.

Due to this pressure and threats, I then came to my parents home after a few weeks. He then asked me not to go back to my in-laws and forced me to lodge a false complaint of dowry harassment against my husband and in-laws. When my husband asked the reason behind it, I narrated my ordeal to him, following which he ended all relations with me, said the complaint.

Further in the complaint, she alleged that Negi then raped her on various occasions by taking her to hotels in Delhi, Nepal, Himachal Pradesh, Nainital, Almora and even to his friends farmhouse in Haldwani. She then got pregnant, she alleged.

When I informed him about my pregnancy, he assured me that he would give his name to the child and take care of me. He even accompanied me for medical examinations in a Dehradun hospital before my delivery on May 18 this year, she says in her complaint.

She alleges that she got a DNA test conducted after delivering a girl, which revealed that her husband was not the father. After that, I informed Negi about it but he refused to accept her as his daughter, said the woman.

She accuses Negis wife Rita Negi of offering her 25 lakh for forgetting the incident and says she wont back-off and want her daughter to have her rights.

The woman claims that she was framed by Negis family in a false extortion case.

She is now demanding a DNA test to confirm if Negi is indeed the father of her child. She also wants to fight him legally.

I also request the police to provide protection to me and my family as Negi could harm us, she said.

Superintendent of police, Dehradun (city) Shweta Chaubey said, The complaint has been given to DIG but is yet to be received by us. Once we get it, appropriate action would be taken on it.

Meanwhile, when contacted, MLA Mahesh Singh Negi refuted the allegations of the woman and termed it a conspiracy by the Opposition to malign his image.

She has submitted the false complaint after getting booked in an extortion case. The Opposition Congress is using her to malign my image with false accusations. Investigations in the extortion case will reveal everything, said Negi.

The Congress, however, said it has nothing to do with the woman or her allegations.

We have nothing to do with the incident. The woman is taking action on her own. But having said that, the allegations have been made against a ruling party MLA, which is a serious matter. If Negi is innocent then why is he not agreeing to the DNA test, said Congress party vice-president Suryakant Dhasmana.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 19:34:05|Editor: huaxia

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PARIS, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Safeguarding and stabilizing the relations between China and the United States has an impact on peace, stability and development in the world, Sonia Bressler, a French writer and Sinologist, told Xinhua in an interview on Saturday.

"The relations between China and the United States are among the most important bilateral relationships in the world. To safeguard and stabilize China-U.S. relations concerns the welfare of the Chinese and American people and people in the world. It also bears on peace, stability and development in the world," said Bressler, citing a recent article by Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee.

Since the historic meeting between Richard Nixon and Mao Zedong in 1972 and the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1979, the development of China-U.S. relations has led to great progress in various fields between the two countries and the rapid development of the world economy, she said.

The cooperation between the two countries "achieves great things for the benefit of both countries and the world," Bressler said, adding that "their confrontation will be a disaster for both countries and the world."

"But in recent years, we notice an obstinate ardor against China in Western media. This distrust has disastrous economic, political and human consequences. The stability (of China-U.S. relations) is now more necessary than ever," the expert said.

"How to maintain this stability? What method to apply to return to this height of strategic and long-term perspective point of view? How to stay pragmatic, particularly when the Western media prism makes China an enemy in the eyes of public opinion? These are the questions," she said.

For the French expert, Washington's policy of unilateralism and protectionism is inflicting severe harm on international relations.

"It is easier to designate an external enemy to resolve an internal conflict specific to the Western economic system," she said.

As to the notion of "Cold War" that appears in the Western media, Bressler raised alarm that the use of this expression is to generate stress and fears "that generally go with reflexes of rejection, which can range from simple verbal violence to aggression, then to war."

Applying the same logic, with its interference in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Xinjiang, the United States also intends to fabricate again and again the figure of the enemy in the eyes of Westerners. "This is a very dangerous game the United States is playing," said Bressler. "Such interference is extremely dangerous for the harmony of the world."

Bressler believed that mutual understanding is still possible and Europe should play the role of a mediator, citing as an example the journal Dialogue jointly created by French and Chinese experts to forge links and promote exchanges.

"We must collectively understand ... the 'community with a shared future for mankind' proposed by China," said the French expert.

"It is in no case by fire or war," she said, concluding that the United States and the West should return to what an ancient Chinese saying teaches: "War is like fire, when it is prolonged, it endangers those who provoke it." Enditem
They have every reason to believe that will happen, because Biden has already given in to their demands. For more than 40 years, Biden supported the Hyde Amendment, which bars federal funding for abortions, even writing a constituent to say, "Those of us who are opposed to abortion should not be compelled to pay for them." When he reiterated his support for the Hyde Amendment last year during the presidential primaries, he was chastised by none other than Harris, who declared, "No woman's access to reproductive health care should be based on how much money she has. We must repeal the Hyde Amendment." Biden quickly surrendered to Harris and the party's pro-abortion radicals.

If Biden will capitulate to his party's left wing on a fundamental moral question like abortion, what makes anyone think he won't do the same when it comes to Medicare-for-all or the Green New Deal? Most candidates tack to the center after securing their party's nomination, but Biden has already gone to the left, forging a "unity platform" with Sanders. The platform was a wink and a nod to democratic socialists - embracing a number of their demands and promising to "study" others once Biden is in the White House.

The left got the message: Once the election is over, Biden will move even further in their direction. Besides, progressives in Congress believe that they will be setting the agenda anyway, and Biden's job will be to autopen whatever they pass and put on his desk. What is he going to do, stand with Republicans and veto their legislation? Progressives are more than comfortable spreading the myth of moderation, while they hide inside the belly of the Democratic ticket waiting for voters to open the White House gates.

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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
There's no room for disbelief in my position. I've had other people tell me: "Really? They're evicting you during a pandemic? That's crazy." I don't know. Maybe it is. I haven't had time to sit and feel sorry. First I was fighting in court to keep the apartment, and then I was trying to get my things out of there before the landlord padlocked the doors. It was one big scramble. Where can I find a moving truck? How am I going to pay for storage? Who's watching the baby? Where can we lay our heads? Which motels are safe and which ones are covered in virus?

It's a new problem every day, and that's how it's been for the last five months. I don't know what devil designed this maze, but congratulations. I've been running in circles and there's no way out.

The thing is, we were doing pretty great right up until March, when the virus hit Houston. Well - maybe not great. I've had struggles in my life. This isn't a fairy tale. But we were doing OK. We were making it. How about that? My daughter and my grandbaby were living with me, and my son and his family had their own place in the same apartment complex. I had a one-bedroom on the fourth floor. We had air mattresses in there, but we made it up really nice. It was $900 a month and we were paying it. All of us had jobs. The whole family was together. It was more than enough.

The layoffs started happening one after another when the city shut down. My son got sent home from his store. My boyfriend did construction, and that dried up. I do office work for a temp agency, and they had nowhere left to send me. We put together all of our savings to pay the rent in March. The stimulus money helped cover most of April. I donated plasma for twenty-five bucks. I cleaned an old friend's apartment for twenty. I fixed up people's hair for whatever they could give me, but it was never enough. May rent. June rent. Late fees. Penalties. The hole kept getting bigger. Phone bills. Electric. Trash. Insurance. Water. We were stacking up bills and putting off our problems, and we knew it was only a matter of time. Houston had an eviction ban for those first few months, but that didn't mean they stopped charging us. The landlord kept knocking on our door, but all we had for him was more apologies. The court sent a letter in July telling us we needed to pay $3,000 or we would be evicted, and that's when everything started to spiral.

Stress has a way of bringing out the true version of people. I've had stress my whole life, so I guess you could say I'm used to it. I had my son when I was 15, and my mom let me learn the hard way. We bounced around the motels and rode the bus to hide from the elements. I had my tearful times and my rages, but then I decided to put it in God's hands. Now I pray and I let it go. I look hard for the small miracles that are coming my way. That's how I handle it. But my boyfriend, he started swallowing that stress and holding it down inside. He got angry. It brought out an ugliness in him, and he took it out on me. He popped up behind me one day in the apartment and assaulted me. He bruised my wrists. He put a butcher knife to me. He chased me over to Walgreens and attacked me in front of the store. The police came and arrested him, and he gave one of the police officers a black eye.

He's in jail now, and that's a good thing. He did what he did, and I don't want to give him excuses. But there's a part of me that knows where it was coming from. We were about a week away from getting evicted at that point. He still couldn't find work. My unemployment payments were delayed. The county's emergency relief fund had run out of money. The court wasn't budging.

I went to court on my own to appeal the eviction, and they gave me seven days to come up with $900. I think that was their version of a good deal, but I had nothing. They might as well have asked me for a million. My son said we could come stay with him, but with his kids living in that apartment, there wasn't any room. My daughter is 18, and to me that's still a kid, and she was worried about the baby. I told her: "It's all right. God makes a way." I printed up fliers explaining our situation, and I walked around for a while to the charities and the churches. I came up with a few hundred. Then I got home one day and the constable had put a sign on my door. "You have 24 hours to vacate. Be out by 9 tomorrow."

It helps me to focus on the good things. What are the good things? The U-Haul place opened at 7 in the morning, and that was lucky, because some mornings they open at 9. The nice lady at the counter listened to my story and rented me the truck without asking for my driver's license, and thank God, because I didn't have one. I needed help moving my furniture down from the fourth floor, and I just happened to see one of my son's friends sitting outside a convenience store, and he agreed to help us even though I couldn't pay him. It started to rain, and the constable isn't allowed to evict in the rain or the snow, so that bought me a little more time. We were able to move out the table and the couch that my aunt blessed me with, and those are two of my most prized possessions. I was driving the U-Haul over by the cheap motels, trying to find a place that was clean enough and might cut us a deal, and I was starting to break down when this lady saw me. It was already getting dark at that point. She came over and asked how I was doing, and then she paid for two nights at the Residence Inn. That place was so beautiful. It had a kitchen and a living room with an extra bed. I got in the shower and I just cried. I told my daughter: "Let this be the memory of today. Hold onto this gratitude."

I went back to the apartment early the next morning to get the rest of my stuff, but they'd already changed the locks. A lot of things were still left in there: my good pots, baby clothes, a vacuum cleaner. It's nothing we needed to survive. My uncle was a pastor, and he worked side by side with Martin Luther King, so I go back to the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. "Don't look back. Don't turn into that pillar of salt. Keep on moving forward."

We bounced around the motels for a week, and now we're couch surfing. I'm at my aunt's place, and my daughter and her baby are with a friend. It's short term, and we're probably wearing out our welcomes. My son sent me a message the other day to let me know that he's getting evicted now, too. He's a stocker at Walmart, but they cut back his hours. He said: "Mom, it's impossible. I give up." He hasn't answered his phone for a few days, so I'm not sure if he found a place to sleep or what. I keep calling him, but I don't know what to say. I should be helping him somehow, but I've got nothing to offer.

I'm trying to come up with a plan. I need to get us back together. I figure it's going to take at least $3,500 to rent another place, because landlords want double deposits and extra fees once you have that recent eviction on your record. I've been riding the bus and applying for jobs at the fast-food places around town. If you want to find work during covid, you look for the drive-throughs. Those are the only places hiring, and I'm not too proud. I've done Burger King, Popeyes, McDonald's, Chick-fil-A. I'd wear a chicken suit and dance in the street if they paid me fifteen an hour.

It's been strange, going on these interviews. I'm trying to present myself like I've got it all together, when things are falling apart. I force myself to act cheerful. I know how to put on that good face. I used to work for a nonprofit, and I'd get dressed up for these big functions and sit at a table with millionaires. They would ask for my opinion or invite me to their homes for lunch, and I'd act like I was one of them. I'd look at their lifestyle and think: "Hey, one day that could be me." But I'm 40 now, and the distance between that world and mine is still getting bigger. It's harder to put on that face. It's harder to pretend. The stock market is still going up and up, right? Meanwhile, everybody I know is out of a job. Everybody is behind on the rent. Most of us are becoming homeless. I'm worth nothing on paper, so who's going to rent to me? I'm a second-chance case. I've got no home address, no employer, no car, no credit cards, nothing in savings.

I can go over a million reasons why, but what does it matter? I've never found a landlord that likes to hear excuses. Sooner or later, the bill always comes due, and somebody has to pay.
By Eli Walsh

Bay City News Foundation

The University of California at San Francisco, United in Health, Oakland Frontline Healers and a group of Black advocacy organizations will hold a mass COVID-19 coronavirus testing event next weekend for Black residents in the East Bay.

The event, which will take place at Eastmont Town Center on Aug. 22 and 23, is intended to offer free coronavirus testing, personal protective equipment and food to some 2,000 Black residents.

UCSF's diagnostic laboratory, adjacent to the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub in Mission Bay, will process the test results in two to three days, according to the university. The lab has also been providing free coronavirus diagnostic testing for counties across the state.

UCSF said the two-day event would help to tackle the disproportionate number of Black people who have tested positive since the pandemic began.

UCSF will also work with Black community organizations in the Bay Area to provide follow-up care for those who test positive for the coronavirus.

Officials with UCSF, United in Health, Oakland Frontline Healers and the university's allied community organizations will hold a news conference on Monday, Aug. 17 to call on residents to attend the testing event.

The news conference will be held from 10 a.m-11 a.m. Monday at the Eastmont Town Center Upper Lot, 7200 Bancroft Ave. in Oakland.

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.
MEP Traian Basescu filed today his candidacy for Bucharest general mayor, stating that the People's Movement Party (PMP) will support the National Liberal Party (PNL) at the censorship motion, although his decision to join the race for mayor of the capital city was determined by the attitude of the Liberals.

"PMP will remain loyal to the alliance with PNL, although my entry into this race was determined by them, they simply humiliated us. Six months since the agreement to back the government. They told us that we will run in an alliance for Bucharest and just a week before they said this is no longer possible, which is not OK, not even as a behavior. But this doesn't mean that we will not keep our word to support them to the last vote," Basescu said.On this occasion, he claimed that he will get 30 percent of the votes of the Bucharesters.
I want Britain to be a country where every child can have the opportunity to fulfil their potential, no matter where they come from. And yet, last week, that opportunity was dashed for thousands of young people across England.

The anger and frustration I have heard from families over recent days about the exams fiasco has been profound.

I have heard from young people who feel a deep sense of injustice that their futures have been decided by an unfair computer algorithm; teachers angry at a system they knew to be unfair; and parents let down by a Prime Minister who has refused to listen to them.

I do not underestimate how challenging it is to assess qualifications for young people this year when exams had to be cancelled. It was never going to be easy.

Schools and colleges have been closed since March because of lockdown. Many courses were unable to finish and it was simply not possible for students to sit exams because of the unprecedented times we are living through.

I want Britain to be a country where every child can have the opportunity to fulfil their potential, no matter where they come from. Pictured: Sir Keir Starmer talking with students after receiving their A-Level results

However, many of the challenges were entirely foreseeable. The warning signs were there for months. Boris Johnson and Gavin Williamson had the time to develop a system that pupils, teachers, universities and businesses could have had confidence in. A system that was fair, transparent and flexible to the unique situation young people face this year.

It was also blatantly obvious when the Scottish Government was forced to U-turn early last week that the UK Government was going to need to take drastic action. And yet they turned a blind eye to the injustice that was exposed on Thursday morning.

Thousands of young people who have worked so hard had their grades downgraded by a system that was found to be flawed and failed on its own terms.

Young people  particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds  have been robbed by a system that judged them on their postcode, not their ability or effort. The stories we have heard from pupils have been devastating. A downgrading by one grade means the difference between whether someone can get their dream job, go to university or take up an apprenticeship.

We also need to see an urgent review into the system to stop the same situation being inflicted on thousands more students when they receive their GCSE results in the coming days. Pictured: Sir Keir Starmer talks to Sixth Form students in Darlington after they received their A-Level results

Levelling up was meant to be the priority of Boris Johnsons administration. However, many young people have seen their futures levelled down with one clean sweep. The ladder of opportunity has been kicked away and the injustices within our society will only be deepened as a consequence. It has been a shambles.

Even now, I would urge the Prime Minister to ditch the system and back teacher assessments. This is not a perfect solution, I accept that. However, it is a fairer solution. There is no shame in Ministers admitting they have got this wrong, and doing what they can to right what could prove to be a historic wrong.

We also need to see an urgent review into the system to stop the same situation being inflicted on thousands more students when they receive their GCSE results in the coming days.

Sadly, this is not the first time education has been an afterthought for the Government in Westminster. We have seen the same on the reopening of schools. The Prime Minister wrote in this paper last weekend that we have a moral duty to reopen schools. I agree. What he does not seem to understand is that he has a moral responsibility to make sure it happens.

Students protested against the downgrading of their A-Level results that were announced on August 13 outside 10 Downing Street, London

It was obvious the day schools were shut in March what the problems would be and what the solutions needed to be. The Government needed a plan and the Prime Minister needed to take responsibility to make sure that plan was implemented.

We built the Nightingale hospitals to protect the NHS. We introduced the furlough scheme to protect jobs. We needed to see the same grit and determination to protect our childrens education.

Instead, Boris Johnson wasted months flailing around blaming everybody else and refusing to take any responsibility or show any leadership. His priorities were wrong, too.

He set up a task force for the reopening of bowling alleys but refused my offer to do the same for schools. He set a deadline for reopening the economy but ditched his commitment to get classrooms back open before the summer.

We cannot afford to see the same mistakes being made over and over again.

Children, young people and families must be a national priority with the leadership to match. Every day children are missing out on their education is a tragedy. It has a devastating impact on their wellbeing and life chances, as well as putting a huge strain on families who are forced to juggle childcare and work commitments.

Boris Johnson and Gavin Williamson (pictured) had the time to develop a system that pupils, teachers, universities and businesses could have had confidence in

So, let me send a very clear message to the Prime Minister: I dont just want all children back at school next month, I expect them back at school. No ifs, no buts, no equivocation. Let me be equally clear: it is the Prime Ministers responsibility to guarantee children get the education they need and the benefit of being back with their teachers and classmates.

The Government must learn from the mistakes over the past months and ensure that the next academic year is not disrupted to the detriment of children and families. My offer to help the Government reopen schools still stands but responsibility for making it happen lies squarely at the door of No 10. Despite our differences, I want the Government to succeed in defeating the virus. I want lives saved, I want the virus contained, I want the economy restarted and I want children in school.

But education has become characteristic of this Governments handling of the pandemic in recent months. They were too slow into lockdown, too slow on testing, too slow to protect care homes and now too slow to protect childrens education.

We were promised a world-beating test and trace system but in many parts of the country we still barely have a system at all.

Levelling up was meant to be the priority of Boris Johnsons administration. However, many young people have seen their futures levelled down with one clean sweep

Public health advice has been confused. We have the worst excess death rate in Europe and now we are on course for the worst recession in Europe, too.

A downturn was inevitable after lockdown but the Tories incompetence was not. This is holding Britain back in our national determination to stop this virus. It is holding back our economy so it can rebuild out of recession.

Until the Prime Minister learns from his mistakes and gives people confidence that he can provide the leadership this country deserves, we cannot get the economy or society back on its feet again.

And until he takes responsibility, we cannot give children the opportunities they deserve.
90 Day Fiance fans have witnessed Elizabeth Potthasts family clash with her husband, Andrei Castravet, during Season 5 of the original series, plus two more seasons of the spinoff 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After? The Potthast family have voiced their issues with Andrei numerous times. But it turns out, theyre no angels themselves.

90 Day Fiance stars Elizabeth and Andrei | via Instagram

The Potthast family has never liked Andrei

Elizabeth and Andreis romance moved very quickly after they met on a dating app in 2016. She is from Tampa, Florida, and he is from Chisinau, Moldova. The duos first face-to-face meeting occurred in Dublin, Ireland, not long after they connected online.

By September 2017, Andrei had moved to Florida on a K-1 visa, and he and Elizabeth got engaged just a few weeks later. From the beginning, Elizabeths family found Andrei to be controlling and rude.

They have also had issues with Andrei over his lack of career goals and his inability to find full-time work to take care of his family financially. By the time the couple showed up on their first season of Happily Ever After?, Elizabeth was pregnant and still stressed out about Andreis lack of employment.

Things have continued to escalate between the Potthast family and Andrei. In the most recent episode, Andrei nearly came to blows with Elizabeths brother Charlie during a dinner in Moldova.

The 90 Day Fiance stars still rely on Elizabeths dad for money

The Potthast familys biggest problem with Andrei truly revolves around money. He has never held down a full-time job during his relationship with Elizabeth, and this doesnt sit well with her father, Chuck.

Despite their lack of income, Elizabeth asked her dad for $15,000 so they could have a second wedding in Moldova.

RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: Elizabeth Potthast Calls Rumors That Andrei Castravet Is Abusive Disgusting

The relationship between Andrei and my dad has never been good, and Im always caught in the middle, Elizabeth told 90 Day Fiance cameras. I really think asking my dad for this money will create even more tension between him and Andrei. I feel like all the weight is on my shoulders, and it doesnt feel good inside.

According to Reality TV World, Andrei is now a stay-at-home dad to daughter Eleanor, and Elizabeth is working full-time in real estate with her Chuck.

The Potthast family has had trouble with the law

The Potthast family has villainized Andrei relentlessly over his lack of income and career ambitions, plus his controlling and rude behavior.

They have also accused him of being untrustworthy and voiced their concerns about Andrei marrying Elizabeth simply to get a green card. Chuck has also had suspicions that his son-in-law might be involved in something illegal.

However, Elizabeths family is far from perfect, and they have had their share of trouble with the law. According to Distractify, police arrested Chuck back in 2009 because of unpaid child support.

Chucks business  CDC Capital Investments LLC  has also received numerous complaints from tenants via the Better Business Bureau. They have accused Chuck of running a scam, claiming that the properties they rented from him were in foreclosure.

Three of Elizabeths siblings have also been arrested because they have a habit of driving with suspended licenses. Both Charlie and Jen had their drivers licenses revoked in 2005, while Becky was booked in 2008.

New episodes of 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After? air Sunday nights on TLC.
Police said charges will also be filed under the relevant IPC sections pertaining to rape, POCSO Act and the stringent National Security Act

A little over a week after a six-year-old was kidnapped and raped in Uttar Pradesh's Hapur, now a teenager has been raped and murdered in the state's Lakhimpur Kheri district, according to several media reports.

Police said two men have been arrested. Police told Indian Express the teen was sexually assaulted and killed, her eyes gouged and tongue slit. Her body was found in a sugarcane field allegedly owned by one of the accused, as per the report.

The incident occurred in a village close to the Nepal border when the girl went missing after leaving her home for some errands on Friday afternoon, Indian Express reported.

NDTV reported that police said the post-mortem confirmed rape and an FIR has been registered on charges of murder. The district police chief said that charges will also be filed under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to rape, POCSO Act and the stringent National Security Act, as per the NDTV report.

Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati , taking to Twitter, called the incident "extremely shameful". "What is the difference between the governments of the Samajwadi Party and the present BJP if such incidents keep happening?" she asked.

Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad said, "Dalit oppression is at its peak under the BJP government. If it is not the Jungle Raj, then what is? Our daughters are not safe, our homes are not safe, there is an atmosphere of fear everywhere. Yogi (Adityanath) resign."

The accused in the Hapur case, who had been evading arrest for over a week, was nabbed by the police Friday after an exchange of gunfire.

The Hapur victim is said to be in "extremely critical" conditon.

With inputs from PTI
Far-right demonstrators clashed with anti-racism protesters in several U.S. cities on Saturday, per USA Today.

Driving the news: In Portland, counter-protesters at a pro-police rally were "aiming pepper spray and firing some kind of pellet gun at people" as Black Lives Matter demonstrators marked an 80th straight day of protests, the Oregonian reports.

A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted.

At least one person was wounded after being "hit with a paintball fired from a paintball gun," KGWB notes.

There were reports of far-right groups "shooting blanks" and Portland police said one person allegedly fired a gun, but no one was injured, the news outlet added.

At the Oregon Capitol in Salem, "several people with the Black Lives Matter movement were shoved down steps and into a crowd of BLM protesters," according to USA Today.

In Michigan, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety "made multiple arrests" after several people were wounded during fights between the far-right Proud Boys group and anti-racism protesters in the city, WWMT reports.

Michigan Rep. Fred Upton tweeted, "The Proud Boys are a hateful group with a hateful mission. They need to crawl back under whatever rock they came from. They have no place in Kalamazoo and no place in America."

MLive said one of its journalists was arrested while covering the clashes in Kalamazoo.

In Georgia, white nationalists scuffled with anti-racism protesters after being denied entry to Stone Mountain Park, which houses the largest Confederate monument in the U.S., per the New York Times.

The City of Stone Mountain announced Friday the park's operators decided to close it in anticipation of the pro-Confederacy rally at the site  which is considered to be "a launching pad" for the 1915 "rebirth of the Ku Klux Klan," according the Smithsonian.

The city said while "minor altercations" did occur outside the park, the gatherings ended "with no injury, no arrests and no property damage."

Go deeper: Dozens of Confederate symbols removed in wake of George Floyd's death

Editor's note: This piece was corrected to show Stone Mountain Park decided to close its park on Aug. 15 (not that the City of Stone Mountain decided to close its park).
Parsi New Year, also known as 'Navroz' is celebrated by the Parsi and Irani community to usher in the beginning of the new year, as per Iranian Calendar. This year, Navroz falls on Sunday, August 16. Here are some whatsapp messages wishes and quotes you can share with your loved ones to celebrate Navroz.

Parsi New Year, also known as Navroz is celebrated by the Parsi and Irani community to usher in the beginning of the new year, as per Iranian Calendar. This year, Navroz falls on Sunday, August 16. Navroz literally signifies new day, wherein Nav means new and Roz means day.

Navroz holds a large significance in the Parsi community, they place greta value on a day, and believe that the dawn of a new day allows one to cleanse themselves of their previous sins and misdeeds, and to begin anew. Navroz seeks to emphasise the values of oneness, peace, and togetherness. The day involves elaborate feasts and celebrations.

The Parsi community in India follows the Shahenshahi Calendar, which celebrates Navroz in August, as it does not take into account the factor of leap years. Its also known as Jamshed-i-Navroz, as Parsis believe that the holy king, Jamshed saved the world from impending doom and gave birth to a new day, Navroz.

ALSO READ : PM Modi dons orange-yellow turban for I-Day 2020

ALSO READ : Independence Day 2020: Images, Quotes, Wishes, WhatsApp Status, Posters, Greetings and Wallpapers to wish Happy Independence Day

Many families also engage in charity and pay alms on the occasion of Navroz. Aside from this, decadent and extravagant Bhonu feasts are prepared in Parsi homes.

Due to Covid-19, celebrations of Nowruz in 2020 will obviously be muted and low-key. If you are unable to go outside or visit your relatives, sending them some love-filled wishes and greetings can definitely make their day. Virtual celebrations can help you spread the festive joy as well.

Here are some of the best wishes and images you can share with your loved ones to celebrate this occasion.

Wishes and messages to share with your loved ones



May this Navroz bring along brighter days for you.. May you enjoy this occasion with memorable celebrations..Wishing you Navroz Mubarak!!!

Happy Parsi New Year and Navroz Mubarak

May God paint the canvas of your life with the most beautiful colours, peace, luck, success & joy.

Wish you and your family a very Happy Navroz!

Wish your dear ones with best of Parsi New Year wishes messages that promise to fill their lives with happiness in this fresh year!!!

May the glory of King spread all over,

May Lord praise us in galore,

Lets pray for happiness and prosperity

May this Parsi New Year give us Happiness.

Happy Navroz

In harmony with the new and fresh birth of the motherland and nature,

we the Iranians wish and greet each and every one Navroz Mubarak!

May this year is the beginning of many new things for you to make it a memorable one.. Wishing a very Happy and blessed Parsi New Year to you.



May this Parsi New Year give us Happiness.

Lasting ever and ever! Happy New Year!

Like birds, let us leave behind what we dont need to carry.

May your life be an example for many.

Wishing you a year filled with joy and happiness.

Happy Navroz!

Subah ho ya shaam, din ho ya raat, hum nahi bhulenge aapse kehna aaj hai Jamshedi Navroz. Dua hai ki yeh din aapka khaas ho. Mubarak Navroz!

Also read: Pilot responds to Gehlots nikamma comment, says right to raise work-related concerns
A man takes a picture next the ancient Parthenon temple at the Acropolis hill of Athens, on Monday, May 18, 2020. Greece reopened the Acropolis in Athens and other ancient sites Monday, along with high schools, shopping malls, and mainland travel in the latest round of easing pandemic restrictions imposed in late March. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) Associated Press

Most international travel is on hold because of COVID-19.

Expedia created GIFs that show how ancient ruins would have looked in their prime.

Countries around the world have banned American tourists from entry, so virtual travel will have to do for now.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The coronavirus has put travel on hold for the foreseeable future, but there are still ways to see the world and scratch that travel itch. Expedia commissioned artists to create GIFs showing how seven ancient wonders looked in their prime, and the results are fascinating.

US residents probably won't be taking international vacations anytime soon. Most of the European Union, along with China, Japan, New Zealand, and others, have banned American tourists due to its ongoing struggle containing the coronavirus pandemic.

Back in March, Google Earth put together a list of 30 UNESCO World Heritage sites anyone could virtually visit and learn about. Now, Expedia's GIFs are expanding the virtual travel experience.

The ruins of the Parthenon in Greece are restored to their full glory as a temple for the goddess Athena.

The Parthenon. Expedia

Little of the Area Sacra di Largo Argentina temple ruins in Rome survived, but the ruins are now home to hundreds of cats.

Area Sacra di Largo Argentina. Expedia

The Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico is one of the oldest and largest in the region.

The Pyramid of the Sun. Expedia

Luxor Temple in Egypt was built in 1380 BCE, and restoring obelisks and statues shows how impressive it once was.

Luxor Temple. Expedia

Milecastle 39 in the English countryside was once part of Hadrian's Wall.

Milecastle 39. Expedia

The Temple of Jupiter was destroyed when Mount Vesuvius erupted in Pompeii, but this recreation shows how formidable it was.

Temple of Jupiter. Expedia

Finally, the Mayan ruin of Coba wasn't discovered until the 1800s, because it was hidden by dense jungle.

Nohoch Mul Pyramid. Expedia

Read the original article on Business Insider
T his is the moment an A-level student who missed out on a top veterinary school after being handed three D grades confronted the schools minister over the exams fiasco, telling him: "You've ruined my life."

Nina Bunting Mitcham, from Peterborough, who said she was predicted to achieve ABB and scored As and Bs in her mock exams, told Nick Gibb she was distraught after failing to meet her offer from the Royal Veterinary College.

Mr Gibb promised a robust and swift appeal system which should see challenged grades addressed by September 7 at the latest, telling her: It wont ruin your life, it will be sorted I can assure you.

During BBC Radio 4s Any Questions? Nina, who went to New College Stamford, said: I have no idea how this has happened. Its got to be a mistake, I have never been a D-grade student.

I feel my life has been completely ruined, I cant get into any universities with such grades or progress further in my life.

You have ruined my life.

Minister for Schools Nick Gibb / PA Archive/PA Images

Mr Gibb said it was rare for students to be downgraded three grades from their predicted grades.

He said: I do feel for you. This should not have happened to you. We dont want you to have to go through this.

We have introduced very robust appeals systems that the schools will trigger for students like Nina.

Those appeals will happen very swiftly.

The universities have said they will hold offers open until September 7 and were working through that now to make sure those appeals happen very quickly.

Mr Gibb added pupils can also sit exams in the autumn and many universities are holding places open to start in January.

A Level Results 2020 - In pictures 1 /48 A Level Results 2020 - In pictures Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Emily Wallace reacts as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level results PA Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Sophie Lofthouse (left) and Hannah Walton-Hughes react as students at The Mount School, York, receive their A-Level result PA Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result LUCY YOUNG Ben Millett reacts with his father (back to the camera) as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level result PA Brenda Irabor, who achieved three A stars, reacts as students at Ark Globe Academy in Brixton PA Emily Wallace (left) uses hand sanitiser as students at Norwich School in Norfolk receive their A-Level results PA Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Twins Rosy (left) and Teddy Valentine react as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level result PA Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Emily Wallace reacts as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level results PA Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Sophie Lofthouse (right) and Hannah Walton-Hughes react as students at The Mount School, York, receive their A-Level result PA Benita Stipp (centre) and Mimi Ferguson (left) react as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level results PA Olivia Gaskin (centre, white top) reacts as students at Norwich School, Norwich PA A sixth form student looks at her A-Level results at The Crossley Heath Grammar School, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Halifa REUTERS Mimi Ferguson (left) and Benita Stipp react as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level results PA Sophie Lofthouse reacts as students at The Mount School, York, receive their A-Level result PA Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Helen Lee (left) and Sophia-Ellis Shipp bump elbows at Peter Symonds College, Winchester, as they receive their A-Level results PA Sixth form students are seen after receiving their A-Level results at The Crossley Heath Grammar Schoo REUTERS Lucy Young A sixth form student wearing a protective mask reacts after receiving her A-Level results at The Crossley Heath Grammar School REUTERS Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Daniellle Joseph at Peter Symonds College, Winchester, receives her A-Level results PA A sixth form student looks at his A-Level results at The Crossley Heath Grammar Schoo REUTERS Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young A sixth form student is embraced after receiving her A-Level results at The Crossley Heath Grammar Schoo REUTERS Twins Teddy (left) and Rosy Valentine react as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level results PA

It came as Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said schools in England will be able to appeal against A-level and GCSE grades free of charge.

He said it would be a shocking injustice if cost stopped appeals being made on behalf of pupils with a strong and legitimate case.

Appeals against grades vary between exam boards, with charges of up to 150 for an independent review, and costs are refunded if the appeal is upheld.

There were 3,205 appeals against grades granted for GCSEs, AS and A-levels for exams sat in summer 2019, equivalent to 0.05 per cent of all entries, and 16 per cent  of 516 grades  were changed, according to figures from Ofqual.

Sir Keir Starmer condemns changes to how exams are decided as 'shambolic'

The Government has been criticised over the handling of the exams system , after thousands of pupils in England had their results downgraded .

Protesters gathered outside Downing Street on Friday chanting for Mr Williamson to be sacked, a call echoed by some opposition MPs.

And the Royal Statistical Society has written to the Office of Statistics Regulation to ask for a review into whether the models and processes adopted by the qualification regulators did in fact achieve quality and trustworthiness.

But Prime Minister Boris Johnson insisted he has confidence in Mr Williamson and described the system as robust.
H undreds of protesters descended on Government buildings in central London on Sunday to demonstrate against the downgrading of exam results.

Many A-level students were left distraught after about 280,000 entries were downgraded from teacher assessments and schools vowed to unleash a flood of appeals.

Anger mounted on Saturday night after Ofqual, the exams regulator for England, announced that its guidance for students hoping to challenge their A-level grades on the basis of their results in mock exams was "being reviewed".

The sudden withdrawal has been criticised by students, families and community leaders, with some urging the Government to "get a grip" of the situation before millions of pupils receive their GCSE results on Thursday.

Around 300 demonstrators arrived at the Department of Education on Sunday afternoon and started shouting "come out Gavin".

Many of the protesters called the downgrading of results "classist" and chanted "justice for the working class" outside the building.

Students chanted "get Gav gone" and many of the signs carried by the demonstrators called for the education secretarys resignation over the results.

A science teacher with GCSE pupils in London said she was at the demonstration ahead of results day for her students next week.

The teacher, who did not wish to give her name, said: I think this is the biggest attack on the working class, probably since Thatcher, or at least the most brazen.

This is going to be devastating particularly for the working class, including black and minority ethnic students.

Ive seen that up to two million GCSE kids are going to get downgraded potentially so Im so scared for them, my heart is breaking for these kids.

Dozens of students sat down on the floor at the front door of the Department of Education as hundreds filled the street.

Protesters descended on Downing Street and the Department for Education on Sunday / PA

The majority of the protesters were wearing face coverings, though they were crowded close together.

Three vans of police were at the protest, with three uniformed officers in dark blue face masks at the doors of the Department for Education.

The protesters were chanting vote them out, with many demonstrators holding signs referencing the next election.

They started to leave the Department for Education and headed towards Downing Street as the demonstration entered its third hour.

Maya Szollosy, 18, from London, said: Were voting age now, most of us, and were young.

Were going to remember this for many years until the general election and I dont think many students are going to vote for the Conservative Party after what they did to us."

Students have called the system "classist" / REUTERS

It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson was urged to take "personal responsibility" for the A-level "crisis".

Labour said the situation had turned into a "farce" and urged the Prime Minister to "sort out" the appeals system, while a senior Tory also blasted the "huge mess".

Meanwhile, some students were resorting to legal action in an attempt to get their downgrades reversed through the courts.

In a statement, deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner said: Gavin Williamsons handling of this years exam results has been a complete and utter fiasco. We have had weeks of chaos, confusion and incompetence.

And yet Boris Johnson has been nowhere to be seen. He has been watching from the sidelines while a generation of young people are being robbed of their future.

A Level Results 2020 - In pictures 1 /48 A Level Results 2020 - In pictures Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Emily Wallace reacts as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level results PA Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Sophie Lofthouse (left) and Hannah Walton-Hughes react as students at The Mount School, York, receive their A-Level result PA Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result LUCY YOUNG Ben Millett reacts with his father (back to the camera) as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level result PA Brenda Irabor, who achieved three A stars, reacts as students at Ark Globe Academy in Brixton PA Emily Wallace (left) uses hand sanitiser as students at Norwich School in Norfolk receive their A-Level results PA Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Twins Rosy (left) and Teddy Valentine react as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level result PA Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Emily Wallace reacts as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level results PA Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Sophie Lofthouse (right) and Hannah Walton-Hughes react as students at The Mount School, York, receive their A-Level result PA Benita Stipp (centre) and Mimi Ferguson (left) react as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level results PA Olivia Gaskin (centre, white top) reacts as students at Norwich School, Norwich PA A sixth form student looks at her A-Level results at The Crossley Heath Grammar School, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Halifa REUTERS Mimi Ferguson (left) and Benita Stipp react as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level results PA Sophie Lofthouse reacts as students at The Mount School, York, receive their A-Level result PA Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Helen Lee (left) and Sophia-Ellis Shipp bump elbows at Peter Symonds College, Winchester, as they receive their A-Level results PA Sixth form students are seen after receiving their A-Level results at The Crossley Heath Grammar Schoo REUTERS Lucy Young A sixth form student wearing a protective mask reacts after receiving her A-Level results at The Crossley Heath Grammar School REUTERS Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Daniellle Joseph at Peter Symonds College, Winchester, receives her A-Level results PA A sixth form student looks at his A-Level results at The Crossley Heath Grammar Schoo REUTERS Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young Students from Harris Westminster Sixth Form pick up their A-level result Lucy Young A sixth form student is embraced after receiving her A-Level results at The Crossley Heath Grammar Schoo REUTERS Twins Teddy (left) and Rosy Valentine react as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level results PA

We cannot have another week like this. The Prime Minister must now take personal responsibility for this crisis by addressing the country in the next 24 hours to explain precisely how he will end this historic injustice.

No student should be worse off because of government failure. What we need is a return to teacher assessments for this years A-level results and urgent action to avoid a repeat of the same injustice affecting hundreds of thousands of GCSE students this week.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: "Weeks of chaos, confusion and incompetence.

"We need a return to teacher assessments for A-level results and urgent action to avoid the same injustice for GCSE students.

"Boris Johnson has been invisible during this crisis. He needs to take personal responsibility, and fix it."

Tory MP Robert Halfon, the chairman of the Commons Education Committee, also took aim at Ofqual as he described the situation as a "huge mess".

He told BBC News: That is a huge mess. Goodness knows what is going on at Ofqual. It is the last thing we need at this time. This just unacceptable in my view.

Students and teachers are incredibly anxious  particularly the students who are worried about their future. This has got to be sorted out."

In a document published on Saturday evening, Ofqual said that if the mock result was higher than the teachers prediction, it was the teachers prediction which would count.

It said that, while mock exams did not usually cover the full range of content, the assessments took into account a students performance across the whole course.

But, in a brief statement on Saturday night, Ofqual said the policy was "being reviewed" by its board and that further information would be released "in due course".

No reason for the decision was immediately available.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: "Hundreds of thousands of students have received a calculated grade that will enable them to progress to the next stage of their education or into work.

"We have been clear that we want to build as much fairness into the appeals process as possible to help young people in the most difficult cases and have been working with Ofqual to achieve that.

"Ofqual continues to consider how to best deliver the appeals process to give schools and pupils the clarity they need."
As Mauritius continues to struggle to deal with the catastrophic oil spill, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on August 16 announced that the government has dispatched urgent humanitarian assistance. In response to a request of the Government of Mauritius (GoM), the MEA informed that the Indian Government has dispatched over 30 tonnes of technical equipment and material on board an IAF Aircraft. The ministry also said that a 10-member Technical Response Team has also been deployed to Mauritius in a bid to help the island nation amid ongoing Environmental Emergency.

According to a press note, the MEA said, A 10-member Technical Response Team, consisting of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) personnel specially trained for dealing with oil spill containment measures, has also been deployed to Mauritius to extend necessary technical and operational assistance at the site.

READ: Mauritius Oil Spill: Grounded Ship Splits Apart Leaking Tons Of Residual Oil Into Water

The ministry informed that specialised equipment sent to Mauritius consists of Ocean Booms, River Booms, Disc Skimmers, Heli Skimmers, Power packs, Blowers, Salvage barge and Oil absorbent Graphene pads and other accessories. The officials also said that all the equipment sent are specifically designed to contain the oil slick, skim oil from water and assist in clean up and salvage operations.

READ: Mauritius Residents Cutting Off Hair To Make Nets And Tubes To Soak Catastrophic Oil Spill

IOML extends assistance

Furthermore, as an immediate step, the Indian Oil (Mauritius) Limited (IOML) was also asked to extend all possible assistance to the GoM. As per reports, the IOML experts were continuously advising to the GoM on ongoing salvage operations. Earlier this month, the IOML also moved its barge Tresta Star towards the site in a bid to help the island nation. The IOML barge was reportedly able to evacuate 1000 tonnes of fuel oil from the intact tanks.

The MEA informed that the recent assistance to Mauritius, which is Indias neighbours in the Indian Ocean region, is in line with its policy to extend humanitarian assistance and disaster relief guided by the PM Narendra Modis vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region). According to the press note, the urgent assistance reflects the close bonds of friendship between India and Mauritius and Indias abiding commitment to assist the people of Mauritius in need.

READ: Mauritius Oil Spill: PM Jugnauth Says Almost All Leaked Fuel Has Been Pumped Out

READ: Mauritius Seeks Compensation As Cleanup Continues
Midland ISDs new Chief Academic Officer Lisa Goodnow doesnt see a district struggling with academic performance. She sees an opportunity.

Goodnow has been reunited with Superintendent Orlando Riddick, for whom she worked at Cedar Hill ISD. However, her most recent position was with Austin ISD, where she served as an assistant superintendent for the past two years, overseeing multiple departments, including special education, academics, social and emotional learning, multilingual, health services and early childhood. Before that, she was executive director of academics and social and emotional learning.

And in Midland, she sees a city with a smaller community feel but one that is experiencing bigger city complexities. She said accountability instruments have exposed Midland ISDs learning gaps and pointed to areas where school officials need to focus.

In the most recent Texas Education Agency ratings, the number of failing schools inside the district jumped to nine. That was more than most districts across the state. Even Goodnows former Austin ISD home that has 81,000 students had fewer (eight).

I see that as an opportunity. I don't see it as a failure, Goodnow said. I think it's important to come with a strength-based approach. And that's how I've done it. I've overseen a school that was probably the second- or third-worst elementary school in the state. It took a little bit of time, and it was really hard. But it was ... attending to the social, emotional needs of students and making sure that they are healthy, making sure that their well-being is taken care of, and making sure that they literally have social, emotional competencies and that whatever crisis of trauma they might be in, we attend to that. First, you build that trust with your students, your teachers and your families. And then you really do hone in with hope on academic success.

Goodnow said academic achievement and growth are possible in a COVID-19 world, and her intention this year is to go back to the playbook she said has served her well and attend to the social, emotional needs of our teachers, our administrators, our students and our families first -- build that sense of community in our schools and extend it beyond to partnerships.

And then, we do really laser-like focus analysis and diagnose, sort of, where kids are on their learning, Goodnow said. My eye is definitely on that accountability rating in spring 2022.
Sundiata Cha-Jua is a professor of African American studies and history at the University of Illinois and a member of the North End Breakfast Club. His email is schajua@gmail.com.
Amazon can be held liable for defective products sold by third-parties on its website, a California state appeals court ruled Thursday in case brought by a San Diego woman injured when a laptop battery that she purchased exploded.

The decision by the California Court of Appeals Fourth Appellate District in San Diego is one of the few nationwide to reject Amazons core defense against third-party product liability  that its simply an online marketplace facilitator helping manufacturers reach customers globally, not a retailer or distributor subject to legal product liability law.

Several cases against Amazon have been filed around the country, and Amazon has won almost all of them, said Jeremy Robinson, a partner with the CaseyGerry, the San Diego law firm representing the injured woman. This gives attorneys ammunition now across the country to say, OK, now their winning streak is no longer as good as it was. Now they have lost a case at the appellate level.

Amazon plans to fight the ruling.

The courts decision was wrongly decided and is contrary to well-established law in California and around the country that service providers are not liable for third-party products they do not make or sell, said a company spokesperson in an email. We will appeal this decision.

The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by Angela Bolger, a Prime member. In 2016, she bought a laptop battery on Amazon distributed by Hong Kong-based Lenoge Technology Ltd. A few months later, the battery caught fire, causing significant injuries to Bolgers hands. She spent two weeks in a hospital and still suffers today, said Robinson.

Bolger sued Amazon, Lenoge and others in early 2017 in San Diego Superior Court. The trial judge granted Amazons request to be dismissed from the case because it was not legally liable. Bolger appealed, and the appellate court on Thursday reversed the lower courts decision.

Under Californias strict product liability doctrine, which applies to Walmart, Target and other retailers operating in the state, Amazon was more than just a facilitator in this instance, the appeals court ruled.

Amazon charged Bolgers credit card and shipped the battery from an Amazon warehouse in Oakland. It arrived in Amazon packaging. Lenoge was participating in Amazons fulfilled by Amazon program, where customers who return products from participating sellers ship them back to Amazon.

Amazon set the terms of its relationship with Lenoge, controlled the conditions of Lenoges offer for sale on Amazon, limited Lenoges access to Amazons customer information, forced Lenoge to communicate with customers through Amazon, and demanded indemnification as well as substantial fees on each purchase, the appeals court said. Whatever term we use to describe Amazons role, be it retailer, distributor or merely facilitator, it was pivotal in bringing the product here to the consumer.

Robinson said online buyers across the nation could feel the impact of the ruling.

Obviously every state has different laws, he said. But I think it does have national implications in the sense that  plaintiffs can say the law is shifting now and is starting to figure out how Amazon has gamed the system. This case moves product liability law into the 21st century.



Mike Freeman of The San Diego Union-Tribune wrote this story.

2020 The San Diego Union-Tribune

Visit The San Diego Union-Tribune at www.sandiegouniontribune.com

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Its clear that schools are looking towards ways to help students cope with anxiety. One such group is called Grow Your Mind.

Grow your mind says on their website that it is here to provide programs designed to educate students on brain awareness, resilience, mindfulness and compassion.

All very well and good except we already have a program that is designed to achieve all those outcomes.

SRE?

Since 1880, provision for religious education has been included in Education policy in New South Wales. SRE has been mandated by the Education Act of 1990 and gives parents a choice of whether to engage their children in the values it teaches.

These values teach children across New South Wales about the saving message of Jesus that brings hope, joy and self-giving faithfulness and resilience in forming a Christ-like character.

You see according to the Department of Education in New South Wales all those boxes of educating students about brain awareness, resilience, mindfulness and compassion are all ticked off.

According to the Department of Education, this is part of a well-rounded education that values and supports the intellectual, creative, physical, social and emotional development of the child.

You see, all those boxes are ticked but yet there is a problem.

The push to remove SRE

There is an online petition to remove SRE, which is backed by the NSW Teachers federation and even Principals according to News Limited recently, who are calling for Scripture classes to be held outside of school hours.

Teachers Federation complain that antiquated policy leaves thousands of students unable to do formal school activities if they opt out of scripture classes. According to Jack Galvin-Waight of the Federations SRE and special ethics education delegate.

Okay, that would be fair except I dont believe this is about giving kids the opportunity to complete formal academic activities.

The call to introduce Mindfulness

First, we discussed Grow your Mind, now there are plans to introduce the Smiling Mind Education Program. The Smiling Mind education program provides mindfulness sessions to students.

It says Mindfulness is a well-established research technique for achieving calmness and improved well-being.

Again fantastic, I am all for reducing anxiety in students except, why do we need to kick out a program that has proven to bring hope, joy and resilience?

I was an SRE teacher in Grafton for four years, so I should disclose this. I have seen first-hand the differences the saving inclusive message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings to the well-being of children.

When a student is struggling in school, often the first person they call is the Chaplain who is predominantly a Christian because they build such life-giving relationships with the children, which is based on how Jesus would build relationships with those around him.

There are plans to introduce The smiling mind program into the curriculum at the expense of SRE which has been proven to increase resilience, stress and anxiety since 1880. If the teachers and principals believe more time should be left to academic study, then why are they including this in the school curriculum?

I have not heard one parent whose child learns Scripture register any concern with the program, which is all approved by the NSW Government and the teachers must be trained.

Even in my own family I know of kids whose parents wont allow their kids to learn SRE and the kids are begging them to reconsider.

To not permit SRE but permit Mindfulness whose techniques are grounded in Buddhism, in other words include techniques from one religion and not allow a program from Christianity, is the very definition of discrimination and it is absolutely disgusting that a bunch of adults, who no doubt have their own bias against Scripture, are making selfish decisions for their kids without even giving them the choice.

Kids have the option to study SRE but they are not given the choice to have it removed. I am not saying not to put The smiling mind program in. But please give kids and parents the choice.
The candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Rotimi Benjamin, has explained his reasons for submitting his governorship ticket, which he secured in the partys primaries, to the deputy governor of Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi.

Mr Ajayi formally joined the ZLP on Friday and is expected to fly the partys flag at the October 10 polls.

Mr Benjamins name is currently adorning the provisional list of candidates for the election at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He told PREMIUM TIMES in an interview on Saturday that he was not forced to relinquish the ticket and that he voluntarily submitted to the will of the party.

It is a good development for my party and I am a party man to the core. I always imbibe the party culture, said Mr Benjamin.

This is not the Ondo State that Iroko pioneered for eight years. The current governor met the development and he was supposed to raise the standard, but he abandoned it.

He also expressed the hope that Mr Ajayi had come into the party with a manifesto that is people-oriented.

He cannot come in and change the peoples manifesto, he added.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the ZLP NEC would meet this week to take decisions on the final process of substitution on candidates.

The Electoral Act provides in Section 35 that A candidate may withdraw his candidature by notice in writing signed by him and delivered by himself to the political party that nominated him for the election and the political party shall convey such withdrawal to the Commission not later than 45 days to the election.

Ondo Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi (PHOTO CREDIT: Twitter)

The law also requires the commission to, at least 30 days before the day of the election publish by displaying or causing to be displayed at the relevant office or offices of the Commission and on the Commissions website, a statement of the full names and addresses of all candidates standing nominated.

READ ALSO:

According to Mr Benjamin, the process of substitution was ongoing, and the partys hierarchy were working out the details.

Asked whether he was compensated financially for his action, he said he was not paid any money and that he had not met the deputy governor face to face.

He said he was only concerned about the party winning the election and hoping that the deputy governor, if elected, would continue the good developmental work of the former governor, Olusegun Mimiko, which is featured in the manifesto.

Before God and man, I have not collected any money from anybody. I have not seen Agboola one-on-one. My party had been discussing the issues and we are looking at our chances of winning the election, he said.

The tactics is that we allow him to come in, and he would come in with some party leaders as well as well-known people, thereby brightening our chances of winning at the polls.

Olusegun Mimiko

He said the ZLP had a good chance of winning the election, because the state had tried the APC and has found it not performing.

Mr Ajayi would mainly be contending with his boss, Rotimi Akeredolu of the APC and Eyitayo Jegede of the PDP.

His movement from the APC to the PDP and now to the ZLP has been criticized by his opponents describing him as a desperate politician.

Meanwhile, the senator representing Ondo Central Senatorial Distric, Ayo Akinyelure, has urged Mr Ajayi and Mr Mimiko to return to the PDP in the quest to defeat the APC government in the coming polls.

In a statement on Saturday, Mr Akinyelure, who also had a brief stay at the APC after his first time in the Senate, said the return of Mr Mimiko, the deputy governor and their supporters was the sure way of winning the election.

He also urged Mr Ajayi to return as a show of respect for the late Olusegun Agagu, whom he claimed to love and follow.
Bengaluru, Aug 16 : As part of its investigation into the riots that rocked the city's eastern suburb on August 11 night, police arrested 58 more people for their alleged involvement in them, an official said on Sunday.

"We have arrested 58 more people since Friday, taking the total number of suspects held for their role in the riots to 264 so far, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for Bengaluru East S.D. Sharanappa told IANS here.

The police also booked 52 cases against all the accused under various sections of the IPC (Indian Penal Code) for rioting, looting, arson and destroying public property, ostensibly, in protest against a derogatory post on the social media on that fateful day.

"Of the arrested, the main accused are in our (police) custody for interrogation, while others have been lodged in the central jail on the city's outskirts and the Ballari prison under 14-day judicial custody, as investigation on their role in the riots is underway," said Sharanappa.

Ballari is about 330km northwest of Bengaluru in the southern state.

In the two-hour long riots, the unruly mob burnt the house of Pulakeshinagar Assembly segment's Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy and the D.J. Halli police station in the vicinity, set scores of police and public vehicles on fire and destroyed public property.

To quell the mob violence and control the situation, the police opened fire in which three youths from the locality succumbed to bullet wounds later.

A fourth person, who was injured in the tear gas the police fired at the unruly mob, succumbed on Saturday, taking the toll to four in the riots.

"Syed Nadeem, 24, who was in judicial custody after his arrest on August 12, died in a state-run hospital in the city of stomach injury that he suffered in the tear gas incident. He also tested Covid positive," said Sharanappa.

Meanwhile, the ban on assembling of more than five persons has been extended in the entire area till August 18 to maintain law and order.

"Though the situation is under control and security tight with extra vigil, the ban order under section 144 of the CrPC has been extended till August 18 from Sunday to ensure peace and prevent any untoward incident," added Sharanappa.
The Postal Service sent letters in July to all 50 states and the District of Columbia cautioning them that it may not be able to meet their deadlines for delivering last-minute mail-in ballots. News reports about the letters on Friday intensified the criticism directed at the Postal Service and Mr. Trump by Democrats and voting rights advocates, who say the president is deliberately stoking unfounded concerns that voting by mail will lead to fraud and miscounts as a way to cast doubt about the outcome of the election.

In the letters, Thomas J. Marshall, the general counsel for the Postal Service, urged states to require that residents request ballots at least 15 days before an election  rather than the shorter periods currently allowed under the laws of many states.

He said 45 states faced the risk that their timetables could leave some voters unable to get their ballots postmarked by Election Day or received by election boards in time to be counted.

In response to the warning letters, some states, including Pennsylvania and Michigan, have called for extensions on counting late-arriving ballots in the November election.
In his address to the nation on the eve of 74th Independence Day, President Ram Nath Kovind saluted the Covid-19 warriors, brave soldiers and called upon the youth of India to feel pride of being the citizens of free nations.

President Ram Nath Kovind addressed the nation on the eve of Independence Day 2020. In his address, President Kovind remembered Mahatma Gandhi and his contribution to the Indian freedom movement. He further saluted the Covid-19 warriors, who ensured normalcy and lent their services amid the pandemic. Be it the bhoomi pujan of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, new education policy or border issues, his speech touched upon all the latest happenings and assured Indians to hope for a better future.

He said that the occasion of Independence day fills us with excitement through unfurling the tricolour, taking part in celebrations & listening to patriotic songs. He called upon the youth of India to feel pride of being the citizens of free nation. Remembering Mahatma Gandhi, President Kovind referred to him as the guiding light of Indian freedom movement. He emphasised that as a saint and as a political leader, Mahatma Gandhi was a phenomena that could only happen in India.

Speaking about how the Independence day celebrations would be rather curtailed this year due to Covid-19, President Kovind called corona warriors our national heroes and said that the nation is indebted to doctors, nurses and other health workers who were continuously at the forefront against the virus.

All Corona Warriors deserve high praise. They go much beyond their call of duty to save lives and ensure essential services. pic.twitter.com/mfNUead5wn  President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 14, 2020

The entire nation salutes the martyrs of Galwan Valley. pic.twitter.com/9GuqCJcgFr  President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 14, 2020

Also Read: Amit Shah tests negative for Covid-19

Also Read: Rytu Bharosa Kendras should solve farmers problems: AP CM

In a veiled attack on China and what transpired at Galwan Valley, President condemned Chinas expansionist moves and said that when the world community nPeds to fight together against the pandemic, our neighbours tried to carry out their misadventure of expansion. As a result, several brave soldiers laid down their lives defending our border and national pride. He added,  The entire nation salutes the martyrs of Galwan Valley.

Also Read: Indian ambassador meets Chinese Major General Ci Guowei, talks tough on eastern Ladakh
Iran says US should learn from failures

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Aug 15, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi wrote in a tweet on Saturday that the US regime should learn a lesson from its failures or it will be more isolated.

"The int'l community, once again & w/ a clear voice, rejected the US reckless & futile attempt to undermine the UNSC credibility," wrote Mousavi.

Mousavi added that the American regime should learn a lesson from its total failures and "stop shaming itself at UN", or the country "will get isolated, even more than now."

The US draft resolution against Iran was rejected by the United Nations Security Council on Friday with two positive, two negatives, and 11 abstentions.

The US and Dominican Republic voted for the draft, China and Russia voted against it, and the remaining permanent and non-permanent members of the international body abstained from voting.

Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Majid Takht-e Ravanchi told IRNA that the UN Security Council rebuffs the US attempt to extend arms embargo on Iran is tantamount to turning down the US bid to invoke the trigger mechanism as well.

The fact that the UNSC rejected the draft proposed by the US to extend arms embargo on Iran indicated US isolation internationally, Takht-e Ravanchi said in New York on Friday afternoon.

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Newsweek has apologized for an op-ed that questioned Sen. Kamala Harris US citizenship and her eligibility to be Joe Bidens running mate, a false and racist conspiracy theory which President Donald Trump has not dismissed.

This op-ed is being used by some as a tool to perpetuate racism and xenophobia. We apologize, read Newsweeks editors note on Friday, which replaced the magazines earlier detailed defense of the op-ed.

We entirely failed to anticipate the ways in which the essay would be interpreted, distorted and weaponized, read the apology, signed by Josh Hammer, opinion editor, and Nancy Cooper, global editor in chief. But they ended the note by saying that the op-ed would remain on the site, with their note attached.

The op-ed was written by John Eastman, a conservative attorney who argues that the US Constitution doesnt grant birthright citizenship. Eastman sowed doubt about Harris eligibility based on her parents immigration status. Harris mother was born in India and her father was born in Jamaica.

Newsweek earlier defended the piece, arguing that Eastman was focusing on a long-standing, somewhat arcane legal debate about the 14th Amendment and not trying to ignite a racist conspiracy theory around Kamala Harris candidacy.

But the theory is false. Harris, who was tapped by Joe Biden to serve as his running mate on the Democratic ticket, was born in Oakland, California, and is eligible for both the vice presidency and presidency under the constitutional requirements. The question is not even considered complex, according to constitutional lawyers.

Trump built his political career on questioning a political opponents legitimacy. He was a high-profile force behind the birther movement  the lie that questioned whether President Barack Obama, the nations first Black president, was eligible to serve. Only after mounting pressure during his 2016 campaign did Trump disavow the claims.

Asked about the matter at the White House on Thursday, Trump told reporters he had heard rumors that Harris does not meet the requirement to serve in the White House. The president said he considered the rumors very serious.

Trump was asked to revisit the topic during a news conference on Saturday. He refused to say whether he believes the California-born senator does or doesnt meet the constitutional requirements of the office he holds.

I have nothing to do with it. I read something about it, Trump said. He added: Its not something that bothers me. ... Its not something that we will be pursuing. Asked point blank if Harris is eligible, Trump replied: I just told you. I have not got into it in great detail.
Sahaya Novinston Lobo By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: An unidentified gang chased and hacked a VCK funcionary to death and vandalised the vehicles at Tondiarpet in Chennai on Saturday night after he allegedly tipped police about the illicit sale

of liquor in the locality.

The incident happened a few metres away from deceased Kesavan's house on Veerakutti street in Tondiarpet when he was out on his walk, said the police.

A gang of men who were hiding in the area surrounded him and when he tried to escape, they chased him and hacked him to death. The gang fled the spot after damaging the vehicles in the area. Kesavan was rushed to Government Stanley Hospital where he died without responding to treatment, said a police officer.

On information, Tondiarpet police rushed to the murder spot and conducted inquires. Police suspect that he could have been murdered for tipping off police about the illicit sale of liquor and have launched a hunt for the suspects.

Kesavan too is said to have a couple of cases pending against him and investigation is on whether he was murdered over previous enmity.

Meanwhile, in a similar case, a 20-year-old man was murdered by a four-member gang near Red Hills.

The deceased M Somu of Nallur village was returning home after attending a funeral when four men intercepted him at Nagathamman Nagar and hacked him to death at the same spot. On information, Sholavaram police retrieved his body and sent it to post-mortem and launched a hunt for the suspects.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Somu could have been murdered due to the enmity over peddling ganja in the locality. Police said that Somu too has two robbery cases pending against him.
Ontarians prefer a combination of in-school and at-home learning for students and want kids to start wearing masks in class starting in Grade 1, a new poll for the Star has found.

Some 37 per cent of those surveyed last week by Campaign Research say they are very or somewhat confident in a safe return to school if kids attend full-time, with 57 per cent somewhat unconfident or not at all.

And when it comes to masks  which the province has mandated for students in Grades 4 and up  more than a third of those surveyed felt children should don them starting in Grade 1, or when they are six years old.

That is something that was a surprise to me  I thought maybe Grade 4 or Grade 5, said Campaign Research principal Nick Kouvalis. I was surprised to see that plurality at Grade 1 ... people picked the lowest grade because they want to be careful.

The public is just cautiously optimistic that things can go back to normal, but wants to proceed slowly, he added.

More than 50 per cent of those surveyed said classes should have 15 students or fewer, with less than a third thinking 15 to 20 is best. Just seven per cent felt classes of 20 or more were appropriate.

The province has come under considerable criticism for not limiting class sizes in elementary schools, where some grades can see up to 30 kids in a room. In response, Education Minister Stephen Lecce has announced funding to hire additional staff, and is now allowing boards to access more contingency funds as well, though boards say its not enough to get to 15.

Campaign Research polled 1,031 people across the province last Monday to Thursday using Maru Blues online opt-in panel. For comparison purposes, a random sample of this size would have a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

When asked their preference for the fall, just 14 per cent of respondents opted for in-class learning, 19 per cent cited online learning, and 53 per cent said a mix of the two. That is similar to Campaign Research polling last month, Kouvalis noted.

The hybrid learning model  which will be in place for high school students in large, urban boards only  had the strongest support in Simcoe and York Region, which includes Lecces riding.

The public was also somewhat split on whether school boards had enough time to prepare for reopening amid COVID-19, with 38 per cent saying yes, 46 per cent responding no and 16 per cent unsure.

Respondents also approved of the quadmester  or two courses at a time  for teens, with 52 per cent in support of that model and just 15 per cent disapproving. Some 33 per cent were unsure.

The highest rate of non-confidence in a safe return to school full-time was found among respondents in the city of Toronto, and the lowest in Halton and Peel regions.

Boards themselves have been surveying parents about their intentions, and say that while its early, it appears about one-quarter are opting for their kids to learn online at home.

The poll also asked about post-secondary education, where there is a clear division of opinion on whether it is safe to reopen universities with in-person classes, with 36 per cent in favour, 36 per cent against and 28 per cent unsure.

However, in Northern Ontario, almost half  or 47 per cent of those surveyed  felt in-person university courses were best.

When it comes to opening up student residences, however, just 29 per cent of respondents across the province approved, with 45 per cent saying such a move was not safe.
By Tim Cocks

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Saturday that all indications were that South Africa had reached the peak of COVID-19 infections, as he announced a sweeping removal of lockdown restrictions on the economy.

In a televised address, Ramaphosa said the government would end the ban on alcohol and tobacco, allow restaurants and taverns to return to normal business, subject to strict hygiene regulations, and remove the ban on travel between provinces.

"All indications are that South Africa has reached the peak and moved beyond the inflection point of the curve," Ramaphosa said, adding that the cabinet had decided to move to lower, "level two" restrictions from midnight on Monday.

"The move to level two means that we can remove nearly all of the restrictions on the resumption of economic activity across most industries," he said.

Despite imposing one of the world's toughest lockdowns when the country had only a few hundred cases, South Africa saw a surge in coronavirus infections that left it with the fifth highest number of cases in the world -- currently around 579,000, of whom around 11,500 have died.

The COVID-19 crisis has battered an economy already in recession and pushed millions of South Africans deeper into extreme poverty.

But Ramaphosa said rates of new infections had fallen to an average of 5,000 a day, from a peak of 12,000 a day.

This, as well as a rise in recoveries, were "significantly reducing the pressure on our health facilities", but he cautioned that cases could surge if people fail to maintain vigilance. Restrictions on international travel remained in place, he said.

The lifting of restrictions on alcohol will be a relief to the battered hospitality and drinks industries, some of which have been pushed close to bankruptcy and shed thousands of jobs. [nL8N2FF3XB]

"The further easing of restrictions presents us with the greatest opportunity since the start of the pandemic to breathe life into our struggling economy," Ramaphosa said.

(Reporting by Tim Cocks; Editing by Alison Williams and Ros Russell)
A busy hum of staycationers means the only quiet street in Killarney this summer is New Road, but all will change once children are back at school in the next fortnight.

New Road is home to four schools despite being just 600m long. A fifth school is a couple of hundred metres away on New Street.

On September 1 every year New Road wakes from a summer slumber into a hectic jamboree of new school bags and running children. Anxious parents dice with buses for street space as they try to get children to school on time. This trend continues until the following summer. The local council has moved to stem the chaos by making the road one-way to traffic during school hours.

But Covid-19 will present another challenge so school officials are to meet with local gardai and members of the local municipal district to address further concerns before the end of the month.

It remains to be seen how successful the Department of Education's new pod system will be here, where traditionally children have been able to mingle with others from outside their own school while making their way to and from school, or waiting for buses.

The pod system is designed to limit the spread of Covid-19 in schools, where pupils are segregated into small groups within their classes limiting interactions with others.

Expand Close Alan Mongey principal Colaiste Bhaile Chlair in Galway. Photo: Andrew Downes/XPOSURE / Facebook

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Whatsapp Alan Mongey principal Colaiste Bhaile Chlair in Galway. Photo: Andrew Downes/XPOSURE

St Brendan's College principal Sean Coffey said staggered opening hours among the Killarney schools will help ease the morning rush, but there is a challenge about how to manage the buses after the three second-level schools in the area finish each evening.

To prevent congestion and students loitering or congregating, he is considering a proposal to allow children who live in the town or near school to leave for home "seven to 10 minutes earlier than normal, but only under the guarantee the lads will all head home and not hang around".

He has faith they will.

"The students are going to have to take ownership and understanding of the capacity for this to spread. The reality is school contact is as close as meat factory contact. There will be 900 people here every day so everyone must lookout for each other."

Expand Close Pat Crowe, principal of North Kildare Educate Together National School. Photo: Mark Condren / Facebook

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Whatsapp Pat Crowe, principal of North Kildare Educate Together National School. Photo: Mark Condren

To help minimise risks with school travel, Bus Eireann is developing a seating plan for each bus to give students an assigned seat.

The Department of Education has set out a roadmap for the full return to school, and how it can happen safely. Issues like those above can be dealt with by individual schools outside the Government's plan but such problems represent a snapshot of the challenge educators face in trying to keep youngsters safe when teaching resumes later this month.

Every school has challenges unique to their environment, so teachers and principals need tailored responses.

Buildings

There are very few school buildings across the country that have not been altered in some way to cope with social distancing.

These requirements differ across age groups, and social distancing does not apply to children until they reach third class. For later years the plan states "a distance of one metre should be maintained between desks or between individual pupils".

Pat Crowe, principal of North Kildare Educate Together National School in Celbridge, is concerned this requirement lacks clarity. "It could mean you need to have a metre between the pupils in a pod. Or it could mean there is a requirement to only have a metre between the separate pods. Separate parents can argue that point either way and both could be correct."

The Department of Education has since said "some flexibility in the implementation of measures may be required at times".

Things are a little clearer for secondary schools where the public health advice sets out social distancing of at least one metre, or two metres where possible, between individual students and staff.

In some instances schools have re-purposed gyms, offices and other spaces to create new classrooms and lower the number of students in each room at a given time. But this comes with added strain as more teachers and supervisors are needed.

To address this the Department of Education is offering additional hours to the 2,800 teachers who are working part-time in secondary schools, allowing job-sharing teachers to work additional hours and making it more attractive for teachers on a career break to provide substitution and supervision cover. Contact is also being made with 6,000 teachers registered with the Teaching Council who are not currently active.

At Colaiste Bhaile Chlair in Claregalway, Co Galway, the students will now be in zones within the school, with different parts of the building allocated to different year groups.

Principal Alan Mongey said the decision to locate the year groups to zones meant changes also had to be make to the school timetable. This amounted to 1,500 timetable edits, as each of the 1,200 pupils, 88 teachers and 11 special needs assistants would have to be moved to other parts of the school at different times depending on a student's subject choices.

"That shows the logistical nightmare many schools face," Mongey said. "There is a lot going on that people can see. There are obvious physical changes but there is a lot going on behind the scenes that people won't really notice but it is necessary."

Spaces have been adapted so students will have somewhere to go at break time. Sheltered areas are also being erected outside. "People have to take off their mask to eat so people do need more space at break time," he added.

Handwashing

For months the country has paid heed to the importance of handwashing and good hygiene yet many schools have never had hot running water in student bathrooms.

Education Minister Norma Foley's roadmap insists provisions will be made to improve hand hygiene in schools but the plan focuses on supporting "access to hand hygiene products and consumables" such as hand sanitisers.

While current public health advice states "hand hygiene can be achieved by handwashing or use of a sanitiser (when hands look clean)", a child's hands are not always going to look clean during the school day without access to hot soapy water.

The government plan admits "existing handwashing facilities in schools were not designed for the enhanced level of handwashing envisaged necessary in a post Covid-19 environment". But it makes no specific mention to providing hot water in schools.

According to the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, hot water and soap is more effective than hand sanitisers at removing harmful germs.

The department told the Sunday Independent it recognises hot water is preferable but "interim guidance" states cold water will do. It has made 102m available for schools to carry out minor works to create space in schools and add washing facilities.

Mayfield Community School in Cork is one of those schools where bathroom upgrades were necessary but many schools find public procurement rules makes implementing physical changes more difficult to complete, said principal Kieran Golden.

"We have only just installed hot water, which you wouldn't think is hard but we have had some difficulty getting three tenders in and then trying to organise a builder and a plumber in August," he said.

"We got some of our work done earlier in the summer but those things around procurement and making sure the boxes are ticked can delay when they happen."

Pupils and teachers also need clean schools. Many schools have taken on extra staff or hired cleaning contractors to help caretakers and existing staff with a heavier burden. In Killarney, St Brendan's College is going to have fog machines to help with cleaning.

Delivery of lessons

When children return to Colaiste Bhaile Chlair there will be a focus on theory for the first few weeks to minimise students moving from classrooms to subject specific areas such as the science labs.

This will also be a feature of how classes are to be delivered at Mayfield Community School, where even the lockers are being moved to match with student pods.

"Subjects like metal work will be taught in the classroom at first until we are settled back in," Golden said. "For home economics we could see teachers make demonstration videos so they will be able to recreate and perform tasks at home."

The notion of children wandering around the corridor from room to room between classes has been consigned to the past for now. In most schools teachers will now move between rooms.

The use of handouts or sharing of copybooks, pens and equipment are likely to be out of bounds. "Everyone will have to make sure they have what they need with them and parents will have a role in this too before sending their child to school," Golden added.

Substitute cover

Every school the Sunday Independent spoke to last week expressed concern about access to substitute teachers in the event of a someone being unable to attend work due to Covid-19.

The Irish National Teachers' Organisation said schools must get "priority access" to testing. Should there be a surge of the virus this may prove difficult as the HSE never matched its target of 15,000 tests per day when the virus raged earlier this year.

In Celbridge Pat Crowe said rapid access to testing is crucial. "In previous years, up to 50pc to 60pc of teachers would be displaying some form of symptoms at any time from October onwards. The difficulty is trying to source adequate cover if multiple teachers have symptoms at the same time," he said.

"If we can't source that cover, previously we would break up the class and send them around the school, but that isn't possible any more.

"Parents may well have to expect they could get a text at short notice asking them not to bring their child to school. That means how they work will be impacted. Parents will have to be cut some slack by their employers."

For secondary schools, there is concern about adequate cover for teachers in specific subjects, especially science. The Government roadmap makes provision for extra teachers, but it is clear schools fear not having enough teachers.

"The doomsday scenario is when you have a class you just can't cover [with a substitute teacher]," Crowe said. "We need to know what happens then and it could be that children in that class can't come to school on that day."
The Real Housewives of Orange County alum Vicki Gunvalson enlisted movers to set up furniture inside her new retirement/vacation home in Mexico on Saturday.

In the video, presumably shot by her fiance Steve Chavez, the 58-year-old retired reality star gave fans a first look at the decor for their penthouse apartment located in the seaside resort town of Puerto Vallarta.

'Marble table broke in transit,' Vicki - who boasts 2.4M social media followers - wrote via Instastory.

The Real Housewives of Orange County alum Vicki Gunvalson enlisted movers to set up furniture inside her new retirement/vacation home in Mexico on Saturday (pictured August 6)

'Den is coming together nicely': In the video, presumably shot by her fiance Steve Chavez, the 58-year-old retired reality star gave fans a first look at the decor for their penthouse apartment located in the seaside resort town of Puerto Vallarta

'[But the marble] coffee table made it.'

Gunvalson (born Steinmetz) previously vowed to 'donate all the bedding and most of the furniture' that came with her three-bedroom, two-bathroom abode 'to an orphanage.'

The Coto Insurance owner already commissioned a landscape painting and plans on 'putting to work some painters and a decorator to make this home "Vicki."'

'New lime green custom swivel conversation chair,' Vicki wrote.

Vicki wrote via Instastory: 'Marble table broke in transit. [But the marble] coffee table made it'

Coming together: Gunvalson previously vowed to 'donate all the bedding and most of the furniture' that came with her three-bedroom, two-bathroom abode 'to an orphanage'

'Beautiful': The Coto Insurance owner already commissioned a landscape painting and plans on 'putting to work some painters and a decorator to make this home "Vicki."'

Vicki wrote: 'New lime green custom swivel conversation chair. First four pillows and orange rug delivered this week. More to come!'

Nice view: Gunvalson can take in the panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean from the comfort of her jacuzzi on the breezy patio of her high-rise she bought in June (pictured July 12)

'It's bittersweet': The Chicago-born blonde was in California on Saturday morning for the 'first showing' of her five-bedroom Coto de Caza mansion, which she put on the market for $3.35M after over 26 years of living there

'First four pillows and orange rug delivered this week. More to come!'

Gunvalson can take in the panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean from the comfort of her jacuzzi on the breezy patio of her high-rise she bought in June.

The Chicago-born blonde was in California on Saturday morning for the 'first showing' of her five-bedroom Coto de Caza mansion, which she put on the market for $3.35M after over 26 years of living there.

After it sells, Vicki plans on either buying a home in North Carolina to be closer to her daughter Briana Culberson, who's 26 weeks pregnant with son #3.

Grandson #3! After it sells, Vicki plans on either buying a home in North Carolina to be closer to her daughter Briana Culberson, who's 26 weeks pregnant with son #3 (pictured June 22)

'Dinner with my favorite son': Or Gunvalson is considering buying a home in San Diego to be closer to her son Michael (R, pictured July 29)

Quit the Bravo series on January 24: The Flat Tummy Co paid partner now keeps busy recording her Westwood One podcast, Whoop It Up With Vicki, with her 62-year-old groom-to-be (R) as well as selling $125 personalized messages on Cameo (pictured June 17)

The expecting 33-year-old is from Gunvalson's second marriage to Donn Gunvalson, which ended in 2014 after 20 years of marriage.

Or Vicki's considering buying a home in San Diego to be closer to her son Michael from her first marriage to Michael J. Wolfsmith, which ended in 1991 after nine years of marriage.

The twice-divorced mother-of-two announced she quit the Bravo series on January 24 after being demoted from housewife to 'friend' status in the 14th season last year.

The Flat Tummy Co paid partner now keeps busy recording her Westwood One podcast, Whoop It Up With Vicki, with her 62-year-old groom-to-be as well as selling $125 personalized messages on Cameo.
Todays Democratic Party is exemplified by John Thompson, who won a primary on Tuesday and is the DFL-endorsed candidate for the Minnesota House of Representatives in District 67A. Earlier today he led a BLM harassment effort at the home of Bob Kroll, President of the Minneapolis Police Departments union. As you can see, Thompson is a profane, violent lunatic:

John Thompson, who recently won his Primary for 67A in St. Paul, goes off and screams at neighborhood children, residents, and neighbors of Police Union Leader Bob Kroll. "F*CK, Hugo Minnesota!" BLM protesters gathered today outside Kroll's home. pic.twitter.com/1vTaiTQsML  Alpha News MN (@AlphaNewsMN) August 15, 2020



Another view of BLMs harassment of Krolls family:

Many neighbor's of Bob Kroll are outside their home, seemingly standing their ground, as the group grows outside Kroll's home. pic.twitter.com/2XZBmCLV5T  Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) August 15, 2020



It is highly probable that John Thompson will be a member of the Minnesota legislature beginning in January. This is todays Democratic Party. If these are not the people you want running our country, you had better not just vote Republican, but contribute to Republican candidates and volunteer for their campaigns.

UPDATE: Commenter Roxy7 writes:

I am old enough to remember when men including Black men would not use that type of profane language in the presence of women, children or the elderly. It was something decent men simply did not do in public. Yet here you have a democrat candidate using this language to address women and what appear to be teenage girls. This profane ignorant ill mannered bitter person is someone democrats think should command respect and be placed in a leadership position? The people who support a man who would speak like this in public will be stunned when Trump wins easily in Nov.

Our commenter is right. We obviously are witnessing a decline in our civilization. What is not certain is that President Trump, who at this point represents the forces of sanity, will win in November. While most of us were not paying attention, the crazies have multiplied, in part because of our unbelievably bad educational system. Whether our civilization can be saved remains to be seen. Ask me on November 4.

FURTHER UPDATE: Minnesotas goofily far-left governor, Tim Walz, thinks the lunatic John Thompson is just what the states legislature needs:

Ive known John for years. His fierce advocacy and commitment to his community is exactly whats needed in the State Legislature right now. I look forward to working with him as the next State Representative for 67A,  Tim Walz https://t.co/htoFFsh13E  JAZ (@Jaz_Patriot) August 15, 2020



The idea that the Democratic Party includes a moderate wing is false. The Democratic Party is virulently anti-American. There are two choices in November: the Republican Party and chaos, followed by irreversible decline.

MORE: At Alpha News.
South Dakota appeared to be the first state to decline boosted federal employment aid designated under an executive order signed by President Trump earlier this month amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Governor Kristi Noem, one of Trumps most vocal allies, said the state did not need to accept the additional federal jobless aid because workers are being rehired and its economy is on the mend after enduring economic fallout spurred by the outbreak of COVID-19.

Trump signed an executive memorandum on August 8 to replace the $600 boost unemployed residents received in their weekly payments with a $400 weekly payment, a quarter of which will be paid by the state.

Noem said Friday that she opted to forgo the cash in South Dakota entirely, claiming the state had recovered around 80 percent of its pandemic-related job losses.

My administration is very grateful for the additional flexibility that this effort would have provided, but South Dakota is in the fortunate position of not needing to accept it, Noem said in a statement.

South Dakotas economy, having never been shut down, has recovered nearly 80% of our job losses. South Dakota is the only state in the nation that didnt have extended benefits kick in because our insured unemployment rate has been the lowest in the nation.

Governor Kristi Noem, one of Trumps most vocal allies, said the state did not need to accept the additional federal jobless aid because workers are being rehired and its economy is on the mend after enduring economic fallout spurred by the outbreak of COVID-19

The governor controversially didnt shut down the states businesses at the beginning of the pandemic to stem to the spread of COVID-19. Noem said that decision has now led to the fact that many, many businesses are now considering relocating to the state because she opted not to shutdown.

Economists and other experts have insisted the reality of the fallout caused by the pandemic is much more complicated in South Dakota than Noem claims.

Noem boasted earlier this week that South Dakota, where coronavirus cases have surpassed 10,000 since February, boasts the countrys lowest insured jobless rate at around 3.5 percent. However, the figure measures those who received benefits compared with the total labor force.

Meanwhile, the states overall unemployment rate is 7.2 percent, the Washington Post reported, meaning a gap in indicators could reflect the reality that some people who are out of work are struggling to obtain sufficient safety-net support.

Roughly 20,000 people in the state are currently collection jobless benefits. Michele Evermore, a senior policy analyst at the National Employment Law Center, told the Post the statistics are, however, irrelevant.

If youre an unemployed person in South Dakota, its not going to matter to you there arent a lot of unemployed people, she told the outlet.

Trump signed an executive memorandum on August 8 to replace the $600 boost unemployed residents received in their weekly payments with a $400 weekly payment, a quarter of which will be paid by the state

Noem said Friday that she opted to forgo the cash in South Dakota entirely, claiming the state had recovered around 80 percent of its pandemic-related job losses

The governor controversially didnt shut down the states businesses at the beginning of the pandemic to stem to the spread of COVID-19. Noem said that decision has now led to many, many businesses now considering relocating to the state because she opted not to shutdown

Trumps order, signed last weekend, came after White House officials and congressional Democratic leaders were unable to reach an agreement about coronavirus legislation earlier this month. The $600-per-week enhanced unemployment insurance provided to Americans under the March CARES Act expired in late July.

The order blindsided a number of states, including the likes of Arizona, Florida, and Louisiana, which say they may not be able to provide the required $100 boost to the benefits as outlined by Trump, because of ongoing financial woes amid the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

Several states are expected to offer only the additional weekly $300 from the federal government, despite concerns that amount wont cover many peoples costs of living.

The order drew fierce criticism from Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, who lamented in a letter that the convoluted and short-lived proposal will delay payments to unemployed Pennsylvanians and create unnecessary and costly administrative burdens for the states who must administer the funds.
Except something urgent and drastic is done to control the current wave of insecurity in Nigeria, resort to self-help by the citizens may be inevitable, and that would be too dangerous for the country to deal with, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has warned. CAN, which is the apex umbrella body for Nigerian Christians, alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari had been unwilling to accept counsel on how to tackle the raging of insecurity. It advised Buhari to, as a matter of urgent national importance, convoke a conference on security, which would bring together critical stakeholders, including former service chiefs, to deliberate on the way forward.

Special Assistant to the CAN president on Media and Strategic Communication, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, who spoke to THISDAY yesterday on behalf of the association, said the situation was so bad that everywhere appeared to be unsafe. Oladeji said criminals now operated as though the country's security operatives were on holiday. He said CAN had been consistent and persistent in calling on Buhari, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to overhaul the security agencies for effective and efficient service delivery.

Oladeji said the president had consistently turned a deaf ear to "the godly and patriotic counsel".

Oladeji stated that CAN was worried that the situation had begun to assume a more dangerous dimension, with some people already advocating self-defence mechanisms.

He said, "What is going on? Let President Muhammadu Buhari organise a national conference of well meaning Nigerians, including serving and retired military and police officers, before the situation snowballs into civil war. Some people are already advocating self-defence, state police and regional security agencies. Yet, the government appears uninterested."

On the performance of the security agencies in the fight against insurgency, the CAN spokesman said the association had advised time and time again that the security agencies should be overhauled to inject fresh blood and make their operations more efficient and result-oriented. He lamented that various promises of new weapons, ammunitions, and fighting jets being made by the federal government were not bringing hope.

According to Christian body, "We have been hearing cases of sabotage and poor remunerations. It is unbelievable that countries like Chad and Cameroon are overcoming their security challenges.

"CAN has been consistently and persistently calling on President Buhari, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to overhaul the security agencies in the country for effective and efficient service delivery. But the presidency has done nothing to this godly and patriotic counsel.

"Turning a deaf ear to this voice of reason is why there have been unending killings in the land by criminals parading themselves as terrorists, herdsmen killers, bandits, kidnappers and others. The menace is unprecedented, unfortunate and unacceptable.

"We call on the government to overhaul the entire security agencies with a view to injecting new officers with new visions and new ideas. We can't be doing the same thing and expect to see different results."

Oladeji said the CAN president, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III, who are co-Chairmen of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), had jointly made similar calls to the president, but to no avail.

CAN said, "Not only that, the National Assembly, the media and some prominent leaders have been making same call but the President remains adamant for the reasons that are not made known to the public.

"There is an urgent need to do the needful if we want to end the killings in the country. There's nowhere that is safe and secure. Criminals are operating as if our security operatives are on holiday. Let the federal government wake up from its slumber to its primary responsibilities."

CAN also expressed reservations about the way the government was handling the issue of suspects' rehabilitation after alleged renunciation of old ways.

It stated, "If the captured terrorists have truly repented, how come they have not disclosed the whereabouts of Leah Sharibu, the Chibok girls, and other abducted people?

"How come they have not disclosed the hidden cells? Many individuals, groups, and stakeholders, including the National Assembly, have expressed concern over the rising insecurity in the country and the fact that the handling of security is becoming less effective."

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State chairman of CAN, Rev. Joseph Hayab, reacted to the recent ranking of Nigeria as the third most dangerous place on earth and the current insecurity in the northern parts of the country and unending killings in Southern Kaduna, saying Nigeria is not only the most dangerous country to live in, but also a country where human lives no longer matter.

"There is no democracy that develops if the people are not secure, free to think, to make choices, to express their views and free to carry out their legitimate activities," Hayab said.

He blamed the situation on the faulty foundation of "our togetherness", adding that those who discussed Nigeria's nationhood "didn't really talk about our individual systems and individual rights."

Hayab said, "We would have worked to correct some of those things, but the military interrupted our democracy and they brought a different view to governance - a governance system that is more like a tyranny. The civilians, who got elected under democracy, seem to admire that system and prefer to be coercive even under democracy.

"Our leaders forced their ways to office, because of the way our elections are conducted, so the people don't matter to them."

He accused the country's leaders of dividing Nigerians along religious, ethnic and regional lines to perpetuate their selfish political interests.

According to him, "They divide us by religion, tribe and region. A man is cheating others, then, he is telling brothers that people are speaking against him because he is from this tribe or religion or region. So, while we are busy fighting among ourselves, they are having a field day and they continue to perpetrate the evil that is going on.

"That is why the country is not progressing and terrible things are going on. We have no system that makes the country bigger than the individuals. Everyone knows that today, we are in the worst situation, because nepotism has entered deeply into governance; incompetence is also there.

"People who are not competent are leading us and you can't challenge it. You can see the level of corruption in Nigeria. The corruption we claimed to be fighting is more of settling scores. If I disagree with you, you are corrupt; if I am with you, I am not corrupt. All these things weaken our institutions.

"Tell me why the president of Nigeria has refused to sack his service chiefs after every available indices shows that they have failed? If you asked me, I will say he is not the one leading, they are the ones leading. If he is the one leading and he knows they have failed, he will not even wait for a second to sack them. So, you can see how the whole system has been.

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"The solution is that we must discuss whether we must remain as Nigeria. Some people have been talking about restructuring, we must discuss."

Hayab recalled that during the Jonathan administration, "There was a discussion among Nigerians and a document was produced. Let's look at that document or convene another discussion and chart the way forward for our country. We really need to discuss Nigeria, going forward, if not, what we are seeing now will be more terrible in the next 10 years."

The National Assembly had recently expressed concern about the state of insecurity in the country, with the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, demanding that those saddled with the task of protecting lives and property should either live up to expectation or give way. Speaking in response to a Point of Order by Senator Abubakar Kyari (APC, Borno North), who drew the attention of the Senate to fresh attacks by Boko Haram in his state, Lawan said, "Our stand should be that people should occupy offices based on their performance. There is no point for somebody to continue to be there if they are not registering successes, having been given the necessary tools to fight."

"Turning a deaf ear to this voice of reason is why there have been unending killings in the land by criminals parading themselves as terrorists, herdsmen killers, bandits, kidnappers and others. The menace is unprecedented, unfortunate and unacceptable"
Workers returning from Equatorial Guinea are taken to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi for quarantine, July 29 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh.

A 27-year-old man returning from Equatorial Guinea has become Vietnam's Covid-19 "Patient 951."

The native of Yen Thanh District in central Nghe An Province was one of 219 Vietnamese workers repatriated from Equatorial Guinea on a special flight that landed July 29 in Hanoi. They were quarantined at Hanois National Hospital for Tropical Diseases.

His fourth test results on August 14 returned positive for the novel coronavirus.

Twenty two people returning from Equatorial Guinea had been confirmed infected with the virus.

With the latest infection, Vietnam has now reported 951 infection cases, including 447 recoveries.

23 Vietnamese succumbed to Covid-19 since the pandemic broke out in January. All of them suffered from various chronic diseases, with renal failure being the most common. The youngest was 33 and the oldest, 86.

Worldwide coronavirus cases surpassed 21.2 million, and more than 767,000 people have died.
In its brief to the Supreme Court last year, Vances office said its investigation concerns a variety of business transactions, and is based on information derived from public sources, confidential informants, and the grand jury process. The district attorney has argued that Trumps latest bid to have the subpoena thrown out is a delay tactic and that there is no legal authority that would require the office to reveal the exact nature of the investigation at this point.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 11:19:33|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's younger brother, Robert Trump, died on Saturday night at the age of 71, according to the White House.

"It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight," Trump said in the statement.

"He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again," the president said. "His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace." Enditem
Wherever we live in the world, we live in a community. A community isnt just a place, its a group of people who live together, make friends, socialise together and generally look out for each other.

Making your home in another country can be a bit of an eye-opener when it comes to the care provided for those in need, whatever the reason may be. Were all guilty of basing our expectations on what weve experienced in the past.

There are many support groups in the UK however, here in Fethiye, there isnt the same support network for those in need of help and caring, whatever the reason may be.

HOPE

Two years ago, an important gap in community support was filled by the the setting up of the HOPE group, whose aim was to offer emotional and practical support to cancer sufferers and their families and friends, and to provide grief counselling and practical solutions. The group is now an established source of support in the community.

Click on the link below to read more about HOPE.

HOPE  Fethiyes support group

Visit HOPE on Facebook

Corona Caring Fethiye

By March, Covid-19 had been declared a global pandemic and lockdowns and curfews were implemented, leaving many people without the means to run errands and carry out their normal routines.

Over 65s and those with underlying health conditions were the worst affected by the curfew as it meant they couldnt leave their homes, leaving many with no means of shopping or running daily errands.

To provide support to these people, resident David Jaime set up the Facebook group, Corona Caring Fethiye*. The aim of the group was to help these people in Fethiye impacted by the curfew, specifically those who had no-one to help with groceries, picking up medicines, attending appointments etc.

The group has 1.2K members and around 100 volunteers, enabling David, working alongside the VEFA Support Group, to coordinate and respond to requests for help by area.

Visit Corona Caring Fethiye on Facebook

*We have also consulted with Fethiye Corona Caremongering and would like to highlight that we are aware of some of the other groups out there who have supported people through the curfews and we welcome input and involvement from any groups we may have missed.

Visit Fethiye Corona Caremongering on Facebook

Fethiye Cares

We now have HOPE and Corona Caring Fethiye however, recently it has been highlighted that there is a still a gap in the support network in Fethiye.

Sometimes people who are perfectly fit and healthy, have a need for short term help. For example, someone breaks their hip, lives alone, cant walk or drive, owns a dog, cant get to the shops, etc and dont have anyone who can help them with these tasks.

These requests are usually brought to the attention of, and dealt with, by HOPE or Corona Caring Fethiye however, this isnt the primary aim of these groups.

To enable to offer this service, there is now a brand new group, Fethiye Cares.

This group will provide key services, on a short-term basis, to people who fit the criteria.

Services will include: shopping, picking up prescriptions, dog walking, lifts to appointments, as well as providing a list of professional services available i.e cleaning.

Can you help?

There are so many great people in the area who are already involved with HOPE and Corona Caring Fethiye.

Fethiye Cares needs your help.

If youd like to be involved, even if you already help out in one of the other groups, please apply to join Fethiye Cares.

You will be asked three questions when you apply to join the group:

How can you help/What can you contribute to the group? Where do you live? Do you have transport?

Once we have volunteers in place, well be in a position to offer a stuctured support network.

Well also be looking for a coordinator so, if you have experience in this sort of organisation, let us know.

The three groups will work alongside each other and anyone who contacts the wrong group, will be directed to the right person, that way each group can focus on its main aim.

To join the group, please visit:

Fethiye Cares on Facebook
Opinion Policies

Editorials are longer opinion pieces that are written by a group of community members recruited across campus who address relevant issues on a local, national and international level. Editorials are research-based. The purpose of the Editorial Board is to promote discussion concerning relevant issues in the community while advising on possible solutions. Topics are chosen via relevancy and interests of the members, which are then discussed by the Editorial Board in order to reach a general consensus concerning the topic or issue.

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If you have a grievance concerning the content or argument of the Editorial Board, please contact either Opinion Editor Peyton Hamel (peyton.hamel@iowastatedaily.com) or the Editorial Board as a whole (editorialboard@iowastatedaily.com). Those wanting to respond to editorials can also submit a letter to the editor through the Iowa State Daily website or by emailing the letter to Opinion Editor Peyton Hamel (peyton.hamel@iowastatedaily.com) or Editor-in-Chief Sage Smith (sage.smith@iowastatedaily.com).

Column Policy

Columns are hyper-specific to opinion and are written by only columnists employed by the Iowa State Daily. Columnists are unique because they have a specific writing day and only publish on those writing days. Each column undergoes a thorough editing process ensuring the integrity of the writer, and their claim is maintained while remaining research-based and respectful. Columns may be submitted from community members. These are labelled as Guest Columns. These contain similar research-based content and need to be at least 400 words in length. The following requirements should be met: first and last name, email and relation or position to Iowa State. Emails must be tied to the submitted guest column or it will not be accepted or published. Pseudonyms are prohibited and the writer will be banned from submissions.

Read our full Opinion Policies here. Updated on 10/7/2020
FieldFresh Foods, which sells brand of premium packaged food and juices, has witnessed a sharp increase of 80-200 per cent in sales of products like pasta, olive oil, sauces, as home cooking and baking activities went up during the coronavirus-induced lockdown, said a company official.

The in house consumption' has gained relevance during the pandemic and product range such as pasta, olive oil has doubled and registered volume growth between April-July as the company augmented its retail distribution network through e-commerce and new-age distribution channels to deliver the products at consumers' reach.

However, Del Monte's out of the home channel, which caters institutional customers as QSR's, restaurants, hotels, cafes etc and contributed equally in its business, has been disrupted post-pandemic, said FieldFresh Foods CEO Yogesh Bellani.

Now FieldFresh Foods Private, a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and Pacific, is strengthening its B2C business, going deeper into distribution, expanding its network in metro towns to accelerate in-home consumption.

Besides, it is also trying to tap the growing relevance of the category in the smaller tier II & III towns.

In one side of our business, we are really seeing momentum. If you look at retail, in the condiment category, the ketchup category, Mayonnaise as a category, Pasta are growing massively. Pasta has doubled, our ketchup condiments are in very high percentage. A great growth is happening on the retail side,'' Bellani told PTI.

He further said, If you look at my pasta and condiment business, both of them has virtually doubled. In the condiment space, products like pasta sauces, Chinese sauces led to heavy growth. It is between 80-200 per cent growth and it is growing.

Del Monte has reported growth across category in April-July period, whether its dry fruits, condiments, ketchup and spreads as Mayonnaise as a category or even the Italian bread, pasta sauces, olive oils, Chinese sauces, Bellani added.

All of them are showing tremendous traction at the moment, he said adding Because indulgence of out of home consumption is out and the only indulgence or the mood enhancer is cooking. So, people are doing a lot of cooking and experiment. We have seen so much of growth in our packaged fruits and we see tremendous traction for that.

The company has tied up with Swiggy, Zomato to deliver the products at consumer's doorsteps. It is expanding through traditional kirana stores to online and direct to consumer channels.

We had realised very earlier in the lockdown that you have to solve for the consumer, to reach the consumer. If the consumer was not getting service, then you are losing business. Now, you could either go to the distributor to the retailer but if the distributor is not working under the lockdown, then you must find an alternate way to the retailer, said Bellani.

The company has declined to share its turnover but said FieldFresh Foods will introduce more products and categories to carry forward the growth momentum.

It has recently launched product in the health and wellness space. It also has plans to add more products into its Chinese range, ketchup at different price point targeting.

Moreover, the company would continue to invest in the expansion of its manufacturing capacity, however, Bellani declined to share the numbers.

(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.)
Locky Gilbert certainly had an unconventional experience as The Bachelor thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.

And wild rumours have surfaced about what happened behind the scenes after on-site production was suspended in March due to the escalating health crisis.

According to Woman's Day, Locky resumed his usual social life upon his return to Perth - and one night out in April apparently left some of the contestants unhappy.

An unwelcome distraction? How The Bachelor Locky Gilbert's friendship with Married At First Sight bride Aleks Markovic during filming ruffled feathers among his contestants

An insider claimed that Locky had whittled his contestants down to seven when he went partying with friends in the WA capital.

On the night in question, the 30-year-old Australian Survivor star was spotted in the background of an Instagram Live video posted by Married At First Sight bride Aleks Markovic.

According to a source, Locky was struggling at the time to maintain his connections with the contestants because he was unable to spend time with them in person.

Hmm! A month after on-site production was suspended in March, Locky was spotted in the background of an Instagram Live video posted by Married At First Sight bride Aleks Markovic

Displeased: The contestants, who were all self-isolating in their own homes, were apparently not happy when they found out Locky was spending time with Aleks (left)

Response: After being spotted together on social media, Aleks told The Kyle and Jackie O Show on April 30 that Locky was a 'beautiful person', but clarified they were just friends

The women, who were all self-isolating in their own homes, were apparently not happy when they found out Locky was spending time with Aleks.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel 10 for comment.

After being spotted together on social media, Aleks addressed the rumours about her and Locky on The Kyle and Jackie O Show on April 30.

Aleks, 26, said that Locky was a 'beautiful person', but clarified they were just friends.

'I think he's definitely got his eye on someone': Aleks said at the time that she believed Locky was falling in love with someone from The Bachelor

The Perth-based real estate agent said she'd only met Locky the weekend prior when they were both visiting a mutual friend's house.

'I didn't even really know who he was,' she said of Locky. 'When he walked in the door, my friend was like, "He's The Bachelor!"'

Aleks added: 'He's a lovely boy but for me, I think he's definitely got his eye on someone on the Bachelor.'

According to betting odds as of Monday morning, Locky is rumoured to end up with either Irena Srbinovska or Bella Varelis.

The Bachelor continues Wednesday at 7:30pm on Channel 10
President Donald Trump says the United States will try to trigger a "snapback" of sanctions on Iran at the United Nations next week, in a move that could kill the Iran nuclear deal and plunge the UN into a diplomatic crisis.

"We'll be doing a snapback," Trump told reporters on August 15, the day after the UN Security Council rejected a U.S.-sponsored resolution to extend an arms embargo on Iran. "You'll be watching it next week."

When asked whether he would join a Russian-proposed summit to deescalate tensions with Iran, Trump said, "probably not."

Washington has threatened to trigger a return of all UN sanctions on Iran under a provision, known as a snapback, in UN Security Council Resolution 2231 that enshrined the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.

Russia and China, as well as European signatories to the nuclear pact officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), have questioned the U.S. right to trigger the snapback mechanism because Trump quit the nuclear deal in 2018.

The United States claims it remains a "participant" in the accord because it was listed as such in the 2015 resolution and can therefore bring back sanctions, since Iran breached some of its nuclear commitments after the United States exited the deal.

Diplomats and analysts say a U.S. attempt to snap back international sanctions on Iran would lead to a messy diplomatic battle that could undermine the UN Security Council and potentially collapse what is left of the nuclear deal.

The United States lost a vote at the UN Security Council on August 14 to extend an international arms embargo on Iran, which is set to be progressively eased beginning on October 18 under the nuclear deal.

The diplomatic blow revealed how isolated Washington is at the UN over the issue -- the resolution failed with only the Dominican Republic joining the United States and two countries voting against, while 11 members including European allies abstained.

Iranian President Hassan Rohani on August 15 said the United States had failed to kill the "half-alive" 2015 nuclear deal.

"The United States failed in this conspiracy with humiliation," he said.

The United States says it has the support of Israel and Arab states in the region worried that the end of the arms embargo will embolden Iran's "malign" behavior in the Middle East.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said the UN Security Council's decision not to extend the arms embargo on Iran will lead to further Middle East instability.

"The extremist regime in Iran doesn't just finance terrorism: it takes an active part in terrorism through its branches around the world and uses it as a political tool. This behavior represents a danger to regional and international stability," Ashkenazi said in a statement on August 15.

Analysts say the U.S. bid to extend the arms embargo was a cynical effort in order to try to snap back sanctions on Tehran.

Britain, France, and Germany -- all signatories to the JCPOA who have sought to keep it alive -- have expressed worries about the arm embargo ending but opposed the U.S. resolution because they feared it would end the nuclear deal and damage the UN Security Council.

Meanwhile, U.S. allies in Europe and Iran appear to be trying to wait out the Trump administration, calculating that former Vice President Joe Biden will win the November presidential election and deescalate tensions with Iran.

Iran has threatened to completely exit the JCPOA and hinted it will pull out of another key nonproliferation treaty if the arms embargo is extended or there is a snapback of sanctions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 14 proposed that the next step should be an online summit gathering China, France, Russia, Britain, the United States, Germany, and Iran to try to avoid further "confrontation and escalation" at the United Nations over Iran.

"Further growth of tensions and greater risks of a conflict are the alternative," Putin said in a statement posted on the Kremlins website before the vote. "This march of events must be avoided.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters
There have been eighteen more confirmed Covid-19 cases at a Tipperary mushroom plant.

Following on from the Covid outbreak at Walsh Mushrooms in Golden, the HSE have now confirmed that there have been an additional eighteen confirmed cases of Covid-19.

This follows on from eleven positive cases as of Friday - bringing the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases from the outbreak at the plant to 29.

As of Sunday evening, there are 66 new cases of Covid-19 in Ireland, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.

There is now a total of 27,257 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland.

21 cases are in Kildare, 16 in Dublin, 6 in Limerick, and the rest of the 23 cases are in Clare, Donegal, Laois, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary and Wicklow.

Sinn Fein TD, Martin Browne, has said: "Just off the phone from the HSE some test results are back, they have confirmed that there has been an additional 18 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in relation to the mushroom farm in Golden.

"We won't have the full figure until Monday. I questioned what this would mean in relation to a lockdown and they said that at the moment they couldn't see Tipperary placed in lockdown over these figures but that the decision would be with the Government and NPHET.

"They also confirmed that the army tents will be taken down over the next 24-hrs but will be put back up over the next 7 days to re-test all employees with a negative result as precaution measures.

"Also I again enquired about rumours in relation to other factories in south Tipperary and I've been assured that as of now the HSE are not investigating any other outbreaks. As I get anymore updates I will continue to post them up here."
CAIRO  Egyptians went to the polls Aug. 11-12 to vote for members of the newly created Senate, the upper house of parliament that has only an advisory role, with restrictive measures in place to stem the resurgence of coronavirus cases.

Alaa Ashry, like many other Egyptians, was more preoccupied with his daily affairs than casting a ballot. My vote will not change anything. There is no real competition between the candidates to elect an ineffective advisory council, Ashry told Al-Monitor.

But Fatima Mohamed, a woman in her 60s, stood in front of a polling station in al-Sayeda Zainab district in downtown Cairo, where a DJ was playing national songs on loudspeakers and others raised candidate banners. I insisted on voting so we can lead by example for the young people. It is our duty to support our country. There is no room for a faltering stance, she told Al-Monitor.

Constitutional amendments approved in April 2019 strengthened the power of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, allowing him to remain in power until 2030, and reinstated the second chamber of parliament, which had been abolished in 2014. The Senate is an advisory body without legislative powers.

Polling stations took precautions against COVID-19, and voters were requested to wear face masks; masks also were handed out. Egyptians abroad voted Aug. 9-10, via mail and online in 124 countries around the world. At home, Egyptians went to the ballot boxes Aug. 11 and 12. The vote is supposed to select 200 members (100 from a closed list that includes parties close to the regime and three opposition parties and 100 from individual lists), while the remaining 100 will be appointed by the president.

Amr Hashem Rabie, deputy head of Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, told Al-Monitor, The Egyptian Senate will be an advisory body without real powers. The elections were held as per the closed list system, which stripped them of any sense of competition, with low voter turnout. Many voters considered that the election results are almost a foregone conclusion.

A survey on the Senate elections by the National Center for Social and Criminological Research published Aug. 6 showed that 64% of those polled had not followed news of the Senate elections, and that 83% did not know how many members will represent their constituencies.

At the closing of the polls, initial data emerged on voter turnout; it was 7.5% in Dakahlia governorate, for instance. But then the National Election Authority warned the media not to publish any results or data related to the elections before the official announcement Aug. 19.

In a statement to the Middle East News Agency, Lashin Ibrahim, the head of the National Election Authority, threatened those who abstain from voting with a fine of 500 Egyptian pounds (about $31). However, such threats are rarely carried out.

In recent years, elections have not been of much interest for Egyptians, particularly young people. This is the result of the amount of hypocrisy prevailing in the Egyptian political sphere, Rabie said. The elderly and women have been mainly at the forefront in polling stations since Sisi came to power in 2014, as women in particular have sought a more active role in politics.

Farid Zahran, the head of the pro-opposition Egyptian Social Democratic Party, which participated in the elections, told Al-Monitor, The low voter turnout in the Senate elections is because of two reasons. First, Egyptians were reluctant to vote as they believe the political elite have ruined political work and political parties.

Second, people feel frustrated as the democratic forces failed to achieve their demands of change following the January 25 Revolution in 2011.

Since he entered office in 2014, Sisi has tightened his grip on the country amid accusations from the opposition that he has been stifling political diversity, targeting partisan leaders and pro-opposition activists and blocking websites that attack the regime. The government denies such claims, saying those arrested have violated the law.

Thus, opposition parties, including the Civil Democratic Movement, the Free Egyptians Party and the Conservative Party, decided to boycott the Senate elections. Medhat Zahid, a leader in the Civil Democratic Movement, told Al-Monitor, The Senate is a legislative addition without powers. It has no role in oversight or legislation. It is an additional burden on the state budget.

The regime wants to satisfy businessmen and figures loyal to it by making them Senate members, which would give them diplomatic immunity and prestige, he added.

But Yasser Omar, a leader in the pro-government Nation's Future Party, told Al-Monitor, The Senate elections in Egypt are not always popular and with low turnout. This time, however, a good number of voters showed up. The Senate will play an important role in drawing up public policies and helping parliament produce legislation that is up to the Egyptian peoples aspirations.

He said his political party is not the presidents party but does support the Egyptian state. The Nation's Future Party prepared a unified list of 11 parties, including pro-opposition ones such as the National Progressive Unionist Party, the Egyptian Social Democratic Party and the Reform and Development Misruna Party, Omar said.

The Egyptian Social Democratic Party's participation in the elections under the same list with pro-government parties caused major disagreement within the ranks of the Civil Democratic Movement, which was established in 2017.

The Civil Democratic Movement calls for building a civil democratic state and the release of political prisoners. The movement includes a number of liberal, leftist and opposition parties, including the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, as well as political figures opposed to the regime. The Civil Democratic Movement, in deciding to boycott the Senate elections, accused the government of seeking unfair elections, just for show.

Egyptian Social Democratic Party head Farid Zahran recognized the deep differences in views within the movement. Yet he said, Running in elections alongside pro-government parties would secure seats [in the Senate] to express our vision, in addition to other organizational, political and electoral gains.

We have received promises from these parties saying they will open up the public sphere [for political work], which is what we want and hope for, Zahran added, adding, We did not abandon the principles of the movement and demands to end this state of political siege and the release of political prisoners.

Hassan Nafaa, a professor of political science at Cairo University, said the Senate elections were just for show, and were run by the Nation's Future Party working for the security services under a flawed electoral law that cannot produce forces representing different political groups and movements.

If the regime wanted to hold real elections, it would not have held them in this exceptional time when the nation is facing the threat of the coronavirus. There will be a Senate, but it will be without any spirit or content, and will abide by what Sisi wants, he said.
Letter: Outdoor Cultivation of Cannabis

To the Editor:



On the evening of July 22, the Williamstown Planning board held a meeting to discuss and review a number of proposals, one of which was the growing of outdoor marijuana. Discussions for and against were productive. In the end the planning board voted in favor of supporting the citizens petition.

The amended petition as it is proposed allows for the outdoor growing of marijuana under significant restrictions. The allowable is extremely limited given the fact that most of the prime land in our town is under covenants such as the outdated APR, and conserved land that do not allow for this type of farming. Suitable locations to grow marijuana are less than a handful and associated soils are even more challenging.

The people of Williamstown voted in favor of growing and selling marijuana some years ago under the covenants provided by the state. Any local dispensaries must purchase Massachusetts grown product which establishes a proven avenue to the market place until such a time when the federal government passes legislation supporting Marijuana. If and when Washington adopts legislation approving the growing of marijuana, trade across state boarders will dramatically change the guaranteed local market currently in place.

With the agrarian sector in our state so small, the state no longer supports research, forcing farmers to develop "Best available current technology." Two new growers in Berkshire County are underway and have, in their fledgling years, developed ways to mitigate odor. Neighbors report positive results.

In the discipline of agriculture, farmers, in order to survive must be good stewards of the soil, of the property and above all strive to be a good neighbor. Odors are now proven to be manageable and solutions are available.

If the petition is approved, any dreaming farmer must not only go before the towns Zoning Board of Appeals, but go to Boston for an additional stringent process.

The transfer of farm land into houses will continue here and by all indications increase in the coming years. All aspects of our local agriculture are currently marginal at best. By supporting this initiative some semblance of hope could attract a younger generation hoping that as a supplement or main crop, marijuana could inspire some hope for the viability of agriculture.

Please vote yes to adopt the citizen petition allowing outdoor cultivation of marijuana

Averill H. Cook

Cook is a member of the Williamstown Agricultural Committee
This obituary is part of a series about people who have died in the coronavirus pandemic. Read about others here.

When Dr. Jay M. Galst was a boy in Milwaukee, his father, who owned a grocery, would bring home coins from the days receipts, and young Jay would enjoy searching through them for wheat pennies, buffalo nickels and other finds.

That boy grew up to be an ophthalmologist, and in a happy merging of vocation and avocation, he developed a passion for numismatics that included a singular area of expertise: He may have known more than anyone about coins, tokens, medals and similar artifacts that were in some way related to the eye.
Before returning to General Hospital, Dominic Zamprogna openly express that he would be happy to come back to the show as Dante Falconeri. He opened up recently about why he departed the show and almost left the acting world period, as well as why he came back to Port Charles.

Dominic Zamprogna | Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

Zamprogna is back on General Hospital

Once he left the show for the first time, Zamprogna returned for a special episode in 2018. After this, he returned again for several episodes that aired in March 2019. In the episode for that return, he dealt with looking for the man who shot his wife, Lulu Spencer. He ended up killing him in self-defense. Falconeri reunited with Spencer and the kids but had severe PTSD from everything that happened. He left town, thinking this was the best way that he could protect them.

RELATED: General Hospital Fans Are Sick of All the Sonny Stories

Falconeri made a surprise return to the show on Aug. 3, shortly after his return to the show leaked. He was shown in a WSB facility in Switzerland, still under the mindset that he is protecting his family and loved ones by being away from them.

The actor wanted to return after realizing what he wanted

In a new interview with Soaps in Depth, Zamprogna returned about his return to the show. As he said in a prior interview about the matter, he did point to the fact that he was questioning his acting career in general. I came down to L.A. with that job. I knew nobody. I knew no casting directors, nothing, he said, referring to his General Hospital role.

He explained, I was in a place where I wasnt feeling confident about my work. I went from going up on that stage and having a great time to going up on that stage and stressing out and just not feeling like I was doing good work. Thats the other reason why I wanted to step back. I felt like I needed to clear my head. The whole thing that I realized when I left is, Do I really want to act? It affected me so much.

RELATED: General Hospital: Why Kirsten Storms Was Determined to Hate Emme Rylan When They First Met

This is when he started missing the show

For a while, Zamprogna said everything was fine. He and his wife and daughters went to Italy for a trip before selling their house and getting another one in a different area in California. Still he felt the urge to get back into everything. Everything was going really well. It wasnt until like, September, October, I got the itch, he said. You do miss your team. Even though it was my choice to leave, it still sucks to see everything continuing on and everyone having a good time. You start realizing what you want. And what I really want is to be with my people.

As far as being back on the show, the actor is super excited about what is to come. It felt good to me and it felt right to me. And everybody seemed to be really excited about it. It was nice to feel welcomed back by you guys, too. It just proves you are where youre meant to be.

General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC.
The "campaign plane" is becoming another casualty of the pandemic.

Driving the news: Joe Biden's team hasn't booked any air travel  and thus has no need to lease an aircraft with the Democratic nominee's name and logo emblazoned on the side, a candidate tradition for decades, people familiar with the plans tell Axios.

The big picture: Biden is betting that following public health guidelines is the most strategic as well as responsible path to the presidency. Eschewing large events and staying grounded allows him to draw yet another contrast with President Trump, who is gassing up Air Force One to hit outdoor hangar rallies in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Arizona this week.

Most swing states have set limits on the size of any gatherings  though the campaigns may interpret them differently.

Officials with the campaign and in the states say Pennsylvania's limit for gatherings is 25 indoors and 250 outdoors; Michigan's are 10 and 100; Wisconsin has county-by-county rules.

Campaign spokesman TJ Ducklo contrasted Biden's approach with Trump in a lengthy statement that charges Trump with "gambling with American lives for his own political gain."

Biden aides say he hasn't completely ruled out flying between now and November  and that the campaign could change course if individual states change their guidelines.

Flashback: Presidential (and VP) campaigns typically unveil their planes over the summer, marking the final phase in the race. These aircraft take on looks, smells and stories of their own as they hurtle through the sky  sites for moving press conferences and private huddles with advisers through the highs, lows and decision points of every race.

Photographers traditionally snap photos of candidates waving from the steps and then scramble up into the back with the traveling reporters. Staff and U.S. Secret Service agents fill the middle section of the plane. The candidates (as well as their families and any VIPs) sit up front.

Over the years, photos have captured candidates' sometimes emotional reactions as they behold the glistening beasts that will transport them and embody their political status.

John McCain reacted with a look of surprise to see his name stenciled onto the side of his 737 on June 30, 2008.

reacted with a look of surprise to see his name stenciled onto the side of his 737 on June 30, 2008. Barack Obama boarded his Change We can Believe 757 on July 20, 2008.

boarded his Change We can Believe 757 on July 20, 2008. Mitt Romney stepped onto his Believe in America plane August 31, 2012.

stepped onto his Believe in America plane August 31, 2012. When Hillary Clinton let reporters onto her Stronger Together plane Sept. 5 2016, she called it the last moment before the mad dash.

let reporters onto her Stronger Together plane Sept. 5 2016, she called it the last moment before the mad dash. Trump was an exception. In 2016, he said no thanks to a traditional campaign plane since he already had his own: He rode Trump Force One" while the press corps followed on a separate charter, which sometimes got left behind.

Be smart: Some campaign veterans have been arguing for years for a permanent ground stoppage  and now there's an excuse.
Katie Price's bright pink Barbie car has reportedly been returned to her Sussex home by her ex-boyfriend Kris Boyson, after allegedly sitting on his driveway for a year.

The 42-year-old former glamour model, who is bankrupt and banned from driving, was reportedly urged by Kris' dad to take the rusting Suzuki Vitara back, after she was said to be reluctant to take on the 5,000 worth of required repairs.

A source told The Sun: 'Kris dad  who has been looking after it  told her, "Whats going on? Are you going to sort it or what?" Its just been lying there for a year gathering dust. He got so fed up he told her, "Sort it yourself".'

Ex: Katie Price's bright pink Barbie car has reportedly been returned to her Sussex home by her ex-boyfriend Kris Boyson, after allegedly sitting on his driveway for a year. Pictured in 2018

According to publication, Kris' dad also directed some of his reported exasperation at his son, telling him: 'We need to get rid of this monstrosity.'

The Sun reports that with vehicle, which has 'Barbie' written down the side with a series of love hearts, needs a long list of repairs, including new wheel arches, tyres, and a roof to replace the current collapsed one.

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Katie Price for comment.

Urged: The 42-year-old former glamour model, who is bankrupt and banned from driving, was reportedly urged by Kris' dad to take the rusting Suzuki Vitara back

Katie, who split from 31-year-old Kris in October, is said to have taken 10,000 off the asking price for her pink Range Rover, which she was driving at the time of her drink-driving arrest last year. She was subsequently banned from the road for two years.

Last week, the TV personality underwent a gruelling six-hour operation to repair her broken feet, following a freak accident during her recent trip to Turkey.

She was seen sobbed in agony following the procedure as she sat outside Lonbdon's Chelsea & Westminster hospital on Saturday while waiting to go home.

The mother-of-five was accompanied by her dutiful boyfriend Carl Woods, 31, who then carefully lifted her into a waiting car.

Holidaying: Katie recently explained she broke her ankles and feet during a 'silly accident' while on holiday with her beau Carl Woods, 31, and her kids Princess, 13, and Junior, 15

Katie recently broke her feet and ankles in a freak accident on holiday in Turkey with Carl and children Princess, 13, and Junior, 15.

It comes as Katie took to her Instagram Stories in the early hours of Saturday morning to issue a hospital update on how she was doing.

Posting a video of herself in bed at 2:30am, Katie revealed that she was unable to sleep as she panned around the empty ward.

She said: 'So 2:30am I can't sleep despite the fact I've had pain killers and I'm in so much pain and so tired,' followed by a sad emoji.

Sad: Katie revealed earlier this month she had received some 'devastating news', amid claims that she won't be able to walk for six months

It comes after Katie revealed on Friday night that she had undergone a six-hour operation to repair her broken feet after being warned by doctors it could take months for her to recover.

The star took to Instagram to pen a lengthy caption to update fans on her condition, and admitted there were 'more procedures needed than they thought.'

It comes after it was reported that Katie is banned from having sex with her boyfriend Carl Woods for two weeks after being left unable to move by the casts following her major surgery.

Katie wrote: 'Wanted to update everyone who has been sending all the beautiful messages to me .

Fun: Last weekend, Katie's beau Carl uploaded a hilarious video to Instagram of Katie zooming around on her scooter

'So I've had my 6 hour op Unfortunately more Procedures was needed when they entered my feet than thought , but I'm lucky I have the chance to one day get on my feet again.

'Chelsea Westminster hospital nurses doctors have been amazing and the surgeons totally have my up most RESPECT and absolutely FANTASTIC very professional and have been very honest and straight with me to make me actually sink in my head the seriousness of my injuries MASSIVE THANKYOU ...

'And massive Thankyou to @carljwoodsfor constantly fitting me around his work and being by my side , loving knowing I've found the man that has surprisingly ticked every box I could only dream of a man to be like and knowing I'm spending the rest of my life with him.'

It comes after Katie was banned from having sex with boyfriend Carl, 31, for two weeks after the surgery.

Riding it out! Following the accident, Katie thought she might have to cut her holiday short to head home with her Love Island beau Carl

She was allegedly told she would not be able to move for a fortnight after the procedure, according to a report from The Sun.

A source claimed: 'Katie's been told she has to lie down and not move for two weeks when she gets home.

'She will have to keep her legs elevated to give her the best chance of recovery - and that means no sex or moving around.

'Carl will basically be her full time carer - the only time she's allowed to move is to go to the toilet.'

Trooper! 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

The requirement will allegedly be 'a real test' for Katie, but the star is said to be following the doctor's orders.

Katie broke both of her feet and ankles in a freak accident while on holiday in Turkey last month, the surgery will help her on the long road of recovery.

Since the accident, Katie has been seen several times being pushed in a wheelchair by her beau Carl, including on Wednesday when she had a coronavirus test at a hospital to see if she could be operated on later in the week.

It was previously reported that Katie has been warned by doctors she 'must take her recovery seriously or she could risk losing a leg'.

Agony: Katie posted a video earlier this month 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

Horrific: Katie was rushed to A&E in Turkey last week for emergency surgery after doctors realised the extent of her horrific injuries

The reality star is said to have been left 'terrified' by her surgeon's stark warning.

A source told The Sun: 'Katie's doctors have warned her she must take her recovery seriously and it's left her terrified.

'She's prone to getting infections after operations, and her surgeon says she could lose a leg if her feet get infected.

'She'll have to be so, so careful - she'll have medical professionals on call 24/7 - and change the dressings regularly. She's got a long road ahead of her.'
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 17:32:43|Editor: huaxia

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MOGADISHU, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Somali security forces on Saturday evening killed four al-Shabab militants in a fierce fight in Burdhubo town in the southern region of Gedo, an official confirmed on Sunday.

Abdul Rahman Abdullahi Ali, deputy governor of Burdhubo town in charge of security, told journalists that al-Shabab fighters attacked a base run by government forces in the town, but the army repulsed and pushed them back.

"The militants sneaked through farmlands in the town and ambushed our forces, but we fought them back bravely, killing four of them," Ali said.

He added that the situation returned normal and the forces are continuing with operations to secure the safety of the town.

The latest clash came barely three days after Somali National Army killed 16 al-Shabab militants and injured 20 others in a fierce fight in BaadWeyn town in the central region of Mudug.

The government forces have recently stepped up operations against al-Shabab extremists in central and southern regions, but the militants are still hiding in the rural areas of those regions conducting ambushes and planting land mines. Enditem
Trembly Law Firm is named in Inc. 5000 List Over the past few years, weve seen an incredible amount of growth in the company, and Im so proud of our team for achieving this recognition! We take pride in our amazing team and our top-notch clients, ranging from small local enterprises to international conglomerates.

Inc. magazine today revealed that Trembly Law Firm is No. 1784 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

Over the past few years, weve seen an incredible amount of growth in the company, and Im so proud of our team for achieving this recognition. We take pride in our amazing team and our top-notch clients, ranging from small local enterprises to international conglomerates. With the current state of the global economy, the rest of 2020 promises to be a wild ride!  CEO, Brett Trembly

Not only have the companies on the 2020 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists as well. The 2020 Inc. 5000 achieved an incredible three-year average growth of over 500 percent, and a median rate of 165 percent. The Inc. 5000s aggregate revenue was $209 billion in 2019, accounting for over 1 million jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are also being featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 12.

The companies on this years Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business, says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism.

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held virtually from October 23 to 27, 2020. As always, speakers will include some of the greatest innovators and business leaders of our generation.

"At Trembly Law, we start with why. It isnt about us, its about our bigger mission  why do we get up every day and bust our tails for our clients. Its because we believe that with a thriving small business economy, everyone is better off. Thats why our mission is 'Protecting the Economy, One Business at a Time.'

CONTACT: For additional information about Miamis leading business law firm, Trembly Law, or if you need help with a legal matter, you can contact us at 305-431-5678, or email us at Info@Tremblylaw.com. We look forward to speaking with you!

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

The 2020 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.

For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Miami, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Aug, 2020 ) :Heather Lieberman is betting that she will gain immunity from the coronavirus. Sandra Rodriguez wants to work with scientists for the good of the community.

Both have signed up for clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines in Florida, the new US epicenter of the global health crisis.

"I want to be part of history. I want to help," said Rodriguez, a 63-year-old teacher sitting in the offices of a clinical investigation center north of Miami, as nurses prepare to inject her.

"I want to do a good thing and I know this is a good thing. So I'm all for it." So-called phase three vaccine clinical trials -- in which thousands of people take part in the final stages -- are gaining traction in the Sunshine State.

With more than half a million cases and over 9,000 deaths, Florida ranks second in the United States in total cases behind California -- making it an ideal place to carry out the trials.

That has led to a flurry of activity at the Research Centers of America (RCA), a private center carrying out clinical trials in Hollywood, 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Miami, RCA is working with six potential vaccines against COVID-19.

Two of them, made by Moderna and Pfizer, are in phase three trials.

Volunteers come in one after the other, by appointment. They are examined by a doctor, sign a document and receive their injection.

They could be getting an experimental vaccine or just a placebo, because a control group is needed to establish a baseline for comparisons.

They are then asked to wait a couple of hours before being sent home once the experts have determined there is no adverse reaction.

"Our experience have been good. We haven't had any issues in all the patients that we have vaccinated so far," said Nelia Sanchez-Crespo, a doctor and researcher at RCA.

Volunteers have "been pouring in," she told AFP.

"They're really eager. I've seen much more desire to participate in these particular trials because people really want something to be available sooner."
SpaceX, the American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company, is currently building its new passenger and cargo aircraft, Starship. According to the website, the aircraft will offer 'service to Earth orbit, Moon, Mars and beyond.'

The company has plans to chauffeur passengers to Mars in the near future, and part of this endeavor will include a luxury resort stay. The SpaceX site, in Boca Chica, Texas, is seeking a "Resort Development Manager" with the hopes that the city will become a 21st century Spaceport.
Through her deliberately unsophisticated style of storytelling, she creates distorted or fragmented stories, with plots and sub-plots, that speak to an equally fragile and disturbed modern life.

Arpita Singh, the 1937-born painter known for her elaborate surrealistic narratives, is one of the participating artists in the fifth Kochi-Muziris Biennale, which is due to open in December this year.

Singh has a definitive place in the history of Indian modern and contemporary art. Her presence in the modernism of post-independence India is significant because she was among many women artists, such as Nalini Malani, Madhvi Parekh and Nilima Sheikh, who began creating an independent trajectory for themselves in the male-dominated art scene, from the 1960s and 70s. The rise of women artists in newly independent India also has an international resonance because it coincided with the womens rights movement, mostly in the United States.

She began her career as an artist around the time Indian arts witnessed a renewed gravitation towards narrative-figuration, during the second half of the 20th century. She is celebrated for her lifelong commitment to the medium of painting, when other artists of her generation diversified into other media, such as video, installation, and mixed media. A painter for the past six decades, she has devoted herself to the style of figuration, while working with abstraction briefly.

Born in West Bengal, Singh was exposed to creative expression at an early stage in her life, through literature, mythology and art. These early life experiences explain her interest in storytelling and fable-like narratives. As a schoolgirl, she is believed to have shown a flair towards drawing and painting. Her formal education in fine arts began in the 1950s, at the Delhi Polytechnic, where she studied under artists as diverse as Biren De, BC Sanyal, Sailoz Mookherjea, and Jaya Appasamy. Most of these artists are known for their bent towards figuration, which is also a defining quality of Singhs practice, although she worked out her own language of a dense layering of patterns and narratives, with many of them showing women as the looming presence.

While working at the Weavers Service Centre, during the 1960s, she worked closely with embroideries and fabrics, especially kantha  an experience that has led critics to draw parallels with the intricate colour- and form-based patterns of her paintings. Letters, numbers, symbols, human figures, flowers, guns overlap and enmesh in each other, like a closely woven fabric. Using these disparate elements, Singh builds up her narratives with scenes of mythology, war, domestic life, parties, social gatherings, intimacy, death, sickness, cityscapes, and more. Through her deliberately unsophisticated style of storytelling, she creates distorted or fragmented stories, with plots and sub-plots, that speak to an equally fragile and disturbed modern life.

The artists paramount engagement is the human figure. In most of her compositions, what stands out is the woman in multiple avatars: solitary, ageing, dying, often in the nude, saintly, and heroic in the manner of a Devi, with many hands. The latter can be seen as a contemporary adaptation of Abanindranath Tagores iconic nationalist-era painting Bharat Mata (circa 1905). Contrary to Tagores serene Mother India figure, Arpita Singhs Devi is about to shoot a man with a gun, while carrying fruits in her other hands. The imagery not only represents the artists preoccupations with feminist themes, but also stands out for its subversiveness, couched in (deceptively) playful human figures, patterns and colours. Her human figures appear ambiguous in their expressions and demeanour, living as they are in a world of grey realities, where there are no clear distinctions between right and wrong. The jagged lines drawn over the faces and bodies of the ghostly men and women invoke fear and horror.

The artist creates these sights of hyper-realism through an adept use of colour, rendered in vibrant pinks, blues, greens, which afford a charged quality to the otherwise grim narratives of war and remorse, death and sickness, and loneliness and despair. The application of thick paints of colour on the canvas has an impasto feel to it. The spontaneous and prominent brushstrokes loosely recall the swirling movements of colour in Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night. Her black-and-white abstractions, on the other hand, retain the dense layering of her paintings, with a thick web of lines and other forms of mark-making. Her small-format drawings and watercolours have a simplicity of line and colour. The decluttered nature of these compositions suggest they are preparatory works for the bigger paintings, although the thread of storytelling runs through the smaller works as well.

The recourse to storytelling is also an important part of the curatorial theme of the forthcoming Kochi Biennale, which is titled In Our Veins Flow Ink and Fire. Put simply, the Singaporean artist Shubigi Raos curatorial essay reflects the anxieties of our polarised and authoritarian times, while calling out artists to show solidarity, through the redemptive power of their practice, and speak up against censorship and the imposition of singular narrative.

To envision this biennale as a persistent yet unpredictable murmuration in the face of capriciousness and volatility comes from my unshakeable conviction in the power of storytelling as strategy, of the transgressive potency of ink, and transformative fire of satire and humour, writes Rao in the essay, which is available on Kochi Biennale Foundation website. It will be interesting to see how Arpita Singhs own style of storytelling features in the biennale, which Rao refers to as a bulwark against despair. While there is no visible trace of joy in Arpita Singhs paintings, the redemptive quality of her work may lie in its very playfulness that makes life and living more appealing than what it is.

Banner image: Artist Arpita Singh. Courtesy - Kiran Nadar Museum of Art
Apartments with over 3 Covid cases to be containment zones for 7 days: Check BBMP's full guidelines

Mid-Air collision of two IndiGo flights averted at Bengaluru airport; DGCA to probe, take strict action

2 cops deputed for CM Bommai's security held for trying to 'extort' money from drug peddlers

Bengaluru violence: 35 more arrested, death toll climbs to four as another accused dies

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Bengaluru, Aug 16: Bengaluru police have arrested 35 more persons in connection with with Bengaluru violence that broke out on August 11.

One more person, who was allegedly involved in the violence in the city, has died due to injuries in the abdomen, Bengaluru police commissioner Kamal Pant said on Saturday. With his death, the toll in the violence has gone up to four including three in police firing on August 11 night.

Bengaluru violence: Meerut man who announced bounty on Karnataka MLA's nephew arrested

"He (accused Syed Nadeem) was in jail since 12th (August).Last night (he) came to Bowring Hospital with chest pain.Probably some hard object hit on his abdomen," Pant told PTI. According to police, Syed Nadeem, 24, was arrested on August 12 in connection with the violence at Devara Jeevanahalli in the city and was in jail.

He tested positive for the coronavirus infection and on Friday night he had complained of chest pain following which he was admitted to the hospital where he died today,police said.

Replying to a query on Nadeem''s death, Pant ruled out that he died of bullet injuries. "Nothing to do with bullets," he said.

Bengaluru violence: 60 more arrested, including BBMP Corporator Irshad Begum's husband

The violence in D J Halli and adjoining areas on Tuesday night was unleashed by hundreds of people over a purportedly inflammatory social media post allegedly put out by P Naveen, a relative of Pulakeshinagar Congress MLA R Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy.

The MLA''s residence and a police station at D J Halli were torched by rioters who also set many police and private vehicles afire, and looted the belongings of the legislator and his sister.

Police have so far arrested about 340 people while detained many others in connection with the case.

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Story first published: Sunday, August 16, 2020, 8:46 [IST]
Eurostar services to St Pancras from Paris appeared to be quieter than on Friday, which saw thousands of passengers snap up tickets at increased prices to get home before 4am on Saturday to avoid a fortnight of self-isolation.





Three friends at the London rail station said they will have to isolate despite all testing negative for coronavirus in the past week.

School worker Lou Le Mener, 23, student Aurelia Crea and IT worker Marine Coupe, 25, all French nationals living together in London, arrived back Saturday evening after visiting family.

Ms Crea said: We wanted to come back yesterday but it was about 300 euros a ticket and the website was crashing.

Then you have a lot of people in the same place, crowded trying to come back. The Eurostar today was very quiet.

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I feel its unfair for us to have to quarantine but we will do it. In Paris we have to wear masks almost everywhere, we already felt trapped there and now we are trapped again.

Ms Coupe added: It doesnt really make sense. The UK was the last to quarantine and now theyre bringing in these hardcore measures.

Meanwhile, Sanne Williams, who works in a care home, said she faces losing out on a weeks wages.

She said it was too expensive to change her ticket to Friday, adding: Im obviously annoyed. I was supposed to go back to work on the 21st but now Ill be at home for another week without money.

Of course I will quarantine, they have all my details, passport, travel times.

Natalie Bunch, from London, who works in publishing, arrived in France late on Wednesday and debated whether to cut her seven-day trip short, but has decided to stay on.

She said: The almost comical part of this is the amount of people who rushed to return to UK to avoid quarantine but might be carrying the virus and therefore spread it with no ramifications.

Currently the rules say youre allowed to get public transport to return home to quarantine, which is utterly ridiculous.

How many people could two of us come into contact with and possibly pass the virus to during that journey? Even if we wore masks and sanitised regularly?

Good evening everyone, but be assured you can stay updated with the latest information and services updates on https://t.co/Td0Z1odfA0 Bye for now. ^Vincent pic.twitter.com/BVKEyk2aBF  Eurotunnel Le Shuttle (@LeShuttle) August 15, 2020

Friday saw tens of thousands of UK tourists in France make last-ditch bids to beat the quarantine, with tickets for planes, trains and ferries going for increased prices, with some air fares around six times more expensive than usual.

Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, the train service which carries vehicles through the Channel Tunnel, said it carried nearly 30% more vehicles from France to the UK on Friday than forecast.

Some 22 extra departures were laid on, carrying more than 30,000 passengers in 11,600 vehicles, it said.

The dash to get home was prompted by the decision to impose a 14-day self-isolation quarantine on travellers from France due to rising numbers of coronavirus cases in the country.

The quarantine conditions also apply to travellers returning to or visiting the UK from the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos and Aruba.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 13:41:29|Editor: huaxia

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ULAN BATOR, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia reported four more COVID-19 recoveries in the last 24 hours, taking its total recoveries to 276, the country's National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCCD) said Sunday.

The recovered are servicemen of the Mongolian Armed Forces who returned home from Afghanistan on a chartered flight in mid-July, the NCCD said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Asian country conducted 627 tests for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, all of which showed negative results.

The national caseload remains at 298, and all the cases were imported. The country has reported no local transmissions or related deaths. Enditem
The figures released by the Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday brought the national caseload to 15,318, including 305 deaths (Lee Jin-man/AP)

South Korea has reported 279 new coronavirus cases in the highest daily jump since early March, as fears grow about a massive outbreak in the greater capital region.

The figures released by the Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday brought the national caseload to 15,318, including 305 deaths.

The number of new cases is the highest since 367 on March 8, when the country was concentrating public health tools and personnel nationwide to bring an outbreak in the less populated southern region under control.

Expand Close A visitor wearing a face mask walks near a banner showing precautions against coronavirus at the Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul (Lee Jin-man/AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp A visitor wearing a face mask walks near a banner showing precautions against coronavirus at the Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul (Lee Jin-man/AP)

The KCDC said 253 of the new cases came from the Seoul metropolitan area, home to 26 million people, where health authorities have been struggling to stem transmissions linked to churches, nursing homes, schools, restaurants and door-to-door salespeople.

Infections were also reported in other major cities such as Busan and Daegu, which was the epicentre of the previous crisis in late February and March when hundreds of new cases were reported each day.

During a virus meeting, President Moon Jae-in called for pan-national efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus.

He also instructed a review of plans for sharing hospital capacities between Seoul and nearby towns to ensure swift transport of patients so a spike of cases in one area does not overwhelm its hospital system.

Health Minister Park Neung-hoo urged people to stay at home on Monday and for residents in Seoul and nearby Gyeonggi province to avoid visiting other parts of the country for two weeks.

The Covid-19 resurgence in a region with 10 times more people than Daegu is a rude awakening for a country that has been eager to tout its hard-won gains against the virus.

There are concerns the spread could worsen after thousands of anti-government protesters rallied in Seoul on Saturday despite official pleas to stay at home.

It appears the protests organised by conservative activist and church groups mainly involved people over 60, who are considered at higher risk for complications linked to Covid-19.

Expand Close A Parsi man outside a prayer hall in Mumbai, India (Rajanish Kakade/AP) / Facebook

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Meanwhile, Indias coronavirus fatalities neared 50,000, with 944 new deaths reported in the past 24 hours.

India now has the fourth-highest fatalities, behind the US, Brazil and Mexico, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

Its confirmed cases reached 2.58 million on Sunday with a spike of 63,490.

There has been a big spike in Covid-19 fatalities in India in August, with more than a quarter of the countrys total in the past 15 days.

Meanwhile, Indias recovery rate crossed 70%.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that three vaccines are in different phases of testing and mass production will begin as soon as scientists give their approval.
American establishment Lockheed Martin Corp was awarded a USD 62 Billion, ten-year contract for the production of F-16 Foreign Military Sale (FMS) aircraft.

"The contract, which was released by the US Department of Defense on Friday, does not mention the country where the sales of the latest F-16V jets are aimed at. The pundits are sure that they are directed towards Taiwan, following the deal to procure 66 such fighter jets which had received a green signal by the Trump administration in 2019," said a report by the EurAsian Times.

"The ten-year, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity(IDIQ), fixed-price-incentive contract for the production of the F-16 aircraft requires 100 percent partner nations. It is expected that the contract would meet its objectives till 31 December 2026," the report added.

Read | Revive gram panchayats in Noida: Village bodies demand in digital protest

Initially, 90 aircraft have been ordered, of which Taiwan would be receiving 66 and Morocco 24. As per the report, the deal of F-16s to Taiwan had been completed and delivered in stages till 2026, which would coincide with the date they had to deliver.

What happens to Washington's ties with Beijing?

The step would likely cause agitation with Beijing, since the issue has come up at a moment when the relations between the US and China are going through a sour phase, due to multiple issues such as Beijing's claim of territory in the South China Sea.

The ties between the two countries had further worsened after Alex Azar, the US secretary of Health and Human Services had visited Taiwan.

Read | 'Tap water connections for all rural houses in Gujarat by 2022': CM Rupani

The visit of the secretary Azar was the highest level of the visit by a US cabinet official to Taiwan in the past 40 years when the former gave official recognition to China and established diplomatic relations with them.

The report by the EurAsian Times, further added, "that the contract that was awarded to Lockheed Martin could probably allow Republic of China (ROC) Taiwan to procure latest F-16 Vipers under the continuous process, instead of waiting from the Washington DC government, which is slightly less friendly."

The purchase is probably first of its kind since 1992, that the jets have been sold to Taiwan. Beijing still claims the former to be a part of it and the use of force against the island nation has not been renounced as yet.

"The island nation was also, the first to support New Delhi in its clash with the Galwan valley in Ladakh," said the report.

Read | 13-kg poppy straw seized, 2 held in J&K

(With inputs from ANI)
A recall petition requires the signatures of 30 of the legislatures 90 MLAs.

The SDLP called for recall last week. Talks between the three parties over the weekend have seen the SDLPs original motion replaced with a new version.

Sinn Fein MLA @JohnODowdSF has confirmed that the partys MLAs will support a motion to recall the Assembly to address the difficulties around exam grading https://t.co/b91jqd0nBz pic.twitter.com/jlE9ADU4wu  Sinn Fein (@sinnfeinireland) August 16, 2020

The support of Sinn Fein and Alliance will guarantee the 30-signature threshold is reached.

The recall petition is based on the position adopted by the Assemblys education committee on Friday, when a majority of members called for students to be awarded the highest A-level grade from three options  their AS-level result, their teacher-predicted grade or the grade they received last week through a controversial standardisation formula.

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More than a third of A-level grades issued last Thursday were lower than teacher estimates.

Northern Irelands education minister has ruled out using teacher grade predictions to replace disputed A-level results.

Peter Weir has defended the mathematical model used to standardise the results, insisting using teacher estimates to allocate A or AS-level grades would lack any level of credibility.

Over a third of young people have had their results downgraded.



They have been failed by an unfair system.



The Minister must act decisively to address this injustice. @Chris_Lyttle pic.twitter.com/E7XOZV633Y  Alliance Party (@allianceparty) August 14, 2020

In 37 per cent of cases teachers were overoptimistic in their prediction, while in around 5 per cent of entries they underestimated the result.

Overall, the percentage of top grades allocated in 2020 was up on previous years.

However, many students have been left shocked and disappointed after receiving grades that were significantly lower than both their performance in previous exams and their teachers prediction.

Sinn Fein chief whip John ODowd said: Sinn Fein had hoped to see significant movement from the education minister over the weekend to address the exam grading crisis.

In the absence of any necessary action by the minister, Sinn Fein will support the recall of the Assembly to discuss an agreed motion based on the position adopted by the Education Committee on Friday.

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Today, SDLP have tabled a petition to recall the Assembly, to urgently address the crisis over exam grading.



Many students across Northern Ireland feel robbed of a fair chance. It is not good enough.



The Minister for Education and Joint First Ministers must be held to account. pic.twitter.com/qsiKOS7GK9  Social Democratic and Labour Party (@SDLPlive) August 14, 2020

This is a sensible and responsible approach to finding a solution to the current difficulties.

Alliance chief whip Kellie Armstrong said: The Alliance Party is backing the recall of the Assembly next week.

In June when I called for the Assembly to shelve its normal summer recess plans it was exactly to avoid this kind of situation. There is no justifications for taking a break from legislating during a national health and economic crisis.

Im glad my colleague Chris Lyttle (Education Committee chairman) was able to so quickly convene a meeting of the Education Committee, allowing the process of questioning the minister to begin, and where he proposed and received the backing of the committee calling for the minister to award pupils with whichever of their AS grade, teacher grade or CCEA grade is highest, taking the same approach for GCSE.

The recall petition states: That this Assembly is deeply concerned that the modelling used to calculate grades for AS and A-levels has awarded incorrect results for students across Northern Ireland and calls on the education minister to award students with the highest of their AS, teacher-predicted or CCEA grade for A-levels, AS-levels and GCSEs due to exceptional Covid-19 circumstances.
(Newser)  Recreational Equipment Inc. has a newly completed corporate headquarters in Seattleand lo and behold, it's already for sale. The Wall Street Journal calls it yet another instance of a company selling off central offices to raise cash during the coronavirus pandemic. But REI, which sells outdoorsy stuff like hiking and camping gear, says it's also more comfortable with employees working from home. "This year has shown us our home is not a building," REI President and CEO Eric Artz told workers in a video call, per a press release. "Our home is wherever we find ourselves doing our best work, pursuing our outdoor passions, serving our communities. Serving each other."

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The Journal looks at other companies that plan to let more employees work remotely, like Twitter and Facebook. Jamie Hodari, who heads the co-working company Industrious, says the trend to small offices and flexible work schedules is just being accelerated by the coronavirus: "This is going to be a thing you will hear from hundreds of Fortune 500 companies," he says. As for REI, RetailWire reports that it plans to open three smaller Seattle locations to allow for at least some in-person collaboration. That said, Chief Customer Officer Ben Steele tells the Journal that collaboration also works fine when everyone's sitting at home. (Some companies, however, are yearning to get back to the office.)
London:

A seven-year-old Indian-origin boy surprised his teacher during a class project on writing to Santa Claus to list Christmas wishes when he asked for peace in war-torn Syria instead of traditional gifts.

Aarush Anand, who studies in Year 3 at Nottingham High School in the East Midlands region of England, did not ask for any of the typical gifts associated with the festive season.

"The only thing I want for Christmas is peace, like in Syria," Aarush wrote. In his note, he also told Santa not to be "stressed out" as "it's hard work going all over the world". "Please give money to charities. PS: Don't give me anything else," he signed off.

Aarush's teacher Richard Miller said he was "taken aback" by the heartfelt letter.

"When I read Aarush's, I was quite struck. I felt emotional about it because it was the last thing I was expecting to read, that he had taken himself off to write something that was completely different, that was unexpected.

"I was really quite moved by that," he said. The letter was written on Wednesday as part of a Christmas-themed class exercise, where Miller said the aim was to practice letter writing as well as get into the Christmas spirit.

Speaking about his note later, Aarush said: "In Syria, basically every day someone gets killed, and just not in Syria, in India and Pakistan too. "I don't really like war, and I've been reading about the world war and nuclear bomb in Japan and I feel I don't really like it. "Syria is like a mini version of a world war happening in one place and I thought I should write about Syria. Some people starve there. We are lucky that we have food here, and I'm lucky to come to this school and my mum and dad can educate me this much."

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Gov. Murphy acknowledges the need for a full accounting of the COVID tragedies that devastated two of New Jerseys three veterans homes, but a partial account is enough to conclude that its time to sack management.

There are already 143 dead in Paramus and Menlo Park combined  a heart-wrenching toll that the governor admits that he checks every morning. He also knows that another outbreak this fall would be equally catastrophic wherever residents are susceptible to infection, and the evidence is clear that the CEOs in charge of these facilities cannot be entrusted with the lives of the vulnerable heroes who occupy their final sanctum of comfort and honor.

Because the record at these two facilities  licensed and operated by the states  is a profound and unacceptable moral failure.

In Paramus, where 81 residents and one employee have died, an inspection report by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) found the facility to be out of compliance with infection control procedures, so much that residents and staff were in immediate jeopardy.

Much of it was related to inadequate staffing and equipment. Northjersey.com found nursing aides were given protective equipment described as a dollar-store poncho, and that it had to last the entire day. There was also poor training and rank incompetence: The facility allowed COVID-positive patients to mingle with those who werent infected in the dementia unit.

For these reasons and others, Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-5th Dist.) and Bill Pascrell (D-9th Dist.) are calling for the resignation of the CEO at the Paramus facility, Matthew Schottlander, who was appointed by the states Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

These were preventable tragedies, and someone must be held accountable, Gottheimer said. Yes, the virus spread like wildfire in other facilities, but people took action and 81 didnt die. And Im more concerned with the next outbreak: If you had a relative in Paramus, would you have them in this veterans home? Has it really earned your trust?

In Menlo Park, where 62 veterans and one employee died, the details of negligence were revealed Thursday during legislative hearings chaired by Sen. Joe Vitale and Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, and some testimony had lawmakers tearing up.

Glenn Osborne, a former Marine who is president of the facilitys resident council, described a home in turmoil, where nursing staff only sporadically wore masks and gloves even in April because management believed PPE would frighten the residents.

I have lost more friends in the last few months than I did in my entire military service, Osborne said. These deaths should not have happened. In mid-March, there were 309 residents. Today, there are only 167.

Vitale, who seeks sweeping reforms of the long-term care industry, promptly called for the resignation of CEO Elizabeth Schiff-Heedles: Time and again, the action and inaction of the CEO placed the well-being of our veterans at grave risk, he said.

It is not clear whether our state and federal lawmakers have the governors ear on this matter. Murphy can instruct the Adjutant General to put Schottlander and Schiff-Heedles on a bus, but he is waiting for a soup-to-nuts postmortem that is not forthcoming.

And we hear traces of rationalization: While Murphy slams the performance of for-profit facilities during the crisis (jaw-dropping, and thats as charitable as I can get), he often seems to suggest Paramus and Menlo Park were cases of geographical circumstance, in that they had the misfortune of being at ground zero of the virus itself.

Little wonder VFW state Adjutant Ken Hagemann has concluded, This governor doesnt care about veterans  its obvious.

The governor took a laudable step last week by sending $155 million to all long-term care facilities to help them reopen for visitors with upgraded safety measures. But that doesnt buy him accountability. The families of the fallen demand it, and they deserve nothing less.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 16:39:17|Editor: huaxia

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SEOUL, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's daily confirmed COVID-19 cases surged to 279 on Sunday owing to cluster infections linked to church services, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The total number of COVID-19 infections reached 15,318 as of 0:00 a.m. Sunday local time.

The daily caseload logged the highest in about five months since March 8, after staying above 100 for the past two days.

The local transmission jumped in Seoul and its surrounding Gyeonggi province traceable to church services. Of the new cases, 141 were Seoul residents, with 96 being residents of Gyeonggi province.

The Seoul-based Sarang Jeil Church, led by pastor Jun Kwang-hoon, led the new infections in recent days.

The number of cases linked to the church rapidly rose from one on Thursday to 11 on Friday, 26 on Saturday and 107 on Sunday. A total of 145 church members tested positive out of 771 members and visitors who took the test.

The Seoul city government ordered a combined 4,066 people connected to the church to take the tests, confirming the whereabouts of some 3,400 people of the total.

Including the church members residing outside Seoul who tested positive for COVID-19, the cases reached 193 on Sunday midnight and soared to 249 as of midday, according to a separate counting by local governments.

Jun, the 64-year-old pastor, was arrested on Feb. 24 as he attracted his conservative followers and church members to anti-government rallies and delivered sermons supporting conservative politicians ahead of the April 15 general elections. It was in violation of local election law.

He was released on bail on April 20 on condition that he would not participate in any illegal rally and gathering.

Packed with thousands of conservative voters, Jun joined a massive anti-government rally near Gwanghwamun square in central Seoul on Saturday. It raised a possibility for him to be put into custody again.

The government announced a plan to file a complaint against the pastor for charges of violating the self-quarantine order, reducing the list of church members subject to virus tests and blocking the epidemiological investigation.

The Seoul city government separately said it will charge Jun and other church officials with violating the infectious disease prevention law.

Worry deepened here about the resurgence in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases as the massive rally in Seoul, of which participants came from across the country, may spread the virus nationwide.

The health authorities repeatedly sent text messages to encourage the rally participants to voluntarily take the tests, but it would be actually impossible for the authorities to secure the list of all participants.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in ordered government officials to mobilize all available resources to contain the virus spread as the situation is "very grave," according to the presidential Blue House.

Moon ordered a thorough implementation of the tightened social-distancing campaign in Seoul and the Gyeonggi province, calling for churches to thoroughly follow the tightened quarantine rules.

Meanwhile, the confirmed COVID-19 cases traceable to Woori Jeil Church in Yongin, Gyeonggi province increased to 105 as of 0:00 a.m. local time, and advanced to 126 as of midday.

Of the new cases in the past day, 12 were imported from overseas, lifting the combined figure to 2,642. No more death was confirmed, leaving the death toll at 305. The total fatality rate stood at 1.99 percent.

Nine more patients were discharged from quarantine after making full recovery, pulling up the combined number to 13,910. The total recovery rate was 90.81 percent.

Since Jan. 3, the country has tested more than 1.68 million people, among whom 1,644,464 tested negative for the virus and 21,618 are being checked. Enditem
Whining Pompeo vows to do utmost to renew Iran arms embargo

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 15 August 2020 5:59 PM

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that the failure to extend a UN arms embargo on Iran was a serious mistake.

"It's a serious mistake, we regret that," he told news conference on Saturday during a visit to Poland.

Pompeo vowed to keep pushing for a Washington-proposed extension of the international arms embargo on Iran despite strong global opposition to this illegal embargo.

On Friday, the 15-member United Nations Security Council rejected the US bid to extend the arms embargo due to expire in October under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Pompeo said the Trump administration would continue its anti-Iran efforts in spite of the diplomatic defeat.

"We are going to do everything that we can within our diplomatic toolset to ensure that arms embargo doesn't expire," Pompeo told reporters in Vienna on Friday after the US bid to renew the arms embargo against Iran had been rejected by the Security Council.

Speaking at a joint news conference with his Austrian counterpart, Alexander Schallenberg, the US Secretary of State said the rejection of the US proposal for an extension of the Iran arms embargo made "no sense", adding, the fact that some countries kept heir promise of ending the arms embargo on Iran "is just nuts".

Pompeo went on to describe Iran as "the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism", urging "the whole world to join" in on Washington's maximum pressure campaign against the Iranian nation which started after the Trump administration's unilateral cancellation of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)

The top US diplomat insisted that the Washington-Tehran stand-off was not only linked to the nuclear deal, but also "whether the world is going to allow Iran to buy and sell weapons systems."

Pompeo insisted also that Iran must give the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nuclear watchdog full and immediate reports of its activities.

Before the US bid was rejected by the Security Council, Pompeo said that Washington had "no intention of allowing this arms embargo to expire. None whatsoever."

However, Iran's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York urged the Security Council to resist the "illegal" move by the US to extend the arms embargo on the Islamic Republic.

Meanwhile, China, Russia and other European countries, who support the landmark Iran nuclear deal, have showed their strong opposition to US polices, particularly in regard to the "illegal" extension of the arms embargo.

The JCPOA is an extensive plan that was signed between Iran and the P5+1 (China France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) on July 14, 2015, and endorsed on July 20, 2015 by the UN in Security Council Resolution 2231.

Prior to the Iran nuclear deal, the West had formerly accused Iran of pursuing a military nuclear program. Tehran, however, always dismissed such allegations as being false, making assurance that Tehran had a civilian nuclear program. The JCPOA was the culmination of the two sides negotiations to remove the suspicions in this regard. However, on 12 October 2017, US President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the deal citing fresh allegations against Iran.

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"Kojo Oppong Nkrumah must not be complacent and swollen headed" says Political Scientist with the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Yaw Gyampo.



The phrase 'Papano' started trending on social media following an unfortunate exchange between actress Tracy Boakye and musician Mzbel.



It subsequently popped up in Parliament during a debate between the minority and the majority over the Agyapa Royalties Limited agreement.



During the proceedings, the Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah described former Deputy Energy Minister and MP for Yapei Kusawgu, Hon. John Jinapor as 'papano'.



"Mr Speaker, I want to encourage my colleagues on the other side. I want to encourage my good friend who just spoke [referring to John Jinapor]. In my hometown, we will say, 'papano'. 'Papano', I want to encourage 'papa no' to take some time and follow the structure of this conversation and support", Oppong Nkrumah said.



However in a post on social media in reaction to the Information Minister's comment, Prof Gyamp wrote: "It is needless to spark needless controversy by using bogus social media lexicon in a parliament that has clear lexicon and appropriate formal register of lingua franca. If the way parliamentarians dress, is prescribed, the way they express themselves on the formal floor, cannot be unprescribed.



Kojo Oppong Nkrumah must not be complacent and swollen headed. He is a young man carving a niche for himself and he must concentrate on that, rather than being the source of this needless controversy and walkout.



He could have made his point without the needless phrase. He didnt need to describe his colleague as papa no to sound eloquent"















Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Yaritza Garcia, a local single mom, has two daughters. She said every day she worries for their safety.

Ive never had more fear of anything in my entire life than the fear of my kids being taken, she said. In the past week, Ive seen four kids go missing not very far from where I live.

She was one of about 35 parents and community members that came out to the Save Our Children protest at the Capitol on Sunday afternoon to advocate for safety in lower-income neighborhoods.

Kevin Maxson of Voices for the Voiceless said theres a high concentration of sexual predators who live in the Swatara area and in neighborhoods such as Alison Hill where many families are located.

Were just standing in solidarity with some of the kids that have been coming up missing, especially in the Swatara area. We just want to make sure people pay attention to whats actually going on in our neighborhood and our environment.

Megans Law requires a registry of registered sex offenders in the state of Pennsylvania. There are 18,731 registered sex offenders in the state, approximately 600 of those live in Dauphin County, according to the Dauphin County District Attorneys office.

Websites like City Data offer maps that show where these offenders live in a city, though the information is pulled from public records the permanent address of the offenders could have changed.

Maxson said people who are charged with drug possession or drug dealing often serve longer sentences than sex offenders. He said the state should require sex offenders to wear ankle monitoring devices and be placed in affordable housing away from children and families.

Brent Lipscomb, a member of the community, spoke at the rally and asked everyone in the crowd to shout, Im for the children.

How do we move forward? We have to be for something, he said. We are here today to say we are for the children.

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Kathmandu, Aug 16 : At least 18 people have been killed and 21 others reported missing after a massive landslide hit Nepal's Sindhupalchowk district, authorities said on Sunday, adding that a search and rescue operation was ongoing in the affected area.

The landslide, which occurred on Friday in the district's Jugal Rural Municipality, also damaged 37 houses in Lidi village.

Among the 18 victims, there were 11 children, four women and three men, Superintendent of Police Prajwol Maharjan, chief of District Police Office, Sindhupalchowk, told Xinhua news agency.

The local administration has relocated affected people to a nearly safe location.

"A nearby hill has also remained split open and there are 25 houses below that hill," said Maharjan.

"Citing the risk of another landslide, we have relocated people to a nearby safe location and they are living under the tents." Lidi village is one of the settlements identified by the Nepali government as having been in risk of landslide.

According to the National Reconstruction Authority, a government body established to coordinate the reconstruction efforts after the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, the village is on the list of the settlements that needs protection but does not need relocation.

There are 327 such settlements across the country which require protection.

"If necessary measures were taken to protect the village in time, this tragedy could have been avoided," Gopal Prasad Aryal, spokesperson at the authority, told Xinhua.

Meanwhile, the police said the local administration of Sindhupalchowk on Saturday wrote to the central government to relocate the entire village after the incident.
The #NOTFiredUpForFall coalition is pushing for Central Michigan University leadership to close campus for fall 2020 due to concerns over the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The #NOTFiredUpForFall campaign is a statewide coalition of students, alumni, faculty, staff, community members, and friends/family/supporters of CMU folks that are calling on the Board of Trustees, President Bob Davies, and other senior University leadership of Central Michigan University to take the initiative to close campus and halt face-to-face plans for Fall 2020 in order to slow the spread of this virus and stop a significant tragic impact on the Michigan, Isabella County, Mount Pleasant, and the CMU community, #NOTFiredUpForFall coalition member Emily Jones said.

The coalition was started by CMU graduate student Autumn Gairaud with members of the New America Project at CMU, Jones, Francesca Farzalo, and others involved with the organization.

The New America Project and the #NOTFiredUpForFall campaign have recently started a statewide coalition with three other universities, Michigan State University, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and Oakland University, to fight back against reopening plans. This coalition is being spearheaded by Michigan Student Power (MSP), an association of young people in the state of Michigan formed to co-ordinate action, share skills, and build statewide unity around social justice causes.

As the pandemic continues and case numbers continue to rise, many CMU students are concerned with how re-opening campus could effect students as well as the Mount Pleasant and Isabella County area.

Close proximity in classrooms even with HyFlex as the mode of operation in dining halls, residence halls, and other crowded campus areas will inevitably increase infection rates, an informational google document from the #NOTFiredUpForFall coalition said. Much of CMUs strategy for health and safety of our community relies on individual responsibility to follow CDC guidelines and State or local orders and ordinances that intend to slow the spread of COVID-19 as outlined on the Fired Up for Fall page such as mandatory self-screening, social distancing, face masks and coverings, and cleaning and disinfecting.

The #NOTFiredUpForFall coalition launched the petition on July 18, and was able to collect over 600 signatures in just a week. The petition and a the coalitions list of demands were emailed to President Davies on the day it launched.

The demands sent to the administration included:

Suspension of face-to-face classes and instruction for Fall 2020 with limited provisions similar to what has been offered during Summer II for labs, etc. that already have extreme safety measures in place.

General campus closure with exceptions, similar to the start of the pandemic in March 2020, for students who may rely on campus room and board for shelter, food, and technology resources. This means there should be some access to residence hall occupancy, residential restaurant meal offerings, computer labs, and library resources.

Reduction of on-campus room and board fees for Pell grant eligible students, at minimum, and those with extenuating circumstances that need to utilize on-campus housing and food resources for Fall 2020.

Encouragement of and support for faculty to use open source, public-domain or low-cost alternatives for course materials given the significant financial burden of required textbooks and other course materials purchased through the Bookstore or otherwise.

Protections for CMU employees such as significantly increased allocation of paid sick leave, paid family leave, and paid medical leave and continued supply of face masks and coverings by and for campus departments requiring in person work.

Resources committed to the establishment of on-campus COVID-19 testing services available to campus and community members.

A public commitment by CMU and CMUPD to not aid in the detention or deportation of undocumented students, faculty, or staff as well as those who commit non-violent crimes on campus especially as it is clear that jails and detention centers quickly become epicenters of COVID-19 spread and incarceration prevents individuals the ability to access critical community care.

Significant resources redistributed and committed to campus resources such as Sexual Aggression Peer Advocates (SAPA), Sexual Aggression Services, the CMU Counseling Center, and the Center for Inclusion and Diversity due to their support of individuals of vulnerable backgrounds that experience racism, homophobia, transphobia, mental health concerns, sexual and domestic violence (which are often intensified during times of confinement), etc.

Reinstatement and extension of deferred deadlines for student account payments and suspension of late payment fees and holds for past-due balances at least through January 2021.

Extension of the withdrawal deadline and Credit/No Credit options for courses for Fall 2020 as well as retroactive withdrawal and Credit/No Credit options for Summer I 2020 and Summer II 2020.

Reduction of tuition and related fees in light of a switch to online instruction that causes a loss of quality instructional hours, lack of easy access to critical academic resources, professors to teach in ways that are new and not familiar to them. All of this reduces the quality of education that CMU is able to offer. We firmly ask that tuition is lowered as long as CMU must continue with online only instruction.

On July 28, the coalition dropped off over 650 signatures to the Office of the President as well as requested a public response to be released that evening. They also indicated that they would escalate efforts for their cause in the event of any push back. The #NOTFiredUpForFall organizers didnt receive a clear response, publicly or private, from the administration.

In response during the following week, students, faculty, staff, family members, and community members came together to call, email, and tweet members of the CMU administration to pressure them into making a decision. The response from administration, according to the coalition, continued to be vague and seemed to indicate that they intended to keep campus open due to many students preferring the in-person classroom experience.

The coalition and those who support it felt this decision was ignoring those who were actually affected by COVID-19 and could risk students lives.

The #NotFiredUpForFall coalition still plans to hold the CMU administration accountable for protecting students, though they will be slowing down their efforts so that may assess how they can stand in solidarity with other anti-racist movements at CMU. They will also be working on how to effectively address issues that the CMU and Mount Pleasant community will face, as a result of decisions made by administration. The coalition is still working to get petitions out to each campus and will likely be escalating efforts in later months.

We recognize that our campus is going to reopen, which has caused us to reassess our plans of escalation for the future and the demands we developed for the university, the google document said. We are looking forward to forming some demands centered around harm reduction for the CMU and Mt. Pleasant community and to escalate on those in the near future.

For more information, contact notfiredupforfall@gmail.com or visit the #NotFiredUpForFall Demands & History google doc or the A Call to Central Michigan University: Suspend Face-to-Face Instruction for Fall 2020 #NOTFiredUpForFall petition page.
Poultry farmers have commended the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for his support for the poultry industry to produce to meet national demands and reduce the heavy dependence on imports.

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Poultry Farmers Association of Ghana, Mr Boris Baidoo, who gave the commendation on behalf of the farmers, said the sector needed such deliberate policy support from the government to expand its production to meet the local demand for poultry products in order to curtail foreign imports.



More capacity



He said the sector had the capacity and the ability to bridge the gap between the national demand and production within the next five years, given the necessary support.



Currently, he said, the local industry only produced about five per cent of the local demand for poultry products, and as such the deficit had to be imported.



Annually, he said, the country imported $375 million worth of poultry products, about GH2.4 billion, and expressed the belief that if the country were to produce enough, all this foreign exchange will remain in the country and also drastically reduce the countrys import bill.



During the Presidents recent visit to the Eastern Region, where he visited Akro Farms, a poultry farm under the 1D1F initiative, he promised to tighten the import of poultry products if local production improved.



That, according to Mr Baidoo, who is also the CEO of Boris B. Farms, was what the local farmers have been praying for, and on behalf of poultry farmers in the region, we wish to commend the President for that.



Flexible financing



He said the sector needed financial support in terms of flexible loans and grants to increase production to feed the national demand.



Mr Baidoo said part of the GH500 million facility announced by the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) for the poultry industry should be converted into grants to build the capacity of players within the sector.



He said the sector needed a deliberate policy support from the government to expand its production to meet the local demand for poultry products in order to curtail foreign imports.



Local initiative



Mr Baidoo said Boris B. farms had started implementing a project called Poultry and Piggery for Livelihood Improvement in Ghana (PPLIG) to encourage people to venture into the production of poultry and pigs to improve their livelihoods.



Besides, he said, his company, which produced fresh chicken for the local market, was collaborating with other poultry farmers to feed the factory with birds for production.



Mr Baidoo expressed gratitude that the market had accepted products from his farm and the demand is picking up.



According to him, the sector could drastically reduce unemployment in the country if it was given the necessary push.



Already, he said, the sector employed more than 5,000 people directly, saying this number could be tripled if we scale-up production.

Source: Graphiconline.com









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IT has been hire and fire weekend for Simba and Young Africans with former picking a Zambian import Larry Bwalya and the latter firing Business and Marketing director, Robert Kabeya.

It was one of the yesterday's shocking news when the management of Young Africans publicly announced to have kicked out the Business and Marketing director Kabeya.

The news of sacking released by the club's Information and Communication department yesterday further said Kabeya is restricted to do anything on behalf of the club since he is no longer serving them, as an employee.

The shocking news that came a few days after the club lost their Ghanaian striker Bernard Morrison to their traditional rivals, Simba didn't, however, disclose the reasons for his sacking.

At their rivals' camp, Simba unveiled their newly-signed midfield Bwalya who previously served Power Dynamos of Zambia. The player has signed a two-year deal in the occasion held at the club yesterday.

The left footed midfielder arrived yesterday aboard Ethiopian Airways to seal the deal. Bwalya joins his country mate Clatous Chama who is doing a wonderful job for the Msimbazi Street side.
The Yankees, with a four-game winning streak that includes two victories over the Red Sox, will go for their ninth straight victory over Boston on Sunday night -- weather permitting.

Rain is expected through the day and into Sunday night, which could wash out the 7 p.m. start at Yankee Stadium.

Weather.com is forecasting light rain throughout the day, with showers possible at game time.

The first-place Yankees (14-6) will send J.A. Happ (0-1) to the mound against the struggling Red Sox (6-15) Chris Mazza (0-0). The two teams are scheduled to meet again Monday night.

On Saturday, Clint Frazier homered, drove in five runs and made a diving catch filling in for injured right fielder Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez went long in his third straight game, and the Yankees overcame the loss of AL batting leader DJ LeMahieu to beat the Boston Red Sox 11-5 Saturday night.

Frazier had three hits, including a three-run drive, and matched a career high in RBIs. Gio Urshela also homered for the Yankees, and Tyler Wade delivered an RBI double after replacing LeMahieu, who left with a sprained left thumb in the sixth inning and could be headed for the injured list.

The Yankees have beaten Boston in eight straight meetings, its longest winning streak in the rivalry since 1985. The Yankees improved to 14-6 in this pandemic-shortened season  the franchises best 20-game start since going 17-3 in 2003  despite losing Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Aroldis Chapman and now LeMahieu to injury or illness.

As always, the expectations in that room never change despite what happens, manager Aaron Boone said.

X-rays were negative, but the Yankees sent LeMahieu to the hospital for an MRI and CT scan. LeMahieu broke the same thumb in 2018 with Colorado. He told Boone this injury felt similar.

He was pretty sore, Boone said. Well just have to see what comes back from that.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The intensive implementation of currently available tools to fight malaria can achieve a drastic reduction in disease burden, but is not enough to interrupt its transmission. This is the main conclusion reached by the Mozambican Alliance Towards Elimination of Malaria (MALTEM), coordinated by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) and the Manhica Health Research Center (CISM), with the support of the "la Caixa" and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundations, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Mozambique.

The MALTEM research team has just published in Plos Medicine the results from the Magude Project, a three-year intervention in southern Mozambique estimated to have averted almost 40,000 malaria cases and which provides valuable lessons to guide the roadmap towards malaria elimination.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a long-term goal: eradicate malaria. To do so, the malaria community must start by generating evidence on the best way to use the available tools and identify new strategies and tools that accelerate the process: from disease control and its elimination, particularly in African countries where tackling transmission has been most challenging, to its total eradication (at a global level).

"The Magude project was designed to evaluate the feasibility of eliminating malaria with the available tools in a region of Mozambique with moderate disease transmission," explains Pedro Aide, last author of the study and researcher at CISM in Mozambique, one of the 10 countries with the highest malaria burden in the world. "This is critical to understand what can be achieved and what else needs to be done", he adds.

The five-year project took place in the Magude district in southern Mozambique, a rural setting where 48,448 people lived in 10,695 households, according to the census performed by the research team in 2015. The objective of the first phase of the project was to reduce disease transmission in order to reach zero cases, while the goal of the second phase was to sustain the gains achieved.

The strategy for the first phase included all prevention and treatment tools that are currently available and recommended by the WHO: continuous detection and treatment of cases, a strengthened epidemiological and entomological surveillance, and two rounds of mass administration of antimalarial drugs to the whole population, during two consecutive years. In parallel, insecticide-treated bednets were distributed and the houses were protected through indoor-residual spray, once a year, in order to fight the mosquito that transmits the disease. During the second phase, the interventions continued but the mass drug administration was replaced by the focal administration of drugs to people living within the households of malaria cases detected by health facilities or community health workers.

A high impact

At the end of the three-year intervention, the percentage of people infected by the malaria parasite decreased from 9.1% to 1.4%, which means a reduction of almost 85%. This translates in an estimated 39,000 cases of malaria averted." Beatriz Galatas, ISGlobal researcher and first author of the study

"The results show that, even if disease transmission was not interrupted, the impact of the first phase was very high and we managed to keep the number of cases at very low levels for at least one year after the last mass drug administration," explains Francisco Saute, project director and deputy scientific director at CISM. The impact analysis of the second phase has not been published yet. For Regina Rabinovich, study co-author and director of the Malaria Elimination Initiative at ISGlobal, "the question now is why, despite this drastic reduction, we are failing to interrupt disease transmission, and what are the strategies required to achieve this goal."

"This is an extremely valuable project for advancing the fight against malaria, and particularly relevant for the "la Caixa" Foundation, for whom global health remains a priority," says Ariadna Bardolet, director of the International Cooperation Programme at "la Caixa" Foundation.

Philip Welkhoff, Malaria Program Director at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, points out that "these findings unequivocally show that we can increase the number of lives saved by optimally applying the tools we have today, while we develop new ones to address the gap between low and zero transmission. Through partnerships like this one with ISGlobal, CISM and "la Caixa" Foundation, we can turn the corner and ultimately achieve malaria eradication."

"We have proved that the combined use of interventions can considerably reduce the burden of disease, an essential step for its elimination," adds ISGlobal's general director, Antoni Plasencia.

This study on the impact of the Magude project is part of a series of publications that will be published in a special issue of PLOS Collections, covering a variety of aspects of the elimination study, including entomological aspects, cost-effectiveness, acceptability, and potential emergence of drug resistance.
There wont a button or a port as it supports non-contact wireless charging technology via NFC.

Although Huawei is facing the heat amidst the US-China trade war, its plans to launch new products in the market has not yet stopped. The company is now preparing to launch new smart glasses, as per a post on Weibo (via Gizchina). Called as Huawei Eyewear II, the wearable is second-gen products and will be launching soon. Reports reveal that this one might be more stylish in looks and include more functions. The new version may also come with an upgraded smart assistant but with a reduced weight of 20 grams.

Also mentioned is that the wearable is a result of a team up between Huawei and a South Korean tech firm, Gentle Monster. There wont a button or a port as it supports non-contact wireless charging technology via NFC. In addition, it will support IP67, which makes it dust and water-proof.

Also read: Honor confirms IFA event for September 4, teases new phone, smartwatch and more

Whats interesting is that the glass case will be slightly different from its previous generation. The renders showcased in the Weibo post also reveal change in positions of indicator lights, function buttons, and Type-C charging port. Huawei seems to have optimised the space around the box and has changed the pouch shape as well.

Theres not much information out on the specifications and features. However, since the first generation device was not widely available, we dont expect the second-gen to arrive in more markets this time considering the situation.

However, wearable is just one of the devices Huawei is working upon. Right now, companys sub-brand Honor is gearing up to launch new products at the upcoming IFA 2020 conference.
By Chang Se-moon





Last month, I read an East Asia Foundation article titled "Is There No George Floyd in South Korea?" written by Kim Se-jin, which dealt with human rights violations relating to foreign workers in Korea.



Kim is an attorney with a specialty in public interest laws. She received a bachelor's degree in economics from Seoul National University and a J.D. from Ajou University Law School. To convey the spirit of the article as truthfully as possible, I will rely on many direct quotations from Ms. Kim's article.



Kim states that the Korean government limited the access of non-Koreans working in Korea to "publicly provided face masks," by saying that "the decision was to 'prevent non-Koreans whose stays are short from purchasing masks.'" "This is nonsense," notes Kim.



She states that "Many South Koreans did not even question this decision. Such a situation illustrates that racism in South Korea is unseen to some not because there is a lack of racism, but because it is so natural to them that they don't even realize it's there."



According to the International Labour Organization, Korea does have laws relating to foreign workers. Adopted on August 6, 2003, the Act on Foreign Workers Employment etc. (Act No. 6967), spelled out an employment permission system for foreign workers in Korea.



According to Kim, the system is "designed to serve the interests of employers." The law allows employers to "terminate the employment, but the non-Korean employee does not have the right to change his or her workplace freely. They can change their workplace only on the grounds of employers' malfeasance, such as assault or back pay, and only up to three times."



The main problem with this system is that "The burden of proof of employers' malfeasance lies with the non-Korean employee, which makes it practically impossible for them to change their workplace." This system effectively pushes "non-Korean workers into forced labor, breaches of human rights and labor exploitation."



When non-Korean employees fail to obtain approval to change their workplace, they become undocumented immigrants. "Some have even been killed in crackdowns on undocumented immigrants." In the decade prior to 2018, "10 such immigrants were killed and 77 wounded during crackdowns."



Discrimination and racial prejudice against non-Korean residents in Korea went well beyond those suffering from the flawed employment permission system. They are extended to foreign women who married Korean men.



Ostensibly to support the country's labor force, Korea encouraged "international marriages." The Korean government encouraged low-income Korean men, who are not popular with Korean women, to marry foreign women. However, the government did not secure the legal status of these women, thus making them "extremely dependent on their Korean husbands".



The National Human Rights Commission of Korea conducted a survey on marriage migrants in 2017. It found that "42.1 percent of marriage-migrant women suffer from domestic violence," while "More than 21 marriage-migrant women were reported by the media to have been killed."



Considering the structural characteristics of the ongoing South Korean population change and the demand for a non-Korean labor force, growth in immigration is inevitable. However, any policy will fail if it views immigrants as simply a factor of production and does not invest in their integration into South Korean society.



Worse yet, immigrant children who are not economically active will be excluded from South Korean society. Kim states that "Immigrant children who cannot report their birth in their home country due to various reasons cannot register their birth in South Korea because South Korea follows the jus sanguinis principle of nationality." There are an estimated 5,200 to 13,000 undocumented migrant children in Korea.



These children "cannot attend school without permission from the principal", and "cannot receive health insurance benefits even if they are ill." Even if these children "were born and raised in South Korea, they are not recognized as a member of South Korean society." Cruel may be an understatement.



Laws to protect immigrants to Korea, both documented and undocumented, are enacted in Korea, but possibly only to influence world opinion. For example, "the Refugee Law stipulates that refugees' basic livelihood should be guaranteed, but in actuality refugees cannot apply for livelihood benefits because they do not have resident registration numbers."



Figuratively speaking, South Korea, not to mention North Korea, has many George Floyds. "The marriage migration policy that was implemented as a tool to solve low-fertility led to 19-year-old Vietnamese immigrant Huan Mai's lonely death in a basement rental due to her husband's domestic violence." Korea "should listen to the utterances of 'I can't breathe' by such immigrants and reflect on itself so that South Korean society can become one where everyone can freely breathe," so concludes Kim.





Chang Se-moon (changsemoon@yahoo.com) is the director of the Gulf Coast Center for Impact Studies.


Robin Williams deteriorated while filming a Night at the Museum sequel months before his death, his widow has said.

The actor and comedians final days are covered in Robins Wish, a new documentary exploring the neurodegenerative disorder that the actor was struggling with before he died by suicide in 2014.

In the documentary, which is out now in the UK, Williams widow, Susan Schneider Williams, reveals that her husband battled to find answers to his health issues before he died after being misdiagnosed with Parkinson's.

Despite this, he continued to work in film, and shot Shawn Levy film Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, alongside Ben Stiller, Rebel Wilson and Dan Stevens, at the height of his illness.

Unbeknownst to Williams, he was suffering from Lewy body dementia, an incurable brain disease, which was only revealed following his autopsy.

A 2018 biography on Williams, written by Dave Itzkoff, corroborates the story that Williams deterioration took hold while filming the third and final Night at the Museum film.

His makeup artist on the film, Cheri Minns, also told The New York Post in 2018 that he would end every day sobbing in my arms.

She described the experience as horrible, adding that he once said: I don't know how to be funny anymore.

Robin Williams with director Shawn Levy on set of his final film. 'Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb', in 2014 (Rex Features)

In the new documentary, his widow tells filmmaker Tyler Norwood: My husband had unknowingly been battling a deadly disease. Nearly every region of his brain was under attack  he experienced himself disintegrating.

Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up

Williams starred in classic films such as Mrs Doubtfire, Good Morning Vietnam and Disneys Aladdin. He won an Oscar for his supporting role as a psychologist in Good Will Hunting.

Robins Wish is available to stream in the UK on demand and digital now  read our review here.

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.

In the US, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 800 273 8255 or chat online for help.
The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Committee for Covid-19 pandemic, in coordination with the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has approved plans to reopen private schools with physical attendance for the new academic year.

The plan also allows parents and students to opt for online learning for the whole first term of the upcoming academic year, subject to prior coordination with the schools, a Wam news agency said quoting an ADEK press release.

The committee also approved strict health and preventative measures, along with a new compliance policy for all private schools in Abu Dhabi. The policy also stipulates having a no-objection certificate from ADEK before reopening schools.

At the start of reopening, ADEK will coordinate with schools to conduct Covid-19 testing for all teaching staff and students above ages 12.

ADEK has approved the five models for private schools in Abu Dhabi to implement physical attendance, including policies and guidelines to analyse physical capacity.

The models are: Full in-class (face-to-face) learning: with students going to school every day; Partial in-class (face-to-face) learning: students to go to school every day but for half a day; and alternate days: two days a week for in-class (face-to-face) learning.

Also, alternate weeks: two weeks for in-class (face-to-face) learning, and two weeks for online learning each month; as well as hybrid model: in-class (face-to-face) learning for two days, and three days for online learning for the first week, and three days for in-class (face-to-face) learning and two days for online learning for the following week.

Students return to the classroom in-person will be staggered. Students starting in KG1/FS2 to Grade 5/Year 6 will return in-person from the first day of school. All other grades/years will return in-person four weeks after school starts.

This will enable schools to monitor and evaluate how students adapt and respond to the measures in place, and plan accordingly for the return of other students, said the press release.

Starting from next week, an ADEK compliance team will visit all 205 private schools to evaluate their readiness for reopening and compliance with all guidelines, in order to approve the reopening.

At the start of reopening, the ADEK compliance team will conduct regular field visits to all private schools to conduct risk assessments. Non-compliant schools will face warnings, penalties and even school closures if deemed necessary.

A dedicated compliance hotline 800ADEK (800 2335) has been set up for parents and teaching staff to report any complaints and compliance issues. ADEK is set to investigate all complaints registered, said the press release.
It is believed that Covid-19 may have originated in a Chinese mineshaft in 2012 and not in Wuhan.

Scientists believe that the virus could actually have began 1,000 miles away from the wet market in Wuhan.

Six miners fell ill with a pneumonia-like virus in the Mojiang mine in southwestern China's Yunnan province eight years ago.

The miners had spent two weeks removing bat faeces resulting in three of them dying from the virus.

Scientists believe that the virus could have began in the Mojiang mine, pictured, in China's Yunnan province eight years ago when six miners fell ill after spending two weeks removing bat faeces

Scientists believe that the virus could actually have started in Mojiang, 1,000 miles away from the wet market in Wuhan

According to The Sun, Physician Li Xu, who treated the miners, describes how the patients had a high fever, a dry cough, sore limbs and, in some cases, headaches.

These are symptoms we now associate with Covid-19 according to Virologist Jonathan Latham and molecular biologist Allison Wilson.

Latham and Wilson who both work for the non-profit Bioscience Resource Project in Ithaca, read the thesis written by Chinese medical doctor who treated the miners.

The miners, who had been digging at the Moijang mine, pictured, had a high fever, a dry cough, sore limbs and, in some cases, headaches which are symptoms we now associate with Covid-19

Researchers are trying to trace the origin of Covid-19, pictured

They said that the evidence in the thesis led them to 'reconsider everything' they thought they knew about the pandemic.

Latham told New York Post that the coronavirus 'almost certainly escaped' from the Wuhan lab.

They believe the virus, which has killed over 760,000 people worldwide, evolved inside the miners and was highly adapted to humans.

The doctor who treated the six miners sent sample tissue to a lab in Wuhan who found it to be a SARS-like coronavirus from a Chinese rufous horseshoe bat. Pictured, scientists swab bats to try and find the origins of Covid-19

Sample tissues from the infected miners to the Wuhan lab by the doctor, where many believed the virus was leaked from.

Scientists at the lab then found the source of infection was a SARS-like coronavirus from a Chinese rufous horseshoe bat.

The wet market in Wuhan is still believed to have been where the virus started in December 2019.
This is an improvement of Saturday's figures when 200 cases were confirmed, the highest daily increase since May.

No additional death have been reported to the Department of Health, leaving the death toll from the virus at 1,774.

Kildare once again recorded the highest number of cases, with 21, while Dublin had 16 and Limerick had six. The remaining cases were recorded in Clare, Donegal, Laois, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Wicklow.

Sixty-seven per cent of cases were under the age of 45, 12 coming from confirmed outbreaks or contact with a confirmed case and 3 were identified as community transmission. The sources of the remaining cases are still under investigation.

Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan Glynn said: NPHET will meet tomorrow to review and discuss the case figures that have been reported in recent days and will make any necessary recommendations to Government which are required to protect the vulnerable, continue with the resumption of healthcare services and ensure the safe reopening of our schools.

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The phased reopening of the country has afforded people the opportunity to socialise with each other again. However, some are doing this recklessly and undermining the efforts of the majority of people around the country who are following public health advice. This cannot continue. This pandemic isnt over just because we are tired of living with it.

We must all learn to behave and interact in a new way over the coming months so that COVID-19 cannot take root again in our communities. Please avoid crowds, reduce your social contacts, keep your distance from others, wash your hands and wear face coverings.

Earlier today, Taoiseach Micheal Martin met with Tanaiste Leo Varadkar, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and Dr Glynn to discuss the increasing number of daily confirmed cases in the country.

Mr Martin said the he was deeply concerned with the upsurge in cases.

Ireland's 14-day incidence rate has now reached 22.1, once again surpassing the UK's rate of 18.6.

Testing in meat plants was increased this week following a number of outbreaks in factories, which was a contributing factor in the decision to reimpose lockdown measures in Kildare, Laois and Offaly.

On Saturday, Kildare recorded the highest number of cases, with 81, followed by Dublin with 56 cases.

Although the three midlands counties were singled-out for an increase in the number of clusters in the area, a map on the Department of Health website, showing all clusters in the country, shows outbreaks of the virus are being noted nationwide.

In the North, 27 additional cases of the virus were confirmed today, while no new Covid-19 deaths were recorded.

The total number of positive cases in Northern Ireland is 6,391.

Earlier this week, quarantine rules changed in the North as more countries were added to the UK's quarantine list.

The new restrictions came into effect at 4am yesterday, meaning travellers from France, the Netherlands, Malta, Monaco, the Turks & Caicos Islands, and Aruba are required to self-isolate for 14 days after arriving into Northern Ireland or other parts of the UK.
HOW TECHNOLOGY HAS CHANGED THE CAR RENTAL INDUSTRY

The car rental industry in the United Arabs Emirates has greatly grown in recent years. Due to the affordable car rental deals that are offered by car rental companies, almost every resident or tourist in the United Arabs Emirates are now renting a car everyday. Renting a car from a car rental is way better than using the public transportation system because of the high level of comfort, convenience, reliability and ease of use that you will enjoy when you rent a car. If you are looking to choose between Car Rental Dubai and the public transportation systems, renting a car is the best option for your trips.

The advancement of technology has affected all the sectors and industries of the world. The car rental industry has not been left out with the advancement of technology aiding the development of new innovations that has improved the car rental industry. Rent a Car Dubai is all about providing comfortable rental cars for your trip. However, the introduction of technology has led to the development of new innovations that has helped the car rental industry to provide better car rental services to their clients. Technology has changed the car rental industry in the following ways;

Autonomous vehicles

Online booking platforms

The smartphone revolution

Payments innovation

Connected car technology

Ease of use

GPS devices

Autonomous cars have been developed in the car rental industry by the advancement of technology. Autonomous vehicle technology is a driverless system that navigates itself without human input. Most industries have already developed their own driverless vehicles, with Uber launching their first self-driving vehicle in 2016. Although the car rental industry is yet to be fully embraced by most car rentals, the integration of autonomous vehicles will help to reduce transportation costs and accidents and guarantee safety of individuals. Also, autonomous vehicles will provide a whole new level of excitement for residents and tourists in the UAE, it will help people to get to their destination faster and through the variety of choices that are available, we can enjoy different brands of cars since autonomous vehicles come in different brands and specifications. The evolution of autonomous vehicles is one of the impacts of technology in the car rental industry.Due to the advancement of technology in Shift Car Rental , you can sit from the comfort of your home or office and make your car rental bookings. Most car rental companies in the UAE have embraced this technology and are now providing a 24/7 online car rental booking platform for residents and tourists who want to rent a car in the UAE. Also, most tourism and travel services now integrate the services of Rent a Car Dubai into their online platforms so that the transportation needs of their customers can be satisfied even before they set a foot in the country. The development of online booking platforms is another way technology has changed the car rental industry.Technology has revolutionized the car rental industry in the UAE by aiding the development of car rental apps where individuals who want to rent a car can make their bookings, make their payments, keep in touch with the car rental deals that are offered and most importantly garner information about car rental services across the country. Through these mobile apps, a car rental user can use his or her smartphone anywhere to determine the cost of a car rental deal by determining the additional charges that will be collected for fuel, insurance, upgrade and car accessories. This technology now allows individuals to make their decisions on the choice of car they want and the car rental deal they will get.In previous years, 90% of the people using the services of Car Rental Dubai used to worry much whether sufficient protection would be given to their online transactions. However, the advancement of technology in the car rental industry has led to the development of payments innovation that are safe and secure. Currently, due to the calm brought about by this, more people are now comfortable booking rental cars online.The advancement of technology in the car rental industry has led to the development of the connected car technology that helps car rentals to monitor the location of their rental cars and how many cars are in service at a particular time. If you rent a car from a car rental company and fail to return it, the connected car technology will help the car rental company find you.Due to the advancement of technology using Rent a Car Dubai is very easy and cheap. Through the advancement of the mobile apps, you do not have to stand at the long queues anymore to rent a car, which could be very tiring especially after a long flight. However, you can secure your rental car even before you land in the country. The ease of use that the advancement of technology has brought to the car rental industry is another way technology has changed the car rental industry.The advancement of technology in the car rental industry has led to the introduction of GPS devices in rental cars. Car Rental Dubai installs GPS devices in rental cars to direct the customers on the route to use to find locations they do not know. The innovative idea behind the use of GPS devices in rental cars is another way technology has changed the car rental industry.

In conclusion, the advancement of technology has completely revolutionized the car rental industry. Rent a Car Dubai now applies technological innovations to provide better car rental services to people. This article provides you with some of the things that you will enjoy when you rent a car due to the advancement of technology in the car rental industry.
There has never been a better time than now to be a reader of African literature with all its diverse content and richness. From exploring the everyday magic of African spirituality to addressing colonialism, corruption, oppression and tackling exile, homophobia, anti-gay hate crimes, persecution and isolation, African writers are breaking the barriers to getting published with the emergence of Afrocentric digital literary space like Agbowo.

Founded in 2017 by Habeeb Kolade, a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Ibadan, who befriended everything arts at a young age, and his friend, Dolapo Amusat, Agbowo is a literary journal that focuses on new voices of African creativity and arts. It publishes a yearly magazine that has featured works of notable writers and artists such as the 2018 Brunel poetry prize winner, Gbenga Adeoba; multiple award-winning linguist and cultural activist, Kola Tubosun; prolific queer poet, Logan February; renowned artist, Penda Diakite and many others.

The arts community also has an event programme called ArtsnChill that hosts workshops around writing and creative art.

In this interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Kolade bares his mind on issues relating to publishing and writing in Africa.

PT: In just three years, Agbowo has become a creative hub for African writers and artists. What was the vision behind the platform?

Habeeb Kolade: When we started Agbowo, we wanted to be the top platform that shared quality African writing and art to the world. The trend was that literary arts platforms on the continent often died after a while for one reason or another. And there existed a dearth of platforms to share African creativity. Only a few of those that existed were even up to standard. So African writers and artists often look towards foreign platforms to share their works. Asides from the financial gain some of these platforms offer, they provided a quality avenue for these writers and artists to publish their works. Our goal was to create a platform that could measure up in terms of standard to other foreign platforms across the world. We wanted to build a platform fellow Africans would be proud of and trust to share their works.

PT: A Nigerian may be accustomed to the name, Agbowo but for outsiders, it drives curiosity. How did you come about the name and why did you choose it?

Habeeb Kolade: Agbowo is a Yoruba term for collector of money or something like that. Someone who goes around to collect money from others, especially to preserve for them. When you break it further down, money is a representation of value. So you could say the person is a collector of value. We believe African craft, artistry and creativity are very valuable things. We also believe that this value should return more value to their creators. And that is where we come in. We want to go round the continent collecting value works by Africans and sharing them with the world, so the creators can enjoy more gain for their work.

This is important to us because we are trying to break the narration of the starving African artist. We think creative works are valuable and those who create them should benefit from their works.

The literal meaning, however, is that the literary project that preceded Agbowo was focused on University of Ibadan students. There is an Agbowo area just outside the University of Ibadan. So it was also a way of reminding ourselves that we were moving out of UI to Agbowo and to the world.

PT: Does your publication come with a monetary prize for the contributors?

Habeeb Kolade: Not at the moment. We experimented with one earlier this year. We rewarded writers featured on our platform with book vouchers for several months, but we stopped at some point- mostly because of the pandemic. We are trying to take a different approach to rewarding writers. We want to be able to build a sustainable way of doing this, without depending on grants and personal donations. Even if we have those, we want them to complement a sustainable business model. The reason we were able to reward members earlier was because we were able to gain revenue from our offline events and channelled that into vouchers. It did not come from a donation or grant.

Participants at Arts n Chill workshop with Nigerian writer, Tade Ipadeola

However, since the pandemic, we were unable to host any more art events, which effectively cut short our revenue and disabled us from rewarding writers. Our plan going forward is to look for more ways to generate income and make sustainably reward creatives on our platform.

PT: By training, you are an engineer who has added layers of other fields to your scholarly cap, including arts and entrepreneurship. What was your first encounter with arts?

Habeeb Kolade: Before I graduated as a mechanical engineer, I was a writer. I started writing at a very young age and completed a few manuscripts before I got into secondary school. I remember I spent weekends at the topmost floor of our boarding house trying to recreate stories and documenting them. On weekdays, classes held there, on weekends, it was usually deserted. So I spent a lot of my time there before sliding back to the hostels when needed. I continued to write when I got into the University of Ibadan. To write well, one must read well. So I read as much as I could, although I spent an equal amount of time writing. Writing was my first introduction to the arts, and we introduced ourselves to each other very early.

PT: What is your take on art for arts sake and art for lifes sake?

Habeeb Kolade: I think it is up to the artist. You need to enjoy what you do. People enjoy different things. And how people perceive your work may be completely different from the intent that created it. An art is only worth what the observer is willing to give for it. I think if you have the chance to pass an important message through your art, it is good. And if you just want to make things that look good, I think thats fine as well.

PT: With what Agbowo churns out in terms of quality and diverseness of writings, how would you describe African literature? What important changes have you noticed in African writing in the past years?

Habeeb Kolade: There is no description really. There is just art by Africans. There are no boundaries, they dont sound a certain way, they can be anything. This was one of the important conversations we had when we were defining our submissions guidelines. Can a European write something and it be termed African writing? No. Else we would place boundaries through definition on what an African writing can be. Instead, works of literary art created by any African is African writing. What we need to then determine are the nuances such as how the story is told, structure of sentences and conversations among others. And when you have African writers do that very well, you have beautiful works to showcase. And we have had a lot of such awesome experiences.

I think the best people to answer questions about changes are either the editors at Agbowo  Olu Afolabi, Kunle Adebajo, Dunni Adenuga, Uthman Adejumo, Darafunmi Olanrewaju, Sheyi Owolabi, or the Editor in Chief. Moyo Orimoloye. They interact every week with submissions from a diverse range of creative Africans, although only a percentage get published. For me, I think we are being exposed to more diverse ranges of writings as public conversations develop. Therefore, you might find more works about human rights, technology and so on, because such are dominating public discourse and writers are forming creative ideas around them.

Habeeb Kolade, Founder and Technical Lead, Agbowo

PT: Documenting life or mirrors of life through texts and visuals is a business creatives have concerned themselves with and often, requires time and tenacity. Running a platform where creatives show their talents is equally not an easy task, especially in the management of content quality. How would you describe the challenges so far?

Habeeb Kolade: You are correct about the fact that we have faced lots of challenges. One of the things that have made us capable of moving this far is that we have made great decisions around hiring. Our team is composed of people who are very keen about the work that they do and are also quite competent. I listed some of our team members who are editors above- they are really awesome people.

Then, we have brand guidelines which we shared with every member of the team to help them understand what we do, why we do it, what we will do in future and why we must maintain a culture of excellence. Therefore, when new works reach our desk, we treat it with the utmost care. We also try to show our audience and people who have come in contact with us, how much we value their trust in us. This attention to our audience and writers who interact with us, has made us one of their memorable places of sharing new quality works. Therefore, rather than having to manage problems around content quality, we are trying to surmount challenges around sustainability. How do we ensure we continue to do what we do excellently well?

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How do we reward people who share their works with us? Because we know that beyond being an excellent platform, people want to be paid. And this will attract much more quality works  as again, we are competing for their awesome work with foreign platforms.

PT: What mechanism of a rewarding system are you looking into?

Habeeb Kolade: There are possibilities of productising their works based on their shared agreements and helping contributors generate some continuous form of income wherever possible. But we are still just exploring these ideas as a team. However, our first step is simply to funnel money from our other commercial services to the literary journal, as we believe they provide the base through which our other services function. For example, channelling some of our profits from offline art events to our fund for contributors on the online platform. We have only one of these commercial services at the moment, but more will be launched in the near future, to solidify our vision of being one of Africas foremost art companies.

PT: Going more entrepreneurial in the future is a good idea but presently, how profitable is Agbowo?

Habeeb Kolade: Not profitable. Still largely supported by personal funds from the teams leaders.

PT: What was the most rewarding aspect of founding the literary hub?

Habeeb Kolade: We have not reached that point yet. This will be rewarding when consistency help creative Africans on our platform gain more value from their works. For now, we are just glad to have the opportunity to provide an African platform individuals and organizations use to channel their voices.

PT: Like you said earlier, literary platforms often come and go; what does the future look like for Agbowo?

Habeeb Kolade: I want to believe that our future is promising. That is the only reason we can continue to do what we are doing. We want to deepen our presence in more African countries and be the first name that comes to mind when anyone mentions African art. Thats a testament that we are resilient in our pursuit of sustainability and growth for the platform. We want our magazine to represent a good balance and spread of new and established creative Africans, while we are able to provide more African art experiences beyond our digital platforms.

PT: What do you wish you would see submitted but rarely comes in?

Habeeb Kolade: At the moment, drama. Although we just created that section this year. Submissions have been slow in this genre, perhaps because few people have heard about it. We are hoping more playwrights send in their works. We felt dramatists had even lesser platforms to share their works and we hope they can see that we have expanded for them and send exciting plays our way. We cant wait.

PT: With the third issue of the magazine recently released and themed memory, what would you say are the most exciting things currently happening in African writing, especially Nigerian writing?

Habeeb Kolade: First, we are glad to have been able to publish The Memory Issue. It reinforced what we already knew about African writing, which is how diverse the creativity and genius are. The good thing is that more platforms are appearing to showcase this. I think that is a good thing. Before the pandemic, it felt like we had more events that filled all their seats with people reading or enjoying African literature. We can bear testament to that at ArtsnChill, our events platform where we always entertained a full house. More writers are fearless, which I mentioned above is a reflection of how daring the people, especially young people are becoming. So the conversations in Nigerian circles are becoming more stimulating and these voices are contributing to published discussions. When writers and artists are fearless in how they communicate their ideas, it is a climax of joy. So I feel the increase in the platforms and the fearlessness are exciting to see.

PT: Which other literary platforms do you think are doing exciting things in the same space with Agbowo in Nigeria?

Habeeb Kolade: There are Brittle Paper, Kalahari, Arts and Africa. There is some intersection between what we do at Agbowo and these platforms. Theres also SprinNG providing mentoring for young writers.

PT: Lastly, what advice might you have for Nigerian community of young writers, artists and publishers, especially during this current pandemic?

Habeeb Kolade: First of all, they should read Agbowo magazines The Memory Issue. Secondly, be kind to yourselves. And third, We should raise our voices against the ills in our communities, whether or not they directly affect us. One way or another, the ills come around to haunt us. Therefore, we should use our voices and our platforms to enable the progress of our communities. And we should be fearless and relentless in that pursuit.
UP assembly polls will be about '80 per cent vs 20 per cent'; BJP will win: Yogi Adityanath

UP: 13-year-old girl raped, strangled to death in Lakhimpur Kheri; family alleges eyes gouged

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Lucknow, Aug 16: A 13-year-old girl was raped and strangled to death in the district on Friday and two men have been arrested for the crime, police said on Sunday.

The body of the girl was found in a sugarcane field owned by one of the accused. The incident took place on Friday, around 130 km from Lucknow, in a village close to the Nepal border. The father of deceased alleged her eyes were gouged out and her tongue cut.

The girl had gone missing earlier in the afternoon. When she did not return home till late evening, her parents and relatives started looking for her. They noticed some dragging marks near a sugarcane field and found her body, the police said. The girl's father has denied enmity with anyone in the village, they said.

Opposition parties hit out the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government over the rape and murder of a teenage girl in Lakhimpur Kheri district, charging that atrocities on women and children in the state are on the rise

Lashing out at the state government, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said the incident has shaken humanity.

"The rape and murder of a teenage girl in Lakhimpur Kheri in UP is an incident, which has shaken humanity. In the BJP rule, atrocities on children and women are at an all-time high," he charged in a tweet in Hindi.

"Why is the BJP government shielding those who are involved in rape, kidnapping, murder and other crime," the former state chief minister asked. Senior Congress leader Jitin Prasada on Sunday said, "The inhuman act with a girl has put humanity to shame. This is an extremely saddening incident. In this episode, the police must initiate such a strong action that it becomes a deterrent for criminals."

In a tweet in Hindi, Prasad asked, "What was the police doing that such a big incident took place. Action must be taken against the guilty persons. The safety of the family (of the girl) should be looked into".

Terming the incident as very saddening and shameful, BSP supremo Mayawati had on Saturday demanded strict action against the guilty.

"What is the difference between the SP government and the present BJP government... The BSP demands that the government should initiate strong action against the guilty in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident and also in the Azamgarh incident," she said in a tweet.

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Story first published: Sunday, August 16, 2020, 13:10 [IST]
Egyptian prime minister visits Sudan as talks on disputed Ethiopian dam on Nile stall

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 15 August 2020 3:34 PM

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli has arrived in Sudan on a visit to "improve cooperation" between the two African neighbors, as tensions are simmering over Ethiopia's Nile dam.

The official visit by the Egyptian premier on Saturday is his first to Sudan since the formation of a transitional government in Khartoum last year following months of widespread protests against former president Omar al-Bashir that ultimately led to his ouster.

"The aim of this visit is to improve cooperation between the two countries in various fields," said the office of Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in a statement.

Madbouli led a delegation that included Egypt's ministers of water and irrigation, electricity, health, and trade and industry.

The $5 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has been a source of tension in the Nile River basin ever since Ethiopia broke ground on it nine years ago.

The construction of the 147-meter high, 1.8-kilometer long project is expected to be completed by 2023.

According to the Declaration of Principles signed by Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt, Ethiopia reserves a right to go on construction in parallel with negotiations on the dam's filling and operation.

Past Egyptian presidents have warned that any attempt to build dams along the Nile will be met with military action, but the current President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi has says Egypt has no intention to go to war over the issue.

However, Sisi warned that Egypt's share of the Nile, which provides nearly all of its freshwater, was a red line. Addis Ababa insists the dam, which is desperately need for the country's electrification and development, would not be cutting down the flow into Egypt.

Sudan has similar concerns over the dam.

Trilateral negotiations between the three involved countries were halted last week after Addis Ababa insisted on linking them to renegotiating an agreement on sharing the waters of the Blue Nile.

Early this week, Khartoum said negotiations had been postponed for a week.

During his stay in Khartoum, the Egyptian prime minister is also expected to meet with General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan's ruling sovereign council, and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the council deputy chief and a military general.

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Kabul, Aug 16 (UNI) The French government on Sunday asked the Afghan government not to include those Taliban fighters who have been convicted of killing French citizens as part of the prisoner release deal with the Taliban.

The Afghan government has agreed to release 400 prisoners, many of whom are responsible for very serious crimes, as way forward for the peace talks with the Taliban, even as on Friday 80 of these convicts had been freed so far, TOLOnews reported.

France is particularly concerned by the presence, among the individuals liable to be released, of several terrorists convicted of killing French citizens in Afghanistan, the statement said.

France said It firmly opposes the liberation of individuals convicted of crimes against French nationals, in particular soldiers and humanitarian workers, it said.

As a result, we have immediately asked the Afghan authorities not to proceed with the release of these terrorists, it added.

In a recent opinion essay for the Washington Post, Ghani said that the Afghan people have paid a heavy price for peace and that the Taliban must accept current Afghanistan.

Ghani wrote that the release of 400 Taliban prisoners was the most dangerous decision and a big gamble that the Afghan people have taken for peace.

This comes after the Afghan government on Thursday released 80 of the 400 high-value Taliban prisoners whose release was approved by last weeks Loya Jirga.

According to government data, out of the 400 prisoners in question, 156 of them have been sentenced to death, 105 of them are accused of murder, 34 of them are accused of kidnapping that led to murder, 51 of them are accused of drug smuggling, 44 of them are on the blacklist of the Afghan government and its allies, six of them are accused of assorted other crimes, four are accused of unspecified crimes.

The list of 5,000 prisoners was given to the Afghan government by the Taliban to be released ahead of the intra-Afghan negotiations, which are now expected to be held in Doha.

So far, the Afghan government has released 4,680 of the prisoners on the Taliban list, and an additional 500 that were not on the Taliban list. These last 500 were freed during Eid in response to the Talibans announcement of a ceasefire.

UNI XC-ACL RHK1122
Few people think President Donald Trump will win the most votes in the 2020 election. But he could still become the first president to serve two terms without ever winning the popular vote.

And Pennsylvania is a big reason why.

Its older and whiter than the country as a whole and has a larger concentration of white voters who didnt attend college  playing to Trumps strength. So while presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden has a significant lead nationally and in Pennsylvania, if the overall race tightens, that gives Trump a shot to again win Pennsylvania and the Electoral College, even if he loses the popular vote. In fact, some experts say Trump could lose by even more than he did in 2016 and still secure four more years in the White House.

If were talking about a very close race of the type that we had in 2016, then Trump could conceivably win reelection while losing the popular vote by five million or more, said Dave Wasserman, an elections analyst at the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. Thats a product of Democrats continuing to gain worthless votes in California, narrowing the margin in Texas, and failing to reap any Electoral College benefit from that, while their appeal has stagnated in the Upper Midwest, where the Electoral College is won or lost.

Thats what happened in 2016, when Hillary Clinton won nationally by almost three million votes, but Trump won Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin by less than 1 percentage point each, or about 107,000 total votes.

It was the third time in the last seven elections the GOP won the White House despite winning the popular vote just once in that period (in 2004). Thats possible because the Electoral College gives more weight to small, rural states while Democrats pile up more and more votes in deep-blue states like New Jersey and New York.

Pennsylvania has two urban cores, but its got a very large rural population, a big white working-class population  all the things that are still net positives for Donald Trump, said Chris Borick, a pollster at Muhlenberg College in Allentown.

Thats why an average of national polls shows Biden leading by about 8.5 percentage points, but only 6.5 in Pennsylvania, according to the website FiveThirtyEight.

Theres an underappreciated part of Pennsylvania  which is quite conservative, more rural than a lot of Americans think, and has that white, working-class sensibility, said Theodore Johnson, who studies race and politics at New York Universitys Brennan Center for Justice. That was a favorable audience for Trump.  It was that sort of Rust Belt, Appalachia message that carried Trump to the presidency.

A Pew Research Center poll released this week found Biden leading Trump by 8 percentage points nationally, but there were stark divides on education and race. Among whites without college degrees, Trump led 64% to 34%. Among everyone else? Biden 68%, Trump 30%.

Specifically, Biden led among college-educated whites 61% - 38%, among Black voters 89% - 8%, among Hispanics 63% - 35% and among Asian Americans 67% - 31%.

Pennsylvanias electorate, like those of Michigan and Wisconsin, has a larger than average share of noncollege whites.

If voter turnout rates stay the same across demographics, about 48% of Pennsylvania voters this year would be white people without college degrees, Wasserman estimates. Thats compared with about 41% nationally.

And while about 28% of the national vote would come from nonwhite voters, in Pennsylvania that share would be only about 18%, largely because the state has a far smaller share of Latino and Asian American residents than the country overall. (The Black vote in Pennsylvania would be close to the national average.)

Of course, some groups could come out more or less than they did in 2016, which would alter the political math. Democrats are hoping Sen. Kamala Harris addition to the Biden ticket will help run up the score with both people of color and suburban women.

Even if turnout rates stay the same, Wasserman projects that noncollege whites will be a slightly smaller share of the Pennsylvania pie this election, based on population growth in suburban areas and declines in more rural and postindustrial regions. Pennsylvania, and every other state, is more college-educated in 2020 than it was in 2016, he said, so [Trump has] got to bring out even more of those noncollege whites to offset that.

But rural areas may also offer more votes for Trump than last time. Out of 5.5 million noncollege whites eligible to vote in Pennsylvania in 2016, 2.3 million didnt, Wasserman said.

If theres an opportunity for Biden to gain votes in Pennsylvania, its in the suburbs of Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Allegheny  Pennsylvanias Whole Foods suburbs, as well as Harrisburg and Lancaster, which are becoming more suburban, Wasserman said. But if theres an opportunity for Trump to offset that, its in Erie, its in Luzerne, its in Westmoreland and Fayette, and all the places where Democrats still hold registration advantages, but where Trump broke through in 2016.

Trumps recent events have played to his rural and small-city base, and to white voters.

His campaign staged events this week in Erie County and a pro-gun event in the Lehigh Valley, and the president is scheduled to visit the Scranton area on Thursday. Promoting racist tropes, Trump also tweeted this week that the suburban housewife will support him because he ended policies that he falsely said allowed low-income housing to invade their neighborhood.

Pennsylvanias voting divides are a microcosm of the geographic splits that have come to define American politics.

Nationally, Biden leads Trump by 38 percentage points in urban areas and by 10 in the suburbs, Pew found, while Trump held a 21 percentage point advantage in rural areas. The poll also found Trump performing best with voters over 65  another demographic overrepresented in Pennsylvania  while Biden led overwhelmingly with younger voters.

The geographic divides fit with recent election results and voter registration figures showing increasing GOP strength in Northeast, Central, and Southwest Pennsylvania, while Democrats gain in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the suburbs around those cities and Harrisburg.

Thats not unique to Pennsylvania, but it happens to all add up in Pennsylvania, these trends going in both directions, said David Hopkins, a political scientist at Boston College University and author of Red Fighting Blue: How Geography and Electoral Rules Polarize American Politics.

 READ MORE: Trump is struggling, but Pennsylvania Republicans have an important advantage compared with 2016

Kerry Jobe, the former Republican chairman in Westmoreland County, predicted an even greater Trump margin in that largely rural part of Southwestern Pennsylvania.

That same wave that happened in 16 is happening again, and the Democrats dont want to see it, Jobe said.

Democrats have tried to erode Trumps support with the white working class, arguing that he has failed the people he promised to help and hoping Biden will be more acceptable to those voters than Clinton, who inspired unusual levels of antipathy.

All [Biden] has to do is be acceptable and not anger those disengaged voters to the point that gets them off the couch, Johnson said.

Pennsylvanias demographics have shifted slightly in Democrats direction, as the state becomes more college-educated and slightly more racially diverse.

Its still an older, whiter, more working-class state, but it is just a tad less so than it was years ago, Borick said. And if the Democratic coalition comes out strongly, he said, its pretty much a mathematical disaster for Republicans.

Population growth in Southeast Pennsylvania should benefit Biden, especially as suburban voters increasingly vote Democratic.

We are the engine that flips Pennsylvania this time, said Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, who won a Delaware County-based congressional seat in 2018 as part of the Democratic surge powered by women. And weve got a lot of work to do.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the history of the popular vote and the Electoral College. If Donald Trump won the presidency twice without winning the popular vote, he would be the first president to do so. Bill Clinton won the presidency twice without winning a majority of the votes, though he won in the popular vote  meaning more votes than any of his opponents  both times.
New Delhi:

BJP on Saturday said its workers will visit all households in Delhi and distribute sweets as a token of appreciation for supporting the demonetisation drive, and also take feedback on the state governments performance.

The visit by BJP workers beginning January 1 will be part of a 10-day programme, newly-appointed Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari said.

He said party workers will thank people of the national capital region for their patience during the demonetisation exercise launched by the Union government on November 8.

Our party cadres will go to every household to express gratitude to the people and offer laddoos for supporting the demonetisation move, Tiwari said.

Also, they will encourage residents to use Mobile App Banking. They will also take their feedback on the AAP led Delhi governments performance from the people and according prepare a list of promises which were not being fulfilled, he said.

Accusing Delhis Aam Aadmi Party government of sitting over a file relating to the delimitation of MCD wards, Tiwari said a delegation of BJP leaders will meet Lt Governor Najeeb Jung, urging him to complete the process of delimitation of wards.

BJP leader Vijender Gupta alleged that the AAP government has maligned the image of the leaders of Municipal Corporations by making them financially weak and by accusing them of incompetency and corruption.

The next elections to the Municipal Corporations are to be held after the delimitation of the wards and the government is sitting on the file relating to this. This neglectful attitude creates doubt about the intentions of the government about corporation elections and we demand that the formalities of delimitation work should be completed as soon as possible, Gupta said.

Tiwari also welcomed a scheme of the Central government to award prizes to encourage people transact online and support the idea of a cashless economy, saying under the scheme a lucky draw will be held every day from from December 25 for people purchasing articles worth between Rs 50 to Rs 3,000 through mobile app banking.

Under this scheme 1,5000 persons will get prize of Rs 1,000 each and on April 14, on the birth anniversary of Baba Sahab Bhim Rao Ambedkar, a mega draw of Rs 1 crore will be held, Tiwari said. Tiwari and other BJP leaders paid homage to the soldiers on Vijay Diwas and the December 16 gangrape deceased.

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GLENS FALLS  Demonstrators will gather in front of City Hall on Monday to call on city officials to defund the Glens Falls Police Department.

The rally isnt being organized by a specific group, but rather a group of individuals that are members of the city, Wayne Denton, one of the individuals organizing the rally, said in an email.

We call for an end to this system of law enforcement and will seek to occupy City Hall in order to have our voices heard, a news release for the rally reads.

Demonstrators are seeking to defund the citys police department by merging it with the Warren County Sheriffs Office, a move that has been considered once before.

Separately, the Southern Adirondack branch of the Democratic Socialists of America is also seeking to defund the GFPD, though a proposal has yet to be released by the group.

Paul Hancock, the groups vice president, addressed the Common Council during last weeks meeting as an individual.

He said crime has been trending downward, but the city continues to spend more on policing than it does on social services like drug rehabilitation, housing and mental health treatment. GFPDs current budget is just over $4.4 million for 2020.

But Mayor Dan Hall later said the drop in crime is because of the good work done by the citys police department and that he has no interest in diverting any funding away from GFPD or merging with county law enforcement.

That is not on my radar, Hall said.

But those behind Mondays rally say merging GFPD with the countys Sheriffs Office would save the city millions of dollars, and that money can be used to address social services like drug rehabilitation, mental health, housing and food insecurity.

Demonstrators also say a merger would address a pattern of racial discrimination and a track record of punishing those who suffer from addiction and mental health issues, which they say exists in the GFPD.

The call to defund Glens Falls Police Department is not one that is reactionary, but one that seeks to highlight the ways in which an emotional attachment to a municipal police department has clouded the judgement of the leadership and citizens of Glens Falls, the statement reads.

The idea to merge the two departments has been proposed once before.

In 2015, then Mayor Jack Diamond proposed consolidating the two departments, a move that, would have saved the county an estimated $2 million annually.

But the idea stalled after the Common Council could not agree on a path forward. The police union pushed back against the idea as well.

The county Board of Supervisors Criminal Justice & Public Safety Committee rejected the proposal in 2016, citing the Common Councils inability to back the idea and concerns over additional costs on the county.

Diamond later withdrew the proposal.

The rally is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. in City Park. Its not clear how many are expected to attend.

Chad Arnold is a reporter for The Post-Star covering the city of Glens Falls and the town and village of Lake George. Follow him on Twitter @ChadGArnold.

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The nature of political activism in Ghana gives the political parties the leeway to properly account for their choices and the political decisions they make. Political accountability seems to be a mythical creature as to be almost nonexistent some years past.

The social contract between the citizenry and the political elites and their parties, demands appropriate accountability for the use of the power, resources, and the function entrusted to them by the populace.

The yardstick for measuring the performance of these parties are the items in their manifestos. Alas, many of the voters do not understand the items in the vision statements, the manifestos, of the parties and this is making the demand for accountability weighty.

The political parties have the leniency to use the media: radio, television, and other social media platforms to demonstrate the achievement of their manifesto items. The current government took advantage of a town hall meeting to illustrate, to the people of Ghana, the aspects of the manifesto items delivered. But the populace does not verify these claims from what actually takes place, the delivery, and the documented manifesto items. To properly measure the performance of governments, the people of Ghana should be able to practically track manifesto items that are delivered to them.

Accountability takes place when individuals reliably deliver on their promises, showing others they can be trusted. Political leaders need to demonstrate accountability by taking responsibility for the outcomes of their actions and decisions successfully by transforming effort into results.

For political accountability to properly take shape in reality, governments, civil servants, and politicians need to show responsibility to the public and a legislative body like parliament.

The President, from time to time, in the state of the nation address, outlines the achievements or successes of his government with reference to the manifesto items. Yet, it does not provide adequate grounds for proper accountability. MMDCEs and grassroots executives essentially must establish platforms to demonstrate the successful utilization of the resources and the political offices held on behalf of the masses.

The media and the citizens should be able to identify parties manifesto items and track them in order to critically assess the performance of governments. Many of the people do not have the academic capacities to understand and critique the real results or performance of the parties in government. The media as education too, must inform the populace about the levels of success of governments with regard to manifesto promises.

Civil Societies advise governments on best practices and choices as well as cause them to adequately account for their choices on behalf of the people. Their works often receive political tags and colourings which are uncalled for. These are independent agencies that serve as institutional watchdogs in the country. These institutions require to continuously pressure governments to act within acceptable limits in delivering their promises.

The politicians must strive, with honesty, to give the factual evidence and information about their stewardship. If the people have the capacity to track the items in the manifestos of the parties and what is actually delivered, the politician cannot take the people for granted. In our setting, accountability is taken lightly because it is not a deciding factor in our elections for some years now.

People often cast their votes for a particular candidate based on; their love for the person, love for the party, academic qualification of the person and the eloquence of the candidate. In such a situation, the performance of the candidate is not superior to any other element. To deal with trust issues, the voters need to establish the trustworthiness of the individual to be voted for.

Parties and individuals who keep to their campaign promises and deliver such promises excellently need to have their mandate renewed. Poor performers should be sanctioned by revoking the power given to them.

Civil Societies and the media should create platforms for the citizens to adequately demand accountability from the politicians as well as the politicians being given the opportunity to demonstrate the extent of achievement of their promises captured in their manifestos. The pronouncement of the success or failure of a government does not lie in the mouth of the parties Communicators. The voters should be able to determine with ease, the success or failure of a government by tracking manifesto items.

Before every election, the political party in power and others that have been in government, need to create a platform, not only town hall meetings, to show the specific promises in their manifesto and how they are delivered with honesty. The political system has changed fundamentally such that there is an imposition of the demand for accountability on governments. The parties need to validate what they promised and what they delivered or are delivering. The media together with Civil Societies need to help the voters to develop a framework to assess the performance of a government as there is the need for political accountability.

Emmanuel Kwabena Wucharey

Economics Tutor, A growing Activist, and A Religion Enthusiast.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has made a rare visit to Tibet and the border areas last week and emphasised that the security and stability of the region is important to the overall development of the country, the official media here reported.

Wang, who is also a State Councillor of the ruling Communist Party of China, met with Tibet's Communist Party secretary Wu Yingjie and chairman of the Tibet regional government, Qizhala and other officials on Friday.

The security and stability of the region is important to the overall development of China, the Global Times quoted Wang as saying by the local Tibet Daily.

Wang also visited the border areas to learn about the situation of poverty alleviation, infrastructure building and the construction of villages, the report said.

Wang goes on special "research trips" to several Chinese regions every year, the report said.

Top Chinese leaders and officials visit Tibet annually but it is rare for the foreign minister to visit the remote Himalayan region.

Wang said the government will work with people in Tibet to ensure regional stability, China's national security and support Tibet's opening-up and cooperation with the outside world, economic and social development.

Wang also spoke about the current international situation, apparently referring to China-US diplomatic, political and trade tensions, which has led to a new low in bilateral ties in recent weeks.

China ordered the US to close the American consulate in Chengdu, located close to Tibet, in retaliation to Washingtons move to shut down the Chinese consulate in Houston.

Wang spoke about China's diplomatic efforts, saying that Tibet has made great achievements regarding economic development, stabilising and developing border areas, joining external cooperation and participating in projects under the Belt and Road initiative (BRI).

China is beefing up the border infrastructure in Tibet which shares a border with Nepal. Kathmandu is a signatory to the BRI under which Beijing has initiated a number of infrastructure projects, including building of the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network through Tibet.
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Northwest China's Qinghai Province has allocated special funds worth 250 million yuan (about US$36 million) for its cultural and tourist industries since their resumption, the local government said.

A total of 121 cultural and tourism enterprises received 15.8 million yuan, while 49 major projects of these industries received 125 million yuan, according to the provincial culture and tourism department.

From January to July, Qinghai's tourist number and revenue both dwindled due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

After travel agencies in China were greenlighted on July 14 to resume inter-provincial group tours, Qinghai's cultural and tourist market has quickly heated up. As of Aug. 10, all cultural centers, libraries, museums, popular restaurants, travel agencies and A-level tourist attractions have resumed operation.

As the epidemic wanes, domestic tourists would seek safe and healthy travel options, and Qinghai is one of the preferred destinations thanks to its clean air and natural beauty, said Ma Jingang, with the provincial culture and tourism department.
US President Donald Trump may announce the US withdrawal from NATO ahead of the November 3 elections, the former Assistant to the American President for National Security John Bolton said in an interview with the Spanish newspaper La Razon.

"There is still about three months [before the elections], and from the point of view of American politics, it is eternity. The possibility of what we call the" October surprise " is very real. The fourth summit with [DPRK leader] Kim Jong-un may take place and the peace on the Korean Peninsula may be declared as well as an end to the nuclear weapons program, "TASS quotes Bolton as saying.

According to him, before the elections, Trump can also decide on the withdrawal of all US forces from Afghanistan or declare the countrys withdrawal from NATO.

Recall, in July, Donald Trump said in an interview with one of the observers of The Washington Post and Fox TV, a researcher at the conservative American Entrepreneurship Institute Mark Thyssen, that he did not want the US to leave NATO.

In early August, John Bolton noted in an interview with the German newspaper Handelsblatt that if he was re-elected for a second term, Donald Trump could withdraw the United States from NATO. He stressed that only a handful of Republicans approve of withdrawal from NATO, but "this barrier can be overcome" if Trump wins the November elections.

Bolton had previously presented in his book The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir details of the policy-making process in the White House over a year and a half. The 71-year-old politician, known for his conservative views, explains in 592 pages what factors influenced the formation of the foreign policy of the Trump administration and its relations with leaders of other countries.

The US presidential election will be held in November. Candidates from both parties will be formally named at the upcoming congresses in August, but today it is known that the incumbent President Donald Trump will try to win the second term representing the Republicans, and Joe Biden - the Democrats.
First female science student from 15m college sixth form accepted to Cambridge University

This article is old - Published: Sunday, Aug 16th, 2020

A Coleg Cambria student is set to pursue her dream of when she heads to Cambridge University to study science.

Abby Cooper  who only turned 18 last week  has completed A Levels in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths at Coleg Cambria and will begin a degree in Natural Sciences at the prestigious institution this autumn.

A former pupil at Elfed High School in Buckley, she was also named Deeside Sixths Student of the Year at the colleges annual awards ceremony, held virtually due to COVID-19.

Abby has recently taken a job as a key worker at a local supermarket and, like many thousands of students across the UK, was unable to take her exams this summer because of the pandemic.

But she has remained positive and now looks forward to the next chapter of her education, at one of the worlds leading universities.

I had no idea I was the first female student from the new college to study science at Cambridge until it was mentioned at the student awards, so it was a real shock and a huge honour, said Abby, who lives in New Brighton, near Mold.

I had the opportunity to sample life at the university on a residential visit, and really enjoyed the experience.

I saw a bit of the campus on my interview day but not much as I was so focused and nervous about the interview itself!

She added: To be taught by their academics and lecturers is going to be an amazing opportunity for me, something Im really looking forward to.

Abby thanked staff at Cambria for the opportunities and support she received over the two years and encouraged those waiting for GCSE results to follow her lead and join the college to study A Levels.

Cambria was a great step for me and Im so glad I chose to attend Deeside Sixth, she said.

I went to an open evening and was overwhelmed by the incredible facilities and supportive staff, from that point on there was only one option for me.

I really enjoyed the college and even in past months have been able to make progress; fortunately we had finished the majority of our courses before lockdown and were able to finish them via video conferencing and other resources and platforms, so it worked well.

Miriam Riddell, Assistant Principal and Head of Deeside Sixth Form Centre, wished Abby luck for the future and praised her diligence and determination since joining the college.

Abby is our first female Science student to attend Cambridge and is also one of the hardest working learners Ive ever come across, she said.

She has been a brilliant student and we have no doubt she will go on to achieve great things.

The number of learners we have accepted to Oxford and Cambridge is rising year on year and is a fantastic achievement.

For more on A Levels and the wide range of courses and qualifications available at Coleg Cambria, visit the website.
Jubilant fans partied in the streets of Lyon on Saturday night as following their side's shock Champions League victory over Manchester City.

Supporters let off flares and danced around the city centre after the French side progressed to the semi-finals of the competition - where they will face Bayern Munich.

There was little social distancing despite France's recent increase in coronavirus cases.

Lyon fans let off flares and partied in the streets after their shock victory over Manchester City

The French side came out on top despite being the underdogs to progress to the semi-finals

The country reported 2,846 new Covid-19 cases on Friday, the highest increase since lockdown restrictions were lifted in May.

The weekly average also rose to 2,041 and the British government took the decision to impose quarantine measures on people returning from the country to the UK from Saturday onwards.

But Lyon fans did not allow the rise in cases to dampen their celebrations with the party expected to continue well into the early hours of Sunday morning.

There was little social distancing despite France's recent increase in coronavirus cases

La fete va etre tres longue a Lyon...  #OLManCity pic.twitter.com/5kZfjGFqfx  la chaine L'Equipe (@lachainelequipe) August 15, 2020

The French side were very much the underdogs going into the European tie after finishing the 2019-2020 Ligue 1 season in seventh place.

Maxwel Cornet's goal gave Rudi Garcia's team a 1-0 lead at half-time before Kevin De Bruyne drew City level with 20 minutes remaining.

But Lyon came back once more as Moussa Dembele scored twice to set up a semi-final with Hansi Flick's Bayern, who thrashed Barcelona 8-2 on Friday night.

If the club can produce a shock agains the Bundesliga champions there will likely be more parties on the streets of Lyon next week.
Ninh Thuan is the driest province in the country. Severe droughts have been affecting the locality over many years, causing serious damage to agricultural production.

Scientists say the average annual rainfall in Ninh Thuan is just 1,000 mm and rains are mostly seen in the last four months of the year (from September to December). Meanwhile, the volume of evaporated water is double that figure, which causes regular droughts.





The Ninh Thuan provincial authorities spend big money every year to deal with droughts and water shortage, by building reservoirs and irrigation systems, according to thiennhien.net.



Under the water resources development plan by 2020-2030, the surface water for Ninh Thuan will mostly rely on the Cai Phan Trang water system which covers nearly the whole province, except some coastal areas belonging to the districts of Thuan Bac, Ninh Hai and Ninh Phuoc, where there are rivers flowing straight into the sea.



According to Dang Kim Cuong, director of the Ninh Thuan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the total natural area of the Cai Phan Rang river system is 3,043 square kilometers and the total surface water volume in Ninh Thuan is 2,267 billion cubic meters a year, including 2,032 billion cubic meters from Cai river valley, 548 million cubic meters from Da Nhim Hydropower (Don Duong Reservoir), and 234 million cubic meters from the rivers and streams flowing from other provinces to Ninh Thuan.

Ninh Thuan is the driest province in the country. Severe droughts have been affecting the locality over many years, causing serious damage to agricultural production.

However, the total volume of surface water used every year is just 800 million cubic meters, while the remaining flows into the sea.

Meanwhile, underground water reserves are very poor, with low mineralization level. In the coastal plain area of Phan Rang, the water containing layer is thin and affected by salinity.

Since natural water sources cannot satisfy irrigation needs, building water supply works such as reservoirs, dams and pump stations is very important to ensure water security for the province.



There are 21 reservoirs throughout the province with the total capacity of 194.49 million cubic meters, 7 large dams and 10 pumping stations. There are also tens of small dams and hundreds of field pumping stations in charge of providing water to more than 600,000 people and serving business fields (industries, services and tourism), husbandry and agricultural production.



However, the total agricultural land which can be irrigated in Ninh Thuan is just 26,000 hectares, including 16,000 hectares of rice fields irrigated by Don Duong Hydropower Plant, and 10,000 hectares of rice and crops using water from 21 reservoirs, which account for 35 percent of total agricultural land of the province.



Ninh Thuan still suffers from the water shortage every year, and the situation has been extremely serious in the years when heavy droughts attack (2015, 2016 and 2020).

Thien Nhien

Mekong Delta needs VND5 trillion investment for freshwater supply projects To ensure rural residents have access to fresh water in the 2021-2025 period, localities in the Mekong Delta will require an investment of VND5 trillion.
Commuters braved the rains even as heavy rains continued to lash Hyderabad.  P Surendra photo

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday asked officials to be on alert in view of heavy rains in the state and told ministers to stay put in their respective districts and have regular coordination with the officials.

Several tanks and canals are overflowing due to heavy rains and the floodwater inundated the roads at some places, an official release said.

Rao, who spoke to ministers, Chief Secretary and DGP and reviewed the situation district-wise, directed that two control rooms be set up in Hyderabad.

He asked the ministers to stay put in their respective districts and be in touch with district Collectors and police officials on a regular basis, it said.

"The Chief Minister said since several tanks were filled to the brim, they may breach, roads may be inundated and low-lying areas may be flooded," it said.

The officials in Karimnagar and Warangal districts (as they existed before reorganisation of districts) should be alert in view of the heavy rainfall there, he said.

As per Rao's instructions, the officials have kept two helicopters ready for rescuing those stranded in the floods.

Along with the helicopter owned by the state government, one chopper from the military has also been kept ready for use, the release said.

Following Rao's directives, Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar on Saturday held a teleconference with district collectors and took stock of the arrangements put in place for handling the situation arising out of incessant rains, a separate official release said.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Secretary asked the Collectors to be on high alert as indications are that rains may continue for a few more days.

He urged all the officials to remain in headquarters, work in close coordination and ensure that no loss of lives or property takes place in the state, it said.

He cautioned the district Collectors to be vigilant in respect of tanks situated near the railway lines and also those tanks which are vulnerable and likely to be breached.

Kumar urged the district Collectors to set up a round-the-clock control room in their districts to maintain a close watch.

He said a state control room (040-23450624) has also been set up and operationalised immediately.

Anyone having any problems can contact the control room, the release added.

According to official data, Bejjur and Yelkapalle in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district received 97 mm and 84 mm of rainfall respectively between 8.30 am and 4 pm on Saturday.

Several other places in the state received moderate rainfall, the data showed.

In its weather warning for Telangana, the Met Centre of the IMD in Hyderabad said thunderstorms accompanied with lightning are very likely to occur at isolated places over Telangana on August 16.

Heavy to very heavy rain is very likely to occur at isolated places over Telangana on August 16, it said.
The Hamilton County Health Department, in partnership with UTC, is notifying the community of potential COVID-19 exposures associated with the Delta Zeta Sorority House, located at 1106 E 10th St., beginning Saturday, Aug. 8 through today (Sunday, Aug. 16).

Exposure associated with the Delta Zeta Sorority took place the evening of Aug. 8 at an apartment party located at Bluebird Row, 1348 Passenger St. behind the Chattanooga Choo Choo and at the Chattanooga Billiards Club, 725 Cherry St., officials said.

Case investigations revealed that UTC students who are presently residing at the sorority house, and members of the community who visited or associated with Delta Zeta activities, may have been and/or are currently exposed to individuals during their infectious period of COVID-19, it was stated.

The UTC COVID-19 Campus Support Team is pursuing student contacts who may have had exposure. It is recommended that those who have been in contact with members of the sorority since Aug. 8 get tested and self-monitor for symptoms. UTC students with potential exposure are asked to complete the COVID-19 Notification Form, which can be found at https://cm.maxient.com/ reportingform.php? UTChattanooga&layout_id=61 and/or to call the campus office of Student Outreach and Support at (423) 425-2299.

Members of the UTC community are urged to be responsive to communication efforts by the UTC COVID-19 Campus Support Team. Cooperation with these efforts is critical to mitigate the spread of the virus. officials said.

The Hamilton County Health Department is engaged in efforts to identify and contact residents of Chattanooga and surrounding communities who may have been exposed.

This comes after UTC was dealing with COVID exposure at a fraternity on Vine Street.

If you have been exposed to someone with the virus, you should quarantine from others for 14 days, monitor yourself for symptoms, and get tested, said Health Department Administrator Becky Barnes.

If COVID-19 symptoms occur, do not leave your house except to visit a testing location or healthcare provider. If symptoms become worse, seek medical care quickly. Symptoms of COVID-19 may include fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, recent change in smell or taste, headache, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, or other symptoms as recognized by the CDC.

The University is taking all necessary precautions to protect the UTC community as fall semester classes begin Monday, said UTC Chief Epidemiologist Dawn Ford. Months of planning and preparations at UTC have resulted in extensive health and safety protocols and precautions in place for the protection of students, faculty and staff. In addition to contact tracing, UTC has resources and other information about what happens when a positive case of COVID-19 is reported at UTC. See the UTC website for more information at https://blog.utc.edu/ coronavirus/what-happens-when- a-covid-19-case-is-reported/ .

Free Health Department COVID-19 testing is available at the following locations and times:

Alstom Plant, 1125 Riverfront Parkway, Chattanooga, TN 37402:

Monday, August 17, testing at the Alstom Plant is open daily from 7-11:30 a.m.

Union Hill Baptist Church, 1800 N Chamberlain Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37406

Saturday, August 22, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Sunday, August 23, 12-3 p.m.

These sites are open to the public without an appointment or referral. Free transportation is available. Call the Health Departments COVID-19 hotline at (423) 209-8383 for COVID-19 questions, or to schedule transportation to a testing site. The hotline is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 22:56:17|Editor: huaxia

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RIYADH, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Saudi-led coalition involved in a war in Yemen announced on Sunday the interception of a missile launched by Houthis towards the kingdom's southern region.

The coalition's Spokesperson Col. Turki Al Maliki said that the missile was launched on Sunday afternoon towards civilians and civilian sites, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

On Saturday, the coalition destroyed some bomb-laden drones launched in Yemen's capital city Sanaa.

On August 13, the coalition intercepted a drone and two missiles launched by Houthis towards Saudi border city Khamis Mushait. Enditem
Researchers at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and the University of California, Irvine (UCI) have collaborated to create a universal design schema for navigation technologies to better support people with disabilities in getting from place to place. Although studies about assistive technologies and navigation have become more popular in recent years, the researchers argue that current research has been too narrow in its view of people with disabilities.

For this study, researchers worked with technology users with a broad and diverse range of disabilities to find similarities and differences in their navigation preferences. They then used those findings to create a schema that can inform the design of future technologies.

The project was led by Maya Gupta, an alumna of UMBC's information systems program and current UCI graduate student in informatics; Ravi Kuber, associate professor of information systems at UMBC; and Stacy Branham, assistant professor of informatics at UCI. The research was accepted by the 2020 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2020).

Although the conference was cancelled due to COVID-19, the research was published in online conference proceedings and made available as a virtual presentation on May 20. The research was funded by Toyota, as part of the University Mobility Challenge to improve navigation experiences.

The participants in this study had visual, mobility, cognitive, and hearing disabilities, as well as disabilities related to aging.

From the data, the researchers were able to identify main themes within the navigation techniques used by people in this study. They revealed key similarities in preferences across people with different types of disabilities, such as experiencing difficulty navigating in the presence of a large crowd. They also noted key differences in preferences, such as closeness of traffic. For example, people with visual impairments preferred to use the noise of nearby traffic as a means of keeping to a straight path, but it caused distraction and disorientation for others.

Based on the preferences of the study participants, the researchers were able to identify a schema for designers to use in order to think about the user experience for people with a range of abilities. This fits within a relevant trend in technology design: universal usability. Being able to create navigation technologies that are usable for as broad and diverse a population as possible helps to promote accessibility for all users. It also decreases stigma against people with differing abilities.

UMBC Ph.D. student Ali Abdolrahmani, who has assisted in conducting interviews with participants and analyzing the collected data, has a personal interest in expanding technology for people with disabilities, as he identifies as blind.

We greatly believe that understanding common needs of different groups will eventually lead to a more universal design for future technologies towards having more equal life experience in the society." Ali Abdolrahmani, UMBC Ph.D. student

The findings of this research can be used to develop prototypes and systems that better support navigation based on an individual's preferences.
Hours before Kamala Harris took the stage for the first time as Joe Bidens vice presidential pick, she received a text message from a childhood classmate with photos from their school days.

A pensive Harris sits on the floor, dutifully looking ahead toward a teacher out of the frame. The 6-year-old is in the center of an experiment in racial integration. She was among students who took the bus from their neighborhoods to school in the more affluent hillsides of Berkeley, California.

Thats how it started. Theres no question! Harris, 55, texted back to Aaron Peskin, the former classmate and now a San Francisco supervisor.

Fifty-one years later, shes the first Black woman and first Asian American woman named to a major party presidential ticket, joining Biden in his fight to defeat Republican President Donald Trump.

Harriss path toward the second-highest office in the United States has tracked the nations ongoing struggle for racial equality. The start-and-stop progress and sometimes messy debate has shaped her life: an upbringing by immigrant parents, a childhood among civil rights activists, a career at the helm of a flawed criminal justice system and her rapid ascent in Democratic politics.

Those experiences forged a politician who is unafraid to buck the political powers that be, but also charts a cautious course through policy debates. Shes emerged as a leader who knows the power of tough questioning and a viral moment, and also the weight of her role as a voice for women of color.

My mother Shyamala raised my sister Maya and me to believe that it was up to us and every generation of Americans to keep on marching, Harris said Wednesday. Shed tell us: Dont sit around and complain about things. Do something.

Her fast rise hasnt been without criticism, including on her shifting policy positions. She endured questions familiar to women in politics, particularly women of color, about her ambition. Trump labeled her nasty for her piercing interrogation of his nominees. Some progressive Democrats, meanwhile, view her work as a prosecutor skeptically.

Her own presidential bid, announced before 20,000 people in her hometown of Oakland, ended before voting began as she struggled to raise money or find a clear message.

She was a Howard University graduate with no high-powered ties when she returned to her native Bay Area for law school and took a job at the Alameda County District Attorneys office in 1990.

In 2003, she decided to run for San Francisco district attorney, challenging her former boss, Terence Hallinan. He was progressive, and Harris tacked right on the issues to run against him, pledging to be tough on crime and repair relationships with police. She also took on the cause of Black mothers who lost their children to homicide and felt Hallinan was neglecting the cases.

Harris, then 39, handily won the race.

Just months into her tenure, Harris decided not to seek the death penalty against a man charged with killing a police officer. The move angered law enforcement officers and drew rebuke from U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the citys former mayor and a force in California politics.

But years later, when she ran for attorney general and needed statewide support, Harris tempered her stance on capital punishment, pledging to uphold it if elected and staying silent on ballot measures to repeal it. She appealed a 2014 decision by a federal judge calling it cruel and unusual punishment and won, keeping capital punishment on the books. Today, she wants a federal moratorium.

Observers and critics point to these episodes as evidence of Harriss penchant for staking out cautious positions that uphold the status quo. Her allies say she worked within the confines of the system and the politics of the time. As district attorney, she launched a reentry program that connected nonviolent offenders to jobs and education that became a national model.

I remember the first time I visited the county jail. So many young men, and they were mostly Black or brown or poor, she writes in her 2019 book, The Truths We Hold, recalling her time as a young prosecutor. They represented a living monument to lost potential, and I wanted to tear it down.

At the same time, she took on truancy and supported a statewide law modeled off her city initiative that threatened parents with jail time, fines and lost public benefits if their kids missed school.

Harris barely won her race for state attorney general in 2010. Soon the Black Lives Matter movement was taking hold, along with outrage over police brutality, particularly against Black youth.

Harris declined to support state legislation that would have required her office to investigation fatal police shootings. Now Harris backs such investigations.

As attorney general she met then-Vice President Joe Bidens son, Beau, her counterpart in Delaware. The two worked together on a settlement with the nations five largest mortgage lenders following the foreclosure crisis. Joe Biden said this past week that relationship was key in his decision to tap Harris as his running mate. Beau Biden died of a brain tumor in 2015.

In 2016, Trump won the presidency and Harris her U.S. Senate seat. By the next year, Trumps brief tenure had convinced Harris that her perspective, particularly as a Black woman, should be represented in the Democratic primary field, said Nathan Barankin, Harriss former chief of staff.

That perspective was steeped in Harriss upbringing by two immigrant parents who came to the U.S. to pursue education. Her father, Donald Harris, came from Jamaica and her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, from India.

The couple had two daughters, Kamala Devi and Maya Lakshmi. They told them stories of being met by police with fire hoses as they marched for civil rights and against the Vietnam War and of meeting Martin Luther King Jr., Harris wrote in her book. But they split soon after Harris started school. Gopalan became the main force in their lives.

She immersed them in the Black community she and her ex-husband had embraced, though they celebrated their South Asian heritage through their names and their close ties and occasional visits with their mothers family in India.

___

Dale reported from Philadelphia. Associated Press writer Brian Slodysko in Washington contributed to this report.
Protesters in Belarus have announced a nationwide strike will begin on Monday, August 17.

"[It will continue] until the requirements of the people are met," according to an announcement on the NEXTA Live Telegram channel.
State Rep. Gina Calanni, House District 132, was elected in 2018. As representative for Katy, shes pushed legislation to improve roads, help victims of sexual assault and end large payments for superintendents leaving their position.

Calanni shared some of the legislation she is most passionate about and discussed the ways she brings her personal experiences into her career.

You recently made headlines for catching a legal quandary regarding COVID-19 that even the Texas Supreme Court didnt predict. Can you tell us about how you came to discover the issue?

I serve on the House Juvenile Justice and Family Issues Committee, and I am also a single mom of three boys in Katy public schools. I am able to draw on these experiences as a state lawmaker when considering the issues parents might face during this difficult time.

I researched the Texas Family Code and Education Code, and I realized that there was no clear solution for divorced parents who might disagree on their children returning to in-person classes or continuing with online learning. Our courts are already facing major challenges as a result of the COVID-19 disaster, so parents and kids need relief and clarification.

Is reviewing Texas legal proceedings something you do often?

Yes, definitely before I was elected, and much more now. Early in my career, I worked as a paralegal. Its important to see what is happening in the courts and whether or not the legislature might need to make changes to state law.

Every single Texan deserves access to speedy justice. Thats why, during the last legislative session, I filed bills to allow courts to move to different courthouses or delay proceedings after a disaster is declared by the governor.

Following Harvey, we saw flooded courthouses across our region amid significant delays and confusion. My bills did not pass the House, but they were included in a court reform package signed into law by the governor last year.

Youre a cancer survivor. Do you think that experience has shaped the way you approach your job? If so, in what ways?

Absolutely. As a single mom with limited resources, I was not able to afford my own health insurance immediately after my divorce. Unfortunately, I had to delay my annual checkup. Once I had coverage, I discovered that I had cervical cancer.

I never intended to share my personal story on the House floor during a debate. But I thought by doing so we might be able to prevent other Texas women from being forced to put off cervical cancer screenings like I did.

Access to this critical healthcare saves lives, and not having that access put me at risk. As a legislator, I bring that experience to the capitol to ensure all Texans have access to affordable healthcare. If we have tools for early detection or can prevent disease, I want to make sure we do everything possible to keep others from having to go through a health crisis.

Sunday Conversation: Rising senior discusses return to school, future of American youth

Philanthropy, especially on a local level, is important to you. What are some of your favorite causes, and how do you integrate helping these charities into your position as a state representative?

My first experience in philanthropy was as a young girl. My mom signed me up through one of our church programs to help tutor another child who was blind. She needed someone to sit with her while she read in Braille, and I followed along with text. It was a rewarding experience. Even at the young age of nine, I understood how good it felt to help others.

Prior to running for office, I worked with non-profit organizations to combat human trafficking, and I took those stories and needs to the Texas House with the legislation that I filed and supported. Its important to help those in need, whether thats through Habitat for Humanity or providing food.

I was happy to volunteer with Hope Impacts at Crosspoint Community Church this past year and look forward to returning to serve again. As a State Representative, it is an honor to use my voice to bring more people to the table to help serve others.

ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Thousands of mourners expected to pay respects to Vanessa Guillen at memorial Friday

The outcome of your election is the classic example of why voting matters. What would you say to people who think their vote doesnt matter?

We won in 2018 by 113 votes. Other members in the Texas House refer to me as Landslide Calanni, and it never ceases to bring a smile to my face.

On election night in 2018, we left the last polling location while we were down in early votes. The night did not improve much. Most of my family and friends went to bed at midnight. Two hours later, we got the call that we had narrowly won after the last precinct was counted.

I was elated. I ran into my eldest sons bedroom and woke him up. I said Ethan, we won! He said, What? I said, We won! We did it! It was an amazing moment. My mom had come into town for the election, and I woke her up in the same manner.

To everyone who thinks your vote doesnt count, I say, All you need is one more than the other person- one.

You never know. That one vote could be yours, and what a wonderful feeling to know that your voice counted.

Representation is what its all about. Its so important to have leaders who think about the needs of the people they represent. And even more importantly, the election this year is going to matter for 10 years, since redistricting is at stake.

The next Legislature will redraw the lines of congressional and legislative districts after the Census concludes. Do you want elected officials to pick their voters or have voters pick their elected officials? Voting matters. Its your voice. Make sure to bring it to the polls this November.

Can you tell us about any of the projects or legislation in which youre currently involved?

The next legislative session will look totally different than any past session as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic damage that ensued. Our state is likely to face a significant budget shortfall, but it is still so important to accomplish all that we can for our constituents.

We are currently working with DPS to get a Drivers License Center in western Harris County. It will take a legislative appropriation, but our community was on the shortlist last year. I hope to make it happen.

We are also working on legislation to address needs in nursing homes to ensure that our senior citizens are protected.

Sadly, Texas leads the nation in cervical cancer rates and my team and I are crafting legislation to address these shockingly high rates in our state.

There are also a number of other issues we are hoping to address in the next session, including: protecting public school funding, addressing rising pharmaceutical prices, offering pre-K to more kids in our state, finally expanding Medicaid, enforcing red flag laws to end our gun violence epidemic, a CPS study on caseloads and legislation to prevent superintendents from receiving expensive golden parachutes when they leave a job.

claire.goodman@chron.com
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

There was little doubt a U.S. Forest Service officer on patrol near Albuquerque had used excessive force that day in late May 2014.

Witnesses at the Juan Tomas Campground east of Albuquerque heard Adam Griegos head being slammed repeatedly on the hood of a Forest Service truck as he stood handcuffed, his hands behind his back.

Evidence in the case showed that the officer, David Chavez, was later fired and prosecuted and pleaded guilty to deprivation of civil rights under color of law in 2015. A cellphone video taken by another camper who documented the incident was seized by the Forest Service officer and never put into evidence.

In 2018, a U.S. district judge in Albuquerque awarded damages totaling nearly $600,000 to Griego, a Gulf War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, and his fellow camper, Elijah Haukereid, who also was detained that day.

Despite the facts of the case and the judges ruling, they might never collect a penny.

Chavez had all his debts discharged after filing for bankruptcy. And the federal government wont pay up.

Under New Mexico law, people injured through the unconstitutional and tortious conduct of law enforcement must be paid by the public entity for whom they are employed, according to a letter sent this week to New Mexicos congressional delegation by attorneys for Griego and Haukereid.

Shockingly, there is no federal statute that requires that the federal government pay for the criminal and unconstitutional acts of their law enforcement officers. This is a travesty and an outrage, says the letter, from Albuquerque attorneys Louren Oliveros and Timothy Padilla.

The attorneys said they knew when they brought the civil rights case that there wasnt a statutory obligation for the U.S. government to pay any judgment rendered in the case.

However, it has been our experience that the judgment would be paid as an act of discretion, Oliveros told the Journal last week. In this case, the government is exercising its discretion to not pay the judgment and to leave Adam and Elijah high and dry.

Oliveros and Padilla are asking Congress to enact a statute to require the United States to pay a court-ordered judgment when federal officers violate the constitutional rights of an American citizen.

Further, they are asking the New Mexico congressional delegation to personally intervene with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to force his agency to pay the judgment in this case.

The Forest Service, which didnt return requests for comment, is part of the Department of Agriculture.

Army veteran

Griego, now in his 30s, was in the U.S. Army from 2008 to 2013, serving in combat in Iraq in 2009-2010 and Afghanistan in 2012-2013. He survived about five roadside bomb explosions, two of which resulted in serious head trauma.

U.S. District Judge Judith Herrera wrote in her 2018 ruling that at the time of the assault at the campground, Griego suffered from severe post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.

She said the incident with the forest officer exacerbated his condition. Griegos migraine headaches became more intense and painful; he suffered from blurred vision. His related nausea was amplified.

Herrera wrote that Griego also experienced emotional problems. He became overwhelmed and hit rock bottom after the assault, she added.

After once considering a career in a sheriffs department, Griego became distrustful of all law enforcement, and his family feared for his life if he had another encounter with the law, Herrera wrote.

Violent arrest

Griego was camping with a group of friends when Chavez arrived at the site in his Forest Service vehicle and asked Griego if he had entered by a road that was closed to the public. Griego replied yes, and Chavez used expletives and put Griego in handcuffs. When Griego asked about the reason for his arrest, the officer responded with profanity.

According to Herreras ruling, after hitting Griegos head on the hood of the Forest Service truck, the officer twice slammed Griegos head into the metal part above the door on the passenger side of the government vehicle before shoving him inside. Griego was confined there for two to three hours while a police K-9 in the vehicle threatened him and bounced off the plexiglass partition separating them.

The heat inside the vehicle made Griego dizzy and agitated, and the federal officer refused to open a window despite Griegos requests.

When Chavez saw Haukereid recording him on a cellphone, he slapped the phone out of the mans hand, drew his Taser and locked him up in another officers car for two hours, Herrera wrote.

Chavez, who couldnt be reached last week, pleaded guilty to deprivation of civil rights under color of law and was sentenced to one year of probation with three months of home detention and community service.

Chavez didnt appear at a trial before Herrera in January 2018.

In his plea agreement in 2016, Chavez said, When I slammed (Griego) onto the hood, I knew it was wrong but I acted anyway and I did so in my capacity as a law enforcement officer. A.G. was handcuffed and compliant, and he did not pose a threat at any time.

Herrera wrote in her ruling that Officer Chavez used the force of his whole body to smash Griego down. Griego was stunned from the impact. His head was throbbing and he heard ringing. Another camper, Sonia Jaramillo, heard the impact of Griegos head hitting metal from 10 to 15 feet away.

The cellphone seized by Chavez was supposed to be put into evidence, the judges ruling said.

Instead, Haukereids cellphone tracking showed that the phone was moved from the campsite to Los Lunas, where Chavez lived.

Later, the cellphone alerted Haukereid that the officer was trying to unlock his phone and access its contents, namely the video, Herrera wrote. The reasonable inference from this is that Chavez was attempting to destroy the video evidence of his actions, she added.

Moreover, Chavez and another Forest Service officer who had arrived on the scene illegally searched the vehicles and belongings of all eight campers at the scene. The forest rangers issued numerous citations to all the campers, which were ultimately dismissed.

Herrera wrote that Haukereid and Griego, being unarmed and nonviolent, posed very little threat to the Forest Service officers at the scene.

Besides using a high level of force to slam the Army veterans head onto the hood of the truck, Chavez also confined him in a hot car with no water for several hours and terrorized him with a violent police dog, the judge found.

She awarded Griego damages totaling $450,000 and Haukereid $140,000.

Oliveros told the Journal that Griego is living out of state but still calls New Mexico his home. Haukereid lives in Carlsbad.
A prolific scammer who is sometimes known as PJ is one of the shadier identities featured in a new podcast to raise awareness of the dangers of personal identity theft which is costing Australians tens of millions a year.

The five-part parody, This is NOT Your Life, was produced by Julian Morrow and ABC TV's The Checkout team for the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission's Scamwatch program.

This is NOT your life, a podcast by The Checkout team for the ACCC is designed to raise awareness of the dangers of identity theft but in a light hearted accessible way.

Scamwatch has received 24,000 reports of stolen personal information this year, a 55 per cent rise compared with the same time last year.

Young people aged 25-34 reported losing personal information more than other age groups.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- First term Republican Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has imposed a limit of one ballot drop box per county at the same time mail-in ballots are expected to more than double and President Trump is blatantly attempting to rig the election with severe cuts at the U.S. Postal Service and lies that mail-in voting is vulnerable to massive fraud, besides his own.

Wednesday, LaRose rejected the additional boxes which had been sought by county election officials, voting rights activists and Democrats as a way to accommodate the expected mail-in ballot surge and lessen long lines. LaRose claimed there was not enough time to install additional drop boxes and feared they would produce lawsuits against the state and county boards of elections, as happened in Pennsylvania, when the Trump campaign sued the state over drop boxes.
Dhaka, Aug 17 : Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday accused the then Army chief (and later President) Ziaur Rahman and his wife Khaleda Zia of resorting to the "politics of killing Bangabandhu", saying that he gave all sorts of support to the murderers of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Taking part in a virtual discussion, through videoconference. from her official Ganabhaban residence to mark the National Mourning Day on the 45th anniversary of the martyrdom of Shikh Mujib, she said: "Zia even gave lucrative foreign postings to the killers of Bangabandhu, while Zia's wife Khaleda brought self-confessed killer of Bangabandhu to Parliament by rigging votes." The Prime Minister also accused Zia and his wife of enacting indemnity laws to save the murderers of Bangabandhu and Awami League leaders and activists.

The Awami League organised the discussion at its central office at Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka in the afternoon.

Hasina said Khaleda Zia had given an indemnity to wholesale killings after assuming office in 2001 so that trials of those crimes could not be held as her husband did the same thing in his time.

Pointing to the inhuman torture of Masum, a resident of Khulna and also a maternal cousin of Sheikh Helal, and killing of hundreds of people, the Premier said in the name of 'Operation Clean Heart', the law enforcers made blanket arrests of people and inflicted inhuman torture on them.

"After assuming office through the October 1, 2001 farcical national election, Khaleda Zia had started indiscriminate killings of people following the footsteps of her husband Ziaur Rahman." Hasina said that the then BNP-Jamaat nexus even ransacked the research office of her party with looting its computers, 300 files, books and cash.

She also added, "Khaleda Zia not only allowed indemnity to the people who conducted Operation Clean Heart, but also gave promotion to Bangabandhu's killer Pasha after his death and also gave benefits of jobs to Pasha's family." At the outset of the discussion, a minute's silence was observed as a mark of profound respect to the memories of Bangabandhu Rahman and other martyrs of the August 15 carnage.
The Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, has come under attack on social media for claiming his administration has zero-tolerance for corruption.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported, on Saturday, that Mr Ganduje told Kano states Public Complaint and Anti Corruption Commission that any corrupt individual should not go unpunished.

The governor promised not to intervene in any corruption allegations regardless of who is affected in the state.

But Mr Ganduje himself was enmeshed in a bribery scandal in 2018. DailyNigerian online newspaper published a video showing the governor taking kickback in dollars from a contractor in the state.

The video, which was sourced by Kano-based journalist and publisher of the paper, Jafaar Jafaar, generated kerfuffle on social media. President Muhammadu Buhari and anti-graft agencies were largely silent on the video. When the president finally spoke, he cast doubt on its authenticity even without ordering an investigation.

The only body that decided to take action was the state House of Assembly. However, rather than allow an investigation, Mr Ganduje frustrated the assembly by securing a court injunction to stop the probe.

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Amidst the scandal, the governor was re-elected for a second term last year and currently enjoys immunity from prosecution.

Angry Nigerians

Frustrated by Mr Gandujes position on corruption on Saturday, Nigerians on social media wondered why the governor with an unresolved case of corruption portrayed himself as a saint.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered some reactions below:

https://twitter.com/KAAKAKI3/status/1294725236974288896?s=19

Pot calling kettle black  Kabir Yusuf (@Kabiruh1) August 15, 2020

In 1 week, Alison Deziani preached against yahoo. Abubakar Shekau speaked up against sentencing a musician to death.

And today Ganduje is speaking against Corruption. Who knows what next maybe Buhari will tell us how he hate incompetent leaders.  Oracle Of Africa (@uniquechukwuma) August 15, 2020

https://twitter.com/Godswillluv/status/1294783567550177282?s=19

I can't believe what my eyes just saw, Gandollar, now a motivational speaker. Nigerian politicians, are bunch of shameless lots. A thief caught in the act, is now an advocate against corruption. But one thing i know, no matter how long it takes, Ganduje's file is with EFCC. pic.twitter.com/RA4WQm6ygF  99% OPPRESSED (WIKILEAKS) (@Truthfully83) August 15, 2020

They're firmly convinced that Nigerians are not just fools but forgetful fools. We've not done very much to proof we're not what they think we are though but soon, very soon.  Benedict (@benniett) August 15, 2020

The more he opens his putrid buccal, the more he lays bare to all and sundry, how clueless and incorrigibly corrupt his master is. Only the heavens know what he possibly has on the Daura herdsman. At this point I'm starting to believe he and Bubu shared the money 50:50  tochi (@smartgunner) August 15, 2020

Gandollar shouldn't escape punishment

Gandollar shouldn't escape punishment

Gandollar shouldn't escape punishment

Gandollar shouldn't escape punishment Gandollar is a criminal.  Grace John (@onyiforlife) August 15, 2020

whosoever that think a politician is corrupt should submit a petition to @officialEFCC . Case close  Major general bazo (@Ibnbazo) August 15, 2020

Will it be enough to blame British neocolonialism for ensuring that the very dregs amongst us are made leaders so as to maintain the status quo that secures the UK's economic interests?  Ikenna Okeh (@IkennaOkeh) August 15, 2020

No hope for Nigeria, we now have people who were seen stuffing dollars into agbada distinguishing between who should be regarded as corrupt to face punishment while they remain sainted; we will be alright someday  DMAVERICK (@Marvinog) August 15, 2020

Ganduje, now a motivational speaker. Nigerian politicians ehhh   Premium Physio (@AmChido) August 15, 2020

4. We hype the common and insignificant, and downplay the more serious issues of development. Its a tragedy. I really wonder whether Nigeria is jinxed. Govt after govt promise changes, but it never materialises; but things actually get worse. Its worrisome.  Olusegun (@Olusegun_saint) August 16, 2020

Ok sir. Can they then start with you? This is coming from the man that claimed his twin brother aka his "caricature" was the one in the video, accepting bribe. Let's know when you've finished lying.  TheDonTheDon77 (@TheDonTheDon77) August 15, 2020

2. This is the only way Nigeria can begin to develop. If we claim to love this country, corruption must be tackled with utmost ferocity. What we call fight against corruption is only lip service and a sham! Its ridiculous really!!  Olusegun (@Olusegun_saint) August 16, 2020

It is not impossible. You think to shocking $ inside babariga in front of camera na clear eye ?  RESIDENT OF NIGERIA!!! (@CAPT_DAMENDRA) August 15, 2020

I'd really love to see what'll happen to this clown after his tenure. In view of the prima facie dollar stuffing evidence against him.  J.T. Maigamu  (@JMaigamu) August 15, 2020

If you know a more hypocritical people than on Nigerians, please tell me. The fact that Ganduje could come out to say this, knowing fully that he'd get away with it, is an evidence of our hypocrisy.  El Caballero  Let's beat the pandemic!!! (@Bidexie) August 15, 2020

If Doezani can do it then Ganduje can do it even better. We will keep on petitioning #Covid for its slow work on Nigeria corrupt politicians  Boss Man (@Belong_2nobody) August 16, 2020
Belarus's Lukashenka Rejects Foreign Mediation Of Postelection Crisis, Says Russia Promised 'Full Assistance'

By RFE/RL's Belarus Service August 15, 2020

MINSK -- A defiant Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has rejected the possibility of foreign mediation in his country's ongoing postelection crisis, and told military officials that Russia has promised to provide a "full range of assistance" if requested.

"We will not give up the country to anyone," he said during a televised meeting with defense officials on August 15. "We don't need any foreign governments, any intermediaries."

The statement came shortly after Lukashenka discussed the crisis with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that the unrest following the disputed August 9 election that gave Lukashenka a sixth term in office "is not a threat to just Belarus anymore."

Earlier, the leaders of Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania offered to help mediate an end to the Belarus crisis.

The phone conversation on August 15 came as Lukashenka faces growing pressure to step down following a disputed election that has triggered unprecedented protests and a harsh government crackdown.

"The presidents discussed the situation that is unfolding inside and around Belarus," Belarusian state news agency BelTA reported, citing Lukashenka's press service, without providing any details.

The Kremlin said that during their conversation the two leaders "expressed confidence" that the "problems" in Belarus would be "resolved soon."

"These problems should not be exploited by destructive forces seeking to harm the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries," the Kremlin said in its statement.

Lukashenka later in the day told a meeting with military officials that Putin had agreed to provide military assistance to cope with the protests.

"I agreed with him that at our first request we will be provided with a full range of assistance to ensure the security of the Republic of Belarus," he said.

He described the phone conversation as "long and substantial."

During the meeting with defense officials, Lukashenka claimed that members of the military had been receiving threats from protesters.

He addressed the protesters directly, saying: "Do not play with fire! Our soldiers have enough resources to protect themselves and their families and to ensure the security of the state."

He also accused the protesters of hiding behind "girls," following mass demonstrations earlier in the week in which thousands of women formed human chains to protest the election.

"If there are men among you, be men," Lukashenka said. "If you want to fight and scuffle, go ahead. But let's do it man-to-man. Don't put forward girls and threaten families."

Since the election, the country of some 9.5 million people has been gripped by peaceful protests and strikes, which have often been met by brutal force by police. At least two protesters have been killed and thousands have been injured and detained.

Meanwhile, thousands of Belarusians staged a seventh day of peaceful protests on August 15 over the August 9 vote and a bloody crackdown that has drawn international outrage.

The nationwide protests pose the biggest challenge yet to Lukashenka's 26-year rule.

Earlier, Lukashenka said he wanted to speak to Putin, warning that street protests were not just a threat to Belarus.

"There is a need to contact Putin so that I can talk to him now, because it is not a threat to just Belarus anymore," he said, according to BelTA.

Over the years, Lukashenka has cemented his reputation as a political survivor -- weaving between Moscow and the West to leverage Belarus's strategic position -- while in recent years welcoming in Chinese influence and investment to gain space to rebuff Russia.

The postelection turmoil comes after a period of rising tensions between Minsk and Moscow over Russian loans, subsidized energy, and Kremlin efforts to further integrate Belarus through a union-state treaty.

While Putin did congratulate Lukashenka on his "victory" at the polls, his statement implied conditions for Russian support, and Moscow is looking for ways to gain leverage over a weakened Lukashenka, who is desperate for help.

"Defending Belarus today is no less than defending our entire space, the union state, and an example to others," Lukashenka added. "If Belarus cannot withstand it, this wave will roll there."

With reporting by Reuters and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/lukashenka -says-wants-to-talk-to-putin-amid -minsk-protests/30785333.htmlhtml

Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modis mention of sanitary pads in his address on the occasion of the 74th Independence Day is receiving praise online.

During his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort, PM Modi touched upon topics of women empowerment and women health.

He said the Centre has managed to provide affordable sanitary napkins costing just Re 1 each to poor women through Jan Aushadhi centres.



In 6000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras we have distributed 5 crore sanitary pads at Rs.1. We will also be reconsidering the age of marriage of women soon PM: @narendramodi#IDay2020 pic.twitter.com/jSNsaE6x40

 Sadananda Gowda (@DVSadanandGowda) August 15, 2020

"Through 6,000 Jan Aushadi Kendras, more than 5 crore sanitary napkins have been provided to women in a short period of time. We have worked for womens empowerment. Navy and Air Force are taking women in combat roles women are now leaders, PM Modi said in his address.

In a country where there is stigma around the topic of menstruation, Twitter users praised the prime minister for breaking taboos and normalising conversation around the topic.



Our @PMOIndia talking about sanitary pads in his Independence Day speech today is true progress...made menstruation a mainstream topic. Also kudos to the government who has so far distributed sanitary pads to about 5 crore women at Re. 1  Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) August 15, 2020





PM Modi breaking all taboos by mentioning about Sanitary Pads in I-day his speech. He did the same in his first speech when he spoke about building toilets. Progressive and path breaking. Leader for a reason. #IndependenceDay

 Akash Jain #ThankYouDhoni (@akash207) August 15, 2020



This is again something that only Modi could have pulled off. Speaking about sanitary pads from Red Fort on Independence day, thereby breaking all taboos surrounding it! Kudos! Credit where it's due! https://t.co/wQkfNpDaGn  Renu Dhadwal (@renu_dhadwal) August 15, 2020





First he spoke about toilets and now he speaks about sanitary napkins.

A prime minister who believes in talking about 'taboo topics' and making them a part of public discourse.

Kudos Mr Modi. https://t.co/L7p0lM4UeG

 Nandan (@gaurinandan) August 15, 2020



Sanitary Napkins available to all at Re 1: PM Modi from Red Ford on Indepddance Day. Thats what a real progressive leader does. Breaks taboos, drives change and equality. @narendramodi ji, you continue to amaze!  Mahamedhaa Nagar (@mahamedhaanagar) August 15, 2020





A word 'sanitary pads',carefully used even in the family in hushed tones...

today is being used assertively from the 'Red Fort' by Hon PM @NarendraModi

We as a Nation,are becoming assertive & confident in our expression..

 VS Anitha (@VSAnitha2) August 15, 2020

The prime minister also said his government is determined to provide equal employment opportunities to women.

"Whenever women have been given an opportunity, they have made India proud and strengthened the country. Today, the nation is determined to provide equal opportunities for self-employment and employment to them," he said.

PM Modi also announced that the Centre has set up a committee to reconsider the minimum age of marriage for girls in India.
A hospital in Gwalior handed over the body of a Muslim man on Saturday to a Hindu family which did not remove the plastic to take a look even after he had tested negative for Covid-19 and cremated it, the Madhya Pradesh police said Sunday.

The family members of the Muslim man have lodged a complaint with the police over the goof-up .

This incident came to light on Sunday morning when family members of Irtaza Mohammed, 64, reached the hospital to bring the body. Earlier, on Saturday evening when they wanted to take the body for burial, the staff in the hospital showed them a different body and then asked them to return in the morning.

Gwalior superintendent of police, Amit Sanghi said, On August 13, Suresh Batham, 70, a resident of Bohadapur area in Gwalior and Irtaza Mohammed, 64, a resident of Morena died during their treatment at Jayarogya Hospital. The hospital refused to hand over the bodies to the families of both the deceased as Covid-19 test reports were awaited. Irtazas test report came back negative on Saturday. Hence, his nephew Akram Khan and others went to the hospital to collect the body in the evening. The staffers showed them the body of Suresh Batham but Akram told them that it was not Irtazas body.

Later, staffers asked them to come on Sunday morning. Akram reached the hospital on Sunday morning with some of his relatives where they were informed that Irtazas body had been handed over to Suresh Bathams family on Saturday morning. Later, it came to be known that Bathams family which took Irtazas body had already cremated it , said Sanghi.

The hospital superintendent RKS Dhakad blamed Bathams family for the goof-up. Both the bodies were covered in plastic sheets because they had died before testing negative for Covid-19 and Bathams family members did not bother to check whether they were taking his body.

When Batham family members came to the hospital they were asked to identify him but they took Irtazas body instead which was covered in plastic as he was a suspected patient of Covid 19. As Bathams test report had also come negative they should have removed the plastic cover at home at least to identify the body, said Dhakad.

He said an inquiry has been ordered and action would be taken against the staffers concerned if they are found guilty.

The family members of Batham who collected his body from the hospital on Sunday refused to talk to reporters.

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The man who murdered a young mother in central Illinois eluded investigators for nearly a decade. When they finally caught him in August 2018, they discovered hed repeatedly dodged attempts to put his DNA into a criminal database.

The killer, Michael Henslick, had grown up in the same neighborhood and attended high school with the 22-year-old victim, Holly Cassano. Hed been arrested several times since the November 2009 attack, and twice a judge ordered him to provide a DNA sample. Henslick blew the orders off.

If hed given his DNA, we wouldnt have had to wait nine years, said Champaign County Sheriffs Office Investigator Dwayne Roelfs, who worked the case from day one.

The break finally came when Roelfs and his colleagues turned to genetic genealogy, a technique that allowed them to expand their search to direct-to-consumer DNA websites.

When they found Henslick, who was later convicted of murder, they also exposed a weakness in the governments vaunted national system of criminal DNA databases.

Similar revelations of missed opportunities to solve crimes sooner have occurred across the country, as new investigative methods have led authorities to suspects who should have had their DNA collected and uploaded years ago.

The national DNA database, known as CODIS, is arguably the most powerful crime-fighting tool in modern history. It holds more than 18 million peoples profiles and has produced more than 500,000 hits since it went fully online in 1998, according to the FBI. The database has also been used to reveal the true suspects in cases of wrongful conviction. But the system lacks thousands of profiles from convicted offenders and suspects  information that could hold answers to innumerable unsolved crimes, researchers and law enforcement officials say.

Authorities in several states are now trying to go back and collect this missing DNA, a lengthy and expensive undertaking that has already led to arrests in dozens of cold cases. But expanding criminal DNA databases  many of which include people arrested but not necessarily convicted of crimes  also comes with risks.

Story continues

Black people are far more likely than white people to have their DNA profiles collected and stored in government databases  a reflection of a justice system that disproportionately targets people of color, researchers say. Rather than amplify those disparities by expanding the databases, they say, the government should spend more money on providing support to victims and improving police investigations.

Holly Cassano. (Toni Cassano)

Holly Cassanos mother, Toni Cassano, doesnt blame anyone in particular for failing to collect Henslicks DNA. But she wants federal law changed to prevent convicted offenders from dodging similar orders in the future.

I dont believe anyone messed up, she said. I believe the system sucks. If I had to put the blame on something, I would put blame on the system.

A wake-up call

On the morning of Nov. 2, 2009, Toni Cassano was expecting an early visit from her daughter, who lived three streets away in a Mahomet, Illinois, mobile home park. Toni had been babysitting Hollys 17-month-old daughter since the night before, and Toni needed to leave for work. But Holly didnt show up or answer her phone. Assuming shed overslept, Toni went to get her.

I wanted to get her out of bed, Toni recalled. So I went to her house. And thats when I found her.

Holly Cassano with her daughter. (Courtesy of Toni Cassano)

Holly had been stabbed to death on the bedroom floor. Toni sat beside her and put a hand on her leg. Then she said a brief prayer and called 911.

There was blood all over. Some of it was the killers. Investigators obtained a DNA profile that went into the states criminal database, but there were no matches. Nor were there any for the dozens of potential suspects police questioned in the months and years that followed. Leads dried up. The case went cold.

Toni became an outspoken voice on her daughters behalf, staying in regular contact with detectives, handing out bumper stickers with Hollys name and doing media interviews. She adopted Hollys daughter.

Henslick lived with his parents in the same mobile home park and had gone to high school with Holly. They did not know each other well, but had common friends, Toni said. He avoided suspicion, even after getting charged with other crimes.

In 2015, Henslick was caught during a traffic stop with pot and cocaine, according to court records. If convicted, hed have to provide his DNA. But Henslick failed to show up for court hearings. Eventually he pleaded guilty and was put on probation, a sentence that required him to give a DNA sample. But he never went to the probation office to provide it. He continued to miss court dates, and was arrested again, sentenced to more probation and ordered to give his DNA. Again, he ignored the order.

A request to revoke his probation  along with domestic violence charges related to an alleged 2017 attack on a woman  were pending in court when detectives working the Cassano murder caught a break.

Police in early 2018 turned to a Virginia company, Parabon NanoLabs, which specialized in a newly available investigative technique that was used to crack the Golden State Killer case. The method, combining consumer DNA databases and traditional genealogy research, allows investigators to find relatives of a suspect, then build family trees to identify the person.

Parabons chief genetic genealogist, CeCe Moore, tried the technique with the Cassano murder and identified Henslick as a likely suspect. Investigators followed Henslick, picked up a cigarette he discarded and sent it in for testing. The DNA from the cigarette matched the profile from the murder scene. Detectives took him in for questioning, and he confessed, according to authorities.

Henslick went to trial anyway, arguing that the confession had been coerced. He was convicted in February, and at sentencing, Champaign County States Attorney Julia Rietz cited Henslicks skipping DNA collection, saying it had allowed him to hide in plain sight here in our community. A judge sentenced him in June to life without parole.

Michael Henslick (Robin Scholz / News-Gazette)

Rietz considers the case a lesson in how easy it is for offenders to avoid giving their DNA. Now, when people in Champaign County are sentenced to probation, they are ordered to go straight to the office to give their DNA, she said.

"This was definitely a wake-up call as to how we need to be on top of whether we are collecting DNA or not, Rietz said.

A national disgrace

Henslicks is one of a growing number of cases in which investigations have revealed suspects with criminal histories who could have been caught earlier if their DNA had been taken. They slipped through the cracks for a variety of reasons: miscommunication among agencies, paperwork errors, lack of resources, flawed protocols. Many are already in prison, doing time in states that collect DNA from offenders when their terms are complete. Some are out on parole or probation. Some are no longer under any kind of law enforcement supervision.

Robert E. Koehler, an electrician and handyman from South Florida, pleaded guilty to a sex attack in 1991. That was the year after Florida began collecting DNA from people convicted of sex-related crimes. He was put on the states sex offender registry, and had been there for decades. But his DNA was never collected.

Thats how things remained until last year, when Koehlers adult son was arrested on a domestic violence charge, prompting the collection of his DNA. The younger Koehlers profile was uploaded into CODIS, where it triggered a partial match with a series of sexual assaults in South Florida in the 1980s by an unknown attacker dubbed the pillowcase rapist. The partial match was the result of familial DNA searching, a relatively new technique that allows investigators to scan criminal databases for people related to someone whose DNA was found at a crime scene. Investigators examined the sons family tree, then focused on his father, secretly obtaining his DNA from a grocery store he visited.

That DNA matched a 1983 rape  and linked him to more than two dozen others attributed to the pillowcase rapist, authorities said. Koehler was charged in the 1983 case and is awaiting trial; he has pleaded not guilty.

In another case, in Vancouver, Washington, authorities announced in April 2019 that theyd used genetic genealogy to solve the 25-year-old rape and murder of a young mother. They also revealed that the suspect, Richard Knapp, had served time in prison for rape years before the murder, and had given a court-ordered biological sample that was destroyed in 2000 without anyone uploading his DNA into a criminal database.

James Otto Earhart (Brazos County Sheriff's Office)

The list also includes James Otto Earhart, who was executed in Texas in 1999 for murder, without ever giving a DNA sample. Two decades later, after he was identified through genetic genealogy as a suspect in a second killing, his remains were exhumed for DNA testing, which confirmed a match.

These cases point to systemic failures that leave victims and their families without justice and criminals free to commit more crimes, said Rockne Harmon, a retired California prosecutor.

I think its a national disgrace, Harmon said. The successes of genetic genealogy and familial searching in solving cold cases should prompt examinations of missteps that prevented the cases from being solved earlier, he said. Instead, the celebrations drown that out.

Closing DNA loopholes

Lindsey Wade has been trying to draw attention to the problem for years.

Wade was a homicide detective in Tacoma, Washington, in 2010 when she started working on a case that had gone unsolved for 50 years: the 1961 abduction of an 8-year-old girl named Ann Marie Burr. Investigators speculated that Ann Marie had been an early target of Ted Bundy, the serial killer who lived in Tacoma at the time. But Bundy denied responsibility before he was executed in 1989 in Florida.

Wade assumed that Bundys DNA was in the national criminal database. She called around and learned she was wrong.

Thats when it hit me: Were talking about one of the most notorious serial killers in American history, how in the hell is he not in the DNA database? Wade recalled. Hes the poster child for CODIS, a cross-country serial killer from the 1970s who flew under the radar.

Wade pressed Florida authorities to find a sample of Bundys DNA, which was uploaded into CODIS in 2011. The profile did not connect Bundy to Ann Maries case, but may provide answers in other unsolved crimes.

For more of NBC News' in-depth reporting, download the NBC News app

Wade uncovered another collection gap after checking for DNA taken from sex offenders committed to a state mental health facility. She was told that the states policy was to collect DNA at the time they were released. She lobbied for their DNA to be taken immediately, and got a hit matching one of those men, Michael Allan Halgren, with DNA found in the bedroom of Susan Lowe, a 19-year-old woman raped and murdered in 1980 in Bellevue, Washington. Halgren pleaded guilty in 2014.

Wade pressed Washington authorities to close loopholes in its DNA collection laws and to collect DNA from people who should have provided theirs already. She shared her concerns at a 2013 meeting with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, where a forensics specialist, Angela Williamson, took up Wades crusade. Together they spoke about the CODIS gaps at law enforcement conferences.

People would stare at us like, What do you mean there are guys in prison who didnt have their DNA taken? Wade recalled.

Wade now works for the Washington Attorney Generals Office, where she is guiding the states collection of DNA from offenders who have slipped through the cracks.

Williamson became a supervisor in the forensics unit at the Bureau of Justice Assistance, an arm of the Department of Justice, where she oversees federal grants for state and local agencies to close backlogs of rape kits and add missing DNA profiles to CODIS. The bureau has so far awarded eight grants of about $1 million each for the lawfully owed DNA program, with more expected to be announced in September.

Williamson estimated that most states are missing 40,000 to 50,000 lawfully owed samples. The meaning of lawfully owed varies by state. New York, for example, requires collection of DNA from people convicted of all felonies, from murder to drug possession, while California law covers not just felony convictions, but also people whove been arrested for suspicion of committing a felony. If a person refuses to provide their DNA, authorities can seek a court order, depending on the circumstances.

Washington state, one of the recipients of the DNA collection grants, estimates that more than 30,000 convicted criminals owe their DNA.

To say that CODIS is not being used to its potential, which is vast, would be a significant understatement, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said. We can catch bad guys based on their DNA, but only if we are putting that DNA into CODIS.

A model for this effort is Cuyahoga County, Ohio, which includes Cleveland, where authorities have identified more than 15,300 missing DNA profiles. Authorities started with the easiest group, those still locked up or on probation. So far, they have collected more than 2,300 of those missing profiles and have gotten 87 hits in CODIS on unsolved crimes, including six homicides and 38 sexual assaults.

One of those profiles was of Marquice Miller, who was arrested for theft in 2014, pleaded guilty and was put on probation, said Richard Bell, chief of the special investigations division at the Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office. At any of those steps authorities should have taken his DNA, but did not. When that finally happened in 2017, there was an immediate hit in CODIS to DNA taken from the 2012 rape of a 14-year-old girl, Bell said. Miller pleaded guilty last year and is serving an eight-year prison sentence.

These CODIS hits are only going to grow, Bell said. And that, to us, is pure gold.

Racially skewed from the beginning

If more hits in CODIS is gold, then what is the cost?

Over the years, as CODIS has expanded from a repository of people convicted of serious felonies to those accused of committing a wider range of offenses, privacy advocates and civil liberties groups have warned that the database increasingly reflects the racial disparities of the criminal justice system.

If police are more likely to pursue cases that include a hit, then they may be more likely to pursue cases against Black suspects than white ones, these critics say. They point out that a reported match in CODIS is not proof that someone committed a crime; their DNA may have been left at a scene earlier or been inadvertently transferred by someone else  or there may be a processing error.

The risks of disparate treatment rise in the 31 states that collect DNA from people who are arrested but have not been convicted of a crime, the critics say. Those concerns have heightened with the spread of familial DNA searches, which scan criminal databases for people who may be related to someone who left genetic material at a crime scene. That puts Black communities at greater risk of increased genetic surveillance, experts say.

Because of the huge disparities and injustices in the way in which criminals laws are enforced, like rampant racial profiling by police, collecting DNA is a racist practice, Dorothy Roberts, a professor of law and sociology at the University of Pennsylvania, said. It embeds within it the racist practices for arresting people and charging them with crimes.

Some scholars say that the money and resources used to find people who owe their DNA to solve a relatively small number of cold cases would be better spent expanding services for crime victims, particularly those whove been sexually assaulted, and training police to investigate rape accusations more thoroughly.

Erin Murphy, an NYU law professor who researches the expanding use of DNA testing in the criminal justice system, recently completed a study that showed that DNA profiles from Black people, who make up about 13 percent of the U.S. population, are collected and stored at more than twice the rate of white people.

To change that, Murphy said, authorities should focus reform where those discrepancies begin: on the streets, where people are policed and arrested, and in the courthouses where they are prosecuted.

Murphy acknowledged that the lawfully owed DNA project presents a conundrum. DNA, and the effort to process more rape kits, has solved crimes against many victims who otherwise may have been ignored, she said. But there has been no cost-benefit analysis of expanding DNA databases.

I want to hear more about why this is an efficient use of resources at a time of unprecedented austerity, Murphy said. Im not sure its enough to outweigh the actual and perceived injustices of collecting dues on something that was racially skewed from the beginning.

Finally, an answer

For most of the nine years that it took to find her daughters killer, Toni Cassano struggled with how to bear the weight.

She started going to church regularly, and had many conversations with her pastor about the importance of forgiveness. But Toni could not bring herself to do that for the murderer whod gotten away.

Then, in the summer of 2018, she decided that if God forgave her for her sins, she, too, could find a way. It felt as if that burden had lifted.

Less than two weeks later, investigators knocked on her door to tell her theyd arrested Henslick.

She felt grateful for CeCe Moore and genetic genealogy. But it was painful to learn that Henslick had always been so close  and that he had eluded capture by exploiting loopholes in the system.

The way that the judicial system collects DNA from felons is a big problem, Toni said. Thats where the failure was.

The experience has made her an advocate for broader DNA collection. She wants to see a federal law, named after her daughter, that requires convicted felons to provide their DNA in the courtroom immediately after the judge orders it.

I want to see stories about how to prevent this from happening again, Toni said. How putting your DNA in a database is helping in the future, helping in the present too, to solve these cases that have gone unsolved.
Bernie Sanders exhibited the progressive wing's support for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden during a flurry of media appearances on Sunday morning where he voiced his top priority is beating Donald Trump.

'My message to our supporters is we have got to do everything that we can to defeat Donald Trump, who I view as the most dangerous president in American history,' he told CNN's Take Tapper on 'State of the Union.'

'We're going to do all that we can to mobilize people for a progressive agenda,' the Vermont senator continued in his Sunday morning appearance.

'This is not a complicated issue,' the 78-year-old Democratic socialist said of backing the 77-year-old former vice president. 'Donald Trump must be defeated, Biden must be elected.'

'And after that election, we're going to do all that we can to fight for a progressive agenda,' he reiterated.

'What we have to do the day after we elect Joe Biden as president we got to rally our people to stand up and fight for an America that works for all and not just the few,' he added. 'And that absolutely includes Medicare for All.'

Sanders is also slated to speak on the kick-off night of the first ever virtual Democratic National Convention on Monday.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders told CNN's Jake Tapper Sunday morning on 'State of the Union' that his top priority is beating Donald Trump in November, claiming the next move would be to fight for a progressive agenda

Sanders and fellow progressive Democratic socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are slated to speak at the Democratic National Convention where they will throw the progressive wing support behind Biden's presidency

The former 2016 and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate will make a speech at the all-virtual event just ahead of headliner speaker and former first lady Michelle Obama.

Also representing the progressive wing of the party at the convention this year will be New York City Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has a 60-second speaking slot on the second night of events.

On Tuesday, Ocasio-Cortez will also share the virtual stage with Biden's wife, Dr. Jill Biden, and former President Bill Clinton.

AOC was an organizer from Sanders' campaign in the 2016 presidential race before launching her own political ambitions.

As well as speaking to CNN, Sanders  who has gone on quite a media hiatus since suspending his campaign in April and endorsing Biden  also did interviews with NBC News' 'Meet the Press' and ABC News' 'This Week' on Sunday morning to express his support for Biden.

The extra push of momentum from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party comes after Biden announced last week that California Senator Kamala Harris would be joining him on his presidential ticket.

'If Wall Street breathes a sigh of relief with Kamala Harris being named to the ticket, what does Bernie Sanders do?' Tapper asked Sanders.

'What Bernie Sanders is going to do is do everything that I can to defeat Donald Trump, to elect Joe Biden,' he responded.

This selection marks history as Harris will become the first black woman to ever appear on a major partys presidential ballot.

Harris has also quelled concerns of some far-left factions of the party who were concerned with Biden's middle-of-the-line stance on many policies.

Trump has bashed Harris, the former attorney general of California, for her liberal record and claims she is 'nasty' and 'mean' and a 'mad woman.'

During an interview with former Fox News commentator Eric Bolling that aired on his show with Sinclair Sunday morning, Trump said she is more liberal than Sanders.

The progressive push comes as Biden (left) announced last week his running mate will be California Senator Kamala Harris (right), who last year had the most liberal voting record of any other senator in Congress

Trump said Harris is more liberal than Sanders, and asserted Sunday that she would be 'running' the White House as vice president

'She is super liberal,' Trump insisted. 'I have actually heard that she is the most liberal person in Congress. More liberal than Bernie Sanders.'

'Kamala's a socialist,' he continued, claiming she had 'brought over' Biden to the far-left and would be 'running it.'

'She's a disaster,' he asserted.

Both Sanders and Harris were once rivals of Biden in the Democratic primary.

Harris has the most liberal voting record over the last year of any senator currently serving in Congress, according to GovTrack, a government watchdog.

She is a proponent for late-term abortion, has advocated for criminalize climate-change denial and the manufacturing of guns and wants taxpayer-funded health care to apply to illegal immigrants.

She has also suggested that being Catholic should disqualify judges from serving on the higher courts.

In 2018 she said a Trump nominee and member of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic organization, might not 'fairly and impartially' judge cases because of the organization's allegiance to the church.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-16 18:43:52|Editor: huaxia

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TEHRAN, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces on Sunday urged the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to reconsider the establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel, official IRNA news agency reported.

In a meeting with the commanders of Iran's armed forces and media directors, Mohammad Hossein Baqeri expressed regret over a recent agreement between the UAE and Israel to normalize ties, saying it is "unacceptable" for the UAE to clinch political and economic deal with Israel.

"If something happens in the Gulf and the security of the Islamic republic is threatened, we will blame the UAE for that and we will not tolerate it," Baqeri was quoted as saying.

The agreement, brokered by the United States on Thursday, is a step to normalize the relations between Israel and the first Gulf state, while Israel agrees to suspend its plan to annex parts of the occupied Palestinian territories in the West Bank.

Over the past four decades and since the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, the country has emerged as an arch-enemy of Israel over the Palestinian cause. Enditem
The current state of insulin in America is troubling. People with type 1 diabetes rely on insulin to maintain a healthy life, and the country's tight regulations and high price tags surrounding the medication make it harder to obtain.

This lack of accessibility has caused Americans to go to great lengths to obtain affordable insulin to continue living healthy lives.

Because of the current regulations, price tags, and practices impacting the accessibility of insulin in the United States, many are turning to countries like Canada to efficiently and safely obtain the medication.

Ordering Online

The only place Americans can obtain affordable insulin is online, where they can order the medication from Canada at Canadian price points. People with diabetes in America are ordering insulin from Canada through online prescription referral services like BuyInsulin.com, where they can buy top insulin brands at an affordable price and get the medication sent directly to their home.

Americans are making use of these services to easily purchase and refill their medication and ensure their ongoing health.

The Prices & Monopolies

Because insulin prices in America average about $285 for a vial, many Americans cannot afford their prescription. This high price tag exists because America does not have a country-wide cap on insulin prices. Colorado was the first country to cap insulin prices at $100 in 2019, but other states have yet to implement such price regulations.

Even still, Colorado insulin prices surpass those of countries like Canada, where the medication costs less than $50 per vial. Because there are no country-wide caps for the cost of insulin, and there are only three manufacturers who make insulin in America, these manufacturers have been able to monopolize the medication and charge exorbitant prices.

According to Business Insider, all three manufacturers raise insulin prices at the same rate, which has caused the price to triple over the last 15 years.

Tight Regulations

There are tight regulations in America surrounding insulin as individuals require a written prescription to obtain the medication. Compare this to Canada, where you can purchase insulin over the counter without a prescription. America also maintains high healthcare prices, which makes obtaining a doctor's prescription a pricey endeavour in itself.

Travelling to Canada

The current state of insulin in America has led many to seek alternative means for obtaining their medication. In addition to ordering insulin from Canada, Americans have also travelled to Canada, where physically purchasing it is easy and affordable.

This phenomenon became heavily reported on when Americans began to arrive in caravans at the Canadian border so that they could cross and get their life-saving medication at a portion of its cost. Americans have been able to cross the border with their medication when they have a prescription that proves the insulin is for personal use, and the volume of the medicine doesn't exceed 3 months' worth of use.

The Future of Insulin in America

Residents and medical professionals alike continue to encourage the American government to improve insulin regulations and make the medication more accessible for people with diabetes.

Most recently, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that, under the leadership of President Trump, 1,750 health plans would cap out-of-pocket costs for insulin at just $35 a month. At least one of these plans will be available to seniors.

Unfortunately, this regulation does not help those without health plans. While the change is a step in the right direction, the United States still has a lot of work to make insulin more accessible to its residents.

Fortunately, there are alternative avenues like online prescription referral services that continue to make Canadian insulin available to Americans across the United States.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) has been spotted on Staten Island.

The Spotted Lanternfly, which is an invasive pest from Asia, was recently discovered in Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve, according to state officials.

The fly is known to be a destructive pest that feeds on more than 70 plant species. When feeding on such plants, it makes them vulnerable to disease and attacks from other insects.

Plants and crops that are critical to New Yorks agriculture economy, such as maple trees, apple trees, grapevine and hops, are at risk.

The insect is said to excrete large amounts of sticky honeydew, which attracts sooty molds that interfere with plant photosynthesis, yielding and impacting a forests health.

While the Spotted Lanternfly can jump and fly short distances, they spread primarily through human activity. The insect can lay their eggs on any number of surfaces, such as vehicles, stone, rusty metal, outdoor furniture, and firewood.

State Agriculture Commissioner, Richard A. Ball said the department is working closely with partners at the Department of Environmental Conservation, the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to decrease the impacts of the Spotted Lanternfly on Staten Island.

While this find on Staten Island is concerning, New York state has taken strong actions to combat the establishment of the Spotted Lanternfly since 2017. We will continue our work to survey and inspect high-risk areas and implement targeted management plans. We also urge the public to be vigilant and report any suspected sightings of the Spotted Lanternfly to help slow the spread of this invasive, said Ball.

New York state is working with partners to educate residents in taking steps to prevent the invasive species from establishing itself completely in New York.

Spotted Lanternfly poses a troubling threat to the environment and agriculture of New York state but also to the quality of recreational opportunities and experiences we offer in our state Parks and public lands. I applaud our Parks environmental stewardship staff for identifying this pest, so New York state can quickly begin taking steps to slow its spread, said state Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid. Park visitors across the state can help in identifying and reporting this destructive pest, and I urge them to familiarize themselves with its signs.

Residents are urged to thoroughly inspect their vehicles, luggage and gear, and all outdoor items for egg masses. If found, remove and scrape off all egg masses, and report any potential sightings using the Department of Agriculture and Marketss web reporting tool here.

Here is how to identify a Spotted Lanternfly and an infestation:

- They are active from July to December.

- They are approximately one-inch long and half an inch wide at rest, with eye-catching wings.

- They survive near sap oozing open wounds on tree trunks, which appear wet and give off fermented odors.

- They have 1-inch-long egg masses that are brownish-gray, waxy and mud-like when new. Old egg masses are brown and scaly.
Ive been all over the place with Kamala Harris. Before Joe Biden picked her as his running mate, I was convinced that of all the possible choices, she was the most palatable. She wasnt an inexperienced malcontent, like Stacey Abrams. She wasnt the woman who will forever be branded as the Benghazi Bungler, Susan Rice. She wasnt Gretchen Keep Your Damn Masks On Or Ill Throw A Hissyfit Witmer. I actually liked Val Demmings, the congresswoman from Florida who looks like the adult in any room she finds herself in.

But if it had to be a woman (and of course it had to be, otherwise the people who have those Hate Has No Home Here signs on their front lawns would rent a room to some hate), Kamala was the best choice. She has a lot of experience, is highly educated, is a P.R. genius and has fielded almost as much hate from the Left as she has from the right. Her years as a prosecutor have put her on the wrong side of the law for BLM activists and allies, so to say that the extremists on the far left arent happy is to say that Alyssa Milano is only mildly annoying.

And then, he picked her, and all I could see was the woman who bared her fangs at Brett Kavanaugh, essentially accepting Christine Blasey Fords accusations that 100 years ago the future Supreme Court justice tried to rape her. Or assault her. Or maybe (sweeps hair out of eyes), he was in the room when someone else tried to rape her. Or assault her. Or maybe he looked like the guy who was friends with the guy who tried to rape her. Or assault her. And then there were those orgies and everything.

That version of Kamala prompted me to write on my Facebook page: I suggest that we treat Senator Harris with the same respect, dignity and fairness that she treated Justice (not thanks to her) Kavanaugh. And then I remembered where, during the Democratic debates, she accused Biden of racism and I added this post: That little girl who stabbed you in the back, and called you a racist and misrepresented your history and then made you bend over backwards and say thank you? Mr. Vice President, that little girl was me.

However, anticipating that the sort of people who were as angry as I was about Harris performance during the Kavanaugh hearings might engage in the same sort of misogyny that has taken down lesser women, I also posted that I would block anyone who made jokes or references to that thing people suggest about a successful woman who has had high profile romances with high profile men. You know exactly the thing Im referring to, you smart folk.

That didnt make me many friends among the hard-core Kamala haters, of which I am not one, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that the majority of my social media posse agreed. Making cruel comments about someone who has herself made cruel comments about others might feel good, but it doesnt help us keep that moral high ground when it comes to women.

The we I am referring to is conservatives, and the moral high ground that I sincerely believe we own is soaked in the blood of Sarah Palins reputation.

Before you turn the page in disgust at yet another biased commentary from the conservative chick who, according to my email inbox, shouldnt be allowed to write for this paper, my point is simply this: We cannot treat Kamala Harris with brutality and then complain about how Palin was virtually destroyed by both the Democrats and the GOP operatives who hated her as much, if not more, than the political enemy.

Ive written about the former governor of Alaska numerous times over the last 12 years. The first chance I had to comment was a few days after the Republican National Convention in 2008 when I wrote: Im not a person who likes to play identity politics. It doesnt matter to me what color you are, what gender, or with whom youre likely to fall in love. Substance matters more than the irrelevancies of race, sex, and the color of your hair. But watching Palin on Wednesday night, I felt incredibly proud to be a woman at this moment in time. Here, finally was a role model I could relate to, someone who valued unborn life, who thought it wasnt off limita to speak of God, who didnt think we should coddle terrorists and who believed in personal responsibility as opposes to public handouts. For once I thought, Im probably on the same page as the National Organization for Women. Girl Power!

Wrong.

This is what NOW President Kim Gandy had to say:

Gov. Palin may be the second woman vice presidential candidate on a major party ticket, but she is not the right woman.

How stupid of me to forget.

Palin ushered in an era of what I call justified misogyny, where men and women  especially and enthusiatically women  felt entitled to ridicule her every move. She was stupid. She was a Jesus freak, a religious zealot who wanted to force women to have babies. She was a vengeful hack. She raised white trash kids. She was a nepotist (but likely couldnt spell the word). Her Downs child didnt emerge from her vagina. And it continues to this day. I cannot tell you the people I have blocked who think they curry favor with me by saying, Oh you look like her but youre much smarter. The visceral hatred is real. And how has Palin reacted? Most recently, with profound grace, by issuing advice and good wishes to Harris. Which has angered her critics even more.

Before Kamala Harris was confirmed as Bidens pick, a bunch of nervous ladies took a pre-emptive strike and issued a statement announcing their intention to combat the misogyny that the pick would likely trigger. This absolute lack of self-awareness on the part of these women made me laugh. They and their older sisters (and brothers) were part of the braying pack of political hyenas that came for Sarah. And they really thought we wouldnt notice?

The thing about hypocrites is that they rarely look in the mirror. But Im looking straight at them. And this is what I have to say:

I wont be coming for Kamalas smarts.

I wont trash her educational pedigree.

I wont examine her romances.

I wont criticize those pearls or that hair.

I wont harrass her stepkids.

I wont attack her faith, or lack thereof.

I wont make fun of her cadence.

I wont ridicule her reading habits.

I wont snicker at her hobbies.

I wont stalk her neighbors for intel.

I wont research her husbands associations.

I will go after her politics, which are generally anathema. I will ignore her ovaries and skin color and ethnicity. I will do her the favor the hypocrites on the left refused to extend to Sarah Palin:

I will treat her like a human being. Thats all anyone of us deserves and these days, rarely gets.

Christine Flowers is an attorney and a Delaware County resident. Her column usually appears Sunday. Email her at cflowers1961@gmail.com.
As many as 363 inmates of the Thiruvananthapuram central jail have tested positive for the coronavirus disease, jail superintendent P Nirmalanandan said. About 250 other inmates are scheduled to undergo tests, the official said.

Covid-19 tests were conducted at the jail after a 71-year-old prisoner died of the infection on Saturday.

Most of the infected are asymptomatic. We have isolated them and those who have serious symptoms are shifted to Covid hospitals, Nirmalanandan said, adding that many under-trials and those who are about to complete their terms were freed to decongest the prison.

The state on Sunday reported 10 deaths and 1,530 fresh infections. Of these, 53 are health workers, office of health minister KK Shailaja said.

Click here for complete coronavirus coverage

The CM, meanwhile, has lauded the efforts of the health officials and others on the Covid-19 frontline. We are into 200-day of Covid crisis. Looking back, we can say with pride that this has not been just a period of despair & loss. This has been a time of courage, compassion, resilience and survival, he tweeted on Sunday.

Kerala was the first to report a virus case in January last, a China-returned medical student from Thrissur.
A 30-year-old man pulled from the waters off Bluffers Park died in hospital Saturday night, and Toronto police said his 23-year-old brother was presumed drowned after a search that also included the marine unit, firefighters and several volunteers.

Police reported to the east-end park three times Saturday. In the evening, a boy in distress in the water was rescued and in good condition, according to police, while two men who helped him to safety sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

During that incident, the two brothers were also reported missing near the Bluffers Park beach. The older brother was found and rushed to hospital, where he later died.

The search for the body of the younger brother continued overnight.

On a tragic day at Bluffers Park, the body of another man was pulled from the water late in the afternoon. Police described that case as suspicious, without further details.
Vietnam is one of 42 countries capable of producing a Covid-19 vaccine.

Four producers are researching and developing Covid-19 vaccines: Vabiotech, Polyvac, IVAC and Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC, according to Khoa Hoc va Phat Trien.

Illustrative image





Vabiotech set to work on the vaccine in February 2020, right after the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology successfully isolated SARS-Cov-2 virus.



The project has brought initial achievements: the vaccine has high immunogenicity.



The finding is significant for Vabiotech, because this shows that the scientists are following the right track and gained initial results.



Two batches of serum samples of 50 mice vaccinated against Covid-19 last May were sent to the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology for analysis.

Four producers are researching and developing Covid-19 vaccines: Vabiotech, Polyvac, IVAC and Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC

According to Dang Duc Anh, head of the institute, four out of eight groups of vaccinated mice were found having an antibody response. This is the foundation for Vabiotech to develop a complete vaccine.

Chair of Vabiotech Do Tuan Dat said in the next period, the candidate vaccine will be developed into a vaccine with sufficient standards to be used for humans.



It will take 9-12 months to make a complete vaccine, but Dat said Vabiotech will try to shorten the process. If compared with the average time of 10 years needed to develop most vaccines, successful vaccine development within 18-24 months would be a great achievement.



He hopes that Vabiotech can test the vaccine on animals once more in 4-5 months, or no more than 9 months before the vaccine is tested on humans. It will take another 2-3 months after testing on humans to set up production and put the vaccine into use.



IVAC has also gained initial achievements with its vaccine project. Its vaccine sample has been sent to the US for assessment. It is expected that the results will be released in late August.



According to Duong Huu Thai, head of IVAC, if the response from the US is positive, IVAC will prepare the next steps for clinical trials in humans, and if all results are good, IVAC would be able to produce by the end of 2021. However, Thai said it is still too early to say anything at this moment.



The vaccine researched by IVAC uses the technology of cultivating in chicken eggs with embryos, with the production process similar to the production of the vaccine used in the A/H5N epidemic. The Covid-19 vaccine, if successfully developed, can be produced at IVACs ' factory.



The other two vaccine producers are also working on vaccines. Nanogen has produced vaccines on a small scale based on the Wuhan virus strain and mutant strain. It is expected that the pre-clinical trial will be carried out in September.

Mai Lan

'Made in Vietnam' COVID-19 vaccines set to begin human trials later this year Following four COVID-19 vaccine research and development units recently enjoying positive results, 'Made in Vietnam' COVID-19 vaccines are poised to begin human trials later this year, according to the Ministry of Health.
As many as one in four new dog owners admit impulse-buying a puppy during the coronavirus crisis.

Pandemic puppies were bought to be companions or to ease the tedium and anxiety of lockdown for families.

But a survey of 2,622 owners by the Kennel Club found 25 per cent of those who bought a dog during lockdown did fewer than two hours of research beforehand.

Pandemic puppies were bought to be companions or to ease the tedium and anxiety of lockdown for families [File photo]

One in five of those who bought a puppy admit not having fully considered the commitment or long-term responsibilities of being a dog owner.

And 18 per cent said they were unsure how they would look after their new pet after returning to work.

Concerningly, almost a quarter of those surveyed said their pet may have come from a puppy farm, with around the same number having paid for the animal without having seen it in person or on video call.

Bill Lambert, head of health and welfare at the Kennel Club, said: These hasty decisions not only play into the hands of the opportunistic scammers and puppy farmers operating during the pandemic, but can also sadly result in puppies being rehomed if owners havent carefully considered how their dog will fit their normal life.

Experts have warned that pets may suffer separation anxiety as life becomes more normal, missing the constant human attention they enjoyed during lockdown [File photo]

Experts have warned that pets may suffer separation anxiety as life becomes more normal, missing the constant human attention they enjoyed during lockdown.

The research, released by the Kennel Club as part of its #BePuppywise campaign to provide advice on finding the right dog and breeder, found more than 80 per cent of people were not asked any questions by the breeder about their suitability as owners.

It follows research earlier this month which found a quarter of puppies in the UK are being taken from their mothers before they are eight weeks old, which is illegal.

The survey also shows 15 per cent are worried about whether they can afford a puppy along with food, vet bills and pet insurance.

Almost one in six of those surveyed last month agreed that, in hindsight, they were not ready to have a puppy.
I just read Susan K. Livios article recent article, " Leadership failed them Menlo Park veterans home should quit after 62 coronavirus deaths, lawmaker says.

I really have to admire a Democratic state senators ability to call for the resignation of New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park CEO Elizabeth Schiff-Heedles. As a veteran myself, I feel for their loss of 62 residents and one employee.

But, as a resident of Middlesex County, where the home is located, I know that it is futile to wait for state Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, to have a real investigation into the actions and policies of Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and his health commissioner, Judith Persichilli. These policies were responsible for many of the 6,500-plus COVID-19 deaths that occurred at all of the long-term care homes in the state.

To quote Vitale from the article, It would have been unrealistic to suggest no one (at Menlo Park) would have gotten the virus, but it was the spread, the ongoing lack of PPE and how staff were told not to wear PPE, that could have saved their lives potentially.

Its our Democratic Party leadership that has failed us. I cant wait for Vitales upcoming hearing to ask for Murphy and Persichilli to resign.

Robert Wojtkowiak, South Amboy

Medically necessary to reopen fitness centers

I would like to inform Paula Zevin, who wrote the recent letter We all miss N.J. gyms, but risk is too great, that the people who want gyms reopened are not just muscle-bound 18-year-olds or people looking for some social interaction.

I am a 63-year-old woman who is in constant pain from sciatica. The only thing that helps is exercise. I need to use certain gym equipment, like treadmills and ellipticals. I also have pre-osteoporosis, and weight-bearing exercise is a must for me to maintain bone density.

I cannot afford to have the necessary gym equipment at home, nor can I afford a personal trainer or physical therapy. Plus, gyms promote healthy lifestyles and exercise boosts the immune system.

Since liquor stores have been open during the whole pandemic, I guess I should drink my pain away. Thats a healthy lifestyle?

Donna Hofmann, Colonia

Apple (Facebook, Twitter, Google) for the teacher

Recently, billionaire CEOs of four monopolistic technology companies testified before Congress, attempting under hostile questioning to defend their unfair, but lucrative, business practices.

Meanwhile, schools across the United States are making plans to open completely or partially remotely because of COVID-19, while too many students have poor internet connections, or none at all, and will be unable to participate fully in remote learning.

Here is a good solution to both problems:

These CEOs and their companies should be required to spend a portion of their huge profits to fully remedy this technology gap. They should build the infrastructure to connect every person in the United States and its territories to the internet. At the same time, they should provide a laptop to every school-age child, along with the necessary training for every child to use the computer for schoolwork.

All children are required to attend school in this wealthy country, but closed school buildings make that impossible for those without the necessary technology. Let's make sure that the pandemic doesn't leave any of our children behind.

Ellen Kovac, Elizabeth

In this Trump corner, $250,000 a plate

Paul Mulshines description of President Donald Trumps recent visit to a private fundraiser (Rocky vs. Howie: The pro and anti-Trump forces face off in Long Branch, column, Aug. 11) is shallow.

Lines of expensive cars bearing Trump flags and New York plates drove between the opposing crowds screaming obscenities. At least most of the anti-Trump crowd resides in-state.

Mulshine explains that the pro-Trumpers are pleased with his pro-Israel actions and fears the Democratic Partys Squad (of progressive female House members) as dangerously anti-Israel. Yet, Trump is running for president of the United States and the Squad is not.

Trump's domestic policies and authoritarian actions are destroying the constitutional makeup of this country. They are financially harming and causing the deaths of Americans, as Trump welcomes foreign interference into our elections. His international policies have destroyed relationships with allies and our world leadership that has that protected Americans.

Vacationing pro-Trumpers can spare $250,000 a plate to take photos with him, but the rest of us need someone who understands the Constitution and is capable of leading the United States.

Lisa Trimboli, Long Branch

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Vu Lan Festival 2020 is an occasion for children to express their gratitude towards their parents (especially mothers) and help ancestors souls find their way back to the earth.

The Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) has requested VBS provincial and municipal executive boards, training establishments, and places of worship to organise Vu Lan Festival 2020 in the virtual form amid the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19.

At a pagoda

The VBS Executive Council asked the VBS provincial and municipal executive boards and establishments to strictly apply disease prevention measures, saying that the registration of praying for lost souls should be implemented via online applications during the festival.

It also called on monks, nuns, and followers nationwide to continue supporting the fund for COVID-19 prevention and control, and providing relief for those that are in difficult circumstances due to the pandemic.

Previously, in a document sent on July 30, the VBS Executive Council demanded its central and local units, training establishments, and places of worship to suspend festivals, ritual ceremonies, and training courses with mass gatherings, while increasing disease prevention measures like wearing face masks and frequently washing hands with soap or sanitiser.

On July 27, the VBS Executive Council ordered stronger anti-COVID-19 measures at its units in central Da Nang city and Quang Ngai province, the first localities to record community infections after 99 straight days of Vietnam being free of such transmissions.



The Vu Lan festival falls on the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar. On this months full moon, wandering souls are believed to return to their former homes.



The festival is based on the legend that once when mediating, a Buddhas disciple named Muc Kieu Lien saw his mother suffering hells tortures. Following Buddhas advice, on the seventh full moon of the year, Lien gathered monks and devotees to pray for his mother.



Therefore, the festival is also an occasion for children to express their gratitude towards their parents (especially mothers) and help ancestors souls find their way back to the earth.



As of August 16 morning, Vietnam has confirmed 951 COVID-19 infections, including 334 imported cases and 24 deaths.

VNA

Hanoi Medical University Hospital experts help treat COVID-19 patients A 13-strong working delegation from the Hanoi Medical University Hospital has been working hard at the COVID-19 epicentre to treat patients with serious underlying diseases in recent days.
Beirut, Aug 16 : Lebanese President Michel Aoun said that there is no delay in investigations into the explosions that rocked Beirut on August 4, the National News Agency reported.

"We need time to find out the truth because there exist many assumptions and possibilities; we should be very accurate in considering each assumption," Aoun said, adding that he understands people's anger and he shares with them the same feelings.

Two huge explosions rocked Port of Beirut on August 4, shaking buildings all over Lebanon's capital, while killing at least 177 people and wounding 6,000.

Primary information reveals that ammonium nitrate stored since 2014 in warehouse No. 12 at Port of Beirut may have caused the explosions.
The responsible and responsive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has helped India fight the Covid crisis with minimal damage, said solicitor general of India Tushar Mehta on Sunday, adding it is unimaginable as to what would have transpired if the country was under any other leadership.

Mehta, the Centres second senior-most law officer, said each and every step to deal with Covid-19 was taken by the government in a methodical and scientific manner. He further said that there were guidelines in place to deal with every aspect of the epidemic.

But for the responsible and responsive leadership of our prime minister, I dont think we could have passed through this international crisis with the minimum damage which was unavoidable. Shudder to even imagine what would have happened under any other leadership, Mehta said while speaking at a virtual session organised by Akhil Bhartiya Adhivakta Parishad.

As the face of the Central government before the Supreme Court in various Covid related petitions, Mehta said he has witnessed first hand the ways in which the government has tackled coronavirus.

I have gone through each and every aspect of the Covid management undertaken by this government and I can tell that you will not be able to identify or pinpoint any particular area where the government did not touch upon and warn (beforehand), those who were supposed to manage the situation. Each and every ministry, including commerce, finance, telecom, agriculture, health and home had guidelines in place, Mehta said.

Whenever petitions used to come before court, I used to find that the government had specific guidelines in place in the context of Covid, he added.

Mehta underscored that he was not making political statements to curry favour but was speaking as a citizen and a lawyer who had the opportunity to witness the functioning of the government and the steps taken by them to counter the pandemic.

To detractors, Mehta said the judiciary was accessible to each and every citizen even during lockdown, adding if there is still criticism it showed deliberate indifference and ignorance by such persons about the situation.

The Supreme Court had come under fire during the initial months of the lockdown for its refusal to entertain cases related to Covid and the governments handling of the same. Former judges, the members of the civil society and many senior lawyers had faulted the top court for accepting the government word on Covid management, particularly the adversities faced by migrant workers, without verifying the government claims. Mehta was the government lawyer in many of these cases and some of his arguments in those matters had also come under scrutiny.

I dont think there would be any democracy as large as India in the world where the judiciary has functioned on a daily basis giving access to justice to everyone in the country  right from trial court to Supreme Court and I can vouch for the Supreme Court, Mehta said.

The Supreme Court, he said, functioned on a daily basis throughout the lockdown starting from March 25.

The judges of the Supreme Court, many of whom are more than 60 years old, have not taken a single day off. They could have said that their age may not permit them to expose themselves to Covid. But they worked with all precautions which could have been taken. Many petitions before the Supreme Court were avoidable ones and the court had the freedom to impose fine (on the petitioners) but it refrained from doing (so) considering the circumstances, Mehta said.
Minsk, Belarus

Thousands of demonstrators in Belarus took to the streets again Saturday to demand that the country's authoritarian leader resign after a presidential vote they called fraudulent. In response, the president declared that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had agreed to provide security assistance to restore order if Belarus requested it.

President Alexander Lukashenko spoke Saturday evening several hours after a phone call with Putin as he struggled to counter the biggest challenge yet to his 26 years in power.

Saturday was the seventh consecutive day of large protests against the results of the country's Aug. 9 presidential election in which election officials claimed the 65-year-old Lukashenko won a sixth term in a landslide. Opposition supporters believe the election figures were manipulated and say protesters have been beaten mercilessly by police since the vote.

Harsh police crackdowns against the protesters, including the detention of some 7,000 people, have not quashed the most sustained anti-government movement since Lukashenko took power in 1994.

The demonstrators rallied Saturday at the spot in the capital of Minsk where a protester died last week in clashes with police. Some male protesters pulled off their shirts to show bruises they said came from police beatings. Others carried pictures of loved ones beaten so badly they could not attend the rally.

Luksahenko did not specify what sort of assistance Russia would be willing to provide. But he said "when it comes to the military component, we have an agreement with the Russian Federation," referring to a mutual support deal the two former Soviet republics signed back in the 1990s.

Both the European Union and the U.S. government say the presidential election in Belarus was flawed.

Lukashenkov's main opponent in the vote, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, fled to Lithuania the day after the election, knowing that several previous presidential challengers have been jailed for years on charges that supporters say were trumped up.

A funeral was held Saturday for Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester who died Monday in Minsk under disputed circumstances. Belarusian police said he died when an explosive device he intended to throw at police blew up.

But his partner, Elena German, told The Associated Press that when she saw his body in a morgue on Friday, his hands showed no damage and he had a perforation in his chest that she believes is a bullet wound.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Hundreds of people came to pay their last respects to Taraikovsky, who lay in an open casket. As the coffin was carried out, many dropped to one knee, weeping and exclaiming "Long live Belarus!"

Video shot by an Associated Press journalist on Monday shows Taraikovsky with a bloodied shirt before collapsing on the ground. Several police are seen nearby and some walk over to where Taraikovsky is lying on the street and stand around him.

The video does not show why he fell to the ground or how his shirt became bloodied, but it also does not show that he had an explosive device that blew up in his hand as the government has said.

About 5,000 demonstrators gathered Saturday in the area where Taraikovsky died. They laid a mass of flowers in tribute.

Earlier, the 65-year-old Lukashenko on Saturday rejected suggestions that foreign mediators become involved in trying to resolve the country's political crisis.

But he did discuss the situation in a call Saturday with Putin, the first publicly known direct contact between the two leaders since the election. A Kremlin statement said Putin and Lukashenko both expressed hope for a quick resolution to the tensions.

Russia and Belarus reached an agreement in 1997 about closer ties between the neighboring ex-Soviet countries in a union that stopped short of a full merger, although that has collided with recent disputes between the countries and Lukashenko's suspicions that Putin's government wants to absorb Belarus.
- Omotola Jalade Ekeinde on Saturday, August 15, revealed she has tested positive for COVID-19

- The veteran actress shared the information via her verified Instagram page

- Omotola's fans have been sending her their love and well wishes since the announcement since then

Veteran Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde aka Omosexy has tested positive for COVID-19.

The actress broke the news on Saturday, August 15 in a gut-wrenching Instagram post.

Omotola who is 42 years old assured her fans that everything was okay and she was getting better by the day.

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The mother and wife added that she is still in isolation and had been unwell for quite a while.

The Nollywood actress credited her sudden disappearance from social media to her illness.

"Hello all, I know most of you have been wondering where I have been. Well, I contracted COVID. I have been ill, in isolation and now getting better, Omotola said.

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Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde before she got the disease. Photo: Omotola Jalade

Source: UGC

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The Nigerian screen siren said she used her time in isolation to catch up on her latest reads as she waited for her body to recuperate.

In July 2020, fellow Nigerian celebrity Peter Okoye who used to be part of P-Square revealed he and his daughter contracted the virus.

The musician made the revelation on Instagram as he admonished his fans and followers to take precautionary measures to protect themselves.

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Okoye later disclosed that they all tested negative for the virus.

Days after, his wife, Lola Omotayo, penned a note of appreciation to everyone who supported their family during their experience with COVID-19.

Lola in a video shared on her Instagram page thanked everyone and particularly noted that she would not wish the coronavirus experience on her worst enemy.

According to her, people need to believe that the pandemic is real, adding that she suffered the entire time and was in a lot of pain.

The doting mum also noted that she had to watch her family members go through the harrowing experience.

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.

I lost my husband and my daughter the same day - Nelly Obiero | Tuko Talks| Tuko TV

Source: TUKO.co.ke
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden asserted that if elected, his administration will stand with New Delhi in confronting the threats it faces and called for strengthening the 'bond' between India and the United States.

IMAGE: Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks during a campaign stop in Wilmington, Delaware. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters

Presidential elections in the US will held on November 3 and the 77-year-old is challenging incumbent Republican President Donald Trump in the polls.

"Fifteen years ago, I was leading the efforts to approve the historic civil nuclear deal with India. I said that if the US and India became closer friends and partners, then the world will be a safer place," Biden, who was vice-president in the Obama administration, said while addressing the Indian-American community on India's Independence Day.

If elected president, Biden said, he will continue to believe this and also continue to stand with India against the threats it faces from its own region and along its borders.

He said that he will work on expanding two-way trade between the two nations and take on big global challenges like climate change and global health security.

If elected, the Democratic candidate said, he will work to strengthen the democracies where diversity is the mutual strength.

On this day, let us 'continue to deepen the bond that endures between our nation's and our people', Biden said.

He said that 'as President, I'll also continue to rely on the Indian-American diaspora, that keeps our two nations together, as I have throughout my career'.

"My constituents in Delaware, my staff in the Senate, the Obama administration that had more Indian-Americans than any other administration in the history of this country, and this campaign with Indian Americans at senior levels, which of course includes the top of the heap, our dear friend (Kamala Harris) who will be the first Indian American vice president in the history of the United States of America," Biden said.

Early this week, Biden scripted history by selecting Indian origin Senator Harris, 55, as his running mate in the US presidential election.

Harris, whose father is an African from Jamaica and mother an Indian, is the first-ever Black vice-presidential nominee.

"We all know she's smart, she's tested, she's prepared. But another thing that makes Kamala so inspiring is her mother's immigrant story to the US that started in India, with pure courage that brought her daughters to this moment. I know the pride you feel. It's your story too," Biden said.

"For your sacrifices, and your family's courage, you became pillars of our community and our country. You're patriots and the frontlines of this pandemic.

"In this reckoning of systemic racism, you're making real real promise that America is a place where people of all races and religions can live together in peace," he said.

"But I know it's hard. I heart goes out to all those of you who have been the targets in a rise in hate crimes, and the crackdown of legal immigration, including a sudden and harmful actions on H-1B visas.

"That for decades have made America stronger and brought our nation's closer," Biden said.

The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

"While it's sometimes may not feel like the US of your dreams, we will overcome and build back better than ever. Like (former President) Barack Obama had asked to me, I'm asking Kamala Harris, to be the last person in the room to ask the tough questions of me, provide counsel, most of all to always represent the belief in possibilities," the former US vice president said.

Biden administration will place 'high priority' on strengthening India-US ties

A Biden administration will place a 'high priority' on continuing to strengthen the India-US relationship, his campaign said on Saturday, asserting that no common global challenge can be solved without the two countries working as responsible partners.

In a major policy document on Indian-Americans, the campaign said Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden believes there can be no tolerance for terrorism in South Asia, cross-border or otherwise.

A Biden administration will also work with India to support a rules-based and stable Indo-Pacific region in which no country, including China, is able to threaten its neighbours with impunity, it said.

'Biden will deliver on his long-standing belief that India and the United States are natural partners, and a Biden administration will place a high priority on continuing to strengthen the US-India relationship,' the Biden Campaign said as Indians and 4 million Indian-Americans celebrated India's Independence Day.

'No common global challenge can be solved without India and the United States working as responsible partners,' said the campaign as it released 'Joe Biden's Agenda for the Indian American Community' policy document.

'Together, we will continue strengthening India's defense and capabilities as a counter-terrorism partner, improving health systems and pandemic response, and deepening cooperation in areas such as higher education, space exploration, and humanitarian relief,' the campaign said.

The policy document comes days after former vice president Biden named Indian-origin US Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate.

Harris, whose father is an African from Jamaica and mother an Indian, is the first-ever Black vice-presidential nominee.

'Biden will ensure that South Asian Americans are represented in his administration, starting with his Vice-Presidential nominee, Senator Kamala Harris, whose mother emigrated from India to study and build a life in the United States,' the campaign policy document said.

'Our government will reflect the diversity of the United States, and Indian American voices will be included in shaping the policies that impact their communities. From fighting COVID-19 to building our economy back better to reforming our system of immigration, a Biden-Harris Administration will be one that Indian-Americans can count on,' it said.

As the world's oldest and largest democracies, the United States and India are bound together by their shared democratic values: fair and free elections, equality under the law, and the freedom of expression and religion, the campaign said.

'These core principles have endured throughout each of our nations' histories and will continue to be the source of our strength in the future,' it said.

Biden played a lead role, both as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and as the Vice President, in systematically deepening the US' strategic engagement, people-to-people ties, and collaboration with India on global challenges, it said.

'In 2006, Biden announced his vision for the future of US-India relations: 'My dream is that in 2020, the two closest nations in the world will be India and the United States',' it said.

He has also worked to make that vision a reality, including leading the charge in Congress, working with Democrats and Republicans, to approve the US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement in 2008, said the campaign.

The Obama-Biden administration continued to deepen collaboration between India and the United States on strategic, defence, economic, regional, and global challenges.

Biden was a major champion of growing and expanding the US-India partnership. Recognising India's growing role on the world stage, the Obama-Biden administration formally declared US support for India's membership in a reformed and expanded United Nations Security Council, it said.

The Obama-Biden administration also named India a 'Major Defense Partner' -- a status approved by the Congress -- to ensure that when it comes to the advanced and sensitive technology that India needs to strengthen its military, India is treated on par with its closest partners, it said.

Former President Barack Obama and Biden also strengthened their cooperation with India to fight terrorism in each of 'our countries and across the region', it added.

The Obama-Biden administration worked closely with India to secure the successful signing of the Paris Climate Agreement to address the global climate crisis that 'threatens all our peoples'.

'A Biden administration would bring the United States back into the Paris Agreement, giving us the ability to again work closely with India to fight climate change and once more work hand in hand to reduce our carbon emissions and secure our clean energy future, without which we cannot build the green economy we need,' the campaign said.
The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District can provide certified copies of birth certificates, which may be needed for school enrollment, a drivers license or to register to vote.

Because of COVID-19 safety precautions, an appointment is required to pick up a birth certificate in-person. Certified copies of birth certificates cost $23 each.

To make an appointment, call the vital statistics office at 750-5468. Because there is a high demand for birth certificates at this time, it may take up to a week to get an appointment.

Another option is to send in a request by email, fax or mail. The application forms are available at https://bit.ly/Birthcertificates. Fill out the application forms as directed and fax or mail them to the health district. Requests by fax or mail will be filled the day they are received. When faxing or mailing the application, please be sure to include a phone number. A cashier will call for credit card information and process payments.

The mailing address for the vital statistics office at the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District is 225 W. Waco Drive, Waco, Texas 76707. The fax number 750-5455, and the email contact is registrar@wacotx.gov.
Stop economic wars

Report on webinar, 1st August, 2020

This discussion involved three men from very different backgrounds and it was enlightening to hear their comments about what was happening from their very different parts of the world in 2020. Caleb Maupin, a journalist and political analyst from Brooklyn, began by painting the picture outside his window of police cars on fire, police precincts being attacked, and general chaos in the streets, at a time when COVID-19 was devastating the country.

In his view imperialism is at the basis of societys problems: its a system in a deep state of crisis, in which bankers and millionaires control the economy. He gave as an example of imperial dominance: 19th century Britain destroying the economic development of India by burning their weaving factories which were competing with Manchesters mills. Further examples of capitalist imperialism were Mexico, Libya and Iraq, the latter reduced to chaos, while Saudi Arabia and companies such as Exxon, Chevron, BP, and Shell benefit. He described the US like Viking Raiders, raping and pillaging and leaving once prosperous countries in poverty.

He stressed how imperialism keeps the world poor while the City of London and Wall Street rake in the money. He related that after visiting Quito in 1999, he saw how desperate the people were having been forced to use US dollars.

Same again in Russia after the changes in 1989 when it was forced to import US food. He related how US companies had bought Russian steel mills and promptly closed them and he saw the response of Chavez in Venezuela, and Putin in Russia as being a response to neoliberalism, commenting that theres a need for new resistant movements worldwide.

He implied that imperialism is keeping countries in a state of poverty under the excuse of eliminating terrorism. The US is now trying to do the same with Iran in order to keep its monopolies.

Lenins standpoint on imperialism and the split in socialism is as relevant today, in all its essential aspects, as in his own day. The world is divided up into imperialist and non-imperialist countries, between oppressor and oppressed nations. At the turn of the century Lenin argued that a small number of other imperialist countries joined Britain in exploiting the whole world:

A handful of wealthy countries [...] England, France, United States and Germany  have developed monopoly to vast proportions, they obtain superprofits [...] , they ride on the backs of hundreds and hundreds of millions of people in other countries and fight among themselves for the division of the particularly rich, particularly fat and particularly easy spoils [...]

This still goes on.

Maupin went on to talk about the aristocracy of labour who are naturally loyal to Empire and have become the new bourgeoisie middle class. He observed that this is now being demolished in America, where infrastructure has been dismantled  broken roads, polluted water, and low wages  all adding to the instability. He commented that there had never been such a hatred of the military.

Trump is escalating Americas attempt to bring socialist countries like Cuba and Venezuela to heel with ever-emasculating sanctions; now trying to stop vessels from Iran to Venezuela; and using sanctions to cut off these countries from the world economy. He stressed that Trump is petrified of ideas such as the One Road One Belt initiative, which is a way out of imperialist domination by encouraging poor countries to trade with each other.

People should realise that global hostilities are not in their interest. Where the US economy is based on the military and monopolies, the alternative could be seen as a peaceful means of prosperity.

Academic, political analyst, and expert on the Middle East, Tim Anderson added to the discussion, by referring to Lenin and the period of the First World War when monopolistic regimes were competing for Empires. Then monopolies were the cutting edge of imperialism but today Russia and China provide counterweights to the US, which still has 800 military bases around the world. It isnt so much a competition between empires now.

Since WW2 people globally gained self-determination: there was, in the 1960s, the International Bill of Rights, which is being ignored by todays imperialist nations. Ten nations originally abstained from this, amongst them US, Australia, and New Zealand  all countries with racial problems. For instance, the US still talks about liberty whilst enjoying slavery. Colonial powers still do not allow democracy. There are propaganda wars against attempts to introduce socialism such as Bolivar, Chavez, Castro, etc., who have tried to bring countries together, with something similar being attempted in the Middle East. Collaboration between Venezuela and Iran has been astounding in resisting imperialism and its illegalities. But Western propaganda is trying to link Chavez with Hitler. Other lies have been weapons of mass destruction in order to invade Iraq; use of chemicals in Syria. There needs to be resistance struggles linking Latin America and the Middle East, as alliances against US imperialism is very important. These networks are proving powerful as could be seen when they hesitated to attack Syria because of Russian support. He felt there needs to be resistance networks built against global imperialism.

Daniel Gasparri, Head of Mission at the Venezuelan embassy in Australia, reported on the latest events in Venezuela. He stated that countries who do not kneel to the wishes of the imperialists are attacked aggressively. Because of the US sanctions businesses find it impossible to trade with Venezuela. That countrys assets of $30 billion have been frozen by the US, UK, Portugal, and others and Venezuela has taken it to the International Court. Because of the economic situation caused by these sanctions, two million people have left Venezuela in the last four years. But the country has risen to the COVID-19 challenge with the lowest number of cases, with ten people dying in a country of thirty million people because of its excellent health programme. There were 1,270 cases last week.

He stated that plenty of people want to return to Venezuela, with six million returning from Colombia but this isnt reported in the western newspapers. He mentioned the farce of the attempt to kidnap Maduro by mercenaries from the US, who had been part of a security team elsewhere in Venezuela. Nevertheless the sanctions are really hurting the country.

Caleb Maupin praised George Galloway in the UK, who was trying to educate people about imperialism. People dont want wars but unfortunately to defy their masters they become more right-wing rather than embrace socialism. Looking at how to change tactics he felt people around the world need to build a movement against imperialism which is not tied to the left but comes directly from the masses.
United Nation:

India has criticized the lack of collective will for a long-pending global convention on terrorism and called for its urgent adoption, asserting that proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by non-state actors constitutes one of the biggest threats to world peace.

The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery to non-state actors continues to constitute one of the biggest and most serious threats to international peace and security today, Indias Deputy

Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Tanmaya Lal said at a Security Council debate proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) by non-State Actors.

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He said as a victim of terrorism for over three decades, India is cognizant of the catastrophic dangers that the transfer of WMDs to non-State actors and terrorists could entail.

As we continue efforts to achieve universal adherence and reporting to these instruments, we must not forget the urgent task of closing out negotiations on a Comprehensive

Convention on International Terrorism at the UN, which has been under discussion since 1996. Such delay hints at a lack of collective will on an existentialist issue that has become the most serious threat to world peace since 1945, he said.

Lal emphasised that it is imperative the international community comes together to eliminate the risks related to sensitive materials and technologies falling into the hands of terrorists and non-State actors.

He said meeting new proliferation challenges requires new approaches for evolving a more cooperative and consensual international security order that effectively addresses genuine proliferation concerns and differentiates between responsible States whose actions strengthen non-proliferation and those that weaken the realization of its objectives.

He pointed out that India is committed to maintaining effective law-based controls to prevent the transfer of weapons of mass destruction to terrorist activities and to maintain effective domestic controls to prevent WMD proliferation.

India has over the years enacted effective laws and regulations and has institutionalized an array of administrative mechanisms to prohibit WMD access to non-State actors and terrorists, he said.

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The National Weather Service said it was planning to investigate reports of a rare occurrence of fire tornadoes arising on Saturday from a 20,000-acre wildfire in Northern California.

Dawn Johnson, a meteorologist with the service in Reno, Nev., said on Sunday that the agency had received reports of fire tornadoes in an area of Lassen County, Calif., about 25 miles northwest of Reno.

Its not like a typical tornado where it happens, everything clears out and you safely go and investigate, Ms. Johnson said. In this case, theres a massive wildfire burning in the same location, so the logistics are a lot more complicated.

Doppler radar showed at least five rotation signatures, but Ms. Johnson said she could not confirm that they would all be classified as fire tornadoes.
The Morrison government on multiple occasions rejected Victoria's pleas to help the disability sector respond to coronavirus outbreaks and were warned several times about the need for a joint taskforce.

Victorian Disability Minister Luke Donnellan first highlighted issues within the sector on April 8, and called on the Commonwealth to extend financial support and set up a crisis accommodation response team, both of which were rejected by federal counterpart Stuart Robert.

Premier Daniel Andrews is urging the Morrison government to be part of a joint disability sector taskforce. Credit:Getty Images

It's the first time the Andrews government has indicated its calls for help had not been answered by the Commonwealth and comes after a public spat between the Premier and federal Defence Minister Linda Reynolds who contradicted evidence Daniel Andrews gave to a parliamentary inquiry last week.

Mr Andrews on Sunday said his government had urged the Commonwealth to be a part of its Disability Rapid Response Group  a model similar to the joint aged-care taskforce  to address issues around infection control, an inability to quickly increase the workforce, staff working across multiple sites, and alternative accommodation arrangements in the event of an outbreak at a facility.
Tel Aviv, Aug 16 (UNI) Thousands of protesters came out in Jerusalem on Sunday demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resign over allegations of corruption and his mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Protesters and police clashed late into the night outside the residence of the embattled prime minister, who had recently clinched a historic diplomatic deal with the United Arab Emirates.

Images on social media showed several demonstrators being dragged by police as anti-Netanyahu protests continued for the eighth week, Al Jazeera reported.
British travellers returning home from parts of Europe and beyond began quarantine under new restrictions on Saturday, while Russia said it had produced the first batch of its controversial coronavirus vaccine.

Latin America and the Caribbean, the pandemic's current epicenter, surpassed six million infections, even as Rio de Janeiro in hard-hit Brazil reopened major tourist sites including the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.

"The reopening of the Christ (monument) symbolizes the reopening of Brazil to tourism," Environment Minister Ricardo Salles said at a ceremony at the base of the statue, where visitors will have to wear masks and socially distance.

Latin America claims nearly one-third of the 760,000 coronavirus deaths worldwide.

The United States is the worst-affected country with more than a quarter of the world's 21 million cases, as well as nearly 170,000 deaths. Brazil follows with 3.3 million cases and 107,000 deaths.

The UK removed France, the Netherlands, Malta and three other countries from its list of places exempt from self-isolation rules, as a second wave of virus infections threatens more disruption and economic chaos in Europe.

The move, announced late Thursday, sparked a 36-hour scramble for plane, train and ferry tickets among some Britons desperate to get back home before the 4:00 am (0300 GMT) rule change.

All arrivals from the blacklisted states after the deadline must self-quarantine for 14 days, with the measure already in place for people coming from several other countries including Spain and Belgium.

Eurotunnel reported roaring business.

"The Le Shuttle Passenger Service carried almost 30 percent more leisure traffic yesterday than its initial forecast, adding 22 extra departures to the peak summer timetable carrying over 30,000 passengers," a statement said Saturday.

France is facing a resurgence of the disease that emerged in China late last year.

Story continues

French authorities have reported more than 2,500 new cases on each of the past four days and over 3,000 on Saturday -- levels not seen since France was in a strict lockdown in the spring.

With cases still rising around the world, Moscow said the first consignments of its "Sputnik" vaccine had been produced, just four days after President Vladimir Putin announced Russia had won the global race to approve a vaccine.

The claim has drawn a sceptical response from Western scientists and the World Health Organization, which have said the vaccine still needs a rigorous review.

- France vows tit-for-tat move -

France has vowed to impose a "reciprocal measure" on Britain's quarantine move, leaving French holidaymakers set to face tough choices in the coming days.

Germany added most of Spain -- where cases have surged in recent weeks -- to its list of regions from where arrivals must show a negative COVID-19 test or quarantine for two weeks.

The restrictions include the island of Mallorca, a highly popular resort for German sunseekers.

Austria urged its citizens to return from popular Mediterranean destination Croatia before similar rules come into effect Monday, while Serbia introduced mandatory testing for travellers from four neighbouring countries.

Malta meanwhile posted its highest ever one-day rise in coronavirus cases on Saturday with 72 new infections.

In Asia, South Korea tightened restrictions in Seoul and its surrounding areas as the country reported the highest number of new daily infections since March.

- 'Promising' vaccines -

However several countries announced an easing of lockdown measures.

South Africa said it would resume sales of alcohol and cigarettes -- banned on March 27 -- on Monday. DR Congo opened up its airspace Saturday after five months with a flight from Kinshasa taking off for the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

In the US, museums, art galleries and other cultural institutions in New York will be allowed to reopen later this month following a five-month shutdown.

Meanwhile, about 5,000 pilgrims attended the annual Assumption mass in the underground basilica in France's Lourdes Roman Catholic shrine Saturday -- with strict health measures in place.

burs-acb/st
Rates of natural gas are most likely to witness a third straight reduction in one year. The prices of natural might get reduce to $1.9-1.94 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) from October--lowest in more than a decade. The price cut is because of the denting revenues of natural gas producers like Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC).

And, the cut in prices would mean a widening of losses for India's top oil and gas producer ONGC. ONGC had posted Rs 4,272 crore loss on gas business in 2017-18, which is likely to widen to over Rs 6,000 crore in the current fiscal (April 2020 to March 2021).

There will be a revision in gas prices in October this year. Prices of natural gas are set in every six months- on April 1 and October 1, each year.

Prices were cut by a steep of 26 per cent to $2.39 per Btu in April.

Natural gas is used to produce fertiliser and generate electricity and is also converted into CNG for use in automobiles as fuel and cooking gas for households.

ONGC has seen incurring losses on the 65 million standard cubic meters per day of gas it produces from domestic fields shortly after the government in November 2014 introduced a new gas pricing formula that had "inherent limitations" as it was based on pricing hubs of gas surplus countries such as the US, Canada, and Russia.

The current USD 2.39 per mmBtu rate is the lowest in more than a decade.

Sources said ONGC in a recent communique to the government has stated that the break-even price to produce gas from new discoveries was in the range of USD 5-9 per mmBtu.

In previous years, loss from the gas segment was getting offset from the gain from the oil business. But with oil business itself coming under severe strain due to a sharp slump in benchmark prices, it has become difficult for the company to meet even the operating expenses, they said.

In May 2010, the government had raised the rate of gas sold to power and fertiliser firms from USD 1.79 per mmBtu to USD 4.20.

ONGC and Oil India Ltd (OIL) got USD 3.818 per mmBtu price for the gas they produced from fields given to them on nomination basis and after adding 10 per cent royalty, the fuel cost USD 4.20 per mmBtu for consumers.

The Congress-led UPA had approved a new pricing formula for implementation in 2014 that would have raised the rates but the BJP-led government scrapped it and brought a new formula.

The new formula takes into account the volume-weighted annual average of the prices prevailing in Henry Hub (US), National Balancing Point (the UK), Alberta (Canada), and Russia with a lag of one-quarter. Prices are set every six months -- on April 1 and October 1 each year.

The rates at the first revision, using the new formula, came to USD 5.05 but in the subsequent six-monthly reviews kept falling till they touched USD 2.48 for April 2017 to September 2017 period. Subsequently, they rose to USD 3.69 in April 2019 to September 2019 before being cut by 12.5 per cent in October 2019 to USD 3.23.

(With PTI inputs)

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UN refusal to back US-drafted anti-Iran resolution proves existence of intl. law: Russia

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 15 August 2020 4:19 PM

Russia's Foreign Ministry says the almost unanimous refusal of the United Nations Security Council to support a US-sponsored draft resolution on extending the arms embargo against Iran proves that international law exists.

During the 15-member Security Council vote on Friday, the US received support only from the Dominican Republic for its anti-Iran resolution, leaving it far short of the minimum nine "yes" votes required for adoption.

Russia and China voted against the draft resolution and the remaining 11 Security Council members, including France, Germany and Britain, abstained.

"The draft [resolution] was categorically rejected by the Security Council. The results of the vote became a reminder for the US colleagues that international law exists," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

It added that the body members' refusal to support the draft resolution showed that all the Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2231 that endorses the landmark 2015 nuclear deal -- officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) -- "must be observed by everyone, including Washington, and in their entirety, and not only in the part that suits [the US]."

The ministry emphasized that the US knew in advance that its resolution would not be supported.

The United States had, in recent months, stepped up its push to keep the UN arms ban against Iran in place through a UNSC resolution, threatening that it would use a provision in the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, which Washington left in 2018, to trigger a return of all UN sanctions on Iran if the UN body failed to extend the embargo.

The remaining signatories to the deal, even Washington's own allies, have repeatedly reminded the US that it is no longer a party to the JCPOA and thus cannot use the provision to bring about a renewal of anti-Iran bans.

Elsewhere in its statement, the Russian ministry said Moscow does not regard interaction within the Security Council as a clash of ambitions but a responsible joint work for the sake of maintaining and strengthening international peace and security.

However, it added, Washington's desire to push for the anti-Iranian embargo has nothing to do with this goal.

According to the statement, the failure of the draft resolution clearly confirmed that pressure and brute force as well as the demonization of Iran are not the solutions to possible tensions in the Persian Gulf region.

It also pointed to a proposal put forward by Russian President Vladimir Putin to convene a video summit in the presence of the five permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany and Iran in a bid to avoid "confrontation and escalation" at the United Nations and said it is an invitation to start a meaningful conversation and constructive cooperation in the necessary direction.

"We hope that this proposal will receive broad support and will be implemented," the ministry said.

In a statement on Friday, Russia's President Putin proposed a video summit with the United States, Britain, France, China, Germany and Iran, saying, "The issue is urgent."

Putin added that the alternative was "only further escalation of tensions, increasing risk of conflict - such a scenario must be avoided."

After the US suffered a humiliating defeat at the Security Council, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Saturday that the United States has "never been so isolated" in the UN's 75-year history.

"In the 75 years of United Nations history, America has never been so isolated. Despite all the trips, pressure and the hawking, the United States could only mobilize a small country [to side] with them," Mousavi said in a post on his Twitter account.

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michael barbaro

From The New York Times, Im Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily. Today: The president, the postal service and the election. My colleague Luke Broadwater on whats actually going on.

[music]

Its Wednesday, August 19. Luke, theres a theory floating out there about the post office, the president and the upcoming election, and I wonder if you can just explain it. What is this theory?

luke broadwater

So the theory, I guess the short version of it is this: President Trump has installed a mega donor and close ally as the postmaster general and has set him about on a course to cut the post office. And in doing so, wreak havoc onto mail-in voting, thereby helping President Trump be reelected.

michael barbaro

And, Luke, where does this theory come from?

luke broadwater

Well, we can take it all the way back to about the turn of the century, when mail use peaks in America right around 2001. And since that time, weve seen about a 50 percent reduction in the mailing of first class mail. To accommodate this, a series of postmaster generals have approved cuts and reductions to things like mailboxes, to things like sorting machines in attempt to shrink the agency along with the lower volume of mail.

michael barbaro

Got it.

luke broadwater

Then you have this pandemic come in, and you have a ton of people now and a ton of states looking at mail-in balloting. Something like three out of four Americans may be eligible to vote by mail this year. And so you have this whole new demand on the post office. Then, on top of all these problems, a new postmaster general is installed.

archived recording His postmaster general is a Republican mega donor, who 85 days from the election by the way, decided the time was right for a chaotic and sweeping overhaul.

luke broadwater

His name is Louis DeJoy. He has never worked for the post office before.

archived recording Critics of the president say hes trying to sabotage the postal service ahead of the election. It was only a month and a half ago Trump identified mail-in voting as the biggest threat to a second term.

luke broadwater

He reassigns more than 20 executives in the post office. He immediately limits overtime for the postal workers. In the unions view, he speeds up the removal of mail-sorting machines. He puts in stringent rules that limit how many times a mail carrier can make a run in a day. And the result of all these changes, where some people were seeing slower mail, becomes in many peoples view a crisis. People all across the country are calling their senators, calling their Congress people. They are saying they havent gotten mail for weeks. I talked with one congressperson in Philadelphia who said in a normal July, he gets something like 10 to 20 complaints about the post office. And this year in July, he got more than 300, almost 400. And so people who were already worried about DeJoy and what he was doing at the post office, their fears were exacerbated when last week 

archived recording (donald trump) But two of the items are the post office and the $3.5 billion for mail-in voting. Now, if we dont make a deal, that means they dont get the money. That means they cant have universal mail-in voting. They just cant have it.

luke broadwater

President Trump came out and basically admitted that he doesnt want to fund certain aspects of the post office, because they might contribute to mail-in voting.

[music]

And when he said that, it was like alarm bells rang across the country for Democrats.

michael barbaro

What is the president objecting to here exactly? What is his problem with this funding, and what is this funding?

luke broadwater

So this all comes out of the fight over the latest round of stimulus legislation to help Americans suffering from the coronavirus and to help the American economy. In the Democrats proposal, they have $25 billion dollars to help the post office, and they have $3.6 billion to help states with their elections. There is a provision in the Democrats bill for universal mail-in voting, but that is not directly connected to the money for the post office. It appears that President Trump has conflated these two issues. So he thinks that by blocking the money for the post office, hes preventing universal mail-in voting. The truth is that states have already decided on their own whether or not theyre doing universal mail-in voting, and this money for the post office would not change that.

[music]

michael barbaro

So in the process of opposing this thing thats not really even in the Democrats proposals, hes nevertheless admitting very explicitly that he wants to find a way to curtail mail-in voting by depriving the postal service of funding.

luke broadwater

Yes, he says that out loud, and you could hear jaws hitting the floor around the country.

michael barbaro

Got it.

luke broadwater

But to make matters worse, right around this time, you start seeing reports come out from different states across the country that they have received letters from the postal service saying we might not be able to accommodate mail-in balloting in the final weeks of the election for your state. And so with Trumps comments, then these letters, and everything else we know about Postmaster General DeJoy and his background and ties to the Republican Party, and the cuts hes putting in place, people around the country start to suspect that theres sabotage going on.

michael barbaro

Right, so here youre laying out the kind of elements of this theory that now, Im sure for many people, especially Democrats, is starting to sound not so much like a theory, but a kind of reality. And so Im curious how people within the Democratic party are reacting exactly? What are they saying? What are they doing?

luke broadwater

Well, I mean, there was immediate outrage.

archived recording (protesters) [CHANTING]

luke broadwater

People started protesting.

archived recording (protesters) (SINGING) Mama, mama, cant you see? Mama, mama, cant you see? What DeJoy has done to me? What DeJoy has done to me?

luke broadwater

People went to Postmaster General DeJoys house and protested outside his house.

archived recording (protesters) (SINGING) He wants to sabotage the post. He wants to sabotage the post. And throw away all of our votes. And throw away all of the votes. Mama, mama, cant you see?

luke broadwater

Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Pelosi has called the House to come back and pass emergency legislation to block what Postmaster General DeJoy and President Trump are doing to the post office in her view. And you see a hearing on Monday, an emergency hearing, in which Mr. DeJoy will be called in front of Congress to take tough questions about his role in all this, and what his plans and intentions are.

michael barbaro

So the presidents comments, essentially confirming many peoples fears, have poured a lot of fuel onto this theory. But as plausible as this theory may sound, is there actual evidence that connects DeJoys actions to Donald Trump and shows that hes actively seeking to undermine the postal service to strengthen his chances of re-election?

luke broadwater

I mean, he has said that. But in terms of actual actions, I dont think you can say that. To pull that off, you would have to destroy the post office in key areas, right? You would have to do it in Democratic strongholds, but not in rural areas. You would have to be very sort of selective about how you went about cutting and weakening the post office. And thats not really what weve seen. What weve seen is across the country weve seen problems with the post office. In fact, a lot of the complaints that we get are from rural Americans, and we see a lot of rural Republicans who are very upset about whats going on at the post office  G.O.P. senators and Republican secretaries of state. So Donald Trump believes that mail-in voting helps Democrats, but almost all the studies weve seen is that it doesnt really help anybody. It just makes more people vote. Now, maybe he views it as if fewer people vote, I can win. But theres no real evidence of that either, that sort of a smaller electorate would benefit him over Joe Biden.

michael barbaro

Well, now that theyve seen this reaction to the presidents words, and this theory has taken hold, how is the Trump administration responding?

luke broadwater

Well, theyve walked back a number of things that Trump said.

archived recording If the Democrats were to give you some of what you want, which you articulated in a series of tweets in the last hour, would you be willing to accept the $25 billion dollars for the postal service including the $3.5 billion? archived recording (donald trump) Sure, if they give us what we want. And its not what I want. Its what the American people want.

luke broadwater

The president has now said hes open to funding the post office in a way that he wasnt only a day earlier. His Chief of Staff Mark Meadows has gone out there and said 

archived recording (mark meadows) Im all about piecemeal. If we can agree on postal, lets do it.

luke broadwater

 that they would be open to a standalone bill to fund the post office.

archived recording (mark meadows) Ive been the one thats advocating for that. Speaker Pelosi is the one who said that she wont do anything unless its a big deal.

luke broadwater

Theyve made a number of pledges to try to tamp down some of the accusations.

archived recording (mark meadows) Theres no sorting machines that are going offline between now and the election. Thats not happening.

luke broadwater

Theyve said theyll stop removing the post boxes. They said they have authorized overtime for the election. And the postmaster general has pledged that every ballot will be treated with respect and counted and sent to the proper place. They are pledging up and down there wont be any sabotage.

[music]

michael barbaro

Well be right back. So at this point, the Trump administration has more or less said we will stop doing the things that are fueling this theory. Thats now very much out there that we are trying to damage the postal service to try to win a second term in the middle of a pandemic. Im curious what the actual capacity of the postal service is with the cuts that are already in place. Can the postal service handle an election in which 100 to 200 million people may use mail-in ballots?

luke broadwater

The short answer is yes. They have more than enough capacity to handle that volume of mail. Pretty much everybody agrees on that  election experts, the postal union, the postmaster general. If you look at a traditional Christmastime, you have much more mail moving than youre going to see during this election, even though it is a very heightened amount of mail-in ballots. The issue for the post office is not the volume or the capacity. The issue is the timing. And so they have a concern about last-minute requests for mail-in ballots. Thats really their issue. Theres 45 states across the country that allow people to request ballots within two weeks before the election. Some allow the requests as short as four days. There are even five states that will send out a mail-in ballot to a voter if they receive an application by mail, even the day before the election.

michael barbaro

Wow, thats just not a lot of time for the postal service to get a ballot out, get a person to fill it out and get it back in time before the election.

luke broadwater

Yes, exactly. So the postal service is saying, even in a good year, even a year where there is not this big rush of mail-in ballots and theres no pandemic, we would have trouble with some of those deadlines. And so were asking you in a pandemic year, in a year where 75 percent of voters are eligible to vote by mail, please push your deadlines back, and give us two weeks to process these things.

michael barbaro

OK, theyre just basically creating a bigger buffer of time to make sure they can handle all of this capacity. That seems kind of reasonable.

luke broadwater

Yeah, I mean, and I think that if this request had gone out without Donald Trumps comments, without Postmaster General DeJoys cuts, they would have been seen as sort of a reasonable letter to ensure that everyones vote actually counted, that the post office can accommodate some of these deadlines. Well, lets change them to make sure that no one is under a false impression that theyre filling out a ballot thats going to count when its not actually going to get there in time.

michael barbaro

So, look, I want to return to the original theory here about the president, the postal service and the election. You identify the ways in which the president could, if he wanted to, weaken the postal service in ways that would advantage him in the election by, for example, going into a Democratic community and making cuts to the postal service. Does the president actually have that kind of power? Could he demand changes to the postal service in the next 70 or 80 days that would actually make it easier for him to win re-election?

luke broadwater

Well, so he does control the board of governors now for the postal service, and he controls the postmaster general. And he could give them some marching orders theoretically. That said, I do think it would be difficult to carry out without raising the alarm of a large unionized workforce. If all of the sudden, the entire branch of the Philadelphia post office was closed down, and people were laid off, we would know about that. These are not shrinking violets who would just be pushed around. So hed either need buy-in from the unions to sabotage the election  a bunch of unionized workers  which seems highly unlikely. Or we would hear crying foul from every corner of the country about what he was doing.

michael barbaro

So youre saying its not very practical as a electoral strategy for the president. But I wonder if youre getting the sense that the presidents actions so far, and his words when it comes to the postal service and this election, are creating a lot of doubt about whether mail-in voting is going to work? And whether the postal service can make mail-in voting work, and if that is starting to in its own way undermine faith in the postal service in the minds of voters?

luke broadwater

Absolutely. Its an interesting thing the presidents doing, because the post office has long been one of the most popular functions of government. I think 91 percent of Americans, Republicans and Democrats alike, support the post office. And so what the unions believe hes doing is they say there are three levels of support that they have. One is the board of governors. They say the presidents taken that over. The second is the postmaster general. They say the president has taken that over. And the third is the American public, and they still have the American public on their side. But if the service of the post office is so eroded, and the confidence in it has degraded so much that their polling starts to fall, and people dont have confidence in them anymore, well, now the theory goes its open for privatization.

michael barbaro

Oh, interesting. And what could be a bigger stage for people to judge the postal service than an election?

luke broadwater

Thats right.

archived recording (donald trump) There is the issue of voter fraud. Isnt it amazing the way they say theres no voter fraud?

luke broadwater

Donald Trump has long sought to undermine American elections with his rhetoric.

archived recording (donald trump) There are 1.8 million dead people that are registered right now to vote. And folks, some of them vote. I wonder why. I wonder how that happened. They woke up from the dead, and they went and voted.

luke broadwater

But now what were seeing is on the other side.

archived recording (nancy pelosi) Within this administration is an attempt to make sure your vote doesnt count and doesnt count as cast.

luke broadwater

Democrats are worried about a rigged election.

archived recording (nancy pelosi) The actions this administration are taking, vis-a-vis our voting system, our sacred right to vote are a domestic assault on our constitution. archived recording (chuck schumer) Donald Trump is aimed at hurting the elections. He says he wants to slow down the mail to hurt the elections and make people doubt the results of the election.

luke broadwater

So now were seeing both sides questioning the legitimacy of the election. And I dont know how thats a good recipe for America and for confidence in our electoral system.

archived recording (barack obama) What weve never seen before is a president say, Im going to try to actively kneecap the postal service, and I will be explicit about the reason Im doing it. Thats sort of unheard of.

michael barbaro

You know, I cant help but think about 2016 and Russian interference. And Im kind of haunted by the Russian theory of the case, which is that you dont actually have to do the thing. You dont actually have to interfere in the election, because the real power is just in calling the election itself into doubt.

luke broadwater

No, thats an interesting point. Yeah, I mean, the key distinction between the two is in 2016, a lot of the concern was about outside interference. This time, the accusation is that the meddling is coming from the White House itself. That the calls coming from inside the house, so to speak. That is obviously a huge cause for alarm, and its a very different line of concern than we saw in 2016. Now, you know, despite all this concern and all the heated rhetoric that weve heard, there is perhaps a silver lining. And that is when you talk with a lot of get-out-the-vote folks, and you talk with activists about how their messaging is changing, now theyre really pushing this idea that you need to vote a good two weeks before the election by mail. And so people that maybe didnt hear that message and would have voted the week before election, and maybe the post office wouldnt have gotten the ballot there in time for their vote to count, I think theres a good chance now that they will get that ballot in ahead of time, and their vote will count.

[music]

michael barbaro

Well, Luke, thank you very much. We appreciate it.

luke broadwater

Thank you.

michael barbaro

On Tuesday, under growing pressure from Democrats, activists and voters, Postmaster General DeJoy said he would formally suspend the operational changes hes been making to the postal service until after the 2020 election. Among the changes he will suspend are eliminating overtime for mail carriers, reducing post office hours and removing postal boxes, all of which have been blamed for slowing mail delivery and could undermine mail-in voting. But DeJoy has not said that he will permanently reverse any of the changes that he has already made.

[music]

Well be right back. Heres what else you need to know today.

archived recording 1 The Commonwealth of Kentucky cast all 60 votes for the next president of the United States, Joe Biden. archived recording 2 Mississippi cast two votes for Bernie Sanders and 38 votes for our next president Joe Biden. archived recording 3 Delaware is proud to cast its 32 votes for our favorite son and our next president. archived recording 4 Our brand, Delaware, Joe Biden.

michael barbaro

During the second night of the Democratic National Convention, after a virtual roll call from 57 states and U.S. territories, Joe Biden was formally designated as the partys nominee for president.

archived recording [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] archived recording (joe biden) Well, that you very, very much from the bottom of my heart. Thank you all. It means the world to me and my family. And Ill see you on Thursday. Thank you, thank you, thank you. archived recording [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]

michael barbaro

Later in the evening, Bidens wife, Dr. Jill Biden, delivered the nights keynote speech from a classroom quieted by the pandemic, recalling her decision to marry Biden not long after the death of his first wife and daughter in a car crash.

archived recording (jill biden) I never imagined at the age of 26 I would be asking myself, how do you make a broken family whole? Still, Joe always told the boys mommy sent Jill to us, and how could I argue with her.

michael barbaro

Recounting that tragedy, Joe Biden described her husband as uniquely capable of healing the nation in the middle of a deadly pandemic and economic collapse.

archived recording (jill biden) I know that if we entrust this nation to Joe, he will do for your family what he did for ours. Bring us together and make us whole. Carry us forward in our time of need. Keep the promise of America for all of us.

michael barbaro

The speech was the latest sign that the Biden campaign will frame the coming election as a referendum on President Trump and his handling of the coronavirus.

[music]
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows on Sunday conceded that Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) is eligible to serve as vice president, rejecting a racist conspiracy theory promoted by President Donald Trump.

CNNs Jake Tapper asked Meadows on State of the Union about the discredited lie against Harris, whom presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden announced as his running mate last week.

I kind of cant believe I even have to ask you this, but just a simple yes or no: Do you accept that fact  and it is a fact  that Sen. Kamala Harris is eligible to be vice president? Tapper asked.

Sure, Meadows responded, before attacking Harris liberal ideas and the policies born out of California that would take root if she were to become vice president.

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows says he accepts that Sen. Kamala Harris is eligible to be vice president. #CNNSOTUpic.twitter.com/kLcjgP4lYi  State of the Union (@CNNSotu) August 16, 2020

The racist and false claim that Harris, the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, is ineligible for the vice presidency was the subject of an op-ed by lawyer John Eastman posted Wednesday by Newsweek.

Eastman suggested that Harris cant be vice president because her parents were not naturalized citizens at the time of her birth. (Harris was born in California.) This argument is false.

The Constitution says that only a natural-born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, shall be eligible to serve as president or vice president. The 14th Amendment says that anyone born or naturalized in the U.S. is a U.S. citizen.

Nonetheless, some of Trumps allies have seized on the theory. Jenna Ellis, a legal adviser to the Trump campaign, retweeted Eastmans op-ed on Thursday.

Story continues

Trump told reporters at a press briefing Thursday that he heard Harris doesnt meet the requirements to be president.

I have no idea if thats right, he added....

Continue reading on HuffPost
NEW FRANKLIN, Ohio  Portage Lakes-area nightspot Upper Deck Bar & Grill was cited Saturday night by Ohio Investigative Unit agents for blatant violations of state health orders in place to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The bar on West Turkeyfoot Lake Road received an administrative citation after OIU agents on-site noted a lack of social distancing measures in place, with several groups of people congregating, according to a release from the Ohio Investigative Unit.

The case will go before the Ohio Liquor Control Commission for possible penalties, including fines or the suspension or revocation of liquor permits.

Upper Deck Bar & Grill was one of only two establishments statewide to receive citations overnight Saturday. The second bar, Muddy Boot, is in Zanesville, about 50 miles east of Columbus, the news release says.

Upper Deck Bar & Grill drew the attention of the Summit County health department in May after it received 15 social-distancing complaints on the first weekend that outdoor dining was allowed in Ohio. At the time, a health department inspector found that Upper Deck did not require all employees to wear facial coverings, establish a maximum capacity based on social-distancing measures or post a list of COVID-19 symptoms in an obvious place, among other violations.

The bars co-owner, Tim Adkins, told cleveland.com in May that they had agreed to hire four off-duty police officers to help the establishment enforce social distancing measures.

More Ohio coronavirus news:

Lakewood bar accused of violating coronavirus health orders

Ohio schools cant use face shields as widespread replacement for masks during coronavirus pandemic, ODH says

White House defends President Trumps handling of coronavirus in new report that Sherrod Brown calls propaganda
Thimphu: Covid infection has been confirmed in a 4-year-old girl in Bhutan. This girl is the youngest girl in the country to be hit by Covid-19. Apart from this, Covid's infection has also been confirmed in her mother. According to reports, citing health department, after coming in contact with the 25-year-old man, she has become a victim of infection.

According to the information received, this young man is working in a mini dry port under the Regional Revenue and Customs Department, although no travel history was revealed. The ministry said that after the young man was found to be Covid-19 positive, 100 people who came in contact with him were quarantined in Fuentholing. Both (mother-daughter) are also present in these people and since August 12, both of them were in the Quarantine Center.

The government has declared Fuentsholing sub-district as a jade area, taking the rising positive cases and the greater community spread delicately. It is also said that so far 133 cases of coronavirus infection have been reported in Bhutan, out of which 102 people have been cured of the infection and 31 are being treated, while no case of death has been reported due to Covid-19.

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By Colin Packham and Praveen Menon

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is set to decide by Monday whether a general election will go ahead on Sept. 19, with most analysts expecting her to resist opposition calls for a delay due to a flare up in coronavirus infections.

A country of five million people, a long way from anywhere, New Zealand has fared far better than most countries during the pandemic, but a spate of new infections forced Ardern earlier this week to lockdown Auckland, the largest city.

Seven new cases were reported on Saturday.

Having kept New Zealand clear of infections for 102 days straight before the flare-up, Ardern has won praise for her decisive response to the pandemic, and opinion polls have shown her Labour Party in a winning position.

Pollsters have been unable to survey voters since the latest outbreak, but analysts expected Ardern to decide to go ahead with the election next month.

The opposition National Party would like it delayed, they said, in the hope that Ardern loses some of her lustre once hardships caused by the lockdown begin to bite.

"She is a savvy politician," said Grant Duncan, professor of politics at Massey University. "It pays for the government to have an election sooner rather than later, while the opposition wants it delayed."

Forced to cancel campaign events due to restrictions on movement and crowds due to the health scare, the opposition has accused Ardern of using the pandemic to shore up support as she appears on television nearly everyday to reassure New Zealanders, while their own leaders struggle to draw audiences.

Parliament is due to be dissolved on Monday, and Ardern told reporters on Friday that she would have decided by then, while giving assurances that the election commission had already planned for the vote - which must be held by Nov. 21 - to be conducted safely.

Pollster and blogger David Farrar said in a post on Kiwiblog that with Auckland still in lockdown for another 12 days, an election in September would be "madness", predicting a near record low turnout if it went ahead.

(Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
- A new and more infectious SARS-CoV-2 strain was found in the Philippines as per health experts

- The virus was globally dominant according to the Philippine Genome Center

- The agency defined the strain as D614G, and that the "G" variant was detected in a small set of samples taken from positive cases

- According to a number of international studies, this more infectious variant is considered as the globally dominant form of the novel coronavirus

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It is quite appalling that a more infectious strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been found in the Philippines.

As per GMA's report, the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) is the "globally dominant" form.

"Together with the observation that G614 is now the dominant viral state, the authors claim that the said mutation can increase the viral rate of transmission," the PGC stated.

Photo: Pixabay

Source: UGC

"The D614G mutation makes the virus more infectious (mas nakakahawa)... It can spread faster and overwhelm our healthcare system if we don't double our control efforts and so it can lead to a higher number of overall deaths," Dr. Edsel Salvana, an infectious disease expert stated.

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Source: UGC

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The government faced problems when they imposed the initial community quarantine, which was elevated into enhanced community quarantine. It also suspended transportation causing massive problems with commuters.

Doctors have died after being infected by COVID-19. They are among the frontliners who attend to the patients rushing to hospitals amid pandemic.

The COVID-19 outbreak started out in Wuhan, Hubei Province of China. Scientists believed that the virus came from an animal at one of Wuhan's wet markets. The Philippines has slowly eased quarantine measures and Filipinos are starting to adapt to the new normal.

Please like and share our amazing Facebook posts to support the KAMI team! Dont hesitate to comment and share your opinions about our stories either. We love reading about your thoughts and views on different matters!

Source: KAMI.com.gh